Top Picks from the Librarian this Holiday Season

A number of books are sure to be the talk of the town this winter. Local librarian, Mary Rapas from the Harrison Township Public Library shares her picks of buzz-worthy books. From romances to mysteries to memoirs it’s easy to make your winter more relaxing and enjoyable with a good book.

The Reckoning—by John Grisham

Some folks are saying that Grisham outdid himself in his latest novel, which combines a legal thriller, a mystery, and a lesson in history. Pete Banning is a farmer, father, World War II hero, and patriarch of a Mississippi family, when he suddenly shoots and kills a church pastor in cold blood. His only statement about the murder is “I have nothing to say.” Lucky for us Grisham has a lot to say in this story. Be prepared to stay up late reading this one!

In Pieces—by Sally Field

The 71 year old actress reassembles her life with personal anecdotes, photographs, and a touching tribute to her mother in her new memoir. Written over the course of seven years and without the aid of a ghostwriter, Field avoids the Hollywood glitter and presents a clear and critical self-portrait that will surprise and entertain you.

Her Kind of Case—by Jeanne Winer

This one seemed to have slipped under many readers’ radar, but if you are looking for a good courtroom thriller with a strong female lead and well-thought plot, you won’t be disappointed. Lee Isaacs is a 60 year old defense attorney who risks her reputation by taking on a murder case which, on the surface, seems doomed to failure. Isaac’s intelligence, perseverance, and open mindedness lead her to a surprise discovery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, hoping for justice in a cruel world.

Sister Pie—by Lisa Ludwinski

Robert Redford Cookies, Salted Maple Pie, Banana Pete Pie…are you hungry yet? Ludwinski’s bakery Sister Pie is famous for its pastries and its community involvement. Her debut cookbook is equally successful, featuring mouthwatering recipes with clear instructions and step-by-step photos. If you like what you’re hearing, come to the Harrison Township Public Library on Saturday January 12th at 1pm to meet the author and hear the story of her most popular bakery.

The Long Road to Mercy – by David Baldacci

David Baldacci introduces a new series with special FBI agent Atlee Pine, who prefers working in the remote wilds of the West to climbing the career ladder in DC. As one of the bureau’s top criminal profilers, Pine has a history of successfully tracking down killers. But when she is assigned to investigate a series of missing persons cases in the Grand Canyon, she will need to put her skills to the ultimate test. With a compelling heroine and a setting like the Grand Canyon, what could possibly go wrong?

The Noel Stranger—by Richard Paul Evans

Evans’s holiday books are as cozy as a cup of hot chocolate. If you like his other inspirational novels, you will appreciate this one as well. Maggie’s world falls apart when she discovers that her politician husband is actually a lying bigamist. But with her sister’s encouragement, she finds the strength to embrace the holiday season after divorce, and maybe even find some romance.

Dark Sacred Night—by Michael Connelly

The cold case of a murdered teenage runaway is such a challenging case that Connelly enlisted not one, but two of his famous characters to solve the crime. Both Harry Bosch and Renee Ballad join forces to investigate the death of a 15-year old, who was left in a Hollywood dumpster. Connelly is praised for his knowledge of police procedurals, but he also knows how to tell a great story. The book can be read as a standalone, so if you’ve never read this author before, you’re in for a treat with this one.

Kingdom of the Blind—by Louise Penny

Thought you knew Inspector Gamache? Think again. What starts as a curious mystery in a snowy village turns into an adrenaline filled ride in this latest installment of Penny’s series. Gamache finds himself standing in front of a crooked, abandoned farmhouse in the woods, only to learn that he has been named executor of a complete stranger’s will. The will is so odd that he and the other executors suspect that the deceased, an elderly woman who called herself the ‘Baroness’, is delusional. But when a body is found, the stakes change. Meanwhile, a deadly cache of narcotics is threatening to hit the streets of Montreal. Like it or not, this one may make you think twice about our famous inspector.

Death of Mrs. Westaway—by Ruth Ware

The life of an orphaned tarot card reader is radically changed when she comes into an inheritance in this gothic, suspenseful mystery. Hal Westaway travels to crumbling, eerie “Trespassen House” to find out the story behind her grandmother’s inheritance, but things soon get complicated, and Hal finds herself in grave danger. If you couldn’t put ‘The Girl on the Train’ down, take a look at this one.