The Art of Racing in the Rain by, Garth Stein~~Review

The Art of Racing in the Rain by, Garth Stein
Description:
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it

My Review:

This is an interesting book because it is narrated by the dog, Enzo. This book is bittersweet a dogs perspective on life in his family. A mix of sadness and humor as is real life. Parts of this book angered me the grandparents really made me mad! Enzo has seen enough on TV to think that if he is smart enough he will be reincarnated as a man.

When he gets left alone with the demon zebra stuffed animal that he must destroy is too funny. When they washed his stuffed animal I could just picture my old dog when I washed his toys. Also when Enzo got old it made me sad for my old dog who had a lot of the same problems when he got old and to hear it from the dog point of view was definitely something different and made me sad.

This book was so believable even if it was narrated by the dog it was a great look into the mind of a dog and as I have always believed that they understand everything. The racing jargon/talk may be a bit much for some but I enjoyed it. But it’s not really a story of a dog but about a family and the crisis’ they go through and how Enzo is there to help them through!

Bark Twice!

Warning sad ending have tissues ready! Not a spoiler you will know it’s going to happen!
I listened to this on audio narrated by, Christopher Evan Welch who did a really good job! Would listen to him again.
4 Stars

The Call of the Wild and White Fang by Jack London

Let’s call this one a double feature, but first, a little backstory (but just a little). The Call of the Wild was published in 1903 and tells the tale of a dog named Buck and his journey to becoming a wild beast. Published three years later, White Fang focuses on a wild wolf pup who finds a domestic home, quite the mirror image. While The Call was published first, I’ve always thought of it as a sort of “sequel” to White Fang, and I don’t think those who have also read both would call that too much of a stretch. Anyway, both novels are extremely accessible considering the ever-growing gap between then and now. The writing is such that it isn’t dressed up and dragged down by unnecessary flourishes or “padding” for the sake of page length. In fact, The Call of the Wild clocks in at just over one hundred pages with White Fang at roughly three hundred. London achieves a straightforward yet eloquent style that keeps the story at an even pace and readers ever eager to turn the next page. I could go on praising these two classics, but it all comes down to this. The Call of the Wild and White Fang are both highly enjoyable and refreshing. They warrant, at the very least, a look from those who are unfamiliar with the two titles and a revisit for those who are.

The Legacy by, Katherine Webb~~Review

The Legacy by, Katherine Webb coming in September 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads:
In 1903, New York heiress Caroline marries a cattle rancher and moves with him to rural Oklahoma, where she finds herself wholly out of her depth. Unable to adjust to the isolation of the vast prairies, Caroline grows increasingly frightened and unhappy. Driven to the edge of reason she commits a terrible crime from which she flees, all the way to London, to start a new life as the wife of English aristocrat Henry Calcott. She moves to Storton Manor in Wiltshire, but soon finds that the repercussions of her actions have crossed the Atlantic with her, and will not be so easily forgotten. In the bitter winter of 2008, following the death of their grandmother, Erica Calcott and her sister Beth return to Storton Manor, where they spent the summer holidays as children. As she begins to sort through her grandmother's belongings, Erica is inundated with memories of her childhood, and of Dinny, a local boy whom she idolised. She also remembers her spiteful cousin, Henry, whose disappearance from the manor tore the family apart. Convinced that she should remember what happened to Henry, Erica sets out to uncover the truth. She is reunited with Dinny, and finds herself as drawn to him in adulthood as she was as a child. Haunted by emotions and suspicions, Erica delves deeply into her memories, revisiting the people and places that shaped her childhood, and bringing to light a truth more shocking than she had ever imagined.

My Review:
This is a beautifully weaved multi-generational story of family secrets and the people those secrets created. Katherine Webb weaves these stories together so artfully each story told at the perfect pace, with a slow crescendo of curiosity to a very late night of I can’t put this book down!

The way she shows the path that was chosen, the choices made and the secrets they kept and how it affected everyone in their lives. This is also a story of sisters and mothers and daughters and how each generation affects the next.

I cared about all the characters and even had some sympathy for the cruel grandmothers. Our two sisters Beth & Erica were beautifully written, the sadness and the taut tension were palpable. And the childhood friendship that meant so much but was over so long ago the childhood feelings bubble up but so much time has passed is it really still the same. Caroline’s time in America was so well written her unhappiness leaked off the page in waves.

I really loved this book such beautiful writing and I highly recommend it!

If you are a fan of Kate Morton I would give Katherine Webb a try. I look forward to reading anything else this author writes, definitely an author to keep your eye on.

Full Disclosure- I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program

5 Stars

Save Me by, Lisa Scottoline~~Review

Save Me by, Lisa Scottoline~~
Goodreads description:
Rose McKenna volunteers as a lunch mom in her daughter Melly’s school in order to keep an eye on Amanda, a mean girl who’s been bullying her daughter. Her fears come true when the bullying begins, sending Melly to the bathroom in tears. Just as Rose is about to follow after her daughter, a massive explosion goes off in the kitchen, sending the room into chaos. Rose finds herself faced with the horrifying decision of whether or not to run to the bathroom to rescue her daughter or usher Amanda to safety. She believes she has accomplished both, only to discover that Amanda, for an unknown reason, ran back into the school once out of Rose's sight. In an instance, Rose goes from hero to villain as the small community blames Amanda’s injuries on her. In the days that follow, Rose's life starts to fall to pieces, Amanda’s mother decides to sue, her marriage is put to the test, and worse, when her daughter returns to school, the bullying only intensifies. Rose must take matters into her own hands and get down to the truth of what really happened that fateful day in order to save herself, her marriage and her family.

My Review:This books starts out as one thing and morphs into something completely different. Lisa Scottoline wrote a unique book it is a story about tragedy, families, bullying, murder and the consequences of the choices you make, but they won’t happen the way you think you do. The twists and turns in this book will keep you guessing just when you think the story is going one way it flips around and becomes something else.

This was different than Lisa Scottoline’s other books but good none the less, it still kept me riveted and it was hard to put down. There was the legal part of this book and it was interesting to learn about the laws on what you’re really signing up for when you volunteer at your child’s school and what your liability could be if something should happen. The reporter Tanya Robertson was so Nancy Grace her witch hunt for Rose was just so far over the top but also so very true to life with the state of our media at present.

I did enjoy this book it was different and compelling.

I received this book from Librarything Early Reviewer Program

3 ½ Stars

Library Brunch July 3rd

Smokin' Seventeen by, Janet Evanovich~~Review

Smokin' Seventeen by, Janet Evanovich
Synopsis from GoodReads:
Where there's smoke there's fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. The bail bonds office has burned to the ground, and bodies are turning up in the empty construction lot. To make matters worse, Stephanie is working out of a motor home she shares with a dancing bear, and Joe Morelli's old world grandmother has declared a vendetta against her. And just when Stephanie decides it might be time to choose between the two men in her life, Morelli and Ranger, a third man from Stephanie's past moves back to Trenton...

Break out a cold drink and slap on some sunscreen, this summer is sure to be a scorcher with Smokin' Seventeen.



My Review:
Oh Janet thank-you so much for the the laughs I was laughing so hard for the granny panty scene I had tears running down my face! I love these books they always cheer me up with the humor and fun writing. Stephanie’s been cursed a couple of times by Morelli’s Grandma one isn’t so bad but it does seem to add more confusion to who Stephanie will choose and when it is removed it kind of backfires too!. Lula again brings me some hearty belly laughs “Did you just call me fat” thems fightin’ words for Lula and there always seems to be something fun coming when these words are uttered.

