New Sports and Recreation Books

- Stephanie Leave a comment

The ‘Sports and Recreation’ section in nonfiction covers a wide variety of topics ranging from football to hiking to puzzles. Here we have a list of new sports and recreation books that have just hit the new shelves at the Davenport Public Library! Stop by our locations today and find more books on this topic!

These titles are owned by the Davenport Public Library at the time of this writing. Descriptions are provided by the publisher.

Drive: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods by Bob Harig

Bob Harig’s latest deep-dive into Tiger Woods’ thrilling career, as seen through his iconic 2019 Masters comeback and win.

In April of 1997, the world of golf was forever changed. At the age of 21, a young Tiger Woods won the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, the Masters, by a record of 12 strokes. Woods became the youngest golfer ever to win the Masters and the first African or Asian-American player to win a major. History had been made – and would continue to be made over the next 15 years.

Woods transformed the game, turning golf geeks into keen observers, casual golf fans into ardent followers and even indifferent sports fans into curiosity mavens. He will undoubtedly be known for the raw numbers: 82 PGA Tour titles, 15 major championships, and according to Forbes, a billionaire who amassed more than $110-million in official PGA Tour earnings. Woods has proven to be a complicated figure through his decades in the spotlight. Plagued by marital scandal, a DUI arrest, and severe back injuries that resulted in what even he believed would be a career-ending spinal fusion surgery in 2017, Woods’ career finally seemed to be coming to an end. That all changed through 2018 and into 2019 as Woods returned slowly from the surgery. In 2019, on the same course where he won for the first time in 1997, Tiger Woods made history once again, winning the Masters one final time. The 2019 Masters brought together all the qualities that ultimately make up someone who has been an enduring figure for 30 years.

In this captivating and emotional portrait of one of the most famous figures in sports, Bob Harig brings readers the true story of the grit and perseverance of Tiger Woods in the final years of his career. Drive will show that Woods’ true legacy is one of resolve and redemption. – St. Martin’s Press

The Price: What It Takes to Win in College Football’s Era of Chaos by Armen Keteyian

Two of the nation’s most respected sports journalists team up for a vital, hard-hitting investigation into the tumultuous state of big-time college football.

We are living in the Wild West of college sports. Name, Image and Likeness endorsements, the transfer portal, collectives, conference realignment, the powerful influence of media companies have all rendered the notion of amateur athletics a quaint relic of the past, replaced by a Brave New World where money and self-interest rule.

The Price is a sweeping, in-depth, thought-provoking look at an inflection point in big-time college football. Six time New York Times bestselling author Armen Keteyian and award-winning national college football reporter John Talty conducted more than two hundred wide-ranging interviews with head coaches, athletic directors, conference commissioners, administrators, politicians, power brokers, agents and media executives from one corner of the sport to the other. They reveal never-before-reported details on major players such as Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh, Kirby Smart, Jimbo Fisher, and Lane Kiffin. Keteyian and Talty’s reporting also lays bare the machinations that destroyed the historic conference that was the Pac-12, purely in the name of greed.

As the sport’s premier coaches race for the exits, Keteyian and Talty reveal deep, dark truths about a beloved game under siege—and the financial, physical, emotional and psychological toll taken on everyone whose dreams and fortunes often depend on the final score on a Saturday afternoon. – Harper

The Riddles of the Sphinx: Inheriting the Feminist History of the Crossword Puzzle by Anna Shechtman

Combining the soul-baring confessional of Brain on Fire and the addictive storytelling of The Queen’s Gambit, a renowned puzzle creator’s compulsively readable memoir and history of the crossword puzzle as an unexpected site of women’s work and feminist protest.

The indisputable “queen of crosswords,” Anna Shechtman published her first New York Times puzzle at age nineteen, and later, helped to spearhead the The New Yorker’s popular crossword section. Working with a medium often criticized as exclusionary, elitist, and out-of-touch, Anna is one of very few women in the field of puzzle making, where she strives to make the everyday diversion more diverse.

In this fascinating work—part memoir, part cultural analysis—she excavates the hidden history of the crossword and the overlooked women who have been central to its creation and evolution, from the “Crossword Craze” of the 1920s to the role of digital technology today. As she tells the story of her own experience in the CrossWorld, she analyzes the roles assigned to women in American culture, the boxes they’ve been allowed to fill, and the ways that they’ve used puzzles to negotiate the constraints and play of desire under patriarchy.

