Hershey Public Library

A Gift from Us to You ...

Compiled May, 2002

CAS=audio book  CD=book on CD  LP=large print book  Pbk=paperback

Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund [FIC NAS] - Naslund’s courageous heroine moves from lighthouse to sea to the Kentucky frontier and back to the coast of New England in this sweeping saga inspired by a brief passage in Melville’s Moby-Dick. An eye for historic and emotional detail make this a special treat. (2)

Amanda’s Wedding by Jenny Colgan [FIC COL] - A good, quick read. Colgan lets you get revenge on those people who have treated you badly – without hurting anyone.

Angus, Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison [Y REN, Cas] - A young adult version of Bridget Jones. Also, don’t miss the sequel On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God. They’re funny. Period.

Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler [FIC TYL, LP] - For anyone who has ever wondered whether the right life choices were made back when we were oh so young and knew so much. Also a poignant treatment of love and missing those who are gone. You can‘t miss with any Anne Tyler novel. (2)

Bad Boy by Olivia Goldsmith [FIC GOL, LP] - Charming, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable.

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar [B NAS, Cas] - Read the many parts the movie omitted in the complicated life and astounding mathematics of Nobel Laureate John Forbes Nash, Jr. This is a chronicle of the history of American mathematics and cold war research, as well as the metamorphosis of genius and schizophrenia. Sylvia Nasar writes in the clear, well-documented style of the competent New York Times journalist that she is. (2)

Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson [FIC ATK] - Funny! Laughed out loud. A bit outrageous.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett [FIC PAT] - This gifted writer takes us into the hearts and minds of captives and captors alike when a beautiful opera singer, a Japanese industrialist, and the rest of their dinner party are taken hostage by a group of bumbling South American terrorists. Will love and music overcome tragedy? Patchett’s characterizations and prose are sharp and precise in this award-winning novel. (2)

Beyond the American Dream by Charles D. Hayes [374 HAY] - Subtitled “Lifelong Learning and the Search for Meaning in a Postmodern World,” it is the most thought-provoking book you will ever read. This book points the way to rise above the lock-step patterns of our culture.

The Big Nap by Ayelet Waldman [MYS WAL] - Charming meddler and amateur sleuth Juliet Applebaum, a Harvard Law grad and stay-at-home mom, does her detecting with small children in tow. Any woman who remembers the smell of spit-up and being so tired you fantasized about sleep will laugh out loud over these “mommy-track” mysteries.

Billy Boy: A Novel by Edwin Shrake [FIC SHR] - Whether you enjoy golf or not, this novel presents an uplifting, inspirational read for the beach. Billy loses his mother to cancer when he is 16 and goes to live with his alcoholic father. He goes to work as a caddy at a Fort Worth country club, home of the great Ben Hogan. While working there, Billy learns about golf and life.

Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood [FIC ATW, Cas, LP] - One of her best books, with a complex plot and set of characters. The question to be answered is – who is the blind assassin?

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson [J PAT] - Though written for young readers, it can be appreciated by anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. Learning to deal with a painful loss, a young boy lives through its stages and is finally able to remember his friend without being enveloped in gloom and anger.

A Coal Miner’s Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska by Susan Campbell Bartoletti [J BAR] - The entire Dear America series enlivens history through personal stories. This particular work by an award-winning author for young adults chronicles Pennsylvania’s Eastern European immigrants, their work and contributions, and their struggles for acceptance. Although intended for younger readers, much of this series appeals to adults as well.

The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston [FIC JOH] - A sweeping historical epic of the life and times of Joseph Smallwood, Newfoundland’s first Premier. The novel reads like a John Irving tale, complete with eccentricities and romance. Conveys a strong sense of island life and rural Canadian character.

Cultural Amnesia: America’s Future and the Crisis of Memory by Stephen Bertman [306.09 BER] - Bertman examines the social forces that conspire to alienate Americans from their past: a materialism that celebrates transience and disposability and a faith that worships the present to the exclusion of all other dimensions of time, as well as the disastrous consequences if we choose to ignore this crisis.

