The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Elia Juarez

What I Read: The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: This book really tells two separate but intertwined stories. The first is a murder mystery, while the second tells the story of the earliest days of the Mormon church in the United States.

The murder mystery goes like this: a young man who was raised in a Fundamentalist Mormon family that practices polygamy is kicked out of his home as a child. Many years later, as an adult, he learns that his mother (who is wife #19 of MANY) has been arrested for the murder of his father, and he must decide whether he wants to return home to help her.

At the same time, we slowly learn the story of Anne Eliza Young, one of famed prophet Ann Eliza Young, who was also a 19th wife. Through her eyes, we learn about the beginnings of the church in America, and get some background on why the polygamist practices of the fundamentalists, were outlawed by the mainstream church.

What I Thought: I found the book to be interesting and engrossing, but I found myself getting much more sucked in by the Anne Eliza Young side of the story, and not as much by the modern-day mystery of the murder. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I tend to read a lot of historical fiction, or maybe it’s because I knew so little about the history of the Mormon church before I started this book, but I found myself wanting to rush through the chapters set in the present to return to the 1800s and Anne Eliza’s story.

The wrap-up of the murder mystery also seemed a bit rushed to me.

Still, I definitely enjoyed the book and would most certainly recommend it.

Readalikes: The Sister Wife by Dianne Noble, Wife No. 19 by Anne Eliza Young

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Portrait of a Teacher by Ruth Leedy Gordon

Portrait of a Teacher by Ruth Leedy Gordon

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Jim Patrick

What I Read: Portrait of a Teacher: Mary Elizabeth Post 1841-1934 by Ruth Leedy Gordon

Find It @YCLD: Here!

Note: On June 17 at 11:00 a.m., the Main Library will host a celebration of Mary Elizabeth Post’s 175th birthday.  Local historian Carol Brooks will be the presenter.

What It's About:  Mary Elizabeth Post was a significant pioneer in Yuma’s history due to her forty-plus year teaching career and her lifelong community involvement in civic and church affairs.  When she died at the age of 93, she was still a member of the library board of trustees!

Author Ruth Gordon was a registered nurse who moved to Yuma in 1921.  She befriended Mary Elizabeth Post during the retired teacher’s final years.  Over the course of these 13 years, Gordon compiled notes from her countless conversations with Miss Post in preparation for writing a biography.  In 1938 the author presented her completed manuscript to the University of Arizona library.  However, the book was not published until 1990 when Ruth Gordon’s daughter Janet edited and published the version which is now held by the Yuma County Library District.

Portrait of a Teacher tracks Mary Elizabeth Post’s westward relocation from Vermont—first to Iowa for a few years, and then on to Arizona.  The account of Miss Post’s grueling trip by stage from San Diego to Ehrenberg is particularly colorful, as are the stories of the young Eastern teacher’s adjustments to her overwhelming culture shock.  For example, unlike most Yuma women at that time, Miss Post was a follower of the latest fashions and was particularly fond of fine hats.  She was a talented seamstress, and she eventually taught many local women to sew from patterns.

The book is not only a biography of Mary Elizabeth Post, but also an informal history of Yuma’s early growth—as remembered by an elderly, longtime resident.  Some of the topics addressed include the coming of the railroad, the building of roads and bridges, floods, newspaper rivalries, lively election campaigns, and, of course, the growth of Yuma’s schools.  Ruth Gordon recounts such events within the context of Mary Elizabeth Post’s life.  The author’s affection and admiration for her subject come through clearly, even when she pokes gentle fun at Miss Post’s “precise and sometimes obstinate manner.”

What I Thought:  Although Ruth Gordon was not a polished, professional author, she produced a biography of her friend Mary Elizabeth Post that is pleasantly readable and full of charming anecdotes about Miss Post and early Yuma.  Some of Gordon’s depictions of ethnic groups are not politically correct by today’s standards, but with that caveat, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about Yuma’s early history.

Readalikes:  Early Yuma by Rosalie Crowe; Vanished Arizona by Martha Summerhayes

Or look this book up on NoveList!

The Legends Club by John Feinstein

The Legends Club by John Feinstein

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Jim Patrick

What I Read: The Legends Club: Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Valvano, and an Epic College Basketball Rivalry by John Feinstein

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: Although John Feinstein’s career began with a classic basketball book, A Season on the Brink, these days the Golf Channel contributor more frequently writes about golf.  In The Legends Club, Feinstein returns to his roots with a nostalgic, bittersweet look back at the glory days of Atlantic Coast Conference basketball in the 1980s and beyond.

When Jim Valvano and “Coach K” took their head coaching positions at North Carolina State and Duke in 1980, Dean Smith had already established the North Carolina program as a perennial NCAA powerhouse.  Valvano and Krzyzewski had the ability and audacity to take on Dean Smith, but their early experiences were not very successful.  In fact, Coach K came very close to getting fired in his second year with the Blue Devils.  Today he’s still at Duke as the winningest coach in Division One history.

