Foundation board member Barb Ellis had a long career at IBM Corporation, and since retirement she’s swapped her technical journals for the more page-turning experience of biographies and thrillers. Barb recommends:

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, by Wes Moore

This is the story of two fatherless Baltimore youth, born a year apart, with the same name and only blocks from each other. Their experiences of inner-city “street life” were the same, yet one grew up to become a Rhodes scholar and White House Fellow while the other was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The book leaves you wondering about how choices impact the trajectory of life.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

The story of a poor black tobacco farmer who died of cervical cancer in 1951, and her cells were taken without her knowledge or her family’s consent. Those cells, known as “Hela cells,” became the foundation for medical breakthroughs including the polio vaccine.

The Nell Sweeney mystery series, by PB Ryan

Set in the 1800’s, this series features an inquisitive and courageous young Irish governess who dares to shine a bright light on the dark and hidden secrets of Boston Society. 

The Innocent, by David Baldacci

Will Robie is a skilled undercover hit man for the US Government whose desire to help a wayward teenage girl reveals a massive cover-up that leads right to the seat of power.  This is a stay-up-all-night read!

Mac McRyan mystery series, by Roger Stelljes

Follow a St. Paul, Minnesota police detective on his investigations of murder, greed, power and tangled webs.