For Readers: Blog

Meet someone new

Meet someone new without ever having to leave your couch through the power of memoirs, biographies, and biographical fiction. These eye-opening reads give you a peek at fascinating lives across time and place. Even better: they all count towards the first category in this year’s Branch Out reading challenge!

If you want to start your year off with an epic read, look no further than I Am Rome by Santiago Posteguillo. This impressive translation combines a legal thriller with sweeping historical fiction, chronicling Julius Caesar’s early days as a lawyer. This is a well-researched and cinematic tale for readers ready to immerse themselves in the political machinations of the Roman Republic. [e-book | print]

Debut author Diane Richards fills in the gaps of Ella Fitzgerald’s pre-fame years in Ella. This richly detailed fictionalized account imagines the iconic singer’s youth, from her struggles in the seedier sides of New York City to her eventual discovery on stage. Put on some jazz in the background and settle into this story about overcoming seemingly unending obstacles to achieve a remarkable dream. [e-book | print | large type]

Ace, Marvel, Spy by Jenni L. Walsh is an action-packed introduction to tennis star Alice Marble and her alleged work as a wartime spy. Knocked down by personal losses right as the United States enters World War II, Alice is given the chance to leave behind the tennis court and gather intelligence about a former flame who may have Nazi connections. This is an intriguing and fast-paced take on wartime fiction. [e-book | print]

Janis Joplin, Carrie Fisher, and Sean Connery are just a few of the famous figures that pop up in Griffin Dunne’s The Friday Afternoon Club. This candid memoir follows Dunne’s star-studded circle of family and friends through Hollywood triumphs and tragedies, including his sister’s high-profile murder. Both witty and reflective, this memoir has something for everyone. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Deborah Jackson Taffa’s Whiskey Tender is a poignant coming-of-age memoir about growing up on and off the reservation in the 70s and 80s, and coming to terms with her many identities. With both mixed-tribe Native American and Spanish heritage, Taffa sharply observes the tension between her contrasting lineages and the constant pull of American culture. The resulting memoir is a thought-provoking meditation on the impact of history on identity, assimilation, and tradition. [e-book | print]

Book and Dagger by Elyse Graham is an engaging and well-researched account of some unlikely recruits into the word of espionage: librarians and scholars. Graham shares the stories of the librarians, professors, and archivists who were mobilized by the CIA’s precursor agency to gather intelligence and help defeat the Nazis. This blend of life stories and history writing will charm bibliophiles and history buffs alike. [e-book | print]

⏤Laura