Book Nook: An Ode to New York City in “Rules of Civility”

by Alexa Schmidt, Managing Editor “Rules of Civility” takes place in New York City in 1938. There are three main protagonists: Eve, Katey and Tinker. Katey and Eve are scheming roommates who search for the cheapest way to have fun, and Tinker is the mysterious man who falls into their lives. Author Amor Towles reconstructs our beloved city from scratch and makes plenty of references … Continue reading Book Nook: An Ode to New York City in “Rules of Civility”

“Siddhartha” and “The Alchemist” Provide Relatable Self-Discovery Journeys

by SHANNON GLEBA, Copy Editor The college experience and young adult years are a time for self exploration and finding a path in life. However, sometimes this path is not clear and the journey can be frustrating. Manhattan College requires all students to take a religion course called “The Nature and Experience of Religion,” which allows students to examine their own personal meaning in the lens of … Continue reading “Siddhartha” and “The Alchemist” Provide Relatable Self-Discovery Journeys

Stockett’s “The Help” Addresses Racism in Addresses Racism in 1960’s Mississippi

The 1960s were a particular time of upheaval for the United States.  One of America’s most iconic presidents was gunned down in Texas.  The Vietnam War began.  And, of course, the extreme oppression that black and African Americans faced during the Civil Rights Movement.  This is the world of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. The novel’s story is told from the points of view of three … Continue reading Stockett’s “The Help” Addresses Racism in Addresses Racism in 1960’s Mississippi

Trevor Noah’s Memoir: “Born A Crime”

by Haley Burnside Asst. Editor Trevor Noah, a man best known in America for his current hosting gig at “The Daily Show,” recounts his life growing up in South Africa in the wake of Apartheid in this honest memoir. The tone effortlessly shifts from poignant to amusing, from bleak to blissful, as Trevor shares his struggles and triumphs with race, poverty, and childhood naughtiness. The … Continue reading Trevor Noah’s Memoir: “Born A Crime”

The Book Nook: Dec. 6, 2016

Title: Popular Author: Maya Van Wagenen Genre: Memoir If you care to think about your high school years, they might be cringe-inducing or they might include the never-ending struggle of trying to get in with the popular crowd. For teen Maya Van Wagenen, when she finds a popularity guide written by a 1950’s beauty queen, she sees the opportunity to make something special out of … Continue reading The Book Nook: Dec. 6, 2016

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Title: “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” Author: Mary Ann Shaffer Genre: Historical Fiction   The art of letter writing has gone by the wayside as electronic communication has advanced in the last few decades. Mary Ann Shaffer writes her historic novel “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” in the form of a trail of letter correspondence and reminds us what … Continue reading The Book Nook

The Book Nook: Stories Hitting the Big Screen in 2016

This year looks promising for readers as many of their favorite plot lines make their theater debuts. Two of the most anticipated stories are “The Royal We” by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” by J.K. Rowling. “The Royal We” In 2015, Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan chose to write a book that fed the fire of society’s … Continue reading The Book Nook: Stories Hitting the Big Screen in 2016

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Title: Big Little Lies Author: Liane Moriarty Genre: Mystery Labeled by The New York Times as one of 2014’s most popular books, “Big Little Lies” has certainly caught readers’ attentions in the past two years. Filled with relatable characters and unexpected plot twists, this book has something for everyone. Author Liane Moriarty begins the book by describing a murder case. Told by a bystander as … Continue reading The Book Nook

The Book Nook

Title: “Longbourn” Author: Jo Baker Genre: Fiction “Pride and Prejudice” fans, this next one’s for you. “Longbourn” combines Austen’s classic novel with the downstairs servant drama found in “Downton Abbey.” Baker starts the novel by assuming that the reader has already fallen in literary love with “Pride and Prejudice” and understands the ins and outs of the Bennet household. It goes without saying that the … Continue reading The Book Nook