To continue our monthly series of book lists, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to present some books on weddings and marriages. After all, June is the traditional month for weddings. Sometimes a wedding goes off without a hitch, but other times the hitching runs into problems. Then after the wedding comes the marriage….
June 2011—Weddings and Marriages
There are times when a bride has to stand up for her groom.
The Bride Who Argued with God: Tales from the Treasury of Jewish Folklore retold by Hava Ben-Zvi
Anthology of Jewish tales from immigrants in Israel, focusing on women and their relationships with men in courtship, marriage, business, and family. In the title story a bride successfully argues with the angel of death, who comes to claim her groom at their wedding feast. 2006. Cassette Book RC 67116. Digital Book DB 67116. This book can also be downloaded from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.67116.
The next book is about one of the most famous political marriages in American history.
Strength and Honor: The Life of Dolley Madison by Richard N. Cote.
Uses primary sources to document the life of first lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849), from her Quaker youth to her death in genteel poverty. Traces the genealogy of her maternal family. Highlights her marriage to James Madison and roles as White House hostess and heroine of the War of 1812. 2005. Braille Book BR 15950. Cassette Book RC 59939. Digital Book DB 59939 is only available as a downloadable book from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.59939.
The Seattle wedding planner in the following book finds that a wedding can be a dangerous place.
Veiled Threats: [#1, Wedding Planner Mysteries] by Deborah Donnelly.
Seattle wedding planner Carnegie Kincaid works out of her houseboat to make others' dreams come true. But her job soon turns into a nightmare when she agrees to plan a wedding for one of Seattle's most prominent families. A murder and kidnapping plunge her into a mystery of extortion and violence. 2002. Cassette Book CBA 7800. Digital Book DBW 7800. This book can also be downloaded from WTBBL:Veiled Threats [#1, Wedding Planner series].
Some weddings are more…unusual than other weddings.
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding edited by P. N. Elrod.
Nine short stories about occult weddings. Jim Butcher's "Something Borrowed" finds wizard detective Harry Dresden dealing with a bridezilla fairy. Other tales feature werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and Elvis. Includes works by L.A. Banks, Charlaine Harris, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. Strong language, some violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2006. Digital Book DB 70828. This book can also be downloaded from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.70828.
This sequel to “Eat, Pray, Love” takes a relationship from affair to marriage.
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Author of Eat, Pray, Love (DB 61789) recounts her relationship with Felipe, whom she met in Bali. He shares her fear of matrimony--but marry they must if he is to remain with her in the United States. Chronicles her second journey, contemplating love and researching marriage through Southeast Asia. Bestseller. 2010. Cassette Book RC 70526. Digital Book DB 70526. Large Print Book LP 25129. This book can also be downloaded from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.70526.
This celebrity marriage was so big that it had an encore!
Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger.
Uses Richard Burton's love letters and interviews with Elizabeth Taylor to construct dual biographies of the Welsh Shakespearian actor and the Hollywood star. Traces their volatile relationship from the 1962 movie set of Cleopatra, where they began an adulterous affair, through their two marriages and divorces. Strong language. Bestseller. 2010. Digital Book DB 71429. This book can also be downloaded from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.71424.
Love isn’t so furious in popular Northwest writer Debbie Macomber’s books.
Orchard Valley Brides: Norah and Lone Star Lovin' by Debbie Macomber.
In Norah (1992), Norah helps her sisters Valerie and Stephanie plan their weddings. When Valerie's former boss Rowdy has a plane accident, Norah helps him heal--and falls in love. In Lone Star Lovin' (1993), Sherry moves to Texas and meets rancher Cody. Companion to: Orchard Valley Grooms (DB 71061). 2010. Digital Book DB 71317. This book can also be downloaded from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.71317.
Be afraid if fairies crash your wedding. Be very afraid. Just be glad you have Granny (“I ate’nt dead yet”) Weatherwax on your side.
Lords and Ladies [#14, Discworld Novels] by Terry Pratchett.
Elves invade Lancre, wreaking havoc and threatening to disrupt the wedding of King Verence II to his favorite witch, Magrat Garlick. When the nasty creatures capture Verence, Magrat sets out after the murderous Queen of Fairies to save her intended and the kingdom. For senior high and older readers. 1992. Cassette Book RC 62832. Digital Book DB 62832 is only available as a downloadable book from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.62832.
Of course romance writer Nora Roberts has written about weddings.
Vision in White [#1, The Bride Quartet] by Nora Roberts.
Childhood friends Emmaline, Laurel, Mackensie, and Parker start a wedding-production business using Parker's family estate in Connecticut. Photographer Mackensie is happy staying out of the bridal limelight--until she meets English teacher Carter Maguire. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2009. Cassette Book RC 69355. Digital Book DB 69355. Large Print Book LP 24583. DB 69355 is also available as a downloadable book from BARD: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.nls/db.69355.