The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

At the age of 85, Addie Baum relates her life story to her granddaughter. The tale begins in 1915 at the pivotal point when Addie, just 15 years old, joins a weekly library group, and her narrow, conservative world is opened up to different cultures and social classes with help from her newfound group of friends. Addie recounts her vacations to a nearby seaside town, her troubling first love, tragedies and celebrations with her family and friends, and her varying array of jobs until she finds her true calling. After numerous excursions and experiences throughout the city, Addie can finally consider herself a true "Boston Girl."

The humorous anecdotes, embarrassing naïveté, and little pearls of wisdom pull you in, making you believe grandma Addie is real and that she is right in front of you telling her story. Those who enjoyed Anita Diamant's, The Red Tent, will not be disappointed by this engaging and historically rich novel.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

This story begins with an Australian rare book conservator, Hanna Heath, in Sarajevo to consult and research a centuries-old Haggadah, a Jewish prayer book. The continuing story then alternates back and forth from the current perspective of Hanna and her life to the historical perspectives of people whose lives have been touched by the prayer book in some way. In episodic flashbacks that move further and further back in time, the reader learns more about the lives of the individuals involved with the book and the tragic events in history that helped augment this rare illuminated manuscript, culminating with the story of the book's creation.

Although People of the Book almost feels like a collection of short stories, Brooks creates separate worlds, time periods, and deep character development in just a few short pages. She also manages to tie all the separate historical stories together by consistently returning to present day Hanna's narrative and her progressing research and discoveries, which then prompt a related historical tale about the Haggadah.

I would highly recommend this title for those who enjoy historical fiction and for book lovers in general. One of Geraldine Brooks' other novels, March, won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize For Fiction.

Good Talk, Dad by Bill and Willie Geist

If you have ever flipped on one of the CBS evening news or Sunday morning broadcasts over the last 25 years, then you most likely have watched a segment reported by Bill Geist. Today, his son Willie follows in his dad’s footsteps reporting the news on NBC. Their book, Good Talk, Dad, is a mostly humorous collection of stories in which they retell the tales of the big events in their lives from sports to children to military service. While not always a laugh out loud experience, Good Talk, Dad nevertheless offers a peek into the lives of the Geist men in a manner that reflects how Bill Geist has been reporting the news over his long career: with humor whenever possible but also with honesty and integrity.

I listened to this book on audio, read by the authors, and would recommend it to those who want to hear (or read) something light and easy. Even those who are unfamiliar with the Geists will be able to appreciate the stories they share as they discuss life events that we can all relate to.

Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand

Seabiscuit is not just a horse, not in the hands of the author, Laura Hillenbrand, who manages to capture the despair of the depression era, and how horse racing and Seabiscuit became one of the main diversions for the public from their troubles. Seabiscuit, frequently an underdog, became a symbol of determination and heart for the masses, a symbol embodying a never-give-up attitude.

But the book is about more than Seabiscuit. Readers also learn about the ups and downs of the men who surrounded this amazing animal. About Charles Howard and his rags to riches story from when he was simply a bicycle mechanic who eventually became an automobile magnate. About Red Pollard, separated from his family at a young age, wandering the states trying to make money to send home from his boxing and racing horses. And about Tom Smith, an old-fashioned cowboy turned trainer, whose unconventional training methods worked wonders on an unconventional horse.

Hillenbrand manages to keep a breathtaking pace throughout the book, and the amount of research she has conducted is evident in the details. The story is so engaging and exciting; it is easy to mistake this tale for fiction. This is a fantastic read for those who are new to nonfiction but will also raise the bar for veteran nonfiction readers. Additionally, there are documentaries and a feature film based on the book, all titled Seabiscuit.

Alex + Ada: Volume 1 by Jonathan Luna

In a future world where robots provide humans companionship and labor (think the Jetsons' robot maid Rosie built to be indistinguishable from a real human), Alex receives a robot, Ada, as a gift from his grandmother. Alex is unhappy that Ada cannot think or make many decisions for herself. For a time, robots were made with a conscious mind until there was a robot rebellion with many human casualties. From then on, robots were reprogrammed to obey commands. The story continues with Alex finding a way to make Ada sentient, even though the process is illegal and has dire consequences if either Alex or Ada is found out. The flow of the book is seamless, and by the end, after Ada experiences her first sunrise with a fully functioning mind, readers will want to know what happens to Alex and Ada next.

I certainly can't wait for the next volume. This is a fantastic new science fiction series that is well-written and beautifully illustrated.

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

Get into the holiday spirit with The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson. It’s a light, easy, and fast read that tells the story of a new shop opening up in the small town of Parrish Springs. Residents are worried that this shop, which has the all appearances of a rundown thrift shop, will hurt other local businesses and detract from the downtown area. The shop owner, a newcomer to town, makes no attempt to fit in; nor does she go out of her way to win the towns’ people over to her side. However, what the shop really has to offer will change the hearts of those who take a chance and browse the shelves.

Per Library Journal, “this heartwarming story should appeal to fans of Richard Paul Evans and Jan Karon.”