May 2020 Alan P. recommends: Nature Writings by John Muir From amazon.com: In a lifetime of exploration, writing, and passionate politi- cal activism, John Muir became America's most eloquent spokesman for the mystery and majesty of the wilderness. A crucial figure in the creation of our national parks system and a far-seeing prophet of environmental awareness who founded the Sierra Club in 1892, he was also a master of natural descrip- tion who evoked with unique power and intimacy the untrammeled land- scapes of the American West. Nature Writings collects Muir's most significant and best-loved works in a sin- gle volume, including: The Story of My Boyhood and Youth (1913), My First Summer in the Sierra (1911), The Mountains of California (1894) and Stickeen (1909). Rounding out the volume is a rich selection of essays— including "Yosemite Glaciers," "God's First Temples," "Snow-Storm on Mount Shasta," "The American Forests," and "Save the Redwoods"—that highlight various aspects of his career: his exploration of the Grand Canyon and of what became Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks, his successful crusades to preserve the wilderness, his early walking tour to Florida, and the Alaska jour- ney of 1879. Nature Brigitte H. recommends: Saving CeeCee Honeycuttby Beth Hoffman Twelve-year-old CeeCee is in trouble. For years she’s been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille— the crown-wearing, lipstick-smeared laugh- ingstock of an entire town. Though it’s 1967 and they live in Ohio, Camille be- lieves it’s 1951 and she’s just been crowned the Vidalia Onion Queen of Geor- gia. The day CeeCee discovers Camille in the front yard wearing a tattered prom dress and tiara as she blows kisses to passing motorists, she knows her moth- er has completely flipped. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, a previously unknown great-aunt comes to CeeCee’s rescue and whisks her away to Savan- nah. Within hours of her arrival, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricities—a world that appears to be run en- tirely by women. While Tootie is busy saving Savannah’s endangered historic homes from the wrecking ball, CeeCee encounters a cast of unforgettable, eccentric charac- ters. From the mysterious Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in an outdoor tub under the watchful eyes of a voyeuristic peacock, to Oletta Jones, the all- knowing household cook, to Violene Hobbs, the loud-mouthed widow who entertains a local police officer in her yellow see-through peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire sum- mer. But CeeCee’s view of the world is challenged in ways she could have never imagined: there are secrets to keep, injustices to face, and loyalties to uphold. Just as she begins to find her ballast and experiences a sense of belonging, her newfound joy collides with the long-held fear that her mother’s legacy has left her destined for destruction. Historical fiction -and- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen From goodreads.com: When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and sudden- ly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus me- nagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he dis- covers a way to reach her. Historical fiction Colleen W. recommends: Maid by Stephanie Land From amazon.com: At 28, Stephanie Land's plans of breaking free from the roots of her hometown in the Pacific Northwest to chase her dreams of attending a university and becoming a writer, were cut short when a summer fling turned into an unexpected pregnancy. She turned to housekeeping to make ends meet, and with a tenacious grip on her dream to provide her daughter the very best life possible, Stephanie worked days and took classes online to earn a college degree, and began to write relentlessly. She wrote the true stories that weren't being told: the stories of overworked and underpaid Americans. Of living on food stamps and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) coupons to eat. Of the government programs that provided her housing, but that doubled as halfway houses. The aloof government employ- ees who called her lucky for receiving assistance while she didn't feel lucky at all. She wrote to remember the fight, to eventually cut through the deep- rooted stigmas of the working poor. Maid explores the underbelly of upper-middle class America and the reality of what it's like to be in service to them. "I'd become a nameless ghost," Stepha- nie writes about her relationship with her clients, many of whom do not know her from any other cleaner, but who she learns plenty about. As she begins to discover more about her clients' lives-their sadness and love, too-she begins to find hope in her own path. Memoir -and- Educated by Tara Westover From amazon.com: Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into col- lege, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge trans- formed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home. Memoir Monica B. recommends: El Deafo by Cece Bell From booksofwonder.com: Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things she should- n't—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become "El Deafo, Listener for All." And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she's longed for. Children’s Nina W. recommends: Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks I read this book years ago and I just loved it, so much that after reading a li- brary copy I went out and purchased a copy to own. Very few books make that cut! This book is crazy and covers a lot of ground. Some disturbing stuff happens and some really sad stuff. But it is also funny and quirky and full of great char- acters and really takes you on a journey. Here is a more detailed (and very no-nonsense) summary from a Goodreads reader's review: “Rule of the Bone is a book about a fourteen year old kid who fails out of school, is already hooked on drugs, and is being secretly abused by his stepfa- ther. I know this sounds dark, but Bone, the main character, is, perhaps, one of the most "together" narrators. He knows his flaws and the world's flaws, but this does not stop him from living the existence he chooses--to be home- less and kind of a mallrat. Have you ever met a complete druggie loser and have realized that he is smarter and more intelligent than most people? Well, that is Bone. I recommend this book for anyone who liked Holden Caulfield's crass narra- tive, but thought that he was a privileged b*. Bone is much more enjoyable and witty, and he stands up for himself, something Holden only thought he was capable of.” Fiction Keara B. recommends: Coal Black Mornings by Brett Anderson It is a biography about his, I guess, growth as a musician? It chronicles his life from childhood to adulthood and how he got interested in music, what influ- enced his music, and how his band Suede came to be. It's very interesting be- cause he does not lead a glamorous life and is mostly struggling (with his gang) in the beginning to try and find a place in the music scene and find him- self along the way. What I also found interesting about the book was learning about the meaning and reasoning behind the songs he writes, as well as the perspective. I would also say people should DEFINITELY check out his music, it is great (personally I think it is melancholic and romantic, but everyone interprets mu- sic differently). Albums: Suede, Dog Man Star, Coming Up, Head Music, A New Morning, Bloodsports, Night Thoughts, The Blue Hour. Music memoir Judy T. recommends: Virgin River (2019 series) On the recommendation of a friend, we just watched 3 episodes of "Virgin River" on Netflix. It is a series about a young woman nurse-practitioner who is looking for a new start in a small town in northern California working for an older GP.