Bestsellers for the week of November 11th

It's a good time to be a rock star with a book, it seems. Over past few weeks, more and more memoirs and biographies by and about rock 'n' roll stars have appeared on the bestsellers list. This week, for instance, four artists have spots on the top 10:

Bruce: The Innocence, the Darkness, the Rising  by Peter A. Carlin, an authorized and painstakingly researched biography of the Boss. Drawing on exclusive interviews with members of the E Street Band, including Clarence Clemons’ final interview, and unrestricted conversations with Springsteen’s family, friends, manager Jon Landau, and Springsteen himself, Carlin gives his life the definitive treatment. Carlin also wrote a similarly sweeping biography of Paul McCartney - Paul McCartney: A Life - in 2009.

Rod: The Autobiography, the self-penned story of two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee's rise to fame that recounts his youth, his years with on tour with The Jeff Beck Group and The Faces and his three marriages and decades as a solo performer.

Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream by Neil Young. The early anticipated memoir recalls his childhood in Ontario, to his first gigs with the Squires as they traveled Canada in his 1948 Buick hearse, his spur-of-the-moment move to California in 1966 and the brief but influential time with Buffalo Springfield to his solo career and work with Crazy Horse and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Young also delves into his personal life, recounting the influence his wife and three children have had and finally coming to rest in the contemplative natural beauty of Hawaii.

There have been a few other biographies written about Young, including Shakey: Neil Young's Biography by Jimmy McDonough (2002), Neil Young Nation: A Quest, an Obsession, and a True Story by Kevin Chong (2005) and Neil Young: The Definitive History by Mike Evans (2012), but this is the first memoir penned by the artist himself.

Who I Am: A Memoir by Pete Townshend - The lead guitarist and founding memoir of The Who tells the story of his life in this memoir - a book that has taken him nearly a decade to write. A candid recollection of his difficult childhood in West London, the beginnings of his career with Roger Daltry and his struggles with the trappings of drugs, sex and fortune that inventively come with the lifestyle of a rock star.

Last week also saw Peter Criss' Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of KISS, In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran by the band's co-founder John Taylor and How Music Works by David Byrne, which is less of an autobiography than an exploration of the evolution and meaning of music.

For a full list of this week's fiction and nonfiction bestsellers, visit us on Pinterest!

Read Alike: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Oprah's famous book club has returned (now with webisodes) and her first selection is Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. Ms. Strayed's memoir has been receiving positive reviews and numerous holds here at Carnegie-Stout since its publication earlier this year. Prior to Wild, Ms. Strayed worked as a columnist and wrote a novel, Torch. You can read more about her background and writing on her website: cherylstrayed.com

Wild is an inspirational, lyrically descriptive story of grief, hiking, and personal growth. After her mother's sudden death from cancer, Ms. Strayed's life fell apart. On impulse, she decides to challenge herself by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs 2,650 miles from the Mexican border of California to the Canadian border of Washington.

You can read more about the Pacific Crest Trail by following these links:
www.fs.usda.gov/pct/
www.pcta.org

We've also gathered together some read alike suggestions for Wild available at Carnegie-Stout:

Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman
When children's author Rita Golden Gelman is confronted by a divorce and an empty nest, she impulsively sets out for Mexico, starting her decades long journey from home to home around the world. I included this book in a list of some of my favorite female travel narratives in a blog post last summer.

The Cactus Eaters by Dan White
Dan White and his girlfriend Melissa leave their jobs at a Connecticut newspaper to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail. Mr. White writes with humor and honesty about their misadventures, neither was an experienced hiker, though his transformation is somewhat less inspiring than Ms. Strayed's.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (917.40443 BRY)
Mr. Bryson is known his witty travel writing. In A Walk in the Woods, he tells of his journey along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, along with local trivia, natural history, and more. Mr. Bryson is a more experienced hiker than some of the others he meets along the trail, but this is also a less difficult trail.

Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch (028.8 SAN)
After Ms. Sankovitch's sister is killed by cancer, she works through her grief by reading, an activity the sisters had shared. This is a moving story about family, reading, and the strength of relationships and memory. This book was also the topic of an earlier staff review.

