Staff Picks
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A collection of personal narratives and philosophical examinations on driving. The author writes wistfully about when driving was an adventure that required skills that the modern cars and technology have nearly eliminated. While he concedes a need for Uber and self driving cars for some, he celebrates the self reliance and unique human freedom that comes from being behind the wheel. Thought-provoking, meditative, and irreverent, it shows a passion for the open road and the restless human spirit. (Bob)
An absorbing work chronicling the paths of three American women whose lives become entwined within the Alt-Right movement. Darby examines the differing motivations of the women, none of whom explicitly set out to join the white nationalist movement, looks at their backgrounds, most were liberal feminists at earlier stages of their lives, and traces the trajectory of how their views began to diverge from their earlier held beliefs and began to coalesce around a white-centric worldview. Very informative & eye opening. (Kim)
I love a good romantic suspense and Nora doesn't disappoint with this story. It starts with the kidnapping of 9 year old Caitlyn Sullivan from her prominent family's home in Big Sur. She manages to escape and find help with a nearby ranch family, the Coopers, where the seeds of a great love begin. This ordeal affects her throughout her life though, as family betrayals come to light and she wonders if she can ever find happiness, peace, and the life she wants with Dillon Cooper. (Sue)
Laura Lyons, wife of the superintendent of the New York Public Library, is not content with her role as wife and mother of two children. She longs to attend Columbia Journalism School, get a job as a reporter and help support her family. However the roles and expectations for a woman in 1913 are very rigid and achieving her dreams may break Laura. Eighty years later, Laura's granddaughter Sadie Donovan, is an assistant curator at the NYPL, who comes under suspicion when valuable books begin to go missing from the library's famous Berg collection. I was very excited to hear that Fiona Davis was writing about one of my favorite places in the world the New York Public Library and she did not disappoint me. As Sadie walked down the stately marble hallways or when Laura gazed up at the magnificent ceiling in the Rose Reading Room, I felt I was right beside them. Not only did I learn more about the library but also about the oppressive treatment of women and the poor in the early 1900's. In the genre of historical fiction, Fiona Davis is one of the best authors I've read. I not only recommend this book but also a visit to what I consider a slice of heaven on Earth, the New York Public Library. (Lisa)
Tara's upbringing is not one for the faint of heart. The story of her life up in the Idaho mountains with her survivalist parents and siblings was absolutely unbelievable. This was my first biography and an absolute page turner! (Bonnie)
When idealistic Elwood Curtis is unjustly sent to the Nickel Academy reformatory in the 1960s for being in the wrong place at the the wrong time, he has no idea of how bad it is going to be. His friendship with Turner, who knows the score, is his only hope to enable him to survive his sentence. This book's setting is based on a real reform school that was in operation for 111 years in Florida . It is a heart wrenching read that should become required reading for every American. It won the 2019 Pulitzer among numerous other awards. (Candie)
A fun romp through the Keys set in 1935 which weaves together the stories of 3 very different women, all of whom are searching for a new future. Helen, who is pregnant and an abused wife, knows she must leave her husband in order to protect her baby. Mirta, who has fled Cuba through an arranged marriage, is worried about her husband's nefarious ties to the Mob and wondering if she will learn to love this man. Elizabeth, who takes the train solo from NY to Florida, is in search of her brother and his help with a family scandal. All 3 women will have to rely on and trust the new men they have met in order to achieve their goals and survive a powerful hurricane which is bearing down on The Keys. (Sue)
A new detective series set in Galway, Ireland. Detective Cormac Reilly is investigating the supposed suicide death of a young man named Jack when he realizes one of his first acts on the police force years before was to remove Jack and his sister Maude from their home after their mother dies. Maude does not believe her brother committed suicide and she pushes Cormac to discover the truth. A twisty tale where the past has a big impact on the present. I love to read stories set in other countries and this one did not disappoint. (Sue)
A heartwarming story about how the love and loyalty you get from your dogs can help people learn to love and trust each other. Set at a run-down Inn in the Berkshires, all of the characters are experiencing certain problems and struggles that seem insurmountable, but with the help of 2 loveable dogs, they will see their way through them and maybe even find a family with each other. (Sue)
