Adams County Book Reviews

Banana: the Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World by Dan Koeppel

2008-05-03T17:03:00.002-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Many people eat a banana during the course of their day. In the United States, we eat bananas in our cereal, as a quick breakfast, or in an ice cream sundae. But, what is the story behind the banana? Koeppel examines the history of the banana in this nonfiction account of a world favorite fruit. Touring plantations and fields that grow bananas, as well as combing through documents and histories of world-leading banana companies, Koeppel discovers the banana's role in politics around the world and the struggle of some scientists to save the banana from disease.

Koeppel's smooth writing makes his narrative very easy to read. He documents his sources at the end of the book and provides a concise timeline of major banana events. I found this book to be quite enjoyable and eye opening: I was completely unaware of the political and scientific turmoil surrounding the banana. Not only have I gained a greater appreciation of the banana, but I will never look at the fruit the same way again. After reading this book, you will not either.

Reviewed by Jessica

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

2008-04-24T11:01:00.005-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

What if Jane Austen left a journal of a secret love affair? In the movie Becoming Jane, Jane's encounter with Tom LeFroy is fictionalized into a love story. In Syrie James' novel, written in Jane's voice, Jane meets Mr. Frederick Ashford, a wealthy gentleman who matches Jane's personality and character very well. They fall in love during short accidental encounters. Ashford's constant attentions drive Jane to return to writing novels, something that she had neglected for several years. Using elements of her life, Jane begins to edit and rewrite her novel Sense and Sensibility.

Written in a memoir style with "editor's" footnotes explaining events, terms, and situations, James creates a fictional love story for Jane Austen. James uses a lot of circumstances and conversations Austen portrays in her novels Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice to try to connect Austen's real world with the world in Austen's novels. Readers of Austen's novels will see these connections throughout James' novel.

I found this novel to be a fun, and at times heartbreaking, read. Keeping in mind that not much is known about Jane Austen's life, any novel written about her just adds to her mystery. Readers who enjoy this novel may also want to try Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries. Barron's mysteries are also written from Austen's perspective and have a touch of romance in the storyline.

Reviewed by Jessica

I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

2008-03-18T10:06:00.003-04:00

Age Level: Teen
Format: Book

Girl meets boy. Girl loses boy. Girl gets boy back...sort of.

Ava and Jackson are in love. They go everywhere together, do everything together, share everything. Then, Ava's fifteen year old world falls apart when Jackson dies; and, Ava thinks she caused his death. Written in verse, this book takes readers through Ava's thoughts and feelings about the accident and about the aftermath. Oh, did I mention that Ava's dead boyfriend seems to hang around Ava, playing music, touching her, kissing her, enveloping her house in his sandalwood scent, not willing to let her go? Ava must make a choice: move on with her life, or keep her ghost boyfriend with her forever.

Schroeder weaves first love and tragic loss into a beautifully revealing book about loss and picking up the pieces. Fans of Sonya Sones' style of writing, what is termed as verse novels (or novels written in prose format), will enjoy this book. This is definitely one storyline that will "haunt" me for quite awhile.

Reviewed by Jessica

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

2008-03-16T18:00:00.003-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Imagine waking up in a hospital room to discover your mind has blacked out three years, and everything is different about your life. Lexi Smart finds herself in this predicament in the latest "chick lit" novel by Kinsella, best known for her Shopaholic series. Lexi's last memory is an evening on the town with her friends in 2004. She wakes up in 2007, learning she's been in a car accident, she drives a Mercedes, works in management at her job, lives in a loft-style apartment, and has an extremely handsome (and extremely rich) husband. Sounds like the fairy tale life, right? At least Lexi thinks so, until she begins to realize that she does not recognize the person she has become - her friends hate her, her staff calls her the Cobra (among other more colorful names), and she may or may not have been having an affair with one of her husband's colleagues. Readers follow Lexi on her journey through recovery, putting the pieces of her new life together, and discovering the true meaning to the words "success" and "happiness."

