Phil recommends "Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI"

"Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI" by David Grann has been a nonfiction book club favorite since its release in 2017 but expect renewed interest later this year when the Martin Scorsese film comes out.  In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, after oil was discovered on their lands.  Soon after, the Osage begin to be killed off one by one.  Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman, finds herself at the epicenter of these killings as multiple members of her family begin to die under mysterious circumstances.

Former Texas Ranger Tom White has been tasked by J. Edgar Hoover to solve the murders but he soon finds himself up against formidable foes and unprecedented levels of corruption.  This investigation forms the foundations of what would become the FBI.  “Killers of the Flower Moon” is the Let’s Get Real book discussion selection for June.

This book is appropriate for adults.

 

Lisa recommends "Endlessly Ever After"

I have been eagerly awaiting this new title to see if it held up to the pre-publishing buzz and it does! Endlessly Ever After is a story of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Hansel, Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, a wolf, a witch, a goose, a grandmother, and some pigs. After each two page spread, you get to choose your own adventure and drive your own story. My story started with Little Red Riding Hood, visited the Three Pigs, and ended up in Hansel and Gretel’s cottage. Dan Santat’s illustrations pair well with the text.

One a five star scale, I would give it five stars.  Enjoy multiple readings and never read the same story twice!

Amy recommends "The Book of Cold Cases"

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James is an atmospheric thriller that reads like a true crime novel. Murder, ghosts and a plot that moves between decades make for a great story. I had to read it in two sittings because it was just creepy enough to make me wait for daylight to finish.

Recommended for adults.

 

 

Natalie recommends "The Power of the Dog"

As someone who doesn't particularly read or watch westerns, this sounded like a curious read. I decided to pick the book up around the time I caught the Netflix movie adaptation, which I ended up checking out after a recommendation on one of my socials. I really enjoyed the movie and took my time reading the book.  

This is the story of the Burbank brothers, who, in a lot of ways, are opposites. When George marries Rose Gordon, a widow, she and her son Peter find themselves the target of Phil's torment. But not everything is as it seems and beneath the surface secrets and strengths are revealed. Not every book should be judged by it's cover as the story goes on.  

While maybe not a book for everyone, this is a book I would recommend giving a read. The nuances and descriptions are things I found interesting.  

ADULT

Natalie recommends "Atlas of the Heart"

"In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through 85 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and lays out an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances - a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection. Over the past two decades, Brown's extensive research into the experiences that make us who we are has shaped the cultural conversation and helped define what it means to be courageous with our lives. Atlas of the Heart draws on this research, as well as Brown's singular skills as a researcher/storyteller, to lay out an invaluable, research-based framework that shows us that naming an experience doesn't give the experience more power, it gives us the power of understanding, meaning, and choice. Brown shares, "I want this to be an atlas for all of us, because I believe that, with an adventurous heart and the right maps, we can travel anywhere and never fear losing ourselves. Even when we have no idea where we are.""-- Provided by publisher.

I seldom pick up self-help type books. Not because I dislike them or anything, but because I haven't found many that speak to me.  This was one that did. It certainly has a neat way it breaks down each section and it was an enjoyable read.

ADULT

Uma recommends "Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before"

 

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julie Smith teaches us how to strengthen and maintain our mental health even in some of the most difficult times. Smith has written this book in a simple manner, making it easy to find important information. The book contains proven strategies to help navigate our mental health and provides a strong understanding of how our mind works. Dr. Smith provides expert advice and powerful coping techniques to keep our mental health strong. This book also talks about how to manage anxiety and depression along with tips on how to tackle everyday issues with practical solutions.

ADULT

 

Martin recommends "Secret Identity"

 

"It's 1975 and the comic book industry is struggling, but Carmen Valdez doesn't care. She's an assistant at Triumph Comics and is tantalizingly close to fulfilling her dream of writing a superhero book. That dream is nearly a reality when one of the Triumph writers enlists her help to create a new character, which they call "The Lethal Lynx," Triumph's first female hero. But her colleague is acting strangely and asking to keep her involvement a secret. And then he's found dead, with all of their scripts turned into the publisher without her name. She is desperate to piece together what happened to him and to hang on to her piece of the Lynx. But that's complicated by a surprise visitor from her home in Miami, a tenacious cop who is piecing everything together too quickly for Carmen, and the tangled web of secrets and resentments among the passionate eccentrics who write comics for a living. "

 

Author Alex Segura, no stranger to the comic book world, is the creative force behind this mystery novel. As a child of the 70's and a lifelong comic reader, this story connected with me on many levels. From the feel of the comic book industry at the time (with various references to DC, Marvel and more) to the moments and places in New York City during the mid-1970's, this book kept me engaged the entire time. I found myself completely entrenched in Carmen's world and desperately trying to piece together the mystery right along with her. I also liked the added bonus of pages created for "The Lethal Lynx" comic book that are sprinkled throughout; they really tie-in nicely to the plot of Carmen's story and give the whole book an extra punch that just straight prose could not.

 

 

Adult - Mystery