We have a new man in the mix and he cooks which I think would be a plus for Stephanie but he may not be as wonderful as her mother thinks he is. I do hope she eventually chooses Morelli.

There is a serial killer in the Berg and he/she seems to be targeting Stephanie by dropping dead bodies all over with notes to Stephanie attached to them. This may be the creepiest and scariest bad guy ever in one of these books.
What a crazy cliffhanger!! Oh Janet that was just plain mean! Warning the ending is very abrupt and a major cliffhanger!

As usual Lorelei King does a wonderful job on the narration of this audiobook!

4 Stars would have been 5 if not for the ending!

The Art Thief by Noah Charney

Rarely do I come across a book that I simply cannot finish for the reason that I can derive no enjoyment out of the novel. Such is the case of The Art Thief. The title is what caught my eye initially. After all, white-collar crime, intrigue, and the fascinating cat-and-mouse game that follows always provide some excellent thrills. The Art Thief, however, fails to deliver in all of the aforementioned aspects. The writing is awkward, the perspective jumps at seemingly arbitrary points, and the plot already appears quite convoluted. Any one of these flaws on its own may be forgivable if, at the very least, the characters were well thought out and compelling. Unfortunately, this is not so. There was no way to “connect” with these characters since they were bland, forgettable, and uninteresting. Perhaps one redeeming character may have been Gabriel Coffin (a sort of Sherlock Holmes of art theft from the introduction), yet it wasn’t enough to maintain interest in the novel as a whole. The story plodded along with long tangents explaining the quirks of the art industry, the auctions, etc. but never found its stride. That fact is painfully disappointing considering how much potential it had when taking into account its subject material. Bottom line, books are meant to be enjoyed whether it be from a thrilling plot, a fastidious character study, or some other form of exhilaration that comes with the appreciation of the art of the written word. Life is too short for it to be spent on dismal literature. 1 star.

Ranger"s Apprentice Book One~ John Flanagan

Summary:
In this book a ward of the fief Redmont has been living at the Castle Redmont since he was born. His mother and father died in at time and he he was left on the castle steps. Fifteen ears later he and four other in his age group are ready to choose their jobs for life. The others are all approved by their Guild Masters but Will is not. Just when he thinks he is doomed to a life of farm work the Ranger of the fief decides to take him on as his new apprentice. Will has always thought Ranger ways were strange at best and knows little about what his future will hold. Just when hes getting settled into the routine of his new life Morgarath, the same man who warred with the Kingdom 15 years ago decides to start another war. What is Will in for now and would have been better off as a farmer? Find out in Ranger's Apprentice.

Rating:
This book was a good read. The story was simple but made you want to read more. About fifteen pages into the book I wanted to know what was going to happen to Will. I thought is was a great easy reader!
4 Stars ****

Announcing The Libri Grant Books

The New Rockford Public Library is proud to announce that it has received the Libri Grant books for children. The Libri Foundation was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children's books they could not otherwise afford to buy. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated almost $5 million worth of new children's books to more than 3,000 libraries in all 50 states.

The Foundation works with the library's Friends of the Library or other local organizations because we believe in community involvement and want to encourage and reward local support of libraries. The Friends, or other local sponsors, can contribute from $50 to $350 which the Foundation matches on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new, quality, hardcover children's books through the Foundation's BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program.

Thanks to our wonderful Friends of the Library, we have received 66 new books through this grant plus we were awarded an extra 16 Math & Science books .We ordered mostly non-fiction, as this was the area with the most need.

We will be having an open house to introduce these books to the community, from May 31-June 3rd.Everyone is welcome to join us. If you are home schooling your children you will find these books very useful.

Also on June 3rd we will be having the Summer Reading Kick-Off from 1-3 all kids K-12are welcome to come and sign up our theme this summer is One World Many Stories. If your kids can’t make it on the 3rd they can sign-up anytime.

Here is a list of the great books we received:

Non-Fiction:
Cool Stuff Exploded by, Cliff Woodford

Exploratopia by, Pat Murphy

Extreme Scientists: Exploring Nature's Mysteries From Perilous Places by Donna M Jackson

Forensic Science by Ron Fridell

Recycling by Charlotte Wilcox

Spy Technology by Ron Fridell

Outbreak: Science Seeks Safeguards for Global Health by Charles Piddock
Using Coal, Oil, and Gas by Sharon Katz Cooper

Robots: From Everyday to Out of This World by Yes Mag.

Computer Animation by Hal Marcovitz

Virtual Apprentice. Computer Game Designer by Don Rauf; Monique Vescia

Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! By Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Our farm: Four Seasons with Five Kids on one Family's Farm by Michael J Rosen

14 Cows for America by, Carmen Agra Deedy

Nubs: The True story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by, Major Brian Dennis
Years of Dust by, Albert Marrin

The Dust Bowl Through the Lens by, Martin Sandler

Black Elk’s Vision a Lakota Story by, S.D. Nelson

Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond by Joseph Medicine Crow; Herman J Viola

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom by, Chris Van Wyk

The Ride the Legend of Betsy Dowdy by, Kitty Griffin

Lafayette and the American Revolution by, Russell Freedman

Listen to the Wind the Story of Dr.Greg and Three Cups of Tea by, Greg Mortenson

Bylines a Photo Biography of Nellie Bly by, Sue Macy

Rachel Carson: A Twentieth-Century Life by Ellen Levine

My Last Skirt: The Story of Jennie Hodgers, Union Soldier By, Lynda Durrant

A Savage Thunder Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom by, Jim Murphy

Mr. Lincoln's High-Tech War : How the North used the telegraph, railroads, surveillance balloons, ironclads, high-powered weapons, and more to win the Civil War by Thomas B Allen; Roger MacBride Allen

The War to End All Wars, World War I by, Russell Freedman

Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy

Ellis Island Coming to the Land of Liberty by, Raymond Bial

Who Was First? Discovering the Americas by, Russell Freedman

M.L.K.: journey of a King by Tonya Bolden

Marching for Freedom Walk Together Children, and Don’t Grow Weary by, Elizabeth Partridge

Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman

Moonshot The Flight of Apollo 11 by, Brian Floco

Mission Control, This is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon by, Andrew Chaikin & Alan Bean

The Many Rides of Paul Revere by James Giblin

John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith

Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally M Walker
John Brown: His Fight for Freedom by John Hendrix

Eleanor, Quiet No More: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by, Doreen Rappaport & Gary Kelley

No Easy Way: The Story of Ted Williams and the Last .400 season by Fred Bowen; Chuck Pyle

She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer by Sally Hobart Alexander; Robert Joseph Alexander

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sís

One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II by Lita Judge

Boys of steel: The Creators of Superman by Marc Tyler Nobleman

Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane by Carole Boston Weatherford
Once Upon a Time: Traditional Latin American Tales = Había una vez: cuentos tradicionales latinoamericanos by Rueben Martínez

The Girl Who Helped Thunder and other Native American Folktales by James Bruchac

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa by Jeanette Winter

One Grain of Rice: a Mathematical Folktale. by Demi

Fiction:

How I Learned Geography by, Uri Shulevitz

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (according to Susy) by Barbara Kerley; Ed Fotheringham

Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't) by Barbara Bottner

Buffalo Music by, Tracey Fern

Jazz Baby by, Lisa Wheeler

Miss Bridie chose a shovel by, Leslie Connor

Madam President by Lane Smith

A remainder of one by Elinor J Pinczes

The doorbell rang by Pat Hutchins

Fred stays with me! by Nancy Coffelt

Yellow star by Jennifer Rozines Roy

The Boy Who Dared A Novel Based on the True Story of a Hitler Youth by, Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

Worth by A LaFaye

The Grimm legacy by Polly Shulman

The London Eye mystery by Siobhan Dowd

Lawn Boy by, Gary Paulsen

Notes from the Dog by, Gary Paulsen

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

The Leanin' Dog by K A Nuzum

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin

New Books & Library Happenings

Would you be interested in joining a bookclub at the library? What day & time would be best for you? What kind of books would you be interested in reading? Please call Susie at the library if you would be interested and to answer these questions.

