Adult Nonfiction
(call number follows if the title is owned by the Library)
 London: The Biography,
Peter Ackroyd 942 ACK
Ackroyd takes the stuff of human drama from pre-historic London through its rebuilding after the Blitz, presenting it as a biography of the city. Ackroyd takes the reader meandering through the streets of London, revealing its times and peoples with love and delight, and peaking around many exciting (and shocking) corners.
 Dog Heroes of September 11th: A Tribute to America’s Search and Rescue Dogs,
Nona Kilgore Bauer
You don’t have to be a dog lover to appreciate the canine heroes of this deeply moving tribute to the remarkable and tireless search and discovery dogs. This collection of stories takes place amidst the rubble of the World Trade Center in the wake of September 11th.
 Trudi's Garden: The Story of Trudi Temple, Founder of Market Day,
Laurie Bohlke 635.092 BOH
Trudi Temple founded Market Day, the wildly successful fundraising program. This book is her story—from war torn Germany to Hinsdale, Illinois. She is an inspiring, incredibly hardworking individual whose overriding motivation is to serve others. There are some gardening tips thrown in for good measure, but really this is one woman's story of overcoming obstacles and living life to its fullest.
 Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir,
Bill Bryson 910.4092 BRY
Bryson grew up in Des Moines during the 1950s. This witty memoir takes us back to that time in America when kids worshiped superheroes and enjoyed a reasonably carefree life. Bryson’s humor often makes the reader want to laugh out loud, and fans of Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods will be delighted at the return of a certain friend.
 Ultimate Performance Cars,
Craig Cheetham, general editor 629.2221 ULT
Arranged alphabetically by manufacturer, the muscle cars—cars designed for power and speed—are represented in colorful “five-view” photographs on two-page spreads. Specifications, milestones, diagrams of chassis and engines make this a good option for the muscle car enthusiast.
 Parenting With Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility (Updated and Expanded Edition),
Foster W. Cline
649.64 CLI
How do parents teach children responsibility? Cline shares the “love and logic” behind helping children make decisions and accept consequences. He looks at the benefits and pitfalls of particular parenting styles and offers practical tips for handling real-life situations.
 Wicked: The Grimmerie, A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Hit Broadway Musical,
David Coté OVERSIZE 782.14 WIC
Fans of the phenomenally successful musical, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Time of the Wicked Witch of the West, will find this keepsake book a “wicked” experience.
 101 Poems to Get You Through the Day (and Night),
presented by Daisy Goodwin
A sympathetic little book with poems organized by the way we spend our days, for good or for bad: Getting Up, Stepping on the Scale, Office Politics, Take 5, and Into the Small Hours. Take it with you to work and feel instant relief from a poem entitled “The Ape at the End of the Phone.”
 An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It,
Al Gore 363.73874 GOR
An advocate for sensible and responsible use of our planet’s resources, Gore makes a compelling case for acknowledging climate change. He examines why global warming is ignored by our leadership and why we should find that unacceptable.
 Monkey Portraits,
Jill Greenberg 779.3298 GRE
Actually they are photographs, and very entertaining ones at that. There is not a lot of text, but some of these monkeys will remind you of human expressions and emotions. This would make a great coffee table book and conversation starter.
 Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog,
John Grogan 636.7527 GRO
Any dog lover would appreciate this wonderful book. Dog lovers can all relate to the ups and downs of bringing up a pup. Lots of tender moments, and lots of not-so-tender moments, as Marley seems to get into mischief on a regular basis. The cover photograph of Marley says it all! He’s a goofy, loveable, playful, inquisitive canine with an uncomplicated joie de vivre. Isn’t that what makes dogs so irresistible and reading about them so much fun?
 Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Offical Companion Book to the Exhibition Sponsored by National Georgraphic,
Zahi Hawass OVERSIZE 932.014 HAW
One hundred and thirty of the artifacts from Tutankhamen’s dynasty are making their way across the United States. Whether or not you get to the exhibit at the Field Museum or elsewhere, you are likely to find this beautiful volume fascinating. Readers interested in Egyptology or archeology will enjoy the quality photographs and text by expert Hawass, who describes the objects and their purpose in the afterlife.
 A Man, a Can, a Plan: 50 Great Guy Meals Even You Can Make,
David Joachim
The goal is to make quick, simple, healthy, and inexpensive meals to reduce reliance on fast foods. Joachim tries to use no more than five ingredients in the 50 recipes, which cover breakfast to dessert.
 The Mitford Bedside Companion,
Jan Karon, edited by Brenda Furman
If someone you love is lamenting the completion of the Mitford series, this would be a perfect gift. As promised on the cover, it contains “a treasury of favorite Mitford moments, author reflections on the bestselling series, and more.”
