Baldwin Library Recommends Best Books of 2016

Baldwin Library Recommends Best Books of 2016

For Adults

Fiction

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie - Hamilton-obsessed readers will love this well-researched and beautifully written novel about Patsy Jefferson and the significant role she played in her father's life. –Sue

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley - Media coverage of a tragic air crash escalates into public entertainment in this contemporary page-turner. – Vicki

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes –This melodramatic story from the creator of Downton Abbey is set in a similar time period and is perfect for fans who loved the television series. – Phebe 

Britt-Marie Was Here by Frederik Bachman - Britt-Marie deals with her own lonely circumstances by moving to a community that welcomes her and brightens her life in an endearing, heartfelt way. You will be rewarded by this very charming tale! – Barby

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – Patchett returns with a wonderfully written page turner about a dysfunctional, but ultimately resilient, family. –Pam, Friends of the Library President

Enchanted Islands by Allison Amend - This fictionalized version of the life of the American woman Frances Conway who lived with her husband, Ainslie, in the Galapagos Islands during WWII is a beautifully written story about friendship, love, and what it means to lead a valuable life. – Maria

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout - A novel about a woman from an emotionally and socially deprived background who tries to connect with her mother and figure out the truth behind their tragic circumstances. –Judy, Friends of the Library Board

News of the World by Paulette Jiles - A beautifully-written historical novel that chronicles a travelling news-teller’s efforts to return a young girl to her surviving distant relatives after her rescue from the Kiowa tribe. – Linda

Surrender, New York by Caleb Carr - Part mystery, part critique of modern policing and use of criminal science, this evocative novel will especially please those who enjoyed Carr's bestseller The Alienist." – Kristen

The Trespasser by Tana French - French's Irish police procedurals just keep getting better and better. The Trespasser is a noir-ish consideration of the moral compass of good cops and bad cops and sometimes the lines blur. –Denise

Non-Fiction

32 Yolks: From My Mother's Table to Working the Line by Eric Ripert - Written with a sense of humor and incredible detail, this memoir is about the kitchen adventures of a French chef, what he learned from everyone who taught him how to cook, and who inspired him to dream big in the restaurant world.  Bon Appetit! –Susan 

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond - Desmond, a trained ethnographer, embedded himself in Milwaukee's housing system in 2008-2009 in order to share the stories of eight different landlords and tenants. This illuminating book examines issues with public housing, rent assistance, housing standards, eviction procedures, and how the decks can be stacked against low income people. – Rebekah

The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love and Loss by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt - This book is a powerful reminder to start more dialogues with aging parents and discover how one's parents dealt with tragedies. –Sheila Brice, Library Board 

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough – McCullough, a master in historical storytelling, brings Wilbur and Orville to life, from their early years at home to Kitty Hawk to their first figure eights in the sky. Once you pick it up you won’t set it down.  –Jim Suhay, Library Board Vice President 

Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnston – For those who have read Marie Kondo's book on tidying and are rethinking their relationship to material things, this book is a great resource. It has changed my habits and way of thinking and has renewed my commitment to the environment. – Ashley Aidenbaum, Library Board

For Children and Teens

Hippopotamister by John Green - This entertaining graphic novel, filled with vibrant illustrations, is about a hippopotamus who leaves the zoo to try living outside of his comfort zone. – Caroline 

Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley - Gertie is an awesomely real and remarkable character who deals with tough issues with completely honest and true reactions. This is an uplifting and heartwarming book that will make you feel good!  – Stephanie   

One Half from the East by Nadia Hashimi – A gripping and fascinating story of “bacha posh,” a little know action taken by some families in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran when a prepubescent child is made to disguise herself as a boy in order to bring respect and good luck to her family.  – Donna 

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp – This page-turner for young adults, set in the span of 54 minutes and told from the perspective of four different people, will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.  – Elisabeth 

There Is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith – A Smack of Jellyfish. A Crash of Rhinos. A Turn of Turtle. Few words and great illustrations allow readers to make up stories about what is happening on each spread of this book. – Jocelyn

The Baldwin Public Library is located in downtown Birmingham at 300 W. Merrill Street. The Library’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Library’s website www.baldwinlib.org has information on how to register for a Library Card and access all of the Library’s services.

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Rebekah Craft
Associate Director

Baldwin Public Library

300 W. Merrill St.

Birmingham, MI  48009

www.baldwinlib.org

248-554-4682