Fiction

Beach House

By Jane Green

Sixty-five-year-old Nan Powell has lived comfortably and happily in Nantucket since the suicide of her husband, Everett, so she is thrown for a loop when she learns that she is in danger of losing her beloved house. After weighing her options, Nan decides to turn her home into a bed-and-breakfast. The guests she gets for the summer are all at a crossroads in their lives in one way or another. Green’s characters are likable, flawed and realistic. Beach House is the perfect refreshing summertime read.

The Apostle

By Brad Thor

When a media titan’s daughter is kidnapped in Afghanistan and offered in exchange for the freedom of a top Al Qaeda operative, Navy SEAL turned covert Homeland Security operative Scot Harvath undertakes a dangerous mission to free the terrorist from a Kabul prison — only to discover that things are not what they seem. In a bid for global dominance, an enemy of the United States has baited a brilliant hook. Author, Brad Thor, gives his audience a blockbuster adventure thriller with this novel.

Killer Summer

By Ridley Pearson

Overseeing an annual wine auction that attracts high-competition connoisseurs from all over the country, likable Blaine County Sheriff Walt Fleming provides security for a trio of invaluable bottles that have been targeted by a group of super thieves. Walt’s nephew, without knowing, becomes involved in the elaborate heist. But nothing is as it seems, and even the savviest readers will be fooled as the author leads poor Walt and friends through a series of clever twists and turns in this fast-paced nail-biter.

The Little Book

By Seldon Edwards

Wheeler Burden, a banking heir, a rock idol, a student of history, and a Harvard baseball hero, finds himself transported from his home in 1988 San Francisco to Vienna of 1897. This story is an adventure into an incredible trip back in time. Burden acquires a mentor in Sigmund Freud, a powerful crush on a young woman, a bitter rival, and encounters everyone from an eight-year-old Adolf Hitler to Mark Twain. Burden must solve the riddle of his displacement in time. Readers will enjoy the shocking climax and the thoroughly satisfying and stylish ending.

Diamond Star

By Catherine Asaro

For the adventurous sci-fi reader, Asaro’s latetst in the “Tales of the Ruby Dynasty” series is a good pick. Del, an heir to an interstellar empire, wants to be a singing star, but when he becomes popular on Earth, he needs to keep his identity secret or risk becoming the target of kidnappers or assassins, which could start a war across the galaxy. Nebula Award winner Asaro couples good writing with vivid action and bold characterization to keep the story flowing. Songs found in the book can be purchased on CD through www.starflight-music.com.

Non-Fiction

Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World’s 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences

By Chris Santala

Fly-fish in the virgin waters of the Chilean fjords. Navigate Alaska on a boat as luxurious as a four-star hotel but small enough to sail where the big cruise ships can’t. Embark on a private-jet tour to the great opera houses in Europe with behind-the-scenes passes. Experience the classic links of the British Open. Once in a Lifetime Trips is a treasure trove of ideas for travels that are unique, decadent and off the beaten path. It is a source of inspiration for anyone in search of a remarkable journey, and also, a vicarious and thrilling reading experience.

The World’s Richest Wrecks: A Wreck Diver’s Guide to Gold and Silver Treasures of the Seas

By Robert F. Marx

Robert Marx has been called the “true father of underwater archaeology.” This is his most significant book concerning the shipwrecks of the world and is literally a culmination of more than 50 years of experience and research. He covers all known shipwrecks of both the Old World and New World whose cargoes contained at least $10 million worth of treasures. The World’s Richest Wrecks contained many maps collected by Marx and more than 100 photos of shipwrecks treasures and diving salvage operations, many in full color.

The Vegan Scoop: 150 Recipes for Dairy-Free Ice Cream that Tastes Better Than the “Real” Thing

By Wheeler del Toro

Del Toro produces vegan ice cream using soy, coconut, rice and almond milks. He is a Jamaican who creates these flavors for restaurants and high-end clientele. Now Vegan Scoop brings recipes for 150 delicious frozen desserts that are so rich and creamy, they’re better than the “real” thing. These “faux” creams feature 100 percent vegan-certified ingredients, making them suitable for both vegans and those with lactose intolerance and other dairy aversions. And with each serving containing approximately 80 calories — nearly 100 calories fewer than a serving of traditional ice cream — you can indulge with peace of mind.

Capture the Flag

By Woden Teachout

Americans honor the flag with a fervor seen in few other countries: The Stars and Stripes decorate American homes and businesses; wave over sports events and funerals; and embellish everything from politicians’ lapels to the surface of the moon. But what does the flag mean? In Capture the Flag, historian Woden Teachout reveals that it has held vastly different meanings over time, Teachout demonstrates that the shifting symbolism of the flag reveals a broader shift in the definition of American patriotism.

Backroads of the Texas Hill Country: Your Guide to the Hill Country’s Most Scenic Backroad Adventures

By Gary Clark

Awaken your sense of adventure and take to the scenic backroads, right here in Texas.  Whether it’s wildflowers you’re drawn to, or dude ranches, natural areas, historic sites or quaint Texas towns redolent of history, this is your passport to an experience like no other. Gary Clark introduces travelers and armchair tourists alike to the emerging wine country of the Lone Star State, the culture of East European immigrants, and the “cowboy capital of the world” (Bandera). Follow this irresistible guide into the Hill Country, and find yourself deep in the heart of Texas.

Barbara Frank is the Reference Manager at the Central Library of the Waco McLennan County Library System. In her spare time, she can’t pass up a chance to indulge in a good audio book, preferably a mystery.