Hershey Public Library

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout [MYS CRO] – Tyler Caskey is a young, earnest minister who has just lost his wife after a long illness. His younger daughter is sent to live with his overbearing mother and his older daughter is deeply troubled. It is 1950s Maine and small town gossip is rampant. Rumors begin that Tyler is having an affair with his housekeeper. A beautifully told story of a man's attempt to come to terms with his grief, his faith, and his work as a father. Wonderful characters and storyline.

American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman who Defied the Puritans by Eve LaPlante [973.2 LAP] -- From 1600s Puritan America comes the remarkable story of Anne Hutchinson, a woman some consider to be the "midwife of Harvard College." The book centers on the trial in 1637-38 in which Anne was accused of heresy by a Puritan court. But, carefully researched by the author, who is a descendant of Ann's, the book is so much more. It is one woman's amazing life during the earliest period of our country's story. History enthusiasts should enjoy the book, but others, interested in remarkable lives, should give it a try.

Appalachian Autumn by Marcia Bonta [508.748 BON] - A relaxing, informative and intimate look at the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, seen through the eyes of one who lives there. The reader is invited to share in Bonta's daily interaction with the life around her and is always presented with something new to learn. Also check out Appalachian Winter and Appalachian Summer by the same author.

Ask the Fruitcake Lady: Everything You Would Already Know If You Had Any Sense by Marie Rudisil [818 RUD] - If you missed her on the Jay Leno show, don't miss this. She dishes out outrageously funny, non-sugar-coated, good old fashioned advice in a question-and-answer format. Too bad that's all we'll ever get; she passed away in November of 2006.

The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Rogers, and the Invention of Murder by Daniel Stashower [813.3 STA] - Weaving the true tale of an unsolved murder and the up and down career of Edgar Allan Poe, the author satisfies mystery fans, history fans, and admirers of Mr. Poe. The murder of a young and beautiful woman posed great difficulties for investigators. Sometime afterward Poe announced that he would write a book naming the murderer, and so we have his classic The Mystery of Marie Roget. The book also presents a great description of early 19th century New York life.

Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky [J811.54 PRE] - Jack combines an object and an animal to create new creatures who will amaze and amuse you. It's poetry for fun with great illustration!

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson [FIC JAC, LP] - Contemporary Southern Literature at its best. An engrossing story of family with snappy dialogue and characters who are outlandishly eccentric, but loveable and delightfully funny.

Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman [FIC HOF] - Superb writing draws you into the lives and loves and travails of the occupants of a Cape Cod house over a 200-year span. Touching.

Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant by Daniel Tammet [618.92 TAM, LP] - I read with interest how Daniel uses colors and textures to identify and figure out situations. He uses a different logic based on sensations, numbers, and colors and explains how it works using examples from his own life. He tells about his growing up, from infancy to young adulthood and the various challenges he had to overcome. I was also interested in how his parents dealt with the challenges of raising a unique son, as well as raising seven other brothers and sisters.

Digging to America by Anne Tyler [FIC TYL, LP] - In this, her 17th novel, Anne Tyler explains what it means to be "other." A chance meeting at the Baltimore airport draws two very different families into a complicated friendship. The all-American Donaldsons and the Iranian-American Yazdans are both adopting daughters from Korea. One of the beauties of Tyler's graceful prose is that she presents her characters so openly. Flaws and strengths are described with equal candor but without judgment; the reader is free to assess each character for herself. (2)

Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund by Blaise Clement [MYS CLE] - Dixie Hemingway (no relation to you-know-who) has a pet care business and lives in southern Florida. When she finds the body of a man who has just whizzed past her in a flashy sports car, she gets involved in solving crimes in the present, the past, and the future.

Elements of Style by Wendy Wasserstein {FIC WAS] - This debut novel by award-winning playwright Wasserstein is a sparkling gem with a burning fire in its center. On the surface, it is just another name- and brand-dropping chick lit novel set amongst the town and country set of Manhattan. We view the upper strata set through the eyes of Francesca Weissmann, THE pediatrician to have on the Upper West Side, despite her humble beginnings in Queens. We meet descendents of Carnegies, a supermarket heiress and her Oscar-winning husband, aspiring ballerinas and poseur decorators. All the elements of style are present, but the reader finds that true style, like true beauty, lies beneath the surface.

Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot [FIC CAB] - Jane Harris has decided that the perfect first anniversary gift for her best friend Holly is a travel journal of their trip to Italy, where Holly and her fiance Mark are eloping. Jane is standing up for Holly, and Mark's best friend Cal is standing up for him. Despite her good intentions, the journal ends up being all about Jane and what happens to her. This is a funny, light-hearted read.

