My LINKcat AccountThis week, leading up to Thanksgiving Day is filled with some interesting National Days, but none that are too exciting – at least to me. Take Tuesday, November 14th for example. The two national celebrations on that day are National Pickle Day (Now I like pickles probably more than the next guy, but I find it hard to get enthused about them) and Spicy Guacamole Day (Spicy is good and could be exciting but this days raises more questions than it answers. Is there a mild guacamole day? Is there a caliente guacamole day? ). November 15th also suffers from ennui with celebratory days like National Bundt Pan Day, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, and National Raisin Bran Cereal Day. Today is National Fast Food Day and National Button Day. I thought everyday was national fast food day based on the lines of cars at various drive thrus at various fast food restaurants. While buttons can be very pretty and collectible, and while they are very practical and for centuries (perhaps millennia) kept our clothes from falling off, generally speaking they are not very exciting (although the lack of a strategically placed button could potentially be very exciting). All that being said, if you’re looking for a little excitement you’ll find some stimulating, exhilarating, invigorating, and stirring new titles listed below. And watch our FaceBook page, website, and flyers in the library for an exciting array of Black Friday deals for you coming up the day after Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
New Non-Fiction
“President McKinley: Architect of the American Century” by Robert Merry. A sympathetic portrait of the 25th president and predecessor to Theodore Roosevelt reveals the enduring accomplishments that helped establish America as an imperial power, from imposing a strict gold standard and the acquisition of Hawaii to the development of a "fair trade" doctrine and the forging of important ties to Britain.
“Craig & Fred: A Marine, a Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other” by Craig Grossi. Tells the uplifting true story of a U.S. Marine, the stray dog he met on an Afghan battlefield and how they saved each other and now travel America spreading a positive message.
“The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State” by Nadia Murad. A human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee traces the harrowing and ultimately inspiring story of her captivity by the Islamic State, describing how militants massacred the people of her Iraqi farming village, killing most of her family members and forcing her into prostitution before she escaped and became an advocate for human rights.
“Walking with Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life” by Eric O’Grey. An inspirational speaker discusses how he overcame high-risk challenges with obesity and Type-2 diabetes by rescuing an equally at-risk shelter dog who shared his journey of recovery during a transformative year's worth of rehabilitating walks.
“Fast Food Genocide: How Processed Food is Killing Us and What We Can Do About it” by Joel Fuhrman. The revered nutrition expert, PBS personality and best-selling author of Eat to Live delivers a hard-hitting examination of the role of fast and processed foods in the nation's health crisis while outlining specific recommendations for long-term solutions, sharing complementary meal plans and recipes.
“Healing Arthritis: Your 3-Step Guide to Conquering Arthritis Naturally” by Susan Blum. The author of the best-selling “The Immune System Recovery Plan” shares science-based, drug-free recommendations for eliminating arthritis naturally and without gut-injuring, temporary pain suppressants, outlining a two-week plan for reducing inflammation while ridding the body of negative bacteria.
New Fiction
“In the Midst of Winter” by Isabel Allende. A minor traffic accident becomes a catalyst for an unexpected bond among a human rights scholar, his Chilean lecturer tenant and an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, who explore firsthand the difficulties of immigrants and refugees in today's world. By the best-selling author of “The House of the Spirits”.
“Mr. Dickens and His Carol: A Novel of Christmas Past” by Samantha Silva. When his successful world is threatened by poor reviews about his latest book, writer Charles Dickens is given a one-month ultimatum by his publisher to write a successful, nostalgic Christmas book, a challenge that is complicated by worldly associates, self-doubt and the hardships of an impoverished young woman and her son. A first novel.
“Ghost on the Case, No 18 (Bailey Ruth)” by Carolyn Hart. When a young woman is blackmailed into breaking into her wealthy employer's home to steal ransom money in exchange for her sister's life, the ghostly Bailey Ruth Raeburn follows heavenly orders to assist the distraught young woman and outmaneuver a brutal killer.
“How the Finch Stole Christmas, No. 22 (Meg Langslow)” by Donna Andrews. When her husband organizes a full-scale production of A Christmas Carol with a famous veteran actor in the starring role, Meg finds herself navigating unexpected challenges in the star's baggage and enemies. By the award-winning author of “Duck the Halls”.
“Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery, No. 3 (Little Beach Street Bakery)” by Jenny Colgan. A scenic holiday season in the idyllic Cornish coastal village of Mount Polbearne finds Polly busily keeping up with demands for gingerbread and other festive fare at her bakery, only to find herself teaming up with her neighbors to safeguard everyone from a dangerous storm that cuts them off from the mainland.
“Merry and Bright” by Debbie Macomber. Enduring a challenging year of constant work and family care, Merry struggles to take a break from her everyday responsibilities by creating an online dating profile and striking up an online friendship with a charming stranger who turns out to be someone she recognizes.
“Wyoming Winter, No. 7 (Wyoming Men)” by Diana Palmer. Two former lovers encounter danger and a second chance at love when they reunite on a Wyoming ranch during the Christmas season, in a latest romantic adventure by the best-selling author of “Wyoming Brave”.