Paul Newman
The Extraordinary Life
of an Ordinary Man
A Memoir
Memoirs
are read because individuals portray
the human story in such varying
ways. In this book about Paul
Newman, the dichotomy between the
famous, adored actor and the
insecure, questioning man is
difficult to surmount. Over
five years in the writing, Newman,
his family, friends and colleagues
made themselves available for
thousands of hours of interviews.
The only condition Newman insisted
upon was truth – from himself and
all others. That truth becomes
difficult for him at times when
vulnerabilities, embarrassing
scenes, hurtful encounters, and
painful memories surface.
However, to his credit, he faces
them in an effort to understand
himself more and to be a better
father to his children. Seeing
his movies after reading the book
will provide a depth to
understanding to the characters that
you have come to think of as Paul
Newman.
Actor
(stage & film) -- Husband (twice) --
Professional race car driver
Academy Award Winner -- Father (six
times) -- Investor -- Political
Activist -- Humanitarian
Business Man -- Son -- Guinness Book
of Records enlistee --
Philanthropist -- Grandfather
Recitatif
Toni Morrison
“Recitatif” is a small book with a
big idea. Even the title
causes questions and defines the
thinking process to be found
throughout this book. It is
the only short story that Morrison
ever wrote and she did it with
experimental purpose. As the
story of two young girls begins, the
reader is aware that they are of two
races but is unsure which is white
and which is black. Morrison
blends the individual
characteristics, speech patterns,
life styles and perceptions of each
to the point that just when you
think you “know” you become unsure
again. It becomes difficult
because there is a struggle about
how to identify with each character.
As a result, Morrison’s goal is to
get the reader to consider justice,
opportunities and recognition when
the race is unknown.
Life on the
Mississippi
An Epic American
Adventure
Rinker Buck
Whether
you are a history buff or an
armchair adventurer, you can’t help
but enjoy the telling of this river
trip down the Mississippi River. Rinker Buck rebuilds a flatboat
in order to recreate some of the
1800’s era river travel experience.
Hiring a carpenter unfamiliar with
being on the water, putting together
an eclectic crew of mismatches and
having very little skill in
maneuvering a boat in river traffic
himself provides the background for
his six month journey down river
from Elizabeth,
PA
to
New Orleans, LA. It is thoroughly researched citing
sources through the years. The
history that he learns along the
way, the adventures he experiences
and the character of the people that
he meets will strengthen his belief
in his country and himself.
“I stood
on the shoulders of the historic
chroniclers who passed the same
space more than two centuries
earlier teaching myself that the
past is often for more valuable to
know than the present.”
Rinker Bunk
Switchboard Soldiers
Jennifer Chiaverini
In
preparing for
America’s role
in WWI, General Pershing was aware
of the scarcity of communication
equipment and personnel in
France
which would be essential to a
successful Allied outcome for the
war. He wanted top of the line
equipment and the most efficient,
courteous, trust worthy operators
available. In 1917 that
meant young, American women who, at
that time, were not allowed to
enlist or vote. Working with
telephone companies, the U.S. Army
Signal Corp. began to recruit
volunteers. Besides excelling
at their job, the operators had to
be able to speak/translate French
fluently and be considered a leader
in their field; trusted, ready to
follow orders, endure hardships, be
morally/socially above reproach and
available for the duration of the
war. In spite of these
difficult standards, hundreds of
women across the country applied for
the privilege to serve and began
training. After two years
these women had connected twenty-six
million calls from the battlefront
to points all over France,
which contributed greatly to the
Allied victory. Little is
known about these amazing women and
their role in the Great War.
This book provides needed
information and appreciation for
what can only be construed as
historic efforts on their countries
behalf. Though much was owed
them, their efforts benefitted those
to come more than it ever did the
“Switchboard Soldiers”.
“In
serving their country, the valiant
switchboard soldiers of the Women’s
Telephone Unit broke down barriers
and cleared the way for generations
of women who would follow after, not
only in the military, but in all
aspects of public and professional
life,”
Jennifer Chiaverini
Olive Kitteridge
Elizabeth Strout
Have you ever visited a
favorite book from your past that,
like an old friend, meets your needs
at the time? You reread the book
curious as to whether the lessons
learned from it are still there for
you. So it is with “Olive
Kitteridge”, a book filled with the
varied lives of an entire community
with one character interwined
throughout their stories. True
enough to life that every event is
filled with sadness, joy,
frustration, hope, shame, judgment
and, most of all, glimmers of
improving for a better life. You
may recognize someone from your
family, your community or, even,
yourself at times. Elizabeth Strout
delivers the humanity of these
people so that you come to
appreciate that they are doing the
best that they can, given their
circumstances; a lesson for us all
no matter how old the story.
The Last Days of John
Lennon
James Patterson
Casey Sherman and Dave
Wedge
1957 Liverpool, England
As a
music-crazed seventeen year old,
John Lennon is convinced that he is
destined to produce the best music
ever heard in England. He begins the process of
discovering the top talents that can
make this happen. In St. Peter’s church hall he is introduced to fifteen year
old Paul McCartney. There is an
instant connection that will remain
throughout their lives. Later,
McCartney brings in George Harrison
who, still later, will bring in
Ringo Starr. The first time the
group plays together; there is
recognition of alignment. They are
boys enjoying experimenting with
music and life. They find a
direction that will lead them to
heights throughout the world that
they never imagined as a group
called the “Beatles”! In the
following years as they are working
out their style and their message,
there is someone out there working
equally hard to destroy them.
