|
Biography and Memoir May 2019
|
|
|
|
| A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win WWII by Sonia PurnellWho it's about: undeterred American Virginia Hall, who didn't let workplace sexism and the loss of her leg in a hunting accident stop her from serving as a Special Operations Executive (SOE) spy in occupied France, where she established an underground resistance network.
Why you might like it: Offering breakneck pacing and plenty of wartime intrigue, this celebration of a little-known hero is "a joy to read" (Booklist).
Movie buzz: Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley is set to play Hall in a forthcoming film adaptation. |
|
|
A monk swimming : a memoir
by Malachy McCourt
What it's about: The actor-brother of Frank McCourt offers an entertaining, witty memoir of life in New York City during the freewheeling 1960s, detailing his quest for fame and fortune, family life, battle with alcoholism, and reunion with his long-estranged father.
|
|
|
A House in the Sky: A Memoir
by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett
What it's about: Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout had an avid desire to travel from the time she was young, and after visiting parts of Asia began a journalism career with a stint in Iraq. Persuading her friend Nigel to join her, she went on to Somalia, where they were kidnapped by bandits who demanded impossible sums for ransom and kept Lindhout shackled, starved, and in filthy conditions for ten months. A House in the Sky, written with journalist Sara Corbett, details her ordeal and explains how she found the strength to persevere.
What the reviews say: Kirkus Reviews calls this, in a starred review, a "gut-wrenching, beautifully written, memorable book."
|
|
|
The Lost City of the Monkey God : a true story
by Douglas J Preston
What it's about: The co-author of the FBI Agent Pendergast series presents a high-suspense account of the discovery of a lost civilization, contemporaries of the Mayans who lived deep in the Honduran jungle.
|
|
|
Wild : from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Cheryl Strayed
Also available as downloadable audio and book on CD.
What it's about: A powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir: the story of a 1,100 mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe--and built her back up again.
|
|
|
An Italian Affair
by Laura Fraser
What it's about: The author describes how, devastated by the breakup of her marriage, she embarked on a mind-healing journey to southern Italy, where she met an aesthetics professor from Paris with whom she shared a long-term love affair and who became a delightful traveling companion. Reader's Guide available.
|
|
|
Granny D : walking across America in my ninetieth year
by Doris Haddock
What it's about: A ninety-year-old activist from New Hampshire chronicles her fourteen-month walk from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness of the issue of national campaign-finance reform as she describes her lifelong commitment to activism and adventure--from feminism in the 1930s to a 1960 effort to stop nuclear testing near an Eskimo fishing village.
|
|
|
Disappointment River : finding and losing the Northwest Passage
by Brian Castner
Also available in large print.
What it's about: A decorated Iraq War veteran and author of The Long Walk describes his journey in the footsteps of 18th-century explorer Alexander Mackenzie and his discovery of the fabled Northwest Passage that Mackenzie never realized he had found.
|
|
|
I'll push you : a journey of 500 miles, two best friends, and one wheelchair
by Patrick Gray
What it's about: "Two best friends, 500 miles, one wheelchair, and the challenge of a lifetime. Friendship takes on new meaning in this true story of Justin and Patrick, born less than two days apart in the same hospital. Best friends their whole lives, they grew up together, went to school together, and were best man in each other's weddings. When Justin was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease that robbed him of the use of his arms and legs, Patrick was there, helping to feed and care for him in ways he'd never imagined. Determined to live life to the fullest, the friends refused to give into despair or let physical limitations control what was possible for Justin. So when Justin heard about the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile trek through Spain, he wondered aloud to Patrick whether the two of them could ever do it. Patrick's immediate response was: "I'll push you." I'll Push You is the real-life story of this incredible journey. A travel adventure full of love, humor, and spiritual truth, it exemplifies what every friendship is meant to be and shows what it means to never find yourself alone. You'll discover how love and faith can push past all limits--and make us the best versions of ourselves''
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
Central Mississippi Regional Library System
100 Tamberline Street
Brandon, Mississippi 39042
601-825-0100
http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us
|
|
|
|