Category Archives: adult
Devices and Desires: Bess of Hardwick and the Building of Elizabethan England – Kate Hubbard Harper
Hardwick Hall was built in the 1590s, when Bess was in her seventies. It is still remarkable with clean lines, amazing windows – more glass than wall. It was the grand finale of building projects for Bess of Hardwick. being … Continue reading
The Wartime Sisters – Lynda Loigman
You would never think that Ruth and Millie were sisters. Ruth, three years older, was the responsible one, rather plain looking, very smart, and you could count on her to always do the right thing. But expectations were high for … Continue reading
Code Name: Lise – The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII’s Most Highly Decorated Spy – Larry Loftis
Odette was born and raised in France. Her father died a hero in the First World War, and every Sunday afternoon she and her brother placed flowers on his grave. Her Grandfather told the children that in twenty or twenty-five … Continue reading
Once Upon a River – Diane Setterfield
There was a tradition at the Swan, an ancient inn on the banks of the Thames. It was a tradition of storytelling. Joe Bliss was very good at storytelling. His wife ran the inn. Joe told the stories. And it … Continue reading
The Au Pair – Emma Rous
Seraphine is in her father’s study at the estate on the Norfolk coast. Still shocked by her father’s accidental death, she’s struggling to clear the mass of papers and photographs, unhappy with the fact that there are no early pictures … Continue reading
Rewrite: Loops in the Timescape – Gregory Benford
Charlie’s life hasn’t been the greatest. He is a rather ordinary history professor, going through a divorce. But when he gets hit by a truck, he wakes up in his bed instead of a hospital. Things get weird when he … Continue reading
Terran Tomorrow – Nancy Kress
The spaceship Return carried only nine people, although it could have carried many, many more. The mission from Earth to World had not been a success, and so some of the Earthlings were going home, accompanied by five Worlders. They … Continue reading
The Colors of All the Cattle: No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (19) – Alexander McCall Smith
How nice it was to be back in Botswana with Mma Ramotswe. She is such a kind, gentle, generous person. If a friend asks for a favor, she feels the need to grant it. But this is too much. Mma … Continue reading
Little – Edward Carey
When she was born in a small village in Alsace in 1761, she was tiny, oh so tiny, just about the size of two hands, and not expected to live. Little Anne Marie was stubborn and refused to die, but … Continue reading
Unsheltered – Barbara Kingsolver
Willa thought her life was finally in order. Her husband, Iano, had tenure, and she had a job she loved with a magazine. But of course, that was not to be. The college closed, the magazine failed, and it was … Continue reading
Eliza Hamilton: The Extraordinary Life and Times of the Wife of Alexander Hamilton – Tilar J. Mazzeo
It was the winter of 1779-80. Eliza was twenty-two and it was time for her to find a husband. Knowing that her old beau, Tench Tilghman, would be stationed at the army’s winter camp in Morristown, New Jersey, her father … Continue reading
Through Darkest Europe – Harry Turtledove
The world is turned around, with Africa and the Middle East being well educated, liberal, rich. Europe is the backwater, full of extremists waging “holy wars”. Khalid al-Zarzisi, is a senior investigator, sent with his assistant, Dawud ibn Musa, a … Continue reading
The Killing Room – Peter May
Well, Margaret has done it again. She was in Chicago attending the funeral of her father, when called back to China to assist in the autopsies. After a short briefing, instead of being allowed to get some sleep, she is … Continue reading
Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero – Christian Di Spigna
You all know the story of Dr. Joseph Warren, don’t you? Surely you remember him. He was a close friend of Samuel Adams and he spearheaded the original group of insurgents in Boston. Shortly before the Battle of Bunker Hill … Continue reading
Three Things About Elsie – Joanna Cannon
Eighty-four-year-old Florence was quite happy living in her own flat. But the council decided that she needed help coping and now she finds herself at Cherry Tree, an assisted living facility. Unfortunately, Florence, considered difficult, stubborn, far too independent, has … Continue reading
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