Allison Hoover Bartlett's "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much" was absolutely fantastic, if not a little troubling (it is, after all, the story of a criminal). Her writing style was interesting and enjoyable, her research surrounding all the events and characters thorough. I heartily recommend this book to any bibliophile.
Polly Morland's "The Society Of Timid Souls" was a refreshing novel exploring courage on behalf of all us timid souls out there. From performance anxiety to bravery in times of war, everything that could possibly embody courage is covered extensively in the form of stories, anecdotes, and interviews. I had a lot of trouble putting it down, and learned a lot (animal bravery awards, anyone?)
Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Lowland" may have started off slow in my opinion, but it had me hooked by the end of the third chapter as the characters really started to reveal themselves. The story takes place over a long period of time, so I can't say much without spoiling anything, but it was compelling and absolutely fantastic. The characters felt real, and most importantly, human. I look forward to reading more of Lahiri's works.
David Suzuki's "Green Guide" is a short, slow-paced book dealing with climate change, and what you can do to help. The reading level isn't too difficult, so it would make a good present or read for any young adult with an interest in the world around them.
