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Check out our reviews and recommendations:
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Christine recommends: Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson What it’s about: After she called the cops on a party, Melinda is shunned in school by almost everyone. She’s depressed and angry and won’t say why, but slowly she finds her voice through art and tells her side of the story. Why you might like it: The original book Speak was a powerful semi-autobiographical novel about sexual assault. Emily Carroll’s images enhance the story and show Melinda’s unspoken emotions and her evolution through art.
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Astrid recommends: The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney What it’s about: In 1867 Ontario, Canada, Mrs. Ross, who narrates parts of the book, finds the murdered body of a trapper in his cabin. Her teenage son Francis, who was friends with the dead trapper, has disappeared and is assumed by some to have been the killer. She decides to go searching for Francis with the help of half-Indian trapper William Parker. Reviewers say: Booklist writes the following: “This atmospheric, multilayered first novel is part murder mystery, part historical saga, and part meditation on civilization versus wilderness. The sparsely settled, frozen landscape is vividly evoked, and each stage of the pursuit takes the characters deeper into the wild and deeper into him-or her-self.”
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Meagan recommends: Rebel belle by Rachel Hawkins What it’s about: Texas town-treasure, Harper Price, is exactly what a proper southern belle should be: hard working, sweet, and pretty, but when she is suddenly the lone witness to the death of a sword wielding janitor on the night she is supposed to be crowned homecoming queen, everything is turned upside down. Now, she’s charged with protecting her high school nemesis—David Stark, rumor-starting school reporter—to the death as his sworn paladin. With new super powers in agility, strength, and fighting that seem to come out of nowhere, Harper must combat those who want David dead all while surviving cotillion and salvaging some semblance of her disintegrating social life. For Fans of: Riding on the high of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon and still want more? Rebel Belle is a fun toe-dip into a similar set up: butt-kicking, blond cheerleader fights supernatural forces to stop the end of the world.
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What it’s about: A widower’s discovery of his wife’s charm bracelet leads him on a quest to learn of her life before he met her. Why you might like it: The quest transforms Arthur, encouraging him to explore new experiences and people and to reconnect with his family. For fans of: Stories about people who change their lives for the better.
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Lee recommends: Sargent's Women: Four Lives Behind the Canvas by Donna M. LuceyWhat it's about: A history of the Gilded Age.You can’t see what will become of these wealthy, blue-blooded women by looking at Sargent’s portraits. Scandalous love affairs were the least of it. In some cases, they actually succeeded in marrying the men they loved, after many difficulties. It usually ended in sorrow. Money and health drained away, their families turned on them, and life became a constant struggle. But they never stopped fighting. Did you know? One of the women, Isabel Stewart Gardner, built her heart’s desire in the form of the museum she created and opened to the world.
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Laura recommends: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson What it’s about: Stevenson’s work as an activist lawyer has spanned more than 30 years, and he describes this work defending “hopeless cases,” freeing people from excessive punishment or wrongful convictions. The overarching narrative is the story of Walter MacMillan, an African-American man on death row for killing a white woman despite credible evidence to the contrary, but numerous other cases are covered. Why it’s significant: The author is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and a MacArthur Grant recipient, and has been called “America’s young Nelson Mandela” by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Why you might like it: You’ll feel both angry and hopeful after reading this clear and concise narrative. This memoir is a searing indictment of the American justice system, and an inspiring story of one man's battle to right the wrongs embedded in the system. Stevenson tells his story the way a good lawyer builds his case, layering intensive research with pointed facts, bringing in points of law as well as details that pull on the heart.
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What it is: A collection of essays by the author and her daughter, taken from their Philadelphia Inquirer columns. What reviewers say: “Scottoline takes the fodder of everyday life and offers witty reflections from a female perspective” (Booklist). Series alert: This is the first in a series of nonfiction books written with Scottoline's daughter Francesca Serritella. Their Philadelphia Inquirer column is titled “Chick Wit”.
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What it’s about: Pink investigates the idea of perfect timing, and he reveals some surprising facts, such as the potentially deadly afternoon slump. (He advises avoiding medical procedures in the afternoon, due to higher rates of error.) Another quick fact: when delivering both bad news and good news, start with the bad news—because most people prefer it that way. What sets it apart: It’s a complete pleasure to read—the tone is conversational and brisk. Why you might like it: If you enjoy reading books filled with fascinating insights and practical tips, this thought-provoking, research-based book is a great choice for you. For fans of: If you’re a fan of Freakonomics and Malcolm Gladwell, give this book a try. .
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Misty recommends: A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness by David J. Pelzer What it is: This book is the conclusion to a trilogy that began with A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy. It’s a very redeeming ending to the horrible true story of Dave Pelzer’s childhood. His passion to help others is inspiring and allows us to delve into the mind of the traumatized child and witness their emotional and mental journey into adulthood. About the author: Overcoming a life-threatening childhood, Dave Pelzer is the epitome of a self-made man. For over twenty years, Dave has been a catalyst for dramatic social change by promoting resilience.
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