I enjoy reading Kinsella's Shopaholic series, and could not wait to try one of her stand alone novels. I was not disappointed. Kinsella uses her magic in the genre of chick lit (humorous books about women making it in the real world) to create Lexi Smart, a character both flawed and likable. There are some laugh-out-loud scenes, so be careful where you read this!

If you like light and fluffy books, or you need something to read to escape from reality, try Remember Me?.

Reviewed by Jessica

Remembering Raquel by Vivian Van Velde

2008-03-10T15:18:00.003-04:00

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

Raquel is, from the first page of this book, dead. She was the kind of girl, as one of her classmates remembers, who had a tendency to be invisible. At least, she was invisible until one night, when she was hit by a car and killed.

In brief chapters, we hear about Raquel’s life and how one seemingly disconnected girl made an impact on the lives of her classmates.

This is a story of how one life, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, affects the life of others in a community. Raquel is a girl who doesn’t really know anyone at the school she goes to. Only a few people seem to be directly affected by Raquel’s death – Hayley, her best friend who goes to a different school; her online fantasy gaming community; and her father, who is still mourning the death of Raquel’s mother. But even though these few people are seemingly the only ones that would be affected, an entire community is, as we find out by reading this book. There are over a dozen narrators, with each chapter a new person – the popular kid, the grandmother, her father, and even the lady who hit Raquel – each one tells their story, their remembrance of how her death affected them.

It’s a small book, but it truly shows how every action, no matter how small, will affect how we are remembered.

Reviewed by Sara

The Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone

2008-02-27T14:59:00.003-05:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

**Caution: A few of the scenes in the novel are very graphic; readers who are a bit squeamish about blood and gore may not like portions of this novel.**

Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a doctor living in Philadelphia in the late 1880s, studies with one of the greatest minds in medicine, Dr. William Osler. When Osler reacts strangely to the sight of a young woman waiting for an autopsy, Carroll becomes suspicious. The death of a colleague forces Carroll to sort through lies and half-truths presented by his acquaintances, from a mysteriously charming wealthy socialite, a scandalized artist, and a drug-dependent doctor, to even Dr. Osler. As Carroll spirals into deep and dark conspiracies, he finds himself in constant danger from opposing forces. Facing moral choices everywhere he turns, Carroll has to decide his best course of action. When the truth comes out, who will be left standing?

Told through the eyes of Dr. Carroll, Goldstone's novel combines the art of medicine and surgery with suspicion extremely well. Almost from page one, the conspiracies begin, and a captivating plot unfolds. Every time a layer is cracked in the mystery, several more layers appear for Carroll, making him reevaluate everything and everyone he knows.

I enjoyed reading this combination historical fiction and thriller. I found it very riveting and hard to put down. Some of the scenes, especially the operating scenes, were so detailed it felt like I was there watching the surgery. Goldstone's writing style flows smoothly, making this novel a quick read. The epilogue was very satisfying for me. Goldstone's Author's Note section helped to bring historical facts and the fiction from the novel together.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading historical fiction or to anyone who loves to read thrillers.

Reviewed by Jessica

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

2008-01-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

Caleb has spent the last year in juvenile detention. Maggie has spent the last year in hospitals and physical therapy. The lives of these two teens were changed forever one night. Now, they both have to face their greatest challenged – seeing each other again. Is it possible to forgive? And even more important, will it be possible to trust again?

I could not put this book down. It’s very down to earth and the author does a very good job of creating the raw emotion, dialogue and culture of high school. The topics of trust, friendship, and high school are handled in a very delicate way.

The chapters alternate between the voices of Caleb and Maggie, so the reader gets a glimpse into both of their lives and is able to realize that they both are in pain. How they each deal with the pain is handled very differently.

It’s a very good book. It makes you think...What would you do if the person who damaged you for life, a person who was sent away, was suddenly back?

Reviewed by Sara.

Something Rotten by Alan Gratz

2008-01-17T08:39:00.001-05:00

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

The place is Denmark, Tennessee, and the smell hits Horatio Wilkes the minute he pulls into town to visit his best friend, Hamilton Prince. The Prince family owns the local paper plant that’s polluting the Copenhagen River, but the paper plant isn’t the only thing stinking up the place. Hamilton’s father has been murdered, by poisoning, and the killer is still at large. No one, except for Hamilton and Horatio, believes that Rex Prince has been murdered, so it’s up to the two of them to figure out who’s behind it. But that won’t be easy. There are too many suspects, among them are Olivia, Hamilton’s ex-girlfriend, Trudy, Hamilton’s mom who just married Claude, Hamilton’s uncle, and those are just the suspects that are near at hand.

