200 listings found.
Displaying 1 - 20
| |
Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table
Reichl, Ruth
With such esteemed credentials, including former editor-in-chief for Gourmet magazine and former restaurant critic for The New York Times, Ruth Reichl really knows how to talk food. This memoir chronicles her early life in the kitchen, beginning as a small child and taking you through her first marriage. Ruth Reichl is quite the storyteller, with rich characterizations and wildly delicious-sounding descriptions of food, complete with recipes at the ends of the chapters. Ruth has written a bunch of memoirs and—pardon the pun—I just eat them up.
[Adult Nonfiction Book ]
Jane B., Linden Hills Library
| | |
| |
Evenings at Five
Godwin, Gail
This is a remarkable little book that can be read in one sitting. It is told as a wistful recollection of the cocktail hour between husband and wife, during which they exchanged their thoughts, hearts and souls, and which she recalls during his illness and after he is gone. Interspersed with the lovely writing are line drawings illustrating the rooms where this love story played out. Somber, reflective, touching, but never mawkish. Read it once, twice, and then perhaps buy it, as I did.
[Adult Fiction Book GODWIN]
Mary B., Ridgedale Library
| | |
| |
Finding Jack
Crocker, Gareth
"When war ends, how do you leave your best friend behind?"
After losing his young family in a tragic accident, Fletcher Carson joins the flagging war effort in Vietnam. Deeply depressed, he plans to die in the war. But during one of his early missions. Fletcher rescues a critically wounded yellow Lab whom he nurses back to health and names Jack. As Fletcher and Jack patrol and survive the jungles of Vietnam, Fletcher slowly regains the will to live.
Based on the actual existence and abandonment of canine units in Vietnam. Gareth Crockers "Finding Jack" is a novel of friendship and love under desperate circumstances that will grab your heart and won't let go.
[Adult Fiction Book CROCKER]
Eddie A., St. Anthony Library
| | |
| |
I'm Not Scared
Ammaniti, Niccolo
Wow! If you start this translated Italian bestseller in the evening, prepare to stay up late. You won't put it down. When 9-year-old Michele makes a horrifying discovery during a bike ride with friends, his world unravels as his entire tiny village seems implicated in the event. This slender volume is the best suspense I've read in years! It's also a pretty good movie.
[Adult Fiction Book AMMANITI]
David L., Southdale Library
| | |
| |
She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders
Boylan, Jennifer Finney
James Boylan's journey to ultimately become Jennifer Finney Boylan is a remarkable story. Since childhood James believed his true essence was female but he married a woman he truly loved and had a family with her. Still married to Grace now that he has become a woman (they live as friends), Jennifer's story is very moving and sometimes funny. I especially was touched by the afterword by writer Richard Russo, who is one of James' (now Jennifer's) dearest friends.
[Adult Nonfiction Book ]
Kim B., Ridgedale Library
| | |
| |
Kafka on the Shore
Murakami, Haruki
Simply put, this is the story of a young runaway and an older gentleman, whose destinies are stied together and whose pasts and futures influence them in ways they cannot fully understand. But any plot summary would not do justice to the layers of mystery, fantasy, intrigue and hallucination that comprise Murakami's masterpiece. While leading the readers into a completely different world, the author somehow manages to make his vision accessible, even comprehensible, and the blatant oddities cease to be frustrating or confusing so much as enlightening. It is a strange book, to be sure, but unforgettable in equal measure and above all, beautiful.
[Adult Fiction Book MURAKAMI]
Anne P., Washburn Library
| | |
| |
One Amazing Thing
Divakaruni, Chitra
When an earthquake strikes an American city, nine diverse people are trapped in the Indian consulate. To pass the time and calm their nerves, they take turns telling "one amazing thing" about their lives. Book clubs will find a lot to discuss in this compelling, exquisitely-crafted novel by this award-winning author. Members of my book club had different interpretations of the ending, but consistent praise for the storyteller.
[Adult Fiction Book DIVAKARUNI]
Susan W., Brooklyn Park Library
| | |
| |
Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops : The Lost Toys, Tastes & Trends of the '70s and '80s
Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer
Did you ever hang out with friends at a roller rink? Watch your favorite TV actors competing on Battle of the Network Stars? Can you still remember the Mr.Yuk theme song? If so, you’ll enjoy this fun, nostalgic, and often snarky look at the popular culture of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
[Adult Nonfiction Book ]
Kathryn Z., Maple Grove Library
| | |
| |
In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing
Woodruff, Lee
After receiving an exciting promotion to anchor the ABC Nightly News, Bob Woodruff is seriously injured in Iraq. Alternating chapters between Bob and his wife Lee, their courtship, marriage, family, jobs, therapy and recovery are shared with readers.
[Adult Nonfiction Book ]
Judith B., Edina Library
| | |
| |
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
Fuller, Alexandra
Disclosure: I've always wanted to travel to Africa. Perhaps I will get there some day. Perhaps I will only visit through books. This book enveloped me to the point that when I finished I wanted to contact the author to find out if she was ok. (I didn't). But she wrote a sequel, equally engrossing, so I know she's ok. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight is about Africa, parents and children, gutsy living, and an out of the ordinary growing up which fueled a brilliant memoir. Read it. If you like Africa. If you like compelling true stories.
