Tracy's Reviews

First of all, Kate Spade can't do any wrong in my eyes. With that bias stated, you must must check this book out. There's a whole chapter on the color RED! Why not, right? Besides well-placed bows (yes!) and handwritten notes (yes!) and a sense of humor (of course!), this book is a beautiful compilation that visually represents the spirit of kate spade New York.

John Berger, whose treatises on seeing have shaped cultural and media studies for four decades (see Way of Seeing), records the effects of cataract removal operations on each of his eyes. The result is an illuminated take on perception. Demirel's witty illustrations complement the text, creating a mini-world where eyes take on whimsical lives of their own.

When I finished this book, I turned it over and read it all over again. Seriously. Every chapter left me with a hauntingly beautiful image of life at the turn of the century. From the perspective of a lonely laborer named Robert Grainier looking back at the events of his life, there is a feeling of wonder and discovery in the realization of the American frontier. I loved this book.

One of my favorite parts from my trip to Jerusalem was the massive daily farmer’s market—blocks devoted to fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and rotisserie meats, galore! And, of course, stands brimming with falafel, hummus, and kabobs. When I heard that Yotam Ottolenghi was releasing a cookbook based on this vibrant city, I immediately started salivating, remembering the delicious recipes I loved from last book, Plenty, such as the Jerusalem artichokes with Manouri and basil oil.

Sheri Koones, author of my favorite green guide on prefabricated homes, Prefabulous + Sustainable, is just as excited as I am to release Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid. Meant to inspire homeowners to consider more environmentally friendly options for their home, this book is filled with inexpensive alternatives to creating a more energy-efficient and healthy living standard. The twist in this book is in the location!

I fell in love with J. K. Rowling at age 8 with Harry Potter. Fifteen years later—with a mix of nostalgia, curiosity, and great excitement—I’m ready to read Rowling’s take on adult fiction. This premiere novel features a compelling mystery: When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early 40s, the small town of Pagford is left in shock. Although Pagford seems from the beginning an English idyll, details reveal warring counterparts at every turn, and Fairbrother’s surprising death becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has ever seen.

Davy Rothbart, founder of Found magazine, is a hopeless romantic. Following up the like-titled documentary of 2011, this collection of essays expands on the hardships of following the heart and recreates hilarious and key moments of his adolescence. In the style of David Sedaris and Sloane Crosley, but with his own wholehearted twist, these essays are often hilarious and touching. “These essays are a trip. Take that trip.” —Charles Baxter. (We’re looking forward to having Davy here Saturday October 13th)

I loved this memoir of growing up (mostly) in Texas in quite the dysfunctional family. Mary describes her childhood with the humor and compulsion of poetic therapy but the grit and reality of sand in the mouth. Her story is compelling, especially when describing her relationship with her mother and their reversal of roles. Best for anyone delving into the biography genre!

What would it be like to give up everything and attempt to live off the land? Chris McCandless attempted this endeavor donating all his money to charity and cutting off communication to the world to make his way into the great white North – Alaska. Krakauer describes his devastating death with the clarity and foresight of a journalist yet with the passion of a fellow nature-lover.

You may recognize Laura Spencer from "Good Morning America, awesome enough—but start flipping through these pages! She is super passionate about saving money without skimping on style and offers fantastic expert advice on how to make the most of your yard-saling experience. And that's not all - there's even info on how to update and save potential treasures from the dump! – Tracy