librarian favorites

[librarians]

Being a librarian is such an enjoyable job, and one of the best things about it - we all agree- is seeing what fascinating things people are reading!

Looking for something to read right now? For the latest info, there are lots and lots of great lists available. Personally, I love to check in with Amazon.com. You'll find plenty to tickle your interests. Check out the Best Books of February at http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/r ... 1000061771, or have a look at Amazon's own best seller list at http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/bo ... 90-7484746.

Of the novels, the ones that I have observed getting glowing reviews from local readers include Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, both by Afghani writer, Khaled Hosseini.

In the nonfiction arena, readers continue to love Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia.

One of us is reading and loving Dr. Mehmet Oz' book, You, Staying Young: the Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty. Just like his Oprah presentations, his book presents important health information in easy to understand layman's language. The book has a lighthearted approach, with lots of enjoyable cartoon-type illustrations.

I, personally, tend to read things that are not the newest. This is not because I'm not interested in the latest and greatest, but simply because so many things both old and new interest me, that I tend to have great backlogs of books at home and books on reserve, that I am constantly juggling my available reading time, with my mood - that is, what I feel like reading at any given time- and all with an eye to when each book may be due back at the library :>)

That said, however, there was one book that I did read when it was new, and loved every page, and that Oprah recently "discovered". I'm speaking of course of Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, originally published in 1989. I was something of a spy thriller junkie at the time, and Ken Follet produced some of the very best of that genre over quite a long time (think, The Eye of the Needle, The Man from St. Petersburg).

Follett's The Pillars of the Earth however, is an amazing journey back in time. To quote Amazon: "Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through four decades during which social and political upheaval and the internal politics of the church affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists."

Somehow Follett pulled it off, and I loved it then and am tempted to read it again. This is a great book- highly readable, and definitely has plenty of the "I hated to put it down" factor.

Well, we'll be back, but in the meantime, we are really curious- What are you reading now? And why do you like it?

[KristenMiller]

Right now I am reading "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult. She is one of my favorite authors, just read one of her many books and you'll be hooked too. She writes very Law and Order-like as well as real life drama (love, family, etc.) This particular book is about a high school shooting. The only difference, the shooter is caught before he can commit suicide. Although I am only about 80 pages into it, it's a page-turner. I know PIcoult will not disappoint me. Other Picoult books I've read, "My Sister's Keeper," "The Tenth Circle," "Vanishing Acts," and "Picture Perfect." I've also seen "Plain Truth-" her book turned TV movie with actor Mariska Hargitay. For a complete list of her books and to see a trailer of her new book, "Change of Heart," check out http://www.jodipicoult.com, or start reading "Nineteen Minutes" with me and share your comments with me.

[librarians]

Hi Kristen! I have not read Jodi Picoult, but she is very popular with many of our readers. Your post really pinpoints the likely reasons!

I have to confess, I have few favorite authors these days, in the typical sense of the word. It seems that now, with so much "crossing my desk", so to speak, I tend to read sort of all over the place :>) Sometimes I read a lot in the "J" (for Juvenile) category- I love the adventures, fantasies and science fiction I find there.

I'm also aware of a lot of very popular adult authors that I have never read at all. In that category I would surely include Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Dorothy Garlock, Wanda Brunstetter, and many, many others. So many good books and so little time... :>)

[KristenMiller]

I finally finished Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes." It was soooo good. It really put you in the mind and life of a person who spent his entire school life being bullied. It's so sad that fellow classmates can do so much damage. What was cool was they even referenced Rocori High School which as you should know experienced a school shooting in 2003. Like any book she writes, Picoult takes the reader through each character. For example, the mother of the school shooter, the investigator, the parent of a victim, a victim, and the defendant's attorney. Of course the ending gets you too when she puts a twist into it. My friend told me she heard Picoult's "My Sister's Keeper" was the only good book she's written. I have to object. This is quite possibly the best book she's ever written.
What should I read next? Any suggestions?

[librarians]

Hi Kristen,

After reading your post, I just had to go see if she had published a new one. Well, she has, and it's entitled Change of Heart. Her's how Amazon.com describes the plot:

Freelance carpenter Shay Bourne was sentenced to death for killing a little girl, Elizabeth Nealon, and her cop stepfather. Eleven years after the murders, Elizabeth's sister, Claire, needs a heart transplant, and Shay volunteers, which complicates the state's execution plans. Meanwhile, death row has been the scene of some odd events since Shay's arrival—an AIDS victim goes into remission, an inmate's pet bird dies and is brought back to life, wine flows from the water faucets. The author brings other compelling elements to an already complex plot line: the priest who serves as Shay's spiritual adviser was on the jury that sentenced him; Shay's ACLU representative, Maggie Bloom, balances her professional moxie with her negative self-image and difficult relationship with her mother. Picoult moves the story along with lively debates about prisoner rights and religion, while plumbing the depths of mother-daughter relationships and examining the literal and metaphorical meanings of having heart.

Sounds very interesting - can we reserve it for you? Happy reading :>)

[CheriLynn]

what do we do if we lost our library card?!

[librarians]

Hi CheriLynn,

Thanks for asking- It's easy, really- Just come in to the library, and we can give you a new one! If the card has been lost, we are supposed to charge $1 for the new one, but depending on the circumstances, we have certainly made exceptions!

best,

Deb & Staff