Ep. 152 "A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous" by Caspar Henderson; "Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder" by Asako Yuzuki

Transcript: JESSICA:   Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I'm the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.   Today's two reading recommendations will introduce you to handpicked favorites that have captured the hearts and minds of our staff. We'll give you the inside scoop on titles you may not have heard about.  First, we're going to hear from Jayanne, librarian at the Freeland Library, for an exploration of noise. Take it away, Jayanne.    JAYANNE:  Recently, when the power went out, my body relaxed as the whir and whine of the electronic background of life was silenced. That sudden absence made the remaining sounds more prevalent and had me thinking about all the noises around us. In the nonfiction offering, "A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous," Caspar Henderson celebrates all things "auraculous," or "ear marvelous."     Dipping into many fields of study, he explores the noises out in the cosmos, those made by our planet, as well as those by the plants, animals and people that occupy the earth. In these essays you can discover when the first note was sung, contemplate what you would sound like on another planet, or what scientists think dinosaurs sounded like. He also discusses subjects like how we are healed by sound, how bells vary around the world, and the impact of noise pollution. He shares some of the speculations on the origins of language and on music.   There are 48 entries in this book and in his introduction, he encourages the reader to skip around and read whatever catches their interest. I agree, this is not a book that I read straight through. I enjoyed consuming it in small bites between the fiction currently on my shelf. Pick it up, flip to a topic and discover something quirky or inspiring. It was fascinating to meander through the sound scape with him. It gave me a new appreciation of some good vibrations, and most importantly, it stressed the importance of listening.    JESSICA:  Thanks, Jayanne! What a fascinating reminder of the wonder hidden in the everyday noise around us.  Next, let's hear about food and murder from Hattie, library associate for Library on Wheels. Go ahead, Hattie.   HATTIE:  "There are two things that I simply cannot tolerate: feminists and margarine," declares Manako Kajii, the convicted serial killer and gourmand at the heart of "Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder" by Asako Yuzuki. Frustrated by the lurid, tabloid news coverage of Kajii, feeding a public, hungry for details of how such an ugly woman could have captivated so many rich men with her decadent cooking, journalist Rika Machida sets out to uncover the true story of the killer.   Kajii is unwilling to discuss the details of her case, but when Rika writes her a letter asking for her beef stew recipe, she's allowed in — Kajii will talk, but only if Rika follows through on a series of increasingly hedonistic gastronomic challenges and reports back. As their exchange unfolds, Rika comes to embrace the forbidden pleasure of eating, and to find the strength to claim her own desires.   Filled with lush descriptions of French haute cuisine, late night diners, and of course butter — not to be read on an empty stomach! I devoured this slow burn thriller, hungry for every plot twist, and savoring Rika's growing sense of self determination.   Inspired by the real case of a convicted con woman and serial killer, "Butter" is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance, and the transgressive pleasures of food.   JESSICA:  Thanks, Hattie! This book sounds like an intoxicating blend of flavors and feelings.    Join us next time, when we'll explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.    Until then, I'm Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.   Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.