Recommend by Ashley

Jekel Loves Hyde

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered and her college savings disappear, this good girl is tempted to peek inside, because the contents just might be the key to winning a lucrative chemistry scholarship. Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and will compel her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill……..  You’ve got to read this book!

Recommend by Carol

Nineteen Minutes

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing happens – until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town’s residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. This is Jodi’s most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straight-forward style for which she has become known. I could not put this book down.

Cane River

Lalita Tademy had always been intensely interested in her family’s stories, especially ones about her great-grandmother Emily. A formidable figure that died with her life’s saving hidden in her mattress. Probing deeper for her family’s roots, Tademy soon found herself swept up in an obsessive two-year odyssey-and leaving her corporate career for the little Louisiana farming community of Cane River.  This was a good read. I found myself falling in love with the characters, feeling their pain and rejoicing in their happiness.

The Gardner Heist

Shortly after midnight on March 18, 1990, two men broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and committed the largest art heist in history. They stole a dozen masterpieces, including one Vermeer, three Rembrandts, and five Degas. Art detective Harold smith worked on the theft for years, and after his death, reporter Ulrich Boser inherited his case files. It has been two decades and despite the number of leads and information they had none of the art pieces have been found. This is a tale of art and greed, of obsession and lost. The Gardner Heist is as compelling as the stolen masterpieces themselves.

My Hands Came Away Red

Thinking largely of escaping a complicated love life and having fun on the beach, eighteen year old Cori signs up for a ten week trip to help build a church on a remote island in Indonesia. Six weeks into the trip, a conflict that has been simmering for years flames to deadly life on the nearby island of Ambon, Before they can leave, Cori and her teammates find themselves caught up in the destructive wave of violence washing over the Christian and Muslim villages in the area. As the team hikes through the jungle, Cori’s search for spiritual answers and emotional stability proves just as difficult as the physical journey home. This was a page turner of the highest order and not preachy for those of you who don’t like that.

Pretense

On the outside, the Bishop girls appear as different as sisters can be. Mackenzie is a mahogany-haired beauty who inherited the determined nature of her Army-officer father. Radiant, blond Delancey views the world through an artist’s eyes. As the girls grow, unexpected difficulties threaten their world. Will their life-changing experiences bring them together or tear them apart? This was a great book, but be prepared to have a box of Kleenex handy!

Recommend by Jenn

The Ghost Map

It's the summer of 1854, and London has become the perfect breeding ground for a terrifying disease no one knows how to cure. As the cholera outbreak takes hold, a physician and a local curate are spurred to action-and ultimately solve the most pressing medical riddle of their time.

The Kid's Nature Almanac

Go play outside and learn something too! Organized by months with simple explanations of scientific stuff, this book is full of fun things to do for kids and adults.

The Business of Being Born

While the United States has perhaps the most advanced health care system in the world, it also has the second-highest infant mortality rate of any industrialized nation. This documentary explores the history of obstetrics, the history and function of midwives, and how many common medical practices may be doing new mothers more harm than good.

Recommend by Lynn

The First Rule

Joe Pike is a former mercenary and former cop who had a tight circle of guys who fought in hell holes around the world. Now one of his guys, Frank Meyer, and his family has been exterminated by a home invasion crew. The police imply that Frank was involved in nefarious business, but Pike knows better. In clearing his friend, Pike uncovers an illegal arms deal and the violent doings of Soviet organized crime. This tightly written novel of suspense keeps the reader guessing from page one to the end.

The Sound of Building Coffins

This is a complex novel set in 1891 New Orleans. Through haunting prose we are told the story of Typhus Morningstar, a nine year old boy who rebirths aborted fetuses as catfish in the Mississippi River. Events on one night of this activity change Typhus’ life – and the lives of those around him – forever. A voodoo curse forty years earlier has set these events in motion. This is a novel of death, resurrection and rebirth written as never before.

Dangerously Funny

Remember when you were a teenager in the late 60’s and Bonanza was the long-running Sunday night staple? Suddenly along came a variety show on CBS to threaten the Cartwrights with comedy, folk songs, new musical artists and old Hollywood icons. The Smothers Brothers came practically out of nowhere and captured the nation.

This is the story of Tom and Dick Smothers, who changed the face of television, who defied the network censors, who pushed the envelope of political satire and, ultimately, were unjustly force off the air.

Last Words

Anyone who has followed the life and career of George Carlin will enjoy this first-hand account of the people and incidents that formed the man and the comic genius.

Recommend by Nancy

Chocolate Magic

A light-hearted romance centering around the main character, Chloe Brandeau’s chocolate shop. Her friend takes a hand in setting Chloe up on several disastrous and humorous dates, insisting that Chloe needs to play more and work less. A fun book to curl up with for the evening.

Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul

A collection of inspirational stories to warm your heart. Caring teachers contribute so much to the well-being of their students. Occasionally however, it is the other way around; sometimes the student becomes the teacher. These stories will remind you to look for opportunities to teach and be a blessing, to those around you.

Recommend by Vicki

Hate List

Valerie Leftman was a normal teenager, until her boyfriend decided to bring a gun to school and shoot their classmates and teachers based on a “Hate List” that she helped him create. Valerie, her family, and her classmates try to come to grips with the aftermath and decide if she is a hero or contributor to the shooting.

Ghosts of War

When high school student Ryan Smithson first entered his American History class on the day of the 9/11 attacks, his teacher told the class “you guys are living history”. That day changed his life forever. With a deep desire to “do something” he joined the Army Reserves and within 2 years was deployed to Iraq as an Army engineer. The reader marches right along side Smithson as he retells his experiences in boot camp training, facing combat, and finally his return home to the States.

Tales of Outer Suburbia

This eclectic book is composed of 15 short tales, each enhanced by a variety of drawings. All of the stories are composed of symbolic elements of realism and fantasy. They tackle topics involving suburban life leaving the reader in thought and sometimes puzzlement.