Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation

Elements. The latest quirky food book by Michael Pollan is titled, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation. Pollan explores the ways in which the fundamental elements of fire, water, earth and air can transform things that are great to eat and drink. The process of cooking with these elements also transformed Pollan and the ways he cooks, and can transform a reader’s connection to the food and drink we consume. The structure of the book presents how Pollan tries to master one recipe using each of the four elements. I liked his writing and enjoyed reading about the adventures he pursued in cooking. Foodies and those who love cooking are those readers most likely to enjoy this book. Also, if you watch the Food Network or any cooking shows, you’ll probably like this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Cooked from amazon.com.

The Flamethrowers

Artists. There are four hundred pages of beautiful prose in Rachel Kushner’s novel, The Flamethrowers. I found myself rereading some sentences to marvel at her selection of just the right words to complete a description or to convey an emotion. Protagonist Reno is a motorcycle racing artist who was named after the city where she was born. Kushner presents the life of artists, revolutionary politics, identity and ideas. The path isn’t straight and narrow, and most art requires close attention. For those readers with the patience to pay close attention and who are likely to appreciate the beautiful prose, the payout will be a high level of satisfaction. Most readers will know after reading an excerpt whether the novel will be appealing and worth the effort. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Flamethrowers from amazon.com.

Simpler: The Future of Government

Complicated. It’s complicated to make things simpler, especially in the area of government regulation, but it’s achievable, as Cass Sunstein elaborates in his book, Simpler: The Future of Government. Readers who have an interest in behavioral economics and choice architecture will find a lot to enjoy in this book. Sunstein’s writing is lively, and he clearly enjoys the topic. I found his exploration of costs and benefits to be cogent and thought provoking. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Simpler from amazon.com.

The Bat

Holy. Those readers who love character-driven crime fiction can be voracious in wanting to consume every word written about a favorite protagonist. To satisfy this demand, we can finally read Jo Nesbo’s first Harry Hole novel, The Bat. Set in Australia, the younger Harry behaves just like the older one: impulsively, doggedly, intoxicated and creatively. In Sydney, Harry is introduced as “Holy,” so that may be how his name should be pronounced, although Nesbo, whose name is pronounced “Yo,” has become reconciled to being called “Joe” by many English-speaking readers. All Harry Hole fans will love this first installment to help round out the story of this great detective character. New readers can start here or elsewhere and find a well-told story and a complicated and compelling protagonist. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Bat from amazon.com.

Montaro Caine

Coins. There’s an imaginative story buried inside Sidney Poitier’s novel, Montaro Caine. The problem I had with the book was trying to enjoy that story while suffering through poorly written prose. Dialogue was weak, characters poorly developed, and the plot momentum was erratic. If you think that a story about mysterious coins that may help our civilization is appealing, read a sample of this novel before plunging in. I learned a valuable lesson about myself from reading this book: I’m more likely to stick with an ebook that I’m not enjoying than I am a print book. I had nothing to throw across the room in frustration, so I kept swiping pages until it was finished. Rating: Two-star (I don’t like it) Click here to purchase Montaro Caine from amazon.com.

The Movement of Stars

Astronomer. Readers who like historical fiction, especially when it features strong and interesting female protagonists, are those most likely to enjoy Amy Brill’s finely written debut novel, The Movement of Stars. Brill was inspired by the life of a 19th century astronomer and the novel she’s written places readers in a very well-drawn setting: a Quaker community on Nantucket Island in the mid-19th century. Protagonist Hannah Price comes of age in a closely knit faith community, learning to perform scholarly work, attracted to a black man limited by racism, constrained by family expectations, and striving to fulfill her potential. Brill presents Price as a very complete character, packed with all the conflicting emotions and challenges that each of us faces in our lives. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Movement of Stars from amazon.com.

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Overshadowed. A brouhaha following Reza Aslan’s interview with Lauren Green on Fox News boosted sales of his book, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. That’s good for Aslan and for those readers who might not have picked up this book had they not heard all the buzz. Aslan is a scholar and a Muslim who presents a very readable and accessible narrative about the historical Jesus. His scholarship draws on the work of many others in recent decades who have explored all sources of information about the historical Jesus. Aslan notes how the theology of Paul about Jesus the Christ overshadowed the historical Jesus. Both the historical Jesus and the Jesus of faith are worth reading about, and Aslan’s book will provide a great basis for book discussion among both believers and non-believers. If the minor kerfuffle over this book gets people from different religions talking about faith, that’s a good thing for everybody. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Zealot from amazon.com.