My LINKcat AccountIt seems like we’re all just holding our collective breaths, waiting for either the next major winter storm advisories and warnings, or for spring to make up its mind and arrive early. There is a small flock of robins hanging out at the west end of South Street. There are still lots of berries on the trees and the bird feeders are full so why would the robins go anywhere else? The red tail hawks in the area have been doing a lot of soaring and engaging in what looks like aerial combat – which it is sometimes if there are three birds involved. What is really going on is courting. Red tails are starting to think about spring, and love, and nest building and should be sitting on eggs by the end of February. Chickadees have started singing their “phoebe” song for the past few weeks. When a songbird start singing, it’s a pretty good indicator that his fancy is beginning to “lightly turn to thoughts of love”. While spring with its promise of longer and warmer days is coming at us, the Winter Reading Program at the library continues on apace. There is still time to convert what you read into dragon dollars which you can spend on yourself or donate to a couple of charities we’ve chosen. Below you will find some interesting new books to move you closer towards spring. Enjoy!
New Non-Fiction
The life and the adventures of a haunted convict / by Austin Reed. A recently-discovered memoir describes the life of a young, black man who was born a free man, but sent to juvenile reform school in Manhattan and then repeatedly incarcerated in a state prison throughout his adult life in the 18th century.
The lovers : Afghanistan's Romeo & Juliet : the true story of how they defied their families and escaped an honor killing / by Rod Nordland. An account illuminating the ongoing debate about women's rights in the Muslim world documents the true story of how two people from different Afghani tribes pursued marriage against Islamic law and remain in hiding from relatives who would kill them to restore family honor.
The art of X-ray reading : how the secrets of 25 great works of literature will improve your writing / by Roy Clark. One of America's most influential writing teachers examines lessons that writers can learn from 25 great texts.
The dirt cure : growing healthy kids with food straight from soil / by Maya Shetreat-Klein. An integrative pediatric neurologist reveals harmful ingredients in children's food and their potential for injuring developing brains and bodies, outlining a nutritional plan for promoting health through informed, child-friendly food choices.
1924 : the year that made Hitler / by Peter Range. For the first time, an author devotes an entire book to the single, dark year of Hitler's incarceration following his attempted coup during the Beer Hall Putsch.
New Fiction
The plague of thieves affair / by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini. While Sabina reluctantly searches for the madman who claims to be Sherlock Holmes after receiving information about his possible true identity, John investigates a suspicious death at the risk of his professional reputation. By the award-winning authors of “The Body Snatchers Affair”.
A prisoner in Malta by Phillip DePoy. When Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster assigns Christopher Marlowe to discover who is trying to usurp the throne, he must use every bit of his wits, his skills and his daring to unravel one of the greatest mysteries in history—one that involves the government of Spain, high-ranking English nobles and even Pope himself.
Sage's eyes / by V.C. Andrew. Growing up under the obsessive watchfulness of her adoptive parents, 16-year-old Sage struggles to understand the supernatural gifts that enable her to know impossible things before making friends with an alluring new boy who seems to understand her powers.
The spring at Moss Hill / by Carla Neggers. A children’s book illustrator finds she has a lot in common with a private investigator who moves to town to keep a friend out of trouble, in the latest addition to the series following A Knights Bridge Christmas.
The ex : a novel / by Alafair Burke. Agreeing to defend her long-ago ex-fiancé when he is arrested for a triple homicide involving his wife's murderer, a top criminal lawyer confronts formidable doubts in the face of mounting evidence. By the best-selling author of the Ellie Hatcher series.
Arcadia / by Iain Pears. Traces the fantastical intersections between a 1960s Oxford professor who dabbles in espionage, a psychomathematician from a dystopian future world and a scholar's apprentice in a pastoral land. By the author of “An Instance of the Fingerpost”.
Morning star / by Pierce Brown. A conclusion to the trilogy that includes Golden Son finds Darrow emerging from years of hiding among the Golds and declaring an open revolution against the overlords who oppress his people and caused the loss of his wife.
The arrangement / by Ashley Warlick. A story inspired by the real-world love triangle between M. F. K. Fisher, her husband and her lover depicts food writer Mary Frances in 1934 Los Angeles, whose articles become metaphorical for her hunger for passionate fulfillment in a marriage that is no longer intimate or creative.