Washington Post Book Reviews
For You
Wednesday December 22, 2010
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YEAR IN REVIEW
NA
NA
ISBN NA
NA pages
$NA
Reviewed by Stephen Lowman
Jan. 12
Peter Biskind's biography of Warren Beatty arrives in stores with the extraordinary claim that the actor has slept with 12,775 women. Oh, and Biskind says that figure doesn't include "daytime quickies, drive-bys, casual gropings, stolen kisses and so on."
Jan. 17
Erich Segal, who broke the hearts of millions of readers with his novel "Love Story," dies at the age of 72. Published in 1970, the tale about the doomed romance between Oliver Barrett IV and Jennifer Cavilleri became one of the best-selling books of the decade.
Jan. 27
J.D. Salinger, the reclusive author of "The Catcher in the Rye," dies at his home in New Hampshire at the age of 91. In the book's teenage protagonist, Holden Caulfield, Salinger created one of the most enduring characters in American fiction.
March 9
In his memoir "Courage and Consequence," Karl Rove reveals few new details about his time in the White House but does write frankly about his childhood, his parents' divorce and his mother's suicide. "Could Dad have been gay?" he asks. "Frankly, I don't care. He was my father, with whom I had a wonderful relationship and whom I loved deeply."
April 3
Lines form at Apple Stores across the United States as customers seek to purchase an iPad on the first day of its release. Meanwhile, traditional media spill lots of ink wondering if books have turned their last page.
April 12
A little-known author named Paul Harding wins a Pulitzer Prize for his debut novel, "Tinkers," published by tiny Bellevue Literary Press.
April 13
Kitty Kelley's unauthorized biography "Oprah" is released. It includes the revelation that Oprah once had hotel room service deliver her two whole pecan pies, both of which she promptly devoured.
May 11
Model-turned-TV-talk-show-host Tyra Banks announces that she has signed a deal with Delacorte to write three fantasy books set in the world of modeling and aimed at young readers. "Modelland," the first book, is about "a teen girl in a make-believe society at an academy for exceptional models called Intoxibellas."
July 27
Two months after the U.S. publication of "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," the final volume of the Millennium Trilogy, Amazon says that the late Stieg Larsson is the first author to sell 1 million Kindle e-books.
Aug. 13
With the publication of his book "Freedom" approaching at the end of the month, Time magazine puts Jonathan Franzen on its cover (the first time an author has appeared there since Stephen King in 2000) and hails him as a "Great American Novelist."
Aug. 20
The summer of "Franzen Fever" rises to new heights when President Obama gets an advance copy of the novel while vacationing in Martha's Vineyard.
Sept. 7
Lisa Birnbach's "True Prep," an update of "The Official Preppy Handbook" (1980), hits shelves. J. Crew, the late Louis Auchincloss, Hampden-Sydney College, apple pudding, rehab and the Obamas are all declared part of prepsterdom.
Oct. 7
Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa wins the Nobel Prize in Literature.
October 10
An author throws his paperback book at Obama following a rally in Philadelphia. The Secret Service deems the man "overexuberant" but not a threat.
Oct. 12
Tween heartthrob Justin Bieber releases his autobiography, "First Step 2 Forever," at the age of 16. "Singers aren't supposed to have dairy before a show, but we all know I'm a rule breaker," he writes. "Pizza is just so good!"
Oct. 11
Carla Cohen (above right), who opened Washington's Politics & Prose 26 years ago with Barbara Meade (left) and built it into one of the most renowned bookstores in the country, dies at the age of 74.
Oct. 12
Howard Jacobson wins the Man Booker Prize for his comedy about anti-Semitism, "The Finkler Question."
Oct. 29
Two packages containing bombs are found on cargo planes bound for the United States. In addition to explosive material, the packages contain books such as George Eliot's "The Mill on the Floss" and Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations."
Nov. 9
" Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth," the kids' book by Washington native Jeff Kinney, outsells "Decision Points," George W. Bush's memoir, by nearly 2 to 1 on the day both books officially go on sale.
Nov. 17
Rock legend Patti Smith wins the nonfiction National Book Award for her memoir "Just Kids." "There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book," Smith says in her acceptance speech.
Stephen Lowman can be reached at lowmans(at symbol)washpost.com.
Copyright 2010 Washington Post Writers Group
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SNOOK ALONE
Marilyn Nelson; illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
Candlewick
ISBN 978-0763626679
NA pages
$16.99
Reviewed by NA
Snook is a rat terrier who lives "in a hermitage on an island in a faraway sea." It's a life filled with the sounds of "wind in the sugar canes, me-singing birds ... and the bee-buzzing of motorbikes." But no matter how exotic the setting, when a tropical storm separates Snook from his beloved master, he becomes every dog (and every child) lost in a bewildering world. Surrounded by giant crabs and prowling baby sharks, he remains brave and resourceful as he scavenges for food and water even while "every molecule listened for his friend." Marilyn Nelson's poetic text is sweetened by Timothy Basil Ering's color-saturated paintings set against parchment-textured backgrounds. Water-level views of Snook in the prow of a boat -- ears flying, nose pointed at the sky -- give way to bleak beaches across which a small, black-and-white figure trudges, nose to the sand. But never fear, the final image is one of such pure bliss, such unmeasured joy, that it requires no words to explain.
-- Kristi Jemtegaard
Copyright 2010 Washington Post Writers Group
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