In addition to retracing Coach K’s journey to that pinnacle of coaching achievement, The Legends Club also includes many exciting game and tournament accounts, as well as fascinating stories about the sometimes contentious interactions among the three coaches.  John Feinstein is a Duke graduate and a personal friend of Mike Krzyzewski.  He openly admits a Duke “bias,” but he also writes movingly of Coach Valvano’s 1983 national championship, as well as his brave, public battle with cancer ten years later.  And he writes admiringly of Coach Smith’s brilliant basketball innovations and his unwavering loyalty to his players.

What I Thought:  Although John Feinstein’s The Legends Club is a very enjoyable sports book, readers should not expect an expose of big-time college basketball.  Feinstein points out personal quirks and foibles of the three coaches, but he is clearly an admirer of all three men, as well as being a fan of ACC basketball.  The book does drag a bit after Valvano and Smith exit the story—due to Valvano’s death and to Smith’s retirement and later death from Alzheimer’s complications.  The final few chapters recount recent Duke basketball history in a fairly perfunctory narrative that lacks the drama of the earlier chapters.  Overall, however, Feinstein gives the reader fine portrayals of these three legendary coaches and the high-stakes environment in which they competed so successfully.

Readalikes: Last Dance: Behind the Scenes at the Final Four by John Feinstein;  Glory Road: My Story of the 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship by Don Haskins.

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa

Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Sherri Levek

What I Read: Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa

Find It @YCLD:  Here

What It's About: Sunil Yapa revisits the chaos in the streets of Seattle, WA during the 1999 WTO protests.  Readers are introduced to characters on both sides of the conflict, including protesters, police, and a delegate from Sri Lanka.  The novel takes place during one fateful day of the protests, examining different aspects and viewpoints of this turbulent moment in U.S. history.

What I Thought: Yapa’s debut novel is an edge-of-your-seat, though-provoking read that gave me all the feels - horror, amazement, terror, and hope, to name a few.   Each character brings his or her own history to this pivotal moment, creating a maelstrom of emotions and thoughts that intersect and intensify their interactions with one another.  This novel is well-researched - Yapa spent time listening to audio and viewing filmed footage of the protests - and the end result couldn’t be more explosive and magnificent. 

Readalikes: The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner, Dissident Gardens by Jonathan Lethem, and Want Not by Jonathan Miles

Or look this book up on NoveList!

The Black Count by Tom Reiss

The Black Count by Tom Reiss

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: José Beltrán

What I Read: The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo by Tom Reiss

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: Tom Reiss, winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for biography, narrates a biography of the father of famous novelist Alexandre Dumas. Alexandre Dumas the novelist based his novels on the swashbuckling adventures of his own father, French General Alexandre Dumas. Dumas the writer wrote in his memoir “You see, Father, I haven’t forgotten any of the memories that; you told me to keep…Your memory has lived in me like a sacred lamp, illuminating everything and everyone you ever touched…” Dumas the soldier was the hero at Mauld, Mont Cenis, Mantua, the Horatio Cocles of the Bridge of Brien, and Cairo. Dumas the soldier was born the Haitian black slave son of the beautiful black slave Marie Cessette and the ne'er-do-well  fugitive white French Norman noble Alexandre Antoine Davy Marquis de la Pailleterie(1714). Napoleon was the man behind Edmond Dantès’s suffering.

What I Thought: Reiss gives a front row seat to the events leading to the French Revolution and the revolution itself. The book goes to great detail explaining 1700 French society culture, especially slavery, the customs, and the players and the laws, especially Le Code Noir, the French codification of colonial slavery (1685) by the Ancien Régime. Mulattos were repressed as shown by the insolence related in the encounter and incident at Nicolet’s. D’Artagnan of the three musketeers represents the father of Alexandre Dumas as not fitting in. 

Dumas the soldier enlisted as a common soldier private, dragoon (light cavalry) and fully embodied the ideals of the French Revolution as an ardent republican, especially equality, bravery, leadership and above all his swordsmanship. Imprisoned, poisoned by the Inquisition, and later sidelined by Napoleon Bonaparte’s jealousy taking credit for the work of others such as Dumas’s victory at Mantua, Dumas was appointed to head the cavalry without mounts in the invasion of Egypt (1798) against the Mamelukes. Here Dantes witnessed slavery firsthand as Arab traders brought slaves from Ethiopia. Returning to Europe on the Belle Maltaise in 1799, Dumas almost drowned and, landing in Naples, was quarantined. Dantes finds himself the prisoner of the Holy Faith Army under Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo, which massacred Jews, liberals, and republicans. The Cardinal joined with Turk Ottomans, British, and Russian forces to purge Naples of any French influence. This 2 year imprisonment in the fortress of Taranto became the basis for The Count of Monte Cristo.

As general in chief of the French Army in Italy, Dumas the soldier clashed with Napoleon, who thought himself Caesar, on the treatment of civilians. Napoleon finally achieved his dream: he was declared dictator in 1799 with the money and support of slavers, and then emperor in 1804. Napoleon reinstated slavery and forbade mixed marriage. Dumas the author was denied a secondary education, and admission to any military school or civilian college. His mother died at the age of 69, never having received a sou (penny) of the pension that Dumas the General was denied. She did live long enough to see Dumas the writer, her son achieve international fame and fortune. Her grandson became Dumas the playwright.

