Friday, May 25, 2018

Hang Time: My Life in Basketball by Elgin Baylor


Title: Hang Time: My Life in Basketball
Author: Elgin Baylor (with Alan Eisenstock)
Genre: Autobiography, Sports

Before Michael Jordan and Julius Erving there was Elgin Baylor. In a thirteen year NBA career (the final two cut short by injuries), Baylor proved to be one of the greatest players in league history. During his career he averaged an incredible 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds in an era when there was no three-point shot and NBA players took as much pride in playing defense as they did scoring points.

Baylor recounts his upbringing in Washington, D.C. where he learned the game on the playgrounds, being drafted into the army at age 24, as well as his many and varied experiences - first as a player and later as a general manager in the NBA. Some of those experiences were negative - dealing with racism and bigotry on a regular basis, as well as exciting - Baylor an active participant in an NBA that was transitioning into a major sports entertainment option. This is an engaging read that reminds professional basketball fans of all ages that each generation has its stars. Although Elgin Baylor never won a championship, "Hang Time: My Life In Basketball"  serves as proof that one of the games greatest players was a winner - both within the game and outside the sport. 

- Mike

Check out Hang Time: My Life in Basketball @ the library.

Friday, May 18, 2018

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware


Title: The Woman in Cabin 10
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Since her boss is on maternity leave, Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, gets chosen to go on the exclusive maiden voyage of the Aurora, a luxury cruise ship, in her boss' stead. It's the opportunity of her career: All the big names in travel journalism are also on board, and Lo is hoping to impress and prove her worth to her employer. Just days before the cruise departs, Lo gets burgled. Stressed and already lacking sleep, Lo is determined not to let this get in the way of going on the cruise. On the first night aboard, however, Lo hears a splash and believes that someone was thrown overboard from the cabin next door. She brings it to the attention of the ship's staff, but no one believes her, saying that room was empty and everyone on board has been accounted for. Did Lo really see what she thought she did? Or are recent events making her overreact?

The setting of The Woman in Cabin 10 is similar to Agatha Christie's mysteries, where almost everyone is a suspect and there's no way to escape. While the writing leaves something to be desired, the book was suspenseful and the plot kept me guessing. The Woman in Cabin 10 was a hard one to put down!

- Sarah P.

Check out The Woman in Cabin 10 @ the library.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Salt & Silver by Johannes Riffelmacher and Thomas Kosikowski


Title: Salt & Silver: Latin America
Author: Johannes Riffelmacher and Thomas Kosikowski
Genre: Travel, Cooking, Sport

Salt & Silver chronicles the adventures of two surfers, Johannes and Thomas, as they surf, eat, and travel through Latin America and beyond. At each stop they make, the duo shares delicious recipes, stories, and prime surf spots that inspire a sense of wanderlust in the reader. Salt & Silver gives an interesting look at how daily life and cooking vary from region to region, and might just inspire the reader to try something new!

- Jamie

Check out Salt & Silver: Latin America @ the library.

Friday, May 4, 2018

News of the World by Paulette Jiles


Title: News of the World
Author: Paulette Jiles
Genre: Historical Fiction, Western

Set after the Civil War, in the wild country of Texas, this story follows a war battled Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd as he journeys to deliver a young girl he names Johanna back to her family. Johanna, an orphan now ten years old, was captured when she was six by the Kiowa Indians, and has no knowledge of English nor any memories of being anyone other than a Kiowa. Captain Kidd is a news man: he reads newspaper articles of far away places to audiences for a dime a head to make his living. This unlikely pair forms a unique bond on their travels. Captain Kidd and Johanna both learn about each other and we get to understand them differently as they encounter all the many varied people, many of them not so pleasant, on the road. The writing transports you back to a time and a part of the country that feels very different from our own today, but also pulls you in with its beauty and the magic of the history. Enjoy!

- Elizabeth

Check out News of the World @ the library.