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All Books

Mr. Dodge, Mr. Hitchcock, and the French Riviera

Author:

Jean Buchanan

This is a quirky little history, focusing on the back story of the classic Cary Grant movie, "To Catch a Thief." It starts with the story of David Dodge, the man who wrote the book on which the movie was based. He was an interesting man who lived the sort of life that many people wish they could live, so this portion is perhaps the most interesting section of the book for the general reader. Fans of the movie are likely to enjoy the behind the scenes look at its filming, too.

Favorite Thing:
The peak into the real life events behind "To Catch a Thief"
Mr. Dodge, Mr. Hitchcock, and the French Riviera book cover
Book Length:
Shorter
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
Low
Categories:
Non-Fiction, True Stories

Buy at Amazon

Her Windowed Eyes, Her Chambered Heart

Author:

Cat Rambo

This is a fun steampunk short story set in an alternative history America in which phlogiston actually exists and powers all sorts of machines- even robots like one of the main characters. The story follows two Pinkerton agents in their attempt to bring in a fugitive. The characters are interesting, the alternative world is well-drawn, and the plot is paced such that you'll want to read the entire story in one sitting.

Favorite Thing:
The character of Artemus, the robot
Her Windowed Eyes, Her Chambered Heart book cover
Book Length:
Shortest
Part of Series:
Part of a series of short stories/novellas
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
Moderate
Categories:
Fiction, Fantasy and Steampunk

Buy at Amazon

Far As You Can Go

Author:

Greg van Eekhout

This is a quest story set in a post-apocalyptic future, but with a slight twist: our hero's companion is a robot. This changes how we view the events of the story- or does it? In the end, this well-written and entertaining story is also a thought-provoking exploration of our human need for friendship.

Favorite Thing:
The care taken in drawing the character of the robot companion
Far As You Can Go book cover
Book Length:
Shortest
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
High
Categories:
Fiction, Sci-Fi

Buy at Amazon | Buy at BN.com | Buy at Kobo

Inside Job

Author:

Connie Willis

When a professional skeptic runs into a medium who seems to be the real thing, he finds his beliefs tested in more than one way... This well-written story has interesting characters and a fun plot. It is a quick but satisfying read.

Favorite Thing:
The ending!
Inside Job book cover
Book Length:
Short
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
Moderate
Categories:
Fiction, Sci-Fi

Buy at Amazon | Buy at BN.com | Buy at Kobo

The Vanishing

Author:

Anu Silfverberg

,

David Hackston (translator)

This well-written book is part personal essay about dealing with a relative's Alzheimer's disease, part summary of recent research about how Alzheimer's patients experience the world, and part reporting on a new type of care home in the Netherlands. These parts combine to produce a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of how we can best help Alzheimer's patients.

Favorite Thing:
The way it made me rethink how I view Alzheimer's Disease
The Vanishing book cover
Book Length:
Shorter
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
High
Categories:
Non-Fiction, Essays and Opinion, Science, True Stories

Buy at Amazon

Murder in Ancient China: Two Judge Dee Mysteries

Author:

Robert van Gulik

This short ebook consists of two short stories, both murder mysteries set in ancient China with Judge Dee as the protagonist. They are solid mystery stories, and the historical setting makes them even more enjoyable: they are like police procedurals in a police department whose rules you do not know. Overall, this was a fun and satisfying quick read.

Favorite Thing:
The mysteries!
Murder in Ancient China book cover
Book Length:
Shorter
Part of Series:
Short story/novella related to a series of long books
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
Moderate
Categories:
Fiction, Mystery

Buy at Amazon | Buy at BN.com | Buy at Kobo

The Life in Papers of Sofie K

Author:

Octavia Cade

This fascinating story follows the life of a young Russian girl in the 1800s who has a love of mathematics. She persists despite society's obstacles and studies mathematics at a German university, before finally ending up as a professor in Sweden. It is based on the life of Sofia Kovalevskaya, and is organized around her papers. The writing is engaging and almost lyrical at times, and the story has fantastical elements, making this more of an exploration of the motivations and costs of circumventing society's obstacles than a simple fictionalized biographical sketch.

Favorite Thing:
Thinking about what drives people to make choices society frowns upon, and what those choices cost.
The Life in Papers of Sofie K.
Book Length:
Short
Part of Series:
Short story/novella related to a series of long books
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
High
Categories:
Fiction, Just Plain Fiction

Buy at Amazon

Company Eight

Author:

Matthew Pearl

I had never really thought about how we ended up with the professional fire departments we have today before I read this book. If you're like me in that regard, do yourself a favor and read this! It is a fascinating look at the period of time during which Boston switched from rough, rowdy volunteer fire companies to the modern professional system. It is a well-told story full of interesting characters, so it is a fun as well as educational read.

Favorite Thing:
The exploration of how society's systems change
Company Eight
Book Length:
Shorter
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
High
Categories:
Non-Fiction, True Stories

Buy at Amazon

Scales Beneath My Skin

Author:

Ka'ili Marie Britos

This is a story of a young Hawaiian girl growing up and learning her family's secrets, but also of making peace with the past and the danger in refusing to do so. It is a beautifully told story with a strong sense of place, interesting characters, and a thread of Hawaiian mythology woven in.

Favorite Thing:
The way the location felt almost like another character
Scales Beneath My Skin book cover
Book Length:
Shorter
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
Moderate
Categories:
Fiction, Just Plain Fiction

Buy at Amazon

Gut Instincts

Author:

Heather Abel

If you've ever wondered about celiac disease, the serious disease behind the current gluten free craze, this book is for you. But it is more than just an introduction to celiac disease and what life with this difficult condition is like. It is also a well-written and at times funny look at life at the boundaries of modern medical knowledge, and how to remain a happy person even when you cannot become a perfectly healthy patient.

Favorite Thing:
The description of the struggle to make sense of symptoms medicine can't really explain.
Gut Instinct book cover
Book Length:
Shorter
Part of Series:
Not part of a series
Stand Alone:
Yes
Stickiness:
High
Categories:
Non-Fiction, Science, True Stories

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Pages