Monday, September 21, 2009

Fall Weather

We are finally getting our summer here in the Northland and we are seeing fewer people at the library. But don't let the nice weather stop you from visiting the library. We have great books and more to offer regardless of what the weather is doing. So on your way to the cabin or the lake, swing by the library and pick up a book or two to wile away the time on these lazy days of summer.

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, September 22nd from 6 - 8 pm the library will be having its monthly Family gaming night. Bring the family and enjoy playing games together, whether board or electronic. No registration necessary, but all children need to be accompanied by an adult.

Tomorrow will also be the monthly Friends of the Library book sale from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Stop in and select a book or two to stash at the cabin for hunting season or last sunny summery weekends away. All sales are by donation with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the Library and their support of the library and its programming.

Diane

Friday, July 31, 2009

More Patron Reviews of what they are Reading

Scat by Carl Hiassen. Learn about Florida's endangered species, a missing teacher, the class delinquent and a stuffed rat. Nick and Marta, of Naples, FL have adventures with all of these. Very clever, very funny with characters you come to admire and care for.

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts. I like Nora Roberts and this was one of her better stories - interesting cast of characters, teasing plot for a mystery and wonderful descriptions of Alaska. Reminded me of Northern Exposure! A good lake book for a rainy summer vacation.

A Darker Domain by Val McDermid. A great mystery. Set in present day England and Scotland. You follow along as cold cases in the crime unit are explored. Twisty and turny, it will hold your attention.

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner. Good book. Three generations of women tell their stories. The story of the past was as good as the present.

Apologize, Apologize by Elizabeth Kelly. Since when did books have to be all swear words, and vulgar language like the movies. Hated this book, with the author kept the swearing to a minimum and the story more about the main character, Collie. Poorly written.

Wild Water Walking Club by Claire Cook. Real women, real friends who push their limits, get of the box.

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritson. Complicated mystery involving archaeologists and Egyptian mummies.

Domestic Pleasures by Beth Gutcheon. Story of the daily events families deal with... marriage, divorce, death, raising children and the interconnection between families. Wonderful descriptions of growing up in the teen years. Not a book I could sit and read straight through. Enjoyed reading a few excerpts periodically, just to see what was happening in the families.

Nothing is Quite Forgotten in Brooklyn by Alice Mattison. Not a great story, not a good book. The author goes on and on about nothing.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The author offers explanations for achievements that fall outside of normal experiences. Absolutely fascinating, especially the theory of 10,000 hours. "How old is this guy, anyway? He looks about 15!

Heroes by Robert Cormier. Who is the hero? The author doesn't answer this question for us but challenges us to question our beliefs and find our own answers. Francis Cassevant returns from WWII missing a face after falling on a grenade. His plan is to kill a man who betrayed his trust, a man who had previously been his hero. This man saved many lives during the war and was hailed as a hero by the townspeople. Who is the real hero? Thought provoking, disturbing and beautifully written.

Gravity by Tess Garrison. Bad stuff happens on the space station - single celled organisms multiply, become deadly, threatening earth. Jack has to save his estranged wife Emma, before she dies. Scary!

Life in Rewind by Perry Yeible Murphy with Ed Zine and Michael Jenike. I was the first one to read this new book. I had a hard time putting this book down. And there were a couple of surprises. She is a very good writer!

How to Talk Minnesotan by Howard Mohr. What a hoot! We read a chapter or two a night for our Kentucky guest and just laughed and laughed. Now she can say 'whatever' with the best. We're going to throw in 'Uff Da' as a special treat. Oh for fun!

The Haunting of Josie by Kay Hooper. The last series romance by Kay Hooper. Josie vindicates her father accused of arson, meets the man of her dreams and hangs out with a ghost. Gives a hint where the author's interests will go in her future novels. Ok for a series romance. Candy reading.

Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. A very detailed memoir of living with savant syndrome. Valuable insight into living and communicating with the "average" individual. My favorite quote - You don't have to be disabled to be different... we're all different.

In God We Trust by Eric Dregni. I enjoyed this book very much! So down to my way of thinking and speaking - humorous parts!

Skies over Sweetwater by Julia Moberg. 15 year old girl loves to fly with her father. When he is killed following a bad landing, her mother and sister pull away from her, feeling she was the cause of the crash. But her love of flight continues and she joins the women pilots who transport planes and materials so that male pilots can fight in WWII. Based on true events. Very interesting!

Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn. Another great book - good story line - different but similar!

Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs. A predictable storyline. The kind of book you pick up when you need a relaxing read - just want a story. My first book by this author. I would probably read another written by her but wouldn't be anxiously waiting for her next book.

Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis. Stupid, highly unlikely. Even the gorgeous naked man (a burned-out nice cop) can't redeem the inanity of this book. A total waste of time, about on a par with daytime TV. Mia culpa.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Brian Robeson, 13, struggles to survive in the Canadian wilderness. Scary, uplifting, thought provoking. How will being so close to nature - pared to the essentials for life - change our protagonist? It was fun for us Southerners to look up birds, mammals, fish, and berries to learn about the northern habitat.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

What's being read? See below for reviews

Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child. This was a fast read. I found it hard to put down. The plot was well written with a lot of twists and turns. The ending was surprising and thought provoking.

The Laws of Money & The Lessons of Life by Suze Orman. Good straight forward approach. Lots of reminder lessons and ideas for dealing with money in these economic times.

Super in the City by Daphne Uviller. A funny, bright, sexy read. I didn't think I would like this one as I don't usually agree with critics who rave how good a book is, but I was wrong. Only regret that it's a short book at 292 pages. I will definitely check out other writings by this author.

The Final Planet by Andrew M. Greeley. I prefer his "Blackie" mysteries and the Nuala Anne series.

The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy. Binchy brings her characters to life. You become so immersed in their lives, its hard to put the book down, although its a small town in Ireland without much drama.

Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement. Quick, fun read combining mystery with facts about pets.

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. "Is your life out of control? Do people take advantage of you? Do you have trouble saying no?" Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. This book explains, in detail, how physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual boundaries can be set up and maintained. I wish I'd read this book when it was first published in 1992.

Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip. A retelling of Tam Lin.

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley. A wonderful retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

The Watsons by Jane Austen and Joan Aitken. As with most posthumous publications, it just isn't Austen.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. The basic premise of the impact of brittle bone disease and its impact on a family was well done. By the end of the story with yet another social/ethical issue thrown in I found myself saying "enough." Speaks well of the author's ability to tell a story that keeps you wondering where this tale will lead. Evidence of research before writing. However, enough Jodi Picoult for me for a while.

A Thread of Truth by Marie Bartwick. A tale blending domestic abuse issues, breast cancer, quilting and the bonds of friendship. Pleasant reading, but unfortunately poor editing with many instances of incorrect words, missing words and words in the wrong order.

Trust No One by Gregg Hurwitz. Good book, easy read. Had some twists and turns that were unexpected.

Sweet Wells by Elizabeth Gill. Ugh - Just wanted to get through the book. Boring, plus I think the author needs to go back and read the descriptions of her characters (one she describes as trustworthy, together helpful and courteous was very, very mean).

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Book Reviews

Here are some more reviews of books by fellow library patrons. See what others are reading and commenting on.

Welcome to the Departure Lounge by Meg Federico. A funny/sad story regarding caring for one aging mother and the sometimes hopeless situations that arise.

Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson. I very much like the entire series of books about Goldy the caterer; however, her being assaulted in every book gets a little old. If this author would discontinue that practice, I'd rate the books 5 for enjoyment.

The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule. If all I do as a mother is "keep up" with my kids, what will I take away from their young years? The arts equals time spent with my children as well as tangible, creative and personal creations to take away with. This book also helped me to realize it is ok to have a messy home. It just means our home is filled with creative life!

Partner in Crime by J. A. Jance. J. P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady together! This book kept me up reading all night. I just couldn't put it down.

Birds of Prey by J. A. Jance. Great story, but I did miss some of the characters J. P. Beaumont interacts with in the rest of the series. Didn't disappoint though.

Desert Heat by J. A. Jance. Love this book. You have to love the characters. Keeps you turning pages and wanting more. Great twist at the end!

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The book was amazing. It is really interesting how the book was based on Mrs. Dean telling a story about Catherine and Heathcliff.

Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof by Blaize Clement. Nice, fun, easy read. Cute mystery.