Readalikes: The Orientalist, Twelve Secrets in the Caucasus

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Infamy by Richard Reeves

Infamy by Richard Reeves

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Jim Patrick

What I Read: Infamy: The Shocking Story of the Japanese American Internment in World War II by Richard Reeves

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: Richard Reeves recounts the post-Pearl Harbor reaction of the U.S. government toward the thousands of Japanese Americans living on the west coast as the U.S. entered World War II.  President Franklin Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 of February 19, 1942 led to the “relocation” of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans, first into Assembly Centers—most of which were originally livestock stables at fairgrounds sites—and later into ten  Relocation Camps, including two in Arizona.  At under 300 pages, Reeves’ book is more an anecdotal account of the Japanese relocation story than an in-depth analysis, and the book’s title leaves no doubt about the author’s personal feelings about this controversial World War II program.  In providing the overall details of the internment program, Reeves is most critical of President Roosevelt, California attorney general Earl Warren, and program administrator General John DeWitt.  He describes the anti-Japanese fear and hysteria that gripped the west coast, and how these men and others exploited that climate, while others courageously spoke out against internment and the prevailing racism toward the overwhelmingly loyal Japanese Americans.  Reeves uses personal and family stories to show the heavy emotional, social, and economic burdens borne by the internees.  He also includes accounts of military heroism by enlisted Japanese American soldiers—many of whom were recruited from the camps beginning in 1944.


What I Thought: Richard Reeves states in his introduction that he was prompted to write his latest book by the current anti-immigration sentiments aimed at Hispanics and Muslims.  He obviously sees a parallel—and a cautionary tale—in the case of Japanese Americans seventy years ago.  Whatever one’s political views, Reeves' book is likely to cause the reader to take a longer view of the consequences of taking government actions which target specific ethnic or religious groups.  I was somewhat familiar with the Japanese American internment saga, but the personal examples in Infamy made this painful chapter of our history seem much more real and tragic.


Readalikes: Inside an American Concentration Camp: Japanese American Resistance at Poston, Arizona by Richard Nishimoto

Or look this book up on NoveList!

The Last of the President's Men by Bob Woodward

The Last of the President's Men by Bob Woodward

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Jim Patrick

What I Read: The Last of the President's Men by Bob Woodward

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: The Last of the President’s Men by Bob Woodward is an odd, but fascinating, addition to the voluminous published works about the Watergate scandal that forced President Nixon from office in 1974.  The recent New York Times review describes the book as “slight but readable” and “decidedly slender.”  The book consists of 182 pages of text, followed by a 77-page Appendix of previously unreleased White House memos and correspondence.  The reason the book is appearing now, 40 years after Woodward and Bernstein’s influential All the President’s Men, is that in 2014 Alexander Butterfield decided to entrust Bob Woodward with a draft of an unpublished memoir and several boxes of notes and documents from his days as a Nixon administration presidential aide.

When questioned at a congressional hearing, Alexander Butterfield revealed the existence of Nixon’s secret taping system.  This testimony was crucial in the unraveling of the Watergate cover-up, but until now Butterfield has not shared the inside details of his years serving as “Haldeman’s Haldeman” (i.e. as chief aide to Nixon’s top assistant).

What I Thought: This book is not the first title I would recommend to someone unfamiliar with Watergate.  Rather, it brings to life the tense moral dilemma faced by Alexander Butterfield when, questioned under oath, he felt compelled to disclose his knowledge of the White House tapes.  Woodward skillfully recreates the story (and impact) of Butterfield’s testimony.  He also conveys the conflicted mix of pride and melancholy that Butterfield still feels today with respect to his role in exposing the Watergate cover-up.  The personal cost to Butterfield is also chronicled, including an abrupt end to his acclaimed military career and widespread ostracism by former friends and colleagues. 

The book includes several revealing anecdotes about Nixon’s obsessions and neuroses.  For example, Nixon was angered by the number of White House offices displaying photographs of John F. Kennedy.  The book includes memos detailing the planned “sanitization” of these photos.  Similar memos are included about the invitation lists for presidential dinners and church services.  Butterfield’s impressions of Nixon are of a brilliant statesman who was personally isolated and consumed by his hatred of his perceived enemies.  These impressions are not unique to Butterfield, but, as told by a member of Nixon’s inner circle, they are especially powerful, poignant, and credible.

Readalikes: The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat by Bob Woodard; The Nixon Defense by John Dean

Or look this book up on NoveList!

The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Jim Patrick

What I Read: The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: The book’s lengthy subtitle indicates the wide scope of historian Doris Kerns Goodwin’s latest publication.  She gives detailed biographical sketches of not only Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, but also of their parents, wives and children.  As in her other bestselling books, she fills her account with fascinating stories of the domestic lives of the Tafts and Roosevelts, including courtships, friendships and fall-outs, and parental sorrows and joys.  The wives, Nellie Taft and Edith Roosevelt, are both featured prominently in this book.  For example, Nellie Taft is shown to be much more ambitious and “political” than her husband William who always wanted to remain a judge.  Edith Roosevelt faced many challenges, such as marrying a widower with a young child, and being the wife of such an impetuous risk-taker as Theodore Roosevelt.  William and Theodore were the best of friends and close political partners until Roosevelt became disillusioned with Taft’s presidency.  The emergence of this painful rift is recounted in riveting detail by Kearns Goodwin.

