Books

New Biographies – August 2009

Lynne

Age is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams at Any Stage in Your Life Dara Torres with Elizabeth Weil, B TORRES – From the Olympic medalist who competed at the age 41, comes a memoir about aging gracefully and pursuing your dreams.

Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurley Brown Jennifer Scanlon, B BROWN – The life of the longtime editor of Cosmopolitan and an influential feminist.

The Big Rewind: A Memoir Brought to You by Pop Culture Nathan Rabin, B RABIN – As a child and teenager, pop culture was the author’s means of escape.  Today, pop culture is his life.

Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs: The Making of a Surgeon Michael J. Collins, B COLLINS – The story of a construction worker who decided to become a doctor and his path to becoming a surgeon.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story C. David Heymann, B KENNEDY – The complex relationship between RFK and Jackie Kennedy is depicted by a Kennedy biographer.

The Bolter Frances Osborne, B SACKVILLE – The author relates the story of her great-grandmother, Idina Sackville, and her adventurous and scandal filled life as the “high priestess” of the “Happy Valley Set” in Kenya.

Closing Time: A Memoir Joe Queenan, B QUEENAN – The humorist turns his sights on his own coming-of-age in Philadelphia during the 1960s.

Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival Norman Ollestad, B OLLESTAD – Trained by he father from the age of three to become a “Boy Wonder,” the skills he learned saved his life at age eleven when he and his father were victims of an airplane crash during a blizzard.

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie Richard Hack, B CHRISTIE – The romance, scandal and betrayal that marked the life of the  popular novelist is presented in an intimate biography.

Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip Matthew Algeo, B TRUMAN – After his term as president, Mr. and Mrs. Truman decided to hit the road.

Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood Michael Lewis, B LEWIS – The author explores the difference between the idea of fatherhood and his actual experiences.

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir Neil White, B WHITE – Following conviction for bank fraud, the author spent a year in a prison in Carville, Louisiana, housed in the last leper colony in mainland America.

The Lady in Red: An Eighteenth-Century Tale of Sex, Scandal and Divorce  Hallie Rubenhold, B WORSLEY – The marriage of Lady Seymour Dorothy Fleming and Sir Richard Worsley might have been a fairy tale marriage, but ended in one of the most scandalous and publicized divorces in history.

Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion John Wilcockson, B LANCE – The remarkable and controversial life of the seven time winner of the Tour de France.

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon Buzz Aldrin with Ken Abraham, B ALDRIN – The flight of Apollo 11 made Aldrin one of the most famous persons on the planet; here is the rest of his story.

My Remarkable Journey Larry King, B KING – The life of the iconic interviewer as he looks back over 50 years in broadcasting.

Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal Julie Metz, B METZ – Julie Metz’s life changes forever when her husband suddenly collapses and dies.  She soon learns that he had another life that he had kept hidden from her.

Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress Lee Woodruff, B WOODRUFF – The author of In an Instant, the chronicle of her husband’s recovery from an injury sustained in Iraq, now looks at her life in terms both personal and universal.

Prairie Tale: A Memoir Melissa Gilbert, B GILBERT – The child star of Little House on the Prairie tells the story of her life and her recovery from self-destructive behavior.

Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend Bill Russell, B RUSSELL – The great basketball player discusses his relationship with one of the best coaches in all of sports.

Right Time, Right Place: Coming of Age with William F. Buckley Jr. and the Conservative Movement Richard Brookhiser, B BROOKHISER – The author became a National Review senior editor at age 23.  He tells the story of his relationship with the conservative icon throughout their tumultuous friendship.

Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend Larry Tye, B PAIGE – The great story of athlete, showman, and philosopher, Leroy “Satchel” Paige.

A Son of the Game: A Story of Golf, Going Home, and Sharing Life’s Lessons James Dodson, B DODSON – The author of Final Rounds, returns to the world of golf and to the famous courses at Pinehurst, North Carolina to recover a lost passion and to share that passion with his son.

Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne James Gavin, B HORNE – A portrait of the celebrated singer and actress.

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals Gillian Gill, B VICTORIA – An enduring love story and the most influential marriage of the 19th century is related in this personal history by a noted author.

The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America Douglas Brinkley, B ROOSEVELT – The “naturalist president” set aside more than 230 million acres of wild America for posterity between 1901 and 1909, making conservation a universal endeavor.

Wildflower: An Extraordinary Life and Untimely Death in Africa Mark Seal, B ROOT – In January 2006, Joan Root, a sixty-nine-year-old naturalist and filmmaker was murdered in her home on the shore of a beautiful Kenyan lake.  The author explores this real-life mystery and the remarkable life of a noted conservationist.

New Mysteries – August 2009

Lynne

Awakening S.J. Bolton, M BOL – Clara Benning is a reclusive veterinary surgeon who is called in when a local man dies from a snakebite. However, the postmortem shows that the concentration of venom is much higher than what could be found in a single snake.

The Baker Street Letters Michael Robertson, M ROB – Two lawyers, who happen to lease offices at 221B Baker Street, begin receiving mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes.

Below Zero C.J. Box, M BOX – Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is embroiled in a series of killings that may have a connection to a massacre that happened six years ago in Winterkill.

Boneman’s Daughters Ted Dekker, M DEK – Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, must take on a deranged serial killer, the Boneman, to save his daughter.

Cecilian Vespers Anne Emery, M EME – A special choir is studying the early traditional music of the Catholic Church when a controversial participant is murdered just before evening vespers.

The Extra Elizabeth Sims, M SIM – Rita Farmer is flat broke and studying to become a lawyer. Decked out in a police uniform as an extra in a movie shoot, she finds herself in the middle of a vicious assault.

The Fate of Katherine Carr Thomas H. Cook, M COO – George Gates was once a travel writer who was fascinated by the places where people disappeared, until the day his eight-year-old son vanishes.

