fiction

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Submitted by suzimorrow on Fri, 02/17/2012 - 4:19pm
Author: 
Jonathan Safran Foer
Publication Date: 
print - 2005, e-book 2011
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Absorbing story written from the perspective of a very imaginative 9 year old boy whose father died in the twin towers on 9/11.  He's on a quest to connect with his father through his search for the lock that fits a key he found in his father's closet.  In the process, we also learn the history of his father's parents through their letters and journals.  It's a bit hard to follow as it jumps between the boy's story and the separate, sometimes jumbled and cryptic writings of his grandparents.  I found the e-book a bit hard to follow on my Nook Tablet because of pictures and graphics included in the book.  I also checked out the paper book and found it easier to read and follow.  It's written in a very unconventional style and is an interesting and worthwhile read.  I'm looking forward to seeing the movie by the same title.

Between shades of gray

Submitted by Shelly on Thu, 02/02/2012 - 8:27am
Author: 
Ruta Sepetys
Publication Date: 
2011
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This novel tells the story of Lithuanians deported and sent to Siberian work camps by Stalin during WWII.  The account is equally as horrifying as Hitler's imprisonment of Jews. 

Micro

Submitted by estrate on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 1:00am
Author: 
Crichton, Michael and Preston, Richard
Publication Date: 
2011
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Another good Sci-Fi suspense story begun and well advanced by Crichton before his death in 2008; seamlessly  finished by Richard Preston. I enjoyed the book because of the vivid and creative  images it evoked (although not necessarily the bloody ones!). In a way, it is like "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," but for grownups. As with many other Crichton books, it seems written with an eye for the big screen. 

The Story of Beautiful Girl

Submitted by SarahG on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 6:28pm
Author: 
Simon, Rachel
Publication Date: 
2011
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This is a touching novel about a woman who can't speak, a man who is deaf, and a widow who finds herself suddenly caring for a newborn baby.  This book was addictive. There was a slower section towards the beginning, but once I passed that I was hooked. It's sort of a tragic fairytale - I definitely recommend!

War Horse

Submitted by Shelly on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 9:58am
Author: 
Michael Morpurgo
Publication Date: 
2010
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Joey, portrayed as a super horse, is the narrator of this World War I story.  Amidst the fighting and slaughter, this novel speaks about the caring attributes of soldiers towards horses during the war and the reunion of Joey and his owner.  I think I'll listen to Morpurgo's Private Peaceful next.

Scared Shrekless

Submitted by Shelly on Thu, 10/27/2011 - 9:57am
Publication Date: 
2011
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 Enjoy this light-hearted 25 minutes featuring your favorite Shrek characters and some spooky storytelling.

Faith

Submitted by estrate on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:00am
Author: 
Haigh, Jennifer
Publication Date: 
2011
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Quite an interesting book!  It follows the musings and then wondering and finally investigation of a woman whose priest brother has been accused of molesting a child in his parish.  The author explores the trauma of old family secrets, and the blessing of understanding and forgiveness.

City of God

Submitted by mleiser on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 2:01pm
Author: 
Beverly Swerling
Publication Date: 
2009
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I enjoyed this historical novel set New York City in the 1830s to 1850s. This is the fourth in the series and now I've put Swerling's others on my must-read list. I loved the characters and the setting but the person I found most fascinating was Mei-Hua who considered herself a princess and first wife.

Emily, Alone

Submitted by SarahG on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 4:25pm
Author: 
O'Nan, Stewart
Publication Date: 
2011
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This is a lovely, quiet read.  Emily, Alone follows the daily life of an elderly widow in Pittsburgh.  O'Nan has created real characters, both flawed and sympathetic.  This is not a plot-driven novel but a thoughtful reflection on life, death, and family.  If you enjoyed Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, I think you'll like this book. 

Wench

Submitted by LauraV on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 3:11pm
Author: 
Perkins-Valdez, Dolen
Publication Date: 
2010
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This book was recommended to me by a patron, and I'm glad she did. While the book is a work of fiction, the resort where it takes place was very real. The story follows a few years in the lives of several Southern slaves (four of whom are slave mistresses)  brought to a summer resort by their owners. The owners go about their business, and the slaves interact with each other, comparing circumstances back home. It is pretty graphic at times, but you have to remember that things like this happened during slavery. I found it very compelling.