The premise sounds familiar, right? We all know the story of Hamlet, but, trust me when I say that in the hands of Alan Gratz, this is a mystery that will keep you guessing. There are twists and turns in this plot, along with one-liners that keep the tale crackling on. In Something Rotten, you truly meet the character of Horatio and understand why, over everyone else in his life, Hamilton (or Hamlet) choose this guy to be his best friend, and the only person he truly trusted.

Very entertaining adaptation – and no, it doesn’t end how you think it will.

Reviewed by Sara

Ghost Hunting by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson with Michael Jan Friedman

2007-12-31T15:40:00.000-05:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Hawes and Wilson, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (or TAPS), and lead investigators on the Sci-Fi Network's Ghost Hunters, share their experiences with the paranormal in this book. TAPS was founded on the principle that investigators would go into homes, businesses, churches, etc. looking for ways to debunk or negate a paranormal claim. Throughout the book, Hawes and Wilson will mention that nearly 80% of cases are debunked of paranormal activity. Containing information on cases prior to their TV debut and some of their more notable TV episode cases, Hawes and Wilson detail some of their findings, outline TAPS purpose in the "ghost hunting" world, and offer some advice to those thinking about creating their own paranormal society group. Several pages of still photographs featuring paranormal phenomena and practical jokes among teams members appear in the middle of the book.

I have to admit I am addicted to the TV show Ghost Hunters. Though a skeptic to anything paranormal, I'm still addicted! When I learned that the guys wrote a book, I had to read it. I'm glad I did! Mostly written by Hawes, viewers of the TV show will definitely see his personality come through in the words. I loved reading about some of the behind the scenes information for a few of their TV episodes. It was also interesting to learn about their beginnings and some of the cases they went on prior to gaining fame on the Sci-Fi Network.

Fans of the show must read this book. Incidentally, if you have never seen Ghost Hunters, or would like to watch the episodes again, the Adams County Library System has Seasons 1 and 2 and the live episode from the Stanley Hotel. Put yourself on the waiting list today...and while you do that, check Ghost Hunting out too. It's a fun, fast read.

Reviewed by Jessica

Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert

2007-12-31T14:33:00.000-05:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

This goth thriller combines alchemy with psychic abilities to create a "spellbinding" read from start to finish. Gabriel Blackstone, a freelance information hacker, receives a call from dying millionaire William Whittington, asking Blackstone to help find his missing son, Robert. Using his psychic abilities to read the minds of someone missing to find their whereabouts, Gabriel discovers a partial truth to Robert's disappearance. In his quest to find the facts, Gabriel becomes friends with the mysterious Monk sisters and soon follows the path leading towards destruction.

Mostert has crafted such a wonderful thriller; I was hooked from the first page! To me, the storyline was not predictable, so I found myself surprised at the different twists and turns in the plot. Those not interested in the world of sci-fi and witchcraft may not find this book to be enjoyable. There is some discussion on alchemy and on psychic mind reading, which helps to clarify the concepts to those readers not familiar with the topics. I normally do not read these type of thriller stories, but I found this one entertaining from start to finish.

Reviewed by Jessica

Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig

2007-12-17T14:14:00.000-05:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Ever wonder about the man behind one of the best known love stories of all time? Margaret Mitchell's Rhett Butler comes alive in this novel based on Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. McCaig takes readers through Butler's life, from his boyhood in the Low Country of South Carolina, to his first encounter with Scarlett O'Hara at Twelve Oaks Plantation, to the Civil War and beyond. Butler's family is introduced, as well as the reasons behind Butler's relationship with Belle Watling.

