August 2024
The Swan's Nest by Laura McNeal | If you're a fan of poetry, the names Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning probably mean something to you. While you may know their poems, you may not know about their beautiful love story. This is what is revealed to us in Laura McNeal's novel, The Swan's Nest. Elizabeth Barrett was a famous poet during her own lifetime but had health challenges leaving her frail and unable to travel much. Robert Browning was a struggling poet who fell in love first with Elizabeth's words, then with the woman herself. Their courtship was fraught with challenges as Elizabeth's father felt Robert was a "gold digger" (in today's terms) and Elizabeth felt a great duty to her family, as women of the time were not brought up to follow their own dreams and desires. But love did indeed conquer all.
This book was beautifully written with interesting historical insight into the social hierarchies of the Victorian world in which they lived. Their love story was a bit of a slow burn, but I found myself cheering them on to a satisfying end. ~Mary Hartwig~
The Horse by Willy Vlautin | We have a little unwritten rule about Elm Grove Library Staff Recommends, and that is, in order for something to appear on these pages, it must be an item the library owns. So, I was ecstatic to see this book arrive recently, for Willy Vlautin is my favorite writer working today, and here is my chance to share him with you!
This is Vlautin’s first book since 2021’s gripping The Night Always Comes, and once again he delivers. His writing aches with the pain of hard living and tough choices and yet brims with humanity. His characters and their predicaments are so fully and messily mortal. To read them is to invest yourself in their troubles, giving your heart to their fate, just hoping for the best. And the absolute beauty of a Willy Vlautin story is that your heart is always in good hands. Just a wonderful book. Maybe his best. ~Noah Weckwerth~
Houses with a Story: a dragon’s den, a ghostly mansion, a library of lost books, and 30 more amazing places to explore by Seiji Yoshida | Illustrator and graphic artist Yoshida loves to create drawings of the fascinating places he has discovered in stories. This book flips that idea because here, the artist has created places from his own imagination and outlined stories that might grow from them. Some of the creations are fanciful, such as “Mischievous Bridge Tower Keeper” which shows a cramped, ancient tower apartment embedded in the wall of a city and describes how the keeper uses his location to steal from travelers at the city gate. “Dreamer’s Tree House” is more contemporary, describing its owner as someone who wanted to escape from the city and the company of others. Each spread contains a fully rendered drawing of the dwelling, a section so you can see the interior and read about creative details, and descriptions and drawings of possible characters. A feast for the imagination! Recommended for grade 4 to adult. ~Sue Daniels~
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl | A degree of suspension of disbelief is called for when reading this novel, and then one can happily embark with Stella to Paris cafes, dress boutiques, art museums and the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Reichl’s immersion in the world of food and food writing flavors this story, as Stella finds herself in Paris for the first time in her life, with time on her hands to explore food, wine, history, art and Parisian people. She learns something about her own hidden history in the process. For even more perfection in the world of food, cooking and publishing, see Reichl’s nonfiction Save Me the Plums and other earlier memoirs. ~Sarah Muench~
A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr | “By nature we are creatures of hope, always ready to be deceived again, caught by the marvel that might be wrapped in the grubbiest brown paper parcel.” As with any good writer, J.L. Carr shows, he does not tell. And so it is with A Month in the County: a short, flawless masterpiece that will take your breath away again and again. The story of a summer in the life of Tom Birkin, psychologically wounded by the Great War, as he begins a job in the North Yorkshire region of England reviving an old church painting long covered. As the painting is slowly restored, so too is Tom, through friendship, contemplation, and perspective.
It would be my humble suggestion to read this book twice in succession. First tearing headlong through it, then again slowly, savoring the beauty of Carr’s depictions of land, work, and community, and the visceral poignancy of Tom’s season on the scaffolds. The twilight of summer marks the perfect occasion to read this luminous work of reflection. ~Noah Weckwerth~
Followed by the Lark by Helen Humphreys | Reading Followed by the Lark feels as though you are flipping through an old photo album, with each short section of the book being a snapshot from Henry David Thoreau's life. You need not have previous knowledge of Thoreau or his work in order to enjoy this book; it stands alone simply as the story of a particularly perceptive individual that will resonate with the nature-oriented, sensitive reader. You will take on the role of the lark, following Thoreau from the time of his birth to his last days on Earth, soaring overhead to catch glimpses of his most intimate interactions with both people and the natural world, and bearing witness to various historical moments along the way.
