Looking for something to read?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (2008)
It is 1946 and the war is over. Juliet, a writer in London who was successful
as a lighthearted columnist of wartime events, is looking for another story to
write. The island of Guernsey in the Channel has become her next topic due to a
serendipitous letter sent to her by one of the island's farmers. A book fell
into his hands with Juliet's name and address written inside. Correspondence ensuesand Juliet begins to learn of the island's German occupation and what that did to its inhabitants. This entire book of fiction is epistolary and each
character has a style of their own. Initially, this seems to be a “woman's”
story, but anyone interested in WWII and its aftermath would be intrigued to
discover this overlooked history of the Channel Islands.   ~ Recommended by Connie

Mozart’s Last Aria: A Novel by Matt Rees (2011)
Nannerl, the sister of the famed musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, shares the
story of her brother’s death with his son.  While in Vienna after her brother’s death, she deals with her guilt about not having split her father’s money with her brother and not having seen her brother in a few years.  Nannerl questions Mozart’s death and discovers that he was murdered.  She looks further to find out who killed himand why.  Falling in love with an actor complicates matters, as do her feelings of unhappiness from years earlier when her father forced her to marry a titled man instead of pursuing a musical career.  It is an interesting glimpse into the culture of the times.   ~ Recommended by Jennifer

Food:  the New Gold by Kathlyn Gay (2013)
In spite of us being able to walk through a grocery store here in the United
Sates and finding what seems like miles of food, there is a global food
problem.  Around the world, millions goto bed hungry every night.  Gay explores the complicated interaction between food, business, the environment and
politics.   This is an engrossing book that talks about global warming, giant agribusiness, genetically engineered foods and how this is all interrelated and how it impacts us.  It has great graphics and photos - I love the one with the backyard chicken coop.   This non-fiction book gives both sides of each issue and I highly recommend reading it.  Yes, this is a Youth Non-Fiction book.   Reading it gives a succinct, factual account of our food future.  It has a glossary, notes, selected bibliography, and websites to check out, so it is very thorough in its account.  It is a great read for those not wanting to slog through 500 pages or more on the topic.  ~ Recommended by Sue