Flash! Promising new Mystery writer! And if this first book is any
indication her “Jane Wunderly Series” will be very popular. Classified
as historical fiction/mystery, Murder at the Mena House is a credit to
both genres.

Set in early 1920’s Egypt this novel is chock-full of historical details. From the
Great Pyramid of Giza to the bustling streets of Cairo, the author stunningly
depicts the many well-loved tourist attractions. Sadly, these are soon to be
shrouded in mystery and drama. You guessed it…. a murder most foul!
Correction, make that MURDERS.

Lest you be deceived, don’t let the supposed festive and light-hearted,
congenial atmosphere at the Mena House Resort fool you. There is evil afoot.
Who could possibly want the beautiful Anna dead? Did the delightful newlywed
couple decide to choke the life out of her between dips in the pool? What about
the classy American tourist and her spunky secretive aunt, did the jewels Anna
flaunt look like souvenirs worth killing for? And who is that handsome, eligible
sophisticated gentlemen whose connection to an array of questionable characters
makes him a too obvious suspect.

Now don’t make the mistake of overlooking the servants as possible
murderers. But isn’t it their job to happily and contentedly provide five-star
service to the guests, you ask? Well it is unless they have a nasty gambling habit
and their empty coffers could be filled with the victims impressive and valuable
trinkets! I’m just saying…….

Blackmail, smuggling, murder, deception and a possible romance create a
plot that is full of intrigue, suspense, action (gotta have a chase scene!) and
humor. Ok, maybe a deadly scorpion ready to sting is not hilarious.

It is always a good sign when I cannot wait to read another chapter of a book
and yet don’t want to read too fast and have it end……and this was exactly that
kind of novel. Personally, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Submitted by Mary Lyons Hall

​Is Dr. John Sarno a crackpot or an author worthy of critical acclaim?
     Although his book titled “Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection”
was written many years ago, I believe it is very relevant and applicable
for today. You may be thinking, “but I don’t have a back problem, why
should I read the book?”. To which I would have you focus on the second
part of the title…..”The Mind-Body Connection”.  No, it’s not about being
a hypochondriac or having imaginary diseases. Rather it explores and explains
how suppressing those pesky emotions of anger and frustration can cause 
oxygen deprivation which in turn causes very real pain in not only the back but 
In many other areas as well. 
     What makes this different from the commonly held theory that stress causes
things like backache, ulcers and headaches is Dr. Sarno’s conviction and proof
that we would rather deal with an actual physical ailment instead of uncovering 
and working through ugly emotions we may not even be aware of.
It is not psycho-babble or Fruedian dribble, but a decisive explanation and easy 
to understand step by step guide to relieving pain in body and mind.
     I found this book to be accurate, clear and logical. It has helped me in ways
I had not thought possible. Read it, you have nothing to lose but your pain!

Submitted by Mary Lyons Hall

​To infinity and beyond! … Ok, Buzz Lightyear was not in Andy Weir’s novel The Martian; however, after over 500 Sols on Mars (one Sol is greater than one earth day!) it’s understandable as to why Andy Weir’s character Mark Watney might feel a bit like Buzz Lightyear. Mark Watney, a Botanist/Astronaut is left stranded on Mars after his crew is forced to leave him there during a dangerous sandstorm. While stranded on Mars Mr. Watney is faced with a variety of challenges that range from creating a sustainable food source to establishing communication with NASA. This novel does a tremendous job of taking you through the character’s thought process (and at times in a very witty/sarcastic manner) as he races against the clock to survive and find a way back home!

If you are a person with an analytical mindset or have a deep love for space, this book would be a great read! From my standpoint, I was very impressed with the level of research and knowledge that Andy Weir demonstrated through each of his characters, as well as the level of thought that went into articulating each problem (and their respective solution) that his main Character Mark Watney had to deal with. As a reformed nerd (or maybe not reformed) I was amazed with the level of detail that went into this novel and am giving it a 5 out of 5 stars! Must read!!

​Submitted by Greg C.

​Leap head first into The Overstory if you enjoy prose with the soaring emotional grip of an aria. Or, characters so completely authentic you'd have tons to discuss if you bumped into them in real life. Above all take this leap if you love trees, or even find them the least bit intriguing. I learned a ton from this wonderful book and not a word of it would I think of as preachy or pedantic. Author Powers' precise prose also gifted me some wonderful new words. For example, frass, (the powdery refuse produced by boring insects), and, pleaching, (interweaving of branches of adjacent trees and shrubs strengthening the collective - as a hedge does).
Pleaching also suggests the intertwining of the ethereal tentacles of humans and trees author Powers so eloquently describes in The Overstory. This is just great writing.
Comparisons to Wallace Stegner, or, Larry McMurtry are easy to make, but Powers clearly has his own voice.
This is one of those books that comfortably burrows into your brain and takes up residence for a good long stay... extending well beyond the turning of the last page. I welcome such intellectual and psychic invasions as a measure of the greatness of a book. Sure It’s a long read but I never once wished it were shorter. It’s a confusing narrative at times but I never once wished it were more tightly organized. It’s a melancholy story with a depressing ending but I never once wished for Disney. It’s just perfect as it is.

Submitted by Ned

​I know I’m supposed to say something bitingly clever about this satirical novel by trending satirist and social commentator Nell Zink, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I liked Zink's breezy Aaron Sorkin style narration. I, mostly, became attached to her characters, although their self-defeating life strategies were tiresome at times, and Joe can be really annoying but we're not supposed to say that because he has something called Williams Syndrome. So I take that back. Williams Syndrome is the opposite of autism. So you can imagine, this guy is out there socially, and a non-stop high wire act. Lotta lotta impulsive manic behavior, and not just in Joe's orbit.
Colorful fringe characters abound in this satirical and subversive family history of the last 30 years of NY/DC-centric life. It’s perspectives expand and contract geographically as the decades roll and 9/11 disturbs everyone’s life trajectory with its seismic reorientation of American life.
Doxology has a coherent, character-driven narrative, but at its soul it’s a zinger fest.
Hilarious, at times astonishing, social commentary. Sometimes just this side of glib.
If something observed has been popping up on your radar but you haven’t been able to articulate its essence, Nell Zink tosses the perfectly thrown dart. It’s a little like meeting someone for the first time and really connecting. This Nell Zink really knows me and what I’m thinking. A lot of readers will appreciate the vitality of her writing. Dare I say it... this is an important voice. She has an almost god-like societal acumen not to mention, by the way, being a mind meld of the best rock critics of the last two decades. Her characters are witty people. Smart, quick on their feet. Self-contemplative without self-pity. Good people, with few exceptions, but complicated as we all are. Treat yourself.

​Submitted by Ned