Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote
Capote’s first published novel displays thoroughly his skills at poetic description. 
This is a story of illusions from the inner self of Joel, a sensitive young man, as he copes with the strange household that becomes his home. Coming from New Orleans, he passes through Biloxi and with determination finds his way to Skully’s Landing, lost so far in the South it becomes a parody of Southern mystique. The characterizations of those he must rely on for sustenance of both body and soul are deftly drawn. Innate stamina and flexibility deliver him, but one wonders to what.
~Barbara, Arts, Recreation, and Literature
Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching novel about the life we expect to lead, and the one that’s ultimately lived. Young Marjorie has her whole future ahead of her, and the talent and ambition to become an actress in New York. But charismatic Noel Airman enters her life, and the dreams of a child are replaced by the practicalities of an adult. Anyone who remembers how the ideals of their youth changed with age will find something in common with Marjorie, and lament the conclusion of her story.
~ Mary, Green Lake
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
At 2:15 a.m., an hour before the lowest night tide of the summer, 13-year-old 
Miles O’Malley ventures out into the South Puget Sound in his kayak to search for marine life. What he discovers changes his life: a rare giant squid, with an eye the size of a hubcap. Miles must grapple with the media attention that comes his way and with what his discovery means – is the earth trying to tell us something? This impressive debut novel is both a moving coming-of-age story and a beautiful tribute to the wonders contained in the Puget Sound.
~ Hannah, Fiction
Ten Poems to Last a Lifetime by Roger Housden
Poetry was challenging to me when I was a young student because so many classic 
poems included images and associations that were outside the realm of my cultural experience. Imagine my delight, then, to come across Housden’s Ten Poems series: Ten Poems to Last a Lifetime…to Change Your Life…to Open Your Heart…to Set You Free. These little gems each showcase ten poems that share recognizable facets of our daily lives. Housden’s accompanying essays are simple, heartfelt, and extremely readable responses to these verses. He is especially gifted at awakening you to sensations that the poems’ images arouse in you.
~ Rosemary, Greenwood
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