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Mooncakes and Milk Bread by Kristina Cho

 

Title:  Mooncakes and Milk Bread  

Author:  Kristina Cho

Review: Mooncakes and Milk Bread was definitely the cookbook that I needed for the holiday season! Kristina Cho’s recipes are perfect for any time of the year, and there’s such a wonderful selection of flavors and ingredients included in this cookbook!. If you’re looking for a great new cookbook— or simply just a gift for someone who enjoys baking, this is a must-have! 

Review by:  Jo

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Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

Title:   Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

Author:  Lisa Unger

Review: Lisa Unger has been writing Psychological Thrillers for some time but I've just gotten around to trying one.  I wasn't disappointed.  Three couples get away for the weekend at a remote luxury cabin only to discover that they may have more guests than they bargained for.  Someone is trying to ruin the weekend but why? 


Review by:  Jannelle

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The Stay at Home Chef by Rachel Farnsworth

Title:  The Stay at Home Chef 

Author: Rachel Farnsworth

Review: Rachel is one of my favorite people I follow on instagram.  Her cookbook covers many of her tried and true new ones, they are all simple but yummy. She is an amazing chef and her ideas she has in the cookbook are a go to that can be whipped up at a moment notice. 
 Review by:  Julie
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Every Tool's a Hammer by Adam Savage

Title:  Every Tool's a Hammer  

Author: Adam Savage

Review:

Known for his part on the show Mythbusters, Adam Savage shares wisdom from his own shop, including the tools and methods that any maker would do well to imitate!

Review by:  Ben

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You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

Title:   You Deserve Each Other

Author:  Sarah Hogle

Review:

This hilarious romance novel will leave you with a warm melty heart, and maybe looking at your significant other with newlywed-tinted glasses all over again. Naomi and Nicholas are engaged and by all appearances look to be the perfect, happy couple, and yet they are entirely sick of each other. However, whoever calls off the wedding will have to pay the entirety of the nonrefundable bill. And so begins a silent war to push each other to the breaking point. But as time drags on, Naomi starts to wonder if Nicholas is really trying to drive her away, or if maybe he’s trying to rekindle their love.


Review by:  Bethany

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City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

Title:   City of Girls

Author:  Elizabeth Gilbert

Review:

While City of Girls may be too "racy" for some, I love this author's writing.  An 89 year old woman reflects back on her life as a young single woman in the big city, her life in the theater, her life becoming a woman who never married in a time where marrying was the "expected" thing to do. She was not the usual good and proper girl. She did not have the usual job. But she learned to fend for herself, to be true to herself and to be a good and kind person, to be happy and to love and be loved.  Quite an accomplishment, I'd say.

Review by:  Jan

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The Bacchae and Other Plays by Euripides

Title:  The Bacchae

Author: Euripides

Review:

The Bacchae is absolutely my favorite ancient Greek play of all time, and for good reason! It follows Pentheus and Dionysus, two figures that oppose one another in a very distinct manner. I adore the portrayal of Dionsyus— not just as a god of wine, but also a god of madness. It’s difficult to categorize this piece as a comedy or as a tragedy, and in reading it, this becomes very evident. If you enjoy ancient world history or just mythology in general, this is the best title to pick up!

Review by:  Jo

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Hidden Half of Nature by David Montgomery

Title:  Hidden Half of Nature 

Author: David Montgomery

Review:  If you like science, gardening, and health topics, this is a book for you.  When we examine the soil in which our plants grow and the microbiome of our own gut, we find microbes doing the most important work to keep both plants and people healthy.  Here, learn how to restore both life and health to your garden and yourself.

