Cleopatra: a Life by Stacy Schiff

I'm the first to admit that I usually don't like nonfiction, I've surprised myself. I've been completely fascinated by Cleopatra: a Life by Stacy Schiff, which I just listened to on audiobook. You can order the print version here, and the book on CD here (for those tech-savvy readers with e-readers that can play e-audio, you can find that here). This meticulously researched nonfiction title is the story of Cleopatra's life stripped of sensationalism and taken down to the bare bones.

You won't find any Shakespearean embellishment or Elizabeth Taylor reenactment here - and it shows. Schiff's portrayal of the Egyptian queen is not that of a witch preying upon men, but a savvy, intelligent woman who used everything at her disposal (including sex) to consolidate power and remain queen of Egypt. The audio version is read by Robin Miles, who reads with authority and passion. Never monotone or boring, her voice is deep, commanding, and lends emotional weight to the text. While we never get much of Cleopatra's voice, Schiff and Miles let us into her world with copious (sometimes overwhelming) background information to set the scenes. For anyone interested in history or strong women, this book by a Pulitzer Prize winning author will capture your imagination.

Shannon Wood, Adult Services Librarian

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Recently laid off from his job at a San Francisco start-up, Clay searches everywhere for employment. He walks into Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, where the proprietor hires him after asking Clay what his favorite book is. Clay likes his job, but he can't understand how the store stays open - often there are no customers at all, and the ones that do come in borrow from a lending library in the back. There is more to the 24-Hour Bookstore than meets the eye, and Clay sets out to solve the mystery with the help of his friends. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan is a novel that blends genres easily, with elements of mystery, literary fiction, romance, and fantasy in the mix.

I was drawn in from the first chapter of this beautifully-written love letter to books.  But the author's love does not only extend to old things and books - it also embraces fancy new technology. Somehow Sloan creates a curious melding of old and new, where books and technology exist mostly in harmony (much like a library!). His beautiful prose and arresting metaphors captured my imagination. However, the dialogue can sometimes be hard to understand since Sloan does not always put everything in quotes and the characters sometimes come off as flat. While the novel has its flaws, it is still a fast-paced, innovative, intriguing mystery that will be hard to put down.

Shannon Wood, Adult Services Librarian