The book’s subtitle also signals another major topic of The Bully Pulpit—the work of groundbreaking journalists of the Progressive Era, such as Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, and others who wrote for McClure’s magazine.  Kearns Goodwin clearly admires these journalists and their crusading spirit.  She illustrates how Roosevelt and the journalists had a generally positive and mutually beneficial relationship, while Taft was leery of the press and disliked having to cultivate relationships with reporters.

What I Thought: Loyal readers of Doris Kearns Goodwin know that her books arrive slowly but are always worth the wait.  Whether writing about Roosevelts, Kennedys, Lincolns, or any other historical subject, Kearns Goodwin always tells wonderful stories with her history, and she has a knack of making historical names come alive as real characters on her pages.  That’s why she is not only an excellent historian, but a popular one, as well.  At 750-plus pages, The Bully Pulpit is not a fast read, and its ambitious scope might be intimidating to those who haven’t read previous books by Doris Kearns Goodwin.  However, the various strands of this real-life epic are woven together by the author with her usual grace and skill, making for another enjoyable classic in the field of popular history.

Readalikes: The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward; Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris; Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 6, Part 2

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 6, Part 2

Posted by Anonymous

Here's the last installment of book reviews from this year's Adult Summer Reading Program! We had a fantastic turnout for our first year of patron reviews. Thanks again to everyone who participated.

Reviewed by: Diana A.
What I Read: My Daniel by Pam Conrad
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: I like the story about a brother & sister. Also the brother died at young age. The sister becomes a grandmother she conclusion a story about dinosaur bones.
Story was very touching its interesting too. I lived in the west we were have desert, so reading about the Nebraska farm was is something different. I enjoyed the story.

Reviewed by: Diana A.
What I Read: Remnants by Robin Barcell
What It's About: I like the book it was interesting. It was a fantasy. It was something of the make believe. I like reading about mystery and fiction combine It made a book I would recommend to anyone to read.
Coming back 500 yrs. and finding that everything has change everything is gone. I find it extremely sad.

Reviewed by: Humberb L.
What I Read: Party Games by R.L. Stine
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: I liked the book Party Games because when I was reading the book I imagined myself being in the story and I thought to myself I'd be scared to death to play those games. What I thought about "Goosebumps The Haunted Mask" is what can a scary mask do? I thought the book gave me goosebumps when I was reading the book I couldn't believe how the girl in the story had these powers by just wearing a scary mask but I still liked it.

Reviewed by: Deb D.
What I Read: The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy
What It's About: This book is a novel of war & survival taking place during the winter of 1947 - World War II. It follows the lives of children & adults who survived the Holocaust by hiding out in an ancient forest, changing their identity, participating in resistance movements & those who did whatever they could to overcome racism & war.
The heroes of this book are those who struggled for survival. This is an extremely important event in history that should never be forgotten!

Reviewed by: Deb D.
What I Read: Soul Healing Miracles by Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: This book, although not an easy read, gave a variety of resources & techniques to approach meditation & spiritual healing. The author makes an attempt to bring Western Mind into Eastern Thoughts by incorporating multiple religious philosophies. This book would appeal to someone with a very open mind who is looking for a new way to heal the spiritual, mental, emotional & physical bodies.

Reviewed by: Deb D.
What I Read: Unnatural Selection by Emily Monosson
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: This book is about the constant evolution of all organisms & how environmental factors impact this evolution.
It discusses the use of pesticides, toxic chemicals, vaccines, antibiotics & other drugs to treat a variety of environmental issues affecting insects, birds, fish, animals & humans.
The information presented is useful for anyone concerned about the environment they live in. The heroes of this book are those who started addressing some of these issues over 50 years ago & those who continue to bring an awareness of these issues.

Reviewed by: Kristin B.
What I Read: Winter of the Ice Wizard by Mary Pope Osborne
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: The Wizard learned how to "see again" not only with his eyes, but with his heart.
It was a great adventure that is another to show how working together works best.
My oldest (7 yr old) has become infatuated with the series and has learned quite a bit from Jack & Annies travels.

Reviewed by: Kristin B.
What I Read: The Best Mistake Ever! and Other Stories by Richard Scarry
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: This main story is a great way to show kids how to cope with issues. The pictures really kept my kids interested in the story as well.
Having multiple short stories in a book kept my youngest son (3 yr. old) interested, because things just kept changing.

Reviewed by: Kristen B.
What I Read: No Mail for Mitchell by Catherine Siracusa
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: It was nice to see that the community thought so highly of the dear mail carrier.
When he fell ill everyone sent him mail and showed that they really do appreciate him.

Reviewed by: Phyllis C.
What I Read: Fear the Darkness by Becky Masterman
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: It was an easy to read & enjoy book. Kept you guessing to the end. A real unexpected ending. Sometimes the one you least expect shows their true colors in the end.

Reviewed by: Phyllis C.
What I Read: Broken Bonds by Karen Harper
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: I thought the book easy reading. Sometimes it made you remember thing like schooling that you took for granted was not always so for everyone. It also made you realize there was always someone who cared and tried to make a difference. And of course the mystery part was what made the book what it is. I always like all of her books.

