Saturday, July 30, 2011

Popular summer reading author: Jodi Picoult


Handle With Care
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"Good book. She always weaves a great story!" Rating: 5
-- Marie K.
Nineteen Minutes
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"Disturbing topic written in typical Picoult style." Rating: 3
-- Amy S.

Sing You Home
NEW FICTION PICOULT
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"I am a big fan of her books and this one did not disappoint. I didn't want it to end!" Rating: 5
-- Natalie S.

Popular summer reading author: Nicholas Sparks


Dear John
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"It was really sad but I liked it a lot. The story line was very unpredictable." Rating: 4
-- Audrey M.

The Last Song
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"I liked the new perspective of a teenage love story. Being a teenager, it allowed me to connect, even though I'm super different from the main character." Rating: 5
-- Geneva B.

The Lucky One
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"My least favorite Sparks book to date. I predicted most of the story except one bit at the end which wasn't very interesting. Protagonists were bores. There were some great supporting characters though -- Zeke the German shepherd and Nana, the sharp granny." Rating: 3
-- Lindsey S.

Message in a Bottle
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"This book was a classic Nicholas Sparks book. It starts with a single mother who gives up on believing in men - until she finds a letter written by a man in love. It's a tear-jerker, but very good." Rating: 4
-- Geneva B.

True Believer
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"Another classic Sparks book. Romantic, loving and leaving the reader with a feeling of wanting one of these 'perfect' relationships. Although not my favorite, I loved and enjoyed it." Rating: 4
-- Geneva B.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Summer reading reviews: Mystery

Best Murder of the Year by Jon P. Bloch
MYSTERY BLOCH
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"It was ok! Slow in the beginning. Picks up when the character everyone loves dies." Rating: 3
-- Andrew R.
Below Zero by C.J. Box
MYSTERY BOX
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"A new author for me. I enjoyed the story and suspense but because the characers go from book to book I should have started with books from years ago and then caught up to the present." Rating: 4
-- Diane M.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
MYSTERY BRADLEY
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"Flavia de Luce is a delightful 11-year-old sleuth." Rating: 5
-- Louvera M.

Jinxed by Carol Higgins Clark
MYSTERY CLARK
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"Another smart, short and quicky sleuth about the wine area of California and its inhabitants. Cute and entertaining." Rating: 4
-- Donna R.
Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark
MYSTERY CLARK
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"Comedy, mystery and adventure taking place during the New York, New Jersey Blackout. Good reading. Entertaining." Rating: 5
-- Donna R.

Whiplash by Catherine Coulter
FICTION COULTER
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"Good mystery. She always writes a book that holds your interest." Rating: 5
-- Marie K.
Love You More by Lisa Gardner
NEW FICTION GARDNER
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"Good mystery - Keeps you guessing until the end! Enjoyed Ms Gardner's writing style." Rating: 5
-- Marie K.
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
FICTION WEINER
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"This murder/mystery book kept me guessing until the end. I haven't read one lately that you don't know the ending by the end of the first chapter!" Rating: 4
-- Kimberly W.
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
MYSTERY WINSPEAR
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"This is a good depiction of pre WWI England -- class structure and how the war began a change." Rating: 4
-- Louvera M.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Popular summer reading author: Philip Margolin

Executive Privilege
FICTION MARGOLIN
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"Just when you think you have it figured out -- there's a new twist to this thriller. It's a great read." Rating: 5
-- Diane M.
Fugitive
FICTION MARGOLIN
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"If you love thrillers, suspense, twists and turns, you'll love this book."
Rating: 5
-- Diane M

Supreme Justice
FICTION MARGOLIN
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"A suspense thriller. Written by a defense attorney knowledgeable with criminal behavior." Rating: 4
-- Louvera M.

