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Headquarters Staff Picks April 2018
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The Last Cowboys of San Geronimo by Ian Stansel Yee-haw! Reading this made me want to don a cowgirl hat and go on a horseback riding adventure…which would be impossible, since I’ve never even ridden a horse. But such was the power of this modern western that it moved me to want to take action. Though they can’t recall quite how it began, Frank Van Loy and his younger brother, Silas, have been caught up in a bitter feud for most of their adult lives. It has threatened to tear their family apart and break the family horse training business time and time again. When Frank ends up shot dead one day, both the police and his widow, Lena, believe Silas (who was last seen sneaking away on his horse, Disco) to be the prime suspect. Unbeknownst to everyone but her stable hand, Lena takes off one night on her own horse, Pepper, with the intention of finding Silas and bringing him to justice. The Last Cowboys of San Geronimo starts off at a gallop and never lets up, but neither does the author skimp out on important details especially when it comes to establishing setting. The chapters alternate between Lena and Silas’ perspectives and combine present day narratives with flashbacks and recollections from each of them. Right from the get-go you’ll be caught up in the thrill of the chase as this story of revenge, family, and forgiveness unfolds. *Isabel*
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Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi "No matter what the world said, my magic was beautiful. Even without powers, the gods had blessed me with a gift." In the world of Orïsha, a fictional realm based on West Africa, magic once thrived, and those blessed with it were revered as healers, warriors, and creators - they were maji. When a maji was born, their hair turns pure white as a sign they were blessed by the Gods, and on their thirteenth birthday, they would come into their power and become maji. Then, everything changed the day magic disappeared, and the tyrant King Saran ordered the maji hunted down and slaughtered, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people divided, oppressed, and without hope. Years have gone by as the divîners (those blessed by the Gods, but now without magic) struggle to survive. Then, by chance or the will of the Gods, Zélie is given a chance to change everything and bring magic back. With the help of her brother Tzain and the rebellious but naive princess Amari, Zélie must embark on a journey to complete a ritual that will either bring magic back, or rid the world of it forever. This has got to have been one of the most unique books I've read in ages! Not only that, I can hardly believe this was Tomi Adeyemi's literary debut. If you are a fan of fantasy, this is definitely one to check out. *Taylor*
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The Late Show by Michael Connelly Michael Connelly is a New York Times best-selling author and is one of my favorites. Best known for his Harry Bosch series, Connelly has started a new series starring a female detective. The Late Show, features a young detective named Renee Ballard, who has just been demoted to the night shift when she catches two assignments: the brutal attack of a prostitute and the killing of a young girl. As Renee begins to dig deeper, she finds that there may be a connection between the two. The Late Show is a fantastic read that will have you hooked from the first page. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I liked this book more than the Bosch and Haller series. I’m not sure if it’s because it stars a fierce female, or if the story line is better. If you’re a Connelly fan, be sure to read this new series before book 2 comes out! *Shannon* ** be on the look out: book 2, Dark Sacred Night comes out in late October**
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Women & Power : a manifesto by Mary Beard The intersection of women and power is much larger than can be whittled down to one book, especially a 100-page one, but Mary Beard’s going to give it a shot anyway. The renowned classicist and author of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome turns her critical but humorous eye to the concept of a woman’s place in positions of power in Women & Power: A Manifesto, which publishes two speeches Beard made in 2014 and early 2017. The first speech, “Public Voice of Women”, ties together the very complicated relationship women have to speaking in public fora and the very few classical women who strove to stand up and speak out. The second, “Women in Power”, tackles what women have always had to do in order to be as taken as seriously as men in similar positions of power. My interest in the classics originally drew me to Beard’s writing, but she makes excellent points throughout, comparing classical women like Penelope, publicly silenced 3,000 years ago by her son in the opening lines of The Odyssey, to modern women like Elizabeth Warren—publicly silenced at work in early 2017. Beard also delves into the modern use of Medusa imagery to influence politics, which is fascinating. Beard sprinkles her sense of humor through Women & Power, lightening the mood ever so slightly and giving readers the air of hearing a friend speak eloquently, instead of listening to a dry lecture. Accompanying images really hammer the point home. I’m hoping Beard expands Women & Power: A Manifesto into a full length dissection of the topic, but for now, the pocket size version will do. *Jess*
