Book Review: Banished

Lauren Drain

Very fascinating, inside look at what happens behind the scenes of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church. Though not particularly well-written, Banished was too interesting for me to abandon.

(Reviewed by Emily)

Book Review: Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken is a true story and is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body and spirit. Laura Hillenbrand is the author of Seabuscuit.
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army bomber crashed into the ocean and disappeared. Then on the ocean's surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant's name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been an incorrigible delinquent. As a teenager, he channeled his defiace into running, a talent that carried him to the Olympics. But when war came, the athlete because an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor and brutality with rebellion.

(Reviewed by Ginger)

Book Review: Amazing Bird Facts and Trivia - A Treasury of Facts and Trivia about the Avian World

Roger Lederer

A very interesting and informative book about birds. I really enjoyed reading and learning all kinds of new facts about birds. It's so amazing to read about all the varieties of birds around the world, Jehovah's creation sure is astounding!

Did you know?:

• 60 ostrich eggs equal the weight of one adult ostrich, but it takes only 9 hummingbird eggs to weigh as much as a hummingbird.

(Reviewed by Coral)

What's New at the Marshall Public Library?

All of the books listed feature the great state of Missouri!

•         "From Missouri: An American Farmer Looks Back" by Thad Snow.  This series of personal essays expresses the thoughts of a farmer, a hunter, a husband, and a man with a soft spot for mules and dogs.
•        "Tried and True Missouri: Native Plants for Your Yard" published by the Missouri Dept of Conservation is chock full of ideas, photographs, charts listing such things as light preference, and wildlife, for each plant, and a list of problematic non-natives.
•         Howard Wight Marshall’s “Play Me Something Quick and Devilish” explores the heritage of traditional fiddle music in Missouri.  The book comes with a CD.
•          “Mark Twain’s Homes and Literary Tourism," by Hilary Iris Lowe, explores four Twain homes, beginning at the beginning—Florida, Missouri, where Clemens was born.  Hannibal was his childhood home and he lived to see it become a tourist destination.
•          Maddie Earnest and Liz Fathman, in “Missouri Harvest: A Guide to Growers and Producers in the Show-Me State” introduce us to the farmers who raise the food, those who deliver it, the chefs who prepare it, and some of the people who are active in making it all happen through the support of local businesses.
  
•         “The Missouri State Penitentiary: 170 Years Inside the Walls,” by Jamie Pamela Rasmussen, is a fascinating look at the history of the prison and its most famous inmates.  The founding of the penitentiary helped solidify Jefferson City’s position as the state capital.  This book is the latest in a series called Missouri Heritage Readers, each of which explores particular aspects of Missouri’s rich cultural heritage.  Among the 30 books in the series are familiar ones such as “Arrow Rock: The story of a Missouri Village," by Authorene Wilson Phillips and “The Santa Fe Trail in Missouri,” by Mary Collins Barile.
•        “Savor Missouri: River Hill Country Food and Wine,” by Nina Furstenau, is packed with over fifty recipes from Missouri cheese makers, breweries, wineries, and down-home eateries.
•          Finally, Daniel Woodrell...we just received this week his highly acclaimed new novel “The Maid’s Version”.  If you haven’t read “Winter’s Bone,”  put that on your list and then read “The Maid’s Version.”  You won’t be disappointed in either.

Book Review: Essential Car Care for Women

Jamie Little and Danielle McCormick

Growing up with two older brothers who seemed to live and breathe cars was great! Although I have never completely understood what they talked about or did, I do clearly understand the importance of maintaining your vehicle in good condition; not only for your own protection but for its durability. This book cleared up the whys and hows cars run; along with other essentials dealing with car related situations. Definitely a must checkout!

(Reviewed by Coral)

Book Review: Sweet Hell on Fire

Sara Lunsford

Creepy yet endearing, Lunsford shares her story of what it was like working in an all-male prison. Though some of her experiences seem to unbelievable to be real to those of us who have never worked in a prison, they also seem too bizarre and unheard of to be made up. Quick read!

(Reviewed by Emily)

Book Review: World's Best Travel Experiences

National Geographic

If you are like me and would love to travel the world, this book is for you. Sometimes current circumstances do not allow such travels to be possible which makes books like this a must read. Allow this book to take you to breathtaking destinations, take the time and picture yourself there...Can you feel the breeze on the coast of Fiji? What color do you eyes focus on among the rainbow of colors found in the Coral Reef? Enjoy the information and beautiful pictures found in this book, I know I did.

(Reviewed by Coral)

Book Review: Some of My Best Friends are Black

Tanner Colby

A really great look at America after the civil rights movements in the 60s. With anecdotes and plenty of facts.

Tanner Colby looks at Busing in Birmingham, racially driven real estate in Kansas City and affirmative action in the New York advertising world. He ends with a look at the Catholic community in Louisiana and it really is an amazing story. Political, funny, honest, and sometimes incredibly sad, but never boring.

(Reviewed by Ginny)

Book Review: Oddly Normal

John Schwartz

When Jeanne Schwartz found her 13 year old son in the bathroom surrounded by pill bottles, her and her husbands' worlds were completely turned upside down. Oddly Normal is the heart-breaking, inspirational story of how Jon and Jeanne Schwartz helped their son come to terms with his sexuality. Filled with statistics that every person, gay or otherwise, should be familiar with. Very interesting!

(Reviewed by Emily)

Book Review: Natural Remedies for Healthy Living

Reader's Digest

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! On occasion you may find yourself in a bind and not know how to proceed. Do you suffer from fatigue? Would you like to know how to make your own fragrances but are not sure how to go about it? Are you having trouble deciding what plants to put in your garden this year? In this book you will find home remedies, nutrition guides, helpful hints and more! In truth this book offers practical and simple solutions.

(Reviewed by Coralito)