Staff Favorites

             Patrons often ask our staff to suggest books to read.The titles on this list were compiled by asking our staff to recommend their favorite books and describe great books they have read and enjoyed.

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1776 by David McCullough
Nonfiction
Call#:973.3 McC
David McCullough has the ability to tell an amazing story. In this book, he captures the heart and soul of General George Washington and the men who marched with him in the year of the Declaration of Independence. This book is a must read!
Submitted by Shelly Ward

33 things Every Girl Should Know: Stories, Songs, Poems and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women by Tonya Bolden
Nonfiction
Call#:Y810.809 Thi
The title sums up this wonderful book of short essays from a wide variety of women. I believe the target audience is young teen girls, but even as an adult, I enjoyed reading these stories of strength, acceptance of self, and empowerment. I think it is a great back-to-school read and I am encouraging my own 13 year old daughter to read this interesting collection of essays, cartoons, and poetry by contributors including Lauren Hutton, Sigourney Weaver, and Vera Wang.
Submitted by Jenny McDonald 8/08

8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back by Esther Gokhale
Nonfiction
Call#: 617.564 Gok
Gokhale explains how emulating the posture of young children and people from Africa and South American can eliminate back pain. She teaches you how to stand, sit, lay down, bend, and walk with excellent posture. A great read even if you don't have back pain.
Submitted by Jennifer Fay 3/09

The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook by Ben Mezrich
Nonfiction
Call#: 006.7 Mez
The additional title of this book says it all: A tale of sex, money, genius and betrayal. As someone who actually has a Facebook account this was a fascinating story of very recent and ongoing history. And in the words of its founder "we just wanted to meet some girls". A mesmerizing account.
Submitted by Trish Hull 9/09

Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Appleman-Jurman
The author recreates her efforts to survive in Nazi-dominated, war-torn Poland. As an adolescent she suffered terrible hardships and encountered numerous brushes with death.
Submitted by Melanie Tucker 4/07

All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Bragg
A poignant, personal memoir about a boy growing up in the South during the height of segregation. The author writes with poise and tenderness about the foibles of an alcoholic father and a mother who protects, loves and inspires him to rise above his circumstances. The writing is beautiful, lyrical and rings with a searing truth about the redemptive power of love and education to change lives. Unforgettable.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 9/08

The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander
Nonfiction
Call#: 153.7 Zan
An intuitive, yet organized approach to the 60s/70s paradigm shift theory. Benjamin has been the director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra for thirty years and is also a music educator. Rosamund is a family therapist. What lifts this above some other works is the anecdotal material. Benjamin asks his musicians to play with passion (be one-buttock players), sees mistakes as fascinating, gives his students "A"s the first day of class, then sees them grow into "A" people.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 4/09

Baby We Were Meant For Each Other: In Praise of Adoption by Scott Simon
Nonfiction
362.734
Journalist and host of NPR's Weekend Addition, Simon, talks about the experience of adopting his two daughters, and discovering the wonders and challenges of parenthood.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 2/11

Babylon's Ark by Anthony Lawrence
Nonfiction
Call#: 590.735 Law
This is the story of the man who is haunted by the plight of the animals in the bombed out Baghdad Zoo.  He takes it upon himself to do what he can to save them, and overcomes incredible odds.  I  usually prefer fiction, but couldn't put this one down.
Submitted by Geanie Roake 6/08

Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water by Maude Barlow
Nonfiction
Call#: 333.911 Bar
Blue Covenant writes with mountains of compelling evidence about the looming global water crisis that could be the greatest problem that the world has to face. The author asserts most people do not realize that with massive water privatization, extreme waste of water resources, and pollution, people are pushing the world further to the brink. Blue Covenant is a wake up call to everyone.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 5/08

The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha
Nonfiction Humor
808.607 Pas
A treasury of simple pleasures, including popping bubble wrap, fixing electronics by smacking them, and wearing clothing right out of the dryer.
Submitted by Stephanie Bertin 4/11

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
Humor
Call#: 792.702 Mar
Some humor, famous names, how Steve Martin (someone I have always enjoyed) got his start.  He has been popular during most of my adult life, so I can relate to the people and times he writes about. 
Submitted by Karen Bradakis 5/08

Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong by Jen Yates
Humor
Call#: 641.865 Yat
You've seen the blog, now read the book! Sad wedding cakes, chocolate poo piles, "what were they thinking?!" decorations, and the dreaded CCCs (cupcakes) make this a collection of hilarious cake carnage not be missed!
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 3/10

Canaries on the Rim: Living Downwind in the West by Chip Ward
Nonfiction
Call#: 363.73 War
This book talks about environmental issues facing us here in Utah and throughout the country. An environmental activist, Ward has done extensive research on hazardous waste disposal, chemical weapons incineration, industrial pollution, and nuclear waste storage. He has investigated the high incidence of cancer, birth defects and respiratory problems in our Utah population. If you breathe, you should read this book.
Submitted by Danene Peterson 4/07

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Cancer Vixen: a true story by Marissa Marchetto
Nonfiction
Call#: 362.196 Mar
Marisa, is a self-described, "shoe-crazy, lipstick obsessed, pasta slurping, single forever but about to be married for the first time, big city girl with a fabulous life", until her world comes crashing in when she finds a lump on her breast.

Submitted by Carrie Kelley 11/06

Case of a Lifetime: A Criminal Defense Lawyer's Story by Abbe Smith
Nonfiction
Call#: 345.747 Smi
This is one lawyer's poignant story of trying to vindicate an innocent woman wrongly imprisoned for 28 years. It's an unsettling look at how the innocent can get caught up in the court system and often pay a greater price than the guilty.
Submitted by Annie Eastmond 3/09

Categories on the Beauty of Physics H.T. Hammann, editor
Nonfiction
Call#: 530 Cat
The subtitle of this book is Essential Physics Concepts and Their Companions in Art & Literature. This really explains the idea of the book. It is beautifully written and illustrated. Very delightful and not too scientific.
Submitted by Lucinda Bird 7/09

The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece by Eric Siblin
Nonfiction
787.418 Sib
A delightful look at Bach, and Casals by a former pop-music critic, who fell in love with the suites the first time he heard them played. In Siblin's writing both Bach and Casals emerge as complete and complex persons; Bach, displeasing a patron and landing in jail, and Casals, an anti-fascist exile, using his instrument and the suites as both protest and a plea for peace.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 11/11

Child of the Jungle by Sabine Kuegler
Nonfiction
Call#: 995.103 Kue
This is a fascinating story of a young girl growing up with a remote tribe of the Fayu people in the jungles of West Papua, Indonesia. Sabine is five when she moves to this area with her linguist-missionary parents, older sister and younger brother. She grows up with the lush, tropical paradise as her playground making friends among the Fayu. Her family learns about the tribe and in turn the warring clans learn to seek more peaceful resolutions to their problems. This was an amazing true life adventure so different from how we live.
Submitted by Jenny McDonald 4/09

Chords of Strength by David Archuleta
Biography
92 Archuleta
Memoir of American Idol teen star about faith, perseverance, and song.
Submitted by Tina Bartholoma 9/10

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City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Nonfiction
Call#: 945.31 Ber

The author uses the burning of the famous opera house, La Fenice, to explore the characters and intrigue in the Venice tourists don't see. A fascinating look at the lives of both famous and infamous Venetians. John Bernendt is also the author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Submitted by Linda Worstell 09/06

Classic Feynman: All the Adventures of a Curious Character

by Richard P. Feynman
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Feynman
This is Richard Feynman at his finest. Feynman's journey includes helping to create the atom bomb,discovering what blew up the Challenger and understanding physics so deeply he was awarded the Nobel Prize. He was a hilarious storyteller, a safecracker, and liked to hang out with Vegas showgirls and play bongo drums. Feynmen reminds us the world is our playground just waiting to be discovered.
Submitted by Carrie Kelley 05/07

Coltrane: The Story of a Sound by Ben Ratliff
Nonfiction
Call#: 788.716 Rat
New York Times jazz critic, Ratliff, has written an intensive exploration of the genesis of the Coltrane sound and its influence on the musicians who have followed him. A spare gem of a book to be valued by anyone who is trying to understand Coltrane's music, his fans or jazz aficionados.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 3/08

Columbine by David Cullen
Nonfiction, True Crime
373.788.Cul
On April 20, 1999, two boys left an indelible stamp on the American psyche. Their goal was simple: to blow up their school and leave a "lasting impression on the world." This is the complete story of the tragic shooting at Columbine High School.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 8/11

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Comeback: a Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back by Claire Fontaine and Mia Fontaine
Nonfiction
Call#: 306.874 Fon

