“Cold Comfort Farm”

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1930s, Books, Cold Comfort Farm, English, Flora Poste, radio adaptation, relatives, remote farm, satire, serial adaptation, Starkadder, Stella Gibbons, television film

Cold Comfort Farm (Longman, 1932)

Published in 1932 in satirical response to romantic rural literature popular at the time, English author Stella Gibbons’ Cold Comfort Farm is a rollicking read about Flora Poste, a broke 19-year-old metropolitan orphan who decides to impose herself upon her remote farming relatives, the Starkadders. Full of aptly (and hilariously) named characters such as the Jersey cows, Graceless, Pointless, Aimless, and Feckless; and cousins Urk, Ezra, Harkaway, and Caraway, this laugh-out-loud novel details what happens when a bossy city girl tries to meddle in pastoral affairs.

Cold Comfort Farm was adapted into a three-part BBC serial in 1968; a four-part BBC radio adaptation in 1981 and a 1995 BBC television film.

Sophie Katz Mystery Book Series

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American, Books, Chaos Desire and a Kick Ass Cupcake, Kyra Davis, Lust Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss, mystery, Obsession Deceit and Really Dark Chocolate, Passion Betrayal and Killer Highlights, Sex Murder and a Double Latte, Sophie Katz, Vanity Vengeance and a Weekend in Vegas, Vows Vendettas and a Little Black Dress

Sophie Katz Mystery Series

The Sophie Katz mystery series is written by American author Kyra Davis. She met (and married) her first husband while she was attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and Fashion Institute of Technology. She later transferred to the Golden Gate University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and humanities. In 2001, Davis filed for divorce. She began writing the Sophie Katz series due to the stress resulting from the divorce. Currently Davis lives in Los Angeles with her son and her husband, director and screenwriter Rod Lurie. The Sophie Katz mystery series began in 2005 and has seven novels, the final one, Chaos, Desire and a Kick-Ass Cupcake, was published in 2017.

“Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour”

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actually made the trek, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, Books, cross country move, drive car, family friend, Morgan Matson, photos, receipts, YA, young adult

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour (Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010)

Amy Curry is having a terrible year. Her mother has decided to move across the country and needs Amy to get their car from California to Connecticut. There’s just one small problem: Since her father died this past spring, Amy hasn’t been able to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger, the nineteen-year-old son of an old family friend, who turns out to be unexpectedly cute — and dealing with some baggage of his own.

The book contains photos and receipts taken by author Morgan Matson who actually made the trek outlined in this young adult novel.

“Blueberries For Sal”

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1940s, bear, Blueberries For Sal, blueberry hunt with parents, Books, Caldecott Medal, Robert McCloskey, short film adaptation

Blueberries For Sal (Viking, 1948)

The block-printed illustrations show just how similar families of different species can be, as child Sal and a baby bear covet Maine blueberries on a berry hunt with their respective mothers. It’s an instructive read for any kid who’s ever felt a bit like a wild animal, or parents who’ve ever felt like they’re raising one.

Blueberries for Sal was written by Robert McCloskey and was awarded a Caldecott Medal in 1949. In 1967, the book was adapted into a short film.

“Where the Wild Things Are”

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1960s, Books, Caldecott Medal, children's, classic, Maurice Sendak, picture book, Where the Wild Things Are

Where The Wild Things Are (Harpers & Row, 1963)

Written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak is an adventure story that has inspired generations of children to let out their inner monsters, showing how imagination allows for an escape from life’s doldrums. It’s also a moving testament to family love: when young Max returns from his reverie, his mother has saved him a hot dinner.

Where the Wild Things Are has been adapted into several other media, including an animated short in 1973, an opera in 1980 and a live action feature film in 2009. Sendak won a Caldecott Medallin 1964 that recognized it as the “most distinguished American picture book for children.” Where the Wild Things Are has sold over 19 million copies worldwide.

