Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie

Written by Ole Edvart Rolvaag, originally in Norwegian and later translated into English, this is a story of the early Norwegian settlers and the hardships they discovered crossing the American plains in the 1870s. Tragedy was almost a daily occurrence and hunger a constant companion. Although the men toiled and suffered so that they might bring up their children in the Promised Land, the women sometimes went mad in conditions that they had known only in nightmares.

The conquest of our land was a great American triumph, but it also took its toll in human lives, misery and disaster.

New Biographies

Whether the setting is Hollywood or network television or Broadway, reading the biographies of the stars can be a fascinating experience.

Life with my Sister Madonna, by Christopher Ciccone, is a memoir written by the younger brother and personal assistant of music legend Madonna. He recreates their work and travel experiences throughout her career; it includes the inside scoop about Madonna’s many transformations and ordeals.

Audition: A Memoir, written by Barbara Walters, is a no-holds barred account of Ms. Walters’ remarkable rise through the ranks of television journalism. Her interviews and experiences with many of the world’s most influential people in politics, royalty, show business, and more provide the reader with quite a few “you are there” experiences.

Home: A Memoir of my Early Years, written by Julie Andrews, details the singer/actress’s youth, from childhood to her late twenties during the 1940s to 1960s. As a member of a family act in England’s music hall circuit, Julie’s big voice leads her to fame in London’s theater district and New York’s Broadway, where she meets many theater and music legends along the way.

These and many other biographies are available at the library.

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise

Ruth Reichl, currently the editor of “Gourmet” magazine, tells of her experiences as the New York Times restaurant critic during the 1990s. Although Ruth’s career in the food industry included stints as chef, restaurant owner, food writer and restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times, none of these posts prepared her for such an exalted position as that of the New York Times food critic. Operating in this competitive atmosphere required fortitude, an encyclopedic knowledge of all foods and cuisines, and a sense of the dramatic. In order to accurately assess each restaurant, Reichl developed a variety of characters and dressed them in an assortment of wigs, makeup and clothing. Then each of these personalities anonymously visited the restaurants to evaluate their menus and to see how they behaved toward typical customers. Sensual descriptions of food, hilarious accounts of the New York City restaurant culture, and some of Ruth’s favorite recipes enliven the pages of this book.

This Land Is Their Land: Reports from a Divided Nation

Written by Barbara Ehrenreich, journalist and social critic, here is a satirical commentary of the first decade of twenty-first century life in the United States. Ehrenreich mourns the disappearing middle class and the rise of a two-class society, upper and lower. She zeroes in on the enemy, who include the private health insurance industry, the oil companies, the financial industry, medical professionals, big box stores, and more. Politicians and college administrators also feel her barbs.

This is a compilation of 62 previously published essays, for such publications as “The New York Times” and “The Progressive”; each essay being a few pages in length. Ehrenreich also is the author of several other books, including “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America” and “Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream".

Sense and Sensibility

“Sense and Sensibility”, a classic novel written by Jane Austen, is the story of two sisters who exhibit completely different emotional responses when they are both faced with romantic disappointments. Elinor, the elder sister, is directed by sense to minimize her grief in the company of others; Marianne, the younger one, encourages and deepens her personal suffering even if it causes harm to herself and pain to her family members. As with Austen’s other novels, at first glance “Sense and Sensibility” appears to be a mere love story, but it develops into something more: a critique of early nineteenth century British society and its morals. Detailed descriptions of domestic and social behavior and a text that includes frequent infusions of sarcasm and humor provide the reader with an enjoyable reading experience.

Non-Fiction Books on Demand at Lindenhurst Memorial Library

New non-fiction books currently requested by our library patrons include:

Change your brain, change your life : the breakthrough program for conquering anxiety, depression, obsessiveness, anger and impulsiveness by Daniel G. Amen

Deceptively delicious : simple secrets to get your kids eating good food by Jessica Seinfeld

Stolen innocence : my growing up in a polygamous sect, becoming a teenage bride, and breaking free of Warren Jeffs by Elissa Wall

Three cups of tea : one man's mission to fight terrorism and build nations . . . one school at a time by Greg Mortenson

When you are engulfed in flames by David Sedaris

Books on Demand at Lindenhurst Memorial Library

What are some of the books that your friends and neighbors have requested? Popular fiction titles recently placed on hold include:

Careless in red : a novel by Elizabeth George
Chasing darkness : an Elvis Cole novel by Robert Crais
Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger
Damage control by J.A. Jance
Death angel : a novel by Linda Howard
Love the one you're with by Emily Giffin
Say goodbye by Lisa Gardner
Tailspin by Catherine Coulter
Tribute by Nora Roberts

These and many other new fiction titles are available at our library.