It’s our privilege to give the Highland Park and University Park libraries wonderful books that further their mission to foster reading in our community. Here’s some of our favorites (make sure to pick them up at the library before they’re all checked out)!
THE COUNTRY OF THE POINTED FIRS
By SARAH ORNE JEWETT
“This novel, written in 1896, is about the area of Maine my wife, Nancy, and I treasure. The cottage that Miss Jewett wrote from, and about, is just steps from our property in Martinsville, Maine. The book can be read as a study of the effects of isolation and hardship on the inhabitants of fishing villages along the coast. You can almost smell the balsam fir in the pages of this quaint little book.”
Robbie Briggs | 1-847-780-6499
WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS
By WILSON RAWLS
“This well-loved classic is a family favorite in our home. The heartwarming story of the love and loyalty, and ultimately loss, between a boy and his hunting dogs and the rich description of life and survival on the American frontier, reflect on a former age while teaching everlasting character qualities to all generations.”
- Nancy Parks-Uhrbrock | 214-604-6542
UNBROKEN
By LAURA HILLENBRAND
“This book holds a permanent place of honor in my heart. Louis Zamperini’s story of “Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” serves as my daily reminder to be thankful for those who have served and are currently serving our country!”
- Clair Storey | 214-507-1388
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
By MARGERY WILLIAMS
“This timeless story was one of my favorites as a girl. It is the story of life lessons about unconditional love, acceptance, friendship and the value of individualism… a joy for both children and adults.”
- Chari Singleton | 214-384-1616
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
By HARPER LEE
“I was deeply moved by the author’s depiction of small town life and moral education. It taught me valuable lessons about how good and evil coexist in the world.”
- Ann Shaw | 214-532-4824
THE SECRET GARDEN
By FRANCES HODGSON BURNET T
“I adored this book as a child; I was transported to another time and place while reading about Mary Lennox and her adventures at Misselthwaite Manor. This author also wrote A Little Princess, which was another childhood favorite.”
- Melissa Melville | 972-733-8718
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO
By DR. SEUSS
“Wonderful life lessons for all ages and life stages. Dr. Seuss rejoices in the potential we all have to fulfill our wildest dreams. Wisdom combined with humor make this book one of my favorites.”
- Tom Hughes | 214-649-3323
FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY
By SUSAN JEFFERS, PH.D.
“I have always been a fan of self-improvement books and this is one of many that I have read multiple times. LIFE IS FULL OF FEAR, ESPECIALLY IN SALES! This book taught me to create feelings of excitement and success, and to convert any fear into positive change. I recommend it for those who are interested in building their careers, to all students and to anyone considering a change of path.”
- Becky Frey | 214-536-4727
MARTHA SPEAKS
By SUSAN MEDDAUGH
“Our family loves dogs, and I often read dog stories to my son. Martha Speaks was one of our favorites because Martha gains the ability to speak and becomes a hero!”
- Penny Tower Cook | 214-384-2847
THE FAIRIES OF TURTLE CREEK
By JILL K. SAYRE
“I love to support local authors! A charming story about believing in magic, this book was loved by my young teenage nieces. Set in Highland Park, Texas, in both modern times and the 1920s, it’s a perfect read for the Centennial Celebration of Highland Park and its school district.”
Pamela Brannon | 214-912-1756
RAISING A MODERN-DAY KNIGHT
By ROBERT LEWIS
“Teaching sons to grow up rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility and leading courageously is so critical in today’s society. This book has helped me instill the right values into my boys to help them grow into authentic men.”
Alex Trusler | 214-755-8180
CHARLOTTE’S WEB
By E.B. WHITE
“I read this for the first time in, I think, the 3rd grade, and was thoroughly swept into the barnyard world of Charlotte and Wilbur. All the great themes are present in this work: birth, life, death, honesty, truth, loyalty, friendship, and caring. It’s a truly heartbreaking and inspiring book.”
- Michael Campbell | 214-676-0399
JOURNAL OF INVENTIONS: LEONARDO DA VINCI
By JASPRE BARK
“The Renaissance’s most incredible mind, his personal notebooks and sketches are brought to life in 3-D pop-ups to inspire everyone to dream!”
- Pogir | 214-244-3103
MERE CHRISTIANITY
By C.S. LEWIS
“This clear, logical explanation and defense of Christianity has been an invaluable resource to me in every aspect of life.”
- Will Seale | 214-707-9707
THE NANCY DREW MYSTERIES
By CAROLYN KEENE
“These books taught me what it meant to say “I just couldn’t put the book down.” I was completely captivated by Nancy’s resourcefulness and sense of adventure. I learned what great entertainment a book could be.”
Cathy Orr Barton | 214-202-9537
SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME
By RON HALL AND DENVER MOORE
“This profoundly moving and inspiring story created in me a desire to see every person who crosses my path in life as God created them, regardless of where they are or what they are doing at that moment in time.”
Karla Trusler | 214-682-6511
THE GOLDEN BOOK OF FAIRY TALES
By ADRIENNE SEGUR AND MARIE PONSOT
“We spent hours reading to our daughters from this premier fairy tale book, originally published in 1958, getting lost in the adventure and magic of the stories and the gorgeous illustrations. It’s a classic!”
- Susan Baldwin | 214-763-1591
Read more book recommendations here: http://www.oprah.com/book-list/Best-New-Books-of-2013-New-Book-Reviews#ixzz2UhVSha1E
Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty supports the University Park library and its efforts to inure a love of reading!