Second Time Around by Marcia Willett. 3 strangers - a 22 year old woman, an elderly widower and a retiring prep-school matron discover they are related and inherit a house in England that they decide to share rather than sell. Follow their life experiences where even the dogs have dialogue. Very descriptive of the English countryside. Theme: How do you define happiness?

A Cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter. A pleasure trip to Hershey Park ends in tragedy for an Amish couple and friends and relatives. For some - life is over - the rest must live with the consequences. Very good.

Adultery for Beginners by Sarah Duncan. Thought this would be a "lighter" happier read. Was very serious and not a great story.

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Cruise and Bob Mayer. Great Book. Funny with a little mystery thrown in.

Bright Hair about the Bone by Barbara Claverly. Interesting book. Kept my attention.

Broken Wing by Thomas Lakeman. Well-written. Held my attention, set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The Black Tower by Louis Bayard. Fictional account of the Bourbon Restoration after the French Revolution.

Mercy Me by Margaret A. Graham. a nice book - seeing how God can change people's hearts and the results of God's work on people.

The Laws of Harmony by Judith Ryan Hendricks.
A little mystery, romance and self-discovery. A page turner for me with unexpected events. (I didn't read the back cover.) I'll definitely consider reading more books by this author. A good summer read.

Breach of Trust by Diana Mills. Very intriguing. Small town librarian, Paige Rogers has a secret, she is really a CIA operative hiding from her past - but now the past has caught up to her - who can she trust?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Summer Reading Kickoff - with Cheney & Mills

Friday, June 12, 2009

More Reviews

Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg. A father's memory of dealing with his daughter's psychotic breakdown and diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The main story is about the "negra" housekeepers secretly telling their stories about the households they work, which will be published. Addresses civil rights activities in the 1960's, class struggles in the south, both between black and white southern. Also a southern young woman returning home after college and dealing with attitudes learned growing up and the struggle to develop her own identity/values.

Leepike Ridge by N. D. Wilson. Fun, adventure book for boys. But gets you thinking too.

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. This story takes place before the popular trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. It explains how the one ring of power came to be in Bilbo Baggins possession and details his adventure to the Lonely mountain.

The Testament by John Grisham. Another lawyer case involving a paranoid billionaire and who he's willed his money to. A good description of the Pantanol in Brazil.

Stitched in Time by Alicia Paulson. Great, innovative ideas for memory keeping - not just scrapbooking.

The Creative Family by Amanda Soule. Chock full of ideas to bring creativity into your household.

Book Reviews

Here are a few reviews written by library patrons of what they are reading this summer. Enjoy!

The Brethrenby John Grisham. Excellent in how he intertwines so many assets and people into the plot. His lawyer experience helps alot!

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier. Thought provoking book. How many people do you remember, but not necessarily know personally? Also, what will major companies do to increase revenue - do they realize (or care) that they have crossed the line? If your memory of someone sends them to heaven, how many will you send?

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center. Great Summer Read! Funny and honest, into the woman/man relationship stereotypes and truths.

Little Dorritt I & II by Charles Dickens. For his day and age, I don't know how the author did it without a computer. The book had chapters but no paragraphs and was 800 pages total. Every person that was mentioned in the story had an ending and were woven thru the whole book.

Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Ahern. I liked it more than P.S. I Love You, also by the same author. I think there is a new one printed with the Rosie Dunne character in it. Looking forward to reading that one.

A Claim of Her Own by Stephanie Grace Whitson. 20 year old Mattie is running from her past. She hopes to make a new life by joining her brother in the gold fields of Deadwood, S. D. Upon arriving, her dreams are dashed as her brother is dead. Can Mattie make a life for herself as a prospector? She finds friends and love and danger. A very good read.

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. A wonderful tale of 5 women who meet in the park where they take their children. The gathering to watch the Miss America pageant in the 1960's drew me into the story and then they began meeting weekly (Wednesday, then Sunday @ sunrise) to write. The history of the changes in women's rights makes me want to recommend this book to my daughter's "30 something" book club.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Summer Reading Kickoff - 6/9/09

Summer reading involves programs for children, teens and adult. Stop by the library to get all the information about these programs today.

On June 9th, the children's summer reading program kicked off with a performance by jugglers Cheney & Mills. They were terrific and 200+ people enjoyed their show. Check out our flickr account to see a few photos of the great time had. And make sure you check the calendar for all the great programs.