Check These Out: From murder mysteries to HGTV

Homegrown Democrat
Garrison Keillor
320.973 KEI

I’ve been listening to Garrison Keillor on NPR for a couple of decades, so when I saw his name on a book spine in the non-fiction section, I was intrigued. The title, HOMEGROWN DEMOCRAT, indicates it’s not about Lake Woebegone. The front flap calls this small book “a reminiscence, a political tract, and a humorous meditation”. Well, that sounds like Garrison doesn’t it?

The Merlot Murders
Ellen Crosby
FIC CRO

My shelving cart had several mysteries on it today and this title made me pause for a closer look: THE MERLOT MURDERS. Described on the back cover as “Ellen Crosby’s US debut novel,” the book is rich in history and viticulture (which means the science or art of growing grapes I discovered), according to the review on the book. Since I’m a big fan of merlot myself, this is a book I needed.

Murder in the First-class Carriage
Kate Colquhoun
364.152 COL

Another crime story captured my attention, but this one is non-fiction. Do you like trains? Courtroom drama? Author Kate Colquhoun reconstructs the first Victorian Railway killing (July 1864) on a train somewhere between London and the suburban town of Hackney. Although told in story form, the book contains some 8 pages of bibliography and reference notes at the end, showing that scholarly research was done.

HGTV Magazine

Many of my acquaintances are mad about HGTV shows on cable. I was surprised to see the familiar HGTV logo on the library magazine shelves (in alphabetical order over by the fireplace). HGTV Magazine publishes 10 issues a year; you can check out all but the current issue any time. The one I perused had different sections with 2-4 articles in each. Example: Fun Decorating, Real Estate Spy, In the Yard. So, do YOU know the difference between the terms “antique” and “vintage?” Or why it’s not good to store your tomatoes in the refrigerator? Best/worst time to plant a tree?

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