New Lenox Reads

Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag

2012-01-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

Bestselling author Tami Hoag has written another thriller that will keep you guessing.

A young woman is murdered and her four year old daughter is the only witness. She tells the authorities that "Bad Daddy" hurt her mommy.

I enjoyed the twists and turns and getting to know all of the interesting characters. Some of the characters are definitely the type of people you will love to hate.

Suspect By Michael Robotham

2012-01-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

Joseph O'Loughlin seems to have it all - a lovely wife and daughter, and a rewarding career as a clinical psychologist. But things change drastically when the police find a young woman dead with multiple stab wounds, which seem to be self-inflicted.
The police call Joe to see if he could help them understand the crime. It turns out that Joe knows the victim. Her name is Catherine McBride, a nurse and former colleague.
Meanwhile, Joe has been working with a very troubled young patient named Bobby Moran, who has extremely violent dreams. Joe begins to wonder if Bobby's dreams may turn into reality.
This investigation takes Joe through the darkest parts of the human mind.

Suspect provides plenty of twists and turns.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

2011-12-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

I decided to begin the Harry Potter series for the first time. Many of my friends and colleagues have read the series more than once and all of their comments about the books really piqued my interest. I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in a couple of days and got hooked. I enjoyed watching the friendship between the first year Hogwarts students develop. The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is such an interesting, scary place. A place I'd like to visit.

There is so much going on in this little book; sadness, madness, humor, magic, wizardry and evil. There are plenty of ghosts, trolls, strange creatures, strange teachers, mean students, talking portraits, magic mirrors, a spying cat and much, much more. I just started the second book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, so more on this later.

Lost December, by Richard Paul Evans

2011-12-06T14:28:00.001-08:00

Luke Crisp is the prodigal son. Luke's mother died when he was very young. Luke and his father have an exceptionally close relationship, one built on trust, respect, honesty, and love. He has worked hard at the Crisp family printing business since the age of twelve. When Luke and his father are not working, they often play golf together, go to dinner, or go on vacations together. Carl Crisp has big plans, he wants to retire and hand over the family business to his only child. Having recently graduated from college his father wants him to pursue an MBA from a school out east--far away from his Arizona home; to get the education his father never had and to see more of what the world has to offer. Although very reluctant to leave his home and his father he finally agrees to attend Wharton School in Philadelphia.

Although a good student, Luke falls in with a different crowd and problems arise. He drinks too much, cheats on his girlfriend, and spends all his money. In time his girlfriend leaves him and he completely runs out of money. He finds himself alone and living on the street. Can he find his way back into his father's life?

This is a great Christmas story of love, loss, and love found. It is a quick read and again a page turner. I hope you enjoy it and much as I did.

Blue Nights by Joan Didion

2011-11-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

Joan Didion, author of the bestselling memoir The Year of Magical Thinking (2005) which is about her marriage to author John Gregory Dunne (1932-2003), has written Blue Nights (2011), a haunting account of the illness and death of her adopted daughter Quintana Roo Dunne Michael (1966-2005). In 2003, Quintana was hospitalized with pneumonia which developed into septic shock, rendering her unconscious when her father died of cardiac arrest in the couple's New York apartment. She was hospitalized again in 2004 due to bleeding in the brain. Barely able to grieve for her husband, Joan became Quintana's caregiver until she passed away in 2005. The reader learns of the adoption and the doubts and fears Didion and Dunne faced, as well as, bits and pieces of Quintana's childhood, her wedding, her illness, and ultimately her death. Didion also discusses her health problems, getting old, and her intense feelings of guilt for being unable to save the lives of those she loved most because she felt she should have seen the signs that might have saved them. "How could I have missed what was clearly there to be seen?"

An honest, humble memoir of love and grief.

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

2011-11-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

For all you "Ellen" fans out there, this is the book for you. I admit I have liked Ellen DeGeneres since way back when. I enjoyed her sitcoms, I loved her as Dora in the hit movie "Finding Nemo," (someone PLEASE tell me why there was never a sequel to that movie), and on the rare occasion I actually get to watch her talk show I love that program too. She simply comes across as a good, kind and generous person who is not afraid to laugh at herself. We need way more people like that too!

"Seriously...I'm Kidding" is a funny book with simple anecdotes on life--according to Ellen. She shares her life experiences about recycling, moving, getting older, being a "Cover Girl" over 50, her animals, her family, babies, being nice, being neat, and oh, yes--being funny and so much more. The chapters are short and sweet. I was so engulfed in reading her story when I heard someone laughing out loud. I looked around and then realized, I was the person laughing! This book is that funny.

It is short, sweet and hilarious. Pick it up today and get lost in a great read (or grab the audio version, Ellen narrates it and it is GREAT!)

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

2011-10-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce evangelical Baptist minister who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. Soon after arriving they discovered that what supplies they brought from home will not last long in the Congo. As they try to convert the men, women and children of the village they meet much resistance because of the villagers long held beliefs in nature and their own gods. However, they are prepared to help the family survive their surroundings with meal preparations, food supplies, and planting of crops despite not accepting the Baptist religion.

This story can be quite sad at times when you read of the political warfare going on in Africa at the time and the political games that all the big governments play in trying to secure their "pot of gold" in the Congo's resources, especially the diamond trade.
The Poisonwood Bible spans three generations. The Price family faces many obstacles from the death of one of the children, to one daughter's refusal to leave Africa and marry a much older man, to another daughter's illness that forced her to stay behind and then decide not to return to the United States, and then the mother's return to the United States leaving her husband to remain in the Congo.
Although a long story, it is well worth reading and you may decide you can't put this book down until the last page has been turned.

The Touch a novella by Randall Wallace

2011-10-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

Andrew Jones has a special gift-he is an extremely talented surgeon. Following a deadly accident years ago when his fiance Faith died, he no longer practices surgery. He teaches and still treats patients, but he leaves the surgical procedures to his fellow colleagues.

Lara Blair is the CEO of Blair Bio-Medical Engineering. When her father died he left her in charge of the company. Her father was a pioneer in "the development of machines that would make impossible surgeries not only possible but practical."Lara has been attempting to perfect one such surgical procedure and meets with one failure after another. Blair Bio-Medical recruiters present Lara with a microscopic sculpture of Abraham Lincoln standing instead of sitting at the Lincoln Memorial. The miraculous beauty of this carving is that it could easily fit inside the eye of a needle! Andrew Jones is the sculptor! Problem is, Andrew is not interested in performing surgery in any capacity, even in a laboratory.

Lara is confident she can convince Andrew to help them. She reaches out to Andrew to work with her and Blair Bio-Medical to perfect these new and vital surgical procedures to help save lives. Andrew and Lara both struggle with past personal experiences and learn to share their troubles and trust again. When Lara needs Andrew to save her life will he have the confidence he needs and be able to put the demons that trouble him behind him and come to her rescue?

Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern

2011-09-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Set in Ireland, this is the story of a young woman who loses her father to suicide, her mother to mental illness, and eventually has to leave her home. Destitute, Tamara Goodwin and her mother must move to the country to live with her uncle and aunt, Arthur and Rosaleen. Rosaleen's controlling ways make Tamara edgy, so she begins to explore the area. She discovers a beautiful castle and meets two interesting locals; a fiesty nun and a good looking guy who drives a traveling library bus. Tamara checks out a book with empty pages and notices that the pages start to fill up with her thoughts from the following day. Hmmm.

Listen to the book on CD if you happen to like Irish brogues.

Split Second

2011-09-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

It's finally here, Split Second by Catherine Coulter! It was well worth the wait too.
In this newest installment of Catherine Coulter's FBI series, Savich is caught in the middle of a shoot out at a local convenience store where he went to to pick up a few items. The owner Mr. Patil, is shot and injured. One of the shooters is apprehended while the other got away.
Meanwhile, Agent Lucy Caryle is dealing with the recent death of her father. Shortly before Joshua Acker Caryle's death he proclaimed that Lucy's grandmother stabbed her husband to death. Lucy and the rest of her extended family were lead to believe that her grandfather had just up and left one day without any warning or future communication. One day shortly after her father's death, Lucy is summoned to the family's attorneys' office and given a ring and a letter from her long lost grandfather. This leads her to discover the real truth behind her father's well kept secret and the reason her grandfather left her the ring.
To add even more adventure to this mystery, Savich and Sherlock are dealing with a female serial killer who they discovered is the daughter of Ted Bundy! Kristen Bolger has been murdering young women for quite some years. She disguises herself as a young man, hangs out at local bars, drugs a young woman, and then "escorts her home" where she murders them. Savich and Sherlock certainly have their hands full with this killer!
You won't want to put this book down. Cuddle up in a big comfy chair, grab this book and indulge yourself with a great page turner! Let us know what you think!

Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies

2011-08-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies is a must read for any woman who has ever gone through a heart breaker relationship! This is the personal story of Isabel's love affair with her husband Josiah, their marriage, the birth of their two beautiful sons, and their unfortunate divorce.

Isabel starts at the beginning of her and Josiah's relationship; where they met, and how they fell in love (he was previously married and had a young son). Her style of writing describes to the reader the little details of their lives; where they lived, what they ate, what they did for fun, their jobs, friends they hung out with, their parents and so much more. In essence you followed their relationship from meeting each other to becoming friends, lovers, husband and wife, and ultimately becoming the parents of two boys all in a relatively short period of time. Josiah was a university professor and Isabel was an actress on the prime time television series; Law and Order-Special Victims Unit where she played Detective Stabler's wife Cathy. They lived in New York City and loved it. When Josiah was offered a teaching position in Ohio they decided to relocate so Isabel pretty much gave up her acting career to become a full time wife and mother.

Moving all their belongings, two young boys, and a dog proved to be quite the undertaking. Josiah and Isabel had fallen in love with a beautiful old home and quickly went on to renovate a number of the rooms. Their hard work and tireless effort paid off, for both of them loved the results. Josiah started teaching and Isabel kept herself and the boys busy with vegetable gardens and farmer's markets. There were faculty parties, neighborhood bar-b-ques, and many more local events to attend, so the family quickly acclimated themselves to their new home and community. Isabel herself starting teaching a drama class at the university too. Life was really, really good- or so it seemed.

Welcome Sylvia, a new temporary faculty member; young and beautiful and supposedly engaged to be married. Isabel quickly takes her "under her wing" and they become fast friends. However, in time it seems that Sylvia is spending more and more time with Josiah. Of course Isabel doesn't think much about this, Sylvia is almost a member of her family. Besides, Sylvia is now married but why is her husband still out East instead of living here in Ohio with his new bride? Hmmmmmm.

Heartbreak happens, without any real warning or any real problems to speak of, Josiah wants out of their marriage. Of course he doesn't admit to his love affair with Sylvia but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together.

Isabel fights the fights and loses. She loses the love of her life, Josiah (at least at this point in her life), her marriage, and the family life she has cherished. However, she stands tall and picks up the pieces of her life and with the two boys moves back to New York. She and Josiah divorce and eventually he marries Sylvia.

You will especially love the fact that Isabel herself narrates this story. She does an absolutely wonderful job too. Any woman who has gone through a heart breaker break up, divorce, amicable or not will relate to this story. Break ups and divorces happen every day. Grab the audio book and enjoy. Of, if you prefer, grab the book. Once you start reading it you won't be able to put this book down!

P.S. Isabel Gillies has written a sequel to "Happens Every Day," the title is "A Year and Six Seconds." It is available in our library system!

Close Your Eyes by Amanda Eyre Ward

2011-08-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Ward, Amanda Eyre

Title: Close Your Eyes

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Publication Date: July 26, 2011

Number of Pages: 249 (also available on audio)

Geographical Setting: Austin, Texas and New York

Time Period: 2000s

Other Works by this Author: How to Stay Lost

Lauren Mahdian lives a happy existence as a real estate agent. She's living with her dog and her long-time boyfriend, Jerry. She seems like she's got it all, but the outside doesn't necessarily reflect the inside. When Lauren and her brother Alex were young children, they were home when their mother was murdered. They didn't see it happen, but they know who did it: their father. It had to be their father because he was the only person in the house with their mother at that time...or was he? He was tried and convicted to live a life sentence in Attica Prison, his children sent away and cutting ties with him. Both Lauren and Alex have moved on since their childhood tragedies into adult lives that are acceptable and functional, but there is a big difference between the two of them. Alex has maintained communication with his imprisoned father and clung fast to the idea of his father's innocence. When Alex is tragically killed in a bombing in Iraq, Lauren is faced with the responsibility of finishing what her brother has started and deciding: Can she forgive her father? Can she let go of the belief in her father's guilt? More importantly, can she get over the past?

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

2011-08-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter Morgan walks a fine line between what's right and what's primal. He appears to be a mile mannered blood spatter anaylst. He blends because that's what his dearly-departed former cop father, Harry, taught him to be when he was young. But both Dexter and Harry knew what Dexter was: a serial killer. Dexter channels his tendencies (aka "the Dark Passenger") and only uses them to murder crminals of the lowest caliber. But, then a slasher begins to challenge Dexter's expertise. As the case starts to hit closer and closer to home, Dexter feels, for the first time, that he might lose his control, his cover, before the case is through.
Told in the same style as the famous HBO TV show, this book is bloody, speculative and suspenseful until the end. The details of Dexter's job are crisp and vivid. Lindsay's Dexter quickly becomes an endearing character with a heart of gold and the mind of a serial killer.

This is the first in the Dexter Morgan series and is available from the library in print, ebook and as a Playaway. Stop into Adult Services to find more like it!

My lucky life in and out of show business by Dick Van Dyke

2011-08-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

What do "Mary Poppins", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Bye Bye Birdie," and "Diagnosis Murder " all have in common? Well, Dick Van Dyke of course. For those of us who grew up watching the Dick Van Dyke show with Dick, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, and many more actors, this book is like a walk down memory lane. For those of you now watching the Dick Van Dyke show in reruns on TV land sit back and enjoy!

