Carolee

Photo of bookseller Carolee

I spent my angsty teens perusing the shelves at Kepler's. After a career in biochemistry and over a decade rasing kids full time, I now love to work with customers to find that "This is perfect!" book. My reading interests lean more toward non-fiction, though I do love a good novel, too! Mysteries, not so much. I am happiest outdoors, preferably with my family - backpacking in the Sierras is my idea of heaven!

Favorite Genres: 
History
Literary Fiction
Politics
Science
Sociology
Book Recommendations: 
Staff Pick Badge
North Woods: A Novel By Daniel Mason Cover Image
$28.00
ISBN: 9780593597033
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Random House - September 19th, 2023

Now one of my favorite novels of all time!  Beautifully paced, uniquely structured, and stunningly written. This novel showcases the breadth of Mason's skill.  A story of people and place, with both action and serenity. Halfway through the book, I was already excited to read it a second time and re-bask in his North woods!  ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
The Bears of Brooks Falls: Wildlife and Survival on Alaska's Brooks River By Michael Fitz Cover Image
$18.95
ISBN: 9781682685105
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Countryman Press - March 9th, 2021

I have watched these Alaskan bears for YEARS! Naturalist Fitz has poured his extensive knowledge of the bears and their habitat into this book. ~Carolee

BONUS: Watch them fish, play, and be fabulous! https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

 


Staff Pick Badge
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration By Isabel Wilkerson Cover Image
$20.00
ISBN: 9780679763888
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Vintage - October 4th, 2011

A well written, beautifully structured book on such a key part of American history, The Great Migration.  Narrative non-fiction at its very best!  Wilkerson follows three people’s lives from their youth in the South, as they grow up under Jim Crow, and through the rest of their lives.  A truly incredible book!  ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right By Arlie Hochschild Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781620973493
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: New Press - February 20th, 2018

This exceptional book provided me with cognitive stepping stones to better understand folks who vote very differently than I do.  A very important book to begin to understand some “red” choices, something I feel our country needs badly.  An OUTSTANDING book! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Harlem Shuffle: A Novel By Colson Whitehead Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780525567271
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Anchor - August 9th, 2022

Great characters - you will never forget Pepper!

Amazing writing - the kind that makes you read a sentence multiple times.

Terrific plot - lighter than his other novels. Just read it! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
The Bears of Brooks Falls: Wildlife and Survival on Alaska's Brooks River By Michael Fitz Cover Image
$18.95
ISBN: 9781682685105
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Countryman Press - March 9th, 2021

I have watched these Alaskan bears for YEARS! Naturalist Fitz has poured his extensive knowledge of the bears and their habitat into this book. ~Carolee

BONUS: Watch them fish, play, and be fabulous! https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

 


Staff Pick Badge
Peace Like a River By Leif Enger Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780802139252
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Atlantic Monthly Press - August 7th, 2002

One of the most beautiful written books I have ever read - full pages need to be savored again & again. A wonderful story about family.  The only book never to leave my Staff Favorites in the 9 years I’ve been at Kepler’s. ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
One Summer: America, 1927 By Bill Bryson Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9780767919418
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Anchor - June 3rd, 2014

In his typical smart-funny style, Bryson tackles the summer of 1927 which had Lindbergh crossing the Atlantic, Capone ruling Chicago, Babe Ruth pursuing home run history and much more.  Entertaining and educational! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
The New Basics Cookbook By Sheila Lukins, Julee Rosso Cover Image
$34.99
ISBN: 9780894803413
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Workman Publishing Company - January 10th, 1989

Uncomplicated and reliably great! Plus so much information beyond recipes - which herbs go with what, prepping "how to", wine pairings, meat cut recommendations, and so much more.  My copy is thoroughly food-stained from years of use! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East By Scott Anderson Cover Image
$21.00
ISBN: 9780307476418
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Anchor - June 3rd, 2014

Don't be fooled by the title - much more than just T.E. Lawrence's story.  A fascinating history of WWI in the Middle East as impacted by four mid-level military men from completely different parts of the war.  One of my favorite history books! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike By Phil Knight Cover Image
$20.00
ISBN: 9781501135927
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Scribner - May 1st, 2018

