Check out these book reviews from Deena, a member of the Library’s Patron Service Team. Let us know if you would like any titles added to your book list or head over to BARD to download the titles now.
Stars Over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth
Lorraine Kindred has lost her husband of many years. The book switches back and forth from present day to the 1940’s when Lorraine met her husband as a young girl. The iconic Surf Ballroom figures into the story where Lorraine attended many dances. Lorraine’s son-in-law is very intrigued with the history of the Surf Ballroom. He has done some research and found that the original Surf Ballroom was destroyed by fire in 1947. It was later rebuilt. Knowing that Lorraine had attended dances about that time, he asks her about the fire. Lorraine remains evasive. This is great love story with an Iowa setting and a little bit of mystery. DBC15165
The Day Donny Herbert Woke Up by Rich Blake
This is the true story of Donny Herbert, a Buffalo, New York fire fighter who was injured on the job and went into a coma in December 1995. He woke up from his coma in April 2005 and talked to his family for 16 hours straight. Was it the family’s faith in God, the doctor’s drug cocktail or Donny’s own determination to come back to his family or a combination of those things? Soon afterwards, Donny slipped back into his comatose state and died in February 2006 of pneumonia. A wonderful story of a miracle, faith, and courage. DB64976
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Tisha by Robert Specht
Based on the true story of Anne Hobbs who traveled to Alaska in 1927, on horseback to become a teacher in the small town of Chicken, Alaska. Anne faces harsh weather and has some harrowing experiences as she finds love in this in this isolated wilderness. She takes in two children when their mother dies of tuberculosis. The boy calls her “Tisha” instead of teacher. She and her husband, Fred, adopt the two children along with several others. This is one of 100 Favorite Novels Recommended by Librarians. DB41798
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The All-American Murder: The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez, the superstar whose Life Ended of Murderer’s Row by James Patterson
Aaron Hernandez was an extremely talented young man drafted by the New England Patriots. He was a rising star on the team. On June 18, 2013, for unknown reasons he killed his friend, Odin Lloyd who was the boyfriend of his fiancée’s sister. All evidence pointed to Hernandez and he was convicted and sentenced to death row. While on trial for Lloyd’s murder he was charged with shooting two men in their car. Almost two years to the day of Odin Lloyd’s murder, Hernandez hung himself in his prison cell. Recommended for football fans and readers of true crime. DB90220
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Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
J.D. Vance grew up in a poverty-stricken area in Ohio. His mother was a drug user and abusive. When things got too bad at home he would go to his grandparent’s house. Despite his situation, J.D. grew up and joined the Marines and eventually graduated from Yale Law School. This is a touching memoir of overcoming the odds and becoming an inspiration to others. DB85796
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