This book starts at the beginning of Dick's life; at home growing up with his parents, attending school, going into the military and then marrying his sweetheart Marjorie. It continues with his struggles to make it in show business. Moving back and forth across the country taking jobs which will pay the rent and support his growing family. He describes his love of comedy and his conviction to play a role that his family would be able to see. Slowly you see his acting career taking off, providing more and more opportunities to work not only television, but movies and plays as well. He details the end of his marriage, his problem with alcoholism, his four children who are now starting families of their own, and the new love of his life, Michelle Triola.

For those of you interested, Dick Van Dyke narrates the story in the audio book, which I highly recommend! Take that little walk down memory lane, enjoy the story and the laughs! You won't be sorry!

The Limits of Enchantment by Graham Joyce

2011-08-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

This is the story of Mammy, a midwife who practices herbal magic, and Fern, her adopted daughter and apprentice. The novel is set in a small English village circa 1960.
Eveyone loves Mammy until one of her patients dies, and she is blamed for dispensing the herbs that killed her. When Mammy ends up in the hospital, Fern has to fend for herself and try to figure out how to survive in the modern world. She teeters between the past and the present, the supernatural and the practical, while on a journey to discover where she belongs.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

2011-07-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

Clara and Mr. Tiffany written by Susan Vreeland and narrated by the very talented Ms. Kimberly Farr is a wonderful audio book! The story revolves around Clara Driscoll, a very talented woman who returns to work after her husband dies. She finds herself once again working in a very dominated male workplace with little recognition for her talent and work.
She loves the work and that is what drives her. She designs glass work items for the Tiffany Glass Company and mentors the women who work alongside her. She strives for perfection and at the same time allows the artistic talents of the other women to blossom. Although many of her designs are on display at the Chicago World's Fair, Clara does not receive any recognition for her work.

You learn about the men who are important in her life and how they impact the work that Clara does and her fight for women's rights.

This story is based on the real Clara Driscoll and the letters she wrote to people during her employment and later after she left the Tiffany Company. (She had to leave when she married for there was a single or widowed woman only hiring practice in place). There are other books recently published about Clara Driscoll, but I would highly recommend you start with this one. I am sure you will enjoy it!

Up From the Blue

2011-06-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Tillie Harris stands alone in her new home looking at boxes she wants to unpack when she begins to feel labor pains. Feeling desperate, she calls her estranged father for help. He stays with her at the hospital trying to reassure her that everything will be okay.

Having him in the room with her brings back many painful memories from her childhood, and a young Tillie tells us the story of her life with her brother, her controlling, military father and her flighty, mystical mother. One day her mother disappears without saying a word to Tillie, but Tillie never gives up on finding her.

This is Susan Henderson's debut novel.

No Doors, No Windows

2011-06-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

If you are in the mood for a creepy story, then look no further.

No Doors, No Windows by Joe Schreiber is a very creepy tale.

This novel tells the story of the Mast family and the curse they suffer from. After many years, Scott Mast returns to his hometown for his father's funeral and is surprised to discover that his brother Owen is an alcoholic raising a little boy on his own. Also, Scott's ex-girlfriend Sonia is still living in town, although she is not happy about it. Scott finds a ghost story written by his father about a creepy old house in the woods that has a connection to the Mast family. Scott feels beckoned to visit this house and discovers a dark, hidden corridor where unspeakable horrors took place.

Never Look Away

2011-06-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

Bestselling author Linwood Barclay never disappoints. Never Look Away is a thrilling read with many twists and turns.

David Harwood, a newspaper reporter, goes to an amusement park with his wife Jan and their son Ethan. All of a sudden David and Jan realize Ethan is missing. While Jan runs off to find security, David finds Ethan sleeping in his stroller nearby, but now Jan is missing.

When the police get involved the mystery becomes deeper, and David realizes he may not have known his wife at all.

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

2011-04-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf is another great novel and page turner! The story revolves around two sisters who share a terrible secret and who have both suffered horribly because of it. Allison Glenn is attempting to start her life over after serving time in prison for killing her baby. Her sister Brynn is running away from Allison and everything that reminds her of her sister and the night that everything changed. To make matters worse, the girls parents have just about erased both girls from their lives and their home. The only family connection the girls continue to have is their grandmother, who accepts both girls for who they are and tries to help in any way possible. Allison gets a job in a book store and develops a friendly relationship with the owner and her family. She lives in a half way house and does her best to start over. Brynn is working part time and going to college and continues to refuse to see or talk to Allison. Why? The past comes back to reunite the girls once again and changes their lives forevermore. I highly recommend reading this book. You will not be disappointed.

Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg

2011-04-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

Set in Texas, two sisters, Diane is eighteen and Katie is twelve, live with their strict, military father. He's always been a difficult man to live with, but things have become much worse for the girls ever since his wife died. Katie misses her mom terribly, so much so, that when things get too difficult for her, she lies under her bed and speaks to her mother, hoping she will come to her and tell her what to do with her life. When Diane makes a decision to move to Mexico with her boyfriend, she talks Katie into going with them, but on the way Katie decides this might not be a good decision.

Katie is a deep thinker which helps her to understand why people do the things they do.

Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt

2011-03-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

Mr. Chartwell, also known as Black Pat, has been psychologically torturing Winston Churchill for a long, long time. In fact, Churchill has been suffering from depression ever since Black Pat came into his life. Black Pat is a big, menacing, black, smelly dog with a dark side. Only those haunted by him can see him.

Esther Hammerhans is a librarian and a recent widow who decides to rent out her late husband's study. When Mr. Chartwell arrives to ask about the room, a frightened Esther tries to get out of renting it to him. Black Pat, always the conniver, offers her a great sum of money to stay for just a short time and Esther agrees. Will she fall victim to his darkness?

Welcome To My World by Johnny Weir

2011-03-21T15:49:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love ice skating, from figure skating to ice dancing. I love watching the National Championships, World Championships and of course the Olympics! When I heard that Johnny Weir, one of my favorite skaters and certainly one of the most outlandish too, was writing an autobiography I couldn't wait to read it.
Johnny was late to the game of ice skating, starting at the "old" age of 12 years old! One winter day, with nothing better to do he found a clear patch of ice in a cornfield and using the ice skates he got for Christmas he decided to give skating a try. Well, the rest is history. He took to the ice alright, within six months he would be competing! In a short while he was competing at the Junior National Championships with his skating partner Jodi earning all first place votes too. Pair skating didn't last long and Johnny was on his way up. His family completely supported his desire to skate at a competitive level even moving the entire family to be closer to Johnny's coach and the ice rink in Delaware.
Training and competing can be grueling and along the way Johnny made a name for himself by being himself. Designing his own costumes and picking his own music for his routines, following a strict discipline of training eight hours a day to staying close to his family and a few close friends he earned a reputation for himself that was not always kind. He made mistakes in a few decisions and as he got older he recognized them and more importantly learned from them as well. He continually pushed himself to train harder, to be stronger and to be the BEST male skater in the United States.
Competitions took him all over the world, exposing him to many different cultures. He loved the people and the culture of Russia the most. Johnny takes you through the years of his competing at the National level to eventually earning a spot on the Olympic team.
He discusses the publics perception of who Johnny Weir really is and the bias of the Federation of Ice Skating. Through all the ups and downs he remains true to himself and with the unconditional support of his family, he has the time of his life. Yes, Johnny Weir is flamboyant, yes, he dresses differently than many people expect, yes, he does things his way, and yes, he says exactly what he thinks and believes in. Through the entire book he opens our eyes to the world of competitive ice skating. At the end of the book, you recognize his love of the sport and how talented this young man is in the art of ice skating! What a great book. Enjoy.

April Book Club Reads

2011-03-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

The Busy Moms' Club will meet on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss Welcome to the Mysterious by Lorna Landvik.

The Adult Book Club will read and discuss Madonnas of Lenigrad by Debra Dean on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

The Mystery Book Club meets on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. The group will read and discuss Faithful Place by Tana French.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

2011-03-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

Little Calli Clark wasn't always a selective mute. In fact her mother had often called her a little chatterbox. Only four years old, Calli loved to color and tell stories. It all changed
one day and Calli's voice went silent. Why? What happened to Calli that was so traumatic that she stopped speaking and singing her sweet little voice?
Petra moved in next door to Calli and soon the two girls became best friends. It didn't seem to bother Petra in the least that Calli didn't talk. She seemed to understand her wants and desires without Calli uttering a sound.
Early one summer morning Petra's parents discovered she was missing. Upon inquiring with Calli's parents, it was discovered that Calli was also missing. Police are contacted, friends and neighbors are interviewed, searches are conducted. Ms. Gudenkauf presents the reader with several possible scenarios on the disappearance of the girls. The story is told from each girl's perspective up until the very end.
I couldn't put this book down and I was quite surprised at the ending. I would highly suggest reading it!

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

2011-03-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton.

Do you have girlfriends that you have known for most of your adult life? If so, then you know what it takes to keep those friendships working and more importantly how much those "sisters" mean to you.

The time is the 1960's and this book is about five young women who meet one day each week in the local park. While their children are playing the young women develop a lifelong friendship. A friendship that brings laughter, comforts and challenges. They soon feel the need to do "something more" and decide that each of them must write either a story, an essay or keep a journal. Each week the friends critique each others work. It doesn't take long before honesty is the policy and the girlfriends share more than a simple criticism.

It is a time for change...women's lib and the civil rights movement. The five women bring out the best in each other and sometimes the worst. They challenge each other to do more, to think outside the box, to BE more than a mother and housewife. As their friendship molds into a sisterhood, they discover secrets about each other which pushes them to evaluate their own values and morals.

I loved reading this book and would clearly call it a "page turner" and a feel good book. I couldn't wait to find out how it ended and I will easily admit I LOVED THE ENDING. Happy reading!

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

2011-02-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

Jodi Picoult's new book, Sing You Home is a must read and a real page turner!

Zoe Baxter and her husband Max have just lost another baby. After years of attempting to have one, this loss is too much for Max. Knowing that Zoe will insist on continuing with fertility treatments attempting once more to have a baby, he realizes he simply can't try anymore. He is done, he can't go through another loss. He files for divorce.

Max turns to alcohol to drown his sorrows. After a near fatal car accident he turns to his brother's pastor for help and joins the church where he finds forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. Living with his brother Reid and his sister-in-law Liddy also presents a few issues of there own.

Zoe suffers from depression, for not only did she lose her husband, but she also agonizes through another more devastating loss--she needs a hysterectomy which will forever prevent her from having a baby of her own. In time Zoe turns to her best friend Vanessa, where she finds unconditional love, compassion, and understanding. Zoe and Vanessa soon get married and decide to start a family.

Zoe wants the frozen embryos that she and Max have at the clinic where they underwent all their invitro treatments. This would be her only chance of having a biological baby with Vanessa. The problem arises when the clinic needs both Zoe and Max's signatures. What lies ahead is a battle ending up in a courtroom.

Who decides whom would make better parents? Two parents; one male, one female? Two parents, both male? Two parents, both female?

Who decides what home would be better for a child? One which practices a religion, or one which does not?

What happens when people from the outside judge what is right and what is wrong?

Jodi Picoult has once again written a controversial story with such openness, empathy, and insight that you'll want to keep reading and reading till you get to the end!

The Last Time I Saw You

2011-02-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been invited to or attended one of your high school class reunions? Do you remember contemplating should I go or should I skip it? Who would be there that I would like to see? I wonder what a certain friend has been up to all these years? Boy, I would sure like to reconnect with.......

The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg is just the book for you! In this book the characters reconnect with one another. They recalll the "last time" they saw a specific person, or shared a conversation-good or bad. They plan, prepare and gather to celebrate their fortieth class reunion, the very last one.

As they gather and celebrate the reunion brings many new possibilities-reconnecting with a classmate who was the "heartthrob", forging new friendships, patching up old misunderstandings, forgiving, and rediscovering new bonds.

For anyone who has gone to a class reunion or is planning on attending a class reunion. Take a few moments, relax, and enjoy this delightful, easy read book by Elizabeth Berg!

For book lovers

2011-01-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

This is what the book clubs are reading next:

The Adult Book Club will read and discuss Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 6:30 pm

The Mystery Book Club will read and discuss Manslaughter by Parnell Hall on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 1:30 pm

The Busy Moms will read and discuss Little Giants of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

New members are always welcome! Have fun!

No Doors, No Windows

2011-01-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

Are you in the mood for a scary story? I just read one that was super creepy. No Doors, No Windows by Joe Schreiber tells the story of the Mast family and the curse they are suffering from. Scott Mast returns to his hometown for his father's funeral and is surprised to discover that his brother Owen is an alcoholic raising a little boy on his own. Scott's ex girlfriend Sonia is still living in town, although she's not happy about it. Scott finds a ghost story written by his father about a creepy old house in the woods that has some connection to the Mast family. Scott feels beckoned to visit this house and discovers a dark, hidden corridor where unspeakable horrors took place.

Faithful Place by Tana French

2011-01-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

Faithful Place is a poor neighborhood in Dublin, Ireland. Frank Mackey is a nineteen year old guy waiting for his girlfriend Rosie. They plan to leave Faithful Place and elope to England, but Rosie never shows. Frank is confused and heart broken thinking Rosie changed her mind. So he decides to leave Faithful Place without her to get away from his alcoholic father and his critical mother. Twenty two years later, Frank receives a call from his sister saying that someone found Rosie's suitcase behind a fireplace in an old abandoned house. Reluctantly, Frank goes home to get to the bottom of the mystery of Rosie's disappearance.

I listened to Faithful Place, hoping to get an earful of the Irish brogue, which I did.

