The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

 

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles-351 pages

Based on the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris.  Another wonderful story about the power of books to unite us and bring us together in times of chaos and upheaval.  On the brink of WWII, Paris 1939.  Young Odile can't believe that she landed a job at the American Library.  As the war unfolds and days turn into years, it can change everything you hold dear; your family, friends, lovers.  Suddenly you find yourself not knowing who to trust and one misstep can change your whole trajectory in life.  Fast forward to Montana 1983.  We catch up with the much older Odile and her very inquisitive teen neighbor Lily.  Their love for each other grows as Odile helps  Lily navigate her teen years, loss of a loved one and a upheaval in her family life.  A slow start in the beginning, but once I got into it I enjoyed it very much.

A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson

 A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson--306 pages

First in the Alex Carter Suspense series.  Alex is a wildlife biologist who goes to remote parts of the earth to study and save endangered species.  For this one she is in Montana and obviously is studying wolverines.  She sets up cameras, and then she sees something horrific on one of her sites.  And its not an animal.  What is really going on in this reserve?  Guess you will have to read it to find out what it is!  I enjoyed the read.

Bone Dust White by Karen Salvalaggio

Bone Dust White by Karen Salvalaggio - 289 pages

This debut novel begins with a murder that unleashes revelations that shake a Montana town to its core.  I will say nothing more so I don't spoil the plot twists.  Salvalaggio's characters are multidimensional and spring to vibrant life upon the reader first meeting them.  The descriptive writing leads to a very visual reading experience where you can almost see the story as it unfolds.  I highly recommend this book to suspense fans.      

Light of the World by James Lee Burke

Light of the World by James Lee Burke - 560 pages
Dave Robicheaux #20

This book makes me afraid this series is headed down the same path as Robert Parker's Spenser series went - the heroes don't age as they should so the behavior gets more and more unbelievable as the series goes on.  Burke has an awesome sense of place and Montana comes to life as a main character of its own.  But the plot is a slow starter and has some seriously convenient twists and turns.  The early books in this series are much better.  I hope this is just a one book misstep similar to what happened with Michael Connelly.

Trails Plowed Under: -Charles M. Russell, 1926, 210 pages

Hollywood western movies have been a staple for over 100 years now. We are so inured by the silver screen version, that it is hard to separate reality from a movie director’s version of the old west.

Here are 43 short stories (many told and heard around a campfire) that are, mostly, humorous. Stories from someone who lived in Montana when Indians, buffalo, and cattle still roamed freely. A time when the plow was just beginning to turn under the old trails.

This may be one of my favorite books.