Bonnie recommends

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Cool Food: Erasing Your Carbon Footprint One Bite at a Time By Robert Downey, Thomas Kostigen Cover Image
$29.99
ISBN: 9798200962372
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Blackstone Publishing - January 23rd, 2024

As a former health coach and forever-supporter of the environment, I loved this book! More book than cookbook, it's packed with useful, practical, applicable and fun food and sustainability info! The recipes are creative and yummy-looking (especially the Cashew Butter Cookies =)), and you get into Robert Downey's head and life a bit--who doesn't want to do that?!


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Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's urgent mission to bring healing to homeless people By Tracy Kidder Cover Image
$22.00
ISBN: 9781984801456
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Trade Paperbacks - January 16th, 2024

Heart-breaking, heart-warming, infuriating and awe-inspiring, Rough Sleepers takes us deep into the trials and triumphs of Boston's homeless and those who tirelessly care for them.  We have angels living amongst us; Kidder opens our eyes to many from both sides of the poverty line.  A life-changing read.


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Made in China: A Prisoner, an SOS Letter, and the Hidden Cost of America's Cheap Goods By Amelia Pang Cover Image
$16.95
Unavailable at this time
ISBN: 9781643752068
Published: Algonquin Books - January 4th, 2022

The words "Made in China" will hold new meaning when you read this book -- for me, that is "Buyer Be Aware." Amelia Pang opened my eyes to the hidden horrors behind her book's simple title by weaving one man's brave, yet grueling, story through the complex history, corporate policies and economic factors that keep millions of Chinese citizens enslaved in brutal forced labor camps to this day. If we all become more Aware shoppers, we can affect change around the globe with our buying power and collective pressure on corporations to honor human life above profits. This is an important and gripping read that I recommend to everyone!


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Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life By Christie Tate Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9781982154622
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster - June 1st, 2021

If you're drawn to psychology and enjoy reading the intimate details and messy entanglements of deep-rooted vulnerabilities, this is a great book!  Raw, honest, and surprising, GROUP is Christie Tate's brave bearing of her painful insecurities and relationship challenges with her therapy family and with us.  Ultimately, all her hard work works!


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The Midnight Library: A GMA Book Club Pick (A Novel) By Matt Haig Cover Image
$26.00
ISBN: 9780525559474
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Viking - September 29th, 2020

This book blew my mind!  Imagine the many ways your life -- and others' lives -- would unfold if you made one different decision.  Imagine if you could undo regrets and live your best life over and over in its various iterations, as you wipe away "mistakes".  Go through this maze with Mora Seed, and gain insights into your own life path as you do!  warning -- it brings you down and up and all around and ends up just right!


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The Lost and Found Bookshop: A Novel By Susan Wiggs Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780062914118
Availability: Available to Order
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks - June 1st, 2021

I've never read Susan Wiggs before, and grabbed this on my way out the bookstore door to go into COVID quarantine. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! “Lost and Found" is the perfect title for this book and the story's bookshop. From personal loss to memory loss to property loss, and then the finding of meaning and love and purpose born from their losses, the characters' and their individual histories weave a beautiful story rich in the love of books, family complexities and transforming relationships. An uplifting and fun read for quarantine, the beach or any time!


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The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees By Meredith May Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780778309758
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Park Row - March 17th, 2020

What happens when a young girl moves to CA with her younger brother and broken mother who's no longer able to manage her marriage and take care of herself and her children?  In The Honey Bus, that young girl (Meredith May) finds solace in the only grownup who doesn't dismiss her -- her grandfather -- and the hobby that defines him -- beekeeping.  This heartbreaking, heartwarming and heart-winning memoir kept me "buzzing" from beginning to end with its deep dives into human emotions, soothed and healed by the meditative rhythms of miraculous honeybees in their protective, harmonious colonies.


