Staff Picks
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Since 2001 Boston’s four professional sports teams combined for a total of 12 championships over the last 20 years. six by the Pat’s, four by the Sox, and one each by the Celt’s and B’s. This was an unprecedented run of success that may never be matched again, and along the way, Boston sports writer and radio host Tony Massarotti gives us a chance to relive it all through his stories and insight into the greatest and not so greatest moments in Boston sports history, with the title referring to David Ortiz’s Speech after the 2013 Marathon bombing. Written as a journalist but also as a fan, this book -now in paperback- takes us through all those moments that made it memorable. (Bob)
This is a warm hearted autobiography by famed stage performer( & Starfleet Captain), Patrick Stewart. I’d like to point out that the part about Jean Luc Picard begins in the second half of the book, but I loved learning about Stewart’s upbringing in his small town. Stewart has been in so many productions with so many famous actors, and he writes generously about all of it. What I thoroughly enjoyed was learning how he got interested in becoming an actor, what his family thought about his choice, and just how hard he works at his craft. (Kim)
I have loved every Lauren Denton book written and this one is no exception. They are gentle stories about family, relationships, and belonging, set in southern Alabama. The characters and plot always reel me right in. This story also includes a mystery which just added to my page turning. Loved it! (Sue)
Frankie Elkin is an expert at finding the missing persons that the rest of the world has forgotten, but her latest case finding the sister of a death row inmate might end her nomadic life for good. A private island in the Pacific Ocean, no reliable contact with the outside world, a colony of crabs including ghost crabs and intimidating Coconut Crabs, plus an eclectic cast of characters that she cannot trust, combine for a psychological thrill ride filled with enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages at a feverish pitch till the end. I loved every edge of your seat minute of this book! Another great read from one of my favorite authors! (Lisa)
This reminded me a lot of Little Fires Everywhere, with drama, secrets, and lies among wives, husbands, friends, children, and neighbors, all unfolding against the backdrop of an unspeakable tragedy. The characters were very flawed, but I loved learning more about what made them the way they were, and what drove them to the often terrible choices they had made. The pacing is great, and had me on the edge of my seat for many, many chapters, and I thought the final surprises and the ending were perfect. A good, page-turning thriller. (Michelle)
Evie ends up as the local villain's assistant sort of by mistake. But just as she begins to get used to seeing severed heads hanging from the ceiling in the lobby, things begin to go wrong. Shipments are missing, plans have been sabotaged, and Evie suspects a spy in their midst. Can she figure out who it is and save her handsome new boss before it's too late? Sequel out later this year! (Carrie)
A great twisty page-turner mystery set in a small town on the Irish coast where everyone knows each other, but they don't know everyone's secrets. A murder brings suspicion on many of the villagers and brings Detective Cormac O'Brien to town to unearth the killer. First in a new series, I loved the characters and suspense and can't wait for book 2. (Sue)
A woman is torn about which direction her life should take until a fateful event shows her the way. Set on the Northern Archipelago islands off Scotland, the setting is beautiful and atmospheric. The story centers around Morag and her family who have made a living flying a puddle-jumper throughout the islands delivering necessities to the people who live there. During a violent storm Morag has to land on one of the islands inhabited at that time only by ornithologist Gregor who is not pleased to have company. Will her time there change her perspective on what her future should be and will it change Gregor's future as well? (Sue)
I became totally immersed in this book right from the beginning. Set during WWII, the war influences the story, but is not the main thrust. It centers around Rose Hamilton who's been through a painful experience and is looking for a new direction for her life. She volunteers to accompany an orphan boy named Walter to his family who live on a cattle plantation in Australia. Their journey is perilous and they are not welcomed once they arrive. Rose discovers there are many secrets she was not told about Walter's parents and his extended family, but she has become very attached to the boy so she perseveres. The setting on the Australian Outback is beautiful and the characters are engaging. I highly recommend this read. (Sue)
In the final book of the riveting Danny Ryan series, "City in Ruins", Danny has power, money and a successful empire of gambling casinos in Las Vegas. In order to increase his footprint in Vegas, Danny must abandon his legitimate instincts and achieve his goals using the "old ways" of his past. As Danny faced each challenge in this book, I found myself reminded of the journey of Michael Corleone in "The Godfather". Torn between supporting Danny's actions and repulsed by his violent past resurfacing, I was spellbound and found it very hard to put this book down. I highly encouraged everyone who enjoyed this engrossing series to read "City in Ruins" to find out the final resolution of Danny Ryan's odyssey. Thank you, Don Winslow, for creating a gripping crime family series that I enjoyed immensely! (Lisa)
A thrilling and unforgettable narrative about the intertwined lives of two wronged women, spanning from the chaos of the San Francisco earthquake to the glittering palaces of Versailles. From the beginning of this book, I had a heightened anticipation and sense of dread as the chapter's countdown to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Reading about this devasting and catastrophic historic event was riveting and horrifying but I could not stop turning the pages. The well-developed characters, the detailed research of not only the time period but the social divides between class and race combine to create one the best historical fiction books I've read in 2024. (Lisa)