Written by a mother and a daughter, Come Back is about a child's drug abuse and her parent's unstoppable campaign to help her. It's very insightful and you feel like you know them.
Submitted by Christina Harris 09/06

Conscious Business by Fred Kofman
Nonfiction
Call#: BCD 658.409 Kof
Excellent book (BCD) to improve one's communication skills both in the work place and in personal relationships. The author teaches how to use one's core values in thinking, acting and then communicating with others. Enjoyable to listen.
Submitted by Tammy Laitinen 3/08

Consequential Strangers by Melinda Blau and Karen L. Fingerman
Nonfiction
Call#: 155.927 Bla
From both research and anecdotal evidence, the authors argue that our secondary and tertiary relationships enrich our lives in numerous ways. We are constantly learning from these not-quite strangers. The pharmacist, barrista, or library patron, enrich our cultural abilities and increase our knowledge of our diverse world. When I heard the term "consequential stranger" I immediately thought of the greatest plumber in Salt Lake, and the interesting people I encounter at the library every day.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 10/09

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Crazy U: One Dad's Crash Course in Getting His Kid Into College by Andrew Ferguson
Nonfiction
378.161 Fer
This wry account of one father helping his son navigate the college admissions process had me laughing often and reading passages aloud to friends. Pair one typically ambitious parent with his more "relaxed' son against intimidating college admissions directors, expensive admission coaches, and other academic officials and you have a scenario many anxious parents will easily relate to and be able to laugh about.
Submitted by Holly Whistler 8/11

Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs by Dave Barry
Nonfiction
Call#: 782.421 Bar
In 1996, columnist Dave Barry wrote about bad songs: songs so unbelievably awful they get stuck in your head and torture you for hours. The reader's response to this column was overwhelming, and finally he ran a poll so people could vote for their favorite worst song of all time. This eventually resulted in this book, where Barry summarizes the results of the poll, and discusses why each song made the cut.
Submitted by Lorna Payne 7/09

Dear Author: Letters of Hope edited by Joan F. Kaywell
Nonfiction
Call#: Y028.55 Dea
This is a heart wrenching and heart warming book. Several young adult authors wrote back to teens who had been touched or influenced by these authors and wrote asking difficult questions. The letters are heart breaking and the responses are fabulous. Parents as well as anyone who loves or cares about teens should read this.
Submitted by Trish Hull 05/07

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Demon in the Freezer: a true story by Richard Preston
Nonfiction
Call#: 616.912 Pre
This is a true story about bio terrorism events after 9/11 and other information regarding possible bio terrorism weapons.

Submitted by Anne Rudd 08/06

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Nonfiction
Call#: 364.152 Lar
During Chicago's finest moment, the World's Fair of 1893, H. H. Holmes stalked the crowds, dispatching somewhere between 27 and 200 people, mostly single young women. Larson's breathtaking new history is a novelistic yet wholly factual account of the creation of the fair and the serial killer who lurked within it.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 12/08

The Devil's Gentleman: Privilege, Poison, and the Trial that Ushered in the Twentieth Century by Harold Schechter
Nonfiction
Call#: 364.152 Sch
The story of the now long-forgotten first "crime of the century": the trial of Roland Molineaux, son of the great Civil War general, Leslie Molineaux, for the poisoning of a business rival. Actually, he didn't succeed in killing the business rival, but the man's aunt. What make this story fascinating is that it was one of the first "celebrity" criminal cases, the amount of publicity it got around the world, the very interesting characters involved, and the legal precedents it set.
Submitted by Lorna Payne 3/08

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The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey
Nonfiction
Call#: 597.33 Cas

The Farallon Islands, forbidding and bleak, lie just off the California coast outside San Francisco Bay.  This is the site of the longest-running research project on Great White Sharks in the world.  The scientists are fascinated and amazed by their subjects, but never seem to fear them.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford

Don't Look Behind You by Peter Allison
Memoir/Travel Story
916.827 All
Join Peter Allison, a guide in Botswana, for a riveting, rollicking, behind-the-scenes dose of everyone’s dream experience—going on safari—and coming through, thankfully, without a scratch.  Well, almost without a scratch. 
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 10/11

Double Take: A Memoir by Kevin Michael Connolly
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Connolly
A wonderful true story of a boy born without legs, and how his parents raised him to figure out his life and do anything he wanted. They weathered amazing trials and watched him try things that would make you cringe. He started taking pictures of people staring at him and has over 33,000 pictures from all over the world. Heartwarming, courageous, funny, and amazing.
Submitted by Trish Hull 4/10

Eat, Memory: Great Writers at the Table: A Collection of Essays From the New York Times edited by Amanda Hesser
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.5 Eat
This collection of essays from the New York Times Magazine celebrates both food and the evocative power of language. If, like me, you love both, you may not be able to set this book down.
Submitted by Shane Brock 6/09

Exposed: Confessions of a Wedding Photographer by Claire Lewis
Nonfiction
Call#: 770.92 Lew
Claire is a wedding photographer. Her world is populated by stressed-out brides and the mothers who reared them, grooms who seduce bridesmaids, brides who change their minds, pass out, or dance on tables in tiaras, and the occasional couple who are truly in love. Being a wedding photographer is not glamorous. But it is unpredictable, funny, demanding, and full of spontaneous moments, and it is never dull.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 4/10

Faith Behind the Fences: A True Story of Survival in a Japanese Prison Camp by Kelly Dispirito Taylor
Nonfiction
BCD 940.531 Tay
The resourcefulness portrayed in this book was amazing. The mother saved seeds from the rotten vegetables they were fed and planted them to help give her children needed vitamins. She also smuggled things into camp for others. A faith in a higher power helped them survive the camps and gave them the courage to help others. The father, a geologist, was in a different camp and was asked to re-open mines that had been destroyed by the people of Sumatra. Of course, the Japanese didn't know that he was the one that destroyed the mines in the first place.
Submitted by Naomi Bass 12/11

The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman by Nancy Marie Brown
Nonfiction
Call#: 970.013 Bro
Viking woman, Gudrid, is mentioned in the Norse sagas written in the 10th and 11th centuries. She probably crossed the North Atlantic eight times, including a trip to North America. The author uses archaeology to flesh out the details of Gudrid's life.
Submitted by Linda Worstell 3/08

Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living
by Doug Fine
Nonfiction
Call#:333.72 Fin
Like many Americans, Doug Fine enjoys his creature comforts. Is it possible to keep his WiFi and his car, and still reduce his carbon footprint? Whether dealing with frisky goats, being burned by solar-heated shower water, or driving his Ridiculously Oversized American Truck, Fine's attempt makes one thing clear: It ain't easy being green.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 5/10

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Father Joe: the man who saved my soul by Tony Hendra
Nonfiction
Call#:92 Hendra

Satirical comedian & former National Lampoon editor, Hendra has written a loving tribute to a beautiful man. The author, a teenager at the time, meets Father Joe for counseling after he has been found in a compromising situation with an older woman. Years of wise and loving counsel follow.
Submitted by Lee Alexander

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Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food by Susan Marks
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.597 Mar

The fun and interesting history of American cooking icon, Betty Crocker. This book chronicles those who created Betty Crocker's portraits, trademark signature, and experimental kitchens, which were toured by thousands. A fascinating bit of history.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 10/06

Finding Oz by Evan I. Schwartz
Nonfiction
Call#: 813.4 Sch
The author tells the true story of L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of the Wizard of Oz and it's many sequels. This book is told in a delightful manner and with deep insight into the imagination and origins of some of America's beloved characters, places, and cultural icons.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 7/09

Fire on the Horizon: The Untold Story of the Gulf Oil Disaster by John Konrad & Tom Shroder
Nonfiction
363.119 Kon
This the story of what happened before the oil hit the water. These are the people and equipment that were there when the fire met the sky.
Submitted by Tina Bartholoma 5/11

Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History  by Scott Andrew Selby and Greg Campbell
Nonfiction
364.162 Sel
It was the perfect crime. On February 15, 2003, thieves broke into an allegedly airtight vault in the impenetrable diamond district of Antwerp, and made off with over $108 million dollars worth of diamonds. They did so without tripping an alarm or injuring a single guard in the process. This real-life Ocean’s Eleven—a combination of diamond history and riveting true-crime storytelling—provides a thrilling look at the better-than-fiction heist of the century.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 11/11

Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart
Nonfiction
338.175 Ste
Does it matter that a bouquet of roses travels halfway around the world before it arrives at your supermarket? Or that growers force tulips to bloom in December? Are we being tricked when a scientist engineers a lily that doesn't shed pollen?  Amy Stewart takes readers on an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes look at the flower industry and how it has sought—for better or worse—to achieve perfection.  You'll never look at a cut flower the same again.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 4/11

