Fiction
Finding Faith in Lost River
‘A Redbird Christmas’ By Fannie FlaggOswald T. Campbell, 52, receives a dire health prognosis. He leaves chilly Chicago for what he believes may be his last Christmas and takes up residence in a small rural community in Alabama. Warm and welcomed, he receives a rich magical gift, as will readers.
Inside the Cloistered Life
‘In This House of Brede’ By Rumer GoddenA career woman, 42-year-old Philippa Talbot, shocks her boss and subordinates when she joins a contemplative religious order in the Benedictine Abbey of Brede. There the nuns still follow the rule of “work and pray.” As Philippa enters into this new life and through the years afterward, we learn about the other nuns, but we also discover much about monastic practices, church history, and the customs of those who, to this day, practice the Rule of St. Benedict. This 1969 novel was Rumer Godden’s masterpiece.
Science
Space Changes People
‘Why Am I Taller?: What Happens to an Astronaut’s Body in Space’ By Dr. Dave Williams and Elizabeth Howell, Ph.D.In the 1940s and 1950s, science fiction portrayed life on a spaceship as little different from life on a submarine. Today, after nearly 50 years of humans living for long periods in space, we know better. This book explores and explains what we know about what happens to the human body when it spends time in space. It’s a fascinating look at the challenges of space travel and of living in space, and the methods used to keep space travelers healthy—in space and after they return to Earth.
History
The Past and Future of an American Sea
‘The Gulf of Mexico: A Maritime History’ By John S. SledgeThe Gulf of Mexico is America’s sea. The wealth of two continents passes through its waters, which offer food and recreation. Sledge offers a full history of the Gulf, from earliest times to the present, providing a sublime description of its cities, its ships and travelers, and its disasters. Revealing its rich cultural heritage and potential future, he’s clearly entranced by it and after reading his homage, you may be as well.
Biography
Bygone Bylines Headline History
‘Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Reporters Who Took on a World at War’ By Deborah CohenTake a ride on the wild side by reading about the lives of former journalists in the years leading to World War II. John and Frances Gunther, H.R. Knickerbocker, Vincent Sheean, and Dorothy Thompson are the primary protagonists in these riveting biographies of the storytellers who catapulted foreign affairs to the front pages.
Classics
Simply Gorgeous
‘Classic Poetry: Candlewick Illustrated Classic’ Edited by Michael RosenIllustrated by Paul Howard, this beauty will appeal to a spectrum of readers, from those who treasure verse and art to teen lit lovers and even to the younger crew, as several children’s poems are included. Each entry comes with a tinted painting or photograph of the poet and a brief biography. Here are the good old verses that stir the heart, but some will be new to readers, like “Mulga Bill’s Bicycle” by Banjo Patterson, who also wrote “Waltzing Mathilda.” If you’re looking for an exquisite holiday gift, look no more.
For Kids
A Tapestry of Words and Pictures
‘Paddle-to-the-Sea’ By Holling C. HollingA carved Indian in a tiny canoe drifts from the Great Lakes to the sea, helped along the way by many hands. Holling blends history, geography, and a great storyline to make this an enchanting, informative adventure. Ages 6–10.
A Culinary Voyage
‘What the World Eats’ By Faith D’Aluisio and Peter MenzelThis photographic journey takes readers around the world, exploring the different cuisines of various cultures. Packed with pictures of families in their kitchens, recipes, maps, and more, it’s an enjoyable and eye-opening feast.
