Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.
The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: ‘Plainsong’
“Kent Haruf seamlessly ties together the lives of three different families in small town America. This novel reminds me that the word ‘family’ doesn’t always refer to those who share blood-ties. This is a great read for anyone, young or old, who need a little push to see through the eyes of someone else…”
— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].
Greenlight’s pick: ‘I Married You For Happiness’
“Lily Tuck’s new book is a nuanced character study of a woman privately mourning the loss of her longtime husband. She sits overnight, before sharing his death with their daughter and the greater world. She takes this time to dwell on her memories of their life, and to say goodbye. Reading this book was oddly comforting and frankly, beautiful. Days later, it still moves me, and I’m sure months down the line, it will continue to do so.”
— Rebecca Fitting, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].
WORD’s pick: ‘Sex At Dawn’
“We can’t stop ourselves from describing this book as fascinating. Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha examine our modern love lives through the lenses of evolutionary biology, psychology, and anthropology. Even better, they maintain a chatty style loaded with pop culture references and comparison, making the book a fun and informative read. You wouldn’t think that authors whose central thesis is that humans evolved to have sex with many partners would have useful advice for the modern relationship, but they do, and it’s not what you think. But you’ll have to read the book to find out what it is.”
— Jenn Northington, event manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].