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A Fool's Gold: A Story of Ancient Spanish Treasure, Two Pounds of Pot and the Young Lawyer Almost Left Holding the Bag by Bill Merritt
Nonfiction
Call#: 340.92 Mer
Fresh out of law school, Bill Merritt takes a job working for a shady lawyer named Thaddeus Silk. After a few months, Thaddeus drops dead from a heart attack, and Bill is left to pick up the pieces of his chaotic and ill-managed practice. Before he can even start to make sense of Thaddeus's legal life, the police are knocking at his door, and Bill is being accused of fencing stolen treasure. "Merritt's forthright and funny self-deprecation makes it the rarest sort of story: the kind where you root for the lawyer." Booklist Starred Review

Submitted by Jenny Milligan 12/06

The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shlaes
Nonfiction
Call#: 973.916 Shl
This book is a history of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Shlaes looks at the events that lead up to the Great Depression and why it was prolonged longer in America than anywhere else in the world. It is an unbiased view of history that isn't often talked about or taught.
Submitted by Samantha Hiskey 2/09

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Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts
Nonfiction
Call#: 920 Rob
A fresh look at American history, engagingly told. While the men of the 1770s went off to war, or to Congress, the women, along with their slaves, defended their homes, worked the crops, raised the children, managed businesses, gave political advice to their husbands, pamphleteered, and tended the sick and wounded. These portraits of both obscure and well known women of the Revolution reveal fascinating details of how they made it possible for the men to form a nation.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 12/08

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France Davis: An American Story Told
by France A. Davis and Nayara Atiya
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Davis
Salt Lake City pastor, the Rev. France Davis' memoir introduces a man of courage and compassion whose spiritual convictions are inspiring. Rev. Davis is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 02/06

Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert
Nonfiction
Call#: 020.92 Bor
Don Borchert, a Library Assistant in a California library, delivers a hilarious day by day account of what goes on in a public library. What a hoot!
Submitted by Lora McAllister 3/08

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Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas
Nonfiction
Call#: 979.49 Dum

A laugh-out-loud memoir of an eccentric family working to fit in after moving to America. Dumas' descriptions of American culture and her experiences with school, TV, and language (she was once called "Fritzy DumbAs" by a receptionist) are related with gentle humor and make this a very fun read.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 08/06

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox
Non-Fiction
791.43 Fox
This is an inspiring, funny and very thoughtful book. Designed as advice to graduates the wisdom is terrific for everyone. Not a hint of ego or arrogance, just terrific thoughts on how to live our lives in the best way possible. A quick and easy read.
Submitted by Trish Hull 8/10

The Genetic Strand: Exploring Family History Through DNA by Edward Ball
Nonfiction
Call#: 929.209 Bal
Edward Ball discovered locks of hair in a secret compartment of a family heirloom. Each is dated and gives the name of the donor and some of the locks date back to the early 19th century. Edward Ball decides to have the hair tested for DNA to see what tales the hair may tell.
Submitted by Linda Worstell 3/08

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Giada's Family Dinners by Giada De Laurentiis
Nonfiction
Call#: BCD YF Buckely-Archer
This easy and accessible cookbook is designed to help families enjoy delicious, authentic Italian meals. Simple and elegant, the recipes range from the quick fix to the family feast, and include plenty of desserts.

Submitted by Anna Zanarini 12/06

The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers Who Inspired Chicago by Douglas Perry
True Crime Nonfiction
364.152 Per
Chicago, 1924. The intrepid Miss Maurine Watkins, a "girl reporter" for the Chicago Tribune, begins reporting on murderers. Looking for subjects to turn into a play, she made "Stylish Belva" Gaertner and "Beautiful Beulah" Annan—both of whom had brazenly shot down their lovers—the talk of the town. Perry vividly captures Jazz Age Chicago and the sensationalized circus atmosphere that gave rise to the concept of the celebrity criminal.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 3/11

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The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wall
Nonfiction
Call#:362.82 Wal
This is an amazing story of a poor, dysfunctional family and the circumstances that the children have to go through because their parents are "different".  It has a very happy ending when the children are able to rise above their parent's lifestyle.
Submitted by Rosana Warner

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Good News for Bad Days: Living a Soulful Life by Paul Keenan
Nonfiction Audio Book
Call#: BT 248.482 Kee

Keenan shows us how to approach concerns or problems from a different point of view, or with a slight shift of perception, and to view them as opportunities for change or renewal. His style is neither preachy nor formulaic, simply gently creative.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 02/07

The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve by Peg Tyre
Nonfiction
371.192 Tyr
Peg Tyre, author of the New York Times bestseller The Trouble With Boys, lays out a banquet of new tips and tools for parents to use in assessing the quality of their child's school. Basing these ideas on current research and real-life successful scenarios, she provides practical ways for parents to make lasting improvements at school, if necessary.
Submitted by James Irwin 12/11

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Why read about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge?  First, the Roeblings, the father and son who fought competitors, corrupt politicians, sickness and gravity to build one of the most beautiful suspension bridges in the world.  Then there's the sheer physical effort to sink the massive caissons nearly 80 feet on both sides of the East River using only picks and shovels. The bridge was truly built from the sweat of man and McCullough makes that history come alive!
Submitted by Carrie Kelley

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In 1918, the deadly flu swept across the world with little warning.  In the United States, the flu killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years.  Worldwide the estimate of deaths range from 50-100 million.  The epidemic caused social havoc and raises questions about how a similar epidemic would be handled today.
Submitted by Linda Worstell

Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes by Mary Tyler Moore
Nonfiction
Call#: 362.196 Moo
You can read self-help books about how to care for a chronic illness, but it is always comforting to be able to read firsthand accounts about how another person handles the same thing you are going through. Actress Mary Tyler Moore has had insulin dependent diabetes (Type 1) for 40 years and shares the ups and downs of living with it.
Submitted by Annie Eastmond 8/09

Hail to the Chiefs by Barbara Holland
Nonfiction
Call#: 973.099 Hol
During hectic political upheaval, it's always a good idea to step back and see things from a new perspective, and Barbara Holland's perspective is comical. This book is a hilarious collection of brief, witty casual commentary on each president. For example, we learn that: "The main cause of the Revolution was the quantity of feisty, short-tempered people on this side of the Atlantic at the time, and the quantity of unusually bossy, fat-headed chumps on the other side". Enjoy!
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 7/08

Half the Sky - Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristoff and Sheryl WeDunn

Nonfiction

Call#: 362.83 Kri

These Pulitzer Prize winners and NY Times correspondents share some of the horrific gender inequality they have seen while working throughout Africa and Asia. The plight of women in many countries is still appalling. This book is about the tragedies as well as the resilient spirit of many. There are ways we can all help make a difference. A must read.  
Submitted by Annie Eastmond 7/10

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The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire by Tom Zoellner
Nonfiction
Call#: 553.82 Zoe
A page turning history of the diamond. The action shifts to many different areas of the world with themes of monopoly, greed, smuggling and war. The author searches for an answer to the question, "How has one stone created empires, ruined lives, inspired lust and emptied wallets through history?"
Submitted by Linda Frederick 12/08

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The Hero Project:  2 teens, 1 notebook, 13 extraordinary interviews by Robert Hatch and William Hatch
Nonfiction
Call#: 920.009 Hat
This is a fabulous book written by 2 brothers in their teens. They wanted to write about modern heroes and made a list of those they wanted to interview. They did and it is an amazing story of how they got the interviews, who they interviewed and the interesting questions they asked and answers received. 4**** A wonderful read for teens and adults.
Submitted by Trish Hull

Hidden Kitchens by The Kitchen Sisters
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.597 Sil
This series originally aired on NPR as an oral radio story. Included in this marvelous, engaging book are stories, recipes and glimpses into the hidden kitchens across American from the 20th century 'til the present time.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 4/08

His Excellency, George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
Nonfiction
Call#: 973.41 Ell
Joseph Ellis, a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award recipient, has written an outstanding and very readable biography of George Washington. It is easy to see why Washington, while not perfect, was chosen for leadership roles and is deemed the father of our country.
Submitted by Darin Butler 9/07

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Horsemen of the Esophogus: Competitive Eating and the Big Fat American Dream by Jason Fagone
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.013 Fag

Competitive eating is gross, silly and utterly unredeemable, all of which makes for a fast, hilarious read about some of the world's top eaters. Fagone spent a year on the speed eating circuit to find out why someone would shovel food in their mouth at lightning speeds. Get past the small prize money, the quirky fan base, and you've got a bunch of eaters hoping to find their version of the American dream. A fulfilling read!
Submitted by Carrie Kelley 09/06