New books this week are :
In Adult Fiction:
44 Charles Street by, Danielle Steel
Crunch Time by, Diana Mott Davidson
The Bird sisters by, Rebecca Rassmusen
I’ll Walk Alone by, Mary Higgins Clark
Chasing fire by, Nora Roberts
Toys by, James Patterson
Miles to go by, Richard Evans
The Sixth Man by, David Baldacci
Save Me by, Lisa Scottoline
Bel Air dead by, Stuart Woods
The House on Riverton by, Kate Morton
The Land of Painted Caves by, Jane Auel
Something Borrowed by, Emily Griffin
Praise Jerusalem by, Augusta Trobaugh
The Heart of Texas by, Debbie Macomber
Home Free, Déjà vu & Cross Roads by, Fern Michaels

In Audiobook:
A Raisin in the Sun by, Lorraine Hansberry
Jitters a Quirky Little Audiobook by, Adele Park

In Non-Fiction:
The Best Advise I Ever Got by, Katie Couric
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Vesle Hans:Little Hans Comes to America by, Leona Hanson Weenas
A Paper Life by, Tatum O’Neil

In Adult fantasy:
Immortal with a Kiss by, Jaqueline LaPore

In Young adult:
Wolves Boys and Other Things That Might Kill me by, Kristen Chandler
What I Saw and How I Lied by, Judy Blundell
Cut by, Patricia McCormick
Black Cat by, Holly Black

In Juvenile Fiction:
Mockingbird by, Kathryn Erskine
Tracker by, Gary Paulsen

The Bird Sisters by, Rebecca Rasmussen~~Review

The Bird Sisters by, Rebecca Rasmussen
Read This Book!!Enough Said!
Oh ok I’ll add more

You will love these sisters, so close yet so different Twiss has a smart mouth and always seems to speak her mind and Milly is demure and shy and always puts everyone’s needs above her own no matter the cost to herself. Then there is their parents the mother who dreams of Paris and wanting more than her lot in life has given her, and the father who is a golf pro until “the accident” and can’t play golf anymore and moves to the barn. Then there is cousin Bett who comes for the summer, the summer that changes everything.

We first meet the elderly spinster bird sisters Twiss is still a curmudgeon and Milly is still sweet however, once you meet the teen sisters you know something drastic happened that caused these girls to become the elderly never married Bird Sister. Of course Twiss has vowed to be the world’s most interesting spinster and looks on it with a kind of affection (as Milly puts it). But teen Milly has hope of a marriage and children.

I can’t say anymore on the story without spoiling it. What I can say is this is a beautifully written book there is no skimming here you will want to read every word, savor it, chew on it and thoroughly enjoy it. You will fall in love with Twiss and Milly smile with them and cry for them. This book has risen to the top of the best reads of the year and it will take a powerful book to knock it off of its perch. Like I said at the beginning Read This Book!

Rebecca Rasmussen is a new author to watch out for her writing is so beautiful I look forward to much more from her!

5 Stars

National Library Week Celebration

Come help us celebrate National Library Week Open House Coffee & Cookies from 2-6 Monday April 11th and a Silent Auction all week ending bid Friday April 15th at 6 pm

The Forgotten Garden by, Kate Morton~~Review

The Forgotten Garden by, Kate Morton- Description-A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, and a mystery. The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric and compulsively readable story of the past, secrets, family and memory from the international best-selling author Kate Morton.

Cassandra is lost, alone and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident ten years ago, feels like she has lost everything dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early twentieth century - Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself.

My Review:
This book has a magical realism feel to it, it may be because of the fairytales being told throughout but I really enjoyed this beautiful story. It is a hard book to classify so I’m not going to pigeon hole it anywhere. I enjoyed the 3 different generations of women in this story and how their stories intertwined. This book is about family secrets and of how that affects generations. It spans from England to Australia in the early 1900 to the 2000’s. With each generation of women finding something about the past while at the same time finding something about themselves in the process.

I did enjoy this book very much however towards the end though you just want to scream at Cassandra and say hello I figured it out why can’t you! This book can be very sad at times and some may find the jumping around in time not to their liking. But I like books that show different time periods so I enjoyed that part. The prologue has a definite magical realism feel. I will definitely be reading more by this author!

The fairytales are a great and I wish there was an actual book of these fairytales!

I listened to this on audio narrated by Caroline Lee who does a fantastic job with all the accents from English, Australian & American.

4 stars

I Am Number Four By: Pittacus Lore

John Smith used to be Daniel Jones and he used to be someone else. Although John Has changed his name several times in his life he has always had one label to stick to. He is Number Four, and he is a Loric being. When his planet was attacked he and 8 other Loric children were launched to earth along with an adult Loric caretaker. John was sent with Henri. As long as they have lived on Earth John has been moving around at the smallest hint of trouble. When another scar appears on his leg to say that number three is dead they move immediatly.In a new town John meets a girl, and makes a friend, and gets a dog. This is something he never considered before because he was always moving. Now he has attachments and no desire to leave any of it behind even if the Mogadorian army is on to him again. So when he falls in love he is not going to leave for just anything. As time passes and he settles he reveals that he is an alien to Sarah and Sam. They all take it well. Then after Henri is kidnapped and John just barley rescues him he realizes how much danger they are actually in. Before there is much time to talk John into moving the Mogadorians attack. During the battle Henri is hurt, John's dog turns into a Loric animal, and number six sows up just in time to help save all their butts. This includes Sarah, Mark, and Sam who somehow manage to get into the middle of this battle. Find out if they survive and what happens afterward in I Am Number Four.

This book was wonderful. It made me think about the possibility of there being another world out there not so very different from ours. It also made me never want to stop reading. I felt like I was pulled in and feeling all the same things as john. Disappointment at having to move again, anger at Mark for being a total jerk, the heat of flames as they licked my skin while I was honing my legacies. I really do wonder about life out there.

4 Stars ****

The Peach Keeper by, Sarah Addison Allen~~Review

The Peach Keeper by, Sarah Addison Allen

Another great book by, Sarah Addison Allen. This is the story of 2 generations of women grandmothers and granddaughters, friendship, secrets and ghosts. The 4 main characters Paxton, Willa, Sebastian and Colin are all trying to find where they belong and who they are. In highschool they were the princess, the joker, the freak and the stick man all of them are trying to live down these reputations and come into their own.

Paxton is in the process of restoring the house The Blue Ridge Madam which was originally owned by Willa’s family before they lost their fortune and the house in the 30’s. Willa’s grandmother grew up in the house but never talked about it to Willa. But strange things have been happening ever since the project has started that will bring Paxton and Willa together in a way neither sees coming.

I loved this book Sarah Addison Allen is the queen of magical realism she writes it so beautifully and it is so believable. The characters in this book make you want to cheer for them and be friends with them. We also get an unexpected although brief visit from some old friends who are there to cater a party. This is a must read for lovers of southern fiction, magically realism and strong friendship stories. This is going on my favorites list and with all other books by this author will be one I will read again!

