We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart-240 pages

I was sparked to read this book because it was a choice for the Teen Librarianship class I took last summer in the last semester of my Master's coursework. I chose to read something else then. It was an interesting read and I did not expect the ending at all, although after finishing it I realized that some of the clues were there. I liked the "fairy tales" that Cadence (the protagonist) told in the story and it was interesting how the family always tried to act "normal" no matter the circumstances. Overall, it was a pretty good, although sad, read.

Tainted Legacy: the story of alleged serial killer Bertha Gifford by S. Kay Murphy

Tainted Legacy: the story of alleged serial killer Bertha Gifford by S. Kay Murphy - 164 pages

A post on the library's Facebook page highlighting the case alerted me to the is true crime book that happened in our very own backyard.  The author's great grandmother was convicted of murder in 1928 and suspected in the deaths of up to eighteen people.  Smith's journey to uncover the truth about her family's past is a fascinating glimpse into life in rural Missouri in the early 20th century and an intriguing examination of how your perception of the past can influence your life in the present. I highly recommend this book to true crime fans and those interested in Jefferson / Franklin county history.

Bitter Brew by William Knoedelseder

Bitter Brew by William Knoedelseder, 416 pages.
As a resident of the St. Louis metro area, I was intrigued to read this book on the history of Anheuser-Busch and the Busch family.  While a bit dry at times - filled with MANY statistics on beer sales - I found myself thinking about the story through out the day.  I just couldn't wait to read more.

The author does a great job detailing the family history, including the lives and loves of the six men who would run the fast growing business. The story includes details about the homes and properties of the family - many of which are local landmarks.

The point this book clearly drives home is that money is not everything - even those who have plenty of money aren't truly happy. And love and happiness can be very difficult to find.