Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

This is a great book for book clubs!! Themes and events in the book will lead to a lively and spirited discussion. It is a fascinating work of historical fiction that will have you enthralled to the last page. It is one of those books that lead you to do further research on the topic (architecture) and people. The book chronicles the love affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney from about 1907-1914. This was a shocking, scandoulous affair at the time since both Wright and Cheney were married to other people. Highly recommended!

Margaret B., Reference

Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley

Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley

This mystery is set in the fictional town of Starvation Lake in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula. Gus Carpenter has returned to his hometown to edit the local newspaper after a stint as a reporter at the Detroit Times goes bad. He’s not sure which is harder – returning home without the Pulitzer Prize he had in his sights, or continually trying to live down that one goal that got by him and cost his boyhood hockey team the state championship. But when the snowmobile on which his former coach had been riding when it went through the ice ten years earlier washes up on the shore of an entirely different lake, the investigation into the coach’s drowning is reopened. As Gus tries to put the pieces together he discovers that everything he thought he knew about his coach, his friends, and even his family is shaken to the very core. Let’s hope this first-time novelist has many more to come.

Sue A., Reference

Renegade Champion, the Unlikely Rise of Fitzrada by Richard R. Rust

Renegade Champion, the Unlikely Rise of Fitzrada by Richard R. Rust

This book is about Jane Pohl, a daughter of a West Point army officer, and the horse, Fitzrada, with whom she forged a great partnership. If you love horses, you will really like this book. Even if you are not interested in horses, you may be interested in the historical aspects of the book regarding the army, West Point, and women’s lives in the 1940s and 50s. Fitzrada came from the U.S. army calvary stock and was scheduled to be destroyed. He was rescued by Jane and her father and became one of the most well-known show jumpers in the late 1940s. They won many championships together. Most men could not ride him but over the course of 5 years of training and riding, Jane and Fitz became true partners. Jane was a pioneer of her time—leading the way for women to be included on the Olympic equestrian teams. My only complaint is that I would have liked more photos to be included in the book.

Margaret B., Reference

Saving Grace (DVD)

Saving Grace (DVD)

This movie is a laugh-out-loud, silly, light-hearted British comedy. It won the Audience Prize in the World Cinema section at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. Craig Ferguson plays an aimless Scottish gardener who tries to help Grace, the lady of the manor house, when her husband unexpectedly dies and leaves her deep in debt. They use Grace’s green thumb and her green house to grow a crop of marijuana with the intention to sell it to pay off Grace’s debts. Most everything goes awry and that is where the comedy lies. The characters are all likeable if not lovable, even the “bad” guys. It is rated R because of the subject matter and the language, so I would not recommend it for children.

Kathleen Z., Library Director

Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith

Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith

I liked the book, but LOVED the Book on CD! William Dufris, the narrator, is a hoot! I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series.

1893 is a tough year in Montana. When Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer sign on as ranch hands at the secretive Bar VR cattle ranch, they’re not expecting anything more than hard work and bad pay. What they get is a dead body that looks a whole lot like the leftovers of an unfortunate encounter with a cattle stampede. Old Red sees it as a perfect opportunity to employ his Sherlock Holmes-inspired deducifin’ skills and Big Red like it or not, is a long for the wild ride.

Jerilee C., Head of Adult Services

Three Cups of Tea...One Man's Mission to Promote Peace and Build Nations...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

Three Cups of Tea...One Man's Mission to Promote Peace and Build Nations...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

An extraordinary story. Greg Mortenson, a former mountain climber, discovers his true life mission by building schools for the poor, mountainous villagers in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His journey is an inspiring adventure tale. You will be enlightened and discover interesting facts about this region of the world seen through his eyes. This book is inspiring. Greg has turned a single promise to a small village into a life mission. His determination to build schools in remote areas that have hostile environments that sometimes include hostile insurgents is awesome. The story is one of hope and encouragement. One person can make a difference that can change the world.

Kathleen Z., Library Director

Jesse Stone: Night Passage (DVD)

Jesse Stone: Night Passage (DVD)

Made-for-TV starring Tom Selleck and based on the book by Robert B. Parker. Following his divorce and loss of his job as a LAPD homicide detective, Jesse Stone travels across the country to take a job as the Chief of Police in the sleepy fishing village of Paradise, Mass. All is not heavenly in Paradise. A domestic violence call leads to a money-laundering case and possibly murder. Jesse Stone is wrestling with his own demons - the major one being a drinking problem – the cause of his job loss in LA. There are some dirty secrets in Paradise, but also some dedicated staff in the Police Dept. The acting, directing and screenplay are excellent. This is one of five made-for-tv movies with Tom Selleck starring as Jesse Stone.

Kathleen Z., Library Director

The Gift of Years, Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister

The Gift of Years, Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister

Wonderful advice for people facing retirement and who are reaching 70 years of age. The author tells how to live these years productively and with purpose. Each chapter, labeled Fear, Joy, Loneliness, Sadness, etc. explains what to do and ends with a 'burden of these years' and a 'blessing of these years.' I found this book very helpful as I plan to retire in a year or so.

Sue N., Youth Services