  State of the Union, A Marriage in Ten Parts by Nick Hornby (May 2019) - A husband and a wife walk into a bar, order a drink, and discuss their marriage before heading to their weekly therapy session - for ten weeks in a row. What comes of it?... This isn't the beginning of a joke. Rather, it's the premise of a brilliant, short-but-sweet and even funny 10 chapter novel. Topping out at 140 pages, master comedian and writer Nick Hornby (of "About a Boy," and "High Fidelity" fame) deftly and sensitively guides readers into the depths of a relationship that's in trouble. There are kids, there are infidelities, there is wine and beer being served, there are middle aged people feeling a little bit unsexy and even, obviously, a tad bit vulnerable. But this is the loveliness of this whipper-snapper smart novel composed almost entirely of dialogue. And it is this dialogue that made it ripe to be snatched up by Sundance TV which has now made it into a popular series. This may not seem like a Father's Day gift but it is. It's honest. It addresses the challenges men and women really face when parenting, working, and facing the (beautiful!) reality of middle age. It is a wonderful springboard for discussion. And it is a book that will be appreciated by all comers: Dads, Grads, Moms, Readers, Writers, Thinkers. Enjoy! ~ Lisa Cadow  How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Mark Bittman (2017) - It seems like we are all trying to eat more fruits and vegetables. With this cookbook, Mr. Bittman truly helps. Told in a style that assumes the reader is an amateur, without being at all patronizing, this ode to vegetable dishes is a great gift for graduates starting their cookbook library and fathers who may wish to add a few more vegetarian meals to their lives. For omnivores, Mr. Bittman's How to Cook Everything is also a perfect gift. ~ Lisa Cadow and Lisa Christie  Cooking From Scratch: 120 recipes for colorful seasonal food from PCC Community Markets by PCC Community Markets (2018) - This new cookbook makes a great gift for any gift giving occasion this summer. We had to look up PCC Community Markets - turns out it is the nation’s largest community-owned food market. Despite our initial ignorance, we love what we have seen in their cookbook. This Seattle based market organized this cookbook with recipes for every meal of the day, including many of their most popular dishes, such as Emerald City Salad. ~ Lisa Christie  Very Good Lives by JK Rowling (2015) Ms. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement speech lovingly illustrated in this book offers the perfect place to insert the check you were planning to give your god-daughter or grandson or son or niece on their graduation. Or, it is the perfect gift on its own for your favorite neighbor or babysitter upon his graduation. Ms. Rowling hits on failure and responsibility and of course imagaination. ~ Lisa Cadow and Lisa Christie  Calypso by David Sedaris (2018) - Mr. Sedaris’s latest collection of essays tackles the “not-so-joyful” aspects of reaching middle age. Perhaps because of this, this collection is not as laugh-out-loud funny as his previous collections. That said, it is impossible for me to read Mr. Sedaris’s work without hearing his distinctive voice in my head, making his wry insights even funnier than they initially appear on the page. And honestly, his perceptive commentary about life’s mundane and heartbreaking moments is superb no matter the level of humor. Give this as a great gift or pick this up and enjoy it yourself! ~ Lisa Christie (seconded by Lisa Cadow)  Manhood for Amateurs: The pleasures, regrets of a husband, father and son by Michael Chabon (2009) - This collection is older but we have a hard time thinking of a better look at life as a father/man in America. As IndieNext said in their review, "The subjects are varied, but the writing is consistently sharp, poignant, humorous, and a pure joy to read.” And, it's a perfect gift for any dad. ~ Lisa Cadow and Lisa Christie  Comments are closed.
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