The Husband Hunters: American Heiresses Who Married into the British Aristocracy by Anne de Courcy, St.. Martin's Press, 2018, 320 pages.

How the South Won the Civil War by Heather Cox Richardson, Oxford University Press, NY, 2020, 240 pages.

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

Christmas Traditions in Boston by Anthony M. Sammarco. America Through Time, 2017.

What We See When We Read: A Phenomenology ; With Illustrations, by Peter Mendelsund. First Vintage Books, 2014, 400 pages.

A People's History of the New Boston by Jim Vrabel, University of Massachusetts Press, 2014, 235.

I love narrative nonfiction-- easy reading. And i especially love narrative nonfiction about Boston. Vrabel recounts the recent history of the "new" Boston-- some stories I knew, some I learned more about and some were totally new to me. Recent past because it still plays out everyday and in every election. Loved it just from the title-- great for local yokels and Boston news junkies.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Crown Publishers, 2010. 370 Pages.

Ain't Nothing But A Man: my quest to find the real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson. Washington DC: National Geographic Society, 2008

The youth version of Nelson's highly acclaimed work Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry: the untold story of an american legend, Ain't Nothing BUT A MAN is fascinating, well written and very accessible to upper elementary and middle school students. Nelson follows clues in the John Henry folksongs to separate legend from history and uncover the real man. John Henry's story is the story of african american men in the mid nineteenth century--the civil war, reconstruction, railroads, and prison labor. Highly recommended for kids who love history and for those that think they don't. Includes Aronson's excellent overview of the research process, Nelson's appendices and suggestions for further research and multimedia sources. Summer Reading List, myths and legends, middleschool. Loved it.

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

Dark Tide; The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 by Stephen Puleo. Beacon Press, 2003. 273 pages.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor; A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas C. Foster. Harper, 2003. 296 pages.

Literary Criticism for the rest of us! Every journey is a quest. Every meal is communion. Vampires are highly sexual. Fairy Tales still rule---Cinderella story anyone? And who know so many storylines are adaptations from either the Bible or Shakespeare. Or both. I especially liked the well annotated recommended reading list for adults at the back.

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.

Rogue State, 3rd edition: A Guide To The World's Only Superpower by William Blum. Common Courage Press, 2005. 306 Pages.

Teacher Man: A Memoir, by Frank McCourt. Scribner, 2005. 272 pages

Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement by Ann Bausum. National Geographic Children's Books (2005), H

Excellent overview of civil rights freedom riders w/ forwards by 2 of the participants. great photos, enough white space to be enjoyable to read and easy on the eyes while still packing in lots of facts and information; well written. has it all...research guide, mug shots and citations.