Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster is by Helen Andrews. An interesting nonfiction look at six Boomers, who meant to influence the world for good and yet left disaster in their wake. Andrews covers these individuals fairly, citing both the good and the bad, yet her disdain for the problems the Boomers have caused for the rest of society is clear. A very insightful read.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10.
The Dead Season is by Tessa Wegert. The second in the realistic fiction Shana Merchant mystery series. Shana is still on suspension from her last case as she continues her counseling. When human bones are discovered in her home town and turn out to be her uncle long thought gone, she goes home to support her family. Then a child is kidnapped from an island on a school field trip. Shana realizes that the two crimes, one old and one new, are related and the serial killer she escaped wants her to solve the first murder to uncover the location of the child. Shana realizes she must finally come clean to her new partner if she ever hopes to wade through the family morass she is now involved in.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Death in the Family is by Tessa Wegert. The first book in the Shana Merchant series of realistic fiction mysteries. Shana was a detective in New York City until she was kidnapped by a serial killer. She has moved to a small town in upstate New York, to work on her PTSD and still work as a detective in a town where little happens. When she and her new partner are called to an island owned by the wealthy Sinclair family on a missing person case, they discover it's really a murder. When a storm strands them all on the island, Shana must discover who is the killer and fight off her own demons.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Invention of Nature: Alexander Von Humboldt's New World is by Andrea Wulf. A wonderful biography of the famous German explorer, ploymath, and environmentalist. Wulf creates a readable biography that not only covers Von Humboldt's life, but the lives of other people he shaped like John Muir, Charles Darwin, and Henry David Thoreau. A book that will make you want to order all of Von Humboldt's books and read them yourself.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10.
Killer Kung Pao is by Vivien Chien. The sixth book in the realistic fiction Noodle Shop Mysteries. Lana's mother wants her to redecorate the restaurant, Ian wants her to take charge of Asian Village's sidewalk sale, and her sister's got a secretive new boyfriend at work. Lana's plate is full; and then she witnesses a collision in the parking lot. The two women involved are next seen in the salon where Lana is getting her hair dyed and then one of them is electrocuted in the foot spa - and it's not an accident. Now Lana must figure out who is responsible and all of the suspects are her friends.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Essays of Sir Francis Bacon are by Sir Francis Bacon. Bacon's fifty-nine classic essays on a wide range of topics. A must read for all lovers of classics. These essays are thought provoking and extremely well written. Be sure to get a version that translates the Latin words and phrases.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.