Reviewed by: Phyllis C.
What I Read: Life or Death by Michael Robothan
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: I wasn't sure I would like this book. It was a new author for me. Most of the book I read are by authors I am familiar with. However they cant write them fast enough for me so I am always looking for some one new. This was very good - a little different from the usual. I had me really feeling sorry for who I thought was a criminal. A strong character & what he goes through make a very interesting & tense reading

Reviewed by: Phyllis C.
What I Read: Kickback by Robert Parker
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: The book was about a judge, and his unreasonable sentencing of juveniles to lock down facilities on an island. The judges proved to be corrupt but. the people of the town were too intiminate to do anything till Spencer & Hawk went to their rescue.
As always R. Parker came through with a well written, easy to follow enjoyable book.

Reviewed by: Phyllis C.
What I Read: Silver Thaw by Catherine Anderson
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: Silver Thaw was a book about an abused wife and child and the fears they had & how difficult it was to live. Until a gentleman & his family and neighbors helped them survive a very bad snowstorm & then continued to help them gain their freedom from the abusive husband.
I really enjoyed reading the book and following their gradual acceptance of everyone's help, although it was difficult to read about the HORRIBLE ABUSE

Reviewed by: Phyllis C.
What I Read: Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: This book is about life in the Mennonite village the people encounter life threatening situations and their struggle to uphold their beliefs and still try to protect their people.
The book was easy reading and was informative about life as a mennonite and what they believe in!
I enjoyed this book!

Reviewed by: Laurie B.
What I Read: Cow Pies & Bases by Robert B. Coates
What It's About: I went to grade school with this author. His book was wonderful & as if I had written it because he described stuff just like I remembered.
The Yuma library got it for me on interlibrary & I really wish they owned it.
He went to a one room school for our last 8 years. Explained how it differed from a school in town, described his bike ride to school & who lived there. Names were changed, but I knew.
It was a farming community. There were 2 stores & a tavern on one crossroad & a school-church & cemetery on the next.

Reviewed by: Laurie B.
What I Read: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: A wonderful book - only 3 or 4 pages to a sort of chapter. Had me in tears
Katie was in love with Matt after a different broken relationship. One day he said goodbye & a few days later sent a diary for her explanation
Suzanne & Matt were married & had a baby, Nicholas. A wonderful family for a year. But Suzanne had a bad heart years before. Didn't tell him at first. She was a doctor. She kept a diary for Nicholas. Wonderful words to her little boy. Then one chapter - Matt wrote in the diary because Suzanne had been killed by a heart attack & car accident. Matt sat by Nicholas crib & talked, but he was not there - killed too. When Katie finished the diary she went to find him. A neighbor told Katie he loved her. All turned out good - married & had baby.

Reviewed by: Laurie B.
What I Read: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: This is not my kind of book, but my adult granddaughter said it was so good: so I got it & kept on reading it. Parts were so violent I don't know how I could stand it. Terrible the things that man had to endure. Was an exceptional book though
Louis Zamperini was famous even before the war. He was a champion runner.
After his plane crashed he & another man were in rafts for days. Another man died & was pushed overboard. Rescue brought them into even more danger. One Japanese seemed to pick on him.
In 1998 at age 81 he carried the Olympic torch.

Reviewed by: Laurie B.
What I Read: Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What It's About: My husband chose this book for me not having any idea what it was about. It was wonderful & definitely started me on a new author.
Megan was a foster mom to Cory since his mom Amy died. She worked a lot with foster kids & got some football players to visit for a pizza party. Cory wrote a letter for one quarterback to give to another who he believed to be his dad. Then he met Aaron, but he hadn't read the letter. Went on like that & Aaron came more cause he began to talk to God. The other quarterback did that cause he needed to win for a promise he made
Finally Aaron was given a letter from Amy saying Cory was his son

That's it for the summer! Keep reading the Yuma County Library Staff Picks blog for more great suggestions from our librarians, and we'll look forward to featuring your input again next year.

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 4, Part 2

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 4, Part 2

Posted by Anonymous

Here's the second half of the week's book reviews! July 18 is your last chance to submit a review for this blog, so read away!

Reviewed by: Tanya N.
What I Read: Grey by E.L. James
What I Thought: What a refreshing twist inside a mans point of view falling for someone. I preferred his version over her 50 Shades of Grey. Very interested to read a story already read from another point of view. Puts a new perspective on the story.

Reviewed by: Tanya N.
What I Read: 50 Shades Darker by E.L. James
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: The basic story line is great. Imagine making 100,00.00 an hour. To be so rich and carefree with your spending. Yet being rich & powerful always creates enemies. I do wish authors would quit making women so insecure about themselves & having such a low self esteem. I do not believe that is an accurate description of most women in todays society.

Reviewed by: Tanya N.
What I Read: 50 Shades Freed by E.L. James
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Much more exciting than the other two. I found she tied all three together. Story line was very rich and intriguing. Love is a powerful emotion that can control your life. I did however not care for the start. I would have expected much more detail in the wedding and I don't care when authors time bounce. And although story line was good the climax of the book could have been prolonged. Ana is smarter than I expected.

