Staff Pick- Rook by Sharon Cameron

Centuries after a shifting of the Earth's poles, the Sunken City that was once Paris is in the grips of a revolution. All who oppose the new regime are put to the blade, except for those who mysteriously disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy's arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

If you'd like to check out this title, take a look at our catalog here. 

-Susan

Staff Pick- Nimona

Here is the run-down of what I liked about Nimona:

1. The artwork.

2. The mixed element of magic and science.

3. The characters. (Especially Nimona and Lord Blackheart.)

4. Goldenloin and Blackheart’s hinted-at relationship.

There were about 2-3 different stories happening at the same time throughout the book. We get a little of Nimona’s story, more towards the end at least. We get to see the struggles that the “hero” Goldenloin faces while trying to do his duty. And lastly, we get to see more of the backstory behind what happened between Goldenloin and Blackheart.

The humor throughout was so dry and witty, I was completely on board. Nimona and Blackheart are just adorable together, so I was glad he let her stick around! (Although I don’t think Nimona would have accepted any other answer.)

If you'd like to check it out, you can find it in the catalog here. 

-Kilie

Staff Pick- The Portable Kipling

Rudyard Joseph Kipling. 1865-1936. Born in Bombay, India. He was a subject of Great Britain. Kipling was an author, poet and soldier. You may best know his work from The Jungle Book, Mandalay, or Danny Deever. While all of his works are representations of modern times as seen through the eyes and prism of someone who was born and passed more than 100 years ago, these works are as, or more relevant today then when first put to ink and quill. 

While any Kipling is better than no Kipling, I want to focus on the poem Gunga Din (1890). It is the story of a lowly water-boy at the bottom rung of India's cast system, providing water to the Queens Rifles fighting for the "right" for India to remain under the authority of Great Britain. Through Gunga Dins boyish antics and his zest for life he manages to teach the upper crust of England's elite the true meaning of the words friend, loyalty, and honor. This poem is evidence that social status, education, and skin color have no bearing on what beats in the heart of mankind and proves we are all cut from the same cloth. Kipling was a proficient writer. You can find numerous works of his right here in the OPL. I also suggest, The Gods of the Copybook Headings.

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

-Mike