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The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
Nonfiction
Call#: 614.57 Pre

Based on true events about emerging viruses; specifically the Ebola virus. The movie "Outbreak" was based on this book.
Submitted by Anne Rudd 08/06

How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else by Michael Gates Gill
Nonfiction
Call#: 647.95 Gil
The author, a self-described son of privilege, faces downsizing, a brain tumor, and the loss of his family, but finds himself and a new authentic life as a barista at a Starbucks store in New York City. Poignant and life affirming, this book teaches all of us to strive for a simplified, joy-filled life.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 5/08

I Hate Myself and Want To Die: The 52 Most Depressing Songs You've Ever Heard by Tom Reynolds
Nonfiction
Call#: 782.421 Rey
This new title picks up where Dave Barry leaves off in Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs. Many of the songs are quite recent, so I wasn't as familiar with all of them, but there is a lot of overlap between the two books. Reynolds defines the difference between a sad song and a depressing one, and then each entry is analyzed so we finally know why the songs have their overwhelming effect. You'll laugh yourself silly and probably write your own list of bad and depressing songs.
Submitted by Lorna Payne 7/09

I.O.U.: Why Everyone Owes Everyone and No One Can Pay by John Lanchester
Nonfiction
Call#: 330.905 Lan

Finally, in one concise book, the reasons the financial world's shenanigans caused a global meltdown.
Submitted by Jewel Nelson 3/10

If You Knew Then What I Know Now by Ryan Van Meter
Biography
92 Van Meter
In this beautiful memoir, Ryan goes through the process of admitting and embracing his homosexuality. In many ways, it reads like a collection of short stories, with the kind of poetic narrative I'm more likely to expect from fiction. Very nice, and an excellent book to recommend to anyone looking to better understand the process of growing into one's true self.
Submitted by Jennifer Fay 6/11

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In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Humor
Call#: 919.404 Bry
Bryson's humorous travelogue of touring Australia, the continent that he swears is trying to kill you.

Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 09/06

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
Nonfiction
Call#: 613 Pol
In this follow-up to "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Michael Pollan sums up the ideal diet in seven words: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." This book considers the entire nature of the American diet, noting how we have changed from learning how and what to eat from our ancestors and now accept diets designed by science. He considers how we've tried to break everything down to it's basic components, demonizing some while praising others, and how this approach has left us fat, unhealthy, and malnourished. The author closes with a list of common-sense advice to improve our health by ignoring the minimalistic scientific attitude and focusing instead on eating real, fresh food. It's fantastic!
Submitted by Richard Burgener 8/08

In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture by Alister E. McGrath
Nonfiction
220.52 McG
A fascinating look at the times and political and religious conflicts surrounding the creation and printing of the controversial bible, which would be in language accessible to the laity.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 11/10

In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta A. Ahmed
Nonfiction
Call#: 610.82 Ahm
Coming from New York City and freedom, Qanta Ahmed, a highly trained doctor is thrust into the repressed world of Saudi Arabia. In the Kingdom she grapples with the loss of female rights but also renews her faith and finds friends and love in the process.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 2/09

Kasey to the Rescue by Ellen Rogers
Nonfiction
362.404 Rog
When an accident leaves her son paralyzed, a family deals with the ups and downs that come with the rehabilitation and addition of a service monkey with heart and humor.
Submitted by Darlene Dineen 1/11

King's English : Adventures of an Independent Bookseller by Betsy Burton
Nonfiction
Call#: 381.45 Bur
The owner of this Salt Lake City bookstore provides an intimate and personal look at bookselling, from the Patriot Act to business partners, as well as many anecdotes of author visits and lists of favorite reads.
Submitted by Marsha Leclair-Marzolf

Knucklehead: Talltales and Mostly True Stories About Growing Up by Jon Scieszka
Nonfiction, Children
Call#: J813.54 Sci
Absolutely hysterical laugh out loud book for children and adults. Jon has a marvelous way of describing his childhood, and so much rang true. Poor mom raising the six brothers and dad exasperated asking, "which one of you knuckleheads....?"
Submitted by Trish Hull 10/09

Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of an Iranian American at Home and Abroad by Firoozeh Dumas
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Dumas
In the sequel to Funny in Farsi, Firoozeh Dumas shares stories of being a citizen of the world, on her well-meaning family, and cultural conundrums.  Along the way she reconciles her beloved Iran customs with her Western ideals.
Submitted by Joan Christensen 6/08

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Leaving Microsoft to Change the World

by John Wood
Nonfiction
Call#: 370.913 Woo
This is a great book for anyone interested in helping third world nations with literacy. John Wood left Microsoft and developed a program that opens libraries, schools and helps girls get an education in very poor nations. The stories are fabulous and it is a tale of hope and happiness and joy, not despair or depression.

Submitted by Trish Hull 11/06

Left to Tell : Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Imaculee Iligabiza
Nonfiction
Call#: 282.092 Ili
A story of survival and forgiving.
Submitted by Purnima Ghandi 2/09

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Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
Nonfiction
Call#: 277.308 Har
We need to start having calm rational discussions on the topics of religion, terror and rational thought. I hope people will give this book a chance. The message is real; and important.
Submitted by De Peterson 12/06

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Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During The Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Kalish
A delightful portrayal of the author's hardscrabble childhood on a farm during the Great Depression. The family was poor in material goods but rich in love, stories and fun adventures.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 8/08

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson
Nonfiction
Call#: 958.104 Lutt
This book is the factual account of Marcus Luttrell, a U.S. Navy Seal and the only survivor of an operation in Afghanistan in 2005. Luttrell and his team were sent into the Hindu-Kush mountain region of Afghanistan to locate and assassinate a Taliban leader. After questioning and releasing 3 Afghanis, they were later attacked by Taliban fighters. Luttrell was wounded, three of his team killed and over 100 Taliban were killed in the ensuing battle. The rescue operation helicopter transporting Seals and Special Forces operators was shot down by the Taliban resulting in the greatest loss of life in one day for the Seals. Luttrell gives a lot of insight into Seal training and the brotherhood and camaraderie felt among Seals.
Submitted by Joyce Owen 7/08

The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz
Nonfiction
940.547 Raw
One of the most powerful stories ever written. I read this as a young man and just rediscovered it. It is also written quite well, by the walker in the story. He writes in a factual and no-nonsense sort of way that is understated and very intriguing. Days and even over a week without any food! A day or two at a time without water? A 4000+ mile trek through Asia (the Gobi desert and the Himalayas) to escape a Siberian labor camp! The latest versions include an afterword by the author written decades later updating his fans on his current home and state of mind. Recommended!
Submitted by Art Lang 4/11

The Lost King of France: A True Story of Revolution, Revenge and DNA by Deborah Cadbury
Nonfiction
Call#: 944.042 Cad
This is a biography of Louis XVII, the Dauphin son of Marie Antoinette who disappeared or died in prison. It covers a lot of very personal details about the royal family and their imprisonment, and discusses at length the mystery of the Dauphin's fate. The "centerpiece" of the book is a heart, preserved in a vase, which may or may not be Louis'.
Submitted by Lorna Payne 4/08

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The real life adventure story of a search through Italian archives and Scottish auction houses for a lost Caravaggio painting called "The Taking of the Christ."  Two graduate students follow the clues and find a lost masterpiece.
Submitted by Linda Worstell

Love in a Headscarf by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed
Nonfiction
297.567 Jan
British columnist, Janmohamed, shares her experiences in the search to find "the one". While much of the book is hilarious, she also offers fascinating insights into what it means to be a contemporary Muslim woman.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 2/11

Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
Nonfiction
Call#: 391.009 Bec
Beckerman weaves comical and poignant tales, and illustrates with amusing drawings, significant events in her life, and what she was wearing on each occasion. This tiny book opens with a delightful drawing of the author in her Brownie uniform in the 1940’s. Definitely a women’s book, this little gem will bring on the memories.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 8/09

Making Rounds With Oscar  by David Dosa
Nonfiction
362.175 Dos
Oscar, a resident at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island, is not an ordinary cat. He seems to know instinctively when the end of life is near. But his owner, Dr. David Dosa is not an ordinary doctor either. He treats his dementia patients with compassion and wisdom as he helps them face the realities at the end of life. A well balanced book filled with compassion, understanding, grief, and even laughter.
Submitted by Lorraine Jeffery10/10

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett
Nonfiction
002.975 Bar
Have you ever wondered what would make someone steal a rare book?  Is it for money or the thrill of owning a piece of history?  Allison Bartlett delves into the psyche of John Gilkey, who stole thousands of rare books from bookstores all over the country.  You will learn how he did it, and how he was caught.  Salt Lake’s own rare book dealer, Ken Sanders, was instrumental in his capture.  I found this book absolutely riveting!
Submitted by Ruby Cheesman 8/10

