Book Nook Cafe discussion

This the thread for general book discussions for June 2021.

What book did you select to start the new month reading ?

Tell us what you just read, are currently reading or plan to read. Tell us about your favorite author. Have you read some book news? Share it with the group. Anything related to books and reading, we want to hear all about it !
:)

For June I am starting off the month reading two books.

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
The book is a memoir. The writing is a very basic. I am not sure if it's because it's the author's second language or if this is a YA edition. Anyway, so far I am finding it interesting.

There is also a movie based on the book. If you have Amazon Prime it's included in your membership.

Here is a YouTube
The true story of Mao's Last Dancer: Li Cunxin's extraordinary life | 60 Minutes Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzJ0n...

The other book I am reading is
Super Learning: Advanced Strategies for Quicker Comprehension, Greater Retention, and Systematic Expertise (Science of Accelerated Learning 2.ed) by Peter Hollins
So far I am enjoying this one. It's concise and not a lot of fluff.

----- The Windsor Knot
by S.J. Bennett

What happens: After a Russian pianist is murdered during an event at Windsor Castle in 2016, Queen Elizabeth II turns detective with the help of Rozie Oshodi, her young British Nigerian assistant private secretary.

Series alert: This is the fun 1st in a new series; a 2nd entry, A Three Dog Problem, is already in the works.

For fans of: the Netflix TV series The Crown; Allison Montclair's A Royal Affair, the 2nd Sparks & Bainbridge mystery, which cleverly covers the time leading up to Elizabeth and Philip's engagement.



------ The Hiding Place
by Paula Munier

What happens: Former military police officer Mercy Carr agrees to investigate a case her murdered sheriff grandfather had worked on -- and then her granddad's killer breaks out of prison. To add to her troubles, her dog's original military handler shows up wanting Elvis back.

Series alert: Following A Borrowing of Bones and Blind Search, this is the atmospheric, action-packed 3rd outing for Mercy and Elvis.

Read this next: For other working dog mysteries, try Kylie Logan's Jazz Ramsey novels, Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 books, or Jeffrey B. Burton's Mace Reid K-9 series.



----- Murder in an Irish Bookshop
by Carlene O'Connor

What happens: In County Cork, Ireland, Garda officer Siobhán O'Sullivan feels overwhelmed by her duties training a new recruit while also planning her wedding -- and that's before she becomes embroiled in the murder of a visiting author at a snobby new bookshop.

Series alert: This literary 7th in the Irish Village Mysteries once again features the close-knit O'Sullivan siblings, an evocative setting, and lots of charm.

Reviewers say: "[Carlene] O’Connor reinforces her place as the queen of the cozy police procedural" (Publishers Weekly).



----- Dial A for Aunties
by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The setup: Accidentally causing the death of a blind date who attacks her, 26-year-old California wedding photographer Meddy is persuaded by her meddlesome Chinese Indonesian mom and aunts to hide the body.

The problem: The corpse is accidentally shipped to the site of a big wedding organized by Meddy's family...which is at a luxury resort owned by Meddy’s ex.

Why you might like it: It mixes wacky crime caper with banter-filled romantic comedy, and there's a Netflix movie already in the works.



----- Nighthawking
by Russ Thomas

Starring: Adam Tyler, a gay detective sergeant working cold cases in South Yorkshire, England, who's a bit of a loner; Mina Rabbani, Adam's resourceful, newly promoted detective constable.

What it's about: At the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, a nighthawker -- someone who uses metal detectors to illegally hunt for treasure -- uncovers a body with ancient coins over the eyes. Adam and Mina identify the victim as a Chinese college student with a powerful family, and Adam also looks into the years-ago death of his dad.

Series alert: This sequel to Firewatching offers complex characters, a smart look at modern policing, and an intriguing mystery.



------ Dance with Death
by Will Thomas

London 1893: A British royal wedding has aristocrats gathering from around the globe, including Nicholas, heir to the Russian throne, who's sporting a scar from an attempted assassination. Worried about his boss's safety, Jim Hercules, Nicholas' Black American bodyguard, asks private enquiry agents Barker and Llewelyn for help.

Series alert: Though this is the atmospheric 12th in the Barker and Llewelyn mysteries, newcomers (especially fans of Sherlock-style deduction) can start here. Those who want to pick up the pair's 1st outing should check out Some Danger Involved.

Reviewers say: "cerebral and action-packed" (Kirkus Reviews).


🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪 Murder in Bloom 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪



----- Lavender Blue Murder
by Laura Childs

What happens: Attending a South Carolina CEO's bird hunt patterned on a traditional English one, Charleston tea shop owner Theodosia Browning and her 60-something tea sommelier Drayton discover their host dying in a lavender field. Theo's cop boyfriend investigates, but so does Theo, while still serving up tea and mouthwatering treats.

