Category: Books

Summer Reading Reviews Of 2018 Yul Kaseman

Summer Reading Reviews of 2018

As we enter August, we are slowly approaching the end of summer 2018.  I’d like to take a moment to reflect on a few of the books I have read between June and July and provide you with my thoughts. Out of the seven books I’ve read, I highlighted three random picks below.

Magpie Murders

This was a pick in one of my book clubs (Yes, I belong to two book clubs that meet once a month. But I am part of a running group that talks about books a lot too!) when we were looking for something fun, light, and well written. I would say it did deliver on those three categories. If I were to say it in one sentence, it’s a whodunit, within a whodunit. Is there a proper literary phrase for that?

A book editor is reading a murder mystery which we jump into, but she then becomes embroiled in a murder mystery herself.  It’s clever and I appreciate the nods to classic mysteries like Agatha Christie’s books. The reviews for this book was almost unanimously good to great.  I can’t say that I found it a great book. I gave it a 3.5 within my 1 (crap) to 5 (great) scale. Enjoyable enough, decent storyline, but somewhat forgettable.  

Asymmetry

Another book club book!  I actually read this in May so perhaps not exactly summer, but close enough. This book was getting a fair amount of press as a debut novel and it is very well written.  There are three sections and two of them fall into the roman a clef category where the story revolves around a famous author. It seems it’s well known that it’s Philip Roth that it refers to (how does that happen? Does the writer do interviews and say, yes it’s Philip Roth I’m writing about?) who I don’t have strong feelings about.

I read Portnoy’s Complaint long ago and thought it was fine – I could see how he had a distinct writing style.  In any case, back to Asymmetry; I like the book more after a few months of distance. At the time, I wasn’t’ sure I fully understood why the stories were put together.  I still don’t, but I rather liked Ezra (the Philip Roth character) and found the storyline around him captivating. The middle storyline I really didn’t know what to make of and still don’t understand how it relates to the rest of the book.  I spoke to a handful of people who read it and none of us had any satisfying theories on that middle section. I rated this one 3.5 as well.

Spinning Silver

I love a fairy tale retold. This is dubbed as Rumpelstiltskin reimagined, but I forgot that while I was reading because it was quite far from that.  It was unexpected in its multiple narrators, and the storyline of a good girl saving the day seems trite, but it really had a fresh feel. The heroines and villains are not quite clear-cut. Certainly, they eschew the typical stereotype of beautiful (or unaware of their own beauty) good girl. I thought this was quite a feminist book and I loved that aspect. The inventive world building was satisfying, but perhaps the conclusion was a tad drawn out. Overall I really enjoyed this. 3.75!

What books have you read this summer?

Yul Kaseman Fun Facts About Different NYPL Libraries

Fun Facts About the Different NYPL Libraries

I think many know I love libraries.  I love the look of them, the atmosphere, and just the endless possibilities I always feel when I walk in.  I thought it was interesting to find out a few possibly unknown facts about just a few of the New York Libraries.

The Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library was designed by McKim, Mead & White and has been an important part of the Harlem community since 1908. It was renamed in 2017 after Harry Belafonte, the famous entertainer and civil rights leader who was born in Harlem. The 115th Street library is a national and city landmark with an elegant façade and wooden display cases on the first floor. Along with its historic appeal, this library has been updated with public computers and Wi-Fi. It also contains a children’s room and an area for after-school programs.

The 125th Street New York Public Library opened in 1901, thanks to a donation from Andrew Carnegie. It was renovated in 2000 and updated with new furniture and computers. This library also offers books and magazines in Spanish and English, a children’s story hour, Wi-Fi and an impressive African-American heritage collection. Situated on the eastern side of Harlem’s famous 125th street, this unique building contains two floors, a vaulted ceiling, a children’s room, and a neighborhood space that can be reserved free of charge.

The 58th Street Library is a modern and full-service library in East Midtown, offering TechConnect computer classes and more. This library has free Wi-Fi, computers, movies, a world language collection, and audiobooks. It was originally built in 1907 but was moved in 1969 to its current location within an office building. It also contains a community space and a collection of large-print books as well as some material for children and teens.

The 53rd Street branch is brand new, opening in June of 2016. This Midtown library was designed by TEN Arquitectos and has a superbly modern, light design. It houses collections for all ages, as well as DVDs, CDs, computers, and laptops. It contains new community spaces, a Teen Zone and a Children’s room. This library is also able to provide unique events and programs due to its collaborations with the nearby Museum of Modern Art.

