New York Books

Although most of the book (and the reviews) focus on the marvelous youthful adventures of Brett Leveridge's lovely mother, my favorite part of the book were Brett's personal essays. His observational stories add warmth to a genre that is very often overly sarcastic and bitter.

Okay, I have to admit that the only reason I picked up this book in the first place is because of all the handsome men on the cover. When I finally got around to reading it, I couldn't put it down!

It's a very amusing, quick read. All I can say is that I wish my social life was half as active and entertaining as Mrs. Leveridge's!

Wow, did she really share a sunrise with Jack Kerouac?

Brett Leveridge is a terrifically funny writer; his prose is at once witty and engaging, the tales he spins warmly evocative and unforgettable.

Brett Leveridge offers a generous portrait of the delights and dangers of dating, as seen through the wise (but not hard-bitten) eyes of a young woman in the 50's. The fact that this woman is his mother does not distract from his candid appraisals of the motives of men and women during their movie-going, dance-attending searches for companionship.

He creates a remarkable movie in one's head, full of Beat poets, seducing at dawn; confident sons of preachers (whose version of 'going fast' involves way more than the moves of 'third base'); rough men, humbled by her beauty; shy men, sometimes encouraged too far.

All these experiences tie in to Karen's ('Mother's') subtle construction of her dream man; the fidelity and kindness she shows to others during her dates become building blocks for the long-lasting fidelity of her only marriage.

Leveridge's view of human nature in his Mother stories (and in his short essays) is tasteful and respectful, but not conservatively retrograde. Men who might have kept a stash of physique magazines and women who might have had their secret love in the WACS also have their role (an appropriate one, neither cruel nor cold) in this girl's journey to womanhood and marriage.

This is the rare post-modern book that one could safely give to Mom or Dad, while feeling guilty about wanting to keep it for oneself. Play it safe -- buy two.

I picked up Brett Leveridge's new book Men My Mother Dated and thought to myself, "Now who would want to read a book filled with stories about the men someone's mother dated?"

The answer is pretty evident once you begin reading these humorous and wonderfully written stories. It got me to thinking just what types of guys my own mom must have dated and of the different stories all of our mothers could tell regarding the finer points of dating.

My favorite story had to be The Eddie Cantor Six in which Brett recounts the tale of his mother having dated six men who, over the course of two weeks, all took her to see The Eddie Cantor Story at a local movie theater.

The rest of the stories or commentaries, if you will, are just as well written and some are laugh-out-loud hysterical! You simply cannot go wrong with this slim volume of essays by a man with a truly observant eye toward our current state of social affairs. You'll pick it up and won't want to put it down!

Oh...and be sure to check out Brett's Website BRETTnews wherein you will have the opportunity to sign his Guest Book and be asked that all-important question - What Is Your Inseam.

This is the first book I have read from this author, but will not be the last. I sat down for a short break, thinking I would read a chaper or two, and ended up reading the entire book in one evening. I simply could not remove my self from the world of Honoria. If you are looking for an escape, this is it!

Mood Indigo is my favorite book. The writing is excellent.

Mood Indigo is brilliant; it kept me guessing "who did it" until the end. Usually in mystery books I can tell right off the bat who the killer is. But not this time. And usually I can say at least one thing I didn't like about a book. But not this time.

I highly recommend Mood Indigo to anyone who wants to read a mystery with exceptional characters in a time before the internet and cell phones. I guarantee you will not be disappointment.

Charlotte Vale Allen has written many books, all different, and Mood Indigo is no exception. She makes you care about the characters.

Mood Indigo is a must read for mystery buffs. Once you've read the book you will see why it's my all-time favorite book.

I think the part of this book that hooked me was Honoria's energy towards everybody around her. In a time when many people still looked at black people and assumed they were nothing more than hired help, Honoria hired May as her personal assistant and treated her as an equal from day one. When the son of Honoria's best friend comes to her for help (wanting to prove that his fiancee was murdered, and didn't commit suicide) she reluctantly agrees to ask around and see what she can find. Toss in her loyal housekeeper, Mick (her Russian lover who everybody thinks is her husband), and a smattering of other characters and you've got a great story. Aside from the actual story, I liked the fact that the author kept the number of characters minimal so that you didn't have any trouble following who was whom.

