New and Hot in February!

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier’s novel is based on historical people – Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot – their love of fossils and extraordinary finds along the coast of England’s Lyme Regis area in the 1800s. Mary Anning’s finds changed geological history and are still found in museums. It is the story of Mary and Elizabeth’s friendship – how class of the society would have kept Mary unnamed in her discoveries if Elizabeth hadn’t intervened with the men of society. It is a great story, fast read and thoroughly enjoyable.

Lisa

We want to hear from you!

We know everyone doesn’t have time to write a mini review of a great book. So we’ve made it easy for you to share! Over on the right column under the Search box is “Read a Good Book? Please Share!” If you click on the link below (“Click here”), you can enter the title and author of the last good book you’ve read. It’s that easy!

We’ll share the results monthly.

Dedra

Here are the last titles submitted:

Shakespeare Loves Bollywood by Patrice Kyger
The Anglo Saxon World by Michael Drout (audiobook)
About Face by Donna Leon

Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

This wonderful historical novel is based on the life of Alice Liddell who inspired Lewis Carroll to write Alice in Wonderland. Benjamin does an excellent job telling a complex story of young Alice’s relationship with Carroll aka Charles Dodgson – who was a young man at Oxford when they met. But it is more than that – it is about Alice’s strength through a catastrophic time in her young life, followed by love and loss. It is about a girl becoming a woman – navigating Victorian England’s strict moral attitudes with little help from those around her. Great for discussion and book clubs.

Lisa

No Mercy by Lori Armstrong

Mercy Gunderson was a former Army sniper in Afghanistan and Iraq who has returned to the family ranch because of an injury. She is soon embroiled in a murder mystery when the body of a Native American teenager is found on Gunderson land. Mercy is a straight-shooting, hard-drinking, no nonsense woman who is interesting because she seems to have very few vulnerabilities.

Lisa

Heroic Measures by Jill Ciment

After forty-five years negotiating the stairs of their five floor East Village walk-up apartment, septuagenarians Alex and Ruth have decided it’s time to move. As if finding the perfect New York apartment weren’t a daunting enough task, a panic has seized the city as a possible terrorist attack is clogging the Mid-town tunnel, and their beloved dachshund, Dorothy, has collapsed and needs emergency medical attention. Ciment has deftly created a slice-of-life story that reveals universal truths in small, but possibly heroic, gestures.

Laura

Gone to the Dogs by Mary Guterson

When Rena finds out her fiancé, Brian, has unceremoniously dumped her (through a phone call from Brian’s dad no less) she reacts badly in a weak moment by stealing his new girlfriend’s dog. As the reality of her crime settles in Rena faces her Mother’s impending re-marriage, her sister’s shaky marriage and withdrawal from Orthodox Judaism, her dead-end waitressing job, the possible appeal of her latest blind date, as well as some persuasive come-ons from Brian. A light, but entertaining read.

Laura

Open by Andre Agassi

Remarkably candid book from a tennis icon who grew to hate the sport he’d been groomed for. Pressured for success from the cradle, Agassi shares his angst-filled journey to find self-identity both on and off the court. In the process, he opens himself to acceptance of his talent, love, and giving back to his hometown community in Las Vegas. Wide-ranging appeal for non-sports fans and sports fans alike.

Kyra

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

Mike Smith is a sweet, rather innocent young man who was called “The Miracle Boy” because of an incident in his childhood that rendered him mute. Now Mike is more often called “The Boxman” because there is no safe he cannot crack. Even though this talent landed Mike in prison at the age of eighteen, his story will have you rooting for him in this innovative thriller.

Dedra

Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner

Prim, proper and pregnant Miss Jessica Thornton, a flame haired British heiress, is on the run in a stagecoach in New Mexico territory. And she is not impressed with the arrogant, battered cowboy sitting across from her – until the stagecoach overturns and the scruffy cowboy takes charge and saves many lives. Kaki Warner’s debut novel will appeal to fans of LaVyrle Spencer and Catherine Anderson.

Dedra