Helen Humphreys' writing style can only be described as exquisite. Her words flow like poetry at times and often leave a deep impression that lingers long after the book has been closed. Her ability to embody Thoreau as if she were his closest companion gives this book a sacred and spiritual air -- something you must experience and cherish for yourself. ~Anna Sorenson~
Manor House (DVD) | One of the things I like most about working at the Elm Grove Library is the exposure to interesting books and other materials I may never have discovered on my own. One such item recently was a DVD a patron returned that piqued my interest. Manor House, a 3-part PBS documentary, is not new (2002), but if you miss Downton Abbey this will be highly entertaining to watch.
In Manor House, we see real life 21st century people who were enlisted to play the roles of an aristocratic family, upper servants and lower servants who all live and work in an English Manor during the Edwardian period. They had to dress, eat, socialize, work and generally behave as if they lived in the early 1900's. A handbook was provided to instruct them in the strict social behavior they must maintain when interacting with each other and other members of society. As you would expect, the "downstairs" staff worked grueling, long hours serving, while the upstairs family fell quite easily into their role of being served. It was a fascinating look at human behavior and what it was like to be an Edwardian during that age. ~Mary Hartwig~
This is How you Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone | Red is a soldier, specialized and skilled, she moves seamlessly from timeline to timeline, life to life, changing events to lead towards the future of the Agency. Towards victory. One life, one mission, she finds a letter, "burn before reading". Blue is a soldier, specialized and skilled, she moves seamlessly from timeline to timeline, life to life, changing events to lead towards the future of the Garden. Towards victory. One life, one mission, she leaves a letter, "burn before reading".
This epistolary science-fiction romance follows Red and Blue as they fight for their side of the war, reading and leaving letters in turn. If their letters were ever discovered, both of them would be branded traitors and killed. Is there a timeline in which they can have a happy ending? ~ Frankie Harkavy ~
Summer 2024
Kitchen Gear: the ultimate owner’s manual by Lisa McManus and Hannah Crowley
I am a huge fan of cookbooks…but only if it contains pictures. And this one has tons of pictures, recipes, charts, and helpful narratives. The book contains a large collection of ideas to make food not only look better but taste fresher and more delicious. You may find yourself taking notes of information shared by these experienced authors as well as snapping cell phone pictures of recipes to try.
Kitchen Gear is easy to use and each chapter contains a short description of how the content was tested in their kitchens. These are called, “Don’t Try This At Home.” I enjoyed the humor and practical, no-nonsense tips. Within each section, you will find easy to follow recipes using ingredients that are not fancy. The two we tried (Sheet Cake Hueveros Ranchos and Potato Biscuits with Chives) were very good and the instructions were excellent - succinct, clear and complete. Perhaps the most valuable section of the book is a chart with recommendations on buying everything from kitchen storage containers to gadgets of every shape and size. This includes gift ideas and pantry staples.
One of my favorite areas of the Elm Grove Public Library is the cookbook section. It is loaded with treasures for cooks and bakers of varying skill levels. Kitchen Gear is a gem and a book I will check out again! ~Kathie Mitich~
Nu
merology by Anne-Sophie Casper
Would you like to try something different? If you like numbers, you want to test your brain, and learn something about yourself; this book is for you. It explains numerology in an uncomplicated way. Complete with simple challenges and tests, it offers you self-growth and development, while exploring your relationship with numbers. Give it a try! ~Maria Pupak~
Flight of the Wild Swan by Melissa Pritchard
This is a fascinating novel based on the life of Florence Nightingale, often seen as the founder of modern nursing. It's clear early on that Florence is not like other children her age. Even at age 7 she cannot abide the rules convention has set for women. Her intelligence and ambition were looked upon as defects in her character. As she got older, she resisted the typical path laid out for most women of her time, that of marriage and domesticity. Frustrated by her seemingly pointless existence, she had mental health issues. But at age 17 she was, "called by God to ease the world's suffering". When finally allowed to follow her calling and serve as a nurse in the Crimean War, she bloomed and established nursing as a legitimate skill and vocation.
