Book Lists

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17, 2016

Saint Patrick\'s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, \"the Day of the Festival of Patrick\"), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.

\"st-patrick-pic\"Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted thousands. Patrick\'s efforts to convert, subjugate, and drive off the Pagans (specifically the Celts) were eventually turned into an allegory in which he drove \"snakes\" out of Ireland. (Ireland never had any snakes.)

Tradition holds that he died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland\'s foremost saint.

On St. Patrick\'s Day it is customary to wear shamrocks and/or green clothing or accessories (the \"wearing of the green\"). St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans.

Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe (traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing), and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday\'s tradition of alcohol consumption.

However you choose to celebrate the holiday, here are some St. Patrick\'s Day related items from the library to help get you into the spirit!

March 2016 Library Reads

March 10, 2016

The Summer Before the War
by Helen Simonson

“Fans of Simonson’s Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand have reason to rejoice. She has created another engaging novel full of winsome characters, this time set during the summer before the outbreak of World War I. Follow the story of headstrong, independent Beatrice Nash and kind but stuffy surgeon-in-training Hugh Grange along with his formidable Aunt Agatha. Make a cup of tea and prepare to savor every page!”

- Paulette Brooks, Elm Grove Public Library, Elm Grove, WI

Jane Steele
by Lyndsay Faye

“Jane Steele is a great read for lovers of Victorian literature who especially love their characters to have a lot of pluck! Jane Steele is the adventurous, irreverent, foul-mouthed broad that I so often loved about Jane Eyre, but in more wily circumstances. Remember that fabulous scene in Jane Eyre when she stands up to her aunt for the first time, and how you wanted to stand up from your comfy reading chair and cheer for her? Imagine an entire book just of those sorts of scenes. Absolutely fabulous fun!”

- Abbey Stroop, Herrick District Library, Holland, MI

The Passenger: A Novel
by Lisa Lutz

“This is a compulsively readable story of a young woman who has to keep switching identities and stay on the run. Is she a reliable narrator or not? What was the original event that sent her on the run? There is a lot of action and suspense as she tries to survive and evade the law while trying to keep her moral center intact. Unlike Lutz’s Spellman books, this reads more like a Charles Portis road novel, though considerably more serious and dangerous. Highly recommended.”

- Beth DeGeer, Bartlesville Public Library, Bartlesville, OK

Marked in Flesh: A Novel of the Others
by Anne Bishop

“In this thrilling installment, Bishop continues to explore the relationships of The Others and the humans who live at the Lakeside compound. Meanwhile, Humans First and Last organization has been making themselves known, after the attacks in the previous book that killed numerous Others along with their “Wolf Lover” friends, they are not backing down. Little do they know it’s not the Others humans need to be wary of but the Elders for which the Others act as a buffer. This is an excellent installment in the novels of the Others, exciting, heart-wrenching and suspenseful.”

- Emily Peros, Denver Public Library, Denver, CO

The Nest
by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

“If you think your family is dysfunctional, move over, because here come the Plumbs. Suddenly faced with the dismantling of the nest egg they’ve counted on to solve their financial woes, the four Plumb siblings have to grow up, and fast. But though they all do some terrible things in the name of ambition, there’s something lovable about the Plumbs. You can’t fail to be moved by the beating heart of this novel, which seems to say that family, for good or ill, unites us all.”

- Mary Kinser, Whatcom County Library System, Bellingham, WA

Fool Me Once
by Harlan Coben

“Coben has made me lose more sleep over the years than all my other favorite authors combined. Joe Burkett has been murdered in front of his wife Maya. They have a two year old daughter who has a nanny. After the funeral, a friend gives her a picture frame that hides a camera so she can check on the care the nanny is providing her daughter. She watches the recording. Can she believe what she saw? Is she going crazy? Both? Buy a ticket for the coaster and find out for yourself. Keep your hands inside the car; it’s going to be a wild ride.”

