by Gabrielle Hamilton
This book is the autobiography of Gabrielle Hamilton, and her path to becoming a chef and owner of her restaurant in New York City at a relatively young age. Her unconventional path begins after her family begins to dissolve and she takes restaurant and catering jobs to survive. With an even more unconventional marriage, she has to learn as she goes about the restaurant business, family, and the balance between all of it that will define her life. This is a great book for anyone that appreciates food and the hard work that goes into the restaurant business.
Call #: B HAMILTO | Category: Biography | Reviewed by: Maggie | Review Date: September 2011
by Paolo Giordano
A beautifully written and thought provoking story of loneliness, love, and the weight of childhood experience – one reviewer said it is a book you will love in an instant. It is about 2 “primes” - misfits who seem destined to be alone, but recognize in each other a kindred spirit. Giordano is a 27yr old physicist from Italy who has received a prestigious award for this novel.
Call #: F GIORDA | Category: Adult Fiction | Reviewed by: Pam K. | Review Date: September 2011
by Luis Carlos Montalvan
A Captain in the US Army assigned to curtail arms smuggling at the border of Syria and Iraq, Montalvan returns home haunted by the war, in constant pain from a traumatic brain injury, physical wounds, and extreme PTSD, he got to the point where he couldn’t even climb a flight of stairs or face a bus ride to the VA hospital. He drank, he argued, and cut himself off from people he loved. He was sent an email from the VA about service dogs and them met Tuesday, a golden retriever trained to assist the disabled. This turned his life around. Told in his voice, Montalvan speaks about his feelings about the war, officials in the military and our government, and how he felt betrayed by them. Very compelling story in all of its aspects.
Call #: B Montalv | Category: Biography | Reviewed by: Pam K. | Review Date: September 2011
by Freemon Dyson
Very interesting pieces that are well-written and informative. I had planned on reading just the stories that were interesting to me but actually read them all. If you have any interest in science and nature you won’t be disappointed.
Call #: 500 BES | Category: Adult Non-Fiction | Reviewed by: Pam | Review Date: September 2011
by Mary Alice Monroe
Following the migrating monarchs across the United States to Mexico, four different women find transformation. The main character is Luz Avila, who has always lived with her grandmother, the butterfly lady. Her grandmother buys an orange VW bug for the long trip from Wisconsin to Mexico. Along the way, Luz attracts a collection of lost women and a dog, seeking change in their lives. This is a very entertaining read about women's friendships and the information on the migrating monarchs is fascinating
Call #: F MONROE | Category: Adult Fiction | Reviewed by: Heather | Review Date: September 2011
by Allison Winn Scotch
Thirty-two year old Tilly Farmer thinks her life is perfect. She is married to her high school sweetheart, working as a guidance counselor in her hometown, trying for a baby. Tilly has had a hard life -her mother died when she was young and she took a lot of responsibility for everyone else. But, Tilly is a cheerleader -always plastering a smile on her face. After visiting the local fair one summer, everything changes. Tilly wanders into the fortune teller’s tent and is greeted by an old friend, who gives her the "gift of clarity."
Call #: F SCOTCH | Category: Adult Fiction | Reviewed by: Heather | Review Date: September 2011
