Mission Accomplished or How We Won the War in Iraq by Christopher Cerf and Victor S. Navasky

This book is made up of lists of quotes from top government officials as well as media pundits concerning many different facets of the Iraq War (cost of the war, reception of U.S. troops by the Iraqis, looting of Iraq’s historical museums). Each fallacious quote is set against the truth, for example, a quote by Condoleeza Rice stating the Iraqis had 120,000 troops trained and read to take over security in the country when there were only 2000. It’s hard to believe the U.S. government just made one mistake after another compounding the entire event into the mess we still face today, and most likely will face for years to come.

-Dan

I Have Fun Everywhere I Go by Mike Edison

It’s a rousing account of decadence and sleaze written from the perspective of someone who truly lived the high life in the last twenty years. it’s also an excellent perspective into the inner workings of magazines. A great read for aspiring journalists.

-Steve

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston with Mario Spezi

After the first half of this story about the terrible serial murders in Florence, Italy, the writing deteriorates into a repetitive reporting of who said what, when, where, but not really why! And the murders have never truly been solved. The Monster of Florence has never been found.

-Joanie

Brainiac by Ken Jennings

JEOPARDY! followers know Ken as the 75-time winner. Ken’s experience changed his life from that of a bored, nerdy computer programmer to that of a happily fulfilled nerdy trivia/game writer. I read the book for JEOPARDY! info, but equally one can learn tons about trivia.

-Janice

Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy! by Bob Harris

A super book for fans of JEOPARDY!. Bob Harris is a big winner of the past, and a comedian and writer as well. He answers many of the questions that the TV viewer wonders about, such as “do they study?” (duhh) and “how many shows are taped on one day?” (five). I skimmed the parts about Harris’s life, as interesting as it was, and focussed on his tips, techniques, and high emotions about the game.

-Janice

A Long Way Gone by Kshmael Beah and Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza

In A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (2007), Ishmael Beah tells his story of growing up in Sierra Leone during the civil war there, in the 1990’s, and his rescue by Unicef. (966.404 Beah)

Similarly, in Left to Tell (2006), Immaculee Ilibagiza tells her story of survival during the Rwandan holocaust in 1994 and the spiritual journey that fed her soul during the three months she spent hiding. (B Illibagiza)

-Deb

The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Duncan Perry

The Boy who was raised as a dog, and other stories from a psychiatrist’s
notebook: what traumatized children can teach us about loss, love and healing, by Bruce Duncan Perry, c2006, tells fascinating true stories of children who experienced early trauma, and how child psychiatrist Perry used his understandings of brain development to help the children to heal.
(618.9289 Perry)

A Rare Breed of Love by Jana Kohl

“A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to Help Dogs Everywhere”

The story of Baby, the three-legged poodle, who was rescued from the horrors of a puppymill before she was to be killed for being too old to produce any more puppies. The author adopted Baby and describes how Baby changed her life–transforming her into an animal rights advocate. The book follows their journey, and includes photographs of Baby with many of the famous people whose lives she has touched.

As someone who has adopted a rescued puppymill survivor, I found this to be a heartbreaking, inspiring book and a powerful call to action.

-Melanie

Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman

“Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and Other Realities of Adolescence”

The book systematically deals with the perpetrators and offers sensible steps to endure the landmines of school. Many resources are included wtih common sense solutions. A book and dvd list are also enclosed.

-Lynne

The Years with Ross by James Thurber

A “must read” for aficionados of The New Yorker magazine! Writer/essayist/cartoonist James Thurber reminisces about the personality and leadership of the magazine’s founder, Harold Ross. A good companion to Brendan Gill’s memoir about the early years of The New Yorker, a once-unique icon of American periodicals.

-Janice