- Lisa Sprague, Public Services Librarian, Enfield Public Library, Enfield, CT

The Madwoman Upstairs
by Catherine Lowell

“Meet Samantha Whipple, a descendant of the Bronte family, who arrives at Oxford to study literature, as her father did before her. She receives a copy of Jane Eyre – a volume that she thought was destroyed in the fire that took her father’s life. When a second Bronte novel belonging to her father turns up, she is convinced he has staged an elaborate treasure hunt for her promised inheritance. Enlisting the help of her sexy, young professor,Samantha sets out on a quest to find buried treasure and learns the value of friendship and courage along the way.”

- Kristen McCallum, Algonquin Area Public Library, Algonquin, IL

Because of Miss Bridgerton
by Julia Quinn

“This is the first in a prequel series to Quinn’s popular Bridgerton series, set a generation earlier.
Billie Bridgerton spent her childhood running wild with the neighboring Rokesbys, Andrew, Edward, and Mary. Now she runs the family estate for her father and still runs as wild as she can. The eldest Rokesby, George, never really approved of Billie, but when he rescues her from a roof they begin to come to a new understanding.”

- Mary Aileen Buss, Long Beach Public Library, NY

Dimestore: A Writer’s Life
by Lee Smith

“Evenly divided between a book about Smith’s process and her life, first as a Southern mountain child and, later, as the parent of a schizophrenic child, this book is interesting and compelling. Despite being surrounded by loving family and being blessed with an active imagination, Lee copes with a mentally ill mother. Later, her son’s mental illness and early death brings her to the breaking point but she is saved by her writing. This is a read-alike for Karr’s The Liars Club. It desperately needs a cinematic translation for it’s elegant and evocative writing.”

- Lois Gross, Hoboken Public Library, Hoboken, NJ

All Things Cease to Appear
by Elizabeth Brundage

“When the Clare family purchases a ramshackle farmhouse at a foreclosure auction, it appears that all is well in their world, until George comes home one evening from his job as an Art History Professor at the local private college and finds his wife murdered and their three-year-old untended yet unharmed. Told through the eyes of the townspeople and the families involved, this is a gorgeously unsettling look at a marriage and what happens to a community in the process of change.”

- Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien, CT

February 2016 Library Reads

February 16, 2016

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Salt to the Sea
by Ruta Sepetys

“Titanic. Lusitania. Wilhelm Gustloff. All major maritime disasters, yet the last is virtually unknown. Ruta Sepetys changes that in her gripping historical novel. Told in short snippets, Salt to the Sea rotates between four narrators attempting to escape various tragedies in 1945 Europe. Powerful and haunting, heartbreaking and hopeful–a must read.”

- Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien, IL

Black Rabbit Hall
by Eve Chase

“Young Amber Alton and her family adore Black Rabbit Hall, and the joy and peace it brings to them all. That is, until a tragic accident changes everything. Three decades later, Lorna decides her wedding must be celebrated at the crumbling hall. As the book moves between these two time periods, secrets slowly unfold. Perfectly twisty with interesting characters and a compelling story that kept me up too late.”

- Deborah Margeson, Douglas County Libraries, Parker, CO

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On: A Novel
by Debbie Macomber

“Leanne and her daughter-in-law Nichole both leave cheating husbands to start over. They learn that it is never easy and that hardships abound, but they meet many wonderful people on their way to happily-ever-after. Believable characters and an enjoyable story made this perfect for relaxing reading—definitely one of Macomber’s best. An excellent choice both for long-time fans of the author and for those who have never read her novels.”

- Linda Tilden, Cherry Hill Public Library, Cherry Hill, NJ

Be Frank With Me: A Novel
by Julia Claiborne Johnson

“Meet Frank. Frank is an odd 9-year-old boy who has a higher IQ than Einstein’s and dresses as if he were on a movie set in the early 1920s–and he is someone with whom you are sure to fall in love. Frank’s reclusive mother is an author whose publisher has just sent Alice Whitley to serve as an assistant and ensure the next book is completed. The relationship between Frank and Alice is magical. Readers will devour this book and want more. Just magical.”

