Patch Picks: Five Fun Books for a Rainy Day

Spring has officially sprung, so what do you do on a rainy day? How about escaping the gray clouds and diving head first into a good book?

Here are five of my favorites:

1. "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary" by David Sedaris

Genre: Fiction

Having been a David Sedaris fan since his first book "Barrel Fever" in 1994, I couldn’t wait to pick up my copy of his latest book, “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary.” His humorous essays have always enchanted, but this is his first work of fiction. In "Squirrel," he uses animals to convey outrageous allegories about humans. The titular story is about a pair of star-crossed lovers separated by families that don’t approve of their relationship, a Romeo and Juliet with rodents. Back in October, Sedaris read excerpts from his book at Heinz Hall and I fell in love with his unique and sometimes disturbing comedic short stories.

2. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Genre: Non-Fiction

There’s a reason Rebecca Skloot’s book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” has been on the New York Times Bestsellers list for a record number of weeks. Not only is the subject fascinating, the book is exquisitely written. Skloot, a former University of Pittsburgh creative writing teacher, discloses the story of Henrietta Lacks a cervical cancer patient who is responsible for the HeLa cell, a cell that has been used for research into cancer, AIDS, gene mapping and many other scientific endeavors. The book is not a dry tome about test tubes, but a very human story that just happens to be about science.

3. "Matched" by Ally Condie

Genre: Young Adult

Move over, Stephanie Meyer ("Twilight"). The young adult sci-fi/fantasy genre has a new star in Ally Condie. The author imagines a future where computer dating goes to the extreme and the computer selects your mate for you. Young Cassia is matched with her best friend, Xander, except she is obsessed with a stranger, who she saw flicker on the screen during her "matching ceremony." Now, in the first part in the new trilogy, Cassia must decide if she’s going do the expected thing and marry Xander or risk everything to challenge her fascistic society and chase after a potential new love.  

4. "The Return of the Dapper Men" by Jim McCann and Janet Lee

Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy

Don’t have time to read a good book? How about trying a graphic novel instead? Author Jim McCann takes his readers into a bizarre steampunk fairy tale, lushly illustrated by Janet Lee. The Dapper Men are Willy Wonka looking dudes in pinstriped suits and bowler hats who must restart time after its ground to a halt.

5. "Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy" by David Soman and Jacky Davis

Genre: Children's Literature

If you’re reading is confined to your child’s bedroom, try "Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy," a delightful adventure of two imaginative children on the playground. There are a bunch of books with Lulu, the tutu wearing heroine, but this particular kids book teaches cooperation among boys and girls.