Reviewed by: Merrilie J.
What I Read: 81 Days Below Zero by Brian Murphy
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is the account of Leon Crane who was in the Army Aircorps during W.W.II, stationed at Ladd Airfield in Alaska. He and 4 others were testing a B-24 in Dec. of 1943. The plane crashed on a remote mountain - Crane parachuted out (the only survivor)! For the next 80 days he struggled, coming near death several times. He was saved by finding an abandoned trapper's cabin, fully provisioned. Ultimately he found a wilderness couple (with 3 children) who dog sledded him to a landing strip - It was a good book to read during our Yuma 100+ humid weather!

Reviewed by: Merrilie J.
What I Read: Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is an account of the sinking (by Torpedo) of the Lusitania, a very large ocean liner in the year 1915. There were 1,959 passengers and crewmen aboard. Of these only 764 survived. It (the ship) was attacked by a submarine captained by Walther Schwieger, an ace submariner in the German navy. This incident (and many others of similar ilk) was generally thought to be the reason for the U.S. joining the Allies in World War I, though that did not happen till the year 1917. A "subplot" of this book is the account of Pres. Wilson's wooing of Edith Galt, who he married in short order. Her role in American history is another story, which I am now interested in reading of.

Reviewed by: Mary H.
What I Read: Memories of a Dirt Road Town by Stephen Bly
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This was a light read - I enjoyed it - About a middle age woman going on an unplanned trip to a place she was at when she was ten.

Reviewed by: Mary H.
What I Read: The Mustang Breaker by Stephen Bly
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: A light summer read - The second book of a series about a middle age woman in Wyoming on vacation and her love of horses and the Lord.

Reviewed by: Martha F.
What I Read: The Fold by Peter Clines
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: It's an interesting story (in the "Mystery" category) with a lots of twist and turns - about a team of scientists has invented a device - they call it the Albuquerque Door. Using a cryptic computer equation and magnetic fields to "fold" dimensions, it shrinks distances so that a traveler can travel hundreds of feet with a single step.
It's kind of a sci-fi story with interesting characters, most of the time it was hard to put it down...

Reviewed by: Kile T. 

What I Read: Make Something Up by Chuck Palahniuk

Find it at YCLD: Here!

What I Thought: I quite enjoyed this collection of short stories. Chuck P. has a unique style & voice. He tends to push fiction to the edge. These stories are all at once poignant, sarcastic, funny, disturbing, graphic & grotesque. Adventurous readers will enjoy this book & the stories within.

Reviewed by: Carol H.

What I Read: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Find it at YCLD: Here!

What I Thought: It was kinda sad but very good reading. I enjoyed it very much. Good book.

Reviewed by: Carol H.

What I Read: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Find it at YCLD: Here!

What I Thought: I really liked the love triange with Bella, Edward, & Jacob. How they both want to protect Bella. The battles were insane, they get married, have a baby and its all good reading.

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 3

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 3

Posted by Anonymous

The Summer Reading Program is halfway through, but Yuma County's readers are more active than ever! There's still plenty of time to turn in a book review at any Yuma County Library for a chance to win a gift card - and to be featured on this blog!

Reviewed by: Dusty W.
What I Read: Thoughts from Within by Bonnie Moehle
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought:  I thought that this book was a very easy read. Nice little "self-help" book for those looking for a little boost in their lives. I appreciate how the author conveys her ideas for others in order to live stress-free lives without imposing upon their upbringing and moral values and even religious beliefs! I'd recommend this book to anyone especially if they are grounded in their belief/faith; although I do not believe in hypnotherapy, I DO believe we all possess (or have the ability to) the Power of A Higher Being to help us lead peaceful, loving, productive lives!

Reviewed by: Diane N.
What I Read: Moving Target by J.A. Jance
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Another great story from Jance. I love Sister Anselm. I hope she is in many more storyline to come. I love how each story stands alone, yet builds from prior ones. Well done again.

Reviewed by: Diane N.
What I Read: Cold Betrayal by J.A. Jance
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Great Read. I love getting 2 stories in one. What great way to bring Az. to life. I had to break out the Rand McNalley. Well done.

Reviewed by: Martha C.
What I Read: The Missing Piece by Kevin Egan
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: It is about a trial for a collection of silver. When things go wrong at the first trial the characters go on with their lives until the trial is brought back. I thought the book was predictable. There were too many characters involved and I had trouble remembering everyone's rolls. Once the story delved deeper I was more engrosed and I wanted to know who finally got ownership of the silver. It had a happy ending and the bad guys were dealt with. I would not recommend this book.

Reviewed by: Martha C.
What I Read: Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This book is about a new bride trying to fit into a much different world than she has ever known. She is the second wife of a wealthy man and soon finds out all is not as it seems. I enjoyed this book! I could not put it down! I was enchanted by the way Mrs. de Winter had to adjust to her new surroundings. When we finally learn about the first wife, it is a sad tale, but has a true love story to overpower it. I don't think I had even heard about this classic before but I'm glad I have finished it.

