Humor
‘Psmith, Journalist’
By P. G. WodehouseThe third of Wodehouse’s four Psmith (the P is silent) novels, it finds the eccentric ex-Etonian Rupert Psmith in early 1900s New York City, with his friend Mike Jackson, who is on a cricket tour. There he befriends Billy Windsor, temporary editor of a newspaper called Cosy Moments, and joins its staff. The two transform it into a crusading weekly, getting involved with tenement reform, New York City gangs, and prizefighting. A hilarious romp, it shows why Psmith was one of Wodehouse’s most beloved characters.
Nonfiction
‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’
By Susan CainIn a world of jabber and noise, Cain mixes anecdotes and academic studies to make the case that overlooking the shy or the introverted comes with a cost. Among other takeaways, we learn that many people are a mix of introvert and extrovert, that imagination and creativity can thrive in solitude, and that team projects, whether in school or at work, often produce worse results than those assigned to individuals. A fine guide to personality types and a reminder of the value of time spent alone.
History
‘Barbs, Bullets, and Blood: The 1880s Texas Barbed Wire Wars’
By Harold D. JobesBarbed wire fenced in the open range, transforming Texas ranching in the 1870s and 1880s. Yet transformation rarely goes smoothly. This book tells how barbed wire came to Texas, and explains how the fence-cutting wars erupted after its arrival. It opens with a high-level overview of Texas barbed wire history and then plunges in at the local level, examining individual fence wars in specific counties. Each war was similar, but with its own occasionally eccentric characters and occasionally odd outcomes.
Espionage
‘The Secret War: Spies, Ciphers, and Guerillas, 1939–1945’
By Max HastingsThe greatest conflict in history required the greatest methods of deception. One of the finest living war historians covers the gamut of spies, ciphers, and guerrilla warfare throughout the years of 1939 to 1945. Focusing on the war’s major players—America, Great Britain, Japan, Germany, and the Soviet Union—Hastings intertwines his humor and excellent writing style with exhaustively researched detail and exhilarating stories. For espionage or World War II buffs, this is a satisfying read.
For Kids
‘The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: A Halloween Book For Kids’
By Linda Williams and Megan LloydJust right for Halloween, this fun picture book tells the tale of a spunky lady who doesn’t let fear get in her way—even when she encounters two shoes walking by themselves in the woods at night or a pair of pants going “Wiggle, Wiggle.” This delightful read-aloud builds on itself and handles well the subject of fear. A fun seasonal read!
