Paul's Corner

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About Paul

Unique selections of books from our book buyer Paul Ingram. He compiles great lists of books on varying topics.

If you have any requests for recommendations, send Paul an email at paul@prairielights.com

International News! Paul Ingram sick!

Submitted by plights on January 11, 2012 - 11:27am
International News! Paul Ingram sick!
The Story of Lucy Gault
William Trevor
 
     

Dear Book Club,

Sorry to have missed our meeting for Into the Heart of Borneo.  The meeting scheduled for JAN 10  will be scheduled for Janurary 19.  The book will be just as funny on the 19th. 

Our February title will be a novel by the wonderful Irish writer of fiction, William Trevor, the Story of Lucy Gault.

The stunning new novel from highly acclaimed author William Trevor is a brilliant, subtle, and moving story of love, guilt, and forgiveness. The Gault family leads a life of privilege in early 1920s Ireland, but the threat of violence leads the parents of nine-year-old Lucy to decide to leave for England, her mother's home. Lucy cannot bear the thought of leaving Lahardane, their country house with its beautiful land and nearby beach, and a dog she has befriended. On the day before they are to leave, Lucy runs away, hoping to convince her parents to stay. Instead, she sets off a series of tragic misunderstandings that affect all of Lahardane's inhabitants for the rest of their lives.

This is a beautiful, melancholy novel that gives Ireland with its sharp class and religious divisions a subtle and rich treatment.  The Story of Lucy Gault is a book that will stay with you for a long time.  It's stuck with me since I read it when it first came out and it's still with me.

Paul@prairielights.com

 

The Great John Brown Book

Submitted by plights on November 28, 2011 - 2:23pm
The Great John Brown Book
Midnight Rising
Tony Horwitz
 
     

I've been obsessed with the tragic story of John Brown and his misguided attempt to free the slaves at what ever price.  I'd love to see a really good film made with excellent actors and a great director about this, one of the most dramatic incidents in American history.  Tony Horwitz, who is usually quite funny, forgoes humor to tell this grim sad story, dealing with one of out darkest issues, slavery.  The Brown family, made of soldierly types and not so soldierly types.  The power of an idea that John Brown preached so vigorously.  "We must regard those who are bound as being bound with them."  Horwitz has hundreds of letters and personal documents from the Brown family and from those who chose to march with him. 

This is as fine a piece of American historical reading as I've seen in many an age.  Horwitz is the husband of Geraldine Brooks, who has written fiction about the American Civil War.  I'd love to listen to some of their conversations.

paul@prairielights.com

 

 

Beautiful Books You Can't Download

Submitted by plights on November 9, 2011 - 12:55pm
Beautiful Books You Can't Download
Peter Sis, Matt Kish, Craig thombson
 
     

They talk about the paper book being on the way out.  You'll be able to get a phd from the apps on your smart phone.  I want you all to come down to Prairie Lights before you spend your Christmas dollar on electronics and downloadable whatnot.  We have books of rare beauty.  Books you long to run your fingers over.  Books you CAN run your fingers over.

Look at Craig Thompson's glorious new graphic novel, Habibi.  A stunning tale locked in myth and spirit, Christian and islamic, drawn by one of todays masters of the form.  With it's ancient-looking cover, it might have been discovered in an ancient chest, filled with life-altering knowledge that the reader has been looking for all his life.  It sells for 35.00, less 25%, which is an extraordinary deal.  Enjoyable by the curious reader from 12 to adult.

Caldecott-Award Winning Czech Illustrator Peter Sis is responsible for some of the most magically beautiful Children/Adult books ever published, including Starry Messenger, Tibet Through the Red Box, and now his new gloriously illustrated rendering of Sufi poet Attar' great work, The Conference of the Birds.  Sis will be at Prairie Lights Monday November 14 to talk about his new book and deliver a slide show..  Beautiful textured paper, that you'll never be able to download, is one of the wonderful features of The Conference of the Birds, that and Sis's distinctive drawing style.  The story is a beautiful fable to be read again and again.  27.95 less 25%

Matt Kish is a different kettle of fish.  Following a lifetime obsession with Melville's novel, Moby-Dick, he made the decission to produce an illustration for every page of the great novel.  I can't describe the gorgeousness of these works.  Most of them are on found paper and they use virtually every medium known to artists.  Matt Kish's talent is dumbfounding and the book is the ultimate thinking-persons coffee table book.  Check out this guy's web site, but buy the book for your living room.  39.95 paperback.  Come down.  Come down and see beautiful books.  It is the year of the beautiful book.