For those who do not like recreations or adaptations of famous stories, you may not like this novel. It is very hard to take a story so well known as Gone With the Wind and create an adaptation for it. Alexandra Ripley tried this several years ago with Scarlett, which to some readers proved disasterous. McCaig creates new situations in which Rhett and Scarlett encounter one another and at times rewrites scenes from Gone With the Wind, though this might have been done since he could not take Mitchell's words verbatim and use them in his novel. McCaig also creates a different ending to the story, an ending in conflict with Mitchell's novel. Characters' personalities differ between Gone With the Wind and Rhett Butler's People. However, the incite into Butler's family and his escapades are very intersting. If you want to figure out the mystery behind Butler, read this book.

If you read the reviews on Amazon.com, people either really love this novel, or they absolutely hate it. For me, I was extremely curious to read something authorized by Margaret Mitchell's estate. I was a little disappointed with some of the scenes in this novel, but overall, I thought this to be an okay read. If you are interested in reading this novel and have never read Gone With the Wind, I suggest reading Gone With the Wind first. Knowing the plot line for Mitchell's novel will help in understanding some of the situations found in Rhett Butler's People.

Reviewed by Jessica

Big Boned by Meg Cabot

2007-11-28T10:51:00.000-05:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Life is finally going good for Heather Wells, former teen pop princess and current Assistant Dormitory Director of a certain residence hall that has been nicknamed "Death Dorm" after a few recent murders. There have been no recent muders and she's somewhat secretly dating Tad, her remedial math professor while still pining away for Cooper, her PI landord. Unfortunately, the good in life quickly turns bad when she finds her boss murdered in his office and becomes just one name on the long list of suspects. It's just bad timing for her to become involved in yet another murder investigation, what with her father's big business proposal for her and Tad getting ready to ask the Big Question, that she's not sure she has the answer to.

Big Boned is the third book in Meg Cabot's Heather Wells Mysteries series (after Size 12 is Not Fat and Size 14 is Not Fat Either). Heather is a very likeable girl who, as you learn in the previous books, used to be a pop star princess but has since gained a few pounds. She has an amazing knack for getting into dangerous situations that are too tight for comfort. Heather is a spunky girl that doesn't give up when she believes that someone is getting the raw deal or that one of her many residents of the hall she oversees being unfairly accused of murder.

Big Boned is a quick and fun read. If you haven't already, definitely pick up Size 12 is Not Fat and Size 14 is Not Fat Either before delving in to Big Boned. You must investigate the previous mysteries surrounding "Death Dorm" before looking into this one.

Reviewed by Sara

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2007-10-30T10:13:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

Thirteen Reasons Why is the story of one night in Clay Jenson’s life. Clay is a normal high school student, a good student and all around nice guy. One day, when coming home from school, he sees a package addressed to him on the front porch of his house. When he opens the package, Clay finds seven cassette tapes with each side marked 1 – 13 in blue nail polish. When he pops the first tape in his father’s tape player, he hears the voice of Hannah Baker, a classmate of his who recently committed suicide. Clay is one of 13 people to receive the tapes, which tell her story and describe why she decided to commit suicide. He spends that night listening to Hannah’s voice, visiting the places she wants him to go to, and becoming more and more horrified with the picture her voice paints. He is also trying to figure out why he is one of the 13. He knows he never wronged Hannah.

I like to read realistic fiction, especially when it comes to teen literature, and there’s really nothing more realistic than this book. It gives a great depiction of the life of a teen who doesn’t fit in with the rest of her peers, as Hannah doesn’t. It shows how rumors and innuendos start and how they really ruin a person’s belief in themselves. Hannah was a normal girl, until one rumor started about her and then that rumor just continued to build into other rumors. It’s a very compelling story of how we treat other people and how that treatment can really spiral until finally ruining another person’s self esteem.

The basic format of the book is set up so the reader will be reading Hannah's voice which is shown in the book by being in italics and then Clay's thoughts and reactions to what was just said. It is a great format for this type of book as it helps you to get into the minds of both Clay and Hannah.

It’s a heartbreakingly real story that will change the way you look at how you treat other people. You won’t be able to put it down. I wasn’t.

Reviewed by Sara.

