Look What's New for Kids!

Over My Dead Body by Kate Klise - In this story told mostly through letters, busybody Dick Tater tries to ban Halloween and ghost stories, as well as to break up the popular writing team of I. B. Grumply, ghost Olive C. Spence, and eleven-year-old illustrator Seymour Hope.

November Recommendations for Kids

Fiction

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano - As Thanksgiving creeps ever closer Turkey worries that he will be the main course for Thanksgiving dinner! After a series of hilarious disguises Turkey concocts an ingenious solution.

Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola - Every year Strega Nona plants a beautiful, productive garden. Big Antony decides to secretly plant his own garden, which is so successful that it resembles a jungle. Find out how Big Anthony solves the dilemma of his overly abundant harvest.

Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman - Percy Isaac Gifford provdes his ten simple rules for getting the most out of Thanksgiving Day, including hugging the relatives.

Miss Smith and the Haunted Library by Michael Garland - Reading with Miss Smith is always an adventure, since the characters leak from her stories and cause a rumpus. What happens when Miss Smith reads from scary stories? Will the Jabberwocky and the Headless Horseman get along?

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale Bayse - It is Christmas shopping season at the Grizzly Mall, and Marlo is running through the mall dragging her unwilling accomplice, younger brother Milton. When Damian, the school bully, dynamites the worlds’ second largest marshmallow bear, all three are blown to Heck. Their misadventures in that shadowy land feature an abundance of puns and allusions which involve revolting food, rancid odors, and disgusting sewage. Richard Nixon teaches ethics in Room 1972, and Lizzie Borden is the Home Ec teacher, with Bea Elsa Bubb as the demonic principal. Will anyone escape this unearthly reform school and free the jarred lost souls? Are there loopholes in the contracts enforced in Heck?


Nonfiction

Things to Do with Mom by Alison Maloney - Celebrate family week with a variety of activities for parents (and other adults) to share with the children in their lives.

Things to Do with Dad by Chris Stevens - Celebrate family week with a variety of activities for parents (and other adults) to share with the children in their lives.

What Bluebirds Do by Pamela Kirby - Crisp photographs document one season in the life of a pair of bluebirds in the author’s backyard, beautiful pictures illustrate the bird’s courtship to the fledgling’s babies leaving the nest. Includes amazing, close-up shots of the bird family, and information on their needs. Good for reports and to introduce children to the wonder of bluebirds.

November Recommendations for Teens

Fiction

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner - Yann, the Silver Blade, works within the French revolution with his magic, and straining to protect his true love, in this exciting conclusion to The Red Necklace. Set in the tumultuous world of Paris in 1794, where the guillotine sings through the air, and the mob is a force to fear. Count Kalliovski, lurks menacingly in the catacombs with his fearsome black dog. Threading through the story is the love of Sido and Yann against the intense revolutionary backdrop and overwhelming obstacles.

And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer - Arthur Dent has finally made it home to earth, which might be blown up again, and seems to have failed to grasp the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Wonder what Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian, and the Vogons are conconcting? This is the continuation of the late Douglas Adam’s irrepressible Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld - It’s the start of World War I, but in a very different world. One world has the Clankers, advanced machines with giant spider-like walkers. The other world contains the Darwinists, creating war weapons with genetic engineering. In the middle of this impending war are two troubled youngsters. Young Aleksandar, the only son of Duke Ferdinand, flees after his father is assassinated, and strives to avoid those who attempt to kill him. Also there is young Dalyn who finally achieves her dream whole to be a British Navy Airman but since girls are not allowed to serve, she must keep her identity secret. This imaginative and amazing tale of monstrous floating whale ships, and menacing spider-like Clanker ships will capture your imagination. Bizarre technology, mutant animals, and a world war in the works! Be sure to pick up this fantastic book!


Nonfiction

A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz - “Dogs live most of life in Quiet Heart, humans live mostly next door in Desperate Heart. Now and then will do you good to live in our zip code” Trixie Koontz

Dean and Gerda Koontz adopt Trixie, a beautiful 3 year-old former service dog with Canine Companions for Independence, who teaches Dean about the joy of life by living in the present. Koontz claims his irrepressible golden retriever can think, see spirits, loves nachos, and even speak. A delightful romp from the life of a joyous dog.

