The Ingenious Edgar Jones

The Ingenious Edgar Jones, by Elizabeth Garner. Random House Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Paul Rogland

Set in Oxford, England during the 1800's, The Ingenious Edgar Jones is a well-written and unique story of a young boy and his exceptional talents, and the impacts these talents have on his family. I also enjoyed the "noir" storyline of Amberville, by Tim Davys, about a city which is populated by stuffed animals who exhibit the range of human motivations and characteristics. This book also incorporates spiritual conflicts and paradoxes. The Sacred Book of the Werewolf, by Victor Pelevin, is a stimulating, fun and profound read. Pelevin is widely considered as one of the best Russian novelists. His writing is creative, funny, and tightly constructed.

People of the Book

People of the Book, by Sally Fallon. 2007

Reviewed by Colleen McCaffrey.

This book provides a wonderful, fictionalized account of a modern day discovery of historic Jewish illuminated texts in Sarajevo. This storyteller weaves historical events from 1400 AD to present day. I also recommend the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall-Smith, is a great, light summer read, with well-defined characters and an exotic location. I also enjoyed Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri. This beautifully written book of short stories covers the immigrant experience in America. The characters are so vivid that they seem to come directly off the page.

Pillars of the Earth

Pillars of the Earth
Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett. William Morrow. 1989

Reviewed by Mariah Watson


Be warned...this is a long book (almost 1000 pages of small print). Set in medieval twelfth century England, this book weaves the tale of a monk named Philip, who sets out to build a huge cathedral, with Tom, the mason who becomes the architect of the structure. It is a fun, interesting book. I also enjoyed the well-written A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. It shows the disturbing reality of women's lives in Afghanistan. The story unfolds through the interwoven lives of two women who end up married to the same abusive husband. It's sad, but a good read. I highly recommend reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver--a true, fascinating story about a family who sets out to eat locally and seasonally for a year. This book also includes many interesting facts about growing vegetables, tips for planting, and recipes. Kingsolver's fine writing has literally changed the way I think about food.

Summer Reading Program Winner 2009

Nourishing Traditions: the Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition. by Sally Fallon. 1999

reviewed by Brooke Forman

This book provides a great foundation for eating healthy. Every receipe I have made was delicious. I also enjoyed Sign with Your Baby, by Garcia W. Joseph. It helped my baby to communicated with me and we enjoyed the mustache man!

Now just for me, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. The description of the footbinding was a little hard to take but totally worth it. This is a love story worth reading.

Winds of Dune

Winds of Dune. by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Tor Books. 2009

Reviewed by Library Patron

If you like to read about Frank Herbert's world of Dune than "Winds of Dune" might be just the thing for you. It's written by his son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. It takes place immediately following "Dune Messiah" and before "Children of Dune" is set to begin. (Both by Frank Herbert) The authors have done a wonderful job of helping to fill in gaps in the life of Paul Atreides, also known as Muad 'Dib. We are treated to stories of Paul's youth, aiding in our understanding of how he came to be Emperor of the Known Universe. The duo of writers have also fleshed out the other characters as well helping to create a fuller image of the world of Dune and it's inhabitants. As an avid "Dune" fan, it's nice to have Brian and Kevin scouring Frank's notes so that the humble reader might have more of the dots connected creating a much larger, brighter picture for us.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Time Traveler's Wife. by Audrey Niffennegger. 2003 Reviewed by Patron Ali Dyche

This book is unique in the sense that it covers many genres at once. It is the story of a man who can travel through time due to a genetic twist, so it's sci-fi/fantasy right? Yet it also is about his wife and what she goes through and their enduring love, so it is as well, a romance. I kept finding myself laughing throughout the story at dating anecdotes and such, so, is it humor too? And was it drama that caused the tears to roll at just the right times? A truly all encompassing and well written novel. Cheers to Audrey Niffennegger and her debut!

Tracy Kidder 's Surviving in the City, Against All Odds

This looks like a very good book for the book club . I have it on order and can say more after I have actually read it .But all the reviews indicate that it is a multileveled book of a real story that had to be told .
Thanks, Beth Mackey

Literary Latte Reviews

A Mercy by Toni Morrison. November 2008. Knopf

Reviewed by : Linnea Patrick

This is the story of a young slave girl given to a northern colonial merchant in payment of debt. She is never able to understand why her mother would let her go and keep her baby brother. This is a theme that continues from the Pulitzer prize winning book Beloved written in 1987. The voice of Florens is lyrical and full of passion. "I dream a dream that dreams back at me," she says. "Perhaps these words need the air that is out in the world. Need to fly up then fall, fall like ash over acres of primrose and mallow. . . . I am become wilderness but I am also Florens. In full. Unforgiven. Unforgiving. No ruth, my love. None. Hear me? Slave. Free. I last."

Preserving Summer's Bounty

A Variety of Pickling, Canning, and Preserving Books.

reviewed by: Ali Dyche, Friends of the Library board.

Preserving Summer's Bounty by Susan McClure is a quick guide to freezing,canning,preserving and drying what you grow. It is beautifully laid out, easy to follow and comprehend. The mouth watering recipes are reminiscent of the Ball book. I will definitely want to check this out again. Putting up: A Year Round Guide to Canning in the Southern Tradition by Stephen Palmer Dowdney is a book with truely unique recipes. It is one I will continue to use for the choices for peaches, green tomatoes, and bean dip! What Can I Do With My Herbs? by Judy Barrett is a wonderful compilation of the most commonly used herbs and a few exotic ones as well. It has good advice on how to grow them and possible uses.

Between Heaven and Hell

Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley. Paul Kreeft. 2008

Reviewed by : April Canaday

As you may or may not know, Huxley, Lewis and Kennedy died within minutes of one another, and this book imagines what it would be like if they met each other in a type of Purgatory. One reviewer writes, "Kreeft writes out a very believable (and highly Socratic) debate between them. I highly suggest it. In the book, Kennedy represents the modernist; Huxley represents the eastern mystic; and Lewis represents the Christian. They debate about truth, Jesus, and textual issues. Lewis presents his Mere Christianity style of debate, avoiding the minor issues and focusing on the more important truths about God and Christ.One of my favorite lines from the book happens right after Kennedy complains that Lewis is too "black and white". Kennedy prefers the idea that everything is gray and that there is no absolute truth. Kennedy asks Lewis to demonstrate one thing that is "black and white", one absolute. Lewis responds, "I'll give you two... black and white."