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Richmond Heights
Memorial Library 8001 Dale Avenue Richmond Heights, MO 63117 Telephone (314) 645-6202 Fax (314) 781-3434 |
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MORE STAFF REVIEWS |
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An
Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer How odd, and more and more not unusual, to find oneself on the cusp of 60 and beyond, unattached, feeling youthful and looking to begin a new life, looking for a new partner. The available man in this book is experiencing this phenomenon. It makes growing older look a bit more appealing. Enjoy. Jeanette Piquet, Library Director |
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Lots
of Candles Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen I enjoyed this memoir very much. As she approaches the age of sixty, Quindlen reflects on her life as a wife and mom, as well as a professional writer. I enjoyed her witty and insightful writing. Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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Under
the Surface: Fracking, Fortunes & the Fate of Marcellus Shale by Tom Wilber This book discusses the discovery of an abundant source of natural gas located in the mountains of Pennsylvania and New York in the 1990's. It's known as the Marcellus Shale Range. The technology-- hydraulic fracturing-- was not available to extract the oil until the mid-2000's. Many local farmers and landowners sold their lands to the energy companies for development. Today there is a division between those who are happy with their royalties while others are experiencing enivonmental disasters on their properties. For example, their local water supply has been contaminated and is no longer safe to drink. Shale rock may be one of this country's resourses to meet our energy demands. How will the industry, the local and federal governments, and local residents work together? Christine Cundiff, Library Assistant |
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It
Ain't All About the Cookin' by Paula Deen I've been entertained by Paula as I've watched her cooking programs on the Food Network. In reading this autobiography, it was fun getting to know apaula in a new way. What a warm, fun lady! Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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The
Art of Racing in the Rain This novel was sheer delignt. Enzo, the narrator of the story reminded me of several dogs of whom I 've been fond. It was an amazing book. Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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The
Deleted World: Poems by Tomas Tranströmer, translated by Robin Robertson Sweden's "most important poet" and winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize captures brief moments in a mature lifetime. His poetry is atmospheric-- sometimes gritty-- and alternates with opposing themes. His work contrasts despair with hope, the wakeful life and the silent life, and youth versus age. This book left me wanting more poems than this slender volume could offer. Ray Harrison, Information Services Librarian |
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What's
the Economy For, Anyway? by John De Graf & David K. Batker This book reads like a history book of the United States economy. It starts with the creation of the GNP (Gross National Product) in 1934 by economist Simon Kuznets. It was later renamed the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Since its creation, and still today, the GNP/GDP dominates economic policy decisions in the United States. The authors discuss how this economic policy is destroying our economy and America's quality of life. They discuss new and better ways to measure our economy's growth that ultimately affects our quality of life. Very interesting and thought-provoking read! Christine Cundiff, Library Assistant |
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House
of Silk by Anthony Horowitz If you have enjoyed Sherlock Holmes novels, I recommend you read House of Silk. It is the first Sherlock Holmes novel to be authorized by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle in 125 years. The writing is wonderfully descriptive. There is part of the plot that is very disturbing, but Holmes & Watson work to gain justice. The twists and turns kept it very entertaining. I thought I had solved the case, but, alas, Holmes strung the clues together in a far more superior way. This book had me at "the game's afoot." Gloria Ward, Library Assistant |
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State of
Wonder by Ann Patchett Drug manufacturers go beyond sterile laboratories to research and devlope drugs as is the case in State of Wonder. The main character is sent to the Amazon Rainforest to find a missing colleague and learn why the field team can't seem to finalize the development of a "miracle" drug. What she discovers is that the Amazon is as simple as it is complex. I highly recommend this to any book club. You will be discussing many interesting ideas that the book leaves you wondering about. Gloria Ward, Library Assistant |
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The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson I loved this book and the family whose lives it followed during a thirty year period. I found myself really caring about with feelings that I knew the members of this Iowa farm family. The author has a very egaging writing style Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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The Quickening by Michelle Hoover This is the story of the tumultuous relationship between two early 20th century Iowa farm women, Mary & Enidina-- who would have been friends if not for each woman's perceptions of the other. Told by the women, The Quickening chronicles Mary's attempts at sabotaging both her relationship with Enidina, and Enidina's family. Michelle Hoover's talent for stark, matter-of-fact prose makes this a fast, engaging, and heartrending read with an emotional twist-- one of the best books I've read this year. Ronya McCool, Library Assistant |