November Recommendations for Adults

Fiction

Blood’s A Rover by James Ellroy - In his third novel in the Your U.S.A. Underworld trilogy where Ellroy attempts to create “a complete human infrastructure” of the tragic political events of 1958-1972, he continues to explore the “private nightmare” suffered by the enforcers of a morally corrupt public policy. Uncompromising, raw and fascinating, a compulsive read.

The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt - A remarkable storyteller, Byatt draws you gently into the story of two families of the Edwardian artistic intelligentsia, the Wellwoods and the Fludds, whose separate and intertangled tragedies mark the end of a certain kind of innocence for the middle class of their era. A deeply affecting story played out against the great, rippling tides of the day. It is a masterly literary achievement by one of our most essential writers.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery - In an elegant apartment building in Paris, the concierge, a bored twelve-year-old girl, and a wealthy Japanese man form a friendship, exchanging sharp and humorous observations about the world they inhabit. Light-hearted and philosophical, a great choice for book discussion groups.

Peter & Max: A FABLES Novel by Bill Willingham (illustrated by Steve Leialoha) - Two brothers journey through the The Black Forest and encounter ominous forces that change them irreparably. Thus beings an epic tale of sibling rivalry, magic, music and revenge. This stand alone prose novel introduces new readers to the world of Fabletown and fans will discover secret histories of the series cast. The author and illustrator won the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Penciller/Inker Team.

Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel - In the ruthless court of King Henry VIII, only one man dared to gamble his life to win the King’s favor and ascend to the heights of political power-Thomas Cromwell. He belonged to the rising merchant class that sought to gain a place in a world dominated by an ancient, and amoral, aristocracy. Mantel catches the excitement and terror of Tudor England on the cusp of change.


Nonfiction

Ed Begley, Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living: Learning to Conserve Resources and Manage an Eco-Conscious Life by Ed Begley, Jr. - Even if you can’t cycle to power the toaster this book is full of economical ways to decide what will work for you from someone who practices energy efficiency and good environmental stewardship. Living an eco-conscious life does not require you to completely overhaul your home with expensive equipment. You can make your lifestyle green one project at a time.

Get Cooking: 150 Simple Recipes to Get You Started in the Kitchen by Mollie Katzen - A beautifully made book to read and hold, the softest paper, the most calming colors, and good recipes. Katzen’s a pleasure for people who like to read cookbooks as well as create meals from them. Sidebars suggest alternative ingredients for vegans and the adventurous.

The Kennedy Assassination-24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pivotal First Day as President by Steven Gillon - Gillon, the Resident Historian for the History Channel and a history teacher at the Univ. of Oklahoma, uses newly declassified documents for an in-depth analysis of the decisions made in the first critical hours of LBJ’s presidency, decisions that would shape the Sixties decade. Gillon provides a fascinating look into the minds of the politicians who struggled to control our public crisis.

The Power of Respect by Deborah Norville - With over 30 years of journalism under her belt, the news anchor of Inside Edition takes on our collective social condition: lack of respect in the public arena. Noville says that respect is the "most forgotten element of success." Through amazing stories of how the power of respect given and received has transformed lives, Norville shows the practice of respect for self and others can enrich your life.

Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges by Chief National Correspondent for the CBS Evening News, Byron Pitts won an Emmy for his coverage of 9/11 and has brought us the news from hot spots around the world. He overcame stuttering, illiteracy, and poverty to graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University. An inspiring memoir told with great style and emotional clarity.

Look What's New for Kids!

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll - When Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds a note saying that Gabe has gone fishing and will be back in a week. He tries out several substitute monsters, but finds that none are as perfect as Gabe.

October Recommendations for Kids

Fiction

The Runaway Mummy by Michael Rex - Remember Runaway Bunny, where the Mommy Bunny continues to reassure her bunny child? What if there was a rotten little mummy who wanted to run away? Filled with monster mayhem, the rotten little mummy dreams up many scenarios, even becoming a little boy who takes karate and learns to play the piano, which horrifies his Mummy. All ends well, with little mummy deciding to be his mother's rotten little mummy forever and ever.

