Staff Picks
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Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus, comes to the aid of Brenda Sherburn La Belle who does hummingbird rescues among other things and proceeds to tell us the story of their efforts to save two abandoned baby hummingbirds they've taken into their care. As they nurse the two siblings (Zuni and Maya) back to health, we also learn so many things about these incredible birds. I could go on about all of the amazing things I've learned, but best to discover them for yourself. All I can say is that both their fragility and their resilience is hard to believe. (Bob)
This autobiography from the tennis legend does not disappoint. This is a great sports memoir but it is so much more than a recitation of titles and matches won. It describes how the fire for activism was lit early in BJK's first encounters with the male dominated tennis world, as well as the personal cost of being such an outspoken advocate of equality & human rights. Just a great life, well told. (Kim)
Thea Mottram was in a bad way. She was let go from her job and let go by her husband of 20 years in favor of her best friend. Fate stepped in with a new opportunity in life when she inherits a great uncle’s Scottish cottage, along with a massive book collection, some extremely rare and pricey. Thea falls in love with the cottage, the town, and the people who live there. Then she meets Edward, the gruff and unfriendly owner of the local antique bookstore. Sparks fly, even if neither of them want them to. Great characters, setting, and an enjoyable ride of a story. (Sue)
From his childhood to his untimely death, this oral biography of Anthony Bourdain allows readers to view his life through the stories of those closest to him. Although I've never read any of his books, something made me curious to read this insider's view of a life lived and lost too soon. I was surprised to hear of the incredible shyness he hid behind the engaging TV persona. It was also very heartbreaking to read about his life through good times and bad knowing how it ended tragically. I look forward to reading his work, both fiction and nonfiction, and hearing his insights and perspectives. (Lisa)
Harlem Shuffle offers a loving look at Harlem between 1959 and 1964. Ray Carney is the son of a crook and he decides he wants to be nothing like his Dad. He goes to college and wants to buy a furniture store. His seed money ends up being his father’s dirty money found after his death and that shaky start to respectability foreshadows how Ray’s life will proceed. While maintaining the veneer of an up and coming businessman, he becomes embroiled in his cousin Freddie’s heists as a fence and his life becomes entangled with Harlem’s criminal underworld. As always Whitehead’s writing is brilliant. The historical picture of Harlem is fascinating. The characters are all flawed but like able- even Pepper a hardened criminal who was a friend of Ray’s father has redeeming moments. I see another major award gracing Colson Whitehead’s shelf with this one! (Candie)
Denton shines again with this sweet story set on the gulf shores of Alabama in a retirement village. The characters have all been dented by life’s unexpected twists and turns, but through the story they show us that you are never too young or too old to start over and find happiness if you are willing to open yourself up to new experiences. I just loved the people in this book. It may be a bit predictable, but that is absolutely part of it’s charm. You know where they are going, but you have to keep reading to see how they get there. Denton is certainly one of my favorite storytellers. (Sue)
This is an endearing story set on a small island in the Chesapeake Bay. The people are quirky and set in their ways. The island is devoid of internet or anything fancy and that's how they like it. Enter Anders Caldwell, a journalist from the mainland who would rather be covering the White House than the Frick Island Cake Walk. Eventually though, the island and it's people grow on him and change him in many unexpected ways. He also didn't expect to meet Piper Parrish, who lost her waterman husband during a storm. Piper in her grief believes Tom is still with her and the town rallies around her and goes along with the delusion, much to Anders' dismay. A really enjoyable story of understanding and accepting different people and ways of life. It made me laugh and touched my heart. (Sue)
It is the summer of 1938 in Montauk and Beatrice Bordeaux has been plunked down at the ritzy Montauk Manor hotel with all of the other society ladies while their philandering husbands are back in NYC conducting business and affairs. Beatrice comes from humble beginnings, but caught the eye of wealthy New Yorker Harry Bordeaux. She was hoping for a happy marriage and many children, but she is neither happy nor a mother. Beatrice relates much better to and becomes friends with the people who live in the village of Montauk rather than the society ladies at the hotel. While out exploring the countryside she meets Thomas, the lighthouse keeper, who is the complete opposite of her husband. Her feelings for Thomas grow and can’t be denied no matter how improper they are. Nothing will go easy for them especially when the hurricane of ’38 sweeps across and devastates Montauk. This is a great read with very relatable characters and strong emotions they feel and the problems they face really bring the story to life. (Sue)
