Good Reads & Views

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Nonfiction

What is it? A narrative history of humanity's creation and evolution that explores how biology and history have defined understandings of what it means to be human. The author uses three revolutions to explain how things came to be as they presently are: cognitive, agricultural, and scientific.

Reviewers say: “provocative and entertaining" (Publishers Weekly); "one of the exceptional works of nonfiction that is both highly intellectual and compulsively readable” (Library Journal); “The great debates of history aired out with satisfying vigor” (Kirkus Reviews).

An aside: This somewhat controversial international bestseller is an excellent choice to listen to on audio or enjoy in graphic novel format.

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The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100 by Dan Buettner
Nonfiction

What is it? A cookbook that features culinary traditions of people who live in the Blue Zone regions of Sardinia, Okinawa, Nicoya, Ikaria, and Loma Linda; life expectancies are much higher there than anywhere else in the world. Each chapter features a specific region, the story of that region, the ingredients that may account for its unusual longevity, and simple recipes made with those same ingredients.

About the author: Buettner is the founder of Blue Zones, an organization that helps Americans live longer, healthier lives. His groundbreaking work on longevity led to his 2005 National Geographic cover story "Secrets of Living Longer" and a second, "The Search for Happiness," in 2017. He has authored several national bestsellers and is a National Geographic Explorer.

You might also like: The author’s Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way and his newest, The Blue Zones Challenge: A 4-Week Plan for a Longer, Better Life.

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Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Nonfiction

What it's about: Kimmerer is a trained scientist and uses her knowledge of botany and the stories of her ancestors to skillfully point out how we need to listen to the natural world. She covers the indigenous concepts of gift giving and gratitude and how plants and animals have much to teach us, if only we listened.

Reviewers say: “Anyone who enjoys reading about natural history, botany, protecting nature, or Native American culture will love this book” (Library Journal); “A smart, subtle overlay of different systems of thought that together teach us to be better citizens of Earth" (Kirkus Reviews).

Good to know: This is wonderful on audio. The author has a melodic and soothing voice and does an excellent job narrating. This also makes a good choice for nonfiction book groups.

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Bittman Bread: No-Knead Whole Grain Baking for Every Day by Mark Bittman and Kerri Conan
Nonfiction

What it’s about:  This simple approach to baking bread uses whole-grain flour in place of white, and a starter instead of commercial yeast. The “beginner loaf” came out so well we ate it all in one sitting. It was delicious!

Authors’ quote: “As it turns out, making the best bread mostly means two things: mastering natural starter—usually called ‘sourdough,’ though it’s not necessarily sour—and using real whole grains.”

Reviewers say: “After reading through the straightforward instructions and salivating at the recipes for crusty breads, pizzas, desserts, and more, readers will be excited to get started” (Booklist Review); “This hits the spot” (Publishers Weekly Review); “Another cookbook in which Bittman thoroughly learns a kitchen task, then deftly explains it to readers. Recommended for anyone interested in whole grains or easy, no-knead, naturally fermented bread” (Library Journal Review).

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Joe Victim: A Thriller by Paul Cleave
Fiction

What it’s about: Joe Middleton, serial killer, whom we previously met in The Cleaner, is now in jail, awaiting trial. Because of him, politicians running in the upcoming elections are looking to bring back the death penalty in time for his sentencing. And Joe still thinks he can just pretend to not remember committing all his murders and the jury will find him innocent by reason of insanity. References from the previous book are woven into the narrative so this can be read as a standalone.

Other characters of note: Melissa, Joe’s “girlfriend” who has reasons for wanting Joe out of jail; Carl Schroeder, fired ex-cop; Rafael, father of one of Joe’s victims; “The Sally” who was instrumental in Joe being caught; and Joe’s mum, oblivious to his plight and focused on her upcoming nuptials. 

Some observations: This is NOT for the faint of heart. Best enjoyed on audio because the narrator does such a fantastic job. You’ll never eat another sandwich before checking what’s inside… And, as the previous book, very dark humor.

