Staff Picks
Coming up on its 50th anniversary, this is the history of the famous Navy Fighter Weapons School, told by its founder, Dan Pedersen. In the late 60's U.S pilots were suffering terrible losses in Vietnam. Pedersen and the Navy came up with a "graduate school" starting with 8 hand picked pilots who innovations in aerial combat turned the tide. Great descriptions of combat action as well as sharp critiques of the way the politicians tried to fight the war. (Bob)
Although it is difficult to believe, I loved this book even more than The Hate U Give. Amazing book! (Kim)
An enjoyable story about a young Irish immigrant woman, Clara Kelley, who uses her brains, determination, and a bit of subterfuge to obtain a job in the Carnegie household as the lady's maid. Her family back in Ireland needs any money she can send so she perseveres in the position and develops a taboo relationship with Andrew Carnegie. Set mainly in Pittsburgh during the last half of the 19th Century, the story also tells how the Carnegies came to be one of the richest families in the US. (Sue)
Librarian Martha Storm is a kind, super organized woman who is treated as a doormat by those around her. The hours of her days are filled with doing everything in her power to please those around her making endless to-do lists and accomplishing little. Then one night her life is changed by a book of fairy tales left for her at the doors of the library. Martha begins a quest to find out the origins of this mysterious book, stepping out of her comfort zone and ultimately discovering her true worth in life. Once again Phaedra Patrick has weaved a delightful, charming tale filled with relatable and unforgettable characters that I recognized as kindred spirits. Martha's love of books and her library and bookstores were feelings I share, as well as her feelings of being overwhelmed as she looked around her claustrophobic house full of a lifetime of possessions. "The Library of Lost and Found" has earned its place on my long list of treasured and beloved books I've read in my lifetime. (Lisa)
After the Civil War and her mother's death, Alva Smith and her family were left poor. So what does Alva do, she marries for money to the wealthy Vanderbilts. Alva is determined to bring the once shunned Vanderbilt family into social acceptance. She builds beautiful mansions in New York and Newport and puts on some of the best parties in the city. Alva also asserted her power in her marriage and joined in the women's rights movement. It was a joy to read about this woman and how she played a role in our history of women's rights! (Bonnie)
Three strangers and one life-changing day set the stage for this touching story of unexpected friendship, growth, and self-discovery. This was my first Gayle Forman book but it won't be my last. Loved it! (Leah)
I couldn’t read another book for a week after I finished this. The characters stayed with me and the setting at an old estate on Scotland’s Outer Hebrides was so vivid that I had to take a drive down to our beach to hear the gulls and watch the sandpipers. There is mystery and romance, family secrets and entanglements. The story goes back & forth between events that happened at Muirlan House back in the early 1900’s and then to the fallout in present day. A great read!!! (Sue)
This is a wonderful family story set mainly on an island off Greece in the Aegean Sea. It starts out present day with Anna who is struggling in her marriage and with the recent death of her mother so she decides to travel with her dad back to the Greek island of his birth. It is there that she discovers the true story of her family's history before, during, and after WWII broke out. Family secrets, love, loss, and survival are all wrapped up in this compelling tale and the setting is magical. It makes you question how well do you really know your parents lives before they became your parents. (Sue)
A psychological page-turner about a wealthy couple and the devious woman who is trying to worm her way into their lives because her ultimate goal is to live their life. Filled with greed, envy, deception, this tale takes many turns , but the real question is who is manipulating who? A can't- put- down, headshaking read that is very entertaining! (Sue)
After fifteen years of marriage and two kids this seemingly perfect couple decide to spice up their marriage with a little murder. Dark and very disturbing, reading about this couple's exploits was like watching a train wreck that is so horrific even when you want to look away you can't. The lengths this couple goes to bring excitement to their humdrum lives with no care or concern for those around them is truly frightening. The thought of a perfect couple always makes me skeptical but I think after reading this book I might just steer clear of them all together! (Lisa)
Henri and Madelyn, two coma patients trapped between life and death. Holding vigil over them are Eddie, the woman whose heart was broken by Henri and Sam, the son Henri was on his way to meet become the accident left him in a coma. Whilst there were things I really liked about this book, I did struggle at times to stay engaged. Henri's journey through his life and the different choices he could have made left me confused at times. Sam's frustration at being unable to reach his father or Madelyn to help them come back was heartbreaking. I felt closest to Eddie, whose recollections of the love and loss of her father truly touched my soul. Nina George writes so beautifully full of love and pain even baring her soul in the moving afterward to the book. She is one of my favorite authors! (Lisa)
Beautifully written story about Max, a bookstore owner, and Hanna, an incredibly gifted violinist, who fall in love in Germany, 1931. As their love grows the burgeoning threat from the rise of the Nazis, threatens not only Hanna who is Jewish but also Max because he loves her. Although Max has a plan to save Hanna, will it be in time and at what cost to both of them. I was swept away into the world of Max and Hanna, two people trying to survive in a world that was slowing deteriorating around them. I frequently stopped during my reading to find the musical pieces Hanna was playing so I could imagine I was listening to her fiery performances. A wonderful story of the power of books, music and love and how they can help us survive even in our darkest hours. (Lisa)
As a lover of British history and the monarchy,this was a joy to read. This is the story of two women, Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, both embroiders at the infamous Hartnells shop. Both from very different backgrounds, they come together after the war to become best friends and work on the much talked about dress of the century. Fast forward to 2016 to Heather finding embroidered samples her grandmother left for her after she passed away. Heather has no idea what her grandmother's life was before she immigrated to Canada so she decides to go over to England to find out for herself. Great read! (Bonnie)
Elodie Winslow is an archivist, who comes across a beautiful leather satchel with a sketchbook. In the sketch book she finds a picture of a beautiful women and a twin gabled house. The pull she feels from these pictures makes her want to dig more into who this woman is and where is this all to familiar house. Rewind 150 years earlier and you have Edward Radcliffe, an up and coming artist who's just bought his dream house Birchwood Manor. Edward has invited a group with him to spend the summer relaxing and working on their art. But the summer takes a turn for the worst when Edwards fiancé is murdered and his model has mysteriously disappeared. Told from more then one perspective this story is a must read for historical fiction fans! (Bonnie)
I can't quite begin to share how much I love this book. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. Marisa de los Santos is one of my favorite writers, she never disappoints and in "I'll Be Your Blue Sky", she delivers again. Not only is her prose enviable, but the story is riveting, heartwarming and charmingly funny in all the right ways. I'm still smiling recalling the experience of it. With the same characters as "Belong to Me" and "Love Walked In", but it stands alone. (Leah)
