Category: Staff Picks

Checked In: A Davenport Public Library Podcast October Recap

- Brittany Leave a comment

In this blog post, I will give you helpful links to area resources, Library resources, and links to the books discussed in our October episode!


Interview with Sydney from Family Resources 

Beth, Brittany, and Stephanie welcomed Sydney from Family Resources back onto the podcast to raise awareness for Domestic Violence Prevention Month. To learn more about Family Resources, you can visit their website here!

 


Interview with Christina and Jessica from the Putnam Museum 

Beth and Brittany interviewed Christina and Jessica from the Putnam Museum and gained behind the scenes information about some of their favorite exhibits! Visit the Putnam for free by checking out a Community Experience Pass!

 


New Fiction and Nonfiction Titles Coming to Simply Held Patrons!

Simply Held is a service that automatically places holds on new titles for patrons participating in the program. Never worry about remembering when your favorite author comes out with a new title again! We have you covered! We also have a variety of theme options if you are looking to add a new author to your lineup! New titles coming to Simply Held in October are as follows:

New Fiction Titles:
Diverse Debuts: Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
Graphic Novel: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
Historical Fiction: The Unicorn Woman by Gayl Jones
International Fiction: Aednan by Linnea Axelsson 

New Nonfiction Titles:
Biographies: Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life by Eric Weiner
Cookbooks: The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes Enhanced With Mediterranean Flavors by Ymuna Jawad & Julia Clancy
Social Justice: Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau
True Crime: Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story by Max Marshall

 

New and Upcoming Mystery Titles

An exciting fall of new mystery releases is almost upon us!  There are some additions to some series favorites and some debuts as well.  Visit our website for a full list of reading recommendations, including the newest titles on our shelves. 

What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley   
The More the Terrier by David Rosenfelt  
The Grey Wolf  by Louise Penny
Killing Time by M. C. Beaton
A Messy Murder by Simon Brett
Brew Unto Others by Sandra Balzo

Celebrate Techies Day on October 3rd with our TechKnow Collection

The Library has a wide variety of Tech Know items available for check out! These items check out for one week and do not renew. Check out the wide variety of gadgets below that can be found at each location. Visit our LibGuide to learn more about our collection and how to access them!

What Our Hosts Read In September

Brittany’s Reads:
The Housekeeper’s Secret by Iona Grey narrated by Shakira Shute and Raphael Corkhill
Cross the Line by Simone Soltani
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen and narrated by Carolina Do and VyVy Nguyen 
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson and narrated by Marcella Cox
The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin
The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda and narrated by Rebekkah Ross 

 

 

Beth’s Reads:
The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Tumble by Celia C. Perez

Stephanie’s Reads:
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle, narrated by Julia Whelan
Weyward by Emilia Hart, narrated by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow
How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena, narrated by January LaVoy
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton, narrated by James Cameron Stewart
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney, narrated by Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine

If you would like to listen to our episode, it can be found wherever you get your podcasts. If you prefer listening on the web, it can be found here!

We love hearing from our listeners, please feel free to comment on this blog post, on our socials, or email us at checked.in@davenportlibrary.com.

New Gardening Books

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a newbie gardener, the Davenport Public Library has books for you! We have many new gardening books that have hit the new shelves recently. Below are a few of our newest ones. These books are all owned by the Davenport Public Library at the time of this writing. Descriptions have been provided by the publishers.

Container Gardening – The Permaculture Way: Sustainably Grow Vegetables and More in Your Small Space by Valery Tsimba

Anyone, anywhere can grow fresh, healthy produce, foster biodiversity, and reconnect with nature by using the permaculture approach—no matter your space or experience.

Permaculture—rooted in centuries-old techniques for growing food with care for the Earth—is the key to producing a bigger harvest than you ever thought possible on your balcony, patio, driveway, deck, and anywhere in between!

