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A Baker's Dozen of Staff PicksFebruary 2018
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Check out what our staff is recommending this month!
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If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to subscribe to our bimonthly issue, you may do so by visiting Avon Lake Public Library homepage and clicking on Find New Books to Read under the Quick Links section. Simply place a check next to A Baker's Dozen of Staff Picks or any other newsletter you might be interested in receiving.
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Prairie Fires : the American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline FraserA comprehensive historical portrait of Laura Ingalls Wilder draws on unpublished manuscripts, letters, diaries and official records to fill in the gaps in Wilder's official story, sharing lesser-known details about her pioneer experiences while challenging popular misconceptions about how her books were ghostwritten.
Laura: Adult Services "Using multiple primary sources, including the letters and other writings of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, as well as those of her daughter Rose, who was also a writer, author Caroline Fraser meticulously reconstructs Wilder's life, most of it spent in poverty and full of hardships. The romantic ideals of the revered Little House books and television series are stripped away in this fascinating, unsettling account of a true pioneer woman."
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The Good Daughter : a novel by Karin SlaughterDecades after a shattering confrontation that left her mother dead and her sister traumatized, a New York-based lawyer returns to her Atlanta hometown to help her father save the life of a young woman accused of a school shooting. By the best-selling author of the Grant County series. Nicole: Children's Department "A twisting, fast-paced thriller sure to keep you reading late into the night!"
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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanA curmudgeon hides a terrible personal loss beneath a cranky and short-tempered exterior while clashing with new neighbors, a boisterous family whose chattiness and habits lead to unexpected friendship.
Jess: Adult Services "If you missed this novel when it was first released, it is definitely worth picking up. A lesson on not judging a book by its cover. . .that goes for books and people, too."
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Stay With Me by Ayobami AdebayoSecure in the love of her husband in spite of cultural pressures for him to have a polygamous marriage, Yejide is overwhelmed by shock and pain when her initial inability to become pregnant compels her husband to take a second wife, a situation that leads to her own desperate and fateful quest to conceive a child.
Carrie: Technical Services "Desperate to have a child, hopefully a son, a young Nigerian couple struggle to meet the expectations of family and society. The story reflects a culture in which a woman's role is seen as bearing a child for her husband in a society where multiple wives are acceptable, especially if the first wife has not had a child. So many twists and turns in this author's debut novel that exposes the desperate attempts we seek to save ourselves and those we love from heartbreak."
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The Driver : a novel by Hart HansonA debut thriller by the award-winning creator of Bones traces the experiences of an Army special forces sergeant turned limo driver who, after hearing a ghost's warning of imminent danger, finds himself implicated in a murder, a situation that is further complicated by his crush on the case's lead detective. Dan: Page Supervisor "This is Hart Hanson’s first novel. I just recently learned he is responsible for the TV series “Bones” and has been a producer. I thought the book was a good action mystery, where the author treats his characters like real people instead of ‘super heroes’ who never get hurt in action sequences. I liked the author’s use of language and voice that he gave his characters. I look forward to his future offerings, “brah”!"
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Virginia: Librarian Substitute
"I wanted to know more about what an instant pot can do. Shumski described all of the various ways an instant pot can be used in this book. He provides recipes for each function and advises tweaks to get the best results. It was easy to understand the cooking time reduction using an instant pot versus conventional cooking methods. If you haven't yet mastered the instant pot, this book is a great place to start." |
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If the Creek Don't Rise : a novel by Leah WeissOne of innumerable women in a North Carolina mountain town facing a bleak future with a dangerous alcoholic husband, Sadie considers a different life when a stranger sweeps in and knocks the world off-kilter for the entire community.
Ann: Adult Page "A story of a young woman's difficult life in Appalachia."
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The Prefect by Alastair ReynoldsA hardened law enforcement officer, Prefect Tom Dreyfus, gets more than he bargained for when an investigation into a murderous attack on a space habitat--a crime that has left nine hundred people dead--uncovers a covert plot by a mysterious entity seeking total control of the region. Gerry: Administration "Written as a way-prequel to Chasm City, this is life in the Glitter Band -- thousands of independent orbiting habitats -- before it became the Rust Belt. Police must tread carefully as a sinister force threatens civilization. There is now a sequel to this one called Elysium Fire that should answer more questions."
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The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik BackmanIt all begins with a father telling a story to his son on Christmas Eve. But this isn’t your typical Christmas story. The father admits to his son that he’s taken a life, but he won’t say whose—not yet. Vicki: Circulation Department "This is a story of a man's selfless acts of love."
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Where Oliver Fits by Cale AtkinsonOliver, a little piece of a big puzzle, wonders how he will fit into the big picture of his life and whether or not he will be part of a unicorn's mane, a pirate squid tentacle, an astronaut's helmet or something else, in a metaphorical tale about finding the place where one belongs.
Carrie: Technical Services "Where Oliver Fits is a sweet tale of a puzzle piece that just can't seem to find his place. After attempts to change his look, Oliver soon discovers that staying true to yourself is always the best-fit. A nice story of acceptance for children and adults alike. Illustrations are excellent as well."
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Presents insightful wisdom to bring joy and passion to anyone who has ever waited for a special occasion to wear their good clothes, use the expensive jewelry, or have a bite of dessert. Jane: Circulation Department
"After seeing this author give a hilarious and meaningful TED talk at a recent seminar, I was inspired to see if the library had any books written by her, and found this title. Even though it it over 10 years old, each chapter reads like an essay on practical advice to slow down and celebrate life. This book offers techniques for handling stress, finding creativity and peace, and the need for lots of humor to allow us to seize each day." |
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Practicum Student "I could not put this book down. It is a story of an unlikely group of men who accomplished what some thought was impossible."
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Organized chronologically, starting with the earliest losses and ending with the latest, this book features much-loved Cleveland institutions that have been consigned to history. Losses include: City Hall, Diebolt Brewing Co., Luna Park, Sheriff Street Market, Hotel Winton, League Park, Union Depot, Hotel Allerton, Leo’s Casino, Cleveland Arena, Bond Store, The Hippodrome, Cuyahoga and Williamson buildings, Record Rendezvous, Standard Theatre, Hough Bakery, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Memphis Drive-In, and Parmatown Mall. Jen: Technical Services "This book is great, and so well researched! So many places that I had no idea existed and I wish were still in Cleveland today!"
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Avon Lake Public Library 32649 Electric Blvd. Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 440-933-8128alpl.org |
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