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Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul
Guesthouse by Suraya Sadeed What an amaing woman! Suraya Sadeed was born and raised in Afghanistan. However, her family fled the country and moved to the United States for their safety. Upon her husband's sudden death Suraya re-evaluates her life. She starts an organization, HTAC, Help the Afghan Children. She helps those families and children most in need-- traveling into the most remote and dangerous places in Afghanistan to deliver aid. Suraya also raises money to build clincs and schools. Her goal is to provide an education to as many girls as possible across Afghanistan and also to provide basic healthcare for Afghan women. Suraya continues her work today through her organization, HTAC. Christine Cundiff, Library Assistant |
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The
Social Animal by David Brooks David Brooks does commentary on Public TV's Newshour, and is a columnist for The New York Times. In my opinion he is brilliant. Though he has his own political views he always manages to give rational, well balanced, thought provoking opinions. Few have the ability to do this. This book made me laugh out loud, repeatedly. The writing is perfection and his storytelling is entertaining. In interviews he referred to this book as a novel. It is so much more. It is generally categorized as non-fiction. He talks about how our emotions color every decision we make. He made his point while entertaining me. Informed me while entertaining me! What more could I ask for? This may be my favorite book of the year. Jeanette Piquet, Library Director |
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The Neverending Story by Michael Ende For young adult readers and anyone who enjoys fantasy. You know what they say—the book is always better than the movie. Michael Ende's novel about a boy who discovers he is the key to creating a story universe doesn't disappoint. It's a richly layered story with a timeless theme: society and story are nothing without each other. —Ronya McCool, Library Assistant |
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Water
for Elephants by Sara Gruen Quick! Read the book before you see the movie. It is a great story with wonderful characters. We all know the pictures we create in our heads from a good descriptive writer will always be better than the visual the movie provides us. But don't get me wrong…I cannot wait to see the movie as well. Jeanette Piquet, Library Director |
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Let's
Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell I enjoyed this beautifully written momoir describing the friendship between two women writers. They met over their dogs and walked the New England woods and became the best of friends. Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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Why
We Hate The Oil Companies : Straight Talk From an Energy Insider by John Hofmeister I encourage everyone to read this book, but especially those with children or granchildren because it is their future the book discusses. The author, a former president of Shell Oil Company says thet the United States needs to utilize all energy sources to meet our energy demands. This means updating our current infrastructure of nuclear and coal plants, continue drilling as well as developing our newer sources of energy such as wind and solar. A comprehensive approach is best. The good news is that we have enough resources within our borders to continue our standard of living. Christine Cundiff, Library Assistant |
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Blind
Descent : the Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth by James M. Tabor Not going on vacation for a while? This is the book for you. James Tabor expertly chronicles the decades-long race between two supercaving teams—one American, one Ukranian—to find the deepest cave on earth. By turns thrilling, suspenseful, horrible, humorous and exuberant, it's the perfect summer read whether you're headed to the beach or sticking close to home. Ronya McCool, Library Assistant |
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I
Shouldn't Even Be Doing This! by Bob Newhart In this memoir Bob Newhart tells stories from his television shows (The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart). Newhart entertains the reader with stories about a family trip he took in a Winnebago, his experience in stand-up comedy, and adventures he had playing golf. My favorite of his monologues, "The Driving Instructor," appears in this book. Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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Maiden
Voyages: Writings of Women Travelers by Mary Morris A fascinating book consisting of diaries or journals of women travelers between the 1700's and early 1900's. These women describe the various countries and the social issues they encounter. It was not considered proper for women of their day to travel alone, but they bravely did so. They describe the consequences and freedom they experienced in great detail because they were educated writers, and they expressed their feelings very well. Kathleen Madere, Library Assistant |
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The
Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg This was a really fun book to read, a novel about men and women reconnecting with one another at their fortieth high school reunion. I especially enjoy the way Elizabeth Berg develops her characters in this work. Gloria Ward, Library Assistant |
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Prime-time
health: A Scientifically Proven Plan for Feeling Young and Living
Longer by William Sears, MD This was a very interesting and educating read. Primarily written for people over 50, it explains how the body ages, how to prevent diseases, and how to age healthily. Each chapter discusses issues older people deal with and provides easy to follow recommendations. Exercise examples are given, even for your eyes. Also, nutritional information which helps increase your energy level and modify your weight. The last chapter is an eight week course guide. It might not be too bad getting old with Dr. Sears' help. Gloria Ward, Library Assistant |
