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Love You Hard: A Memoir of Marriage, Brain Injury, and Reinventing Love

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Love You Hard: A Memoir of Marriage, Brain Injury and Reinventing Love by Abby Maslin
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Adults

In August 2012, Abby and TC Maslin lived in the Capitol Hill area of Washington D.C. with their young son, Jack. TC worked as an energy analyst and Abby was a school teacher. TC was attacked while walking home from a Nationals game late at night.  TC was beaten nearly to death by three young men who took his cell phone and debit card.  They left him bleeding and hurt on a sidewalk a few blocks from his home.  When Abby woke up in the night to find out that her husband wasn’t home, panic set in.  Hours later Abby found out that her husband had been taken to the hospital but she didn’t know if he was alive or dead.

After many days and months of physical rehabilitation, TC did survive, but was unable to walk and talk.  Abby had to take over his complete care, teaching him to read and talk again.  There were no guarantees of his future life after the tragedy.  The two of them had to learn to trust and love each other again.  During their agonizing months both of them had changed.

This is a true story and has connections to St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Abby is a good writer and I was especially touched by her prologue that describes when she and TC met for the first time. This account is a raw and inspiring story with an amazing outcome. TC Maslin has an inner strength that helped him to beat the odds of not only surviving but conquering his disabilities. While still re-learning to walk and communicate, TC realized how much Abby did to take care of him, he said, “But you’ve done everything for me. Do you know that? I love you, honey. I love you so hard.”

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Bumblebee

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Bumblebee

Format: DVD

Rated: PG-13

Who It’s For: Adult and Young Adult

 

If you are a Transformers fan you will LOVE this DVD!

This movie is a prequel to “The Transformers” film series. It starts on the planet Cybertron as a fierce battle rages on between the good Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Optimus sends B-127 (Bumblebee) to planet Earth for refuge. Agent Jack Burns (John Cena) boasts his paint ball training exercise win to his peers, just moments before they see B-127 come crashing down to the ground.  B-127 is cornered by the agents and they demand the whereabouts of Optimus. I don’t want to spoil any surprises so we will skip the rest of that part of the movie. Onto the year 1987….. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), is dealing with the death of her father. She spent time fixing cars with her dad before his death. She finds comfort in the local junkyard. That’s where she finds Bumblebee, broken and scarred. As she is fixing him she quickly realizes he is no ordinary yellow VW bug. Get ready for action, adventure and heart warming moments.

Here are some interesting trivia facts about the movie Bumblebee.

Hailee Steinfeld is the first female lead in the film franchise.

With a budget of $102-128 million, this is the least expensive Transformers movie to date.

Bumblebee” is the only movie in the “Transformers” theatrical film series to have a running time under 2 hours (approximately 1 hour, 54 minutes). All previous films clocked in at well over 2 hours.

Hailee Steinfeld was not born until nine years after the setting of the film and had to be taught how to use some typical items of the ’80s era, such as how to work a Walkman, which was completely foreign to her. I feel really old 🙂
John Cena, who plays Agent Burns, was originally supposed to play a villain named “Scarface” as seen from behind-the-scenes photos from his stunt double Joseph Kelly. It is unclear what made the change but rumor has it, like wrestling, they did not want John Cena the heel but more the face and this would also leave John Cena’s role open for a sequel.

The Bride Test

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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Release Date: May 07, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The Bride Test is the much anticipated follow-up to Hoang’s debut novel The Kiss Quotient. The Bride Test features Khai Diep, a 26-year-old living with autism, and Esme Tran, the woman his mother has selected from Vietnam to be his future wife. As Khai struggles to understand his emotions and Esme battles her insecurities, the pair embark on a journey of companionship. What makes this novel unique is that Hoang, the author, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2016, and Hoang’s father also has autism. Additionally, the character Esme was inspired by Hoang’s mother who immigrated to the United States. Hoang’s writing reflects those experiences, and she creates characters that are realistic and believable. She delves into sensory processing issues, as well as the stigma associated with being an immigrant. The result is an affectionate romance novel that will leave readers wanting more. Find it in the catalog.

A Simple Favor

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A Simple Favor
Format: DVD
Who’s It For: Adults

A Simple Favor is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. Best friends, secrets, danger, a dead body and the ever-revolving question of who is duping whom. It is so full of intriguing twists and turns! It leaves you guessing all the way to the end! Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding are terrific in this film.

Based on the book “A Simple Favour” by Darcey Bell

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A Delicate Touch by Stuart Woods

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A Delicate Touch by Stuart Woods
Format:  Audio book
Who’s it for:  Adults

Be on the lookout for a new audio release on December 31, 2018!

Stuart Woods has a new novel! Stone Barrington has been approached by an old acquaintance to solve a puzzle.  The solution to a part of the problem will blow the lid open on a decades old scandal involving many prominent New Yorkers who would prefer the past stay buried.  Stone Barrington has to weigh his options.  Should he play it safe to the detriment of others, or see justice done and risk fatal exposure?  Listen to this new title read by Tony Roberts, available on CD December 31st.
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Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You

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Title: Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You by Joy Bauer
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The purpose of this book is to offer healthy food suggestions to alleviate the distress of everyday common ailments.  Each chapter addresses a complaint and gives a detailed explanation of what causes it and how to combat it.  Five foods are highlighted that can offer relief, and the science of each and why it can help is explained.  Recipes for each food follows, with clear instructions and excellent photographs. There are sixty recipes designed to help with aches and pains, increase energy, and reduce anxiety and stress.

Joy Bauer is a well-known leading health authority.  She is a nutrition consultant for the Today Show, Woman’s Day magazine, and the New York City Ballet.  She has written twelve best-selling books.

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