Book Lovers Recommendations May 2019

The Art of Dying Well
By Katy Butler
The Art of Dying Well

This is a non-fiction book that offers practical advice for people as they age. We have many books on preparing for childbirth and child development, but not much to help us prepare to age. This book fills that gap, with plenty of advice for each stage of aging. Check Our Catalog

As Long As We Both Shall Live
By Joann Chaney
As Long As We Both Shall Live

In 1995, Matt Evans’ wife was found burned in a fire, and the detective doesn’t believe Matt’s story, but Matt is not charged for her death. In 2018, Matt, now married to Marie, reports that she has fallen off a cliff on a hike, and now two more detectives have to figure out what has really happened. Lots of twists, turns and surprises. A fast read, one you may want to finish as fast as possible to find out the truth. Check Our Catalog

Beautiful Bad
By Annie Ward
Beautiful Bad

A psychological thriller: Maddie and Ian are married and raising their son in Kansas. Flashbacks tell you how they got there and what may or may not be going on with their relationship. The author will keep you guessing as befits a psychological thriller, the ending should surprise you and keep you thinking about this book after you have finished it. Check Our Catalog

The Dreamers
By Karen Thompson Walker
The Dreamers

A strange epidemic starts in a quiet college town in Southern California when a young college student falls asleep-and cannot be awakened. The novel focuses on several characters who are affected by what soon becomes an epidemic. All scientists know is that the sleepers are also having intense dreams. If anything can jar us from our complacencies, and help us appreciate what we have when we are awake, it might be when our loved ones fall into a dream filled sleep that can’t be stopped. Check Our Catalog

Finding Dorothy
By Elizabeth Letts
Finding Dorothy

This historical fiction novel tells the story of Maud Baum, the widow of L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz books. Maud shows up on the set of the MGM movie being filmed, and wants the film-makers to take into account how she feels the film should be made. The novel flashes back to Maud’s very interesting past, and also focuses on her involvement with the young and exploited star of the movie, Judy Garland. 

 

Lost and Wanted
By Nell Freudenberger
Lost and Wanted

This book is a wonderful combination of fiction and science. Helen, the narrator, is a physicist, raising a child alone. Her best friend, whom she has drifted away from, dies, and her friend’s husband and child relocate to Helen’s town. Helen mourns her friend’s loss, but is puzzled by messages she is receiving from her dead friend emanating from her friend’s cell phone, which has been lost. The novel deals with grief and loss on many levels, and also opens up the question of what happens when we die. Does science help us answer that question? Check Our Catalog

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive
By Stephanie Land
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive

Through a series of life events, Land finds herself trying to support a young daughter and find a way to live on minimum wage jobs. She finds ways to survive by working as a maid, but relates just how difficult it is to survive in a world where even the support systems seem to make life more difficult. By the time the book ends, you will possibly be as exhausted as Land is, but she gives an articulate voice to the voiceless and paints a clear picture of how many in America are forced to live. Check Our Catalog

When All is Said
By Anne Griffin
When All is Said

This is the debut novel by an Irish author. 84 year old Maurice Hannigan spends the evening in the bar of a grand hotel and drinks five drinks-sending a toast one at a time to the most influential people in his life. The author creates a wonderful character here with a sensitive past history. Check Our Catalog

Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Are
By Mary Pipher
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Are

Mary Pipher, a noted psychologist and the author of “Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls,” has now turned 70, and does for older women in this book, what she did for adolescent girls in “Ophelia.” Through real life examples, she shows women just how challenging and exciting it can be to grow older. Check Our Catalog

 

Unto Us a Son is Given
By Donna Leon
Unto Us a Son is Given

This is the 28th in a series of mysteries whose main character, Comissario Guido Brunetti, a detective in Venice. Brunetti’s father-in-law wants him to investigate a young man whom his father-in-law’s elderly friend wants to legally adopt. This would make the young man an heir to the friend’s fortune. Things get complicated when first the friend dies, and then a guest for the memorial is strangled. Secrets that have been buried for years are unearthed in this exciting mystery. Check Our Catalog