September 2012 Movers & Shakers
Here are the noteworthy titles that have been racing up our most popular charts this month.
(showing 1-6 of 6)
The Cutting Season
by Attica Locke
Estate manager Caren Gray usually hosts weddings and school tours at Belle Vie, one of Louisiana's antebellum plantations. When she discovers the body of a young migrant worker on the grounds, she doesn't trust local police to solve the case, which echoes a century-old crime. Nancy says, "[Locke] writes with a deep understanding of love, family, politics, and race and the South, both past and present." Estate manager Caren Gray usually hosts weddings and school tours at Belle Vie, one of Louisiana's antebellum plantations. When she discovers the body of a young migrant worker on the grounds, she doesn't trust local police to solve the case, which echoes a century-old crime. Nancy says, "[Locke] writes with a deep understanding of love, family, politics, and race and the South, both past and present."
My Berlin Kitchen: A Love Story (with Recipes)
by Luisa Weiss
Popular food blogger Weiss shares recipes along with life events in this culinary memoir. A childhood split between parents in Berlin and Boston? Poppy Seed Whirligig Buns. Recovering from heartbreak in New York? Fake Baked Beans. Eventually making a home in Berlin with a new love? Basler Leckerli cookies. Mary says, "Her writing is so personal—you experience all her emotion...Luisa welcomes all into her life with open arms." Popular food blogger Weiss shares recipes along with life events in this culinary memoir. A childhood split between parents in Berlin and Boston? Poppy Seed Whirligig Buns. Recovering from heartbreak in New York? Fake Baked Beans. Eventually making a home in Berlin with a new love? Basler Leckerli cookies. Mary says, "Her writing is so personal—you experience all her emotion...Luisa welcomes all into her life with open arms."
The White Forest
by Adam McOmber
In this gothic mystery set in Victorian England, a sheltered woman gifted with second sight must venture beyond her family estate on Hampstead Heath to search for a missing friend. She discovers his obsession with her abilities and connection to a dangerous occult leader in London. Christine says, "McOmber writes with an enviable imagination and the sense of foreboding, mystery, and eroticism." In this gothic mystery set in Victorian England, a sheltered woman gifted with second sight must venture beyond her family estate on Hampstead Heath to search for a missing friend. She discovers his obsession with her abilities and connection to a dangerous occult leader in London. Christine says, "McOmber writes with an enviable imagination and the sense of foreboding, mystery, and eroticism."
The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo
by Tom Reiss
Novelist Alexandre Dumas modeled The Count of Monte Cristo after his father, whose daring exploits are captured in this new biography. Son of a French marquis and a black slave, the senior Dumas rose from slavery to become one of Napoleon's highest generals during the French Revolution, only to be imprisoned and impoverished in his later years. John says, "This is a great book that promises a forehead-slapping epiphany in nearly every chapter." Novelist Alexandre Dumas modeled The Count of Monte Cristo after his father, whose daring exploits are captured in this new biography. Son of a French marquis and a black slave, the senior Dumas rose from slavery to become one of Napoleon's highest generals during the French Revolution, only to be imprisoned and impoverished in his later years. John says, "This is a great book that promises a forehead-slapping epiphany in nearly every chapter."
The People of Forever Are Not Afraid
by Shani Boianjiu
Three school girls, Yael, Avishag, and Lea, transition from small-town civilian life to compulsory military service in the Israel Defense Forces. The trio narrate days of target practice and guard duty while witnessing horrors in this unnerving, literary coming of age. Danielle calls it "Catch-22 with young women, thus grittier and harder edged. No matter how you feel about the conflicts Boianjiu describes, you will be riveted by her fresh perspective." Three school girls, Yael, Avishag, and Lea, transition from small-town civilian life to compulsory military service in the Israel Defense Forces. The trio narrate days of target practice and guard duty while witnessing horrors in this unnerving, literary coming of age. Danielle calls it "Catch-22 with young women, thus grittier and harder edged. No matter how you feel about the conflicts Boianjiu describes, you will be riveted by her fresh perspective."
Stormdancer (The Lotus War, #1)
by Jay Kristoff (Goodreads Author)
The ironfisted Shōgun rules the toxic Shima Imperium, a polluted island nation with flavors of steampunk Japan, in this young adult adventure. Young telepath Yukiko must catch the legendary thunder tiger—part-eagle, part-tiger—or face certain death. Kristen says, "It's so vivid, you can't help but be swallowed whole. The action is thrilling, edge-of-your-seat...the characters are smart, flawed, and painfully real." The ironfisted Shōgun rules the toxic Shima Imperium, a polluted island nation with flavors of steampunk Japan, in this young adult adventure. Young telepath Yukiko must catch the legendary thunder tiger—part-eagle, part-tiger—or face certain death. Kristen says, "It's so vivid, you can't help but be swallowed whole. The action is thrilling, edge-of-your-seat...the characters are smart, flawed, and painfully real."
