Staff Pick - Marvin Gaye's "Number Ones"

Marvin Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown Records in the 1960s with a string of hits, including "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".

In 1970, Gaye recorded his new composition "What's Going On" after he witnessed an act of police brutality at an anti-war rally in Berkeley.  Upon hearing the song, Motown’s Berry Gordy refused its release thinking the song "too political" for radio.   Finally released in 1971, it reached number one on the R&B charts within a month, staying there for five weeks, selling over two million copies. 

-Wikipedia

"What's Going On" is the song I think of when the TV news reports on the continuing problems in our society today. The CD “Number Ones” is a good way to introduce yourself to this man’s music, and if you already know him, a good way to revisit the hits that made him famous.

If you'd like to check out Marvin Gaye's "Number Ones," you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Nancy J.

Staff Pick - The Happy Room

In The Happy Room by Catherine Palmer, the Mossman children believed their parents had abandoned them after being sent to a boarding school at a young age. Peter turned from God in anger, while Julia embraced her faith. 

They are drawn together by their sister's tragic illness, and they must face the truth of their past. They make peace with each other and their parents and discover God has never left them. 

I found this to be a very interesting read. The characters are children of missionary parents to Kenya, and this book includes description of the culture and language of its people. 

One thing I took away from this book is that despite anger and bitterness toward family, there is room for forgiveness and peace!  I would love to read more books by this author!

If you'd like to check out The Happy Room, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Staci

Blue Zones Power 9: Loved Ones First

This is the eighth post in a nine-part series in which we are sharing resources available at the library to help you get on track with the Blue Zones Project.

Sometimes maintaining a positive relationship with family can be a challenge, especially during the stressful holiday season. According to the Blue Zones website, "centurions put their family first." Healthy relationships with grandparents, life partners and children can lead to happier, less stressful lives. But how do we achieve that? Here are a few items in the library's collection that may help:

Putting Family First
by William Doherty and Barbara Carlson

Successful strategies for reclaiming family life in a hurry-up world. The authors outline realistic ways in which to regain family connections and enable more meaningful home relationships, presenting tips for time-crunched parents on such topics as family meals, outings, conflicts, and making time for a marriage.

The Five Languages of Apology
by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas

In this book, you will learn how to recognize your own primary apology language while speaking the languages to those you love. Understanding and applying the five languages of apology will greatly enhance all of your relationships.

The Relationship Cure
by John Mordechai Gottman and Joan DeClaire

A five-step guide for building better connections with family, friends, and lovers. One of the nation's top relationship doctors outlines his program for repairing damaged relationships between spouses, lovers, co-workers, and family members.

12 Simple Secrets of Happiness
by Glenn Van Ekeren

Finding joy in everyday relationships. The author's 12 secrets involve generosity, hope, kindness, friendship, empathy, love, forgiveness, acceptance, understanding, encouragement, communication and gratitude.

The 5 Love Languages of Children
by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell

Kids desperately need to know how much you love them. But if you don't know their special "love languages," you might as well be speaking gibberish.

All book descriptions adapted from worldcat.org

Staff Pick: What If?

What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munrow is a book that has all the answer to quite a few very pressing questions.

Written by a former scientist for NASA, What If? keeps itself firmly in the Venn circles of scientific and hilarious. The first question that I heard from the book was "What would happen if I strapped a C4 to a boomerang?"

Other questions deal with the speed of light, vast quantities of rodents, lots of laser pointers, the energy worth of Yoda, and just about anything else you've ever wanted to know about science but have never thought to ask.

If you'd like to check out What If? you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Washington

Staff Pick - Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith

Celebrity biographies are a “dime a dozen” anymore, but I do enjoy reading them.  Some are better than others, of course. Some celebrities can write well, and some should stay in their own arena.

The books that I am particularly drawn to are those about musicians.  I am curious about the lives of the men and women who shaped my musical tastes. Aerosmith is one of these bands.

Joe Perry is their lead guitarist and has written a biography of his life in and out of the hit-making power group. It is an interesting account of the band’s beginnings, their ups and downs along the road and of Perry’s role as a musician in his own right, and as a devoted husband and father.

If you'd like to read Rocks: My Life In and Out of Areosmith, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Nancy J

If you like Gone Girl...

