One Summer: America, 1927

by Bill Bryson

One Summer is a great read! Bill Bryson gives us a taste of one of the most eventful summers in American History.  Some of the key events and people he covers in some detail include : Charles Lindbergh's Atlantic flight, prohibition, Babe Ruth (this was the year he hit 60 home runs) , Henry Ford, and the first talking motion pictures.  

Bryson mixes all this up in  a narrative that is interesting, informative, and easy to read.  He makes history fun!

~ Kathy

The Little Book of Big Decorating Ideas

287 Clever Tips, Tricks, and Solutions
By Country Living

I was busy re-shelving some of our new titles when this tiny hardcover book caught my attention. As the subtitle mentions, there are 287 decorating tips presented as full color photos, many with instructions, for every room in your home. Some outdoor ideas may have to wait till after the spring thaw, but others would be perfect winter projects to update and beautify your home.

I am a huge fan of all of the Country Living publications and this book did not disappoint.


Love this book!
~ Paula

Stress Test

By Richard L. Mabry, M.D

Dr. Matt Newman wants to leave his high stress job as a surgeon and start a new career in academic medicine. Someone has other plans for him and attacks him in the parking garage at 2 AM while he is leaving his shift at the hospital. He escapes his attackers but ends up in the hospital as a patient with a head injury and a charge of murder against him. Matt calls Sandra Murray, a lawyer to defend him. The police are convinced Matt is a killer and the kidnappers are trying to finish what they started. This turns into the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

~ Dixie

Kenobi

By John Jackson Miller

Normally I think these book reviews are supposed to rave about a great read.  I can't quite rave about this one, although it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read.  I suppose it may be worth warning those of you looking for a Star Wars book about Obi-Wan Kenobi that this book is going to be a bit of a disappointment.  I've heard it described as a western novel, and that may be true, I've never read a western.  But if the title is a character's name you would expect the book to be about him.  The first half of the book doesn't mention Kenobi, it is about Annilee, a woman who owns a supply store on Tattooine. That's quite a portion of reading to get through before Kenobi finally enters the storyline.  There's very little character insight into Kenobi except for a few pages of his meditation dialogue.  The author spent all his energy on developing Annilee, and seemed terrified to go very deeply into an established Star Wars character's real feelings.  After slamming the book shut at 2 a.m. in frustration, I vowed to just stick to the fan fiction websites where the amateurs aren't afraid of giving a character a personality.

~ Becky

Knot What It Seams

A Southern Quilting Mystery

By Elizabeth Craig

I have to admit I judged a book by its cover while at work checking in books at the circulation desk. The first thing I noticed was the colorful quilts, then the antique sewing machine and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. All three things are near and dear to my heart. I don’t like to read the story summary on the back of books so, based solely on the cover I thought I would give it a try and I am glad I did.  This book is the second book in the series; I have placed a hold on the first book Quilt or Innocence and am looking forward to the next book that will be available later this year. This book keeps you guessing, like any good mystery, who could have killed this person?  I enjoyed this delightful read and I look forward to the next two books.  Any quilter, as well as non-quilters, can relate to and delight in this novel.

~ Beckie

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary

By Susan Elia MacNeal

This is a fun mystery/suspense set in England during World War II. Maggie Hope is a mathematics scholar from the States who is back in England to settle her grandmother’s estate. When she finds that she has extra time on her hands, a friend suggests that she apply for an opening at the Prime Minister’s office where he works. Maggie soon finds that she’s looking into the mystery of what happened to her predecessor. Along the way, she became aware of the fact that there are family secrets concerning the death of her parents.

The look at life in London during the blitz and the unexpected ending are additional reasons to pick up this first book in a delightful new series.

~ Rochelle

How the Light Gets In

by Louise Penny

I absolutely love Chief Inspector Gamache!  How the Light Gets in is Louise Penny's ninth mystery featuring Chief Inspector Gamache.  With this novel, Penny ties up some of the loose ends that were left from previous novels.

Gamache finds himself isolated from his department and questioning the motives of his superiors.  In addition, Jean Guy Beauvior, his second in command has deserted him and the love of his life, Annie Gamache.  Gamache finds solace in Three Pines among the quirky townsfolk while he solves the murder of Constance Pineault, a friend of Myrna's.  He also finds a way to solve the larger mystery of corruption in the Surete du Quebec.

If you haven't read Louise Penny, you won't be disappointed.  Her books are wonderful character studies within a mystery.  You will want to start with the first in the series and read all the way through.  I can't wait until the next one comes out.

~Holly

The Last Original Wife

By Dorothea Benton Frank   

Audiobook format

When I first started listening to this book I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue.  There is quite a bit of spouse bashing in the first few chapters.  I am glad I decided to wait it out a bit longer to see if it became more pleasant.  The end was well worth the uncomfortable moments in the beginning.  This book chronicles the end of one marriage and the beginning of a new and far better life for the heroine.   I do recommend this book for a good listen or read.

~Beckie

Sleeping in Eden

By Nicole Baart

Dr. Lucas Hudson is filling in for the vacationing coroner in Blackhawk, Iowa. One autumn morning he is called to the scene of a suicide. The case seems simple enough until he discovers the body of a woman buried underneath the hanging corpse. Lucas has to find out who this woman is. . .

Years before, Meg Painter met Dylan Reid. It was the summer before high school and they became inseparable. Meg’s neighbor and long-time friend Jess seemed like the right choice but she could never forget Dylan. The choices Meg makes in the past collide with Lucas’s discovery in the present.

As one reviewer put it: “chillingly suspenseful and achingly tender”

~ Dixie

The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate

This novel written for kids is a beautiful story told in the first person by Ivan, a silverback gorilla.   Ivan lives in a small enclosure made of cement and glass at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He spends his days doing artwork and watching TV.  His friends are Stella the wise old elephant, Bob the stray dog, and Julia, a human child.  They are eventually joined by baby elephant Ruby.  After Ivan loses his good friend due to neglect and sees baby Ruby being abused by the circus owner, he springs into action, trying with all his might to better the living conditions of little Ruby.  The author does a wonderful job of making us think about the fate of animals living in captivity.  The character Ivan is based on a real gorilla, also named Ivan, who spent 27 years of his life alone in a cage.  The real Ivan was rescued and now lives at Zoo Atlanta in much happier circumstances.

~ Linda

The Beast

By Faye Kellerman

Decker is faced with the weirdest case  he has ever had. A millionaire recluse is found dead in his apartment. Sounds easy, but his pet tiger is prowling the premise and the cat wasn't the cause of death. Soon they find that the cat wasn't the only bizarre pets the elderly victim had in his care. As Decker and his team look into the victim's background more and more twisted behavior comes out in the open.

Terrific read as always from Faye Kellerman.

~ Rochelle

Proof of Heaven

By Dr. Eben Alexander III

 Dr. Eben Alexander III, renowned neurosurgeon and former Harvard professor, contracted an extremely rare case of bacterial meningitis and slipped into a coma for 7 days. This book details his illness and recovery, his family's response, and his journey into the afterlife.

After waking up with excruciating head and back pain in 2008, Alexander began to experience violent seizures and was rushed to the emergency room. His condition puzzled his colleagues as his body was unresponsive to any treatment.

During this time, Alexander delved into a frightening new existence with faces randomly appearing through muck. After an undetermined amount of time, he is guided by a beautiful blue-eyed girl into a surreal world of vibrant colors and butterflies. Alexander received the constant non-verbal message that he was loved and accepted.

My issue with this book is in the lack of evidence that the doctor's brain had completely shut down during this week of unconsciousness. A majority of the book details conversations between family members and physicians. There is a very brief statement from a fellow physician in the Appendix, but I would not consider this "Proof of Heaven".


~ Paula

Promised Land

DVD - Rated R

Universal Studios 2013

 

Matt Damon and John Krasinski star in this drama based on the screenplay written by the actors. Steve Butler (Matt Damon) is a high-level salesman for the powerful Global gas corporation who comes to a small town in Pennsylvania in order to convince the residents to allow fracking on their land. An environmental activist (John Krasinski) tries to sway the town against it by sharing his personal story of the destruction of his family's farm due to fracking.

 

The story and casting are superb; you grow to like the characters on both sides of the issue. While the anti-fracking message is loud and clear, the reasons why some choose to support it for their family's financial future is also demonstrated. The R rating comes from the frequent use of the "F" word. There is no sex or nudity, but there is a fair amount of drinking during the bar scenes.

 

This movie has come at a time when fracking is a hot topic and I'm certain that it will spark many debates. I would highly recommend it for high schoolers and adults.

 

~ Paula

Wedding Night

By Sophie Kinsella

Bestselling author Sophie Kinsella adds another charming and light-hearted book to her repertoire. Career-girl Lottie is heartbroken after her long-term boyfriend, Richard, refuses to propose. Coincidentally, ex-flame Ben contacts Lottie out-of-the-blue with a marriage proposal and the pair decide to skip the dating stage to go directly to the altar. Lottie's big sister Fliss hatches a scheme to prevent the consummation of the marriage to allow an annulment after Lottie reaches her senses.

A comedy of errors occurs as Fliss engages her travel magazine contacts to assist her in keeping the honeymooners apart while staying at the exclusive Greek hotel.

The audiobook performance is such a treat. The British actors portraying the sisters make you feel as if you are part of the whole hilarious plot. Don't miss it!

~ Paula

The Offering

By Angela Hunt

Amanda Lisandra was an only child and always dreamed of having a big family of her own. She and her husband have one daughter and are struggling financially. It seems they will never be able to afford a home of their own or more children. Mandy finds out that she can earn quite a bit by being a gestational carrier. She wants to help earn money for her family. Being pregnant was easy for her in the past. She could earn a nice sum and help a childless couple at the same time. Just at the end of her pregnancy, tragedy rocks her world. She delivers a healthy baby but in her grief she barely even looks at the baby before surrendering him to the couple who hired her. For two years she struggles to heal emotionally. Then she receives a photo of the child she bore. The resemblance to her daughter is unbelievable. Did she give away her own biological child? 

~ Dixie