“Book Reviews: 'The House of Tomorrow,' 'The Lunatic Express' and ... - Petoskey News-Review” plus 1 more

Book Reviews: 'The House of Tomorrow,' 'The Lunatic Express' and ... - Petoskey News-Review

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 08:53 PM PST

Music has a way of defining the major events in our lives. Whether it's the Clash, Prince, or Nirvana during my Seattle days, there is a song I can listen to which transports me back to amazing moments in my life. Though the moment is gone and my responsibilities now are heavy, I can still slip away to an easier time when I hear my favorite songs.

Discovering my eclectic love of music, a friend handed me, "The House of Tomorrow," (Amy Einhorn Books, Putnam, 368 pages) by Peter Bognanni. Since it is a story about a teenage boy and his introduction to punk music, I didn't expect to connect with this novel. What a pleasant surprise.

This is the story of Sebastian Prendergast and his eccentric grandmother, who live in a geodesic dome in small-town Iowa. Since I happen to have a great friend, Vicky, who grew up in Hobbit Hollow, a series of underground houses in small-town Kansas, I had to keep reading. I am glad I did.

Sebastian, completely sheltered from the world outside of the futuristic dome, is thrown into the present by a chance meeting with the Whitcomb family. By grabbing his moment, he is soon introduced to the world of Sonic Youth, Sid and Nancy and bass guitar. With chain smoking Jared Whitcomb, a heart transplant recipient as his guide, Sebastian discovers the importance of family and learns the valuable lesson that things aren't always as they seem.

This interesting array of characters and emphasis on a first introduction to music make this novel an enjoyable read. If you love music, have ever felt like an outcast or live in Hobbit Hollow, I highly recommend you pick up this book. Note: With some strong language and sexual content, "The House of Tomorrow" is a great read for ages 18 and up.

Calling all adventurers: 'The Lunatic Express'

As an avid traveler, I have had the misfortune of frantically fleeing a raging forest fire, hiked a river downstream for hours hoping to find the lost trail, and spent the night huddled between two hikers during a blizzard in a leaky tent high in the Olympic Mountains. After the initial panic subsides, there is an overwhelming feeling of exhilaration that overtakes you, as well as nausea. There isn't anything quite like it.

Though my risk-taking has been replaced with parenting, a good book can evoke the same emotions. This explains why I picked "The Lunatic Express," (Random House, 288 pages) by Carl Hoffman.

Deciding to explore the many modes of transportation around the globe, Hoffman sets off on a six month adventure. Only, this isn't your typical travel story; Hoffman books passage on the most dangerous conveyances around.

The title gives you a clue. Taking the name from a railway train completed in 1903, this 600 mile line from Mombasa, Kenya, to Kampala, Uganda, destroyed so many lives during its construction from disease, exhaustion and lions, it was dubbed the Lunatic Express. And so the adventure begins.

With in-depth detail, Hoffman describes his experiences on overcrowded ferries in Bangladesh, night buses navigating washed-out roads in the Amazon and packed commuter trains in Mumbai, where many unlucky passengers lose their lives daily.

This non-fiction account is divided into three sections: The Americas, Africa and Asia. With luck unlike most, Hoffman is guided through these perilous journeys by locals willing to shelter him from harm. Without their help, it is unlikely the story would continue.

Each chapter starts with a quote from a news agency stating the most recent casualties. Though Hoffman had the means necessary to travel in safer environments, he chooses to take the path most common to the every-day citizen. With an interesting storyline, "The Lunatic Express," is a fast-paced, informative read that will leave you feeling lucky to live in the United States — except the part about his Greyhound bus trip through Los Angeles. Maybe clinging to the side of a train dodging passing poles isn't a bad way to travel after all.

Older teens: 'Vintage Veronica'

When I saw "Vintage Veronica," (Random House, 288 pages) by Erica S. Perl, I knew it was the story for me. As an avid junker, I picked my first (and only) parasol from a garbage can at the tender age of 8. My mother was horrified. I have, however, found some amazing treasures during my Dumpster diving experiences, including vintage gliders, Habitant furniture and leaded glass windows. I am hooked.

This fictional story revolves around Veronica, a 15-year-old girl working in a vintage clothing shop. As an overweight, '50s-obsessed outcast, she soon finds friends who share her same interests. And, many more. When a spy game is put in place by some much older girls, Veronica has finally found something to pass her time away. Not expecting to care about much, with a broken home and a mother obsessed with Weight Watchers, Veronica finds her true calling and an unlikely friend in Len, a strange guy with a lizard collection.

Will Veronica find the will to stand up for herself and be the girl she wants, rather than something everyone else tells her to be? Though this book is listed for young teens, because of the language and some sexual content, I wouldn't recommend for anyone under the age of 14.

For the kids: 'A Boy Had a Mother ...'

My son likes to collect hats. His favorites are a camouflage, mossy leaf hunting hat, his bling hat and his grandpa's old rabbit fur Arctic expedition hat. He wears them everywhere he goes, at all times of the year. It is a battle to take them away during the hot days of summer.

So, what happens when your son decides to bring every new item he receives everywhere he goes until they continue to pile up? Find out in this children's book, for ages 3 to 8, "A Boy Had a Mother Who Bought Him a Hat," written by Karla Kuskin and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (HarperCollins, 32 pages). In this rhyming escapade, a boy is given a red hat to keep off the snow. With a Seussian style and vibrant pictures, the adventure continues with the purchase of a mouse, shoes, boots and even an elephant, until one day …

Where to find these books

These soon-to-be-released books are available at Between the Covers in Harbor Springs. Eight years ago, Jeanne Regentin purchased this small, independent bookstore, which has been in business since 1983. With a strong mystery section, which includes European, British, Spanish and Italian translations, there is a nice selection of children's books available, too. There is also a resident cat named Whimsey and West Highland terrier called Bunter.

"We recently set up our Web site, which was designed by a friend of mine in New York. There is still some fine tuning going on, but we're really excited about the possibilities this will create for our store," said Regentin.

Between the Covers is located at 152 E. Main St. in Harbor Springs. Hours are 11 a.m-6 p.m. every Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, it is open 11 a.m-4 p.m. Phone (231) 526-6658. Check out the new Web site www.hsbetweenthecovers.com.

Kristin Bates is a freelance writer from Boyne City. If you'd like your bookstore featured here, contact her at kristinbates876@gmail.com.

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