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Biography and Memoir December 2020
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| Where I Come From: Stories from the Deep South by Rick BraggWhat it is: a collection of previously published pieces written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and memoirist Rick Bragg that celebrates his relationship to the American South's "gentler, easier nature."
Who it's for: Fans of Bragg and lovers of witty repartee will enjoy this breezy collection that feels like having a chat with an old friend.
Topics include: Southern music and cuisine; encounters with Southern celebrities Pat Conroy, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Harper Lee; the wonders of Tupperware. |
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| Mad at the World: A Life of John Steinbeck by William SouderWhat it's about: the complicated life and career of Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning novelist John Steinbeck (1902-1968).
Read it for: a nuanced portrait of a man whose deep devotion to his craft did not extend to his relationships.
Don't miss: Steinbeck pitting his wife and mistress against each other to determine the "winner" of his affections; his response when asked if he deserved his Nobel. |
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| Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie TateWhat it's about: After years spent battling suicidal ideation and bulimia, lawyer Christie Tate entered group therapy, where she found a renewed sense of self-worth.
Why you might like it: Tate's candid and hopeful account "empowers readers to better understand their own lives" (Booklist).
Book buzz: This New York Times bestselling debut was named a Reese's Book Club pick in November. |
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| This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline WinspearWhat it is: an evocative and richly detailed memoir of novelist Jacqueline Winspear's childhood in post-World War II Kent.
Want a taste? "Mist hangs across the land like a silk scarf -- not quite touching the earth, but not rising high enough to join a cloud."
Who it's for: Fans of Winspear's Maisie Dobbs mysteries will enjoy spotting real-life inspirations for the series; readers who appreciate family histories will also find much to savor in this reflective coming-of-age tale. |
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| Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land by Noé ÁlvarezWhat it is: a lyrical memoir by the son of Mexican immigrants that chronicles his working-class Washington State upbringing and his 2004 participation in the four-month, 6,000-mile Indigenous people's Peace and Dignity Journey, a relay-style run from Canada to South America.
What's inside: dangers (a mountain lion, unfriendly motorists, injuries); tensions between the runners; gatherings with Native American and First Nation groups; thoughtful musings about running and place. |
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| Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls: A Memoir of Women, Addiction, and Love by Nina Renata AronWhat it is: a disturbing and heartwrenching chronicle of Nina Renata Aron's troubled relationship with charismatic addict K, with whom she had a brief dalliance as a teenager in San Francisco. The pair later reconnected to the detriment of Aron's happy marriage.
Read it for: a nuanced and empathetic exploration of the relationship between addiction and enabling; an incisive, well-researched investigation into the role gender plays in codependency. |
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Betsey. : a memoir
by Betsey Johnson
What it is: A memoir by the internationally famous fashion designer and style icon. Mention the name "Betsey Johnson" and almost every woman from the age of 15 to 75 can rapturously recall a favorite dress or outfit; whether worn for a prom, a wedding, or just to stand out from the crowd in a colorful way.. Betsey is famous for her iconic pink stores (she had 65 shops across the US) and for her habit of doing cartwheels and splits down the runway at the close of her fashion shows. Throughout her decades-long career, she's taken pride in producing fun but rule-breaking clothing at an accessible price point.
Reviewers say: "A breezy treat for fans wanting more about the woman behind the whimsical clothes." --Library Journal, April 1, 2020
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One life
by Megan Rapinoe
What it is: The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup champion describes her childhood in a conservative California town, her athletic achievements and her public advocacy of civil rights and urgently needed social change.
Reviewers say: "Essential for all readers. Rapinoe shares much wisdom throughout, and her words are a call for action to continue to fight societal inequalities.." --Library Journal, December 1, 2020
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| The Art of Resistance: My Four Years in the French Underground by Justus RosenbergWhat it is: a riveting account of Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient Justus Rosenberg's time spent fighting in the French Resistance, which he joined after fleeing his native Poland as a teen.
About the author: As of this writing, the 99-year-old Rosenberg is the Professor Emeritus of Languages and Literature at Bard College.
Reviewers say: "has all the suspense of a tense spy thriller" (Publishers Weekly); "a welcome addition to the World War II memoir shelf" (Kirkus). |
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| The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President by Jill Wine-BanksWhat it's about: While serving as the only female prosecutor during the Watergate trial, Jill Wine-Banks navigated sexism (including the press-appointed nickname "the mini-skirted lawyer"), burglary attempts, wire-tapping, and combative encounters with FBI agents and Nixon acolytes.
Read it for: a juicy behind-the-scenes account of a career-defining case.
Don't miss: the epilogue, which Wine-Banks uses to draw comparisons between the Nixon and Trump administrations. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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