Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma

Kat Rosenfield, author of Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone (a great book, by the way) spoke to a group of YA librarians the other day (https://2headstogether.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/2-short-ones-from-two-heads-together/). Amelia Anne was her debut novel and although it’s been up for some awards, such as the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery, I’d still consider Ms. Rosenfield an ‘under the radar’ author. So, I asked her for some other under the radar authors and she recommended Nova Ren Suma, describing her as ‘literary’. Ms. Suma has written four books one of which is housed in our children’s area and the rest in Young Adult.

I started with her debut novel Dani Noir, the children’s book and will read them in order of publication. Although I probably wouldn’t classify it as ‘literary’, it was certainly well written and totally enjoyable. Danielle (Dani) Callanzano’s life is in turmoil. Her parents are recently divorced (after her father cheated on her mother). Her father is remarrying. Her mother is constantly crying and Dani can’t forgive her father.  She’s spending her summer at the Little Arts Theater in upstate Shanosha, NY watching Noir movies and envisioning her life as movie scenes, with Rita Hayworth as the femme fatale. Dani definitely has trust issues…if her father lied to her, who else is lying to her.

When Dani sees a girl with polka dot leggings leaving the theater projection booth (manned by Jackson, who is Dani’s friend Elissa’s boyfriend) Dani goes into noir mystery mode, trying to find out what the story is. Along the way, she learns a few things about herself, about friends, life and love.

Now, if you’ve learned anything about me from reading this blog it’s that I’m totally into pulp mysteries. (I found a few more anthologies to add to my collection. Some people, Susan, might call me obsessed.) And guess what…some of those pulp era mysteries (The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Laura, The Postman Always Rings Twice) have been made into some of the best movies. So, not only did I read a fun book, but I came away with a list of 17 Noir movies I need to watch. (I’m starting out with Gilda (with Rita Hayworth) and The Postman Always Rings Twice (with Lana Turner). If these stars don’t qualify as femme fatales, I don’t know who would.)

I am totally looking forward to reading Ms. Suma’s second book, Imaginary Girls.

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Happy Holidays

We just want to wish everyone a Happy Chanukah and a Happy Thanksgiving.

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E’lissa Jones Band

I was going to write about seeing E‘lissa Jones any way but after the review Ed did of the Dion concert I didn’t want you all to think we’re music snobs.  I enjoyed aspects of the Dion concert but wasn’t surprised by the oldies content.  Ed and I had had multiple conversations about the possible set list and, me being the glass is half empty person I am, warned him that I suspected that most of the music would not be what he wanted to hear. Having said that I want to spend a few moments raving about E’lissa Jones.

On a glorious Saturday evening Ed and I packed up a delicious dinner and a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio and headed to the Warwick Railroad Green, one of my favorite places, to watch one of my favorite bands-the E’lissa Jones band.  Never heard of them? You should.  They’re a great Hudson Valley local band, but given the trash (yes I said it TRASH) that passes for music when real talent is in front of you, your heart starts beating, your toes start tapping and joy just fills the air.

E’lissa Jones plays guitar, mandolin, keyboard, a fiddle that rocks. She’s got a smile that lights up when she sings and has the voice of an angel.

Playing songs they’ve written (old and new) or borrowed, they played, danced, and sang for two glorious hours.   E’lissa is able to rock that fiddle and dance in the audience without missing a beat.  The band isn’t just a band-it’s a family.  I watched as the a member’s wife rocked E’lissa’s swaddled son as he slept in her arms.

After playing for a bit E’lissa, a music teacher, called up one of her students – what a treat.  We should all have music teachers like that.

I’m sure that there will be other concerts, but this night was special – a wonderful concert sitting next to a wonderful man. What more can you ask for!

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Happy Thanksgiving

From our families to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Reflect on what this holiday means…family and friends, thanks for our bounty and concern for those who have less.

And I know I’m on soapbox here, but don’t patronize those establishments that have forgotten what a family dinner and a family holiday means and have opened their shopping doors on Thanksgiving. Whatever you can get on Thursday will be there on Friday. And if it isn’t, was it all that important?

Lastly, let’s give our independent shopkeepers some of our money as well. They work hard, against incredible pressure from the big box stores.

So, back to my original sentiment, have a wonderful holiday, everyone.

Ed and Susan

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