Good Reads & Views

The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango
Fiction

What it’s about: Famous bestselling author Henry Hayden is happily married to Martha, who, unbeknownst to everybody, is the one actually penning all his books. Life is good, but then Henry’s mistress Betty, whom truth be told he is not particularly fond of, informs him that she is pregnant. Before long, Martha ends up dead and Henry has to try to keep the carefully created façade of his life from unraveling.

Want a taste?  “But men are never more cowardly and their lies never more pathetic than when they’re caught with their pants down. Isn’t that so, gentlemen?”

Reviewers say: “this is one wicked tale. You keep waiting for the author to slip, plot-wise, but, as with his protagonist, you wait in vain” (Kirkus).

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Superiority Burger Cookbook: The Vegetarian Hamburger Is Now Delicious by Brooks Headley
Nonfiction

What sets it apart: Inventive and interesting take on vegetarian and vegan food. Brooks calls his restaurant "an Italian restaurant disguised as a tiny veggie burger joint," but it goes way beyond the veggie burger it is named after. The namesake burger is a veggie and grain croquette that makes no attempt to be meat—enjoy it for what it is.

Recipes included: Appealing salads are somewhat complicated but if your meal stars Tahini Ranch Romaine Salad with Bread and Butter Pickled Cauliflower, or Corn and Tomatoes with Bruised Basil and Olive Oil Croutons, you might not mind the extra effort. Other temptations include White Sweet Potato and Leek Soup with Italian Green Onion Pancakes, Carrot Soup with Mint and Peanuts, and Crunchy Potatoes with Green Cream and Griddled Onions. Even simple dishes like Bean Toast or Braised Collard Greens are livened by careful cooking and thoughtful seasoning. Desserts include banana bread and a selection of sorbets.

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About Grief: Insights, Setbacks, Grace Notes, Taboos by Ron Marasco
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This is a book about grief for everyone. It has down-to-earth, easy to understand explanations of what grief feels like, how it can manifest itself and suggestions of how to walk through the grief. There is also a description of gender differences and how the grieving process is acknowledging and free of judgment.

Key insight: The authors have accomplished going beyond the details of social etiquette to the core of our shared human experience and emotions after the death of a loved one. I found the book all-inclusive, pulling from multiple sources of information, clearly written, well organized, and very warm hearted.>

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Hotel Silence by Auður A. Ólafsdóttir
Fiction

What it’s about: Jonas Ebeneser, divorced and recently told he is not the biological father of his daughter, decides to end it all with a rope and a hook attached to his living room ceiling. After careful consideration, though, he decides that he does not want his daughter to be the one to find him. Instead, he resolves to go “on vacation,” check into a hotel in some war-torn land far away, and do the deed there. After his arrival at said hotel, however, things don’t go quite as planned.

Reviewers say: “An engaging and surprising tale of transformation, told in almost allegorical form, perfect for fans of second chances and evolving perspectives” (Kirkus). “Witty, soulful, lighthearted, and tender, this charming and immersive new work from the award-winning author of Butterflies in November is a great choice for book discussion groups" (Library Journal). >

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Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo
Fiction

What it’s about: Infidelity, infertility, the betrayal of body, heart, mind and biology--it's all here, and it's heartbreaking. When Yejide and Akin fell in love and married they agreed that the Nigerian tradition of polygamy wasn’t for them, but after years of infertility, Akin succumbs to family pressures to take a second wife. Desperate to save her marriage, Yejide finally does conceive, but only at great cost. Meanwhile, a tumultuous Nigeria falls apart around them.

Is it for you? Told from both Akin’s and Yejide’s perspectives, Adebayo deftly reveals the story’s twists and turns at a quick pace. This tale of love and betrayal is filled with the flavor and traditions of Nigeria and is damning of its culture, in much the same way as Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere is damning of suburban culture in the U.S. In a different society, the outcome of the story might have been very different.

Book buzz: ALA Notable Book 2018 and New York Times Notable Book 2017

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The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney
Fiction

What the reviewers say: “Dazzling, startling, and above all cunning—a pitch-perfect novel of psychological suspense.”—Lee Child

Book Buzz: Soon to be a major motion pictures directed by Ron Howard.

For fans of: Girl on the Train by Paula McLain and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

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I’ve Got Sand in all the Wrong Places by Lisa Scottoline & Francesca Serritella
Nonfiction

This is the seventh book co-written by author Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca Serritella. It is a collection of humorous and reflective essays about their lives and each other. Lisa writes from her home in the Philadelphia suburbs about her mother, her dogs, writing, home improvements and her love life while Francesca writes about her single life living in New York City with her dog and cat. The stories are relatable and enjoyable. If you like this title you’ll enjoy reading or listening to the other six collections in the series. A new book was released in 2017 entitled I Need a Lifeguard Everywhere but the Pool. Highly recommended on audio because the authors narrate their own witty, wise and heartwarming essays.

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The Dime by Kathleen Kent
Fiction

Introducing: Tough gal narcotics Detective Betty Rhyzyk, recently transplanted from the Big Apple to the Big D, where all the civilians are packing, the Mexican drug cartels battle Civil War reenactors, and local meth cookers quote the Old Testament. Betty has to make a place for herself in a squad room filled with Texas good ol’ boys who aren’t quite ready to welcome a tall red-headed New York Polish lesbian to their network.

What it’s about: When the takedown of a major drug dealer goes horribly wrong, the case is turned over to homicide, but Betty and her team continue to work the case on the sly despite the increasing body count. Meanwhile, a stalker threatens Betty and her girlfriend Jackie at home, furtively entering their apartment and leaving menacing souvenirs.

Why you might like it: This gritty police procedural is packed with tension and sparked by biting humor and whiplash plot shifts. Betty’s back story is fully developed—her cop family, including her mentor Uncle Benny, her realistic relationship with Jackie, and her developing camaraderie with her squad mates.

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Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
Nonfiction

What it’s about: The concept of pruning branches as an analogy in order to produce more fruit is something we readily accept. But, when it comes to ending things in our personal or business lives that no longer bear fruit, we readily find reasons to tolerate rather than end something. Dr. Cloud gives undeniable arguments that encourage the reader to end such things as well as practical and beneficial insights to know when something can be restored to value.

Key insight: This is a compelling book, well organized and simple to understand and apply. This book has changed the way I see endings. I wasn't aware, until reading this book, how much I have put off both professional and personal necessary endings in my life.

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How It Happened by Michael Koryta
Fiction

What it’s about: FBI interrogation specialist Rob Barrett takes on the case of a double murder in Maine and gets a confession out of local drug addict Kimmie Crepeaux. She confesses to having helped conceal the murders and accuses well-known and well-liked local resident Mathias Burke of committing the murders. Problem is, when the lake where Burke supposedly dumped the bodies is searched, nothing is found and Kimmie is branded a liar. Only Barrett believes her and starts to investigate Burke, making enemies of the local community and law enforcement.

Reviewers say: Kirkus calls it “flawless, unpredictable storytelling,” and Publishers Weekly writes that Koryta “has few peers in combining murder mysteries with psychological puzzles.”

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