Resembling the beautiful Yorkville Library, the 67th Street Library was designed by Babb, Cook & Willard. This Upper East Side gem opened in 1905 and was renovated in the 1950s and in 2005. The interior has been updated but architectural details such as the original staircase and mosaic floor remain. This 14,000-square foot library contains computers, a study area, and a garden. It offers baby storytime, adult ballet, and TechConnect.

Visit one of these or another library soon and see if you can find out something else interesting

Yul Kaseman Typical Day in Bookstore

A Typical Day in the Bookstore

There is nothing quite like actually going into a bookstore – especially if you have a little luxurious time on your hands and no particular task to accomplish. The first section you’ll come across is the new releases – stacked on tables and faced out on bookshelves. This is the perfect place to wander slowly. Go ahead and judge a few books by their covers. Read some the book flaps to decide which titles have to be added to the future stack of “must reads” on your nightstand.

Next, keep going into the store, past the displays and stacks of tempting new releases, to your favorite section – you know where it is. Maybe you love cookbooks with their inspirational photos, or memoirs, because getting into someone else’s head can be a journey or possibly you can’t read enough mysteries because you almost always figure it out right before the end. It feels indulgent and exciting to walk the aisle at a snail’s pace, pulling the books that catch your interest and paging through. In your favorite section, you likely keep a short list in your head of what you will buy when you get a chance. It’s hard to pick but in the best way – an embarrassment of riches.

Once you’ve decided which title has to be read right away, you can buy the book you just had to have this time and take it to the coffee shop right there in the store. A coffee shop inside a bookstore is probably one of the more wonderful things to have happened to people who love books. There’s almost nothing better than drinking coffee or tea within the pleasant din and hum of commerce and conversation and opening new book, full of all the drama, mayhem, history, crime or romance – full of all the promise of a book you’ve yet to read.

Before you go, you can check out the kid’s section with its own tables of colorful new releases and display of seasonal or holiday books. You can rediscover a classic book from your own childhood – because truly good children’s books have a particular way of living in the adult mind forever. The kids in your life probably have their own running list of books they really want to take home — whether they’re still reading cardboard books, picture books featuring their favorite characters or the newest graphic novel or chapter book. If you bring home a book, you’ll be a bit of a hero and you might get to read it to a kid in your life.

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Libraries of the Future: Intricate Book Displays and Rooftop Terraces

“Libraries and Architecture, my personal passion and my work life in one article; was this written for me?”

That was the question I asked myself when I read about the architectural design of libraries in today’s digital age in a recent article from Architectural Digest. The article felt so suited to me considering that I work at an architecture firm in New York City.  I’m also an unabashed lover and active user of the New York Public Library so I was instantly intrigued.

In the article, Risa Honig, vice president of capital planning at NYPL, said the library is planning on making “books more of an architectural presence in [their] branches.” I thought what a compelling design statement.  Once I thought about it, that certainly has been the case in homes, where often you can see beautifully equipped libraries or studies with books definitely playing a part in the design, can it be so in public spaces?  

Although society has shifted to reading more ebooks in the digital age, I hope and believe it doesn’t mean physical books are on their way out — they themselves can be a design feature. Instead of having books displayed in typical row-like fashion, homeowners are using books as decorative or statement pieces to provide accents to their spaces.  Many furniture companies have very interesting new styles of bookcases so that you can display your various books, using the color of their binding, or the fonts to give interest to the corner, or wall they inhabit.  I love hearing that libraries are now following suit by incorporating book displays into their design.

For example, downtown Seattle’s public library features books shelved in a four-floor spiral connected by gently sloping ramps. Elsewhere in the world, a library in Norway features book shelves that blend in seamlessly with the designs of the ceiling.

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And a library in The Netherlands created a display called “Book Mountain and Library Quarter,” which resembles a mountain of bookshelves contained by a glass-enclosed structure.

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To follow, the NYPL will be renovating one of their mid-Manhattan libraries to highlight the plethora of books that are available to check out. “Books create the look and feel for the spaces,” said Honig. “So they’re not only part of the design, they are a key part.”

The redesign will begin this fall and will incorporate more than just arranging books in a visually pleasing manner. The library will also use aspects that have become more demanded by patrons over the years: sitting areas, public space to host events, more outlets, a higher internet capacity, and more natural light will be in the new space.

