dear mr. hemingway’s 2018 holiday books & pairings
Twas The Night Before Non-Fiction
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
A book about books is every bookworm’s dream. New York Times Best Selling Author Susan Orlean is back at it again with this nonfiction gem.
From the Publisher (Simon & Schuster): “On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual fire alarm. As one fireman recounted, “Once that first stack got going, it was ‘Goodbye, Charlie.’” The fire was disastrous: it reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who?”
P.S. Library lovers will love these library scented candles.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Enjoy this National Bestseller and National Book Award Finalist curled up under a blanket on your couch.
From the Publisher (Penguin Random House): “In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.
Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. One of her relatives was shot. Another was poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more Osage were dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered.
As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including a Native American agent who infiltrated the region, and together with the Osage began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.”
P.S. Wrap this book in this ridiculously cool FBI wrapping paper for an extra special touch!
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Anyone interested in the science aspect of mankind will love Harari’s Best Selling book. It is time to dig deep into the past with this mind blowing piece of work.
From the Publisher (HarperCollins): “From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”
One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?”
P.S. I am loving this shirt with this book.
Hindsight: & All the Things I Can’t See In Front of Me by Justin Timberlake
Readers…you are welcome! I know a lot of you would love a sneak peek at this book, but wouldn’t buy it for yourselves. JT can sing, dance and act…triple threat! This is a super fun work of non-fiction (could even go under the memoir category).
The Publisher (HarperCollins): “In his first book, Justin Timberlake has created a characteristically dynamic experience, one that combines an intimate, remarkable collection of anecdotes, reflections, and observations on his life and work with hundreds of candid images from his personal archives that range from his early years to the present day, in locations around the world, both on and off the stage.
Justin discusses many aspects of his childhood, including his very early love of music and the inspiration behind many of his hit songs and albums. He talks about his songwriting process, offering the back story to many of his hits. He muses on his collaborations with other artists and directors, sharing the details of many performances in concert, TV comedy, and film. He also reflects on who he is, examining what makes him tick, speaking candidly about fatherhood, family, close relationships, struggles, and his search to find an inner calm and strength.
Living a creative life, observing and finding inspiration in the world, taking risks and listening to an inner voice—this is Justin Timberlake.”
P.S. This guilty pleasure deserves to be paired with a JT t-shirt with a wicked stylish front.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
This true story is almost unbelievable. Do not google anything real about the book until you finish reading. You do not want to spoil anything!
From the Publisher (Penguin Random House): “Many people dream of escaping modern life. Most will never act on it—but in 1986, twenty-year-old Christopher Knight did just that when he left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the woods. He would not have a conversation with another person for the next twenty-seven years.
Drawing on extensive interviews with Knight himself, journalist Michael Finkel shows how Knight lived in a tent in a secluded encampment, developing ingenious ways to store provisions and stave off frostbite during the winters. A former alarm technician, he stealthily broke into nearby cottages for food, books, and supplies, taking only what he needed but sowing unease in a community plagued by his mysterious burglaries. Since returning to the world, he has faced unique challenges—and compelled us to reexamine our assumptions about what makes a good life. By turns riveting and thought-provoking, The Stranger in the Woods gives us a deeply moving portrait of a man determined to live his own way.”
P.S. In the spirit of being outside, this book should be read outdoors in this foldable chair while camping, at the beach, in the yard or on the sidelines.
Dear Mr. Hemingway’s 2018 Holiday Books & Pairings
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