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KNOW MY NAME
by Chanel Miller
Emily Doe's victim statement was read by millions of people around the world, inspired change in California law and touched thousands of women, and men, who shared their own stories of sexual abuse. Chanel Miller comes into the spotlight with this beautifully written book that tells her story from the beginning. It is heartbreaking but hopeful and she is so much more than the "Stanford rape victim". An absolute must-read and would be great for any book club.
- Di Grumhaus
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RUNNING WITH SHERMAN: THE DONKEY WITH THE HEART OF A HERO
by Christopher McDougall
This is the feel good book of the season! You will fall in love with Sherman and the community of characters that take him from terrible neglect to running a challenging burro race in Colorado. The humans heal him and he, in turn, offers them many lessons as well. Full of heart, humor and wisdom. Although Chris McDougall is known for his writing about elite running, his latest is chock full of information on a variety of subjects. Good for readers of all ages.
-Di Grumhaus
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LIFE UNDERCOVER: COMING OF AGE IN THE CIA
by Amaryllis Fox
An incredible story of a brilliant young woman and her work to combat terrorism for the CIA. Early in her life, the author loses a friend who was on the plane that came down over Lockerbie, Scotland. It forms her heart, and she spends the rest of her life doing what she can to protect people like that friend. Fox, who is rarely named in the book, rises quickly through the ranks of the CIA with her instinctual ability to cover for herself and make connections with sellers of military and nuclear weapons. She is sent to work in the Middle East, a coveted area for agents because of the proximity to potential devastating action. The most compelling part of her story for me was learning how she strives to bring these sellers, considered terrorists, over to becoming informants--bringing them to her "side" by learning about their stories. The value she places of each of the terrorists lives reveals the deep understanding she has of their inner struggles. A remarkable, easy to read, behind the scenes look at one woman's impact while serving in the CIA. Highly recommend!
-Beth Mynhier
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DREAMS OF EL DORADO: A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST
by H. W. Brands
(Releases October 22, 2019)
Best-selling author H. W. Brands offers a sweeping history of the American West. Beginning with the Louisiana Purchase and ending in the early 20th century, Brands takes his readers from Astor's fur trading outpost in Oregon to the Texas Revolution and from the California gold rush to the Oklahoma land rush. Dreams of El Dorado is a panorama of traders, miners, cattlemen, railroad men, settlers and Native Americans. Fast moving and easy to read, this book is a fascinating look at the American West.
-Kathy Petray |
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THE GIVER OF STARS
by Jojo Moyes
Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You, has crafted yet another unforgettable story that will stick with you after the last page is read. Set in the Depression in the hills of Kentucky and rooted in historical fiction, it follows the lives of five young women tasked with delivering books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's traveling library via horseback. These five young women, known as the Horseback Librarians of Kentucky, are a motley crew: newlywed Alice is a fish-out-of-water English women in a loveless marriage, Margery is a free spirited woman from a horrific childhood, Izzy is a polio-affected young lady who does not know how to ride a horse, Beth is a sharp-tongued poor mountain girl, and Sophia is a young black woman marginalized by society. Faced with the sometimes impossible task of delivering books to the poor, rural community surrounding them, I was swept into the drama of the local mining community, the limitations females faced in the 1930's and the difficulty the women have navigating relationships (romantic or otherwise) when much of the town is against you. If you enjoyed The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens or anything by Jojo Moyes, this book is for you.
-Morley Vahey |
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THE ONLY PLANE IN THE SKY: AN ORAL HISTORY OF 9/11
by Garrett M. Graff
Like so many, I recall quite vividly where I was and what I was doing on 9/11/2001 when that first hijacked plane hit the north tower. Unlike so many, I didn't know anyone who perished or had loved ones who died that day or since. However, I do feel like I can honor those who suffered and those who were heroes by reading their stories. Graff's book is an oral history (and also taken from transcripts) of the events that led up to and unfolded that day. It is the account of those who were in the planes, towers, and Pentagon and those on the streets, at home, and at work. It's about those who had tough decisions to make, people to pray for, and people to rescue. This historical work is so well done. It's a heartbreaking and necessary read for us all.
