Linda

 So many interests, like so many books, and so little time! That's why non-fiction books are usually my picks, because I try to keep up with my favorite subjects. As I heard once, "Act your shoe size!" We all need to slow down and see what there is to see. We need to reread some books, like Silent Spring. Sometimes it's children who help us grown-ups marvel at the wonders of the natural world, right in our own backyards. Stop and smell the flowers! But a good mystery is always interesting-for the other grey cells!

Find more of my archived Staff Picks here!

Linda's Staff Picks:


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Wild Design: Nature's Architects By Kimberly Ridley Cover Image
$24.95
ISBN: 9781648960178
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Princeton Architectural Press - November 9th, 2021

It is hard to imagine natural history reviewed in such a small BUT exquisite book.
Ms. Ridley covers many topics with tales of interesting details AND some of the illustrations are from hundreds of years ago. they were scientific, detailed and beautiful.
there is real science here with tantalizing descriptions of remarkable structures that are found and made-by the natural world of-fungi, plants, insects, birds and more!
 A book to relax with and dream along with the illustrations...


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Go as a River By Shelley Read Cover Image
$28.00
ISBN: 9781954118232
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Spiegel & Grau - February 28th, 2023

Watch a river: it flows-fast & slow, it's interrupted by rocks & plants and so it changes course. It deposits & carries away, but it keeps flowing.
Victoria's life is the same-as a river. There tragedy, hardship, unsettled family life and the love which comes unexpectedly & true.
And Victoria's life cycles again with tragedy.
what keeps her going is love of her family's  peach farm, her trees, the mountains and hope-that one day she will find a special joy...
A sensitive & emotional tale telling the details of Victoria's life. Be prepared with tissues.
Author blends emotions, environment and LIFE-


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The Storytellers Rule By Christy Mandin, Christy Mandin (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Christy Mandin, Christy Mandin (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9780063047358
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins - March 21st, 2023

Bookseller: Linda 

Title: The Storytellers Rule

OH, poor Birdie. she has to write a paper for school but doesn't know what to do! where to start?
Luckily, her 'desk friends' come to her rescue with how to get started.
They have 3 Rules to help Birdie (or ANYONE) to begin writing.
1) pay attention-marvel at the world around you-things BIG & small
2) done is better than perfect-put some words down & keep writing
3) only YOU can write your story-keep ideas going!

Begin with wonder, imagination and YOU=Magic will happen!!!


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Storm Watch (A Joe Pickett Novel #23) By C. J. Box Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9780593331309
Availability: NOT ON HAND, but usually Ships in 2-7 Days
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons - February 28th, 2023

Fans of Joe Pickett will want to read this book-quickly!
A body is found, in a strange building on a ranch-but then both disappear.
The rugged searching in bad weather, high tech business, political power and extremists  make for an engaging read with high tension and heavy duty action-even with Joe's family on the front line!
Always a great read  and always need a Nate Romanowski!


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The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance By Dan Egan Cover Image
$30.00
ISBN: 9781324002666
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: W. W. Norton & Company - March 7th, 2023

Gardeners are familiar with N-P-K for optimum plant growth. but where is the "P", phosphorus, coming from?
Guano of bats & birds, slaughter houses, a 'job' for grave robbers, dinosaur poop, industry waste & agricultural runoff.
Yes, we need it but 'we' have caused problems using too much & having the P entering our water systems.
think of detergents like Tide: for super clean clothes, phosphorus was added-washed into the rivers-making masses of bubbles. Algae blooms contaminated water-and the 'P' is long lasting in the soils.
We need it for agriculture & the growing population-food insecurity is REAL for all. But where is the balance?
"we have met the enemy, and it is us"-
Real science & people working on these issues. Very readable, interesting, some humor and timely solutions like, 'peecycling'!


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Small Mercies: A Novel By Dennis Lehane Cover Image
$30.00
ISBN: 9780062129482
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harper - April 25th, 2023

Everyone's personal story is EXPOSED to the CORE! Lehane understands people and this emotional read is INTENSE! It's rough, sad, and filled with 1970's Boston problems. But what you'll remember are Lehane's words: "broken but unbroken", "broken can't be unbroken", "You'll have to leave something" and  "Hope, Love, Change"


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OMFG, BEES!: Bees Are So Amazing and You're About to Find Out Why By Matt Kracht Cover Image
$15.95
ISBN: 9781797219905
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Chronicle Books - March 28th, 2023

Bookseller: Linda

Title: OMFG, BEES!: Bees Are So Amazing and You're About to Find Out Why

Comments: 

What kind of a title is this for a book? It might be weird, BUT it is so 'right on'.
Folks are becoming more aware of the importance of pollinators, after all, we like to eat. Pollinators can take the form of many species, including many insects and mammals such as bats. the honey bee comes to mind but we have many busy bees including those cute, fuzzy bumbles.
This palm size book is downright funny and entertaining as the author puts all the facts out to you-about the life style of bees, the bee dance, why the honeycomb shape and so much more that you'll WOW your friends at the next soiree!
At the closing of the story, you will realize, that YOU are the one top help our pollinators & our environment for all humankind. Matt lists some simple things we can do, and should do, to help our local ecosystem-starting with our won backyard or patio.
This book is funny BUT not a joke. with language & illustrations that are unusual, this is about-serious stuff!
So, take heed, and join in the cheering for the amazing bees!!!


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Rocky Mountain High: A Tale of Boom and Bust in the New Wild West By Finn Murphy Cover Image
$27.95
ISBN: 9781324006107
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: W. W. Norton & Company - June 13th, 2023

Bookseller: Linda

Title: Rocky Mountain High: A Tale of Boom and Bust in the New Wild West 

Comments: 

I put Finn Murphy on a pedestal after reading his biography, The Long Haul, his life from college days to becoming a long haul trucker. I would read anything by him since was so sincere, kind, thoughtful, concerned, aware of the environmental changes and social problems as well as the economic situation of people & their stuff.
Rocky Mountain High is about a subject I didn't know anything about nor was I interested but Finn's writing and his research into details of the business was a mystery, [political intrigue, human nature and humor all in one.
The hemp business in Colorado was to be the great boom for agriculture and a source for a variety of [products from the industry.
Finn became involved, had his godson, Pierce, join him on this learning adventure, spent way too much money, became the business man and then it ended. He does remember his associates & workers and the current problems not with addicts but the business...
You will definitely learn about growing, processing and marketing hemp BUT I think the greatest part is Finn and his insight in to people. He does have a sense of humor & you'll laugh out loud. You'll also wish him well on his farm where his humanity is being shown in many ways.


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Dead Man's Wake: A Novel (Mike Bowditch Mysteries #14) By Paul Doiron Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9781250864390
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Minotaur Books - June 27th, 2023

Bookseller: Linda

Title: Dead Man's Wake

Comments: 

Mike & Stacey's engagement party with their families began peaceful. But being on a lake on a holiday weekend, it became a little noisy with motorboats.
What Mike & Stacey saw, changed everything and lead to a deep mystery of characters, deceit and murders.
What could you expect after seeing a 'boat hit & run', in an evening and then-finding an arm!
All law departments are called together & the search goes on for a missing body-or two with a complex story.
Another great Doiron Mike Bowditch mystery set in the outdoors.
You should begin with the first book: the Poacher's Son, as an introduction to Mike.
Whichever of the 13 books you read, you will get some of the backstory. All worth reading!


Killing Trail: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery By Margaret Mizushima Cover Image
$14.99
UNAVAILABLE-Possible Reasons: Backordered, Out-of-Stock, or Out-of-Print (But email us to search for a copy.)
ISBN: 9781629534862
Published: Crooked Lane Books - December 8th, 2015

Standing Dead (A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #8) By Margaret Mizushima Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781639102440
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Crooked Lane Books - March 7th, 2023