This novel was very different from most historical fiction I've read in that the chapters are very short and focus on a very specific idea or date or occurrence. Yet together, they propel the novel along in such a way that I always wanted to read more. ~Mary Hartwig~
Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
What happens when a handsome bookworm/librarian meets a chef who would rather do anything than read? Sparks might be there, but will they be snuffed out? Samantha is supposed to be chaperoning her younger half-brother and getting her career back on track. Ben, the temporary library head, tells himself he is not interested in Samantha. Meanwhile Tyler, Sam’s 14 year-old half-brother is trying to fit into the geeky robotics competition so his team can win a prestigious scholarship. When Sam finally confesses to her dyslexia, the librarian and chef’s attraction heats up. What a fun book for SUMMER READING! ~Sharon Passick~
Yellow Bird: oil, murder, and a woman's search for justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch
Sierra Crane Murdoch underscores in her author’s note that as a white woman, the biography of an Arikara woman was not her story to tell. And yet it is a blessing that she did. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2021, Yellow Bird is framed around the redemption of Lissa Yellow Bird: recovering addict, convicted felon, unapologetic iconoclast. The bones of Yellow Bird recount Lissa’s relentless search for a missing truck driver in the oilfields of North Dakota. But it is the meat that truly makes this book. Beyond a missing persons case is the incredible story of Bakken oil boom, the painful history of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, and a reckoning with trauma. Equal parts haunting and healing, Yellow Bird is an exhaustively reported and exquisitely written achievement. ~Noah Weckwerth~
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Every single psychic Blue Sargent has ever met has told her that when she kisses the love of her life, he will die. Every single person in Blue’s family, except for her, is psychic. Because of this, Blue tends to avoid dating. She doesn’t find this too difficult because she doesn’t like anyone at her school, and the local private school, Aglionby Academy, is full of “raven boys” that she tries her best to avoid. Enter Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah. Gansey is a raven boy searching for a mythical, sleeping king who is rumored to grant a wish for whoever finds him and wakes him up. Adam is a raven boy who just wants to make it through high school as smoothly as possible. Ronan is a raven boy armed with sarcasm and a pet raven. Noah is a raven boy who has always been a little odd. The first time Gansey meets Blue she is busy at work, and he is insufferable. The first time that Blue meets Gansey she is waiting at a ley line on St. Mark’s Eve, and his ghost is walking along it. Follow along as we uncover how the lives of these five teens are, and always have been, intertwined. First in a young adult series. ~Lizzie Brazelton~
Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell
This mystery is set on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana during an annual festival celebrating Native American traditions. Mara and her parents used to travel to the festival along with thousands of others, but this year they are residents--having moved to the reservation a few months earlier. During the festival, one ceremony is for the family of a high school girl who is missing and may be dead. Mara is unexpectedly pulled into the ceremony and then into a murder investigation when another girl involved in the ceremony ends up dead. Everyone involved in the ceremony becomes a suspect and since the police don’t seem to be taking the case seriously, the teens begin their own investigations. The story unfolds in short chapters from the perspective of each of the teens involved, making it difficult to piece together the truth. This is an engaging mystery story that puts a spotlight on the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women as well as other challenges of modern life on the reservation. Recommended for high school and up. ~Sue Daniels~
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
The characters in this book captivated me from the first page through the last. Set among the cherry orchards of Northern Michigan in the Covid days of the summer of 2020. This is a lovely story of Joe and Lara Nelson and their three twenty-something daughters. The girls beg their mother to tell “her” early story of when she was, very briefly, a famous actress. It feels that the daughters discover for the first time that their parents had a life before they were parents! The author spun the novel around the time many parents and adult children were trapped together during Covid to learn about family history and different types of love. A wonderfully written, sweet story - thank you to the patron that encouraged me to read this! ~ Kathie Mitich~