I received this book from Librarything Early Reviewers Program

5 Stars

2011 Books to Movies

There are some good ones coming up some I'm almost afraid of because I am scared I will be disappointed. I am most looking forward to The Help and of course the last Harry Potter.

Which ones are you looking forward to?

I am Number Four by, Pittacus Lore
The Lincoln Lawyer by, Michael Connelly
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Beastly by Alex Flinn
One for the Money Janet Evanovich
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 by, JK Rowling
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas
Breaking Dawn, Part I by Stephenie Meyer
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Sherlock Holmes by, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Winnie the Pooh by, AA Milne
Mr Poppers Penguins Richard Atwater
Wuthering Heights by,Emily Bronte
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair by, CS Lewis
Arabian Nights
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy John le Carre
Diary of a wimpy kid Roderick Rules by Jeff Kinney
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
One Day by David Nicholls
The Rum Diary by, Hunter S. Thompson
War Horse by,Michael Morpurgo
Midway to Heaven by, Dean Hughes

Climbing the Stair By: Padma Venkatraman

Summary:

This is a great novel.

This is the story of a young girl named Vidya. She has one true dream. She wants to go to college. This, she thinks, is almost impossible. Then the worst thing that could possibly happen does. Her father is killed. This means moving to a new house where her Periappa is in charge. He is a mean old man who is really into tradition.

When she arrives the house is even more awful than she expected. Her aunt hates her, periappa thinks she is an idot, and she is no longer allowed to read. This is the worst of all. The only good thing is Raman. He is a boy living in the house and she hardly ever sees him, that is until she starts to sneek up the stairs to land of men to read in the library. They slowly fall in love. The problem is that her brother wants to go away to the war and she wants to go to college. Eventually every thing piles up and spills out in the most interesting and wondeful thing that could happen. Vidya finally realizes what she must do. See what she decides in Climbing the Stairs.

My thoughts:

This book is an amazing tale of the life of a young girl. Padma Vewnkatraman is a wonderful writer and has captured every feelin this young girls has with an amazing ease. I love this book.

Rating:

5 stars *****

Madame Tussaud:A Novel of the French Revolution by, Michelle Moran

Madame Tussaud:A Novel of the French Revolution by, Michelle Moran

Another hit for Michelle Moran! I am learning so much about the French Revolution that I never knew. And about Madame Tussaud, I have been to Madame Tussauds in London and to learn this background about her and how extremely talented she was, it’s all just so very interesting. How the King & Queen were so oblivious to what was really going on in their country, or at least the king was.

How awful this revolution was, they said the King was a tyrant but how it turned these revolutionaries into way worse than the King ever was. The horrors that Marie had to see and sculpt she was an amazing and strong woman. When she is asked to make these death masks it’s all quite gruesome.

I was amazed how her and her Uncle Curtius straddled the two sides of the revolution for as long as they did and how they changed the displays sometimes daily how fast she was able to sculpt these amazing works of art.


I’ll be honest I was never that interested in the French Revolution until this book now I am googling everyone mentioned! To me that is what makes a good historical fiction book is if you want to learn more about the events and people and this one definitely did that!

This was a fascinating look into the life of a woman I think most people have heard of but never really knew about. This is a great read and as usual I look forward to more from Michelle Moran!

5 Stars

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Ah, the dreaded threequel. So many story arcs to tie up. So many questions to be answered. So much to live up to depending on the success of the previous installments. Rejoice Hunger Games fans because Mockingjay does not disappoint as the third and final novel in the Hunger Games trilogy. Mockingjay picks up not too far after Catching Fire with Katniss Everdeen, protagonist and unwilling, unknowing participant in the rebellion, finding refuge in District 9, headquarters of those fighting against the Capitol. The love triangle established throughout the series is maintained, and adds surprising twists and turns throughout. More detail really can’t be dispensed for fear of spoilers which would be criminal in such a surprising turn of events. Most enjoyable is Katniss herself. Her doubts, uncertainties, and mental instability never truly dissipate because this isn’t a conventional story of a hero conquering “the bad guys.” It’s a fascinating read that evokes chills, gasps, perhaps tears, and the occasional laugh. Also, it’s nearly impossible to put down once begun. Mockingjay manages to build off the tension the series has been accumulating over the past installments rather than having an anticlimactic feel that many sequels suffer from. Simply put, Mockingjay ended a wonderful series with finesse and competence, and is not to be overlooked. 4 ½ stars.

Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by, Fannie Flagg~~Review

Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by, Fannie Flagg
This is not a new book but one I just finished and loved! A detailed and hilarious look at life in the South during the fifties:
Daisy Fay Harper is now one of my favorite characters! She is spunky and independent and surrounded by a great cast of characters. This book spans Daisy Fay’s life from 1952-1959 at the beginning of the book she is 11 years old. Daisy Fay’s daddy is a drunk but she stands by him through thick and thin, he isn’t a mean drunk so that’s ok LOL.

It is so fun to read about her discovering life especially since this book is set in the 50’s.One of my favorite scenes is when they are living in Shell Beach and Daisy likes to sneak in and watch the entertainment at the local Blue Gardenia Lounge like the one-legged tap dancer and Ray Layne the young singer but the one she is so looking forward to is a real dancer from New Orleans named Tawny the Tasseled lady and her reaction to that was “She isn’t even a real dancer!” “All she does is spin them tassels one way then the other and shake around” I laughed so hard picturing this!

Not only is Daisy a great character but everyone else in this book is too from her bingo addicted grandma, to her daddy’s best friend Jimmy Snow who is a crop duster but seems to crash his plane a lot! Oh my I could just go on and on about this book this is the 3rd book by Fannie Flagg I’ve read and I think it is now my mission to read everything she has ever written.

If you like southern fiction and great characters who will make you laugh out loud you must read this book!

5 Stars

The Sherlockian by, Graham Moore~~Review

The Sherlockian by, Graham Moore
Description fron Goodreads:In December 1893, Sherlock Holmes-adoring Londoners eagerly opened their Strand magazines, anticipating the detective's next adventure, only to find the unthinkable: his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, had killed their hero off. London spiraled into mourning -- crowds sported black armbands in grief -- and railed against Conan Doyle as his assassin.
Then in 1901, just as abruptly as Conan Doyle had "murdered" Holmes in "The Final Problem," he resurrected him. Though the writer kept detailed diaries of his days and work, Conan Doyle never explained this sudden change of heart. After his death, one of his journals from the interim period was discovered to be missing, and in the decades since, has never been found.

Or has it?

When literary researcher Harold White is inducted into the preeminent Sherlock Holmes enthusiast society, The Baker Street Irregulars, he never imagines he's about to be thrust onto the hunt for the holy grail of Holmes-ophiles: the missing diary. But when the world's leading Doylean scholar is found murdered in his hotel room, it is Harold - using wisdom and methods gleaned from countless detective stories - who takes up the search, both for the diary and for the killer.


MY REVIEW:
I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes but will admit to not knowing much about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so I don’t know if a word of the historical side of this book is in any way accurate. But it was sure a good story! The author notes were interesting to learn a little more on what was and wasn’t real.

In the historical side of this novel we see Arthur Conan Doyle wanting to forget Sherlock Holmes ever existed but the reading public is up in arms, after there is an attempt on his life he sets out with friend Bram Stoker to figure out who is behind it. I loved the line when Bram Stoker said “You want me to be your Watson?’ because now of course we know who Bram is but at the time Dracula was not a classic and as Arthur couldn’t even remember the name of the country Bram’s little book was set it as a fan of literature I enjoyed these parts very much. Arthur wasn’t a nice person in this book especially on his views of women and I don’t know enough about the real man to judge but he is pretty snobby in this book.

