Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Staff reviews and recommendations from summer reading

Jefferson Key by Steve Berry
NEW FICTION BERRY
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"Good series, good author history I didn't know about. Author's notes at end saying what's real and what is fiction is wonderful." Rating: 4
-- Jeanne E.
The Enchanter's Forest by Alys Clare
MYSTERY CLARE
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"Good series, takes place in 1190's. This one is when Richard the Lionheart has returned from captivity. The English people were taxed to pay his captor's ransom demands -- many nearly destitute." Rating: 4
-- Jeanne E.
High Five by Janet Evanovich
MYSTERY EVANOVICH
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"Who doesn't like Janet Evanovich?! This book is fast-paced, funny and sometimes sexy." Rating: 4
-- Heather Z.
The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
FICTION GARDNER
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"A decent 'detective' story. Lots of possibilities and then wrapped up neatly at the end. Not heart-pounding, but kept my interest." Rating: 3
-- Kirstin F.
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
TEEN HOPKINS
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"A tragic account of a teen's descent into drugs. Written like poetry (liked that a lot)." Rating: 4
-- Kirstin F.
Slam by Nick Hornby
TEEN HORNBY
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"Hornby never disappoints. His writing is witty, funny and his characters are endearing." Rating: 5
-- Kirstin F.
The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman
741.642092 KAL
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"Certainly a unique read. It's quirky and inspiring." Rating: 4
-- Heather Z.
Masterpiece of Murder by Mary Kruger
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"Historical mystery -- 1890's husband/wife team. Husband is a cop and doesn't want wife to help but she always gets involved anyway." Rating: 4
-- Kathy S.
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai
NEW FICTION MAKKAI
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"A funny, smart, quick read. I related a lot to the main character -- a young library assistant. Probably my most-enjoyable read of the summer!" Rating: 4.5
-- Heather Z.
Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht
NEW FICTION OBREHT
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"It was a little slow in the beginning but I couldn't put it down by the end. The story is a fascinating blend of folklore and science, war and family." Rating: 5
-- Heather Z.
Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt
IN THE NEWS -- BIOGRAPHY
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"I really liked the memoiry stuff and inside view of standup comedy. The more experimental stuff I didn't like as much." Rating: 3.5
-- Heather Z.
The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan
NEW JUV FICTION RYAN
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"Fictionalized account of Pablo Neruda's childhood in Chile. The writing is elegant with Neruda's poems interspersed . Peter Sis adds his delicate pen drawings to make this a very special book for children and adults." Rating: 5
-- Heidi H.
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
NEW FICTION SCOTTOLINE
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"Well-written -- could happen to anyone. A mother's courage to do the right thing. Lots of twists and turns." Rating: 5
-- Carrie E.
Murder on Sisters' Row by Victoria Thompson
NEW MYSTERY THOMPSON
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"Historical mystery. A good 'cozy' mystery." Rating: 3
-- Kathy S.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
TEEN WESTERFELD
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"Good juvenile fantasy based on an alternative World War I. Military moves in mechanical walkers (clankers/Germans) vs Darwinists (Brits) who have bred fantastical creatures to use in battles. Good fun." Rating: 4
-- Heidi H.