Exquisite Little Knits: Hand-knitting with Luxurious Specialty Yarns by Iris Schreier and Laurie J. Kimmelstiel [746.43 KIM] - Looking for inspiration and new patterns? Iris Schreier and Laurie Kimmelstiel have collected a great assortment of new novelty yarns that have texture and sparkle. They have created new patterns that can be made by the beginner through the advanced knitter. All the patterns are presented in a clear and concise format. Check out the beautiful, colored pictures of each type of wool used and the completed project. Should you be looking for quick and chic fashion accessories, explore this excellent book!

The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine [612.8 BRI] - Using research from brain imaging technologies, neuropsychiatrist Brizendine presents new information on the way the female brain functions throughout changing life stages. A fascinating and highly readable, if somewhat controversial, look at the biological foundations of human behavior and their possible influence on gender differences.

The Funny Thing Is... by Ellen DeGeneres [814.54 DEG] - Ellen truly is a gift to those who love to laugh. The laid-back observations of her stream of consciousness style are given additional zing by her wry delivery. I loved this book - as I did her other book and would recommend it to anyone who needs a good laugh.

Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston [FIC PRE] - An historical novel based on the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald's first love and muse. If you enjoy Fitzgerald's works, this is a wonderful addition.

Good Grief by Lolly Winston [FIC WIN, LP] - The story of a 36-year-old widow who moves to Oregon in an attempt to reinvent her life. It is heartbreaking, humorous and hopfeul.

The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid [MYS MCD] - Bodies found and preserved in a bog in the Lake District are nothing new. This one, however, has his left arm tattooed - unusual for the time the body was alive, however, except for sailors who sailed the South Seas. How this find relates to the work of a young Wordsworth scholar makes a very interesting tale.

Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley [FIC GUL, CAS, LP] - If you enjoy listening to Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, you'll enjoy reading the harmony series by Philip Gulley. Sam Gardner moves back to his hometown of Harmony to become the Quaker pastor to a congregation of quirky, loveable characters. The Harmony series contains gentle humor and insights into the human psyche that soothe and refresh the soul, much like a bowl of homemade chicken soup.

House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski [HOR DAN] - An unnerving story about a found manuscript written by a blind man about a documentary (which he has seen?). The documentary concerns a house with an interior must larger than the exterior, and the laws of physics, should allow. A pseudo-academic tone and postmodern elements enhance the disconcerting feelings this novel produces.

The Hundredth Name by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim [JP Oppenheim] - A simple, spiritual journey told in hazy illustrations that set an appropriate, reflective tone.

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont [JP Beaumont] - Karen Beaumont's rhyming, upbeat text and David Catrow's awesome color illustrations turn the fun childhood activity of painting into a mischievous event. Reading this book will be time well spent!

In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant [FIC DUN, LP] - Historical fiction set in Renaissance Venice, Italy, which intermingles religion, politics, intrigue and superstitions in the adventures of courtesan Flammeta Bianchi and her dwarf sidekick Bucino Teodoldo.

In the Memory of the Forest by Charles Powers [MYS POW] - Yes, this is a mystery, and yes, there is a murder. But that murder is incidental to the true mystery surrounding this small Polish town at the end of the Cold War. As you read, you discover a shamed history, a remarkably drawn set of characters and an exceptional description of a struggling people and their environment as they cope with the fading of Communism.

Intuition by Allegra Goodman [FIC GOO, LP] - Get a glimpse of the rarely seen world of the research scientist in this novel. Most of us know little of the stress, the stakes, the hope and the years of work that may lead only to failure. When a cancer experiment shows promising results, everyone is thrilled - until someone suspects those results may not be what they appear. A fascinating look into a world few of us experience. Wonderfully developed characters and no easy answers. No villains, just human beings with average strengths and weaknesses.

Knitting for Dummies by Pam Allen [746.432 ALL] - This friendly, hands-on guide will help any level knitter practice and perfect their knitting skills. Every chapter explains a specific knitting technique with sample patterns, step-by-step instructions and visuals. Excellent, resourceful knitting book for new knitters and those who want to learn more.

Knitting Rules! by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee [746.432 PEA] - With the same laugh-out-loud humor found on her blog, Pearl-Mcphee fills her book with encouragement for the new knitter, great tips and advice for all levels, and entertaining banter on the life of a yarn addict. This resource book is filled with practical and inspirational information. The author will literally "keep you in stitches" as you begin or continue your knitting journey. (2)

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore [FIC MOO] - All of Moore's books are great, but Lamb is the best. In this book, Biff, the childhood buddy of Jesus, is brought back from the dead to fill in those pesky 30 years of Christ's life that were skipped in the bible. This book is perfect for those who love Monty Python and are not easily offended by goofy jokes and really bad puns. The humor is obviously anachronistic and over-the-top, but what I like most is that Jesus is never really made out to be anything other than a really nice guy with big responsibilities and some crazy friends.

