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Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the SupernaturalSupernatural
by Mary Giraudo Beck
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Kushtakas were half man-half otter, spirits of those who had drowned. These phantoms appeared to those in danger of drowning and offered to rescue them, but aimed to turn them into kushtakas too. Only those with respect for elders and traditions and a strong will from ascetic practices were able to resist these spirits. The shamans were healers and could see into the future and tried to use their powers against the kushtakas. There are beautiful illustrations at the chapter headings. This is a nice book of native American legends.

Mike Fink
by James Cloyd Bowman
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This book tells the life of the legendary Mike Fink, brawler and noted keelboatman on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Nicely illustrated and full of tall tales of the rough life of the men rowing the river boats until displaced by steamboats.

Prisoner Of Azkaban
by J K Rowling
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Very good book/series!

Peach Clobbered
by Anna Gerard
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This is the first in a new series of Georgia B&B Mysteries. It is a pleasant read with eccentric small town

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation
by Cokie Roberts
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Roberts, a longtime political commentator, has written an interesting book on the wives and mothers who participated in the American Revolution and the early political life of the Republic. Based largely on the letters women wrote to their families, friends, and political leaders, the book sheds new light on women's contributions to early American history. There are wry asides comparing life and politics then and now.

Are You Listening
by Tillie Walden
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A dreamy, though at times tense, road trip graphic novel about running away from ones past before learning to trust in yourself. Walden's graphic novels are simultaneously rooted in real life and in fantasy and "Are You Listening?" is no different.

Sifting Through Clues
by Daryl Wood Gerber
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This Cookbook Nook Mystery featuring bookstore owner Jenna Hart is a rather formulaic cozy. The author does include some appealing recipes (including gluten free ones) in the back of the book for those who like to cook.

Pursuit
by Karen Robards
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This is a fast paced political thriller. The survivor of a car crash that killed the president's wife suspects that it was no accident. Pursued by mysterious men determined to make sure she can't talk, she begins to fear everyone. There are lots of chase scenes and some romance.

Half Broke
by Ginger Gaffney
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This memoir by a woman who feels herself a bit of a misfit finds her calling training horses. She is asked to help out at a ranch for prisoners finishing off their sentences, most of whom have been drug dealers and addicts. By teaching the residents patience with training the horses, she finds a number of them react with love and care for the horses and overcome many of their personal difficulties.

The Little Friend
by Donna Tartt
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Overall, I did enjoy this book. But there was about 150 pages of BORING content in the middle, and the author seemed to use the fact that the main protagonist is 12 years old to justify her doing some REALLY senseless things... even though her main attribute is (supposed to be) classic 12-yo quick thinking. The last 50 or so pages were kill but.... the book opens with a mystery that is never solved. And ends with two characters who have NEVER mattered having a pointless conversation. It feels like they left 150 pages of boring writing in the middle and cut an extra 30 pages that should have wrapped up the end. But still, the writing was enjoyable enough that even though the plot didn't resolve as well as I wanted, I still liked the process of reading it.
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