The Library Book by Susan Orlean

The Library Book by Susan Orlean, using the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library as the jumping off point, the author pay homage to libraries and librarians in this wonderfully written book. Orlean remembers going to the public library with her mother when she was a young girl, something she remembers fondly and that sets the stage for this love story of the library. Using the 1986 fire as the anchor of this book, she toggles between the history of public libraries, book burning and the future of libraries. But what the author does best is describe the people involved with the library, specifically the Los Angeles public library system. Her mini-biographies are told with affection and detail, her outline of the personalities is charming. This memoir coming from a non-librarian provides a great story of affection for the institution and its people that is all the more effective because it comes from an outsider.

The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson

The Language of Kindness: A Nurses Story by Christie Watson, the memoir of Ms. Watson who spent 20 years as a nurse. She grew up and lives in the UK and is now a successful novelist. She spent much of her time as a NICU and oncology nurse. She tells how she came to nursing, basically by accident, the many ethical issues faced by nurses and healthcare workers, and many stories from the trenches. She also includes some scholarly information on the history of healthcare and nursing.

Fly Girls

Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds And Made Aviation History, by Keith O'Brien. Taking place mostly in the 1920s and 1930s, this book follows the careers of 5 women flyers, and illustrates the hurtles they over came to compete in a male dominated world. Amelia Earhart is the name we still recognize, but at the time there were other women who were more famous and accomplished. Earhart's legacy survives because she was married to George Putnam, publisher and publicist who kept her legacy going. This is a great story of a time when flying was sometimes extremely dangerous as the technology was pushed in competitions to its limit.

Fire Season

Fire Season by Phillip Connnors. When Connors wrote this book, he was in his 8th year as a fire lookout in the Gila National Wilderness. This books outlines the ecology and political history of the Gila, along with documenting his personal story of his relationship with wilderness and various humans. Quite well written and thoughtfully put together.

Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island

By Earl Swift This book chronicles the history and ecology of Chesapeake Bay, using Tangier Island as the vehicle to tell the story. Tangier is the largest blue crab harvesting area in the country and a lot of this book is about the 'crabber' who live and work on the island and the surrounding water. Rising sea level is having a devastating effect on the island. Which is shrinking rather rapidly. The island has traditionally been very isolated, and this has fostered a conservative christian community on the island, that is very insular to outside influence. A lot of information is contained in this book, climate change, sea conditions, wild life associated with the bay. However, the picture that is painted did not make me desire to visit the island anytime soon.

The First Tour de France by Peter Cossins. Book review

The First Tour de France by Peter Cossins As the title implies this is the story of the first Tour. Taking place in 1903, this interesting history provides the background on how the Tour got started. Of course several people take credit, but there is a decided upon standard legend story. This is a layered narrative with highlights the different personalities which were involved. Which were considerable. The first Tour was in six stages, and the bulk of the book tells the story of each stage in a chapter. This is done by the author giving us the background of what was going on at the time, then a story of the stage told as if it was an article appearing in a cycling newspaper of the time. Which is extremely effective and well done. Also included in the background of the Tour is the situation in France at the time, and how the Tour help cement the modern image of French nationality and culture. The first Tour was an instant success and changed how competitive cycling at the time was being done.

These are very short book reviews. I don't finish books that I don't like, so I would recommend any of these. The Storied City: The Quest for Timbuktu by Charlie English History of the famous African city, flipping between the issues that started in 2012, and the ancient history of how Europeans ‘discovered’ the city. Making Oscar Wilde by Michele Mendelssohn Biography if Wilde that traces his creation to his 1881-1882 tour of the U.S. Documents his rise and fall. The Traveling Feast by Rick Bass This Bass memoir tells the story of his travels to writers who are his mentors and authors who influenced him. He travels to these writers homes with some of his students and cooks for them, as a way of saying thanks. Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to The Presidency by Dan Abrams Interesting story of Lincoln’s last trial before he ran for president. Traces his skills at being trial lawyer, and tells the story of his working as a corporate lawyer for railroads as the west was settled. Tip of the Iceberg by Mark Adams The history of Alaska exploration and settlement, and present state of the people and environement. The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination and The Invention of Los Angeles by Gary Krist Tells the story of LA in the 1910s, and 20s by telling the story of William Mulholland, D. W. Griffith and Aimee Sempel McPherson. Illustrates the development of the LA water system, the movie industry and the social life of the city. Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Slade The sinking of the El Faro container ship on it voyage from Florida to Puerto Rico. Wraps in the history and current situation of the shipping industry. Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution by Todd Purdum The history of and the creation of the Broadway Musical. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben Fascinating insights into how trees grow and communicate. Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson Analyzes the life and legend of this founding father. Leornardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson How Leonardo became Leonardo, how his life and times influenced him and how he has influenced so much of history. Grant by Ron Chernow The story of the general and president, and his surprising rise and success. The Line Becomes A River by Francisco Cantu The former border patrol agent tells what it is really like to be on and of the Mexican border. The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel The pioneering work in astronomy done by women in the late 1800s. I Wonder as I Wander by Langston Hughes The autobiography and what a fascinating journey he had. The Last Castle by Denise Kiersan The history of the Biltmore in Asheville, NC. The Lonely Life by Bette Davis Her autobiography in her own words.