As for the Sherlockians they are an elite group of Sherlock aficionados, scholars and such when one of their own is found dead their newest member Alex decides he is Holmes enough to solve this case.
Alex was a bit bumbling but was a good character along with Sarah a reporter there is almost a romance plus a pretty good whodunit and treasure hunt all rolled into one.

I enjoyed this book and think any fan Doyle’s work will enjoy this as well.

3 1/2 Stars

The Nobodies Album by, Carolyn Parkhurst~~Review

The Nobodies Album by, Carolyn Parkhurst

This book was so well written and very hard to put down. Author Octavia Frost has had a successful career but has been estranged from her son Milo, a famous rock star; they have grown steadily apart since the death of her husband and daughter when Milo was 9. But tragedy is about to bring them back together again when Octavia hears a news report that her son has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend.

There are excerpts from Octavia’s books which all sound like books I would like to read! This was a story about family, failures, forgiveness and redemption. Through the words from the books Octavia has written you get glimpses into the life shared by her and Milo after the death of half of their family. Now Octavia and Milo need to work together to prove his innocence and repair their broken relationship.

This was a very powerful book that flowed through the beautiful writing; it’s so much more than a mystery but the mystery was a good one. This was my first book by Carolyn Parkhurst but for sure won’t be my last.

4 ½ Stars

Revolution by, Jennifer Donnelly~~Review

Revolution by, Jennifer Donnelly
Description from Goodreads:
BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.


MY REVIEW:
This was a great book it was really hard to stop reading. This is the story of two 17 year-old girls Andi in the present day and Alex in the 1700’s. Andi is trying to get over her brother’s death and not coping well at all, when her father takes her to Paris she finds the diary of Alexandrine who lived during the French revolution. Even though these girls are centuries apart Andi sees some similarities and kind of becomes obsessed with Alex’s story. (But then again so did I)

I loved Alex’s story it was edge of seat reading. However there were times when I didn’t understand Andi like why didn’t show her dad the diary or mention it to anyone. But I must say I really loved this book. It is totally deserving of the awards and accolades. I think this is one of the best YA historical fiction I’ve read , I know that Jennifer Donnelly’s book A Northern Light is very popular and I will be reading that one very soon I think she is a great writer!

I think saying this is just a young adult book is doing it a disservice; I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

I just want to gush on and on about this book but I will just say READ IT!!

5 Stars

5 Stars

New Books This Week

New Books this week:
In Adult Fiction:


Forever and Always by, Sonni Lagodinski – North Dakota Author
Left Neglected by, Lisa Genova- new from the Author of Still Alice
Room by, Emma Donoghue
The Nobodies Album by, Carolyn Parkhurst
Indulgence in Death by, JD Robb
Of bees and Mist by, Erik Setiawan
Lighthousekeeping by, Jeanette Winterson
Secrets of Harmony Grove by, Melinda Starns Clark
Kelly’s Chance by, Wanda Brunstetter
The Art of Racing in the Rain by, Garth Stein
Ghost at Work by, Carolyn Hart
Silent in the Grave-Silent in the Sanctuary & Silent in the Moor by, Deanna Raybourn
Full Dark No Stars by, Stephen King
Ethan Frome & Summer by, Edith Wharton
The Nosy Neighbor by, Fern Michaels
Sins of The Flesh by, Fern Michaels
9 Ranier Drive by, Debbie Macomber
Julia’s Hope by, Leisha Kelly
The Winding Ways Quilt by, Jennifer Chiaverini
Time is a River by, Mary Alice Monroe
The Unsung Heroes by, Suzanne Brockman
Pirate Latitudes by, Michael Crichton
The Mist by, Carla Neggers
Smash cut by, Sandra Brown

In Westerns:
Lawless Prairie by, Charles G. West
Vigilante Justice by, Will Camp
Wilderness Mountain Madness by, David Thompson
Lonestar and The Sierra Sabotage by, Wesley Ellis
Sundance Bring me His Scalp by, John Benteen
The Crime of Coy Bell by, Sam Brown

In Adult Non-Fiction:
The Cloister Walk by, Kathleen Norris
Bridges Across North Dakota by, the State Historical Society
Treasures of Islam by, Bernard O’Kane

In Audio:
Wicked Appetite & Sizzling Sixteen by, Janet Evanovich
Vanishing Act by, Fern Michaels
Exclusive by, Sandra Brown
The Teahouse Fire by, Ellis Avery

In Young Adult:
Bloody valentine by, Melissa de la Cruz
I Shall Wear Midnight Tiffany Aching #4 by, Terry Pratchett
Seer of Sevenwaters by, Juliet Marillier
The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by, Jana Oliver
Beautiful Darkness by, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Evermore by, Alyson Noel
Beauty & Rose’s Daughter by, Robin McKinley
The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by, Suzanne Harper
Legacy & Spellbound by, Nancy Holder

In Juvenile Fiction:
The Beast From The East by, RL Stine
Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by, Sharon Creech
Beagle in a Backpack by, Ben Baglio
How To be a Girly Girl in Just 10 Days by, Lisa Papademetriou

In Childrens Fiction:
Miss Spider’s Tea Party by, David Kirk
My Little Book About Peter Rabbit by, Beatrix Potter
Shine Sun by, Carole Green
Snow White by, Walt Disney
The Puppy Book by, Jan Pfloog
Be Yourself Disney Princess by,Walt Disney
A Day With Ruth Rabbit at the Beach by, Diane Mathes
The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by, Jane Thayer

The Replacement By: Brenna Yovanoff

This book is....disturbingly good. It makes me want to curl up in a ball and stay in bed, but at the same time it makes me want to discover a world of creatures living below our city. Brenna Yovanoff is a brilliant writer. This story sucked me in from the very beginning.

Mackie Doyle is a strange boy. He's not the kind of person that you would imagine a hero to be. He is allergic to metal and is very sick, but when a friend's sister turned up "dead" he kicked into action. First he discovers and underground world, then he joins a band, then he sacrifices himself to save a child. I wanted so bad to be part of this book and Brenna, the brilliant author, made me feel like I was.

5 stars! *****

Room by,Emma Donoghue~~Review

We Now Have this book in Hardcover
Room by, Emma Donoghue
Description:To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another

My Review:
This is a hard book to review, it’s hard because I can’t say I enjoyed it because it is a very disturbing book but I did like it, I hope that makes sense. This book is narrated by a 5 year old boy whose mother was kidnapped and had a child by her captor they live in Room as Jack calls it. He thinks the world is only Room and everything else is TV. It was a fascinating and unique look at kidnap victims.
It is hard to put down (or in my case stop listening) because you must know what happens to Jack and his Ma.
There were parts that I just found it a little farfetched **no spoilers** and also parts I thought I couldn’t see the character doing that. Jack‘s narration gives us an insight into the mind of a 5 year old completely and I thought it was very well written. I think I may not have liked it as much as some but I didn’t hate it as much as others it is a very unique book and because of that I’ve rated it a bit higher.

I listened to this on audio and the narration was great!

4 STARS

The Eyre Affair by, Jasper Fforde~~Review

The Eyre Affair by, Jasper Fforde

Synopsis:
In Jasper Fforde's Great Britain, circa 1985, time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in a Wordsworth poem and forging Byronic verse is a punishable offense. All this is business as usual for Thursday Next, renowned Special Operative in literary detection.

