This isn’t a difficult recommendation as it just won the National Book Award, however, the story and the writing is so powerful. As a reader I was drawn into the story at such a level that I could deeply feel the emotions of the boy telling the story - his fears, anger, and despondency over what has happened to his mother, the course of events, and the realization of who the people around him really are.   posted Feb 26, 2013 at 9:19AM

This is a must-read if you are a fan of the Kurt Wallander mysteries. These short stories lay the background for Wallander as a young policeman, moving up in rank to his current position. Each story offers a glimpse into his life and family and friendships. You will learn things about him that the other mysteries don’t tell you.   posted Feb 18, 2013 at 9:53AM

An emotional story of an unexpected friendship, one a young writer recovering from a recent tragedy and the other an elderly reclusive neighbor. The story gives us a glimpse of life in a quaint Swedish village, and the power of unusual friendships.   posted Feb 18, 2013 at 9:50AM

I continuously shook my head in disbelief that this is a nonfiction book. A potential Olympic marathon runner turned air force soldier overcomes unbelievable odds time and time again through world war II. It starts with his plane crashing into the ocean. Midway through the book, I couldn’t see how it would continue for another 200 pages but the trials and tribulations continue upon rescue. It’s a nail biter through and through and truly helps you see just how incredible the human spirit can be.   posted Feb 15, 2013 at 2:06PM

This book is quite the fantastic fantasy. Two illusionists are in a contest that will span their lives until one wins. They have no idea how to win or what to do to win. Their sponsors in the contest create the circus as the arena for their players. The writing is beautiful - not too verbose, not too simplistic. It's descriptive. It's wicked. I'm not typically a fantasy fiction reader but I couldn't put this book down.   posted Feb 15, 2013 at 1:56PM

Wonderful book of Julia Child’s time in France & her "finding herself" with immersing herself into French culture & cooking.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 3:40PM

Interesting and educational read of the author’s triumph over adversity.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 3:38PM

The classic romance with the infamous Rebecca, Maxim, Manderley, Mrs. Danvers, & the "nameless" girl.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 3:38PM

Reunited after a 6 year separation during WWII, this Polish couple are virtual strangers who have each been thru terrible things. Set in England.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 3:34PM

Flavia de Luce, age 12, is a genius who solves local mysteries in post-war England. Smart & snappy.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 3:33PM

Being different is a secret everyone shares in this novel set in Germany in the early 1900s.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:56PM

A young woman learns to quilt and to come to terms with her family, especially her mother.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:56PM

The voice of the 5 year old protagonist is one you will not soon forget.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:55PM

A new, well-traveled school teacher turns a small town upside down in 1938.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:54PM

A memoir about growing up prior to WWI in a working class English city on a street where Christians lived on one side and Jews on the other.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:53PM

A magical novel of the connections of family -- real people & real values.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:51PM

An eloquent novel of the strength of family, the power of love, and the grace of faith.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:51PM

This novella follows Queen Elizabeth as her Corgis wander into the mobile library and she discovers serious literature & the pleasures of obsessive reading. Delightful & eccentric.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:50PM

Myron Bolitar mysteries: for mystery readers who like a lighter touch.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:47PM

Elvis Cole novels: for mystery readers who like a lighter touch.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:46PM

The story of a race car driver, his wife, and child, is narrated by the family dog, Enzo, who has a very interesting perspective.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:44PM

Cork O’Connor series: Krueger writes about Cork O’Connor who starts out as a sheriff in the northern Minnesota town of Aurora, but as the series progresses he becomes a private investigator. Cork is part Ojibwe and the Indian people are always part of every book. Each book has a murder/mystery that Cork solves. Living in St. Paul, Krueger started writing on yellow legal pads at a restaurant near Macalester College. He writes very well; characters are believable, plot develops solidly, and the added description of northern Minnesota make all his books enjoyable.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:43PM

On a ferry on Lake Champlain, Troy Chance sees a small boy fall into the water from the back of another ferry. After she rescues him, she becomes embroiled in the lives of a privileged and dysfunctional family.   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:39PM

In this memoir, the author writes engagingly about being en route from a life in California to a new job in Chicago, when she stops at her parents’ home in Oklahoma and falls madly in love with the "Marlboro Man".   posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:36PM