SNEAK PREVIEW REVIEWS:
Be the first on your block to read a book that hasn't been published yet. Advance copies of books for readers of all ages are available in the library on the shelves near the downstairs bathroom.
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Among the Righteous by Robert Satloff
Recommended by Helen ChuckrowAmong the Righteous is an important book for understanding the Holocaust's reach into the North Africa Arab lands (Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, etc.). Although only 1 % of the North African Jews were killed, versus 50% of Europe's Jews, the approximately forty concentration camps in North Africa tortured and worked to death enough Jews to warrant the world's attention that until the present had its total lack of knowledge or concern. Also covered in this book are those "Righteous Gentiles" among the Arabs who hid and protected their neighbor Jews. As a result of this book, which was published in November, 2006, the Israel Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, in January, 2007, nominated a Tunisian farmer as the first Arab "Righteous Gentile." I chose to read this book because on the plane returning from Israel last February, I became acquainted with my seat mate, an eighty-two year old Egyptian Jew, who told me he'd been in a concentration camp in Egypt. Another interesting side light: When, recently, my daughter gave me a copy of this book, you can imagine my surprise when I opened it and saw that the people I had read about in the pre-publication copy were here in the photos, which were absent from the pre-publication copy!
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Scavenger by David Morrell
Recommended by Art Sullivan
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery thrillers. The book is fast moving with a thoughtful plot lines and interesting character development. I do suggest that the reader finish the prior book “Creepers” first since the heroes, Frank Ballenger and Amanda, are a continuation of characters from that book. I also liked that Creeper for many of the same reasons I like this book.
The book moves fast, you could read in a single day depending on your reading skills. The use of technology appears correct and well researched. The author develops the psychology of the main heroes so you care what happens to them. “Scavenger” presents damaged heroes who overcome high odds to win like his earlier book “First Blood” and most of his later books. The Game Master leads the heroes through one survival test after another each test yielding a key clue. The climax is different and leaves you hoping to see the heroes in future books.
The plot is interesting; the heroes are drawn into a high tech scavenger hunt for a hundred year old time capsule. The game is controlled by an unseen Game Master who uses the players as his mood dictates even in live and death events. There is an excellent use of actual historical facts interweaved with fiction to make the reader feel drawn into a real life adventure.
David Morrell continues to be one of my favorite authors.
Jane Goodall by Dale Peterson
Recommended by Betty Maolouf: "Long but very interesting, especially the description of her early life." Vanishing Act by John Feinstein
Recommended by Pamela Brigleb: "It is a very enticing mystery. Even people who don't understand tennis would understand this book. It is easy to keep track of the events and everything is described so well.
What a Fool Believes by Carmen Green
Recommended by Sharon Stone: "It kept up a good flow and was an easy read. I liked that the book, while a romance, minimized the sexual portions."Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
Recommended by Pamela Brigleb: "It explains not only writing strategies, but parts of the author's life and books that she has written so it's very interesting. I liked how she prinkled in details about her life and her books. I didn't like that she kept putting in the words ''writing time" and "save your work" after all of the writing timeCold as Ice By Anne Stuart
Not Recommended by Linda Salvador:
"This book revolves around a CIA-like operative who meets (and eventually, falls in love with) an attractive headstrong lawyer, in the middle of his latest assignment to stop an evil tycoon set to rule the world with terror. It would seem that this novel would have all the elements of a good story — but somehow, it just doesn't click. There's too much attention to detail, too many side characters involved and too many things happening, all of which simply distract the reader and unfortunately, lead him/her into boredom."The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke
Recommended by Luisa Perkins:
The Ladies of Grace Adieu is a collection of stories employing the same setting and some of the same characters as those in her superb first novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell . Fans of Jonathan Strange will delight in returning to Clarke's vivid, dryly humorous, yet haunting world--an alternate Regency England in which magicians and fairies live and work among ordinary people. One wonders whether these stories are 'outtakes' from the numerous footnotes sprinkled with abandon throughout Jonathan Strange . If this is the case, one also hopes that additional volumes are forthcoming; despite her generosity, Clarke is always able to leave the reader wanting more.-
Bone Valley By Claire Matturo
Recommended by Connie Serafin: "It is a little Carl Hiiasen, Stephanie Plum, V.I. Warshawski, etc. mixed together. Some of th e situations were a little far fetched but I think that is part of the genre. Some good laughs also. It is a painless way to get some environmental education." -
Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past
By Diane Wilson
Recommended by Cathy Frater: "It is a part of American and Indian history which may not be well know. I liked the deep amount of research that went into it and the personal history."