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Photo: Jonathan Blanc / Courtesy of NYPL

These features are at the recently revamped Washington Heights branch and the Stapleton branch in Staten Island. The design includes an open floor plan, plenty of natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a soothing color palette.

However, there is one more important thing to note about the mid-Manhattan library renovation. Once it’s complete, a free rooftop terrace will be available for all patrons to use at their leisure. And outdoor space where the public can go to read That is luxury.

YulKasemanBookNewsReading

Book News: What’s Coming Out in August and September

Do you love browsing the new books section of Barnes and Noble? I often find myself walking through the store and picking up the various new books in their lovely hardcover format.  I rarely indulge in buying one, but oh they do feel great to hold.  Such promise!

If you love reading new books that are hot off the presses, these are a few that I am watching out for. Keep your eyes peeled for these four titles in August and September!

“Blind Date” by Bella Jewel

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After the death of her husband, Hartley Watson is ready to start dating once again. As she’s getting back into the playing field, Hartley thinks someone is stalking her. However, everyone around her — even her current boyfriend — isn’t convinced and thinks it just her way of showing grief. Frustrated, Hartley goes to the police for help and she meets detective Ace Jacobson, who believes she’s being stalked by a serial killer. As Hartley and Ace work together they grow closer…  This seems formulaic, but looks fun.

 

“The Address” by Fiona Davis

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This fictional novel is about what’s behind the hidden behind the walls of The Dakota — New York City’s most famous residence. The Dakota was once home to actress Judy Garland, football player Joe Namath, and Beatle John Lennon — of which his memorial is located across the street in Central Park.

Set in 1884, one of The Dakota’s architects, Theodore Camden, meets a woman in London named Sara, and asks her to be the female manager of the residence. Sara follows him to New York in hopes of a new career and the opportunity to get closer with Theodore. Years later, a mystery is discovered by Theodore’s granddaughter, Bailey, as she redesigns one of the apartments in The Dakota.

I love New York City books and using the setting of The Dakota, this book looks like it has history and a mystery – a great combination.

“Even the Darkest Stars” by Heather Fawcett

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Inspired by the early climbers of Mt. Everest, Heather Fawcett writes the first of two books in a duology. The first of which will be released in September.

Kamzin was determined to become a royal explorer, who are a group of elite mountain climbers under direction of the Emperor. When River Shara, the greatest explorer ever known, hires Kamzin for his expedition, Kamzin is thrilled while her older sister, Lusha is jealous. The expedition proves to be more difficult than what Kamzin expected. With dangerous conditions and dark secrets, Kamzin must unravel the truth of their mission while in competition to the summit with her older sister and a rival explorer.

This is somewhat YA and Fantasy – I love a young heroine in an epic adventure.

“Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2)” by Jay Kristoff

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Godsgrave is the second installment to New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight Chronicle. The story continues when assassin Mia is on a journey for revenge against the people who destroyed her family. As her story continues, conspiracies begin to unfold in her Church, and they lead to Consul Scaeva. Angry, she defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for the chance to end Scaeva in the grand games in Godsgrave.

Female gladiator?  So promising.  I don’t love the cover, but I think I can move past that.

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Secrets of the New York Public Library

Are you a frequent visitor to the New York Public Library? No matter if you visit the library in the Bronx or the main building on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, there’s always something new to discover when you take the time to learn about its history. Below are a small selection of historical facts and secrets you never knew about the main location of the New York Public Library.

The main building, formally named the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, took about 16 years to build. As the largest marble structure ever attempted in the United States, the main library building located on Fifth Avenue was a feat to plan and construct. After at open competition among architectural firms as to who received the privilege to build this historic structure, Carrère and Hastings was the winner. However, before construction could officially begin, the area had to be prepared for two years. The cornerstone of the building was finally laid in May 1902. After roughly nine years of structure and interior work, the library was officially opened on May 23, 1911.

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The exterior library walls are a foot thick! In fact, the New York Public Library used more than six times the marble in the New York Stock Exchange and the New York Chamber of Commerce combined.

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The main reading room is nearly the length of a football field. Formally named the Rose Main Reading Room, it is the largest uninterrupted room in America. Meaning it’s a completely open space without interior supporting columns or steel-reinforced walls.