May 2024
What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan | I must admit. I starting reading this book based on its intriguing cover. And by the next afternoon, I had already finished it. The set-up is this: Nina and Simon are high school sweethearts very much in love. After a week-long getaway in Vermont, Simon comes home, Nina does not. What begins ostensibly as a missing persons case, turns into a battle between two families: Nina’s and Simon’s. What actually happened to Nina is something you find out fairly early in the story, and still this procedural is propulsive, well-plotted, and raw in its emotion. If you’re looking for a good thriller that asks some tough questions, look no further. ~Noah Weckwerth~
Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron | Jane and the Final Mystery, by Stephanie Barron, takes place during 1817, in the final Easter season of Jane Austen’s life (she would die in July of that year). This last outing for Austen in the fictional role of amateur detective takes her to Winchester College, where her nephew’s friend, William Heathcote, is a pupil. Readers who like their mysteries told with a delicate touch will enjoy this 15th and final book in Barron’s series. An interesting Afterword shares historical details and a listing of 19th, 20th and 21st century sources the author used in her research for this book. ~Sarah Muench~
Leaving by Roxana Robinson | Every so often a book comes along that you immediately want to read again. Leaving by Roxana Robinson is one of those novels. In it, Sarah and Warren meet in college and a flame is ignited. But when Sarah misunderstands Warren's intentions, she breaks it off and they go their separate ways. Years later they have a chance meeting and discover the flame has never gone out. But Warren is married now, Sarah divorced, and both have careers and adult children that complicate things.
This is an emotional, compelling, heartbreaking novel about love, loyalty and moral responsibility. I don't agree with the ending, but the writing is so truthful and poignant that I (almost) forgive the author for it. A bookclub would have many avenues for discussion with this novel. ~Mary Hartwig~
Selling the dream: the billion-dollar industry bankrupting Americans by Jane Marie | Multilevel marking (MLM) businesses are everywhere, many are old household names like Mary Kay and Tupperware, while others are more familiar to anyone who spends time on social media, like dōTERRA and LuLaRoe. You may have heard that 1% of people who join an MLM earn more than one penny, which prompts some questions. Why do people keep joining MLMs? If the vast majority of employees are not making money, how are these businesses still operating? And what is the difference between an MLM and a pyramid scheme anyway? In Selling the Dream Marie explores the history of MLMs, why people join and why they stay, and who is (and isn't) making money. ~Frankie Harkavy~
Why we love baseball: a history in 50 moments by Joe Posnanski | For all fans of not only baseball, but its history as well, this is a great read for you. Took the book home for my husband and he not only actually read the entire book, he bought it so he could read again and again. Fifty defining moments of baseball history are well researched and written in an easy to read style wanting the reader to have fifty more. Here’s hoping for “Why we love baseball: a history in 50 more moments.” ~Sharon Passick~
Surely, You Can’t be Serious: the true story of airplane by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Joe Zucker | This fascinating tale by the famous trio from Wisconsin will be sure to amuse you. From the hilarious anecdotes about their early antics in Shorewood to the famous casting decisions made in Hollywood, with this team of movie makers…there is never a dull moment. Only creative geniuses would think to make a funny disaster movie with really serious actors. In addition to wild stories told by the authors, I loved the fun facts, oddities, reflections from the stars of Airplane and the inspirational tone. Research a bit to discover who almost played the part that Kareem Abdul-Jabar made famous! ~Kathie Mitich~
A Grand Idea: How William J. Wilgus created Grand Central Terminal written by Megan Hoyt and illustrated by Dave Szalay | In 1902, New York City was a growing metropolis with a busy but chaotic transportation system. Trains ran on coal, producing smoke, soot, and coal dust, and they all ran on the same tracks causing traffic jams and accidents. Chief Engineer, William J. Wilgus had an idea to create a larger railway system for electric trains that would run underground and a magnificent station to house them all. If you want to learn the history behind the building of this New York City landmark or if you like trains and construction, this book is for you. (Picture book) ~Sue Daniels~