With sustainability as her guiding principle, Valéry Tsimba enthusiastically instructs home gardeners of all skill levels and backgrounds in her proven container gardening methods, from start to finish.

Containers make gardening more accessible for everyone. Whether you live in an apartment, have a disability or chronic illness, have never gardened before, or are an experienced gardener new to permaculture, Container Gardening—The Permaculture Way brings sustainable gardening within reach. – The Experiment Publishing

Shade Garden: Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success by Zia Allaway

Discover how to assess, grow, and maintain a shady garden.

Ideal for first-time gardeners, Grow Shade Garden contains everything you need to create a flourishing garden full of color, texture, and scent in a shady space. Learn how to grow and care for various shade-loving plants with tips on selecting the right site and varieties. Once you understand different types of shade and have assessed your space, select the best plants for your garden with the help of handy directories that profile different shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and trees and provide key growing information. Projects on tree planting, container displays, and creating a fernery also get you started on planting techniques and ideas to make the most of a shaded space.

Whether you are an avid gardener or want to create an easy-to-maintain garden, this book can guide you and answer important questions like how plants react to shade. And How do I check my soil and climate? – DK

How to Grow Flowers in Small Spaces: An Illustrated Guide to Planning, Planting, and Caring for Your Small Space Flower Garden by Stephanie Walker

Take your gardening to the next level…with flowers! After learning how to manage their houseplants and grow their own food, this highly stylized, fully illustrated, modern guidebook teaches reluctant green thumbs to brighten up their gardens with flowers.

Did you know that begonias can be dug up in the fall, stored indoors in the winter, and be ready to be planted and bloom again in the spring? That daylilies need to be divided every three to four years to produce more blooms? Or that marigolds can be both a beautiful and helpful addition to a vegetable garden as a natural deterrent to common garden pests?

Whether you’re a first-time gardener or an experienced green thumb looking to learn more about flowers, this book is your must-have guide! 

No more trips to the florist—with How to Grow Flowers in Small Spaces, your home and garden will be bursting with color to keep you healthier and happier than ever. From peonies and marigolds to snapdragons and foxgloves, grab your gloves and get to gardening! – Adams Media

The Container Garden Recipe Book: 57 Designs for Pots, Window Boxes, Hanging Baskets, and More by Lana Williams

Over 50 step-by-step recipes for stunning outdoor planters of all shapes and sizes, in Artisan’s bestselling flower recipe book format.

We’re taking the Recipe Book series outside! In the Container Garden Recipe Book, Lana Williams of the Oakland-based Tender Gardener offers readers dozens of step-by-step recipes for lush outdoor planters, from classic terra-cotta pots to window boxes, urns, bowls, and more. There are recipes specifically designed to adorn your porch or patio (a rustic birdcage-cum-hanging basket, a stately Japanese maple planted in a painted terra-cotta urn) and others that are perfect for backyard entertaining (an elegant tabletop trough of succulents, a concrete water garden that’s sure to be a conversation starter). And with Lana as their guide, readers’ yards will never be bare thanks to creative designs for all seasons, from urns bursting with spring bulbs to a summer trough brimming with fresh herbs and an heirloom pumpkin converted into the perfect home for fall blooms.

And recreating these stunning designs couldn’t be simpler! Each recipe includes a detailed ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, along with hundreds of photos showing where and how to place each plant. Also included is foundational information on planting techniques, care instructions, choosing the right container, as well as plant spotlights highlighting foolproof options for all climates and seasons, from spring bulbs to evergreens. – Artisan

The Propagation Handbook: A Guide to Propagating Houseplants by Hilton Carter

In The Propagation Handbook, plant stylist Hilton Carter reveals how to grow and increase your own plant family by propagating existing plants.

Not only a plant lover, Hilton is passionate about propagation, the process of growing a brand new healthy and happy plant from part of an existing one. In this, his fifth book, Hilton talks us through the process of propagation and explains all the necessary techniques, from the very simplest to more complex methods, such as air layering and grafting. He describes exactly which method to use for different types of plant, and lists the tools essential for the process. In Hilton’s own words: “You hear so much about plant ‘parenthood’, but knowing how to propagate and then watching as your little plant takes shape and develops into a full-grown plant is the very definition of this.” – CICO Books

The Fragrant Flower Garden: Growing, Arranging & Preserving Natural Scents by Stefani Bittner

Make your garden and home look and smell heavenly with this accessible gardening guide that explains how to grow fragrant flowers outdoors and bring natural scents indoors by creating floral arrangements, scented beauty products, and more.

There is nothing like the beauty and scent of a flower-filled garden and home. The Fragrant Flower Garden shows you how to grow flowers that are a feast for the nose as well as the eyes, from a naturally perfumed carpet of sweet alyssum and the warm, spicy scent of gardenia to the heavenly aroma of lilacs.

A beautiful garden is one where you can find joy in every sense—literally. The Fragrant Flower Garden makes this dream a reality with garden design guidance for a year’s worth of flowers, foliage, and fragrance. Then, reap the wellness benefits of your fragrant flowers through DIY projects such as making floral arrangements, perfumes, tub soaks, and tinctures.

Whether you prefer the smell of classic lavender or something more adventurous like chocolate cosmos, The Fragrant Flower Garden opens the door to creating a scented flower garden that is a delight for all. – Ten Speed Press

More New Gardening Books:

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Do you keep a list of what you’re reading? I do! When looking over my list recently, I noticed that it’s been a while since I read a psychological thriller. For my latest read, I turned to Shari Lapena, a psychological thriller writer, and her 2023 book, Everyone Here is Lying. This domestic suspense title is quickly paced, well-written, and ripe with suspicion. The author switches between multiple points-of-view which adds layers to this book, making readers unsure of who is actually telling the truth and what their true motivations are. While some parts of this book had me rolling my eyes, the twist caught me out of nowhere and I didn’t see the ending coming!

Stanhope is a safe neighborhood where nothing bad ever happens. Saying that practically guarantees that something bad is going to happen immediately and destroy many families. Well, the residents of Stanhope are about to have their worlds shattered on the afternoon of a normal Tuesday.

William Wooler is a stand-up guy. He’s a family man, a practicing doctor, but he’s also been having a torrid affair. Every Tuesday for months he’s been meeting his mistress at a motel in town. He thought they would leave their spouses and start a new life. Those plans are shattered when the affair ends horribly at the at motel. Left shattered and angry, William returns home, hoping for silence. His bad mood only worsens when he walks into the house to find his nine-year-old daughter Avery in the kitchen, sent home early from choir practice. Avery is difficult. Their conversation soon turns testy and William lashes out, losing his temper.

Flash forward a couple hours and Avery is declared missing. The community rallies around the Wooler family as they are united in grief over the missing Avery. When the detectives start poking around, they soon realize that Avery’s disappearance isn’t what they thought it was. William isn’t the only one lying. Others in their neighborhood are keeping secrets. When witnesses start coming forward, the detectives must wade through their stories to determine who is telling the truth. They all want the same thing after all. They all want to know who took Avery. They all want Avery to come home safely. Right?

As always, Lapena ends this book leaving you wanting more, yet sadly she writes standalone. You’ll have to come to your own conclusions about what happens to the characters after the book ends!

This title is also available in large print, CD audiobook, and Playaway audiobook.

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“We’re all monsters in the end. At least mine lives in the light.”
― Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Assistant to the Villain

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer is a laugh-out-loud, sarcasticly adorable read. Sunshine assistant starts working for grumpy evil villain. Hijinks and bumbling romance ensue.

Evie Sage needs a job. With a father sick with a mysterious illness and a young sister, it’s up to Evie to provide for their family. When she bumps into the Villain, Rennedawn’s most infamous and evil person, in the middle of the dark forest, she is surprised when he offers her employment as a way of thanking her for her assistance. Evie snatches up that job offer and starts working for the Villain immediately.

