We Were Brothers by Barry Moser. A "southern" memoir - reminiscent of other stellar writers such as Pat Conroy and Rick Bragg - of Moser’s difficult relationship with his brother, and the racist environment in which they were raised that came between them. The story moves to a dramatic and redemptive climax and we are led to realize that it is never too late to heal a wounded relationship. ~ Reviewed by
Barbara Morrow
One Man Against the World: The Tragedy of Richard Nixon by Tim Weiner. The Pulitzer Prize and National Book award winning author serves up a riveting book about the ruinous presidency of Richard Milhouse Nixon. With new information available, Weiner’s meticulous research skills, insight, and accessible writing style make this book the one to read if you really want to know the whole story of the calamity that was the Nixon presidency. ~
Erik Barnum
They All Love Jack: Busting the Ripper by Bruce Robinson. If you only read one book in your life about London’s Autumn of Terror in 1888, this is it! Not so much a history of Jack the Ripper as an indictment of the rigidly structured, profoundly corrupted society in which he practiced his butchery. Astonishingly well-researched and written with a pen dipped in the deepest black. ~
Alden Graves
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell. Once again, Vowell has created a rich blend of history, humor, and politics and turned a well-known story into a book that you won’t want to put down.The American Revolution is told from the perspective of the Marquis de Lafayette’s involvement. Detailed, insightful, and very funny - this is a book you will enjoy as you read it and will remember long after you’ve turned the last page. ~
Rachel Person
Magna Carta: The Birth of Liberty by Dan Jones. This is a succinct, action packed history of the tumultuous year 1215. King John (Lackland), a whole host of good and bad guys, and lots of battles and events are all contributing factors in the creation of the Magna Carta. Jones examines why this single document is so important and has such an enduring legacy. ~ Reviewed by
Maeve Noonan
Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker. The actress has written an extremely accessible and candid memoir. Taking the form of letters sent to the men who have played pivotal roles in her life, Dear Mr You is a far cry from your typical Hollywood tell-all. Parker has the talent of a good novelist and a gift for telling her stories with heart and clarity. ~
Chris Linendoll
A Strangeness in My Mind. by Orhan Pamuk. An extraordinary love letter to Istanbul! Spanning nearly a half-century, Pamuk uses the life of a street vendor to chronicle the upheaval, change, and growth of this fabled city. A touching and brilliantly written story about place and what it means to belong. ~
Cheryl Cornwell
The Lake House by Kate Morton. Another wonderfully absorbing novel to curl up with. No other author does the combination of atmosphere, character, and mysterious story better than Kate Morton. We are back in Cornwall with a deliciously complex group of relationships intricately crafted into a terrific tale. ~
Karen Frank
100 Years of the Best American Short Stories by Lorrie Moore & Heidi Pitlor. Lorrie Moore, author of
Bark, edited this compilation of the best works drawn from past editions of the popular annual collection of short stories. The selections include stories by a number of America’s finest writers, including William Faulkner, Katherine Anne Porter, George Saunders, and Richard Ford. The perfect gift for those who love this precise form of literary art. ~
Alden Graves
The Mountain Shadow by Gregory David Roberts. A rousing sequel to the author’s best selling epic,
Shantaram. Full of great characters and adventure set in the Bombay underworld. A story to immerse yourself into. Highly recommended ~
Chris Morrow
Slade House by David Mitchell. A wonderfully imaginative take on the haunted house story that is set in a universe similar to the one in Mitchell’s
The Bone Clocks. Every nine years a peculiar brother and sister invite a different guest to their home. The guest begins a macabre journey from which there is no return. I was so entranced I read it in one sitting! ~
Sarah Knight
The Mare by Mary Gaitskill. A heartwrenching story of an inner-city girl in the Fresh Air Fund program who travels to a host family in upstate New York, where she befriends a frightened and abused racehorse at a nearby stable. Gaitskill navigates the ugly realities of both human and equine abuse. Readers will be reminded of how our real-life connections with animals can both guide and heal. ~
Nancy Scheemaker
The Golden Age by Jane Smiley. The final volume in the author's century-spanning trilogy about an American family. Members of the Langdon clan have traveled a long distance from their patriarchal roots on a farm in Iowa, a place that has fallen victim to the voracious corporate greed typical of the times. Ms. Smiley's characters serve as a microcosm of American society during one of the most traumatic periods in the nation's history. ~
Alden Graves
City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg. Don't let the 900+ pages scare you. Hallberg paints an incredibly vivid world with extremely relatable yet diverse characters. Every page reveals more about their complex and engaging relationships, yet Hallberg still manages to make a statement about humanity as a whole. Absolutely unforgettable. ~
Misha D'Andrea