Showing posts with label nonfiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nonfiction. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Summer Reading Reviews, Week Two

Thanks to our Barnard Crossing patrons for submitting reviews of the books they've been reading for the summer reading program this year!

Hover by Anne Wilson
Reviewed by Ann W.
"A vivid view of females in the armed service. An upfront narrative of helicopter use in the war in the Mideast, the difficulty landing on board the ship, the intricate flying required." 10+/10
 
 

Heart Like Mine by Amy Hatvany
Reviewed by Diane H.
"Interesting story about a family with hidden pasts, and the consequences of keeping them secret." 10/10



Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Reviewed by Patty N.
"An estranged wife leaves her abusive husband and ends up in a small town with an identity of a dead woman. She falls in love with a widowed guy with two children. Her husband tracks her down and tries to kill them." 10/10



I Regret Nothing by Jen Lancaster (nonfiction)
Reviewed by Kim T.
"Entertaining as all her books are but not as funny as Bitter is the New Black." 8/10



The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
Reviewed by Lisa C.
"Set in turn-of-the-20th-century New York City, sandwiched between the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and fire at Coney Island, the story of two outsiders - one by choice and one by birth - and how they find each other. Creepy and repellent; mesmerizing and magical." 7/10



Teddy's World by Mirja de Vries (nonfiction)
Reviewed by Kellie G.
"In the book, it shows you the teddy's perspective on life and also tells you about the different teddy bears that were made at different times in history." 8/10



The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer
Reviewed by Susan W.
"An excellent beach read. A mom and her two kids and a dad and his son each decide to take a summer getaway to Nantucket to deal with recent family issues. Without knowing it, both families have rented the same beach house. Realistic characters, great plot, and vivid images make this a great book." 10/10



The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale (nonfiction)
Reviewed by Christol W.
"The book talks about success and how people succeed and reach their goals in life by being focused and knowing what they want to achieve in life." 10/10



Valley Fever by Katherine Taylor
Reviewed by Ann W.
"A story about a family's struggle to maintain their livelihood in the California wine country, despite the greed of family and dishonesty of employees." 8/10

Thursday, April 23, 2015

2015 Pulitzer Prize Winners

This year's Pulitzer Prize winners have been announced! This is an award for journalism, literature, and music named after the late Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper publisher.

Congratulations to all of the winning authors. Below are this year's winners with links to the items in our catalog for you to check out.

Fiction: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

General Nonfiction: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

Biography or AutobiographyThe Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pope Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe by David I. Kertzer

HistoryEncounters at the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan People by Elizabeth Fenn

Have you read any of these titles yet? Which ones are you planning on reading?

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott

Author: Karen Abbott

Seventeen-year old Belle Boyd, a tempestuous Virginian, shot a Union soldier in her home and became a courier and spy for the Confederate  army. Though the flirtatious Boyd seduced men on both sides of the conflict, she actually had a serious crush on Stonewall Jackson, and on one occasion managed to thwart a Union plan to trap him in the Shenandoah Valley.

Abbott claims that “as many as four hundred women" in both North and  South posed and fought as men.  Canadian Emma Edmonds was one such woman. Edmonds came from an unhappy home, and finally fled when threatened with an arranged marriage to an elderly neighbor. Disguised as Frank Thompson, medic and mail carrier with Company F, Second Michigan Infantry, she infiltrated enemy lines and eventually witnessed the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest engagement in the Civil War.

Of the four women Abbott highlights, widow Rose O'Neal Greenhow is the best known.  Greenhow lived in Washington where she lobbied politicians on behalf of the confederacy.  She learned how to write messages in code and used her young daughter, Little Rose, to send information to Southern generals.  For a time, mother and daughter were imprisoned together. 

Elizabeth Van Lew, a wealthy Richmond abolitionist, was known to have Yankee roots, yet her wealth and Southern manners served as cover for a far-ranging espionage network.  She even managed to place Mary Jane Bowser, a former slave, inside the Confederate  White House.          

This is an exciting read which focuses on women who risked everything for a cause in which they believed. It also offers a fuller picture of people involved in the Civil War.
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Call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!   
 

Friday, December 5, 2014

Staff's Favorite Books - 2014

You're probably not surprised to hear that our staff loves reading! Below is a list of just some of the staff's favorite books they've read this year (so far). As you can see, our staff members have a varied taste in books ranging from nonfiction to fiction of all genres. Many of these are 2014 releases but not all... they are just our favorites from what we've read this year. Have you read any of our favorites?
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As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!  

