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Librarians Are Reading... |
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TITLES ON CASSETTE
Founding Mothers / Cokie Roberts
This biographical look at the women of the revolutionary era was fascinating. It made me wonder where we might be today as a country if it hadn't been for them. (Gretchen from CMS)
Rocket Boys: a Memoir / Homer H. Hickam, Jr.
A fascinating look at the 1950’s space race, a West Virginia coal mining town, and teenage boys with a lot of determination! Also published as October Sky, which is the movie title. (Lanette from CHE)
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II / Robert Kurson An amazing story of perseverance (and obsession) to explain the unknown. Scuba divers will be captivated by the detail of the underwater explorations. This year’s “Everyone’s Reading” selection. (Ellen from CMM)
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference / Malcolm Gladwell An interesting study of the phenomenon of word-of-mouth epidemics. Everything from Paul Revere galvanizing troops to the resurgence of the Hush Puppies brand of shoes are discussed as they relate to the “tipping point” theory. (Phil from CMS)
What Remains: a Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love / Carole Radziwill
Told with unflinching honesty, this sad, engrossing and poignant story is one that many of us that have lost loved ones suddenly or due to disease, can relate. Throw in an insider's look at John Kennedy Jr., a favorite of many since his salute, and you have a very good, but sad, read. (Jackie S. from RSV)
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American Gods / Neil Gaiman I loved how Gaiman interwove the different world mythologies to create a smart, revelatory tale. I was up late reading this one. (Celeste from CMPL)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time / Mark Haddon
Delightful and instructive novel narrated by a high-functioning autistic British teen whose probe into the murder of a neighbor's poodle leads him to truths about his family and himself. (Barb Williams from TPL)
The Historian / Elizabeth Kostova
An ancient book with letters addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor" provides an interesting plot revolving around Vlad the Impaler, commonly known as Dracula. (Sue from EPL)
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell / Susanna Clarke
One of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. It's a fantasy set in Victorian times, and it captures that era beautifully. (Kristen from SLC)
The Kite Runner / Khaled Hosseini An impressive debut novel about two unlikely Afghan friends. It is a story of betrayal and redemption, with plot twists and realistic characters. (Phil from CMS) This was my favorite book of 2005. It is a riveting portrayal of a childhood friendship betrayed, forgiveness, and redemption. It brings to life the cultural richness of Afghanistan in the 1970s, a country torn apart by political upheaval, prejudice and war. The author writes about his homeland with love, frustration and regret. A bittersweet must read. (Kathy Champieux from CMPL)
The Mitford Years series / Jan Karon
Corny, hokey, schmaltzy, sappy? Well, yes. Heart-warming, sentimental, emotional, inspiring? Yes, and then some! You'll love these stories of the fictional town of Mitford, and you'll laugh out loud at the characters with their small-town idiosyncrasies. (C. Federspiel from MCL)
Monkeewrench / P. J. Tracy I was quite taken with the quirky, engaging characters with mysterious pasts. A serial killer computer game comes to life in Minneapolis. (Beth from CMM)
Mortal Allies / Brian Haig Fast-paced, irreverently funny, with serious undertones, this novel is a good read for those who enjoy Nelson Demille or Craig Holden. (Kathleen Lamb from CMPL)
My Sister's Keeper / Jodi Picoult
This work of fiction could have been ripped from the headlines with its theme of family ties and medical ethics. It's a compelling story with a shocking twist. (Gretchen from CMS)
Never Let Me Go / Kazuo Ishiguro This story is much more than the friendship/love triangle between Kathy H., Tommy and Ruth. Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s Tale in its depiction of a potential dystopia. Very moving. (Celeste from CMPL)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series / Alexander McCall Smith Despite the title, these are not mysteries; rather they are a series of stories about Precious Ramotswe and the people with whom she surrounds herself and make up her world in Botswana. It is rare to read a series imbued with such warmth, decency and goodness yet is not mired in piety. The series provides a reading oasis, a respite from our complicated and, sometimes petty, lives. (Marie at CMPL)
Prince of Fire / Daniel Silva An Israeli agent struggles with issues of justice and revenge. The Cold War may be over; we are fortunate that the stylish spy novel lives on! (Beth from CMM)
The Tarnished Eye / Judith Guest
A Sheriff investigates the brutal murders of a family in northern Michigan. Very good suspense kept me guessing and references to places in Michigan, especially Ann Arbor, were fun. Based on a true story. (Debbie Vercellone from SHL)
The Time Traveler’s Wife / Audrey Niffenegger I don’t like science fiction, but this story is so unique it doesn’t seem like it’s sci-fi. It’s more a story of love and what people will sacrifice to keep their loved ones. (Ellen from CMM)
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