My Review:
I loved this book!! It is humorous and fun! If you are a fan of Jane Eyre or a fan of literature in general you need to read this book! I also think fans of Douglas Adams would like it too.

Thursday Next is a Spec Ops LiteraTec in a world similar to our own but oh so different. The Crimean War is still going on there is still a Czar of Russia. People travel in time, they are the SpecOps contingent of the Chrono Guard. Thursday’s father was in the Chrono Guard and is now on the run through time from them. Thursday is after a master criminal named Hades who is stealing original manuscripts of classic books, but what he is dong with them I will let you read it to find out. This had a bit of a steampunk feel to it because of the airships and the unique inventions. I loved the names of people in this book Jack Schitt and Braxton Hicks.

I can’t say enough of how much I loved this book I think it is a must read for everyone who loves to read! Now I must go out and buy this entire series!

5 Stars

Arthur & George by Julian Barnes

Arthur & George, the tenth novel by Julian Barnes is a historical fiction that chronicles the lives of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and George Edalji. The former was, of course, the one and only creator of the greatest literary detective in the world, and the latter being the subject of a legal case in the early twentieth century. The book is beautifully and meticulously written with exacting, remarkable detail and two distinct tones for the different characters. The pace can feel plodding at points, but never to an extreme degree. Added enjoyment can be had for those who are familiar with the case and the people portrayed in the storyline. The characters are written in a way that it feels more like a living autobiography than the musings of an author what with the apparent realism infused into the work. In all honesty, a fictional chronicling of a legal case from the 1900s won’t appeal to everyone despite the names involved, one in particular. However, it’s engaging, smartly written, and surprisingly difficult to put down once a few chapters in. 4 stars ****

A Ring of Endless Light By: Madeline L'Engle

In this book girl named Vicky Austin and her family move to her grandfather's house to spend the summer with him. She is excited and scared to do this because er grandfather is dieing of leukaemia. At the begging of the summer a family friend dies and Vicky takes this as an omen of sorts. She is shaken out of her own little world where nothing bad happens into reality. As she faces fact that this death probably won't be the last of he summer she also struggles with boys. One who is charming and dashing but has a bit too much of a taste for danger, one who is recovering from his father's death, and one who is working with her on his summer science project. The boys all seem to need her ,including her grandfather, in one way or another, and as the summer goes on she begins to feel that her only relief is with the dolphins that she and Adam ( the boy with the science project) are working with. She feels pulled in so many directions and finally has a break down of sorts after a young girl in the hospital dies in her arms while she is waiting for a friend.

This book is amazingly deep and wonderfully written to bring the characters to life. I felt as if i was with Vicky through the entire ordeal, good and bad. Madeline did a fabulous job.

4 Stars

New Books This Week

The Library will be closed Friday December 24th & Friday December 31st. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

New Books This week are:
In Adult Fiction:
Cross Fire by, James Patterson
Hell’s Corner by, David Baldacci
The Confession by, John Grisham
Port Mortuary by, Patricia Cornwell
Happy Ever After by, Nora Roberts
The Sherlockian by, Graham Moore
Sins of Omission by, Fern Michaels
The Eyre Affair by, Jasper Fforde

In Audio:
Norah by, Debbie MacComber
Hard Ball by, Sara Paretsky

In Young Adult:
The Red Pyramid by, Rick Riordan
Beautiful Darkness by, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Gothic! By, Neil Gaiman & Various Authors
Twelfth Grade Kills by, Heather Brewer

In Juvenile Fiction:
The Fire Within-Ice Fire & Fire Star by, Chris D’Lacey

The Kitchen House by, Kathleen Grissom~~Review

The Kitchen House by, Kathleen Grissom

This was a very good well written story it is sad but there was a lot of sadness for slaves.
It is set in the late 1700’s & early 1800’s. Seven-Year-Old Lavinia is an Irish immigrant whose parents died on the trip over so Lavinia is taken by the Captain as an indentured servant to pay-off the trip. She is dropped off at the kitchen house with the slaves. Mama Mae takes her in and raises her as her own and Lavinia grows up being well loved by the family in the Kitchen House. This book is told in alternating chapters by, Lavinia & young slave girl Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.





The characters in this book are so well written you care about all of them. Except Rankin but you hate him because he is written as so revolting! This book was just so wonderful, it shows that family isn’t blood and that blood doesn’t make you family. This book was at times so heartbreaking and may make you cry! Everyone in this book goes through their share of hardships and it isn’t a happy book but there is just something about the story that is beautiful. I just don’t know how to express it but to say I loved this book!

I listened to this on audio narrated by, Orlagh Cassidy & Bahni Turpin it was wonderfully done both narrators bringing these characters to life.

5 Stars

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

The entertainment industry is split into various divisions, and they like very much to overlap. Books are adapted to film, film to television, perhaps to videogames and everything in between plus any sort of plausible combination is allowable. Most creative parties are aware and take advantage of this fact. Such is the case of Heat Wave. For those unfamiliar with the book’s background, Castle is an hourly procedural of sorts starring Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, an author of murder mystery novels, who assists in homicide cases with Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), the inspiration behind his newest novels. There’s a fantastic character dynamic between the two, one of give and take banter and a strong “will they or won’t they.” Heat Wave takes this aspect of the show and translates it perfectly to the written page. The mystery is solid enough, not enough to make me gasp when the murderer is revealed, but in all honesty, that’s not the reason to pick up Heat Wave. The simple truth is that from the dedication before the novel begins to the main character’s name (Jameson Rook), this book is written for Castle fans. There are a lot of nods to the series which is fitting since Castle is using his “research” at the NYPD to write this particular book. The most enjoyable experiences with Heat Wave are had when the reader maintains a mindset of Castle actually writing it, being the man behind the curtains, instead of some unnamed ghost writer. Snickering with the thought of Beckett’s reaction to a particular risqué chapter is only one instance. Bottom line, Heat Wave has the potential of appealing to a wide audience, yet its main focus is the fans, those who can match every character with their slightly different counterpart and catch all of the fan service aimed their way. It’s excellent for those reasons, 5 stars. *****

The Beast of Noor

The Beast of Noor Janet Lee Carey

The Beast of Noor reads like a fairy tale which seems only fitting since the overall plot is centered on an old legend in the world of Noor. The legend of, you guessed it, the Beast of Noor. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that it involves a curse on a certain family for the actions of an ancestor, actions which resulted in a monstrous dog, known as the Shriker, who now haunts the woods. Leave it to the protagonist, Miles Sheen, to make it his mission to destroy this demon, stop the ruthless killings, and redeem his family’s name in the process. The story is predictable enough once the reader finds out exactly how the Shriker came to be since there really is one sort of ending possible in books intended for the younger demographic. Despite this, it’s a charming book with a mild horror streak and notable character development even if it’s pretty straightforward development. The characters are interesting and likable enough…most of the time. There’s some whininess and somewhat irritating character choices, but it’s almost to be expected with these prepubescent heroes. The beginning seemed bogged down in exposition, but once it got that over with, clipped along at a steady pace. Carey creates a world of fairies and spells that, in all fairness, we have seen before. After all, it’s quite difficult to lay claim in originality in the world of fantasy what with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling wandering about. Regardless, it’s a recommended alternative to the usual. It’s also for those who are looking for a darker novel, yet pretty light on the horror in comparison to the more visceral books in this genre. Bottom line, it’s solid, nicely done, and, at the very least, worth a look. 4 stars. ****

Black Horses For The King By: Anne McCaffrey

In this book Galwyn Varianus is working for his uncle on a ship. He hates this more than anything in the world. The lack of horses seems to be his biggest problem. When he runs into Lord Artos he is awe struck. He wants to help this man in any way possible. After running away from his uncle he travels with Lord Artos to a fair where he finds out that Artos is planning to take the largest horses he can find and use them in the war against the Saxons.

