New reads for the new year

Well, 2004 is over and for those of us who were saddened, frustrated

or disappointed for whatever reason over the last eventful year, we

are now into 2005 and there is always the promise of better things to

come.

With that in mind, the library would like to help in forming a new

outlook on life in the middle of the bleak, midwinter blahs.

There were many notable books released last year, but we would

like to recommend some titles you may not have heard of among all the

hype for the big releases.

Culled from “Best Books of 2004” columns around the country, we’ve

tried to focus on books with an uplifting and positive aspect in

order to brighten the long days until spring.

For starters, let’s step back to the 1920s in New York and a war

between two fashion magazines. “Bandbox,” by Thomas Mallon is a witty

social critique and a wild story of ambition, betrayal and love, all

wrapped in the dazzling, glitzy, irresistible aura of the era.

By contrast, Tom Perrotta’s “Little Children” is a social critique

and hilarious satire, as well, but the characters are not glamour

pusses from the past. They come from a contemporary suburban world,

in which you can recognize each and every one of your neighbors -- if

not yourself.

“Shadow of the Wind,” which must be read in translation, is by

Spanish novelist Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and has been an international

sensation, only recently translated into English. It is an

old-fashioned book in the sense that it is big and full of unusual

and rich characters and holds a strong sense of place -- post-World

War II Barcelona.

To call it a coming-of-age story is an understatement, for it is

part detective story, part adventure, part fantasy, part romance. In

other words, there’s something for everyone.

In the nonfiction vein, one would expect a host of 21st century,

angst-laden books. But there is some joy on the horizon, most

particularly, “Exuberance: The Passion for Life,” by Kay Redfield

Jamison.

The author of books on suicide and manic depression has chosen to

examine that which most psychiatrists have ignored in favor of the

more morbid emotions, and that is joy and happiness.

Two especially engaging nonfiction books center on language. “The

Stories of English,” by David Crystal, is a scholarly, but completely

engaging examination of why there is no such thing as “Standard

English,” and the author spins out a fascinating history of a living

and energetic language.

In “The Genius of Language: Fifteen Writers Reflect on Their

Mother Tongues,” critic Wendy Lesser invited writers to contribute

essays on their mother tongue and adopted languages. Including Amy

Tan and Bharati Mukherjee, the contributions are illuminating and

delightful.

This is really just a small sampling of wonderful books that have

been recently published and deserve to be read, even though they

haven’t hit the charts or filled the talk-show circuit.

For these and other books on a wide range of topics that might

amuse you or stimulate you out of the winter doldrums, just stop into

any of our libraries and ask the librarian to help you find something

to brighten the chilly, dark nights.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Sara Barnicle. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newportbeach

library.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of

the branch locations, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library

at (949) 717-3800, option 2.