Hillbilly Elegy: a memoir by J.D. Vance. Harper, 2016, 264 pages.

Ma Speaks Up and a first-generation Daughter Talks Back by Marianne Leone. Beacon Press, 2017. 158 Pages

Fun Home: a family tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. Houghton Mifflin, 2006, 232 pages.

The Hidden Injuries of Class by Richard Sennett and Jonathan Cobb. W.W. Norton and Company, 1993. 288 pages

Towelhead by Alicia Erian. Simon & Schuster, 2005. 319 Pages.

It is 1991, right at the start of the first Gulf War a 13 year old Jasira is sent away when her mother realizes that Barry, Mom's boyfriend, is behaving inappropriately toward her. Poor Jasira, well developed and looking for love and attention that she does not get from her immature and selfish mother, is easy prey for Barry and every other man, young and old, who she meets. She begs to stay but Jasira is sent to live with her distant and rigid and cold Lebanese father in Texas where she is isolated and vulnerable.   Racism, Sexual abuse, neglect and fear. As disturbing as the book is, it is also compelling and deep-- ending with more hope that it started-- rich and deep with lots of twists and emotional turns. WEll done-- Adult book.

Captain Alatriste by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2005. 253 pages.

Romantic and swashbuckling, the first in a series, Captain Alatriste was recommended to me by a homeless man in the library--and he was right. Set in 17th century Spain, Diego Alatriste, veteren of the 30 years war, is hired by the Grand Inquisitor to kill a traveler who turns out to be the Prince of Wales...and the plot thickens! Pérez-Reverte is a master storyteller-- weaving a tale of intrigue and adventure and romance-- with Alatriste he creates a hero who every man wants to be and every woman wants to be with. Pérez-Reverte deftly adds plenty of historic detail that enhances the tale, but never overwhelms. I haven't loved an adult series like this in a long time. A great book from a phenomenal writer. Read it.

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. Vintage Books, 2009. 337 pages.

What Work Is-Poems by Philip Levine. Alfred A. Knopf, 1997. 77 pages

The Help: a novel by Kathryn Stockett. Berkely Books, NY, 2009. 535 pages.

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. Atria Books, 1999. 530 pages

NIght Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger. Abrams. 2010

While walking alone, late one night, Alexandra comes across a bookmobile, manned by a weird little librarian and full of all the books and ephemera that she, herself, has ever read. She is fascinated and forgets the time as she revisits her past-- books and journals, magazines and cereal boxes. When the sun rises the librarian tells her she must leave. She is now fascinated, even consumed with the bookmobile--it changes her life. She seeks and finds the bookmoble several more times in her life-- her life forever changed, as she reads to build her collection. Night Bookmobile, which always has a Twilight Zonish quality to it, takes a very dark- though not unanticipated-turn that is still very disturbing. A thought provoking story.

Tinkers by Paul Harding.Bellevue Literary Press (2009), 192 pages.

Family gathers around an old man dying---he is taking stock of his life and remembering his own father's life, as he comes in and out of consciousness. A clock theme runs through story as the old mans life ticks away. Beautifully written-- luscious, really--a poetic quality to it -- the art of a few well chosen words. Introspective and beautifully sad. not for everyone.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Ballentine Books, 1995.

Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. Vintage Books/Random House. 1987, 126 pages.

11 year old Ellen tells her own story of abuse and neglect in mid-20th century North Carolina. Her mother commits suicide to escape her abusive father, and young Ellen learns to take care of herself-- literally putting food on her table and paying bills so she doesn't lose the house and hiding from her Daddy and his drunken friends. Strong implication of sexual abuse--no detailed abuse scenes (this is not A CHILD CALLED IT). Ellen bounces back and forth-past to present-- which is comforting because she is in a new foster home-- a good home-- at the end of the story-- the abuse is significant. Ellen grows through out the story-- sub plot of her only friend, a poor black girl names Starletta- lots of growth there too. A quiet, compelling book, sometimes funny--you really like Ellen-- a strong survivor. Has one of the best opening lines i ever read: "When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy."
Good book. Quick Read.

Strength in what remains Tracy Kidder New York : Random House, 2009.

Truly a great book. So well written that the lovely words flow and you are lulled into forgetting the truly horrific history of the events that took place in Burundi and Rwanda. Until Deo (through Kidder) reminds us. The narrative flips back and forth between Burundi and Rwanda and New York and while primarily documenting events in the 1990s, includes Deo's personal memories from the 1970s nad 80s, as well as some historical background to the genocide of the 90s. i had forgotten what a great writer Kidder is. A strong and powerful work-- a memoir, an urban tale, africana , world affairs and social justice all in one book. great literature-- i highly recommend it to eveyone who has an interest. A total stranger was thrilled to see me with it and then disappointed that it was not really out in soft cover yet-- Not to be missed

The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander by Barbara Coloroso. Collins/Harper Collins, 2004. 218 pages.

The Rough Guide to Men's Health 1 (Rough Guide Reference) by Lloyd Bradley. DK Rough Guides, 2008. 384 pages..

The Rough Guide to Men's Health is great for what it is--an easy to read, quick read reference-ish guide to men's health issues for men who may not read about their health in general. it is stylish with a pleasant and easy to read lay out-- it is clever and fun, with some humorous photos and captions, and it is filled with good, general health education and advice for men who are young or young at heart. WARNING: I did find an error right away-- spaghetti bolognaise is listed as high calorie and fettucine alfredo as low-er? This-- from my vast experience -- is NOT TRUE-- an editing error i am certain--and while there may be other errors-- nothing else jumped out at me. A good DK type guide, it is filled with references for additional information-- books, websites, magazines and organizations. it should be popular with young men and the women who love them. i ordered a copy for our adult collection.