Ready, Set, Run! The Amazing New York City Marathon by Leslie Kimmelman & Jessie Hartland | The New York City Marathon has been run every November since 1970. The first year, only 127 racers entered but it has since become a prestigious race with over 50,000 runners each year. This book provides some history about the race but the focus is on the race-day experience. Whimsical illustrations provide snapshots of various parts of the city and make the race look like a fun event! Read this book for the information or share it as a story. (Picture book) ~Sue Daniels~
Overlooked: a celebration of remarkable, underappreciated people who broke the rules and changed the world by Amisha Padnani | Have you ever read a blurb online about some fantastic person and thought, “Well I never learned that in school!” Look no further; read this book. Though thousands of people die between one issue of The New York Times and the next, only a few are chosen for write up in the obits pages. Historically, these have been wealthy and influential white men. This book aims to fill in the gaps of our shared history by researching and presenting obituaries of over 60 extraordinary lives whose legacies have been largely lost from our written history. Some names may be familiar – Major Taylor, Sylvia Plath, Alan Turing – most will be new acquaintances and hopefully, inspirations. ~Elizabeth Glaser~
April 2024
Safe: A memoir of fatherhood, foster care, and the risks we take for family by Mark Daley | When the author and his husband marry in 2015, they immediately set about growing their family. After considering myriad options, they settle on foster-to-adopt. What follows is an emotional journey to say the least. This tender book illuminates the sad realities of the child protection system in America, along the way dispelling myths and exposing cracks. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll shake your head in anger. What remains is a misunderstood problem requiring urgent attention…and not just somewhere else. Waukesha County needs more foster families! ~Noah Weckwerth~
The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland | Based on one of the largest tragedies to occur in our young United States, this historical novel is a triumph of exciting storytelling and history lesson all at once. In 1811 a theatre in Richmond, Virginia, goes up in flames during a packed performance. Sally, newly widowed but with an independent spirit, is appalled at what she sees during the mayhem to escape the flames and is changed forever. Jack, a young stagehand/wanna-be-actor is forced to decide between loyalty to his troop or to his fellow man. Enslaved Cecily has to make a gutwrenching choice at the unfolding of this tragedy and Gilbert, another slave who dreams of buying his wife's freedom, puts others first, compromising his own future. All of their decisions have a direct effect on others, including each other.
The author's note at the end of the book is an eye-opening historical account of the real people these characters are based on. Their stories of hardship, inequality (not only of race and class but gender) and strength will stay with you long after you've finished reading their story. ~Mary Hartwig~
Cultish: the language of fanaticism by Amanda Montell | Have you ever wondered why people join cults? In Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, Amanda Montell picks apart the language (dubbed Cultish) cults and cult-like bodies use. Montell argues that one is not "brainwashed" when they enter into a cult, but it is a choice influenced (and, in part, enforced) by language. The right person speaking the right way at the right time can make someone want to join. Then, once they've joined, the cult slowly introduces changes to language from standard English, leading to members finding it harder and harder to communicate with those outside the group. Cultish is a fascinating look at how cults use language to influence people. ~Frankie Harkavy~
Artifice by Sharon Cameron | Isa De Smit needs money so she doesn’t lose the family home and art gallery. So far, she has survived the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam by blending in, but a desperate act changes that. Her father is a talented painter but irresponsible, so Isa sells one of his paintings – a forged copy of a Rembrandt – to an agent of Hitler who accepts it as authentic. However, a young Nazi soldier recognizes it as a forgery and blackmails her with a surprising request. At the same time, Isa’s friend Truus has been working with the Resistance smuggling Jewish babies out of Amsterdam before they can be rounded up. When a Resistance operation goes wrong for Truus, Isa becomes involved in the smuggling scheme as well. This is a fast-paced spy thriller where every decision creates new complications and Isa is never completely sure who is lying to her. Recommended for anyone who likes a well-written thriller based on real events (high school and up). ~Sue Daniels~
March 2024