Patterson weaves this duality of
progress and destruction throughout
the book. The last days of 1980 are
particularly mesmerizing. Just as
Lennon is at the top of his game, so
is his protagonist. The Beatles,
particularly John Lennon, were so
much more than their music. Their
influence, philanthropy and music
live on, as do the memories.
Violeta
Isabel Allende
Once
again Allende combines history and
philosophy as she tells a fictional
story of a woman living in South
America from 1920-2020, The
woman, Violeta, is born in one flu
epidemic and dies, one hundred years
later, in another. Issues of
political corruption, war,
earthquakes, women’s voting rights,
abortion, class distinctions – all
play a part in Violeta’s life.
Written as a letter to her grandson,
Violeta attempts to put family and
civic history in writing so that he
may one day understand his past.
Allende’s story telling skills and
her passion for her subject are
evident throughout the story.
Like Violeta, the reader becomes
aware of the need for justice,
valuing meaningful work and, always
staying connected with those that
you love.
Finding Me
Viola
Davis
Viola
Davis, may be
a name that sounds familiar but is
difficult to place. She is an
actress who dedicated her life to
getting out of the poverty of her
birth and becoming “somebody”.
Viola
Davis
pulls no punches as she describes
the reality of her world; growing up
black, female and impoverished.
Her drive to find herself in a
society that was determined to
define her, makes a story that is
well worth the read. So
focused on first, survival, and then
excellence that she finds herself as
an adult alone and adrift, in spite
of the attained commercial success
for which she had fought so hard.
As an adult, Viola Davis uses her
new found stability to carefully
examine her past, in order to make a
future in which she defines who she
is and the values that will allow
her to live her life on her own
terms.
“...live
your own life .....and rediscover
who you were before the world put a
label on you."
Viola Davis
Lessons From the Edge
Marie Yovanovitch
Rarely
is a book as timely, as evocative or
as knowledgeable as “Lessons From
the Edge”. Marie Yovanovitch begins
with her background which was so
instrumental in directing her life
choices. Her first Foreign Office
assignment to
Moldova
was just the beginning of a life
filled with decisions and moments in
which her integrity and skills were
tested. As she moved up the ladder
and across the world, those
challenges became bigger and the
consequences more personal and
professional. Finally, in the Ukraine, political forces collide to
change everything she believed about
her career, her country and
herself. The behind-the-scenes
story of testifying before Congress
was as intriguing as it was
controversial. Described as “the
woman who spoke truth to power”,
Yovanovitch maintained her dignity
and professional throughout.
A must
read!
The
Paris
Bookseller
Kerri Maher
What
better time to open a bookstore in
Paris
than the early ‘20’s, when writers
like Ezra Pound, James Joyce, Ernest
Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and George
Bernard Shaw are in their heyday!
Sylvia Beach, an American enamored
by all things Parisian, senses this
as she opens her first bookstore -
Shakespeare and Company.
Little does she know how this action
will change her life, inspire
artists and make history for France and America? Shakespeare and
Company takes on a life of its own.
Influential authors gather there for
research and companionship.
Social contacts support endeavors,
personal and professional.
Beach is given the opportunity to
publish Joyce’s “Ulysses” after it
is banned in America, which becomes a blessing
and a burden. Reading about this process and how these
illustrious people and Beach and her
partner, Adrienne, went about their
daily lives is remarkable. It
is a book composed of bookstores,
book writers and book readers.
“Thank
YOU reader, no matter what volume
you pluck off the shelf, you keep
the dream of reading alive”
Kerri Mahler.
The Last Slave Ship
Ben Raines
It has
been said that when we know better,
we do better. Never was this
truer than in our country’s history
of slavery. In reading “The
Last Slave Ship’ you begin to know
the process of acquisition,
disposition and exploitation of
those who were kidnapped in Africa
and enslaved in
America.
Hard truths emerge, like how was a
vessel able to transport slaves
fifty years after it was outlawed
and no one was ever held accountable
or why was the vessel destroyed and
locations never revealed? How
were these displaced people who,
upon being freed, able to build a
town, make civic rules and survive
on their own in Africatown.
What were the lasting effects on
both sides of these issues
generations later? What were
the circumstances of the ship in Mobile
Bay
and how was the location eventually
discovered? Questions like
these continue to need to be
explored and resolved. Ben
Raines reminds us that the task’s
difficulty is no excuse for
neglecting it. This book is an
opportunity to “know better”.
Raines remains optimistic that as
American’s we can learn from history
and better appreciate those involved
in the Africatown story.
Her Hidden Genius
Marie Benedict
Though
one of the leading scientists in
France
and
England
from 1948-1958, Rosalind Franklin’s
name is virtually unknown. In a
well-researched,
historical-fictional story Marie
Benedict has given credit to a woman
who did extraordinary work in the
field of molecular biology. Franklin worked tirelessly
at revealing the double helix
structure, eventually paying the
ultimate price for her persistence
and honesty. Robbed of most of the
credit by others in the science
world, it is certain that it was she
who most advanced our knowledge of
molecular structure. Benedict
manages to combine scientific
material with human psychology in
such a way that the story a
remarkable read.
The Vanishing Half
Brit Bennett
The
decisions about how we choose to
live our lives bear’s
consequences not only for
ourselves but for anyone
connected to us. The more
deception is involved, the
greater the need for skills to
maintain and protect the image.