"Good book about the workings of Supreme Court and how attorneys investigate their cases." Rating: 5
-- Donna R.
The Undertaker’s Widow
FICTION MARGOLIN
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"Love the author -- love the book. Suspense - a plot with turns and surprises." Rating: 5
-- Diane M
Wild Justice
FICTION MARGOLIN
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"You just have to keep reading -- don't want to put it down. Twists and turns and plenty of excitement." Rating: 5
-- Diane M.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Popular summer reading picks

Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
NEW FICTION EVANOVICH
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"Not my favorite but still enjoyable." -- Gemma W.
Rating: 4

"Love the series. Will Stephanie ever make up her mind? Interesting situations abound." -- Jeanne E.
Rating: 5

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
FICTION GRUEN
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"Can't wait to see the movie." -- Michelle O.
Rating: 4

"This book was excellent. I wasn't wild about the circus theme, but the story behind it was compelling. This book had the best ending." -- Sandra L.
Rating: 4

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
FICTION STEIN
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"It was so compelling, I read it in 3 days. It's about so much more than life, through a dog's eyes." -- Sharon N.
Rating: 5

"A heart-warming story from a dog's perspective. Well-written, have the tissue box close by." -- Shirley K.
Rating: 5

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
FICTION STOCKETT
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"This was a page turner with its three different narrators. I fell in love with one of them, Aibileen, from the very first page. And it was how much I loved (and hated) some of the characters that made me want to constantly read this book." -- Lindsey S.
Rating: 5

"I loved the book! The writer's style was different and the narration was brilliant!" -- Yadushri A.
Rating: 5

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Summer reading reviews: New books

The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry
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"This and his last book have definitely been sub par. The story starts off captivating but then quickly tapers off." Rating: 3
-- Emily K.
Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy
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"A predictable Binchy group of people -- eccentric, but lovable who all do their bit to help a single father raise a baby after the baby's mother dies in childbirth." Rating: 4
-- Louvera M.
The Devil’s Light by Richard North Patterson
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"Excellent insight into intrigue and greed in the Middle East." Rating: 5
-- Donna R.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough by Ruth Pennebaker
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"Three generations of women living together proves to be a challenge to all of them. Refreshing ending that isn't 'all tidy,' but is realistic." Rating: 4
-- Sue G.
The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey
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"It was good. I couldn't put it down. Had to see what happens next." -- Andrew R.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Summer reading reviews: Biographies and memoirs

Defending Baltimore Against Enemy Attack: A Boyhood Year During World War II by Charles Osgood
LARGE TYPE BIOGRAPHY OSGOOD
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Rating: 5 out of 5
Bossypants by Tina Fey
NEW BIOGRAPHY
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"This book had me laughing throughout. It didn't make me like or dislike Tina Fey anymore than I already did. She is just like her TV persona in this book." Rating: 4
-- Lindsey S.
Life’s That Way by Jim Beaver
BIOGRAPHY BEAVER
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Rating: 4
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
BIOGRAPHY BURROUGHS
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"Great book. A page turner. Not a book for anyone who is easily offended or kids due to frank description of sexual activity. I would definitely re-read!" Rating: 4
-- Shannon M.
Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain by Portia De Rossi
BIOGRAPHY DE ROSSI
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"It was quite a heartwrenching story. She struggled so much but was able to overcome a lot as well. Truly enjoyed reading this." Rating: 5
-- Lizza A.
Coming Home to Myself by Wynona Judd
BIOGRAPHY JUDD
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"Alright muddy depiction of Wynona -- hard read." Rating: 3
-- Heather K.