Wonderful as always, Charlotte develops and then allows us to explore vivid and complex characters. She weaves an amazing tapestry of a book, starting with only a few colors then leading us on with the promise of more and brilliant additions, and she does not disappoint.

The pace of this book is exactly as a novel should be paced -giving us time to savor yet propelling us to turn the page. There are valuable insights into the reality of abuse even in the setting of the great depression. Add to all of this a perfectly consummated mystery and you have MOOD INDIGO.

The book starts off lightly, like an evocative Blues song -with a couple of instruments playing, teasing us with a hauntingmelody line. We 'witness' the crime and are introduced to some of the main characters. We don't know them well at this point, but they are intriguing enough to keep us reading, wanting to know more.

In Blues tradition, as each new segment of the song is played, more instruments are added, a few at a time, adding depth and power to the resulting sound, and we don't even realize how subtly we've been drawn into the heart of the music. So it is with "Mood Indigo". These are people we'd like to know (most of them, anyway!), and their lives, both past and present, form a rich tapestry which comes to life as we share with them this frigid winter month in the heart of New York City during a year when a lot of us weren't even born yet. The settings in which they operate and the clothes they wear, as well as the language they use, draw us back into that era.

As the rhythm of this story picks up momentum, all of the players are now in place, interacting with each other in fascinating, surprising ways, giving us entrancing 'solo' action at unexpected moments. Their individual 'melody lines' weave in and out, all headed in the same direction, but traveling in their own unique way. Honoria, who occupies the pivotal position in the story, is all at the same time strong and vulnerable, in control and at the mercy of, loved and feared - wonderfully, powerfully human. She is the rich, underlying 'melody line' throughout the piece, and her commitment and loyalty draw the remaining players along with her, including us as observers to their drama. We follow eagerly, gratified to be involved.

The end of the 'song' is approaching, all the 'players' are in full swing. The mystery has drawn us in, full of surprising twists, giving us clues, so far, but no answers. We proceed quickly, devouring paragraphs in great gulps as the story expands. We attempt to take it all in, not wanting to miss anything along the way. Once everyone's part in the performance has been disclosed to the fullest (in a song), and the characters' roles have been defined, giving us the answers to our questions (in a story), the individuals begin to slowly withdraw from the inner circle, backing away one or two at a time, leaving Center Stage to the one with the lead melody line. "Mood Indigo" follows this path. The music slowly fades in our heads, and the book is reluctantly closed, because we're not yet ready to be finished with either the entertaining 'song' or the remarkable people whose lives we've shared.

From the haunting picture on the cover to the last typewritten line, "Mood Indigo" will captivate its readers, as it gives us yet another pearl to add to our string of Charlotte Vale Allen treasures. I laughed out loud, cried real tears, and was disappointed only by the fact that the end of the story came so soon. My thanks, once again, to the author!

More Than You Know is a story about a family's secrets and love with suprising twists. The story will carry you between the past and the present. Very good read.

I was so pleasantly surprised when I read More Than You Know. I know Roz as an excellent writer however I really had no idea she could write fiction. My thought in reading this was that the story would make a great film. So I'm waiting. I hope her cousin Tim Story who most recently directed Fantastic Four (2005)and Barber Shop (2002) has taken the time to read his cousins book. This could really be a family affair if he directed it.
steven meeks - dallas

This novel is one of exquisite beauty. The lyrically crafted narrative, which weaves vivid detail into a fluid and artful story, lends the novel an almost cinematic quality. It is at once haunting and hopeful, true to life, yet dream-like, at times. Once I picked the book up, I found myself unable to stop reading it until i had reached the end. The mysterious opening drew me in, and the symphonic blend of language, motifs and characters enveloped and held me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to let themselves be transported, if only for a brief time, into its world of jazz and song; of memories and hope.

From Kansas City to New York L.J. Tillman take's us on a personl journey from the streets to the best clubs in Manhattan, Ms. Story love for each charcter come to life on each page, her knowledge of jazz makes you want to go to a night club every night to see L.J. Tillman play.

More Than You Know is about how keeping secrets can destroy the family. Rosalyn Story writes this tale using a series of flashbacks that conduct a wonderful symphony of music in the detail of her words. As the secrets begin to unravel, the supporting characters in the book shed light on their involvement in the continuation of the betrayal. 