Room by Emma Donoghue

2010-12-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

I was hesitant at first about reading Room. It seemed pretty dark, and even though I enjoy reading dark fiction, I thought it might be too dark, even for me. But it struck me as such an interesting story, so I downloaded it to my ipod and let the journey begin. Room is the story of a mom and her 5-year-old son Jack being held captive in an 11 x 11 foot space by a man Jack calls Old Nick. Ma and Jack live, eat, play, watch TV, and sleep in this room 24/7. Even though Ma tries very hard to give Jack a normal life under the circumstances, Jack begins to question what's beyond their room and Ma eventually tells him the truth. Room is not a depressing story, although if you you read between the lines of what Ma is saying to Jack, you can feel the horror of her situation. Room also offers a look into the love between a mother and child and the patience, strength and bravery it takes to live a life in captivity while keeping hope alive. Emma Donoghue stated that she was inspired by the true story of Felix Fritzl, a 5-year-old boy and one of seven children born to Elisabeth Fritzl. Elisabeth and three of her children were imprisoned for 24 years by her father in Amstetten, Austria between 1984 and 2008. This story created the spark to write the story of Ma and Jack. The Room is about "a boy's story of courage and love." Emma Donoghue

Busy Moms' Book Club

2010-12-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

The Busy Moms' Book Club group meets in Meeting Room B from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

The group will discuss Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker on Tuesday,
February 8, 2011 and Welcome to the Great Mysteries by Lorna Landvik on Tuesday,
April 12, 2011.

Please ask for a copy at the Adult Services desk on the second floor.
Strollers Welcome!

Mystery Book Club

2010-12-08T12:45:00.001-08:00

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 1:30 pm in the First Floor Meeting Room. New members are always welcome. Books are located at the reference desk on the second floor. Please ask a staff member for a copy.

Here are the 2011 selections:

Jan 19, 2011 The Surrogate Thief by Archer Mayor

Feb 16, 2011 Manslaughter by Parnell Hall

Mar 16, 2011 Killing Floor by Lee Child

Apr 20, 2011 Faithful Place by Tana French

May 18, 2011 Murder on Gramercy Park by Victoria Thompson

Jun 15, 2011 The Stingray Shuffle by Tim Dorsey

Jul 20, 2011 A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss

Aug 17, 2011 The Dead Cat Bounce by Sarah Graves

Sep 21, 2011 Booked to Die by John Dunning

Oct 19, 2011 A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

Nov 16, 2011 Body Work by V.I. Warshawski

Dec 21, 2011 A Christmas Grace by Anne Perry

Happy Reading!

Adult Book Club

2010-12-02T16:36:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Here is the list of the 2011 selections:

Jan 12 Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran

Feb 9 Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky

Mar 9 Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Apr 13 Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean

May 11 The Soloist by Steve Lopez

Jun 8 The Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber

Jul 13 Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

Aug 10 The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Sep 14 A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve

Oct 12 Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan

Nov 9 The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Dec 14 Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler

The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room on the first floor.
New members are always welcome! Hope you can make it!

Objects of Our Affection: Uncovering My Family's Past, One Chair, Pistol, and Pickle Fork at a Time

2010-11-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

Objects of Our Affection: Uncovering My Family's Past, One Chair, Pistol, and Pickle Fork at a Time by Lisa Tracy is not the typical book I read on genealogy. I normally look for resources for finding ancestors, you know where they lived, who they married, how many children they had, what they did for a living. I willingly admit the words Pickle Fork did it for me. I had to read this book.

I have in my possession a number of heirlooms handed down through the years from my mother and grandmother. They are priceless in my eyes. I have even argued with my siblings why I needed to be the person to keep these treasures!

Look around your house, see what you have collected from relatives; a bible, photo album, quilt, jewelry, or perhaps your relatives home? Have you ever wondered how your parents or grandparents or another relative came to acquire these items? Why did they cherish the quilt? Was it handmade by another relative? Could it have been a birthday present, wedding present or a baby gift? What was the significance of the present?

I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. I can tell you who gave me my heirlooms, but I really can't tell you HOW my relatives acquired them in the first place. Typical of my genealogy research when one question is answered you have three more.

The story follows the author as she deals with her mother's death and handling her estate. Heirlooms that had been acquired over one hundred years ago, from all over the world, for several of the author's grandparents and great grandparents were stationed all over the world. There was so much furniture, china, dishes, etc., that needed to be gone through. What to keep, what to sell. More importantly, where did all of it come from? The family shares their stories and memories of these heirlooms and materials items that have for so long been in their family.

The author takes us on a journey of finding connections. Finding connections through the history of the items we collect and pass down to our descendants.

As an amateur genealogist who searches for family roots I would highly recommend this book. Through this book, I've discovered that there is much more to my family genealogy than the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins I search for. The whole story includes the heirlooms I been blessed to receive--handmade quilts, the photographs, the jewelry, the books and the history and stories each holds. Happy reading!

Triumph: Life After the Cult, by Carolyn Jessop with laur

2010-10-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

Triumph: Life After the Cult-a Survivor's Lessons is the continuing story of Carolyn Jessop's life after 2003, when she escaped to freedom from an extreme Mormon sect of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Carolyn shares with us the story of how she fought for and won full custody of her eight children, struggled being not only a single mother but also the only breadwinner of the family. She enrolled her children in public schools for the first time in their lives, where they could be exposed to an uncensored education. Her bestseller titled "Escape" is a reflection of her life up to that point in time

In April of 2008 she once again came into the public's eye. The state of Texas raided the Yearning for Zion Ranch where a child allegedly was being abused. Over 400 children were removed from their parents and their homes and placed in an unprepared foster care system. Carolyn still had many members of her family living on the ranch. She traveled to Texas to help educate the many social workers, attorney's, police officers, and foster parents on the complexities of the sect's faith and beliefs. She willingly counseled those who wanted to help by offering knowledge and experience in the thinking and beliefs of the members of the FLDS, especially those beliefs of the women and children who lives were most at risk.

Carolyn recounts the charges against many parents, the court battles, custody fights and the eventual return of the children to their parents. The system failures and the enlightenment to the public of this particular extreme sect of the FLDS. Even if you haven't read Carolyn's first book, "Escape", I would highly recommend reading "Triumph: Life After the Cult, a Survivors Lessons"!

Composed a Memoir by Rosanne Cash

2010-08-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

I admit it-I am a huge fan of Johnny Cash, so it only stands to reason I would certainly check out his eldest daughter's musical talents and compositions. If you haven't listened to any of her albums or read any of her books you are missing out on some thoughtful and heartfelt stories. I love Rosanne Cash's albums, particularly Black Cadillac, King's Record Shop and her latest recording; The List.

Her newest book, Composed a Memoir is a great read! Not a typical biography by any means. Rosanne writes of her life, but not in a chronological order. She writes stories of her youth, growing up inside the Cash household. The impact her father's addictions and the breakup of her parents marriage had on her and her sisters. Trying to discover who she was and how she fit into this world. What direction did she want to move toward?
The part I found most compelling was how she came to be the terrific songwriter and singer she is today. She struggled with her self confidence in her ability to write a good song. She believed she wanted to be a good songwriter but on her own terms. The life experiences that inspired her to write beautiful songs of her family, her children, her parents, her marriages, and life gained her the recognition and the success as not only a singer but clearly the songwriter!

Check out this book you won't be disappointed and while you're at it, listen to some of her great music!

July and August Book Clubs

2010-07-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom.

On July 14, 2010 the group will discuss Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

On August 11, 2010 the discussion will be about The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 in Meeting Room B.

The group will discuss Darkest Fear by Harlan Coben on July 21, 2010. On August 18, 2010 the discussion will be on Vanishing Point by Marcia Muller.

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

2010-06-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Those of you old enough to have watched Carol and the gang every week will take a trip down memory lane! When I discovered Carol Burnett had written another book, I couldn't wait to read it. "This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection" is just that. Laugher and reflection. Short little chapters that will make you laugh out loud. Carol talks about her love of "Nanny", her grandmother who raised her and their close relationship. She recalls her early days in Hollywood, how she moved to New York and struggled until she got her start in theatre and then television. After working on Garry Moore's Variety Show, she was offered her own television specials which eventually lead to her own comedy show. Who could forget the hilarious skits of "The Family", a totally dysfunctional family with Vicki Lawrence as "Mama, Harvey Korman as "Ed" and Carol as "Eunice" ? I remember laughing so hard when Tim Conway (who later joined the Carol Burnett show) would be in a skit with Harvey Korman and ad lib lines causing Harvey to lose it and break out laughing. Was it the writing or just Tim causing Harvey to lose it that made you laugh? Hard to tell.
Lucille Ball, Ray Charles, Jim Nabors, Carol Channing and so many more "famous" actors and performers graced the stage with Carol and simply created an hour of pure entertainment that you can't get today. Carol reminisces about her movie roles, my favorite one was Miss Hannigan in the film version of Annie.
Of course Julie Andrews is mentioned and Beverly Sills, both women who became close friends with Carol. I loved watching and listening to these women when they performed together.
We are reminded of Carol's personal life as well. Her marriage to Joe Hamilton, producer of the Carol Burnett show and television specials and their three children. Their unfortunate divorce and the death of their daughter Carrie. Carol found love again when she married Brian Miller in 2001. Congratulations!
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, 100%! Especially to those of us who grew up waiting for the Carol Burnett show to come on each week and allow us to smile, laugh out loud and simply be entertained for one glorious hour! Who could forget that closing song....I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh or sing a song. Seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say so long. Ahhhh....those were the good ole' days!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox

2010-06-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I have enjoyed all three of the books Michael J. Fox has written. I have laughed and cried while reading his words of optimism, hope, and the real world of "life".
This year I have two sons who graduated from 8th grade. True, they didn't graduate from high school or college where you hold your breath praying that she/he will make a really good choice to continue their education by attending a college or a trade school. After all, you WANT them to become responsible adults and pay taxes right? They have to continue their formal education to get there right? Hmmmm...
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future, Michael shares his success stories and his failures. From the time he is in elementary school (and hates most of it) until he leaves in the middle of high school he knows he wants to be an actor. He wants opportunities that he believes he can only get here in the United States. With his parents approval (and monetary support) he sets off on a path that brings success but hard times as well.
The story touches on his television and movie career. Michael discusses his relationships with his family and friends and he doesn't shy away from discussing his relationship with alcohol and Parkinson's disease either. Life lessons. Sometimes it is what it is. Just accept it and move on.
We all know we make our own choices-the good ones and the bad ones. Yes, sometimes we repeat those bad decisions a few times before we learn, that's a life lesson. Accept responsibility for them and move on. Life lessons, real life experiences are what we learn from. Enjoy the moment, learn the lesson and move on, there is more to learn!
This book is only one hundred pages long and is really a quick read, one you will enjoy. If you haven't read Michael's other books; Lucky Man or Always Looking Up, I highly recommend those as well. Happy Reading!

May Adult Book Clubs

2010-04-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. On May 12, 2010, the club members will discuss Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai. The story of a retired judge and his orphaned grandaughter living in the Himalaya.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. The club members will discuss The Art of Making Money: The Story of a Counterfeiter by Jason Kersten on May 19th. 2010 . This true story begins when a poor Chicago boy is forced to provide for his family after his father abandons them.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

2010-04-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to listen to this book that came highly recommended to me by one of my co-workers who owns a dog (or two). Living with children and three dogs myself, I wanted a great book to listen to on my way back and forth to work. I was not disappointed.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, narrated by Christopher Evan Welch, was one of the BEST books I have listened too! The story is told from Enzo, the dog's point of view. Enzo is the constant companion of Danny Swift, a stock car racer. The story begins when Enzo is a puppy and how he and Danny form this lifetime commitment to each other through thick and thin. While Danny is at work, he leaves the television on the Weather Channel to keep Enzo company. Enzo believes that is when he first developed his thirst for knowledge. In time, Danny marries Eve and life gets a little complicated for Enzo, sharing his time with Danny with Eve. Before long a baby girl, Zoe, joins the family. Enzo loves Zoe and Zoe loves Enzo. The family is happy and life is great. That is, until a fatal illness attacks Eve. Unfortunately, the story gets very real now and life is a horrible struggle for Danny. He loses Eve, he is unjustly accused of a terrible crime, and to make matters worse, he temporarily loses custody of his daughter Zoe. Danny and Enzo maybe knocked down, but they live by the motto "There is no dishonor in loosing the race, there is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose." Danny fights his battles and wins. Enzo must fight his battles as well, painful joints, poor eyesight, tiredness, and old age. He realizes his time on earth is almost up and he is determined to come back---in some form, to rejoin Danny and Zoe. Check out this great book or the sound discs and discover the relationship between man and his best friend....a dog!

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

2010-03-15T17:07:00.001-07:00

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui. Many of us, myself included, take for granted the rights and privileges we have living here in the United States of America. I have a voice and opinions that when I feel the need and the appropriate time, I use without hesitation.

This true story takes place in Yemen, in 2008. Nujood, a little girl of ten years, loves to play with her brothers and sisters, go to school, draw with colored pencils, play hide and seek with her friends, and enjoys eating chocolate. Isn't that what children are supposed to enjoy doing? Not so in Yemen. Child marriages and child trafficking are common occurrences.

Nujood is born in a small village called Khardji, with only five stone houses. No grocery stores, no barber, no doctors or even a medical clinic, not even a mosque. She was brought up to never question a man, not even her own brothers. She was never taught how to make a choice. Her own mother, uneducated, was married off at sixteen years of age and bore sixteen children, some of whom died in infancy. The family was large and very poor.

The family suddenly moved to Sana'a, a larger community with grocery stores, taxi's, schools, hospitals and police. For the first time in her life Nujood was allowed to attend school, which she loved! Then, without any warning, in February of 2008, Nujood's father told her he had some good news--she was to be married!

Nujood did not want to be married, she wanted to continue with school, play with her friends, and draw with her colored pencils. All she remembered hearing were the words her father told her older sister Mona, "one less mouth to feed". Within days she was put in a wedding dress too big for her small body, and married off to a man over thirty years old. A man who promised Nujood's father he would not have relations with her until she had reached puberty. After the wedding, Nujood, Faez-her husband, and his family returned to Khardji where they lived. Despite making promises to Ali, Faez did indeed rape and beat Nujood that very night.

Nujood went from being a little girl to a married woman overnight. Faez regularly beat her and forced himself upon her each and every evening. Nujood begged to return to her parents and her family.

