written by Shelley O’Brien, Executive Director of the Johnson County Library Foundation
At the end of every year, I make book recommendations for my family and friends.
(Once a librarian, always a librarian.)
Fiction – “The Women” by Kristin Hannah
I believed nothing would be as great as Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale”. I just didn’t think she could outdo herself. Then came the book, “The Women”. Vietnam War story of Frankie who enlists in the Army as a nurse to serve her country and please her father. This is an epic tale of her journey that tells the story of women’s roles in the war – during and after. A book I will never forget. The book app Goodreads listed “The Women” as the most-read new book of 2024.
Non-Fiction – “The Third Gilmore Girl” by Kelly Bishop
Many of us know Kelly Bishop thanks to Amy Sherman-Palladino shows including “Gilmore Girls”. But Kelly is no Emily Gilmore. Bishop describes what it is like to be a working dancer and actor in New York. She inspired the role of Sheila in the Broadway production of “A Chorus Line” which included winning a Tony Award for Best Supporting or Featured Actress in a Musical in 1976. Bishop tells many heartwarming stories about creating “Gilmore Girls” which will make you love the show even more.
Non-Fiction – “Be Ready When the Luck Happens” by Ina Garten
While we’ve watched Ina Garten on TV for years, I knew very little about her. In this autobiography, Garten shares the origin story of her store and brand, the Barefoot Contessa, as well as personal stories. This includes telling of a separation between her and her beloved husband Jeffrey. Towards the end of the book, she offers business wisdom which makes me wonder if another book is in the works. While this is not a cookbook, Garten highlights three of her best recipes, including Banana Crunch Muffins, which were a hit at the Central Resource Library office.