 Hanging Out the Wash: and Other Ways to Find More in Less,
Adair Lara 158.1 LAR
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Lara writes about the little treasures of everyday life that inspire and sustain us. This gentle and humorous book will help readers to slow down a bit and savor precious moments.
A Photographer’s Life: 1990-2005,
Annie Leibovitz
 OVERSIZE 779.2092 LEI
Leibovitz, best known for her celebrity and rock ’n’ roll photographs, reveals a personal side. She peels back the layers of her normally private life and beautifully displays the people most important to her—her friends, children, and family. There are a handful of celebrity pictures, but this is truly a personal look at one of the world’s most accomplished photographers.
 Midwest Cottage Gardening,
Fran Manos 635.90977 MAN
It is not just the photographs and gardening tips that make this book so enjoyable. The narrative style is witty and entertaining, making this a joy to read, and re-read. Fran Manos lives and writes in St. Charles.
Off-Season: Discovering America on Winter’s Shore,
 Ken McAlpine 917.5 MCA
Freelance journalist McAlpine has a long association with Atlantic coast beaches, due to his years of working as a lifeguard during the busiest season. In this travel narrative, McAlpine visits resort towns from Florida to Maine during the off-season. This memorable chronicle of his journey is a favorite of at least one local book club.
 Steve McMichael’s Tales From the Bears Sideline,
Steve McMichael 796.33264 MCM
Former star Steve McMichael played for the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons. He takes a behind-the-scenes look at some of football’s greatest players and the coaches who reigned in the locker room.
 Planting Design: Gardens in Time and Space,
Piet Oudolf
OVERSIZE 712 OUD
Oudolf’s gardens are innovative, beautiful, and ecologically sound. He designed the Lurie Gardens at Millenium Park, using many Midwest natives (which were supplied by Midwest Groundcovers, here in St. Charles).
 Comfort Foods: Rachel Ray’s 30-minute Meals,
Rachel Ray 641.555 RAY
When the cold starts seeping in, it seems we are most in need of comfort foods. Though all of Rachel Ray’s thirty-minute cookbooks are popular and practical, this one is a particular staff favorite.
 The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
OVERSIZE 910.202 TRA
This entry, from the Lonely Planet travel authorities, is the ultimate coffee table book for fans of geography, photography, world cultures, and worldwide travel. Each country, no matter the size, has a two-page spread featuring gorgeous photographs and information such as the best time to travel to the country, trivia, where to eat, and a small map. The photos alone are reason enough to give this book as a gift; the travel information just makes it that much more enjoyable.
 1001 Paintings at the Louvre: From Antiquity to the Nineteenth Century,
edited by Pomarède Vincent 708.4361 ONE
An extraordinary collection of paintings is housed at the Musée du Louvre. In this volume, 1,001 paintings of various schools, covering approximately 4,000 years of painting history, are represented in the fine photography of Erich Lessing. It is an extraordinary book and would make a wonderful gift for art students, art lovers, or museum lovers.
 The Ultimate Harley-Davidson Book,
Hugo Wilson
For the Harley-Davidson motorcycle fan, this is the ultimate book.
Cool Stuff and How It Works,
Chris Woodford 600 COO
 This book is pretty cool and will appeal to a broad audience. Colorful illustrations, made using advanced imaging techniques, and “who, what, and why” explanations are used to reveal how many techno-gadgets work. Also included is a glossary of technology terms, a timeline of technology breakthroughs, and biographies of significant inventors.
Adult Fiction
 The Five People You Meet in Heaven,
Mitch Albom
Albom’s first novel is still a favorite. 83-year old Eddie gets the opportunity to learn just how important he was in his very ordinary, seemingly meaningless, life.
 For One More Day,
Mitch Albom
For the readers on your list who enjoyed reading The Five People…, this novel will likely make a good gift. Though some readers may find Albom over sentimental or didactic, he is able to communicate deep truths about families, choices, sacrifices, regrets, and second chances.
 Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,
Susanna Clarke
This would be a great gift for someone who likes historical novels with intricate plots (such as Dickens' Bleak House). It is a fantasy novel about magicians. Clarke incorporates many historical details of King George and the Napoleonic Wars, and writes so well she makes you believe there really were magicians, fairies, and enchantments in early 19th century England.
 Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven,
Fannie Flagg
Flagg’s latest novel has all the things readers love about her: a spunky Southern flavor, memorable characters, heartwarming charm, and lots of humor.
 Dinner With a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering,
David Gregory
For the Christian on your list who enjoys contemplating the person of and the personal relationship with Jesus, this may be a good choice. Two men meet for a meal. One of them believes he is Jesus Christ. The other thinks it’s a hoax.