Back in 2012, Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl was an instant New York Times Best Seller. In the thriller novel, a man's wife goes missing and the husband becomes the number one suspect. With an all star cast including Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris, the film adaptation is now in theaters, and we've seen a renewed interest in the novel. If you're in line for a copy, you might check out one of these titles while you wait:

Chasing the Night
by Iris Johansen

Forensic sculptor Eve Duncan is drawn into the mystery of a child that had been abducted eight years earlier, and must use her skills with age progression as a way to reunite mother and son. But Eve must face looming demons of her own.

The Wrong Hostage
by Elizabeth Lowell

When federal judge Catherine Silva's son is kidnapped by a violent killer, she turns to ruthless Joe Faroe, an ex-kidnapping specialist and a man from her past, to help save her son from an underground world Joe is trying to leave behind.

The Silver Swan
by Benjamin Black

Quirke, an irascible, hard-drinking Dublin pathologist, investigates the apparent suicide of Deidre Hunt, the beautiful young wife of an old acquaintance, and discovers many things that might better have remained hidden, as well as grave danger to those he loves.

The Seduction of Water
by Carol Goodman

When one of Iris's stories about her mother is picked up by a small literary journal, things start to happen for her. She becomes convinced that a summer out of the city will give her the perfect setting in which to pen a memoir of her writer mother, as well as an opportunity to look for the rumored manuscript of her mother's final book. But there are those who are just as determined to keep the dead woman's secrets in the grave.

The Night Before
by Lisa Jackson

Caitlyn Montgomery Bandeaux, the prime suspect in the death of her ex-husband, returns to her childhood home to find the truth surrounding her recurring blackouts, leading her to psychologist Adam Hunt whose help unlocks a deadly secret.

Cause for Alarm
by Erica Spindler

Kate and Richard Ryan have the perfect marriage, except that they cannot have a baby, until Julianna Starr gives her child to them, but when Julianna molds herself in Kate's image - trying to steal Richard - the nightmare begins.

All book descriptions adapted from our catalog or worldcat.org.

Staff Pick - Homer's Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey is about Homer, a two week old kitten. When he was found and brought to the vet, it was clear he was healthy, but with an infection in his eyes that would lead to blindness. The veterinarian made the decision to treat him by removing his eyes. She knew this could make it difficult to find someone to adopt him, but he would be blind either way and with his eyelids sewn closed his appearance would seem mostly normal.

When the vet first approached Gwen Cooper, she had recently split from her boyfriend of 3 years and had custody of their two adult cats while living at her friend Melissa's home. They shared expenses, while Gwen continued to save up for her own place. These were concerns that Gwen was conscious of, up till she met and fell in love with the tiny, black, eyeless kitten who would soon be known as Homer.

Gwen tells the story of the next few years as Homer becomes a member of her cat family and of their adventures as Gwen looks for steady work and they all eventually move to New York City. When Gwen meets Laurence, she knows he's a special man, however he is not a "cat" person. Then she knows she is in love with him and they move in together. He soon learns how to appreciate living with her and her three cats. Finally they get married and blend their forever family.

If you'd like to check out Homer's Odyssey, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Cindy

Blue Zones Power 9: Belong

This is the seventh post in a nine-part series in which we are sharing resources available at the library to help you get on track with the Blue Zones Project.

What is the meaning of life? Is there life after death? How should we live? Where do I belong? As human beings, we have a natural tendency to ponder such questions. On our own, it's a struggle to find answers that are satisfying, and that's one reason why many turn to religion. The Blue Zones website suggests that attending a faith-based service four times a month - no matter the denomination - could increase your life expectancy by up to 14 years.

Here are a few titles in the library's collection that may help you on your path to finding where you belong:

World Religions in America
edited by Jacob Neusner

World Religions in America looks at the various religions in the United States and how they shape American life. World-class contributors highlight the many religious traditions, both old and new, that are currently practiced in the United States.

The Story of Christianity
by Matthew Price and Michael Collins

From its Old Testament beginnings to present-day Christian worship, Christianity has a fascinating, complex, and controversial history. This book provides a truly global view of Christianity across all denominations.

Faith: Trusting Your Own Deeper Experience
by Sharon Salzberg

In this beautifully written work, one of America's most beloved meditation teachers offers discerning wisdom on understanding faith as a healing quality. Through the teachings of Buddha and insight gained from her lifelong spiritual quest, Salzberg provides us with a road map for cultivating a feeling of peace that can be practiced by anyone of any tradition.