Death of a Red Heroine by Xiaolong Qiu [MYS QIU] - This Edgar-winning mystery set in Shanghai in the 1990s provides competent sleuthing by a pair of personable cops (one young, one seasoned – Hillerman fans may be reminded of Leaphorn and Chee) as well as a portrait of southern China since the initiatives of Deng Xiao Peng.

Ethel and Ernest by Raymond Briggs [941.082 BRI] - This talented artist and author offers a loving tribute to his parents in the medium he knows best – art. He tells their story from courtship to the end of their lives in beautifully detailed drawings. With a minimum of text, he makes us feel his love for these two people. A treat by the author of the children’s classic The Snowman.

Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier [FIC CHE, LP] - Set in England during the Edwardian era, the book follows the relationship between two young girls of the same age, whose family cemetery plots are situated side-by-side. One girl is serious and intelligent; the other is shallow and self-indulgent. Still, they become best friends and intertwine the destinies of both families.

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland [FIC VRE] - A fictional painting by Dutch painter Vermeer serves as the basis for this book. Presented as a series of vignettes with each chapter focusing on how the painting touched its owner‘s life, the story begins with the present and goes back to the painting’s inception.

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier [FIC CHE, Cas, LP] - A fictional account of Dutch painter Vermeer’s model for his famous painting. The novel takes the reader to 17th Century Holland to experience the sights, sounds, and emotions of Vermeer’s housemaid, Griet, and her interactions with the Vermeer family and the painter himself.

Going Over East: Reflections of a Woman Rancher by Linda Hasselstrom [B HAS] - The author is a rancher on a small South Dakota ranch. As she travels to summer pasture, she guides the reader through the physical and emotional hardships of trying to survive the political and economic changes which create an uncertain future for ranching and for her cherished way of life. A skilled and thoughtful book.

Grand Avenue by Joy Fielding [FIC FIE] - Four young mothers with baby daughters all live on Grand Avenue in an upscale Cincinnati suburb. Over 23 years, they collectively go through a whole range of human experiences, which test their close bonds and friendships. This is a well-written, fast-paced, complex novel that will keep your interest and offer surprises along the way. I recommend this for your next beach book.

His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John by Elizabeth Rosenthal [B JOH] - More than a biography, this is a song-by-song analysis of Elton John’s recordings.

I Am From Haiti by Rodrigue Mortel [B MOR] - An inspiring story about a Hershey resident who, against daunting odds, became an expert in his field. Though now retired from medicine, he devotes his time, talent, and resources to help his struggling homeland. What a lesson in courage and determination.

In Sunlight, In a Beautiful Garden by Kathleen Cambor [FIC CAM, LP] - In this novel Cambor uses well-drawn characters, both historical and fictional, to present a moving account of the great Johnstown flood of 1889 and an “upstairs-downstairs” picture of society during the Gilded Age of Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and Henry Clay Frick. (2)

Island: The Complete Stories by Alistair MacLeod [FIC MAC] - MacLeod is one of Canada’s great living writers, and these short stories, set in the stark and harsh country of Cape Breton, are carefully-crafted evocations of the struggles and thin joys of mining and fishing on the northern shores of Nova Scotia.

Jemima J: A Novel About Ugly Ducklings and Swans by Jane Green [FIC GRE] - This is a “must read” for British humor fans.

John Adams by David McCullough [B ADA, Cas] - One of the most profound books I have ever read! This powerful, epic biography brings to life the events of the American Revolution, the Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence.The book filled me with deep gratitude for the endurance and wisdom of our founding fathers, especially after September 11th.

Kissing in Manhattan by David Schickler [FIC SCH] - At first a seemingly loose collection of stories of disparate characters ultimately linked by their search for meaning and love and by the distinctive old apartment building in which they live. The author has observed the surprising juxtapositions and the underlying heart and courage that mark this great city.

Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal by Rachel Remen [610.92 REM, Cas] - A powerful book that helped me with my mother’s terminal illness.

The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love by Joan Medlicott [FIC MED] - An interesting, gentle read.

Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman [CAS MYS HIL] - One of my favorite of the series of mysteries about Navajo detective Joe Leaphorn, this becomes a “gulping” experience as Joe tries to escape from an extremely clever and deadly killer. It’s full of surprises right to the end. Aside from the great story, you learn much about the Navajo and other Indian cultures and the “four corners” area of the West.

Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper by Harriet Scott Chessman [FIC CHE] - The author uses several of the paintings (beautifully reproduced in this lovely little book) for which Mary Cassatt’s sister posed to frame this story of the artist, her family, and their years in Paris.

Make Believe by Joanna Scott [FIC SCO] - A young vulnerable woman, her loves, and two cruel accidents – the story told skillfully and with authentic voice from the several important but different perspectives of those whose lives are touched.

The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall [FIC UDA] - Couldn’t put it down!

A Multitude of Sins: Stories by Richard Ford [FIC FOR] - A collection of short stories from the author of Independence Day and The Sports Writer. Ford explores the subjects of relationships, marriage, and betrayal. He is a gifted short story writer.

Next of Kin by Joanna Trollope [FIC TRO] - A beloved family member is dead. This novel explores the aftermath of death as the survivors respond to the trouble and upheaval that death creates for the comfortable routines of their family life. Adding to the crisis is the introduction of an outsider who forces the detached family members to deal with their flaws and miscommunications. A wellwritten and skillful book, typical of Trollope’s mastery of dialogue and characterization.

Niagara Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken [FIC MCC] - McCracken’s novel focuses on the Vaudeville comedy team of Carter and Sharp. The characters in this funny, poignant book are quirky, humorous, and deeply human. But read this book for the luminous prose and stunning imagery.

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich [305.569 EHR] - Journalist Ehrenreich anonymously took several jobs as server, cleaner, and “Wal-Martian” to explore the world of the minimum wage worker today in America. Her report ought to make readers more sensitive to those who “serve” and make us realize who really pays for those deep discounts at Sam’s Club. (2)

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon [616.85 SOL] - Solomon richly deserved the National Book Award that he won for this comprehensive, sensitive look at depression including possible causes, treatment throughout history, and the politics of mental health.

Olivia by Ian Falconer [JP F] - If you have not yet met Olivia, get thee posthaste to the children’s picture book section! Olivia is only the most charming, memorable (and opinionated) young character since Eloise lived at the Plaza Hotel; and the stylish red, black, and gray graphics are guaranteed to knock your socks off!

The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland [FIC VRE] - This historical fiction focuses on Italian post-Renaissance painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, who was the first woman to be elected to the Accademia dell’ Arte in Florence and is known for her masterpiece “Judith.” The reader will find her inspiring as she pursues her passion for painting despite the obstacles placed before her.

Patience and Fortitude by Nicholas Basbanes [002.09 BAS] - An excellent book on the history of book collecting, with a section on the future of libraries.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger [FIC ENG] - Spellbinding! This gem of a book should not be overlooked. An amazing first novel that you won’t soon forget. (2)

Pennsylvania Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities, and Other Offbeat Stuff by Clark DeLeon [974.8 DEL] - The author, a Pennsylvania native, takes you on a wild ride through our state, pointing out oddities all around us. This is a road trip you’ll never forget. Youze godda read dis one! Hilarious! (2)

People With Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening by Robin Chotzinoff [635 CHO] - A different kind of gardening book. Very inspiring!

Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins [811.54 COL] - Accessible, witty, and wry creations from the current U.S. Poet Laureate. One a day, read aloud, recommended to brighten the day!

The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell [920.72 LOV] - Absolutely spellbinding true story of six sisters in pre/post World War II England. Raised in a minor aristocratic family struggling to overcome its genteel poverty, the sisters develop into creative, rebellious, and often dysfunctional personalities. Three of the sisters were tainted by their “politically incorrect” devotion to Hitler. Their besieged father commented, “I’m normal, my wife is normal, but my daughters are each more foolish than the other.” Lovell does an outstanding job of creating a group biography that seamlessly weaves together the lives of six disparate sisters.

