Meghan recommends "The Whisper Network"

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker is our new Book of the Month!

"Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita have worked at Truviv, Inc. for years. The sudden death of Truviv's CEO means their boss, Ames, will likely take over the entire company. Each of the women has a different relationship with Ames, who has always been surrounded by whispers about how he treats women. This time, when they find out Ames is making an inappropriate move on a colleague, they've decided enough is enough.” (From the publisher.)

From the outset of Whisper Network, readers know that someone has died. The story unfolds as the women take turns narrating in the lead up to the death and beyond, interspersed with interviews and depositions conducted after the fact. A sort of Greek chorus highlighting the conflicting messages given to women in the workforce also takes a role. The story excels in its depiction of the strength of female friendships, despite the personal and philosophical conflicts they sometimes have with each other.  As they work together to take Ames down, readers and characters alike question - are they out for revenge or are they just trying do the right thing?  

This book is recommended for Adults and possibly older Teens.

Natalie recommends "Batman Arkham: Ra's al Ghul"

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I am a fan of this particular character in the Batman lore, and will pick up what I can when I am in the mood.  A character who learned a secret to immortality and has an intellect and fighting skills that can match the Caped Crusaders.  This is the most recent item that features this character.  And while this doesn't include anything new (as it gathers a collection his appearances since his introduction in 1971), it is still very enjoyable.  My favorite stories in here are Daughter of the Demon, the Lazarus Pit, and Resurrection Shuffle.  


"Daughter of the Demon" introduces Ra's al Ghul and reveals that he is the father of Talia, Batman's "first" love interest outside of Catwoman and later the mother of their child and current Robin, Damian.  Ra's comes to Batman hoping that he can help rescue his daughter, who has been abducted on the same night and by the same person who abducted Robin (Dick Grayson).  It is later revealed that Ra's set this all up to see if Batman is worthy to not only wed his daughter, but be his heir.  He's also one of the few people outside of Batman's rather large family to know that Batman is Bruce Wayne, as seen in this issue.



"The Lazarus Pit" introduces the Lazarus Pit, a pool that is known to heal the injured and bring back the dead.  This would be a tool that Ra's would be known for using to essentially escape death, which he does in this issue.  He's the only to use it, with him only letting Nyssa his other daughter using it once and Talia using it to restore Jason Todd (the second Robin who was killed in the Death in the Family arc) behind her fathers back.



"Resurrection Shuffle" was one of the first issues in the Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul arc, in which an aging Ra's is losing time and needs to transfer his soul to a new body.  This would come to include Damian Wayne, Tim Drake (the third Robin, who he would later bribe with the Laarus Pit to revive his father, girlfriend, and best friend), the later two of which would actually be alive), and Ra's' father.  The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul is one of my favorite Ra's stories, so it was nice to see this included.



Batman Arkham: Ra's al Ghul is a good read with some of the needed stories you'd need to see who this character is, and I would recommend it.  It is an Adult Graphic Novel, but it could be something Young Adults could read too.

The Kelloggs: the battling brothers of Battle Creek

 

 

 

Our July book for Let’s Get Real!  is The Kelloggs: the battling brothers of Battle Creek by Howard Markel

 

Pick up a copy and join us for an interesting discussion on Monday, July 22 at 6:30pm at the Main Library.

 

 

Natalie recommends "Return of the Wolf: Conflict and Coexistence"

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Return of the Wolf: Conflict and Coexistence is a nonfiction adult book looking into the lives of wolves. Their history, their unfortunate reputation for being bad/evil,  what they symbolize in some cultures, misconceptions and their future.  It talks about diets, breeding habits, and the coexistent relationship that wolves and ravens have when it comes to hunting and eating.  It even has a section talking about coywolves (wolf and coyote hybrids) and wolf-dogs (the half wolf, half domesticated dog breed).  The author shares what they've learned and it's really interesting.



It's a fascinating read and helps give an understanding to one of the most misunderstood Apex predators.​  And if you're looking for something kind of different, or a good nonfiction book, I would recommend this.

Sarah recommends “Where the Crawdads Sing”

The Books on Tap Book Club's June pick was "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens.

Summary from the publisher:

For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She's barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark. But Kya is not what they say. Abandoned at age ten, she has survived on her own in the marsh that she calls home. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the false signals of fireflies. But while she could have lived in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world—until the unthinkable happens.

Part mystery, part coming-of-age story, "Where the Crawdads Sing" is a beautifully written debut novel from an acclaimed nature writer. All 10 members of the book club really liked this book, particularly the lyrical descriptions of the natural world, and we all were moved by the heartbreaking story of the sensitive yet resilient Kya.

If you're interested in joining a casual book club for adults that discusses new and popular fiction, please join us at our next Books on Tap meeting on July 8, 2019, 6pm, at Bar Louie Partridge Creek. We'll be discussing "My Sister the Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite.

Kathy recommends "Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America

First published in 2001, Nickel and Dimed describes the author’s attempt to subsist on a variety of minimum wage jobs over the course of two years in three different cities. She worked as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide and Wal-Mart associate. The author vividly describes each work experience and what she endured in humorous and thoughtful prose. Most of the time her earnings barely covered her expenses unless she worked two jobs seven days a week. Ehrenreich says that the experience changed her forever. She writes that the hardest thing to accept is the “invisibility of the poor.” We see them every day but don’t recognize them as poor because after all, they work. This is a quick, entertaining and thought provoking read. My eyes were opened many times, especially at her description of working for a franchise cleaning company. Comparisons to today’s wage earners are eerily similar and inevitable.

As it so happens, this title is our selection for the next “Let’s Get Real” nonfiction book discussion on June 24^th at 6:30. Pick up your copy at any one of our branches and please join us for some lively conversation at the Main library.

Margaret recommends "The Gown"

This historical fiction novel takes place during then Princess Elizabeth’s (now Queen Elizabeth) wedding preparations. It highlights the often overlooked seamstresses and embroiderers that worked diligently and passionately to complete the beautiful gown designed by Norman Hartnell and the secrets behind it. It is also a story of friendship of two women who survived WWII and the hope and healing from their work together to complete a historical gown. Jennifer Robson gives us a glimpse of the past and wonderfully weaves us into this story of friendships, the gown, and the royal family.  Recommended for Adults.