Austenland by Shannon Hale

2007-10-18T17:42:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Ever wonder what it would be like to live like Jane Austen did? Well, if you're a major fan of Austen's novels, chances are you've dreamed of Mr. Darcy. In Austenland, Jane Hayes is a thirty-something magazine graphics designer in New York City who has an obsession with Pride and Prejudice, especially the BBC production starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. It does not help that every relationship she has been in has ended in some awful way, making her desire the fictitious Mr. Darcy more and more. When she confides to her great-aunt about her obsession, her great-aunt bequeaths Jane the opportunity to spend three weeks in Pembrook Park, a pseudo-Austen world set in the Regency period for Jane Austen devotees. Jane decides to enter Pembrook Park to get rid of her obsession with Mr. Darcy, and men in general, once and for all. What she learns and discovers about herself may just surprise her.

As an adorer of Jane Austen, though not a truly proclaimed Janeite, I really wanted to read this book. I was not disappointed with Austenland . A very quick read, this is something to read while relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. Though the ending is predictable, I enjoyed the storyline and noted similarities between Hale's characters and Austen's characters. Readers who have not read any of Austen's novels may not understand the references to Austen's characters or to Austen's storylines that appear throughout this book.

I would recommend this book to any Jane Austen admirer. For anyone who has dreamed of a Mr. Darcy, read this book!

Reviewed by Jessica

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

2007-09-20T17:06:00.001-04:00

Age Level: Adult

Format: Book

Agnes, the writer of the food column 'Cranky Agnes', has staked her net worth on the wedding that she's trying to organize for the weekend, but things haven't been going according to plan. Her troubles begin when a dognapper breaks into the house she's recently bought and tries to take her dog at gunpoint. But, being friends with an ex-mobster has its advantages as he sends his Shane to Agnes's home to protect her.

This is a fun read. If you like chick lit with suspense added in, then this may be a book for you. I laughed through this book as you learned about Agnes' past history with frying pans and why she has that little voice in the back of her head. The book is full of action with hitman after hitman either trying to steal Rhett, her hound, or for some reason, kill Agnes. It's hard to talk about much of the plot without giving too much away, so I won't.

I will however, warn those who may be going into this book looking for a traditional romance setup, to suspend those expectations. This book is not primarily a romance. The way Shane and Agnes meet is anything but traditional, and it works that way with pretty much every other relationship in the book as well.

Overall, Agnes and the Hitman is an entertaining romp that is full of quirky characters, lots of family angst, and satisfying resolutions. The only thing I can think of that would have made the book more satisfying would have been if the recipe of Agnes's pecan sour cream buttermilk pancakes had been included.

Reviewed by Sara.

Fowl Weather by Bob Tarte

2007-09-12T12:19:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

"How 39 animals and 1 sock monkey took over my life."

Bob Tarte opens a window into his world, a world of feathers, whiskers and floppy ears. Bob and his wife, Linda, live in Michigan with countless ducks, geese, rabbits and cats and are plagued by an old schoolmate who enjoys funerals, butting in and rehousing pampered ducks. Bob Tarte shares 5 years with us, some moments laugh-out-loud funny and others heart breakingly poinant.

From the first page I was hooked. I found myself laughing, crying and unable to put this book down. Through the loss of his father and his mother's battle with alzheimer's disease, Bob clings to his sanity with the help of Linda and the zoo they live in. This book is a must read for all animal lovers, whether you are owned by a single goldfish or "39 animals and 1 sock monkey".

Reveiwed by Lisa

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

2007-08-27T23:14:00.001-04:00

Age Level: Teen
Format: Book

"There are three things you need to know about me," he said.
"First, you don't know my real name.
"Second, I murdered somebody once.
"Third . . . well, maybe number three can wait. Until you read this."
And he was gone. Down the stairs into the dark and rain.

When Kip was nine, and living in the Alaskan wilderness with his father, he set another child on fire. Now, after years of living in a juvenile ward, he and his family are trying for a second start at life. But the ghosts of his past will not leave him alone and he soon has to reveal his secret. What happens to Kip and his family when he finally reveals that he really is - or was - a murderer?

