Emily St. John Mandel
[isbn]
A novel of the financial collapse but so much more. A wonderful, mysterious book where characters' actions ripple out, affecting others in unintended ways, and people are haunted by the memories of those long gone. Peopled by characters who long to become something else, but struggle with the aftermath of change. Fantastically written literary noir.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Ted Chiang
[isbn]
Exhalation's varied and elegant stories speak to what makes us human, and the themes within the stories left me thinking about life and the way I act while navigating it long after I closed the book.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Bobby Flay, Stephanie Banyas, Sally Jackson
[isbn]
These are the recipes a professional chef goes to for casual meals with family and friends. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks are all covered. These recipes are easy enough to make, without exotic ingredients, but will still elevate and broaden your go-to list.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Jane Leavy
[isbn]
Babe Ruth takes Manhattan, and the rest of the country, by storm in The Big Fella. Using the lens of a 21-day exhibition cash-grab, reporter Jane Leavy reveals Ruth as the man who created the celebrity/pitch-person persona that dominates modern culture. Forced from a dysfunctional home by an unfit set of parents, Ruth both bucked authority over his actions and looked for acceptance in the grandstands where his every at-bat was cherished.... (read more)
Recommended by Bill L.
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Bao Phi and Thi Bui
[isbn]
A father and son fishing trip brings memories of a different pond.This simple bonding story can foster larger discussions about immigration, sacrifice, and family history.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Andromeda Romano-Lax
[isbn]
Speculative sci-fi, historical fiction, and an unconventional romance combine to form an emotionally satisfying story. This book is a joy that defies genre and should just be shelved under “terrific book."
Recommended by Bill L.
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Ian Stewart
[isbn]
Scientist Ian Stewart takes the complexity of our universe and explains it, bit by bit, according to how the numbers add up. Stewart also humanizes our history of calculations, explaining how we came to better understand the universe through detailing our insights, mistakes, recalculations, and lucky guesses. This book is for anyone who is fascinated by looking at the stars and wants to better understand their — and our — place in the cosmos.
Recommended by Bill L.
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William Geroux
[isbn]
Veteran reporter William Geroux finds a fascinating chapter of WWII history practically in his own backyard, chronicling the men and women of Mathews County, Virginia. This town full of Merchant Mariners was a crucial part of the war effort, transporting supplies and oil across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico to allied forces. Not soldiers, and without the means to defend themselves, they were often victims of both predatory German... (read more)
Recommended by Bill L.
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Maria Kuznetsova
[isbn]
Oksana, Behave! begins as a quirky, darkly humorous coming-of-age story. Oksana, the daughter of a Ukrainian family relocated to Gainesville, doesn't fit in, or doesn't want to, and the family's Eastern European sensibilities are withering in the Floridian sun. But as Oksana matures, so does the novel. A family tragedy changes her trajectory and we follow Oksana as she navigates adulthood, making some head-scratching choices as she tries... (read more)
Recommended by Bill L.
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Leslie Jonath, Molly De Coudreaux
[isbn]
Don’t try to do it all — do one thing very well. Feed Your People explains how to make simple, delicious dishes for groups from six to sixty. Plan ahead a little, enlist a friendly helper, cook in large batches, and then enjoy your party (and the food you make).
Recommended by Bill L.
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Jose Andres and Matt Goulding
[isbn]
Michelin-starred José Andrés focuses his passion on all things veggie in Vegetables Unleashed. Chef Andrés covers eating seasonally, best cooking techniques, and reestablishing vegetables as the sexy option on the plate in a french fry world. Turn to page 188 for a good example: Sancocho Puertorriqueño.
Recommended by Bill L.
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