MAY 2016 STAFF READING SUGGESTIONS






EVERYBODY'S FOOL
by Richard Russo

Everybody's Fool is the first sequel written by author Richard Russo, who also wrote the 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning Empire Falls.  A recent award winner at the Chicago BEA (BookExpo America) conference, Russo returns to the fictional upstate  New York town of North Bath, featured in his previous novel,  Nobody's Fool.
-Staff





THE LAST PAINTING OF SARA DE VOS
by Dominic Smith

An intricately interwoven story of two women: Sara de Vos in the 1637 Dutch countryside, and Eleanor Shipley as a young 1950's Brooklyn art restoration expert, and later an esteemed Australian art curator in 2000. What binds these women is a single painting by Sara and the forgery which Ellie creates 300 years later. The novel moves beautifully among the three time frames, and captures the rich detail of each time, as well as the love, loss and motivation of the two women. A compelling novel which will be hard to put down.
-Susan Ross





A DIFFERENT KIND OF DAUGHTER:The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight
by Maria Toorpakai

Born in Waziristan, the Taliban-dominated Federally Administered Tribal Area of northwest Pakistan, Toorpakai lived as a boy until she was sixteen. Her loving and liberal family supports her dream of athletic success, eventually allowing her to flee Pakistan and train with Jonathon Power, the world champion squash player. The human rights abuses that Toorpakai vividly describes are numerous and shocking -Don't miss this powerful and inspiring memoir.
-Ann Walters





THE EXCELLENT LOMBARDS 
by Jane Hamilton

Set in rural Wisconsin, Jane Hamilton's beautiful story is told through the eyes of middle schooler Mary Frances Lombard. The Lombard family owns an apple orchard, a piece of earth that Mary Frances loves with her entire heart and soul-a place she never wants to change and never wants to leave.  The story unfolds as a tender coming of age story and a powerful testament to the trials of small family farms.
-Laura Skinner







DON'T YOU CRY
by Mary Kubica

A page turner full of twists and turns and an ending  you don't see coming.
-Maxwell Gregory







BEFORE THE FALL
by Noah Hawley
(Releases May 31)

I loved  Before the Fall by Noah Hawley.  A fast paced mystery involving two New York financial powers, a painter and the crew on a private jet flying at night from Martha's Vineyard to New York City.  The back stories of each character unfolds during the investigation of the crash creating a twisting and very satisfying plot. I could not put this down and recommend it as a terrific summer read.
-Lisa Dietrich





THE ASSISTANTS
by Camille Perri


A hilarious debut novel about an executive assistant to a Rupert Murdoch-like media executive. An expense report accounting error neatly takes care of Tina's entire student loan balance but things get tricky when another (and then another, and another) assistant catch Tina and want in on the action. These women are modern day Robin Hoods, smart and funny but they'll need to get creative to avoid time in jail.  The New York Times calls this "Nine to Five meets Thelma and Louise". Perfect summer reading that will make you laugh out loud!
-Di Grumhaus





THE YEAR OF THE RUNAWAYS 
by Sunjeev Sahota

The story of Indian migrant workers in England in search of a better life. It's a sad story with a glimmer of hope. For fans of Booker nominated books (this made the short list in 2015).
-Kathy Petray




VALIANT AMBITION: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution
by Nathaniel Philbrick


On the Wall Street Journal's list of  "The Hottest Spring Nonfiction Books", Nathaniel Philbrick brings us the story of the middle of the American Revolution and the relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold.  Great idea for Father's Day!
-Staff




...AND NEW TO PAPERBACK




THE GAME
by Jon Pessah

Baseball and sports fans will take interest with this inside look at Major League Baseball's politics and deals from the last 20 years.
-Staff





GIRL WAITS WITH GUN 
by Amy Stewart

It's 1914 and Constance Kopp and her sisters have a run-in with a local silk merchant, then try to take matters into their own hands to seek justice.  Based on a true story, this entertaining story makes a great book club discussion, with larger than life characters. Written by New York Times bestselling author of The Drunken Botanist.
-Diana Wettermann






DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY?
by Bill Clegg

Fabulous, spare and gripping tale of family, loss and human connection. DO NOT MISS!
-Laura Skinner






EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES
by Laura Dave

Escape to Sonoma Wine Country with this captivating summer read. The novel explores the power of families and the complex relationships with insight and humor.
-Maxwell Gregory


What We're Reading For Kids




MIDDLE GRADE:

WOLF HOLLOW
by Lauren Wolk


My prediction is that Wolf Hollow will become a classic; a To Kill A Mockingbird for middle grade readers. Set during WWII in rural Pennsylvania, 12 year old Annabelle learns that when you are confronted with injustice, it makes you want to fight back harder than ever.
-Laura Skinner






MIDDLE GRADE:

SUMMERLOST 
by Ally Condie

On the shelves now is the Ally Condie book geared for girls, Summerlost. This is the debut middle grade read from the author of the Matched series. The protagonist is Cedar, a spirited girl who has moved to Iron Creek for the summer. Cedar's father and a brother were killed in a car accident, and her remaining family has moved to the small town to heal. Cedar makes a new friend, solves a few mysteries and learns just how strong she and the rest of her family really are.
-Molly Forlow







YOUNG ADULT:

REBEL OF THE SANDS
by Alwyn Hamilton

This is a fast paced adventure. Think Divergent meets Arabian Nights.  Feisty protagonist. A Dashner for girls.
-Laura Skinner







YOUNG ADULT:

THE LAST BOY AND GIRL IN THE WORLD 
by Siobhan Vivian 

Keeley's town is slated to be purposely flooded and will soon disappear; how will she and her friends spend their last days together before everyone disperses? How would you? As the floodwaters rise, tensions escalate and hard choices are made. Keeley isn't perfect, nor are some of her decisions but you will empathize with her as she struggles to make sense of what is happening while making a last effort with her longtime crush.
-Di Grumhaus


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Lake Forest IL 60045 
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