It's 1929 and three young Slovakian sisters make a promise to their father to always look after each other and to stay together no matter what. That promise made by Cibi, Magda and Livia will be tested in the hell of Auschwitz as they do what they must to survive every day. I was overwhelmed by these three amazing sisters who managed to not only survive but thrive after enduring the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Their story was heartbreaking, inspiring and compelling from beginning to end making it impossible to put down. (Lisa)
Diverted on their way home after their last case, Agents Pendergast and Coldmoon, are sent to Savannah, Georgia to examine two very bizarre murders. Both bodies are completely drained of blood and the locals fear the legendary Savannah Vampire is roaming their streets. This was a riveting thriller which weaves into it a possible answer to a famous FBI case that has been unsolved for decades. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Savannah, a charming Southern town filled with ghosts. Once again, Preston & Child had me captivated into the early morning hours reluctant to put down this book! (Lisa)
The famous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa painting from the Louvre was one of the most brazen art thefts ever. Two years later when the culprit, Vincent Perrugia was captured and the famous painting returned, the rumors began that the painting hanging in the Louvre was a well-done forgery. Years later art professor, Luke Perrone, begins a quest for the truth behind his ancestor's famous crime. I found this book to be a fascinating look into the dark side of art collecting, art forgeries and the lengths some will go to own a great work. The dual storylines of Vincent's journal chronicling his part in the crime and Luke's journey to find the definitive answers about not only the crime but the authenticity of one of the most famous paintings in the world kept me captivated from the beginning. (Lisa)
It's the story of a reclusive former TV sitcom star, Patrick, who takes his niece and nephew for the summer after his sister in-law/BFF dies and his brother goes into rehab.Patrick has no experience caring for children and often leaves them bewildered by his speeches but the kids immediately understand what a loving heart underlies his bluster. The family dynamics, the dealing with Patrick's grief for his friend and for dealing with Patrick's search for his authentic self, and his patience/love for the kids and his sibs lift this story from just another beach read into a full bodied feel good novel that had me cheering for the entire family of characters. This deserves to be on all the summer lists! (Candie)
Mary is a devout Puritan woman married to a horrible, abusive, drunk of a husband. When he finally steps too far, Mary seeks deliverance from a culture who thinks women should have no voices and be obedient. Set just as witch hunting was starting to be a New England sport, this historical fiction reads like a thriller as Mary fights to survive her brutal marriage and the hysterical hypocrisy of witch hunting. Bohjalian has another hit out of the ballpark with this one. Loved it. (Candie)
I loved Beach Read by Emily Henry so I was eager to read this. Once again she elevated a romcom into something with more depth due to her witty dialogue and emotional breadth of her characters. Poppy and Alex meet freshman year at college and they become friends over the course of years even though they are very different people. They work hard to maintain the friend zone as they don’t want to lose each other. They start traveling together during the summer even whilst dating others. Their efforts to maintain their friendship even though they both clearly want more are endearing and funny. Poppy and Alex are a tip of the hat to Nora Ephron’s Harry and Sally- one of the author’s favorite movies. This is a PERFECT summer read!! (Candie)
CNN tonight host Don Lemon lays bare his feeling on where we've been and where we're going as a country in regards to race in an urgent but well thought out way. His book, -the title being a reference to James Baldwins book The Fire Next Time- is written as a letter to his young nephews. Informative, powerful, and personal, it will invoke anger but also hope for this generation and the ones to follow. He feels, with the events of the last year that we may have reached a tipping point and are finally facing an ugly truth which when faced, can be reckoned with. (Bob)
In keeping with our penchant to rate everything with the star system, Green takes on the current geologic age we are in (Anthropocene) and "reviews" various subjects both big and small in his subjective but entertaining way. Topics like Diet Dr Pepper and the Indianapolis 500 are mixed in with plagues, our sun going supernova, and Humanity's capacity for wonder. A very enjoyable read. (Bob)
It’s not everyday that a history book about WWII rocks your world, but that’s exactly what this one did for me. Having access to new research from the Soviet, European & US archives, this book completely upends the usual narrative of the wars: how the world’s democracies fought a “good” war & saved the Soviet Union after is was attacked by Germany. What this book lays bare is the motivations of these political leaders; one would think that all would be agreed to defeat Nazi Germany as soon as possible. That was not Stalin’s agenda, however; he did everything he could to prolong the war in an effort to bleed the Capitalist nations dry. Heroic sacrifices were made by soldiers and civilians during this terrible conflict that claimed millions of lives & it is a great tragedy that Stalin’s ultimate goal to dominate Europe & Asia was apparently understood too late. (Kim)
A great literary mystery, this is a slow burning tale of a down on his luck author, a great plot idea, and a relentless avenger. There are plenty of turns in the story to keep you guessing till the end. (Kim)