NONFICTION

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 Glass Castle
By Jeannette Walls   $15
     One of my favorites—an  elegant memoir with a troubled past. Speaking in a childish, unsentimental prose, Walls shares her unbelievably unfortunate past, and through this helps the reader define the true meaning of family & fortune. Heartbreaking and true, Wall’s story will leave you weeping for more.
--Ryan

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  $25
     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  $24.95
     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

Educating Alice
by Alice Steinbach   $13.95
     A collection of essays by a travel writer and novelist who doesn’t follow the ordinary routes. Her descriptions and perceptive looks at other people make her writing vivid, funny and informative!
--Sandy

The Good Good Pig
by Sy Montgomery $13.95
     For all animal lovers: share the life of Christopher Hogwood – pig extraordinare – as he teaches us about self-acceptance, the meaning of family and the pleasures of the earth. Wonderful story!
--Sandy

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     $16.95
     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

The Lost Painting
by Jonathan Harr   $13.95
     The true story of how a long lost painting by Caravaggio came to be discovered in Ireland in the early 1990’s. Part history and part detective story, Harr does a masterful job of creating a fascinating page-turner!--Phil

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

1421  
by Gavin Menzies $15.95
     This is a fascinating history of a little known Chinese circumnavigation almost a century before western navigators visited North America.
   What Menzies has managed to set in motion is a widespread reassessment of the conventional wisdom about who went where and first.
     Great for history and/or sailing buffs. --Jim
 

 A Dog Year by Jon Katz-$12.95
     A homeless, willful Border Collie challenges the peaceful home of the author and his two notably well-behaved retrievers. This book pays tribute to dogs and owners with love, humor, and understanding. A moving, laugh out loud book for dog lovers.-Lynn