One World, Many Religions
by Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne introduces readers to the six major religions of the world. One World, Many Religions covers the history, beliefs, and practices of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

A Faith Like Mine
by Laura Buller

Sometimes the best understanding comes from seeing the world from a child's perspective. In A Faith Like Mine, children of different religious backgrounds tell about their faith and what it means to them. Information about each religious tradition is included.

All book descriptions adapted from book covers.

Staff Pick - Adventure Time: Pixel Princesses

In this edition of Adventure Time, Lumpy Space Princess is just trying to fit in with the other princesses of Ooo. She's always the outcast; the other princesses stick up their noses at LSP's lifestyle.

But when things go from bad to worse, Lumpy Space Princess, Breakfast Princess, Turtle Princess, Muscle Princess, and Embryo Princess find themselves having to work together in order to make it through an adventure none of them want to be on. Lumpy Space Princess finds herself questioning what it really means to be a princess.

Lumpy Space Princess is my absolute favorite animated character right now. From her mannerisms to her voice, everything she does I find hilarious. Adventure Time really is a show unlike any other. It airs for kids, but has many hidden gems that only an adult would understand. It's a show about creativity, using your imagination, accepting others as they are, and just being yourself. Honestly, what more could you ask for in a cartoon?

Lumpy Space Princess sort of embodies these ideals. At first she's super shallow and goes out of her way for acceptance. She continues to be this way, but in lesser degrees as the shows and books go on. Eventually, she just does her thing and doesn't care who likes it. We could all learn a lesson or two from her.

You can see what other Adventure Time DVD's and books we have in our collection by clicking here.

-Kilie

Mahaska Reads - Abraham Lincoln and Emancipation

On Tuesday, October 14, Dr. Ron Rietveld, Lincoln scholar and professor emeritus of History at University of California-Fullerton, visited the Book Vault and gave a fascinating presentation on Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. Dr. Rietveld's presentation served as the closing event for this year's Mahaska Reads series of programs and discussions centered around Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave.

The presentation began with a fact that many people do not realize today about Abraham Lincoln and his involvement in ending slavery in the United States: initially, Abraham Lincoln had no intention of interfering with the system because, under the current constitution, he could not do so legally. Dr. Rietveld then explained the series of events that led to the drafting and signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Dr. Rietveld also shared about his experiences as a Lincoln scholar, including when he discovered a long-lost picture of Abraham Lincoln, believed to be the last taken before his assassination. Knowledgeable and enlightening, Dr. Rietveld captured the attention of everyone in attendance and entertained several questions at the close of his presentation.

If you'd like to read more about Abraham Lincoln, here are a few titles in our collection:

Abrham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years
by Carl Sandburg

Growing up in an Illinois prairie town, Sandburg listened to stories of old-timers who had known Lincoln. His extraordinary portrait brings fully to life the country lawyer who would become one of the most influential and beloved presidents of the American republic.

Lincoln: A Foreigner's Quest
by Jan Morris

Renowned on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the finest writers on history and travel in this century, Morris is part of the long tradition of foreigner observers who are able to illuminate America for Americans. In Lincoln: A Foreigner's Quest, she looks at Lincoln with her singular perspective, and the result is a historical journey free of sentiment and nostalgia.

Killing Lincoln
by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

The anchor of The O'Reilly Factor recounts one of the most dramatic stories in American history - how one gunshot changed the country forever. Featuring some of history's most remarkable figures, vivid detail, and page-turning action, Killing Lincoln is history that reads like a thriller.

What Lincoln Believed
by Michael Lind

The most comprehensive study ever written of the thought of America's most revered president. Michael Lind provides a resource to the public philosophy that guided Lincoln as a statesman and shaped the United States.

Stealing Lincoln's Body
by Thomas Craughwell

On the night of the presidential election in 1876, a gang of counterfeiters out of Chicago attempted to steal the entombed embalmed body of Abraham Lincoln and hold it for ransom. Craughwell returns to this bizarre, and largely forgotten, event with the first book to place the grave robbery in historical context.

All book descriptions adapted from the book covers.

Staff Pick: If I Stay

Life is going good for Mia - a family who adores her in spite of the fact that she's a classical cello player in a rock loving family, a boyfriend in a rising rock group who loves her, and a possible chance to attend the famous Julliard after graduating high school. Mia couldn't be happier.