“The Rector’s Wife”

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1990s, Anna Bouverle, Books, dilemmas, domestic nuances, English, Joanna Trollope, new lease on life, present-day England, supermarket, The Rector's Wife

The Rector’s Wife (Black Swan, 1999)

When her husband fails to win promotion in the church, Anna Bouverle, a vicar’s wife of 20 years, turns her back on her spouse’s isolated bitterness and takes a job in the local supermarket, bringing Anna anew lease on life and a string of admirers. The Rector’s Wife was written by English author Joanna Trollope whose novels often center on the domestic nuances and dilemmas of life in present-day England.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary”

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1990s, best seller, Book of the Year, Books, Bridget Jones's Diary, film adaptation, Helen Fielding, London, musical stage adaptation, personal diary, thirty something

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Bridget Jones’s Diary (Picador, 1996)

Written in the form of a personal diary, Bridget Jones’s Diary chronicles a year in the life of Jones, a thirty something single working woman living in London. She writes about her career, self-image, vices, family, friends and romantic relationships. A much loved best seller, the novel has inspired a 2001 film adaptation and a musical stage adaptation. The novel won the 1998 British Book of the Year award. Bridget Jones’s Diary was written by English author and screenwriter Helen Fielding, who has yet to step out of the shadow of Jones.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray”

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1800s, Books, classic, eternal youth and beauty, homosexual liaisons, moral disintegration, Oscar Wilde, sells soul, The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Oscar Wilde’s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author’s most popular work. The tale of Dorian Gray’s moral disintegration caused a scandal when it first appeared in 1890, but though Wilde was attacked for the novel’s corrupting influence, he responded that there is, in fact, “a terrible moral in Dorian Gray.” Just a few years later, the book and the aesthetic/moral dilemma it presented became issues in the trials occasioned by Wilde’s homosexual liaisons, which resulted in his imprisonment. Of Dorian Gray’s relationship to autobiography, Wilde noted in a letter, “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.”

“Commando”

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autobiography, Books, Commando, Johnny Ramone, Lisa Marie Presley, prostate cancer, Tommy Ramone

Commando

In 1999, Johnny Ramone, guitarist and songwriter of the punk rock band The Ramones was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He began to write his autobiography. In 2004, Ramone died from said cancer. In 2012, his autobiography Commando was published. In it, Ramone shared stories of his childhood, and his life and times with the Ramones. It chronciled his relationship with Linda, including how she had initially dated his brother Joey before leaving Joey for himself. The photos included in the book were picked by Linda. The epilogue was written by close friend Lisa Marie Presley and the foreword being written by only surviving member (at that time) of the Ramones, Tommy Ramone. (Tommy died in 2014 from unsuccessful treatment of bile duct cancer.)

Myron Bolitar Book Series

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Anthony book award, Books, Edgar book award, Esparanza Diaz, finance, Harlan Coben, Little Pocahontas, MB SportsReps, Myron Bolitar, Shamus book award, sports agent, Windsor Horne Lockwood III

Myron Bolitar book series (1995 – 2016)

The Myron Bolitar series of thrillers are written by Harlan Coben. They have won three awards over the years: An Edgar (Fade Away), a Shamus (Drop Shot) and an Anthony (Deal Breaker). Bolitar is a formerly renowned professional basketball player turned sports agent who founded and owns MB SportsReps. The series also stars Esparanza Diaz and Windsor “Win” Horne Lockwood III. Diaz is Bolitar’s associate (who finally makes partner in Book 7 Darkest Fear), a Latina former professional wrestler (Little Pocahontas). Diaz is bright but has a caustic wit. She studied law at New York University via evening classes in addition to her work with MB SportsReps. “Win” is Bolitar’s best friend and serves as the “anti-hero” in the series as displayed by his psychopathic tendencies. Bolitar and Win debate all the time about the ethical nature of various actions. Win handles the financial side of Bolitar’s clients.

As of 2016, there are 11 books in the series.