March 2023 - Staff Reading Suggestions
|
|
The book tells the story of three women during three different time periods: 2019, 1942 and 1619. The women share a magical bond and deep connection with nature. This debut novel is a picture of female resilience and strength, showing how women are viewed and treated in various times throughout history and how they overcome it.
-Jackie
|
|
|
|
|
ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME
by William Landay
|
William Landay, author of Defending Jacob, brings us another great novel taut with doubt and uncertainty as the limits of family's love and loyalty are tested. A father is suspected of being involved in the mother's disappearance. Without enough evidence the case remains unsolved and he continues to raise the children. Now, twenty years later, the mother's remains are found and the children are forced to choose sides between the father who raised them and seeking justice for the murder of their mother.
-Kirsten and Morley
|
|
When Sarajevo-born siblings Antonia and Paul are adopted by a wealthy Midwestern family in the 1990s, a series of events with deadly consequences is set in motion. Current day finds Antonia racing against the clock to find her brother who has gone missing amongst newly surfaced family secrets. Themes of feminism, immigration, and family history are woven into this novel.
-Morley
|
|
|
|
|
EMPRESS OF THE NILE: THE DAREDEVIL ARCHAEOLOGIST WHO SAVED EGYPT'S ANCIENT TEMPLES FROM DESTRUCTION
by Lynne Olson
|
Empress of the Nile is the riveting story of Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt—a French archaeologist who joined the Resistance, survived the Nazis and then saved Egypt's ancient temples. Lynne Olson yet again, finds a subject you may never have heard of but will never forget.
-Kathy
|
|
GO AS A RIVER
by Shelley Read
|
This gorgeous story is an ode to love, loss and the healing power of nature. It’s the 1940’s, and Torie cooks and cares for the men on their peach farm. She longs for love and finds it with a man passing through, but he is taken from her too soon. Torie finds the strength to live on through her land, the flowing river, and the love she had. Beautiful, lyrical writing.
-Beth
|
|
|
BLAZE ME A SUN: A NOVEL ABOUT A CRIME
by Christoffer Carlsson
|
When the prime minister is assassinated in Stockholm the same night a serial killer makes his first kill in the small town of Tiarp, a local policeman is thrown into an obsessive pursuit to find the killer while coping with the whole country’s loss. A runaway bestseller in Sweden, this is the American debut for Christoffer Carlsson and a can’t put down crime novel that had us guessing until the end. Scandi noir at its best!
-Laura S and Kathy
|
|
|
|
|
COLD PEOPLE
by Tom Rob Smith
|
Without warning, a mysterious and omnipotent force has claimed the planet for their own and has given mankind 30 days to trek to Antarctica as their only place to survive. 20 years later survivors of the trek are forced to adapt as a species. Is our ability to love a strength or a weakness? Will this new genetically adapted species save humankind or destroy it for good? A+
-Kirsten
|
|
THE DANCE TREE
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
|
The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is historical fiction set in 1518 Strasbourg. During a heatwave, hundreds of women dance for days nonstop to both the confusion and awe of church officials and villagers alike. This novel is for those who liked Year of Wonders and The Marriage Portrait.
-Molly
|
|
|
|
|
THE PERFUMIST OF PARIS
By Alka Joshi
(The Jaipur Trilogy Series #3)
|
In this last of the Jaipur Trilogy we find Radha, now 32, living with her husband and two girls in Paris. She discovers a talent and passion for scents and creating perfumes. This growing career creates tension at home between being mother and wife, and having a work passion that pulls her from family time. Weave in a dark secret from Radha’s past that has potential to upset the balance even more.
-Missy
|
|
HANG THE MOON
by Jeannette Walls
(Releases March 28, 2023)
|
Loved this book from page one! The Kincaids, led by larger than life Duke and heir apparent daughter, Sallie, have run their small mountain town for decades - with whiskey profits. Everyone knows how it works, but not everyone likes it! Power struggles, moonshine runners and twists you won’t see coming make this another A+ read from Jeannette Walls.
-Beth and Kirsten and Di
|
|
|
|
|
THOSE EMPTY EYES
by Charlie Donlea
(Releases March 28, 2023)
|
Alexandra’s parents and brother are gunned down in their home in the middle of the night and she is the sole survivor. The media and the public immediately draw their own conclusions as to what happened, forcing Alex into hiding. The only way she can make sense of what happened is to go find the answers herself. A fast-paced game of cat and mouse where you don’t know who is the cat and who is the mouse until it’s too late.
-Kirsten
|
|
KITCHEN BLISS: MUSINGS ON FOOD AND HAPPINESS (WITH RECIPES)
by Laura Calder
(Releases March 28, 2023)
|
Kitchen Bliss by James Beard Award winner Laura Calder is an engaging memoir with recipes sprinkled in for extra flavor. Laura is the author of several cookbooks, and I came to know her because of her TV series called French Food at Home. Her writing style reminds me of Susan Orlean's and I can personally vouch for the Penne alla Vodka.
-Molly
|
|
|
|
|
MAYBE NEXT TIME
by Cesca Major
|
Dan and Emma are living life in the fast lane in London with two young children, two careers and Emma’s need to volunteer and help others beyond necessary. Social media and technology play a large part in their pressures, which ultimately lead to a disappointing and deadly “dateversary”. The book then takes on the Groundhog Day turn of how things could have been different and what lessons should we take from this. The ending really touched me. Highly recommend.
-Missy
|
|
MY VERMONT TABLE: RECIPES FOR ALL (SIX) SEASONS
by Gesine Bullock-Prado
|
Highly recommending My Vermont Table, due out this week! Pastry chef Gesine Bullock-Prado shares her seasonal pastries, snacks, and savory dishes, often with a hint of maple. Don’t miss her maple fudge, asparagus and pea spread on sourdough, and bread making tips.
-Diana
|
|
|
Address:
662 N. Western Avenue
Lake Forest IL 60045
Phone: 847-234-4420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