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Grist Mill Road : a novel by Christopher J Yates On a sunny afternoon in 1982, Matthew, Patrick and Hannah (all young teens) walk into the woods together. One comes out missing an eye, one goes to prison, and all will remain haunted by the event that took place that day for the rest of their lives. Their paths cross again when they're in their 40s and the picture that was painted from the beginning is peeled back to reveal a different truth. Ultimately telling a story of how scars suffered in childhood never really go away. With a horrific start, a middle that develops characters with precision and an ending that left me heart-broken, Yates is an extremely talented writer in terms of imagination and execution. An emotional and psychological ride for sure. *Crystal*
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What You Don't Know About Charlie Outlaw : a novel by Leah StewartWe all have different ways of dealing with break-ups and as a public figure, getting the privacy needed to lick your wounds and sob into a gallon of ice cream without judgment can be hard to come by. So when Charlie Outlaw, a handsome, newly successful actor (I totally pictured Kevin Pearson of This is Us) and his actress girlfriend split after a controversial magazine interview, he disappears and no one really thinks much of it. His now ex-girlfriend, Josie, throws herself into her own work and tries hard not to think about the end of the relationship and how much she still loves Charlie. Which is hard to do when she finds out she's carrying his child. Charlie, meanwhile, has been captured and is being held for ransom by a group of ecoterrorists in defiance of a new resort being built on the island he decided to vacation/recuperate on. But - can it be? - the kidnappers have no idea he's a celebrity! This book is exciting, charming, and thoughtful. It takes quite a lot for a book to be both comedic at times and a little scary at others. The author deftly navigates themes of self-awareness and celebrity and the alternating perspectives of both Charlie and Josie provide an enjoyable, contemporary read.
*Rebecca*
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Bone White by Ronald Damien Malfi Local resident, Joseph “Joe” Mallory, admits to murdering eight people over a five year period in a small mining village named Dread’s Hand. Mallory’s confession catches the attention of Paul Gallo. It has been one year since Paul’s twin brother, Danny, disappeared. Dread’s Hand was his last stop. Believing that Danny may be one of the murdered victims, Paul travels to Anchorage, Alaska and “up[s] the hand” to find closure, but instead he finds something much more than what he bargained for. Bone White is the second novel I have read by Ronald Malfi, and it is just as good as the first. Malfi has an effective way of telling horror stories. His vivid descriptions of Dread’s Hand and its portentous stories are what I like most about Bone White. I was sucked into the novel right from the start with Joe Mallory’s unusual behavior and his unexpected outcome. I just had to find out what was it about Dread’s Hand that made the locals skittish and why people entering the sinister location became "bone white." Prepare yourself for the disquieting hold this novel will have on you. *Bernadette*
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Baddie-winkle's Guide to Lifeby Baddiewinkle Let me introduce you to my new hero, Instagram’s hippest Grandma, Baddiewinkle. Helen Van Winkle, aka Baddiewinkle, is a sassy octogenarian who loves bold fashion, bright colors, and embodies what it means to embrace your individuality and follow your own path. Baddiewinkle’s Guide to Life is an inspiring handbook for living life to the fullest. Baddiewinkle tells her life story and shares her thoughts on a wide range of issues including fashion, the internet, being Instagram famous, what it means to be age appropriate, and how to be a real baddie. Baddiewinkle’s Guide to Life is full of colorful photos and stories that ooze with her energetic free spirit and infectious charm and will be sure to delight and inspire readers of all ages. Shout out to my coworker, Taylor, for recommending this book to me! Baddiewinkle’s Guide to Life is a quick, fun read that encourages me not to take life too seriously and to grow old with style. Her advice and style is colorful and inspiring. Do yourself a favor and check this book out! Also, don’t forget to follow Baddiewinkle on Instagram… tell her Brandi sent you! *Brandi*
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R. R Martin Ser Duncan, or Dunk, as his old master had called him, is now a knight. Dunk is not like other knights however, he's a hedge knight and a hedge knight is not devoted to a single family. Instead they wander from place to place serving whomever they wish and whatever cause they want. Yet, unfortunately for Dunk, he is new in his position and no one knows him so finding work is close to impossible, and if he can't find work, it means starvation. All hope is not lost though because Dunk has a plan. If he competes in a tournament that's being held nearby he can not only win wealth, he could also receive renown enough to ensure that he would always have work. The downside? Competing means gambling all he has, and a hedge knight without a horse and a sword can never survive in this world. It may not be the sixth installment in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series