The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins [215 COL, LP] - Thought-provoking arguments for the reconciliation of religious faith and scientific knowledge by a former atheist and distinguished geneticist who once headed the Human Genome Project. Collins' writing has been said to follow in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis.

Mason Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitter's Guide by Kay Gardiner [746.432 GAR] - Looking for an entertaining and funny knitting book? The anecdotes and commentary are worth the price of the book. You will find simple, American old school patterns ranging from washcloths to curtains. There is even a chapter on Log Cabin Knitting! This book is filled with simple children's items and patterns for the home.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards [FIC EDW, CD] - A woman gives birth to twins attended by her physician husband and his nurse in 1964 Kentucky. Because one of the twins has Downs Syndrom, the husband gives it to his nurse to take to a home without his wife's knowledge. The nurse decides to keep the baby and raise her as her own. These momentous decision, made on the spur of the moment, affect everyone forever. (2)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo [J DIC] - Consider a children's book for your next read: a moving tale of china rabbit Edward Tulane and, as the title says, his miraculous journey, The story is alive with characters of great depth, events that bring joy and sorrow to the reader, and an opportunity to come away from the book with usable life lessons. This is a wonderful read-aloud book for the whole family.

My Life on a Plate by India Knight [FIC KNI] - Another British author brandishing that wonderful form of humor I have come to love. Sharp and witty, this book takes the main character, Clara, a 33-year-old wife and mother, through a thorough look at her life. You'll meet and come to know the important people in her life. Her mother is a real pip. British humor fans will love this book - I know I did.

Mysteries of the Middle Ages: The Rise of Feminism, Science, and Art from the Cults of Catholic Europe by Thomas Cahill [909 CAH, CD] - From the same authors as How the Irish Saved Civilization. Amazon.com had mixed reviews, but Cahill's narrative style gives a very readable and enjoyable overview of a somewhat maligned period of European History.

Original Self: Living with Paradox and Authenticity by Thomas Moore [291.4 MOO] - Short passages discuss a range of spiritual issues from a point of view of compassion for one's self. While never quite addressing the philosophical implications of his conclusions, or of his assumptions, Moore nevertheless manages to steer one's thoughts away from the everyday and onto a deeper level.

Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich by Mark Kriegel [796.323 KRI] A well-written biography of "Pistol Pete," the most popular and talented basketball player of the 1970s. The book covers his early years, through his career and beyond.

Presidents of the United States by the Editors of Time for Kids [J973.99 PRE] - Gotta love this book! facts about each of our country's presidents that will intrigue, inform, and engage you in a trip from past to present.

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot [FIC CAB] - At her graduation party, University of Michigan grad Lizzie Nichols finds out that her diploma will not be given to her until she turns in a senior thesis. She does not want her family to find out about this, so she decides she will complete her thesis in Europe where she's heading after the party to be with the love of her life. When she gets there, the love of her life turns out to be not quite as she remembers. She decides to head to France to spend the rest of her vacation with her best friend, and let's just say things take a very interesting turn on the journey there. A very sweet book loaded with Meg Cabot's special brand of humor.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers [FIC RIV, CAS, LP] - A lovely retelling of the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, set in the gold rush era of the West. Angel, sold into prostitution as a child, now embittered and trusting no one, meets her match in Michael Hosea, the man who is determined not only to rescue her, but to love her at all costs.

Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde [FIC FFO] - An entertaining, lighthearted story of two British women who become fast friends in the course of picking up the pieces of their former lives. The story involves restoring a large, old house, wine tastings, valuable hidden artwork and, of course, romance. An enjoyable, intriguing get-away, perfect for when you want to step into someone else's world for awhile.

Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different by Gordon S. Wood [973.3 WOO] - The book is a collection of individual essays on eight founders - Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, Adams, Paine and Burr. The author brings a new, fresh and interesting perspective to the life and times of our Founding Fathers. I liked the unique approach by Gordon Wood towards the subject as he tracks how these sometimes larger-than-life "characters" were viewed by other historians, making it a brilliant comparative study.

Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson [796.323 JAC] - How do Zen Buddhism and athletics fit together? On the one hand, we have the image of spiritual peace, non-willing, almost silent passivity; on the other, we have aggression, desire, conflict and non-stop action. Jackson provides an interesting way to integrate these apparent dichotomies.