In the NYT best seller, “The
Vanishing Half” a set of twins
make very different decisions
and then must abide by their
choices. Race, gender,
values, biases, culture all play
a part in the story. As
their children grow older they
make their own decisions based
on the lives of their parents.
Is it possible to connect or
have close bonds if the
communication has always been
lies and half truths? It
is a compelling story that you
will not want to put down once
you start. You may
recognize social issues that
still need to be resolved today.
The Librarian of
Auschwitz
Antonio Iturbe
None
of us knows what we are made of
until we are tested by life.
In “The Librarian of Auschwitz”
Dita Krauss found, after ten years
in German prisons, that she could
survive the worst that was humanly
possible. The singular thing
that saved her for several years was
becoming the Librarian for five
hundred children/counselors in Block
31 of Auschwitz Prison. The
story of how she protected the only
source of knowledge for the children
in such a dangerous environment is
as inspiring as it is chilling.
Antonio Iturbe’s mission in writing
the book was so that the inescapable
truth of the Holocaust era be
preserved. Interviewing Krauss
in real life he became convinced
that her story must be saved and
known to the world. A
difficult read but well worth the
effort.
“Literature has the same impact as a
lit match in the night. The
match illuminates relatively little,
but enables us to see how much
darkness surrounds it”.
citing William Faulkner
The Book of Lost
Friends
Lisa Wingate
For those of you who enjoyed “Before
We Were Yours”, Lisa Wingate has
another historical fiction story of
equal quality. It seems that
after the Civil War many of the
freed slaves were left with little
knowledge of their family member’s
existence. A newspaper began a
column publishing requests that came
to them to help find
mothers/fathers, children,
brothers/sisters- any relative still
living. A book was started
that had listings of names and
contact’s addresses was sent to
preachers, court houses and
newspapers throughout the south.
Word spread and responses began to
come in. Over several years
some family members were able to
reunite. Wingate uses this
amazing “Book of Lost Friends” to be
used by a new high school teacher in
LA to motivate disconnected
students. The message of
family and connection is worthy of
the read.
“The
greatest hardship to the heart is to
endlessly wonder about your people."
Hannie
The Paris Library
Janet Skeslien Charles
Bibliophiles will recognize this
book as written just for them!
They know that books are written for
many reasons – knowledge, escape,
entertainment, comfort,
understanding, and power – all
available in your local library.
The library provides a sense of
community to those who value books.
In this historical fiction, “The
Paris Library”, Janet Charles tells
a story of the American Library in
Paris
during WWII and takes the power of
books to a whole new level.
The courage and sacrifice of the
staff there provides lessons that
will influence lives in another
community forty-five years later.
A compelling book to the final page!
“no other
thing possesses that mystical
faculty to make people see with
other people’s eyes. The Library is
a bridge between cultures”
Miss Reeder
E.R. Nurses
James Patterson and
Matt Eversmann
We
think that we know what nurses do
and that we appreciate them,
however, in reading this book you
began to understand the depth of
their accomplishments. Big
city E.R., small rural hospitals,
military bases, helicopters – all
house these amazing people that give
their best when humans are at their
worst. Each chapter is a
nurse’s personal story of care,
commitment and connection with
patients and their families.
The time spent in that twilight zone
of life and death is filled with
caring, stress, acceptance and loss.
You will forever see nurses and the
work that they do in a broader
perspective.
“Nursing, I realize, isn’t just
about medicine. It’s also
about making – and preserving – that
human condition.”
Michelle
The
Lincoln Highway
Amor Towles
You
know the kind of book that you begin
to read and find that you just can’t
put it down? Best selling
author, Amor Towles, (writer of A
Gentleman in Moscow) doesn’t disappoint
in yet another story-telling
success. It is a story that is
set in the 1950’s and told from the
viewpoints of each of four
characters. The connection
that they have with each other, and
to you as the reader, is a mark of
the writing talent of Towles.
So pick a good day, open this book
and enjoy the art of reading!
Peril
Bob Woodward and
Robert Costa
Whenever a crisis occurs there is
always a tendency for quick
explanations, suppositions, theories
and opinions to abound – most of
them unfounded. The best that
can be done is to find sound
research based on voices that you
can trust to dig deep and wide for
answers. Such is the case in
“Peril”. Woodward and Costa
interview over 200 people involved
in the political crisis surrounding
the January 6, 2021
attack on the U.S. Capital.
They went through some 6,000 pages
of transcripts to document the
details of calls, conversations,
orders and records. In this
process much is uncovered, often in
personal accounts, about the peril
of that time period. In order
to come together for a better
future, it is necessary to become
more knowledgeable about the past.
Travels with George
In Search of
Washington
and His Legacy
Nathaniel Philbrick
In
1789 after becoming the first
president of a newly established
country, George Washington was
challenged with a land of divided
territories, personalities and
beliefs. Though Thomas
Jefferson had provided a structure
for governing with the Constitution,
Washington
felt that there would never be a
united country unless they all saw
themselves as one- Americans.
With this in mind he began a journey
taking three years to visit all of
the new territories. He wanted
to know them and for them to know
their government. Then 229
years later Nathaniel Philbrick
commits to making the same journey
as close as conditions would allow.
He, his wife and Dora (his dog)
travel, do research and come to know
these states in much the same way
George Washington did. Myths
are debunked, ugly history revealed,
and heroes discovered (warts and
all). As the 18th &
20th century stories
interweave it is obvious that though
there is still much to be done; it
is a country well worth knowing and
blessed by the sacrifices on its
behalf.