It is hard to imagine a time when Nike wasn't a massive company, hugely successful and ubiquitous.  Yet, it came so close to never getting off the ground.  A fun to read memoir of how Knight founded Nike, even for non-sports fans! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
The Wangs Vs. The World By Jade Chang Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9781328745538
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Ecco - June 6th, 2017

Snappy, crisp and engaging.  This well written debut novel explores the often funny, occasionally awkward cross-cultural and intergenerational dynamics.  Not a dysfunctional family tale.  Could be your family if you were insanely wealthy and lost it all! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals By Michael Pollan Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780143038580
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Penguin Books - August 28th, 2007

There are a handful of books that fundamentally altered how I think about an issue.  This was one of them.  Pollan masterfully navigates the science, politics, ethics, history and responsibility of how and what we eat.  Pollan doesn't preach, yet it is hard to not be deeply swayed.  Please read this book. ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart By James R. Doty, MD Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780399183645
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Avery - February 14th, 2017

At age twelve, Doty's life path looked grim.  A chance encounter with Ruth in a magic shop changed all that. She taught him about the mind/heart connection and how to harness it.  Part memoir, part science and part "how to".  Great lessons we all can use to make our own lives better.  A powerful read!  ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization By Edward Slingerland Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9780316453387
Availability: Usually Arrives at Kepler's in 3-14 Days
Published: Little, Brown Spark - June 1st, 2021

Grab a glass of your favorite spirit and sink into Edward Slingerland's wonderful exploration of some surprising ways booze has impacted humans and the development of civilization. Much of it is positive, so cheers to that! --Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
This Is Your Mind on Plants By Michael Pollan Cover Image
$28.00
Not available
ISBN: 9780593296905
Published: Penguin Press - July 6th, 2021

Michael Pollan does it again, this time delving into the power of three plant drugs: opium, caffeine, and mescaline. In his clear and engaging prose, he explores the history, science, and his personal experience with each. Part journalism; part memoir...another fabulous book by one of my favorite authors! --Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze By Peter Hessler Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780060855024
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Harper Perennial - April 25th, 2006

I love learning about cultures, especially from a "lived there" perspective.  The first in a trilogy, this book covers Hessler's years as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural China where the Three Rivers Gorge dam was being built.  I am a fan of all three books about China, but start with this one! --Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China By Peter Hessler Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9780060826598
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Harper Perennial - May 8th, 2007

Hessler’s second book explores China’s past and the present.  A little more ancient history in this book, but also lots and lots of his experiences with everyday young adults who are finding their way in the modernizing society. --Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip By Peter Hessler Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780061804106
Availability: Usually Arrives at Kepler's in 3-14 Days
Published: Harper Perennial - February 8th, 2011

Over his many years living in China, Hessler undertakes several road trips across the country mostly by rental car (what an adventure!), but also by bus and with local drivers.  As always, Hessler gets to know the people and through his wonderful writing, so do you! --Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
The Buried: An Archaeology of the Egyptian Revolution By Peter Hessler Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9780525559580
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Penguin Books - May 19th, 2020

After years in China. Hessler and his family moved to Egypt, just as the Arab Spring was unfolding.  Once again, his friendships with local people and his passion for reporting serve up a clear and personal look at a complicated country. --Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
So You Want to Talk About Race By Ijeoma Oluo Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781580058827
Availability: Usually Arrives at Kepler's in 3-14 Days
Published: Seal Press - September 24th, 2019

Staff Pick Badge
A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death By Dr. BJ Miller, Shoshana Berger Cover Image
$20.99
ISBN: 9781501157219
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Simon & Schuster - June 30th, 2020

Staff Pick Badge
The Children By David Halberstam Cover Image
$22.00
ISBN: 9780449004395
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Ballantine Books - March 30th, 1999

Staff Pick Badge
Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste By Bianca Bosker Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780143128090
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Penguin Books - March 28th, 2017

Staff Pick Badge
A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel By Amor Towles Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780143110439
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Penguin Books - March 26th, 2019

Staff Pick Badge
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life (Pulitzer Prize Winner) By William Finnegan Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9780143109396
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Penguin Books - April 26th, 2016

I don't surf.  I am not a beach gal.  I don't like to be sandy or salty.  I LOVED this book!  A beautifully written memoir about waves, life, and travelling across the globe to find the perfect undiscovered ride! ~Carolee


Staff Pick Badge
Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve By Lenora Chu Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780062367860
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Harper Paperbacks - September 18th, 2018