After several months Faez agreed to take her back home for a visit. She pleaded with her family to allow her to stay home and get a divorce. Absolutely not, she would not dishonor and shame her family, she was married now. Nujood desperately plans her escape. One morning Nujood was sent to the store for some groceries when she took matters into her own young hands. She went to the courthouse and demanded to see a judge. She waited and finally was allowed to see a judge who listened to her problem, she was ten years old, married to a man who was over thirty, a man who regularly beat her and raped her. She wanted a divorce.

The media hears of her story. Newspapers and television personnel want to interview her and listen to her story. Nujood is assisted in her quest with the help of a woman attorney, extremely rare in her country and two judges. She has her hearing and is granted her divorce. However, because there are no shelters in Yemen for young girls, Nujood is sent back home to live with her parents and her family. Not exactly the best scenario.

This story is not over. Nujood is twelve or thirteen years old today! She continues to live with her parents, although both are ill. She and her younger sister have returned to school. In November, 2008, Glamour magazine named Nujood, the youngest divorcee' in the world, as one of their "Woman of the Year" recipients. As a direct result of all the media attention, this book was written and Nujood and her family are living a bit more comfortably today. This story is a very quick read and one I promise you won't be able to put down easily.

April Book Clubs at the Library

2010-03-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. On April 14, 2010, members will discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Set in Nazi Germany, this story is told by Death. Death tells the story of Leisel, a young girl who steals books to help her get through the horrors of war.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. The group will discuss Still Life by Louise Penny on April 21, 2010. Set in a small Canadian village, a retired school teacher and amateur artist is found dead during deer season.

The Busy Mom's Book Club will be discussing Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin on April 12, 2010 in Meeting Room B. Set in 1897, three Swedish girls embark on a journey to America in search of a better life.

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

2010-03-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

Birth. Death. Sorrow. Healing. Roger Rosenblatt's book Making Toast is his own true story, the story of the unexpected death of his one and only daughter Amy Elizabeth Rosenblatt Solomon. Amy was a daughter, sister, friend, pediatrician, wife, and mother.

Making Toast is the story of what happens to Roger, his wife Ginny, their sons; Carl and John and their families and of course Amy's husband Harris and their three children; Jessie, Sammy, and James, aka "Bubbies" after Amy's death.

Upon hearing the new of their daughter's death Roger and Ginny immediately rush to Harris and the children. To comfort and be comforted. Life still moves on. Everyone needs to be taken care of, especially the children. Roger and Ginny begin to "fit in" to Amy's and Harris's home. They adjust their own retirement plans and employment responsibilities to become child care providers, chauffeurs, cooks, tutors, room parents, and of course Grandpa, aka "Boppo" and Grandma, aka "Mimi". Boppo starts his day earlier than the others. He has mastered one household duty--making toast and eagerly offers it to those who join him in the early morning. The children attend school, after school play dates, sport activities, music lessons and more. Harris continues his medical practice as a hand surgeon. Boppo and Mimi and the rest of the extended family members adjust to life without Amy all the while keeping her forever in their hearts. They cherish the moments they shared with her.

Mr. Rosenblatt offers the reader a book that takes note of the minute, everyday life experiences that help us heal after suffering the loss of a loved one. Yes, there are a bad days. We wake up, have some "toast" and start a new day. A really good book!

The Memory Keeper's Daughter By Kim Edwards

2010-02-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

In The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, we see how one lie can alter the lives of many.

It is 1964 and Dr. David Henry, an orthopedic surgeon, rushes his pregnant wife Susan to the hospital during a snowstorm. Susan’s doctor is stuck in a ditch and will not make it to the hospital in time, so David must deliver the baby. Susan delivers a beautiful, healthy baby boy. A baby girl is born soon after, and David notices right away that she has Down syndrome. He thinks this would be too difficult for his wife to bear so he gives his newborn daughter to his nurse Caroline and instructs her to take the baby to an institution for the mentally impaired. When Susan wakes from anesthesia, David tells her that their baby daughter died. Meanwhile, on her way to drop off the baby at the institution, Caroline makes a decision, one that will change all their lives.

March Book Clubs at the Library

2010-02-17T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. On March 10, 2010, members will discuss Oxygen by Carol Cassella. In this novel, Dr. Marie Heaton, a dedicated anesthesiologist, faces disaster when something goes terribly wrong in the operating room during a routine surgery.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On March 17, 2010, members will discuss Savage Run by C.J. Box. Set in Wyoming, Game Warden Joe Pickett must investigate the murders of an animal rights activist, a writer, a congressional representative, and an environmental activist and his new wife.

All are welcome!

Stop by to pick up your copy at the Adult Services Reference Desk on the second floor.

Winter Reading Club

2010-01-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

Our first ever Winter Reading program, Chilly Reads, has begun! Pick up a reading log at the Adult Services Desk. Read 6 books and return it by February 27 to be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing. You may complete multiple reading logs. You can also enter online at the library website.

February Book Clubs at the Library

2010-01-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Members will discuss Howard's End, the classic tale of life in Edwardian England, by E.M. Foster on February 10, 2010.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On February 17, 2010, members will discuss Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Atwood reconstructs into fiction the true story of Grace Marks, the young Canadian housemaid accused of murdering her employer and his housekeeper/mistress in 1843.

All are welcome! Stop by to pick up your copy at the Adult Services Reference Desk on the second floor.

What I'm Reading Now: Drood by Dan Simmons

2010-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

In Drood, Dan Simmons speculates about the last years of Charles Dickens’ life, beginning with the Staplehurst rail crash in 1865. In the crash, the train Dickens was traveling in fell off of a bridge that was being repaired. While he was unharmed, he never full recovered from the trauma of the incident. Since the accident, the only novel he ever finished was the already in-progress, Our Mutual Friend, which he rescued from the crash. His final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, was never completed before he died, and has since become the inspiration for this and many other novels.

Drood is narrated from the point-of-view of Dickens’ real-life friend, author, and opium-addict, Wilkie Collins. Dickens takes Collins into his confidence to tell him about a spectral figure named Drood (who had been traveling in a coffin) that he spotted in the aftermath of the train crash. According to Collins, Dickens becomes obsessed with Drood. He ventures with Dickens into London's seedy underground in an attempt to find him, and to figure out what he was doing at the crash site.

As a narrator, Collins is delightfully unreliable. The reader never knows whether what he says is an accurate account of events, or one of his drug-induced fantasies. It is known that the real Collins suffered from paranoid delusions due to opium use.

Now, I’m not much of a Dickens fan, ever since I had to read A Tale of Two Cities when I was a junior in high school. But the speculative nature of the book appealed to me. Simmons doesn’t quite have the Victorian style down, so it’s not as daunting to a contemporary reader. In addition, not having read much Dickens did not hinder my understanding of Drood.

At 784 pages, this could easily become a doorstopper of a book, and the pacing at times is quite leisurely. However, you get pulled right in by the tension between Dickens and Collins (who clearly envies his friend's success) as well as by the mystery and intrigue surrounding Drood. If you're looking for a book you can sink into and stay for a while, give this one a try.

Readalikes:

The Dickens work that inspired this novel is of course, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Also of interest is the short ghost story, The Signal-Man which was likely inspired by the Staplehurst train crash, and is probably based on the Clayton Tunnel crash in 1861.

Wilkie Collins' most successful novel, The Woman in White, is considered to be one of the earliest mystery novels.

The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl is a mystery about an American publisher who is waiting for the latest installment of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. After the man he sends to pick it up is murdered, he takes it upon himself to investigate the suspicious circumstances.

Attn: Jodi Picoult Fans!

2009-12-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from Jodi Picoult's (as far as I know, still untitled) 18th book due out in 2011, is available to read on her website. Her next book, House Rules, is due to be released on March 2.

Thanks to Lauren for the link.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

2009-12-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time isn't your typical murder mystery, because in this book the murder victim is Wellington. Wellington is a poodle, a poodle belonging to Mrs. Shears. Mrs. Shears is the neighbor of the narrator, Christopher John Francis Boone. Christopher isn't your typical protagonist either. Christopher is autistic and takes everything literally. He doesn't understand emotions, sarcasm, or even jokes, and that is why there are no jokes in this book.

When Christopher is accused of killing Wellington, he takes it upon himself to investigate in order to find the real killer. Prompted by his teacher, Siobhan, he writes down what he learns in the form of a murder-mystery novel. Along the way, Christopher's investigation leads him to some unexpected information about his own family and the end of his parents' marriage.

Christopher is also a mathematical genius, and he is working on passing his A-levels in mathematics (the British version of American high school Advanced Placement tests). Christopher often explains the way he thinks about things by describing math puzzles, so there are a lot of diagrams and drawings in the book. While I listened to the audio version and liked it very much, I do feel like I missed out by not reading the book.

Mark Haddon chooses a curious narrator for his curious book. He explores human emotion through a character who cannot experience emotion himself. As we follow along with Christopher we learn about the daily struggles he faces that make his investigation even more difficult. For example, seeing 5 red cars in a row makes it a Super Good Day, but 4 yellow cars in a row makes it a Black Day.

Despite Christopher's assertion that there are no jokes, the book is both funny and illuminating. At no point does the reader feel as though they are laughing at Christopher, but at themselves. Christopher's dry observations about things he doesn't understand, shows the reader how very silly we are sometimes. Haddon himself worked with autistic children as a young man and is able to give the reader a glimpse into what like is like for teens like Christopher, handling the subject with grace.

Readalikes

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is also a great book for Young Adults, having made the Top Ten List of Best Books for Young Adults in 2004 and winning an Alex Award (adult books with appeal for teens) the same year. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork, is a book written for young adults in which Marcelo, a high-functioning, autistic, 17-year-old, is pushed out of his comfort zone and into the mailroom of his father's law firm.

If you'd like a rather non-traditional memoir, try Episodes: My Life as I See It by Blaze Ginsberg, a high-functioning, autistic young man who tells the story of his life as episodes in the format of the Internet Movie Database.

For a parent's perspective, try Louder than Words by Jenny McCarthy or Making Peace with Autism by Susan Senator.

Stitches by David Small

2009-12-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

Stitches is the haunting, graphic memoir of the award-winning children’s illustrator, David Small. As a child, Small's health problems were treated with a series of x-rays, administered by his father. The resulting cancer went long untreated and caused the loss of one of his vocal chords. Since the surgery, he has never been able to speak in more than a whisper. In a story that could only be told graphically, Small shows how his own enforced silence was a reflection of the silence in his own family. The spare text and monochromatic illustrations reinforce the lack of dialogue.

If you have always wanted to try a graphic novel, Stitches isn't a bad place to start. It has been highly-praised by a number of reviewers and can be read in less than an hour. As a word of caution, the book does contain some nudity, language, and acts of violence. Elements such as these tend to be harder for some readers to "skip over" as you could in a novel.

Readalikes:

Persepolis and Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi. Another great graphic memoir which depicts Satrapi's life in Iran, during and after the Islamic Revolution. It was adapted to film in 2007.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. The children of Rex and Rose Mary Walls learned from a young age to take care of themselves, spurred on by their nomadic and frequently neglectful parents.

The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg. Laura Bartone must reconcile her sister's accusations of abuse by her mother, with her own happy childhood.

January Book Clubs at the Library

2009-12-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Members will discuss Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell on January 13, 2010. A 38-year-old Ohio spinster school teacher, along with her little dog, travels to Egypt where she meets T. E. Lawrence and Winston Churchill, and falls in love with a German spy.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On January 20, 2010, members will discuss Envy the Night by Michael Koryta. In Koryta's latest thriller, a young man runs into serious trouble while going after the mobster he believes is responsible for his father's death.

New members are always welcome. Stop by to pick up your copy at the Adult Services Reference Desk on the second floor.

There is still time to read the December selections. The Adult Book Club is reading The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry, and the Mystery Book Club is reading Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer.

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

2009-11-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

I have read several of Richard Paul Evan's books before and knew before I turned one page of this book I would not be disappointed. I absolutely loved it! In fact, I think I read the book in about four hours. I had to know what would happen next, it was that good.

The story is about a man named James Kier. James is a successful, middle aged business man. Putting all his time and effort into his business has made him what he is today. He has worked hard and to say the least, his business is his life and his main focus. His wife and son have been deserted. His wife is coping with cancer treatments, and his son will not speak to him. James is seeking a divorce during a time his family needs him the most. However, James is a greedy, self-absorbed human being who only wants more, more control, more power, more money and he doesn't care who he hurts or steps on to get what he wants and what he feels he deserves.

His life takes a drastic turn one morning when he reads his own obituary in the newspaper. He turns to the internet to see what comments his friends and acquaintances have written about him. Everyone wants to leave a legacy right? What he reads disturbs him. People hate him, they write how he has cheated and lied to them, stolen their homes, forced them into bankruptcy, and much more.

He meets the family of the "other" James Kier. This James leaves behind a family who loved him dearly. He didn't have much money, in fact he worked as a bus driver. He loved his family, friends, neighbors, and community. Many, many friends and neighbors come to pay their respect and to honor a man who really made the world a better place. James attended the wake saw with his own eyes how much this man was loved.

James makes a decision to right some of the wrongs he has done to people. This journey is difficult for James. He initially expects people to accept his apologies and his method of righting the wrong done to them. However, this is not always the case. At the same time James tries to make amends to his wife and son.

Forgiveness can take some time. It is not always easy for people to forgive someone who has devastated their life, their home or their family. James becomes a better person for seeing how his decisions affected all the people around him. The decisions he makes now are all for the better-to bring people together and benefit others not himself.

Richard Paul Evans has written yet another great story of compassion, love, and most of all forgiveness. Give it a try!

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

2009-10-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

Since a serial killer stopped terrorizing local citizens in the 1990's, nothing much happens in the rural burg of Painters Mill, Ohio, which is just how Chief Kate Burkholder likes it. After years of experience in the more urban setting of Columbus, Ohio, she jumped at the chance to become the police chief of her hometown. Her past as a member of the local Amish community has given her a unique perspective and ability to act as a go-between between the private Amish community and the "English."

