Ruby Sisson Library

"At the start of the twentieth century, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote a series of letters to a young officer cadet, advising him on writing, love, sex, suffering, and the nature of advice itself. With honesty, elegance, and a deep understanding of the loneliness that often comes with being an artist, Rilke's letters are an endless source of inspiration and comfort."--from Penguin Classics description.

Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.

"The story of a remarkable friendship, told in a remarkable way. A story in which every woman will recognize herself...and her best friend"--back cover.

What Tolkien's many admirer's suspect, but have so far been unable to confirm, is that he was as complicated and rewarding in his personal life as he was in his masterful literary fantasies. By turns thoughtful, impish, scholarly, impassioned, playful, vigorous, and gentle, Tolkien was an indefatigable letter writer who poured his heart and mind into a great stream of correspondence to intimate friends and unknown admirers all over the world.

Arrested in 1962 as South Africa's apartheid regime intensified its brutal campaign against political opponents, forty-four-year-old lawyer and African National Congress activist Nelson Mandela had no idea that he would spend the next twenty-seven years in jail. During his 10,052 days of incarceration, the future leader of South Africa wrote a multitude of letters to unyielding prison authorities, fellow activists, government officials, and, most...

"A charming, intimate and fascinating collection of correspondence between broadcaster and #1 New York Times bestselling author Anderson Cooper and his mother, the celebrated Gloria Vanderbilt"--

Take an unforgettable journey through the English countryside and into the homes of its inhabitants--four-legged and otherwise--with the world's best-loved animal doctor. For over 25 years, since "All Creatures Great and Small" was first published, readers have delighted to the storytelling genius of James Herriot, the Yorkshire veterinarian whose fascinating vignettes brim with the wonder of life, animal and human.

"In January 1997, astronaut Dr. Jerry Linenger embarked on a "routine" five-month mission to the Russian space station Mir, leaving behind his pregnant wife and 14-month-old son, and the everyday pleasures of planet Earth. Before he left, he promised to write. Though his mission did not go as planned, he kept his word.". "Linenger's 132 days aboard the decaying space station were beset by near-fatal glitches that at times left the crew in total darkness,...

"Based on a decade of research and reporting, Author in Chief tells the story of America's presidents as authors--and offers a delightful new window into the public and private lives of our highest leaders"--