- Marika Zemke, Commerce Township Public Library,Commerce Township, MI

Flight of Dreams: A Novel
by Ariel Lawhon

“Flight of Dreams chronicles an author’s imagined scenario on the ill-fated last flight of the Hindenburg, which was shrouded in mystery. Lawhon does a masterful job by giving meticulous detail of the ship and delving into the lives of many of the characters on board. I read with mounting dread and intensity as the storyline of the disaster unfolded. Historical detail and wonderful storytelling make this a must read for historical fiction lovers.”

- Kristin Fields, Farnhamville Public Library, Farnhamville, IA

13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl
by Mona Awad

“Everyone loves Lizzie–she is the confidant, the late night go-to, and she is always there and hungry for attention. Lizzie becomes even more obsessed and needy when she no longer feels insecure about being overweight and it becomes painfully obvious that she will always feel bad about herself. It is a candid and sad look at how we mistreat people with different body types.”

- Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX

Fighting Dirty: An Ultimate Novel
by Lori Foster

“What. A. Ride! I absolutely loved this book. I loved finally getting Armie and Merissa’s story. I also enjoyed being able to go back and revisit past characters and getting to know future ones! The story was fast-paced and dreamy. Armie’s fight with himself over his emotions wasn’t drawn out, nor did it get tedious to read. All around, this book was an absolute pleasure, and I can’t wait to read more from Foster!”

- Jessica McCroskey, Holston River Regional Library, Johnson City, TN

Find Her: A Novel
by Lisa Gardner

“WOW. Find Her is intense. Those initial pages are a testament to the strength of Lisa Gardner’s writing. I had to know what was going to happen! At times it was so bleak and dark, and yet I still had to know what Flora and Stacy were going to be doing. A very suspenseful, twisty, unpredictable page-turner.”

- Allie Williams, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo, AL

The Opposite of Everyone: A Novel
by Joshilyn Jackson

“Fans of Jackson’s Someone Else’s Love Story will be pleased to see William’s acerbic friend Paula take center stage. A successful divorce lawyer, Paula’s carefully constructed life starts to fracture when family secrets come to light, forcing her to try to come to terms with the power of her story to hurt and heal, and a growing need for family connections. A wonderful cast of offbeat, memorable characters make this book a winner.”

- Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY

The Girl in the Red Coat
by Kate Hamer

“There is not much more terrifying than losing your child. There’s the terror, the guilt, and then the relentless and unending chasm left behind by your child. I am grateful to not know that pain, and yet what Beth, the main character of this book, went through, resonated with me. I have had so many things on my to-do list, and yet I found myself delaying laundry and dusting and research so that I could find out how this story would unfold.”

- Kim Dorman, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ

February 2016 Book Discussions

January 22, 2016

All are welcome to attend our book discussions.   You don't need to register.  Simply stop by the Adult Services Desk at the Main Library (Harnish) to pick up copies of the current month's book selections. 

BOOK CLUBBERS

The Boston Girl
by Anita Diamant
Date: Thursday, February 04, 2016 @ Harnish
Start Time: 7:00 PM

Dive into the life of an early 20th century immigrant with Addie Baum as she explains to her grand-daughter how she became the modern woman she is today.  By the end of the book, you might believe Addie's tale is a real biography!

SPINECRACKERS BOOK CLUB

Wild : From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Cheryl Strayed
Date: Friday, February 05, 2016 @ Harnish
Start Time: 10:00 AM

This engaging memoir chronicles the author’s brave and some might say reckless decision to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert to the state of Washington by herself.  With no real long-distance hiking experience, Strayed embarks upon a life changing journey along one of the most scenic and challenging trails in the United States.   Read our full review.

BOOKALICIOUS - A NOT SO YA BOOK CLUB

Love Letters to the Dead
by Ava Dellaira
Date: Monday, February 08, 2016 @ Village Vintner
Start Time: 7:00 PM

When Laurel starts writing letters to dead people for a school assignment, she begins to spill about her sister's mysterious death, her mother's departure from the family, her new friends, and her first love.