Until it's all taken away by one unexpected car wreck, leaving her in some kind of strange limbo as she's rushed to the hospital in critical condition. By some twist of fate, she's an observer of what happens to her body instead of a participant. As events unfold, Mia is left with one difficult choice: Should I stay or go?

Gayle Forman's If I Stay was a very thought provoking story of what if? If something like this were to happen, what choices would you end up making? Throughout it all, Mia wrestles with the choice that she has to make, and dealing with the unknowns attached to that choice.

I enjoyed the book, though I had some difficulty getting into it at first, mostly because the majority of Mia's story is told through flashbacks. Those flashbacks give us a stronger image of what Mia's life was like before the crash, and how hard it will be for her to continue on if she stays. And also how hard it will be on those who remain behind if she happens to choose to go.

If you'd like to check out If I Stay, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Amber

Staff Pick: Emma Kate

I love drawing, and almost always write, with pencil. My dad also always wrote with pencil, and often used the chunky carpenter pencils in his trade.

The heart of Emma Kate by Patricia Polacco for me is the illustrations done in pencil by the author, that takes the reader into a wonderful story about the warmth and comfort that dreams, memories and imagination can bring - with a surprising twist at the end.

A great book for back to school, Emma Kate is for memory-making! If you'd like to check it out, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Nancy H.

Blue Zones Power 9: Wine @ 5

This is the sixth post in a nine-part series in which we are sharing resources available at the library to help you get on track with the Blue Zones Project.

According to the Blue Zones website, "Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers, especially if they share those drinks with friends." We're aware of the possible dangers associated with alcohol, but in limited amounts, some alcoholic beverages - especially wine - do have their benefits as well. Check out this article from Self.com that suggests that drinking one glass of wine with dinner may help you de-stress and decrease your risk of heart disease.

Here are a few titles in the library's collection that will help you Wine @ 5:

Oz Clarke's Introducing Wine
by Oz Clarke

Learn how to taste, buy and serve wine; how to open and how to store wine; how to choose wine in a restaurant; and how to match food with wine. In his always lively and clear descriptions, Clarke surveys the range of tastes available and directs you to the wines that will give you what you want.

Drink This: Wine Made Simple
by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl

Grumdahl presents this handy guide that will show you how to stop being overwhelmed and intimidated, how to discover, respect, and enjoy your own personal taste, and how to be whatever kind of wine person you want to be, from budding connoisseur to someone who simply gets wine you like every time you buy a bottle.

Wine for Dummies
by Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan

This down-to-earth guide cuts through wine snobbery and tells you what's in, what's out, and what's new in wine. This update of the bestselling For Dummies classic covers everything from established and emerging wine regions to pairing wine with food to collecting wine.

Wine Uncorked
by Fiona Beckett

A practical introduction to the enjoyable art of tasting and drinking wine. With the aid of a unique, specially created flavor wheel, it helps you explore and identify the exciting and subtle flavors of wines and choose those you will like best, so  you can select wine with confidence to complement any mood or occasion.




If you'd like to check out any of these books, click on the title to be taken to our online catalog. You can place a hold on the item using your library card number and your PIN.

All book descriptions adapted from book jackets.

Staff Pick: Half Bad

Sally Green's Half Bad is the thrilling start to a trilogy about a young witch with an indomitable will to survive. Nathan Bryn looks forward to his seventeenth birthday when he'll receive three gifts and become a full witch. But he's a Half Code. Born the illegitimate son of a white witch and the infamous, hated black witch named Marcus, he's put under strict surveillance and house arrest by the council of white witches that views him as a threat.

Nathan is eventually imprisoned in a cage, beaten and handcuffed by a merciless trainer because of the council. Through all this, he struggles to determine if he's inherently good like his mother or evil like his father. As his seventeenth birthday approaches, Nathan fights to escape and find his father while remaining undetected by the council and the witch hunters after him. He must receive his three gifts before it's too late.

Half Bad is a thought provoking and engaging read that I couldn't put down. Green's character is honest, and the story makes you want to fight on his side. I look forward to reading the next book, Half Wild, which is due out March of 2015.

If you'd like to check out our copy of Half Bad, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-William

Staff Pick: What If...

I saw Shirley MacLaine's book on the NEW SHELF and picked it up. What If...A Lifetime of Questions, Speculations, Reasonable Guesses, and A Few Things I Know for Sure. It is full of questions from a lifetime of speculations from a very interesting woman who has been in show business for many years.