When one of her officers responds to a "loose cattle" call and instead finds the nude body of a young woman in the snow, Kate's peaceful existence comes to an abrupt halt. Not only is the murder reminiscent of the serial killings that took place in the '90's, but it brings Kate's history crashing back to her, including a secret that she, her brother and sister have kept all these years. When the town calls in outside help, Kate is resistant, fearing her secret will be exposed after 16 years, but as bodies continue to turn up, she must face her fear in order to solve the gruesome crimes.

John Tomasetti has been to hell, and does not seem to want to leave. Since losing his partner and family a few years earlier, his life has continued in a downward spiral, thanks to his steady diet of booze and painkillers. When he is assigned to work on the Painters Mill murders, he knows it is his last chance. Can Kate overcome her fear and mistrust to work with Tomasetti?

This is the first book in a promising new series featuring Chief Kate Burkholder, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of John Tomasetti as well. Despite the Amish connection, this is definitely NOT a cozy mystery - the grisly details, salty language and sexual situations and references are not for the faint of heart. Kate is a great heroine - strong yet vulnerable, principled yet hesitant, and damaged yet hopeful. I look forward to seeing more from this series. Fans of this book may also like Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series or Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series.

New Book by the Author of The Time Traveler's Wife

2009-10-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife, explores the world of gothic literature in her latest novel, Her Fearful Symmetry. Although this story takes quite a turn from her previous work, it still requires some suspension of belief to make it through the plot.

Elspeth is dying, in London, leaving her younger lover, Robert behind to mourn. Rather than leaving her worldly possessions to him, she leaves her flat and its contents to her twin nieces, whom she has never met. Julia and Valentina have grown up with their parents, Edie and Jack, in Lake Forest, Illinois. Edie and Elspeth were twins as well, but estranged.

The twins move into Elspeth's flat, and begin exploring London, meeting their neighbors in the building, Martin, who has severe OCD, and Robert, Elspeth's former lover. Before long, they also realize that Elspeth herself is occupying the flat as well, and they and Robert begin communicating with her. As Elspeth grows in strength, she discovers she can remove souls from living creatures when, in trying to pet the twins' kitten, she accidentally hooks its soul and removes it from its body. She is able to put it back in, with Valentina's help, and the kitten seems unscarred from the experience. This gives Valentina an idea to finally escape the over-bearing Julia once and for all. But will Elspeth and Robert agree to her plan?

This book has so many things I like in a story - ghosts, cemeteries, romance, family secrets, London. Niffenegger's writing style is lovely and the story slowly unwraps. I have a difficult time believing Valentina was willing to go as far as she did in order to escape her twin; perhaps that is part of what makes this story so ultimately horrific. The ending is a bleak one, devoid of much hope for the future for the parties involved. In short, this is a beautifully written gothic horror novel for our times.

Push by Sapphire

2009-10-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

Set for limited release in the U.S. in November, 2009, under the title "Precious" (with none other than Oprah and Tyler Perry behind it,) Push is the story of a young woman who lifts herself out of dire circumstances to go from feeling like "nuffin'" to loving herself and her accomplishments.

Claireece Precious Jones, who goes by "Precious" has not had an easy life. Poor, illiterate and obese, she gave birth to her first child at the age of 12 (after being consistently raped by her father since a very young child) and is pregnant with her second (also by her daddy) at the age of 16. Living with her mother who also verbally, physically and sexually abuses her daughter, Precious is a child who has fallen through the cracks of society.

When her junior high principal points her in the direction of an alternative school, (after suspending her over her pregnancy,) Precious begins to turn things around. Her teacher at the school, Blue Rain, challenges and nurtures Precious to overcome her past, deal with the present and look toward the future. Through her interactions with the other students and Blue, Precious learns to love herself and take care of herself and her baby.

Although this is a little book, it is anything but light reading. Written from Precious's perspective, this is a difficult book to read, due primarily to the graphic subject matter. Precious is an amazing character - just when it seems as if everything is going right for her, she receives news that would shatter most people. This is a unique work of urban fiction with an unforgettable heroine - I am looking forward to the movie, which won both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

2009-10-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Robinas, a Detroit couple in their eighties have been married for nearly 60 years. Ella has terminal cancer and John has been suffering from Alzheimer’s for several years. Even though their doctors and middle-aged children are against Ella's decision to refuse medical treatment, she decides that she and John should have one last hoorah. They get into their old RV and head west to Disneyland taking historic Route 66. Their story is sad, funny, romantic, and deeply moving.

Heart Sick by Chelsea Cain

2009-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a sick and twisted tale of a serial killings this Halloween? Chelsea Cain's Heart Sick might be just what you are looking for. This book is the first of the Archie and Gretchen thrillers series (followed by Sweetheart and Evil at Heart.)

Two years after a serial killer that terrified the Pacific Northwest turned herself in, another one is loose on the streets of Portland, Oregon. Archie Sheridan, the head of the task force that helped capture Gretchen Lowell (he was her final victim and the only one that survived,) has been lured off of his medical leave to head up a task force to capture "the After School Strangler." Tagging along after him is local reporter Susan Ward, who is doing a profile on Archie. Susan is surprised to learn that two of the suspects in the current murders are former high school teachers of hers.

Although Archie survived his ordeal with Gretchen he is an extremely scarred individual, both physically and emotionally. He cannot seem to escape the grip that Gretchen has over him, continuing to visit her in prison every Sunday, trips that led to the demise of his marriage. He also has a vigorous pill-popping habit in an effort to stay on top of the pain. He somehow manages to hang on to his tenuous grasp of reality and be an effective leader.

Both Archie and Susan are extremely vulnerable human beings - the details of Archie's torture at the hands of Gretchen are gruesome, and as the book progresses, the readers learn more about Susan's troubled adolescence. Gretchen, the imprisoned serial killer is terrifyingly cold and plays both Susan and Archie to satisfy her own sick needs. The puzzling relationship between Gretchen and Archie is intriguing to say the least - I'm diving right into the next book of the series, Sweetheart, to see what happens next!

October Displays

2009-10-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

New Lenox Public Library has some great displays going this month for your reading pleasure:

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage by checking out our Hispanic Authors book display. We have some wonderful books by such talented authors as Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, and Mario Llosa Vargas. There is definitely something for just about everyone in this display.

With Halloween just around the corner, we've put together some books on Halloween decorating and entertaining, as well as those ever-popular ghost stories, vampire lore and Halloween history. Be ready for the holiday with our help!

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month - we have books on the disease itself, but also personal accounts of how some women have dealt with the disease personally.

Last, but not least, we've got a spooky selection of Horror Fiction to get your blood curdling and keep you up at night! Get in the Halloween spirit with one of our hair-raising tales. Don't forget to grab a scary movie on your way out also! DVD and VHS feature films are a great deal at $2 for an entire week's checkout!

A "Rediscovered Classic"

2009-10-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

In 2005, Jane Smiley published a book titled Thirteen Ways to Look at the Novel, in which she mentions the mostly-forgotten novel The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton. First published in 1962, this novel garnered lots of fans and critical acclaim at the time, then faded into obscurity. Now rediscovered and even mentioned on Oprah for goodness' sake, the book has seen a resurgence in popularity, leading to a papberback reprint this year.

The majority of the story takes place on the rural Missouri farm of the Soames family - Matthew, Callie and their four daughters. The story begins with an overview of the elderly couple, who are joined on the farm for a couple of weeks every summer by their daughters. Each character lends their point of view to a portion of the book, providing honest and straightforward insight into their lives and the lives of those around them. What at first appears to be an old-fashioned traditional family has a history at which few readers would guess.

While I found this book to be a lovely read, I hesitate to compare it to some other classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird or Invisible Man, as Smiley does. In this family drama, Carleton tackles some hot-button issues, particularly for the early '60's, but ideals which are still relevant today, such as religion, sexuality, and women's roles. The Soames family is every family, and Carleton does a marvelous job of reaching beyond the superficial into the very depth of this family - the obstacles, challenges, temptations and choices - that make them (and us) who we are.

October is National Reading Group Month

2009-09-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Are you a member of a book club? Would you like to be? The library hosts 3 separate book clubs here in our meeting rooms: a Fiction Book Club, which meets the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.; the Mystery Book Club, which meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m.; and, the Busy Mom's Book Club, which meets the first Monday of the month, every other month during the school year, resuming Monday, October 5th at 10:30 a.m.

All books are available at the Adult Reference Desk on the second floor. If you are interested in starting your or contributing to your own book club, here are some helpful online resources:

http://www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org/

http://www.book-clubs-resource.com/

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsbookclub/startingabookclub/20080701_orig_bookclub

http://www.bookbrowse.com/bookclubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=starting_club

http://bestsellers.about.com/lr/book_clubs/29143/1/

Benny and Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti

2009-09-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

This little book offers a quirky attempt at romance between two very unlikely people. Benny is a thirty-something dairy farmer, who, following the death of his mother, realizes what a lonely life he leads on the farm. Desiree, (or "Shrimp" as Benny calls her) is also in her thirties, a cultured and educated librarian, and recently widowed. They first meet at the cemetery - Benny is there tending his parents' garish grave, while Desiree routinely spends her lunch hour at her husband's grave - where both feel intense dislike for the other.

Once they recover from their initial dislike, both realize their physical attraction is mutual and they fall into a passionate affair. Both, however are set in their ways, and neither seems to be willing to give up their compartmentalized little lives in order to make their relationship work. While their physical need for each other grows, their values and interests work to drive them apart. Will the two of them ever be able to let go of their differences and build a life together?

Benny and Shrimp is the debut novel of author Mazetti and was first published in Sweden, where it was a bestseller. The writing is sparse yet lively, written from both of the main characters perspectives. While the story is set in Sweden and gives some lovely details of both rural and urban Swedish life, it could easily describe dating in any of the western cultures. It is a quick read, and the unorthodox ending guarantees the reader will be thinking about Benny and Shrimp long after finishing.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

2009-09-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Family secrets lie just beneath the surface in this suspenseful debut novel, set in contemporary small town Iowa. 7 year-old best friends Calli and Petra are closer than most girls that age - Calli, a selective mute since the age of 4, relies on Petra to be her voice, while Petra seems to instinctively know what Calli needs at any given time. When both girls disappear from their homes one hot summer morning, no one anticipates how the day will end.

When Deputy Sheriff Louis finds out about the missing girls, he immediately sets out on the case. While his history with Calli's mother, Toni, complicates his involvement, he has no intention of backing off the case. Toni, along with Petra's parents, anxiously await news as Calli's brother and other volunteers search for the girls in the woods. Griff, Calli's father is supposed to be away on a fishing trip; however he did not get away that morning as planned. Could he be responsible for taking the girls? What other secrets will be uncovered throughout the course of the search?

While there are some plot holes in this story, overall it is a mesmerizing read. Told from multiple viewpoints, including silent Calli's, the short chapters and increasing tension keep the pages turning. Fans of Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve will appreciate this novel, as well as anyone who is looking for a quick and engrossing family drama.

A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz

2009-09-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Dean Koontz was already pre-disposed to liking dogs . He’d even used them as characters in his books. At last he and his wife decided they were ready to own a dog, or rather be owned by this amazing, intelligent and joyous Golden Retriever named Trixie. Though retired from service with Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) due to an injury, Trixie was certainly not retired from life. She taught Dean and his wife Gerda about love and joy, loss, life’s mysteries, and how to find once again that sense of wonder in life. She was very special. Others told the Koontzes so, though that was unnecessary because they knew from the start that this 60 pound soul was unique. She helped them to see what was really important in life. And her joyous exuberance reached to others who came in contact with her.

While Koontz is known for his fiction, this book reads every bit as richly as his other titles and yet in his carefully chosen words there is a special feel of extraordinary kinship and connection with Trixie that reflected the obviously touching way she affected him and the close relationship they shared. Koontz and his wife almost missed out on Trixie but instead were blessed with treasured years with her.

Though a bittersweet book because of her too-early passing, this book is blissfully uplifting in seeing who Trixie was and how she lived her life - joyously and with abandon. Though she is sadly gone, she is really not gone, living on in the books she “penned” and in her continued connection with CCI; and most importantly she will always remain with the Koontzes and readers for the lessons she taught about life that Koontz generously shared with us, his readers. Trixie was a very special dog. Her life was indeed a big, little life. We can all learn from Trixie.

Review by Paula P. Newbury, Plainfield Public Library.

2009-09-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Members will discuss Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson on October 14, 2009. Set in Norway, Trond Sander moves to the country to enjoy a peaceful life. A chance encounter with a neighbor brings back painful memories of his youth.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On October 21, 2009, members will discuss Lone Creek by Neil McMahon. Set in Montana, Hugh Davoren, a construction worker, lands in jail for a night after stumbling across two dead horses.

It's here....

2009-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

For all of you Dan Brown fans, his new book, The Lost Symbol, hits the shelves today. It's hard to believe it's been 6 years since The Da Vinci Code blazed a trail up the best seller lists, eventually becoming the bestselling hardcover book of all time!

Robert Langdon is back at it once again, this time traipsing about Washington D.C. in an effort to solve yet another non-stop death-defying mystery...will this one live up to the hype? Reviews so far are positive, but why not decide for yourself? We have numerous copies in different formats - all are checked out, but we will be happy to add you to the holds list!

The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow

2009-09-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

This non-fiction selection focuses on 11 women from the town of Ames, Iowa, who have maintained their friendship since at least high school. Now in their late forties, the women have spread all over the country, and their lives have all taken different directions, yet they remain bonded as a group.

Zaslow, who co-wrote The Last Lecture with Randy Pausch and also pens the Moving On column for the Wall Street Journal, selected this group of women and their friendship based on their, well, averageness. Representing the last wave of the baby boomers, growing up in the Midwest, Zaslow felt these women's experiences would connect with a large number of people.

While the book features this group of women, including more intimate portraits of 4 of them, it also includes some data and information on the very nature of friendships, particularly comparing women's friendships with men's friendships, and the tendency for women's relationships to stand the test of time. He also includes some studies on the benefits of maintaining friendships over long periods of time.