Series alert: This is the 21st book in the popular Tea Shop mysteries; the 22nd and most recent entry, Haunted Hibiscus, just came out.

Read this next: Fans of evocative settings, recipes, and teatime tips can try Vicki Delaney's Tea & Treachery, the 1st in a new cozy series.



----- Moonflower Murders
by Anthony Horowitz

What it's about: In Crete helping her boyfriend run a small hotel, former London editor Susan Ryeland is asked to look into an eight-year-old Suffolk murder that was fictionalized by her most famous author (who's now deceased, see Magpie Murders for details).

What happens: Back in the U.K. to investigate, Susan rereads the book she edited about the killing, searches for a missing girl affiliated with case, and tries to solve the crime.

For fans of: appealingly unconventional storylines, witty writing, a strong sense of place, and story-within-story novels.



----- Thistles and Thieves
by Molly MacRae

What happens: American expat Janet Marsh, co-owner with her daughter and two friends of a Scottish Highlands bookshop, finds the body of a local doctor while on a bike ride -- then another murder occurs.

Why you might like it: It's leisurely paced with appealing characters, red herrings, and lovely descriptions of the west coast of Scotland.

Read this next: If you like this 3rd Highland Bookshop novel, you might enjoy other atmospheric cozies set in Scotland, such as Paige Shelton's Scottish Bookshop mysteries or M.C. Beaton's humorous Hamish Macbeth mysteries.



------ Flowers Over the Inferno
by Ilaria Tuti

Starring: gruff 60-something Italian police superintendent Teresa Battaglia, who has a loyal team, high standards, and health problems.

What happens: In a village in the Italian Alps, a mutilated body is found and all signs point to a serial killer. Teresa, an expert at criminal profiling, investigates with help from young inspector Massimo Marini in a story that flashes back to events at a 1978 Austrian orphanage.

Series alert: This is the gruesome, suspenseful 1st Teresa Battaglia novel and Italian author Ilaria Tuti's compelling debut. The next in the series is The Sleeping Nymph.

----- Cloudmaker
by Malcolm Brooks

What it is: an atmospheric coming-of-age story about a Montana teen and aspiring aviator who tries to secretly build his own airplane during the summer of Amelia Earhart's final flight.

Read it for: the cast of indelible secondary characters and the way the construction project deeply touches each of their lives.

About the author: Malcolm Brooks has published nonfiction in Outside and Montana Quarterly, and the novel Painted Horses, another quietly atmospheric, western-set story.



------ Libertie
by Kaitlyn Greenidge

What it's about: In Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, free-born Libertie Sampson wrestles with the conflict between her physician mother's desire for her to go to medical school and the developing music industry that she feels drawn to.

What makes it unique: its portrayal of the lives of well-to-do African Americans who were free before the Civil War; Libertie's eventual journey to Haiti, which explores cross-cultural relationships in the African diaspora.

You might also like: Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma, another story of a Black woman's story of migration and self-determination.



------ Rhapsody
by Mitchell James Kaplan

What it is: the sweeping and character-driven story of pioneering Jazz Age pianist and composer Kay Swift, her decade-long affair with George Gershwin, and her career after his early death.

Appearances by: Duke Ellington, Dorothy Parker, and an up-and-coming brother-sister dancing duo -- Adele and Fred Astaire.

Try this next: Mary Sharratt's Ecstasy, which follows aspiring young Viennese composer Alma Schindler and the conflict between her ambitions with those of her eventual husband, George Mahler.



------ Burning Girls and Other Stories
by Veronica Schanoes

What it is: a compelling debut collection of short fantasy fiction starring driven women and steeped in Jewish, Central, and Eastern European folklore.

Stories about: anarchist Emma Goldman's discussion of revolution over a tea date with Baba Yaga; a dark, gender-bending revision of "Twelve Dancing Princesses"; and a young Polish healer's (figurative) flight from antisemitism and the (literal) demons that pursue her.

For fans of: authors who mix dark fantasy and folk tales such as Kelly Link, Karen Russell, and Daniel M. Lavery.



------ My Old Home: A Novel of Exile
by Orville Schell

What it's about: the lush and richly detailed saga of Li Wende, a pianist who leaves China in the 1950s to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music only to return during the Cultural Revolution to a country he barely recognizes.

Read it for: the insider perspective on the Cultural Revolution (rare in English language fiction); the dark moments of absurdist humor reminiscent of M*A*S*H and Joseph Heller's Catch-22.

About the author: My Old Home is the debut novel of academic, journalist, and activist Orville Schell, best known for his writing about international relations.


📚📚📚📚📚 Historical Thrillers 📚📚📚📚📚



----- The Eyes of the Queen
by Oliver Clements

What it is: the gritty and richly detailed story of Welsh polymath John Dee, who served as court astronomer, political advisor, and rumored secret agent to England's Queen Elizabeth I.

