Staff Picks
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A clearheaded look at one of the great rock bands of all time written by someone who was actually in the band and not just a rock journalist. No need to embellish their quick rise to stardom, their trials and tribulations, or perpetuate any more myths about Jim Morrison. Hearing the stories directly from him was plenty compelling. His relaxed and self deprecating style gave a personal perspective on all of the highs and lows the band experienced as well those he experienced in the 50 years it's been since their last album. (Bob)
This is a wonderfully accessible account of how life formed on planet Earth. Gee presents the history of our planet in an engaging , fast moving, intensely fascinating manner. You will wonder, given how violent & inhospitable Earth once was, that life ever managed to gain a foothold, let alone persist for billions of years. Gee writes with authority, humor and warmth; this book is truly for anyone curious about how we got to where we are now, and what the future might hold for our own species. (Kim)
This is book 6 in one of my all-time favorite series. Each book transports you to another country and place in time. There is the current day story of Electra, the youngest and most difficult of the sisters, who is a top model and seems to have it all, but looks can be very deceiving. Then there is the story of her roots which began in Kenya in 1939. It’s a fascinating story about Africa in that time period and going forward through the years. Much is based on real events and people. Keep reading to see if Electra can finally overcome her demons and lead a happy life. (Sue)
Frankie Elkin joins a team of people on the trail of a young man who went missing five years earlier. As they travel deeper into the remote area of Devil's Canyon, Frankie begins to think they will not survive to find the answers they are searching for. Another tense and intriguing thriller filled with well written characters, lies, secrets and a deadly landscape that had me looking over my shoulder for what might be lurking behind me. You won't want to put this one down! (Lisa)
Perfectly content with his lackluster job as a caseworker for magical youth, Linus Baker is stunned when he gets sent on a special assignment. Packing a small bag and his disgruntled cat he sets off for an orphanage on an isolated island. While Linus is sent there to determine the safety of the orphanage, he finds himself becoming more and more comfortable with the unique children housed there and their secretive headmaster. As someone that has been in this line of work I was unable to put this book down. With endearing characters, unique magical gifts, and a message of not judging people before you get to know them, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. (Carrie)
This book blew me away. I love Tookie! The thought of having our least favorite customer haunt our bookstore was terrifying. Seriously, the description of the anxiety of working in the bookstore during the height of the pandemic was absolutely spot on, along with being grateful for customers. The feelings about George Floyd and the terror in the streets- just so well crafted. Along with all of that, there were scenes that made me laugh out loud. This was such a satisfying book to me as a bookseller, reader, and human being. (Candie)
The third in a great detective series set in Galway, Ireland featuring Detective Cormac Reilly. While he is the main character of the series, there are many other interesting characters, both likeable and not, throughout the books. This story finds Cormac still fighting corruption in the Galway PD, but also centers on his young protégé Peter Fisher who makes an impulsive and questionable decision that has powerful ramifications for him and the whole department. There is also turmoil in both of their personal lives. “The Ruin” is book 1 and “The Scholar” is book 2. I highly recommend you dive into them all. (Sue)
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)
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)
On the morning of January 12, 1888, an unusually mild day following a punishing cold spell, a terrifying, fast-moving blizzard blew in without warning. Striking during the time when most small prairie schools were letting out for the day, the teenage school teachers were faced with a terrible choice. This book centers on two sisters, Raina and Gerda, and the decisions they are forced to make on that fateful day. I had never heard of this tragic event and found myself riveted to the struggle for life the people caught in the blizzard went through. The enormous effort in taking just one step closer to death or shelter was vividly described as I shivered while reading it. I recommend this book especially to book clubs looking for a spirited discussion of what decisions they might have made in the same situation. (Lisa)
A sociopathic intruder with master lockpicking skills terrorizes the women of New York City as he stalks his victims and watches them as they sleep. Forbidden from working this case, Lincoln Rhyme has lost his consulting position with the NYPD due to an error made during another case which sets a mob boss free. There are many twists and turns in this novel which will make you want to stay up until you finish. Although I was unnerved at times, I loved the roller coaster ride thriller that Jeffrey Deaver is a master at writing. If you're looking for an unpredictable, captivating page-turner, I highly suggest you read this book! (Lisa)
On a super luxury yacht, the rich and powerful of the world gather to solve the problems of the world. The last night of the cruise sounds of explosions rip the night as the opulent vessel sinks. As the morning dawns there are ten survivors in a lifeboat and one claims to be God. The story of the survivors in the boat is told by Benji, a deckhand who writes in a journal to his love, Annabelle. As with other Mitch Albom's books, this one haunts me as questions of faith, grief and the will to survive run through my head. A compelling, thoughtful novel that will make you question your deepest beliefs. I highly recommend this book! (Lisa)
Cloud Cuckoo Land is the story of how a great story can change peoples lives through the ages. The book is the stories of Anna and Omeir in 15th century Constantinople, Zeno and Seymour in modern times and Konstance in the future. All are connected through an ancient folio by Diogenes called Cloud Cuckoo Land . The ancient story brings them all comfort and joy in various ways. The story of Konstance was the most engaging for me. Trapped on a space ship heading to a planet that she won’t live to get to- her story has a surprising twist. A wonderful love story about reading this is definitely a must read for Fall. (Candie)
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)
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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)
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 is a tale of mis-matched lovers, beautifully told in three parts. It revolves around Olga, whom we meet as a poor child in a small German village in the years prior to the World Wars. Herbert, a son of the local aristocrats, is dreamy and has visions of glory for himself, for Germany, and for himself and Olga. This is a "quiet" book that breaks your heart bit by bit. (Kim)
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)