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Great Belief in an Open and Honest Mind…”The Point of It All: A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors”, by Charles Krauthammer

Before his death, American Columnist and Political Analyst, Charles Krauthammer compiled a collection of his most important works. The book, entitled The Point of It All: A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors. Krauthammer was highly regarded for his opinions and analyzes of current issues and their effect on global democracy. He always cut through all the background noise of politics to get to the important issues with clarity and integrity. The book is edited and introduction written by his son, Daniel Krauthammer.

The book will fill the void left for thousands of fans who had great respect for Charles, and who tuned in with great anticipation to hear what he would have to comment on the issues of the day. He never disappointed in his clear, concise views. Even the most uninterested could have their interest peaked by his observations. But the book does more…… it shows his personal side, that of a husband, a dad and just a human being, who enjoyed chess, baseball, ideas, and competition.

The best description of Krauthammer’s book is the following…… it’s brimmed with a cup overflowing toward emotion paired with precise logic, and yet succinct in word craft nailing to the logical analysis…….a look at the man behind the words……one who had a great belief in an open and honest mind. R.I.P. Charles Krauthammer.

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What More is Behind the Royal Command….”Thrawn: Alliances (Star Wars), by Timothy Zahn

As the Star Wars saga continues, Thrawn #2, written by author, Timothy Zahn proves to be yet another hit among the several novels that comprise Star Wars. When you read the words, “I have sensed a disturbance in the Force”, pondered by Emperor Palpatine, you know that trouble is once again brewing for the Empire. The Emperor is so concerned, that he pairs Thrawn and Vader for the crucial mission. What they do not know is what more is behind the royal command. But, as in the past, these two join forces hesitantly, finding out what dangers lie ahead as they go.

There are two working stories being told in Thrawn #2. The first is the one about Anakin and Thrawn’s interaction during The Clone Wars, and then, Vader and Thrawn’s teaming up during the finale of Star Wars…… they were working on two halves of the same mystery decades apart. Anakin and Vader quickly learn that Thrawn is always right.

There is Padme, who has her get it done attitude, Thrawn, is most noted for his intellect and powers of deduction, and Darth Vader was the mixed bag…..a fierce warrior on one hand, then not so impressive on the other. Anakin was very impulsive and brash. But somehow, this eclectic group managed to get their missions accomplished.

Readers might enjoy knowing that Disney’s new Star Wars theme park, which opens in 2019, features Batuu and the Blacksburg Outpost, both featured in this novel…….Thrawn #2.

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A Bit Gentler…A little Kinder….”Medium Raw”, by Anthony Bourdain

Anyone who is familiar with food critic, Anthony Bourdain, is familiar with his most of the time brash and bawdy language when he is describing food and restaurant experiences. In his first book, Kitchen Confidential, there were many who criticized his, what they observed as, overuse of tawdry language. He contends that it was the descriptively best to use in rants about food and cooking failures along the way. After serving as a journeyman cook, he became a world traveler giving elaborate prose on what he has seen and heard from the most prestigious chefs in the world.

In his newer work, Medium Raw, it has been said that he is a bit gentler in his descriptive language, and just a little kinder to those that he had previously ripped apart. Some give kudos to his status change as a father to a three year old daughter. It was humorous to read that he is already educating his daughter as to the evils of American fast food. One quote had him telling her……the fast food industry is the enemy……that Ronald McDonald has cooties and stinks like…..poo! Poor child!

In Medium Raw, Bourdain gives a witty and insightful view of the culinary world. He describes the many changes that have taken place in the subculture of chefs, cooks, the restaurant business, and in his personal life in the ten years since he wrote Kitchen Confidential. One recommendation was to listen to an audio book version of the book. Hearing his own voice tell the stories gives the book another added dimension.

It was with great sadness that the world learned of Bourdain’s suicide by hanging in June of this year, while in France.

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Nothing Can Break Her…”This is Me”, by Chrissy Metz

It must be pretty cathartic to be in a position to write a self-revealing book at the young age of 37 years. Such is the new book, This Is Me, a novel by Chrissy Metz, who is the star performer on the hugely popular tv serial, This Is Us. It has been described as alternating between instructional and autobiographical, and as presented in raw honesty. Through her life lessons, she has learned that both setbacks and successes can be valuable in moving through life.

Chrissy grew up in a large family, but out of nowhere, her father just disappeared one day. Her mother did her best, but they always felt the threat of possible hunger or that their electricity might be turned off. So, when her mother remarried, Chrissy felt excitement and hope that her family’s life would return to some normalcy. However, that hope was short-lived, as her step-father became very mentally, verbally, and physically abusive. He seemed to just hate her body…….he started weighing her at age 14. I always have to wonder where the mother was when things like this happen to step-children. He punched her, shoved her, yanked her wrist, but never hit her face. She said it was as though he was just offended by her body. She also says that the mistreatment by him made her realize that nothing can break her after living through his abuse.

This Is Me is a takeoff on her very successful television show on NBC, This Is Us. Viewers seem to see themselves in her character, Kate Pearson, no matter where they live or what they look like. The character, as well as the entertainer, makes her viewers and readers feel like they are spending time with a friend with whom they can identify with.