Is it for you? Although technically still "Tudor fiction", Eyes of the Queen has some scenes of graphic violence alongside the usual court intrigue, which may not appeal to all readers.

You might also like: Phillip Depoy's A Prisoner in Malta, the intricately plotted tale of another famous figure in English history (Christopher Marlowe) who was rumored to work for Elizabeth I as a spy.



------ The Confessions of Frannie Langton
by Sara Collins

Introducing: Frannie Langton, a Jamaican servant languishing in Newgate Prison as she awaits trial for the murders of her employers.

Why you might like it: Framed as Frannie's confession, this debut offers Gothic atmosphere, vivid recreations of both West Indian sugar plantations and Georgian London, and a penetrating exploration of Enlightenment-era scientific racism.

Want a taste? "The cold seemed to carry its own smell, like raw meat, and came on me sudden as a cutpurse.”



------ The Nugget
by P.T. Deutermann

What it is: a compelling historical thriller, unfolding in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor and following the exploits of Navy Ensign Bobby Steele on land, at sea, and in the sky.

Why you might like it: The story hits the ground running, deftly combining the action and adventure of modern military thrillers with the exciting historical setting.

Try this next: The Saboteur by Andrew Gross; Hell's Gate by Bill Schutt.



------ The Fifth Column
by Andrew Gross

What it is: a spare, fast-paced story of personal turmoil, espionage, and terrorist plots inspired by the true story of the Duquense Spy Ring.

Starring: Charles Mossman, a Jewish man reconnecting with his wife and daughter after serving time for manslaughter; the Bauers, the Mossman family's likable new Swiss neighbors who vociferously denounce Nazism but appear to have other secrets.

Read it for: the relatably halting first steps of his investigation, which Charles (who puts the "amateur" in "amateur sleuth") begins after being rebuffed by authorities.



------- Blame the Dead
by Ed Ruggero

What it's about: Once a Philadelphia beat cop, Lieutenant Eddie Harkins is ordered to investigate the case of an unpopular army doctor whose death took place during a German air raid on their Palermo base but has all the hallmarks of an inside job.

Read it for: the long list of suspects who all had good reasons to want the unlikable doctor dead; the well-rendered Italian setting, which is one of the less-featured locations for American World War II fiction.

Moonflower Murders is on my TBR pile, probably best if you've read Magpie Murders first.

Besides going through 62 hours of Stephen Fry reading Sherlock Holmes stories, I've started an interesting nonfiction title: God's Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine; author does a good job reading her own material. Also reading a nonfiction ebook: Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements.

------ People We Meet On Vacation
by Emily Henry


“An aching slow-burn romance focused on chaotic sprite Poppy and buttoned up Alex and their twelve years of summer vacations. Set in present day Palm Springs and interspersed with flashbacks from the previous vacations, this story is full of yearning, friendship, and discussions of what it means to find a home. For fans of This Time Next Year, One Day in December, and Waiting for Tom Hanks.”

Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI
NoveList read-alike: Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren



------ Arsenic and Adobo
by Mia P. Manansala

“This fast-paced, cozy mystery with a diverse and colorful cast will make you laugh, cringe, and salivate. Lila has returned home to help with the family's failing Filipino restaurant, which is repeatedly panned by her food blogger ex. When he comes to lunch and ends up face down in his dessert, Lila becomes the prime murder suspect. For readers who enjoyed Dial A for Aunties and Mimi Lee Gets a Clue.”

Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, Milford, OH
NoveList read-alike: A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette



------- The Bookshop of Second Chances: A Novel
by Jackie Fraser

“Nothing like turning a page in an upended life to find a surprising plot twist leading to a satisfying ending. That's what readers will find in this charming novel. The power of books to soothe will attract bibliophiles, but stay for the lively banter of the romantic leads, the quirky local residents, and the brisk Scottish countryside. Perfect for fans of Evvie Drake Starts Over and The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.”

Kaite Stover, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO
NoveList read-alike: How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry



------ The Guncle
by Steven Rowley

"'Gay Uncle Patrick', a reclusive TV star, takes in his niece and nephew for the summer after the death of their mother, his dear friend. As the three navigate their grief together, Patrick finds he needs the kids as much as they need him. By turns funny and poignant, this heartwarming story is great for fans of actor (and Instagram fave) Leslie Jordan and for readers who like Fredrik Backman.”

Heather Bistyga, Anderson County Library, Anderson, SC
NoveList read-alike: The Family Man by Elinor Lipman



------- The Invisible Husband of Frick Island
by Colleen Oakley

“Anders, a journalist, is sent to Frick Island to cover a Cake Walk, where he meets Piper, a widow who behaves as if her husband had never died. The strangest thing is, the entire island goes along with this delusion, and Anders, who is smitten with Piper, is determined to find out why. For fans of The Story of Arthur Truluv and The Garden of Small Beginnings.”