Monday, October 13, 2014

Cookbook Review: Sweet (Food Network)

Author: Food Network
Genre: Cookbook, nonfiction
Pages: 336
Published: 2014

I received a copy of Sweet: Our Best Cupcakes, Cookies, Candy, and More from Blogging for Books for an honest review. I am a person that really enjoys cooking, and looked forward to seeing this book since I am a fan of the Food Network magazine. The cookbook did not disappoint. The book is organized in eight sections; cupcakes & whoopie pies, cookies & bars, candy & snacks, pies & crumbles, fake-out cakes, show-off cakes, frozen treats, and holiday desserts. The only chapter that I probably will not make anything from is the "fake-out" cakes - although they look cool, I would rather focus on desserts that taste great and appeal to my family and friends. One general thing I liked about the cookbook is the nice, clear photograph of the recipe - it is nice to see how the finished product should look! There are several recipes that drew me in, and that I will definitely try. The Red Velvet Whoopie Pies look amazing, and I think they would make a great holiday dessert. My family also loves oatmeal-raisin cookies, and I was glad to see a chewy cookie recipe included in the book. There are a number of trendy recipes that include bacon, etc. along with classics like lemon bars. I recently ate a macaroon at a bakery in town, and was happy to see two different macaroon recipes included. The salted pretzel-marshmallow bars will be something I make for my son in college - he will love them! The jam shortbread bars look easy, and anyone could probably make them with ingredients they have on hand. Cinnamon raisin-nut toffee would make a great office Christmas gift. 

There are few recipes that look great for the fall - apple cider doughnuts, bourbon praline cake, and chocolate-toffee pecan tart. The watermelon squares look like a great summertime treat! If you have a banana lover in the house, you might want to make the banana-marshmallow meringue pie - it looks really good. There is a nice, basic ice cream crunch cake recipe that would make a great birthday cake. It looks just like the ones you buy from Carvel. There are some interesting holiday recipes, including one to make your own conversation hearts from scratch! A little ambitious for me - but nice if you want to "Get your Martha On." I will definately make the star studded berry tarts on my next patriotic holiday. There are also fun side notes, like suggested chocolate dipped treats, or varieties of candy apples. All in all, the cookbook is fun, has clear photos and instructions, and has a good variety of treats to make.

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Reviewed by Claire T

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Books for the Animal Lover!

If you're anything like me (Stephanie... major animal lover), you probably love reading about animals. I'm a SUCKER for these kinds of books, especially touching stories about how someone's pet(s) impacted their lives. I'm usually either sobbing like a baby while reading these books, laughing hysterically, or sometimes both (case in point: Marley and Me by John Grogan), but I just can't get enough! Here are some recommended reads for the fellow animal lover that I absolutely love:

1. Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Greatest Dog by John Grogan: as mentioned above, this book made me laugh hysterically and also made me cry buckets. It is the classic dog lover story, and if you haven't read it yet... you MUST! You can watch the movie too, but you just have to read it first. Marley is hilarious, naughty, sweet, and lifechanging. I distinctly remember reading this in high school, late into the night because I couldn't put it down. I finished at 2:00 in the morning, and as my mother passed by me to use the restroom was quite alarmed: "are you okay?! What's wrong?" This was in response to the sobbing that was happening. Oh the tears!

2. Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love From the World's Best Therapy Dog by Melissa Baxter: this is a sweet, sweet book. It features Baxter, an incredible therapy dog, and has a number of photo essays about his work at a hospice. Your heart will be warmed by this incredibly uplifting story. Baxter has since passed away, but his legacy will live on!

3. Dewey: the Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron: This is a must read if you like cats and libraries, and really... who doesn't?! Dewey was an abandoned kitten turned library cat at a small public library in Iowa. He touched many lives and made many friends in the library, and I WANT ONE! Library cat... yes please!

4. Stay: A Novel by Allie Larkin: if you're more of a fiction fan, then Stay is a must read for you! It also happens to be by a fabulously talented and LOCAL author, Allie Larkin! It's a hilarious and heartwarming women's fiction read about a woman who drunkenly orders a German Shepard puppy online. This story has it all including family, love, and puppy antics. I love this one! How could I not?!

5. Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston: if you love mysteries (cozies, in particular) AND animals, then I have found the perfect series for you! Beaglemania is the first in the Pet Rescue mystery series about Lauren, a woman who runs a no-kill animal shelter, saves animals, and solves crimes! Lots of fun!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Summer Reading Reviews Pt. 3

Here are some more patron reviews from our adult summer reading program. We hope all the participants are having fun and enjoying their prizes!
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The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Reviewed by Michael S.

Even after all those years, Tolkien’s books have continued to impress me. Despite the story being slow at first, it quickly picks up. I highly recommend it to all fantasy fans.

Rating: 10/10
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Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
Reviewed by Patricia N.