It is a pretty quick read as each question is presented and followed by responses from Shirley MacLaine's very unique perspective. It was quite interesting as she has been learning about the world and religion as well as history and the future in unusual ways.

I have read a couple of her other books, so I kind of knew what to expect. Shirley has an interesting voice and I really enjoyed it. If you'd like to c heck it out, you can find it in our online catalog by clicking here.

-Cindy

Orange is the New Black Book Club

Orange is the New Black is the popular comedy/drama about a woman's experience in a women's federal prison. The series was originally aired only on Netflix, and all episodes of season two recently became available. We came up with some reading recommendations for a few of our favorite characters - books you should check out too! See the infographics below:

Shakespeare Saved My Life by Dr. Laura Bates

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Party Monster by James St. James

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

Beyond Fundamentalism by Reza Aslan

Carrie by Stephen King

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Staff Pick: Kids Are Weird

From the author that brought us Darth Vader and Son comes a new book that is full of hilarity. Brown illustrates the daily life of his five-year-old son Oscar. Whether it's the deeper musings of his mind or the first thing that comes to his head when he's angry, Oscar is truly a child to be reckoned with.

Everything in this book is funny. I laughed with almost every turn of the page. Kids really do say the funniest things and what makes it even better is how serious they are about it sometimes. Oscar can say things that make no sense at all like, "It's like I have a secret weapon inside me that makes me control my body." He also says things that are actually pretty deep like, "Instead of getting closer to my destiny, I keep getting farther away."

Even if you don't have children, I highly recommend that you pick this book up. It's a super quick read and full of great humor. And if you like it, I suggest you try out his other books, *Darth Vader and Son and *Vader's Little Princess.

If you'd like to check out Kids Are Weird, you can find it in our online catalog by clicking here.

-Kilie

*These titles aren't currently available in our catalog.

Blue Zones Power 9: Plant Slant

This is the fifth post in a nine-part series in which we are sharing resources available at the library to help you get on track with the Blue Zones Project.

Hamburgers, steak, pork chops - for some of us, meat is hard to resist. When it comes to living a longer, healthier life, though, increasing our veggie intake and decreasing meat consumption may be in our favor. According to the Blue Zones website, "beans, including fava, black, soy and lentils, are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets." Here are a few titles available in our catalog that may help you get on track with a plant slant:

A Canon of Vegetables: 101 Classic Recipes

by Raymon Sokolov

A Canon of Vegetables provides more than one hundred recipes for cooking vegetables or vegetable-based entrees, with each recipe including a history of the dish and what culture it comes from.

Forks Over Knives
by Gene Stone, et. al.

What if one simple change could save you from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer? Examine a whole-foods, plant-based diet - it could save your life. This accessible guide provides the information you need to adopt and maintain a plant-based diet.

Vegetables Every Day
by Jack Bishop

Offers readers a comprehensive guide to vegetables that incorporates tips on selecting vegetables, preparation instructions, and recipes for sixty-six commonly available vegetables.

Vegetable Dinners
by Better Homes and Gardens

If you're one of the growing number of Americans who are turning to vegetables for your main meals, this is the cookbook for you! 64 full-flavored, naturally healthful recipes. Chapters include pasta, beans and grains, eggs, soups, salads and sandwiches (Amazon.com).

Super Natural Every Day
by Heidi Swanson

In Super Natural Every Day, Heidi helps us make nutritionally packed meals part of our daily repertoire by sharing a sumptuous collection of nearly 100 of her go-to recipes. The seductively flavorful vegetarian recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, treats, and drinks are quick to the table but tasty enough to linger over (Amazon.com).




If you'd like to check out any of these books, click on the title to be taken to our online catalog. You can place a hold on the item using your library card number and your PIN.

All book descriptions taken from the back covers or Amazon.com.

Staff Pick: Lone Survivor

2005. Afghanistan. High atop the Hindu Kush, four of America's elite warriors, U.S. Navy SEALs are hunting a high value Taliban Commander. Within 2 hours of their fast rope onto the mountain top, three team members are killed.

Lone Survivor is the true story of Marcus Luttrell. Severely wounded the hunter is now the hunted. After fighting, near death, Marcus is found by local Pashtunwali goat herders. Taken to their village, and granted Lokhay Warkawal by the village Elder, every last villager must fight to the death to protect their new found friend, men, women, children, et al.