Aubrey Parker, Montgomery County Memorial Library, Conroe, TX
NoveList read-alike: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid



------ Mary Jane: A Novel
by Jessica Anya Blau

“It’s 1975 and Mary Jane takes a job babysitting while all her friends are away at summer camp. The job comes with exposure to a celebrity and her addicted rock star husband and Mary Jane experiences a world very different than her own. For readers who enjoyed Be Frank with Me, Nothing to See Here, and This Tender Land.”

Jan Fisher, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT
NoveList read-alike: About a Boy by Nick Hornby



------ The Newcomer: A Novel
by Mary Kay Andrews

“Letty is on the run with her four-year-old niece, afraid she will be accused of her sister’s murder. She ends up at a beach front motel in Florida full of interesting and entertaining characters. Murder, fugitives, romance, and a great cast of characters. A perfect beach read. For readers who enjoy books by Elin Hilderbrand and Janet Evanovich.”

Sandy Ruhmann, Allen Park Public Library, Allen Park, MI
NoveList read-alike: Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano



------ Talk Bookish to Me: A Novel
by Kate Bromley

“A must-read romance novel, this enemies to lovers contemporary romance has enough tension and sizzle to satisfy any romance reader. Bonus, the lead character is a romance writer and readers get a romance novel within a romance novel. For readers who loved Much Ado About You and The Invitation.”

Hannah Spratt, New York Public Library, New York, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros



------ While Justice Sleeps: A Novel
by Stacey Abrams

“Avery's boss is a Supreme Court Justice and he is currently in a coma after naming Avery (instead of his wife) as his guardian. This situation is further complicated by the fact that the judge is a swing vote in a very important decision before the court. How well Avery knows her boss will determine the fate of both of them. For readers of John Grisham and Robert Dugoni.”

Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Public Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: Paper Gods by Goldie Taylor



------ The Woman with the Blue Star: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff

“Based on the true stories of Jewish families who utilized the sewers to escape persecution during WWII. Sadie struggles to come to terms with loss. Ella struggles to figure out where she fits in amidst the chaos. Their friendship brings them hope and purpose. For readers who enjoyed The Rose Code, Our Darkest Night.”

Kate Eminhizer, Pamunkey Regional Library, Hanover, VA
NoveList read-alike: Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

Thanks for the information about Li Cunxin book, Alias. What a story to tell.

I found it interesting that one of the books you listed is also about a Chinese dancer. Orville Schell shares a similar story in My Old Home: A Novel of Exile but returns to China during the Cultural Revolution. Another fascinating story to share.

Thanks for both.

What a fascinating list of books. I've actually read the very first, S.J. Bennett's mystery, The Windsor Knot, wherein Queen Elizabeth is the sleuth (with a slew of helpers, that is).

I want to read the second Anthony Horowitz book featuring Susan Ryeland. I appreciate your suggestion, John, so i'm glad i have, indeed, read the initial book. Well written mysteries.

Burning Girls and Other Stories, short fiction pieces from Veronica Schanoes sounds very good.

My own library offered Arsenic and Adobo as a Discussion Group book, so had copies available. I immediately got the Mia P. Manansala mystery and hope to begin it in the next week.

The Bookshop of Second Chances: A Novel sounds like a winner. Jackie Fraser is the author. I'm starting to wonder if "Book Lit" is a think like "Chick Lit". Anyone know? I'm drawn to moving books about books to the top of my TBR as soon as i hear about them.

Finally, i was quite surprised to see that Georgia's Stacey Abrams has written a suspense novel, While Justice Sleeps. Interesting...

Thanks for the lists, Alias. You know we gobble them up.

For June i have the following ebooks on my machine already, two of which i have mentioned already--

See previous post--Arsenic and Adobo--Mia P. Manansala (it also has recipes, which should be neat, as they from an Asian American writer, so include "Tita Rosie's Chicken Adobo" and "Lola Flor's Minatamis na Bao (Coconut Jam)".

I mentioned Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning--Tom Vanderbilt on the Poetry thread here at Book Nook Cafe. So far, so good.

The Paris Library--Janet Skeslien Charles. It's the final WWII-set book i'm reading this spring. I'm rather tired of the subject at the moment. :-l

madrano wrote: "
Finally, i was quite surprised to see that Georgia's Stacey Abrams has written a suspense novel, While Justice Sleeps. Interesting....."

Where the women finds the time is beyond me.

I've read good things about the novel.

madrano wrote: "Thanks for the information about Li Cunxin book, Alias. What a story to tell.

I found it interesting that one of the books you listed is also about a Chinese dancer. Orville Schell ..."


My Old Home: A Novel of Exile does sound really interesting.
"A uniquely experienced observer of China gives us a sweeping historical novel that takes us on a journey from the rise of Mao Zedong in 1949 to the Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989, as a father and his son are swept away by a relentless series of devastating events."

