Health & Fitness
More Interesting Reads From Your Library
Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn (2013)
Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi told of the crime, investigation and trial of the Tate-LaBianca murders by the Manson Family. "Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson" tells about the history of the Manson Family founder and leader. It clears up some misconceptions of what Charlie was like as a child and his life. He was not illegimate - his mother was married when she had him, just not to Charlie's biological father. True, she was a young woman who liked a good time, but was not a prostitute. She spent time in jail for a robbery she committed with her brother. But Charlie's youth was not marked by cruelty as reported. He spent time with his grandmother, an aunt and a cousin who cared for him. Only Charlie didn't make it easy for them to be good to him. Even after forty-four years, the Tate-LaBianca murders are still a subject of interest in American culture. This book clearly describes the most infamous cult leader's background and the times during which he lived. (He made the news just recently when a new young female follower stated she and Charlie were getting married.) ~ Recommended by Michele
The End of your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe (2012)
A charming true story of a mother and son bonding through books! When Mary Anne, former Admissions Officer at Harvard and founder of Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, learned that she had terminal pancreatic cancer, her son, Will, (working at a book publishing firm) spent many hours with her at chemotherapy sessions. The best way to let friends and family know how Mary Anne was faring was to start a blog. As both loved to read and would recommend books to each other, the blog became not only a health bulletin but also an exploration of relationships and experiences to be gained from the referenced books. For the reader of The End of the Life Book Club it may feel like meeting old friends or an introduction to friends you would like to get to know better. ~ Recommenced by Regina
Tris needs to choose in her 16th year the faction of society that she will spend her life with. She has been raised as Abegnation, living simply and selflessly. She feels this does not fit her and chooses Dauntless, which is a group that prizes fearlessness, leaving her family behind. As Tris goes through initiation she learns to fight, express herself and conquer her fears. Life here is tough and brutal, but she excels. There are many dark and disturbing scenes which are necessary to represent this society. She does make friends, but also enemies who are ruthless in their plans. This is another dystopia crossover book, being a Teen title but read by many adults and is the first of a trilogy. I read this because so many people were talking about it but I am not sure I want to read more about this society even though there is hope at the end of this story. ~ Recommended by Sue
Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West by Dorothy Wickenden (2012)
In 1916 two society “girls” from Auburn, New York embark on an adventure for one year in northwest Colorado. Rosamond “Ros” Underwood and Dorothy Woodruff, who come from wealthy families, are Smith College graduated women who have already completed their “le grand tour” of Europe. They are now expected to marry, and marry well. But through mutual friends, they are informed of a teaching position in the Elkhead Mountains of Colorado. The nearest town is Hayden, the two-room school is made of local stone, and they live with the Harrison family on a sheep ranch. They ride to school each day on a horse, improvise their own curriculum, and find love and friendship in their short time with the homesteaders. This is a look back in time of how even in the early Twentieth Century, Americans were still “settling” the West. The author is one of the granddaughters who compiled letters, articles, and interviews to write an especially interesting history of Colorado. ~ Recommended by Connie