Normally she would be singing about her new job to everyone she meets, but given that she works for THE VILLAIN, Evie has to keep her employment a secret. Another issue: Evie has a crush on her boss. She can’t help that he’s incredibly hot. His temper and evilness are just screens to hide his true nature from everyone.

This isn’t a typical job. There are people being tortured in the dungeons, severed heads hanging from the ceiling, and a dragon being trained in the courtyard. Right when Evie has finally figured out a routine, she and the boss begin to suspect that there is a traitor in their midst. Tracking them down and stopping his plans to destroy the villain consume Evie and the Villain, bringing them closer together on their mission to destroy the traitor.

Assistant to the Villain was a delightfully quirky read. Conversations are witty, the characters are engaging, and the plot is fast paced. While I knew this book was a fantasy romance, I still found the romance to be unexpected. This is the beginning to a series and I have high hopes for the next books! I can’t wait to see how the characters grow and mature.

This title is also available in large print.

“There is so much that can be fixed by honesty, if you’re brave enough to use it.”
― Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Assistant to the Villain

October Picture Book Spotlight: Fall/Spooky

- Brittany Leave a comment

Welcome to spooky season everyone! This month, I will be sharing a variety of titles sure to delight all of our fall lovers!

Crankenstein by Samantha Berger illustrated by Dan Santat
A boy who looks ordinary transforms into grumbling Crankenstein when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or bedtime but everything changes when he meets a fellow Crankenstein. – provided by our catalog

 

 

 

Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach
Did you call for a truck full of ducks? Join the flock on this wacky call-and-response ride to find out just WHO did–and why. – provided by our catalog

 

 

Apple vs. Pumpkin by Jeffrey Burton illustrated by Lydia Jean
In the ultimate seasonal showdown, Apple and Pumpkin take turns making the case for which of them is the the favorite fall treat. -provided by our catalog

 

 

You’re My Little Cutie Pie by Nicola Edwards illustrated by Natalie Marshall
Cuddle up with your little cutie pie and share this festive Thanksgiving board book that’s part of the best-selling You’re My Little series. With cut-outs and raised elements, this hands-on book features rhyming text paired with adorable pumpkin pies, cranberries, turkeys, and more! – provided by our catalog

 

Autumn Babies by Kathryn O. Galbraith illustrated by Adela Pons
Young readers are invited to lift flaps to reveal such insects as ladybugs, caterpillars, ants, and bees. – provided by our catalog

 

 

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds illustrated by Peter Brown
The carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field are the fattest and crispiest around and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist pulling some to eat each time he passes by, until he begins hearing and seeing creepy carrots wherever he goes. – provided by our catalog

 

 

Animals in Fall by Martha E.H. Rustad
In fall, animals are busy getting ready for winter. See how hard they work to make sure they have enough food and shelter for the cold winter ahead. – provided by Goodreads

 

Hedgehugs: Autumn Hide-and-Squeak by Steve Wilson illustrated by Lucy Tapper
Hattie is unhappy that trees are losing their leaves, but Horace and a squeaky new friend show her how much fun autumn can be. – provided by our catalog

 

 

Have you read any of these titles? I would love to hear about what you thought of them in the comments!

October’s Simply Held Nonfiction Picks

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Four nonfiction picks are available for you to choose from: biographies, cookbooks, social justice, and true crime. Our nonfiction picks are chosen quarterly and are available in regular print only. If you would like to update your selections or are a new patron who wants to receive picks from any of those four categories, sign up for Simply Held through our website!

Below you will find information provided by the publishers and authors on the titles we have selected for October from the following categories: biographies, cookbooks, social justice, and true crime.

Biography pick

Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life by Eric Weiner

New York Times bestselling author Eric Weiner follows in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, mining his life for inspiring and practical lessons in a book that’s part biography, part travelogue, part personal prescription.

