Happy autumn, Beloved Patrons! Though the days are clearly growing shorter, the weather is certainly cooperating still, so we hope you get the chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine while it still smiles upon us. And indulge in all things pumpkin-flavored.
And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the supermoon eclipse this Sunday evening–if you don’t, you’ll have to wait until about 2033.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement for you, here are five of the books that appeared on our shelves this week, each of which is eager to go on an adventure with you this weekend:
Mycroft Holmes: Growing up with a basketball-fan father, I have always had a wealth of respect for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But it was only this week I learned that he graduated from UCLA with a double major in History and English, AND is a devoted fan of Sherlock Holmes. As a result, I am excited beyond what is rational for a grown-up person to be over this book. Abdul-Jabbar has teamed up with acclaimed screenwriter Anna Waterhouse to bring us a story of the young Mycroft Holmes that explains how he came to be the incredibly obese hermit that we meet in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories–a tale that involves otherwordly murders on the island of Trinidad, Mycroft’s headstrong fiance, Georgianna, and his best friend, Cyrus. Though full of some fun Holmesian references, this book also gives the authors a chance to explore the complicated world of the British Empire, and the many native stories and traditional that it never quite managed to silence. As an agent of that empire, Mycroft is torn, both personally and professionally, leading to a book that, according to Booklist “…hit[s] all the right notes…combining fascinating historical detail with rousing adventure, including some cleverly choreographed fight scenes and a pair of protagonists whose rich biracial friendship… is the highlight of the book.”
The Crime of Silence: In 2000, a historian named Jan Tomasz Gross published a book entitled Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland, describing the massacre of Jews that took place in that small town on July 10, 1941. Gross claimed that, though the violence and murders were sanctioned by the Nazis, the crimes were committed by the Polish townspeople, against their own neighbors. Since that time, the history of Jedwabne has become one of the most fiercely contested in the field of Holocaust studies. Anna Bikont, a Polish journalist and a friend of Gross, was convinced that he had been the victim of a hoax. This book is the history of her search to uncover the truth about Jedwabne, about the facts she recorded, and the diverse, fascinating, and unforgettable group of people she met in her quest for the truth. You can also read a fascinating article about her interviews and personal relationships with the people of Jedwabne here.
Vintage: David Baker’s debut sounds like the results of that Food Network show, Chopped–part culinary tale, part crime heist, and part utterly unique love story, this is a book that rather defies description, but begs to be read. Food critic and once-best-selling-author Bruno Tannenbaum is in a slum; his marriage is collapsing, his bank account is dwindling, and his wine cellar is depleted. But when he stumbles across the story of a “lost” wine vintage reportedly stolen by Nazis, Bruno knows that finding this bottle will save his career and turn his life around–but as word of the wine spreads, crooks, cons, and thieves aplenty begin besieging him at every turn, forcing Bruno to consider just what he is willing to do for a second chance. Library Journal loves Bruno, calling him “a bon vivant who rambles from Chicago to France, Germany, eastern Europe, and Moscow, enjoying fantastic meals and drinks along the way, as he searches for the lost wine—and, just maybe, for himself”, and the book itself as “A feast for all readers, with a warning only to those on a diet!”
The Dead Student: Fans of dark and twisty psychological mysteries need look no further than John Katzenbach’s latest release. When a troubled PhD student named Timothy (but known as ‘Moth’) wakes up desperate for a drink, he calls his Uncle, and sponsor, Ed for a meeting. But Ed never shows up. When Ed’s body is discovered, the police rule it a suicide, but Timothy knows better–but in order to prove that his uncle was murdered, Timothy and his ex-girlfriend Andrea, who is battling plenty of demons herself, will have to travel into some very dark waters together. Though the premise sounds a bit complicated, Kirkus has given this book, high praise: “Boasting one of the freshest and most unlikely duos to appear in crime fiction in some time, the latest thriller by Katzenbach is one of his most enjoyable.”
Magpie: Sweets and Savories from Philadelphia’s Favorite Pie Boutique: Three years ago, Holly Riccardi opened a tiny bakery called Magpie that swiftly became a beloved institution in an increasingly food-savvy town. Now, you can bring some of the luciousness of Magpie to your own table with Riccardi’s season, traditional, and heirloom recipes, including her great-grandmother’s butterscotch pie and savory pies and quiches as well. Please feel free to bring any dishes made from these recipes to a circulation desk near your for taste-testing!