The author took pictures of people on the street in New York City. They are interesting people. He decided to put them in the book after they were a hit on the web.

Rating: 10/10
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Do You Promise Not To Tell? by Mary Jane Clark
Reviewed by Jane B.

Engaging, light mystery about authenticity of the Faberg Moon Egg. TV reporter, art world and well-drawn characters are all part of the plot.

Rating: 8/10
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As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!  

Friday, July 18, 2014

Review: You Can Buy Happiness (and it's Cheap) by Tammy Strobel

Author: Tammy Strobel
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 209
Published: 2012

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to simplify my life.  As I have gotten older, I realized that I do not like to spend a lot of time cleaning and maintaining things in my home (who does, really?).  But after reading this book, I now know that I do not have to, if I just have less stuff.  Therefore, I began my quest to find books that helped me get my head in the right place.  Let’s be honest…it can be very hard to not want to go shopping to get the newest trend whether it is in clothing fashion, or something for my house.  But this book helped me realize the freeing, happy life I can live if I stop accumulating stuff.

I found this book to be very engaging and thought-provoking.  Each chapter presents real examples of how the author simplified her life, followed by actionable thoughts and steps the reader can take.  The book never came across as preachy, which made me like it even more.  While Tammy took downsizing to a whole new level by moving in to a tiny, 150 sq. ft. house (a feat that does not interest me); I was looking for a book that could help me get in the right mindset of less is more.

The most profound idea that I took away from this book is that the stuff we own does not create the memories that fulfill our lives.  New clothes will temporarily make us happy, but following the high of owning something new is a low when you realize you have to pay the bill for the item, take the time to store it, clean it, etc.  I would rather live with less stuff that I have to clean and maintain so I can take more vacations and make memories with loved ones.  I have enough furniture and space.  I have enough towels and linens so I do not need to buy the ones I found on sale.  I have enough clothing and shoes, especially when I realize I do not need to do laundry for a month AND have run out of space in 4 closets.  I have enough kitchen gadgets and tools to make any recipe I could ever dream of.  Since I have all of the things I already need, I have finally curbed my desire to buy more.  I do not feel the need to stop at the store, just to see what might be on sale.  Instead, I now have more free time to do the things that are important to me, including spending time with my family and friends, playing with my dog, and reading.  

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants the tools and tips to live a more simplistic life that focuses on creating relationships and memories, something that fulfills me in ways I never realized.

5 out of 5 stars  

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Reviewed by Laura Beth


As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!  

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Review: My Story by Elizabeth Smart

Title: My Story
Author: Elizabeth Smart
Genre: Memoir, true crime
Pages: 308
Published: 2013

It's always hard for me to rate and review books that contain such personal stories and ordeals, like this one.

Many of you probably remember the story of Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in 2002. She was 14 years old and taken captive by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, and held in captivity for nine long months in outdoor "camps." She was abused both mentally and physically, starved, sexually abused, and made to live in fear with the constant threats made by her captors who convinced her that if she ever tried to escape, her family would be killed.

It was extremely heartbreaking and fascinating to finally hear the whole story directly from Elizabeth. I was shocked by all the things that she endured and how delusional Mitchell was. It sickened me how he pretended and faked his way through life. He pretended he was a prophet and that he was doing all that he was doing because he was told to do so by God. He "preached" on the street for money, stole things from stores, and convinced people he was doing it all in the name of religion. He was a phony and a criminal and how he got away with it for so long, I will never understand.

This account of Elizabeth's ordeal is quite detailed and all encompassing. If you're interested in following crime cases, as I am, this would be a good book for you to pick up. I'm also planning on reading some other books about this case from other authors just to get other perspectives, but this is obviously the definitive account and one that I'd recommend.

My Rating: 4/5
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Reviewed by Stephanie

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Revew: Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Title: Dad is Fat
Author: Jim Gaffigan
Genre: Memoir, humor, nonfiction
Pages: 274
Published: 2013

I am quite a big fan of Jim Gaffigan's. My family and I watch his specials on Netflix and bust out laughing. Needless to say, when I found out he had a book out, I was pretty excited.

I went into this book with high expectations that were perhaps a bit too high. I pictured it to be similar to one of his shows, which in a way it was, but my disappointment lied in the fact that it was basically a comedic book about parenting and being a dad. While I had a few chuckles here and there, and could completely hear him saying all of these things in his whacky voices, I simply couldn't relate. Not being a parent yet, I could understand the points he was making but I just didn't appreciate them as much as a parent could and would.

Nevertheless, Jim Gaffigan is pretty interesting and funny. He talks about what it's like raising five kids in his two bedroom apartment in NYC. Yes, CRAZY! There are also photos and drawings included, which were quite funny. I was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of his sketches that I've seen on his specials included towards the end of the book too. 