Fire and Ice J.A. Jance, M JAN – Seattle investigator J.P. Beaumont is confronted with a grisly series of murders. Meanwhile sheriff Joanna Brady investigates a homicide in the Arizona desert.

Floodgates Mary Anna Evans, M EVA – Faye Longchamp and her team of archaeologists are fighting to save New Orleans’ past, but are horrified when they discover a corpse that is too new be an archaeological find.

The Frightened Man Kenneth Cameron, M CAM – An American with a past is in London in 1900 when a terrified man tells him that he is being pursued by Jack-the-Ripper.

Greedy Bones Carolyn Haines, M HAI – Southern belle Sarah Booth Delaney returns home from Hollywood to help save her hometown from the outbreak of a vicious illness.

Her Royal Spyness Rhys Bowen, M BOW – Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the throne, returns in her third adventure.

Ignorance of Blood Robert Wilson, M WIL – In the wake of a terrorist attack on Seville, Inspector Jefe Javier Falcón is determined to bring the real perpetrators to justice.  By the author of A Small Death in Lisbon.

The Innocent Spy Laura Wilson, M WIL – London, June 1940.  The body of silent screen star Mabel Morgan is found impaled on an iron fence.  Detective Ted Stratton is not convinced that this was a suicide.

Jelly’s Gold David Housewright, M HOU – Rushmore McKenzie is a retired St. Paul policeman and an unexpected millionaire.  He learns about eight million dollars in mob-connected stolen gold that is still missing and becomes intrigued.

The Killings on Jubilee Terrace Robert Barnard, M BAR – Faithful viewers of the soap opera Jubilee Terrace loved Vernon Watts, but his fellow cast-members knew him for what he was.  Was his death accidental? Or not?

Liars Anonymous Louise Ure, M URE – Jessie Dancing’s past catches up with her following the death of real estate tycoon Darren Markson.

The Lord of Death Eliot Pattison, M PAT – Shan Tao Yun is a former Bejing investigator who has been exiled to Tibet. When a high-profile murder occurs near Mt. Everest, he is commanded to discover the killer.

The Magician’s Death P.C. Doherty, M DOH – Sir Hugh Corbett has been told to steal a book of secrets written by Roger Bacon.  Murder and mayhem result as he tries to decipher the secrets of England’s most outstanding scholar.

Mr. Monk and the Dirty Cop Lee Goldberg, M GOL – Adrian Monk, the obsessive-compulsive investigator, must help Captain Stottlemeyer who has been arrested for the killing of another cop.

Murder on a Midsummer Night Kerry Greenwood, M GRE – It’s 1929, and slightly bored Phryne Fisher has been called on to find out if the son of a Pre-Raphaelite model has died by homicide or suicide.

The Neighbor Lisa Gardner, M GAR – A young mother disappears from her South Boston home. Detective Sergeant D.C. Warren finds that the picture of family normalcy turns murkier below the surface of their seemingly wholesome life.

Palos Verdes Blue John Shannon, M SHA – Jack Liffey, Los Angeles’ most famous child-finder, is hired to find Blue, the missing teenage daughter of his ex-wife’s best friend.

Persona Non Grata: A Novel of the Roman Empire Ruth Downie, M DOW – Gaius Petrius Ruso needs to give up his career as a military doctor in Roman Britannia and head back to his family in Gaul, but not all is well on the home front.  A great series.

Sworn to Silence Linda Castillo, M CAS – Former Amish, now police chief, Kate Burkholder of Painters Mill, Ohio, is confronted with a murder that is horrifyingly similar to ones that had happened 16 years ago.

There’s Something About St. Tropez Elizabeth Adler, M AD – Malibu P.I. Mac Reilly and Sunny Alvarez find themselves in the middle of romance, luxury, adventure, and mystery. Great beach reading.

New Fiction – August 2009

Lynne

The Angel’s Game Carlos Ruiz Zafón, F RUI – The author of The Shadow of the Wind returns with a young man who writes sensationalist novels in a Barcelona mansion.

Any Minute Joyce Meyer, F MEY – Sarah Harper is driven to achieve success, but what happens when her car plunges off a bridge into a river?  What will she discover after her death?

The Apostle Brad Thor, F THO – When American doctor Julia Gallo is kidnapped in Afghanistan, the terms of her ransom leave the president with only one course of action.

Burn Linda Howard, F HOW – Money changes Jenner Redwine’s life when she wins the lottery, but it also costs her plenty.

The Castaways Elin Hilderbrand, F HIL – Intrigue and mystery surround the death of a couple off the coast of Nantucket. By the author of A Summer Affair.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder Rebecca Wells, F WEL – The author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood returns with another southern charmer.

The Devil’s Punchbowl Greg Iles, F ILES – Penn Cage, the new mayor of Natchez, Mississippi realizes that one of the riverside gambling boats may not be what it seems.

The Doomsday Key Jams Rollins, F ROL – Three murdered people, on three continents, have a horrifying connection: all the victims are marked by a Druidic pagan cross. Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma Force are in a race against time.

Dune Road Jane Green, F GRE – Kit Hargrove is doing well after her divorce and finds the job of her dreams, assisting the blockbuster novelist, Robert McClore.

Exiles in the Garden Ward Just, F JUS – Alec Malone, son of a powerful U.S. Senator, becomes an outsider as he chooses photography as his profession, and then turns down an assignment to cover the war in Vietnam. An absorbing book.

The Fixer Upper Mary Kay Andrews, F AND – Out of options, Dempsey Jo Killebrew reluctantly accepts her father’s offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place in Guthrie, Georgia.

Gifts of War Mackenzie Ford, F FOR – A battlefield promise sends a British soldier on a romantic mission during World War I.

Hope in a Jar Beth Harbison, F HAR – On the eve of their 20th high school reunion, erstwhile friends, Allie and Olivia, realize that although their dreams may be unrealized, that there is, indeed, hope in a jar.

The Husband Habit Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, F VAL – The author of The Dirty Girls Social Club relates the story of Vanessa, who falls for men who are attached to someone else.