but it does take place in Westeros! It was this fact alone that provided all the encouragement I needed to pick up A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms which I soon found out is actually a compilation of novellas about a hedge knight called Dunk. Never fear though! The book still flows very well and (dare I say it) was even more enjoyable than Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire books in certain aspects. Although it still had the same feel as his books that take place in Westeros, with this book, Martin stays entirely focused on one character, which is not as confusing as bouncing around between multiple characters as he does in his Song of Ice and Fire series. Therefore, if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, fantasy, or even just looking for a good read try taking a trip to Westeros with Martin. It will be worth it. *Seth*
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When the English Fall : a novel by David Williams Consider a world with no power. Satellites don’t work, batteries don’t work. Nothing works. Then consider what that world would look like if you were Amish. That’s the premise behind When the English Fall: the life of a Pennsylvania Amish farmer, Jacob, upended when his daughter’s grand mal seizures abruptly stop, foretelling the solar storm that wipes out all of the power sources in at least the northeastern US. Planes literally fall from the skies, cars grind to a halt, and the world is frozen in place. Jacob logs his daily life and the lives of those around him in his journal, explaining how his world both changes and remains the same as the “English” world devolves into chaos. Author David Williams does a commendable job of showing us Jacob’s world, and I learned quite a bit about the lives of the Amish by reading this book. When the English Fall also offers a lot of questions about how to respond when the world goes dark, and it leaves readers with a lot to think about. *Jess*
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Sarah Andersen is the reigning queen of relatable humor. Big Mushy Happy Lump is the second collection of Sarah Scribbles. It’s short, witty, and hilarious, while touching on topics such as introverts, lack of self-confidence, social awkwardness, body image, the joy of comfortable clothes… basically, she’s sharing her life with her readers. After reading Sarah Andersen’s first book, Adulthood is a Myth, I just had to check this one out. It was just as cute and enjoyable as the first one. Sarah Andersen knows how to make her art express everyday trials and tribulations in a funny, yet truthful, way. Big Mushy Happy Lump was the 2017 Goodreads Choice Winner in graphic novel & comics so if you haven’t read her work yet, stop what you’re doing and check out her first 2 books! And don’t miss her third Sarah Scribbles book, Herding Cats. *Brandi*
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Isabel's Feel-Good Book Picks
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Naptime with Joey by Laura IzumikawaThere's nothing better than the sight of a baby napping peacefully, as opposed to throwing a fit and bawling at the top of its lungs. Laura Izumikawa takes it to the next level by dressing her baby boy, Joey in a wide variety of outfits and photographing him as he presumably slumbers the day away. She adds the perfect finishing touch by pairing each photograph with a unique yet recognizable pop culture reference. The result is this funny, cute, and creative book that can be enjoyed by anyone. Some of my personal favorites were the Stranger Things, Beauty and the Beast, Pokémon, Run DMC, The Office…aw heck! Who am I kidding? I loved them all!! This is a must-read for pop culture fanatics!
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Treat! by Christian VielerWordless picture books aren’t just for kids anymore. There’s been a growing trend in which photography books feature a collection of photos with little to no captioning. In the case of Treat!, there are absolutely no words – just photos perfectly capturing that special moment when a dog eagerly awaits and/or receives a dog treat. Some are extremely goofy, some are totally adorable, and others are a bit scary. One thing, however, is for sure: they all show humanlike qualities so that you can undeniably perceive a different emotion frozen on each dog’s face. It is so cool! This book is definitely good for the soul because it will have you laughing, smiling, and saying “Awwww,” which will in turn make you feel happier and less stressed. What a wonderful portrayal of man’s (and woman’s, of course) best friend. Whether you are a dog-lover or not, these precious pooches are sure to trigger a good chuckle or two.
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Everything I need to know I learned from a little Golden book by Diane MuldrowIn this busy, fast-paced world we live in, it is easy to forget how to enjoy the simple things in life. This book reminds us to pause every now and then so we can revel in the best that life has to offer. It prompts readers to have fun, be healthy, learn new things, and simply breathe. Childhood favorites like The Pokey Little Puppy and Nurse Nancy are brought back to life and aptly paired with meaningful ideas that relate to our adult lives. By combining treasured images from the Little Golden Books we all know and love with original bits of life advice on each page, author Diane Muldrow delivers a quick, charming read meant for a truly universal audience.
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The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman, Read by Marin Ireland.This prequel to Hoffman's best-selling novel Practical Magic, which was adapted to film starring the incomparable Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, traces the lives of the Owens siblings: Vincent, Franny and Jet as they come to terms with who they are and the curse that follows their family. If you're familiar with the curse from Practical Magic, you know that the Owens family members are doomed to lose whoever they fall in love with. But love is impossible to avoid and as these siblings are reminded - there is no denying nor escaping who you truly are. I absolutely adored Practical Magic so of course, I loved this as well. The blend of family history, tragedy, and camaraderie with a touch of magic made for a beautiful and intriguing story. Marin Ireland's narration is perfect. Each character has a distinct voice but she never over performs. An awesome listen for fans of Hoffman, family stories, or magical realism. *Rebecca*
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Bossypantsby Tina Fey, Read by the author “My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.”
I would not have considered myself a Tina Fey fan before, mainly because I'm generally unfamiliar with her body of work. Well. I'll have you know that since I started listening to this audiobook 2 days ago, I have now binge watched 14 episodes of 30 Rock and now I absolutely consider myself a Tina Fey fan.
She is absolutely riotous. I'm not the type of person that laughs out loud when I'm alone, but this book definitely had me giggling. Her writing is polished, funny, and more importantly, it's funny while being insightful. She discusses typical memoir stuff where she grew up, how she got into acting and even a particularly funny bit about being a straight kid at a mostly gay theater camp and having a pair of lesbian best friends named Sharon and Karen. I also greatly enjoyed the way she sticks it to all the people that told her (and others) that they weren't funny enough because they were women:
"It is an impressively arrogant move to conclude that just because you don't like something, it is empirically not good. I don't like Chinese food, but I don't write articles trying to prove it doesn't exist."
I have also come to the conclusion that I greatly prefer audiobooks that are read by the authors, and Fey does a wonderful job of bringing the humor to life that you wouldn't have gotten in the print version. There's just something about having the author read you their own words that makes it seem like they’re talking straight to you and makes them seem real and human. Which they are... and in the case of Tina Fey, an immensely successful, intelligent, and anxiety ridden actual human.
5 Stars. I would recommend this to anyone that has a sense of humor or enjoys laughing. *Taylor*
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Goodbye Christopher Robin This film is based on the true story of Christopher Robin’s life… yes, the Christopher Robin of the beloved children’s book series, Winnie the Pooh. It focuses on the relationship between Christopher and his father, A.A. Milne, who wrote the original book. It delves into how Winnie the Pooh came about, its unexpected worldwide success, and its inadvertent effect of making Christopher a celebrity. Focusing primarily on family relationships and innocence lost, there were lots of dark moments as well as heart-warming ones. This is a great family film, but I feel like I could also suggest this to really just about anyone. *Crystal*
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I, Tonya I’m a big fan of the Olympics, and I was juuuust old enough to be aware of the world around me when Nancy Kerrigan’s knee was bashed in by an unknown assailant shortly before the 1994 Winter Olympics. The assailant was ultimately linked to fellow Olympic hopeful Tonya Harding’s ex-husband. The whole situation became a massive spectacle in the media, which concocted a Nancy vs. Tonya showdown for Lillehammer. The film I, Tonya aims to give viewers a better understanding of the people involved in Tonya’s life and story. Led by Margot Robbie in a impressively gritty performance, the entire cast—which covers Tonya’s ex-husband, Jeff, her mother and coach, and Jeff’s dud of a best friend—give camera-facing interviews that punctuate the happenings of the entire film, explaining what supposedly did or didn’t happen. As viewers progress through Tonya’s life, from her childhood with a brutal, crude mother to her young adulthood with a physically abusive Jeff, they also progress through her skating career. The cinematography and music of I, Tonya are possibly even more stellar than the acting, which is saying a lot; Alison Janney in particular is an excellent sparring partner for Robbie’s Harding, but the music, from Fleetwood Mac to Doris Day, strikes the perfect mood for the entire film. I, Tonya is a winner, even if Harding never made it to the top of the Olympic podium herself. *Jess*
