Wednesday, August 26, 2020

New Adult Nonfiction

Author Lily E. Hirsch brings a new biography of the loveable comedy musician in Weird Al Seriously. "From his love of accordions and Hawaiian print shirts to his popular puns and trademark dance moves, "Weird Al" Yankovic has made a career out of making us laugh. Funny music is often dismissed as light and irrelevant, but Yankovic’s fourteen successful studio albums prove there is more going on than comedic music's reputation suggests. In this book, for the first time, the parodies, original compositions, and polka medleys of the Weird Al universe finally receive their due respect. Lily Hirsch weaves together original interviews with the prince of parody himself, creating a fresh take on comedy and music’s complicated romance. She reveals that Yankovic’s jests have always had a deeper meaning, addressing such topics as bullying, celebrity, and racial and gender stereotypes. Weird Al is undeterred by those who say funny music is nothing but a low-brow pastime. And thank goodness. With his good-guy grace still intact, Yankovic remains un-apologetically and unmistakably himself. Reveling in the mischief and wisdom of Yankovic’s forty-year career, this book is an Al-expense-paid tour of a true comedic and musical genius." (from Amazon.com)


If you prefer something more serious, why not try Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride From Hell by Tom Clavin. "On the afternoon of October 26, 1881, eight men clashed in what would be known as the most famous shootout in American frontier history. Thirty bullets were exchanged in thirty seconds, killing three men and wounding three others. The fight sprang forth from a tense, hot summer. Cattle rustlers had been terrorizing the back country of Mexico and selling the livestock they stole to corrupt ranchers. The Mexican government built forts along the border to try to thwart American outlaws, while Arizona citizens became increasingly agitated. Rustlers, who became known as the cow-boys, began to kill each other as well as innocent citizens. That October, tensions boiled over with Ike and Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury, and Billy Claiborne confronting the Tombstone marshal, Virgil Earp, and the suddenly deputized Wyatt and Morgan Earp and shotgun-toting Doc Holliday. Bestselling author Tom Clavin peers behind decades of legend surrounding the story of Tombstone to reveal the true story of the drama and violence that made it famous. Tombstone also digs deep into the vendetta ride that followed the tragic gunfight, when Wyatt and Warren Earp and Holliday went vigilante to track down the likes of Johnny Ringo, Curly Bill Brocius, and other cowboys who had cowardly gunned down his brothers. That "vendetta ride" would make the myth of Wyatt Earp complete and punctuate the struggle for power in the American frontier's last boom town." (from Amazon.com)

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

New Adult Fiction

 Reputation is a new novel by Sara Shepard. In this story told from differing points of view, Aldrich University boasts an elite student body and a top hospital. It’s the very picture of prestige, but when the email accounts of the entire faculty, staff, students, and alumni are hacked, the thing veneer of polish is stripped away. The hack reveals the lies and scandals lurking just beneath the surface. The backlash turns lethal when a handsome doctor winds up dead. In a community where everyone has something to hide, the women of the town take it upon themselves to root out the killer before someone else becomes a victim.

Best selling author Robyn Carr delivers a new novel in Sunrise on Half Moon Bay. Justine was already an adult when her little sister Addie was born. Twenty years is a large gap, but they two love each other; they just don’t rally know each other. Addie dropped out of university to care for her ailing parents while Justine—a successful attorney—covered the expenses. At the time it was the best arrangement for the two of them. Now that their parents have passed, Addie and Justine must move on with their lives. Addie had great plans for her life, but she is beaten down after spending so much time as a caregiver and isn’t sure how to continue on her own. Justine’s success has come at the expense of her marriage and, despite her best efforts, she must start over. The sisters must lean on one another to overcome the challenges to find the happiness they are both seeking.