[Adult Nonfiction Book ]
Ann M., Washburn Library
| | |
| |
Bitter Seeds
Tregillis, Ian
It’s 1939 and Europe is on the brink of the Second World War. Raybould Marsh, of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, uncovers evidence of a covert German laboratory and a mysterious experiment involving a small group of test subjects – young men and women with strange and frightening abilities. Klaus, who can walk through walls, and his sister, Gretel, who can see the future, are two of these test subjects. Orphaned by World War I, they’ve been raised in a lab and trained by a Nazi scientist to use their considerable powers against Germany’s enemies. As war begins, Marsh and his colleagues, including Britain’s most formidable warlocks, will fight against the siblings and their Nazi handlers. This fantastical reimagining of the Second World War is the first book of the Milkweed Triptych trilogy.
[Adult SciFi Fantasy Book TREGILLIS]
Kathryn Z., Maple Grove Library
| | |
| |
Say Her Name
Goldman, Francisco
A Brooklyn based author in his fifties throws every emotion he has into his "novel" about his real-life marriage. Days before their second anniversary, his beloved Aura tragically broke her neck while attempting to body surf on their vacation. Devastated beyond measure, Francisco explores intimate details of their courtship and marriage, and shares portions of his wife's writings and journal entries. Publishers Weekly states, "Goldman calls this book a novel... but the foundation is in truth: messy, ugly, and wildly complicated truth."
[Adult Fiction Book GOLDMAN]
Kim B., Ridgedale Library
| | |
| |
London is the Best City in America
Dave, Laura
Ever since she broke off her engagement three years ago, Emmy has felt adrift, spending her time half-heartedly working on a documentary about fisherman's wives. Emmy is jolted out of her complacency when she returns home to New York for her brother's wedding and discovers he may call off his own wedding. This is a fast-paced, romantic read that grapples with big questions about choice and our search for perfection.
[Adult Fiction Book DAVE]
Amy L., Information & Online Services
| | |
| |
Farishta
McArdle, Patricia
Still suffering from PTSD after losing her husband and unborn child in a bombing in Beirut some years earlier, Angela, also known as Farishta (a Dari translation of her name) accepts a diplomatic assignment to Afghanistan to avoid a forced retirement. Facing the doubly daunting task of being a woman in the Afghani culture and being the only woman diplomat at her station, she is initially unsure of herself but steadily gains confidence and the respect and admiration of her fellow diplomats and native people throughout her year long assignment. McArdle, herself a retired diplomat in Afghanistan, gives a rare look into the challenging life of a female diplomat in Afghanistan. This partially autobiographical story, filled with interesting characters and situations and unexpected twists, is well worth the read.
[Adult Fiction Book MCARDLE]
Lynn M., Maple Grove Library
| | |
| |
The View From Mount Joy
Landvik, Lorna
This is the first I’ve tried by Landvik and I was not disappointed. For once, a truly good and regular guy who likes his mother (though he’s not completely trauma free). Joe thinks his life might take a certain path but he ends up staying at the place he worked since high school while the girl he lusted after in school becomes famous while being a hypocrite. Everyone has to find his/her own Mount Joy. Some are more successful than others.
[Adult Fiction Book LANDVIK]
Laura P., Information & Online Services
| | |
| |
Fifth Business
Davies, Robertson
This is a hidden classic! Well written with humor, "Fifth Business" is the first installment of "The Deptford Trilogy." Set in Ontario, during World War I, the author's characters come to life to reveal the range of human emotions. Rose. R.
[Adult Fiction Book DAVIES]
Rose R., Maple Grove Library
| | |
| |
Firmin
Savage, Sam
Firmin gradually reveals his identity and circumstances in this unique personification tale that hints of an adult version of Tale of Despereaux and Ratatuille. Set in a bookstore in 1960's Boston, Firmin name drops famous authors he calls The Big Ones. He describes himself as "grossly cynical, moderately vicious, and a melancholy genius," which mirrors the tone of the book.
[Adult Fiction Book SAVAGE]
Sharon N., Maple Grove Library
| | |
| |
On Canaan's Side
Barry, Sebastian
After the death of her beloved grandson, 89-year-old Lilly reflects over the many joys and sorrows of her life. Lilly's life has been lived in the shadow of violence and tragedy, including an IRA death threat that forced young Lilly and her husband to flee their native Ireland to escape to America after the First World War. Lilly's simple yet powerful first person narrative makes readers feel like they are listening to a dear friend, and her memories help pivotal events of the twentieth century feel personally meaningful.
[Adult Fiction Book BARRY]
Amy L., Information & Online Services
| | |
| |
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Kingsolver, Barbara
Ever thought about wresting control of the food you eat back from the mega-corporations, growing your own or supporting local producers? This book may be just the inspiration and practical guide you need. Kingsolver and her family chronicle their first year of living a strictly locavore lifestyle - not only how they did it, but why they did it - with resources, recipes, and tales of simple miracles they found along the way. Kingsolver's skill with fiction ("Prodigal Summer", "The Poisonwood Bible") makes this true account an engaging as well as informative read.
[Adult Nonfiction Book ]
Julie L., Maple Grove Library
| | |
| |
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
Klassen, Julie
When Margaret Macy's stepfather and his nephew hear of the fortune she will inherit on her next birthday, Margaret is forced to flee her family home and disguise herself as a servant. Margaret travels as far from London as her money will take her, and is lucky to find a position in a manor house. Only after she is hired does Margaret discover that she is working in the home of two brothers who are both former suitors. This story will delight fans of Upstairs Downstairs.
[Adult Fiction Book KLASSEN]
Kay D., Maple Grove Library
| | |
|
Print this list
more comments...