The result is an unforgettable and engrossing work of art, a loving and revealing homage to one of our most treasured, entertaining, and ultimately political pastimes. – HarperOne

Thruhikers: A Guide to Life on the Trail by Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger

Explore the outdoors in a whole new way with this comprehensive guide to hiking, camping, and backpacking, from @thruhikers Renee and Tim

Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger, also known as @thruhikers, share their experiences exploring the outdoors—hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and camping—with millions of people. They break down every aspect of their adventures—trail routes, gear, recipes, and more—and share stories from their time out on the trail.

Their first book is packed with advice, techniques, gear recommendations, and troubleshooting tips for beginner and experienced outdoorsy people alike. They take you through the entire experience: before the trail, on the trail, and after the trail. Plus, they include over 20 plant-based dehydrated recipes, like Curry Rice and Cold-Soaked Shepherd’s Pie, to bring on your adventures.

Learn how to plan your trip, pack your gear, deal with animals and leave no trace, eat and drink safely, avoid and care for injuries, pass the time, navigate all types of weather, get over the post-trail blues, and more. With this guide, you’ll be prepared for anything. – DK

Wild Wisdom: Primal Skills to Survive in Nature by Donny Dust

Survive anything nature throws your way with these survival tips and wilderness philosophy from renowned outdoorsman and now beloved TikTok star Donny Dust.

Donny Dust is a US Marine Corps veteran who now owns and operates Colorado’s premier survival and wilderness self-reliance school. He’s amassed two decades worth of primitive living skills everywhere from the jungles of Asia to the mountains of North America. He’s appeared on reality TV series like History Channel’s Alone and hosted USA Channel’s Mud, Sweat & Beards. Now, Donny brings all he’s learned to Wild Wisdom. He teaches you how to be more observant to help avoid danger, problem-solve, prioritize finding shelter, and to be flexible and creative when you need the right supplies for a task. He also focuses on essential gear, sheltering, building fire, staying hydrated, food, foraging, and trapping. Beautiful and instructive illustrations throughout make this is must-carry for anyone venturing into nature.

Millions of people now follow Donny Dust on TikTok to watch him craft objects from nothing but what he finds in the wilderness. Even the tools he uses to do the crafting are made from scratch, whether it’s a saw, chisel, hammer, or cordage. He’s made bows, arrows, axes, rope, sandals, backpacks, bowls, swords, and of course, fire—lots of fire—but Wild Wisdom offers so much more. Written by one of the country’s foremost experts, it’s a book for almost anyone, whether you’re a longtime outdoorsperson hoping to hone your skills and deepen your appreciation and understanding of the wilderness, or a newcomer looking to take your first adventures in nature. – S&S / Simon Element

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

- Stephanie Leave a comment

What would you be willing to sacrifice to become a writer? Sulari Gentill explores this question in her latest novel, The Mystery Writer.

Theodosia Benton is in crisis. She doesn’t want to be in law school anymore, so she drops out, flees Australia, and ends up on the doorstep of her older brother Gus, a practicing lawyer in Lawrence, Kansas. She expects Gus to be disappointed, to try to talk her out of her decision, and to tell their parents on her, especially when he finds out that she wants to be an author. Instead, Gus welcomes her into his home, helps her establish a routine, and supports her on her journey to be a writer.

Theo spends her days writing at a pub, finding solace amongst other writers and working hard on her first novel. She finds a mentor who gives her tips and advice on her book. When her mentor is brutally murdered, Theo finds herself drawn into a underground world full of people who aren’t what they say they are and who are willing to do whatever it takes to find the truth. Theo wants answers, but when the police focus in on her brother and his partner as their prime suspects, she must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to save them all. The race to the truth will take years.

This story had me captured from the start. There’s murder, conspiracy theories, disappearances, doomsday preppers, lawyers, writers, and shady people galore throughout this book. As a true crime lover, I also love conspiracy theories and this book is full of all different kinds. This book goes off the rails and I loved it. The mixed media elements in the book added to the chaos and helped add context to the plot. The characters were off-kilter, yet lovable, and the conspiracy theories were based enough in reality that I could picture this happening in real life. I can’t wait for the author’s next book.

