The Hello Girls by Elizabeth Cobbs – NF – story of the Army
Signal Corps women who manned the telephone switchboards during WWI. Their service is entertwined with the
suffrage movement. Also explores the
impact of telephone technology on war communications.
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance – NF – memoir of growing up
in poverty in the extended Appalachian community and the people and factors who
helped the author make it into the middle class
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen – NF – a reflective memoir
seven years in the making. Parts of it
sound like song lyrics; all of it is heartfelt. A great read to pair with Hillbilly Elegy as
Springsteen also credits those who helped him to make it.
Monitor: The Story of
the Legendary Civil War Ironclad and the Man Whose Invention Changed the Course
of History by James Tertius DeKay – NF – Both this and the next book are
particulary recommended for those who have an interest in The Alligator
Ironclad Down: CSS
Virginia from Construction to Destruction by Carl D. Park – The Virginia was
burned and sunk by the Union, but became the Merrimac.
The Girls by Emma
Cline – a fictional account of a Manson-like cult in California in the late 60s
told from the point of view of a young girl who gets involved on the
fringes. Lots of period detail.
Echoes of Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King – 17 short
stories inspired by Holmes
Stay Tuned:
Television’s Unforgettable Moments by Joe Garner – NF – includes DVD and
CDs. Interviews and broadcasts from
1952-2001 divided into categories such
as entertainment, news and sports.
Selections range from I Love Lucy to MASH to O. J. Simpson chase.
So We Read On by Maureen Corrigan – NF - In depth
exploration of The Great Gatsby and its place in literature
Almost a Miracle: The
American Victory in the War for Independence by John Ferling – NF - Our reader sums it up in four words –
sacrifice, suffering, slaughter and sorrow on both sides
The World Economy Since the Wars by John Kenneth Galbraith –
NF – A clearly written summary of economic policy and its impact from the 1930s
to the 90s.
Half Moon by Douglas Hunter – NF – Details the exploration
of NY Harbor and the lower Hudson by Henry Hudson who sailed behalf of a Dutch
syndicate. The author is a sailor and
brings his experience to bear on the telling of this story.
June 2017 Group Recommendations
In
honor of the opening of the Museum of the American Revolution, the theme was
the American Revolution
Of
Arms and Artists by Paul Staiti -
NF - Author explores how five painters
helped to forge a new united nation through their portraits of the founding
fathers and iconic historical images.
George Washington was quite savvy in structuring his image. A fascinating read.
The
American Revolution by Gordon Wood – NF – a quick read that provides an overview
of the events and politics of the time.
A great starting point for learning more about the American Revolution.
Miracle
at Philadelphia: The Story of the
Constitutional Convention by Catherine Drinker Bowen – NF – Details the work of Madison and the crafting
of the Constitution in Philadelphia. The
delegates worked secretly in a closed room.
What
They Didn’t Teach You About the American Revolution by Mike Wright -NF – an easy, fun read filled with
interesting facts. One example is the theory
that George Washington had XXY Syndrome which would explain his hot temper and
erratic behavior. Includes information
about the founding mothers.
Well-researched.
Book
of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane
Franklin by Jill Lepore - NF - Jane is Ben’s sister. Her Book of Ages” is her list of the births
and deaths of the members of her family.
Jane is able to read and write and carries on a correspondence with her
beloved brother throughout her life.
This engrossing read is the story of day to day life in a colonial
household.
Burr:
A Novel by Gore Vidal - Aaron Burr tells his side of his feud with
Alexander Hamilton.
Turbo
Twenty-three by Janet Evonovich – bounty hunter gets involved in investigating
murders in Trenton resulting from a rivalry between two ice cream
companies. Clown theme.
May 2017 Group
Recommendations
Lincoln in the Bardo by
George Sauders - In the
transition from death to the better place, unresolved issues make you stay
stuck in the middle. Lincoln went to Willie’s grave, exhumed and held him. The
story of the night Willie died and those of the ghosts who are in the bardo
with him are told in an unusual format.
Anything is
Possible by Elizabeth Strout
– Strout expresses tremendous insight into people and expresses it in beautiful
writing. She explores the lives of
ordinary people in this collection of interrelated pieces.
Citizen
Scientist: Searching for Heroes and Hope
in the Age of Extinction by Mary Ellen Hannibal – NF - details the contributions of
nonprofessional scientists who have made contributions to the natural world
from Darwin and Linaeus to today’s volunteers using the latest technology
Beatleness by
Candy Leonard – NF - Our reader said that reading this book was
like growing up with that soundtrack again.
The author points out that the Beatles arrived when the nation was still
grieving from the loss of JFK. They made
people feel better and were a hit with the press. In 1970, the Beatles era came to an end and
it was time to grow up.
Clouds of
Glory: The Life and Legend of Robert E.
Lee by Michael Korda –
NF – a well-told biolgraphy of Lee
So We Read On
by Maureen Corrigan –
NF – Corrigan writes of the enduring quality and lessons of The Great Gatsby
Half
Moon: Henry Hudson and the Voyage of the
Map by Douglas Hunter –
NF - Account of Hudson’s exploration of
New York
Beartown by
Fredrik Backman - Beartown is a hockey town on the edge of a
forest. Its hopes for a new school,
shopping center, and development hang on the impending championship of its A
team. After the semifinal, an incident
occurs which makes everyone in town think about what it means to be a team
member – to be an insider, to put the team first, to be a hometown hero.
The
Generals: Patton, MacArthur, Marshall,
and the Winning of World War II by Winston Groom – NF – remarkable
story of how the generals led the allies to victory.