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin | If you have access to the various streaming services, you may have seen an ad for a series called Feud: Capote vs. the Swans. I was intrigued because I remember a few years back reading an excellent historical fiction novel about this subject. The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin tells the story of the rise and fall of Truman Capote in New York high society. The "swans" that are referred to were Capote's close circle of five elite society women, the favorite being "Babe" Paley, wife to founder of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). Capote worms his way into their lives, playing the court jester but always listening and contributing to the gossip that was rampant and ever present. (Some things never change). The author shows us the ugly side of the rich and famous, but also their vulnerabilities, loneliness and longing in their lives, even though it appears to everyone else they have everything they could desire. But all good things must come to an end. Capote constructed the "literary scandal of the century", betraying his friends, especially his angel, Babe, setting in motion a downward spiral that he is unable to recover from. An intriguing novel, all the more fascinating as it is rooted in actual events. ~Mary Hartwig~
Children of Ash and Elm: a history of the Vikings by Neil Price | Do you enjoy reading about the Vikings? Have you watched the TV show Vikings or the movie Valhalla Rising? Or watched any of the other Viking-based movies or TV shows that have come out over the past few years? Have you ever wondered how much of what you read or saw is based on reality? If you have answered yes to any of those questions, I would recommend Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price. In a work that is both enjoyable and informative, Price pieces together archaeological evidence with written sources to imagine a people behind the stories, and attempts to see the Vikings as they would have seen themselves. Children of Ash and Elm is an accessible, comprehensive look into what we know and what we can theorize about the Vikings. ~Frankie Harkavy~
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt | To keep busy and cope with her husband’s recent death Tova works the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. She’s been staying busy to cope with loss since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. She befriends the aquarium’s giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. They form an interesting friendship and Marcellus relates his side of events directly to the audience. (If you are a fan of audio books this is an awesome one to hear. We have the playaway and other libraries have the CD Book.) There are other delightfully eccentric characters to add to the charm of the novel. ~Sharon Passick~
North Woods: a novel by Daniel Mason | Daniel Mason's Pulitzer finalist novel is not a traditional story: there is no protagonist or antagonist, no epic journey. What this book does contain is a plot of land in the woods of New England, and an accounting of all who inhabited, visited, farmed, warred over, haunted, exploited, and cherished that plot of land over the course of 250 years. Suffice to say, this book is a collection - a collection of stories written from a variety of perspectives and using multiple stylings, all connected by the thread that is the land that they take place on. Beautifully written and thoughtfully researched, Mason wastes no details in this account of the gravity of a place, both in its tragedies and its delights. ~Mike Wadle~
February 2024
Milk Street simple by Christopher Kimball | Regardless of where you come down on the America’s Test Kitchen/Milk Street rivalry (I know where I do), there is no denying that both outlets routinely spin out excellent cooking texts. This latest from Milk Street is precisely what the title implies: simple. The recipes run the gamut from snacks to sides to mains, with each presented clearly and accompanied by colorful (and appetizing) photographs. Almost all of the recipes can be prepared on a weeknight with ingredients either already on hand or easily procurable. After working with this cookbook for a few weeks, it continues to bear new staples while also stretching my comfort zone. I recommend it! ~Noah Weckwerth~
Welcome to beach town by Susan Wiggs | Nikki’s life is finally going perfectly. She was able to attend a prestigious high school and graduate as valedictorian. For a girl from the “wrong side of the tracks” it is quite the height of a dream. However, there is a secret and her well-rehearsed speech changes at the last minute to shatter the community with information none of the elite want to acknowledge. A surfer’s daughter, Nikki goes into exile as a competitive surfer herself, finding fame, but not fortune. A personal tragedy finds her returning home to Alara Cove to rebuild her life. Times have changed for the community, but her dad needs her and romance finds her unexpectedly. In typical fashion, the author takes a hot button current topic and weaves an enchanting story around it. Love all her titles. ~Sharon Passick~