However, shallow me, sees it's 600 pages and I take a step back. I think I'll still put it in my TBR notebook. I would like to educate myself on Mao and that time period in China.

For years now I keep looking at Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang
However, at over 1,000 pages..... I doubt I will read it.

Finished This Tender Land

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Simon, The Tender Land is one I hope to get to soon. Nice review.

I bought my mom This Tender Land as a recent birthday gift - she loved it!

John wrote: "I bought my mom This Tender Land as a recent birthday gift - she loved it!"

I've heard so many good reviews on this novel from many people

Petra wrote: "Simon, The Tender Land is one I hope to get to soon. Nice review."

Thanks Petra :)

Started last night a non fiction novel of a topic that interested me lately. Called The Trial of Lizzie Borden.

Painting the Light


Martha’s Vineyard, 1898. Ida Russell attended Boston’s renowned Museum School, making her mark in watercolor. But once she arrives on the island and becomes Ida Pease, the married life becomes her destruction. Even the island’s serene landscape doesn’t help in continuing her passion. Suddenly, everything changes in an instant as her husband is among those who were on a ship bound for Boston, which crashes and all are presumed dead.

4/5 The story is told in flashbacks and is character-driven. It has a slow progression, but it's written with beautiful prose.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Alias Reader wrote: "However, shallow me, sees it's 600 pages and I take a step back...."

I noticed the length of Schell's book, too. There are times (& writers, not to mention subjects) when those pages fly past. Other writers offer too much peripheral vision, so to say, that the subject seems further away, rather than closer. It seems, having amassed amount of facts, letters, journals, details, they do not know how/when to edit them. It's even worse when they attempt novels, imo. And thus my personal reluctance.

Leaving Coy's Hill


This is a fascinating story of Lucy Stone, pioneering feminist and abolitionist.

5/5 Vividly presented story of a heroine fighting an uphill battle and never giving up, even if at times future is scary due to lack of money. She continues to stand by what she believes in. With beautiful narrative, we get to know Lucy Stone very well and her captivating story.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I like your review, Annette. I first heard of Stone when i told a friend i kept my own name when i got married. She informed me i was a "Lucy Stoner", so i researched her. Truly a remarkable woman, as was her husband Blackwell. I'm glad to know there is a good bio of her in publication. Thanks for the review of it.

Annette wrote: "Leaving Coy's Hill


This is a fascinating story of Lucy Stone, pioneering feminist and abolitionist.

5/5 Vividly presented story of a heroin..."
Sounds interesting-adding to my reading list!

----- The Mission: or: How a Disciple of Carl Sagan, an Ex-Motocross Racer, a Texas Tea Party...
by David W. Brown

What it is: an "extensively researched, humorous, raucous, dramatic, and pop-culture- and science-fiction-laced" (Booklist) chronicle of NASA’s quest to launch a fly-by mission to Jupiter's moon Europa.

Think: Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff meets Alan Stern and David Grinspoon's Chasing New Horizons.

Did you know? Author David W. Brown spent seven years interviewing the scientists, engineers, lawmakers, and NASA administrators profiled in this character-driven account.



------ The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal about Aliens...
by Arik Kershenbaum

What it's about: Cambridge zoologist Arik Kershenbaum draws on Earth's evolutionary history to speculate about what forms extraterrestrial life might take.

You might also like: Imagined Life by James Trefil and Michael Summers, in which a pair of astronomers discuss what chemistry and physics can tell us about the potential for life on other planets.



----- Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It
by Ethan Kross

What it's about: an experimental psychologist examines the science behind "the most important conversations of our lives: the ones we have with ourselves."

Read it for: the practical tips on how to harness the positive aspects of "chatter" while minimizing the adverse effects of negative self-talk on mental health.



------ An Anatomy of Pain: How the Body and the Mind Experience and Endure Physical Suffering
by Dr. Abdul-Ghaaliq Lalkhen

What it is: an anesthesiologist's comprehensive multidisciplinary exploration of the science of pain, from the neurobiological mechanisms of pain, to the history of analgesics, to the pros and cons of current chronic pain treatments.

Food for thought: "With renewed knowledge and understanding, we can become active participants in caring, understanding, and coping with an experience that can become all-consuming."



------ Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age
by Annalee Newitz

What it does: explores four so-called "lost" (abandoned) cities and analyzes their "common point of failure" (political instability plus environmental disaster) while exploring the origins of this enduring trope.

Includes: the Neolithic Anatolian settlement of Çatalhöyük; the Roman town of Pompeii; Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire; and Cahokia, North America's largest city prior to European invasion.

About the author: Annalee Newitz is a journalist and science fiction writer who co-hosts the podcast Our Opinions Are Correct with novelist Charlie Jane Anders.



------ Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs
by Ina Park

What it's about: Dr. Ina Park, a physician, public health researcher, and self-proclaimed "Lorax of pubic hair," educates readers about sexually transmitted infections.

