Author Archives: EHL

Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (9) – Alexander McCall Smith

It was good to return to Scotland Street and catch up on the happenings.The triplets have overwhelmed Matthew, so he offers one of the boys to Big Lou.  But surely he wasn’t serious, was he? Angus and Domenica, settling into … Continue reading

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A Spool of Blue Thread – Anne Tyler

Abby and Red Whitshanks had four children. Denny was the best looking and caused the most problems, always doing the unexpected, always stirring up things, looking to upset everyone.  He was the one teachers called about, the one who dropped … Continue reading

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The Country of Ice Cream Star – Sandra Newman

“My name be Ice Cream Fifteen Star.  My brother be Driver Eighteen Star, and my ghost brother Mo-Jacques Five Star . . . .”    “We Sengles be a wandering sort . . . be thieves, and brave to hunt.”  So … Continue reading

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Amherst – William Nicholson

Emily Dickinson never left her house, never saw anyone except her sister Vinnie and her brother, Austin. The townspeople referred to her as the Myth.  Vinnie cared for her daily physical needs, Austin for her emotional needs.  She lived her … Continue reading

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The Chessmen: The Lewis Trilogy – Peter May

Fin couldn’t believe his eyes.  The loch was gone, truly gone.  The water had disappeared overnight.  Whistler’s theory was of a bog burst, a phenomenon that can happen after a heavy rain.  But Fin wasn’t  listening.  He was focused on … Continue reading

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The Darkest Part of the Forest – Holly Black

Hazel and her brother, Ben, live in the odd town of Fairfold where the adjoining woods are filled with fae.  Hazel has grown up acting the part of knight, fighting the evil in the forest.  In the heart of the … Continue reading

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The Train to Crystal City: FDR’s Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and America’s Only Family Internment Camp During World War II – Jan Jarboe Russell

Crystal City, Texas, is a small town in a sandy, dry prairie near the Mexican border.  Its only claim to fame is spinach.  The sandy soil turned out to be fine for growing spinach and a statue of Popeye stands … Continue reading

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When – Victoria Laurie

Maddie sees each person’s death date hovering above their head, either in person or in a photograph.  The numbers have been there for as long as she can remember, back to when she was a few years old, learning her … Continue reading

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There Will Be Lies – Nick Lake

Shelby and her mom have a solid routine in Arizona, complete with weekly ice cream dinners, trips to the batting cages for talented Shelby, and home schooling.  Her life is quite sheltered, and her mom is constantly concerned with her … Continue reading

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The Boy in the Black Suit – Jason Reynolds

Matt’s mother died of cancer.  His father deals with her death by sinking into depression and alcohol.  Matt deals with her death by shouldering the responsibilities of the sad reality.  He needs a job and it is either at the … Continue reading

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Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat – John McQuaid

From a 480 million-year-old fossil digging for a meal to today’s experimental chefs, the author takes us on a journey of taste and smell.   Why do we taste?  What is deliciousness?  Do we taste with our brains or our tongues?  … Continue reading

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Motherland – Maria Hummel

There was so much that needed to be done. Liesl felt overwhelmed.  This was a household used to servants, and she was alone with three little boys.  Alone and hungry and cold.  Hans resented her, wouldn’t do as he was … Continue reading

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The Boston Girl – Anita Diamant

The tape recorder began running in 1984, as Addie Baum, in response to her granddaughter’s request, started to tell of her life. The story begins in 1915 when she was 15, with the family of four living in one room … Continue reading

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A Thousand Pieces of You – Claudia Gray

Marguerite’s brilliant scientist parents have received funding from a giant tech corporation to develop their parallel universe theories.  Their two grad student assistants, Paul and Theo, are treated like family.  When it appears Paul has killed her father and escaped … Continue reading

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Lives in Ruins: Archaeologists and the Seductive Lure of Human Rubble – Marilyn Johnson

Archaeologists, real archaeologists are not at all like Indiana Jones. From Machu Picchu to Rhode Island, the Mediterranean to Fishkill, New York, Marilyn Johnson worked and lived with real archaeologists.  Her intent was to understand their character, to understand why … Continue reading

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