Killer Summer Ridley Pearson, F PEA – Sun Valley sheriff Walt Fleming returns in another thriller featuring an annual wine auction attracting high rollers from across the country.

Let the Great World Spin Colum McCann, F MCC – August 1974. The people of lower Manhattan stare in disbelief at the Twin Towers as they glimpse a mysterious tightrope walker.  In the streets below, ordinary lives become extraordinary.

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People Farahad Zama, F ZAM – What does an Indian man do when his retirement becomes too monotonous? Open a marriage bureau, of course!

Mist Carla Neggers, F NEG – Lizzie Rush uncovers evidence that thrill-seeking billionaire Norman Estabrook may be part of a criminal network.  Her dangerous game of cat and mouse may have devastating consequences.

The Moon Looked Down Dorothy Garlock, F GAR – Young Sophie Heller and her family were able to escape Nazi Germany, but as war fever sweeps their small town in Illinois, they become targets of suspicion and a vicious attack.

The Penny Pinchers Club Sarah Strohmeyer, F STR – Avid consumer, Kat, finds that drastic times call for drastic measures. Can hardship lead to happiness?

A Plague of Secrets John Lescroar, tF LES – A murder case is plagued by lies and secrets, but there is one secret that attorney Dismas Hardy is duty-bound to protect.

Return to Sullivans Island Dorothea Benton Frank, F FRA – Aspiring writer, Beth Hayes, returns to her family’s summer home in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

Shadow of Betrayal Brett Battles, F BAT – The meeting place was carefully chosen: an abandoned church in rural Ireland.  But then something went horribly wrong and Jonathan Quinn was faced with four dead bodies and one astounding clue.

The Shimmer David Morrell, F MOR – Police officer Dan Page traces his wife’s disappearance to Rostov, Texas where unexplained phenomena attract hundreds of spectators each night.

A Short History of Women Kate Walbert, F WAL – A portrayal of the complicated legacies of mothers and daughters, chronicling five generations of women from the close of the 19th century through the early years of the 21st.

Six Suspects Vikas Swarup, F SWA – The author of Slumdog Millionaire returns with a tale of murder, corruption and opportunity in New Delhi, India.

Summer House Nancy Thayer, F THA – Three generations of strong-willed women must each wrestle with life-changing decisions.

The Wedding Girl Madeleine Wickham, F WIC – From the author of The Gatecrasher comes an entertaining story about an elaborate wedding that may come undone by a secret that catches up with the bride.

New Fiction – July 2009

Lynne

All Other Nights Dara Horn, F HOR – Jacob Rappaport, a Jewish soldier in the Union army is ordered to kill his own uncle in New Orleans, who is plotting to assassinate President Lincoln.

Assegai Wilbur Smith, F SMI – Leon Courtney is professional hunter in British East Africa, who guides the rich and powerful on safaris in 1913.

Black Water Rising Attica Locke, F LOC – Down-on-his luck lawyer, Jay Porter, tries to make a new start in Houston, 1981. But saving a woman from drowning isn’t a good beginning. Great reviews for a debut novel.

Cemetery Dance Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, F PRE – William Smithback Jr., a prominent New York Times reporter is killed by a man who was supposedly buried ten days earlier.

Die For You Lisa Unger, F UNG – Isabel Raine thought she had it all, until the morning her husband, Marcus, kisses her goodbye and simply vanishes.

Figures in Silk Vanora Bennett, F BEN – Two sisters discover passion during the War of the Roses — one with the king, the other in the world of silk.

The Four Corners of the Sky Michael Malone, F MAL – A sprawling novel featuring Navy pilot Annie Peregrine-Goode and the con-artist father who left her when she was seven.

Fugitive Philip Margolin, F MAR – International intrigue and murder is the focus when con man  Charlie Marsh is suspected of killing a United States congressman.

Heartless Diana Palmer, F PAL – Secrets and passion abound on Comanche Wells Ranch as Jason returns to find that Gracie is all grown up.

House Secrets Mike Lawson, F LAW – Joe DeMarco works as a fixer for the Speaker of House and takes a dangerous ride through the halls of power.

In the Kitchen Monica Ali, F ALI – Executive chef, Gabriel Lightfoot, is doing well running the kitchen at the Imperial Hotel, but several complications intervene.

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi Geoff Dyer, F DYE – Jaded journalist Jeff Atman parties in Italy during the Venice Biennale. Does he later travel to the holy city of Varanasi, India?

John the Baptizer Brooks Hansen, F HAN – An epic narrative of the life of John the Baptist.

Knock Out Catherine Coulter, F COU – FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are back and faced with the terror of  a young girl and a madman.

The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrún J.R.R. Tolkien, F TOL – Two newly published legends from Northern antiquity from the beloved author.

The Lovers John Connolly, F CON – After losing his private investigator’s license, Charlie Parker is at loose ends until he begins a different type of investigation: an inquiry into the death of his father.

Matters of the Heart Danielle Steel, F STE – Danger and obsessive love entrap photographer Hope Dunne as she meets famous Irish author, Finn O’Neill.

Medusa Cliver Cussler with Paul Kemprecos, F CUS – The NUMA team faces what may be their most perilous mission of all.

My Father’s Tears and Other Stories John Updik, eF UPD – The noted author’s final collection of short stories.

Once a Runner John L. Parker, Jr., F PAR – The magazine, Runner’s World, considers this “the best novel ever written about running.”

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Katherine Howe, F HOW – Following the death of her grandmother, Connie Goodwin is drawn into the mysteries of the family house, including an ancient key within a 17th century Bible.

Relentless Dean Koontz, F KOO – Bestselling novelist, Cullen Greenwich, lives a charmed life.  But one critical book reviewer disrupts and soon terrorizes his family and his life.

Road Dogs Elmore Leonard, F LEO – Condo, Jack and Dawn are back in action in another trademark Leonard novel.