Three tasks for a dragon by Eoin Colfer and P.J. Lynch | This is a fairy tale about a young prince, exiled by a duplicitous stepbrother who wants the crown for himself. Young Prince Lir doesn’t have the magical gift that is the mark of the rightful ruler, and instead his brother, Prince Delbayne, displays this gift. However, the gift was achieved by using black magic and Delbayne can’t risk exposure so Lir is sent on a quest that his brother secretly hopes will result in his death. Lir must rescue a girl, Cethlenn, held captive by a fierce dragon, which may require fighting and slaying the dragon. However, when Prince Lir meets the dragon, both he and the dragon have to reassess what they expected of the other. The Prince is kind and helpful to the dragon and the dragon begins to reveal secrets. On top of that, Cethlenn has a few surprises of her own. Colfer is well-known for his tales of adventure, and at only 105 pages with rich illustrations by Lynch, this story could be a terrific family read aloud. ~Sue Daniels~
The holdovers (DVD) by Alexander Payne | My first introduction to Alexander Payne was through the 2004 Oscar Winner Sideways, a hilarious movie that touches on many difficult subjects without ever dimming the lights of the actors' delivery and comedic timing. With his newest movie, The Holdovers, Payne brings back Sideways star Paul Giamatti who plays a curmudgeonly boarding school teacher in a story about a rambunctious teenage student (Dominic Sessa) who is left by his family to spend Christmas at the school. Over the two-week Christmas Break, Giamatti, Sessa, and the school's head cook (D'avine Joy Randolph) form an unlikely bond as they all work through intense and complicated periods of their lives. This movie made me cry, warmed my heart, and had me laughing out loud. The Holdovers feels like an instant Christmas classic, and will be a movie that I rewatch every year during the holidays. ~Mike Wadle ~
The museum of lost and found by Leila Sales | Sixth grade is a challenging time for Vanessa, especially since her long-time best friend, Bailey, has grown distant. Vanessa is afraid their friendship is officially over so when she discovers an abandoned museum in her neighborhood, she decides it’s the perfect place to create an exhibit showing how wonderful her friendship with Bailey has been. Next the museum is discovered by a boy from Vanessa’s Hebrew school who wants to add an exhibit about his recently-deceased dog. Then Vanessa’s brother wants to add an exhibit and soon, there are several exhibits, all being kept secret so the kids don’t get into trouble for being in an abandoned building. Working on the museum gives Vanessa an outlet to sort out her troubles, which also include having an active-duty father deployed overseas, until she learns the museum is scheduled for demolition. A subplot involving a mysterious painting found in the museum adds some intrigue, but this is primarily a story about growing up and taking responsibility for one’s own life. Recommended for grades 4-6. ~Sue Daniels~
The corset & the jellyfish by Nick Bantock | The title is weird. If you’re familiar with Bantock, it’s to be expected. All of his work is bizarre, fantastical: a waking fever dream. This book is a collection of drabbles – 100 word micro-short stories. Each vingette is its own – a snapshot from a shoebox of years worth of vacations photos. Even if you’re not into short stories, you should give this a try. It’ll stretch your brain a bit, and spark wonder within you for how so vivid an image can be created from so few words. ~Elizabeth Glaser~
Starling house by Alix E. Harrow | Opal will do anything it takes to get her brother, Jasper, out of Eden, Kentucky. Her dreams have all been put aside and forgotten, including her rather persistent dreams of the Starling House. The Starling House, built by E. Starling, author of the children's horror book The Underland. The Starling House, which everyone avoids. The Starling House, where Opal finds herself working as a cleaner. The house seems almost alive, and is as mysterious as its warden, Arthur Starling. As Opal starts putting together the pieces of the past, she draws unwanted attention. Can she figure out the real history of E. Starling before her past catches up to her? Or will she be just another victim of Eden's bad luck? Starling House is a quirky standalone supernatural mystery with closed-door romantic elements. ~Frankie Harkavy~
The bookshop on the corner by Jenny Colgan | As in the way of the world, our dream job does not always pan out. So Nina finds herself out of that dream job, a librarian in a hectic city matching books with readers. But now she is at loose ends. To change the course of her life she moves to a far away village, buys a huge van, and converts it to a mobile bookshop she moves from corner to corner in the nearby neighborhoods. She is still changing lives with books and storytelling. Her own included, maybe even a happily ever after. Delightful story—how can it be otherwise if it is about books! ~Sharon Passick~
