Margaret, Reference

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Dan wanted to live a noble life, one true to his beliefs, and he found it on the wind-swept prarie of the Black Hills.  O'Brien gives you a glimpse into ranch life and doesn't shy away from the financial hardships that it brings.  He has a fierce love of the land and displays it in every page.  His beautiful writing brings the Western Great Plains to life whether he's describing the habits of the buffalo, how falcons hunt, or how the grasslands can be restored.   Read every page and loved it!



Margaret, Reference

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A week after Rhoda’s husband told her he was leaving her; she was injured in a car crash.  She goes home to her Mennonite family to heal, and reflects upon her marriage, growing up in a Mennonite home and what the future will bring.  At times, this book is laugh-out-loud funny, and with her self-deprecating humor you can’t help but like her.   It’s a quick read, a little rambling at times but does contain some true nuggets of wisdom.



Margaret, Reference

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This book has an intriguing plot with beautiful writing.  One night in the city of Sydney, Australia,  Dr. Hanna Heath, a rare book conservator, gets a phone call that will change her life. The Sarajevo Haggadah, which disappeared during the siege in 1992, has been found, and Hanna has been invited by the U.N. to report on its condition.  Ultimately, the Haggadah brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims. 



It’s not an easy read in the sense that you can put it down for days and pick it up again.  There are several time periods, unfamiliar locations, difficult names – but the effort is well worth it.  Highly recommended!



Margaret, Reference

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Set during the civil war, this book is an interesting story about the clash of traditional roles of women and those who go against society’s norm.  Mary wants to become a doctor.  During the 1860s, this would be highly unlikely.   She was already a very skilled midwife but wants to be a surgeon.  Those interested in medicine or nursing will be interested in the descriptions of medical care during the war; civil war buffs will find this fascinating.  The author did vast amounts of research and it shows.  Highly recommended.



Margaret, Reference

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There is no such thing as an ordinary family.  Every family has its own unique stories just waiting to be discovered by YOU!  This guide gives you all the information you need to start sleuthing into your own family history.  Megan does a great job of providing the basics to get you started, without overwhelming you with too many details.  This book is bursting with tips, shortcuts, recommendations, and things I wish I would have known when I started doing genealogy.  This book is billed as the companion to the hit TV series recently on NBC called "Who Do You Think You Are?"  There is a recap in the book of the celebrities and how they traced their family history.   I especially like the chapters on researching military records and birth, marriage and death records.  Highly recommended!!



Margaret, Reference

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All the praise this book has received is richly deserved.  It is many things - a big sweeping family saga, a medical romance, and a coming of age story.  Cutting for Stone is about twin brothers born in Ethiopia to an Indian nun and a British surgeon.  Prepare to be transported to another place, time and culture as you inhale the scents and sounds of Ethiopia.  This is a great book that I will read again.

Margaret, Reference

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An interesting mystery set in the classical music world. A priceless violin is stolen; and a high profile violin teacher is murdered at Carnegie Hall. The prime suspect, rival violin teacher Daniel Jacobus, works to clear himself. This book shows a dark side to the music business and the author knows what he is talking about - he is also a violinist, teacher, composer and conductor and he gives the book a very authentic feel. Fast-paced and engaging. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Margaret B., Reference and Technical Services

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This book covers many forms of social networking - blogs, wikis, message boards and mailing lists, RSS, tags, podcasts and a few others. I really like his simple and organized approach to these topics. It's no surprise that Drew Smith is a librarian! Each chapter begins with definitions of a few key words, and follows with why and how this technology is used. He also gives you a few suggestions to try out and apply your new knowledge. Definitely not just for genealogists.

Margaret B., Reference and Technical Services

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This is a great book for book clubs!! Themes and events in the book will lead to a lively and spirited discussion. It is a fascinating work of historical fiction that will have you enthralled to the last page. It is one of those books that lead you to do further research on the topic (architecture) and people. The book chronicles the love affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney from about 1907-1914. This was a shocking, scandoulous affair at the time since both Wright and Cheney were married to other people. Highly recommended!

Margaret B., Reference

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