My LINKcat AccountA week from today is Thanksgiving Day. It’s hard to believe in a way that it hasn’t already been and gone what with the weather we’ve been experiencing. I mean really. A polar plunge, snow-- more than what’s need to track a cat in (In fact, cats don’t even want to go out in it.). There have been many a Thanksgiving Day when I’ve been driving over to see my east-coast (of Wisconsin) cousins, listening to football on the radio, looking at the winter wheat and hay which are still brightly green basking in the warm November sun. It may be a real stretch to get to a that warm November sun with pleasant, balmy, days approaching 50 degrees that warm the car (and the house) so that you don’t need to run the heat. But, it is Wisconsin and there still is an entire week to go until I need to get in a car and go anywhere. Whilst counting down the days to Turkey Day and thence to Christmas – but we’ll ignore that approaching holiday for now while it’s still very small on the horizon—there are any number of new books for you to read. A sampling of what is available is listed below. Enjoy!
New Non-Fiction
Operation sea lion : the failed Nazi invasion that turned the tide of the war by Leo McKinstry. Using a wealth of archival and primary source materials, Leo McKinstry provides a groundbreaking new assessment of the six fateful months in mid-1940 when Operation Sea Lion was all that stood between the Nazis and total victory.
The stranger : Barack Obama in the White House / by Chuck Todd. Chuck Todd draws upon his unprecedented inner-circle sources to create a gripping account of Obama's White House tenure, from the early days of drift and helplessness to a final stand against the GOP in which an Obama, at last liberated from his political future, finally triumphs.
Food : a love story / by Jim Gaffigan. A follow-up to “Dad Is Fat” celebrates the comedian's offbeat love affair with American junk foods, sharing his uproarious observations about such topics as unappetizing coconut water, the essential nature of pretzel bread and the deliciousness of bacon cheeseburgers.
Good dog : true stories of love, loss, and loyalty / by David Dibenedetto. Inspired by “Garden & Gun” magazine’s popular “Good Dog” column, a rich collection of true stories celebrating the unique relationship between humans and their canine companions, includes contributions by some of today’s top writers, including Jon Meacham, Roy Blount Jr, Dominique Browning, P.J. O’Rourke and more.
A letter to my cat : notes to our best friends by Lisa Erspamer. A follow-up to “A Letter to My Dog” collects celebrity letters of love, whimsy and gratitude to their feline companions juxtaposed against four-color kitty portraits, in a volume that includes contributions by Mariel Hemingway, Jackson Galaxy, and others
Maeve's times : in her own words / by Maeve Binchy. Collects top-selected writings from five decades of the “Irish Times” to reflect a changing culture as well as Maeve Binchy's observations on such topics as the royal wedding, waitressing and boring airline companions.
New Fiction
Ruth's journey : the authorized novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the wind / by Donald McCaig, Authorized by the Margaret Mitchell Estate, the first-ever prequel to one of the best-selling novels of all time, “Gone with the Wind”, recounts the life of Mammy, one of literature’s greatest supporting characters, from her days as a slave girl to the outbreak of the Civil War.
The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café / by Alexander Smith McCall. As Mma Ramotswe juggles a life full of challenges and responsibilities, Grace Makutsi must throw in the towel and seek help after her new business venture, The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe, is struck by lightning.
Jane and the twelve days of Christmas / by Stephanie Barron. Invited to spend the Christmas holiday season of 1814 at the ancestral home of the wealthy Chute family, Jane investigates the suspicious death of a Yuletide reveler whose killer is among the snowbound guests.
The nightingale before Christmas / by Donna Andrews. Assisting a huge Christmas-themed decorator show house event, Meg is challenged to prove Mother's innocence when the latter is accused of murdering an ego-sensitive designer. By the Agatha Award- and Anthony Award-winning author of “Duck the Halls”.
Wait for signs : twelve Longmire stories / by Craig Johnson. A single-volume anthology of 12 short stories featuring Walt Longmire--the character that is the basis for the hit A&E drama series, “Longmire”--collects the author's Christmas Eve annuals, including "Ministerial Aide" and "Messenger," as well as an original story, "Petunia, Bandit Queen of the Bighorns."
Immortal : a novel of the fallen angels / by J.R. Ward. A conclusion to the best-selling series that includes “Possession” and “Covet” finds a reluctant savior forced to risk his salvation while confronting the greatest challenge of his existence.
Mr. Miracle : a Christmas novel / by Debbie Macomber. Assigned to help young college student Addie Folsom get her life back on track, guardian angel Harry Mills poses as a teacher and oversees her relationship with contrary neighbor, Erich Simmons, with whom Addie is forced to spend Christmas, in a novel that will be the basis of a Hallmark Original TV movie in Fall 2014
Rainbows on the moon by Barbara Wood. A young missionary sent to Hawaii with her new husband to convert the natives, Emily Stone fights her developing feelings toward a handsome captain stationed there and makes friends with Chiefess Pua and her daughter, Mahina, until a tragedy forces her to leave.