Roadside Crosses Jeffery Deaver, F DEA – The Monterey Peninsula is stunned when roadside crosses are found along local highways — not as memorials, but as announcements of  a murderer’s intention to kill.

The Scarecrow Michael Connelly, F CON – Jack McEvoy, from The Poet, is back and is being laid-off as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He decides to go out with a bang, to write the murder story of his career.

Sisters & Husbands Connie Briscoe, F BRI – The sequel to Sisters & Lovers finds three sisters, Beverly, Charmaine and Evelyn facing marital issues in suburban Washington, D.C.

Strangers Anita Brookne, rF BRO – The author’s elegant style is evident in this story of an ordinary man whose longings, doubts, and fears are universal.

You or Someone Like You Chandler Burr,F BUR – Anne Rosenbaum leads a life of Los Angeles privilege as the wife of a Hollywood executive. She finds herself leading a book club for the film industry elite.

The Wish Maker Ali Sethi, F SET – This acclaimed debut novel features a fatherless boy growing up in a family of outspoken women in contemporary Pakistan.

New Non-Fiction – June and July 2009

Lynne

The Addict: One Patient, One Doctor, One Year Michael Stein, 362.293 STE 2009 – The world of prescription drug addiction seen through the  story of a woman whose life was taken over by her desire for the next pill.

The American Future: A History Simon Schama, 973 SCH 2009 – The noted historian looks at the multiple crises facing the United States with references to America’s past history.

Are You Kidding Me? The True Story of Rocco Mediate’s Extraordinary Battle with Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open Rocco Mediate and John Feinstein, 796.352 MED 2009 – The dramatic showdown at the 2008 U.S. Open.

The Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds John Yow, 598 YOW 2009 – Interesting facts about the lives of birds outside your window. Columbine Dave Cullen, 371.782 CUL 2009 – A recounting of the horrific events at Columbine High School.

Complexity: A Guided Tour Melanie Mitchell, 501 MIT 2009 – Fascinating and elusive questions are presented that the science of complexity is attempting to answer.

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite David E. Kessle, r613.2 KES 2009 – Why is it so difficult to resist certain foods and so easy to overindulge?

Essential Pleasures: A New Anthology of Poems to Read Aloud Robert Pinsky, ed., 808.81 ESS 2009 – A wide range of poetry for speaking and listening enjoyment.

Faith Under Fire: An Army Chaplain’s Memoir Roger Benimoff, 956.7044 BEN 2009 – The author’s time as an Army chaplain in Iraq created a crisis of faith and a turning point in his life.

The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found Mary Beard, 937.7 BEA 2008 – A penetrating look at the world famous archaeological site.

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship Jeffrey Zaslow, 302.34 ZAS 2009 – Eleven childhood friends formed a special bond growing up in Ames, Iowa.  A bond that has lasted through the years.

Go Down Together: The True Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde Jeff Guin, 364.1552 GUI 2009 – The real story of Bonnie and Clyde is different from the myths that have grown up around them. Fascinating.

The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son Rupert Isaacson, 618.92 ISA 2009 – The author was devastated with his son’s diagnosis of autism. Discovering his son’s connection with animals, they went to Mongolia.

House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street William D. Cohan, 332.66 COH 2009 – With the collapse of Bear Stearns in March 2008, the meltdown on Wall Street officially began. How and why?

K Blows Top: A Cold War Comic Interlude Starring Nikita Khrushchev, America’s Most Unlikely Tourist Peter Carlson, 947.085 CAR 2009 – The true story of a stranger in a strange land: Khrushchev’s tour across America in 1959.

Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto Mark R. Levin, 320.52 LEV 2009 – The talk radio host discusses a conservative approach to government that includes greater freedom for individual Americans.

A Lion Called Christian Anthony Bourke and John Rendall, 599.757 BOU 2009 – The heartwarming story of he reunion of two young men and their pet lion, Christian.

Old World Daughter, New World Mother: An Education in Love and Freedom Maria Laurino, 306.874 LAU 2009 – The author of Were You Always an Italian? returns with a spirited look at life as a second-generation American.

One Hundred Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know: Math Explains Your World John D. Barrow, 510 BAR 2009 – The uses of mathematics in explaining many of life’s most intriguing questions are entertainingly presented.

One Square Inch of Silence Gordon Hempton and John Grossmann, 333.78 HEM 2009 – Silence is our nation’s fastest-disappearing resource. The author is recording the natural terrestrial soundscapes before they vanish.

Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World’s Holy Dead Peter Manseau, 203.7 MAN 2009 – The author traces the trail of religious relics over the centuries.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg, 232.9 SPA 2009 – An inspirational tour of Jewish culture during the time of Jesus.

Soldiers Once: My Brother and the Lost Dreams of America’s Veterans Catherine Whitney, 305.90697 WHI 2009 – When the author’s brother, a Vietnam veteran, died, he was 53 years old and living in poverty and had not seen his family in 16 years.

Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Chris Gardner, 158.1 GAR 2009 – The author of The Pursuit of Happyness presents a look at  beginning anew.

The Towering World of Jimmy Choo: A Glamorous Story of Power, Profits, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Shoe Lauren Goldstein Crowe and Sagra Maceira de Rosen, 338.76 CRO 2009 – The behind-the-scenes story of the one of the most talked-about brands. “A smart, sexy business book.”

Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life James Van Praagh, 133.91 VAN 2009 – Emotional stories from a well-known medium.

The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education Craig M. Mullaney, 958.104 MUL 2009 – The author had been graduated from West Point, attended Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, but was he prepared for war in Afghanistan?

Valkyrie: The Story of the Plot to Kill Hitler, By Its Last Member Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager, 943.086 BOE 2009 – The author’s patriotism turned to disgust as he learned of the atrocities of the SS. He and his brother joined a conspiracy to kill Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler.

Weather’s Greatest Mysteries Solved! Randy Cerveny, 304.2 CER 2009 – Sample mystery: Why did T. Rex become extinct? And there’s many more weather conundrums in this fascinating book.

Why Don’t Students Like School? A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What it Means for the Classroom Daniel T. Willingham, 370.1523 WIL 2009 – Why can kids remember the smallest details from their favorite television program, yet miss the most obvious questions on theiw history test?

New Fiction – June 2009

Lynne

Admission Jean Hanff Korelitz, F KOR – For years Portia Nathan has avoided the past, hiding behind her busy career as a Princeton University admissions officer.

Brimstone Robert B. Parker, F PAR – Guns-for-hire Everett Hitch and Virgil Cole in a follow-up of their adventures in Resolution and Appaloosa.

Brooklyn Colm Tóibín, F TOI – In the early 1950’s Eilis Lacey crosses the ocean from Ireland to make a new life for herself in Brooklyn.

Censoring an Iranian Love Story Shahriar Mandanipour, F MAN – An acclaimed Iranian author explores what it’s like to live, love and be an artist in the Iran of today.

The Color of Lightning Paulette Jiles, F JIL – Former Kentucky slave, Britt Johnson and his family travel to an uncertain destiny in the American West of 1863.

Deadlock Iris Johansen, F JOH – United Nations artifact expert, Emily Hudson is held hostage by an evil captor determined to find a missing link to a legendary treasure.

Etta Gerald Kolpan, F KOL – Beautiful and refined, Etta Place captivated the nation at the turn of the last century.  Here is her life as imagined by the author in this debut novel.

The Family Man Elinor Lipman, F LIP – A contemporary comedy of manners featuring Henry Archer and complications with his ex-wife.  Amusing.

Figures in Silk Vanora Bennett, F BEN – Two sisters discover passion during the War of the Roses — one with the king, the other in the world of silk.

First Family David Baldacci, F BAL – Private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are brought into a terrifying situation involving the abduction of the President’s child from Camp David.

A Fortunate Age Joanna Smith Rakoff, F RAK – The lives of several Oberlin graduates are traced as they chase their dreams in Brooklyn at the turn of the 21st century.

The Geometry of Sisters Luanne Rice, F RIC – The complexity of emotions between sisters is revealed through the lives of three remarkable sets of siblings.

Intent to Kill James Grippando, F GRI – Was the hit-and-run accident that killed his wife, Chelsea, really an accident? Ryan James, a Boston sportscaster, has to find out, especially when he gets an anonymous tip: “I know who did it.”

The Last Secret Mary McGarry Morris, F MOR – Nora Hammond seems to have the perfect life, until she learns of her husband’s longtime affair, and when a terrible incident from her own youth is revealed.

Laura Rider’s Masterpiece Jane Hamilton, F HAM – An entertaining comedy by the author of The Book of Ruth.

Lavender Morning Jude Deveraux, F DEV – Jocelyn Minton is a woman torn between two worlds. A mysterious bequest from a loving mentor becomes an introduction to mystery and romance.

Loitering with Intent Stuart Woods, F WOO – Stone Barrington is not having a good week and some discreet detective work in Key West doesn’t make it any better.

The Lost Quilter Jennifer Chiaverini, F CHI – A quilt that was sewn by a runaway slave is treasured by master quilter Sylvia Compson, who uncovers the story of Joanna.

Nightwalker Heather Graham, F GRA – What happens in Vegas sometimes doesn’t stay there.

Prayers for Sale Sandra Dallas, F DAL – Colorado, 1936. Hennie Comfort is 86 and has lived in Middle Swan all her life. Her friendship with newcomer 17-year-old Nit Spindle changes both of their lives.

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet Reif Larsen, F LAR – Twelve-year-old genius T.S. Spivet learns that he has received a prestigious prize from the Smithsonian and then starts out on a wild cross-country trip. Great illustrations and great reviews.

Stone’s Fall Iain Pears, F PEA – The story of the wealthy, influential John Stone and the mystery of his death.  By the author of  An Instance of the Fingerpost.

The Strain Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, F TOR – A vampiric virus infects New York City. The contagion must be stopped before it infects the country.

The Story Sisters Alice Hoffman, F HOF – Three sisters, Elv, Claire, and Meg, each have a fate that they must meet alone. Vintage Hoffman.

Summer on Blossom Street Debbie Macomber, F MAC – Knitting and life.  They’re both about beginnings and endings.

Sunnyside Glen David Gold, F GOL – Charlie Chaplin is the central figure in this sprawling novel depicting the tumultuous years following World War I.

Thanks for the Memories Cecelia Ahern, F AHE – Hope, love and second chances await two strangers, Joyce Conway and Justin Hitchcock, whose lives are at a crossroads.

Water, Stone, Heart Will North, F NOR – Newly divorced, Andrew Stratton travels to an English village to learn the art of building stone walls. A lyrical first novel.

Waveland Frederick Barthelme, F BAR – Three very out-of-order lives try to find or reinvent themselves in the tattered landscape of Mississippi, post-Katrina.  Love, regret and redemption.

The Weight of Heaven Thrity Umriga, F UMR – After the loss of their only son, Frank and Ellie Benton continue to struggle, but hope that a job in far-off India will help them begin again.

New Mysteries, June 2009

Lynne

About Face Donna Leon, M LEO – Venetian Commissario Guido Brunetti and his wife Paola meet a mysterious woman at dinner party.  Is she somehow connected with a suspicious death and illegal garbage hauling?

The Joys of My Life Alys Clare, M CLA – May 1199.Queen Eleanor has summoned five members of Hawkenlye Abbey to the Île d’Oléron to discuss the building of a chapel dedicated to the queen’s son, King Richard.

Borderline Nevada Barr, M BAR – Anna Pigeon is trying to recuperate on a rafting trip with her new husband, Paul, but an attempted murder pulls her into a labyrinth of intrigue.

Cream Puff Murder Joanne Fluke, M FLU – Hannah Swensen’s boyfriend becomes a murder suspect in this latest entry in the author’s bakery series.  Recipes, of course, included.