For fans of: the humor and enthusiasm of Mary Roach.

Reviewers say: "Compassion, science and a loving playfulness are the ultimate recipe for defusing stigma" (The New York Times).



------ This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race
by Nicole Perlroth

What it is: an "intricately detailed, deeply sourced and reported" (New York Times) exposé of the underground cyberarms industry -- and the critical role the United States played in creating it.

About the author: Nicole Perlroth is a journalist who covers cybersecurity for The New York Times.

Try these next: Andy Greenberg's Sandworm; Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake's The Fifth Domain; Kim Zetter's Countdown to Zero Day.



------ The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey Into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred
by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Meet: theoretical physicist Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, who researches the origins of spacetime and is one of fewer than 100 Black women to earn a PhD in physics.

What sets it apart: Dr. Prescod-Weinstein presents an accessible introduction to cosmology alongside an examination of the social context of science, with particular emphasis on race and gender.



------ The Bears Ears: A Human History of America's Most Endangered Wilderness
by David Roberts

Welcome to: the Bears Ears National Monument, 1.35 million acres in southeastern Utah sacred to the Hopi, Navajo, Ute, and Zuni peoples, and the focus of an ongoing battle between mining companies and environmental activists.

Further reading: archaeologist R.E. Burillo's Behind the Bears Ears: Exploring the Cultural and Natural Histories of a Sacred Landscape, Rebecca Robinson's beautifully illustrated Voices from Bears Ears: Seeking Common Ground on Sacred Land.



------- The Loneliest Polar Bear: A True Story of Survival and Peril on the Edge of a Warming...
by Kale Williams

Introducing: Nora, the first surviving polar bear cub at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; and the "Nora Moms," a team of zoo employees that hand-raised the cub against steep odds after her mother abandoned her.

Media buzz: The Loneliest Polar Bear originated as a five-part multimedia story in The Oregonian.

You might also like: James Raffan's Ice Walker, which vividly depicts a polar bear family's struggle to survive in a world imperiled by climate change.

Nice list, Alias.
I've added The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal about Aliens – and Ourselves. I'm curious about how he feels that our animal life can predict anything on any other planet. LOL.

For me, I’m starting June off reading “The Trial of Lizzie Borden” by non fiction author Cara Robertson.

Glad you enjoyed the list, Petra. That is an interesting premise for the book.

Simon wrote: "For me, I’m starting June off reading “The Trial of Lizzie Borden” by non fiction author Cara Robertson."

I will be interested in your review, Simon. Particularly, if it includes actual trial transcripts. I find that sort of thing interesting.

Alias, I’ll share some thoughts once done :)

Many attractive titles/topic on that list, Alias. I appreciate your work on this.

I'm drawn most to Annalee Newitz's book, Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age because it covers Cahokia, in what is now the US. It's the tallest mound still standing in the US. I've been wanting to read more about it. This book appears to be a fascinating way to do so.

I've also seen/heard Nicole Perlroth talk about her book, This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race. Have we been hearing the opening shots, particularly the last few weeks?

I finished the above-mentioned Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning and am satisfied with what i learned. Basically, it is Tom Vanderbilt being a cheerleader for learning new talents/skills, encouraging beginners to feel comfortable being a beginner at any age.

Vanderbilt tried singing, surfing, juggling, drawing, and chess, sharing his own trepidation walking into new experiences, meeting new people and introducing some fascinating studies/facts about learning. Additionally, he addressed a progression, if you will, of going from being a beginner to advanced beginner to competence and, from there, climbing further to “proficiency,” finally summiting at “expertise.”

I liked that he kept reflecting back to his opening chapters, where we learn about how babies learn, illustrating how trying new interests is akin to that much earlier stage of our lives, which we accomplished. It was also fun when he would compare his own beginnings in different areas with those of his 8-12 year old daughter (aging as he moved to new attempts).

I'll close with two observations from him that appealed to me.

#1) "But here’s another twist: The more learning older adults take on, the faster they seem to learn—the more they become like younger adults. Learning to learn, it seems, is a lifetime sport.”

While seeming to be a younger adult isn't a goal of mine, in this context, he means that our energy and curiosity seem to become rekindled.

#2) “One of the greatest joys in being a beginner, it turns out, is meeting other beginners. I met all sorts of people—ones I probably wouldn’t have encountered in my everyday life—and we were united by our shared lack of skill, our willingness to expose our possible failings.”

This is another aspect of the book that i liked. He mentions others who are beginning with him, strangers who slowly share their stories. Often he includes bits about their progress, as well. I think it was the best part--seeing how many beginners he met along the way, most his age (49 when he began) but many older.

Finally, too often this sort of book becomes more about a too self-absorbed person. Vanderbilt avoids this and i appreciate that. This is a solid book for those who are intimidated by trying to learn new abilities in their later years.

The Therapist by B.A. Paris

A squeamish woman learns of a recent murder in her new house in decides to investigate.

Suspenseful story. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

madrano wrote: "I finished the above-mentioned Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning and am satisfied with what i learned. Basically, it is Tom Vanderbilt..."

This sounds so interesting-great review!

madrano wrote: "I finished the above-mentioned Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning and am satisfied with what i learned. Basically, it is Tom Vanderbilt..."

I really appreciate the review, deb. I'll put it on my TBR list.

You wrote: "The more learning older adults take on, the faster they seem to learn—the more they become like younger adults."

I don't know if this is true. However, I am all for giving it a try !

If one is looking for specific ways to study/learn the book I am reading now I think is excellent. He backs up his tips with studies that were done on the best way to remember things. It's concise and clear.

Super Learning: Advanced Strategies for Quicker Comprehension, Greater Retention, and Systematic Expertise (Science of Accelerated Learning 2.ed)--Peter Hollins

------- Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II
by Daniel James Brown

What it's about: the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a Japanese American infantry regiment in World War II that became the most decorated unit for its size in United States military history.

Why you should read it: Drawing on interviews and oral histories from the Seattle-based Densho organization, this richly detailed account illuminates the sacrifices the 442nd soldiers made for their country even while their own families were being interned back home.



------ Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America's First Frontier
by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

What it is: a fast-paced chronicle of Daniel Boone's exploits in the 1770s and his establishment of a settlement in present-day Kentucky.

Is it for you? This evocative popular history by bestselling duo Bob Drury and Tom Clavin (Valley Forge) will appeal to the authors' many fans and to general readers who love vivid storytelling.

Don't miss: a nail-biting recreation of 1778's Siege of Boonesborough.



------ On Juneteenth
by Annette Gordon-Reed

What it is: a concise and accessible essay collection exploring the origins and politics of Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating Black emancipation that originated in Texas.

Read it for: an incisive blend of history and memoir that illuminates Juneteenth's legacy and the ongoing calls to recognize it as a formal observance or federal holiday.

About the author: Historian and Texas native Annette Gordon-Reed is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hemingses of Monticello.



----- Nuclear Folly: A History of the Cuban Missile Crisis
by Serhii Plokhy

What it's about: how hubris, bad intelligence, miscommunication, and poor military strategy spurred the fateful 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union that almost resulted in nuclear war.

Featuring: firsthand accounts and recently declassified documents from both sides of the conflict that offer a thrilling recreation of the events.

Further reading: Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis by Martin J. Sherwin.



------ The Haunting of Alma Fielding: A True Ghost Story
by Kate Summerscale

London, 1938: Embattled housewife Alma Fielding contacts the press after she begins experiencing supernatural phenomena in her home.

What happened next: Hoping to cement his standing in the spiritualist community, Hungarian parapsychologist Nandor Fodor spent four months investigating the disturbing occurrences, developing a complicated relationship with Alma.

Victim...or fraud? This atmospheric stranger-than-fiction ghost story allows readers to draw their own conclusions about Alma's plight.


-------- Focus on: Trials and Court Cases --------


----- Lincoln's Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to the Presidency
by Dan Abrams and David Fisher

What it's about: In 1859, presidential hopeful Abraham Lincoln made a risky political decision, defending a family friend in a murder trial.

What's inside: a dramatic retelling of events based on recently discovered court transcripts; illuminating insights on Lincoln's legal prowess and strategy.

Reviewers say: "an engrossing legal thriller" (Publishers Weekly).



----- Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
by Casey Cep

What it's about: how Harper Lee's obsession with a 1970s murder case inspired her to write a true crime book that she later abandoned.

Why you might like it: Journalist Casey Cep's well-researched bestseller paints a compelling portrait of the elusive Lee, whose insecurities hindered her creative endeavors.

Book buzz: Furious Hours was a 2019 New York Times Notable Book.



----- Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People
by Benjamin Crump

What it is: a thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which the American judicial system fails people of color, written by civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.

Read it for: Crump's persuasive calls to action, backed by his experiences representing the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown in court.

Don't miss: the list of "personal action steps" readers can take to help fight systemic racism.



----- Nobody's Child: A Tragedy, a Trial, and a History of the Insanity Defense
by Susan Vinocour

What it is: former clinical and forensic psychologist Susan Vinocour's heartwrenching and well-researched history of the insanity defense that focuses on a case in which she served as an expert witness.

The defendant: "Dorothy Dunn," an impoverished and mentally ill Black woman, was tried for second-degree murder after her three-year-old grandson died in her care. Was she competent to stand trial?

Further reading: Insane: America's Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness by Alisa Roth.

madrano wrote:
I've also seen/heard Nicole Perlroth talk about her book, This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race. Have we been hearing the opening shots, particularly the last few weeks?
..."

Let's hope not.

There are a few books on nuclear war in the last list I shared on history/current events.