“By
subsuming sectional and
philosophical interests to the good
of the whole, the Union is the
antidote to arrogance and
self-importance, because there will
always be something bigger than a
single person, town, city, state, or
region-or any single race, religion,
sexual orientation, or set of
beliefs.”
Nathaniel Philbrick
The Color of Water
A Black Man’s Tribute
to His White Mother
James McBride
An
accomplished journalist and
musician, James McBride shares the
story of growing up with a white,
Jewish mother who refused to admit
that she was either. Her
mission in life was to see that all
twelve of her children complete
college and live a “good” life.
This she did by sheer force and,
“the grace of God”. How she
took them from the housing project
in Brooklyn to their varied
professional & personal lives is an
inspirational journey. The open
discussion of race and identity
brings new perspectives and leads
one to understand why his mother
always said to him, “Like water, you
have no color. You just are”.
McBride gives a moving tribute to
all mothers as he honors his own.
“....
the greatest gift that anyone can
give anyone else is life. And
the greatest sin a person can do to
another is to take away that life.”
American Happiness and
Discontents
The Unruly Torrent
2008-2020
George F. Will
This
book is a compilation of articles
written for the Washington Post by
well-known conservative writer,
George Will. Often used as an
intelligent and well researched
authority on a myriad of subjects,
he tackles many of the topics of
policies and politics in the world
today. There is a
cross-sectioning of the perspectives
of practices through his learned-and
often humorous-stories. The
behind the scenes look at
individuals and their influences
makes it a worthy read for all.
Though you may choose to disagree
with some of his conclusions, you
will find the process educational.
“In
order to diminish our current
discontents if Americans adhere to
two categorical imperatives: They
should behave as intelligently as
they can, and should be as cheerful
as is reasonable.”
George Will
The Painted Veil
Somerset
Maugham
Reading
“The Painted Veil” is to be reminded
of why some books belong to the
Classics. They can be read and
reread throughout your life, giving
something new with each reading in a
way that only great writers can
accomplish. Somerset Maugham
is masterful at telling a story.
The book revolves around a young
English woman who marries for all
the wrong reasons. After being
unfaithful, she is subjected to a
move into cholera ridden rural China in the 1920’s. In is the
reality of her circumstances there
she is fundamentally changed.
She returns to
England
determined to find the sense of
peace that eluded her in China. The book became a movie
and is now one of the “golden
oldies”.
Anxious People
Fredrik Backman
If you
read “A Man Called Ove” (and I hope
that you did!) you might recognize
this author’s name. As a
Backman fan, initially, I found this
story and plot of this story
somewhat convoluted. Though
tempted to set it aside, I continued
reading and was rewarded with more
of Backman’s insights into human
behavior. His ability to see
the foibles and strengths in each
character has the reader connecting
with them through their “anxious”
times. Like them, you come to
understand what really matters –
listening, connecting, truth and
acceptance.
“the
enduring power of friendship,
forgiveness and hope – the things
that save us, even in the most
anxious of times.”
Greenlights
Matthew McConaughey
Another memoir by another famous
person, why bother?
Maybe
because this book is as
multi-faceted and as likable as
McConaughey, himself. Using
the title “Greenlights” as a
metaphor for the good times when
everything works; the yellow
and, especially, red lights –
triggering warnings and freefalls
into failure and despair. He
shares events in his past that
allowed him to take control of the
“lights”, thus, becoming confident
in his ability to live life on his
own terms. Open, honest, humorous
and, by turns, spiritual,
philosophical and poetic –
McConaughey provides a good read
and, perhaps, inspires for your own
“path”. As he says, life
is an on-going process. Giving
attention to that process can
improve the greenlight
possibilities.
“When
we are competent at our values and
place more value on competence, we
create a more valuable society”.
Matthew McConaughey
The Overstory
Richard Powers
(Pulitzer Prize
Winner)
An
interesting book that deviates from
traditional storytelling by
intertwining personal dramas,
cultural philosophies and universal
truths. The reader’s level of
knowledge and sympathy to the
problems of nature vs. humans well
might determine the value in reading
this book. In attempting to
save the remaining virgin forests of
the world, the characters go to
great lengths to get the attention
of those who are not “listening”.
Though their methods become extreme
they believe that the message is
essential for the survival of not
only forests but for mankind, as
well. Confronted with detailed
information about the attributes of
nature, the reader must decide
between being aware, being informed
or becoming active. A very
different read but well worth the
effort.
-The
trees are trying to tell us:
“Listen. There is something you
need to hear”.
West With Giraffes
Lynda Rutledge
As a
reader, what is more satisfying than
to close a book with a sigh and say,
“Now that was a good story”! Woodrow
Wilson Nickel (yes, a “wooden
nickel”) begins his tale at 105
years of age. The reader
accompanies him in his race to
record his memories while he can.
Based on historical events –two
giraffes surviving an oceanic
hurricane and a cross-country
transport to CA- the road adventures
to get to the San Diego Zoo begin.
Across the country newspapers use
this uplifting story to combat the
news of the Dust Bowl era and the
beginnings of WWII. A boy
coming of age on the journey learns
that “home, family, trust, peace”
can come in many forms. The
passing of time becomes not as
important as those special moments
that will stay with you forever.
A worthy read.
“Few
friends have I known and two were
giraffes...”
The Daughters of Yalta
The Churchills,
Roosevelts and Harrimans:
A Story of Love and
War
Catherine Grace Katz
A great read of a pivotal
point in world history based on the
experiences of three world leaders
and their daughters. The effects
that each of these women in their
relationships with their fathers,
emotional and political, had on the
outcomes of this international
summit is remarkable. The depth of
the research and intimate details of
the process bring history to life.
