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Weekly Words about New Books in
Independent Bookstores
May 28, 2017
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New Work From Bookseller Fave Sedaris, and Feel-Good Debut Novel
Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris. Ask booksellers to name "rock star" authors, and David Sedaris will be on the list. Not only funny and kind, he is also a big supporter of indie bookstores and is known to stay for hours at personal appearances to autograph books for every attendee. Oh, and his books  are hugely popular and sell tons of copies. So the arrival of something new from the beloved author and humorist is always eagerly anticipated.
For nearly four decades, Sedaris has faithfully kept a diary in which he records everything that captures his attention-overheard comments, salacious gossip, soap opera plot twists, secrets confided by total strangers. These observations are the source code and inspiration for much of his work, including hilarious and poignant essays found in such books as Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and Holidays on Ice (to mention a few). Now, with this new release, readers get a look at his private writings - never before available in print. Theft by Finding, which is the first (thankfully) of a planned two volumes, is the story of how, according to his publisher, "a drug-abusing dropout with a weakness for the International House of Pancakes and a chronic inability to hold down a real job became one of the funniest people on the planet." It's an opportunity to experience the growth and writing skill of one of our great comic social observers.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. This debut, published just weeks ago, already has critics and fellow authors doling out praise. There have been comparisons to A Man Called Ove and The Rosie Project, in part because Eleanor is a quirky, oddball character and the story is ultimately  heartwarming. But Honeyman's novel certainly stands on its own. The 30-year-old protagonist is socially inept, but there appear to be good reasons or that, most due to an appalling (and slowly revealed) past. She lives a boring, predictable, and friendless life until
she meets Raymond, the bumbling IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond save Sammy, an elderly man who has fallen on the sidewalk, the budding relationship between the three slowly brings Eleanor out of her shell, leaving her better equipped to battle old wounds.
Among those praising the book is Paula McClain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun, who wrote: "Like a contemporary Jane Eyre, Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is a woman scarred by profound loneliness, and the shadow of a harrowing childhood she can't even bear to remember. Bit by bit, and with extraordinary courage, however, Eleanor begins peeling the layers of protective numbness, letting others near for the first time, and reaching for the life she hasn't believed she deserves. Deft, compassionate and deeply moving -- Honeyman's debut will have you rooting for Eleanor with every turning page. I loved this story."
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It's Funny How Franken Became A Political Force in the Senate
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate by Al Franken. I
need to begin with a disclaimer here - I'm a big fan of Franken, both as a comedian and a politician. So when I tell you  this is one of my favorite books of the year so far, you're welcome to take that statement with salt shaker in hand. That being said, this is a hugely entertaining and insightful memoir that covers Franken's years with Saturday Night Live and his subsequent foray into national politics. He began as a brash young writer on SNL, a show that delighted in skewering the establishment, and he evolved into a progressive political leader who became the senator of Minnesota in 2008 - winning the election by just over 300 votes. That journey is fascinating in itself, but Franken devotes a good deal of the book to his time on Capitol Hill and how he learned the ropes to become a productive and respected senator.
This is a terrific read for anyone with an interest in politics and how Washington works (or doesn't), and Franken clearly takes his duties seriously. Included in that seriousness was his quickly acquired realization that laughter isn't usually the best medicine in politics. Fortunately, a book is different, and Franken shares many of the quips and rebukes he's swallowed in the halls of Congress. You'll find surprising descriptions of fellow senators and learn something about professional protocol and etiquette. But this isn't some wonky political treatise; Franken has lost none of his comic chops or sharp tongue. Live from Washington, it's Senator Al Franken.
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WHERE TO FIND
AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
Many of you already have a favorite local bookstore, but for those of you without such a relationship, you can click here to find the
nearest indie bookstore by simply entering your postal code.
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WHY THE COLUMN?
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Hi, I'm Hut Landon, and I work as a bookseller in an independent bookstore in BerkeIey, California.
My goal with this newsletter is to keep readers up to date about new books hitting the shelves, share what indie booksellers are recommending in their stores, and pass on occasional news about the book world.
I'm not into long, wordy reviews or literary criticism; I'd like HUT'S PLACE to be a quick, fun read for book buyers. If you have any friends who you think might like receiving this column,
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I always love hearing from folks, so please feel free to let me know what you're reading, make a comment, or ask a question.
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