2021 INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE WINNER ANNOUNCED

Honoring the finest works of translated fiction from around the world, the Booker International Prize has announced its 2021 winner, At Night All Blood Is Black by David Diop, translated from French by Anna Moschovakis
https://bookriot.com/2021-internation...

-At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop

WINNER OF THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for fiction

"Astonishingly good." —Lily Meyer, NPR
"So incantatory and visceral I don’t think I’ll ever forget it." —Ali Smith, The Guardian | Best Books of 2020

One of The Wall Street Journal's 11 best books of the fall | One of The A.V. Club's fifteen best books of 2020 |A Sunday Times best book of the year

Selected by students across France to win the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens, David Diop’s English-language, historical fiction debut At Night All Blood is Black is a “powerful, hypnotic, and dark novel” (Livres Hebdo) of terror and transformation in the trenches of the First World War.

Alfa Ndiaye is a Senegalese man who, never before having left his village, finds himself fighting as a so-called “Chocolat” soldier with the French army during World War I. When his friend Mademba Diop, in the same regiment, is seriously injured in battle, Diop begs Alfa to kill him and spare him the pain of a long and agonizing death in No Man’s Land.

Unable to commit this mercy killing, madness creeps into Alfa’s mind as he comes to see this refusal as a cruel moment of cowardice. Anxious to avenge the death of his friend and find forgiveness for himself, he begins a macabre ritual: every night he sneaks across enemy lines to find and murder a blue-eyed German soldier, and every night he returns to base, unharmed, with the German’s severed hand. At first his comrades look at Alfa’s deeds with admiration, but soon rumors begin to circulate that this super soldier isn’t a hero, but a sorcerer, a soul-eater. Plans are hatched to get Alfa away from the front, and to separate him from his growing collection of hands, but how does one reason with a demon, and how far will Alfa go to make amends to his dead friend?

Peppered with bullets and black magic, this remarkable novel fills in a forgotten chapter in the history of World War I. Blending oral storytelling traditions with the gritty, day-to-day, journalistic horror of life in the trenches, David Diop's At Night All Blood is Black is a dazzling tale of a man’s descent into madness.

Pages 160

Nice review, Barbara. I liked that you used photos from a very similar movie starring those two actors. Frankly, i would be freaked out. Here in Texas you must disclose if a violent death occurred in a house you are hoping to buy. Perhaps this is why!

Thanks for the positive comments, Julie and Alias, about my post on Beginners. It was an upbeat book and i found it most encouraging. For me, the idea that one would feel younger didn't occur to me. I came to the book for the encouragement to not stop learning.

Great list of books, Alias. Trying to choose any to highlight is daunting. I suppose the one which calls to me most is Annette Gordon-Reed's On Juneteenth, as that celebratory day is close. I'm interesting in learning how it developed in other parts of the nation, as i'm familiar with the Texas association.

Also calling me, mostly because we've visited a number of places Daniel Boone frequented, Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America's First Frontier. I haven't read any books by either Bob Drury or Tom Clavin, so hope it's good.

Thanks for the many interesting titles.

PS. I read and liked Casey Cep's look at Harper Lee in Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee.

The Diop novel sounds very good. I appreciate the article you shared, Alias.

madrano wrote: "The Diop novel sounds very good. I appreciate the article you shared, Alias."

You're welcome deb.

Also I'm happy that you are finding books on the list that you are adding to your TBR.

madrano wrote: "Nice review, Barbara. I liked that you used photos from a very similar movie starring those two actors. Frankly, i would be freaked out. Here in Texas you must disclose if a violent death occurred ..."

Thank you madrano. It would be creepy to know a murder happened in your home, that's for sure.

Yes. And there are some people who would be unable to handle that sanely, imo.

Not her own house, but a friend of my mother has a cottage on her property where this murder took place: Safe Harbor: A Murder in Nantucket

John wrote: "Not her own house, but a friend of my mother has a cottage on her property where this murder took place: Safe Harbor: A Murder in Nantucket"

Bad luck she met that psychopath. 😟

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Newly(ish) married Hannah Hall is bewildered when her husband disappears after leaving her a mysterious note.

Engaging (but slightly farfetched) thriller. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Oh, John, i would be disturbed even by that close an association, to be honest. It's chilling. DId you read the book? It sounds interesting, i must say.

This sound intriguing, Barbara. The "farfetched" bothers me but i like the idea of the stepmom and daughter angle. Thanks.

madrano wrote: "Oh, John, i would be disturbed even by that close an association, to be honest. It's chilling. DId you read the book? It sounds interesting, i must say."

Yes. I read the book years ago.

madrano wrote: "I finished the above-mentioned Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning and am satisfied with what i learned. Basically, it is Tom Vanderbilt..."

What an interesting find! I still enjoy learning, so how nice that it might be 'good for me'. :)