The Man Who Never Died: The Life, Times, and Legacy of Joe Hill by William Adler
Nonfiction
92 Hill
"He had an artist's compulsion to create and a propagandist's need to incite." Joe Hill wrote songs, uniting laborers to rise up against unfair and dangerous working conditions. Convicted in Salt Lake City on a murder charge, Joe went to his death maintaining his innocence, but refused to divulge the name of the woman who was his alibi. Recently a letter has surfaced, written by her, vindicating Joe Hill. According to Adler, Hill reaches the heart of 'working men in every mine and mill' to defend their rights, and to honor those in our past whose stories will never die.
Submitted by Wanda Huffaker 12/11

Management Rewired: Why Feedback Doesn't Work and Other Surprising Lessons From the Latest Brain Science by Charles S. Jacobs
Nonfiction
Call#: 658.001 Jac
Jacob marries the latest research in neuroscience with his experience as a business consultant to demonstrate why our traditional management techniques are missing the mark. His methods are sometimes counter intuitive, but he shows how changing the way we do things can help organizations perform better.
Submitted by Susan Hamada 3/10

Manning Up: How the Feminist Revolution Turned Men Into Boys by Kay S. Hymowitz
Nonfiction
155.332 Hym
Kay Hymowitz tracks some growing (and sometimes startling) trends resulting from the growth of women in the workplace and in education and the decline of men in the same institutions. She also follows the surprising media influenced trend of the "child-man", a man perpetually in adolescence, which may leave many women wondering if there are any good men out there.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 5/11

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Nonfiction, Autobiography
92 Li
As a young peasant boy Li Cunxin, is chosen by cultural delegates to live and study at the Beijing Dance Academy. Li learns that the only way he can make his family proud and uphold the communist ideals of his beloved China, is to become the best dancer in the world. Through a series of political events Li finds a way to become a world renowned ballet star even though he lives under strong and stifling communist ideals. I liked this book because the focus wasn't on the technique he learned, but about trying to figure the proper balance in his life as one of Chairman Mao's political youth between love of country and the developing passion of his work.
Submitted by Samantha Hiskey 9/11

Marking the Sparrow's Fall: Wallace Stegner's American West by Wallace Stegner
Nonfiction
Call#: 978 Ste
A collection of essays extolling the virtues and beauty of the American West and the people who reside within her. The author writes a love letter to his adopted hometown and the land that formed his youth. Luminous and beautiful to read and ponder.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 4/09

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Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
Nonfiction
Call#: 973.22 Phi

From the perilous ocean crossing to the shared bounty of the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrim settlement of New England has become enshrined as our most sacred national myth. Yet, the true story of the Pilgrims is much more than the well-known tale of piety and sacrifice; it is a fifty-five-year epic that is at once tragic, heroic, exhilarating and profound.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 12/06

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
Nonfiction
92 Janzen
Janzen left the Mennonite community at eighteen to attend college, went to graduate school, and created a rich life for herself in the secular world. At forty she has a lovely home (and mortgage) when her husband tells her he is leaving her for the man he loves, and she is in a serious accident. She shares the humor and comfort of her experience of going home to her family and the Mennonite community to recover.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 8/10

Messiah: The Little-known Story of Handel's Beloved Oratorio by Tim Slover
Nonfiction
Call#: 782.23 Slo
Slover, a professor at the University of Utah, delves into the cultural and historical context in which Handel composed this work. Particularly interesting are the controversies surrounding the debut of the oratorio: the inappropriate time of year--Holy Week; the venue--a commercial theatre; the choice of soloists-- one with a music hall background, and another who had been involved in a well-publicized scandal. Excerpts from the Messiah, on compact disc, are included with the book.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 11/08

Mind of the Raven by Bernd Heinrich
Nonfiction
Call#: 598.864 Hei
Heinrich, a biologist, has studied ravens for years. In this book he shares his observations about these fascinating birds--their intelligence, loyalty, and sense of fun. "Wolf-birds" show personality attributes that are amazingly similar to those of humans; including crankiness, competitiveness, affection, and joy. You won't look at a raven- or even a crow- the same way again.
Submitted by Stephanie Jewett and Art Lang 12/08

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The City of Benares cruise ship was carrying over 100 children to the safety and peace of Canada and away from the bombing of Great Britain in September, 1940. 600 miles from Liverpool, the ship was torpedoed and many lives were lost, including children. The author recounts the miracles of survival that happened in the aftermath of a great tragedy. Poignant and unforgettable.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 08/06

Museum: Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Danny Danziger
Nonfiction
Call#: 708.147 Dan
A fun collection of brief interviews with a broad variety of individuals associated with the museum: i.e. curators, plumbers, trustees, security officers, and the director. Includes vivid descriptions of selected art objects.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 3/08

My Kitchen Table: Sketches From My Life by Pilar Pobil
Nonfiction
Call#: 759.13 Pob
Not a cookbook, this luscious collection of Ms. Pobil's exuberant art is accompanied by her fascinating reminiscences. Born on the island of Majorca, the daughter of an officer in the Spanish Navy, Pobil witnessed the end of the Spanish monarchy, suffered horrendous loss with the Spanish Civil War, met the man from Utah who would become her husband, and moved to a new country and culture. A treasure by one of Utah's treasures.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 8/08

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My Life in France by Julia Child
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.509 Chi
Julia Child writes how she went from not being able to cook an egg to becoming the world famous Cordon Bleu French Chef.

Submitted by Carrie Kelley 11/06

My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story by Abraham Verghese
Nonfiction
362.196 Ver
The author of Cutting For Stone tells of his work in rural Tennessee when a few isolated cases of the AIDS virus appeared, and then became an epidemic. A gripping look at the responses of the health care workers and the community in general.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 11/10

The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives by The Women of Jewelia and Cheryl Jarvis
Nonfiction
Call#: 302.34 Nec
Four years ago, Jonell McLain saw a diamond necklace in a local jewelry store

display window. Several weeks, dozens of phone calls, and a leap of faith later,

Neighbor: Christian Encounters with "Illegal" Immigration
by Ben Daniel
Nonfiction
277.308 Dan
Daniels, a Presbyterian minister in San Jose, California, asks Christians to welcome strangers and to consider immigrants as pilgrims who have faced extreme hardship in their journey to create a better life for themselves and their families.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 4/11

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
Nonfiction
Call#: 599.773 Mow
In 1948 the Canadian Wildlife Service assigned naturalist Farley Mowat to investigate wolves as a threat to caribou and humans. This is Mowat's surprisingly humorous and fascinating account of the summer he lived in the frozen tundra alone-studying the wolf populations and developing a deep affection for the wolves.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 11/08

Never Suck a Dead Man’s Hand by Dana Kollmann
Nonfiction Memoir
363.25 Koll
Step under the caution tape and into the true scene of the crime with this unflinching memoir of life as a CSI. Whether explaining rigor mortis or the art of fingerprinting a stiff corpse on the side of the road, Kollmann forgoes Hollywood glitz for grit showing what really goes on, offering a truly eye-opening perspective on the day-to-day life of a crime scene investigator.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 8/10

The New Time Travelers: A Journey to the Frontiers of Physics by David Toomey
Nonfiction
Call#: 530.11 Too
For years, science fiction writers have been entertaining readers with plots of time travel. At the same time, scientists have been discovering piece by piece the secrets of real time travel. From Newton's basic theories of gravity to theories in the twenty first century of multiple universes, the study of time travel has come a long way. The New Time Travelers follows these discoveries and at the same time asks the philosophical questions that arise when time is twisted.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 7/08

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast For the 21st Century by George Friedman
Nonfiction
Call#: 303.49 Fri
Chief Intelligence Officer for a private intelligence agency whose clients include foreign governments and Fortune 500 companies, George Friedman believes he knows the future. After reading this detailed analysis of 21st and 20th century geopolitics and learning about new technological trends, you might believe Friedman is on to something.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 7/09

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This is the author's heart-wrenching account of his personal experience of the Holocaust. He expresses despair yet hope, loss of faith, but the need to believe. This is the most important book every person should allow himself to read.
Submitted by Madalene Cuglietta

The Night of the Gun: A Reporter Investigates the Darkest Story of His Life, His Own by David Carr
Nonfiction
Call#: 616.86 Car
David Carr takes a different track from the traditional addict memoir. The story of a precipitous fall and a crawl up to redemption is there, but Carr examines his life carefully with a dispassionate and wry reporter's eye. Each step downward and upward is documented by court and police records and painstaking interviews, giving a true glimpse into an addict's troubled life.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 9/08

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No One Makes It Alone by Andrew A. Valdez
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Val

Utah Juvenile Court Judge Andrew Valdez tells of the business man he met when he was an eleven-year-old paperboy on 2nd and Main Street. Jack mentored the boy, Andy, and taught him to play tennis. Most importantly he taught him about honesty, fair play, competition and honor.

