My LINKcat AccountThere are many things to be thankful for this day, this week, this year. One of the things I am thankful for is this past weekend when the sun finally broke through and gave us a couple of days of crisp, clear weather. I was staying at the family homestead along the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Over the past decade or more the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish & Fish refuge has been restoring and building habitat for migrating Tundra Swans. Overlooks with spotting scopes have been created along Highway 26 south of Brownsville. This past weekend about 30,000 Tundra Swans were taking a break from their migration route from the tundra areas in Alaska an Canada. This eastern flock is on their way to the Chesapeake Bay where they will winter over. Right now they are eating the tubers of arrowhead, wild celery, and sago pondweed as they fuel up for the next long leg of their journey. I got to stand along the shore and watch these 30,000 swans sleep, eat (butts in the air as they dive for the tubers in the shallow water near shore) and make their rather mournful woo-hoo, woo-hoo calls. These calls reverberate up the valleys in the bluffs that surround the Mississippi and can be heard a good mile away if the wind is right. I was very grateful to be able to share this marvel of nature with my family, On Thursday, I shall be grateful to drive to my cousins for the family feast. On Friday, I shall be grateful for all the Doorbuster deals we will be offering library users. As always, I am thankful for you, gentle readers, who keep the literary and literacy flame alive. Enjoy the new books listed below and have a very happy Thanksgiving.
New Non-Fiction
“Rhett & Link’s Book of Mythicality: A Field Guide to Curiosity, Creativity, and Tomfoolery” by Rhett McLaughlin and Neal Link. The YouTube personalities and creators of Good Mythical Morning present an ultimate fan's guide to adding Mythicality to a life, in a lighthearted reference that features stories and photos from the authors’' lifelong friendship as well as a range of activity suggestions for laughing and learning more.
“Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together” by Van Jones. The CNN political contributor and host presents a deeply impassioned manifesto on how to transform political disputes into peaceful, effective changes, tracing the growth of the nonpartisan LoveArmy, the achievements of today's less-hailed but important activists and his recommendations for embracing patriotism.
“Billionaire at the Barricades: The Populists vs. the Establishment from Reagan to Trump” by Laura Ingraham. The best-selling author of The Obama Diaries traces the 45th President's unexpected election at the head of a misunderstood populist revolt, arguing that Trump has reinvented the Reagan years in his own image by attracting a new coalition of voters who disagree with GOP elitism.
“Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times” by Nancy Koehn. A Harvard Business School historian presents an in-depth portrait of five extraordinary figures—including Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Rachel Carson—to illuminate how great leaders are made in times of adversity and the diverse skills they summon in order to prevail. Illustrations.
“God, Faith, and Reason” by Michael Savage. The host of The Savage Nation streaming radio program describes his absolute beliefs about the greatness of God and the significance of faith in America and in everyday people, arguing that the nation was founded on faith and that dwindling numbers of believers are having negative political consequences.
“The Art of Stopping Time: Practical Mindfulness for Busy People” by Peram Shojai. The best-selling author of The Urban Monk outlines recommendations for innovative and mindful time management as inspired by ancient Chinese spiritual practices, demonstrating how overscheduled readers can find moments of transformative mental awareness during everyday tasks.
New Fiction
“Killing Season” by Faye Kellerman. A young man's investigation into the death of his sister draws him into the path of a sadistic serial killer, in a psychological thriller by the best-selling author of Murder 101”.
“The Last Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine. A coolly manipulative woman worms her way into the lives of a wealthy golden couple from Connecticut as part of her plot to achieve a privileged life, unveiling dark secrets along the way.
“Mind Game (Eve Duncan)” by Iris Johansen. Searching for a long-missing treasure in Scotland, Jane MacGuire experiences vivid dreams of a girl in danger at the same time that she reconnects with a volatile ex and is confronted by stunning changes in the lives of those closest to her. By the best-selling author of “Hide Away”.
“The Rooster Bar” by John Grisham. The author of such best-sellers as “A Time to Kill” and “The Pelican Brief” presents a new high-octane thriller of non-stop suspense.
“Pulse: A Dick Francis Novel” by Felix Francis. When a smartly dressed man dies in the hospital after being found unconscious at a local racetrack, Doctor Chris Reynolds, a specialist struggling with mental-health challenges, searches for the victim's identity and clues about what happened, only to be targeted by a ruthless killer. By the author of “Triple Crown”.
“Quick & Dirty, No. 43 (Stone Barrington)” by Stuart Woods. A latest entry in the best-selling series finds New York City cop turned Manhattan law firm rainmaker Stone Barrington tackling an explosive case that tests his signature composure. By the Edgar Award-winning author of “Chiefs”.
“Two Kinds of Truth, No. 22 (Harry Bosch)” by Michael Connelly. An investigation into the murder of a young pharmacist leads Harry Bosch and San Fernando's detective squad into the big-business world of pill mills and prescription-drug abuse at the same time that an old case from Bosch's days with the LAPD returns to haunt him.