An NU Alumni Sampler
Annotation:A 2001 National Book Award finalist, Chaon’s second short story collection features 12 riveting tales that intimately explore small town life and the secrets people keep. Haunting and humorous, these beautiful stories will dazzle you with their subtle power and insight. Also try Await Your Reply.
Annotation:This tightly-plotted page turner kicks off the former NU journalism major’s popular “Tess Monaghan” mystery series. The suspenseful storyline follows the unorthodox ex-reporter as she works to clear her friend after a notorious attorney is murdered. Also try the Edgar winner’s What the Dead Know.
Annotation:The inspiration for HBO’s new hit show, this is the first book in the Medill grad’s epic fantasy series “A Song of Fire and Ice.” Combining magic, mystery, and romance, this suspenseful saga follows the royal Stark family as it faces a decades-long winter and battles invading barbarian hordes.
Annotation:Winner of the 1993 Pulitzer Prize, Butler’s first short story collection offers 15 finely-etched tales about the aftermath of the Vietnam War and its impact on Vietnamese families relocated to Louisiana. Giving voice to a silenced people, Butler’s stories unfold delicately but make a powerful impression.
Annotation:This complex psychological exploration won the 1965 National Book Award for the former NU anthropology major. Tracing the public and private disasters of Jewish intellectual Moses E. Herzog, this thought-provoking book was included in Time’s list of the 100 Greatest Novels.
Annotation:This side-splitting satire takes the Emmy-winning comedian’s Colbert Report persona to the page. In it, the father of “truthiness” stands up against America’s enemies “whether they be terrorists, environmentalists, or Kashi brand breakfast cereals.” Hilarious.
Annotation:This revolutionary and acclaimed T.V. series featured the NU alum in the award-winning role of nosy landlady Phyllis Lindstrom. You can also catch the 9-time Emmy winner and T.V. Hall of Fame inductee in The Last Picture Show for which she won the 1971 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Annotation:This timeless collection includes 37 new poems along with the incredible For My People – the book which won Walker the Yale Series of Younger Poets competition in 1942. Also try the NU grad’s critically-acclaimed novel Jubilee which is based on her great-grandmother’s life in slavery.
Annotation:This clever bestselling debut tells the touching tale of time-traveling Chicago librarian Henry De Tamble and his artist wife Clare. Part inventive sci-fi and part heartfelt romance, this complex character study will make you laugh, cry, and think.
Annotation:By Russell J. (EPL Readers' Services)
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Description
Over the years, Northwestern University has become a veritable assembly line of notable alums – a fact comedian Stephen Colbert duly noted during his 2011 commencement address. “Northwestern’s alumni list is truly impressive,” said the 1987 NU grad. “This university has graduated bestselling authors, Olympians, presidential candidates, Grammy winners, Peabody winners, Emmy winners – and that’s just me.” All kidding aside, he’s right. From Saul Bellow and Cloris Leachman to Steve Albini and Dan Chaon, Wildcat grads are clearly an accomplished bunch. So, to honor their achievements both past and future, we present the following eclectic list of books, movies, and music from some of Northwestern’s talented very own. Enjoy, and stay tuned. The list is growing. (Russell J, EPL Readers' Services)
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