Kate's Picks

Kate's Picks

I read fiction, narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, classic fiction, short stories, science, history, and mysteries: about 35 books a year.  I will read a memoir if it is written by Abraham Verghese or if it is highly recommended by Sally. I have little patience for contrived drivel. Even my fiction has to have a  grounding in reality, either in the characters, plot, or sense of place.

I love my work at Broadway Books.  It is absolutely wonderful to learn about the current “best reads” from Roberta, Sally, my co-workers, and our customers.  Of course I love sharing my new discoveries and my old favorites.  

Right now I am reading Davis Country: H.L. Davis’s Northwest, an anthology of the work of H.L. Davis, the only Oregonian to receive the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.  Davis’ writing is simply beautiful and it makes me ache to know that I only have a few more pages to read.  My current favorite novel is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell.  This book has it all, history, intrigue, love, and gorgeous language.  Highest on the list for nonfiction is Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.   Again, a “has it all” experience only in a well-researched nonfiction gem.