Cursed Carol Higgins Clark, M CLA – Private investigator Regan Reilly returns to her old haunts in L.A. to help out a friend find the “no good bum” who owes her $100,000.

Dante’s Numbers David Hewson, M HEW – A celebration in Rome of a new film version of Dante’s Inferno ends in chaos with one man dead, and the film’s star and a priceless relic missing. Detective Nic Costa finds himself in a terrifying limbo.

Dead Man’s Puzzle Parnell Hall, M HAL – Puzzles abound: who killed cranky hermit, Old Man Overmeyer?

Death and the Lit Chick G.M Malliet, M MAL – Chick lit mystery writer Kimberlee Kalder is being honored at an exclusive writers’ conference at Dalmorton Castle in Scotland. You know what happens next!

Dropped Dead Stitch Maggie Sefton, M SEF – Kelly’s friend Jennifer is a top-notch knitter and party girl. One night a stranger follows her home, and in the aftermath, Jennifer looks to her close-knit friends for support.

Execution Dock Anne Perry, M PER – Victorian police commander William Monk is confronted with evil of the sex industry in the dark alleys along the River Thames.

Fatally Flaky Diane Mott Davidson, M DAV – Colorado caterer Goldy Schulz encounters the bride from hell as well as another murder.  Goldy goes undercover in her chef’s outfit.

Frame Work Anne G. Faigen, M FAI – When Sarah Brandau travels to Prague for a literary conference, her innocent purchase of an ornate frame plunges her into danger.

Grave Goods Ariana Franklin, M FRA – England, 1176.  Adelia Aguilar, Mistress of the Art of Death, is called upon by Henry II to examine the skeletons of two individuals found in the ashes of Glastonbury Abbey.

Just Take My Heart Mary Higgins Clark, M CLA – The veteran mystery author returns with the story of a legal battle over the guilt or innocence of man accused of murdering his wife.

The Killing Way Tony Hays, M HAYS – Arthur has united most of Britain’s clans, but does not yet hold supreme power.  When Merlin is blamed for the brutal murder of a young woman, Arthur’s reputation is at stake.

The Long Fall Walter Mosley, M MOS – Leonid McGill is an old-school private investigator, but the Manhattan of the 21st century has gotten a bit fancier.

Malice Lisa Jackson, M JAC – Deception and betrayal confront New Orleans detective Rick Bentz as he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past.

Mating Season Jon Loomis, M LOO – Detective Frank Coffin, who moves to Cape Cod to escape from his panic attacks, finds that murder can happen even in a small town when heiress Kenji Sole is killed.

A Quiet Flame Philip Kerr, M KER – After being falsely accused of being a war criminal, ex-Berlin policeman Bernie Gunther is now in Argentina.  It’s 1950 and he is being  pressured by the local police to help in a case that began in 1930.

The Risk of Darkness Susan Hill, M HIL – A widowed husband’s grief turns to violence and terror. Chief inspector Simon Serrailler finds himself with romantic concerns as well as police issues in his third outing.

Shadow and Light Jonathan Rabb, M RAB – Berlin, 1927: the heyday of the Weimar Republic and German cinema is producing acclaimed films. The death of a studio executive exposes the desperate side of Germany.

She Shoots to Conquer Dorothy Cannell, M CAN – Amateur sleuth Ellie Haskell is stranded at Mucklesfeld Manor and finds herself in the middle of a TV reality show.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley, M BRA – Great reviews accompany this debut novel that revolves around Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old science prodigy and her search for the murderer of the man she found in her cucumber patch.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built Alexander McCall Smith, M MCC – Mma Ramotswe is in personal need of her own formidable detection talents in this latest outing in the popular series.

True Detectives Jonathan Kellerman, M KEL – The disappearance of Caitlin Frostig isn’t a usual case for theat-odds step-brothers, Moses Reed and Aaron Fox, as they descend into the seamy side of Los Angeles.

Wormwood Susan Wittig Albert, M ALB – Ex-lawyer and current herbalist China Bayles visits an historic Shaker Village for a brief respite and finds herself entwined in a modern-day mystery.

Wrongful DeathRobert Dugoni, M DUG – Successful attorney David Sloane takes on a challenging case in a suit against the U.S. government in the wrongful death of a national guardsman killed in Iraq.

New Biographies – May 2009

Lynne

A. Lincoln Ronald C. White Jr., B LINCOLN – A well-reviewed, expansive biography of the president whose moral compass holds the key to understanding his life.

Abigail & John: Portrait of a Marriage Edith B. Gelles, B ADAMS – The romantic story of two important figures of early American history.

Abraham Lincoln James M. McPherson, B LINCOLN – A very concise, illuminating portrait of the 16th president.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist Michael J. Fox, B FOX – The actor recounts his years with Parkinson’s Disease and learning to live a new life when he was happy with his old one.

The Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Art Thief, Rock-and-Roller, and Prodigal Son Myles J. Connor and Jenny Siler, B CONNOR – The story of legendary art thief, Myles Connor.

The Black Girl Next Door Jennifer Baszile, B BASZILE – The author relates her coming-of-age experiences in an exclusive California white suburb in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Charles Darwin: The Concise Story of an Extraordinary Man Tim M. Berra, B DARWIN – The fascinating story of the man and the idea.

Crazy Love: A Memoir Leslie Morgan Steiner, B STEINER – Even though she seemed to have the perfect life, at 22-years-of-age, the author fell in love with the wrong person.

Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes Mary Tyler Moore, B MOORE – The well-known actress recounts her life with diabetes over the course of the past 40 years.

Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love Myron Uhlberg, B UHLBERG – The author’s first language was American Sign Language. His second language was English and as he learned it, he became his father’s ears and mouth in his Brooklyn neighborhood.

Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story Isabel Gillies, B GILLIES – Happily married, or so she thought, the author’s marriage dissolved and a friend told her that it “happens every day.”

Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran Azadeh Moaveni, B MOAVENI – Reporting for Time magazine, the author married an Iranian man and learned about life on the inside of this tumultuous country.