Pete Riley and his partner Maddie find themselves living every parent's nightmare. Their strong-willed son Theo is not their biological son due to an accidental switch in the NICU after his premature birth. So begins an addictive domestic suspense story which I found very hard to put down. Although the interactions between the two families begin very friendly, things begin to take a sinister turn as the psychopathic tendencies of one of the parents begins to show. If you're looking for a gripping page-turner that will keep you up till the late or maybe early morning hours, "Playing Nice" is the book for you! (Lisa)
Twenty-five years ago, a young Maggie Holt and her family fled from their new home after three weeks never to return. Although Maggie was too young to remember the events leading up to their flight, she considers the book her father wrote about the incident to be nothing but lies. Now she's back to restore and sell the old house and to find out the truth. I loved that this book didn't just portray Maggie's current search for the truth but also gave us chapters from her father's book as well. As with most potentially haunted house stories, I always wonder how long I would last in the house and I can honestly say I don't think I would have lasted long in Baneberry Hall. If you're in the mood for a spooky story about a creepy house that may or may not be haunted, this book is for you! (Lisa)
Julia Keegan and Will Slater are about to be married on a remote island off the Irish Coast. As the wedding party and the elite guests begin arriving, the secrets that lie festering just below their perfect façade threaten to expose the truth behind their smiles. Reminiscent of "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie this story had me staying up very late because I couldn't put it down. The characters with their explosive secrets and the extreme remoteness of the wedding location combines to create a perfect storm that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this addictive thriller! (Lisa)
After much praise of this book I finally decided to pick it up and I definitely could not put it down. Abandoned at a very young age by her whole family Kya Clark survives on her own out in the marsh. With no schooling and really no social skills she is a mystery to the town. When the local football star is found dead the locals immediately blame “Marsh girl” as she’s known. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages of this novel! It is definitely a must read! (Bonnie)
Consuelo Vanderbilt, American heiress, was forced into a loveless marriage to the 9th Duke of Marlboro by her mother Alva Vanderbilt. After producing "An heir and a spare" Consuelo's marriage falls apart. She scandalously separates and forges and path of her own. Her fight for women's suffrage and medical care of children give her meaning in a world she had to make her own. This was a great story and a great character. Her story was very inspiring! (Bonnie)
Anna Princess of Kleve is engaged to the enigmatic King Henry VIII. While she is afraid from all the rumors she has heard she is also interested to learn about the man he truly is. While, as history tells we know the marriage does not last, Anna does not lose her head but becomes the sister to the queen and lives an independent life. This headstrong woman's life was both interesting and a joy to read. (Bonnie)
I am not a Beach Read reader in general. As the odds of me getting to the beach this year seem slim, I've decided to jump into the genre. I was sucked into Big Summer immediately. Girl unhappy with her body being patronized by rich, perfect, mean girls. We've all been there or seen it. Daphne is easy to cheer for. Are there some unbelievable plot devices ? Yes but it's a beach book so I expected that and they weren't so far out . Fun wedding romance. Bit of a murder mystery. Happy ending. Kept me up late last night to get to the end so I mark that as a success. (Candie)
This thriller has been hyped by RI media all over the place. Set in R.I., it is filled with local color. That was fun. It is the story of a woman who decides to investigate a friend's murder as a way to lift her postpartum depression. At first that sounds far fetched, but Devon had been an investigator of sorts with dicey ethics before she got pregnant and vowed to change her life- so it works. The mystery is good, the locale is so fun, but the ending BLEW ME AWAY. I am that person who always knows the ending ( my husband finds it very annoying)- but I truly had no idea this time. Great read! (Candie)
Zelda is a 21 yr old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother Gert. She has very specific rules to help keep her world in order- her mom drank excessively while pregnant so Zelda has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She figures out that not only is Gert breaking the house rules but is putting their whole world in danger. She decides to become the legend of her own story to put their lives back in order. Such an uplifting heartwarming book! (Candie)