The Hungry Ghosts by Julius Lester - Jessica, Bryon, and Lamont are three hungry ghosts who drift quietly through the moonlight into Malcolm David’s room. Malcolm’s solution to their hunger provides a fun tale for October nights!

V is for Vampire by Adele Griffin - Lexie Livingstone just might be the first vampire to run for class president of her 9th grade class, with help from Blix and Mitzi, annoying pixies from the Old World. Lexie is a vegan, vampire-human hybrid trying to gain mortality and capture Dylan’s attention.

The Bag of Bones by Vivian French - Green-tongued, beady-eyed witch Truda Hangnail spreads evil in her wake, as she attempts to become Queen Bluebell’s successor. With the assistance of the rats in the kingdom, and by hindering the good witches, it appears she may become the new queen. Will the ingenuity and determination of Loobly, a sweet resourceful orphan, a scruffy prince, a large troll, and two quarrelsome bats be sufficient to wreck havoc with her plans?

The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan - A modern take on Hansel and Gretel beginning with a selection from the witch’s diary where she admits, "I love children. Eating them, that is." Witch Fay Holaderry, rarely goes hungry because of the abundance of unruly children who are 'donated' by their exhausted parents. Sol, eleven, and Connie, eight, increasingly suspicious of their new home and surroundings, are puzzled by their parents mysterious behavior. After exploring their strange neighbor’s house, and researching its owner at the library, they realize the grave peril at their fingertips. Fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snickett will enjoy this spooky mystery.

Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise - A fun romp featuring Seymour Hope, an abandoned youngster, I.B. Grumply, an antisocial writer who has not published in years, and Olive, a bossy ghost with literary yearnings. The setting is a decomposing Victorian house, and the ghost story unfolds through a series of letters, emails, news articles and the like. Can Ignatius B. Grumply overcome his writers block? Will Seymour’s parents return to reclaim him? Rounded out by a cast of amusing characters like realtor Anita Sale, publisher Paige Turner, and local newspaper editor Cliff Hanger, this amusing story will keep you entertained!

My Unwilling Witch Sleeps Over by Hiawyn Oram - Hagatha Agatha, or Haggy Aggy for short, is an unwilling witch who is much more interested in sleepovers with two human girls than in scaring them and casting spells. These diary extracts written by her frustrated familiar, Rumblewick Spellwacker Mortimer, illustrate why Haggy Aggy makes this cat’s life a "right Bag of Hedgehogs!"


Nonfiction

Nevermore: A Photobiography of Edgar Allan Poe by Karen Lange - Fascinating details of the life of the enigmatic author, who was raised by wealthy foster parents, dropped out of West Point and married his 13 year old cousin.

Look What's New for Kids

Rule of Three by Megan McDonald - In Acton, Oregon, sisters Alex, Stevie, and Joey take turns telling about their lives, including auditioning for the same part in the school musical, baking contest-worthy cupcakes, and becoming obsessed with "Little Women."

September Recommendations for Kids

Fiction

Yes Day! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - What do you call a day when every answer is yes? Follow a boy’s dream day; you will want to have a Yes day of your own!

The Frogs and Toads All Sang by Arnold Lobel - A delightful collection of rhyming stories about frogs and toads discovered in Arnold Lobel’s papers by his daughter.

All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant - What can a day hold? Each day is beautiful and holds a new world of possibilities. Days are what we each have, and each one needs to count.

Fairy School Dropout by Meredith Badger - Elly is from a famous fairy family, but is convinced she has not inherited any of their talents; her talent seems to be creating disasters. She has been kicked out of two fairy academies and wants to attend human school!


Nonfiction

Swords: An Artist’s Devotion by Ben Boos - A gloriously handsome illustrated history of swords from the earliest days which includes the Iron and Bronze Ages, Vikings, War Maidens, Knights, Kings, Samurai, Ninja, Silla Knights of Korea, Eastern Masters of China, and War Chiefs of Africa among others. A stunning variety of styles, with each sword depicted in intricate detail, from the tip of its hilt to its blade. It is a mostly pictorial work, with sufficient text to help the reader understand the incredible variety of styles and owners. One of the years most outstanding books.

Barbarians! by Steven Kroll - Beginning with a definition of barbarian, the book continues with an overview of four distinct groups often referred to as barbarians: the Goths, the Huns, the Vikings, and the Mongols. Well illustrated, with a time line and bibliography. A fascinating history of each group, their religion, leaders, and their rise and fall.