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The Greatest ShowmanMy daughter and I absolutely can’t get enough of the movie, The Greatest Showman. We have watched it so many times, I’ve lost count. Based loosely on the life of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that shows Barnum’s vision of turning nothing into one of the greatest shows on earth. With an all-star cast and music that will have you singing along, this movie is definitely a must see, even for those that dislike musicals. To say I love this movie would be an understatement! *Shannon*
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Goosebumps Zach Cooper and his mother re-locate to Madison, Delaware for a fresh start after the death of his father and far from their city life of New York. As Zach adjusts to his new school, he finds a friend in Champ, a socially awkward teen, and Hannah, his homeschooled next door neighbor. Both Hannah and Zach have taken an interest in one another, but Hannah’s overbearing father, R.L. Stine, makes it his business to keep them apart. One evening, Zach sees and hears what looks like an argument between Hannah and her father. Even after the mirage of domestic disturbance has settled, Zach still insists on checking on Hannah. Inside the Stine house is a bookshelf filled with locked Goosebumps manuscripts. Curious as to why the manuscripts are locked, Zach unlocks one of the manuscripts unleashing the terror found within the pages and beginning a night of crazed chaos. What I like most about Goosebumps is that it combines humor and horror. Comedian, Jack Black, stars as R. L. Stine. He plays the reserved, stern, yet calm father who adds a hint of funny to his demeanor making his character enjoyable to watch. Slappy, the ventriloquist dummy, is one of the Goosebumps manuscript characters who comes to life and steals the show with his numerous slapstick jokes, manipulative ways, and terrorizing antics. Children beware and take heed to the combination of excitement and mild horror, because “it may be too spooky for children under seven.” *Bernadette*
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Your Name Ever wonder what it would be like to wake up and live a day in someone else’s body? What about someone of the opposite gender? Mitsuha is high school girl living in the countryside, and Yuki is a high school boy in Tokyo. After wishing for a different life during a meteor shower, the two suddenly wake up the next day in each other’s body with no idea where and who they have become. They soon find out that every time they fall asleep they will wake up back in their own body. However, once they go back to sleep they wake up again in the other’s body. Since the two are constantly going back and forth between bodies they soon find out how to communicate. As they begin to become adjusted to this strange new way of life Yuki learns a startling fact: Mitsuha lives in a time three years before his own. Not only that, but she and her entire town were killed by the same meteor shower they wished on. Can the two find a way to change time itself or is Mitsuha and her town doomed to die? So I’ll be completely honest here, I am a huge anime fan. However, even if you are not typically a big fan of anime, or even if you have never seen one before, I believe Your Name could appeal to you. The animation in the movie is gorgeous and the story is entertaining, intense, and heartfelt all at once. It is one of those movies that suck you in without you ever realizing it until you find that you have become emotionally invested in the characters and hope everything will turn out okay. Therefore, it came as no surprise to me that it had even surpassed the critically acclaimed anime Spirited Away in the box office sales when it premiered. So if you’re in an anime mood or just want to try something new, please give this movie a chance. You won’t be disappointed. *Seth*
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Archer - DreamlandSeason 8 of Archer does exactly what Archer has done so well time and time again: it reinvents itself. Lead character Sterling Archer is in a coma after being shot at the end (and beginning) of season 7, and Dreamland goes where Archer has never gone before: inside the brain of the emotionally stunted secret agent himself. Archer’s mind is trapped in the 1920s, and while all the characters of his life are present and accounted for, they’re all different people: Archer is now a PI, while his mother in real life (voiced by the inimitable Jessica Walter) is now the owner of a Prohibition-era nightclub, and Archer’s baby mama/coworker Lana is now a lounge singer. Archer’s cop confidante, the nongendered Poovey, has the same qualities as Pam, but reflected in funhouse mirror ways. As Archer’s brain barrels through flashbacks of World War I and his lost partner, Woodhouse, the show deepens and darkens, possibly more than ever before. Fans of Archer will no doubt appreciate Dreamland’s efforts to both maintain and upend everything that makes this show so fantastic; Dreamland is incredibly edgy and bold, even with the usual jokes. But Dreamland is also quite interesting because it’s almost a capsule for viewers: you really don’t need to have seen the seven excellent seasons that came before it to enjoy and understand it. When a season of TV can strongly stand both on its own and as part of a series is when you know you’re watching great television, and Archer: Dreamland is definitely that. *Jess*
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