Reviews by the Denver Public Library – Schlessman Family Branch

 

Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries (adult nonfiction, 2017)

By Kory Stamper

In this engaging, funny, and riveting memoir, Kory Stamper takes us behind the scenes of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and describes both the life of a lexicographer (that is, a writer and editor of dictionaries) and the life of words. Did you ever wonder how new words are chosen? Or why the definitions of old standards change? Or how anyone can define a word as common and as uninteresting as the word “is”? Stamper reveals all. This book is a surprising page-turner, with Stamper telling the story of her rewriting the definition for the word “nude” with the same dramatic flair as one might tell a murder mystery. Stamper’s obsession with words and language is evident in her prose, which is a joy to read.

-Reviewed by librarian Amy DelPo

 

Young Jane Young (adult fiction, 2017)

By Gabrielle Zevin

Sex and politics are at the forefront of this humorous but also thought-provoking novel. Congressional intern Aviva Grossman makes the mistake of having an affair with her boss, a married congressman. When the affair is exposed, the boss apologizes and then moves on, but poor Aviva is not allowed to leave it in the past. She is forever branded — slut shamed and turned into a late-night talk show punchline. With echoes of Monica Lewinsky and other “other women,” Zevin takes aim at a culture that blames young women for these scandals but lets the men off the hook.

-Reviewed by librarian Amy DelPo

 

Genuine Fraud (young adult fiction, 2017)

By E. Lockhart

If you like smart thrillers, look no further. This book starts in the present and then goes back in time to unravel the mystery of two girls, who might or might not be friends, and a missing person, who might or might not be dead, and an imposter, who might or might not be dangerous. Each chapter takes one step back in time to reveal one more clue about a girl named Imogen … or is her name really Jule? The book is snappy and tightly written. The plot is well crafted and intriguing. Like the best YA novels, it will appeal to teens and adults alike.

-Reviewed by librarian Amy DelPo

 

Felix Yz (children’s fiction, 2017)

By Lisa Bunker

Lisa Bunker’s absolute dynamo of a middle grade debut is genre-bending, binary-busting and dimension-hopping, and that’s just the first 25 pages! Eighth-grader Felix Yz was 3 when a freak lab accident killed his father and fused his body and mind with a bizarre and wise fourth-dimensional alien named Zyx. The accidental merging has left Felix with ever-worsening disabilities and the time has come for a risky separation procedure. Simultaneously full of fear and hope, Felix (and Zyx) launch a secret blog documenting what could be the last month of their lives: Felix’s crush on classmate Hector and his run-ins with bullies, relationships with family including his gender-fluid grandparent (Vera or Vern on alternating days) and the terrifying, liberating possibility of freedom from Zyx. This utterly unique and absolutely captivating tale is full of humor as well as beautiful truths about life and love, being different and conquering fears.

-Reviewed by librarian Gigi Pagliarulo