Monday, July 18, 2011

My summer reading picks

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
FICTION HIGASHINO
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This was the first time I've read this author and I plan to read more by him. Yasuko's ex-husband won't stop harassing her. To defend themselves during one of his visits, she and her daughter Misato kill him. Their neighbor, Ishigami, a mathematics genius, offers his help to them and takes care of all the details to hide the evidence of what happened. He does not tell them what he did and only asks that they follow his directions exactly. The police come to question Yasuko, her daughter, Yasuko's former employer, etc., and it seems that they are hot on the trail of what actually happened. I thought I knew where the story would end up, but I was wrong. I really enjoyed Higashino's writing style.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
NEW BIOGRAPHY FEY
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I'm a fan of Tina Fey and her work on SNL and 30 Rock. I enjoyed reading her stories about growing up and loved the passages where she describes her intimidating father, Don Fey. It was also fun to read about how she juggled 30 Rock, appearing on SNL as Sarah Palin, and throwing her daughter's birthday party during the same period of time during the 2008 election campaign.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
TEEN PERKINS
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Anna is sent to Paris by her father for her senior year of high school. She doesn't know the language and misses her friends and family back home. After meeting some new people they encourage her to explore Paris. Her friendship with Etienne, the guy everyone seems to have a crush on, grows into something more but neither admits to their feelings. Anna and the French Kiss has realistic dialogue and a great concept. I love how Perkins wrote the character of Anna. Anna is a cinephile who wants to be a film critic. She is quite self-conscious about not being able to speak French; she listens to how a friend purchases a movie ticket and writes it down phonetically so she is able to go to the movies by herself. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for Perkins' next book, Lola and the Boy Next Door, due to be released at the end of September.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
SCIENCE FICTION MARTIN
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This is a really engrossing read in the fantasy genre spanning many characters. I like how Martin writes each chapter "in the head" of a different character. It was hard to keep track of everyone at first. At the end I was excited to start right in on the second book in the series, A Clash of Kings. I also plan to watch HBO's TV series of the same name to see how they brought Martin's creation to life.
The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious--and Perplexing--City by David Lebovitz
641.013 LEB
Lebovitz writes about moving to Paris, acclimating himself to the often confusing ways of Parisian culture, and shares many delicious recipes, which I want to photocopy and test out myself. I enjoyed reading his observations of and experiences in Paris.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Summer reading picks: "I couldn't put it down!"

One Summer by David Baldacci
NEW FICTION
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"Definitely a different venue for this author. But still exciting and a constant page-turner to the end." -- Donna R.
The Confession by John Grisham
FICTION GRISHAM
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"Grisham pulls you into this one. Can't put it down until the final verdict. True courtroom drama." -- Shirley K.
Stone Cold by David Baldacci
FICTION BALDACCI
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"Excellent, kept you glued to book til you reached the end." -- Donna R.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
FICTION GRUEN
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"It was very good and it kept me interested. There weren't many slow parts and I was always eager to read on. Some parts were a bit 'racy' and you would have to be mature to read it." -- Olivia B.
Joust by Mercedes Lackey
SCIENCE FICTION LACKEY
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"Tastes a bit like Dragonriders of Pern, and a bit like every Egypt story you've ever read; but with enough of its own unique flavor that you just can't put it down." -- Rhonda S.
Lost Lake by Phillip Margolin
FICTION MARGOLIN
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"Margoli is a master of criminal thrillers. You are drawn in to the story and do not want to put it down. 'Enjoy the read.'" -- Diane M.
Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA by Ellen Meister
FICTION MEISTER
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"Funny, easy to relate to. Couldn't put it down." -- Natalie S.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Summer reading: Staff picks

Summer in Tuscany by Elizabeth Adler
FICTION ADLER
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"A light, easy read. Good descriptions of scenery, food, and wine. Started to get a little frustrated with the main character. It's annoying when a woman constantly thinks she doesn't deserve love right up until the end." -- Kirstin F.
Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
NEW FICTION PHILLIPS
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"I thought the premise was great: Brie from out of town has second thoughts just before wedding and runs off. Everyone hates the maid of honor who talked her into it and she gets stuck in town with no money to pay the hotel and has to find a job." -- Jeanne E.
Murder on Nob Hill by Shirley Tallman
MYSTERY TALLMAN
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"Very good. Tried a new author -- the main character in 1890s was 3rd woman to become an attorney." -- Kathy S.
A Dark and Stormy Night by Jeanne M. Dams
MYSTERY DAMS
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"If you like a good British mystery, this is one for you. Great setting, characters, keeps you guessing. " -- Carrie E.

Bottom Dollar Girls series by Karin Gillespie
A Dollar Short: The Bottom Dollar Girls go to Hollywood
FICTION GILLESPIE
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"A nice little feel good book." -- Gemma W.
Bet Your Bottom Dollar
LARGE TYPE FICTION GILLESPIE
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"A very sweet and humorous novel. The Bottom Dollar Girls are too cute." -- Gemma W.
Dollar Daze: The Bottomed Girls in Love
FICTION GILLESPIE
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"This was a very cute book. I'm sad there are no more in the series." -- Gemma W.

Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans
NEW FICTION EVANS
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"A believeable story. Things that look bad can get better and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel." -- Carrie E.