-Molly Forlow
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WHERE SHE WENT
by Kelly Simmons
Maggie O'Farrell is a helicopter parent circling over her daughter, Emma, who has just begun her freshman year in college. To give Emma space, Maggie tones down her constant text messages, phone calls and unannounced drop-ins. Suddenly, however, Emma is radio silent. Sensing something sinister, Maggie shows up at her daughter's dorm room only to discover that every trace of her is gone. Her room is empty, her phone has been left behind and her roommates have no idea where she has disappeared to...or do they? In joining Maggie on her journey to discover what has happened to her daughter, the reader confronts the dangerous realities young college women face. I read this book in one sitting as I had to know what becomes of Emma.
-Morley Vahey
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THE BUTTERFLY GIRL
by Rene Denfeld
Naomi, The Child Finder, is back and haunted by her memory of running for her life through a strawberry field at night and leaving her little sister behind. Because of this she has vowed not to take on another case until she finds her sister. Her search leads her to Portland, Oregon where homeless girls have been going missing for months, only to be found washed up in the river. Naomi finds herself drawn to a young runaway, Celia, who has left an abusive home for the streets, yet still keeps watch over her own littler sister. Unbeknownst to either of them, Celia may hold a clue to Naomi's case. While powerful and dark, glimmers of light and hope keep you turning the pages.
-Maxwell Gregory
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OLIVE, AGAIN
by Elizabeth Strout
Olive is back in 13 interconnected tales of loneliness, loss and love in its many forms and flaws. Olive struggles to become "oh, just a tiny-tiny-bit better as a person" and we can't help but love her for that. Beautifully written and incredibly poignant, this is a must read.
-Kathy Petray
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WILD GAME: MY MOTHER, HER LOVER AND ME
by Adrienne Brodeur
In the vein of Glass Castle and Mommie Dearest, you will not believe this fractured mother/daughter relationship and how it came to be. At the tender age of 14, Adrienne's mother, Malabar, confesses to her that her husband's best friend has kissed her ... and so begins a years-long affair that Adrienne is complicit in; creating opportunities for them to be together and covering for her mother and Ben. You can only imagine the effect this deceit has on the entire family and the ripple effects created by Malabar's narcissism and Adrienne's twisted need to "help" them. Brodeur's writing is beautiful, insightful and honest. I wasn't able to put this down once I'd started!
-Di Grumhaus |
| NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK |
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A WELL BEHAVED WOMAN
by Therese Anne Fowler
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A KEY TO TREEHOUSE LIVING
by Elliot Reed
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LEADERSHIP IN TURBULENT TIMES
by Doris Kearns Goodwin
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MARILLA OF GREEN GABLES
by Sarah McCoy
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THE BRAID
by Laetitia Colombani
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THE WINTER SOLDIER
by Daniel Mason
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THERE WILL BE NO MIRACLES HERE
by Casey Gerald
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THESE TRUTHS: A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
by Jill Lepore
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| MIDDLE SCHOOL & YOUNG ADULT SUGGESTIONS |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL:
LOOK BOTH WAYS: A TALE TOLD IN TEN BLOCKS
by Jason Reynold
Award winning author Jason Reynolds weaves together the stories of middle schoolers and what happens after the dismissal bell rings. A poignant and sometimes humorous look at the challenges students face on the way home from school and in life.
-Kathy Petray
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MIDDLE SCHOOL:
ALLIES
by Alan Gratz
Alan Gratz (Refugee, Grenade, Project 1065) has given us another gripping historical war story. All the action takes place on D-Day, beginning with Omaha Beach and the battle fought there and ending in Bayeux, a French city liberated by the Allies. Six different operations that day are highlighted, fictionalized with compelling characters but based on actual events; the sea invasion, French resistance fighters, Allied soldiers working together among others. Already receiving starred reviews, this fast-paced, excellent portrait of D-Day is not to be missed.
-Di Grumhaus |
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YOUNG ADULTS:
THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE
by Ruta Sepetys
For all of the Ruta Sepetys fans out there (Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy, Salt to the Sea), the queen of crossover novels is back. This time the reader is transported to 1957 Madrid. The beauty of Spain and a flourishing tourism industry is mashed with the ongoing dictatorship of General Franco. Not surprisingly, Sepetys easily mixes the historic happenings with romance and family heartaches. Yes to this YA novel--no matter what your age.
-Molly Forlow |
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Lake Forest Book Store
662 N. Western Avenue
Lake Forest IL 60045
847-234-4420
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