Let me start off by saying that if you've read other books by Gail Giles, this one is a little different. With this book, the crime's at the beginning rather than the end.

It's an amazing portrayal of the humanity of someone who has committed an inhuman act. The story is riveting. Kip's movement from first, rage to redemption is an amazing ride. I found myself rooting for Kip, wanting him to finally lay his demons to rest so he could move on with his life and find happiness, or if not happiness, then at the very least, acceptance of who he is and what he did.

You move through the stages of his life with him - first in Alaska where the incident happened. Then in the juvenile ward where he's first catatonic and then as he starts dealing with the issues in his therapy sessions. From there you move with Kip and his family to Indiana where he has the chance to finally live a relatively normal life, but that slips away. Finally, you move with Kip and his family to Texas. It's his last chance to make things right.

This was an amazing story. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.

Reviewed by Sara.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

2007-08-14T17:48:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Teens

Format: Book

Sarah Byrnes and Eric Calhoune have been friends for years. Growing up, they were outcasts with no one to turn to but each other. The terrible scars covering Sarah's body coupled with the fact that Eric was an obese child made them prime picking for tormentors in school. Later, even though Eric began swimming which causes the pounds to melt away, Sarah and Eric remain close friends. Now, when Sarah is sitting silent in the hospital's psychiatric ward, Eric begins to try to unravel Sarah's secrets...before even worse things happen.

This is only the second Crutcher book that I've read (the other being The Sledding Hill), but just like the other, from page one, I was hooked. I was thrust into the mind of Eric, seeing the interactions of his peers and listening to his thoughts and worries about Sarah. There is action and suspense in this book, however, the main focus is on the relationship between Sarah Byrnes and Eric and his hunt to find the answers to the questions swirling through his mind...Why has Sarah Byrnes suddenly gone catatonic in a Spokane mental ward? How can he help if he's not really sure why she's there? Are Sarah's secrets striking her dumb? Would her father kill to keep the secrets from being revealed?

Now, this book might not be for everyone. There are religious elements and discussion between the characters within the book as well as discussion of abortion and suicide. For these reasons, this book may not be for everyone, but I would recommend this book.

Crutcher has an amazing ability to pull the best from each character while still showing their faults. The themes of pain and retribution, love and abandonment, and the struggle to understand one's self are universal. Crutcher's story is engrossing because of his ability to show both the pain and the humor of being an outsider.

Reviewed by Sara.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2007-08-14T10:58:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Children
Format: Unabridged Book on CD

Reader: Jim Dale

Let me begin my review by saying that I am an avid listener to audio books. I unfortunately don’t get a lot of time to read novels, so when I am driving in my car I listen to novels. In a year, I will listen to 30 or 40 audio books.

However, no listening experience of any novel compares to the reading of Jim Dale of the Harry Potter series. It has been a complete delight to listen to these novels over the years as read by this very talented and gifted performer.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows completes this series and the reading by Jim Dale is again extraordinary. He has created a new voice for each and every character in the story. An immense achievement in reading, considering the hundreds of voices he has had to work with over the past years.

How do you review the story? It is as gripping as any other of the books. Revelations come fast and furious, especially on the later CD’s when the battle which we have been waiting for finally appears to be forthcoming. It is the type of story which makes you drive one more time around the block because you don’t want to turn the car off yet.

This is the most adult of the books in the series. Harry has some moments of childish indecision, but for the most part he is coming into his adult hood and his experiences are processed as an adult. Jim Dale reads his character with all the confusion and angst of the late teenage years but with an understanding of his characters.

The series is a true masterpiece of the audio book genre. If you have not experienced an audio book before, this series is the perfect introduction. If you have read the books, the audio books give you a whole new perception of the story. Can you tell I like them?

Reviewed by Rob Lesher

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

2007-08-09T08:57:00.001-04:00

Age Level: Teen
Format: Book

**Warning: May contain spoilers**

We’re a bit sensitive to blood around here. I’m sure you can understand that. — Bella Swan

In Eclipse, the third book in Stephenie Meyer’s Isabella Swan series, Seattle is being ravaged by a string of mysterious murders and it seems that a malicious vampire is on a rampage looking for revenge. If that wasn’t enough drama, the time has come for Bella to choose and she knows that whatever decision she makes, it has the potential to ignite the ageless struggles between werewolf and vampire. Who will Bella choose – Edward, the vampire and love of her life or Jacob, her best friend and werewolf? Will her decision be one of life – or death?

