Shelly's Picks

I loved the insights into the highs and lows of an independent bookstore, as well as the challenges of the those writers that have self-published to be read. Lucy has lost everything. But in an effort to move forward she throws herself into marketing her self-published book. Lucy shows up for her book signing only to find out that she is a week early. Ruth, the owner, of the "Book Lover" takes Lucy under her wing and lets Lucy stay in a rural log cabin. There Lucy can begin to build a new life, but at what cost to her mentor?

Fantastic! Alex may not tell you all the magicians secrets but he sure tells about his amazing journey into the world of magic. After being humiliated in Magic Olympics in 2006, Alex thought he was done with magic forever. A year later, to reduce the stress of being a Physics PHd candidate, Alex starts dabbling in magic again. The dabbling leads to an all consuming obsession, and we get to go along for the ride. If you ever wondered about the history of magic, the art of deception, or the connection between magic and science this is the book for you.

Where did marketing come from? How influenced are we? For the answer to these and other questions... This is a fascinating book about the increasing influence of advertising on us and our culture. Written in an entertaining accessible style,  The Age of Persuasion is filled with in information and interesting asides about successful past advertising campaigns and the people that created them.  —Shelly

Members of the secret committee that chooses books for a bookstore that only sells the best books ever written are being attacked. Who is trying to ruin "The Good Novel" bookstore and why? The bookstore is unique—it sells only novels, mostly French (since the bookstore is in Paris). When the store opens, it is a great success—but with success comes jealousy... and murder. —Shelly

Hannah is out of control. She drinks too much, her business is failing, she’s had yet another affair and her husband has kicked her out of their home. In an effort to break in to her husband’s apartment Hannah has an accident and has to go home face the event that left her and her brother damaged. Buzz Leger, Hannah’s father, disappeared 30 years ago and she’s been waiting for him to come back ever since. Going home Hannah faces her past so maybe she can have a future. —Shelly

I loved the atmosphere in this book. You feel the fear of the McCarthy era and glamor of 1940s Hollywood. Ben Collier has returned from the War and his brother is killed just before they are about to get together. He wants to find out what happened to his brother but along the way there’s a little sex, betrayal and Socialists. What more could you want from a book? —Shelly

If you like a story that keeps you a little off kilter, then this is the book for you. This whodunit revolves around a crime magazine and a novel. Everyone is lying about something, including the murder, and nothing is what it appears to be. A great summer read. —Shelly

I don't know about you, but I make a lot of mistakes, and I always wondered why? Starting with the cover, this book delves into the various ways we make mistakes. From the decisions we make—or don't make—based on our expertise to seeing what we expect to see, this books gives an understanding and remedies to cut down on our mistakes. —Shelly