November is here, and with it comes chillier weather and shorter days. So while this may not be the month for sunbathing or evening strolls, it is the month for grabbing a good book, lighting some candles, and running a luxurious bubble bath. Without further ado, here is resident bookworm Tim Ehrenberg’s 9 for November picks… relax and enjoy!
Artemis by Andy Weir
Release date November 14
Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you’ve got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she’s stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself — and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.
Tim says: Creative world-building, a clever plot, and another interesting protagonist for this anticipated follow-up novel by the best-selling author of “The Martian.”
Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. But in his own mind, he was just as much a man of science and technology. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences, made iconic by his drawing of Vitruvian Man, made him history’s most creative genius. Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson weaves a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.
Tim says: I have always been fascinated with Leonardo da Vinci and I have been anxiously awaiting this new biography by Isaacson. The “Steve Jobs” author describes da Vinci’s famous works in order to give us a clearer picture of the man behind the art. Leonardo was different, (illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted), but he was an iconic example of creativity and imagination.
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
Release date November 7
The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone… except the villains they once overthrew. Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.
Tim says: Who doesn’t love super heroes? I don’t think we ever outgrow our love and fascination for caped crusaders, secret identities, and magical powers, which makes this new YA novel perfect for readers of any age. “The Renegades” is Meyer’s ode to all super heroes, magical or not!
Nantucket Red Tickets by Steven Axelrod
Release date November 7
It’s Christmas Eve on Nantucket and prominent businessman Jackson Blum is about to live out his own version of A Christmas Carol. No visions, no ghosts, just the past, represented by the exhumed skeleton of his old partner Ted Coddington with a bullet from Blum’s Ruger pistol in its skull; the present, in the form of a horribly mistreated employee who reveals Blum as the Scrooge he is; and the future, invoked by a family crisis that threatens to ruin the rest of his life. Past, Present and Future, all colliding on the same dark night of the soul. Nantucket Police Chief Henry Kennis is investigating the so-cold Coddington case with Blum as the main suspect while he roots out a plot to rig the traditional five-thousand-dollar Red Tickets raffle and struggles to close down a local opioid dealer who’s selling to high school kids from a house on Tuckernuck Island — a bleak vista of wild moors, dirt roads, and unpainted homes a century old. “It’s a time machine,” says Kennis. With a whaling history.
Tim says: Axelrod’s newest Nantucket mystery is inspired by Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and it is a strong addition to the Detective Henry Kennis series. You can order a signed copy from Nantucket Book Partners by clicking the book cover photo or join Steven Axelrod for a book signing at Mitchell’s Book Corner on Saturday, November 11th from 10:30AM – 12:00PM!
Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews
Overlooked by his father, and overshadowed by his war-hero brother, Bobby Kennedy was the perpetual underdog. When he had the chance to become a naval officer like Jack, Bobby turned it down, choosing instead to join the Navy as a common sailor. It was a life changing experience that led him to connect with voters from all walks of life: young or old, black or white, rich or poor. They were the people who turned out for him in his 1968 campaign. RFK would prove himself to be the rarest of politicians — both a pragmatist who knew how to get the job done and an unwavering idealist who could inspire millions. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Matthews pulls back the curtain on the public and private worlds of Robert Francis Kennedy. He shines a light on all the important moments of his life, from his early years and his start in politics to his crucial role as attorney general in his brother’s administration and his tragic run for president. This definitive book brings Bobby Kennedy to life like never before and is destined to become a political classic.
Tim says: Meet Chris Matthews at Mitchell’s Book Corner on November 24, 2017 from 2:00PM – 3:30PM and get a signed copy of his latest book, “Bobby Kennedy.” Matthews is a political commentator and TV host, author, and current N Magazine cover star!
Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden
Release date November 14
In November 2014, thirteen members of the Biden family gathered on Nantucket for Thanksgiving, a tradition they had been celebrating for the past forty years; it was the one constant in what had become a hectic, scrutinized, and over-scheduled life. The Thanksgiving holiday was a much-needed respite, a time to connect, a time to reflect on what the year had brought, and what the future might hold. But this year felt different from all those that had come before. Joe Biden’s eldest son, Beau, had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor fifteen months earlier, and his survival was uncertain. “Promise me, Dad,” Beau had told his father. “Give me your word that no matter what happens, you’re going to be all right.” Joe Biden gave him his word.
“Promise Me, Dad” chronicles the year that followed, which would be the most momentous and challenging in Joe Biden’s extraordinary life and career. This is a book written not just by the vice president, but by a father, grandfather, friend, and husband. “Promise Me, Dad” is a story of how family and friendships sustain us and how hope, purpose, and action can guide us through the pain of personal loss into the light of a new future.
Tim says: Biden’s highly anticipated book is on the top of my “To Be Read” pile. Get your tickets for Page to Stage with Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday November 25th here.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
In “The Power,” the world is a recognizable place: there’s a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power — they can cause agonizing pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets. From award-winning author Naomi Alderman, “The Power” is speculative fiction at its most ambitious and provocative, at once taking us on a thrilling journey to an alternate reality, and exposing our own world in bold and surprising ways.
Tim says: Being praised as this generation’s “Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Power” is so timely that everyone should pick up a copy. It is the perfect book for any woman who has ever felt less than and looking to find some inner POWER of their own.
Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic
As the British Library unveils a very special new exhibition in the UK, “Harry Potter: A History of Magic” readers everywhere are invited on an enchanting journey through the Hogwarts curriculum, from Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology to Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, and more in this book uncovering thousands of years of magical history. Prepare to be amazed by artifacts released from the archives of the British Library, unseen sketches and manuscript pages from J.K. Rowling, and incredible illustrations from artist Jim Kay. Discover the truth behind the origins of the Philosopher’s Stone, monstrous dragons, and troublesome trolls; examine real-life wands and find out what actually makes a mandrake scream; pore over remarkable pages from da Vinci’s notebook; and discover the oldest atlas of the night sky. Carefully curated by the British Library and full of extraordinary treasures from all over the world, this is an unforgettable journey exploring the history of the magic at the heart of the Harry Potter stories.
Tim says: This muggle gets excited for anything Harry Potter and I can’t wait to dive into this newest tome from my favorite wizarding world.
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang
Release date November 7
Orphaned, raised by wolves, and the proud owner of a horned pig named Merlin, Weylyn Grey knew he wasn’t like other people. But when he single-handedly stopped that tornado on a stormy Christmas day in Oklahoma, he realized just how different he actually was. That tornado was the first of many strange events that seem to follow Weylyn from town to town, although he doesn’t like to take credit. As amazing as these powers may appear, they tend to manifest themselves at inopportune times and places. From freak storms to trees that appear to grow over night, Weylyn’s unique abilities are a curiosity at best and at worst, a danger to himself and the woman he loves. But Mary doesn’t care. Since Weylyn saved her from an angry wolf on her eleventh birthday, she’s known that a relationship with him isn’t without its risks, but as anyone who’s met Weylyn will tell you, once he wanders into your life, you’ll wish he’d never leave.
Tim says: What a unique story with such a quirky character. I felt like I was reading an old classic fairy tale, but then realized I actually have not read anything quite like it.