During one of the worst storms of the decade, a nine-year-old boy, L.J. Tillman, drops off a note and a baby, Olivia, to Big Mama's front door. Big Mama, Glodean, Country, Uncle Joon, and Clo T. share in the parenting of Olivia. Big Mama believes God delivered Olivia to them as an answer to years of prayer. Nearly 20 years later, that nine-year-old boy, L.J. Tillman is reintroduced to Olivia. They fall in love and get married. L.J. lives the ideal musicians life until he reveals a deep, dark family secret to Olivia.

She banishes him from the house forever not knowing that her wish may come true. Grief-stricken by his wife's outburst and dismissal from his dream job, L.J. turns to the bottle. Drinking and wallowing in despair, he plunges off an embankment landing in the river. He escapes the car and the city that doesn't want him by jumping a train to New York City.

New York City has little to offer a poor black man with a saxophone. He travels from corner to corner and park bench to homeless shelter playing his horn while living on the streets. One-day Covington, a jazz singer, turns him onto an open club spot. L.J. slowly starts piecing his life back together as this gig allows him to save a few dollars.

As the story unfolds, you learn that keeping secrets can tear a relationship apart and deepen your resolve to stay true to yourself. As Olivia learns bits and pieces of the truth, her heart opens and she realizes her purpose in life. But will her purpose and L.J.'s dream meet again?

Every family has at least one dark secret, but it is how you live with that knowledge which makes the difference. The development of characters, along with the use of flashbacks, will keep you turning the pages of this novel. The outcome was unexpected, yet heartwarming. Story has a gift for writing that is refreshing. It reminds me of the writings of Maya Angelou and Sonia Sanchez.  Finally a saga about family that is not street or gang-related but focuses on down home folks. I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for her next book.

Reviewed by Monique for Loose Leaves Book Review

This second Murphy Dog book is even better than the first! It's also longer. See the circus for the first time through the eyes of a curious dog! It's such a fun read - I smiled throughout. The rhyme and rhythm of this book is every bit as good as the first, plus you feel that the author has really hit his own personal Murphy Dog book rhythm and they will just keep getting better and better! As with the first book, there is a dictionary in the back to help younger readers learn as they read. The Murphy Dog books are great for teaching reading and for spending that quality time with your child before bed. Can't wait to see what Murphy Dog is up to next!

We all wonder if our pets have their own imaginations...Do they wish they could be somewhere else? Do they dream? Etc.? This book cleverly answers that question, YES!
Murphy Dog goes to the circus with his family and wishes he could fly, and knows he could tame that lion...VERY CLEVER!
My daughter has a new affection for her dog, and we all think we have a deeper understanding of him. How wonderful to think dogs (and cats too) might have illusions of granduer! How delightful!

One great book outweighs ten mediocre ones. Murphy Dog at the Circus is one of those great books. As a special education teacher, I wish every child had this book at home. The illustrations are stunning. You feel that you can almost reach out and pet Murphy Dog. Paired with this, the book's easy, rhythmic, and imaginative text paints a great picture in the reader's mind. This book also lends itself to meaningful conversation between an adult and child. Whether you read it to your child, or he/she reads it to you, Murphy Dog is a book that is definitely worth your while.

This wonderful book is written in rhyme and is interesting, beautiful, and fun to read. Original art work adds to the text. The dictionary in the back teaches children how to find the meaning words, a very important thing to know. A joy to read and a joy to hear. Joan Mayor

Mr. Sidle has used his words and ideas to write an outstanding book for children of any age. It is a classic bedtime story. My younger siblings Must have it read to them everynight before bed! They will not go to bed without hearing the Murphy Dog stories!

I think that Mr. Sidle is a very powerful storyteller, expressing values that all should have through the story of a dog's life. His discussions include self-esteem and self-worth - topics many young children should hear more of.

I think anyone and everyone should read Murphy Dog at the Circus!

We borrowed this book from our local library, and now I have to own it because my 3-year-old son absolutely loves it. The story and illustrations are quite imaginative. It is a real treat.

I just bought this book for a friend's child, but I fell in love with it first. It is a delightful story, with absolutely wonderful illustrations. I think I'll have to get a copy for myself now!

This is a wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. A great book for children!

This is one of my five year old son's favorite books. We read every night before going to bed. So, we read lots of books. This one always stays at the top of the stack. The illustrations are magical and make the story come alive.

This is a great book to reinforce a number of concepts. As a music teacher, I love how this reinforces the importance of practice. It's also a great lesson in the "specialness" each of us has within us.

I'm addicted to Geary's true-crime series, "A Treasury of Victorian Murder" and this volume is probably one of the best I've read thus far. The story is that of the well-chronicled but mysterious death of a popular New York cigar seller, Mary Rogers. The circumstances of her death, the people involved and the evidence gathered all make for a seriously bizarre but fascinating true-crime tale. Rick Geary's meticulous black-and-white illustrations are tidy and convey the story wonderfully. An unusual use of the "graphic novel" medium, but an effective one. Highly recommended!

Rick Geary brings the 1840s back to life in this study of an unsolved murder. Mary Rogers was pretty and well known in New York City back then. Her brutal murder splashed across the tabloid pages until interest gradually waned. It never waned completely, though, because Edgar Allan Poe immortalized it in an analysis thinly veiled as fiction.

Geary illustrates this classic mystery in his unique style: black and white pen drawings with no shades of gray, and, static, isolated panels like loosely-related snapshots. It's enjoyable, but more for the afficiando of mysteries or unusual comic styles than for the fan of mainstream comics.

//wiredweird

With The Mystery of Mary Rogers, Writer/Illustrator Rick Geary continues his "Treasury of Victorian Murder" Graphic Novel series, this time exploring the facts in the death of Mary Rogers, a well-known "Segar (Cigar) Girl" (She worked in a large Manhattan Tobacco Shop).

Geary's books are laid out incredibly well; most "Mainstream" non-fiction writers could learn a thing or two from him. He presents THE FACTS in the case, and since the murder was nevr really solved (At least officially...), he avoids any supposition; At the end of the book, he gives the reader a few scenarios that MAY have happened, never presenting any one of them as the actual solution. Geary's writing style is very informative, and his illustrations have a depth and resonance that belie their "Cartoony" look.

Overall, this book is a pleasure to read! The hardcover is a very attractive package at a low price, the text is informative and illuminating, and the artwork is superb. In a perfect world, Geary would be a fixture on the best-seller lists.

In 1841, Mary Rogers, a well-known resident of the city of New York, was found floating in the Hudson River, dead. The investigation was hampered by jurisdictional disputes and the primitive forensic science of the time, and is officially still unsolved. It was a great stir in its day, and everybody had opinions about it; Edgar Allen Poe based his "Mystery of Marie Roget" on it. Geary gives us the known facts, and proposes a solution in line with the modern thinking on the subject. His evocative artwork makes this book a visual treat. I'd love to see him tackle the alleged murder of Sarah M. Cornell by the Reverend Ephraim K. Avery; it occured at nearly the same time this case did, and is still officially unsolved.

It is very unusual for antebellum New York to get any sort of treatment in popular culture, which is a shame, because the whole space between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War features dramatic changes in the city's popular landscape. Institutions for maintaining public order and safety that we take for granted today were less organized and often appropriated by the underworld for its own purposes.

Scorsese's upcoming movie, GANGS OF NEW YORK, looks like it will offer an interesting look into this time. Readers looking for a little less bombast can take in Rick Geary's tight little graphic exploration of THE MYSTERY OF MARY ROGERS. Geary tells the true tale of a corpse that captured the public imagination in a manner similar to any of today's celebrity victims. He renders useful maps and recreates the known facts of the case with haunting sillhouettes and faces that are remarkably expressive in their cartoonishness. Geary also tosses in a tidy little chunk of social history -- so that we understand the context -- and chronicles the sensationalism that followed this case. As a final service, he puts forth the prominent theories about the case, noting its inspiration of Poe's mystery.

Graphic (as in illustrated) non-fiction is somewhat of an oddity, often represented by simpering auto-bio. True crime stories tend to show up in the BIG BOOK OF ... series. This, however, is a neat and stylistic volume that would put Anne Rule to shame.

Loved seeing the beautiful homes! So much fun to see into the homes of these people. Loved the tradional decor. A great coffe table book.