Advice on maximizing outdoor play can be found in these books

- Beth Leave a comment

There is still time to enjoy the great outdoors before summer ends. Even when the seasons change you can still spend time with your family in nature. If you are looking for a little guidance on playing with your kids outdoors, the Literacy and Learning Collection can help. (Descriptions from the publishers)

Finding ecohappiness : fun nature activities to help your kids feel happier and calmer by Sandi Schwartz – Raise calmer, happier, healthier children with these fun, hands-on nature activities for parents and kids to enjoy together. What we all suspected intuitively for generations, science has now confirmed: spending time connecting to nature is a safe, effective tool to help improve our health and happiness. In Finding Ecohappiness, author Sandi Schwartz guides families in building regular habits of experiencing nature to reduce stress and boost mood. She explores key positive psychology tools from a nature-loving perspective. You will learn some simple, practical tips for incorporating these tools — awe and gratitude, mindfulness, creative arts, outdoor play and adventure, volunteering, food, and animals — into your daily routine to help your children thrive and live a happy, balanced life.

Young adventurers : outdoor activities in nature by Susie Rae – Outdoor activities are fun, exciting, and can be found right around the corner! Get outside and ride a bike, climb a mountain, or spot wildlife and go camping. Whether in the local park, your backyard, or amongst the trees in a nature preserve — the great outdoors is the place to be! Young Adventurers energizes children to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors, engage with their surroundings, find new friends and gain confidence through important experiences, while learning to appreciate the wonders of nature.

Balanced and barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom –Today’s kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. But more and more, studies show that children need “rough and tumble” outdoor play in order to develop their sensory, motor, and executive functions. In this important book, a pediatric occupational therapist explains why unrestrained movement and outdoor play are vital for children’s cognitive development, and offers fun, engaging activities to help ensure that kids grow into healthy, balanced, and resilient adults. Available in print or as audio book on CD.

Play the Forest School Way by Peter Houghton and A Year of Forest School by Jane Worroll – The rise of the Forest School movement in recent years is part of a groundswell of concern about the wellbeing of our children, with many media scare stories about child obesity, ‘nature deficit disorder’ and lack of exposure to risk. These books bring the activities and ‘learning through nature’ ethos of Forest School to the parents of nursery and primary school-age children. Both are packed full of ideas and celebrate the Forest School philosophy of encouraging self-esteem, confidence and social skills through engagement with nature.

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“Maybe that’s the definition of nostalgia: getting sappy about things that are supposed to be insignificant.”
― Rachel Lynn Solomon, Today Tonight Tomorrow

Rowan Roth and Neil McNair have been rivals for all of high school. They competed on tests, elections, anything and everything. With only one day left of their senior year, they have a limited number of competitions left. Rowan would love to beat Neil, conquer high school, and set herself up for college with the prize money.

After they learn who is valedictorian, Rowan and Neil have one more chance to compete against each other. They have Howl, a senior class scavenger hunt that takes them all over Seattle looking for clues. Rowan is going to decimate Neil and win! When she learns that there are a group of seniors who want to take down both of them during Howl, Rowan and Neil decide to team up to survive, at least until it’s just the two of them left.

Even though Rowan and Neil have been competing all high school, they have never really talked. Their forced proximity during Howl means they spend more time together and learn new things about each other. Rowan learns that Neil is way more than the linguistics awkward person she thought. She also shares her love of romance novels and that she wants to write them as a career (well she already is writing one…). As Rowan and Neil run around Seattle, Rowan realizes that Neil isn’t as bad as she thinks. In fact, he could be the person of her dreams, not the rival of her life. One day could change their lives forever.

This title is also available in CD audiobook.

The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger

- Michelle Leave a comment

The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger is a suspenseful and unsettling psychological thriller that is peppered with elements of the paranormal! Newly married couple Rosie and Chad have spent much of their married life just scraping by while caretaking for Chad’s elderly uncle who is suffering from a terminal illness.  Chad has been patiently waiting for his big break as a struggling actor and Rosie is a new best selling author whose first true-crime book was a hit.  While taking care of Ivan, Rosie gets an idea to write a book about the history of his building, The Windemere, and all of the scandals that have taken place over the years.  The building has a storied history with murders, suicides and other tragedies altering the lives of its residents.

