The Master Butchers Singing Club
by Louise Erdrich
[Book]
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Although death looms large in Erdrich’s emotionally powerful, richly detailed new novel, it does so in a “world where butchers sing like angels.Returning to his quiet German village home after World War I, trained killer Fidelis Waldvogel, accompanied by his new wife, starts a new life in America and finds his life irrevocably changed by a new relationship.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction
On Kingdom Mountain
by Howard Frank Mosher
[Book]
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Mosher has created a delightful character in Jane Hubbell Kinneson, a Vermont Abenaki Scot, who lives alone on her family mountain and does more things in an hour than most do in a day. Her life takes a zany turn when she saves the life of a colorful stranger who dreams of riches. While trying to dig up the past, they are also trying to save the future of an even greater treasure – the Kinneson legacy.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction, Vermont
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
by Susanna Clarke
[Book]
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This book has magic and Englishmen, but isn’t like Harry Potter. It is very Dickensian and creates a world where magic is part of everyday life. A fascinating, involving tale.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fantasy, Fiction
Passage
by Connie Willis
[Book]
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A clinical psychologist obsessed with near death experiences, Joanna Lander joins forces with Dr. Richard Wright, a neurologist who has come up with a way to manufacture NDEs in the laboratory with the help of a mind-altering drug, but the experiments may yield far more than she ever anticipated when she volunteers to become a test subject in the experiment. This book a a mind-bender.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fantasy, Fiction, Science fiction
Jayber Crow
by Wendell Berry
[Book]
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Another one of Berry’s lovable Port William characters. Jayber, the town’s bachelor barber, lives his life seemingly quietly but he has his own secret desires, hopes and disappointments. This book is a lovely paean to life.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction
The Pig Did It
by Joseph Caldwell
[Book]
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If you want to fall all over your self with sheer glee then get this book post haste. A stirring Irish shaggy pig story and free-for-all from start to finish.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction
Jake Fades: A novel of impermanence
by David Guy
[Book]
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A Zen novel – what a concept! I read it in one sitting (no pun intended). This is about a funny little Zen master who gets Alzheimers. A book that is sad and wonderful. I loved the characters so much I wanted them to be real.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction
Look Me In The Eye
by John Elder Robison
[Book]
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This book details the fascinating life of John Elder Robison growing up with Asperger’s syndrome, before it had a name. As if that weren’t hard enough, he does this with Augusten Burroughs parents. True, John Elder Robison is Augusten’s brother. His life is just as exciting with a stint as a sound magician for KISS, fiery inferno bathtubs and wacky stunts, I couldn’t put it down.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Autism spectrum, Memoir, Non-fiction
Mayflower
by Nathaniel Philbrick
[Book]
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This is a very engaging and readable recounting of the Pilgrims’ trip to America and their early years in Plymouth. It gives a vivid account of what life was like and the issues they had to deal with.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: History, Non-fiction
Operating Instructions
by Anne Lamott
[Book]
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As an expecting first time parent, this book was recommended to me and it is just superb. Lamott, in her honest and insightful way, journals the first year of life with her son. She writes about all the fears and frustrations of raising a baby (in her case as a single parent) that most people are afraid to talk about. It is very encouraging and funny.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Babies, Memoir, Motherhood, Non-fiction
Nice Place To Be
by The Fawns
[Music CD]
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Catchy, easy to groove to pop with lots of gentle melodies and enchanting beats.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Pop music
Garden State Soundtrack
[Music CD]
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From the Shins to Simon and Garfunkel to Iron and Wine this soundtrack has lots of shining moments.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Pop music, Rock music