Staff Recommendations
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How not to be a politician : a memoir
by Stewart, Rory
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJanuary 31, 2024
Call Number: 320.942 S851
Both the title and book jacket of Rory Stewart's political memoir are ironic. The title because it is emblematic of Rory Stewart’s sincere attempts to make a difference, domestically and internationally, by entering British politics, in which he was frequently confounded by the motivational tactics of other politicians. It was very easy for that to happen because elected officials, to whom he was obligated, frequently changed political positions in mid-sentence. If the intricacies of American congressional politics are confusing, well British parliamentary ways and means are even... Read Full Review
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But will you love me tomorrow? : an oral history of the '60s girl groups
by
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJanuary 22, 2024
Call Number: 789.1 B9835
You know the melodies, the tunes, the lyrics, the remixes because you have heard them, and you do hear them everywhere: the radio, piped-in in stores, online, e-media, movies … Sometimes it’s just the music, sometimes it's the music and the lyrics. There is a certain brightness, rhythm, saucy innuendo in the lyrics or titles, and often some irreverence in the vocal interpretation by those female singers, all in harmony, singing those unforgettable songs. The book's title is the title of a song, "But will you love me tomorrow?" which was controversial in its day, 1961, because it... Read Full Review
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Kill Show
by Sweren-Becker, Daniel
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryJanuary 16, 2024
What is it about true-crime that fascinates us? Why, over a century later, are we still fascinated with the brutal murders of five women in the Whitechapel district of London? What draws people to the life and death of notorious bank robbers Bonnie & Clyde almost a century later? Why was interest in Jeffrey Dahmer high enough to make Netflix’s series about the murders he committed from the 1970s-90s a hit show? Who will be the focus of our next national obsession and what is the next real crime that will become a form of entertainment? Daniel Sweren-Becker explores our... Read Full Review
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The Fragile Threads of Power
by Schwab, Victoria
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryJanuary 8, 2024
It’s been seven years since the events at the end of V.E. Schwab’s A Conjuring of Light. In Red London, Lila and Kell have been sailing the seas as privateers on her ship, the Grey Barron (They also secretly perform tasks for Red London’s crown.). Rhy Maresh, Kell’s brother, has ascended the Arnesian throne. He has married Nadiya Loreni, and the two now have a daughter named Tieren. Alucard Emery, a former noble and a former privateer, is now the king’s consort, rounding out... Read Full Review
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Oh, la la! : homegrown stories, helpful tips, and garden wisdom
by Morris, Ciscoe
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJanuary 2, 2024
Call Number: 716 M875
Although it might not be apparent from his off-beat, congenial stories and stretched-to-the-limit puns, Ciscoe Morris is an expert gardener, whose inordinate enthusiasm and expertise has created a loyal following. He is well known in the northwest with his weekly radio program on KSQM 91.5, and according to his website gives over 50 garden presentations a year. He and his wife also love to travel and lead worldwide garden tours, as well as embark on their own adventurous junkets, such as a 360-mile hiking trek in France. Their 1,000-mile biking trip in France became the source of... Read Full Review
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The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope
by Andrés, José
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionDecember 26, 2023
Call Number: 641.59 A561
Chef José Andrés tells us, “This book is dedicated to everyone who understands the power of a hot meal in a time of need.”
This is the first cookbook from the World Central Kitchen, aka the WCK. The organization was the inspiration of José Andrés, professional chef and humanitarian. “Since 2010 the World Central Kitchen has cooked hundreds of millions of fresh, nourishing meals for people impacted by natural disasters and other crises." In this book the WCK shares recipes inspired by many global areas where disasters hit, and stories from chefs, volunteers... Read Full Review
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Unnatural Ends
by Huang, Christopher
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryDecember 19, 2023
Call Number: M
Sir Lawrence Linwood, the Lord of Linwood Hollow and a tyrant of a father, is always pushing his adopted children to meet unreasonable demands. Three adult children, Alan, Roger, and Caroline, have escaped their father and their home, but not unscathed. When Sir Lawrence dies, his children return home, as expected, to find not only that their father was murdered but that the latest version of his will declares that the child who solves their father’s murder will inherit his estate.
In Unnatural Ends, Christopher Huang uses elements from the golden age of... Read Full Review
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Camera girl : the coming of age of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy
by Anthony, Carl Sferrazza
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionDecember 11, 2023
Call Number: 92 O575An-1
As First Lady of the United States (1961 - 1963), then as the wife of one of the world’s richest men (1968 - 1975), until the time of her death in 1994, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was among the most photographed and well known women in the world. But did the world really know that much about this enigmatic woman, who became an international celebrity? In a 1972 interview she stated,“People often forget that I was Jacqueline Bouvier, before being Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Onassis. Throughout my life I have tried to remain true to myself.”
In this new... Read Full Review
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George : a magpie memoir
by Hughes, Frieda
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionDecember 6, 2023
Call Number: 598.864 H893
In the prologue to this memoir Frieda Hughes says, “The things I longed for, other than health, happiness and wealth, probably in that order, were plants, pets, and a home of my own that I would never have to move from. The plants and pets were the embellishment and confirmation of the permanent home and, therefore, the sense of stability and belonging that I craved.”
From her earliest memories, as a very young child, she craved and yearned for a stable permanent home, which for most of her life she did not have. She had a family, but they were never in one... Read Full Review
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Being Henry : the Fonz . . . and beyond
by Winkler, Henry, 1945-
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryNovember 27, 2023
Call Number: 812.092 W775-2
Henry Winkler has worked as an actor, director, producer, and is the author of several series of children’s books. Now, with Being Henry, Winkler tells the story of his own life and it is a fascinating read.
Winkler writes his memoir with charm and grace. He describes the difficulties that faced his parents, who were German immigrants just prior to the outbreak of World War II. He also describes a home life that was an uncomfortable mixture of comfort and abuse. Winkler’s parents were strict authoritarians who often expected more of their son, an... Read Full Review
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The celebrants : a novel
by Rowley, Steven, 1971-
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryNovember 20, 2023
Two weeks before their college graduation, a group of friends, who have become family during their college experience, must attend the funeral of one of their own. Alec has died of an apparent drug overdose and it shakes them all, Craig, Jordan, Jordy, Marielle, and Naomi, to their cores. Alec’s death causes them to question everything they know on the eve of venturing out into the “real world” as adults. In response to their collective pain and confusion at the loss, Marielle suggests “the pact”: at any time in the coming years when they feel that they need it, any member of the... Read Full Review
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Midnight at the Houdini
by Dawson, Delilah S.
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryNovember 13, 2023
Call Number: e-Audiobook
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, magic is: 1) the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces, and 2) the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand. In her new novel, Midnight at the Houdini, Delilah S. Dawson tells a tale filled with both types of magic referenced by Merriam-Webster, plus a few more just for good measure, and the results are themselves magical.
For Anna Alonso, magic became irrelevant when she was 10 years old. After attending a princess themed birthday party that... Read Full Review