Beautiful book showcasing the elegant style of Greenwich. Unlike many similiar books, this one is more than a pretty cover. Beautiful interior shots, and the kind of book you want to go back and look at over and over. A good purchase, and I have given it a few times as a gift as well!

I'm not sure I would have bought it, but I was very glad to get this book as a Christmas present. It's gorgeously photographed, and provides a sneak peek at some stunning New York dwellings. If you're interested in interior decorating, you'll love the photos of works by Mario Buatta, David Easton, and other boldface names. But even if decorating is not your thing, you'll enjoy taking a look some amazing apartments. Warning: This is almost guaranteed to cause envy.

This is simply an haute couture guide for homes. Stunning photography showcase these magnificent homes and provide a peek into a world few of us will ever actually inhabit. More than just a glamorous photo book, this is a must have for anyone interested in traditional, luxury interior design or looking for elegant styles to emulate.

The 25 apartments featured in the book are beautifully photographed and provide some basic information as to how the rooms were put together to get the over all "feel". This is not a "how to" book but rather a virtual portfolio of some of the best designers in the City.

This is a wonderful coffee table book and would make a traffic gift to anyone interested in design, lifestyles or New York City.

Stunning, just stunning, an exquisite inside look at the quintessential New York City apartments. From Central Park West to the Village to Chelsea and Tribeca and Brooklyn Heights ... a glimpse into the urban chick homestyles that is Manhattan and the Big Apple.

Don't worry if you don't reside in New York. This book is a must have if you like the images of christmas.

The book and it's many wonderful pictures depict christmas that many of us share no matter where you live.

If you want a real christmas mood setter and a beautiful coffee table christmas book to share with your visitors over the christmas holidays (and you and your own family too), then this book is one to get.

A most recommended christmas book.

This book truly captures the essence of New York at Christmas. Mr. Crosby has done a remarkable job of capturing the known and the unknown, both of which make Manhattan a spectacular place to be.

The presentation is wonderful, the content is great, and the author/photographer is to be thanked for sharing his art with us.

I look forward to future books by Mr. Crosby.

Being in New York at Christmas is one of my favorite things...and now I can relive that time whenever I pick up this book. The selection of subjects for the photographs is fascinating, the quality of the photography is excellent and the comments throughout the book are illuminating. I recommend New York Christmas as an ideal book for your library or as a gift.

This is an amazing piece of work which deftly displays a wintry charm that I never knew New York City possessed. It's funny that only by looking at familiar places through someone else's eyes can we really see what's there. Whether you're a New Yorker, a transplanted New Yorker, or just an occasional visitor, this wonderful collection of Christmastime photos surely deserves a prominent place on your coffee table. Hats off to Mr. Crosby for a job quite well done.

I like the red ribbon. My favorite picture is the polar bear

if you were a kid who's never been to new york city like I was at one point, you'll learn so much about it through the BSC including in this book.

this was one of my favourite BSC super specials. The plots I enjoyed most were how the art classes claudia and mallory were taking turned out, and how jessi met quint. Reading all about new york made me want to go there, the descriptions are well written

If you're interested in going to new york city and wondering what to do there, this book may inspire you. Jessi goes to ballets, claudia and mallory are taking fancy art lessons and get to draw some of the city's well known tourist attractions, stacey and mary anne have a mystery on their hands, and so forth. You also get a taste of how multicultural new york city is, far more than little stoneybrook when they go to chinatown and eat food from different cuisines.

"New York, New York!" starts with a journal entry by Claudia Kishi about her plans to take an art class in New York City during her two-week school vacation. One thing leads to another, and the entire BSC is on their way to New York for two weeks. During their stay, the following things happen: Stacey McGill and Mary Anne Spier baby-sit two British children who they believe are being followed by a mysterious man who wants to kidnap them; Dawn Schafer becomes apartment-bound because of her fear of city crime; Claudia and Mallory Pike enroll at Falny together, but their friendship falls apart when the art instructor plays favorites with Mallory and criticizes Claudia's work on a daily basis; Jessi Ramsey meets a guy who also loves ballet just as much as she does (She receives her first kiss from him!); Kristy Thomas finds an abandoned dog in Central Park and sneaks him into the apartment, despite the no-pet policy.