Ralph Masiello’s Dinosaur Drawing Book by Ralph Masiello - A step by step guide on how to draw all things dinosaur: fossils, claws, habitat, triceratops, pterodactyls, and more! With these instructions, anyone can be an artist.

Mission Control, This Is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon by Andrew Chaikin - A well-illustrated tale of one of mankind’s greatest adventures, from the Mercury space voyages through Apollo 17.

How to Get Rich on the Oregon Trail: My Adventures Among Cows, Crooks and Heroes on the Road to Fame & Fortune by Tod Olson - A fictionalized account by 15 year old Will Reed of his journey along the Oregon Trail by covered wagon in 1852. Filled with clever drawings and amusing detail, the fictional Will faithfully reports their adventures, hardships, and family finances. This humorous history packs a large dose of fun!

Show Me the Money by Alvin Hall - Where does money come from and how does it work? This book explains the basics of the stock market, supply and demand, the cost of living, taxes, inflation, the global economy, and the relationship of happiness to money. An attractive overview, bursting with fascinating information.

September Recommendations for Teens

Fiction

Big Mouth by Deborah Halverson - Ever dreamed of being the richest, most famous competitive eater in the world? Fourteen-year-old Shermie Thuff is doggedly training for the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The vivid details make this is not a tale for the faint of stomach! An added attraction is the mustard revolt, and smelly, gross science.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - Wintergirls are frozen and easily shattered, as Cassie has been. High school best friends Lia and Cassie made a pact to be thin, thin beyond caution. Their lives begin to revolve around food, and their avoidance and measuring of it, until their friendship fragments, and Lia learns of the suicide of Cassie, alone in a motel room. Cassie called Lia thirty-three times the night she died, but Lia received the messages too late. Lia battles with her anorexia, cutting, and her strained relationship with her parents on her agonizing journey of inexplicable pain and her attempt to make some sense of her life. Journey with her as she attempts to find purpose and make sense of her life.

September Recommendations for Adults

Fiction

The Arms Maker of Berlin by Dan Fesperman - History professor Nat Turnbull searches for missing World War II archives on the White Rose, an anti-Hitler movement active in Switzerland and Germany in the 1940s. He soon crosses paths with a ruthless German arms merchant who may be the key to recovering these documents. Rumor has it that the archives contain a spymaster’s horde of wartime secrets. Someone has taken desperate measures to ensure that the deceptions, betrayals, blackmail, and hidden identities stay in the shadows. A masterful blend of historical detail and spy thriller.

John the Revelator by Peter Murphy - John and Jamey are inseparable, their friendship anchored by a mutual inclination for mischief. But when their teenage high jinks crash into the adult world, complications ensue and choices must be made. A tender and refreshingly unsentimental coming of age story set in gentle rolling hills of southeast Ireland.

Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan - In the magic realism of fable, two rival families contend with spirits and spells, prophets and demons, a wicked mother-in-law, feuding siblings, graves in the garden, and dark secrets through three generations. A masterful first novel, the true to life characters will appeal to lovers of literary fiction and fantasy.

Perfect Little Ladies by Abby Drake - Elinor Young’s perfect life with her perfect husband and gorgeously perfect children is about to end. Someone has found out about her afternoon trysts with the perfect politician and is attempting to blackmaili her. But what are friends for if not helping you track down extortionists? Fans of the Desperate Housewives genre will enjoy the cheeky and delightfully campy unraveling of more than one lady’s secret.

Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan - Raymond Chandler and James Cain fans will enjoy this updated noir mystery. The editor of the “literary crime” magazine, Gray Streets, is murdered and one of the magazine’s editors, and a newcomer in town, becomes the prime suspect. But circumstances are not what they seem, the plot takes many surprising twists and turns as the relationships between the stable of writers associated with the magazine are brought to light. Dolan poses the question: would you kill to write a best-seller?


Nonfiction

Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? by Ellen Gordon Reeves - But seriously, any job-seeker will find this book indispensible. Reeves covers all the important points of giving good interview, including the seldom discussed dilemma of what to wear to a phone interview. Short and to the point.