Library Journal has also created a list of reading suggestions for readers who loved Wild, which you can check out by clicking here.

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Staff Picks: Audiobooks

Audio Book Concept by dalydose

Whether embarking on a summer road trip, making the daily commute, or just doing chores around the house, the right audiobook can make the hours fly by! Not to mention, June is Audiobook Month. For today's blog post we've gathered together some suggestions from Carnegie-Stout's audiobook collection, including some staff favorites.

You can always stop in to browse or ask at the Recommendations Desk for suggestions, and don't forget our collection of Downloadable Audiobooks (and eBooks too). If you're planning a big road trip for this summer, you might want to submit a Personal Recommendations request!

Janet Evanovich's mystery series featuring bounty hunter Stephanie Plum are a favorite of many staff members. One for the Money, the first book in the series, is narrated by C.J. Critt. Set in New Jersey, the books have a colorful cast of characters and some hot love interests. Amanda says this series "will have you laughing so hard its difficult to see the road."

If you're looking for a laugh, Sharon recommends The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson or anything by Ellen Degeneres. Mr. Bryson's hilarious memoir of growing up in 1950s Iowa would be a good choice for a family with older kids on a long trip, and is available on CD and as a downloadable file. At this time, Carnegie-Stout only owns Ms. Degeneres' latest, Seriously- I'm Kidding, as an audiobook, but we do have a number of other witty comediennes you might want to check out too!

Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy is narrated by Carolyn McCormick (Dr. Elizabeth Olivet on Law and Order), and Sharon and Angie say it's worth the wait for these popular books! Ms. McCormick is also the narrator for James Patterson's popular Women's Murder Club series, and Chelsea Cain's series featuring serial killer Gretchen Lowell. You can search for a favorite narrator in our catalog under Author as Last Name, First Name. Then select CD Audio Book under Item Types on the left.

But of course, sometimes the best narrator is someone you know. Maybe your favorite book hasn't been released as an audiobook, or maybe you enjoy taking turns reading aloud as a family activity. Michelle has fond memories of reading The Tale of Despereaux and The Summer of the Monkeys on family road trips. We invite you to share your favorites in the comments section!


Other Favorite Audiobooks include:
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (Biog)
Blood Red Road by Moira Young (YA)
By Myself and Then Some by Lauren Bacall (Biog)
Echo Park by Michael Connelly (Fiction)
Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith (Biog)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Fiction)
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (YA)
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron (814.54 EPH)
Life by Keith Richards (Biog)

The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Fiction)
Marley and Me by John Grogan (636.752 GRO)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Fiction)

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick (Fiction)
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (YA)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Fiction
Will Grayson, Will Grayson byJohn Green (YA)

Spotlight: Motherhood

 This Sunday, May 13th, is Mother's Day, and what better topic for our Friday post than motherhood? We've brought together some fiction titles, memoirs, advice books, and movies to look over here, or on display at Carnegie-Stout. And don't forget, our magazine of the month is Working Mother!

Novels
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton (Mystery) In Ms. Lupton's fast-paced and conversational second novel, a woman runs into a burning building to save her daughter, but that's only the start of the danger.

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (Fiction) A thought-provoking novel that includes a soundtrack. Music therapist Zoe Baxter sues her ex-husband for custody of their frozen embryos after she falls in love with another woman.

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova (Fiction) Ms. Genova's second novel is reflective and inspirational. A successful career woman and mother finds herself reevaluating her priorities after a traumatic accident.

Room by Emma Donoghue (Fiction) This fast-paced and suspenseful novel is told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack, who has lived his entire life in one small room with his mother, held captive by the whims of her kidnapper.

Please Look After Mom by Kyŏng-suk Sin (Fiction) This haunting family drama has a relaxed pace, though the revelations about the characters keep the pages turning. When the family matriarch goes missing, her children and husband search Seoul as well as their memories.