The Gap Year

Submitted by mgardner on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 11:22am
Author: 
Sara Bird
Publication Date: 
2011
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Parenting is an impossible task -- and then it gets worse when your offspring is a high school senior. The story is told from both the mother's and the daughter's perspectives, but at different points in time.  Cam’s sections take place during the August after Aubrey graduates high school (her pre-college summer), and Aubrey’s tell us about the fall of her senior year.  This works effectively to tell us the story of how the “gap year”–referring cleverly here to both taking a year off between high school and college, and to the year in which a gap widens between mother and daughter–came about. I enjoyed this book as I can relate with the mother and daughter and the challenges they face. gcld.opac.marmot.org/vufind/bookcover.php

When God Was A Rabbit

Submitted by mleiser on Wed, 07/06/2011 - 3:55pm
Author: 
Sarah Winman
Publication Date: 
2011
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.I loved this book although it may not be for everyone. This somewhat dark, coming of age novel had great characters in usual and unusual situations and was both funny and sad . I loved the authors writing style and can't wait to read what she writes next..

Little Bee

Submitted by mleiser on Wed, 06/08/2011 - 1:16pm
Author: 
Chris Cleave
Publication Date: 
2008
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Little Bee is a sad, inspiring book about survival. It is the story of a Nigerian refugee, Little Bee, Andrew and Sarah O'Rourke, and their son Charlie and how their lives affect one another. Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it.

At Home in Mitford

Submitted by suzimorrow on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:06pm
Author: 
Karon, Jan
Publication Date: 
1996
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Delightful look at life in a small town with an interesting cast of characters.  Uplifting and engaging, at times laugh-out-loud funny, at times thoughtful.  The characters feel like friends and Mitford feels like home.  I will definitely be continuing on in the series.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

Submitted by LauraV on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 2:54pm
Author: 
Jacobs, Kate
Publication Date: 
2007
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  This is a light book that would be a good read for the beach or an airplane - it's enjoyable, but doesn't dive too deep into serious issues. It centers around Walker & Daughter, a yarn shop in New York, and the women who work in the shop as well as the women who frequent the shop. You learn a little bit about each of their lives as they interact with eachother, their connection to the yarn shop being a common thread.

Once Upon A Time, There Was You

Submitted by mleiser on Tue, 05/17/2011 - 11:47am
Author: 
Elizabeth Berg
Publication Date: 
2011
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Elizabeth Berg is one of my favorite authors and this book didn't disappoint. She develops characters like no other writer. The story is sometimes disturbing which is not typical of Berg, but she handles it with style and grace. The ending was a bit sad but it felt like real life.

I Still Dream About You

Submitted by mleiser on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 6:06pm
Author: 
Fanny Flag
Publication Date: 
2010
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Half Broke Horses

Submitted by LauraV on Mon, 05/09/2011 - 1:28pm
Author: 
Walls, Jeannette
Publication Date: 
2009
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I found this book to be a fascinating collection of stories from different periods of one woman's life in the early 1900's. The author is the main character's granddaughter, and the book is based off of stories passed down from her own mother. If you liked The Glass Castle you'll enjoy this.

One Hit Wonder

Submitted by Guest on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 8:41am
Author: 
Carillo, Charlie
Publication Date: 
2010
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This book was just so-so. It took me way too long to read. It was a bit predictible but I felt it was worth a read until the end. Very light reading -- best read next to a pool or on a beach.

A Dog's Purpose

Submitted by LauraV on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 3:58pm
Author: 
Cameron, W. Bruce
Publication Date: 
2010
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The voice of the book is a dog who goes through several lives and each time he dies is reincarnated as another dog. With each new life, he remembers and learns from his previous lives, and begins to wonder what his purpose as a dog is. If you love dogs, this book will probably make you cry, but it is an enjoyable read. 
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