If you like shocking endings...

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry --This book has been called a "hero's journey for women." It's a story about two missing women, but it's really about three missing women because one of them must revisit her past in order to find herself. Disturbing and intriguing, this book is so craftily written that I forced myself to put it down so it wouldn't end. Check it out from the Bailey Library Reading Room......

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan --Mamah Borthwick Cheney was an intelligent, lovely, educated woman who entered into a scandalous love affair with Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago in the early 1900's. This fictionalized account is based on historical events. Mamah and her husband commissioned Wright to build them a home. Mamah and Wright left their spouses and children and lived together in Europe and then returned to live at Wright's home, Taliesin, in Wisconsin where the affair ended in tragedy. My sister recommended this book to me. I don't think I would have picked it up on my own, but I was drawn into it and had to keep reading. The ending will floor you! (Bailey library has a copy in the Reading Room.)

Greek Rural Postmen Vs. Nude Mice

It turns out that Greek Rural Postmen are more interesting than Nude Mice, at least when it comes to oddest book title of the past 3o years. The Bookseller magazine recently announced the winner of the Diagram Prize, a prize awarded annually for oddest book title, which this year celebrated a 30th anniversary by awarding oddest book title of the past 30 years. For more information, read The Bookseller announcement or this article, Greek Rural Postmen beat Nude Mice, Green Nazis to Oddest Book Title Prize, from the Orlando Sentinel.

Two Books to Read....

Big Russ & Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers (by Tim Russert)

I found Tim Russert's books after hearing about his death last June, and I wished I had read them sooner! Big Russ & Me (which I ordered through our Interlibrary Loan department) is a wonderful tribute to the lives of a father and son, and I was either laughing or crying as I was reminded of my own father and childhood. It was so refreshing to read a book written with such love, admiration and honesty. Check out Russert's follow-up book, Wisdom of Our Fathers, from Bailey Library's Reading Room. It's a compilation of letters he received from readers who were affected by Big Russ & Me.

Hurricane Information

Many of us are trying to follow the latest on the numerous hurricanes that are in the news right now. The National Hurricane Center provides such information as projected storm paths, advisories, and preparedness. FEMA also has a hurricane center with educational information on hurricanes, recovery documents, and even more information on preparedness. They also provide a list of web sites and contact information on each state's emergency management offices. These can provide a wealth of more localized information.