One Perfect Summer is a new novel by Brenda Novak. When Serenity Alston swabbed her cheek for a genealogy test, she kidded that she was about to uncover some skeletons. The last thing she expected was to find two half sisters she knew nothing about. Now, Serenity is questioning everything about her loving family and the only way to get answers may be to meet her newfound sisters. The women decide to dig into the mystery at Serenity’s family cabin in Lake Tahoe. Reagan is navigating romantic politics at work while Lorelei staring down the collapse of her marriage, meaning all three are going through changes in their lives. Before the summer is over, they’ll have to move forward when everything they previously thought to be true was a lie.

The latest novel by Susan Wiggs is The Lost and Found Bookshop. Natalie Harper has inherited a sweet, but financially shaky bookshop in San Francisco. She has also become her grandfather Andrew’s caretaker in the wake of his failing health and memory. Her grandfather grew up in the historic building that houses the bookshop and Natalie plans on selling to allow for Andrew’s care. The only problem: Andrew owns the building outright and refuses to sell. Natalie reluctantly takes over the shop and finds that the books bring a sort of solace for her overwhelming grief. She hires Peach Gallagher, a former Marine from Georgia, to help with repairs to the building. Peach’s young daughter, Dorothy, brings Natalie some sunshine into her dreary days, and even manages to connect her with a handsome celebrity novelist who takes an interest in the fortunes of the small bookstore. Gradually, Natalie discovers the truth about her family, her future, and the depths of her own heart.

A Bad Day for Sunshine is a new novel by Darynda Jones. Del Sol, New Mexico native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the duly elected sheriff thanks to the nomination her sweetly meddlesome parents. The biggest crime wave she expects is an elderly flasher named Doug. Del Sol has other plans for her, however, and Sunshine finds herself tracking down a teenage girl and her kidnapper. She must also contend with trouble at her daughter’s new school, a kidnapped prize-winning rooster named Puff Daddy, and anything else this quirky little town decides to throw at her. There is a silver lining in the form of U.S. Marshal Levi—a smokin’ hot almost old flame. Knee-deep in drama and danger, this normally cool-headed sheriff must rise to the call of duty to keep the peace in her beloved hometown.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia delivers her latest, Mexican Gothic. In 1950s Mexico, Noemi Taboada receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin. Noemi is a glamorous debutante and is thought to be more suited for cocktail parties than sleuthing and rescuing her cousin. She is also tough, smart, and unafraid of her cousin’s new English husband—though he is both menacing and alluring. She is also not afraid of the husband’s father who seems to be fascinated with Noemi; nor does she fear the house which fills her dreams with blood and doom. There are many secrets behind the walls of High Place house, but she finds an ally in the family’s youngest son, but he too may be hiding a dark secret. Will Noemi be able to save her cousin and escape the shadowy house?


Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Estate Planning from NOLO

"Your will, made easy:

Write a will that suits your needs with a minimum of fuss. This book provides all the forms and step-by-step instructions you need to create a simple, valid will that protects your family and property after your death.

Make a will that lets you:

  • name beneficiaries to inherit your assets
  • choose a guardian for young children
  • set up trusts for minors, and
  • name an executor (and a backup).

Learn how to:

  • choose appropriate witnesses
  • finalize your will, and
  • revoke or change your will if necessary.

This book also explains basic estate planning, including steps you can take to avoid probate court. The updated 9th edition includes the latest changes in federal estate tax law and a new appendix that lists state probate exceptions. With Downloadable Forms: download wills, a beneficiary worksheet, and other forms (details inside)." (from Amazon.com)


"Protect your family with solid estate planning:
Estate planning sounds difficult―but most people just need a few basic documents. Let Plan Your Estate show you how to protect your loved ones from legal hassles and financial uncertainty after your death. Learn about:

  • wills and living trusts
  • avoiding probate
  • bypass (AB) trusts
  • naming guardians for children
  • leaving property to children
  • estate, gift, and inheritance taxes
  • strategies for business owners
  • leaving property to charity
  • health care directives, and
  • financial powers of attorney.

The 14th edition of Plan Your Estate is completely updated to reflect the latest state and federal laws, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Applies in all U.S. states except Louisiana." (from Amazon.com)