September 2009 Staff PicksLike this list

13 items

• A Prayer for Owen Meany

  a Novel

  Irving, John, 1942-

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  There are many factors that go into deciding on your next read. For some, the first sentence of a book is the most important. Never was that more true than the day I picked up "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and read this line: "I am doomed to remember a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Every Man Dies Alone

  Fallada, Hans, 1893-1947

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  Written in 24 days under the pen name Hans Fallada (Rudolf Ditzen), Every Man Dies Alone was originally published in Germany in 1947 and has recently been translated by Michael Hoffman and published by Melville Press. It is a sweeping novel of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• In the Company of the Courtesan

  a Novel

  Dunant, Sarah

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  In Sarah Dunant's new historical novel set in 16th century Italy, a beautiful courtesan and the dwarf who is her servant flee the city of Rome, only to have to rebuild their lives among the political and religious intrigues of Venice. Rich both in…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ripped

  How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music

  Kot, Greg

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  In a slim 250 pages, this exciting look at the last couple decades in pop music examines the impact of the internet and downloading on the music industry, focusing on innovative artists and figures who have started pointing the way forward (Prince,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The City & the City

  Miéville, China

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  Fantasy author China Mieville's latest is an intriguing blend of Chandleresque detective fiction and urban fantasy. The weird premise is that two European cities, Beszel and Ul Qoma, exist in the same place and time, with their own unique histories,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Art Brut Vs. Satan

  Art Brut (Musical group)

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  Did frontman Eddie Argos grow up? Perhaps he’s matured a little, but he still seems to think DC Comics and chocolate milkshakes are great. Black Francis (Pixies) has produced Art Brut’s third album, Art Brut vs. Satan, recapturing the catchy garage…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• It's Blitz!

  Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Musical group)

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  We've been fans of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs ever since Fever to Tell was released in 2003. We eagerly awaited this latest album and are glad to report that it was worth the wait. It starts out strong with the hard-hitting "Zero," and keeps the momentum…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

  Bird and the Bee (Musical group)

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  We have to admit it was the retro cover and the space age title that first drew our attention to the Bird and the Bee's sophomore album. But once we heard Inara George's sweet vocals we were further drawn in. Her voice set against the backdrop of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Welcome to Mali

  Amadou & Mariam

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  Amadou and Miriam, a couple who met at an institution for the blind, have been making music for nearly two decades. Manu Chao produced their breakout 2004 album Dimanche à Bamako, and his presence is felt, although less so, on their energetic new…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Frozen River

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  A winner at Sundance, this debut film written and directed by Courtney Hunt is a taut, emotionally wrenching thriller and gritty portrayal of poverty. A showcase for excellent writing and noteworthy acting, the film is gripping from the first frame.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Rabbit-proof Fence

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  In the 1930’s three young "half-caste" Aborigine girls were forcibly removed from their homes by A.O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) and sent to a school where they were to be trained to be domestic servants. Australia had a long-standing racist…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Up the Yangtze

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  Chinese-Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang’s documentary, Up the Yangtze, is a visually rich and remarkable film about the Three Dams Projects that highlights the profound changes taking palace in China. As the world’s largest hydroelectric project…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Vicky Cristina Barcelona

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  Woody Allen, a legendary New Yorker, has made a series of movies outside of New York in recent years, and it's clearly done him soome good. The sun-drenched Barcelona setting has inspired one of his most enjoyable films in years. Two American…Read moreRead more of this annotation