Staff Picks

Alexis at Basha suggests One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
(on audio)
This book was great from beginning until the very last page. Based on the scenario of, "What if the American government had given 1,000 White women to the Cheyenne tribe for peace?" The book is told by May Dodd a woman unjustly incarcerated in a women's insane asylum and finds that the Indian bride program will be her only way of escaping. The book is written like a diary, but flows with great ease. With some history, adventure and romance this book will keep readers turning each page wanting more. And I know this is probably breaking some kind of library law somewhere, but after listening to the audio I cannot imagine reading it with the same amount of enthusiasm as the audiobook reader does. Each character is perfectly portrayed by the audiobook reader and I would not have had it any other way!


Michelle at Sunset suggests The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karamali
If you could sit down with an American Muslim mom and talk to her about her religion, what would you ask? Ali-Karamali talks about her experience growing up Muslim in Southern California, explains the basic facts and history of Islam, and discusses the media's misconceptions about Islam and why they persist. A fascinating introduction to an often misunderstood topic.