Katz shares personal letters and
talks that reveal why these women
were chosen to accompany their
fathers at this particular time and
how it affected their loves and
lives. It will leave many questions
about what was and what could have
been at that point in time.
An Inconvenient Woman
Stephanie Buelens
Is she
crazy, evil or just confused? These
people who come into her life, are
they friends or enemies? How does a
“sin eater” work into the story?
These are questions that that
interplay throughout the book “An
Inconvenient Woman”. A book with
enough twists and turns that you
will not want to put it down.
Enjoy!
No Time Like the
Future
(An Optimist Considers
Mortality)
Michael J. Fox
For a
story that will help you rethink
your health issues, this is the
book. Michael Fox came from
Canada
eager to make his mark in
entertainment. He had almost
immediate television success with
family comedy shows. At the
age of twenty-nine with a wife and a
new baby, he was at the top of his
game. Then he was diagnosed
with early onset Parkinson’s
disease. Like all of the other
challenges in his life, he was
optimistic about dealing with it in
a way in which he could live his
best life. He created the
Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson’s Research, became a
global advocate and raised millions
of dollars to help others.
However, additional challenges kept
coming. A brain tumor,
followed by a spinal cord tumor (not
associated with Parkinson) and,
finally, multiple breaks in his arms
that required extensive surgery.
His life perspective becomes
strained to the point of collapse.
Through his sense of humor, family
stories and personal reflection he
takes you through a journey of life
and loss. The challenge to
focus on the people in your life and
gratitude for what you can do (as
opposed to what you can’t) is
inspiring. It is more than
just a good read.
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
If you are the kind of reader that
appreciates a shake up in a book –
style, plot and philosophy- this is
the book for you! In a fictional
sojourn between life and death (the
Midnight Library), Nora Seed must
examine life within its many facets.
What would have happened had she
made different decisions along the
way? Would she have had fewer
regrets? She must come to terms with
what makes a “well-lived” life. In
doing so, she discovers the beauty
of ordinary life.
The Doctors Blackwell
How Two Pioneering
Sisters Brought Medicine to Women
and Women to Medicine
Janice P. Nimura
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first
woman ever to earn a medical
degree. Her sister, Emily
Blackwell, was the second. That
story of their quest in 19th
century medicine and society is
incredible. Believing from an early
age that they were meant to “make a
difference in the world”, they
focused their entire lives on making
that happen. Never relaxing their
high standards of intelligence,
integrity or intensity- they
accomplished miraculous medical
changes on two continents. Fighting
the system of male domination,
questioning medical training and
practices, always searching for
money and support won them respect
and, eventually, acceptance in the
medical community. Resolved,
eccentric, relentless, visionary,
idealistic – all apt descriptors of
these amazing women. Now, as a
result of their efforts 35% of
physicians and 50% of medical
students are female!
The Crown
in Crisis
Countdown to the
Abdication
Alexander
Larman
As
Americans, we are often quite
fascinated by British history,
especially when it relates to the
royal family. A legendary tale of
the abdication of King Edward VIII,
“The Crown in Crisis” recounts that
story in a remarkable style. The
intrigues of that era are covered in
an analytical progression that has
the reader fully involved in an
event that came close to destroying
the monarchy. On December 10, 1936,
the first king ever to abdicate his
ascension to the throne declared
that he could not fulfill his duty
without the woman that he loved
beside him. In the previous months
family, politicians, the press,
lawyers, high society and the public
at large – all took some part in the
final decisions of the abdication.
Based on principle, animosity,
friendship and legalities, the issue
took on a worldwide dimension that
called into question regal behaviors
both moral and social. New material
of a possible assassination of the
king, background on his Nazi
relationships and interviews with
those closest reveal other hidden
aspects. It is a love story, a
political debate and, most of all,
history at its best.
The
Brothers Karamazov
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Recently, I was reminded when
reading to reconsider the Classics
even if it was a book that I had
read twenty or thirty years ago. I
would know why it was considered a
Classic and my perspectives would
have changed with experience. I
found that to be the case in my
rereading of “Brothers Karamazov”.
This time I carefully read the
descriptive and philosophical
treatises (instead of glossing over
them).The nineteenth century Russian
history provided clues in the
development of the story of an
irascible, old man and his three
sons. Throughout the story myriad
facets of religion, politics and
ethics are explored. The psychology
of the characters is the strength of
the book. You understand why they
are who they are and how that
effects their relationship with one
another. So, whether it is this
particular book or another, take a
second look at the Classics!
The Great Divorce
C.S. Lewis
Through
his skills of interweaving fantasy
and philosophy, Lewis challenges the
reader to consider good vs evil and
grace vs judgement in “The Great
Divorce”. On his literary journey
through heaven, one must consider
what is valued most in life. Lewis
takes issue with William Blake’s
“The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”
because he says that “Either the day
must come when joy prevails and all
the makers of misery are no longer
able to infect it: or else forever
and ever the makers of misery can
destroy in others the happiness they
reject for themselves”. “Becoming
Mrs. Lewis” (Patti Callahan) is a
good precursor for reading this book
in that it gives insight into Lewis’
personal life and the religious
journey that he was on.
Salt
A World History
Mark Kurlansky
“Salt” is
book that through the years has been
looked at, leafed through and
discarded as “dry and
uninteresting”. Though listed as one
of the “100 Books That You Ought to
Read in Your Lifetime”, it isn’t a
book that you would readily sit down
and read. However, if you do, it
will be a book of a lifetime.
Kurlansky covers the evolution of
mankind using salt as the focus.
This simple compound is instrumental
in the development of currency,
trade routes, growth of cities and
monopolies. He integrates economic,
scientific, political, religious and
culinary issues throughout the book.
It broadens the reader’s horizons
and will connect with so many
subjects that weren’t expected. If
you are “worth your salt” you will
choose to read this worthy book and
be proud that you did.
Talking to Strangers
What We Should Know About
The People We Don’t Know
Malcolm
Gladwell
We meet “strangers” everyday –
at the grocery store, in the bank,
at our front door – and immediately
begin to make judgments about them.
Our interaction is then based on
what we perceived. What about when
the stranger is a doctor, a judge, a
policeman? Is our perception any
different? Malcolm Gladwell
simplifies a complex subject, taking
what would appear to be random ideas
and pulling them together for a
conclusion. His case histories
(Bernie Madoff, Amanda Knox, Sylvia
Plath) are well-researched and make
interesting reading. The reader
finds that there are understandings
of human behavior that determine
whether “stranger” interactions are
productive or invite conflict and
misunderstanding. This book is a
meaningful read for those interested
in improved social discourse.
The Outlaw
Ocean
Journeys Across
the Last Untamed Frontier
Ian Urbina
Look at a
map of the world and what is seen will
mostly be the color blue designating the
oceans of our planet earth. Considering
how vital it is to us, we know amazing
little about these areas. Without
attention it has, like the early days of
the wild west, fallen into the hands of
those who would exploit and benefit from
it. Ian Urbina takes the reader on a
journey through the lives of those who
rule this hidden world. From his own
experiences, after years of traveling
and interviewing those on the open sea,
he recounts the horrors, the treachery
and the never to be regained losses of
this dark realm. Not a happy read, but
a necessary one if you to be aware of
what is happening where boundaries,
laws, life and death are determined by
big oil, fishing and shipping
companies. Each chapter is a different
aspect of the disasters currently
happening on the waters around you. A
read that will stay with you long after
you put the book down.
His Truth is
Marching On
John Lewis and
the Power of Hope
Jon Meacham
Looking at
this title you might think of this book
as events far removed from today's
issues. However, Meacham describes the
early civil rights movement as
underscoring everything that we now are
experiencing in our racial divide. John
Lewis, the son of a tenant farmer,
begins at the age of eighteen the
actions and philosophy that will stay
with him throughout his life. The
concept of a "Beloved Community" of all
is his guiding principle, accomplished
by nonviolence at all costs, through
sit-ins, marches and, finally, politics.
A mild mannered, soft spoken man, he
managed to provide inspiration and
change in a nation. Reading Meacham's
account of this historical movement
provides the reader insights into the
courage and hope that John Lewis' life
exemplified.
Alice's
Network
Kate Quinn
What a
fantastic read! Quinn manages to blend
authenticity and fiction by citing known
people and events with her dialogue and
characterizations. The characters become
so vivid that you feel connected to
them. The war time experiences of the
female espionage agents are full of
intrigue and keep you wanting to know
what happens next After two wars there
are two women whose lives are woven
together by revenge and hope and
survival. The story will stay in your
mind long after you have finished it.
Becoming
Mrs. Lewis
Patti
Callahan
Though you
may be familiar with the name C.S.
Lewis, you may not recognize the name
Joy Davidson. Yet the story of their
relationship was one of the most
poignant of its day. In this book which
of historical fiction, Patti Callahan
takes the factual accounts from her
research and with her commentary brings
life to the fusion of these two soul
mates. Through years of friendship
filled with letters, conversations,
poetry and literature, joy and C.S. find
emotional truths that change their
lives. One truth is a religious
conversion shared so deeply that it
continues to connect them for all time.
Joy Davidson describes how society
influences women of that time as she
searches for her own authentic life. She
comes to be a major influence on Lewis's
work with her intellect, writing talent
and knowledge of literature. Her
encouragement and understanding of him
lead them both to new heights and,
eventually, to a love so strong that it
survives all expectations.
A Long
Petal of the Sea
Isabel
Allende
Historical
fiction at its best! Isabel Allende has
done her research in revealing the highs
and lows of South American history for
the period of 1938-1991. Beginning in
Spain during the Spanish Civil War, one
family must flee their home in order to
survive. Their story as they are forced
to travel over continents describes
wars, prisons, immigration woes and
family secrets as fiction and history
blend to make an incredible book. The
trials of freedom and repression reflect
political injustices that are found in
the world today. Throughout these
conflicts there remains a message of
endurance emphasizing the value of
family and support in finding meaning in
their lives.
Why We Are
So Polarized
Ezra Klein
This is a
book that, literally, picked me. In
looking through the new nonfiction books
I found this title. Having been
concerned for some time about the
ever-growing divide throughout this
country, it seemed just the book that I
needed. Klein discusses identities;
individual, group and political. He
points out that though these work
separately, collectively they become
dysfunctional. In taking the reader
through the structural and psychological
forces at work, much can be learned
about oneself and others. Though there
are no final answers, there is a set of
approaches that might help us define our
own political identity in a way that
works better for ourselves and our
country. A worthy read!