Come Home by Lisa Scottoline (Mystery) Ms. Scottoline's latest novel is fast-paced and suspenseful, as well as an examination of motherhood. Dr. Jill Farrow has finally found balance in her life after her divorce, when her ex-husband's daughter arrive unexpectedly with news of her father's murder.

One True Thing by Anna Quindlen (Fiction) This is a reflective and thoughtful novel by Ms. Quindlen. Ellen has taken care of her mother throughout her battle with cancer, and never expected to be accused of euthanasia.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (Romance) A character-driven and moving story of family. After their father's death, two sisters are brought reunited with their abrasive, Russian-born mother.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (Science Fiction) In a fast-paced, alternate universe steampunk Seattle Briar struggles to raise her precocious son, Zeke, on the wrong side of the tracks, but things are only complicated when Zeke decides to clear his father's name.

Movies and Television

Gilmore Girls

Terms of Endearment
Mrs. Miniver
Mother India
Mother and Child
Volver

All About My Mother (Todo Sobre Mi Madre)

Mother of Mine 

Biography, Memoir, and Advice

• Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel (Adult Graphic)
• No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene (362.734 GRE)
• Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (306.8743 CHU)
• Blue Nights by Joan Didion (Biography)
• Mom: a celebration of mothers from StoryCorps (306.8743 MOM)
• Not Becoming My Mother: and other things she taught me along the way by Ruth Reichl (641.5092 REI)
• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin Van Ogtrop (306.8743 VAN)

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

The Books You've Always Meant to Read

Inspired by this WPA-era poster created for an Illinois statewide Library Project we've been thinking about the books we've always meant to read, but haven't yet. Maybe the book is too big, or the subject too complex. Or maybe it's a book enthusiastically recommended by a friend who just knows you'll love it, but you're not quite sure. And there are those books that you think you should read, but, well, you're a busy person and don't have time to sit down and read War and Peace, for goodness sake!

From classic to contemporary, our lists are long. Here are a few highlights from library staff. Leave your list in the comments section, or join the discussion on Facebook and G+!

Allison:

• Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - A neighbor and friend just adores the "Twilight" series, and even lent me her copies of the whole series. But, well, it's Twilight, y'know?
• The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender - My mom, who knows a thing or two about books and about me, really thinks I'd love this book about a young girl who can taste people's emotions in food. It's on my coffee table, but so are about 10 other books.
• Under the Dome by Stephen King - I'm a huge King fan and I've read everything he's written, up until this book. I've tried, but it's just so, so big!

Sarah:

• My official To Be Read list has well over a hundred titles at any given time (Goodreads is both a blessing and a curse). I've had The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls on the list for over five years, and I never hear anything but praise. I think I'm slightly afraid that it won't live up to everyone's enthusiasm.
• A more recent addition to my list is The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. I have checked it out from the library twice without reading it. I know it's a character-driven story set on the campus of a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin, but I look at the cover and think, "Ugh, 500+ pages of baseball."
• And sitting on my shelf of books that I own, but haven't read, staring at me accusingly is Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. I read the first chapter and fell in love 3 years ago, but somehow books I own just can't compete with library books and their due dates.

Mirdza: I’ve always wanted to read Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past (or In Search of Lost Time)—depending on the translation. I admit I haven’t read it, or baked madeleines. But I will some day!

Jennifer: I love to read "the classics" and these are the ones I had left on my list before I had my kids.

• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Fell asleep by the 2nd chapter.
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Can never find the time with three kids.

Amanda:

• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - When I was in 8th grade the teacher issued the challenge that if we read this book and wrote a review of it, all of our other reading assignments would be waived. I tried but I just didn't get it - maybe someday.
• The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells - I admire Wells for his stance on suffrage in a time when many men laughed at the idea, but have yet to read any of his work. My great aunt tells the story of hearing Orson Welles' reading The War of the Worlds on the radio in the 30's. She said they were so scared that her mother made the family go into the root cellar.
• Atonement by Ian McEwan - I lost a bet and was supposed to read this. Sadly I haven't yet.
• The Iliad or The Odyssey by Homer: I've SEEN these but have yet to read them. Something that has been around for over 800 years is probably worth reading.