I enjoy Stephenie Meyer’s books. I’ve read both Twilight and New Moon numerous times. Her characters have the ability to suck (no pun intended) you into their world. You view the world through Bella’s eyes and it’s easy to understand why she is in love with Edward and why she would have such a hard decision to make between the love of her life and her best friend. Now, I will admit that I am probably more of a Jacob fan than Edward, but they’re both pretty awesome guys – once you get past the whole vampire and werewolf thing.

From page one of Eclipse I was once again drawn into the world of Forks, Washington and was not able to come up for air until I finished the book. I think my favorite part of Eclipse is the final chapter, I won’t tell you what happens, but just note that it’s different from the rest of the book and it leaves me wondering about how book four (supposedly the final book in the series) is going to evolve. Next year can’t come soon enough!

Do you ever think that your life might be easier if you weren’t in love with me? — Edward Cullen

Reviewed by: Sara

Death of a Scriptwriter by M.C. Beaton

2007-07-17T17:01:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

In the fourteenth installment of the Hamish Macbeth mystery series, readers find the town of Drim, Scotland, center stage for a television adaptation of Patricia Martyn-Broyd's book. Rumors surface that the scriptwriter for the television adaptation, Jamie Gallagher, has completely changed Martyn-Broyd's character from a respectable woman to a wild hippie from the 1960s. Police Constable Hamish knows trouble when he sees it, and he can only think of bad things happening in Drim. Tempers flare on the set, and pretty soon three deaths take place, making Hamish hard at work again finding the killer or killers.

I absolutely love the Hamish Macbeth series. Over the years, patrons have recommended the series to me, and when I started reading the books a few years ago, I have been hooked since. Each book in the series is a quick read and a very interesting and at times comical look at the townsfolk of Lochdubh. Hamish seems to have a brilliant mind, though he is a self-proclaimed unambitious soul with no intention of making his mark in the police world. Beaton has created a delightful mystery series, one that cozy mystery readers will adore. If you are not familiar with the Hamish Macbeth series, I would suggest starting with the very first in the series, Death of a Gossip. Beaton also writes the Agatha Raisin mystery series and books under her real name, Marion Chesney.

Reviewed by Jessica

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

2007-07-17T16:22:00.001-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Cambridge, England in the 12th century is rocked by a serial killer targeting young children. The people of Cambridge, thinking no one else is to blame, target the Jews of the town, killing the most prominent moneylender and his wife. The other Jewish townspeople are locked up in the castle, guarded from the mob by the sheriff. King Henry II, hearing of the childrens' deaths, asks the King of Sicily to send his best "minister of the art of death," or coroner. Unknown to Henry II, the best "minister" is actually Dr. Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar, a doctor from the well-known medical town of Salerno. As tensions mount in Cambridge, Adelia, along with the help of Simon of Naples and Mansur, uses her skills to track down the murderer. She also crosses paths with Sir Rowley Picot, a knight whose demeanor and attention to her every move makes her wonder about his true intentions. Can she discover the murderer's identity before he or she strikes again? Filled with twists and turns, this captivating historical novel will keep the reader guessing until the very end.

I really enjoyed the intriguing mystery of the book. With so many plot twists, I was pretty surprised with the the novel's outcome. The storyline was engaging, with some very unique characters. There are some anachronisms (or using a person, place or thing in a time period when it did not exist) thrown into the storyline. The language at times was a little hard to follow, and I found myself slowed down a bit in the reading. Franklin's research of 12th century England becomes apparent in the novel; if you are not a historical novel reader, you may not like this novel.

For a taste of CSI in the 12th century, read this book!