The only problem with the beautiful black horses is that their hooves are not used to the wet ground and easily develop problems. A man named Canydthinks he’s got the answer. Shoes for the horses. No one but Galwyn believes in this idea. Together they struggle to develop the shoes in time for the war. If they succeed they could be the reason the British win the war.

Four ****

Wow! What a great book.

If Wishes Were Horses By Anne McCaffery

Tirza, Tracell, and Lady TalarrieEircelly are devastated when their father must go off to war. They are left to take care of a village of people who could be attacked at any time. Only Lady Talarrie's calm head and intelligence saves them.

Tirza and her twin Tracell want nothing more than to turn 16. They just can’t wait to grow up. When the war starts tirza realizes that while her present is still secure her brother's has galloped off to battle. She tries to ensure her brother's present will still be a great one but, he wants only one thing. A horse. As their birthday draws nearer she watches the chances of tracell getting a horse dwindle. With the help of her birthday present she thinks she can ensure his.

Find out if she succeeds in Anne McCaffery's If Wishes Were Horses.

Four ****

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope Everyone Has A Safe & Happy Thanksgiving!

The Library will be closed Thusday & Friday!

Vixen by, Jillian Larkin~~Review

Vixen The Flappers Series by, Jillian Larkin- Release Date Dec. 14,2010

I loved this book! It is so unique being set in the 20’s. This is the story of three friends. Gloria society girl engaged to Sebastian Grey a most eligible bachelor, Lorraine the neglected little rich girl wanting to be loved by a boy who doesn’t see her as anything but a friend, and Marcus the handsome playboy living his life to the fullest. Then there is Clara Gloria’s cousin who has come to Chicago in disgrace to “help with Gloria’s wedding” but there is more to Clara than meets the eye.

The excitement of rebelling against society and going to an underground speakeasy. For Gloria it is to try to live a little before she marries the boring Bastian. For Lorraine she just wants to get out from under Gloria’s shadow and be the center of attention. At the speakeasy Gloria meets Jerome part of the jazz band she finds she is attracted to him but there is a huge problem as Jerome is a man of color and this is the 1920’s.

This book has it all friendship, betrayal, secrets, forbidden love, and gangsters. From the uptown society of Chicago to the seedy underground I loved every minute of this book. Jillian Larkin takes you back to the 20’s and puts you right there the feel the music the clothes. She brings this period piece to life. I liked that the love story was sweet and not the usual fare. There is a lot of drinking as it is set during prohibition and they go to a speakeasy and a lot of smoking which in the 20’s was something everyone did. One just needs to remember that this is historical fiction and the author has re-created the atmosphere very well.

This is a great debut and a great beginning to a fun series. The ending is a cliffhanger that left me salivating for the next installment. Bravo Miss Larkin you have me completely hooked!

I received this book from Barnes & Noble First Look Program thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

4 ½ Stars

Keeper of the Keys by, Janny Wurts-Audiobook~~Review

Keeper of the Keys by, Janny Wurts-Audiobook~~Review

In this one we see Jaric still trying to not become his Father Ivain the Firelord, to run from his responsibilities yet deep down knows he must face them sooner or later. IMHO This book explores the question does the power make a man mad or is the man mad to begin with? Just because the Firelord Ivain, Jerics father, was mad/crazy with power does that mean that Jaric will be too?

Taen is going through some troubles of her own plus still trying to save Anskiere and Jeric. There are some nasty demons that are playing with Jeric & Taen making them/Me wonder just what to believe is it real or dream.

I know that’s a bad description but as usual there is a lot going on. Action packed all the way through it’s definitely the middle book because it was pure action from beginning to end.

I look forward to the next book to see how this story ends up. Will Jeric embrace his Firelord heritage? What will be the consequences to him and those around him if he does? Will Taen survive? Is there a way to save her brother from the demons who enslave him? Do all of Taen's dreams come true or do they change from people's choices? So yes alot of questions to answers in the next book.

I enjoyed the Epilogue's last line Taen reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara-Tomorrow could only come after today.


As with the last book the narration by David Thorpe was fantastic! His demons were so scary the voices gave me chills.

5 Stars

Wolf Hall by, Hilary Mantel ~~Review

Wolf Hall by, Hilary Mantel
This is a hard review to write because there is so much going on in this book. It is the story of Thomas Cromwell from the time he is a teen. He was instrumental in securing Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine so he could marry Anne Boleyn. He was a very ambitious man and I felt he went whichever way the wind blew to further himself.

Things about this book that left me wondering, the title for one, Wolf Hall only comes into it in the last 10 or so pages and that this is where the book ends not with the life of Thomas Cromwell but with the life of Sir Thomas Moore.

There seems to be so much more story to tell, it showed his rise to power but not his downfall there is only 5 more years of Thomas Cromwell’s life and I just feel like the story wasn’t finished yet. I think if you’re going to tell his story from a teen and up it should go to his death, especially when his fall from grace is only 5 years from the end of this book.

I did enjoy this book although it is rather confusing because so many people had the same names. I also think if you have no prior Tudor knowledge this book may not be for you. You need to know some of the players and history for this book to make sense. If you are a huge fan of the Tudors and would like some background into one of the minor players (With the Royals being the major ones) then this is for you. It was very well written but not a book I would read twice.

I did end up listening to this book on audio because I had a hard time getting into the print version. The Narrator Simon Slater was excellent and his mastery with all the different voices helped keep all the characters straight. If I were rating just the audio quality it would be a 4 - 41/2.Will be seeking out what else Simon Slater has narrated.

3 ½ Stars
Full Disclosure I won this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers program

The Hob's Bargain Patricia Briggs

Aren is a magical person. This in it's self is a death sentance. Then the night after she marries her family is killed along with her husband. She hides in the basment cellar from the robbers and the lands magic is somehow magically relased. She now realizes that the bandits aren't leaving and even more fear inspireing forces are on thier way.

She goes into the mountains and meets the Hob. He agrees to helkp Aren save the valley and village on one condition. Marrage. She agrees and he also starts to help her develop her magic. In the end with the help of the Hob she saves the village.

Four stars ****

The Wolving Time by Patrick Jennings

It’s quite a feat to find a decent werewolf book out there. Even more so is finding one that isn’t filled to the brim with content not fit for those who don’t enjoy passionate romance and all in which that entails. Thankfully, The Wolving Time provides an alternative to the bloody, steamy messes that often fill out the section of fantasy that happen to be of the lupine variety. This particular novel is set in medieval France when burnings were the popular way to root out what was deemed to be “evil.” Laszlo is a simple son of a shepherd, content to wile away his days tending to his flock. However, he awaits the day when he can join his parents as werewolves. This sort of werewolf is unlike your typical, man-eating, silver-bullet-vulnerable beast. Shape shifter would seem a more appropriate term since they are able to transform into wolves at will. The plot, at its most basic, doesn’t seek to surprise its readers with suspenseful twists and turns. Rather, it relies on its simple, yet eloquent, writing style and engaging characters. It’s a short book and, therefore, a quick read. Younger readers will enjoy it immensely, and older readers can as well. It’s intriguing enough to hold interest until the very end. The themes of prejudice and unjust persecution are apparent throughout the novel. It’s a solid effort despite its lack of complexity and earns 3 ½ stars.

