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A Baker's Dozen of Staff PicksFebruary, 2017
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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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Calling All Patrons. . . Do you have a book you would love to recommend to other patrons? We would like to hear from you! Please click on the link below and fill out the form. (Your title should be part of the Avon Lake Library collection.) The review may be posted in the library for patrons who are looking for book suggestions.
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Check out what our staff is recommending this month!
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Homegoing by Yaa GyasiTwo half-sisters, unknown to each other, are born into different villages in 18th-century Ghana and experience profoundly different lives and legacies throughout subsequent generations marked by wealth, slavery, war, coal mining, the Great Migration and the realities of 20th-century Harlem.
Jane: Circulation "Homegoing tells the story of two half sisters who have never met, Effia and Esi in Ghana, Africa, beginning in the late 18th century and spanning to the present day, each chapter is a character portrait of their descendants -one branch in America and the other in Africa. This is a debut novel for the 26 year old author and it is a page turner, looking at the history of slavery in Ghana and America."
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Cross Country by Robert SullivanThe author of The Meadowlands and Rats chronicles his family's annual migration across the country from Oregon to New York, documenting the minor disasters, humor, and offbeat experiences of life on the road, while reflecting on his nation-crossing predecessors--Lewis and Clark, Emily Post, Jack Kerouac, and others.
Jen: Technical Services
"The information the author provides in this book is amazing! The section on Ohio ("land of sports talk") and the Commodore Perry Service Plaza is so entertaining. I loved the entire cross country whole trip... starting from Portland, Oregon (following sections of the trail of Lewis and Clark) all the way to NYC. The author also reminisces on past cross country trips and includes historical trivia from all eras. A must read!" |
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The Wrong Side of Goodbye : a novel by Michael ConnellyThe award-winning author of such best-sellers as The Crossing and The Burning Room presents a latest thriller starring irrepressible detective Harry Bosch.
Dan: Page Supervisor
"Harry Bosch, now retired and working voluntarily in a small community police department, is contacted by an elderly billionaire. Harry is tasked to find a possible heir that may exist and report only to the billionaire. But Harry never works on one thing at a time so he's also juggling a case for the department he's voluntarily assisting. Each case shifts back and forth with emphasis on the case that has the hottest leads of the moment. Connelly keeps his readers on the edge of their seats as we read of Harry taking methodical steps to seek the truth." |
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Truevine : Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother's Quest : a True Story of the Jim Crow South by Beth MacyTells the true story of two African-American brothers who were kidnapped and displayed as circus freaks, and whose mother endured a 28-year struggle to get them back.
Laura: Adult Services "This book about two albino African-American brothers captured at a young age into the circus at the turn of the 20th century is a fascinating, if disconcerting, study in American and circus history, race relations, and civil and human rights. Especially timely considering that Ringling Brothers recently announced its closing after 146 years."
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Lilac Girls : a novel by Martha Hall KellyA debut novel inspired by the life of unlikely World War II heroine Caroline Ferriday follows the experiences of a Manhattan debutante, who resolves to help upon learning of the atrocities at the Ravensbruck concentration camp; and a Catholic teen, who is swept up in the Polish resistance movement.
Jill: Public Relations "For those who love historical WWII fiction, this debut novel is a must. Inspired by actual events and people, Kelly has woven a story of three women and their journey through the war. From New York, to Poland, to Germany, follow the tests and triumphs of these civilian women. The cowardice and cruelty can at times be unsettling, but the strength and bravery of these women during one of the darkest times in our nation's history will keep you turning the pages."
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The Attention Merchants : The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads by Tim WuThe award-winning author of The Master Switch, who coined the term ônet neutrality,ö discusses the companies that want to attract and harvest human attention and their relentless attempts to influence our consumption and purchases.
Gerry: Administration "The long history of psychology, propaganda, ad wizardry, amusement and trolling got us where we are today. What we pay attention to defines what we are."