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Odd
Thomas Series by Dean Koontz Books in this series were fascinating, and I found them hard to put down. They're about a young man who could see dead people who needed him to solve their murders. These books are funny, suspenseful, warm-hearted, and very clever. They were clean books, even with all the violence and only references to profanity in a humorous way. If you like series books—try this series! Kathleen Madere, Library Assistant |
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The Neverending Story by Michael Ende For young adult readers and anyone who enjoys fantasy. You know what they say—the book is always better than the movie. Michael Ende's novel about a boy who discovers he is the key to creating a story universe doesn't disappoint. It's a richly layered story with a timeless theme: society and story are nothing without each other. —Ronya McCool, Library Assistant |
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Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb I enjoyed the humor and light-hearted fun in Wally Lamb's latest book. There are endearing characters without the intensity of Mr. Lamb's other novels. —Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown This book was one I couldn't put down! It's a true story about the brave Donner family (and others) who attempted crossing unknown lands to move from Illinois to California in the mid-1880's. The author is very thorough and describes their tragedies and horrors with such detail. He also explains what starvation, lice, lack of sanitation, psychological sickness, and exhaustion are like with research done since then. This book definitely makes you appreciate life's luxuries we have today. —Kathleen Madere, Library Assistant |
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Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell Strong, peculiar, not entirely admirable characters populate this novel written by Sweden’s "single most-read author." Better known as the author of the Kurt Wallander mysteries, Mankell fills you with the chilling beauty and brutality of both the island’s northern weather and the unexamined life inhabited by his main character. Families can be odd and unfathomable. People can be cruel and kind and loving. I still miss these characters and wonder what they are doing now. —Jeanette Piquet, Library Director |
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The Mighty Queens of Freeville. by Amy Dickinson This lively memoir was written by a humorist who is also an advice columnist for "Ask Amy" in the Chicago Tribune. The author recounts with an entertaining style her travels throughtout the country— and her ultimate resettling in her hometown. I enjoyed the nice balance of hope and humor. —Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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Running From the Devil by Jamie Freveletti A female biochemist survives a plane crash in the jungle of Columbia, South America. Her fight to save herself and the other surviving passengers makes this a very compelling read. The obstacles are numerous: the jungle, the drug cartel, and guerrilla soldiers. During their trek for survival, the reader learns the botanical wonders of the jungle as the heroine helps the sick. This novel is an action-packed, fast read. —Gloria Ward, Library Assistant |
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Your Call is (not that) Important
to Us: Customer Service and What It Reveals About Our World and
Ourselves. by Emily Yellin Using insider information, this book explores the history of customer service, why automation is here to stat, and— most importantly— how you can improve your options when a robo-voice tells you to press or say "One." Great read for business owners and customer sevice workers as well. —Jackie, Library Assistant |
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The Women: a Novel by T.C. Boyle A story about Frank Lloyd Wright's personal and professional life. The way he lived it and his ideas were always controversial. The public loved his architectual work, despised the way he conducted himself in his personal life. The public's outrage often times forced Frank to go into hiding. His career suffered during those "hiding" periods. Frank's attempt to juggle the two worlds made for an interesting story. —Christine Cundiff, Library Assistant |
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A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini Very informative, realistic book about the conditions women had to live under, and surprisingly as recently as the 1990's. This book will make you appreciate the freedom and opportunities women have in the U.S. I was also surprised to discover the author is a man. He has an excellent perspective of a woman's point of view and their harst treatment. —Kathleen Madere, Library Assistant |
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Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck The setting for this book is the once prosperous, but now down-in-the heel Cannery Row in Monterey, California. Cannery Row is now defunct because of overfishing, and the Row is full of quirky characters including the protagonist, Doc. Doc's having a middle-age crisis; he wants to know "What have I contributed to the 'Great Ledger?'" He believes the question will be solved by writing a magna opus on how octopi experience emotion in a human-like way. His actual discovery that the people in his community have high respect and deep affection for him, plus his own value to them, fills the hole in his psyche. There are layers of humor here: each character has a funny story to tell, and the author's humorous storytelling isdelightful. —Ray Harrison, Information Services Librarian. |