Jim Gaffigan's delivery is hilarious, regardless of the topic, but I just couldn't get all that enthused about this particular topic. I enjoyed the short essay format because I could easily pick up and put down the book, even if I just had a few minutes to read. All in all though, I'd say this book is really targeted more towards parents who are fans of his, rather than all of his fans. If you're currently childless, you may not enjoy this one as much. This is not to say it's a bad book - it certainly is not... it just wasn't up my alley at this particular stage in my life!

My Rating: 3/5 
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Reviewed by Stephanie

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Nonfiction Review: How I Planned Your Wedding by Susan Wiggs & Elizabeth Wiggs Maas

Title: How I Planned Your Wedding: the All-True Story of a Mother and Daughter Surviving the Happiest Day of Their Lives 
Author: Susan Wiggs & Elizabeth Wiggs Maas
Genre: nonfiction, memoir
Pages: 229
Published: 2010

I just got married last month and decided to read this book right before my wedding. I actually finished it on the honeymoon! Anyways, this is the true story of a mother and daughter, Susan and Elizabeth, planning Elizabeth's wedding. As some of you may know, Susan Wiggs is a very popular bestselling romance author who has many great ideas about romance, love, and weddings. She couldn't WAIT for her daughter to get engaged so they could start planning a fairy tale wedding just like the ones she writes about.

This story switched view points, with both Elizabeth and her mother narrating. It covered the whole story from the engagement, all the way to the honeymoon and it was nice seeing two perspectives as I know my own mother was very involved in helping to plan my wedding too! The two women are very close and I enjoyed reading about their relationship and close bond - it was very sweet and touching! 

This book also includes some pointers and tips, so I think this book would be great for the newly engaged. It would make the perfect read for a mother and daughter who are planning a wedding because it was light, fun and cute. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was worth the read, especially at that particular time in my life.

My Rating: 3.5/5
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Reviewed by Stephanie

This book is available as an eBook through our service, OverDrive. Check it out to your device or computer HERE!

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org.


Monday, November 4, 2013

Hilarious Reads

Looking for something hilarious to read? Check out some of these books...

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster: Jen Lancaster, who started out as a blogger, has written several memoirs and novels. This is her first memoir and it is laugh out loud funny. She is self-centered, rude, and vulgar, but she is also hilarious. Not for the easily offended.


Lunatics by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel: This is a totally off the wall novel by two very funny writers. It is insane, ridiculous, and absurd, but I was laughing all the way through. This story of two men whose small argument snowballs into global escapades will crack you up, but only if you have a silly sense of humor like I have!


Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres: This is a lighthearted, funny, positive memoir that is completely entertaining and fun. Great for something light, especially for fans of Ellen!
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Reviewed by Stephanie

As always, feel free to call us to check on their availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the titles above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Nonfiction Review: Bringing in Finn by Sara Connell

Title: Bringing in Finn: An Extraordinary Surrogacy Story
Author: Sara Connell
Genre: nonfiction, memoir
Pages: 336
Published: 2012

Bringing in Finn is one woman's true account of her struggle to get pregnant and have a baby. After countless heartaches, lost pregnancies, and IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments, Sara and her husband, Bill, knew they still wanted to have a child, despite having no success as of yet. Eventually, her 61 year old mother became a surrogate and carried their son, Finn, to full term for them.

This was a fascinating story. Not only was it incredible that Sara's mother became a surrogate for her own daughter, but her age was an astounding factor as well. It helped create a bond between the family that once seemed lost; what a beautiful thing! And what a gift... to help your child have her own child... just wow!

The first half of the story is also important. It chronicles Sara's own personal journey to having a child and the struggles she endured trying to have a baby. She discusses the various treatments they used while trying to get pregnant, the joy of finally becoming pregnant with twins, as well as the painful miscarriages she faced later on and the loss of the twins she was so excited to conceive after a long road of trying.

While I don't have children just yet, I was moved and fascinated by this story. I also learned a lot about infertility, pregnancy, IVF, and surrogacy making me a much more knowledgeable and empathetic person.

One thing to note is that Sara is very into alternative health and seems quite spiritual. She seems very unique and intelligent! I had a hard time connecting with these ideas at times though. However, it never hurts to learn about new things, ideas, cultures, and more, so this may not be a bad thing.
All in all, a very interesting and lovely story about family, love, and hope.

My Rating: 4/5
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Reviewed by Stephanie

You can find this book in our BIOGRAPHY section. Its location is "BIO CONNELL." You can also find this in our online catalog by clicking HERE.

As always, feel free to call us to check on their availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org.