Books with author Jennifer Leigh

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Haigh returns to the Pennsylvania town at the center of her iconic novel Baker Towers in this ambitious, achingly human story of modern America and the conflicting forces at its heart—a bold, moving drama of hope and desperation, greed and power, big business and small-town families.Forty years ago, Bakerton coal fueled the country. Then the mines closed, and the town wore away like a bar of soap. Now Bakerton has been granted a surprise third act: it sits squarely atop the Marcellus Shale, a massive deposit of natural gas.To drill or not to drill? Prison guard Rich Devlin leases his mineral rights to finance his dream of farming. He doesn’t count on the truck traffic and nonstop noise, his brother’s skepticism or the paranoia of his wife, Shelby, who insists the water smells strange and is poisoning their frail daughter. Meanwhile his neighbors, organic dairy farmers Mack and Rena, hold out against the drilling—until a passionate environmental activist disrupts their lives.Told through a cast of characters whose lives are increasingly bound by the opposing interests that underpin the national debate, Heat and Light depicts a community blessed and cursed by its natural resources. Soaring and ambitious, it zooms from drill rig to shareholders’ meeting to the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor to the ruined landscape of the “strippins,” haunting reminders of Pennsylvania’s past energy booms. This is a dispatch from a forgotten America—a work of searing moral clarity from one of the finest writers of her generation, a courageous and necessary book.

Ryan can’t seem to get her memories in order. When she breaks it off with her long-term boyfriend, Corey, she can’t help but feel free. But mysterious events keep Ryan asking “just what happened?” After her family moved to Ryton, after Carter goes missing, after Jacob is in the hospital. All of these afters, but Ryan can’t remember the befores. With Harper and Elliot by her side, Ryan can only hope that she does not forget… again. Will Ryan be able to recover her memory to figure out what happened when it all went dark?

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPRAcclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Haigh returns to the Pennsylvania town at the center of her iconic novel Baker Towers in this ambitious, achingly human story of modern America and the conflicting forces at its heart—a bold, moving drama of hope and desperation, greed and power, big business and small-town families.Forty years ago, Bakerton coal fueled the country. Then the mines closed, and the town wore away like a bar of soap. Now Bakerton has been granted a surprise third act: it sits squarely atop the Marcellus Shale, a massive deposit of natural gas.To drill or not to drill? Prison guard Rich Devlin leases his mineral rights to finance his dream of farming. He doesn’t count on the truck traffic and nonstop noise, his brother’s skepticism or the paranoia of his wife, Shelby, who insists the water smells strange and is poisoning their frail daughter. Meanwhile his neighbors, organic dairy farmers Mack and Rena, hold out against the drilling—until a passionate environmental activist disrupts their lives.Told through a cast of characters whose lives are increasingly bound by the opposing interests that underpin the national debate, Heat and Light depicts a community blessed and cursed by its natural resources. Soaring and ambitious, it zooms from drill rig to shareholders’ meeting to the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor to the ruined landscape of the “strippins,” haunting reminders of Pennsylvania’s past energy booms. This is a dispatch from a forgotten America—a work of searing moral clarity from one of the finest writers of her generation, a courageous and necessary book.

Max Meets Emma: Learning about Blended Families from a Basset Hound's Perspective features Max, the dog, and Emma, the cat, whose separate owners have decided to marry after an earlier divorce. This story allows children to explore their own feelings, thoughts, and concerns about blending their families. Max and Emma share a variety of experiences together as they learn to accept each other for who they are (with all the differences attributable to cats and dogs) and ultimately how to blend into one new family. Max Meets Emma is meant to be read together by parents (or other family members) and their children who are experiencing the blending of families.

The making of the classic, Oscar® winning 1940 film "Rebecca" is recounted in this revealing behind the scenes book which details how the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock and legendary producer David O. Selznick ("Gone With the Wind") teamed up to create this timeless romantic thriller, based on Daphne du Maurier's novel. The off-screen drama between Selznick and Hitchcock and among the film's cast members is brought to light. The creativity, brilliance and sometimes unorthodox methods that went into the making of this iconic movie are explored in detail. Biographical sketches of Hitchcock, Selznick, cast members and other key figures are included along with trivia and anecdotal reminiscences that range from colorful to shocking.

Phil and three other nine-year-olds wake up to discover that they are the last four humans on earth. The only clue to the disappearance of the entire human and animal species are the mysterious whirly walls that are popping out of nowhere. Together, they embark on a brave and comical adventure to find out how to get everyone and every animal back. Spoiler alert: May involve aliens or monsters of some sort.

The making of the Oscar® Award-winning classic Rebecca is detailed in this enlightening and fascinating book which delves into the behind the scenes drama, struggles and passion that went into the filming of this iconic movie. Biographical sketches of key figures such as author Daphne du Maurier and leading actors Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier are included, along with photographs and trivia.

If you think McDonald's is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food. In a compelling blend of sociology and history, Jenny Lee exposes the indentured servitude Chinese restaurants expect from illegal immigrant chefs, investigates the relationship between Jews and Chinese food, and weaves a personal narrative about her own relationship with Chinese food. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles speaks to the immigrant experience as a whole, and the way it has shaped our country.

At 17, Mackenzie Keightley is just trying to survive high school and figure out what she wants to do with her life. The nightmares and the monsters that haunted her left long ago. When the Watchers come crashing in, she realizes the monsters never really left; she just pushed them away and forgot. Now, with the mysterious Joss at her side, she has to learn how to fight them, figure out why they are back, and try to stay alive in the process.