I have to say I did not really love this book. I did not really connect with any of the women, (although some of them seem like perfectly lovely people) and I think most of us already know that women stay more connected in their friendships than men. There were some interesting, poignant and humorous anecdotes, observations and dynamics from the group, but the whole work just did not resonate. This could be an interesting choice for book clubs, however. There is a reader's guide and other information at: http://www.girlsfromames.com/

Time to read some fiction!

The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson

2009-09-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Amy Dickinson, best known as an advice columnist and contributor to NPR, has written a lovely little book detailing her life as a member of a female-dominated extended family - the "queens" of her hometown, tiny Freeville, New York.

A unique feature of her family is that the few men in it tend to pack up and leave town, which was the case with both Amy's father and her husband (although her husband did maintain a relationship with their daughter, Emily.) For the most part, women in her family have had to fend for themselves. The bits and pieces that Dickinson shares regarding her female relatives are few and far between, I would have loved to hear more about them.

The book is basically snippets of a life - from her childhood to marriage to motherhood, to welcoming love into her life after a long dry spell. Dickinson does not delve too deeply, yet manages to share some deeply personal moments. I really enjoyed this book - Dickinson's voice is funny and familiar, as well as warm and inviting. Again, I would have really enjoyed hearing more about her amazing mother and other female relatives, perhaps there will be another book in Ms. Dickinson's future! For further information on "Mighty Queens," go to: http://www.themightyqueensoffreeville.com/

The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax

2009-09-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

This is a very interesting and ambitious concept for a book of fiction. Kendall Aims is a published author who does reasonably well; however, her agent has just informed her that she is going to be dropped from her publisher, but not before having to complete one last book to fulfill her contract. When she also loses out on a big award that she was counting on to revive her career, her downward spiral really takes off. Upon returning home, she also learns that her husband has left her for a younger, blonder woman. Unable to cope with the reality of her life, she retreats to her cabin in the mountains to hide out.

Fortunately for her, her 3 friends, also writers, will not let her go through this alone. Mallory, a best-selling fiction author whose marriage is also faltering comes to stay with Kendall and get her back on track. She persuades the others, Faye, an inspirational author married to a well-known pastor, and Tanya, a single mother who works two jobs and writes romances on the side, to come out for a weekend. When they witness how much help Kendall really needs, Tanya suggests that they all write the book together but do their part anonymously, in order for Kendall to meet her deadline.

The book is a smash - trouble is, the women based their characters on themselves, including some deep, dark secrets never guessing that they - and their secrets - might someday be revealed. It isn't long before family, agents and others decifer what is going on. Can the friendship survive the success of their book as well as the knowledge that the friends did not know each other so well after all?

This was an enjoyable read of friendship, trust and renewal. Each of the four main characters maintain their own separate voice and identity and the storyline definitely keeps the pages turning. Despite the fact there are really four separate story lines going on, the book does not get confusing at all. I have to say that one of the factors that make this a tad unbelievable is the fact that the four friends so closely resemble the characters they create, it seems fairly obvious that someone would figure out the true identity and put two and two together...but that might be taking this book a little too seriously. Overall, it's an interesting perspective into a writer's life and a good choice for a quiet weekend or getaway read.

Quick Nonfiction Read

2009-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have heard of "Improv Everywhere," a group whose mission it is to "cause scenes of chaos and joy in public places," but you may have heard of some their better-known pranks. The founder, Charlie Todd, and one of his "agents," Alex Scordelis have compiled some of their favorite "missions" in their book, Causing a Scene.

Each of the thirteen chapters in this book detail one of Improv Everywhere's endeavors since their formation in 2002. Some have grown to be quite large scale, others are smaller, but all require quite a bit of planning and imagination. In fact, the amount of actual calculations that go into many of the pranks is quite impressive. Each description includes whether the mission had the desired effect on the public, as well as up-close and personal advice from one of the "agents" who had participated in that particular mission.

This book is a quick and entertaining read, chopped up into easily digestible chapters. Some of the pranks are downright hilarious, others will just make you smile. The basic tenets of the group are to keep on the right side of the law and not harm anyone in the process of staging their acts for the public. If you enjoy improv comedy, such as the Upright Citizen's Brigade, this book wold probably be of interest to you. To learn more about Improv Everywhere, check out their website at http://improveverywhere.com/

In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

2009-08-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

Reverend Clare Fergusson, the newly installed Episcopalian minister in upstate Miller's Kill, New York, has a lot to learn about the community, so when she discovers a newborn baby in a cardboard box near the church, she takes the opportunity to align herself with a married couple from her congregation who are interested in adopting the baby. Unfortunately, when the baby's mother, Katie, is discovered murdered, the husband of the couple turns out to be Sheriff Russ Van Alstyne's number one suspect.

Clare and Russ discover they share a background in the military as well as a common interest in solving the crime, and they form sort of a "good cop - bad cop" team, with Clare taking on a more human interest in the involved parties and Russ sticking to the facts. Their friendship grows beyond their common interests, however, as the mystery behind who murdered Katie grows when her father is also found murdered. When Clare finds herself in imminent danger, it is Russ who discovers her whereabouts and attempts to come to her aid before she becomes an additional fatality.

While I wouldn't label this book a cozy mystery, it isn't terribly gruesome or violent, and it does feature some mild swearing. It is an engaging, intelligent plot with memorable characters, and features a charming small town with some not-so-charming crimes. Russ and Clare are both likable and worthy as the hero and heroine, but Russ's marriage throws a little wrench into their blossoming friendship. Best of all, it is the first in a series, so if you like this particular book, it is easy to figure out what to read next!

September Displays

2009-08-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Coming next month:

New Lenox Public Library will commemorate the September 11th attacks with a bulletin board display and related book display.

September is also the month for Banned Books Week (September 26th-October 3rd.) Again, we will be featuring a bulletin board and book display highlighting books that have been challenged or banned over the years. Watch for more on Banned Books Week in a later post!

It's National Chicken Month, National Prime Beef Month and Update Your Resume Month, so watch for book displays on those topics as well. We hope to see you soon @ your library.

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

2009-08-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is an ambitious work, combining history, romance, and suspense into an enveloping story, rich in detail and description. The narrator, a very unlikely protagonist, begins the story by crashing his car while under the influence, then being trapped inside while it burns around him. He is eventually rescued, although not expected to survive, due to the serious third-degree burns covering most of his body. Overnight, he has gone from being a well-paid and sought after porn star and producer to a grotesque monster, abandoned by all of his former "friends."

During his lengthy stay in the hospital, he receives a visit from a mysterious yet beautiful woman, Marianne, who claims to have known him in their previous lives. She regales him with the story of their past, in twelfth century Germany. As she is released from the hospital and continues her visits, he slowly falls in love with her. When, after months of being cared for in the burn unit, he is finally released, it is to Marianne's home that he goes for his re-entry into "normal" life.

While he settles in with Marianne, she becomes increasingly obsessed with creating her gargoyles, first spending a few days at a time creating them, but moving on to working until sheer exhaustion takes over. She claims that the gargoyles and "her masters" are hurrying her along. What will happen to our narrator when Marianne completes her final gargoyle and reaches the end of her story?

This is a story of love and loss, rebirth and renewal. Our narrator learns to open his heart to what had been previously closed. This book is both lovely and painful to read, and is so thick with storylines it seemed to take me forever to make it through...which was perfect, because it was one of those stories that I did not want to end.

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin

2009-08-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Do you dream of being healthier, skinnier and happier? Have you tried multiple diets without success? Are you ready for some tough love? Well, if you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, Skinny Bitch might just be the book you are looking for.

While you wouldn't know it by looking at the title, this is actually a book espousing the benefits of a vegan diet. If this is something you are open to, and you don't mind the salty language or blunt delivery, give this book a chance. Co-authors Freedman (a "self-taught know-it-all") and Barnouin (who holds a master's degree in holistic nutrition,) do not pull any punches in this no-nonsense yet funny guide to living a healthier life. While I am not sure that a purely vegan diet is in my future, I still feel as if there were some valuable lessons to be learned from this book.

A plus is the book is small and a quick read, perfect for us busy gals on the go. The authors also list a variety of resources that I found helpful, such as products and brands they prefer, websites for products or recipes, and books and cookbooks for vegetarian lifestyles and appetites. There is also a sample menu to get you started on your way to good health. If you enjoy the content and style of this book, make sure you check out Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven, Skinny Bitchin', and for the man in your life, Skinny Bastard.

Book Club Update

2009-08-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Members will discuss Babylon Rolling by Amanda Boyden on September 9, 2009. A Minnesota family moves to New Orleans where they meet a fascinating group of people living on Orchid Street.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On September 16, 2009, members will discuss Killer View by Ridley Pearson. Sheriff Walt Fleming returns to search for his friend who has disappeared.

Stop by to pick up your copy at the Adult Services Reference Desk on the second floor.

The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

2009-08-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Time Traveler’s Wife is a unique love story, but it is also a biography of a man’s life captured in snapshots as he travels through time. The majority of his traveling revolves around the woman who is to become his wife. The main character, Henry, has the unique opportunity of meeting her (Clare) as a young girl, as a teenager, and as an adult. Clare therefore goes her whole life knowing that this is the man she will marry. She must just wait for their timelines to meet up before they can truly be together. Like a Nicholas Sparks’s novel, this love story also has some unexpected twists and turns. Unlike a Sparks’s novel, this love story can be a bit more graphic than what one would read in say The Notebook.

Yet, with such a unique twist to a traditional love story, it may be hard for some to put this book down as the reader tries to anticipate how this story will conclude. However, there may be others who will be frustrated by the seeming tedium of a story in which the reader already appears to know the conclusion from the earliest pages: these two people will marry and share an enduring love, but there is more to the story. I myself was bored with the seemingly unending jumps in time, but as the story neared its end, I became quite curious of the fate of the main character especially as the loose threads of storylines in his life are revealed to create a comprehensive biography of The Time Traveler’s Wife. While it would not be high on my list of recommended readings, it was unique enough and captured my interest enough, especially in the last few chapters that I would probably recommend it for those who enjoy the romance genre a la Nicholas Sparks. This review refers to the audio version of the book.

Will the movie, due out August 14th, measure up? Let us know what you think! Thanks to Patti Barker for her review!

Crazy Love by Leslie Morgan Steiner

2009-08-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Leslie Morgan had it all. At the age of 22, she had already overcome substance abuse problems, graduated from Harvard and had a great job at Seventeen magazine when she met her "knight in shining armor." Conor was handsome, he was smart, and he had overcome a tough childhood to become a successful investment banker in New York City. Sure, he was a little quirky, but Leslie was sure, with a little patience and a lot of love, they would live happily-ever-after.

Before long, they were inseparable and making plans to move in together. As their relationship progressed, so did the controlling behaviors and violence. Not only did Conor talk Leslie into putting both of their student loans into her name when they attended grad school together, he also convinced her to finance her own engagement ring. Believing that their love was one for the ages, she did these things to prove her love and commitment to their relationship. Leslie finally overcame her denial and offered Conor an ultimatum - if he hits her again, that will be the end of the relationship. He agreed to this condition, and was able to live up to it...until the night he almost killed her. Although it wasn't a totally clean break, eventually Leslie realized that in order to move forward with her life she needed to take care of herself first and foremost and Conor was nothing but an impediment to that end.

This book, a memoir, was difficult to read at times, as it should be. Leslie was fortunate enough to have enough resources and education to help lift her out of the cycle of abuse, something that many women lack. I believe it took alot of courage to write this book, and whether or not the reader can relate to Leslie's situation, it is inspiring to read. It takes a hard look at love, what it is, and most of all, what it is not.

True Colors by Kristin Hannah

2009-08-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

The Grey family has always been an important fixture in the town of Oyster Shores, Washington, since their great-grandfather helped found the town in the 1800's. The three sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Ann, are following in the footsteps of generations past, tied to the town by the family ranch and each other. They have learned to stick together through thick and thin.

Since the death of their mother when the girls were teens, their father has been distant and unflinching with high expectations of his daughters. Winona, who never took to life at the ranch, went on to become a lawyer, Aurora married and had twins, but the beautiful Vivi Ann loved the ranch and was a natural horse woman, earning the approval of her father, much to Winona's consternation. Adding to Win's jealousy is the fact that her childhood crush, Luke, comes back to town and is immediately smitten with Vivi Ann. When Vivi Ann's actions betray her lack of feelings for Luke, Winona takes the opportunity to betray her sister in the hopes of winning Luke's favor.

As the women grow older, rifts continue between Vivi Ann and Winona, while Aurora tries to keep everyone together. Eventually, Win has the opportunity to help her sister in a legal matter in which she had previously refused involvement. Will this bring the family back together? Will Win's father ever accept her for who she is? Will Win ever get over herself?

Hannah's talent is writing about women for women. This book immediately sucked me in, but then sort of dried up in the middle before picking up speed again. The ending was fairy tale quality, but it will leave readers happy. Kristin Hannah is a great choice for summer reading - if you like True Colors, try one of her many older titles, such as Firefly Lane, Distant Shores, or On Mystic Lake.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

2009-07-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Winter in Wisconsin, 1907 is a stark, sometimes brutal sometimes beautiful season, words that can also be used to describe this novel. Catherine Land, a beautiful, but no longer young woman, has answered a newspaper ad for "a reliable wife." Ralph Truitt, aging, rich, and lonely has selected Catherine from dozens of replies, based on her description of herself as a simple and honest woman and the picture she sent, which is actually of her much plainer cousin India. Despite her obvious deceptions, Ralph goes forward with his plan to marry her.

The reader soon learns that both parties have ulterior motives in mind - Catherine to inherit Ralph's money and live in luxury with her much younger lover, and Ralph to use Catherine to bring his long-estranged son back home and quench his eternal loneliness. The novel quietly twists and turns along these plot lines while each of them realizes that fulfilling their deepest wishes may not be what brings them satisfaction after all.