The
Splendid and the Vile
A saga of
Churchill, Family & Deviance
Erik
Larson
Though
much has been written about Winston
Churchill and his leadership during the
Blitz, this author provides an intimate
story of how the personal lives of those
around him were affected. How does one
live under war conditions year after
year and how do they deal with the
stress of the relentless nightly bombing
attacks? How is it that the British
become more determined as cities
deteriorate and lives are lost? What
finally convinces America to become
involved? These are the kind of
questions answered in the interesting,
readable style of Eric Larson. It is a
story that will stay with you long after
you have read it and help in
understanding the relationship between
Britain and America.
This is
Chance!
Jon
Mooallen
Anywhere
in the world there is always the
possibility of being hit by an
occurrence that is so disastrous that it
can fundamentally change the life of its
inhabitants. Such is the case in Alaska
in the spring of 1964. A 9.2 magnitude
earthquake comes on Good Friday just as
the people of Anchorage are getting off
work and heading home. Sociologists will
later study this site to determine why
the panic and criminal behavior one
would expect in such a situation did not
occur. One of the myriad reasons was a
woman named Genie Chance. This is her
story and told in such a way that it is
believable and suspenseful throughout.
As she moderates the dialogue of the
disaster, almost from the first moment,
Chance calms, informs and comforts the
people of Alaska. You owe it to yourself
to appreciate the difference one person
can make in an emergency.
The
Stranger in the Woods The Extraordinary
Story of the Last True Hermit
Michael
Finkel
If you have ever come
to the end of a trip or an experience
and thought, "I could live like this
forever" you will want to read this
book. A twenty-year-old man gets to the
end of the road, puts the keys on the
center console, takes his back pack and
disappears into the northern Maine woods
for twenty-three years. Finkel gives
voice to a man who chose to find his own
way in a world that was attempting to
round off edges to make a square fit
into a round hole. The research, the
questions, opinions and real-life
stories make for rare insight into this
occurrence. Whether agreeing with Chris
Wright's choices or not, the reader will
benefit from considering them.
The Nickel
Boys
Colson
Whitehead
The Nickel
Academy near Tallahassee, Florida was a
reformatory for "wayward" boys for 111
years. Its original mission was to
provide "physical, intellectual and
moral training" as a structure for these
boys to have a better life. The court
system regularly placed boys in the
facility as a means of "straightening
them out". In "The Nickel Boys" a young
man, Elwood Curtis, makes a mistake and
his life changes forever. In a vicious
environment, he attempts to cope with
the grotesque practices of the staff and
officials in the early sixties. His
story exposes corrupt officials,
sadistic beatings and the mysterious
disappearance of boys taken "out back".
Rumors had abounded for some time but
now investigations were demanded and
bodies found. This book becomes a
disturbing reality that marks a part of
northwest Florida's history at that
time.
Hill Women
Cassie
Chambers
As a
lawyer, a writer and a native of one of
the poorest areas in the Appalachian
Mountains, Cassie Chambers sets out to
correct the often-negative stereotypes
of the women who live there. She
describes the complicated issues that
affect them and the strength and drive
utilized in dealing with daily survival.
Their commitment to family and those in
the "holler" provides a network that
takes the place of little or no social
services. Chambers fondness for her
homeland and the stability that she was
found there, leads her to return to
offer help and show understanding of the
prevalent fear and hopelessness of the
"hillbillies". A warm, coming of age
story of a young woman whose dream is to
make a difference.
Edison
Edmund
Morris
The name
of Thomas Edison brings to mind his most
well-known invention, the universal
electric light. Little is known of his
1,093 other inventions, such as the
universal stock ticker, the electric
meter, reversible battery, a miner's
safety lamp, a sensor capable of
registering the heat of star light and
the list goes on. Several inventions
that benefited the military and medical
fields he never patented but left for
the use of those in need. Delving into
the many areas of study done by Edison
(chemistry, botany, business), the
in-depth research in this book gives
information to the times and the people
connected to him throughout his life. As
well as, being the genius inventor that
defined him, Edison was a compulsive,
complicated figure. Reading about him
will enlighten the reader with an entire
era of possibilities and progress.
The Boy,
the Mole,
the Fox
and the Horse
Charlie
Mackesy
Minutes to
read it. a lifetime to achieve it.
One Day
(The
extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24
Hours in America)
Gene
Weingarten
Imagine
picking at random one 24-hour period and
using stories that happened through that
particular day as a microcosm for
everyday life in America. Gene
Weingarten did exactly that. selecting
the date of Dec. 28. 1986. He shares
stories (and gives follow-ups) from
throughout that 24-hour period. It is
interesting how many incidents will seem
familiar to the reader. You will find
comedy. tragedy. irony. kindness.
idiocy. prejudice. and coincidence - all
faces of the human condition. It took
Weingarten six years to write this book
in order to do the research and. in some
cases. to see how the story turned out.
The end result being that the reader
begins to see how many possibilities
exist on any given day and how choices
made influence future circumstances.
Smoke Gets
In Your Eyes
&
Other
Lessons From The Crematory
Caitlin
Doughty
Though
most people prefer not to think about
death, for those who would like to
examine their discomfort or fears of the
process, this is the book. Written in an
open, honest, and, often, humorous
writing style, Caitlin Doughty makes an
attempt to demystify the process of
death. Candidly, she shares stories
(sad, funny, endearing, sometimes,
morbid) of trying to come to terms with
her own fears and questions regarding
what she terms "the dark culture". That
includes those in the industry who often
perpetuate practices that depersonalize
the experience or give half-truths about
laws, health concerns or costs.
Doughty's wish is to remove both stigma
and alienation from the funeral process.