The benevolent society of ill-mannered ladies by Alison Goodman | This book was not what I expected. I judged this book by its cover and expected another Jane Austen-era historical mystery with some light romance, which it is, but with a “girl power” vibe in the best way possible. The main characters are well-to-do middle-aged twin sisters, Lady Augusta and Lady Julia Colebrook. Lady Augusta is intelligent and resourceful and particularly dissatisfied with the role she has been assigned by society as the invisible spinster, a role reinforced by her disagreeable brother, Lord Duffield, the head of the family. So, when a close friend beseeches the sisters to rescue her goddaughter from an abusive husband, they agree, and the adventures begin. One rescue leads to another and Augusta finds herself repeatedly crossing paths with a nobleman who is on the wrong side of the law for reasons that aren’t completely clear…yet. This is the first in an expected series and I look forward to seeing what these ladies will get up to next. ~Sue Daniels~
January 2024
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho | As it is with each new year, many of us are beginning a journey to better ourselves in some way, shape, or form. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an excellent accompaniment to any personal journey one might be embarking upon. It tells the tale of Santiago, who leaves behind his life as a shepherd to travel the world in search of treasure. This quick and easy read is packed full of life lessons, worldly wisdom, and encouraging anecdotes. Coelho gives the reader a grounding and humbling experience through a fictional character whose trials and tribulations blend seamlessly with those we face daily in the real world. Whether you're working on a new year's resolution, looking to learn about yourself, or just in need of an intriguing read, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, is a great way to kick off a new year of reading. ~Mike Wadle~
Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji | As a fan of historical fiction, I'm drawn to books that portray women in history whose important roles may have been overlooked and underappreciated. In Mukerji’s debut novel, the heroine is a woman physician in 1875 Philadelphia who has to make a place for herself in the male dominated field of medicine. But between teaching and seeing patients at the hospital, she becomes involved in the apparent murder of one of her patients. Her detective skills prove to be as brilliant as her medical skills as she aids local law enforcement in solving the murder.
I really enjoyed this book for two reasons. First, it was a suspenseful mystery with clever twists and turns you don't see coming. Secondly, I appreciated how the author (who happens to also be a physician herself) draws us into the world of a woman doctor in the late 19th century and how she had to prove to everyone that she belonged there. I look forward to more from this physician-writer. ~Mary Hartwig~
Princeless (Graphic novel) by Jeremy Whitley | What an absolute hoot! This is shelved as a kid’s graphic novel, but honestly, kind of like the jokes in Disney’s 1992 Aladdin, you really need to be an adult to fully appreciate the nuanced subversion. A mish-mash of fairy tale troupes – princess in a tower, prince charming – collide, centering on a smart, plucky heroine and her dragon, Sparky. Favorite quote, “You’re so anxious to take a wife! Why don’t you take a book first? Work your way up.” This princess is off to right the world. ~Elizabeth Glaser~
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer | Evie Sage is a young woman in a generic medieval fantasy setting working to support her ill father and young sister. When her previous employment ends with her getting stabbed, she accepts the first offer that comes her way, being the personal assistant to the Villain, the scourge of the town and the enemy of King Benedict. The job has more eyeballs and corpses than her last one, but the Villain is not what she expected--he is almost polite to her, as well as attractive. They soon find out that there is a traitor in their midst; can Evie find out who it is before she loses her job, and maybe her life? And could the Villain possibly like her back? Assistant to the Villain is a fun fantasy romance that will leave you eagerly awaiting the sequel. ~Frankie Harkavy~
Shot with Crimson by Nicola Upson | This newest title in the Josephine Tey series takes Tey to Hollywood during Hitchcock’s filming of Rebecca in 1939, and includes a cameo appearance by Daphne du Maurier. Members of the Rebecca film crew leave Hollywood to travel to England for shots of the actual mansion that inspired du Maurier’s novel. Crimes of the past come to light and propel additional violence, both in England and Hollywood. Upson is skilled at pulling characters, clues and history together to create striking images and a startling conclusion. ~Sarah Muench~