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An Elderly Lady Must Not be Crossed by Helene Tursten
Fiction

What happens: Maude, last seen in An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good, is now 89. She decides to escape cold Scandinavia (and a couple of suspicious cops hot on her heels) and flies off to South Africa. On her way there she reflects on dark deeds committed in her earlier years, and soon there are new annoyances to remedy…

Reviewers say: ”Assured prose matches an irresistible heroine. Readers are sure to welcome a third entry in this beguiling series” (Publishers Weekly); “Tursten effectively juxtaposes a cozy, Agatha Christie--like tone against the often surprisingly dark nature of Maud's recollections, which are rife with clever satirical jabs and delicious ironies. This absorbing dive into the mind of a ruthless pragmatist posing as a Swedish Miss Marple will please psychological-thriller fans, once they realize that Maud isn't nearly as cozy as she looks” (Booklist).

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The Secret Wisdom of Nature by Peter Wohlleben
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: The final title in German Forester Wohlleben’s Nature Trilogy (The Hidden Life of Trees; The Inner Life of Animals) looks at the connections between all living things and suggests that human intervention has unintended consequences.

Reviewers say: The author “thoughtfully and lucidly illuminates scientific facts, and his quiet leaps of brilliance are thrilling… Wohlleben conveys his findings in passages of pure poetry; he truly is an author to treasure” (Booklist).

An excerpt: “But nature is much more complex than a clock, isn’t it? In nature, not only does one cog connect with another; everything is also connected by a network so intricate that we will probably never grasp it in its entirety. And that is a good thing, because it means that plants and animals will always amaze us. It’s important for us to realize that even small interventions can have huge consequences, and we’d do better to keep our hands off everything in nature that we do not absolutely have to touch.”

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The Cleaner by Paul Cleave
Fiction

The main characters: There is Joe, janitor for the police department by day (The Cleaner), serial killer (The Christchurch Carver) by night. Then there is Sally, Joe's maintenance co-worker, who thinks of him as a stand-in for her dead brother. Last but not least there’s Joe’s wacky mother who keeps making him meatloaf (which he hates), Pickles and Jehova, Joe's beloved goldfish, and a rescued cat (you'll see).

Who it’s NOT for: People who can’t handle serial killers who are not pc; people who are squeamish; people who love goldfish.

An aside: This is definitely to be enjoyed on audio (available from hoopla), the narration is great and I kept laughing. (I know, I know!) And the scene where Joe goes after the cat he rescued is priceless on audio (The cat lives!). Fans of the TV show Dexter should appreciate this.

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Monarchs of the Northeast Kingdom by Chera Hammons
Fiction 

The location: Rural Vermont, the sparsely populated northeast corner of the state.

What happens: An older woman with multiple chronical illnesses, who is dependent on her husband, has to learn to adjust to living on her own when her husband does not return from the woods one day. She slowly adjusts to having to take care of herself, her mule and her horse, while dealing with loss, grief and loneliness.

Reviewers say: “A highly satisfying, delicately woven story about loss, loneliness, life, and death” (Kirkus Reviews).

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Suspicious Minds by David Mark
Fiction

What it’s about: Betsy has been diagnosed with BPD and has run away from her abusive boyfriend. When she crashes her car on a country road, a local farmer comes to her rescue and she ends up staying with him to recover. Farmer Jude writes poetry, is mysterious and attentive, but also rumored to have killed his wife. Betsy is very happy with Jude but isn’t quite sure what to think...

Reviewers say: “A chilling entry from a master of the dark psychological thriller--one that's uncharacteristically tempered by hope” (Kirkus Reviews); “Author Mark's way with words is the star here, describing clammy skin as ‘like a wild mushroom at dawn’ and a trophy wife with ‘costly breasts and teeth like sugar cubes.’ Questions abound until the end” (Booklist).

You might also like: Try the author’s The Mausoleum, A Rush of Blood, and Borrowed Time.

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