Review by:  Ben

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Cloud Spotting by Casey Schreiner

Title:  Cloud Spotting: Observe the Clouds to Quiet Your Mind 

Author: Casey Schreiner

Review:   I have always been fascinated with clouds - all clouds. Big, little, puffy, wispy. I LOVE clouds! This is a terrific little book that succinctly describes all cloud formations. Quite handy to haul around in your back pocket as you look up at the beautiful sky.
Review by:  Jan

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One Women’s War by Christine Wells

Title:  One Women’s War 

Author: Christine Wells

Review: This is a brilliant story of cat and mouse during WWll. A tale of two women who are deeply involved with the intelligence and secrets of MI-5 and the navy intelligence officer Ian Fleming.  “Paddy“ Bennett is the true  inspiration for the famous money penny from Fleming James Bond. This story weaves truth and action and espionage all in a nice bow. With Double agents and the race to save thousands in true James Bond fashion. Great read!!
Review by:  Julie

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Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Title:  Nona the Ninth 

Author: Tamsyn Muir

Review: Nona absolutely stole the show in this continuation of the Locked Tomb series! The story takes place on an entirely different planet, and this time around, the Blood of Eden aren’t all too pleased with the Emperor Undying… or the giant blue sphere that looms in the sky. Nona, Noodle the dog, and a cast of wonderful supporting characters, both old and new, make this book a must-read!!

Review by:  Jo

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The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

Title:  The Mountain in the Sea
Author: Ray Nayler

Review: In this near-future world, Dr. Ha Nguyen has embarked on the journey of a lifetime.  She is studying a group of Octopus that seem to have developed their own language and culture.  But she soon realizes that she's in a race against the clock as other forces have plans of their own for utilizing the unusual abilities of these newly discovered creatures.  Great Book!
Review by:  Jannelle

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Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough

Title:  Insomnia 

Author: Sarah Pinborough

Review:  As Emma approaches her 40th birthday she begins having trouble sleeping.  When she begins losing time during the day she is forced to recall her own mother's 40th birthday.  Is Emma following in her mother's footsteps or is there more to the story?
Review by:  Jannelle

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Book of Night by Holly Black

Title:  Book of Night 

Author:  Holly Black

Review:

I couldn't put this book down. It's a wild ride of shadow magic, fear, heartbreak, stealing from the rich and powerful, and seeing where the story will go next.

Review by:  Kiana

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Littlest library by Poppy Alexander

Title:  Littlest library 

Author: Poppy Alexander

Review: Jess has always known she would have a quiet life, job at the library, and living with her Mimi. Then Mimi dies. Jess life is turned upside down.  She decides, on a whim, to buy  a small lovely house with an old red phone box.. then the adventure beings.  She learns about small towns, friend’s laughter , and love.  Nice summer read to lighten the day. 

Review by:  Julie

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She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Title:  She Who Became the Sun

Author: Shelley Parker-Chan

Review: The story follows two different characters: Zhu Chongba, a monk prophesied to have a glorious future, and their rival, a Mongol general by the name of Ouyang with a grudge to bear. If you enjoy historical fantasy, poetic writing, and / or anything surrounding ancient Chinese history, then this is absolutely the book for you!
Review by:  Jo

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Rules For Being A Girl by Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotugno

Title:  Rules For Being A Girl 

Author: Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotugno 

Review:  Marin is an exemplary student with high hopes for her future after high school. That is until her English teacher tries to make a move on her. While this book is not light-hearted, it is inspirational, and I really enjoyed it.  

Review by:  Bethany

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The Parasitic Mind by Gad Saad

Title:  The Parasitic Mind 

Author: Gad Saad

Review: Do you find yourself afraid to speak up because someone may take offense?  Have you wondered if common sense is dead?  Are you frustrated with how our basic liberties and intellectual freedom have been hijacked?  This book is for YOU! Gad Saad discusses how "idea Pathogens" are killing rational debate and freedom of thought and what we can do about it.

Review by:  Jannelle

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Shallows What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr

Title:  Shallows
What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains

Author: Nicholas Carr

Review:

Although this book is a few years old, the conclusions are as relevant today as when it was first published.  The internet, smart phones, and social media are changing us.  But is it for the better?  Read this and decide.

Review by:  Ben

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The Silmarillion by J.R.R Tolkien

Title:  The Silmarillion

Author: J.R.R Tolkien

Review: The Silmarillion is the sort of book that is so much fun to read that it’s difficult to properly describe; but I think that my favorite detail about is humor and charm. This dramatic predecessor to The Lord of the Rings is a must-read, if not just for the story of the formation of the world itself and Sauron’s terrible puns!

Review by:  Jo

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