The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff

Much like the assassination of President Kennedy and other national tragedies before it, September 11, 2001 was a day Americans will never forget. Journalist and historian Garrett M. Graff vividly recounts that day from the memories of those who lived it. With the help of never-before published transcripts, recently declassified documents, original interviews, and oral histories from nearly five hundred first responders, government officials, survivors, witnesses, and friends and family members, Graff creates a historic narrative that explores the turns humanity takes as extraordinary events unfold.


512 pages.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is so full of mistakes and heartache and misunderstandings and love and growth. It tugged hard at my heart and held my full attention. It’s just so raw and sincere.

The is best YA novel I have read on what it is like to be Muslim American post 9/11.

Pages: 310

The Devil & Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession by David Grann

The Devil & Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession by David Grann

Journalist David Grann has compiled short pieces of investigative stories he has written over the years, and the end result is his book, The Devil & Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession. The title is misleading, however: only a few of the stories deal with murder or madness; most deal with some manifestation of obsession, and Sherlock Holmes rarely factors in. Despite this, the stories are well-written and most will be able to find a tale or two that interests them. One standout story includes "Mysterious Circumstances," about the suspicious death of Richard Lancelyn Green, one of the world's foremost Sherlock Holmes scholars not long after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's personal papers were put up for auction. "The Chameleon" is another story of note, which details the life of Frederic Bourdin, a con artist whose specialty lies in impersonating teen boys. Two stories were especially tragic: "Trial by Fire," featuring the story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was sentenced to death row for arson and homicide, only for investigators to later find evidence that may have exonerated him, and "Which Way Did He Run?," detailing the story of a NY firefighter who, after dealing with amnesia, was left wondering if his actions on September 11, 2001 were those of a hero or a coward.

404 pages.