CLASSICS BOOK CLUB

Wide Sargasso Sea
by Jean Rhys
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Start Time: 6:30 PM

A passionate and heartbreaking novel which brings into the light one of fiction's most mysterious characters: the madwoman in the attic from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.  A society so driven by hatred that it can literally drive a woman out of her mind.

NITE READERS BOOK CLUB

Destiny of the Republic
by Candice Millard
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2016 @ Harnish
Start Time: 7:00 PM

January 2016 Book Discussions

January 5, 2016

All are welcome to attend our book discussions. Stop by the Adult Services Desk at the Main Library (Harnish) to pick up your copies today!

BOOK CLUBBERS

Landline
by Rainbow Rowell
Date: Thursday, January 07, 2016 @ Harnish
Time: 7:00 PM

Separated from her husband and kids during Christmas, Georgie McCool discovers a magic phone that allows her to talk to her husband in the past, before they married.  Will their conversations change her future and repair their currently strained relationship?

SPINECRACKERS BOOK CLUB

The Boston Girl
by Anita Diamant
Date: Friday, January 08, 2016 @ Harnish
Time: 7:00 PM

Dive into the life of an early 20th century immigrant with Addie Baum as she explains to her grand-daughter how she became the modern woman she is today.  By the end of the book, you might believe Addie's tale is a real biography!

BOOKALICIOUS - For adults who enjoy reading YA

Heist Society
by Ally Carter
Date: Monday, January 11, 2016 @ Village Vintner
Time: 7:00 PM

A group of teenagers uses their combined talents to re-steal several priceless paintings and save fifteen-year-old Kat Bishop's father, himself an international art thief, from a vengeful collector.

CLASSICS BOOK CLUB

Middlemarch
by George Elliot
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 @ Harnish
Time: 6:30 PM

Complex tale of idealism, disillusion, profligacy, loyalty and frustrated love.  This is a penetrating analysis of the life of an English provincial town during the time of social unrest prior to the Reform Bill of 1832.

NITE READERS BOOK CLUB

We Are Called to Rise
by Laura McBride
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016 @ Harnish
Time: 7:00 PM

An immigrant boy; a middle-aged housewife; a social worker in Las Vegas; a wounded soldier. These lives of people from different backgrounds and experiences collide in a stunning coincidence. When presented the opportunity to sink into despair, these characters rise. Through acts of remarkable charity and bravery, they rescue themselves.

January 2016 Library Reads

January 4, 2016

My Name Is Lucy Barton: A Novel
by Elizabeth Strout

“Set in the mid-1980s, Lucy Barton, hospitalized for nine weeks, is surprised when her estranged mother shows up at her bedside. Her mother talks of local gossip, but underneath the banalities, Lucy senses the love that cannot be expressed. This is the story that Lucy must write about, the one story that has shaped her entire life. A beautiful lyrical story of a mother and daughter and the love they share.”

- Catherine Coyne, Mansfield Public Library, Mansfield, MA

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
by Katarina Bivald

“Sara arrives in the small town of Broken Wheel to visit her pen pal Amy, only to discover Amy has just died. The tale of how she brings the love of books and reading that she shared with Amy to the residents of Broken Wheel is just a lovely read. Any book lover will enjoy Sara’s story and that of the friends she makes in Broken Wheel. If ever a town needed a bookstore, it is Broken Wheel; the healing power of books and reading is made evident by this heartwarming book.”

- Barbara Clark-Greene, Groton Public Library, Groton, CT

The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel
by Melanie Benjamin

“Benjamin transports readers to 1960s Manhattan. This story gives us the chance to spy on Truman Capote’s close friendship with Babe Paley and his society “swans,” and the betrayal and scandal that drove them apart. I loved the description of the Black and White Ball.”

- Emily Weiss, Bedford Public Library, Bedford, NH

Ashley Bell: A Novel
by Dean Koontz

“This is a thrilling novel that caught me by surprise. Bibi Blair was diagnosed with brain cancer and astounds her doctor by being cured the day after her diagnosis. Why was she saved? A girl named Ashley Bell can provide the answers she seeks. Reality and dreams mix together in this unique narrative. Readers will be compelled to rush through to get to the ending.”

- Andrienne Cruz, Azusa City Library, Azusa, CA

American Housewife: Stories
by Helen Ellis

“In a series of short stories, Helen Ellis picks up the rock of American domesticity and shows us what’s underneath. While it’s not always pretty, it is pretty hilarious, in the darkest, most twisted of ways. The ladies in these stories seem to be living lives that are enviable in the extreme, but then slowly, the layers are pulled away, and the truth is revealed.”

- Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien, CT

The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain
by Bill Bryson

“A slightly more curmudgeonly Bill Bryson recreates his beloved formula of travel writing and social commentary. This book is a lovely reminder of all the amazing natural beauty and historically significant sites found in the United Kingdom. Even though Bryson extols the virtues of his adopted homeland, he never lets up on the eccentricities and stupidity he encounters. Bryson’s still laugh-out loud funny and this book won’t disappoint.”

- Susannah Connor, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ

The Things We Keep: A Novel
by Sally Hepworth

“A sweet story of love and loss set in a residential care facility. Two of its youngest residents, a man and a woman both diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, fall in love. Their story is intertwined with the stories of other residents and employees at the facility, including a recently widowed cook and her seven-year-old daughter. A moving and improbably uplifting tale.”

- Elizabeth Eastin, Rogers Memorial Library, Southampton, NY

Ornaments of Death: A Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery
by Jane K. Cleland

“The Josie Prescott mystery series–featuring likable characters and fascinating facts about antiques–continues to please in this latest entry. Josie is dealing with her annual Christmas party while trying to unravel the mystery of a missing relative and the disappearance of two valuable seventeenth-century miniatures. A nicely twisted mystery in a fun and festive setting.”

- Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY

Even Dogs in the Wild
by Ian Rankin

“Readers rejoice! John Rebus has come out of retirement. Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox are working an important case and ask for his help. Then an attempt is made on the life of his longtime nemesis, Big Ger Cafferty. Are the cases connected? A top notch entry in a beloved series.”

- Janet Lockhart, Wake County Public Libraries, Raleigh, NC

What She Knew: A Novel
by Gilly Macmillan

“Rachel Jenner is out for a walk with her son Ben when, after allowing him to run ahead to a swing, he vanishes. The investigation focuses on Rachel due to her recent divorce, and as a result, Rachel becomes undone. This is a psychological thriller full of suspense that will have you guessing until the very end. When all is revealed, the characters and action of the crime will stay with you long after you read the final page. I recommend this book to every fan of the genre.”

- Annice Sevett, Willmar Public Library, Willmar, MN

November 2015 Library Reads

November 27, 2015

The Japanese Lover: A Novel
by Isabel Allende

“Irina is a young Moldavian immigrant with a troubled past. She works at an assisted living home where she meets Alma, a Holocaust survivor. Alma falls in love with Ichi, a young Japanese gardener, who survived Topaz, the Japanese internment camp. Despite man’s inhumanity to man, love, art and beauty can exist, as evidenced in their beautiful love story.”

- Ellen Firer, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY

The Improbability of Love: A Novel
by Hannah Rothschild

“The engaging, totally unexpected story of Annie, a lonely young woman who wanders into a junk shop and buys a painting. The painting turns out to have a long and storied past, with powerful people searching high and low for it. Unpredictable and fascinating; I loved the peek into the cutthroat art world and watching Annie blossom as she discovers her true calling.”

- Heather Bistyga, Anderson County Library, Anderson, SC

Little Victories: Perfect Rules for Imperfect Living
by Jason Gay

“This was a quick, enjoyable read that offers a refreshing perspective on some of the trivialities we all find ourselves caught up in. I enjoyed the tone and humor throughout. A standout for me was Gay’s list of recommendations for his child’s future baseball team. His open letter to this imagined future team envisions a team that can just let kids be kids. My only disappointment with this book was that there wasn’t more of it–it seemed to end all too soon.”

