Fiction
Murder Among Soldiers
‘A Gentleman’s Murder’ By Christopher HuangOnly five years after The Great War, a murder occurs in a soldiers-only club. British veteran Lt. Eric Peterkin finds himself searching for answers among the elite and along the streets of London. This post-war mystery is sure to please lovers of detective stories.
An Endearing Novel of WWII
‘Mister Roberts: A Novel’ By Thomas HeggenThomas Heggen takes us aboard the USS Reluctant, a supply ship in a Pacific backwater during the war, where we meet the tyrannical captain, watch the hilarious doings of the crew (especially Ensign Pulver), and come to admire the noble Lt. Roberts, who defends the crew from the captain and wants nothing more than to serve in combat. Here’s a tale of the sea that offers laughter and maybe a few tears. Originally published in 1946, this story gave birth to a hit Broadway play and a popular movie.
History
Spain Re-examined
‘España: A Brief History of Spain’ By Giles TremlettSpain is traditionally cast as a villain in much of English (and U.S.) literature and history. This one-volume history of Spain, from its earliest days to the present, reveals a different Spain, one that made many unappreciated contributions to Western civilization. Punctuation, created by Isidore of Seville, is just one example. While it’s a sympathetic portrayal, it doesn’t whitewash Spanish history. Lavishly illustrated, it unveils a history that more people should know about.
Biography
The World’s Greatest Escape Artist
‘Houdini: The Elusive American’ By Adam BegleyErik Weisz is one of America’s most famous stage magicians. If his real name is unfamiliar, his stage name isn’t: Harry Houdini. This biography traces Houdini’s early years as he evolved into the world’s most famous escape artist. It reveals Houdini as a man with many interests. He became the first man to fly in Australia. He made movies. He unmasked fraudulent spiritualists and sought to top past achievements. This is a fabulous book.
Social Science
Toward a More Perfect Union
‘Created Equal: The Painful Past, Confusing Present, and Hopeful Future of Race in America’ By Dr. Ben Carson with Candy CarsonDr. Ben Carson, former secretary of housing and urban development, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, and the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins is also a best-selling author. Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he shares keen insights on the past and offers an uplifting path forward.
Classics
Seeking Redemption
‘Lord Jim’ By Joseph ConradThe Patna is sinking. On an impulse, the first mate, the idealistic Jim, leaps into a boat carrying most of the crew, deserting the religious pilgrims the ship is carrying. But the Patna doesn’t sink, and Jim, like the others, is censured and disgraced for abandoning ship. This is an unforgettable study of a young man, his story told by the narrator Marlow, who’s racked by guilt and hopes to restore his honor and prove himself to be a better person. Readers must judge for themselves as to whether Jim succeeds in his quest.
For Kids
Fun Story, Great Pictures
‘Pirates Aren’t Scared of the Dark!’ By Maudie Powell-TuckYoung Jack wants to camp out in the yard in his pirate tent for the first time and wants nothing to do with his sister Lily. A sweet story about sibling love and that scary night in the tent. This book is illustrated by Alison Edgson and is for ages 2 through 6.
Warm and Charming
‘Little Bear’ By Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Maurice SendakLittle Bear is a bit uneasy when his father is away, but his loving mother helps him through it. The book that inspired the lovely animated series is a gentle read that illustrates the joys of childhood and the warmth of family.
