The Garden Color Book

As the end of a dreary winter approaches, it’s time to look forward to spring planting. Perhaps you want an ornamental garden, but don’t know which plants can live together harmoniously. You might know your plants but have difficulty coming up with pleasing combinations. The Garden Book of Color can assist you with all of this. Pages are divided into three sections that flip individually like flashcards. Each page displays a tic- tac- toe of plants grouped by color and height. You can flip the page sections to match them up with a myriad of others displaying annuals, perennials and shrubs of different shapes and colors. On the opposing page you will find concise information on size, light/moisture requirements, hardiness and bloom times. Also included are suitable companion plants, along with maintenance and propagation tips. If you need a little extra help, the back section of the book contains “planting recipes” for colorful, enticing gardens. This is a very practical book, with lush, seductive photography. It’s a must read for any garden enthusiast, even apartment dwellers looking for a good fantasy.

 

The Diviners by Libba Bray

 

Evie is a girl with a penchant for trouble—which she uses to cover the sadness at the loss of her good-guy of a brother in the war.  She’s such trouble, in fact, that her actions get her into MAJOR trouble with the local rich kid’s family. The situation left Evie tipsy and out of control of her weird talent: psychically reading objects to find out about the owner’s life. As a result, Evie’s parents send her away for a while to live with her uncle in New York City.  Uncle Will (aka Unk) runs The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition and the Occult and is an expert on the topic. Beside him is his lurching assistant Jericho, who despite being pretty animatronic, actually isn’t a bad guy.  Together they embark on the strange and fantastic journey to get to the bottom of the unsolved crimes of ghost Naughty John.   

I was just over the moon listening to this title because the setting is so rich and vivid.  The 1920s envelope you from beginning to end.  I always worry when I read a story from this time period; it's a particular favorite of mine and so few authors do it justice. The setting, however, feels simply jake...the lingo, the bustle of New York and the vastness that is the Ohio plain are all spot on. The characters in this story are richly painted in their entirety as completely imperfect; there is not a hero or heroine without a temptable, dark side. The darkest moments could not make you feel any more creeped out. The audio on this was spot on; the voices sang like the Jazz Age and the speaker crossed color lines and gender roles flawlessly. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next. I love, love Libba Bray. She just gives me a full serving of amazing every time she writes.

Archie: The Married Life: Book One by Michael Uslan and Paul Kupperberg

Did you know that the library has Graphic Novels for adults?  Archie and the gang are back in "Archie: The Married Life: Book One" by Michael Uslan and Paul Kupperberg.  One would assume from the title of the book that Archie is married to either Betty or Veronica.  Instead, the reader is treated to two different versions of Archie's life.  The book goes back and forth between Archie's married life with Betty and his married life with Veronica.  The reader also gets to see how Archie's friends turned out.

I enjoyed the two different story lines.  I loved finding out how Archie and the gang turned out as adults.

Blessed AreThose Who Thirst: A Hanne Wilhemsen Mystery. By Anne Holt.

Among the influx of Nordic crime fiction is Holt’s second novel which is part of a mystery series with Detective Inspector Hanne Wilhemsen as the main character, and this follows the publication of Holt’s Edgar Award Winning thriller 1222. The author spent time with the Oslo Police Department as a lawyer at one time which is evident as she describes police procedures that lead to solving the crimes. Quite subordinate to the main plot are Hanne’s relationships with fellow cops and with her live in partner, as well as, some social commentary on immigration issues. The plot includes lots of blood but no bodies, just numbers written in the blood. Eventually, Hanne solves the murders with her keen sense of observation along with tedious investigations in her pursuit for justice.

Confessions of a Transylvanian: a story of Sex, Drugs, and Rocky Horror by Kevin Theis & Ron Fox

Ok, I admittedly first picked up this book because I know the author. I knew NOTHING about the Rocky Horror Picture Show before reading this book, but thought I would give it a try and I was so richly rewarded!

I totally enjoyed this book. Kevin and Ron tell a great story of their lives in the Rocky Horror Picture Show cast in the early 80's. The authors (from Kevin's narrational point of view) juxtapose life stories from actual Rocky shows with life stories from outside the show, which really gives the reader a personal connection with Kevin/"Jack", Ron and their friends/fellow cast members. By the end of the book you really feel as if you know everyone mentioned in the book and have shared their crazy experiences with them. While Rocky Horror provides the context and is a fascinating subculture to explore, it's just fine to be a virgin to the RHPS freak show --the real magic of this story is how vividly it evokes the time in everyone's life when you first begin to find yourself.

Side note: as if the title didn't give it away, this is PG-13 material.

A Dog's Journey

This delightful tale mixed with some real life drama sees the world through the eyes of this dog and helps soften some, what would be considered by many, otherwise serious scenarios.

The companionship and devotion of the dog is touching and will appeal to anyone who loves, has loved or may love and know the loyalty of a dog.  Yes, it is for dog lovers. 

Obviously, no one really knows exactly what makes an animal do anything, but this book allows the reader to enjoy imagining the possibilities.

Additionally, this book takes the reader to a wonderful place regarding the lives of animals and what may happen to them before and after the life known to each animal owner and weaves a thread that many may find appealing.

Specifically, this dog stands by a family, gets to know who is good and who is not, and loves completely and helps as much as possible, in a very dog way, through many twists and turns, some expected, some not so expected.

I fell in love with this book and this dog and can't wait to read other dog tales by this author and strongly recommend this read to dog lovers everywhere!

And, if you prefer audio this book is available as a "Playaway" so you can listen to it, whcih gives an added bonus because then, the dog actually has a voice!

Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Orphaned while aboard ship from Ireland to America, seven-year-old Lavinia works as an indentured servant alongside the slaves in the kitchen of a tobacco plantation. Belle, the master’s illegitimate daughter, takes Lavinia under her wing, and the young Irish girl eventually becomes bonded to her adopted family. Yet, as she grows, she is also accepted into the “big house” by the master’s wife who struggles with opium addiction. Lavinia must learn to straddle two worlds until the day comes when she is forced to make a choice.

The Kitchen House is a debut novel filled with suspense, heart ache, love and humor.