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The first book lent out by the New York Public Library was “Ethical Ideas of Our Time.” Originally written in Russian under the title “Nravstvennye idealy nashego vremeni,” this formal study on the morals of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and writer Leo Tolstoy was authored by Nikolai I. Grot, a Russian idealist philosopher. The book was requested on the day of the library’s opening, and was quickly found and checked out in just seven minutes.

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Looking for more interesting facts about the New York Public Library? Visit their historical fact website here, where the library touches upon information from opening day to fun facts about Olympians who have been on the staff.

Also, take a look at this article – I loved this aspect about the library which I had no idea existed. 

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Book Series and Companions: What I Recommend

Do you enjoy getting wrapped up in a great book series because it provides more depth and detail than a single novel? When you think about a series, there are a plethora of opportunities for character development, backstories, and rich and complex history. It’s always great to be able to follow beloved characters over time, see them grow and change, especially when you have become attached to them. If you’re looking for a book series less mainstream than “Harry Potter” or “The Hunger Games,” here are a few recommendations you may enjoy.

“Some Luck” by Jane Smiley

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Jane Smiley set out on a journey to publish what she describes as a trilogy of novels under the overarching title “The Last Hundred Years.” With each chapter covering a single year, Smiley writes about a family living on a farm in Iowa throughout the 20th and 21st century. Over the thirty-years “Some Luck” covers, the Langdon family experiences changes as any family would during that time period — the farm becomes powered with electricity, a son leaves home to fight in World War II, and children grow up and go out of their own.

This was my favorite out of all the books I read during 2015 — I read about 40 books that year and this one really stood out.  I loved everything from the time period, to the small town farm setting, to the family members with all of their distinct personalities. The beautifully written book with wonderful character development was so great I couldn’t put it down. I recommended it to a number of friends who went on to love it and read the whole series.  

“Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson

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“Gilead” creatively combines the writings of a journal and a memoir together in one novel. The fictional Reverend John Ames, an elderly pastor dying of a heart condition, writes about memories and his legacy for his seven-year-old son, who won’t remember him when he dies. The simplicity of the language in this book actually made it difficult to read at first since it’s very slow moving. However, it’s well worth it because the beauty of the story and prose starts to come through by the end.  There is was much love and faith in this story that my heart hurt.

As a companion to “Gilead,” “Home,” chronicles the life of the Boughton family, specifically the father, Reverend Robert Boughton, who was a good friend to Reverend John Ames.  You get a lot of glimpses of the Boughton family throughout Gilead, piquing one’s curiosity on the events that John Ames alludes to throughout Gilead. Although it’s an independent novel, the story runs parallel to “Gilead.”

“Southern Vampire Mystery” series by Charlaine Harris

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In “The Southern Vampire Mysteries,” vampires, fairies, witches, and other supernatural creatures are real — and everyone knows about them! The series revolves around Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress living in the rural town in Louisiana. If this storyline sounds familiar to you, that’s because it’s the same storyline as the HBO series “True Blood,” which bases its storyline from these books. It was entertaining enough, but I lost interest after one season.  

The books themselves are lighter and more fun. You could say Louisiana is almost exotic to me since I live in New York City. Some of the depictions of the day to day life (like the number of times Walmart is mentioned!?) I found entertaining. It’s almost silly at times so makes for a good beach read. Although I don’t consider it an incredibly well-written series, the cast of characters and their personalities were so diverse and the author certainly knows how to keep the storyline moving with the right amount of sex, violence, and humor. Don’t expect much and you may find it just plain fun.

YulKaseman-GameofThronesBooks

Can’t Get Enough Game of Thrones? Here Are Some Other Books from George RR Martin

Have you heard the latest news about Game of Thrones? The wildly popular HBO show based on George RR Martin’s series “A Song of Fire and Ice” will be wrapping up its seventh season — with a special guest appearance from Ed Sheeran! Although it will be a sad day for many once the series comes to a close, fans can still get their fill by reading the five published books from “A Song of Fire and Ice.” Two additional books in the series are forthcoming, but in case you can’t wait for them to be published, here are a few other fantasy books written by George RR Martin.

Hunter’s Run

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Feeling hopeless, Ramón Espejo boards a starship in an effort to escape from poverty on his own planet. He discovers new life on the planet of São Paulo, however, life on this planet was no better than the life he just escaped from. Frustrated, Ramón flees into the wilderness to search for wealth. In the process, he stumbles upon an advanced alien race in hiding on a planet that is not their own. Suddenly in possession of a powerful and dangerous secret, Ramón must escape, and somehow, survive.