 Death in the Garden,
Elizabeth Ironside
Hardworking British attorney Helena becomes absorbed in her great-aunt Diana’s papers, written some 60 years earlier. While reading them, she finds herself obsessed with the mysterious death of Diana’s husband.
Suite Francaise,
Irene Nemirovsky
 The first two parts of a planned five-part novel, it was written just months before the author was arrested by the Nazis. She died one month after her arrest. Her two young daughters were protected and hidden by family friends, and decades later the handwritten manuscript was miraculously found. The novel is a masterpiece. It offers a strong sense of time and place and all the drama and comedy of ordinary people caught up in circumstances beyond their control. I found myself haunted by the stories and characters for weeks after reading it, and by the tragic loss of the author and the unwritten final parts.
 When the Emperor Was Divine,
Julie Otsuka
One St. Charles patron aptly referred to this book as “most eye-opening and heart wrenching.” This novel is based on the true experiences of a Japanese-American family in World War II. In spring of 1942 the family was evacuated from Berkeley, California, to an internment camp in the Utah desert. This small book is very powerful reading. When the Emperor Was Divine is the next selection for “Our Community Reads” and Otsuka will be visiting the Library on April 18, 2007 to talk about it.
 The Thirteenth Tale,
Diane Setterfield
Raised as an only child, Margaret's gnawing sense of incompleteness is the steady backdrop to her quiet life of books and writing. When the beloved (but highly reclusive) author Vida Winter chooses Margaret to write her biography, the resulting interviews unearth ghostly secrets about her hapless family. With lyrical writing, an atmospheric mystery, and a protagonist who loves books, this is a mesmerizing homage to the power of words and storytelling.
 44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales,
Alexander McCall Smith
Featuring the goings-on in a fictitious building on a real street in Edinburgh, these books are excerpted from a series that originally appeared in The Scotsman newspaper. For fans of McCall Smith, these tales are a joy. The setting is strongly evocative of Edinburgh, a charming and unique city, and the characters are wonderful, from a six-year old prodigy to the elderly retired solicitor who reads his “memoirs” to his long suffering wife, I am finding myself laughing aloud. This book would be a treasure for those who appreciate quiet wit and literary allusions.
For All Ages
 Zara’s Tales [from Hog Ranch]: Perilous Escapades in Equatorial Africa,
Peter Beard
Wildlife photographer Beard presents a collection of stories from Africa and his Hog Ranch in Kenya. Originally written to be shared with his daughter, Zara, these absorbing tales, along with unique accompanying photographs and graphics, are suited for sharing with children.
 Peter Pan in Scarlet,
Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrations by Scott M. Fischer
The year is 1926 and Wendy has grown up. She is compelled to return to Neverland with the “Old Boys” in this page-turning sequel to J.M. Barrie’s novel. A lively sequel, which is likely to engender still more books, this is well-suited for reading aloud.
 Celebrate Jesus! At Christmas: Family Devotions for Advent through Epiphany,
Kimberly Ingalls Reese
Here you will find short devotions for the whole family for every day of Advent, and some craft and activity ideas to make the season memorable. It's a tool for bringing the true meaning of Christmas back into the home. Kimberly Ingalls Reese lives and writes in St. Charles.
Likely to Appeal to Teens
 Emily the Strange #1, The Boring Issue
The heroine of this graphic novel would appeal to teens (or those of any age) who enjoy sharp wit and have ever felt a bit strange themselves. In this issue, Emily gives tips on how to banish boredom.
 Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders,
Neil Gaiman
For the Neil Gaiman fan on your list, this collection will not disappoint. Though Gaiman’s fantasy/horror blend of fiction is not to everyone’s taste, his writing is distinctive, clever, and often very funny.
 The Book Thief,
Markus Zusak
Liesel is a young girl living with foster parents in Munich during World War II. She steals books. Her parents hide a Jewish boxer. The predominantly working class neighborhood is running out of everything except fear. And the narrator is Death. This beautifully written book is ultimately a story of grace and survival. The intended audience is Young Adult, and for that sensitive teen on your list this could be just the thing.
For Youth
 Kira-Kira,
Cynthia Kadohata
In the 1950s, when Katie is a kindergartener, her family moves from Iowa to rural Georgia. Her parents endure harsh conditions and long hours at the poultry plant where they work. The family represent a minority race in this new community, and the tragedy of illness tries them all. Kadohata will be a guest author, on Tuesday, April 10, for the next “Our Community Reads.”
 Sophie’s World,
Nancy Rue
Sophie is in sixth grade. She has such an active imagination that her parents worry that she needs counseling. And Sophie is struggling to please her parents, find friends, and just fit in somewhere. This is the first in the Sophie Series of Christian fiction for young girls.
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