A Long Time Gone

By Karen White

One of my favorite Southern authors spins a tale of three generations of the Walker Family women. The story weaves through prohibition and the Klan, the Sixties, and present day. Although the over 400 page novel has a rather slow start, the momentum picks up as I was drawn into White’s spellbinding world of Southern culture, family, and strong women. Once started, I couldn’t put this down.

~ Sally

Bibliocraft: a modern crafter's guide to using library resources to jump start creative projects

by Jessica Pigza

Bibliocraft is a clever book for the book loving crafter.  Most of the craft ideas appear to be right out Etsy.  If you have easy access to interesting old books (i.e. the Burton Public Library book sale), colorful paper, some cloth and thread, you can make most of the crafts in this book.

The skill level of most of the projects is beginner.  So, it is not intimidating at all.  This book is perfect for the lazy summer day project.  If you love pouring over Etsy, try this book first.  You will save money and be proud of you accomplishments.

-Holly

The Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth series)

By M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition, available through CLEVNET

Sargent Hamish Macbeth returns in the 30th installment of the series based in the Scottish Highlands. Detective Chief Inspector Blair sends the good-looking Cyril Sessions to dig up dirt on Hamish in order to build evidence of his incompetence. Blair wants to close down the village office in Lochdubh and to get rid of Hamish. After Cyril is murdered, Hamish becomes a suspect due to the vengeful actions of librarian Hetty Dunstable.

I enjoyed the quirky relationship between Hamish & Dick and the crazy librarian, but this story didn’t have the warmth of the earlier editions. Hamish was a bit compromised in his detective work: "It's as if I've become one of them, he thought." I hope that #31 will signal a return to a more conscientious Hamish.

~ Paula

The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Blogged by Teen Guest Blogger: Kaitlin

Click to view our new BPL Teen Blog!


Two words. Okay? Okay. (TFIOS)

~ That homeless fangirl

_________________________

Blogged by Teen Guest Blogger: Aiden

This book involves characters with cancer, but it is truly not about cancer.

This book will shower you with happiness, drown you with sadness, and hug you with cuteness.
~ Aiden

Magnificent Vibration (Sometimes Heavenly Intervention Can Put You Through Hell)

By Rick Springfield

Fiction written by celebrities can be like fingernails on a chalkboard - pretty awful. This one is a delightful exception. It's a quirky story of a young man, Horatio Cotton, who has reached the end of his rope and is in the throws of depression. He shoplifts a book called Magnificent Vibration, dials a phone number written in the book, and ends up speaking with God. This conversation sets Horatio, who calls himself Bob, on an immediate roller coaster ride for the next few days as he meets 2 new friends and deals with a series of absolutely crazy happenings, all the while trying to discern the answer to some of life's meaningful questions. It's well written, at times hilarious, at times sad and almost everything in between. I enjoyed it very much but would definitely caution the more conservative reader.


~ Linda

Waking the Dead

By Heather Graham
Audiobook version

Michael Quinn and Dani Cafferty are reunited again in this book. It is the second in the Cafferty and Quinn series, the first book being Let the Dead Sleep. I have mixed feelings about this story. The mystery of the haunted painting, "The Ghosts of the Mind", painted in the 1800's by a (fictional) friend of Mary Shelley (Frankenstein's creator) had an interesting back-story, but it became more and more unbelievable as the story progressed.

I enjoyed the New Orleans setting and the relationship between Dani, Michael and Dani's shop employees and friends. I liked the wealthy and spunky new character, Hattie. But a murderous painting that is reactivated by blood - really? I will read the next installment in the series, but I hope that it is more believable.

~ Paula

Romeo Blue

By Phoebe Stone

Written for tweens, the story takes place on the coast of Maine during the early years of World War II. It's the sequel to The Romeo and Juliet Code, published in 2011. In the first book, 11-year-old Felicity Bathburn Budwig travels with her parents from England to the Maine coast in June, 1941 and is left with her father's family, the Bathburns, whom she has never met. Her parents leave in a hurry, leaving no clue as to their whereabouts. Though loving toward Felicity, whom they nickname Flissy, the Bathburns are an odd bunch with many secrets. Felicity is sad, scared and lonely but determined to find out about the mysterious goings-on in the house. In Romeo Blue, it is 1942, Flissy is 12 and the U.S. is in the throws of the war. Much has changed in the country and within the Bathburn family. Flissy dearly loves Derek, the Bathburns foster son. One day a man arrives claiming to be Derek's birth father. Flissy thinks there is something not quite right about this person yet Derek needs for his claim to be true. It's a charming coming of age story combined with a slice of life on the homefront as no family is untouched by the events of war. 

