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Biography and Memoir January 2020
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| The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire by Francesca Cartier BrickellWhat it is: a sweeping family history of French jewelry dynasty the Cartiers, from their humble 19th-century Parisian beginnings to their contemporary status as purveyors of globally-renowned luxury goods.
Read it for: the glitz, the glamour, and the gossip.
Author alert: Francesca Cartier Brickell is the great-granddaughter of Louis-François Cartier, who founded the eponymous company in 1847. |
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| She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman by Erica Armstrong DunbarWhat it is: a short, conversational biography of heroic Underground Railroad conductor, Union Army spy, and abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Why you might like it: Filled with photographs and eye-catching illustrations and sidebars, this engaging, pop-culture infused read "will leave even the least historically inclined readers in awe" (Booklist). |
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| All Blood Runs Red: The Legendary Life of Eugene Bullard -- Boxer, Pilot, Soldier, Spy by Phil Keith with Tom ClavinStarring: the first African American fighter pilot, Eugene Bullard, a war hero whose remarkable life has been largely forgotten by history.
What he did: Bullard achieved fame as boxer "Black Sparrow," served in the French Foreign Legion during both world wars, ran a Paris nightclub during World War II that he used to spy on Germans, and much more.
Don't miss: the surprising connection Bullard's life had to Casablanca; a jaw-dropping who's who of famous figures. |
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| What We Will Become: A Mother, a Son, and a Journey of Transformation by Mimi LemayWhat it's about: debut author Mimi Lemay's experiences parenting her young transgender son, Jacob.
Why you might like it: Told in alternating chapters, Lemay chronicles Jacob's transition and her own identity journey -- in her 20s, Lemay made the decision to leave behind the strict Orthodox Judaism of her childhood.
Try this next: Jodie Patterson's moving memoir The Bold World explores themes of family and identity from a black mother's perspective. |
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| In the Dream House by Carmen Maria MachadoWhat it's about: In this inventive collection of short essays, award-winning author Carmen Maria Machado (Her Body and Other Parties) unflinchingly recounts a relationship with an unstable woman that devolved into physical and psychological abuse.
What sets it apart: Machado's fragmented, genre-defying prose plays with storytelling tropes, offering a multilayered view of her relationship as a choose your own adventure, a noir, a stoner comedy, and more.
Book buzz: In the Dream House was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. |
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The greatest love story ever told : an oral history by Megan Mullally & Nick OffermanWhat it is: The popular comedic couple trace the story of their relationship, sharing anecdotes, family photos and secrets that reveal how they overcame considerable social differences through their shared values and mutual love of music and laughter. Reviews say: “Both partners come across as likable, grounded, unpretentious, and flawed enough to be believable...Those hoping that Hollywood couples are just like the rest of us, only maybe a little bit nicer and richer, should be pleased.” —Booklist
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What it is: Christopher Andersen reveals fascinating insights from important sources, and offers the full, poignant story of their life together. An Affair to Remember paints the complete, inspiring, often funny, sometime heartbreaking, always captivating portrait of the unique relationship between these two American icons.
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Love, life, and elephants : an African love story by Daphne Jenkins SheldrickWhat it's about: A conservationist who has dedicated her life to saving orphan elephants in Africa describes her relationships with late husband Tsavo Park warden David Sheldrick and a host of animals, including a dwarf mongoose, a buffalo weaver bird and the majestic elephant, Eleanor. About the author: Daphne Sheldrick has spent her entire life in Kenya. For over 25 years, she and her husband, David, the famous founder of the the giant Tsavo National Park, raised and rehabilitated back into the wild orphans of misfortune from many different wild species. These included elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, zebra, eland, kudu, impala, warthogs and many other smaller animals.
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What's inside: Through a lifetime’s worth of letters, photographs, and stories, Sosa and coauthor Kelly Anne Chase paint the portrait of the enduring relationship of George and Barbara Bush. Sharing intimate interviews with the Bushes and family friends, this is a never-before-seen look into the private life of a very public couple.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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