Where'd You Go Bernadette?

By Maria Semple
Audiobook format
Starred Review from Publisher's Weekly

The story opens with Bea's 8th grade report card. She got straight A's...actually straight S's for "Surpasses Excellence" in her preppy Seattle girls' school. As a reward for her good grades, Bea's parents, Bernadette and Elgin, have promised her whatever she wants. She chooses a family trip to Antarctica at Christmas time.

Bernadette Fox is a wife and mother with huge anxiety issues. It had become so bad that she hired an offshore virtual assistant to handle her every day interactions in order to avoid contact with the outside world. Bernadette was a world-renowned architect 20 years before who (after facing several personal tragedies) went into hiding.

Her husband Elgin is a high-level Microsoft engineer who worries about her sanity after many "mishaps". And then, Bernadette disappears....

The author wrote for the television series "Mad About You" and "Arrested Development". You can sense her wry sense of humor in this book.

Bernadette pokes fun at helicopter Moms, the city of Seattle, Canadians, yuppies and environmentalists. It is written from Bernadette's point of view, but it is really Bea's story. The reader will have you laughing out loud in this hilarious & heartwarming story.

~ Paula

Scarlet

The second book in the Lunar Chronicles
By Marissa Meyer

Very good book, my favorite in the series so far. A bit slow to get in to at first, but once you're in you're hooked!

~ Crystal

A Long Way Down

Available on DVD

The plot is simple enough.  Four people contemplate jumping from a London high-rise on New Year's Eve.  As they talk each out of it, they realize that they might be able to help each other. This surrogate family couldn't be more different.  As they bumble along, they help each other in the most amusing, dysfunctional and caring ways.

I read the book "A Long Way Down" by Nick Hornby years ago.  The movie, released last week on DVD is just as good.  It is witty, funny and downright sweet at times.

-Holly

The World According to Bob

by James Bowen

When I saw this book it was waiting to be re-shelved with the other new books.  The cover caught my eye.  I looked it over and thought it might be interesting but it was the second book written about Bob, so I decided to read A Street Cat Named Bob first.  These two books were wonderful, very uplifting, very amazing.  The relationship between Bob, a street wise cat and his owner James Bowen is extremely strong; they have saved each other’s lives in many ways.  This brutally honest book describes the life of one time homeless drug addict.  James turns his life around with the help of a cat that would have died if James hadn’t felt he was worth saving.  These two are such a hit in England (and around the world) that there are numerous images and YouTube videos available on the internet and there is talk about a movie.

I am strongly recommending these books, even if you don’t like cats (how could you not like cats?) you will still find these books astonishing.

~Beckie

The Keeper

By John Lescroart
Audiobook format read by David Colacci

On the night before Thanksgiving, prison guard Hal Chase went to the airport to pick up his brother, Warren. When they returned hours later, Hal's wife Katie was missing as their young children lay sleeping in their beds. Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky pair up to prove that Hal didn't murder his wife although he is the prime suspect. The plot thickens as the couples' marital problems and 'accidental' deaths at the jail come to light.

Although this is the 15th Dismas Hardy novel, it is the first book that I have read by Lescroart. I enjoyed the characters and their dialog, as well as the pacing and plot line. After reading several thrillers in the recent months, it was a welcome change to read a true mystery.

~ Paula

The Kitchen House

 By Kathleen Grissom

This book was phenomenal; a book that was hard to put down. I enjoy historical fiction of the colonial period and this book did a superb job of portraying the period. The story is told from the separate viewpoints of a young indentured servant and a slave. The slave raised the young girl and they formed a very strong bond. The reality of the time is not glossed over; therefore parts of this book may be unpleasant for some readers. I highly recommend this book and I hope she writes a sequel.

~ Beckie

And the Dark Sacred Night

By Julia Glass

This novel reveals a man’s struggle to discover his biological father. By the end of his journey he discovers the identity of the man that has truly been his father. He also gains insight to more of his mother’s life and finds the truth of the secrets that she has been keeping. I hope you enjoy this well written story as much as I did.

~ Beckie

Long Way Home

by Louise Penny

The release of Louise Penny's latest mystery is a highlight of my summer.  I can't wait to find out what has happened in the village of Three Pines.

In "Long Way Home", Clara is in search of Peter.  At the end of the last book, Clara and Peter decided to separate for one year so that they can contemplate the importance of their marriage.  However, following the one year deadline, Peter hasn't returned.  Clara turns to Inspector Gamache for help.  Gamache is now living in Three Pines following his retirement from the Surete du Quebec.  With the help of Myrna, Jean-Guy Beauvior and Gamache, Clara journeys to the mouth of the St. Lawrence seaway in search of her husband.

I refuse to spoil the plot. If you have read the other Louise Penny mysteries, put this title on hold.  You will want to read it.  If you haven't read the others, you are one lucky person!  You have ten good books to read and a cast of characters to fall in love with.  I can't recommend this series enough.

-Holly

Bittersweet

By Colleen McCullough

Set in Australia during the Depression era, the descriptions of the times and place are probably the best part
of this book. I enjoyed the story of the two sets of Latimer twins and the ties of sisterhood that overrides all else in this historical romance. Find a cozy place and block out some time to enjoy this book.

~ Sally

The Sea Garden

By Marcia Willett

Having read every Marcia Willett book that I can get my hands on, I want to say that this is as good a read as any she has written. She revisits several of her characters, although you do not need to have read previous books to enjoy this story of Jess and her journey to the Cornish coast of England. Jess arrives in the English countryside to meet the widow of the artist whose award she has just received. As Jess becomes acquainted with Kate, and meets the many family members, she senses that she is a part of their story. I enjoyed the descriptions of the sea, the river, the moors and the secrets that Jess encounters about her own past. The twist at the end of the story is very unexpected.


~ Sally

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

Adult Summer Reading Reviews

Here are some reviews from a few of our Adult Summer Reading participants this week.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

"Awesome book! :) I really enjoyed the author's style of writing. Very human...easy to read and stay interested. Can't wait to read more books by Jenny Han!"

~Reviewed by Amy H.

The Wedding Shawl by Sally Goldenbaum

"Very good character and locale development makes me want to pick up a pair of knitting needles and move to their little town."

~Reviewed by Nancy F.

Child of Mine

By David and Beverly Lewis

Jack Livingston, a successful pilot, has been raising his niece Natalie, since a tragic accident took her adoptive parents. Laura Mast, their Amish nanny, tenderly cares for Natalie as her own.
Natalie wants a mother more than anything in the world. She loves Laura and is actively campaigning for her to become her new mommy. The fact that Laura is Amish and Jack isn’t, doesn’t make much difference to Natalie.

Kelly Maines lost her infant daughter to a kidnapping years ago and has searched for her ever since. Thanks to some friends who are able to help with expenses, she has followed leads for over eight years. It has taken its toll on her health and her relationships.

Now a tip from Kelly’s investigator shows a possible match that points to Natalie. Could this be her long-lost daughter?

~ Dixie