- Lindley Homol, Chesterfield County Public Library, Chesterfield, VA

 

Crimson Shore: A Novel
by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

In the latest installment in the Special Agent Pendergast series, Pendergast and Constance Greene investigate a theft of a wine cellar in an ancient village on the coast north of Salem, only to discover during their investigation the entombed remains of a tortured man. “I always thoroughly enjoy the Pendergast novels, and the interaction between Pendergast and Constance in this book was very intriguing.”

- Shari Brophy, Timberland Regional Library, Tumwater, WA

The Muralist: A Novel
by B.A. Shapiro

“This art-filled story following the young life and disappearance of Alizee Benoit is heartbreaking and thoughtful. Not only does the novel give an entertaining education on the WPA and abstract artists, but it also gives eerily relevant commentary on refugees and the cold-heartedness of government. Alizee’s story will pull you along as you try to grasp how this bright light of the art community vanished.”

- Amanda Monson, Bartow County Library System, Cartersville, GA

The Girl With Ghost Eyes
by M.H. Boroson

“In San Francisco during the late 1800s, a young Chinese widow tries to keep her father alive, and win a place in his heart she doesn’t realize she already owns. This story is filled with wonderful detail from Chinese folklore and mythology, and plenty of action as two tongs battle to control Chinatown. The very best fantasy employs strong characters who are real people with real problems. I enjoyed every page.”

- Janet Martin, Southern Pines Public Library, Southern Pines, NC

Along the Infinite Sea: A Novel
by Beatriz Williams

“When Pepper Schuyler–on the run from a powerful politician and desperate to protect her unborn child–sells her newly restored classic car to an enigmatic and very wealthy woman, she not only finds unexpected refuge but also tantalizing hints of a mystery. With vivid European settings, colorful characters and intricate plotting that skillfully weaves past and present together, Along The Infinite Sea is a treat for fans of Beatriz Williams.”

- Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY

A Likely Story: A Library Lover’s Mystery
by Jenn McKinlay

“A Likely Story is just as addictive as the rest of the Library Lover’s mysteries! McKinlay has written some of the most authentic library characters that I’ve come across in the cozy mystery genre. I can’t wait to find out what the employees and patrons of Briar Creek Public Library (especially Sully) are up to next!”

- Michelle Ross, Kanawha County Public Library, Charleston, WV

Dear Mr. You
by Mary-Louise Parker

“Parker has created a unique and poetic memoir through a series of letters–some of appreciation, some of apology, some simply of acknowledgement–to the men in her life. Ranging from a taxi driver to a grandfather she never knew, each man has left an imprint and shaped her into the person she has become. Full of feeling, growth, and self-discovery, Parker’s book has left me longing to write my own letters.”

- PJ Gardiner, Wake County Public Libraries, Raleigh, NC

A Wild Swan: And Other Tales
by Michael Cunningham and Yuko Shimizu (Illustrator)

“These are fairy tales that have slightly more insight, for the discerning adult. “The Wild Swans” was actually my favorite when I was young, next to “The Little Mermaid.” These are a continuation of what happens after those stories end and are set, in some instances, in the modern world. Packed with humor, this is an easy gift for those who like to be read to at night or feel too old for idealistic fairy tales.”

- Andrienne Cruz, Azusa City Library, Azusa, CA

October 2015 Library Reads List

September 29, 2015

City on Fire: A Novel
by Garth Risk Hallberg

“WOW! An excellently executed work with intricate plot lines and fascinating characters. It’s a story of how the stories of many different people of New York City in the late seventies crash into each other like waves on rocks. This work may encapsulate the whole of New York City, as it has wealth, love, filth, passion, aimless angst, and the myriad of other aspects of humanity swirling in that amazing city.”

- Racine Zackula, Wichita Public Library, Wichita, KS

After You: A Novel
by Jojo Moyes

“I loved Me Before You and thought it ended in the perfect place, but any doubts I had about continuing the story were quickly erased when I started this sequel. Jojo Moyes is a master at tugging on your heartstrings. I laughed, I cried, and I nearly threw my Kindle against the wall at one point. Give this to anyone in your life who has experienced a tragic loss. With a box of tissues.”