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Losing Earth: A Recent History By Nathaniel Rich Cover Image
$16.00
Unavailable at this time
ISBN: 9781250251251
Published: Picador - March 17th, 2020

While the topic of Global Climate Change may make you yawn or raise your hand in a hard "No, not-going-there" gesture, this book can change that, and needs to be read.  Outlining the history, players, and social science (economics, politics and sociology) behind climate change action -- and inaction -- N. Rich argues for our humanitarian, moral obligation to wake up and smell the denialism.  We can slow down the beast, and this book bolsters you with the awareness and consciousness to mobilize for change.  Let's get the conversation and action going!


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Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love By Dani Shapiro Cover Image
$16.95
ISBN: 9780525434030
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Anchor - January 28th, 2020

Imagine being born into a 100% Ashkenazi Jewish family, then casually and dismissively taking a DNA test jusdt because your husband ordered a second kit for you . . . and you find out you're only 52% Askenazim!  Dani Shapiro doesn't have to imagine because it's her reality.  Dig into this engrossing memoir to reflect on true biology and altered identity.


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Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive By Stephanie Land, Barbara Ehrenreich (Foreword by) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780316505093
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Legacy Lit - January 21st, 2020

Working her tail off, yet living below the poverty line as a single Mom, Stephanie Land takes us deep into the heart of the "working poor" in this country.  She chronicles her struggles, successes, setbacks, and survival without complaint, and with a determined resilience that's awe-inspiring and -- eventually -- fruitful!


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Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA By Amaryllis Fox Cover Image
$16.95
ISBN: 9780525564089
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Vintage - September 29th, 2020

Have you ever wondered about the training and life of a spy? Wonder no more, because Amaryllis Fox envelopes you in her high-level CIA world, from the seeds of her initial interest, to her intensive training, to her "never-could-I-imagine-myself-doing-that" overseas maneuvers. Fox's narrative plays out like a spy movie, and then she continues the intrigue as she passionately shares her personal shift. Transitioning to her new role on the world stage as a mother and international peacemaker, Fox beautifully captures her awakening to truth, love and freedom.


My Brigadista Year By Katherine Paterson Cover Image
$7.99
ISBN: 9781536202236
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Candlewick - October 8th, 2019

An exciting Middle Grade historical fiction connecting readers to the history of Cuba's 1961 literacy campaign through the eyes and experience of a 13-year-old girl. Volunteering a year of their lives to teach illiterate farmers and rural people to read, Cubans as young as 10-19 helped grow Cuba's literacy rate from 60% to 96%! Filled with adventure, history, and love, this book enlightened and charmed me to the end!


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Wild World, Joyful Heart: Unlock Your Power to Create Health and Joy By Laurie Warren Cover Image
$18.95
ISBN: 9781632992475
Availability: Available to Order
Published: River Grove Books - September 4th, 2019

If you're looking for a practical, thorough, compassionate, "science-y" (but not too science-y) guide to feeling better in your Body, Mind and Spirit, look no further!  Writing in a conversational, yet to-the-point style, Laurie breaks down self-care into digestible, organized, action-able sections.  This book has become my companion and daily reminder of how I want to live my life -- I wish I had had it in my hands 25 years ago!


Call Me American: A Memoir By Abdi Nor Iftin Cover Image
$16.95
ISBN: 9780525433026
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Vintage - May 7th, 2019

If you're a fan of memoirs, this one is a must!  Abdi Nor Iftin, a recent immigrant from Somalia, is an exceedingly positive, open-minded, ambitious and amazing man.  Currently living in Portland, ME, he details his tumultuous life in war-torn Somalia, secretly learning English and American culture through movies (he even became know as "Abdi American!"), and as an unwelcome refugee in Kenya, before literally "winning the lottery" to come to the U.S.  What Abdi has experienced and accomplished in his life is a testament to love, hard work and determination ... he -- and his book -- are truly inspirational.