After Ivan’s passing the couple is shocked to learn that Ivan has left the apartment to the couple and it is estimated to be worth millions.  Equally shocking is that Ivan bypassed his own daughter, Dana, who he hadn’t spoken to in over a decade.  When Dana find out that her cousin and his wife are the beneficiaries of Ivan’s estate, tensions escalate and she threatens to sue Chad and Rosie.  Still in surprise and shock, Rosie and Chad move into their inherited home and are welcomed by the other residents, an eccentric and odd mix of people who have lived in the building for decades but never seem to age.

While settling into the apartment, strange things start to occur that put Rosie on edge.  The building’s doorman seems to have access to all the residents comings and goings and is available by intercom within each apartment.  Why does he have access to cameras throughout the building seemingly at all times?  Things don’t get much better for Rosie when she swears she sees spirits in the basement of The Windemere.   These ghostly apparitions, along with two suspicious deaths and the disappearances of two people close to her, make Rosie doubt what is and isn’t true and makes her wonder if the building is hiding something sinister.

Lisa Unger has crafted an unnerving thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with alternating chapters toggling between past and present.  Add the supernatural element and The New Couple in 5B is highly recommended if you are a fan of psychological thrillers!

QCL July Wrap-Up

- Brittany Leave a comment

In July, Morgan and I read The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis to celebrate Cheer Up the Lonely Day on July 11th. Below is a short synopsis of the book and what I thought of it! 

Ashlyn operates a used book shop in New Hampshire. Ashlyn has a special ability to sense the echo of the previous owners of the books in her store. When a mysterious beautifully bound book, with no author or publisher listed, lands in Ashlyn’s hands and later a companion, she becomes entranced by the books and must find out where they came from.

This beautiful book told in 3 points of view was exactly what I needed! I don’t want to give too much away so I am going to leave it there!

Morgan and I have a very exciting lineup of book options for August, below are our 4 options including our winning title! Feel free to check them out from Davenport Public Library! 

*QCL August Read!* Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino (In Honor of Family Fun Month)  

“When Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in front of the whole congregation, her parents ship her off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer. If anyone can save their daughter’s reputation, it’s Philadelphia’s strict premier matchmaker. Either that or Marilyn can kiss college goodbye. To Marilyn’s surprise, Ada’s not the humorless septuagenarian her mother described. Not with that platinum-blonde hair, Hermès scarf, and Cadillac convertible. She’s sharp, straight-talking, takes her job very seriously, and abides by her own rules…mostly. As the summer unfolds, Ada and Marilyn head for the Jersey shore, where Marilyn helps Ada scope out eligible matches–for anyone but Marilyn, that is. Because if there’s one thing Marilyn’s learned from Ada, it’s that she doesn’t have to settle. With the school year quickly approaching and her father threatening to disinherit her, Marilyn must make her choice for her future: return to the comfortable life she knows or embrace a risky, unknown path on her own.” – provided by our catalog 

Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke (In Honor of National Vinyl Record Day on August 12th) 

“When Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie put all their beans in one basket to open Sip & Spin Records, a record-slash-coffee shop in Cedar River, Texas, they knew there could be some scratches on the track, but no one was expecting to find a body deader than disco in the supply closet. Family is everything to the Jessups, so when their uncle is arrested by Juni’s heartbreaking ex on suspicion of murder, the sisters don’t skip a beat putting Sip & Spin up for bail collateral. But their tune changes abruptly when Uncle Calvin disappears, leaving them in a grind. With their uncle’s freedom and the future of their small business on the line, it’s up to Juni and her sisters to get in the groove and figure out whodunit before the killer’s trail–and the coffee–goes cold. Music and mocha seem like a blend that should be “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” but caught up in a murder investigation with her family and their life savings on the line, Juni wonders if she might be on the “Highway to Hell” instead”- provided by our catalog 

 

She’s Up to No Good by Sara Goodman Confino (In Honor of Senior Citizen’s Day on August 21st) 