"Women can be heroes." After hearing that statement, young Frances "Frankie" McGrath decides to follow in her brother's footsteps and go to Vietnam. As a newly graduated nurse, she is totally unprepared for the bloodshed and violence of war. This amazing book shines the light on one of the darkest periods in our country's history, the Vietnam War, the appalling treatment of the returning veterans and the ignorant dismissal of the women who served during that war. At times this book was hard to read due to the graphic details of Frankie's time amongst the horror and atrocities committed around her. As a female veteran, the treatment Frankie and her fellow nurses received when they returned home was particularly shocking and yet once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until I finished. A stunning read, I highly recommend this eye-opening example of outstanding historical fiction! (Lisa)
An utterly captivating story, told from the points of view of two different artists, in two different timelines, both dealing with unforeseen difficult and heartbreaking consequences of their life choices. Present-day Morgan is offered a ticket out of wrongful imprisonment when she is hand-selected by one of her artistic idols for a mural restoration job. The mystery of the mural’s artist, Anna Dale, becomes Morgan’s inspiration and obsession. The alternating timelines unfolded seamlessly as both artists complete their work, and it was both fascinating and satisfying to see how they ultimately blended together. Loved the characters and the small-town setting, and I liked that this was a beautiful story about love and redemption, but with an underlying mystery and a few surprise twists, as well. (Michelle)
Jennifer Weiner is back with another fun, engaging, and thoughtful story with lovable, relatable characters. A scenic cycling trip (led by the main character, Abby) is the backdrop to the story, but non-cyclists will be happy to go along for the ride, as Abby comes face-to-face with a long-ago fling, and reckons with her mother, who is a surprise last-minute guest on the tour. Several other memorable characters round out the cast, making for an enjoyable, easy read that touches on some thought-provoking themes, too. I love Jennifer's writing, and I want to be friends with the characters from all her books! (Michelle)
This is one that will stay with me for a while. An epic, sprawling story of four "vagabonds" on the run during the Great Depression, each one running from and running toward something different. Over the course of a summer, they encounter numerous characters who impact the group in both the worst and the best ways, shaping their journey and the destinations they ultimately seek. It's on some levels a coming-of-age story, but also a profound exploration of the definition of family, and the power of forgiveness, as well as a breathtakingly beautiful and sometimes haunting portrait of the 1930s Midwest landscape and the circumstances of the characters that inhabit it. Odie, Mose, Albert, and Emmy will feel as familiar as old friends by the time you turn the final page, and just as if they were real friends, you'll find it hard to say goodbye. (Michelle)
The Aristene are mythical female warriors. When Reed is brought before their elders as a child she makes the choice to train with the order to eventually become a guide to heroes. For though it is the heroes who are immortalized in legend, it is the Aristene who guide them to please the goddess of glory. But Reed must make choices that she can barely fathom in order to save either her hero or the order she has longed to join for most of her life.
A fantastic and age appropriate tale reminiscent of Greek and Roman mythology, perfect for young adult readers. (Carrie)
A ghostly librarian, an orange cat named Mortimer, a boy named Evan, and a mysterious Little Free Library are all present in this wholesome tale about choosing the path you want in life and the power of a good book. Evan and his friend decide to unravel the mystery of the little library and how it's connected to a tragic event in the towns past. A fantastic and thematically appropriate tale for young readers, I really enjoyed reading this story. (Carrie)
Not quite ready to say goodbye to spooky season? This book is perfect. Unexpectedly heartfelt and educational, you can tell that Steve has a passion for what he does and those he interacts with, whether they be seen or unseen. With a focus on legitimizing the field of paranormal research, educating people about the nature of paranormal experiences, and finding answers for those who are living in possibly haunted locations, this book was a treat from start to finish. Perfect for those who are interested in the paranormal but don't enjoy traditional horror. (Carrie)
Comedian Gary Gulman's memoir was thoroughly enjoyable for me. Fans love him for his nerdy style and his mastery of language but also for his honesty. He's not afraid to discuss many of the more serious episodes in his life, but he also remembers all the hilarious minutiae of his childhood, like how his 1st grade classroom smelled of pencil shavings. His memories of friends and of growing up in New England in the 80's had a heartfelt and genuine feel to them. (Bob)
This is a very touching memoir of the life the author shared with his wife, Joan. Together for nearly four decades, Richard and Joan seemed an unlikely pair: she was ten years his senior, a famed vocal coach & quite diminutive to his lanky six four. But the young actor and the seasoned coach proved to be true soulmates, sharing everything in a remarkable marriage. When Joan’s diagnosis comes, both are “poleaxed.” Numb and frightened but determined to face whatever comes together, the couple begins the journey to treat Joan’s illness. Along the way, we meet caring doctors & nurses, famous actors and directors, as well as discover how Richard and Joan met and fell in love. Funny, sad, and brutally honest, this is one not to be missed. (Kim)