NONFICTION

The Fortune Cookie Chronicle
By Jennifer 8 Lee  $13
     There are more Chinese restaurants than McDonald’s in the U.S. When you eat Chinese food you’re in the presence of a rich and entertaining history which includes 110 Powerball winners, fortune cookie writers, and enthusiasts of Kosher food...there’s a dark side as well. It would be a delectable gift to put with a trip to a Chinese restaurant and a bag of fortune cookies.
--Marcia

Claiming Ground
By Laura Bell  $24.95
     In a genre populated with the scandalous doings of politicians, rock stars, sports figures and movie stars, I found this memoir to be both a refreshing change (due to it’s honesty) and a pleasure to read (due to it’s carefully crafted and vivid prose). An excellent book club choice.
--Phil

Playing With The Enemy
By Gary W. Moore $15
     True story of a baseball prodigy sidelined by WWII. A decision to teach German POW’s baseball changes his life forever. A moving and enjoyable story about baseball and the pursuit of a dream.
--Bud

The Forgotten 500
By Gregory A. Freeman  $15
It was one of the boldest rescue operations of WWII – getting over 500 downed airmen safely out of Yugoslavia. Courage, daring and political intrigue in abundance. But, why was the story buried for 50 years? A great read for history buffs and adventure fans alike.
--Bud
 

Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin
By Kathy Griffin  $25
     I love Kathy Griffin. I love her show on Bravo My Life on the D-List, I love her stand-up act and I loved this book. It is hilarious, laugh-out loud funny.
(FYI : It’s  R-rated, so it’s not for the faint of heart, or if you’re easily offended, or if you don’t like swearing, or if you don’t like... you get the picture)
--Jean

Pocketful of History
By Jim Noles $16
     All 50 state quarters are now in circulation. The Quarters Program, completed at the end of 2008, was a big success. The author tells amusing and inspiring stories about the selection of the designs, and the natural beauty and resourceful people they depict.
     We also carry the Collector’s Kit.
--Marcia

The Sex Lives of Cannibals:  Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
By J. Maarten Troost $14
     Troost follows his wife to Kirabati, a tiny island nation in the South Pacific. Troost imagines a tropical paradise and an idyllic setting for a “sabbatical”.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  This is a comic masterwork of travel writing that chronicles the author’s sojourn in a forgotten world.
--Carol

Robbing the Bees
By Holley Bishop $14
     Loaded with fascinating facts about honey and bees.  After reading this sweet book, you’ll choose honey with its complex flavors and myriad benefits (antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and a touch of pollen for protein). It’s a creative gift to pair with a jar of honey, beeswax candles, or a trip to A.I. Root Co. in Medina
--Marcia

Left to Tell
By Immaculee Ilibagiza $14.95
    In the beautiful country of Rwanda where parents give children surnames like “beautiful in body and soul”, how can the terrible tragedy of genocide occur? This true story is bearable because Immaculee’s forgiveness, innocence, and prayers permeate and uplift it, and because of brave and charitable people on both sides of the conflict.  In the end, justice, and more importantly, love, prevails.
--Marcia 

At the Mercy of the Sea
By John Kretschmer  14.95
     An elegantly written tale of 3 sailors whose fates met under the winds of Hurricane (wrong way) Lennie in 1999.  The true story proceeds like a Shakespearean tragedy; the reader knows the outcome but prays for the alternatives.  Another Perfect Storm. --Jim    

Common Sense 101
By Dale Ahlquist   $16.95
     Ahlquist reflects on G.K. Chesterton’s writings. Although he died in 1936, Chesterton, a 300-lb, cigar-smoking, London journalist, is back in vogue. His  approach to many topics like science (he says Darwin is one of the bad boys of science who took a small truth and used it to explain the world) will have you thinking with a new (or rather, eternal) mind. Oprah would have a field day with this one.
--Marcia

The Pawprints of History
By Stanley Coren   $14
     Fetch this book and learn some history that is not found in textbooks.  Would Washington and Lincoln have been presidents if they didn’t have a dog? Why did Clinton’s advisors choose a chocolate lab for him? Coren’s meticulous research shows how dogs have shaped the lives of saints and sinners and colorful characters. --Marcia

A Year in the World
By Frances Mayes   $15
     The author of Under the Tuscan Sun  takes us on a tour of places in the British Isles and the Mediterranean.   As she so elegantly describes the pleasure of small, flowered towns you’ll be saying “I’m so glad she took me here”.
--Marcia

A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson $16.95
     Beef up your cocktail conversation ...be a step ahead of your kids when they ask about dinosaurs and the number of stars...get a bigger picture of climate change.Bryson is an excellent writer who makes learning about our universe and wonderfully quirky scientists very entertaining.
-- Marcia

The Year of Living Biblically
by A. J. Jacobs  $15
     Laugh-out loud funny, and inspiring. “Bible study on steroids.” Agnostic, officially Jewish author tries to adhere to rules mostly in the Old Testament, and finds that even the most quirky have a reason and truth behind it.  Without attacking any religion, he reports and responds, with often poignant results.
--Marcia

A Perfect Mess
by Eric Abrahamson and David Freedman      $14.99
   Your messes are justified! Disorder can lead to creativity and invention. Learn about innovative chefs, a unique bookstore, the benefits of procrastination and a mess of other cool things.
     Despite including a common myth about Galileo, it is well researched, thought provoking, and enjoyable.
--Marcia

Zookeeper’s Wife
by Diane Ackerman  $14.95
     This is a true story of courage, cleverness and compassion during the WWII German occupation of Poland. The staff of the Warsaw Zoo were able to help hundreds of fleeing Jews and neighbors. A story which shows that goodness overcomes unspeakable evil.
--Marcia

Life Is Meals
by James & Kay Salter  $27.50
     This is a charming, food lover’s companion with an entry for each day of the year – complete with color illustrations! A perfect gift for anyone who likes to eat well.....
--Phil

A Sense of the World
By Jason Roberts   $14.95
     The subject of this book, James Holman, lived between 1786 and 1857. He became blind at the age of 25 and spent the remainder of his life travelling the world. At that time an astonishing feat for a sighted person, even more so for Holman due to his blindness and the fact that he traveled alone and on a minimal budget. An excellent read!--Phil

The Cave Painters
by Gregory Curtis    $14.95
     More than thirty thousand years ago, people began painting on the walls of caves in southern France. These paintings are anything but primitive. This very readable book details their discovery and the many theories as to why they were made. Off the beaten track, but, fascinating none the less.
--Phil

The Last Gentleman Adventurer
by Edward Maurice Beauclerk  $14.95
     This is a true story. The young English author signs on with the Hudsons Bay Company in 1930 and is posted to a remote trading post in northern Labrador. He is 16. This is his only book and he passed away before its publication in 2004. He should have written more – it’s an excellent book.
--Phil

Grayson
by Lynne Cox     $13
     A true story of an incredibly strong, compassionate young woman and a lost baby whale – guaranteed to leave you with a warm feeling!
--Jane, Lynn

Local Wonders
by Ted Kooser  $10.95
     Nothing gets blown-up, no one gets killed, there are no reacy scenes or foul language.  I can’t recall many other books that are as well written, nor can I recall many other books that are as honest as this one.
     Any author who can write about life in eastern Nebraska and can hold my interest for the whole books is worth a read.--Phil

Furry Logic: A Guide to Life’s Little Challenges
by Jane Seabrook $9.95
     With lovely watercolors and a sweet sense of humor this book makes a wonderful gift for moms, dads or anyone who needs a smile.--Jean & Jane