Librarians Are Reading...

TITLES ON COMPACT DISC

Non-Fiction

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)

Glass Castle: A Memoir / Jeanette Walls

So fascinating and disturbing, it is like you can't look away!   MSNBCs Jeannette Walls grew up with genius/unstable dad, an artistic/unstable mom and numerous neglected sibs.  This memoir, although frequently painful, provides the reader with a unique glimpse of truly crazy dysfunctional family relationships, the choice of homelessness and wandering. (Marie from CMPL)

This memoir of the author's bizarre childhood at the hands of two people who should never have become parents is both shocking and inspiring.  A terrific read. (Connie Doherty from TPL)

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America / Barbara Ehrenreich

A sobering examination of the lives of low-skilled workers in America.  The author goes undercover taking a number of low paying jobs – waitressing, house cleaning, working at Wal-Mart, etc. – and encounters first-hand the hardship and humiliation one endures while trying to make ends meet in such positions. (Phil from CMS)

Notes from a Small Island / Bill Bryson

A must-read for Anglophiles! Bryson's commentary about his travels around Britain is hilarious, touching and deadly accurate. Warning: this book will make you homesick for the sceptre'd isle. (Cathy Russ from MCL)

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)

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)

The Year of Magical Thinking / Joan Didion

Honest and poignant look at one person's journey through the grieving process in the year following her husband's death. (Kathleen Lamb from CMPL)

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Fiction

Baker Towers / Jennifer Haigh

The Pennsylvania coal town of Bakerton was home to Polish and Italian immigrants in the 1940s and 50s. The struggles of the 5 Novak children are played out against this background of ethnic customs and coal town life. I loved this timely saga. (Debbie Vercellone from SHL)

The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell / Lillian Jackson Braun

This is another entry in the “Cat Who” series.  Patrons love to take these books out, especially if they come in Book on CD series. (Rita Bartone from TPL)

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)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close / Jonathan Safran Foer

A Damon Runyonesque cast of characters and the aftereffects of an epic scale disaster make this book a provocative read.  Add a precocious boy’s spiritual quest and this reads like an emotionally charged heroic tale. (Librarian from CHE)

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 Lighthouse / P. D. James

A famous novelist dies in secluded Combe Island's lighthouse. Inspector Dalgleish interviews the odd suspects including the victim's twisted daughter, her lover/daddy's copy editor, and odd island residents. The imaginary island seems very real with great descriptive writing. (Librarian from SCS)

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)

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)

Secret History of the Pink Carnation / Lauren Willig

This book is about the Pink Carnation, a true-life enigma who worked in France after the Revolution.  It is a book full of romance and adventure. An intriguing story. (Ruth from SCS)

Star of the Sea / Joseph Conrad

Well-written, intricate mystery set on a ship carrying immigrants from Ireland to the U.S.  Excellent historical detail regarding Irish famine and the voyage to America. (Diana Franco from TPL)

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)

Wicked / Gregory Maguire

One of the weirdest and most thought-provoking books I've read in a long time, turning the Wizard of Oz story on its head. An excellent book discussion book, but not one for the impatient. (Cathy Russ from MCL)

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