A DEATH IN BELMONT, BY SEBASTIAN JUNGER

[Non-Fiction] Junger, the author of The Perfect Storm, delves into a murder and shocking sex crime that occurred in the quiet town of Belmont, Massachusetts in 1963. One man is arrested on circumstantial evidence. He ultimately dies in prison. Another man, who was working at the Junger home doing construction, later confesses to being the Boston Strangler. Could an innocent man have paid the price for this crime? Hauntingly written, this book reads like a thriller rather than a true story.

THE ENGLISH  TEACHER, BY LILY KING

[Fiction] Vida Avery, a single mother who is an English teacher at a private high school, has always kept her adolescent son, Peter, under close control. Peter is thrilled when his mother marries Tom, a widower with three children. However, a long-kept secret about his mother's past causes her  to become emotionally unraveled.  Love and patience are required of all those involved and their story draws readers along. A dramatic, well-written novel with characters you will care about and remember.

WE ARE ALL WELCOME HERE, BY ELIZABETH BERG

[Fiction] Paige Dunn contracted polio when pregnant with her daughter, Diana, and was left unable to move anything except her head. Her husband has divorced her and she and Diana, who is now 13, depend on welfare and an African-American day worker, Peacie, to hold things together. Although this sounds like a depressing story, the characters are full of humor, devoid of self-pity and able to rise above their circumstances. Fictionalized from a true story told to the author, this novel is a winner.

31 DAYS: THE CRISIS THAT GAVE US  THE GOVERNMENT WE HAVE TODAY, BY BARRY WERTH

[Non-Fiction] The title refers to the 31 days separating Nixon’s resignation and Ford’s decision to pardon him.  The book details the first month of the Ford presidency, and although the author never addresses why Ford chose to pardon Nixon, the book is a fascinating study of the men surrounding Ford: Rumsfeld, Chaney and Bush, Sr. to name a few.  An extremely well written, in-depth account of the controversy surrounding this tumultuous period in history. 

HERE'S THE CHURCH, HERE'S THE STEEPLE: AN ANDY GAMMON MYSTERY, BY TEMPA PAGEL

[Fiction] A light-hearted mystery of two murders set in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The first murder took place in 1811, the year of the great fire. The other is set in the present day.  This fictional tale is steeped in the history of this lovely seaside community, which makes this a fun read for summer.

UP AND RUNNING: THE INSPIRING TRUE STORY OF A BOY'S STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE AND TRIUMPH, BY MARK PATINKIN

[Non-Fiction]  In 1996, six-year-old Andrew Bateson is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Ultimately, his life is saved, but he loses both his legs below his knees.  This is pretty tough stuff for a six-year-old.  The relationship between his mom and dad also takes a heavy blow.  This is a story of love and courage, of despair and hope.  It’s well worth the read.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE: A FATHER, A DAUGHTER, A JOURNEY THROUGH SPORTS, BY CHRISTINE BRENNAN

A FINE PLACE TO DAYDREAM: RACEHORSES, ROMANCE, AND THE IRISH, BY BILL BARICH

[Non-Fiction] Transplanted writer Barich follows his heart to Dublin as he woos and weds his Irish love.  Always a fan of horses, Barich sets out to learn all he can about Irish horse-racing– steeple chasing or Irish jump racing as it is called.  This is a fun story, written with wit and warmth.