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti: A Memoir Giulia Melucci, B MELUCCI – Fizzled romances and steamy recipes!

Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy Peter S. Canellos, ed., B KENNEDY – The tumultuous life of the youngest of the Kennedy brothers.

A Little Bit Wicked (Life, Love, and Faith in Stages) Kristin Chenoweth, B CHENOWETH – The story of a talented gal from Kansas who takes Broadway by storm.

Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir Christopher Buckley, B BUCKLEY – The well-known author and only child of famous parents recounts the year in which both of them died.

Love Child: A Memoir of Family Lost and Found Allegra Huston, B HUSTON – The author was four years old when her mother was killed and she was introduced to the film director John Huston with the words, “This is your father.”  Later, at age twelve, she was introduced to her real father, British historian John Julius Norwich.

Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster Alison Weir, B KATHERINE – The story of the royal mistress who became one of the most crucial figures in the history of the British royal dynasties.

Mrs. Lincoln: A Life Catherine Clinton, B LINCOLN – The author illuminates the remarkable, enigmatic life of the First Lady.

Not Now, Voyager: A Memoir Lynne Sharon Schwartz, B SCHWARTZ – A memoir, both serious and amusing, about the world of travel with a personal look at the author’s experiences.

Paul Newman: A Life Shawn Levy, B NEWMAN – The fascinating life of the legendary superstar.

Pretty in Plaid: A Memoir Jen Lancaster, B LANCASTER – Think “David Sedaris with pearls and a supercute handbag.”

Red Princess: A Revolutionary Life B DOLGOROUKY, Sofka Zinovieff – Born in St. Petersburg in 1907, Princess Sophy Dolgorouky’s early life was one of privilege, but ten years later, her family fled to England and then to Paris.

Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World Mary Pipher, B PIPHER – The author of Reviving Ophelia explores her own life story and the lessons she has learned.

Somewhere Towards the End Diana Athill, B ATHILL – The 91-year-old author relates candidly the condition of being old — both the losses and gains.

Through It All: Reflections on My Life, My Family, and My Faith Christine King Farris, B FARRIS – The only sister of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. relates her memories of growing up, family life and her revered brother.

The Ties That Bind: A Memoir of Race, Memory and Redemption Bertice Berry, B BERRY – The author presents a reflective history of her family that encompasses both pain and hope.

Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin Lorenzo Benet, B PALIN – An up-close view of the vice-presidential nominee from an assistant-editor of People magazine.

The Urban Hermit Sam MacDonald, B MACDONALD – Faced with the truth that both his debts and waistline were out of control, the author devised a plan to change his life.

The Yankee Years Joe Torre and Tom Verducci, B TORRE – The noted manager took the Yankees, once again, to the playoffs and the World Series. What did it take to keep the Yankees on the top of the baseball world?

New Books on CD – May 2009

Richelle

Abraham Lincoln: The American Presidents George S. McGovern, CD B LINCOLN – The U.S. senator and presidential candidate presents an inspiring view of the 16th president.

Acing the Interview Tony Beshara, CD 650.144 BES – Candid advice on dealing with the stressful job interview.

Agincourt Bernard Cornwell, CD F COR – During the Hundred Years War, on October 25, 1415, 6,000 English troops defeated a French brigade of 36,000 men.

The Book of Unholy Mischief Elle Newmark, CD F NEW – In Venice, 1498, rumors abound about an ancient book that holds the secrets to unimaginable power.

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama Gwen Ifill, CD 973.932 IFI – A look at contemporary politics and the impact of Barack Obama’s rise to political power.

Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy Martin Lindstrom, CD 658.831 LIN – A look at the persuasive strategies that work in regard to branding, marketing, advertising and packaging.

A Darker Place Jack Higgins, CD F HIG – Famous Russian writer Alexander Kurbsky decides he wants to “disappear” into the West.

Enough Already: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You Peter Walsh, CD 646.7 WAL 2009 – How to deal with the overwhelming “stuff” in our lives.

The Forever War Dexter Filkins, CD 956.7044 FIL – A portrait of the Taliban, the 9/11 events, and the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Heart and Soul Maeve Binchy, CD F BIN – The stories of family, friends, patients and staff from a community heart clinic caught between the old and the new Ireland.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford, CD F FOR – Henry Lee recalls his coming-of-age during World War II and his Japanese girlfriend who was sent to the internment camps.

Intuitive Eating Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole, CD 613,25 RES – Get off the roller coaster of chronic dieting and heal your relationship with food.

The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America Steven Johnson, CD B PRIESTLY – A look at the contributions of Joseph Priestly and his influence on the American founding fathers.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon David Grann, CD 918.1 GRA 2009 – A mystery that reaches back centuries and an explorer’s sensational disappearance are featured in this tale of death and madness.

The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them Amy Dickinson, CD B DICKINSON – The syndicated advice columnist shares her mistakes and the remarkable story of the wonderful influence of the women from her hometown.

Mounting Fears Stuart Woods, CD F WOO – President Will Lee’s vice president just died in surgery and the new nominee may not be as innocent as once believed.

Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy M. William Phelps, CD B HALE – The life of the famous patriot whose last words were: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

No Limits: The Will to Succeed Michael Phelps, CD B PHELPS – The swimmer talks about his remarkable success at the Olympic Games.

The Num3rati Stephen Baker, CD 303.483 BAK – Each individual’s digital and electronic transactions are being used by corporations and politicians to transform everyday experiences.

The School of Essential Ingredients Erica Bauermeister, CD F BAU – Once a month, eight students gather in Lillian’s restaurant for a cooking class. Each wants to learn the art of cooking, but each one is looking for a recipe for something beyond the kitchen.

The Silent Man Alex Berenson, CD F BER – CIA agent John Wells thought he had reached his limit, but he is not at all prepared for what is about to happen.

