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  • Book cover of How not to be a politician : a memoir

    How not to be a politician : a memoir

    by Stewart, Rory

    Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction

    January 31, 2024

    Call Number: 320.942 S851

    Both the title and book jacket of Rory Stewart's political memoir are ironic. The title because it is emblematic of Rory Stewart’s sincere attempts to make a difference, domestically and internationally, by entering British politics, in which he was frequently confounded by the motivational tactics of other politicians. It was very easy for that to happen because elected officials, to whom he was obligated, frequently changed political positions in mid-sentence. If the intricacies of American congressional politics are confusing, well British parliamentary ways and means are even... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of But will you love me tomorrow? : an oral history of the '60s girl groups

    But will you love me tomorrow? : an oral history of the '60s girl groups

    by

    Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction

    January 22, 2024

    Call Number: 789.1 B9835

    You know the melodies, the tunes, the lyrics, the remixes because you have heard them, and you do hear them everywhere: the radio, piped-in in stores, online, e-media, movies … Sometimes it’s just the music, sometimes it's the music and the lyrics. There is a certain brightness, rhythm, saucy innuendo in the lyrics or titles, and often some irreverence in the vocal interpretation by those female singers, all in harmony, singing those unforgettable songs. The book's title is the title of a song, "But will you love me tomorrow?" which was controversial in its day, 1961, because it... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of Kill show : an oral history of the dead girl and the reality TV series that changed true crime forev

    Kill Show

    by Sweren-Becker, Daniel

    January 16, 2024

    What is it about true crime that fascinates us? Why, over a century later, are we still fascinated with the brutal murders of five women in the Whitechapel district of London? What draws people to the life and death of notorious bank robbers Bonnie & Clyde almost a century later? Why was interest in Jeffrey Dahmer high enough to make Netflix’s series about the murders he committed from the 1970s-90s a hit show? Who will be the focus of our next national obsession, and what is the next real crime that will become a form of entertainment? Daniel Sweren-Becker explores our country’s... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of The fragile threads of power

    The Fragile Threads of Power

    by Schwab, Victoria

    January 8, 2024

    It’s been seven years since the events at the end of V.E. Schwab’s A Conjuring of Light. In Red London, Lila and Kell have been sailing the seas as privateers on her ship, the Grey Barron (They also secretly perform tasks for Red London’s crown.). Rhy Maresh, Kell’s brother, has ascended the Arnesian throne. He has married Nadiya Loreni, and the two now have a daughter named Tieren. Alucard Emery, a former noble and a former privateer, is now the king’s consort, rounding out... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of Oh, la la! : homegrown stories, helpful tips, and garden wisdom

    Oh, la la! : homegrown stories, helpful tips, and garden wisdom

    by Morris, Ciscoe

    Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction

    January 2, 2024

    Call Number: 716 M875

    Although it might not be apparent from his off-beat, congenial stories and stretched-to-the-limit puns, Ciscoe Morris is an expert gardener, whose inordinate enthusiasm and expertise has created a loyal following. He is well known in the northwest with his weekly radio program on KSQM 91.5, and according to his website gives over 50 garden presentations a year. He and his wife also love to travel and lead worldwide garden tours, as well as embark on their own adventurous junkets, such as a 360-mile hiking trek in France. Their 1,000-mile biking trip in France became the source of... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of The World Central Kitchen cookbook : feeding humanity, feeding hope

    The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope

    by Andrés, José

    Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction

    December 26, 2023

    Call Number: 641.59 A561

    Chef José Andrés tells us, “This book is dedicated to everyone who understands the power of a hot meal in a time of need.”

    This is the first cookbook from the World Central Kitchen, aka the WCK. The organization was the inspiration of José Andrés, professional chef and humanitarian. “Since 2010 the World Central Kitchen has cooked hundreds of millions of fresh, nourishing meals for people impacted by natural disasters and other crises." In this book the WCK shares recipes inspired by many global areas where disasters hit, and stories from chefs, volunteers... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of Unnatural ends : a novel

    Unnatural Ends

    by Huang, Christopher

    December 19, 2023

    Call Number: M

    Sir Lawrence Linwood, the Lord of Linwood Hollow and a tyrant of a father, is always pushing his adopted children to meet unreasonable demands. Three adult children, Alan, Roger, and Caroline, have escaped their father and their home, but not unscathed. When Sir Lawrence dies, his children return home, as expected, to find not only that their father was murdered but that the latest version of his will declares that the child who solves their father’s murder will inherit his estate.

    In Unnatural Ends, Christopher Huang uses elements from the golden age of... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of Camera girl : the coming of age of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy

    Camera girl : the coming of age of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy

    by Anthony, Carl Sferrazza

    Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction

    December 11, 2023

    Call Number: 92 O575An-1

    As First Lady of the United States (1961 - 1963), then as the wife of one of the world’s richest men (1968 - 1975), until the time of her death in 1994, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was among the most photographed and well known women in the world.  But did the world really know that much about this enigmatic woman, who became an international celebrity? In a 1972 interview she stated,“People often forget that I was Jacqueline Bouvier, before being Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Onassis. Throughout my life I have tried to remain true to myself.” 

    In this new... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of George : a magpie memoir

    George : a magpie memoir

    by Hughes, Frieda

    Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction

    December 6, 2023

    Call Number: 598.864 H893

    In the prologue to this memoir Frieda Hughes says, “The things I longed for, other than health, happiness and wealth, probably in that order, were plants, pets, and a home of my own that I would never have to move from. The plants and pets were the embellishment and confirmation of the permanent home and, therefore, the sense of stability and belonging that I craved.”

    From her earliest memories, as a very young child, she craved and yearned for a stable permanent home, which for most of her life she did not have. She had a family, but they were never in one... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of Being Henry : the Fonz . . . and beyond

    Being Henry : the Fonz . . . and beyond

    by Winkler, Henry, 1945-

    November 27, 2023

    Call Number: 812.092 W775-2

    Henry Winkler has worked as an actor, director, producer, and is the author of several series of children’s books. Now, with Being Henry, Winkler tells the story of his own life and it is a fascinating read.

    Winkler writes his memoir with charm and grace. He describes the difficulties that faced his parents, who were German immigrants just prior to the outbreak of World War II. He also describes a home life that was an uncomfortable mixture of comfort and abuse. Winkler’s parents were strict authoritarians who often expected more of their son, an... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of The celebrants : a novel

    The celebrants : a novel

    by Rowley, Steven, 1971-

    November 20, 2023

    Two weeks before their college graduation, a group of friends, who have become family during their college experience, must attend the funeral of one of their own. Alec has died of an apparent drug overdose and it shakes them all, Craig, Jordan, Jordy, Marielle, and Naomi, to their cores. Alec’s death causes them to question everything they know on the eve of venturing out into the “real world” as adults. In response to their collective pain and confusion at the loss, Marielle suggests “the pact”: at any time in the coming years when they feel that they need it, any member of the... Read Full Review

  • Book cover of Midnight at the Houdini

    Midnight at the Houdini

    by Dawson, Delilah S.

    November 13, 2023

    Call Number: e-Audiobook

    According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, magic is: 1) the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces, and 2) the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand. In her new novel, Midnight at the Houdini, Delilah S. Dawson tells a tale filled with both types of magic referenced by Merriam-Webster, plus a few more just for good measure, and the results are themselves magical.

    For Anna Alonso, magic became irrelevant when she was 10 years old. After attending a princess themed birthday party that... Read Full Review

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