Goolrick's writing is hypnotizing - his rich visual descriptions drew me in until I could hear, smell, feel and see through the character's eyes. The book quietly seethes with passion and teeters on madness, examining the human condition in all of its capablilities. While it is a book to be savored, it is suspenseful enough to keep the pages turning until the end. I highly recommend this book to fans of gothic or romantic novels, or anyone who is a lover of language. Some readalike suggestions are:

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

My Antonia by Willa Cather

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Downloadable Book!!! My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

2009-07-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

If you are ready for a politically incorrect, unapologetic and unhealthy look at love in the fast lane, you might be ready for Chelsea Handler's first book, My Horizontal Life. Handler, the host of the E! network show, "Chelsea Lately," has written a hilarious, if not raunchy, memoir of her sexual history, leaving few, if any, stones unturned.

Chelsea's alcohol and drug-fueled conquests sometimes left me feeling hungover myself, but they also always left me laughing. Her ability to poke fun at herself and her loved ones are one of the reasons this book works for me - who doesn't like to hear about other families' dysfunctions? While this book certainly isn't for everyone, I would recommend it for fans of Chelsea or comedy in general. There is strong language, alcohol and drug use, and, of course, plenty of sexual situations as well as frank sexual talk. If you can get past these factors and are looking for a funny and light read, give Chelsea Handler a try. You might also want to try her second book, Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.

I chose to listen to this title on my iPod, by downloading the book through our new OMNI library website (http://www.blogger.com/www.omnilibraries.org.) Chelsea does not narrate this book; however, Cassandra Campbell does a masterful job of capturing Chelsea's attitude and her sense of comedic timing is impeccable. I am typically not an audio book type of gal - I am far too easily distracted - but this particular book is written in little snippets of stories, so it is easy to pop in and out of the book without losing the momentum of the story. At times, it almost seemed more like a stand-up routine rather than a book, but I enjoyed it either way. I am looking forward to more from Chelsea Handler in the future.

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

2009-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Weiner is one of those authors whose books I cannot wait for - beginning with her first book, Good in Bed, she has captured audiences with her wonderful characters and story lines. Her new book, Best Friends Forever, meets all these expectations and then some.

Addie Downs seems to have it all - she's young (33,) attractive, has a successful career and a beautiful home - the only thing she is lacking is someone to share it with. Other than her brother Jon, brain-damaged in a car accident as a teenager, she has no family or friends. One night, her best friend from high school shows up at her door after a 15 year absence, desperately asking for Addie's help and completely disrupting her quiet life.

Valerie Adler, Addie's best friend from childhood, has left her small town behind, working as a "meteorologist" for Fox News in Chicago. She and Addie's relationship fell apart during their senior year, but the reader does not learn the details until well into the book. The whole reason for their falling out is what has led Val into the trouble she is currently experiencing. Despite Addie's usual common sense, she allows herself to be drawn into Val's web, and joins her on her plan to "get out of town for awhile." The two unlikely fugitives head south in Addie's parents' old station wagon, with the town sheriff, who has the hots for Addie, not far behind. What transpires is a wacky tale of friendship and forgiveness, complete with a BIG surprise at the end.

If you enjoy this particular book, give Jennifer's other books a try. Also check out her wonderful website and blog at http://www.jenniferweiner.com/. This is a perfect book for some light summer reading - it will leave you smiling. The only problem I have with this book is that now I have to wait forever for her next one to come out!

August Book Clubs at the Library

2009-07-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Members will discuss The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton on August 12, 2009. In this novel, cultures collide when an American librarian goes to Africa to start a traveling library.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On August 19, 2009, members will discuss Brass Verdict by bestselling author Michael Connelly. This is Connelly's latest crime thriller featuring LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.

Stop by to pick up your copy at the Adult Services Reference Desk on the second floor.

I Love You, Beth Cooper! by Larry Doyle

2009-07-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Denis Cooverman, valedictorian for his Buffalo Grove High School graduating class has no idea that he is about to experience the night of a lifetime (which in his case would not take much.) Rather than present the usual rabble that goes in one ear and out the other, he takes the opportunity with his graduation speech to single out a few of the people who made his life more difficult during his high school years. He also calls out his best friend to admit that he is gay, but not before announcing to the sweaty mass of humanity filling the gymnasium that he, debate team captain and frequent target of harassment, Denis Cooverman, was in love with the head cheerleader and most popular girl in school, Beth Cooper.

At the post-graduation reception, Denis is anticipating receiving the accolades of his peers; however, as usual, no one pays attention to him, until Beth Cooper herself approaches him. Panicked, he invites her and her 2 friends to an impromptu party at his house later that evening. The chain of events that follow after Beth and her friends actually show up at his "party" consisting of Denis and his possible gay best friend, Rich, are unprecedented in Denis's young life.

This is your typical high school nerd breaks out of his mold story; however, the writing is snappy, the book moves along at a frenetic pace, and the dialogue is clever. It reminded me very much of one of John Hughes' movies from the '80's, such as "Sixteen Candles" or "Weird Science." Be forewarned, however - there is excessive violence, sexual encounters of all sorts, and substance abuse galore so if any of that subject matter offends, this may not be the fun summer read you are looking for. If you plan on seeing the major motion picture of the same title that is currently out, it would be an interesting comparison to read the book before you see the movie!

The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard

2009-07-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Abby and Mitch, high school sweethearts devoted to one another, were about to take a very big step in their relationship when the fates intervened, altering their lives forever. While heading downstairs to Abby's father's medical office for some protection, Mitch witnesses Abby's father, a respected doctor, and his best friend's father, the sheriff, bring in the frozen young body of a beautiful young woman. Before he can recover from the shock of what he sees, he is further traumatized when he witnesses Abby's dad covering the girl's face with some plastic bags and battering it with a baseball bat. The next morning, Mitch has unexpectedly left town, leaving Abby and his best friend, Rex, hurt, confused and dealing with his unexplained absence.

Fast-forward 18 years: Abby is a small-business owner, still single, and still affected by Mitch's disappearance all those years ago. She is dating Rex's n'er-do-well brother, Patrick, who may be responsible for the Virgin's death. Rex has taken over as the sheriff of the county, his father's old job, and is also still at a loss over Mitch's absence. The body of the young girl whom Mitch had seen at Abby's house was never claimed, but the town raised enough money to bury her with a large headstone. Over the years, she became known as the "Virgin" around town, and was even rumored to perform miracles for people from beyond the grave. With the advent of the internet, the "Virgin's" reputation has grown, and people come from all over to ask the deceased woman for help.

After all the years of the mystery of the Virgin simmering just under the town's surface, Abby, Rex, and Mitch are about to be reunited to discover the truth of the crime once and for all. What they discover shocks and sickens them and the entire town of Small Plains. Will anyone else have to die in order to keep the secret of the Virgin safe?

Nancy Pickard tells an intriguing tale of suspense in this quick read. Although some of the plot seems a bit contrived and hard to fathom, I was still into the book enough to stick with it through the end. The story begs the question of how far one will go to protect a friendship, a family and a town. The use of miracles in the book illustrates how one person's miracle is another person's tragedy, and how, in the end, people will reap what they sow.

enLIGHTened by Jessica Berger Gross

2009-07-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

In my never-ending quest for a healthier lifestyle that works for my lazy self, I picked up this book about yoga, diet, and overcoming the obstacles in our lives that prevent us from ultimate mental, emotional and physical health.

Jessica Berger Gross grew up in an abusive household where both of her parents worked to support the family. Meals were most often ones of convenience, with little thought to the effects the food was having on the family's health. Between eating to comfort and insulate herself from the issues in her family and the unhealthy nature of the food that was eaten, Jessica developed a weight problem that would plague her on and off through much of her young life.

One semester in college, she traveled to Nepal to study. Here she was forced to walk to most places, while eating primarily vegetarian meals, and she lost weight without even trying. She was also able to continue her dabbling with yoga, which she was first introduced to in high school. While these healthy habits would not continue consistently upon her return, the seeds had been planted for healthier, more sustainable habits that would eventually bloom into a full-blown lifestyle.

I enjoyed this book a great deal - it is never preachy or condescending, it includes some yogic teachings and poses, as well as small tips and recipes that were helpful to the author as she found her way. Jessica also shares some of the very personal struggles she endured before she found herself in the healthy place she is today. I found this book to be very inspiring but not heavy or pressure-inducing. While I don't ever see myself living as clean a life as Jessica, this book gives me hope that small steps can make a big difference.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

2009-06-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Do you like a little history with your fiction? Or a little fiction with your history? This book might just work for you.

Connie Goodwin has just completed her qualifying exam to enter the dissertation program at Harvard. Rather than spend the summer doing research for her PhD, she moves up to Marblehead, Massachusetts to clean up her grandmother's long-abandoned house. The house turns out to be straight out of the last century, with no electricity, no phone, and rudimentary running water. It's also full of antiques, strange substances in glass jars, and old books, one of which hides a key with a mysterious parchment on it.

Soon Connie is too busy researching the name on the parchment - Deliverance Dane - to devote much time to her studies, much to her advisor's displeasure. She discovers that Deliverance was tried for being a witch during the Salem Witch Trials, and has possibly left behind a book detailing all of her "spells." Throw in a brewing romance, and Connie has her hands full for the summer. When her new friend, Sam, becomes seriously ill, it is up to Connie to discover the whereabouts of Deliverance's book in order to help Sam recover - can she do it in time to save him?

This book has a little bit of everything - history, romance, suspense, magic, etc. I especially enjoyed the historical details of life in the colonies during different eras. If you enjoy reading about Deliverance Dane, give The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff a try, another book that features both contemporary and historical family stories. This book is great for beach reading or settling in for a long day on a lounge chair or hammock. Enjoy!

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

2009-06-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

Dewey Readmore Books, a shivering, bedraggled tiny orange kitten, found out what good luck and wonderful, kind library staff and patrons were all about. From the first few words of the book, it is almost impossible not to be drawn into this true story of a kitten who fell upon great fortune - good people and a satisfying place to call home: a library - despite an inauspicious introduction to the library and his library friends.

Dewey is more than a story of hardship or of a kitten triumphantly rescued from death’s door on a frigid, icy Iowa morning. Rather this is a story of life, and lives, and how intertwined lives can become. This is a book that reminds us that animals can snuggle their way into our hearts and lives even if we didn’t intend it to happen; they can easily connect with us in ways we never expected.Dewey shared his 18 years with so many in Spencer, IA. He taught many valuable lessons, such as be happy with what you have, and share your unique gifts of love. Dewey speaks to some of the mysteries of life, libraries, and a very special “someone.”A wonderful, easy and pleasant read, of course, for animal lovers, and especially cat lovers.

Thanks to Paula N. for the review!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2009-06-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Liesel Meminger has just watched her little brother die and be buried in a strange town when her mother deposits her with her new foster parents in the small town of Molching, Germany and disappears. Needless to say, Liesel has some trouble adjusting to all the changes in her 9-year-old life, waking up every night in her new home with a nightmare. Luckily, her new Papa, Hans Hubermann, is a gentle, kind man, who takes Liesel under his wing, sitting up with her every night when she has her nightmares, eventually using this time to teach the illiterate child to read. His wife, Rosa, is rough around the edges, and while Liesel grows to love her as well, she is closest to her Papa.

Liesel, the Book Thief, stole her first book at her brother's burial - The Gravedigger's Handbook - when it fell out of the grave digger's pocket. Hans teaches her to read with this book and doesn't ask too many questions when she comes home with other books, but reads them along with her. Words become of utmost importance and comfort in Liesel's life.

Growing up in wartime Germany, Liesel is witness to many acts of cruelty, but also acts of great courage and kindness. Her neighbor, best friend, and co-conspirator, Rudy, is her loyal companion and continuously demonstrates his willingness to to anything for her. Zusak shines the light on the other side of Nazi Germany - not everyone was a goose-stepping monster, there were plenty of good-hearted folks living within the regime.

The tale is narrated by Death himself, who is quite taken by Liesel the first time he meets her, when he collects her brother's soul. Through his telling, occasional asides and foreshadowing, we get to know and love Liesel (and sort of get a kick out of Death.) The writing in this book is absolutely lovely in its imagery, language, and style. Zusak has written an unforgettable book about the Holocaust, about life, about love and friendship, and also about death. Who could resist a book where books are so crucial to the story line? This book is actually marketed towards Young Adults; however, it is a wonderful read for adults and older teens alike. Do yourself a favor, stick with the beginning which can be a little daunting to get into, have the tissues handy, and dive right in to this book. You'll be glad you did.

Beach Reads

2009-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a good summer read? Here are a few suggestions of books that are not to heavy, perfect for a relaxing day at the beach, in a hammock, or just lounging around the house:

Jennifer Weiner, one of my favorite authors, has a new book coming out in July, Best Friends Forever. If you cannot get your hands on this one in time for your getaway, one of her older titles is always a great choice as well. Good in Bed, the hilarious tale of a plus-sized woman whose ex-boyfriend publicly humiliates her in a magazine column is a great beach read.

Charlaine Harris's "Southern Vampire Series," featuring Sookie Stackhouse, has reached an all new audience with the advent of the "True Blood" television series on HBO. The books (and Sookie) are funny, sexy, and full of the supernatural. The first in the series, Dead Until Dark, was published in 2001.

A book that is receiving plenty of buzz is a memoir called, Perfection, by Julie Metz. After her husband unexpectedly passes away, Metz learns that he has had several affairs over the course of their marriage. Rather than ignore these facts, Metz chooses to confront the women. The knowledge that this is a true story adds to the interest level; however, some early reviews found the book to be very dark and "mean-spirited."

The "Nerd" series by Vicki Lewis Thompson is a fun and sexy choice for the summer. Each book features different characters that have two things in common - they are nerds, and they are sexy. Although this is technically a series, each book can be read on its own, so there is no need to read the books in order.

The Beach House by Jane Green is a wistful tale of an older woman who, out of financial necessity, opens up her Nantucket home to renters. Suddenly, this hermitic widow has people in her life once again, including her son Michael. With her old house now teeming with life, Nan finds herself learning to open herself up once again.