Reviewed by: Martha C.
What I Read: Innocence by Dean Koontz
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This book was really interesting. It was frustrating when things weren't revealed early enough and I felt like some secrets were mentioned but never fully explained. I like that the two main characters were not your average people and were good. I would describe the story as bizzarre. It kept my attention because the secrets always felt just out of my reach. I would recommend this book with a small warning.

Reviewed by: Merrilie J.
What I Read: The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Ms McCullough is one of my favorite authors, and I've always enjoyed reading books about the English upper class in the early 1800's. This book did not disappoint. The premise is the "coming out" of spinsterhood of the 3rd sister in the Bennet family - sisters Elizabeth and Jane married into the Darcy family of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Mary had been tasked with caring for their mother, a tedious old lady. Mary spent her time reading "good" books and newspapers - she became enthused about doing charity work among the poor. When Mom died Mary was 38 and set out to make her Mark on the world.

Reviewed by: Merrilie J.
What I Read: Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This book is what I call the Wonder Bread of reading material - mind fluff - but every so often I enjoy a book of this type. Janet Evanovich is an amusing writer, good for several (many) chuckles. It will be quite some time before I'm ready to read another episode of Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter.

Reviewed by: Merrilie J. 
What I Read: HUGHES by Richard Hack
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is a biography of Howard Hughes, said to be America's first Billionaire.
What I think: is that for a man whose original wealth stemmed from his father's oil-drilling bit (at the time the U.S. was beginning it's love affair with automobiles) he never really grew up or matured. True, he had an innovative brain which made improvements and innovations in the aircraft industry - but he was also enamored with the movie industry and young, beautiful Starletts. He died a lonely death, in his own filth (but still RICH!

Reviewed by: Joy M.
What I Read: Unintended Consequences by Stuart Woods
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Stone Barrington wakes up in Paris not knowing how he got there. The race is on for my favorite attorney. Stuart Woods uses great dialogue and presents a fast read that you can't put down. His character development is masterful. Each book is like visiting with old friends and catching up. Suggest that anyone new to Woods should start at the early books. You will find good friends, exciting action, not a lot of sex, and stories you can't put down, as stated earlier.

Reviewed by: Michael H.
What I Read: Saxon Series (The Burning Land, Death of Kings, The Pagan Lord) by Bernard Cornwell
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Great series of historical fiction. Tells the story of Uhtred & his friends & family during the times of King Alfred & his family. It is a great series - it has drama, action, intrigue, battles, love stories, family heritage & all done in a time of the forming of England under Alfred the Great & his family.

Reviewed by: Michael H.
What I Read: Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance) by Christopher Paolini
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is a story of Eragon & how he finds a dragon egg & then how he & the dragon become essential in defeating the Empire The place is Alagaesia. The dragon is a female named Saphira. They encounter the various races of Alagaesia (elves, dwarves, werecats, & others) in a desperate fight with King Galbatorix. This is a coming of age tale & it is an interesting & compelling series.

Reviewed by: Jean W.
What I Read: Hell Gate by Linda Fairstein
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is the second book by Linda Fairstein that I have read.
It was really interesting and kept me so interested that I finished it in less than 6 hours (different days) It had a surprise ending that always delights me. Since I am originally from upstate New York, I enjoyed reading & learning about the places mentioned in the Manhattan area. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Hopefully her future books will have some of these characters. I was impressed by the main characters.

Reviewed by: Jimmie D.
What I Read: Several books by Sandra Brown
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Sandra Brown is an amazing authoress. She creates a novel that holds you spellbound throughout the entire issue. What is really awesome about her, she has never told the same plot to any of her novels. It takes extreme concentration and imagination to create so many novels with entirely different ideas about a single topic.

Reviewed by: Patricia F.
What I Read: The Assassin by Clive Cussler
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Interesting story about Standard Oil by a rich man who wanted to own every oil fields in the world and didn't care who stood in his way wanting power & profit to line his pockets.

Have a wonderful holiday, and happy reading!

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 2

Patron Picks! Summer Reading 2015 - Week 2

Posted by Anonymous

Are you having a "super" summer? Here's this week's installment of book reviews written by YCLD patrons. Thanks to everyone who turned in a review.

Reviewed by: Jennifer B.
What I Read: Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This was a short read of 229 pages. I liked it; but; I think the book should have been longer. Louisa is physically attracted to her upstairs neighbor Pete Streeter. He is a screenwriter and he stole Louisa paper to check out a movie review. Louisa is a secretary to senator Alan Nolan Bishop and is thirty years old. She lost her job and now is trying to help Pete Streeter solve a missing pig mystery.

Reviewed by: Christine H.
What I Read: Night by Elie Wiesel
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Wiesel’s book Night is like a prose poem. Although a horrific poem it recounts his year in a concentration camp. Just fifteen at the time he and his family lived in Transylvania and it was near the end of the war the Jews of his little village were rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. Moved around in the very last days of the conflict he was moved to Buchenwald. Throughout their imprisonment he and his father had remained in contact now at the end his father died within hours of liberation.
He describes the hunger, the terror, the cruelty of guards and soldiers. But the greatest loss worse to him is the loss of man’s humanity to man. Even he at the end did not comfort his dying father.
He wrote the book so we will never forget. We should not.

