U.S. History
By David McCullough
When readers think of David McCullough, what comes to mind are the biographies of Harry Truman or John Adams; great American feats, like building the Brooklyn Bridge or the Panama Canal; or even histories of the American Revolution. In this work, he takes a very nuanced approach by presenting the impact Paris had on famous American artists, writers, physicians, and politicians during their ventures to the City of Lights. McCullough covers the decades throughout the 19th century in a delightful read.
Mystery
By Fiorella De Maria
Father Gabriel, finally back at his beloved St. Mary’s Abbey, wants to slip back into a quiet monastic life after several disturbing investigations. Fate intervenes when a skeleton is found buried at a nearby construction site. The remains are of an 8-year-old girl who disappeared over 30 years ago in 1918. Father Gabriel feels compelled to discover the truth. More than a simple mystery novel, it explores greater themes: childhood innocence and society’s responsibility to protect the young.
Nonfiction
By Susan Tate Ankeny
This fascinating biography introduces Hazel Ying Lee, the first Asian American to earn a pilot’s license and the first to fly for the U.S. military when she joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. Described by friends and family as adventurous and strong-willed, Lee fought the prejudice of her era to achieve these goals, yet always with a sense of humor. The author is a member of several World War II aviation associations and brings that knowledge to bear in Lee’s story.
History
By Sudipta Sen
The Ganges is one of the world’s great rivers, and India’s most sacred river. Part history, part meditation, and part religious study, this looks at the history of the Ganges River basin and explores the river’s impact on India’s culture. Ganges examines how Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam affected those living in the Ganges River basin and how, in turn, were affected by the Ganges. This book works on many levels, offering insight into forces shaping modern India.
Classics
By John Bartlett and Geoffrey O’Brien
First compiled in 1855, this is the 19th edition of a work that once drew high praise from Winston Churchill. From Bartlett’s, students can find themes and quotes for compositions, while the rest of us can take away inspiration, wisdom, and mirth. Here’s a great gift for a graduate. One caveat: As the Amazon blurb reveals, this latest edition apparently favors quotes from today’s political left. If you prefer a different approach, you’ll find plenty of earlier editions available online.
For Kids
By Robert McCloskey
In this collection of six short stories, readers follow the adventures of a young man from Centerburg named Homer Price. Mishaps and adventures abound in this small town—like when a doughnut machine goes haywire and the town loses control of their pets. This fun read by a children’s book legend will have your young readers in stitches.