“For two women generations apart, going home will change their lives. Four years into her marriage, Jenna is blindsided when her husband asks for a divorce. With time on her hands and her life in flux, she agrees to accompany her eccentric grandmother Evelyn on a road trip to the seaside Massachusetts town where much of their family history was shaped. When they hit the road, Evelyn spins the tale of the star-crossed teenage romance that captured her heart more than seventy years ago and changed the course of her life. She insists the return to her hometown isn’t about that at all–no matter how much she talks about Tony, her unforgettable and forbidden first love. Upon arrival, Jenna meets Tony’s attentive great-nephew Joe. The new friendship and fresh ocean air give her the confidence and distance she needs to begin putting the pain of a broken marriage behind her. As the secrets and truths of Evelyn’s past unfold, Jenna discovers a new side of her grandmother, and of herself, that she never knew existed–and learns that the possibilities for healing can come at the most unexpected times in a woman’s life.” – provided by our catalog

Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio (In Honor of National Beach Day on August 30th)  

Looking for a change, Orie Lennox unwittingly joins the cast of an experimental romantic reality show on a South Pacific island, where her high school crush is also a contestant, leading to a mix of surprising alliances and blossoming relationships. – provided by our catalog 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in any of these titles, or have read them, I want to talk about them! Please consider leaving a comment!  

Want to converse with other QCL Book Club followers? Consider joining our Goodreads Group!  

You can also access our recorded interviews by visiting the QCL Book Club Page! 

While Idaho Slept

- Bill Leave a comment

It was your typical bucolic Sunday off the rural small town campus as local police stretched caution tape around a crime scene so sinister it would captivate global attention — a grisly and senseless crime of rage still lacking in reasonable motive.  Police arrested serial killer fanboy Bryan Kohberger six weeks later at his parents’ home on the other side of the country.  Investigators linked Kohberger to the crime scene with surveillance videos, cellphone data, and damning DNA evidence.   A couple years later, there is still no logical motive or psychological workup on the alleged killer.  As such, the vast majority of While Idaho Slept is the lives of the victims and their families.

If you’re looking for new insights about this case before it undoubtedly becomes a Netflix series starring Glenn Howerton from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, this is not the book for you.  However, there are a few revelations to impart before we portray Bryan Kohberger as a bargain-basement Hannibal Lecter.  In stark contrast to his beanpole mugshot, Kohberger’s weight topped 300 pounds in high school.  That is, before he took a few gap years to become a heroin addict.  He was still profoundly frustrated with women, no doubt due in part to his social detachment.

Pseudo-authority as a doctoral student in Criminology didn’t assuage those feelings of inadequacy.  In fact, Washington State University was in the process of terminating Bryan from his graduate assistant position for repeated raging at his faculty advisor.  Maybe hamhandedly committing a crime at a different University against the brand of pretty girls who wouldn’t speak to him would provide needed self-validation?  At least then one could inject oneself into the web discussion surrounding the case and play know-it-all.

At the time of his 1:30am arrest, authorities discovered Kohberger wearing latex gloves in the kitchen and placing trash in Ziploc bags. Evidence isn’t looking so circumstantial.  And that’s where things stand as of this pre-trial publication.  Will this be the last professionally-written book on this case?  No, but it was one of the first and best so far.  That’s a nice place to be in if Kohberger pleas out a la Golden State Killer.  But, unfortunately for the taxpayers of Idaho, he probably fancies himself a brilliant legal mind as well.

Red Harvest: A Graphic Novel of the Terror Famine in 1930s Soviet Ukraine by Michael Cherkas

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Have you checked out our new shelves lately? If not, you’re missing out! A bunch of new graphic novels have just hit the shelves! I cannot wait to read the stack of new nonfiction ones on my desk. My newest nonfiction graphic novel read is heavy: Red Harvest: A Graphic Novel of the Terror Famine in 1930s Soviet Ukraine by Michael Cherkas.

Holodomor. Before reading Red Harvest, I had no idea what this was. This terror famine was incited when Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin brought war to the Soviet peasantry. Holodomor, the Ukrainian famine, killed at least four million Ukrainians during the fall and winter of 1932-1933. The ruling Communist Party with Stalin’s directives brought forced large-scale collectivization of individual farms and farmers to the Soviet Ukraine and other parts of the Soviet Union. Red Harvest focuses on events that happened in these places between 1929-1933, specifically focusing on Mykola Kovalenko and his family. Mykola was the only member of his family to survive the famine. The horrors of what happened to his family and fellow villagers are laid bare for readers to see.

