March/April 2018: Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle, art by Patrick McDonnell, c2009
Guardians of Being
the power of now:
joy in the moment with pets
oneness of all life
spiritual thoughts combined
with charming illustrations
MM
February 2018: Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables by Joshua McFadden, c2017
Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables
by Joshua McFadden
with Martha Holmberg
c2017
Four Seasons Farm, Maine
puts the chef in the garden
pure veggie magic
inventive, fresh recipes
in praise of earth’s offerings
MM
January 2018: The Wildcrafted Cocktail by Ellen Zachos, c2017
The Wildcrafted Cocktail
by Ellen Zachos
c2017
forest to pantry
basics to extremely wild
tasty concoctions
unique deliciousness mixed
with beautiful visuals
MM
February/March/April 2017: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, c2005
A New Earth
life-changing message
rejects the egoic mind
for a rich, true life
shift in consciousness needed
for a more sane, loving world
MM
January 2017: Every Breath You Take by Rose Elliot, c2016
Every Breath You Take
simple happiness
sixteen ways to be mindful
great for beginners
based on Buddha’s instructions
step-by-step to feel the peace
MM
December 2016: What If? by Randall Munroe, c2014
What If?
witty ponderings
crazy hypotheticals
masterful answers
both serious & silly
funny & informative
MM
September - November 2016: The Zen Teacher by Dan Tricarico, c2015
The Zen Teacher
lowering your stress
transform yourself & your class
~ What really matters ~
insightful tips towards a
better quality of life
MM
Summer 2016: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, c1999
The Power of Now
embrace the present
accessing your deepest self
free of too much mind
key to freedom & true peace
deserves multiple readings
MM
May 2016: The Dog Who Could Fly by Damien Lewis, c2014
The Dog Who Could Fly
World War II missions
unshakable loyalty
unbreakable bonds
Czech airman & his brave dog's
extraordinary journey
MM
April 2016: Savor by Ilona Oppenheim, c2016
Savor
forest, field, and farm
natural ingredients
pure deliciousness
recipes & so much more . . .
gloriously beautiful
MM
February/March 2016: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans & Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown, c2013
The Boys in the Boat
Depression era
collection of underdogs
Determination
masterful nonfiction with
ageless appeal -- Inspiring!
MM
January 2016: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, c2006
The Secret
down through the ages
thoughts create reality
bringing joy to life
have, be, or do anything . . .
a must-read for everyone
MM
December 2015: How We Learn by Benedict Carey, c2014
How We Learn
sifting through research
explore many theories
to build brain power
perspective on distractions
challenges current notions
MM
November 2015: Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion by Jon Katz, c2014
Saving Simon
depths of bonds we form
formerly forlorn turns friend
power of healing
thoughtful, heartfelt, uplifting
resiliency of spirit
MM
October 2015: The Port Chicago 50 (YA) by Steve Sheinkin, c2014
The Port Chicago 50
massive explosion
segregated Navy base
mutiny trial
photos and facts bring to light
unknown Civil Rights heroes
MM
August/September 2015: Healing Spices by Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal, c2011
Healing Spices
easy to prepare
secrets to beating disease
for maximum health
outstanding overview to
apply in everyday life
MM
July 2015: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (c2011) translated from the Japanese by Cathy Hirano, c2014.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
a simple system
to put your home in order
ending in pure joy
powerful, awesome results
that inspire a better life
MM
June 2015: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett, c2009
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
allure of rare books
a bibliomaniac
passion to collect
true-crime story extending
one's literary insight
MM
May 2015: Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Manmade World by Mark Miodownik, c2014
Stuff Matters
everyday objects
of human needs & desires
seen in a new light
science for the common man
made highly entertaining
MM
April 2015: The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Compassion and Courage (YA) by Eric Greitens, c2012
The Warrior's Heart
all around the globe
within the midst of hardship
living with purpose
inspiration for us all:
make a real difference
MM
March 2015: Nocturne: Creatures of the Night by Traer Scott, c2014
Nocturne: Creatures of the Night
from around the world
wild nighttime ambassadors
reveal their natures
brilliant, close-up photographs
fascinating facts for all
MM
February 2015: The Birds of Pandemonium: Life Among the Exotic & the Endangered by Michele Raffin, c2014
The Birds of Pandemonium
bird sanctuary
endangered, hurt, abandoned
caring for our world
completely remarkable
joyful, touching, inspiring
MM
January 2015: Marzi: A Memoir by Marzena Sowa with art by Sylvain Savoia (c2001) translated from the French by Angali Singh, c2009
Marzi
Communist Poland
small girl caught in iron fists
and coming-of-age
an honest first-hand account
told in graphic novel form
MM
December 2014: Popular: A Memoir - Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek (YA) by Maya Van Wagenen, c2014
Popular
school's social ladder
shy girl & '50s teen guide
popularity
brave social experiment
eighth grader's memoir -- Timeless.
MM
November 2014: The Telling Room: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese by Michael Paterniti, c2013
The Telling Room
picturesque village
larger-than-life characters
everlastingness
epiphany via cheese
with Spain's history mixed in
MM
October 2014: The Boy on the Wooden Box: A Memoir (YA) by Leon Leyson,c 2013
The Boy on the Wooden Box
concentration camps
youngest boy on Schindler's list
trapped in Nazis' hell
child's Holocaust perspective
told with dignity and grace
MM
September 2014: How I Discovered Poetry (YA) by Marilyn Nelson, c2014
How I Discovered Poetry
an Air Force childhood
searching for identity
1950s' life
told in fifty keen sonnets
to treasure, re-read, reflect
MM
August 2014: D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944 (YA) by Rick Atkinson, c2014
D-Day
battle theatre
liberation arriving
by sky and by sea
ferocious bravery &
heartbreaking realities
MM
July 2014: Frozen in Time: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff, c2013
Frozen in Time
perilous Greenland
flyers of the ice and snow
pure perseverance
remarkable bravery
Wow! What a great adventure!
MM
June 2014: Indian Creek Chronicles by Pete Fromm, c1993
Indian Creek Chronicles
winter wilderness
sharp observer of nature
becoming a man
experience solitude
adventure, wonder, and awe
MM
May 2014: Becoming Ben Franklin (YA) by Russell Freedman, c2013
Becoming Ben Franklin
dawn of a country
absolutely amazing
man of great wisdom
brief, enlightening timeline
a life to whom we owe much
MM
April 2014: Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas (YA) by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks, c2013
Primates
deep in the jungle
risking life for their research
collecting knowledge
clever compression of facts
inspired entertainment
MM
March 2014: Gun Control in the Third Reich by Stephen P. Halbrook, c2013
Gun Control in the Third Reich
hidden history
to be ignored at peril
pertinent today
thoroughly documented
scholarly, essential read
MM
February 2014: Words Wound: Delete Cyberbullying and Make Kindness Go Viral by Sameer Hinduja & Justin W. Patchin, c2013
Words Wound
online harassment
protect yourself and others
clear actions to take
great questions to think about
tips useful and true to teens
MM
January 2014: Quiet: The Power of the Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain, c2012
Quiet
the human psyche
quest to understand silence
how we think and work
balanced, intriguing insights
readable, empowering
MM
December 2013: Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family by Condoleezza Rice, c2010
Extraordinary, Ordinary People
roots deep in the south
rise above prejudices
her life growing up
autobiography paints
steadfast family portrait
MM
November 2013: Lincoln's Grave Robbers (Juv NF) by Steve Sheinkin, c2012
Lincoln's Grave Robbers
counterfeiting gangs
Coneys, Ropers, Shovers, Ghouls
ransom stolen corpse
wild true crime thriller tells of
Secret Service beginnings
MM
October 2013: Bomb: The Race To Build -- And Steal -- The World's Most Dangerous Weapon (YA) by Steve Sheinkin, c2012
Bomb
science amidst war
world dominance up for grabs
plotting, risks, deceit
complicated simply told
smooth as a suspense novel
MM
September 2013: Nothing Comes Easy: My Life in Football by Y.A. Tittle, with Kristine Setting Clark, c2009
Nothing Comes Easy
when football was tough
glorious, hard-hitting, true
a stellar career
catch a behind-the-scenes view
of NFL history
MM
August 2013: How They Croaked: The Awful Ends to the Awfully Famous (YA) by Georgia Bragg, c2011
How They Croaked
pre-medicine times
from young King Tut to Einstein
grim details defined
ugly messes, blood, and more . . .
you MUST have the guts for gore!
MM
July 2013: Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World (YA) by Sally M. Walker and Douglas W. Owsley, c2012
Their Skeletons Speak
North America
skeletons sparking debate
new revelations
fascinating science with
underlying mysteries
MM
June 2013: Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley, c2013
Relish
cooking, eating, life
recipes and zesty fun
food celebration
marvelously delightful
memoir through and through. Scrumptious!
MM
May 2013: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, c2005
The Glass Castle
nomadic childhood
eccentric, funny, and sad
complete poverty
engrossing and triumphant
readers left in wonderment
MM
April 2013: The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity (YA) by Elizabeth Rusch, c2012
The Mighty Mars Rovers
with awe and wonder
witness triumphs and defeats
in the water quest
you will find yourself rooting
for this great, spunky duo
MM
March 2013: Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art & Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer, c2011
Moonwalking With Einstein
workings of the brain
quest for memory's nature
mental athletics
quirky and informative
remarkable beyond doubt
MM
February 2013: The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder & the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale, c2008
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher
an English manor
a secretive family
a true crime unsolved
catch detective fever and
witness the birth of sleuthing
MM
January 2013: Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Horwitz, c2002
Blue Latitudes
Cook's lands then and now
brought to life, a life explored
via grand ventures
a clever jaunt across time
be prepared to be enthralled
MM
December 2012: Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield, c2010.
Just My Type
who knew? discover
fonts with personalities;
typography lore
you will never look at words
in print the same way again!
MM
November 2012: The Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Math From One to Infinity by Steven Strogatz, c2012
The Joy of X
an integer world
beautiful numbers amaze
mind stimulation
an awesome arithmetic
narrative -- no test -- just fun
MM
October 2012: The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis, c2010
The Big Short
black hole properties
unlikely heroes who see
the risks compounding
a business tale chronicled
clever and fascinating
MM