Reviewed by Jessica

Trigger by Susan Vaught

2007-07-02T10:00:00.001-04:00

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

Jersey Hatch can remember very little about his life before the accident. He has spent the past year of his high school life in a rehabilitation center, trying to put his shattered existence back together, piece by painful piece. He can't remember how to hold a conversation. He can't remember why his best friend hates him. He can't remember why he tried to kill himself. Now the true test has come. It's finally time for him to leave the rehabilitation center and head back into as normal a life as is possible for him. Somehow he needs to relearn algebra, repair lost friendships and graduate high school.

The reader travels with Jersey as he tries to piece his life back together. The reader sees the struggles he goes through and struggles along with him. It navigates the triumph of family, depths of despair, and humor in life's most mundane details.

It's a very compelling read.

Reviewed by Sara.

Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

2007-06-24T10:42:00.000-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Warning: this book contains strong language. Stephanie Plum is at it again, this time tracking down what happened to her ex-husband Dickie Orr. After a shouting match at his law office, Stephanie becomes the prime suspect in her ex's disappearance. To make matters worse, Stephanie's nemesis Joyce Barnhardt feels Stephanie is responsible for Dickie's disappearance and will stop at nothing to make Stephanie pay. Meanwhile, Stephanie has to make a living and puts her bounty hunting "skills" to work tracking down FTAs, including a taxidermist with the art of booby trapping stuffed animals. With her whacky sidekicks, Stephanie cannot waste too much time finding the answers to the disappearance before she becomes the next victim.

Evanovich writes a mystery series that is so funny with the strangest/whackiest characters imaginable that I really read her Stephanie Plum series for the punch lines and the characters rather than the mystery. Lean Mean Thirteen, in my opinion, was not the funniest Plum mystery, but there were moments of laugh-out-loud humor. Anytime Grandma Mazur is in a scene, watch out! As I stated above, there is a lot of strong language in this book, as in others in the series. For those who do not like reading the strong language, do not pick up this series. Evanovich's books are very fast reads - I am a slower reader, and I can finish her books in one evening. I do not want to put the books down until I am finished!!

I recommend starting the series with the first book, One For the Money. This way, readers are introduced to the main characters and grow with the characters throughout each book. Each book also introduces new characters who have recurring roles in subsequent books.

If you are looking for a book that provides laugh-out-loud fun, look no further than Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

Reviewed by Jessica

Still as Death by Sarah Stewat Taylor

2007-06-24T10:06:00.001-04:00

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

This fourth installment in the Sweeney St. George mystery series finds Sweeney getting ready to open her exhibition on funerary art at Boston's Hapner Museum of Art. While putting together her exhibtion, Sweeney, an art historian, discovers paperwork for a piece of Egyptian jewlery that she desires. However, no one can find the jewelry. Meanwhile, Sweeney learns of a robbery that took place in the museum in 1979, which sheds some light on the jewlery's disappearance.

On opening night of the exhibition, tragedy strikes when one of the museum's staff members is found murdered in the museum's basement. Sweeney feels there is a connection between the present day murder and the robbery from 1979. With the help of her friend Detective Timothy Quinn, she tries to find the answers before someone else gets hurt. Mystery, lies, cover-ups and romance bring together a mystery that is enjoyable.

Those who love to read about art and art history will enjoy this mystery series. A former co-worker recommended the first in this series, O' Artful Death, a few years ago, and I absolutely loved it. To me, the plot lines are rich and unique with twists that combine past crimes/situations with contemporary or modern day happenings. A main character who works with funerary art seems so original and yet so fitting for a mystery. Readers will find that Sweeney has a very complicated life: she is the daughter of a famous artist who committed suicide when she was young; Her fiance was killed a few years ago in a terrorist attack in London; and, her current boyfriend wants her to move to London with him, though she has feelings for her friend Detective Quinn. Taylor combines all of these to make a character who generates sympathy and interest.

For those who like very unique characters, I would also recommend the genealogical series by Fiona Mountain, the fist titled Pale as the Dead. Set in England, this series follows Natasha Blake, a genealogist, as she solves genealogical mysteries and mysteries of modern day. Again, Mountain ties a modern day problem/mystery with a mystery of the past. Anyone who likes Sarah Stewart Taylor's series should try Fiona Mountain's genealogical series.

Reviewed by Jessica