This is the sixth Super Special in the Baby-sitters Club series, preceded by Baby-sitters on Board! (#1), Baby-sitters' Summer Vacation (#2), Baby-sitters' Winter Vacation (#3), Baby-sitters' Island Adventure (#4), California Girls! (#5), and succeeded by Snowbound (#7), Baby-sitters at Shadow Lake (#8), Starring the Baby-sitters Club! (#9), Sea City, Here We Come! (#10), The Baby-sitters Remember (#11), Here Come the Bridesmaids! (#12), Aloha, Baby-sitters! (#13), The Baby-sitters Club in the USA (#14), and Baby-sitters' European Vacation (#15).

What I liked most about "New York, New York!" (and every other Super Special) is the change in character point of view with each chapter. Although this is primarily Claudia's book (she compiled everybody's diary entries and letters and then included some illustrations--which were drawn by Ann M. Martin's father, Henry R. Martin), everybody in the BSC had a chance to share their fun and excitement in New York. This is definitely a must-read for BSC fans, especially those who love the Big Apple.

Bloomingdales, The Hard Rock Cafe. The Baby Sitters are going to see it all!

I thought I was getting a paperback version of the original hardback book of cartoons. It is the same book but the paperback version is much smaller than the hardback.

The New Yorker has all these things, and the combination of cats and The New Yorker is a felicitious one. These witty, wonderful cartoons are just the thing to bring a sparkle to even the most glazed of eyes.

Two ladies sipping tea, a cat strolling past tail in the air. "Whe she was little," one says "we had a very close relationship, but now we're just friends."

And a hundred others. A book is not as good as a cat, but this one is halfway there.

Cats you say? Take a look at the cover. Take a good look. Nobody does it like THE NEW YORKER. 101 cartons and 65 years later, the cats still have the last laugh. High level stuff and highly recommended!

I rated this book based on the hardcover version, but I do want to put in a word against the miniature paperback version in the beginning. Avoid the miniature paperback: It is very tiny, reproduced poorly, the paper quality is not good, and some of the material cannot be seen without a magnifying glass.

The only drawback I saw to the hardcover version was the lack of a witty introduction. I graded it down one star for that lack. The New Yorker cartoon books on business and money have wonderful introductions, unlike this one.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit that I do not have a cat. Yet I have many friends who do, and I tried to view these cartoons through their eyes.

The main cartoonists of these 102 cartoons are Charles Addams, Tom Cheney, Helen Hokinson, Frank Modell, Mischa Richter, Danny Shanahan, William Steig, and Saul Steinberg.

The cartoons generally follow one of the following styles: juxtaposing cats for dogs; anthropomorphizing cats; and treating humans like cats. These formats were predictable enough that the humor worked best when one of the categories was not followed, such as in a cartoon with no words where a cat is seen scratching against an arm chair while a man sits in it reading the newspaper -- chair, man, and newspaper all bear the same scratch marks everywhere.

Here are a few of my favorites:

A woman letting a large number of cats out of the back door: "Everyone be home by two o'clock."

No words: A man sits in a chair reading with his feet on a bear skin run. Behind him, a cat lies in a bed with a mouseskin rug on the floor in front.

A man receiving a call at work: "Your wife feels that your cat needs to hear an authoritative male voice."

One mouse to another: "Miss Egan, bring me everything we have on cats."

Dog to cat: "Hey, pal, let's hear 'Doggie in the Window' again, and this time play it like you mean it!"

Cat to cat in bow tie: "I'm sorry, but I think it's uncatlike."

Cat in casts to another cat in casts in vet's office: "I tried to make it from the windowsill to the top of the refrigerator. How about you?"

Cat behind loan officer desk in bank to dog: "Beg."

Man to cat: "The fact that you cats were considered sacred in ancient Egypt cuts no ice with me."

Person shouting through the window to a woman in a roomful of cats: "Glendora Hogan got another load of cats, Elinor honey. Can you take a couple?"

Let this good-natured look at one of our favorite animal friends liven up your day, and remind you of the humor behind everything. It's only our stalled thinking that denies us a good laugh at everything!

If you live with a cat, you'll want to read it before you give it to another feline lover; it makes a wonderful present.