A is for Alibi

A is for Alibi, by Sue Grafton; Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1982

Reviewed by Mike Hamilton

A is for Alibi is a top notch story about Kinsey Millhone, a twice-divorced private eye. Sue Grafton has created a well developed plot studded with interesting places and real characters. Another very good choice is Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach. How do you write a readable, and quite amusing book about cadavers? This author does, and makes an excellent read by taking a unique approach to issues surrounding death. For a change of pace, try C.S. Forester's The Hornblower Series. The series chronicles the career of Horatio Hornblower, from midshipman to top admiral in the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The book offers a good glimpse at life in England and other parts of the world at that time.

The Girl With No Shadow

The Girl With No Shadow, by Joanne Harris; Black Swan Publishing, 2008

Reviewed by Cathy Colson

If you enjoy modern fairy tales, read The Girl With No Shadow, the sequel to Joanne Harris' bestselling book Chocolat. The characters have evolved; the romance between Vianne and Roux continues. Do they finally get it together? This book is full of magic and chocolate, with plenty of romance and a contest of wills. Craig Lesley's River Song is the modern-day story of Indian tribes that have historically lived along the Columbia River. This book tells of the process through which they lost all but 40 acres of their ancient homeland. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate, by Alexander McCall Smith, is a very peculiar mystery. This story revolves around the recipient of a heart transplant who needs to find the family of the donor to understand his recurring nightmares. Isabel is a kick!

Comfort Food

Comfort Food, by Kate Jacobs; Putnam, 2008

Reviewed by Diane Allen

Comfort Food is a tasty novel about the competitive lives and occupations of two television cooking mavens--Augusta "Gus" Simpson, and former beauty queen Carmen Vega, who are forced to work together. This rivalry spices up the show, and a rating battle begins. Born on a Blue Day is an interesting memoir written by Daniel Tammet, an autistic savant. Tammet shares his life story, and recounts his meeting with Kim Peek, who was the inspiration behind the movie "Rainman". Tammet was also featured as "Brainman" in a BBC documentary. Hot House Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin, is an intriguing blend of botany, betrayal, strange people and exotic locations that enhance the story's magic and thriving romance.

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