The First Family: Terror, Extortion, Revenge, Murder and the Birth of the American Mafia by Mike Dash - Before the Five Families consolidated their power in New York there was Guiseppe Morello, a.k.a :The Clutch Hand”. Born in Corleone, Sicily, where he established himself as an expert counterfeiter, he came to the U.S. in the early 20th century eventually settling in New York’s Little Italy where he continued his career in crime soon branching out into real estate schemes. By 1928 he was well established as the “boss of all bosses” until his assassination by a rival in 1930. Dash goes where no researcher has gone before, the formation of the American branch of the Mafia between 1892 and 1930. A great story well told.

The First 60 Seconds: Win the Job Interview Before It Begins by Dan Burns - Burns has provided employment placement services to Fortune 500 companies for over a decade, his advice is simply that first impressions win jobs. He’ll take you through the steps to prepare for the interview, how to handle the first crucial 60 seconds, what to do in the following 60 minutes of the interview, how to close, and the appropriate follow-up. Burns’ advice will help you fine tune your appearance and performance.

In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the President They Protect by Ronald Kessler - Already best-seller and with good reason, award-winning journalist Kessler conducted exclusive interviews with more that 100 current and former Secret Service agents about their jobs, revealing untold stories and acts of heroism. With fly-on-the-wall perspective, he captures the never before revealed drama and tension that characterizes the elite corps of agents who put their lives in the line of fire.

Rustic Fruit Desserts: Crumbles, Buckles, Cobblers, Pandowdies, and More by Cory Schreiber and Julie Richardson - The heat of summer is waning and it’s time to return to baking. Schreiber heads Oregon’s Dept. of Agriculture Farm-to-School program and is an advocate for family farms. Richardson founded the small batch bakery, Baker & Spice. This cookbook reflects their commitment to using local seasonally appropriate produce in heritage cooking. Organized by season, these traditional American favorites incorporate simple updates like the pear bread pudding made with brioche. Uncomplicated and perfect these recipes will appeal to the home baker who enjoys experimenting with new ideas.

Mysteries You Might Have Missed Along the Way

From NPR.org: "Getting ready for one last trip to the beach? Have a long plane ride coming up? Or are you just ready to become engrossed in a good book? Try these mysteries you may have missed:"

Look What's New for Teens!

Sideshow: Ten Original Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical, edited by Deborah Noyes - Amazon.com: "Molly is a bearded girl who joins the circus, only to find that her former tormentor faces a far hairier plight. Tia claims that her lamented mom is a three-thousand-year-old mummy, but is it really an act? Cody sets out to foil a pop psychic, but the shocking result is not what he planned for. And Tiffany’s grandma sees something wild in her future, but is the girl prepared for the powerful shape it will take? Whether the sideshow touts a two-headed rat or a turn-of-the-century American jargo, whether the subject discovers an odd kind of miracle or learns that the real freaks are outside the tent, these stories and graphic tales are by turns humorous and insightful, edgy and eerie, but always compulsively entertaining."

August Recommendations for Teens

Fiction

Kieli: The Dead Sleep in the Wilderness by Yukako Kabei - Based on the manga, Kieli is able to see ghosts. Becca, her roommate, is the spirit of a former student still living in Kieli's dorm. Kieli's life changes abruptly when they meet Harvey, one of the Undying, who is also able to see ghosts. Harvey, who is being hunted by the Church, is destined for war. What do Kieli and Harvey share?

Slept Away by Julie Kraut - In spite of her objections, fifteen-year-old city girl Laney is sent to rustic Camp Timber Trails for the summer. Her privileged world unravels as she learns to clean toilets, exist without caffeine, and survive without her iPhone. Can she endure the lack of air conditioning, make friends, and find romance?

So Punk Rock (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) by Micol Ostow - Judaism, punk rock, and SAT scores. Ari’s parents dream of him attending a prestigious college, and Ari dreams of ska and Sari. Ari forms the Tribe, earns modest fame, and learns about life and love.

The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural, edited by Deborah Noyes - The dead should rest in peace, but these ten tales contain stories of the dead who are awake when they shouldn’t be, and may keep you awake!

