Lima Public Library Book Reviews

Non-fiction

50 Years from Today by Mike Wallace (303.4909 W)

Veteran television journalist Mike Wallace asked the question "What will life be like 50 years from now?" to 60 of the world's greatest minds. Their responses offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural, scientific, political, and spiritual moods of the times, and others.

Smart Women Don't Retire - They Break Free by Gail Rentsch (646.79082 R)

Rentsch, a founding member of the Transition Network, a national organization for women focused on retirement transition issues, provides a blueprint for women seeking a whole new set of life choices to redefine their futures post-retirement. This insightful book reinforces the idea that retirement can be transformative and even "cool."

The Great Warming: Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Brian Fagan (904.5 F)

A history of the planet's last global warming phase that took place between the 10th and 15th centuries, traces how climate changes reshaped human societies from the artic to the Sahara by bringing abundance to some regions and famines to others, a phenomenon that affected leading routes and population growth Fagan's narrative is both fascinating and provocative.

The Man Who Made Lists: Love, Death, Madness, and the Creation of Roget's Thesaurus by Joshua Kendall (92 Roget)

A profile of the creator of the legendary thesaurus named for him describes his childhood fascination with list-making, a practice that was shaped by family tragedies, his run-in with Napoleon's authorities, and a productive relationship with famed physician Thomas Beddoes.

Fiction

How Perfect is That by Sarah Bird

Blyth Young climbed the social ladder in Austin then divorced her socially acceptable husband only to hit her head on every rung of the ladder on the way back down. After all of her morally questionable decisions, Blyth is now moving back into the fleabag co-op she escaped from, running from the IRS, and trying to kick a small love of pharmaceuticals. The collision of the socialites and the pierced and tattooed inhabitants of Austin results in a laugh-out-loud dramedy.

Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood

Corinna Chapman has given up a high powered job to become a baker. She is determined to avoid detecting work and focuses on helping her apprentice, a former drug addict, develop and on keeping her romance alive with Daniel. But Corinna grows suspicious when she bites into a chili-filled chocolate instead of the gourmet chocolate she was expecting. Is someone trying to sabotage her friend's business? Corinna just has to find out. Between the characters and the recipes you are not going to want to put this tasty culinary mystery down.

Moon Shell Beach by Nancy Thayer

Best friends Lexi Laney and Clare Hart had a secret place called Moon Shell Beach to share their girlhood secrets. However everyone grows and changes, so as life complicates and dreams change Lexi moves off Nantucket Island for the life of luxury, while Clare stays behind. When Lexi returns to make amends and start a new chapter of life, their lives are fated to cross again. This novel offers a touching look at the evolution of lifelong friendships and the rewards of believing in miracles and fate.

The Mercy Oak by Kathryn R Wall

Widow Bay Tanner has a blooming romance with her late husband's brother and local sheriff's sergeant Red, but just as things in her personal life get interesting Bay is drawn into two mysteries threatening her close friends. The first involves the possible murder of a girl in a hit and run accident and the disappearance of Dolores, Bay's housekeeper, and her son Bobby. The second involves a string of bank robberies in the area where Lavina Smalls, who raised Bay as a girl, may know something about the gang. Bay is then told to back off by both the FBI and Homeland Security, which means she must be getting close to something major.

Children's

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Alex's day started just like any day, going to school, working at the pizza place, and planning for the future. That all changed the day the moon was hit by an asteroid and moved it closer to earth which changed the weather which caused floods, and lots of catastrophes. Food becomes scarce, water has to be boiled, and there is no electricity sometimes for days on end. Alex and his sisters, Briana and Julie learn to survive by rationing their food, praying, stealing, and working together as a family. What would you do if life was suddenly changed by such a catastrophe?

Ages Young Adult

Helen's Eyes by Marfe Ferguson Delano

This is a photo-biography of Annie Sullivan, the teacher of Helen Keller. It is full of photos and great information. Annie Sullivan became blind at a young age because of trachoma, but eventually gained her sight back through surgery. She came to be Helen Keller's teacher when the Kellers were looking for a governess for Helen and Annie was looking for a job after graduation from the Perkins Institute for the Blind, so she accepted the job. To find out more, take a look at this impressive non-fiction book.

Ages: Young Adult