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Biography and Memoir May 2019
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The matriarch : Barbara Bush and the making of an American dynasty
by Susan Page
What it's about: Drawing on diary access and more than 100 interviews, a vibrant portrait of the former first lady includes coverage of Barbara Bush's private struggles and remarkable political achievements.
Is it for you? "The author spends considerable time analyzing Barbara Bush's personality, including her quick wit, bluntness, self-deprecation, loyalty to her husband, and strict methods for raising her children and grandchildren; all traits that captivated the public." (Publishers Weekly)
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Funny man : Mel Brooks
by Patrick McGilligan
What it's about: A biography of a comic legend traces his life and career—from his childhood in Williamsburg tenements to becoming an actor, writer, and director responsible for such comedy classics as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.
Two Mels: "...persuasively sketches two sides of the comedian-filmmaker’s personality: “Nice Mel,” a zany performer who is always on, cares deeply for others, and craves affection, and “Rude Crude Mel,” a tenacious negotiator and a genius at self-promotion who is riven by insecurity." (Publishers Weekly)
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The death and life of Aida Hernandez : a border story
by Aaron Bobrow-Strain
What it's about: Traces the story of a Chihuahua rebel hero's daughter and undocumented teen mother who after her deportation from the only home she had ever known fought the U.S. immigration system to reunite with her son.
Reviewers say: "Bobrow-Strain is equal parts sympathetic and unabashedly honest in his re-creation of Aida’s life, seamlessly blending the intimate details of memoir into the historical and political context of U.S. immigration policies." (BookPage)
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| Southern Lady Code: Essays by Helen EllisWhat it is: uproarious insights on Southern womanhood, life, and culture, written by the Alabama-raised author of American Housewife.
For fans of: Southern pop culture staples Designing Women and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Book buzz: Cristina Alger (The Banker's Wife) says "Reading this feels like settling into a comfy couch and having a martini (or three) with your most hilarious friend." |
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| A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win WWII by Sonia PurnellWho it's about: undeterred American Virginia Hall, who didn't let workplace sexism and the loss of her leg in a hunting accident stop her from serving as a Special Operations Executive (SOE) spy in occupied France, where she established an underground resistance network.
Why you might like it: Offering breakneck pacing and plenty of wartime intrigue, this celebration of a little-known hero is "a joy to read" (Booklist).
Movie buzz: Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley is set to play Hall in a forthcoming film adaptation. |
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| Driving Miss Norma: One Family's Journey Saying "Yes" to Living by Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle What it is: a therapeutic and life-affirming family road trip.
Starring: nonagenarian Norma, who forgoes intensive chemotherapy after her terminal cancer diagnosis to tour the country with her retired son Tim and his wife, Ramie, in their "mobile assisted living home."
Norma says "yes" to...hot air balloon rides, NBA courtside seats, a feted appearance at the Boston St. Patrick's Day parade, and more. |
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| In Other Words by Jhumpa LahiriWhat it is: Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri's bilingual memoir of how her love of Italian prompted her to move her family to Rome, where she made surprising discoveries about her identity as a writer.
Want a taste? "Writing in another language represents an act of demolition, a new beginning."
Did you know? A national bestseller, In Other Words is Lahiri's first foray into nonfiction and was originally published in Italian. |
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| The Comfort Food Diaries: My Quest for the Perfect Dish to Mend a Broken Heart by Emily NunnWhat it's about: Grappling with the aftermath of her brother's suicide and the end of her engagement, grief-stricken food writer Emily Nunn embarks on a cross-country road trip to visit loved ones and indulge in favorite comfort foods.
Recipes include: country ham biscuits; lemon sponge cups; cream cheese and olive sandwiches; collard soup.
Reviewers say: "nourishing" (Kirkus Reviews); "gorgeous and moving" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Winfield, IL 60190
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