Jon is the receiving manager and unofficial wellness director at Northshire and has worked here since 1998. He loves all things guitar- and listens mostly to blues, classic and selected contemporary rock, and most of all, music that defies genre- most especially The Derek Trucks Band. He loves the Maine coast and most frequently finds himself reading sports non-fiction, music memoirs and selected contemporary lit fiction. Personal gods include guitarist Derek Trucks and writer Ann Patchett.
$27.95
ISBN: 9781524732363
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Published: Knopf - October 15th, 2019
This is a heartwarming romp through pastures, trails and landscapes that most of us have never experienced. Beginning with the rescue of a neglected donkey, the story blossoms into a rewarding journey with the ever-expanding and far flung cast of oddball characters and goats and other donkeys that McDougall meets and bonds with in the service of his mission to give little Sherman “a job”. If I were to pick a bone, it would be with the subtitle, “The Donkey With the Heart of a Hero.” That's not what this book is about. Sherman is a donkey with a pretty much standard burro-shaped heart, who was in need of a kind, understanding and intuitive home, which he finds thanks to McDougall and family and his bevy of unique friends. ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
$20.00
ISBN: 9781250214867
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Published: Picador - May 14th, 2019
Newly released in paperback, this is a most engaging history of perhaps America's premier songwriting duo of the 20th century, Rodgers and Hammerstein. Chock full of the details of both musical geniuses' creations from their very beginnings as well as the chronology of both of their personal stories, Purdum's work is both engaging and musically astute. These are the talented icons behind the classic shows my mother lived and breathed as I was growing up and I can still see the record jackets lying on the record player; Oklahoma!, South Pacific and of course, my favorite, The Sound of Music, to name but a few. The perfect read to heighten your appreciation of this duo's brilliance before checking out this summer's local production of Oklahoma! ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
$26.00
ISBN: 9780802129086
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Published: Grove Press - March 5th, 2019
Woodfox' insider story of a life lived deep in the bowels of the unjust, inhumane, violent, sadistic and vile world of the American “justice” system may not be for the faint of heart. But it is, by turns, appalling and nauseating, horrific yet inspiring. Woodfox' ability to recall the minutia of his daily life in countless prison facilities throughout his life is uncanny- there are so many guard attacks/beatings, gassings, strip searches and constant violent humiliations that the reader's head may spin. But throughout it all- after an indoctrination by Black Panther prisoners to a noble mission of both bettering himself and the lives of his fellow African Americans gave him a lifetime of strength, determination, grit and grace to endure the endless prison purgatory that has taken down the souls of countless men- Woodfox manages to stand tall, standing for himself and for others no matter the cost. A most impressive tale. A most impressive man. ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
$16.00
ISBN: 9780143133933
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Published: Penguin Books - July 9th, 2019
Partial Spoiler Alert! This fun-sized novel is not quite as fully supernatural as the cover and title might lead one to anticipate or hope. Yet... that's not entirely true either. There are ghosts and spirits and hauntings generously sprinkled throughout, just not fully of a kin to Amityville Horror or Stranger Things. Nevertheless, Davidson's work is ultimately a full-on charmer, with a bevy of memorable characters and a light and warm-hearted (despite some dark material) reflection on life and love, neuroscience and memory that pays the reader back in full for any slight traces of disappointment if the ghost count should happen to fall short. Set amidst the narrator's boyhood in an aging Niagara Falls, this is a perfect summer read. ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
$26.00
ISBN: 9781982102357
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Published: Scribner - April 2nd, 2019
Stay Up With Hugo Best is an entertaining romp through the sunset of the career of just-retired late night talk show host Huge Best as told by his surprise guest for the weekend at his Greenwich, CT estate. “Surprise” because writer's assistant June has heretofore never been sure that her boss and possible comic idol even knew she existed before his impromptu invitation. The hollow but ever-coveted role of celebrity in America, the eternal insecurity of entertainers at any level of success, the destructive force of fame on family and the inescapable stain of indiscretion in the public eye are all on the menu for the weekend. This is an enjoyable, tragic-comic ride to the other side of the tracks and a chance to be a fly on the wall at the rudderless finale of a comedy semi-legend's career in the immediate aftermath of its... mercy killing. ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