The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther [FIC CRO, LP] - Can you ever forget your past and live fully in the present? Maryam grew up as the daughter of a well-respected Iranian family, but left Iran when she defied her father to enter into an arranged marrage, and also disgraced her family by spending the night with her true love. Maryam's daughter, Sara, begins to understand her mother's moods and aloofness as she unravels the story of what brought her mother to England and the ties that still bind her to Iran.

Shake Hands with the Devil by Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallair [967.57 DAL] - The 1994 Rwandan Genocide continues to haunt many, especially General Dallaire, who served as the primary UN military official during the events of May - July 1994. His matter-of-fact descriptions indict both the killers and those who failed to stop the killing. Of particular importance is his conclusion, which discusses the role rage plays in the lives of so many throughout the world.

Seducing the Demon: Writing for My Life by Erica Jong [B JON] - Many critics wrote this book off as pure self-promotion. However, if you can make it past this element, the essays in the book provide interesting insights into an author's psyche.

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot [FIC CAB] - In this book, Heather Wells, former teen idol, gets dumped by her boyfriend after she decides to have a solo singing career. To make matters worse, her mother and her agent run off with all her money. She ends up taking a job at New York College as an assistant director of a resident hall. When the girls from the dorm start dying, Heather finds herself playing detective to find out what happened. Seriously funny most of the time, with a nice helping of suspense. A quick, fun read.

The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke [FIC VAN] A wise man named Artaban, a priest of the magi, discerns from heavenly signs that the birth of a holy Prince is at hand. He hastens to join three fellow magi for the long journey but pauses along the way to help others. Thus begins his life-long pilgrimage alone, one that is fulfilled in unexpected ways.

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky [FIC NEM, LP] - Written by Nemirovsky just before she was sent to a concentration camp, this novel, set in 1940-41 (in France and Germany), combines the first two in a planned five-part series. The author captures the many facets of human nature, including humor, displayed when people are forced to exist under horrific conditions. These characters will stay with you.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield [FIC SET, CD, LP] - A first novel about family secrets and relationships. It is an irresistible, emotional mystery, complete with richly drawn characters in the English countryside. The thoroughly absorbing countryside captivated me from page one. Great for Jane Eyre lovers. (2)

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner [WES TUR] - This is a fictional adventure inspired by the author's original family memoirs. It is the story of one woman's struggles with life and love in frontier Arizona in the late 1800s. This was recommended to me and I could not put it down. I think anyone who likes to learn how things were long before our existence would love it.

To Shield the Queen by Fiona Buckley [MYS BUC] - This is the first book in the Ursula Blanchard series, set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. It was a fast read because I just had to find out what happened next. The mysteries in this book are plots to overthrown the Queen and return to the Catholic Church by murdering the sickly wife of Sir Robert Dudley, one of Elizabeth's favorites (and rumored lover). Trying to quell the rumors, Queen Elizabeth sends lady-in-waiting Ursula to help Amy Dudley and find out who is behind the traitorous schemes. It is an exciting story based on actual events, and there are lots of details that lend credibility to the historical setting.

Travels in the Scriptorium by Paul Auster [FIC AUS] - A sparsely furnished room, mysterious photographs and papers, a man with no memory: a metaphor for the writing process? For life in general? Effective prose eases the reader into a sparse universe where the answers, if forthcoming at all, reside exclusively in one's own interpretation.

Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting by Lynne Vogel [746.432 VOG] - An inspiring book of color, texture, and imagination, even if you don't ever use it to knit a pair of socks. Information about hand-dyeing, spinning, and knitting many different styles and types of socks. just looking at the colors and patterns will make you smile!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen [FIC GRU, LP] - "I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other," says Jacob Sankowski when we meet him as an old man living in a nursing home facility. Travel with Jacob through the mists of his memory to a time when he joins the circus to survive during the Depression era as a young man. Jacob's veterinarian skills land him a job caring for the menagerie of animals of a second-rate circus labeled "The Most Spectacular Show on Earth." Jacob quickly falls in love with the stars of the show, Marlena and Rosie, the bull elephant. Jacob's love for both is complicated by Marlena's jeaslous, unbalanced husband, who is also the circus boss.

Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie [MYS CRO] - This is the 11th in Crombie's Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mystery series, though it can be read alone. Duncan and Emma, both detectives by trade and also partners in life, are in the English countryside visiting Duncan's family for Christmas. It turns into a working holiday when Duncan's sister discovers a dead body. Other mysterious events unfold. Great series.