Angie: Moby Dick! It has been my whale for over ten years! I decided I MUST read it when I couldn't answer the trivia question: "What famous book starts with the line 'Call me Ishmael ?'" I have started it no less than 6 times, get to about page 100 and get stuck every time in the section about the physiology of the whale. One day, one day.

Mike: I’ve always meant to read the German novel Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald: This stylistically complex, lyrical story employs a first person, stream of consciousness narrative to richly describe the struggle of Jacques Austerlitz to uncover his identity as he follows the memory of his childhood back to the heart the Holocaust in war-torn Europe. Although the pace is relaxed, the storyline is character-driven and intricately plotted, and the tone is haunting and melancholy. Or so I’ve heard. Wikipedia says Austerlitz is notable because of its lack of paragraphing, digressive style, and very long and complex sentences, including one sentence which is nine pages long. Along these lines, I like to believe I’d also enjoy reading H. L. Mencken’s Prejudices: The Complete Series, and The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams, and Ulysses by James Joyce. “Scutter, he cried thickly!”

Andrew: I’ve been meaning to read Orlando by Virginia Woolf for an awfully long time. I’ve made a little progress into it in the past year, maybe a quarter of the book. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it or it’s a chore to read, but something always distracts me . . .

Michelle: The classic Russians. I have not read Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. No Brothers Karamazov. No Crime and Punishment. No Anna Karenina. No War and Peace. I haven’t even watched the movies. I have to save something to do in retirement. If I read one page a day, it would only take about 10 years to get through all four!

What book have you always wanted to read? What's keeping you?

Read Alike "Bossypants" by Tina Fey

Memoirs are often very personal stories that may deal with an individual's struggle with grief or addiction. The common elements of the human experience as seen from another's perspective can be inspiring, but there is no requirement for a memoir to be heavy or serious.

One of the most popular books of 2011 was the light-hearted and hilarious Bossypants by comedienne Tina Fey. She covers the trials and tribulations of childhood and marriage, and the road from unknown to celebrity with wit and charm. And best of all, she's neither the first, nor the only, author to tackle the story of her life this way.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling is best known for playing Kelly Kapoor on The Office. In her recent memoir she shares her thoughts on dieting, her experience as an actress and comedy writer, and a glimpse of the world behind the scenes of a popular television program. Her writing is both funny and conversational.

Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
A popular comedienne and host of a late night cable talk show, Ms. Handler is a star in the field of the comic memoir. Funny, honest, and no holds barred, the stories of her misadventures in dating and Hollywood have earned her a loyal following.

The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance by Elna Baker
Ms. Baker adds her own take on the funny girl's quest for love and success in the big city. With wit and without taking herself too seriously, she describes her experience with extreme weight loss and what it's like to be a faithful Mormon in New York City.

Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
Ms. Lancaster turned to writing after an unexpected layoff leaves her adrift. A caustic wit and an ability to not take herself too seriously have grown into a rewarding second career. Tackling everything from life as a former sorority girl to her struggles with weight and reality tv, she turns her flaws into strengths.

More funny female memoirists:

• I Know I am, but What are You? by Samantha Bee
• The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne
• Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
• Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
• It Looked Different on the Model by Laurie Notaro
• The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman
• Ali in Wonderland by Ali Wentworth

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Best Books We Read in 2011

Not every book we read and loved this year came from the New Shelf. Here are some of our favorite reads in 2011 that were published in 2010 or earlier. To see our favorite new books of 2011, follow this link.


Angie, Circulation - The Magicians by Lev Grossman
This fantasy novel is the coming-of-age for a sarcastic, sardonic, and flippant young man who finds that dreams sometimes do come true. The audio book brings the characters vividly to life.


Amy, Youth Services - Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir
A true story about the daughter of the king of Morocco's closest aide. In the 70's, her father was accused of trying to assassinate the king, and their family was imprisoned for two decades. Such a good book.



Lisa, Circulation - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The characters and their intricate relationships, the rich descriptions of the merging Civil Rights movement, and the style of the writing all make The Help my favorite book of 2011. The book was both uplifting and entertaining, as well as shocking and heartbreaking at times. The character of Skeeter shows a determination that is inspiring, as she navigates her new role as a college graduate in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, who sees that change in necessary and inevitable. The Help is a page-turner, and tells a story that needs to be told.