One Crazy Summer by, Rita Williams-Garcia Audiobook Review

One Crazy Summer by, Rita Williams-Garcia Audiobook Review~~

Delphine and her sisters are being shipped off to spend the summer with the mother who left them when they were small to go off and become a poet. The girls arrive in Oakland in the late 60’s(1968?)to find their mother is a poet for the Black Panthers and still has really no interest in being their mother.

Wow what unfeeling mom Cecil is. Her daughter Delphine is so much more a grown-up than she is and a much better mom to the younger kids than Cecil is. Also such an interesting history lesson into a turbulent time in the US told through the eyes of an 11 year-old-girl. The girls end up being immersed into the Black Panther movement which kind of scares Delphine as she has seen and heard about arrests and murders of people just because they have an affiliation with the group. Of course as the summer goes on the relationship changes but maybe not as you would expect.

There are a few things I wonder about if Cecil didn’t want the girls there why did their father & Big Ma send them? And when certain things happen*No Spoilers* why wasn’t their father notified and the girls sent home? Why was it up to Delphine?
I think this is a must read! Do you hear me Newberry people?? This deserves every award it has won and will win.

On the Audio-The narration by Sisa Aisha Johnson is really great! She Is Delphine through & through! Her narration is totally believable and I see why this narrator has won an audiofile earphone award.

I won this book and would like to Thank Recorded Books for a great audio.

4 ½ stars

New Books & Library Happenings

Computer Class coming up Microsoft Access Nov. 16 & 18 6:30-8:30 $40.00 per person call Susie 947-5540.

New Books This Week:
In Adult Fiction:
Don’t Blink by, James Patterson
Legacy by, Danielle Steel
Play dead by, Harlan Coben
In From The Cold by, David R. Bliss –North Dakota Author
Bookmarked for Death by, Lorna Barrett
Homicide in Hardcover by, Kate Carlisle
Murder Runs in the Family by, Anne George
Hannah’s List by, Debbie Macomber
Say You’re One of Them by, Uwem Akpan
Pomegranate Soup by, Marsh Mehran
The Expedition by, Karl Iagnemma
Jamaica Inn by, Daphne DuMaurier
Ella in Bloom by, Shelby Hearon
A Stitch in Time by, Betty Hechtman
Foreign Body by, Robin Cook
You Can’t Drink All day If You Don’t Start in the Morning by, Celia Rivenbark
Shadow Play, Believers a Novella and Stories, Saul & Patsy & The Soul Thief by, Charles Baxter

In Adult Non-Fiction:
Sidewalk Thoughts by, Mickey Renner ND Author/Librarian in Dickinson
Falling Through The Earth: A memoir by, Danielle Trussoni
Face to Face by, Audrey Kishline & Sheryl Maloy
Into the Blue a Father’s Flight and a Daughter’s Return by, Susan Edsall
Warrior the Legend of Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen by, Peter Hathaway Capstick
So, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and be Happy by, Barbara Johnson
The Idiot Girls Action-Adventure Club True Tales From a Magnificent and Clumsy Life by, Laurie Notaro
Uncle John’s Legendary Lost Bathroom Reader
Burning Down The House Essays on Fiction by, Charles Baxter
Mother Knows Best the Natural Way to Train Your Dogs by, Carol Lea Benjamin

In Audio:
The Men Who Stare at Goats by, Jon Ronson
Sam’s letter’s to Jennifer by, James Patterson
The Brass Verdict by, Michael Connelly
One Crazy Summer by, Rita Williams-Garcia

In Adult Fantasy:
The Master of Whitethorn by, Janny Wurts
Daughter of the Empire & Servant of the Empire by, Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts
Sword-Dancer by, Jennifer Roberson
The Summer Tree by, Guy Gavriel Kay
St. Lucy’s Home For Girls Raised by Wolves by, Karen Russell

In Young Adult:
The Hunter’s Moon- the Summer King & The Light-Bearer’s Daughter by, O.R. Melling
The Blue Djinn of Babylon Children of the Lamp #2 by, PB Kerr
The Fallen –Leviathan-Aerie & Reckoning by, Thomas E. Sniegoski
Eighth Grade Bites-Ninth Grade Slays-Tenth Grade Bleeds-Eleventh Grade Burns by, Heather Brewer

In Juvenile Fiction:
A Soldiers Secret: The Story of Deborah Sampson by, Sheila Solomon Klass

In Juvenile Non-Fiction:
Cartoon Animator by, Don Rauf
Ancient Egypt Back to Basics by, Ann Mcrae

In Children’s Picture Books:Snoring Beauty by, Bruce Hale

Salting Roses: A Novel by Lorelle Marinello~~Review

Salting Roses: A Novel by Lorelle Marinello~~Release Date December 2010

I so enjoyed this book I read it in a day. This is the story of Gracie Calloway who was found on a doorstep in Alabama and raised with love by the people she was left with who thought she was their niece. They didn't have much money and Gracie was treated pretty badly as a child by other children whose families looked down on her. (No Spoilers it’s on the back of the book) Gracie is now 25 and happy with her life and family when she finds out she was kidnapped and is the heiress to a fortune.

This book is about making choices and what it really means to be family. I loved all the characters in this book with Artie being my favorite. There is a little romance, which I thought was a cute love story. But it is mostly about discovering who you are versus who you were meant to be. How would you deal with these life-changing events if you were in Gracie’s shoes?

Gracie is a strong stubborn woman set in her ways taking care of everyone around her but not thinking much about herself. I liked that she was a tomboy and played baseball, she has flaws and low self esteem and you will cheer for her to find her true self.

I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy southern fiction and great characters.

Thank you so much Library Thing Early Reviewers for the chance to read this book!

4 1/2 Stars

Stormwarden by, Janny Wurts~~Review

Stormwarden by, Janny Wurts Book 1 of The Cycle of Fire Series
Description from Goodreads: Written in the records at Vaere is the tale of the binding of the Mharg-demons by Anskiere, wizard of wind and wave. Anskiere was aided in this task by Ivain, master of fire and earth, for the skills of a single sorcerer were not enough against so formidable a foe.
It is further recorded that at the moment of greatest peril, Ivain betrayed his companion out of jealousy. Nonetheless the demons were defeated, the wards sealed, and Anskiere survived to swear a powerful oath against his betrayer. So potent was the magic in the words spoken by Anskiere that sailors who have visited the site claim the winds there repeat them to this day:
'Your offence against me is pardoned but not forgotten. This geas I lay upon you; should I call, you, Ivain, shall answer, and complete a deed of my choice, even to the end of your days. And should you die, my will shall pass to your eldest son, and to his son's sons after him, until the debt is paid...'

My Review:
This is a great epic fantasy! The two older sorcerers The Stormwarden, Anskiere & the Firewarden, Ivain had a major falling out and there was a geas placed on Ivain’s son and son’s of his son’s so now it comes to pass that Anskiere has called upon this geas .Which is where the children Jaric & Taen come in.

What makes this an Epic fantasy is there are children who know not what they can do or where they come from, there is a quest and there are demons and sorcery. There is adventure and kidnapping and betrayal this book just has it all!

Janny Wurts has done a great job at world building it is so well written and just takes you along for the ride. I thoroughly enjoyed this book I know my description above does not do it justice but with everything going on it is hard to describe. This was my first book by Janny Wurts and I plan on finding everything she’s written!

If you like epic fantasy this is a must read!

I listened to this on audio and the narration by, David Thorpe is Fantastic! His voices and accents are first rate he has become one of my favorite narrators just from this one book. He has great range and cannot wait to hear him read the rest of this series and anything else I can find narrated by him.

5 Stars