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People Aren’t Always What They Seem…”Tom Clancy Point of Contact”, by Mike Maden

In a thriller that could be taken from current headlines, Tom Clancy Point of Contact will keep its readers on their toes with suspense and a very active last hundred or so pages. Even though the beloved author, Tom Clancy, has passed, his essence is carried on by various authors writing in the same vane as Clancy. In Point of Contact, The Campus and Jack Ryan, Jr. continue their secret work as they have done in previous novels by Clancy. In this episode, Jack Ryan, Jr. is partnered with Paul Brown at the request of Senator Rhodes, a defense contractor, who needs a job in Singapore done very quickly. Jack Ryan knows nothing of Paul Brown’s secrets……not exactly just the mild-mannered forensic accountant he appears to be. And, Paul Brown has no idea that Jack Ryan, Jr. works for The Campus, a top-secret American intelligence agency. An interesting pairing for sure.

The Tom Clancy novels are known by their readers as taking place in the Jack Ryan universe. Together Ryan and Brown race to escape both the killer storm bearing down on Singapore, and the assassins who have been paid to see that both are exterminated. They do this for self-preservation and to try to prevent a global catastrophe.

Tom Clancy Point of Contact describes in detail how people who are essentially good, can do very bad things, can be manipulated, lied to, threatened and bullied. In this Clancy-eske thriller, there are fights, espionage, betrayal, politicians, gangsters, and special operators. To round out the Clancy character filled novel, also added are beautiful women and dangerous bad guys. We all know how things can go wrong in the blink of an eye, and people aren’t always what they seem.

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Dangerous Little Lies We Tell Ourselves Just to Survive…”Big Little Lies”, by Liane Moriarty

It seems like any other school fundraiser, but P&C Trivia Night at the local public school in Pirriwee ends with disaster. Author Moriarty is known for her knack for creating main characters who are so believable that any one of us could know them as a next door neighbor, or a friend at PTO.

Big Little Lies is a complicated, yet also simple, story of ordinary people who end up in an extraordinary situation. The reader knows that one character will not be living at the book’s end, but they have no clue as to which character, until the very end of the book. Will it be gregarious, passionate Madeline, who does not use her “filter” if confronting a foe, especially her ex-husband or his new, younger wife. Will it be Celeste, the town beauty who can stop small town traffic with her looks, and the sight of her two energetic twin boys. Or, will it be the young newcomer, Jane, who is a very young single mom, who the others have decided to mentor. The reader finds out after reading through the “brilliant take on ex-husbands, second wives, mothers and daughters, school booard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive”.

Moriarty writes books that keep the reader page turning into the wee hours of the morning, just too good to put down. The film adaptation, by David E. Kelley, tells the tale of three mothers of first graders, whose seemingly perfect lives unravel to show the truth…… even to the point of murder. The film stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley.

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Humorous and Personal Experiences…”Talking As Fast As I Can”, by Lauren Graham

For all those fans of the Gilmore Girls series, the new book, Talking As Fast As I Can, by lead character, Lauren Graham, is a very special addition to their addiction to the show. Lauren writes about humorous and personal experiences with her career, and with the interaction she has had with co-stars.

Fans will be delighted to read about personal anecdotes such as…….the fact that Graham did not enjoy the fact that her character, Lorelai, married Christopher in season seven, or……..that her sister was in a cameo appearance once. What about souvenir stealers, Graham and Bledel taking a pink flamingo and Rory’s Yale banner? Ellen DeGeneres will be pleased to know that Graham at least tried to go vegan in a tribute to her, but failed. Graham and Bledel never had a chance to meet before working together on the set.

As of the book writing time frame, Graham described how she was encouraged to go out with Peter Krause by Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore). Graham eventually did just that, when they met on the set of Parenthood. Bishop had said she needed someone more her equal…….apparently, Krause fits that description, because they were still dating. It is the hope of all Gilmore Girls fans that they will be getting a new round of their favorite show!

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“Are You Ready to See Your Fixer-Upper?”….”The Magnolia Story”, by Chip and Joanna Gaines

There are millions of fans who wait each week to see the amazing work of authors and designers, Chip and Joanna Gaines, as they say………Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?….. to the most fortunate buyers who are chosen to participate in their enormously popular television show, Fixer Upper, on HGTV. The show originates from their home town of Waco, Texas, where they both graduated from Baylor University.

The Magnolia Story is their first book, and focuses on their lives as they have lived them so far. It gives the readers a personal and up close look at their family and professional life behind the cameras. Those fans will be so pleased to hear how they met, the struggles they may have had, about the children they adore, and their all- important relationship with God.

The couple is noted for their keen sense of humor, and their innate ability to play off of each other, creating an atmosphere of fun and frivolity as they work very hard in building their Magnolia empire. A very popular question they receive is………is Chip always that ornery and funny at home? Joanna amusingly answers……..Chip is my own fixer-upper!!

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Open to Love….”Love Letter’s”, by Debbie Macomber

Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Novel written by Debbie Macomber, is a celebration of the power of love. Rose Harbor Inn proprietor, Jo Marie Rose, finds herself in the busy summer season and also finds herself thinking more and more about the Inn handyman, Mark Taylor. This intriguing plot is only one of the many romantic stories going on this summer in Cedar Cove.

Before the end of summer, someone will show their heart’s desire. The novel shows the reader the courage it takes to be completely open to love.

Debbie Macomber has had nine of her novels make #1 on the New York Times best seller list. She has also had the very popular Hallmark Channel’s top watched movies of 2009 and 2010 in Mrs. Miracle and Call Me Mrs. Miracle. In 2013 Hallmark Channel produced the original series based on her novels: Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove.

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