Night of the Fifth Moon by Anna Ciddor - When Ket is seven, his father is stripped of his chieftain robes and title. For five years Ket and five other fosterlings study to become Faelan’s assistant. With the omen of the raven, Faelan, the druid, determines that it is time for one fosterling to be sent away each new moon. until only two remain. A fast moving adventure set in Celtic Ireland.

August Recommendations for Kids - Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Fiction

Roasted Peanuts by Tim Egan - Best friends Jackson the cat and Sam the horse try out for the baseball team, to their dismay Jackson does not make the team. Although Jackson is the slowest cat anyone has ever seen, he has an amazing throw. All ends well, and with engaging humor, Jackson takes a job as a peanut vendor.

Baseball Great by Tim Green - Twelve year old baseball star Josh feels trapped by his father's failed dreams to play major league baseball. Josh’s father has him try out for the Titans, a winning team riddled with questionable supplements and steroids. Will this team provide Josh the exposure he needs, and at what personal cost?

Top of the Order by John Coy - The Panthers have no one to cover second base except Sydney, who arrives with a pink baseball glove to the horror of her brother who is the team’s pitcher. Each team member faces challenges in their lives, but share a love of baseball and a desire to win.

The Desperado who Stole Baseball by John H. Ritter - In 1881, the scrappy, rough-and-tumble baseball team in a California mining town enlists the help of a quick-witted twelve-year-old orphan and the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid to win a big game against the National League Champion Chicago White Stockings.

The Girl who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane - Following the recent accidental death of her father, Molly works through her grief and deals with her withdrawn mother by turning to baseball. Her father loved baseball and taught her to throw a knuckleball, a pitch which flutters like a butterfly. In spite of resistance, she is determined to try out for the boys baseball team.


Nonfiction

The Story of the Los Angeles Dodgers by John Nichols - Los Angeles has many attractions, and the Los Angels Dodgers of Major League baseball claims the honor of being its first franchise. The Dodgers are one of the oldest teams in the game, and joined the National League as a team in Brooklyn, New York. Fans walking to the ballpark darted across the busy trolley tracks in Brooklyn, dodging the streetcars, thus the local writers nicknamed the team the “Trolley Dodgers” which was later shortened to the Dodgers.

The Story of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by Sara Gilbert - The original Angeles team began in Los Angeles in 1961 when Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, was awarded an American league expansion team; he remained its sole owner for more than 30 years. Some of the most famous players are profiled, among them Troy Glaus, Reggie Jackson, and the rally monkey! Also in this series is The Story of the San Francisco Giants by Adele Richardson.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson -

"We are the ship; all else the sea."-Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League.

Negro League baseball is the story of exceptional athletes, resolute owners, discrimination, and sportsmanship. It is the story of extraordinary players who overcame segregation, hatred, deplorable conditions, and low pay to pursue their dream of playing baseball. Comprised of nine chapters (“innings”), with a foreword by Hank Aaron, this traces the League from its inception in the 1920s through its decline after Jackie Robinson left in the late 1940s. Anecdotes regarding legendary Satchel Paige and the knife-weilding umpire, Bullet Rogan along with excellent illustrations, bring this history to life.

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax? by Jonah Winter - A picture book biography of Sandy Koufax, arguably the greatest left-handed basesball pitcher of all. He started with basketball, began playing baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers and had an amazing career when he learned to tame his pitches after the team moved to Los Angeles.

August Recommendations for Adults

Fiction

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil - When her husband dies in a car crash, uncannily soon after announcing he wants a divorce, Jo Mackenzie packs up her two rowdy boys and moves from London to a dilapidated villa in her seaside hometown. There, she takes over her beloved Gran's knitting shop and begins her single parent life in the small seaside town. After a rough beginning, Jo soon finds comfort in a "Stitch and Bitch" group; a collection of quirky, lively women who share their stories, and their addiction to cake, with warmth and humor. The women meet every week at the shop on Beach Street and trade gossip and advice as freely as they do a new stitch. But when a new man enters Jo's life, and an A-list actress moves into the local mansion, the knitting club has even more trouble confining the conversation to knit one, purl two. An uplifting, winning tale about the healing power of friendship and new beginnings, sure to delight all passionate knitters and win over befuddled, would-be knitters, too.

