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Health & Fitness

Need a Good Book to Start Your September?

Here are four to consider the next time you're wandering the stacks at the library.

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante  (2011)

Dr. Jennifer White is a talented hand surgeon who had to end her practice when she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. When Jennifer’s neighbor and best friend is found murdered with four fingers neatly sliced off at the base, Jennifer becomes the main suspect for the crime. The novel is told from Jennifer's confused perspective and is interspersed with journal entries written by her two children and caregiver to fill in Jennifer's gaps. Going in and out of lucidity daily, Jennifer struggles to even remember that her best friend was murdered let alone recall the facts surrounding the crime. Highly recommended for readers interested in medical and mental health issues. ~ Reviewed by Rebekah

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick (2009)

On a blustery, snowy day in a small Wisconsin town in the early 20th century a lonely, wealthy factory owner awaits his mail-order bride at the railway station. Both bring plenty of psychological baggage to their relationship. Neither is who he pretends to be. Ralph Truitt was not always as kind as he appears and Catherine has her own secrets about her previous profession. He is looking for companionship and love while she wants his wealth, and if poison is needed to achieve this, she will use it.  The ending may or may not be a surprise to the reader but the journey is one of suspense and passion, reminding me of the stories of Edgar Alan Poe.  You won't be able to put it down until the final twist of the plot is revealed!   ~ Reviewed by Regina

The Red Thread by Anne Hood (2010)

A woman opens an adoption agency in the United States for baby girls from China.  In China, baby girls are undesirable, by government edict, so parents must give them away.  Just because a government gives orders doesn’t mean that giving up is easy or desirable, but families in the U.S. desperately want those little girls.  This is a fascinating look at six of those families in both countries, with their wants, needs and desires.   ~ Reviewed by Sue

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Driftless by David Rhodes (2008)

The small town of Words, Wisconsin is in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, a Paleozoic Plateau landscape in the Midwest noted for its deeply carved river valleys.  This telling setting is perfect for the story this author explores of a place unaffected by time. His many characters, some quite quirky, are funny, absorbing, loyal and real.  They reveal universal truths about mankind no matter what situations they find themselves.  No words are wasted on these down-to-Earth inhabitants of a remote but beautiful countryside where cows are most people’s business. If you liked The Story of Edgar Sawtelle for its setting or Olive Kitteridge for its characters, you’ll appreciate Driftless for these strengths and so much more.  ~ Reviewed by Sheila

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