Mini Staff Review: When We Wake by Karen Healey

What will the world be like in 100 years? Odds are we won't be around to see it, but Australian teen Tegan Oglietti cares about the future she can't see. Okay, she might be slightly more interested in her new boyfriend, but she's hoping to make a difference in the world by attending a protest of government policies on the day she dies, shot by an inept sniper. A hundred years later, Tegan is revived in an experimental military procedure, the first human ever to return from cryogenic suspension. When We Wake by Karen Healey is the story of Tegan's attempt to adjust to the Australia of the 22nd century, where everyone she knows is dead. Some things about the future are better, but very little is familiar, and Tegan isn't sure who she can trust. Fast-paced and thought-provoking, When We Wake and its sequel, While We Run, will appeal to fans of dystopian fiction.

For a quieter, more romance centered dystopian novel, try For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund, a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set in a future reeling from the effects of genetic modifications gone awry.

~Sarah, Adult Services

Mini Staff Review: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
If you're feeling burned out on paranormal love stories, especially paranormal love stories featuring vampires, I highly recommend Team Human. A fast-paced yet thoughtful look at the genre that draws inspiration from everything from Dracula to, yes, Twilight with plenty of wit and sarcasm. Imagine that one of the ships that landed in New England during the 17th century was packed with vampires instead of pilgrims, and you have the origin story for New Whitby, Maine. Mel has lived her entire life in New Whitby, neighbor to vampires. Some of her classmates have vampire relatives. Some of her classmates are, like the tourists who flock to New Whitby, vampire obsessed. Mel has nothing against vampires, except for Francis, the 150 year-old teen vampire currently wooing Mel's best friend Cathy. Justine Larbalestier's and Sarah Rees Brennan's writing blend together into an entirely enjoyable read.

For a more serious take on paranormal love stories, try The Raven Boys, the first book in Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle. Blue, who grew up in a family of psychics, has always known that if she kisses her true love, he will die. Unfortunately, no one can tell her who her true love is.

~Sarah, Adult Services

August Magazines of the Month: Vegetarian Journal & Allrecipes

August is likely peak harvest time for those of us with home gardens, or for those of us exploring the abundance of the Farmer's Market. If you're looking for new and tasty ways to use your tomatoes and zucchini, check out our magazines of the month, and the cooking display on the second floor of the library. And make sure to register for Food Preservation 101 with Cindy Baumgartner from ISU Extension on Thursday, August 14th at 6:30 p.m. Call (589-4225) or stop by the Reference Desk for more information or to register.

The Vegetarian Journal is a publication of the Vegetarian Resource Group, a non-profit group dedicated to the cause and promotion of vegetarianism. Their magazine and website provide information on nutrition, locating vegetarian and vegan foods, recipes, and more. You can check out their website here: www.vrg.org

Allrecipes magazine is published by Meredith, a media conglomerate based in Des Moines, and their first issue saw print in August of 2013. Allrecipes began life as Allrecipes.com, a site devoted to all things culinary that allows you to create a profile and join their social network. Because the recipes are posted to the site, voted on, reviewed and refined by the members of the site, readers are presented with recipes for a variety of appetites.

Staff Review: The End of Always by Randi Davenport

The End of Always by Randi Davenport

It’s the turn of the century in Waukesha, Wisconsin and seventeen-year-old Marie is trying to break out of her family history by not marrying a violent man. Both her grandmother and her mother were controlled by the men in their lives and Marie will not take it anymore. After her mother dies in a mysterious accident when her father was the only witness, Marie knows that she is next. Her older sister does not want to disturb the rules of the family and maintains that this world belongs to men and the women belong to them. Her younger sister is too young to understand the truth about their family, but Marie knows that it won’t last for long because her father is still in charge of the household. 

Marie is forced to get a job and is still dominated by an older man who does not hide his true feelings for her. Then she meets a young man who gives Marie her sense of freedom, and she believes that he is her way out of her controlling family. She is head over heels in love and he feels the same about her, but her father will not permit this. So Marie and her love are forced to meet at night when her father is at work. Eventually they do run away together to get married and begin their new life. Then things change and Marie realizes she left one controlling family for a different one. 

Based on a true story about the author’s great grandmother, The End of Always highlights the struggle of women in trying to find their place in society. Many think the old ways should not be disturbed, but there are some that stand up for justice. Marie was one of those women and it is amazing to read the rest of her story.

~Andrea, Circulation

See the world, one murder at a time

Summer was made for vacations and road trips, but if, like me, you can't find the time to get away, you might enjoy exploring new lands in the pages of a good book! We've put together a list of international mysteries from every corner of the globe for you to enjoy. All titles link to the print edition, but several are available as audiobooks or eBooks too. If the list is overwhelming, be sure to stop by the Recommendations Desk on the 1st floor to pick up an International Mysteries bookmark!

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Turkey
Hotel Bosphorus by Esmahan Aykol

Israel

The Missing File by D.A. Mishani

Iraq
The Wreckage by Michael Robotham
Egypt
The Golden Scales by Parker Bilal
Saudi Arabia
Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris

Botswana

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Kenya

Nairobi Heat by Mukoma Wa Ngugi

Ghana

Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey

Nigeria

Treachery in the Yard by Adimchinma Ibe

South Africa

Random Violence by Jassy Mackenzie

The October Killings by Wessel Ebersohn  

India

Witness the Night by Kishwar Desai

The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall

Japan

Villain by Suichi Yoshida

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

North Korea

A Corpse in the Koryo by James Church

Laos

The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill

Singapore

A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint

Australia

Kittyhawk Down by Garry Disher

Blood Junction by Caroline Carver

Canada

Still Life by Louise Penny

Mexico

Mexico City Noir by Various

Brazil

Hotel Brasil by Frei Betto

Sweden

Sun Storm by Asa Larsson 

Misterioso by Arne Dahl

Iceland

Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason

Norway

Don’t Look Back by Karin Fossum

The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo

Denmark

The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol & Agnete Friis 

France

Murder in the Marais by Cara Black

Germany

Kismet by Jakob Arjouni

A Trace of Smoke by Rebecca Cantrell

March Violets by Philip Kerr

Slovakia

Siren of the Waters by Michael Genelin

Greece

The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi

Italy

Temporary Perfections by Gianrico Carofiglio

Northern Ireland

Mr. Dixon Disappears by Ian Sansom 

Staff Review: Vintage by Susan Gloss

Set against the trendy backdrop of a vintage boutique in Madison, Wisconsin, Susan Gloss’s charming novel revolves around 30-something store owner Violet and the female customers she befriends.

Each chapter begins with an introduction to one of the shop’s retro items. Readers then become acquainted with a cast of women who, like the clothing and accessories in the boutique, have unique stories to tell and are beautiful, despite their flaws. Each character has recently encountered a challenge in her life, whether it be divorce, adultery, or an unplanned pregnancy. Even the vintage shop, which is a character in its own right, is struggling to survive in the neighborhood’s changing landscape.

As the lives of the characters grow more entwined, they find ways to help one another overcome their problems. Vintage becomes a celebration of life and death and stresses the importance of friendship and following your heart. The book’s outcome may be a bit sappy for some, but the optimistic, feel-good ending suits the overall tone of the story.

Readers looking for tales of female friendship and a touch of romance should check out this book. Despite the hardships plaguing the novel’s characters, Vintage remains sweet and upbeat. This, coupled with the fact that the chapters are easy to fly through and don’t require a great deal of concentration, makes the book perfect for a summer read. Author Susan Gloss also goes out of her way to bring the downtown area of Madison to life, making this a fun read for anyone familiar with the city.

-Abbey, Technical Services