The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI

May29

Betty Medsger’s The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI was a thoroughly detailed and enjoyable read. Before Watergate and the Pentagon Papers, there was the Media Pennsylvania FBI office burglary. A small group of activists wanted to expose the truth behind J. Edgar Hoover and his secret illegal actions in the United States. The group planned a break-in of the offices to find the incriminating evidence and then exposed Hoover through the press. Betty Medsger was one of the journalists who received copies of the stolen files and then published articles on the findings. Many years later, she learned the identities of the people in the activist groups and was able to interview them bringing even more information to light.

This amazing book looks at not only how the activist group decided to commit the crime but how they carried it out, as well as the toll it took on many of them. Medsger examines the aftermath for the FBI and more importantly, the lengths which Hoover was willing to go to control citizens, congress and even the president. The amount of detail that Medsger includes is incredible. Most of the information I was unaware of or had forgotten. If you are an American History buff, this would be an excellent choice to read.

New Releases

May26

Here are a few new releases for the week:

The Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan (Autographed Hardback copies available at the store)

P. S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han (Hardback)

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneirder (Hardback)

The Tenderness of Thieves by Donna Freitas (Hardback)

The Edge of the Shadows by Elizabeth George (Hardback)

Radiant Angel by Nelson DeMille (Hardback)

One Kick by Chelsea Cain (Paperback)

Balm by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Hardback)

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey (Hardback)

Secret Brother by V. C. Andrews (Paperback)

Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America’s Gutsiest Troublemakers by Nick Offerman

The Year of Billy Miller by Keven Henkes (Paperback)

Cakes in Space by Philip Reeve (Hardback)

Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson (Hardback)

Big Little Lies

May20

Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies is an engrossing story about three women, an elementary school, and a murder. Jane is new to this small beach-side community, eager for a fresh new start and a fabulous first year of school for her son. Madeline has been in the community for years. Her children have all gone to the same primary school, but now her ex-husband has moved to the small suburb with his new wife and daughter. To make things worse, his daughter will be in the same class as her son-seriously? Celeste appears to have it all. The big mansion on the beach, the rich husband, and two incredibly rambunctious twin boys. However, things are not always as they appear for these women and each one is hiding something.

I really liked this book. Moriarty told the story in such a clever way with the details of the days leading up to the “night” and the interviews of parents regarding the incident being blended into each chapter. There is always the driving force of discovering who was murdered but it was also easy to get caught up in the daily drama and wonderful characters. Moriarty also captures the atmosphere of the beach community in Australia. You can really see yourself having coffee on the beach. I wouldn’t classify this as mystery or thriller novel, it is very much a contemporary fiction novel with a side of murder. This would also be a great book club read.

New Releases

May19

Here are a few new releases for the week:

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson (Signed First Editions available at the store)

I, Ripper by Stephen Hunter (Hardback)

Robert B. Parker’s Kickback by Ace Atkins (Hardback)

Disclaimer by Renee Knight (Hardback)

Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne (Hardback)

That Summer by Lauren Willig (Paperback)

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth (Paperback)

Dangerous Deception by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Hardback)

A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin (Hardback)

The Last Good Day of the Year by Jessica Warman (Hardback)

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer (Hardback)

Llama Llama Sand and Sun by Anna Dewdney (Board Book)

Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat by Deborah Underwood (Hardback)

Please call or stop in the store if you are interested in Neal Stephenson’s book.

Where They Found Her

May8

Where They Found Her by Kimberley McCreight is a gripping tale about a suburban town and the death of a newborn. Molly Sanderson retreated to Ridgedale in order to heal from the loss of her child. She never once imagined that she would be the journalist covering the murder of a newborn baby. Yet, now that she has this break she is determined to follow through and find out what this small town is really hiding.

I loved this book (although I should also mention that I also loved Reconstructing Amelia). McCreight does an amazing job of weaving other forms of writing into her novels, for this book she created the newspaper’s website. Adding in the website allowed the reader to get a better understanding of the town and gives the story a unique twist. Additionally, this story is told through three different women, which really gives you a larger picture of the overall plot and also made you want to try to piece everything together. A great psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns and small town drama.