Sky of Stone: A Memoir by Homer Hickam [B HIC] - This is the third time I have included a Hickam book on my Staff Picks list [Rocket Boys (1998) and The Coalwood Way (2000)]. Hickam seems to effortlessly charm and inspire the reader with his memoirs about growing up in the mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. Try one or all three of Hickam’s books – he spins a great story.

Stern Men by Elizabeth Gilbert [FIC GIL] - The lobsters of Maine have met their match when a woman takes to the sea and conquers crusty men as well as crustaceans. A “sweet” read that captures the essence of the social life of the northern coasts.

Straight Man by Richard Russo [FIC RUS] - The novel constantly straddles the line between hilarity and heartbreak. Russo shows his expertise in fashioning wry comedy, endearing characters, and an artful blend of high jinks and heartache. Hank Devereaux is voted interim chair of the English department at a small Pennsylvania college because the contentious English faculty figure they can count on him to maintain the status quo. He doesn’t.

Strong Women Stay Young by Miriam E. Nelson [613.7 NEL] - An excellent book for women of all ages. This easy-to-read, informative guide to strength training outlines a series of exercises that almost anyone can do. It is well-designed, based on research, and includes illustrations. (2)

Then She Found Me by Elinor Lipman [FIC LIP] - A wry, witty novel from Lipman. When her birth mother enters her life, April Epner’s quiet existence undergoes a permanent change. Her mother is a flamboyant talk show host with characteristic Lipman eccentricities. An intelligent, entertaining read. Check out her other books too.

Three Wishes by Barbara Delinsky [FIC DEL, LP] - A little sad, a little funny. A good, quick read with an ending that will surprise you.

Twilight of American Culture by Morris Berman [973.92 BER] - If you recognize the appalling state of the current social mindset, the lack of principles, true education, and common sense, then this book may help. It offers practical methods for preserving what is left of our culture or, at the very least, of your sanity.

The Undiscovered Mind by John Horgan [612.82 HOR] - A perfect overview of the science of neurology for the non-scientist. The chapter on “Why Freud Isn’t Dead” is absolutely priceless.

The Visitors’ Book by Caroline Upcher [FIC UPC] - The book offers a bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a wonderful tangle of personalities, which kept me alert and hopping. At a rural cottage in a quaint village, London “yuppies” come together for their weekend bash. A fast-paced story with colorful characters (assertive, determined women and spoiled, selfish men) whose weekend escapades make for a tantalizing read.

What Went Wrong: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response by Bernard Lewis [956.015 LEW] - Written from a lifetime of experience and study, this small book is based on three lectures delivered by the author concerning the relationship between the Middle East and the West over many centuries – from the time when the Arab world was the center of learning and influence to the present day. Prepared for publication a little before September 2001, it provides valuable insights for anyone wishing to understand today’s situation.

A Whistling Woman is Up to No Good: Finding Your Wild Woman by Laurel King [155.633 KIN] - I read it twice and just loved it!

The Wilderness Family: At Home with Africa’s Wildlife by Kobie Kruger [591.96 KRU] - The author is an incredibly strong, competent, and resourceful woman, wife, and mother. She recounts her adventures as the wife of a game warden in a remote section of Kruger National Park, South Africa. Not only does she raise three daughters, but also cares for any stray creature that enters her compound, including lion cubs. Great for animal lovers.

Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama [FIC TSU] - This is a coming-of-age story chronicling the life of a young Chinese girl given to the silk trade. Reveals the trials of being a female child in China. Also recommend the sequel: The Language of Threads.

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck [Y PEC] - Lively picture of the depression years in rural America. After her father loses his job, a 15-year-old girl is sent from Chicago to spend the year of 1937 with her grandmother in a small town in Illinois. The heart of the book is grandma – a huge, overbearing personality and a maverick. This humorous and heartwarming book gives insight into a young girl adjusting to a “hick town’s” 25-student high school and the antics of her overbearing grandma, who wins her love and outwits the town.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks [FIC BRO] - Because this book is about the plague, I thought that it would be about death. But I was wrong. It is about life!
May 2002