Book talk for September 17 2024
Plain honest men: The Making of the American Constitution
by Richard Beeman
Historian provides a day-by-day account of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Uses primary and secondary sources to illustrate the debates and negotiations that raged between the states before the document's ratification. Discusses the failure to come to an agreement about the issue of slavery. 2009.
DB70182
Whiskey Island
by Emilie Richards
A carjacking brings ex-priest Niccolo Andreani into the lives of Megan Donaghue and her sisters Peggy and Casey, owners of Cleveland's historic Whiskey Island Saloon. With Niccolo's help, Megan solves a generations-old family mystery. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.
DB58098
The Parting Glass
by Emilie Richards
Peggy Donaghue and her two-year-old autistic son leave Cleveland to visit a cousin in Ireland who needs help unraveling a family mystery. When Peggy's sisters Megan and Casey arrive the secret is revealed. Sequel to Whiskey Island (DB 58098). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.
DB58062
What happened to Nina?
by Dervla McTiernan
"Nina and Simon are the perfect couple. Young, fun and deeply in love. Until they leave for a weekend at his family's cabin in Vermont, and only Simon comes home. What happened to Nina? Nobody knows. Simon's explanation about what happened in their last hours together doesn't add up. Nina's parents push the police for answers, and Simon's parents rush to protect him. They hire expensive lawyers and a PR firm that quickly ramps up a vicious, nothing-is-off-limits media campaign. How far will his family go to keep him safe? Soon, facts are lost in a swirl of accusation and counter-accusation. Everyone chooses a side, and the story goes viral, fuelled by armchair investigators and wild conspiracy theories and illustrated with pretty pictures taken from Nina's social media accounts. Journalists descend on their small Vermont town, followed by a few obsessive 'fans.' How far will her family go to get the truth? Nina's family is under siege, but they never lose sight of the only thing that really matters - finding their daughter. Out-gunned by Simon's wealthy, powerful family, Nina's parents recognize that if playing by the rules won't get them anywhere, it's time to break them." Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DB122143
Space 2.0: how private spaceflight, a resurgent NASA, and international partners are creating a new space age
By Rod Pyle
"The privatization of space exploration and the future of spaceflight is examined by an expert in the field who discusses how current research in propulsion and life support systems is triggering a new space age."-- From publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DB122997
Weekend Warrior
by Fern Michaels
After a driver with diplomatic immunity kills pregnant Barbara Rutledge, her mother Myra, her best friend Nikki, and five other women form the Sisterhood to help women get the justice and revenge they deserve. Some strong language. 2003.
DB62093
Love at Lakewood Med
by T J Amberson
Savannah would be thrilled about starting her final year of medical school if it wern't for one thing: she has to spend a month working in the emergency room with cold, aloof Dr. Kent as her mentor. When her first day in the ER proves to be a humiliating disaster, Savannah is ready to swear off emergency medicine forever. LDS Fiction
DBC20266
A little ray of Sunshine
by Kristan Higgins
"A kid walks into your bookstore and… Guess what? He’s your son. The one you put up for adoption eighteen years ago. The one you never told anyone about. Surprise! And a huge surprise it is. It’s a huge surprise to his adoptive mother, Monica, who thought she had a close relationship with Matthew, her nearly adult son. But apparently, he felt the need to secretly arrange a vacation to Cape Cod for the summer so he could meet his birth mother...without a word to either her or his dad. It’s also a surprise— to say the least—to Harlow, the woman who secretly placed her baby for adoption so many years ago. She’s spent the years since then building a quiet life. She runs a bookstore with her grandfather, hangs out with her four younger siblings and is more or less happily single, though she can’t help gravitating toward Grady Byrne, her old friend from high school. He’s moved back to town, three-year-old daughter in tow, no wife in the picture. But she’s always figured her life had to be child-free, so that complicates things. When Matthew walks into Harlow’s store, she faints. Monica panics. And all their assumptions—about what being a parent really means—explode. This summer will be full of more surprises as both their families are redefined...and as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love." -- Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DB115175
PT 109: an American epic of war, survival, and the destiny of John F. Kennedy
by William Doyle
Account of World War II shipwreck of an American torpedo boat. The author describes the harrowing ordeal faced by the survivors, including John F. Kennedy. The tale of their struggle included a deserted island, a spy network, an S. O. S. note carved into a coconut, and a daring rescue. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2015.
DB103570
South Texas
by Ann Gabriel
Ranchers and farmers in South Texas in 1886 have two enemies: drought and banker T. C. Barnett. Cattle baron Coke Sanders can't fight the former, but he matches wits and forces with Barnett. Sanders's biggest challenge is how to win the love of Jessica West. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. 1989.
DB98010
Countdown an autobiography
By Frank Borman and Robert J Serling
In recounting his life, Borman comes across as a rather straight-laced man to whom honor, duty, and patriotism are very important. He focuses on his careers as a pilot, astronaut, and president of the troubled Eastern Airlines. Some strong language.
DB29865
Shane
by Jack Schaefer
Wyoming territory, 1889. A mysterious stranger named Shane rides into the Starretts' ranch and learns of trouble between cattle baron Fletcher and the homesteaders. Shane decides to stay and help the family keep their stake. Some violence. For senior high and older readers. 1949.
DB60163