The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror

by Christopher Moore.

If you are NOT in the mood for a sappy Christmas tale, try the The Stupidest Angel. It isn't brand new (published 2004) but it is definitely worth a look if you enjoy black comedy. It's the story of Christmas in tiny Pine Cove, California. Though Pine Cove is a typical small town, where everyone knows everyone else's business, this particular Christmas is anything but typical. An angel's blunder makes this year's Christmas celebration go terribly, terribly wrong. I liked this laugh-out-loud tale very much - just be aware that, if books were rated like movies, this would be rated R!

- Linda

Man On Wire

Man On Wire
DVD

Man On Wire is more than a documentary about a quirky high-wire artist and his dream of walking on a wire rigged between the New York World Trade Center's twin towers. It is a suspenseful tale of how in 1974 Phillippe Petit and his friends planned and carried out this stunt.

This is a wonderful story of those brave and crazy enough to follow their dreams. Sometimes life is stranger than fiction, and the story of Phillippe Petit proves it.

Watch this captivating movie; you won't be disappointed.

- Kathy S.

Izzy & Lenore

Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me
by Jon Katz

Join Jon Katz, former city dweller, now owner of Bedlam Farm, in up-state New York, his rescued Border Collie, Izzy, and new Labrador Retriever, Lenore, on an uplifting tale of love, compassion, and the rich and complex relationships between dogs and their humans. As trained hospice volunteers visiting homes and nursing homes, Katz & Izzy bring comfort and canine companionship to people who most need it. Along the way, the author confronts his past, embraces his current life, and rediscovers the meaning of friendship, faith, and family. Jon Katz has written many other books, of which I will now be reading! I'm hooked!

- Ann

A Virgin River Christmas

A Virgin River Christmas
by Robyn Carr

I don’t usually read mass market paperback, but I really liked the book covers and I found out that Robyn Carr is an extremely good writer. I have read every book in the Virgin River series and am very excited that three more books are to be published in 2009. What I like so much are the characters in this series, and the author carries them from book to book throughout the series. If you enjoy small-town America, good people and a good story, you need to read this series. The other books in this series are, so far, Virgin River, Shelter Mountain and Whispering Rock.

- Patti

Christmas on Jane Street

Christmas on Jane Street
by Billy Romp with Wanda Urbanska

This is an uplifting, real-life tale of the Romp family from Salisbury, Vermont and their annual trek to Manhattan, New York to sell Christmas trees on Jane Street. They arrive the day after Thanksgiving and leave just in time to make it home for Christmas morning. For a few weeks, this family transforms a corner of the Big Apple into a Frank Capra-esque small town alive with heartwarming holiday spirit. An ideal Christmas story, it is about the lasting and profound difference one person can make to a family and one family can make to a community.

- Ann

The Wordy Shipmates

The Wordy Shipmates
by Sarah Vowell

I listened to the audio version of Sarah Vowell's latest book about the Puritans who founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony 10 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. Using research from primary sources as well as anecdotes from her own life, Sarah Vowell brings these people to life. If, like me, your sense of these early settlers comes mainly from elementary school social studies, this is the book for you. The audio version is read wonderfully by the author with many guest stars taking the parts of the principal Puritans.

- Linda

Divine Justice

Divine Justice
by David Baldacci

Being the fourth book in Baldacci’s Camel Club series, he does not disappoint. Just as enjoyable as the first three books. If I like a writer, I will try to read all of their books. David Baldacci is a great writer. His story lines keep you guessing and his characters are very memorable. If you enjoy a fast-paced suspense, you will definitely like this and probably all of David Baldacci’s books.

- Patti

An Irish Country Christmas

An Irish Country Christmas

by Patrick Taylor

The wonderful characters of Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’ Reilly, his young protégé Dr. Barry Laverty, and their housekeeper Kinky are brought to life again in An Irish Country Christmas. Share their warmth, humor, and holiday traditions, and get to know the patients and people living in the cozy Irish village of Ballybucklebo.

