Prospect Heights Public Library Staff Picks

Rules of Civility

by Amor Towles

New York City in 1938 is a glamorous world for Katey Kontent, a working girl from Brighton Beach with social ambitions. When Katey and her roommate, Eve Ross, encounter suave young banker Tinker Grey, new social and job opportunities appear for her and lead her to a job with a Conde Nast magazine. But a tragic event interrupts her fairy tale rise and propels Katey into a more realistic world where social pretensions and secrets are revealed. It is in this altered setting that, by a combination of choices and chance, Katey’s future life directions take shape.  Reminiscent of works by Henry James, Edith Wharton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Louis Auchincloss, or Dominick Dunne, this “memoir” will keep the reader fascinated throughout.

—Bill McCully, Administration

Unnatural Acts by Stuart Woods

After getting home from college, where I did not read much for pleasure, I picked this book up for a quick read. I have read all of the Stone Barrington series books up to this point, and try to pick up the new ones when I get a chance. After reading this book, I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

This book is mainly about Stone dealing with a huge problem from one of his clients, a hedgefund millionare who wants Stone to talk some sense into his son who is doing some illegal things. Stone relies on the help of his former client turned lawyer Herbert Fischer to help him out. Along the way the plot has some twists and turns, and Herbert is even promoted to Senior Associate at Woodman and Weld. This is a must read for all Stone Barrington fans, and people who enjoy fiction books relating to crime, and law.

Quinn O'Grady, Circulation

Winter Garden

by Kristin Hannah

Reunited when their beloved father falls ill, sisters Meredith and Nina find themselves under the shadow of their disapproving mother whose painfull history is hidden behind her rendition of a Russian fairy tale told to the sisters in childhood.  Before he dies he makes his wife promise to tell the daughters the truth about her past that reaches back to WWII Leningrad. They finally gain a better understanding of why their mother has been so withdrawn emotionally and can begin healing as a family.

Olga Niemasz, Adult Services

1616: the World in Motion

by Thomas Christensen

This book provides a beautiful "snapshot" view of the world as it was in the year 1616, when both Cervantes and Shakespeare died. The author shows vividly how, nearly four centuries ago, the early modern world was already connected in many ways by people and ideas in motion. From the silver mines of Bolivia to the vast areas of Asia, new ideas and new styles of life and art could be seen. A reader may wish to dip into different chapters of this volume rather than attempt to read it cover-to-cover. Or one can trace events in China, India, Persia, or the West through its different chapters. Even just reading the informative captions of myriad handsome illustrations and maps can be enlightening. Whatever your approach, this lavish book will repay the reader's time with new insights.

Bill McCully, Administration

 

Crazy River

by Richard Grant

Armchair adventurers have an excellent guide in British travel writer Richard Grant, who seems motivated to visit some of the most harrowing and dangerous places on earth to satisfy his wanderlust. Following up his recent trip through the lawless narco-traffickers of Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains (God's Middle Finger, 2008), Grant's latest life-risking journey runs from Zanzibar to the source of the white Nile in Rwanda along the uncharted Malagarasi River of Tanzania. Following in the footsteps of legendary 19th century European explorers Burton and Speke, Livingstone and Stanley, Grant rafts toward Lake Tanganyika amid hippos, snakes, crocodiles (including a 20-foot, one-ton maneater christened "Gustave!"), disease carrying insects including the tsetse, bandits, and many local characters including a former golf pro. Wracked by fatigue and disease, he completes his trip in the "new" post-genocidal Rwanda of Paul Kagame with an interview with the charismatic yet enigmatic President. Definitely not for the faint-hearted nor easily offended, Grant's adventures paint a true-to-life picture of twenty-first century equatorial East Africa with all its many attractions, problems, poverty, and beauty. It is an unfailingly interesting account told with humor, sympathy, and wry insights that certainly keep the pages turning.

Bill McCully, Administration

One Perfect Word: one word can make all the difference by Debbie Macomber

by Debbie Macomber

As each year begins author Debbie Macomber thinks about a word that she will meditate upon through out that year. As she does this her life is changed and she begins thinking differently. It was a very inspiring book for me. She encourages her readers to think about words that they can live by. I hope you will check this book out it is very inspiring.

Donna Schmidt-Information Assistant

We Bought A Zoo

 by Benjamin Mee

A former British newspaper columnist describes how he uprooted his family to the English countryside and purchased a dilapidated zoo, home to more than two hundred exotic animals. He planned to refurbish and reopen it as a family business, a scheme complicated by a lack of money, skeptical staff, family tension, and his wife's devastating illness.

Olga Niemasz, Adult Services

State of Wonder

by Ann Patchett

Researcher Marina Singh is sent by her boss at Vogel, a drug manufacturer, to the jungles of Brazil following the death of a co-worker. It is there that the company is looking into a miracle drug based on a tree bark used by a native tribe.  Upon her arrival, Marina must find out the circumstances of her colleague's death, as well as find out why work has slowed to a crawl on the drug. That means dealing with Annick Swenson, a determined researcher with whom Marina has a complicated relationship.

Olga Niemasz, Adult Services

The Money Class

By Suze Orman

Suze Orman is at her best with this book and tape, delivering a powerful message concerning the New American Dream as she views it.. What used to be the dream of having everything has to change to a new dream. Her view on allowances is an eye opener and makes a lot of sense. A DVD that will deliver an important message for all.

Rosalie Kendall - Adult Service/High School Liaison

Burnt Mountain

by Anne Rivers Siddons

Audiobook narrated by Kate Reading. Thayer Wentworth marries an Irish professor and moves into her deceased grandmother's house in Atlanta, a short distance away from the summer camp she attended as a child. Her husband is hired at the summer camp to tell stories and when she notices changes in his personality she begins to question whether he is the man she thought she knew.

Olga Niemasz, Adult Services