Check out these book reviews from Deena. Deena was a member of the Library’s Patron Service Team who recently retired. She has generously continued to share book reviews with us. Thank you, Deena!
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Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles DB105197
As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I grew up in a town along the Lincoln Highway and at one point in my life our kitchen window faced the highway.
1954: Emmett has just been released from a juvenile detention center and the warden brings him home due to the death of his father. Emmett needs to take care of his precocious eight-year-old brother, Billy. Unbeknownst to Emmett two of his ne’er-do-well friends have sneaked into the warden’s trunk and they change Emmett’s plans. Emmett and his brother have decided to go to California to find their mother who abandoned the family.
The friends Duchess and Wooley want to go to New York to claim Wooley’s inheritance. So, the adventure begins and it not smooth sailing. Before they get out of Nebraska, Emmett is urged to make a stop. Duchess says he will return in five minutes and when he does not return, Emmett goes after him. Wooley and Duchess take off with the car and leave Emmett and Billy stranded with no money and they have to hop a train to New York to get the car back. There are many mishaps on their journey.
This book reminded me a bit of This Tender Land only darker. If you like road trips this book might be for you. There are several famous landmarks mentioned in the book.
The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman BR19607, DBC02517
I loved this book! Lenka and Josef fall in love in Czechoslovakia and marry. Josef is going to America and promises to secure Visas for Lenka’s family also. Josef is unable to get the Visas and Lenka refuses to go without her parents and little sister. Josef leaves with his parents and sister and while awaiting their visas Lenka and her family are sent to a work camp. Josef loses contact with Lenka. As the war drags on, Josef eventually marries, but never forgets his first love. Lenka after surviving a concentration camp, marries an American soldier. They meet again 60 years later at a dinner for their grandchildren.
The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson DB101366
I was not a big fan of John Lennon or head over heels for the Beatles, but this was interesting story about how the group evolved and their relationships with each other. If you are true Beatles fan and have read a number of things about them, I am not sure that this book uncovers any new details.