City of the Sun by David Levien - Desperate parents, Paul and Carol Gabriel, hire PI Frank Behr to find their missing 12-year old son Jamie who disappeared on his paper delivery route one morning fourteen months ago. Behr, who lost his young son to a tragic family accident, takes the job as much for his own redemption as for the money. He soon discovers the abduction was no random act but part of a larger and darker world. Over the course of the investigation, Behr and Paul relive and share their lives as fathers, forming a unique bond not quite friends yet more that partners. Behr is a detective in the classic tradition - intuitive, smart, emotionally true, and not given to small talk, the hero who rescues those left helpless by the touch of evil.

The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri - The ancient craft of lace making is an apt and elegant metaphor for the process of rebuilding a life after an emotional crisis. Seeking solace, Kate Robinson returns to her ancestral family homeland and lands in Glenmara on the west coast of Ireland, quickly establishing strong ties with the local lace makers. The group provides the support that carries her through her grief to discover an unexpected creativity, and soon they are creating a line of exquisitely embellished lingerie. Between the twist and the cross, the women of the village face their long denied dreams and their deepest fears. The characters are warm and engaging, sure to please.

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris - A National Book Finalist and voted Best Book of the Year by several major newspapers, Ferris dissects with hilarity and measured compassion the lives of office workers. Every office is a family of sorts, and the ad agency Joshua Ferris brilliantly depicts in his debut novel is family at its strangest and best, coping with a business downturn in the time-honored way: through gossip, pranks, and increasingly frequent coffee breaks. A siege mentality takes hold as alliances and liaisons are made and betrayed. With a demon's eye for the details that make life worth noticing, Ferris tells a true and funny story about survival in life's strangest environment--the one we pretend is normal five days a week.

Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey - In a shady grove outside the small town of Ketanu, a young woman, an AIDS worker and medical student, has been found dead under suspicious circumstances. Eager to close the case, the local police have arrested a poor, enamored teenage boy and charged him with murder. Needless to say, they are less than thrilled when Detective Inspector Darko Dawson from Accra, the capital city, arrives to lead an inquiry into the baffling case. The people of Ketanu follow the old ways, clashing with Dawson’s cosmopolitan sensibilities and practical police procedures. For the Inspector, it means confronting the estranged family he left twenty-five years ago and the unsolved disappearance of his mother. Dawson discovers that the world of spirits is closer to home than he is ready to admit. Rich in atmosphere and local characters, Quartey evokes the world of Ghana past and present in this debut novel.


Nonfiction

At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream, Misadventures in Search of the Simple Life by Wade Rouse - Inspired by the simple life depicted in Thoreaus’s Walden’s Pond and lured by the charm of being rugged, Wade and Gary move to Saugatuck, Michigan and find that although there are fewer things to do, eat, buy, see, desire, and covet, life is far from simple in the northern woods. Challenged and humiliated daily by implacable weather, relentless wild creatures, eerie silence, and the shocking discovery that he has no wardrobe for doing chores, Wade rises to the occasion and sets 10 life goals. A fun read that could be taken as a cautionary tale for those who have found themselves, in frustrated moments of multitasking, humming the theme to Green Acres.

The Eat-Clean Diet For Men: Real Food for Real Men, Your Ironclad Plan to a Lean Physique by Robert Kennedy & Tosca Reno - From the supermarket to the weight room, bodybuilders Kennedy and Reno take you through the steps for developing a clean eating plan and building a robust physique. You eat 2,190 meals a year, make each one count! Page layouts are colorful and easy to read with photos, grocery lists, meal plans, and great recipes that take on the carbs clean style, substituting whole grains for white flour and natural sweeteners for white sugar in the down home comfort foods we all love to eat.

Let Me Eat Cake: A Celebration of Flour, Sugar, Butter, Eggs, Vanilla, Baking Powder, and a Pinch of Salt by Leslie F. Miller - Miller journeys into the moist white underbelly of the cake world visiting factories and wedding cake boutiques and ogling buttercream frostings along the way. For Miller, cake is the touchstone against which all other sensual experiences are measured. She interviews chefs, bakery owners, shares childhood memories about cake, adult baking disasters, and a few family recipes. The chapter on the history and cultural importance of regional cakes is worth the price of the admission. I never knew Maryland had a state cake. Cake lovers will delight in this light and fluffy homage to cake.

Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work by Matthew B. Crawford - Motorcycles and philosophizing seem to go hand in hand, in this original debut Crawford, a philosophy professor at the University of Virginia and owner of Shockoe Moto, a motorcycle repair shop, reflects upon the deep satisfaction gained from certain kinds of manual work: fixing things and making stuff. He theorizes that the work of builders and mechanics help create communities and enrich our spiritual lives because craftsmanship cannot be made obsolete or outsourced. The discipline and practice needed to master a skill requires the work of the hand and the mind, a way of working deemed nonessential in most blue and white collar jobs. A thought provoking mediation about the future of human work.

Travel as a Political Act by Rick Steves - Time to repack your mental baggage, step out of your travel comfort bubble and encounter the world you are traveling through. Steves believes in the enlightening value of traveling thoughtfully: discussing the politics and history of the places you visit with the locals will make you less of a tourist and more of a participant. Gain a global perspective and make friends, which is what travel is all about. Always the passionate traveler, Steves shows how to be fearless as well, with a little commonsense.

New Cookbooks at the Library

Robin Rescues Dinner: 52 Weeks of Quick Fix Meals, 350 Recipes, and a Realistic Plan to Get Weeknight Dinners on the Table by Robin Miller - Robin delivers the goods, laying out weekly prep and menu plans for getting the food from the grocery store to your dinner table with a minimum amount of time spent over a hot stove. Most recipes serve 4 but many have instructions for doubling - "Morph Into Another Meal." Fun, adventurous, global, and easy, check out her "20 Fast Meals from a Rotisserie Chicken", "12 Pantry Pastas", and the other fast meals from leftovers. Prep and cooking times are generally 30-45 min. A feast for the imagination as well as the belly, browse through the detailed Table of Contents while munching on Nacho Napoleons. For a preview of several recipes from this book go to: www.robinrescuesdinner.com.

The Flavors of Asia: Recipes from China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam by Mai Pham - Restaurant owner Mai Pham demystifies the techniques and ingredients of Asian cooking including how to buy and cook the right kind of noodle. These recipes will require you to buy exotic ingredients and a few new cooking utensils, but you will be rewarded by acquiring the ability to cook Korean Barbecued Short Ribs, Pad Thai, Vietnamese Spring Rolls, and Coconut Fudge at home. BTW, an excellent recipe for Dashi is included. Do not neglect to read the section on fish sauce, that funky and addictive Southeast Asian seasoning. Revelations await!

America’s Most Wanted Recipes: Delicious Recipes from Your Family’s Favorite Restaurants by Ron Douglas - Everyone loves a secret and Douglas reveals copycat versions of many a fast-food joint’s famous secret recipe as well as signature dishes from restaurants A to Z. There’s Fried Chicken from Church’s and KFC, Junior’s Cheesecake, pancakes from IHOP’s and Perkins, an extensive list from the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Macaroni Grill. Also included are P.F. Chang’s, Outback Steakhouse and Taco Bell. This method of “eating out” will not break the budget. Low-fat alternatives and nutrition conscious substitutes are suggested.

The Good Cookie: Over 250 Delicious Recipes, From Simple to Sublime by Tish Boyle - Why this cookie book over all the others? Let’s start with the sublime, like the down home Brooklyn Heights Brownies dense, rich, and glazed, or the continental Hazelnut Jam Sandwiches, Boyle has a cookie for every mood, every occasion, and in every shape including amy-oes and the timeless whoopee pie. If you don’t really like to bake, quick fixes like Midnight Brownies made with Midnight Milky Way bars will satisfy the need with little effort. Basic recipes and techniques will help the beginning cookie-maker make the perfect cookie while experts will be challenged by Two-Toned Tuile Corkscrews and Lattice-Toped Linzer Torts. Be tempted!

The Complete Book of Pickling: 250 Recipes, from Pickles & Relishes to Chutneys & Salsas by Jennifer MacKenzie - Not just your run-of-the-mill pickle book, in addition to the standard dill recipes you will find recipes for Sweet and Tangy Pickled Grapes, White Balsamic and Pepper Pickled Strawberries, Martini Olives, Apple-Onion and Ale Relish, and much more. The recipes are designed for small batches, 8 oz. and pint jars.