|
|
Matt Alexander
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Delacorte (1959)
"A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Questions of free will, self-determination, human meaning and more underpin a mind-bending and highly amusing trip into space and the future in Vonnegut’s second novel. With characteristic snark at the real world unfolding around him, Vonnegut takes us into one where Martians have invaded, the ‘Church of God the Utterly Indifferent’ is growing and one very rich, very lucky man finds himself swept up in quantum drama. Outlandish as he is, Malachi Constant channels questions we all have. The answers take him – and the reader – from Earth to Tralfamadore and beyond.
Judy Panzarella
The Lost Queen: A Novel by Signe Pike
Touchstone (2018)
Celtic history, myth, and folklore come to life in Book One of this historical trilogy. Pike takes the reader to 6th century Goddeu, a small kingdom in Scotland, where Languoreth, a ten-year old princess and her twin brother, Lailoken, are mourning the death of their mother.
Over time, Languoreth becomes the most powerful queen of early medieval Scotland, while Lailoken provides a fresh look at the legend of Arthur and Merlin.
This well researched story, forged in strong prose, tells the tale of bravery and conflicted love.
Joanne Viola
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
Penquin (1933)
In this autobiography, Vera Brittain (1893-1970) captures her young adult life from 1914 to 1925. Leaving Oxford in 1915, she enlisted as a nurse in the British armed services. This story is Brittain’s personal account of a young woman living, loving, and working on the frontline in WWI.
Her inclusion of poetry and excerpts from personal letters documents the impact of the war and the significant contributions women made to the war effort. Her lifelong stand for peace and feminism rings true today.
Vera Brittain’s story was made into a mini-series in 1979, and into a movie in 2015 under the same title.
Robert Wingle
Legend by David Gemmell
Century (1984)
With Legend, best-selling, British author Gemmell gives us the first in the eleven book Drenai Saga. In this novel, Druss is the Legend, a grizzled veteran who has retired to his mountain lair, but who comes out of retirement to stop barbarian hordes from toppling the Drenai empire.
Legend is considered a classic in the heroic fantasy genre. In 1993, Stan Nicholls created a graphic novel adaption with artwork by Fangron.
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Delacorte (1959)
"A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Questions of free will, self-determination, human meaning and more underpin a mind-bending and highly amusing trip into space and the future in Vonnegut’s second novel. With characteristic snark at the real world unfolding around him, Vonnegut takes us into one where Martians have invaded, the ‘Church of God the Utterly Indifferent’ is growing and one very rich, very lucky man finds himself swept up in quantum drama. Outlandish as he is, Malachi Constant channels questions we all have. The answers take him – and the reader – from Earth to Tralfamadore and beyond.
Judy Panzarella
The Lost Queen: A Novel by Signe Pike
Touchstone (2018)
Celtic history, myth, and folklore come to life in Book One of this historical trilogy. Pike takes the reader to 6th century Goddeu, a small kingdom in Scotland, where Languoreth, a ten-year old princess and her twin brother, Lailoken, are mourning the death of their mother.
Over time, Languoreth becomes the most powerful queen of early medieval Scotland, while Lailoken provides a fresh look at the legend of Arthur and Merlin.
This well researched story, forged in strong prose, tells the tale of bravery and conflicted love.
Joanne Viola
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
Penquin (1933)
In this autobiography, Vera Brittain (1893-1970) captures her young adult life from 1914 to 1925. Leaving Oxford in 1915, she enlisted as a nurse in the British armed services. This story is Brittain’s personal account of a young woman living, loving, and working on the frontline in WWI.
Her inclusion of poetry and excerpts from personal letters documents the impact of the war and the significant contributions women made to the war effort. Her lifelong stand for peace and feminism rings true today.
Vera Brittain’s story was made into a mini-series in 1979, and into a movie in 2015 under the same title.
Robert Wingle
Legend by David Gemmell
Century (1984)
With Legend, best-selling, British author Gemmell gives us the first in the eleven book Drenai Saga. In this novel, Druss is the Legend, a grizzled veteran who has retired to his mountain lair, but who comes out of retirement to stop barbarian hordes from toppling the Drenai empire.
Legend is considered a classic in the heroic fantasy genre. In 1993, Stan Nicholls created a graphic novel adaption with artwork by Fangron.