Other delightful books by this author are An Irish Country Doctor and An Irish Country Village. You will enjoy reading how Dr. Laverty came to Ballybucklebo to join Dr. O’Reilly’s medical practice and how he gained the trust and respect of Kinky, the village, and Dr. O’Reilly.

- Rose

Comments from our Thursday Afternoon Book Club

Water For Elephants
by: Sara Gruen

Five out of five coffee cups that's what the Ladies of the Book Club gave this fabulous read last Thursday at our monthly meeting (1:30, second Thursday of the month, Burton Library). It's not often we agree so completely on a selection, but this love story set in the early years of the depression and prohibition thrilled us from beginning to end. Against the back drop of a circus train Jacob Janowski rides the rails, falls in love and cares for an elephant. Reminiscing as an elderly man he weaves his tale while sharing the wisdom and insights that come from being in his nineties. It is a book that may read quickly, but will stay with you long after you finish.

Debbie Barber
The Ladies of the Book Club

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

Set in a futuristic society (the former USA) run by "The Capitol," the country of Panem is a police state divided into 12 districts. Though some of the districts are fairly well off, those in District 12, the coal district, are literally starving. Sixteen-year old Katniss Everdeen feeds her family by hunting illegally. Each year, The Capitol hosts "The Hunger Games" - a televised contest in which one boy and one girl from each district are chosen by lottery to compete. The contest is on live television and the players compete to the death until only one teen remains. This winner then returns home to a life of luxury. All citizens of Panem are required to watch and many give money to sponsor favored contestants. When Katniss' gentle 12-year-old sister is chosen in the lottery, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Though the plot sounds like something I wouldn't enjoy reading, I could not put this book down. Katniss is absolutely compelling in her maturity, empathy and skill. Yes, there is bloodshed but it is tempered by the fast pace and twists and turns of plot. This is a terrific read!

-Linda

Dewey

Dewey
by Vicki Myron

A cat, a library, and a small midwest town. Need I say more?

I loved the story of Dewey, the abandoned cat, who lived at the Spencer Library for 19 years. A quick and heart-warming read!

- Dixie

Too Close To Home

Too Close to Home
by Linwood Barclay

This is the first time I have read this author. He is very, very good. I plan to read his other books as well.

In this particular book, a very bad thing happens in a good neighborhood in small-town upstate New York. The author paints a very believable picture of a middle-class family dealing with the issues of their life, and then something turns their lives upside-down. I don't want to give anything away, but if you like fast-paced suspense, you will like this book.

- Patti

Songbird

Songbird - by Eva Cassidy
(cd)

Eva Cassidy has the voice of an angel. Her music was little known during her lifetime, but she gained fame after her death in 1996. Her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow took my breath away. She sings everything - jazz, gospel, folk, and more, and she sings everything well. Her music will touch your heart.

- Kathy S.

Lightning

Lightning
by Dean Koontz

I truly enjoyed this story and simply did not want to stop listening to Christopher Lane's narration. This is an older book, copyright 1988, but it's still great entertainment.

This story with a twist includes tragedy, suspense, and an element that I don't want to share - I don't want to spoil it for you.

I highly recommend this book by Dean Koontz.

- Beckie

No Reservations

No Reservations
with Anthony Bourdain
(DVD)

If you haven't seen No Reservations on the Travel Channel you are in for a treat. Anthony Bourdain is a hip chef who is willing to try just about anything. As he travels around the globe, he learns about the culture as well as the food. For being a seasoned foodie, he is surprisingly down to earth.

In Collection 3 he visits Cleveland and spends time with Michael Ruhlman and Harvey Pekar. He also visits Russia, LA, and Hong Kong among other places. Make some snacks (you will want to eat while watching this) and find out why he is called the "gastronomic Indiana Jones".

-Holly