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The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir with humor and depth, telling of the joys and challenges of being both a daughter and a mom. On my reading enjoyment scale of one to ten, this book earns a ten! —Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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Whiskey Rebels by David Liss This historical fiction was very interesting and entertaining. The setting is America, right after the Revolution, as the country is struggling to find its own identity. In Philadelphia and in New York, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson are on opposite sides of the effort to establish the Bank of the United States. With rich characterization, the novel tells the story of ordinary citizens who "just want to survive." After reading this you will discover that political corruption is nothing new. —Gloria Ward, Library Assistant |
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Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore This inspiring biography tells the story of the friendship between a homeless man and a married couple whose lives enriched each others. —Cathy Day, Library Assistant |
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Angela's
Ashes : A Memoir by Frank McCourt Wildly popular when first written in 1996, it is a work that will never go out of style. McCourt's voice and childhood point of view tell the truth of poverty and alcoholism with aplomb. Yet the book is full of love and joy conveyed with honesty, innocence, and an Irish lilt. —Jeanette Piquet, Library Director |
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A Guide to the Birds of East
Africa by Nicholas Drayson Quirky fun! I enjoyed getting a bit of the flavor of another culture, learning a bit of history, and getting to know some peculiar, honorable, odd characters by way of some wonderful story telling. —Jeanette Piquet, Library Director |
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War
Journal : My Five Years in Iraq by Richard Engel Richard Engel, a young American reporter, is in Iraq covering the war. He provides an excellent historical account of the two main groups in Iraq, the Sunnis and Shiites, and how they play a jajor role in the war. Richard also writes about the success and failures of the war over the last five years. I enjoyed the author's combination of facts as well as raw emotion. I couldn't put the book down! —Christine, Library Assistant |
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The
Girl With No
Shadow
by Joanne Harris. This sequel to Chocolat is a much darker tale of manipulation and betrayal. Set during the time between Day of the Dead and Christmas, the setting mirrors the emptiness felt by someone with nothing left to lose. Two witches engage in a fierce power struggle as one tries to do right by her family--almost losing everything in the process--and the other feeds on the weakness of friend and foe alike. |
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First
Patient
by Michael Palmer The many twists and turns of the plot made this suspense novel hard to put down. The President's doctor has disappeared. The replacement doctor is an old friend. After observing very odd behavior by the President, this old friend must decide if he will invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendent to transfer presidential power to the Vice-President. Gloria, Library Assistant |
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The
Age of
American Unreason by Susan Jacoby For those despairing that Americans are dumbing down, awash in anti-intellectualism, and deceived into despising the thinking class instead of those with actual power, you’ll find a kindred soul in Susan Jacoby. The author of Freethinkers here turns her sharp pen onto not just how Americans have become increasingly anti-intellectual, but also why, by diligently revealing the connections between anti-intellectualism, social disintegration, misdirected class anger, and political gamesmanship, all with sharp wit and biting candor. She traces the history of anti-intellectualism in the United States, from the American Revolution to the present day, revealing much that has been obscured by political and social myth. Her position is decidedly left-of-center, pining for a time, perhaps only imagined, when we debated robustly, learned deeply, and read well. She takes on the moniker of “social conservationist”, as “social conservative” has taken a meaning wholly disassociated from her desire to revive our intellectual heritage. Her tone is occasionally hectoring, sometimes caustic, often humorous, and brilliant throughout. I would only wish that she applied as rigorous an approach to her analysis of current trends as she applies to the Revolutionary and mid-20th century periods. —Scott Bonner, Adult Services Librarian |
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The
Genetic
Strand
by Edward Ball One-part detective story, one-part science lesson, author Edward Ball captivates the reader as he attempts to unravel the mysteries of DNA and his family tree. His personal quest begins upon the chance finding of locks of hair in a family herloom. From there on, the reader follows along Ball's trail to discovery, learning about such interesting topics as paternity testing, poisoning, ethnic heritage, and endogamy (cousin marriage). —Bobby Jones, Library Shelver |
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City
of Refuge
by Tom Piazza I found this novel to be both inspiring and gripping. Set before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina, the story follows two families living under vastly different circumstances. As the city of New Orleans falls apart and people are forced to evacuate, the reader gets a close and intimate look at what it may be like to lose everything and still force yourself to get up every morning. The language is beautiful and reads smoothly. For those readers still trying to understand what happened during Hurricane Katrina, this novel is for you. —Jessica, Library Assistant |
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Richmond Heights Memorial Library Jeanette Piquet, Director 8001 Dale Avenue Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117 Voice: 314.645.6202 Fax: 314.781.3434 The Richmond Heights Memorial Library is a member of the St. Louis County Municipal Library Consortium (MLC) Home | My Account | Children's Page | Teen's Page | Databases |
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