Submitted by Lee Alexander 02/07

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No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: the Homefront in WWII

by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Nonfiction
Call#: 973.917 Goo
An intimate Pulitzer award portrait of the Roosevelt White House leading up to and during WWII, woven together with biographies of Franklin, Eleanor, and their entourage. Goodwin captivates readers with a fascinating account of how the Roosevelts created public support for wartime provisions, for an unprecedented third presidential term, and for American's entry into a war on two fronts.

Submitted by Gretchen Freeman 02/07

Not Buying It:  My Year Without Shopping

by Judith Levine
Narrative Nonfiction
Call#: 640.73 Lev
In this very readable, humorous and philosophical diary style narrative about the author and her partner's year of only buying necessities, most notably food, you will get to groan and gasp at their weighty decisions and the hilarious reasoning they use to define "essential".  For example: "What about Kleenex, is it essential or will toilet paper do?"
Submitted by Marsha Leclair-Marzolf

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Nonfiction/Memoir
306.095 Dem
Behind the guarded borders of North Korea, few journalists or outsiders are allowed to look in. But there have been North Korean defectors, and journalist Barbara Demick has gathered their stories, stories of ordinary North Koreans and their struggles against the system.This illuminating book provides a rare glimpse into a well protected country who's citizens are so bombarded with propaganda that many of them truly believe that there is "nothing to envy" in the world.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 11/10

Nurtureshock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson
Non Fiction
Call#: 305.231 Bro
Science journalists Bronson and Merryman discuss new research in child psychology that debunks many long-standing beliefs. Among the topics discussed are the inverse power of praise, why children lie, and real reasons why siblings fight.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 2/10

On the Edge of Survival by Spike Walker
Nonfiction
910.916 Wal
This fantastic adventure is about a harrowing rescue of a foreign cargo ship during a furious storm. I relished learning about the lives and challenges of the Alaskan coast guard, as they face not only the raging seas, but the crew's hesitation to abandon ship.
Submitted by Tammy Laitinen 8/11

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Once Upon A Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene
Nonfiction
Call#: 978.282 Gre
This is a heartwarming story of one woman's idea to provide servicemen in WWII with warmth and support. Most troop trains stopped in North Platte en route to WWII. People in the town and surrounding farms turned out to greet each train and provided food, music, and magazines to the soldiers passing through on their way to the war.

Submitted by Linda Frederick and Bonnie Bradford 2/07

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The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Andersen by Jane Yolen and Dennis Nolan
Children's Nonfiction
Call#: J92 Anderson

An enchanting picture book biography of Hans Christian Andersen, interspersed with excerpts from his stories. The lovely pastel illustrations enhance Andersen's story.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 11/06

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Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand by James Barron
Nonfiction
Call#: 786.219 Bar
Barron writes an informative and humorous insider's view of the year long process to create a Steinway nine-foot concert grand piano. Weaving in the history of this premiere piano builder and its craftsmen, the reader gains a new appreciation of the artistry behind the scenes in the making of a fine musical instrument.

Submitted by Gretchen Freeman 10/06

Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar by Thomas Cathcart
Nonfiction
Call#: 102.07 Cat
Terrific book of philosophy and jokes. Different philosophical concepts are explained through conversations and jokes. I laughed as I learned. This book contains excellent examples of how a joke can quickly and effectively teach a deep philosophical concept.
Submitted by Trish Hull 9/07

The Pope's Daughter: the Extraordinary Life of Felice della Rovere by Caroline Murphy
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Della Rovere
This expertly written history reads like a novel.  The life a woman of substance unfolds to reveal a female who still inspires us today.
Submitted by Madalene Cuglietta

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The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries About the Teenage Brain Tell Us About Our Kids by Barbara Strauch
Nonfiction
Call#: 616.89 Str
Ever wonder what the heck your teen is thinking? Well, this book answers some of those questions. Compiled by the medical science and health editor of the New York Times, this book shows the latest developments in teen brain research. Not to be used as an excuse by teens, but helps parents understand some of their outlandish behavior.

Submitted by Danene Peterson 10/06

Proofiness: The Dark Arts of Mathematical Deception by Charles Seife
Nonfiction
510 Sei
I will never trust statistics again--he proves repeatedly that you can make the numbers say whatever you want them to say.
Submitted by Jewel Nelson 1/11

The Road Out of Hell: Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Winesville Murder Case by Anthony Flacco
Nonfiction, True Crime
Call#: 364.152 Fla
This book is not for children or young adults. It is the gripping, graphic and truly horrific story of one of America's most evil serial killers, and of one of his victims, who survived years of indescribable abuse. And this boy did not become part of the evil that surrounded him, but went on to live a long, happy, productive, and "sane" life. I literally couldn't put it down--I read it in one (long) afternoon and evening.
Submitted by Lorna Payne 2/10

Robert Redford by Michael Feeney Callan
Biography
92 Redford
Details of the life of Robert Redford, his marriage to a local Mormon woman, and his building of the Sundance Resort and Film Festival. No smut, filthy language, adultery, back-biting or illegal activity--a good clean read.
Submitted by Donald Fulkerson 10/11

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Nonfiction
Call#: 822.33 Sha
A tragic story of star-crossed lovers or a woeful tale of irrational teenagers?  I prefer to believe the former.  Who can resist the beautiful language that Shakespeare has employed, "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?  It is the east and Juliet is the sun."
Submitted by Anna Zanarini

Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
Nonfiction
910.45 Slo
A wonderfully written book by the first person to sail solo around the world. This feat was done in 1898 by the Master Mariner Joshua Slocum on a wooden sloop he rebuilt from scratch. It is a fun read written in "old style" but the old English prose is not too burdensome. This book is also a fun read on a digital eReader because you can easily and instantly look up words and old style sailing terms and hardware while reading the book from with the book. I read this book simultaneously on an iPhone, an iPad, an iMac, and at the end in hard copy from the library!
Submitted by Art Lang 1/11

A Secret Gift: How An Act of Kindness--And a Trove of Letters--Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression by Ted Gup
Nonfiction
977.162 Gup
When journalist Ted Gup is given an old suitcase full of family papers, he discovers letters that desperate people wrote during the Depression in response to a newspaper ad announcing that a man was going to send 75 needy families $10 each. Gup investigates the letters, what happened to each family, and why his grandfather offered the gifts.
Submitted by Melanie Dew 2/11

The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Houdini
Handcuff King. Escape Artist. International Superstar. Harry Houdini was larger than life in his own time. This book chronicles what drove him to perform ever-more-dangerous feats, his secret life as a spy, his efforts to debunk fake psychics, and a pernicious plot to subvert his legacy. A fascinating life story.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 5/09

Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter by Phoebe Damrosch
Nonfiction
Call#: 647.95 Dam
Kitchen Confidential meets Sex and the City in this delicious, behind the scenes memoir from the first female captain at one of New York City's most prestigious restaurants. While Phoebe Damrosch was figuring out what to do with her life, she supported herself by working as a waiter. Before long she was a captain at the New York City four-star restaurant Per Se, the culinary creation of master chef Thomas Keller. Service Included is the story of her experiences there: her obsession with food, her love affair with a sommelier, and her observations of the highly competitive and frenetic world of fine dining.
Submitted by Joan Christensen 3/08

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Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of 2 Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II

by Robert Kurson
Nonfiction
Call#: 940.545 Kur

This is a fabulous true adventure story that explores wreck diving, World War II and relationships among men with a common goal. It was riveting and suspenseful; there were times I wanted to cry and other times when I wanted to cheer. It is an amazing story of courage, skill, determination and mental toughness. Highly recommended to all; my 14 year old son (who spends most of time with electronic entertainment) is captivated by it.
Submitted by Trish Hull 08/06

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Shady Ladies: Nineteen Surprising and Rebellious American Women by Suzann Ledbetter
Nonfiction
Call#: 920.72 Led

A fun and eclectic collection of well-crafted and enormously entertaining biographies of little-known 'til now "shady ladies." Some were crackpots, some criminals, some genuine talents, but almost all have been sadly forgotten. Shady Ladies is the story of early American rebels and a fascinating view of the lives of nineteen notorious and notable women.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 12/06

The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry by Kathleen Flinn
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.07 Fli
After losing her job as a journalist, the author decides to live out her life-long dream of enrolling in the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris. A delightful read.
Submitted by Pamela Smith 9/09

