Classics
Meditations
By Marcus Aurelius
It’s doubtful that Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius envisioned his personal notes would shine for centuries. But words are powerful, and his reflections on Stoic philosophy and living a virtuous life offer us a valuable perspective on wisdom, justice, and courage.
Random House, May 2003, 256 pages
Thriller
Black Ice
By Brad Thor
Ready for another riveting, roller-coaster ride read? Ace spymaster and the president’s secret weapon is back. This time, Scot Harvath battles Chinese and Russian efforts to gain control of the Arctic Shelf. It’s a highly charged political game with Harvath masterminding the pieces. Count on Harvath to maintain security and safety in the face of adversity. Like Ian Fleming’s James Bond and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Thor’s compelling operative promises to chill readers in this latest white-knuckle mission.
Emily Bestler Books, Simon and Schuster, July 2021, 336 pages
Historical Biography
The Director: My Years Assisting J. Edgar Hoover
By Paul Letersky with Gordon Dillow
Eight presidents from Coolidge to Nixon had an uneasy relationship with one of America’s most powerful figures—J. Edgar Hoover. They never dared to fire him for fear of what he had sequestered in his files. Hoover reigned over the FBI with an iron fist while hobnobbing with high society. Of all the books written about him, this one is unique. Written by a young assistant, Paul Letersky, who shared the inner sanctum of his office, it gives us new insight into his complex character.
Scribner, July 2021, 320 pages
Feel-Good Fiction
The Midnight Library
By Matt Haig
Bestselling author Matt Haig is a veteran writer of several books for adults and children. A keen explorer of the human heart, his writings reflect his empathy for our everyday struggles and the consequences of the choices we make. When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, a place somewhere between life and death, she discovers more in these magical and hopeful volumes than she thought she knew.
Viking, September 2020, 304 pages
Take Me to the Beach
The Last Thing He Told Me
By Laura Dave
“Protect her.” These were the last words that Owen Michaels smuggles to his wife of one year before he disappears. Hannah Hall quickly realizes that they refer to 16-year-old Bailey, her stepdaughter. The two embark on a poignant, page-turning journey that explores deceit, love, sacrifice, and family relationships. A Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection.
Simon and Schuster, May 2021, 320 pages
Culture
American Marxism
By Mark R. Levin
Watch him on TV. Listen to him on the radio. Mark R. Levin is passionate about this country. A nationally syndicated talk radio host, chairman of Landmark Legal Foundation, and the host of a Fox News show, he has authored six consecutive No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. He pulls no punches in “American Marxism,” deftly describing an America under siege from Marxist forces that threaten public education, the press, corporations, and churches. A timely and prescient warning, “American Marxism” urges us to take up the gauntlet to preserve liberty and democracy.
Threshold Editions, Simon and Schuster, July 2021, 320 pages
—Anita Sherman
For Children
If I Never Forever Endeavor
By Holly Meade
Meade’s beautifully illustrated, poetic depiction of a hesitant, young bird perched at the edge of its cozy nest, cautiously considering whether or not to fledge and fly, is picture-book perfection. It would make a sweet gift for children, graduates, or anyone facing a big decision. —Barbara Danza
Candlewick Press, April 2011, 32 pages
Heidi
By Johanna Spyri
A must-read for every child, the classic tale “Heidi” takes readers up into the Swiss Alps, where a young orphan goes to live with her grandfather. Inspirational and endearing. —Barbara Danza
Simon & Schuster, November 2000, 304 pages
—Barbara Danza