Tuf Voyaging

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Haviland Tuf is an honest space-trader who’s become the owner of a seedship, which the most powerful weapon in human space. In a universe surrounded by evil, Tuf sets out on a journey to dispel hostile monsters, populations obsessed with procreation, and a dictator who unleashes plagues to get what he wants.

Windhaven

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The dangerous planet of Windhaven is composed of small islands, harsh weather, and monster-infested oceans. Windhaven became inhabited by humans only after a crash of a starship, and they discovered communication was virtually impossible — until metal wings from the crashed starship helped humans to fly.

Generations later, the silver-winged flyers are the most prestigious members of society. With their arrogance and rigid beliefs in tradition, the silver-winged flyers believe that only their offspring should have the opportunity to be a flyer. But there’s one problem: the numbers of flyers are diminishing.

Maris, the stepdaughter of a silver-winged flyer, cannot legally become a flyer because she is not a direct descendant. Maris challenges the rigid tradition by demanding that flyers be chosen on the basis of merit rather than inheritance. She is granted the opportunity to become a flyer, but the challenges are much more than what she bargained for.

And for the kids…

The Ice Dragon

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As a creature of fear, the ice dragon always left behind a wake of desolate and cold land after it flew overhead. No one had ever tamed an ice dragon. That was until Adara, a child born during the worst winter freeze, became friendly with the ice dragon. One summer day, fiery dragons flew by and left fire and destruction in its wake. Only Adara — a child whom the ice dragon adored, can save her world from total destruction.

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Books I Read Before They Were Movies

I love reading, but what I love more is flipping the pages of a great story before it gets the Hollywood treatment on the big screen. I highly recommend reading books before seeing the movie adaption. Not only do you get the entire story in great detail, but movies often cut portions of the story to save time — and sometimes important scenes get cut in the process!

Here’s a short list of a few books I read before they were movies.

The Help

Year I Read the Book: 2009

Year Movie was Released: 2011

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This incredible and touching story set in early 1960s Mississippi highlights the untold stories of black maids. Skeeter, the daughter of a white family who owns a cotton farm, is a writer and tries to uncover the truth about black maids and why they are treated differently than the way white employees are treated. Skeeter enlists the help of three maids to tell their stories, which carries great risk for all of the women involved given the times.  It’s a story that made me terribly sad, while also appreciative of the humor and stories of friendship.

Before Viola Davis rose to fame with “How to Get Away with Murder,” she became famous for the heart wrenching scenes in this movie between her and the child she cares for, who obviously adores her and she loves in return.  I thought the cast was great, especially Dallas Howard and generally a very good adaptation of the book.

The Hunger Games

Year I Read the Book: 2010

Year Movie was Released: 2012

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This is probably one of the most well-known books on my list. I was instantly hooked with the gripping storyline about the futuristic society of Panem. Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, President Snow — and especially Effie — were very interesting characters and made me wonder where the story was going. This anxiety producing, heart pounding adventure got me so involved in this story that I’ve found myself going back to this book (and the other two books in the series) again and again!

I was very disappointed by the movies though — to the point that I watched the first one and then couldn’t watch more. I thought Katniss and Peeta were very miscast. I thought Katniss should look quite hungry to put it simply, and Jennifer Lawrence looked much too hearty and beautiful.

Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies

Year I Read the Book: 2010

Year Movie was Released: 2016

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This inventive twist on Jane Austen’s classic novel was fairly amusing to read. Some of the story line remains the same, such as Mrs. Bennet trying to help her daughters achieve the wealthy status by setting them up with wealthy men and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy falling in love. However, the twist is that a massive zombie virus has overtaken 19th century England. The Bennet sisters are trained by their father to kill zombies, and, throughout the storyline, zombies attack throughout the various events of the book.

As a parody novel, this book hit the press around the same time that the zombie genre started appearing. I had no idea this book would be turned into a movie — but now it makes sense with the mass success of “The Walking Dead.”

I thought the book was pretty entertaining and in some ways, the Bennett sisters having these incredible martial arts skills made them less frustrating. I actually laughed out loud in some segments of the movie so I would say this was also a pretty good adaptation.

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