- Joseph Jones, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland, OH

A Banquet of Consequences: A Lynley Novel
by Elizabeth George

“Still reeling from a previous fall from grace, police detective Barbara Havers has a chance to redeem her standing–if she can unravel the very twisted threads that led to the murder of a prominent English feminist. Meanwhile, her superior officer Thomas Lynley pursues a love interest even as he keeps a sharp lookout for any slip-ups by Havers. This is the strongest addition to the series in years.”

- Starr Smith, Fairfax County Public Library, Falls Church, VA

Slade House: A Novel
by David Mitchell

“Every nine years, Slade House appears in a little alley in London, and every nine years, someone disappears into it, never to be seen again. Fans of The Bone Clocks will inhale this compact, six-part work that draws on Mitchell’s established mythology and reintroduces a familiar character or two. New readers, however, won’t be lost. Literary fiction, fantasy, and a dose of horror combine here to make a deeply satisfying book.”

- Jenny Arch, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

The Heart Goes Last: A Novel
by Margaret Atwood

“The premise of Atwood’s latest is interesting, grounded strongly in current social and economic issues. The writing is as elegant and beautiful, as always with Atwood. I recommend this book because it is a wonderful and thought-provoking novel. People who have enjoyed other Atwood works should definitely take a look at this one.”

- Lauren Mitchell, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ

The Secret Chord: A Novel
by Geraldine Brooks

“Brooks does it again, in this fascinating and richly detailed fictionalized account of the life and times of King David. We see David as he might actually have been: a charismatic leader of men, both brutal and conflicted. This is perfect for historical fiction readers who enjoy lots of detail and believable characters. It transports you to the times and places inhabited by David.”

- Marilee Cogswell, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Welcome to Night Vale: A Novel
by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

From the creators of the popular podcast about a nameless town where the supernatural and strange are commonplace comes a new mystery novel. “This is classic Night Vale in written form. It’s an absolute must for Night Vale fans, and will possibly provide an introduction for those who haven’t found this snarky little podcast yet.”

- Debra Franklin, York County Public Library, Rock Hill, SC

In Bitter Chill
by Sarah Ward

“Great new mystery set in the atmospheric Peak District of England. When a woman’s suicide is found to be related to an unsolved case of a missing girl, the police must reinvestigate a long cold case. I hope this book will be the first in a new series!”

- Pamela Wiggins, Wake County Public Libraries, Cary, NC

Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA
by Roberta Kaplan, Edie Windsor and Lisa Dickey

“The attorney who argued before the Supreme Court for the plaintiff in this landmark case gives the story behind the headlines. Kaplan integrates personal narrative with legal strategy throughout, combining her own struggles with a fascinating look at the brave and unconventional life led by her client. This is a heartwarming and inspiring account of one widow’s pursuit of justice and dignity.”

- Darren Nelson, Sno-Isle Libraries, Marysville, WA

We Were Brothers: A Memoir
by Barry Moser

“Moser’s deeply personal memoir of his volatile relationship with his brother in the segregated south is thoughtful and beautifully written. Strong differences of opinions divided the brothers. Late in life, reconciliation came, but only after years of heartache. There is much to ponder from this work, which is timely given current racial tensions.”

- PJ Gardiner, Wake County Public Libraries, Raleigh, NC

2015 National Book Awards Longlist for Fiction

September 18, 2015

The National Book Foundation has announced their Longlist for the National Book Award for Fiction.  Finalists will be revealed October 14th.   For more information about the authors and to see which books were nominated in other categories including poetry, nonfiction, and young people's literature, visit their web site.  How many of these titles have you read?   Click on the covers to check availability at the library.

 

 

September 2015 Library Reads Picks

September 8, 2015

The Art of Crash Landing: A Novel
by Melissa DeCarlo

“At once tragic and hilarious, this book is a roller coaster of a read. You’ll find yourself rooting for the snarky and impulsive but ultimately lovable Mattie. At the heart of this tale is a beautifully unraveled mystery that has led Mattie to her current circumstances, ultimately bringing her to her first real home.”