Reviewed by: Christine H.
What I Read: A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussi Adler-Olson
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: If you are a fan of the Scandinavian writers Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo you'll like Adler Olson.
This is the 3rd in the series and I have devoured them.
They are gritty crime dramas with serial killers, kidnappers and spree killers. Not for the faint of heart But the characters are well-rounded and make you want to know more about them.

Reviewed by: Norah C.
What I Read: Historias de Miedo by Carlos Trejo
What I Thought: This is a good book, it had me reading and very entertain this book is about scary stories based in real life is a book of stories of Paranormal activities, I would read it again, there's more books by this author that I'm going to read. I recomend this book to all people who is interested on paranormal activities.

Reviewed by: Diana A.
What I Read: The Bone Chamber by Robin Burcell
What I Thought: Its was interesting. Had a lota of make believe fiction. I like it it was very interesting and kept me reading.
I like it also because it was a mystery & it was a fantastic book.

Reviewed by: Diana A.
What I Read: Iqbal by Francesco D'Adamo
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: Book was about children being sold into slavery to pay off parents debts which they are promise to return when debt is paid off but are not. They are treated bad espiacilly ones that are slow in carpeting work or other I thought this story is pretty sad. Children being treated bad and they never will be able to live lives as children should be. And the sad part is that this is happening still in foreign places and its call bonded salvery.

Reviewed by: Robin
What I Read: Farming by Gail Gibbons
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: There are different types of farming there are animal farming and crops farming. I like this book cause I have a cousin who does the same thing and does the planting with seeds. I'm lucky to have a cousin to work with seeds.

Reviewed by: Danielle O.
What I Read: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Find it at YCLD: Here!
What I Thought: This is the best non-Fiction book I've read (Scriptures aside) Atul is an intelegent & compassionate Dr. who guides readers through what it means to age and die, or die of disease. He tells of how to help the aging and dieing live their best life possible. I think everyone should read this book. Ive read it twice.

Reviewed by: Lance B.
What I Read: Longarm and the Night Raiders by Tabor Evans
What I Thought: Enjoyed the book. Author keeps you reading. Always a surprise how the character gets out of his predicaments. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewed by: Lance B.
What I Read: Longarm and the 400 Blows by Tabor Evans
What I Thought: I enjoyed this book. The author keeps you guessing. Can go from slow point to action packed in one sentence. Keeps you wanting to read more.

Keep the reviews coming! Anyone can "Escape the Ordinary" by reading a book.

Apollo's Angels by Jennifer Homans

Apollo's Angels by Jennifer Homans

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Becky Brendel

What I Read: Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet by Jennifer Homans

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: Written by a former professional ballerina, this comprehensive work covers the entire history of ballet, from its beginnings to what the author sees as a present-day stagnation. Each country's approach to ballet is given an equal amount of attention, with special emphasis placed on how the dance's forms reflected and shaped the culture of that country at the time. The book therefore becomes not just a history of dance, but of how cultures borrow and modify each other's content to create something they believe reflects their individual national characters - and of how any art form must evolve over time if it's to survive.

What I Thought: I knew nothing about ballet before beginning this book - I'd picked it up in the hopes of learning the plots to famous ballets - but Homans's passion and precision shone through every page. The book worked just as well as a comprehensive history of Europe as it did as a ballet book; I ended up checking out more history books after finishing this one because I wanted to find out more about the events she was only able to allude to here. The bigger questions Homans asks about art also remain relevant: does codifying art stifle it? Is it necessarily bad when things change? How do people remake and reinterpret existing stories (or dances) in their own images? This book made me think, but the lively cast of dancers and directors - including Louis XIV the "Sun King" of France, himself, who used to dance as Apollo in court ballets - and Homans's writing style also kept me engaged.

Readalikes: Chasing Venus by Andrea Wulf, for more well-told history with a twist; From Splendor to Revolution by Julia P. Gelardi, for more opulence (and anyone particularly interested in the Russian chapters)

Or look this book up on NoveList!

Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber

Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Becky Brendel

What I Read: Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber

Find It @YCLD: Here!

What It's About: Part history of fashion and part biography, this book traces records of Marie Antoinette's clothing from her childhood in Austria up to her execution in the French Revolution. Although the ill-fated Queen of France is usually remembered as a spendthrift, frivolous woman, Weber argues that Marie Antoinette attempted to carve out a sphere of power for herself by setting fashion trends - even inspiring those who sought her downfall.

What I Thought:  This book started heavy-handed but quickly fascinated me. Weber's attempts to "prove" her unprovable thesis - we can't know for certain what a historical figure had thought or intended - sometimes seem far-fetched, yet she's also an excellent storyteller, with both an eye for detail and the ability to weave those details into a story without veering off on tangents. She also includes plenty of historical context, immersing the reader in a society where the clothes really did make the man (or woman, as the case may be). This book is highly recommended to anyone who likes clothes, is interested in new approaches to familiar history, or just wants to see a picture of a woman wearing a miniature ship on her head.

Readalikes: The Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser, for more history from a woman's perspective; Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran, for this same period (and focus) retold as a novel.

Or look this book up on NoveList!