Ben Franklin lingers in our lives and in our imaginations. One of only two non-presidents to appear on US currency, Franklin was a founder, statesman, scientist, inventor, diplomat, publisher, humorist, and philosopher. He believed in the American experiment, but Ben Franklin’s greatest experiment was…Ben Franklin. In that spirit of betterment, Eric Weiner embarks on an ambitious quest to live the way Ben lived.

Not a conventional biography, Ben & Me is a guide to living and thinking well, as Ben Franklin did. It is also about curiosity, diligence, and, most of all, the elusive goal of self-improvement. As Weiner follows Franklin from Philadelphia to Paris, Boston to London, he attempts to uncover Ben’s life lessons, large and small. We learn how to improve a relationship with someone by inducing them to do a favor for you—a psychological phenomenon now known as The Ben Franklin Effect. We learn about the printing press (the Internet of its day), early medicine, diplomatic intrigue and, of course, electricity. And we learn about ethics, persuasion, humor, regret, appetite, and so much more.

At a time when history is either neglected or contested, Weiner argues we have much to learn from the past and that we’d all be better off if we acted and thought a bit more like Ben did, even if he didn’t always live up to his own high ideals. Engaging, smart, moving, quirky, Ben & Me distills the essence of Franklin’s ideas into grounded, practical wisdom for all of us. – Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster

Cookbook pick

The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes enhanced with Mediterranean flavors by Yumna Jawad

During her childhood in Lebanese communities in Sierra Leone and Michigan, Yumna Jawad grew up eating home-cooked meals and learned time-saving shortcuts from her mother to prepare traditional, Middle Eastern recipes. As an adult, she started her blog Feel Good Foodie to make healthy cooking easy and helped fuel the “Baked Feta Pasta” trend that took over the internet. Now, in her first cookbook, she shares many more unfussy, healthy meals that are enhanced by Middle Eastern flavors.

These recipes will teach you exactly what her mom taught her: how to build savvy kitchen know-how that gives you the confidence to cook consistently for yourself and others. Be inspired by White Zucchini Pizza with Garlicky Labneh, Tomato Rice Pilaf, Harissa-Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Seven Spice Roast Chicken & Pomegranate Potatoes, Tahini-Glazed Cauliflower, perfect Crispy Falafel, Three-Ingredient Mango Sorbet, Zaatar Manakeesh, and Olive Oil Cake, which you can enjoy alongside bright green Mint-Basil Lemonade or a homemade Rose Latte.

Jawad loves simple ingredients, fresh flavors, and finding the balance between tradition and a little innovation. But, more than anything, she loves food that makes you exclaim this phrase after one bite: “So good!” – Rodale Books

Social Justice pick

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau

An approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) and how you can help make the world a more inclusive place

People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, an estimated 15 percent of the global population. But many of us—disabled and nondisabled alike—don’t know how to act, what to say, or how to be an ally to the disability community. What are the appropriate ways to think, talk, and ask about disability? Demystifying Disability is a friendly handbook on the important disability issues you need to know about, including:

  • Recognizing and avoiding ableism (discrimination toward disabled people)
  • Practicing good disability etiquette
  • Ensuring accessibility becomes your standard practice, from everyday communication to planning special events
  • Appreciating disability history and identity
  • Identifying and speaking up about disability stereotypes in media

Authored by celebrated disability rights advocate, speaker, and writer Emily Ladau, this practical, intersectional guide offers all readers a welcoming place to understand disability as part of the human experience. – Ten Speed Press

True Crime pick

Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story by Max Marshall

A brilliant young investigative journalist traces a murder and a multi-million-dollar drug ring, leading to an unprecedented look at elite American fraternity life.

When Max Marshall arrived on the campus of the College of Charleston in 2018, he hoped to investigate a small-time fraternity Xanax trafficking ring. Instead, he found a homicide, several student deaths, and millions of dollars circulating around the Deep South. He also opened up an elite world hidden to outsiders. Behind the pop culture cliches of “Greek life” lies one of the major breeding grounds of American power: 80 percent of Fortune 500 executives, 85 percent of Supreme Court justices, and all but four presidents since 1825 have been fraternity members. With unprecedented immersion, this book takes readers inside that bubble.

Under the live oaks and Spanish moss of Travel + Leisure’s “Most Beautiful Campus in America,” Marshall traces several “C of C” boys’ journeys from fraternity pledges to interstate drug traffickers. The result is a true-life story of hubris, status, money, drugs, and murder—one that lifts a curtain on an ecstatic and disturbing way of life. With expert pacing and a cool eye, he follows a never-ending party that continues after funerals and mass arrests.

An addictive and haunting portrait of tomorrow’s American establishment, Among the Bros is nonfiction storytelling at its finest. – Harper

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The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

- Stephanie Leave a comment

My latest read is a continuation of my favorite young adult series of all time. The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the first in a new series of the same name. This series takes place in the world of the Inheritance Games series written by the same author. If you want to avoid spoilers, make sure to read the Inheritance Games series first – at least through book 3, The Final Gambit, where the Grandest Game competition is announced. (Confused? Scroll to the bottom of this blog for a list of both series!) Let’s get into the book.

Ok! It’s time for the Grandest Game! This annual competition was started by billionaire heiress Avery Grambs and the four Hawthorne brothers. Why are they doing this? Well Avery inherited the Hawthorne family fortune out of nowhere and honestly it doesn’t feel right to her to keep it all. As a way to give anyone and everyone a shot at winning fame and fortune, they have designed the Grandest Game! The competition this year requires participants to claim one of seven golden tickets – some people find the tickets, while others are hand-chosen by Avery. What do you get when you win? Millions of dollars (and maybe something else).

All seven players have different motivations for competing and are committed to doing whatever it takes to win. What they don’t know is that Avery and the Hawthorne brothers aren’t going to make this easy. Where’s the fun in that? The challenges they have concocted are designed to push each player to their limits. The players may have secrets, but Avery and the Hawthorne brothers know all and aren’t afraid to use that to their advantage. The longer the games advance though, the more it becomes apparent that someone is cheating and working outside the prescribed rules. With their lives on the line, each player must ask themselves if they are willing to risk it all.

This title is also available in large print.

Inheritance Games series

  1. The Inheritance Games (2020)
  2. The Hawthorne Legacy (2021)
  3. The Final Gambit (2022)
  4. The Brothers Hawthorne (2023)
  5. Games Untold (2024)

Grandest Game series

  1. The Grandest Game (2024)
  2. Glorious Rivals (2025)

The Fiancee by Kate White

- Michelle Leave a comment

Summer is thrilled to be joining her extended family on their weeklong get together held at her in-law’s palatial summer estate in Kate White’s psychological thriller The Fiancée.  The gathering is an annual event where Summer, her husband, Gabe, her young stepson, Henry and all of Gabe’s siblings and their wives leisurely lounge around the pool and spend their days relaxing in nature.  But this year is slightly different when one of Gabe’s younger brothers, Nick, brings along his latest girlfriend, Hannah.  She charms everyone in attendance but Summer realizes that the two have met a year before at an audition for an off-Broadway theater production where Hannah ultimately won the role.  The funny thing is that Hannah acts as if she has never met Summer before and denies being at the audition, even though Summer knows it to be true.

During the week, Summer is convinced that something is not right with Nick’s new girlfriend when other odd instances occur.  She reaches out to a close friend who is also an actor and he agrees that Hannah was at the audition.  He is also aware of a scandal during the production that casts Hannah in a unfavorable light.  To complicate things, Nick has asked Hannah to marry him in front of the entire family.  More determined than ever to find out the truth and warn her brother in law, Summer confides in other family members who have a hard time believing her tall tales.   Gabe stands firm and tells Summer that she is letting her imagination run wild.  On the heels of her suspicions, an unexpected death shocks everyone.  Even though most signs point to natural circumstances, Summer is convinced that she knows the culprit and she hopes that she can expose the truth before another family member falls victim to a possible killer.

As usual, Kate White does not disappoint.  When I started reading psychological fiction more than a decade ago, Kate White was one of the first authors I discovered.  I began with her Bailey Wiggins mystery series and added the author to my must read list.  Over the last handful of years many of her thrillers have been stand alone titles and are just as complex and inventive as her earlier series.  If you are looking to add psychological thrillers to your reading list, I recommend any title by Kate White!

 

 

Men Have Called her Crazy

- Bill Leave a comment

Plain-spoken and raw, Anna Marie Tendler bears all in this vulnerable biography.   In short, it covers *most of* her male relationships from pre-teen to present.  They all shape her, the artist, as a single cumulative work – even the ones that are hurtful, traumatic or unfair.  If you’re tuning in like I did in hopes of salacious details on recent ex-husband John Mulaney, you will find nothing here.  Every other dude she crossed paths with, affirmative.  But not one iota about Baby J.  And that’s more than fine.  If the best revenge is “living well”, then this radio silence is a dish served ice-cold.

Confession:  Somehow I could handle the mental health breakdown, suicidal ideation, and the loss of will to live.  But I had to bail at the end of the book when her fur child, Petunia, crossed the rainbow bridge.  May you be stronger.  Incidentally, Petunia was her sole recorded reason to live during inpatient hospitalization.

As evidenced by her leaps and bounds, Tendler clearly draws from a deep well of multidisciplinary artistic talent. And, as it turns out, she’s great at audiobook narration.  However, she portrays her employment story arc as that of an itinerant chimney sweep of a creative.  One minute she’s a struggling art student, the next doing makeup and hair in Hollywood.  Then she’s setting records at art shows — the medium, photography.  The current (and lucrative) endeavor is custom-crafted Victorian lampshades.  Methinks she’s more humble than merely failing upwards.

 

Oprah’s Latest Book Club Pick: From Here to the Great Unknown

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Join Simply Held to have certain celebrity book club picks automatically put on hold for you: Reese Witherspoon, Jenna Bush Hager, and Oprah Winfrey. While Reese and Jenna generally announce a new title each month, Oprah’s selections are more sporadic. Reminder that if you join Simply Held, you can choose to have these titles automatically put on hold for you.

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Oprah Winfrey latest selection is From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough.

Curious what From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir is about? Check out the following description provided by the publisher.

Born to an American myth and raised in the wilds of Graceland, Lisa Marie Presley tells her whole story for the first time in this raw, riveting, one-of-a-kind memoir faithfully completed by her daughter, Riley Keough.

In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter to help finally finish her long-gestating memoir.

A month later, Lisa Marie was dead, and the world would never know her story in her own words, never know the passionate, joyful, caring, and complicated woman that Riley loved and now grieved.

Riley got the tapes that her mother had recorded for the book, lay in her bed, and listened as Lisa Marie told story after story about smashing golf carts together in the yards of Graceland, about the unconditional love she felt from her father, about being upstairs, just the two of them. About getting dragged screaming out of the bathroom as she ran toward his body on the floor. About living in Los Angeles with her mother, getting sent to school after school, always kicked out, always in trouble. About her singular, lifelong relationship with Danny Keough, about being married to Michael Jackson, what they had in common. About motherhood. About deep addiction. About ever-present grief. Riley knew she had to fulfill her mother’s wish to reveal these memories, incandescent and painful, to the world.

To make her mother known.

This extraordinary book is written in both Lisa Marie’s and Riley’s voices, a mother and daughter communicating—from this world to the one beyond—as they try to heal each other. Profoundly moving and deeply revealing, From Here to the Great Unknown is a book like no other—the last words of the only child of an American icon. – Random House

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