- Patricia Kline-Millard, Bedford Public Library, Bedford, NH

Make Me: A Jack Reacher Novel
by Lee Child

“Jack Reacher is back. Jack gets off a train at an isolated town. Soon, he is learning much more about the town, and its residents are learning not to mess around with Jack Reacher. Readers new to this series will find this book a good starting point, and fans will be pleased to see Jack again.”

- Jenna Persick, Chester County Library, Exton, PA

House of Thieves: A Novel
by Charles Belfoure

“Belfoure’s intriguing novel is set in Gilded Age New York City. John Cross, head of the family, finds an unexpected talent for planning robberies, while his wife and children also discover their inner criminals. The historical details and setting evoke old New York. I enjoyed every minute of their escapades.”

- Barbara Clark-Greene, Groton Public Library, Groton, CT

Fates and Furies: A Novel
by Lauren Groff

“Fates and Furies is a modern portrait of marriage. Lotto Satterwhite is the center, the hub around which all the characters revolve in the first half of the book. In the second half of the book, the lens turns to Lotto’s wife Mathilde, and her side of the lopsided partnership gives us a totally different view. Groff is a master of language. It’s not a gentle read. But it’s magnificent.”

- Kelly Currie, Delphi Public Library, Delphi, IN

Did You Ever Have A Family
by Bill Clegg

“Clegg’s devastatingly beautiful fiction debut is the portrait of a community in the aftermath of a tragedy. June Reid, the broken woman at the epicenter of the novel, is struggling with a loss so profound that she is unable to see beyond her grief, unaware that it has touched many people. Clegg tells their stories with heartbreaking sensitivity and insight.”

- Mary Coe, Fairfield Woods Branch Library, Fairfield, CT

The Gates of Evangeline
by Hester Young

“Journalist Charlie Cates goes to gloomy, swampy Louisiana to write a book about the disappearance of a young child. Her research uncovers family secrets, lies, and clandestine affairs. This first book in a new series is incredibly suspenseful, with a vivid setting, a supernatural tinge, and an intricate plot that keeps you guessing until the end.”

- Anbolyn Potter, Chandler Public Library, Chandler, AZ

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things
by Jenny Lawson

“Lawson’s hilarious memoir is a romp between absurdity and despondency. Passages alternate from ridiculously funny stories of her life to episodes of her sometimes debilitating depression. Lawson embraces living life, rather than merely surviving it. Why be just happy when you can be furiously so? Recommended to fans of David Sedaris and Sloane Crosley.”

- PJ Gardiner, Wake County Public Libraries, Raleigh, NC

This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance!
by Jonathan Evison

“Harriet Chance receives word that her recently deceased husband, Bernard, has won an Alaskan cruise. Deciding to go on the trip, she is given a letter from her close friend Mildred, with instructions not to open it until she is on the cruise. The contents of this letter shatter Harriet and she begins to reevaluate her life and her relationships.”

- Arleen Talley, Anne Arundel County Public Library Foundation, Annapolis, MD

Girl Waits With Gun
by Amy Stewart

“When the Kopp sisters and their buggy are injured by Henry Kaufman’s car, Constance Kopp at first just wants him to pay the damages. As she pursues justice, she meets another of Kaufman’s victims, the young woman Lucy. Stewart creates fully developed characters, including the heroine, Constance, who is fiercely independent as she faces down her fears. The time period and setting are important parts of the story as well, providing a glimpse of 1914 New Jersey.”

- Maggie Holmes, Richards Memorial Library, North Attleboro, MA

The Scribe: A Novel
by Matthew Guinn

“A shunned detective is pulled back to Atlanta to solve some brutal murders that seem to be the work of a serial killer. Political intrigue, a fascinating time in this country’s history, and a good old-fashioned murder mystery make this one fascinating read. This book asks the question: when a man has had everything taken away, will he still fight for what is right?”

- Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX