The White Magic Five and Dime

A Tarot Mystery #1
By Steve Hockensmith with Lisa Falco

This was a total surprise for me. I saw this on the "New" shelf display, and went right ahead and judged the book by its cover. I fell in love with the character, Alanis, and her witty and sometimes nasty sarcastic inner voice. She is actively trying to find herself despite her constant memories of a terrible childhood (and terrible really doesn't come close to an accurate description). The story twists and turns as Alanis tries to figure out who murdered her mother. This was just so much fun to read, it was funny in parts, heartwarming in others, and was a quick read. I like to call them candy-bar-books, you can read them pretty fast and they give you a happy sugar-rush. This looks to be the first in a series of Tarot Mysteries, so I'm looking forward to more!​

~ Becky W.

Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book

By Diane Muldrow


This book is sitting on our New Books shelf as you enter through the front door of our library, but don't let the cover fool you - it's written for adults. Not that it would be inappropriate for a child, but it has a strong sense of nostalgia that would be wasted on the very young.

Some of our best remembered characters and scenes from Little Golden books are featured with some added words of wisdom: "Be a hugger", "Turn off the TV from time to time" and my favorite, "sweatpants are bad for morale".

This title is currently featured on the NPR Hardcover Nonfiction Bestseller list.

Pick it up! It's a fun, quick read.


~ Paula

Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

By Jenna Miscaviage Hill with Lisa Pulitzer

eBook format, also available in print and audio

Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised in the church from the time she was a toddler until she fled as a young adult in 2005. Her parents were in the upper ranks of the organization and Jenna worked up to the rank of a Sea Org member.

In her book "Beyond Belief", Jenna shares her experiences in the Church of Scientology: the strange rituals, secrets, neglect, and verbal abuse. Jenna and the other children were separated from their families at a very early age and subjected to mind-control techniques and propaganda.

I found many of the Scientology beliefs to be quite shocking. They believe that our souls live for millions of years and would make Sea Org members (often children) sign million year contracts to stay in the organization. They call those of us who are not in the organization "wogs" - unenlightened souls - and are warned to stay away from us and not to speak to us about their beliefs.

Jenna and others who have left the organization have created a website to help those who have left Scientology or would like to. I have been curious about the organization due to the rumors, press, and famous Hollywood celebrity members such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Jenna was very brave to escape from the organization and has written a very personal account of her experiences.

Click here to watch the CNN interview with Jenna by Piers Morgan, 2013.

~ Paula