Snark: A Polemic in Seven Fits by David Denby
Nonfiction
Call#: 809.7 Den
A pointed and humorous look at an insidious form of public and private discourse, which is prevalent in our society.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 5/09

So Help Me God: The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State by F. Forrester Church
Nonfiction
Call#: 322.109 Chu
Written in an engrossing style, this is a fascinating glimpse into the church/state conflict, an issue since the earliest days of our country. Of particular interest is the strong conflicts experienced by the first four presidents, which was often an inconsistency between their personal beliefs and what they considered a foundation for democracy.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 11/08

The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement by David Brooks
Nonfiction
305.513 Bro
Beneath our rational consciousness, lies our very active unconscious mind. In this informative, yet readable book, Brooks explores how very important our unconsciousness is in our decisions and in life.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 9/11

A Soldier's Promise by Daniel Hendrex
Nonfiction
Call#: 956.704
It is late 2003 in Husaybah on the western border of Iraq. American forces are under attack by insurgents who disappear into the general population. The army tries to track down their attackers but need the help of the citizens to do so. Then a 13 year old Iraqi boy comes to them and asks to be arrested (for his protection). He tells them that his father is connected with the insurgents and gives them information on weapons caches, identifies terrorists and insurgents, and provides other valuable info. This is the story of the sergeant who took the boy into his custody, their relationship and the fight to bring him to America.
Submitted by Joyce Owen 8/08

Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Nonfiction
Call#: 821.8 Bro
Written at the start of her budding relationship with husband Robert Browning, this sequence of 44 sonnets is a celebration of love and marriage.  A shy Browning was reluctant to share the poetry with even her husband until after they had been married for three years and yet, even today, the sonnets stand as some of the most romantic words ever written.
Submitted by Christa Warren & Ruby Cheesman

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Still Life With Chickens by Catherine Goldhammer
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Goldhammer
"I did not have a year in Provence or a villa under the Tuscan sun. I did not have a farm in Africa."  Instead, Goldhammer, newly divorced and several tax brackets poorer, finds a fixer-upper house she can afford and bribes her animal-loving 12-year-old daughter to move, using six baby chicks as a reward.  Goldhammer's recounting of her frustrations and joys while remodeling the house and rearing the chickens is amusing, fun and real.  In the process of learning about chicken care and building coops and homes, she also learns how to rebuild her life.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 7/09

The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl On the Other Side of the Sky by Farah Ahmedi with Tamim Ansary
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Ahmedi
Nothing will stop Farah from her dream of coming to the United States; not even a climb over a mountain with a wooden leg. The story of her journey with her mother and the people who help her along the way. Voted "America's Number One Story" on Good Morning America.
Submitted by Linda Frederick 10/07

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Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz
Nonfiction
Call#: 364.15 Jen

A thinking person's true crime book. This book really made me think--about the nature of justice--and why we hunger for tales of blood and gore (but it isn't a tale of blood and gore--not really!)
Submitted by Marissa Hagen 12/06

Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
Nonfiction
Call#: 92 Niyizokiza
The author recounts the incredible journey of a young African man named Deo who survived genocide, poverty and war to make a new life in America. The courage, resiliency and humanity of Deo will remain with the reader long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 12/09

Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease by Sharon Moalem
Nonfiction
Call#: 616.042 Moa
This often surprising book traces human evolution and unearths why we have cancer, diabetes and other debilitating diseases. Using the most up to date research in genetics the author pushes past myths and assumptions and blends historical fact into the story of humans and illness.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 4/09

The Survivors Club: the Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood
Nonfiction
613.69 She
Why do some people survive and some perish in the same harrowing situations? A great nonfiction read with real life stories by a great award winning journalist.
Submitted by Lora McCallister 10/10

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: a Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale
Nonfiction
Call#: 364.152 Sum
In 1860, a 3 year old is brutally murdered on his family estate in England. Mr Whicher is called to investigate. His methods and investigation of this real life murder laid the groundwork for the modern detective story.
Submitted by Linda Worstell 7/08

Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori Brafman
Nonfiction
Call#: 155.92 Bra
Ever want to know why you do the irrational things you do? Like why do we stay in bad relationships, or always go with the group even though we know the group is wrong? These questions and more are answered through psychology, behavioral economics and organizational behavior studies.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 5/10

Sweety Pies; an Uncommon Collection of Womanish Observations, with Pie by Patty Pinner
Nonfiction
Call#: 641.865 Pin
Lush illustrations, with recipes, of mouth-watering pies and tarts. Short, humorous and thought provoking vignettes bout the recipes originators guarantee delightful reading. Sort of a "coffee table" cookbook.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 11/07

The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart by Willie Nelson and Turk Pipkin
Nonfiction
Call#: 170.44 Nel
The Way: kindness, golf, meditation,"breath", "be yourself", and wonderfully corny jokes. Good reading from a musical icon.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 9/08

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That Went Well: Adventures in Caring for My Sister by Terrell Dougan
Nonfiction
Call#: 362.309 Dou
Meet Terrell's sister, Irene: a woman in her sixties whose favorite outfit consists of Mickey Mouse knee socks and shorts; who wins over the neighborhood kids by hosting two fire trucks at her lemonade stand; whose fridge bears a magnet: NORMAL PEOPLE WORRY ME. When Irene was born, her parents were advised to institutionalize her. They refused and the entire family benefited, with a life rich in stress, sorrows, hilarity, and joy. In her moving and funny memoir about life with Irene, Salt Lake City author Terrell Dougan shows that love, humor, and compassion will always see us through.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 12/09

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There is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Africa's Children by Melissa Fay Greene
Nonfiction
Call#: F Hughes

Originally a middle-class woman with a happy family life, Haregewoin Tefarra fell into a deep depression after the death of her recently married daughter. But then a priest brought her two children, AIDS orphans, with nowhere to go. Unexpectedly, the children thrived, and Haregewoin found herself drawn back into daily life. As word got out, an endless stream of children began to arrive at her door. "Green tells the stories in unforgettable vignettes of loss, secrecy, panic, stigma and, sometimes, hope..." Booklist
Submitted by Jenny Milligan 12/06

A Thousand Days in Tuscany: a Bittersweet Adventure by Marlena De Blasi
Nonfiction, Travel
Call#: 641.594 DeB
This true account of De Blasi's time Tuscany is written "deliciously" as she writes in a three dimensional manner that allows the reader to feel, see, taste, even hear the voices speaking. The story reveals what it was like for De Blasi and husband Fernando (who has blueberry eyes) to adjust to a new life in urban Tuscany after having lived in Venice.
Submitted by Madalene Cuglietta 8/08

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The Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas
Nonfiction
Call#: 813.54 Tho

When Thomas's dog returns to her apartment alone the author's life is radically changed. A courageous story of surviving tragedy and building a new life with grace and meaning.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 10/06

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Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Nonfiction
Call#: 371.822 Mor

Greg Mortenson grew up in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, of missionary parents who established a hospital and school. Later as a young man and climbing enthusiast who had then become accustomed to life in the United States, he attempted to climb K-2, the world's second largest mountain, in honor of his sister who had died. He became lost and nearly perished if it hadn't been for a remote village that took him in and nurtured him back to health. He vowed to do something for them in return. That something was to build a school, especially for their girls, way up in this remote rocky area of Pakistan. His book also chronicles his brushes with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Submitted by Annie Eastmond 12/06

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
Nonfiction
Call#: 364.152 Lar
A true story of love, murder, and the end of the world's "great hush." The interwoven stories of two men--Hawley Crippen, a very unlikely murderer, and Guglielmo Marconi, the obsessive creator of wireless communication--whose lives intersect during one of the greatest criminal chases of all time. A splendid narrative history from Larson, a master of the form.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 3/08

Tisha: the Story of a Teacher in the Alaska Wilderness by Anne Hobbs
Nonfiction
Call#: 371.1 Hob

A heartwarming story about prim and proper Anne Hobbs, a 19-year-old schoolteacher who yearns for adventure. She finds this and much more in a town with the unlikely name of Chicken, located deep in the Alaskan interior.
Submitted by Melanie Tucker 4/07

The Trees in My Forest by Bernd Heinrich
Nonfiction
Call#: 577.309 Hei
From the DNA contained in an apple seed to the great towering branches far beyond a young boy's reach, Heinrich explores a natural world in scientific and personal terms. A scientist whose words speak with the power and grace of a poet, Heinrich uses this gift and his knowledge of his 300 acres of Maine forest to expose the forest's rhythms. In doing so, he illustrates the vital but tenuous link among men, trees, birds, insects and all the creatures of the forest. This author is famous for his interesting descriptions and knowledge about the natural world. In this book he is writing about a forest on his property and what it has taught him about forestry, species, natural history and the saving of our planet. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Submitted by Art Lang 3/09

The Truth About Santa: Wormholes, Robots and What Really Happens on Christmas Eve by Gregory Mone
Humor
817.6 Mon
Could Santa really do all he is rumored to do? Sure, says Mone, with a little science and technology to help. With listening devices implanted in ornaments, he can tell who is naughty and nice. Wormholes in space make it possible to visit every house in the world in one night. And the reindeer are just cover for his warp-powered sleigh. Drawing on the work of scientists and researchers, Mone gives us a whole new view of Santa and the possibilities of science in creating Christmas magic.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 12/11

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair

by Pablo Neruda

Nonfiction

Neruda's poetry is at once sensual and intensely romantic.  The movie, "Il Postino" was based upon ten of his wonderful love poems.

Submitted by Joni Kohagen

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Nonfiction, Biography
92 Zamperini
An excellent read that captured my heart as well as interest in this true story of Olympic hopeful, Louis Zamperini, during the late 30s and early 40s. This book has it all with adventure, suspense, and inspiration, and a page-turner good story.
Submitted by Winnie Kandolin 2/11

Unclutter Your Life: Transforming Your Physical, Mental and Emotional Space
by Katherine Gibson
Nonfiction
Call#: 646.7 Gib
As one of those people who will never handle a piece of paper just once, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. Not just a book about cleaning out your closet and organizing your “stuff”, this is more a philosophical look at how we clutter up our lives with physical stuff, “invasive technology, information anxiety, nuisance noise, deadlines, decisions and an overload of expectations” The author draws upon her own experience and the advice of experts to provide real ways we can all create a less complicated life.
Submitted by Marsha Leclair-Marzolf

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Volcano Cowboys: the Rocky Evolution of a Dangerous Science by Dick Thompson
Nonfiction
Call#: 813.54 Tho

This title chronicles the changes and growth of volcano research from the predicted, but deadly eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, to the successful evacuation around Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. More than you ever wanted to know about volcanoes!
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 11/06

A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World by Tony Horwitz
Nonfiction
Call#: 970.01 Hor
Everyone learns about Columbus, the Pilgrims and Jamestown, but is that the whole story? Historian Tony Horwitz takes a journey exploring European contact with the New World. From Canada and the Vikings to tracking the Spanish conquistadors--it is a fascinating trip.
Submitted by Linda Worstell 6/08

Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High by Melba Pattillo Beals
Nonfiction
Call#: J370.193 Bea
In 1957, Melba Pattillo turned sixteen, and became one of the "The Nine"; a warrior on the front lines of a civil rights firestorm. Following the landmark Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. Board of Education, Melba was one of the teenagers chosen to integrate Little Rock's Central High School. This is the remarkable story of the fight to integrate with dignity and peace despite threats, violence, and fear.
Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 12/07

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The inspiration for the television show Medium answers questions most commonly asked of her and other mediums such as "Why do spirits hang around us?" and "How much of the show is based upon her life?".
Submitted by Darlene Dineen 09/06

We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee

Memoir

Call # 590.734 Mee

In the market for an adventure, Benjamin Mee moved his family to an unlikely new home: a dilapidated zoo in the English countryside. Their extended family now included: Solomon, an African lion and scourge of the local golf course; Zak, the rickety Alpha wolf; and Sovereign, a jaguar and would-be ninja, who devised a long term escape plan, then implemented it. Nothing was easy, given the family’s lack of experience as zookeepers, but what follows is a joyful story of the animal kingdom, the power of family, and the triumph of hope over tragedy.

Submitted by Bonnie Bradford 7/10

What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed Reading People by Joe Navarro
Nonfiction
Call#: 153.69 Nav
"This book illustrates which nonverbal clues telegraph untrustworthiness and deception and which radiate sincerity and compassion. In this fascinating take on body language and the ability to decipher it for use in everyday life, Navarro emphasizes that while knowing the reasons for certain behaviors—like touching one's neck—can be useful in "reading" people, they are not foolproof barometers of deception. A former FBI agent who commonly used these techniques to help crack cases, the author cautions about jumping to conclusions and encourages using clusters of nonverbal patterns to help discover whether a person is lying or just under stress." ---School Library Journal
Submitted by Kara Pearson 2/09

Whatever You Do, Don't Run Peter Allison
Nonfiction
Call#: 916.883 All
A sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious, always entertaining collection of Peter Allison's experiences as a safari tour guide in Africa. (Reader's Choice Nominee)
Submitted by Jenny Beckstead 8/08

When God is Gone Everything is Holy - The Making of a Religious Naturalist by Chet Raymo
Nonfiction
Call#: 211.709 Ray
Written by a professor emeritus from a college in the northeast and highly regarded science author, this book is a reflection on one man's transformation from devout Cahtolicism to what is titled "religious naturalism". Chet argues that the study, even worship, of the natural world and its enormous complexity and beauty is enough to occupy a religious naturalist - no need to invent a higher power or supreme being. He develops this argument with a liberal sprinkling of scientific thought and history. Recommended!
Submitted by Art Lang 10/09

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Why Darwin Matters: the case against intelligent design by Michael Shermer
Nonfiction
Call#: 576.8 She

A well written discussion about evolution and the bottom-up process of natural selection.
Why science matters.
Submitted by De Peterson 12/06

Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes
Nonfiction
613.712 Tau
Gary Taubes, author of Good Calories, Bad Calories: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom on Diet, has written another myth-shattering book. He challenges the "calories in- calories out" model that is popular in the diet world. It also includes an easy-to-follow diet.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 2/11

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
Nonfiction
920.051 Cha
A memoir of the author, her mother and grandmother that spans the history of China throughout the twentieth century. From a bound foot grandmother, to a mother who is a communist leader, to the author's decision to leave her homeland because of political oppression, the reader learns much of the history and the heart of these brave and valiant women.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 11/11

Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-wide: ('Cause I Need More Room for My Plasma TV)
by Karen Spears Zacharias
Nonfiction
Call#: 261.85 Zac
You just have to love the title. Zacharias takes on Christian prosperity theology, skewering televangelists, A.I.G., and the misuse of power and greed in general. If you can overlook the down-hominess and preaching, this is a quick fun read.
Submitted by Lee Alexander 5/10

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Wisdom of Our Fathers: lessons and letters from daughters and sons by Tim Russert
Nonfiction
Call#: 306.874 Wis

After the publication Big Russ and Me moderator of Meet the Press Tim Russert received thousands of letters and e-mails (over 60,000) from sons and daughters who wanted to share their memories and express their gratitude towards their fathers.
Submitted by Daniela Jancovic 12/06

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century by Thomas L. Friedman
Nonfiction
Call#: 303.483 Fri
This book describes how technology has changed the world, including where and how people work. I especially love the insider descriptions of why Wal-Mart and UPS are prospering.
Submitted by Tina Bartholoma 05/07

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Live the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs
Nonfiction
220 Jac
A. J. Jacobs, memoirist formerly of The Know-It-All, takes on another ambitious undertaking, this time to compile all the Bible’s laws from the Old and New Testament and live each one. During the course of a year Jacobs grows out his hair, carries a staff, blows a shofar, and takes on all the minutia of forgotten laws as well as visiting religious scholars and disciples who live outside of the mainstream.
Submitted by Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 8/10

You Be the Judge: 20 True Crimes and Cases to Solve by Norbert Ehrenfreund
Nonfiction
Call#: 364.1 Ehr
A compelling look at actual courtroom cases. In an abridged account of real life trials, the author presents the discourse of the trial lawyers, judge and witnesses involved in the cases. After the closing arguments, again abridged, the author gives you some things to consider in the case and then the actual verdict given by the jury involved in the case. Personally I have always been very nervous to be called as a juror, but after reading this book I feel like I understand the process a bit better.
Submitted by Jenny McDonald 11/08

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Nonfiction
Call#: 976.335 Egg
This beautiful book that tells the story of Zeitoun, a Syrian born contractor, who lives with his family in New Orleans. His family flees Katrina, but he stays to watch over his property. He has a canoe and helps people and animals but the political forces that be incarcerate him. Could this be American? A true story that will haunt you.
Submitted by Suzanne Johnson 10/09

The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman
Nonfiction
Call#: 940.531 Ack
The remarkable story of the Polish couple who ran the Warsaw Zoo during WWII and managed with skill, wit and audacity to shelter and save over 300 Jews from death in the concentration camps. This is an awe inspiring story of two people, who against all odds found life amidst death, despair and destruction and nurtured both man and animal in the process.
Submitted by Joni Kohagen 3/08