The Invisible Wall: A Love Story that Broke Barriers by Harry Bernstein
Recommended by Tuki in Adult Services…
Tuki’s synopsis:
The author was 96 when he wrote this, his first book. It is a story of his life growing up in a small mill town in Lancashire, England. He writes of his life with his mean alcoholic father, and his mother who does everything she can to provide for her family of 6 children. The “wall” the author refers to in the title is a symbolic barrier between the Jews and Christians that inhabit the two sides of his street. They lived pretty much harmoniously respecting each others social and cultural mores so long as each side kept to themselves. But then Harry’s older sister, Lily falls in love with a young man, Arthur from the other side. The love story is their story.
She says:
Readers who enjoyed Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes will renew their reading experience. There are parts in the book where you cringe and don’t want to read on, but do because you believe in the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity and triumph.
Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews
Recommended by Nancy in Reader Services…
Nancy’s synopsis:
When The Cooking Channel decides to add a Southern cooking program to its line-up, they look to a couple of Atlanta cable television chefs to fill the spot. Gina Foxton favors a healthy approach to traditional Southern fare while her competitor, Tate “Kill It and Grill It” Moody, hosts a hunting, cooking, and fishing show. The laughter begins when The Cooking Channel decides to award the program to the winner of a reality cook-off show they call Food Fight.
She says:
This lighthearted culinary romance is sure to make you laugh out loud. Fans of Top Chef and Survivor will enjoy the behind the scenes look at a reality show in the making.
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
Recommended by Asra in Adult Services…
Asra’s synopsis:
Claire Pendleton and her husband arrive in Hong Kong, a world away from their native England. Shortly after her arrival, Claire is hired to give piano lessons to Victor and Melody Chen’s daughter. The Chens belong to Hong Kong’s high-society. In their employment, Claire meets Will Truesdale, the Chen’s British expat driver. Their relationship quickly develops into an affair, at which point the storyline shifts between present and past. The past references the love of Will’s life, Trudy Liang. Will and Trudy live a luxurious life in Hong Kong, but World War II is imminent and their relationship becomes threatened by precarious circumstances. Claire knows little of Will’s past, but becomes aware that his life in Hong Kong involves more than serving as a driver to the Chens.
She says:
A past love haunts a hero’s present. The novel flows well in its telling of two time periods. If you liked the English patient, you may very well enjoy this book too.
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Recommended by Jeff in Technical Services…
Jeff’s synopsis:
Tita is in love with Pedro. But being the youngest, family tradition requires that she take care of her mother, and never marry. Tita pours all of her desire and emotion into her cooking , which sometimes has magical effects on whoever eats the food. Things become more complicated as Pedro decides the only way to be close to Tita is to marry her sister.
He says:
This is a timeless story of two people in love who cannot be together. Each chapter starts with a recipe and mixes in the story line with the preparation and the tradition behind the dishes.
