Book Buzz

Episode 119 - Air date: Sept. 14, 2025

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.

First, we’re going to hear from Lorraine, librarian in the Collection Services department, for an autobiography from two famous brothers. Over to you, Lorraine.

LORRAINE:

“The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family” by actor and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and his brother, character actor Clint Howard, is great for people who like a nostalgic look at family relationships through the lens of acting, television, and film.

The brothers share their story from early childhood through young adulthood, telling tales of their participation in iconic television classics including “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Gentle Ben,” “Star Trek,” and “Happy Days.” Ron and Clint both began performing in Hollywood films and television when they were preschoolers and were guided through their early careers by their loving and supportive parents, Rance and Jean Howard, who were actors themselves.

The Howards prospered with love and clear communication in an industry not known for functional families. The sons refer to their father as “The Child Whisperer” for his skill in preparing them for emotionally realistic performances.

Ron moved on to become an A-list film director and Clint has been in over 200 films and TV shows, both continuing to use techniques and a strong work ethic they learned from their parents.

I highly recommend this book, especially the audio book version. Ron and Clint are the narrators, and it adds so much to the story to hear the bond between these two famous men.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Lorraine! I agree. Audiobook memoirs read by the authors really elevate the experience.

Next, let’s hear from Kerry, cataloging and acquisitions assistant, who will tell us about a novelist finding comfort from his special pet. Take it away, Kerry.

KERRY:

“My Beloved Monster,” by Caleb Carr, is a lovely and deeply moving memoir in which the author rescues a very special Siberian Forest cat, and she rescues him in return.

Fans of Caleb Carr might not expect him to be a dedicated cat person. Yet here, he employs his elegant literary style first to explain the chaotic and violent circumstances of his formative years, and then to describe how he found comfort, refuge and purpose with the large coterie of pets his family adopted — particularly with cats. Carr makes clear that it was the calm, quiet, loving attention given and accepted by felines that allowed him to survive into adulthood.

Enter Masha. She is wild, loving, eccentric, intelligent, ferocious, and delightful. She needs refuge just as much as Carr does. The two are perfectly suited to one another, and their life together brings adventure, hilarity, heartbreak, and joy. While there are some poignant and agonizing moments, the book ultimately confirms that our connection to animals and to the natural world is precious and essential to a life well-lived.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoyed “The Good Good Pig” by Sy Montgomery, “The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating” by Elisabeth Tova Bailey, and “Deep Creek” by Pam Houston.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Kerry! Such a wonderful story and the fact that it’s true makes it even better.

Our recommendations this week are: “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family” by Ron Howard and Clint Howard and “My Beloved Monster” by Caleb Carr.

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.