My LINKcat AccountToday, May 30th, is the original date chosen by General John A. Logan – a leader of an organization of Northern Civil War veterans—in 1868 when he called for a nationwide day of remembrance. The purpose of the day was to decorate the graves of comrades who died for their country during the late rebellion. The date of Decoration Day was chosen as May 30th since it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.” On that first Decoration Day about five thousand participants decorated the graves of about 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Southern states honored their dead on different dates. It wasn’t until after World War I, that the holiday, which was becoming known as Memorial Day, honored all Americans who had died in all wars. General Logan had chosen a date that historically, not a whole lot happened – not just during the Civil War. When Memorial Day became a moveable holiday to get us all that three-day weekend we all appreciate, it put the holiday on dates when Civil War battles did occur: In 1862 the Battle of Hanover Court House, VA; in 1863 The Siege of Port Hudson, LA began (and lasted 48 days); In 1864 there was a skirmish at Salem Church, VA. Other Wars had other battle. Now that you know more than you wanted to about Decoration Day and today’s date, it’s time to get to the books! Below you will find some of the recently-arrived books at the library. Enjoy!
New Non-Fiction
“The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont” by Shawn Levy. The best-selling author of Rat Pack Confidential presents a deeply researched history of the iconic Hollywood hotel that explores its storied role in wild celebrity revelries, scandalous liaisons and creative breakthroughs.
“Everyone Can Be a Ninja: Find Your Inner Warrior and Achieve Your Dreams” by Akbar Gbajabiamila. The host of the Emmy-nominated American Ninja Warrior builds on the examples of show competitors, inspiring underdogs and modern-day achievers to outline essential recommendations for reaching personal goals.
“Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee” by Casey N. Cep. Documents the remarkable story of 1970s Alabama serial killer Willie Maxwell and the true-crime book on the Deep South's racial politics and justice system that consumed Harper Lee in the years after “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
“How to Forget: A Daughter’s Memoir” by Kate Mulgrew. The award-winning actress known for her roles in such productions as Orange Is the New Black describes how, after attending her parents' deaths, she uncovered painful secrets that challenged her understanding of her unconventional Irish-Catholic family.
“Ladysitting: My Year With Nana at the End of Her Century” by Lorene Cary. The author of Black Ice shares the story of her relationship with her remarkable grandmother, describing the latter's youth in the Jim Crow South, devotion to black causes and management of her own business until age 100.
New Fiction
“The Tale Teller, No. 23 (Leaphorn, Chee, Manuelito)” by Anne Hillerman. Investigating the disappearance of a priceless Navajo artifact, retired Tribal Police detective Joe Leaphorn receives a sinister warning at the same time a leading suspect dies under mysterious circumstances.
“Triple Jeopardy, No. 2 (Daniel Pitt)” by Anne Perry. The lawyer son of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt is forced to defend a disreputable British diplomat in the wake of an embezzlement scandal and rumors of his link to a murder cover-up. By the best-selling author of “Twenty-One Days”.
“The A List, No. 14 (Ali Reynolds)” by J.A. Jance. Settling into a quieter life a decade after a career scandal, a once-high-profile newscaster is approached by someone from her past who compels her to make a difficult choice.
“Miracle Creek” by Angie Kim. A dramatic murder trial in the aftermath of an experimental medical treatment and a fatal explosion upends a rural Virginia community where personal secrets and private ambitions complicate efforts to uncover what happened.
“Neon Prey, No. 29 (Prey)” by John Sandford. When a seemingly minor investigation leads to the discovery of trophies from a score of murders, Lucas Davenport lands on the trail of an enigmatic killer who has been able to operate for years below the radar.
“Saving Meghan” by D. J. Palmer. A family's desperate search for a cure for a daughter's rare illness is compounded by a passionate doctor's own loss and disturbing allegations against the patient's mother that pit the family and the medical team against each other.
“Someone Knows” by Lisa Scottoline. Haunted by her role in a covered-up prank gone wrong decades earlier, Allie returns to her childhood home and resolves to uncover the truth, before making a shattering discovery. By the Edgar Award-winning author of “After Anna”.
“Willing to Die, No. 8 (Alarez & Pescoli)” by Lisa Jackson. Alvarez & Pescoli investigate the murders of Doctor Paul Latham and his wife, Brindel, found dead in separate beds in their beautiful San Francisco home. By a #1 New York Times best-selling author.