Wendy Wax has a smart new paperback out, titled The Accidental Bestseller. When three professional writers come together to help their floundering friend Kendall write a final book to fulfill her contractual obligations, they decide to publish it anonymously, giving them the freedom to share some pretty shocking secrets in the book. Can they all live up to the scrutiny when the story becomes a surprise bestseller?

Sophie Kinsella veers away from her "Shopaholic" series this summer with Twenties Girl, a tale about twenty-something Lara and the relationship she forges with the ghost of her Great-Aunt Sadie. This is a light mystery, with Sadie pressuring Lara to search for a piece of family jewelry despite the many other things Lara has going on in modern-day London. Also watch for The Wedding Girl, written under Sophie Kinsella's real name - Madeline Wickham.

If none of these books sound appealing to you, give us a call or stop in for further selections - we have too many great reads here, and we're sure to have something for everyone. Hope to see you soon!

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

2009-06-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Moloka'i is the poignant tale of a young girl who is diagnosed with leprosy in the late 1800's, and sent to the leper colony on the island of Moloka'i, in the Hawaiian islands. Rachel Kalama is the baby of her close knit family. Growing up in Honolulu, the world is her playground, until one day an odd wound is discovered on her leg - her mother is able to keep it covered up, and warns the children not to tell anyone about it. One day, Rachel and her sister Sarah get into a knock-down, drag 'em out fight, and Sarah calls Rachel a "dirty leper" during the midst of it. The health inspector is waiting for Rachel when she gets home. She is removed from her family and taken to a hospital for testing, ultimately ending up at the leper colony on Moloka'i, far removed from friends and family.

Due to the extreme toll leprosy seemed to take on the Hawaiian natives and the lack of knowledge of communicable diseases, the Moloka'i settlement was created so that lepers would not be spreading their illness to others. What was not taken into account was the effect this isolation had on the patients' emotional and mental well-being. Despite the fact Rachel's uncle and girlfriend were already living on the island, Rachel had to move into a boarding school for girls, run by nuns. Here, Rachel grows into a young woman, forging relationships with both other patients and nuns that will span a lifetime. The book follows the course of her life - her loves, her losses, her triumphs and her defeats. Despite being banished to a remote island due to her illness, Rachel manages to live a full and satisfying life.

I do not want to give too much away, as I want you to fall in love with Rachel yourself, as I did. She is a strong and incorrigible spirit who fights for what and who she believes in. Despite being handed the equivalent of a death sentence when banished to Moloka'i, Rachel chooses life and love over death and misery. She refuses to be defined by her illness. Not only was Rachel's tale inspiring, the story of Moloka'i - a real place - was also intriguing. This book is a fine work of historical fiction, mixing just the right amount of fact with fiction, and I look forward to reading Brennert's latest, Honolulu.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

2009-06-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

There is the excitement of exhilirating action - Denny Swift is a race car driver. It is a family story: Eve and daughter Zoe help to make Denny’s life whole and happy. But it is Enzo, a Labrador-terrier mix who through thick and thin remains steadfastly at Denny’s side and is Denny’s support and cheerleader. Enzo’s perspective drives this story of how to go about this thing called life. Enzo loves everything he is able to experience, learning about racing, life and what it means to be – well, human. His main regret is that he does not have opposable thumbs; and he can’t wait to become a human in his next life, which he surely believes he will become. He tells us of his bursts of insight; he tells us about his tiny gleaned truths.

Though this story is somewhat over the top, still it is a joyous exclamation mark about what it means to be compassionate, loving and able to succeed even in the face of wrenching, heartbreaking loss. It touches on themes of loyalty, faithfulness, hope, and life at its most incongruous. Racing is a metaphor for life and its challenges, turns and jolts and remembering to appreciate the present. All from the perspective of a dog’s eyes. For animal lovers and race driving enthusiasts this is a warm and charming story. It is mostly about how a dog masterfully holds a family together in his unique style.

A wonderful read. Plan to wistfully use your Kleenex. (Review courtesy of Paula N! Thank you!)

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

2009-06-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Picoult tackles another tough topic in her latest offering. Charlotte and Sean O'Keefe, happily married, are trying to conceive a child. While they already have a daughter, Amelia, from a previous relationship of Charlotte's, they would like nothing more than to add another member to their family. Charlotte seeks out the assistance of her best friend, Piper, who also happens to be an Ob-Gyn. Despite her initial hesitancy, Piper agrees to treat her friend.

During an ultrasound in Charlotte's 27th week of pregnancy, Piper notices something alarming - the baby has multiple broken bones. She immediately refers Charlotte and Sean to a specialist, where they learn that their baby has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI,) or brittle bone disease, and may not even survive the birth experience. They choose to continue the pregnancy, and baby Willow makes it through the birth, developing into a smart - but fragile - little girl.

Through a chain of events that unfold, Charlotte gets it in her head that she would like to sue for wrongful birth, in an effort to gain some financial security for Willow's future. Of course, this will mean that she will be suing her best friend, as well as having to testify that Willow's birth was a mistake. Her decision is controversial, both in the community and within her own family, causing a rift with her husband, as well as contributing to Amelia's already problematic self-loathing.

I won't include any spoilers here, however this book reminded me alot of My Sister's Keeper, also written by Picoult. Handle With Care is told from multiple viewpoints, enabling the reader to get into each character's head and life in order to better comprehend their particular perspective. Each character's voice is as if they are speaking to Willow; yet the reader never hears from Willow herself. Picoult is as masterful as always with her storytelling abilities, and I found it difficult to put this one down. Have some tissues at hand and get ready to fall in love with Willow! If you have not read My Sister's Keeper, I would highly recommend that title as well.

How to Sell by Clancy Martin

2009-05-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

How to Sell is billed as a dark comedy type of book, and, yes, it is definitely dark, but I am not sure how funny it actually was. Bobby Clark is 16 years old and already on his way to a life of crime when he is expelled from school after stealing a case of class rings. Out of options, he decides to head south from his native Canada, and hook up with his older brother, Jim, who is working in the jewelry business in Texas.

Upon his arrival, Bobby is immediately hired on at the jewelry store where Jim is one of the top salesmen. He also meets Lisa, Jim's girlfriend, with whom he shortly begins a relationship as well. Not only does Bobby receive quite the education into the corrupt world of jewelry sales, he also picks up Jim's cocaine and Lisa's speed habits. Eventually, the store owner is arrested for his business habits, Lisa finds herself in some big mysterious trouble and drops out of both Jim's and Bobby's life. The story picks up several years later.

Bobby is now married with a daughter, yet he maintains a relationship with "the Polack," as she prefers to be called, a saleswoman at their shop. He and Jim have opened up their own jewelry shop, utilizing the same unethical tactics as their previous employers. One night, feeling restless, Bobby calls an escort whose number he received from Jim. When he reaches her, she informs him that she is out of the business, but has a friend who might be interested. Bobby is astonished to see that this friend is in fact Lisa. Despite the fact that she is currently working as a prostitute and has a very involved boyfriend, Bobby hopes to pick up where they left off years ago, with disastrous results.

I suppose one might consider Jim and Bobby's father a source of comic relief, if he also wasn't such a tragic figure. Long divorced from the boys' mother, he is a charming philanderer who floats from community to community starting churches and convincing people that he consults with "astral beings" and a woman named "Priscilla" who lives on a "parallel plane," whose guidance he takes quite seriously.

How to Sell is a quick read and well-written. The characters are rather shallow, but this adds to the overall story of their greed as a way of life. The American dream is alive and well in this story, where the characters sell not only jewelry, but themselves and each other. It is a bleak look at life in the fast lane, and one that will likely stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

2009-05-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

Truly Plaice knows what it is like to be an outsider - gargantuan since birth, in contrast to her lovely and petite older sister, she grew up on the fringes of society and family. Her mother died giving birth to her, something her father never recovered from, passing away when Truly was 12. While Serena Jane, Truly's sister was snapped up by the local minister and his wife, Truly was taken in by the Dyerson's, a poverty-stricken family who resided outside of town.

The girls grew up very differently. Serena Jane was doted on at school by Miss Sparrow, the town's teacher, while she barely tolerated Truly's presence. Serena Jane had all the lates fashions, her clothes neatly pressed, while Truly wore men's clothes because she could not fit into girls' or even women's clothing. Serena Jane was surrounded by her disciples wherever she went, while Truly had only 2 friends - Amelia, the Dyerson's quiet daughter and Marcus, who loved Truly despite what everyone else thought. Serena Jane was raised as a young lady, Truly helped out August Dyerson with the horses and learned how to throw races to her benefit.

As Truly enters adulthood, she leaves the Dyersons to move in with Serena Jane's husband, Robert Morgan, the town doctor, and her nephew Bobbie after Serena Jane abandons them. While Robert continues the cruel behavior he showed Truly as a child, she stays on due to her love of her nephew. Throughout it all, Truly continues to grow, which Robert gleefully points out to her during her checkups. While Truly tends to her nephew, she also discovers that a family heirloom quilt holds more than just traditional stitches - it is a record previously only rumored to exist - a guide to potions handed down from generation to generation of medicinal herbs and potions from the first Mrs. Robert Morgan, Tabitha. Truly begins experimenting with various mixtures on the sly.

This is a story of dichotomies - Truly vs. Serena Jane, pretty vs. ugly, love vs. hate, big vs. small, mercy vs. murder, forgiveness vs. revenge, etc. and how they may not be as opposite as we sometimes think. Through all of her trials, Truly remains true to herself - although she entertains and sometimes acts on her feelings of revenge, in the end, her compassion and love shine through. She endures the tragic loss of a friend as well as her sister but gains the everlasting love of her nephew and eventually, the respect of her small town. This is a heartwarming story of sorrow and joy, and Truly is "truly" larger than life.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

2009-05-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

This book, and its sequel, Pigs in Heaven, are far and away my favorite Barbara Kingsolver books. They tell the story of Taylor Greer, a simple and straightforward young lady from Kentucky who strikes out on her own with an old junky car and what little money she has to find her way in the world. Heading west across the U.S., she winds up encountering a little more adventure than she bargained for.

On her way through Oklahoma, Taylor is basically handed a little girl - she is of Cherokee descent, pretty much catatonic, and the woman who gives her to Taylor insinuates that she will be far better of away from there. Taylor calls her "Turtle" due to the strong, clinging grip the girl has. As they make their way further west, it is evident that Turtle has not had an easy life, but Taylor provides her with the first stability she's known in quite some time. They make it as far as Tucson, where her car finally gives up. Luckily, one of the first people she meets is Mattie, the proprietor of the tire shop where she takes her car.

Mattie is a nurturing, yet tough woman who takes Taylor and Turtle under her wing, eventually giving Taylor a job at the shop. Taylor moves in with another single mother, Lou Ann, and together they forge a unique family unit, taking each day as it comes. Through Mattie, who seems to have lots of different people staying with her at various times, Taylor meets Estevan and Esperanza, a married couple on the run from Guatemala, to whom she grows quite close.

Following a close call with Turtle, a social worker becomes involved with Taylor and Turtle, discovering that Taylor has no legal rights to Turtle. She points Taylor in the right direction to have this amended, and Taylor and Turtle set off for Oklahoma, bringing Estevan and Esperanza, who are headed for a safe house in the same area. Will they make it safely? Will Turtle be returned to her biological family? You'll have to read it to find out....

This is a heartwarming, if implausible, story of fighting against the odds, love and friendship. Published in 1988, a new paperback edition has just been released for those of us who may have missed this one the first time around. Interestingly, immigration is one of the subjects tackled by Kingsolver in this book, something that is as timely today as it was in the 80's. Taylor will have you cheering, for her strength, her vulnerability, and her ability to love. This is a wonderful story of underdogs and their fight for life, and I also heartily recommend the sequel, Pigs in Heaven for those who would like to continue Taylor and Turtle's story.

One You May Have Missed...

2009-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik, first published in 1995, is a story of friendship, family and endurance. It is at times funny, heartbreaking, joyous and inspiring. The story details how an unlikely family of women stick together through thick or thin, triumphing over the obstacles that life throws at them with humor and perseverance.

Patty Jane Rolvaag, proprietor of Patty Jane's House of Curl, has made it through some tough times in her life. Growing up in an alcoholic household, being apparently abandoned by her husband shortly before the birth of their daughter, and watching her sister struggle with alcoholism herself all contribute to Patty Jane's determination to build a better life for her and her daughter.

Thor Rolvaag was considered by many to be the most handsome man in Minneapolis when he and Patty Jane were married in the summer of 1953. He laughed off Patty Jane's assertions that she had conceived on their wedding night, until it became obvious that she indeed was pregnant. Thor's fear of loving someone that much led him astray, seemingly never to return. Two days after his disappearance, Patty Jane delivered a healthy baby girl, Nora. Thor's mother, Ione, and Patty Jane's sister, Harriet, took over caring for things while Patty Jane recovered from the loss of her husband, forming a tight-knit family. Over the years, Harriet endures her own tragic loss, Patty Jane attends beauty school and opens up her own place - the House of Curl. The shop becomes a neighborhood gathering spot, and Patty Jane branches out to offer edifying and empowering programs to the local women.

In an incredible plot twist, after several years of being absent, Thor is located and returned home, having suffered irreversible brain damage which kept him from returning home on his own. Although everyone's circumstances have changed, Thor is welcomed back into the family - he is still legally married to Patty Jane, after all. In the end, the family endures yet another loss, yet Patty Jane and the others once again come together and celebrate all the life and love in their world. This one is a tearjerker!

Book Clubs

2009-05-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Adult Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Members will discuss My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult on June 10, 2009. In My Sister’s Keeper, a child is conceived through in vitro fertilization to be a donor for her sister who has leukemia. When Anna is 13 she sues her parents for the right to make her own decisions about her body.

The Mystery Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. On June 17, 2009, members will discuss Mercedes Coffin by New York Times bestselling author Faye Kellerman. From the Decker & Rita Lazarus series.

Stop by to pick up your copy at the Adult Services Reference Desk on the second floor.