Still Alice Lisa Genova, CD F GEN – Alice, in the prime of her life, finds herself in a desperate battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing, and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon Nick Trout, CD 636.089 TRO – The humor and heartache that animals bring to their owners.

Terminal Freeze Lincoln Child, CD F CHI – Scientists unearth an enormous ancient animal in the upper reaches of Alaska, but is it really dead?

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief James M. McPherson, CD B LINCOLN – The Civil War Scholar discusses how the current responsibilities of the American President were outlined by Abraham Lincoln.

Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Signficance Tony Dungy, CD 170.44 DUN – The noted football coach discusses what is really important in each person’s life.

Very Valentine Adriana Trigiani, CD F TRI – The beginning of a new trilogy by the popular author, features the dynamics of the Roncalli and Angelini families in Manhattan and Italy.

What I Did for Love Susan Elizabeth Phillips, CD F PHI – A crazy night in Vegas leads to an all-for-show marriage for down-on-her-luck Georgie York.

The White Tiger Aravind Adiga, CD F ADI – Servant, philosopher, entrepreneur, and murderer, Balram Halwai is a very complex individual.

The Yankee Years Joe Torre and Tom Verducci, CD B TORRE – What did it take to keep the Yankees on the top of the baseball world?

New Nonfiction – May 2009

Lynne

13 Things That Don’t Make Sense: The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time Michael Brooks, 502 BRO 2008 – A look at the frontiers of science where there may be breakthroughs in the near future.

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Barbara Brown Taylor, 248.4 TAY 2009 – A noted author and Episcopal priest discovers the sacred in the small things we do and see.

A Comrade Lost and Found: A Beijing Story Jan Wong, 951 WON 2009 – As a foreign student in Beijing during the Cultural Revolution, the author was asked by a young woman about getting into the United States. To her lasting regret, Wong turned her into the authorities.

Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist’s Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Seth Shotak, 576.8 SHO 2009 – The senior astronomer at the SETI Institute pits scientific truth against speculation and delivers some important news on the current state of our knowledge.

The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008 Thomas E. Ricks, 956.7044 RIC 2009 – The author of Fiasco recounts the inside story of the Iraq war since late 2005 and the launching of the surge strategy.

The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World Largest Unsolved Art Theft Ulrich Boser, 364.162 BOS 2008 – 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. The mystery is still unsolved.

The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams, Marshall, and the Battle for the Supreme Court Cliff Sloan and David McKean, 347.73 SLO 2009 – The power of the Supreme Court was established as John Marshall laid the cornerstone of the distinctive American rule of law in the case of Marbury v. Madison.

How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, 612.8 NEW 2009 – Based on evidence culled from brain-scan studies, and other research, the authors have concluded that positive spiritual belief changes the human brain for the better.

How We Decide Jonah Lehrer, 153.83 LEH 2009 – How does the human mind make decisions? How can we make those decisions better?

Lucy’s Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins Donald C. Johanson, 569.9 JOH 2009 – Groundbreaking discoveries that are transforming our understanding of how humans have evolved.

The Madness of March: Bonding and Betting with the Boys in Las Vegas Alan Jay Zaremba, 796.323 ZAR 2009 – And you thought the madness was on the basketball court.

Madness Under the Royal Palms: Love and Death Behind the Gates of Palm Beach Laurence Leamer, 305.5234 LEA 2009 – An inside look at an exclusive enclave of wealth and privilege.

No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels Jay Dobyns and Nils Johnson-Shelton, 364.106 DOB 2009 – The author was the first federal agent to infiltrate the inner circle of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold History of English John McWhorter, 420.9 MCW 2009 – Hundreds of years of fascinating language lore is found in this lively history of the English language.

Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Tom Howes, 986.1 GON 2009 – Three American contractors crash-landed in the jungle of Colombia and became prisoners of the terrorist group, FARC, for over five years.

Passing Strange: A Gilded Age Tale of Love and Deception Across the Color Line Martha A. Sandweiss, 305.896 SAN 2009 – The noted 19th century scientist, Clarence King, led a double life: as a white explorer and geologist and as a black Pullman porter and steelworker named James Todd.

The Persian Night: Iran Under the Khomeinist Revolution Amir Taheri, 955.054 TAH 2009 – Who really rules Iran? A look at one of the most secretive regimes in the world traces the historical, religious, cultural, and political roots of the current power structure.

Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution Richard Beeman, 973.313 BEE 2009 – The title comes from a quote by Pennsylvania delegate Robert Morris as he describes the summer of 1787 and their work to form a radically new form of government.

Practicing Catholic James Carroll, 282 CAR 2009 – The author recounts his own personal story as a young priest and discusses the transformation of the Catholic Church.

A Saint on Death Row: The Story of Dominique Green Thomas Cahill, 364.66 CAH 2009 – Imprisoned on death row for his role in a fatal shooting during a robbery, 18-year-old Green was transformed by the time of his execution at the age of 30.

Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance Tony Dungy, 170.44 DUN 2009 – The noted football coach discusses what is really important in each person’s life.

Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa R.A. Scotti, 759.5 SCO 2009 – On August 21, 1911, the unthinkable happened — the Mona Lisa vanished from the Louvre. The theft captured the imagination of the world. Here’s the story.

Vicksburg 1863 Winston Groom, 973.7 GRO 2009 – The important Battle of Vicksburg permanently turned the tide of the Civil War. An engrossing narrative.

Where Our Food Comes From: Retracing Nikolay Vavilov’s Quest to End Famine Gary Paul Nabhan, 581.632 NAB 2009 – A pioneer in the effort to buffer humankind against widespread famine was imprisoned by Stalin. The author tells this extraordinary story along with his own efforts to ensure that the seeds which are the future of our food are preserved.

Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the Twenty-First Century P. W. Singer, 355.020112 SIN 2009 – What happens when science fiction starts to become reality on the battlefield?

You Are Here: A Portable History of the Universe Christopher Potter, 523.1 LYO 2009 – The life of the universe, now 13.7 billion years old.