Michelle, Circulation - Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I read this story about the great runner Louis Zamperini's WWII experience as a POW in a Japanese camp to my Dad, who was also a WWII veteran and flyer. Dad did not see action but could really relate to all of the descriptions of the planes and being in the military. He and I both had tears in our eyes as we read of the courage and spirit these POWs displayed. Though they may have been "unbroken", many of the men (boys) came back permanently damaged in ways most of us can not imagine. It was a beautiful story made even more special to me having shared it with my dad.



Brooke, IT - Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon
The story line was very detailed, in a fictional landscape. I love to read books about strong independent women. Paksenarrion overcomes great odds, and you are constantly growing with her as she becomes a Paladin.



Sarah, Adult Services - Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
A Jane Austen inspired romance with a literal touch of magic. Not too serious, or too dark, it was the perfect escape from the stresses of the Real World.



Andrew, Adult Services - Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
This is a bit of a cheat, because while I did read this book this year it was maybe the fourth time I'd read it. Fifth Business is a novel crammed full of saints, stage magicians, and Jungian archetypes. Davies's clear and unpretentious prose keeps to book from getting bogged down by its heaps of larger-than-life ideas.



Michelle, Circulation - Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Ok so I'm jumping on the Dragon Tattoo band wagon. After the first 75-100 pages of the first book I was completely sucked in. Sometimes the narrative got a bit detailed for me and I found myself skimming to get to the action, but I usually didn't have to skim for long because there was more action right around the corner. I found the vigilante justice to be a guilty pleasure since it was balanced by the fact that there was a price to be paid for all the characters actions, both good and bad.



Amy, Youth Services - The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
A book about zombies, but in a way that's compelling to read about. This series would make a great movie.

Staff Picks: The Best Books of 2011

The best books of 2011 as selected by the staff of Carnegie-Stout Public Library, or at least a short list of our favorite reads in fiction, biography, graphic novels, and more!


Amy, Youth Services - Wither by Lauren DeStefano
This book was a neat twist to all the futuristic dystopian society books out there. This book was creepy, romantic, and had an interesting storyline. It's the first in a series.




Michelle, Circulation - Sister by Rosamond Lupton
A mystery surrounding the disappearance of a New York career woman"s (transplanted from England) sister back in England. The story is told from older sister Beatrice's point of view. She is called back to England by her mother because her sister, Tess, has disappeared. Although they are vastly different the sisters have stayed in touch and are very close. Bea narrates the story as if she is talking directly to Tess and also as she tells it to a detective. I found the narration very interesting and did not figure out the surprise ending until nearly finishing the book. Loved the voice and loved the mystery.



Sharon, Youth Services - Life by Keith Richards
I actually listened to this and although it was twenty discs long I had a hard time getting out of my car wanting to know what happened next. Johnny Depp & Joe Hurley do a fabulous job narrating but when Keith himself takes over - well let's just say it's a "hoot"
Keith makes no apologies, sets straight the many rumors surrounding himself and for Rolling Stones fans, like myself, he shares his knowledge and love for his music and his mates.



Andrew, Adult Services - Finder Vol. 1 & 2 and Finder: Voice by Carla Speed McNeil
These impeccably crafted science fiction comics establish a complex futuristic world but focus on compelling character and interpersonal relationships. Speed McNeil has obviously accomplished some deep and fascinating worldbuilding but does a masterful job of revealing only what's necessary for each short story, never bogging the reader down with needless factoids or technobabble.



Michelle, Circulation - Falling Together by Marissa de los Santos
This is more of a love story with a little bit of a mystery thrown in. It revolves around the friendship of 3 people who meet in college and form an unlikely bond. Something causes them to agree to end their friendship for 6 years until they are drawn back together for the very sake of that friendship. It has some smart dialogue that made laugh out loud a few times. I found the writing very engaging and finished the book with that feeling of having had a satisfying read.