She shares funeral practices of other
cultures focusing on the values of each.
Her easy style makes what would
otherwise be a taboo subject,
approachable and interesting. At some
point, she reminds, we all will face the
inevitable, how prepared we are is up to
each of us.
The Last
Palace Europe's Turbulent Century in
Five Lives
and One
Legendary House
Norman
Eisen
A
legendary story of historical and
personal significance through a century
of modern European history, "The Last
Palace" is a worthy read. It is best
described in the words of Madeline
Albright, "the battle for Democracy
through the lives of people who fought
it and those who would destroy it". How
did America become the owner of Prague's
"Last Palace"? How did Shirley Temple
play a role in defining democracy for
Czechoslovakia? Why does the political
history of a country half a world away
matter to America? What can be learned
from the lessons shared? A remarkable
read about one residence, six
inhabitants and a century of history.
NOTORIOUS
RBG
The Life
and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Irin
Carmon & Shana Knizhnik
This book
will remind you of why you enjoy a
having a hard copy book to read! Funny,
informative and inspirational, it has
much for the avid reader. The time
lines, charts and illustrations give
extensive information in different
formats (my favorite is the "doodle
page"). To read Ginsburg's story is to
become aware of the richness and depth
that she has contributed to the judicial
process. The authors give insight into
her work ethic and her consistent
political philosophy. Her quiet, strong
style is enhanced by her ability to work
with those of differing opinions while
staying strong on issues that are
important to her. Underestimated for a
number of years, she has become a
popular phenomenon in recent years for
young professionals. Currently the
longest sitting Supreme Court Judge,
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is still
hard-working ("the work is not done yet
and neither am I") and full of fun. A
worthy read!
Elaine's
Circle
A teacher,
a student, a classroom and one
unforgettable year
By Bob
Katz
If you had
that teacher that was so special she/he
made a difference in the lives of all of
the children in that classroom, you will
relate with this beautiful story of
Elaine Moore. As stated by Bob Katz, if
you go into any school and talk to
different people there, you will hear
about acts of dedication, determination,
sacrifice or plain old magic. Schools,
he says, are the great untapped resource
for true heroism and passion. Elaine
Moore, a fourth grade teacher in Eagle
River, Alaska is one of those stories.
Always an outstanding and passionate
teacher, during this particular year,
one of her students is diagnosed with
terminal brain cancer. The beauty of how
she makes this issue a life lesson for
her students and their families is a
testament to all outstanding teachers
everywhere. You will want to share this
life lesson with them.
The Moment
of Lift,
How
Empowering Women Changes the World
By Melinda
Gates
The title
sums up the message of this amazing
read. If you are inclined to bypass this
book as just another rich, famous
person's take on the world, give it a
chance. After years of travel and
experiences, Melinda Gates has one major
takeaway - When we lift women and
children everywhere, it benefits us all.
From boardrooms to ghettos she found the
need to a) work with women (they can
make change happen), b) listen (what you
want may not be what they need), and c)
get involved (it must happen at the
local level). She gives a smart,
thoughtful and passionate plea for the
women of the world. You may not have her
connections (or money) but you do have
the ability to lift others up, help them
with obstacles and give them power to
shape their lives. A meaningful
contribution, no matter how small makes
for a better future for all is her
lesson to the reader.
Haben, a
Memoir
The Deaf
blind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law
School
Haben
Girma
Books are
read for many reasons; entertainment,
love of prose, the thrill of the story
and, sometimes, to learn more about the
world we live in. The last is true in
this incredible account of how a young
girl resists the usual restrictions
associated with "disabilities". She
discovers that disability is an
opportunity for innovation, especially
in technology. There is much to be
learned as she travels the world and she
meets the challenge to know herself and
those around her. You will have a
greater respect for the individuals who
find themselves in the biggest minority
in this country, the disabled. Those who
wish not so much to be an inspiration as
to be respected for what they have to
offer.
Maybe You
Should Talk to Someone
Lori
Gottlieb
If you
have ever talked to a therapist, wanted
to talk to a therapist or are inclined
to think that you would never talk to a
therapist - this new book is worth of a
read! Lori Gottlieb manages to share
information, experiences (some are her
patient's, some her own) and, most of
all, life lessons in this readable book
about human development. It is the kind
of book where you find yourself wanting
to underline passages that speak to you
(i.e., use this day well, you will never
get it back). With Gottlieb, you will
cheer the successes, consider the
failures, mourn the losses and
appreciate the hard work that most
people are going through in trying to
make the most of the choices that they
have made in their lives. After reading
her shared insights, you may well feel
the need to "talk" to someone, even if
it is to yourself!
"Who lives
sees, but who travels, sees more" (Ibn
Buttutah)
"An
Arabian Journey" (Levison Wood)
It is this
spirit that in 2017, Levison Wood begins
a journey in which he will
circumnavigate the Arabian Peninsula
with no agenda except to better
understand the history and mythology in
this land of ancient civilization. It is
a perilous journey of 5,000 miles on
camel, jeep and foot that will take him
through some of the most contested
regions on the planet. He speaks to
people of differing backgrounds
(sheikhs, soldiers, fishermen,
immigrants) about their daily lives,
religious beliefs and political
persuasions. In an effort to understand
the contradiction and, often, hypocrisy
of differing cultures, he asks the hard
questions, goes to the hidden places and
pushes the limits of comfort and safety.
In reading this book, you will find a
backdrop that provides a deeper
dimension to current news reports of
this troubled area.
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