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Big Bug Surprise by Julia Gran
Recommended by Alexandra Kung: "It told me lots of facts about bugs and it was funny. I liked it when Prunella brought out a dung beetle and she gave the class information. When she said that, all the kids were disgusted."
Happy Go Lucky by Kristin Earheart
Recommended by Alexandra Krug: "The book told me about some equipment for horseback riding and it was cool when Happy met a mouse. I liked it when Goldi and Big Ben told Happy that they were man's best friend and then Happy behaved better."
Alphabet Rescue by Audrey and Bruce Wood:
NOT recommended by Teresa Gormon: "As a pre-K teacher, I felt the story did not flow, the transition from one adventure to the next was awkward. It may be hard for little ones to follow. But the idea of capital letters and small letters was a great learning idea in a story. Also the pictures were great: colorful and bold."
I Have a Little Dreidel by Maxie Baum, illustrated by Julie Poschkie
Recommended by Teresa Gormon: "It makes a Hanukkah celebration come to life. It portrayed the Jewish traditions in a wonderful manner with beautiful illustrations that could lead to further discussions in a classroom."-
Bone Valley by Claire Matturo
Recommended by Connie Serafin: "It is a little Carl Hiiasen, Stephanie Plum, V.I. Warshawski, etc. mixed together. Some of th e situations were a little far fetched but I think that is part of the genre. Some good laughs also. It is a painless way to get some environmental education. "
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Queen of Swords by Sara Donati.
Recommended by Ruth Silverman: "Well written historical fiction following early Americans of various backgrounds. I liked the way the author interweaves family history with early American history and throws in some adventure and mystery."
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The Best Comics of 2006, by Harvey Pekar
NOT Recommended by Arthur R. Sullivan: "The subject is not comics, but political and other character art essays. Comics by my definition are funny. If the reader expects to find political/social picture essays it would be fine."
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The Chimpanzees of Happytown by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees.
Recommended by Brian Dockery: "I enjoyed the story of Chuntey. I also liked the colors."
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Let's Play in the Forest by Clauida Rueda
Recommended by Brian Dockery: "I like this book especially when all the animals gathered and played together."
Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber
Recommended by Linda SalvadorI'd recommend the book because it's light reading for a love story. Also, you can read the entire book at one sitting.
The book, in my opinion, successfully captures, in the tradition of the romantic comedy films churned out by Hollywood, the "falling-in-love" phase of a relationship; the downside, though, is the fact that by the time the story ends, you're left with that feeling of wanting to know more of the characters and what actually made them tick.
The Architect by James Moore and Wayne Slater — a critical look at President Bush's political advisor Karl Rove.
"So that everyone may know how the Republican machine has been working during the Bush administration."
Recommended by Catherine Moore:-
The Widow by Carla Neggers.
"This is a fairly well written romantic mystery that is good light reading. Plot was developed well enough to make you want to keep reading."
Recommended "but only to women" by Ruth Silverman: Ride a Painted Pony by Kathleen Engle.
"Plot and outcome very obvious less than halfway through."
NOT recommended by Ruth Silverman:The Rise of the Black Wolf by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis:
"It is action packed and there are lots of cool creatures. I liked how the author made some of the things sound impossible but then the characters do the feat."
Recommended by Sam Ihorchal-Williams: