Ashland Books@Noon July 2018 List

Author

Notes

Ahna shared this title in addition to Educated. Here is her annotation: "The story of two young girls, devoted friends who drift apart and then rediscover each other through the backdrop of a tour in the Galapagos Islands. But there's more. In a Dickensonian manner with the added dimension of the same familial heritage and the very same surname, Jane reflects and questions herself on what defines a friendship. So very well written and quite engaging."

Formats:

Book - Hardback, eBook

Description

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In this "witty novel about family, friendship, and survival of the fittest,"* Cathleen Schine, one of our most astute social observers, examines the origin of species alongside the origins of who we come to be. In some mysterious family feud or unintended slight, Jane Barlow Schwartz lost a friend, her cousin and soul mate, Martha. But years later, surrounded by the exotic wildlife of the Galapagos, Jane and Martha meet again. There, amid the antics...

2) Lies my teacher told me: everything your American history textbook got wrong

Author

Loewen, James W

Notes

This title was brought up as one of possible interest to Rad in light of the misinformation that proliferates about our racial history in classrooms throughout the country.

Formats:

Book, eBook, Kindle

Description

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Criticizes the way history is presented in current textbooks, and suggests a fresh and more accurate approach to teaching American history.

3) Reconstruction: voices from America's first great struggle for racial equality

Series

Library of America volume 303

Notes

This is a title that is new about the reconstruction that Rad might want to consider.

Description

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"The defeat of the Confederacy and the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865 brought about the final destruction of slavery in the United States. Americans were confronted for the first time with the possibility of creating a republic dedicated to the principle of racial equality. What followed over the next twelve years was one of the most complex, inspiring, and ultimately tragic eras in American history. Reconstruction: Voices From America's...

4) Dread Nation

Author

Ireland, Justina

Series

Dread nation

Notes

Rad asked for recommendations of titles about the Reconstruction. Kristin talked about Dread Nation, indicating that it almost certainly wasn't what he was looking for but was nevertheless super awesome. This is a Reconstruction-Era Zombie Alternate History Extravaganzy. Awesome main character. Awesome on audio: read by Kristin's favorite narrator, Bahni Turpin.

Formats:

eAudiobook, eBook

Description

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New York Times bestseller * Six starred reviews At once provocative, terrifying, and darkly subversive, Dread Nation is Justina Ireland's stunning vision of an America both foreign and familiar-a country on the brink, at the explosive crossroads where race, humanity, and survival meet. Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation...

5) The plague of doves

Author

Erdrich, Louise

Notes

Rad enjoyed this novel by Louise Erdrich. The conversation quickly devolved into a discussion of Native American representation in literature. Because Erdrich wrote a series intended to be read in juxtaposition to Wilder's "Little House on the Prarie" books, the recent decision to rename a major children's literary award was discussed. A link to the ALA press release will be included in this list.

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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The unsolved murder of a farm family haunts the small, white, off-reservation town of Pluto, North Dakota. The vengeance exacted for this crime and the subsequent distortions of truth transform the lives of Ojibwe living on the nearby reservation and shape the passions of both communities for the next generation.

6) Macbeth

Author

Nesbø, Jo

Notes

Bill read this Macbeth retelling from Norse Noir master Jo Nesbo. It sounds like it's pretty true to the source material. Rad pointed out that this is a departure for Nesbo in that it isn't set in Scandinavia. This is a part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. The group pondered why Nesbo wouldn't have rewritten Hamlet instead, which resulted in the group doing some quick internet searching to determine that Hamlet has already been assigned to Gillian Flynn.

Formats:

Book, Large Print - Hardback

Description

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Set in the 1970s in a run-down, rainy industrial town, Jo Nesbo's Macbeth centers around a police force struggling to shed an incessant drug problem. Duncan, chief of police, is idealistic and visionary, a dream to the townspeople but a nightmare for criminals. The drug trade is ruled by two drug lords, one of whom--a master of manipulation named Hecate--has connections with the highest in power, and plans to use them to get his way.

7) The pigeon tunnel: stories from my life

Author

Le Carré, John

Notes

Nina loved this detailed memoir. She loved the real stories behind the novels and the dedication Le Carre has to accuracy in storytelling.

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook

Description

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In this, his first memoir, le Carre is as funny as he is incisive, reading into the events he witnesses the same moral ambiguity with which he imbues his novels. Best of all, he gives listeners a glimpse of a writer's journey over more than six decades, and his own hunt for the human spark that has given so much life and heart to his fictional characters.

8) Ghost boys

Author

Rhodes, Jewell Parker

Notes

Kristin loved this one. Imagine if Tamir Rice and Emmett Till could have a conversation. Poignant, tear jerker that will make you think about the state of the world today and the toll that casual racism has taken on young black boys and men. Keep tissues handy.

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"After seventh-grader Jerome is shot by a white police officer, he observes the aftermath of his death and meets the ghosts of other fallen black boys including historical figure Emmett Till"-- Provided by publisher.