With hundreds of Taliban fighters surrounding the village, witness his seven days of war, terror, tribal rights and burning hatred of Americans by Taliban and Al Quida forces. Re-live his rescue, which led to the greatest loss of life suffered by America's Spec. Ops. troops to date.

For some, the wars may be over. For others, it was the defining moment in their life. One that replays daily, hourly, nightly. We owe them all a great deal of gratitude. This piece of American history should never be forgotten.

If you'd like to check out Lone Survivor, you can find it in our online catalog by clicking here.

-Mike C.

Staff Pick: The Selection

When I first started reading The Selection by Kiera Cass, I wasn't sure if I would care for it or not. In a world torn apart by war, Castes have been created to help people know their rightful place. Being a 1 means that you are part of the Royal Family. Being an 8 means you're almost homeless and have a hard time earning a living.

America Singer is a 5 and in love with a man who is of a lower caste. But America believes that love can overcome anything. Then the Selection comes up. A set number of girls are Selected from all the Castes and given the opportunity to win the heart of Prince Maxon and become his Princess.

America only put her name in because she was under pressure from her family because they could receive monetary compensation. What were the odds that she'd be Selected, after all? Very good, it turned out, as she was one of the girls called on to try to win the Prince's heart. Only she wants nothing to do with him!

The novel starts off with several elements found in The Hunger Games, and I didn't want to read a duplicate with a different name. However, once I got further into the book, I discovered that it actually had very few similarities. No one is killing anyone else in order to survive, that's for sure! There is a battle of a different sort going on instead - the battle for Maxon's heart. The Selected girls, each and every one of them, except for America Singer, is determined that she'll be the one to become Maxon's bride and become a 1.

I found The Selection to be a very good read, and America to be a very likable character who feels genuine in her wants, hopes, and dreams. I'm glad that I kept with the book and read it to its conclusion. If you'd like to check it out, you can find it in our online catalog by clicking here.

-Amber

Oskaloosa Picks - June 13, 2014

Curious about what others in Oskaloosa are reading? We asked over on Facebook! From classics to zombie lit, our community's reading tastes proved to be diverse. Here's a look at what Oskaloosa picked this past week:

Bleak House
by Charles Dickens

From London's slums to the Court of Chancery, where the endless case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce devours the future of several generations, the author's canvas of Victorian society vividly conveys an indictment of legal corruption, a riveting tale of detection, and a compelling emotional drama.

Love Does
by Bob Goff

In this book of compelling stories coupled with eye-opening truths, Goff shows a new way to live, a way that's drenched with the whimsy of God's love and the spontaneity of following where he leads.

Lost Lake
by Sarah Addison Allen

Suley, Georgia, is home to Lost Lake Cottages and not much else. Which is why it's the perfect place for newly-widowed Kate and her eccentric eight-year-old daughter Devin to heal. Kate spent one memorable childhood summer, had her first almost-kiss, and met a boy named Wes at Lost Lake. It was a place for dreaming. But Kate doesn't believe in dreams anymore, and her Aunt Eby, Lost Lake's owner, wants to sell the place and move on.

Flesh & Bone*
by Jonathan Maberry

Benny, Nix, Lou, and Lilah journey through a fierce wilderness that was once America searching for the jet they saw months ago, while evading fierce animals and a new kind of zombie.

A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini

A breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years-from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding-that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives are inextricable from the history playing out around them.

The Snow Child
by Eowyn Ivey

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart - he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone - but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.

Second Chance Summer
by Morgan Matson

Taylor Edwards' family might not be the closest-knit - everyone is a little too busy and over-scheduled - but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor's dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains. Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again.

Words of Radiance
by Brandon Sanderson

Book 2 in Sanderson's Starlight Archive series. The war with the Parshendi moves into a new, dangerous phase, as Dalinar leads the human armies deep into the heart of the Shattered Plains. Meanwhile Shallan searches for the legendary city of Urithuru, and Kaladin, leader of the restored Knights Radiant, masters the powers of a Windrunner.



If you would like to read any of these books too, you can click on the title and place a hold with your library card number in our online catalog.

Titles marked with a * are not currently available in our catalog. If you would like to request that the library purchase one, you can fill out a suggestion for purchase form on our website.

All book descriptions taken from our online catalog or Worldcat.org.