Sarah, Adult Services - Bossypants by Tina Fey
I know this is one of those books that people have been talking about all year, but this is the first time since Kindergarten that I've really loved an audiobook. Ms. Fey was the perfect companion for an otherwise long and otherwise boring drive. Her self-deprecating humor and obvious balance in a way that made the miles fly by.



Allison, Adult Services -5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth (and Other Useful Guides) by Matthew Inman
Written and illustrated by the creator of the blog "The Oatmeal" this book manages to be both hilarious and informative. Learn the proper way to use a semicolon from a party gorilla, why Nicola Tesla was the most awesome geek who ever lived and eight ways to prepare your pets for war (bunnies are ideal for special ops!) Caution: not suitable for work, children or while eating.



Danielle, Youth Services - The Death Cure by James Dashner
The Maze Runner Trilogy by Dashner is a great YA dystopia series that will keep you on the edge of your seat with action and suspense. I highly recommend the audio book versions as the characters really seem to come alive.



Mike, Adult Services - How the End Begins: The Road to a Nuclear World War III by Ron Rosenbaum
Contrary to popular belief, the likelihood that we'll all be incinerated in a nuclear holocaust has actually increased since the end of the Cold War -- it's a matter of when, not if. "At least you can't say you haven't been warned," Rosenbaum concludes.



Mirdza, Adult Services - Pilgrimage by Annie Leibovitz
Photographer Annie Leibovitz (of Rolling Stone and Vogue fame) traveled to locations she could explore and document with no other agenda than curiosity. These included Niagara Falls, Old Faithful, and the homes of Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, Thoreau and Emerson, Elvis Presley, Freud, and Eleanor Roosevelt, among others. “When I was watching my children stand mesmerized over Niagara Falls, it was an exercise in renewal, it taught me to see again.” Leibovitz provides commentary about the history of these places and Doris Kearns Goodwin writes an introduction.



Michelle, Adult Services - Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
I'm not sure this is the BEST book I read in 2011, but it certainly was the one I was most anxious to read. I absolutely HAD to know what happens to Jericho Barrons. And what exactly is Barrons? Fae? Druid? Seelie or the Unseelie King? A male sidhe-seer? The sixteen month wait between Dreamfever and Shadowfever seemed like forever. This is only book I ever pre-ordered from Amazon.



Amy, Youth Services - Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
This book was such a breath of fresh air this year. It's quite the story and very funny.

"Tolstoy and the Purple Chair" by Nina Sankovitch

"Books loved anyone who opened them, they gave you security and friendship and didn't ask anything in return; they never went away, never, not even when you treated them badly."

Cornelia Funke, Inkheart
As quoted in Chapter 8 of Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch

If you're a loyal follower of our weekly staff reviews, you may've noticed that I tend to include more than one book in my reviews and enjoy a good reading challenge. When you work at a library filled with this many good books, it's hard to limit yourself to just one!

I picked up Tolstoy and the Purple Chair because I wondered how anyone would find the time to read 365 books in one year and what would you read, picture books? But I found myself drawn in by the personal story about family and the relationships between readers and books. Ms. Sankovitch undertook her challenge as a way to honor the memory of her oldest sister, who died unexpectedly of cancer.

The pages are filled with book and author suggestions, and Ms. Sankovitch makes a point to share meaningful quotations. The sections that I enjoyed the most are the ties between her reading life and her real life. How a good book can change the way we look at our lives, and how our lives can change the way we look at a book. She still maintains the blog she started for her year of reading: www.readallday.org/blog/

And because I can't limit myself to just one book, here are a few others I've read recently and enjoyed:

Periodic Tales
A narrative history of the elements, from the historic and cultural importance of gold, to the quest for new elements. An entertaining, and educational read.

Kicking Ass and Saving Souls
A biography of a man whose life reads like fiction, or a summer blockbuster. Spy, SCUBA diver, thief, humanitarian, world traveler, and a definite page turner.

Shades of Milk and Honey
A quieter, more romantic story, highly reminiscent of Jane Austen, but with a touch of magic. A dreamy, character-focused novel that I read in one sitting.