Red Harvest by Michael Cherkas is heartbreaking. The author’s decision to focus on Mykola Kovalenko, a Ukranian immigrant to Canada, and his family brings into focus the true terror this famine brought to millions of people in such a short amount of time. Mykola tells his story through a series of flashbacks as he prepares to visit the Ukraine for the first time in decades. I highly recommend you read this graphic nonfiction and then do more research on the Holodomor as their stories should never be forgotten.

HAWAI’I – U.S. STATE OR SOVEREIGN KINGDOM?

- Jill Leave a comment

As Hawai’i nears its 65th anniversary of statehood this third week of August, controversy continues among its citizens as to whether the statehood of the once sovereign kingdom should be “celebrated” at all. Most native Hawaiians still look to Queen Lili`uokalani as a heroine. She was the first and only reigning Hawaiian queen and last of the Hawaiian sovereigns to govern the islands. She never surrendered to the U.S. military-backed coup that deposed her in 1893 and formed a provisional government.  As leader of the “Stand Firm” (Oni pa’a) movement, Queen Lili`uokalani fought steadfastly against the U.S. annexation of Hawai’i. The queen finally gave way to arguments, demands, and pressure and signed a formal abdication in 1895, but only to save the lives of her people as she continued to appeal to U.S. President Grover Cleveland for reinstatement, without success.

However, the hope of once again becoming a sovereign kingdom still lives on in the hearts of many Native Hawaiians. This hope and renewed determination was bolstered by the Apology Resolution passed by Congress in 1993 that acknowledged the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai’i and recognized the subsequent suppression of the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people and the violation of their right to self-determination. Rooted in this resolution, a movement began with the establishment of the Nation of Hawai’i organization. The Nation of Hawai’i continues to work toward the restoration and preservation of the Hawaiian culture and reaffirms the right of the Hawaiian people to self-determination and self-governance.

Despite the controversy regarding Hawai’i as a state, everyone can agree that Hawai’i is a beautiful place to be treasured. If you can’t experience the lush, tropical landscapes in person, let one of these books transport you to the Hawaiian Islands through its story. Whether it is drama, intrigue, superstition, or murder, one of these novels will have an engaging story for you that is set in current times with a Hawaiian backdrop for you to immerse in:

Death in Hilo by Eric Redman
The Fire Thief by Debra Bokur
Valley of Refuge by John Teschner
Hokuloa Road by Elizabeth Hand
Iced in Paradise by Naomi Hirahara

If historical fiction is of more interest to you, check-out one of these titles and be transported back in time to the Hawai’i of an era gone by:

   

The Lieutenant’s Nurse by Sara Ackerman
Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert
Red Sky Over Hawai’i by Sara Ackerman

Or, read about the tenacity and courage of Queen Lili`uokalani in this non-fiction work:

Original Sisters : Portraits of Tenacity and Courage by Anita Kunz

August’s Celebrity Book Club Books

- Stephanie Leave a comment

It’s a new month which means that Jenna Bush Hager and Reese Witherspoon have picked new books for their book clubs! Reminder that if you join Simply Held, you can choose to have their selections automatically put on hold for you.

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Jenna Bush Hager has selected The Wedding People by Alison Espach for her August pick.

Curious what The Wedding People is about? Check out the following description provided by the publisher.

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew.

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe’s plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.

In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us. – Henry Holt and Co.

This title is also available in large print.

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Reese Witherspoon has selected Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell for her August pick.

Curious what Slow Dance is about? Check out the following description provided by the publisher.

Back in high school, everybody thought Shiloh and Cary would end up together . . . everybody but Shiloh and Cary.

They were just friends. Best friends. Allies. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They were both going to get out of north Omaha—Shiloh would go to go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change.

Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed.

Now Shiloh’s thirty-three, and it’s been fourteen years since she talked to Cary. She’s been married and divorced. She has two kids. And she’s back living in the same house she grew up in. Her life is nothing like she planned.

When she’s invited to an old friend’s wedding, all Shiloh can think about is whether Cary will be there—and whether she hopes he will be. Would Cary even want to talk to her? After everything?

The answer is yes. And yes. And yes.

Slow Dance is the story of two kids who fell in love before they knew enough about love to recognize it. Two friends who lost everything. Two adults who just feel lost.

It’s the story of Shiloh and Cary, who everyone thought would end up together, trying to find their way back to the start. – William Morrow

Join Simply Held to have Oprah, Jenna, and Reese’s adult selections automatically put on hold for you!

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