from Sandy Bonneville
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin is an absolutely spell-binding history of the election and presidency of Abraham Lincoln. At the 1860 Republican Convention in Chicago, Senator W.H. Seward was the leading candidate followed by Salmon P. Chase of Ohio and Edward Bates of Missouri. None of the three were able to secure the nomination on either the first or second ballot, and Lincoln was nominated on the third. To the great surprise of everyone, Lincoln asked each of these rivals to serve in his cabinet. At this most critical time in our nation's history, he realized that he needed the best people in his cabinet, regardless of personal like or dislike. Every page of this book is alive with the intelligence and passion that Lincoln brought to his presidency. You won't be able to put it down.
from Nancy Chick, President of the Friends of the Library Board
"A book that stays with me is Joanne Harris's Five Quarters of the Orange. Her more popular book is Chocolat, which became an even more popular movie, but I prefer this story of a girl growing up in post-war France. As a young girl, she doesn't fully realize what the Germans are doing in her village, but she and her siblings befriend a young Nazi soldier named Tomas, a friendship that of course becomes more complicated. Also central to the book are her attempts to understand her secretive mother who suffers from migraines brought on by the scent of oranges. If the title alone doesn't grab you, the representation of memory and past and present and mothers and daughters will."
from Melissa Kozma
On The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King: "The first installment of an absorbing and thoroughly entertaining mystery series featuring Mary Russell, the young apprentice of a now-retired Sherlock Holmes."
from Jane Lillegard
On Dreams of My Father by Barack Obama: "Barack Obama's autobiography is an interesting picture of his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia and his community organizing work on Chicago's Southside. The book ends with his first trip to Kenya to meet and learn more about his father's family. It provides a background for the reader to better understand Obama's worldview."
from Mary Ellen Fisher, Former President of the Friends of the Library Board
Mary Ellen enthusiastically brought "NoveList" to the attention of the Board at the March meeting. It's an easily searchable fiction database with brief summaries, helpful reviews, links to authors' websites, "Read-Alike" articles that offer similar authors and titles, a handy "find similar books" button, book discussion guides, and much more! Everyone interested in fiction should play around and see what wonderful resources are available through NoveList. Access it by following the "NoveList Reader's Advisory" link on the library's home page.
from Lisa Mink
On Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin: "An inspiring story of what one person, with a little help, can do to make a difference in the world. Mortenson, a mountain climber, returned to the site of an unsuccessful climb to build a school for a remote village in Pakistan. His project, begun on a shoestring, blossomed into a foundation that has changed lives throughout the region."
from Lynda Olsen
"Peony in Love is a novel by Lisa See based on the history of female Chinese writers. The author is of Chinese heritage and had heard stories of female oppression from her family. Her grandfather left his wife and several children to come to America, where he drank and remarried. His first wife carried people on her back to support her children. When See heard of young women who, after reading the opera The Peony Pavilion, chose to die over life without a voice, she felt compelled to give voice to three female writers. It is a fascinating story and gives insight into Chinese culture and Buddhism."
from Heidi Weber
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, David L. Weaver-Zercher explains the Amish community's reaction to the Nickel Mines, PA, murder of five of its schoolchildren, especially its forgiveness of the killer and expressions of grace toward his family. The reader will gain information into the day to day life of the Amish and a broad understanding of how the Amish practice forgiveness. The book is divided into three sections. First, an account of the horrific events that took place on October 2, 2006. Next, the authors discuss how forgiveness is embedded in Amish society through five centuries of Anabaptist tradition, and grounded in the firm belief that forgiveness is required by the New Testament. The authors carefully distinguish between forgiveness, pardon and reconciliation. Finally, the authors analyze how Americans reacted to the Amish community's forgiveness. Although most of us are inspired and in awe of their ability to forgive, some criticize and question if forgiveness is appropriate. My book club had in-depth and fascinating discussions after reading this book!
On Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink: "After several friends encouraged me to read Caddie Woodlawn, I thankfully put it at the top of my pile. A quick historical fiction sure to bring many smiles, it's great to read alone or to your children. It was fun to envision what the Chippewa Valley landscape and lifestyle was like 100 years ago."
On The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: "It's rare for me to reread a novel, but this book is worthy. The story begins in Afghanistan before Russia and the Taliban overthrew the government. A difficult book to put down and sure to cause you to reflect on our comfortable life in America."