~ Linda

Blogging on the Technology Bus

Good afternoon!

We are blogging from the Mobile Technology Bus during our class. Lovely weather outside!

~ Paula

The Collector

By Nora Roberts



Roberts produces another terrific blend of suspense and romance. This time it's through the worlds of art, high-end antiques and collectors that will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Lila is a house-sitter and author that witnesses a brutal murder. Ash is an artist and the brother of the victim. They meet and are soon being chased by an assassin, who thinks nothing of leaving a trail of bodies in New York City and Italy in her pursuit of a valuable "lost" antique.

~ Rochelle

The Americans

The Americans
Series 1 on DVD

Set in 1981 in Washington DC, "The Americans" is a thrilling new TV series from FX.   Elizabeth and Philip Jennings are high level Soviet spies who appear to be normal residents of their middle class neighborhood.  Their cover is so discreet that their school age kids don't even know that they are Russian immigrants.

Created by Joe Weisberg, a former CIA officer, the series depicts plot lines that are based on real events.  The heroes are actually enemies and the story lines are always compelling.  Kerry Russell is fun to watch as a pint sized spy who is a highly trained assassin.

I absolutely loved watching "The Americans".  From the disguises to the period detail from the 1980's, I was hooked.  I can't wait until the second series is available.  If you enjoy reading spy novels and international thrillers, this series is for you.

-Holly

Takedown Twenty

 Audiobook format

By: Janet Evanovich

My favorite way to experience Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels is to listen to Lorelei King read them as I drive down the road.  Her stories always make me laugh, always a delight. In the continuing story of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life she is given the job of finding her boyfriend’s godfather “Uncle Sunny”.  In Trenton, New Jersey some families are related to everyone, or so it seems.  Uncle Sunny is related to, or does business with so many, that Stephanie has a hard time trying to find him because no one will “rat him out”.  If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich but have never listened to Lorelei King read them, you should give it a try, she is remarkable.

~ Beckie

I agree – a fun “listen”! There is a return of the usual favorite characters in “Takedown Twenty” including Joe’s crazy Sicilian grandmother Bella. Watch out for Kevin!

~ Paula

 

White Fire

By Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

#13 in the Pendergast series, also available in audio format

Corrie Swanson has travelled to an exclusive ski resort town in Colorado to write her thesis about a group of miners that were eaten by grizzly bears 150 years ago. When the town founders decline Corrie's request to study the bones of the miners, Corrie takes measures into her own hands and breaks in to the storage shed. Special Agent Pendergast goes to Colorado to aid his young apprentice who is facing prosecution.

During this time, an arsonist is targeting the homes of the rich and famous in the town.

During Pendergast's and Corrie's investigation into the remains of the miners and the archives, secrets are uncovered that put the reputation of the town's founding members in jeopardy.

Pendergast discovers a connection between a long-lost Sherlock Holmes story and the mystery of the dead miners.

If you are a mystery fan, try this one!

~Paula

 

 

Stella Bain

By Anita Shreve

This book had me from the very first page.  Set early in World War I, an injured young American woman finds herself recovering in an army hospital tent in Europe unable to remember her name or her past.  This book takes you through her journey to recover her memory and her life.  Her past holds some distressing details that haunt her recovery.  I found this book so captivating that I wish I could read it again for the first time.

 ~ Beckie

 

 

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

At 13 years old, Theo Decker loses his mother in a terrorist bombing, steals a priceless painting, and begins the journey of a lifetime - one that takes him from New York City to Las Vegas to Amsterdam.

The Goldfinch is a riveting story.  Donna Tartt paints a colorful portrait of Theo along with Boris, Hobie and Pippa.  Theo's survival depends on the kindness of strangers, but they are often his downfall.

I put off reading The Goldfinch because of the sheer heft of it.  At 784 pages, I thought I didn't have time.  Now, I only wish that I had read it sooner.  Read the book before you see the movie.  You will be so happy you did.

-Holly

The Geek's Guide to Dating

By Eric Smith

Are you a gamer or a geek? Then check this out. Even if you are not in the dating market (like me), this book will have you doubled over and laughing...ROFL!

Smith provides helpful tips for Player #1 (you) to find the perfect Player #2: identifying what type of geek you are, finding him/her, general dating tips, and break-ups.

No-win scenarios are presented, aka the 'Kobayashi Maru' for Trekkies, as well as a First Date Simulation where, given a scenario, you choose the outcome. You then advance to the next level or it's "Game Over".

Enjoy this book and share it with a geek friend. I did!

~ Paula