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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine ApplegateWhen Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
Mary: Administration "A recent Newbery Medal winner for children's literature, The One and Only Ivan is based on a true story about a silverback gorilla who performs in a sideshow in a run-down shopping mall. Ivan is also an artist, and with the help of human friends, Ivan saves himself and baby elephant Ruby with his art. The real Ivan and Ruby now live in Zoo Atlanta where Ivan has assimilated to a gorilla troop, and continues to make art. Sounds like a downer, right? Nope, The One and Only Ivan is beautifully written - from the animals' point of view - and abounds in what every human on the planet needs the most - hope."
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Daisy in Chains by S. J BoltonWhen a convicted serial killer maintains his innocence and begs her to uncover the truth and tell his story, Maggie Rose, a notorious defense attorney and writer, goes against her better judgment when the man's persuasive charms prove irresistible. By the award-winning author of Little Black Lies. Dianne: Circulation "Who killed the three or is it four plus sized young women? Was it really the good looking and charming doctor Hamish Wolfe? He is in prison, convicted of their brutal murders but maintains his innocence. There is a cast of characters surrounding the case, any of whom could be the real killer including Hamish himself. What about that lawyer/true crime writer who has success in getting prisoner's convictions overturned or at least released on technicalities, could she help him get free or is she just looking for another true crime story to write about? Bolton keeps the reader guessing to the end."
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The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein In The Art of Racing in the Rain, mutt Enzo tells the story of his friendship with up-and-coming race car driver Denny and Denny's daughter Zo, as he takes on his family's challenges and emerges a hero. Jess: Adult Services "Enzo tells the touching story of his master, Denny. He shares his opinions as Denny takes on the many challenges, achievements and joys of his life. You may find this book impossible to put down as you read of the bond between Enzo and Denny and the strong love that ties them together." (Note: Author Garth Stein will speak at ALPL on April 10.)
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The Hundred-Foot Journey : a novel by Richard C. MoraisFollows the life journey of chef Hassan Haji, who progresses from his family's modest restaurant in Mumbai to master haute cuisine in an elegant Parisian restaurant
Karen: Adult Services "A novel about the devotion of family as they sacrifice to make dreams come true for their brother and son."
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Sin Bravely : a Memoir of Spiritual Disobedience by Maggie Wallem RoweAs a young girl, Maggie Rowe took the idea of salvation very seriously. Growing up in a moderately religious household, her fear of eternal damnation turned into a childhood terror that drove her to become an outrageously dedicated Born-again Christian —regularly slinging Bible verses in cutthroat scripture memorization competitions and assaulting strangers at shopping malls with the “good news” that they were going to hell. Finally, at nineteen, crippled by her fear, she checked herself in to an Evangelical psychiatric facility. And that is where her journey really began. (Amazon) Nadge: Adult Services
"Follow the journey of a born again Christian who performs on the Central Comedy Stage and checks herself in to an Evangelical psychiatric facility. What a combo! Nevertheless, it's a humorous ride on the roller coaster of life." |
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Destiny of the Republic : a Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice MillardA narrative account of the twentieth president's political career offers insight into his background as a scholar and Civil War hero, his battles against the corrupt establishment, and Alexander Graham Bell's failed attempt to save him from an assassin'sbullet.
Margo: Adult Page "This is a historical fiction book based on the life of President James A. Garfield. Did you know President Garfield never really wanted to be the president? He didn't even vote for himself! Such eye-opening tidbits made the book quite interesting to me."
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Red Queen by Victoria AveyardMare is a Red blood, a mere thief in a poor village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court where she discovers she has a supernatural ability of her own, so to cover up this impossibility the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess, but Mare risks everything to help the growing Red rebellion.
Tanya: Student Page
"Red Queen is a great book to read if you like dystopian fiction. I couldn't put it down after I started reading. This book keeps you on your wondering what will happen when you turn the page." |
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Avon Lake Public Library 32649 Electric Blvd. Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 440-933-8128alpl.org |
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