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Bob By Wendy Mass, Rebecca Stead, Nicholas Gannon (Illustrator) Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9781250308696
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Square Fish - May 7th, 2019

An engaging modern day fairy tale about a young girl, Livy, and her mysterious friend, Bob, who she reunites with at her grandmother's house in Australia after 5 years apart. The question is, who is Bob? Is he an imaginary friend? ... a zombie? ... a pet dressed in a chicken suit? We don't know until the very end! I was charmed by Bob and Livy and their journey to discover where Bob came from, who he is, and how the magic of friendship and family can be transformative.


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Love By Matt de la Peña, Loren Long (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Matt de la Peña, Loren Long (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781524740917
Availability: Available to Order
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers - January 9th, 2018

I'm in love with "Love"! This amazing book weaves the joys of love...with the fears of love...with the people and places and things of love. With your knowing of love in its moving forms, the honesty and raw emotion of this children's book will scatter your heart in so many directions. But, for a child, "Love" provides a framework and validation for the many unknown feelings and forms of love they experience every day. "Love" (the book) is a diverse, and expansive, and honest, and heart-wrenching, and heart-warming as love itself...Dig in!!


Endurance: My Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery By Scott Kelly Cover Image
$16.95
ISBN: 9780525432432
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Vintage - September 25th, 2018

Like nothing I've read before! Scott Kelly is one of two people in the world to have lived on the Int'l Space Station for an entire year (2015-2016). Coupling his meticulous account of an adventure most will never experience (including day-to-day activities, like brushing your teeth, in zero gravity) with his honest self-reflection throughout, Kelly presents us with a true-life story that even a non-scientist/non-space-lover will devour!


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Walking to Listen: 4,000 Miles Across America, One Story at a Time By Andrew Forsthoefel Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9781632867018
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Bloomsbury Publishing - April 17th, 2018

More than a story of the physical trials and tribulations of walking across the country (although there's plenty of that too!), this is a deeply felt account of the trials and tribulations of growing up ... the "how do I fit into this world?" kind of exploration. Enjoy a journey across our country through this fascinating young man's eyes as he recounts and ponders the stories and life philosophies from people he meets along the way. A really moving read.


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Love Warrior: A Memoir By Glennon Doyle, Glennon Doyle Melton Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250075734
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Flatiron Books - September 12th, 2017

A raw, honest and emotional memoir from the author of the inspiring bestseller Carry On Warrior.  Delving into the depths and intricacies of her despair and recovery as she grapples with addiction, her Self, her marriage, and truth, Melton's words reach into the depths of your soul and touch the vulnerability that lives within all of us.  This is a book I'll read over and over again ...


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Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Year of Food Life By Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp, Lily Hopp Kingsolver Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780062653055
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Harper Perennial - May 2nd, 2017

Whether you're a foodie who enjoys reading about other people's "real food" adventures, or a non-foodie wanting to learn about eating locally-sourced foods, this award-winning memoir by a much-loved author delivers!  Informative, funny, and eye-opening, it's one of my favorite reads!  And it even includes some wonderful recipes using farm-fresh favorites .


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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe By Benjamin Alire Sáenz Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9781442408937
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - April 1st, 2014

When two 15-year old boys become unlikely friends, a deep and meaningful relationship unfolds.  This is a modern coming of age story with heart, twists and a powerful ending.  As a mother of two teenage boys, I really enjoyed this story.  A great read for young adults or parents of teenage boys who want to get inside their boys' heads!


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Love Warrior: A Memoir By Glennon Doyle, Glennon Doyle Melton Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250075734
Availability: Available to Order
Published: Flatiron Books - September 12th, 2017

A raw, honest and emotional memoir from the author of the inspiring bestseller Carry On Warrior.  Delving into the depths and intricacies of her despair and recovery as she grapples with addiction, her Self, her marriage, and truth, Melton's words reach into the depths of your soul and touch the vulnerability that lives within all of us.  This is a book I'll read over and over again ...