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Book Club in a Bag

Are you in charge of picking the next book for your book club and have no idea what to choose? Why not check-out one of Carnegie-Stout's Books-in-a-Bag.  This collection has everything you need for a successful book club.  Each set has at least 10 copies of the title, usually in multiple formats (regular print, large print and CD audio).  We have 43 different titles available in a mixture of genres. Take a look at our list and if you are interested in a title contact the library at 563-589-4225 and ask for the Inter-library loan department.

Some of our recent additions to the collection are:

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

As teenagers in a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are leaving the country if they can. Ifemelu—beautiful, self-assured—departs for America to study. She suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships and friendships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze—the quiet, thoughtful son of a professor—had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London.

Years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer of an eye-opening blog about race in America. But when Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and she and Obinze reignite their shared passion—for their homeland and for each other—they will face the toughest decisions of their lives.

Fearless, gripping, at once darkly funny and tender, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanah is a richly told story set in today’s globalized world. --from Goodreads

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she's suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she's comin' for you, Jersey!-- from Goodreads

****Try this one in audio. It is fantastic, fun and only 2 hours long.****
              *** Read Sarah's review of Ms. Marvel here***
                                    

Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos

From abroad, we often see China as a caricature: a nation of pragmatic plutocrats and ruthlessly dedicated students destined to rule the global economy-or an addled Goliath, riddled with corruption and on the edge of stagnation. What we don't see is how both powerful and ordinary people are remaking their lives as their country dramatically changes.
As the Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker, Evan Osnos was on the ground in China for years, witness to profound political, economic, and cultural upheaval. In Age of Ambition, he describes the greatest collision taking place in that country: the clash between the rise of the individual and the Communist Party's struggle to retain control. He asks probing questions: Why does a government with more success lifting people from poverty than any civilization in history choose to put strict restraints on freedom of expression? Why do millions of young Chinese professionals-fluent in English and devoted to Western pop culture-consider themselves "angry youth," dedicated to resisting the West's influence? How are Chinese from all strata finding meaning after two decades of the relentless pursuit of wealth? -- from Goodreads

                                             *** Read Ann's review of Age of Ambition here***


Are you looking for a book club to join? Carnegie-Stout's next book discussion for adults will be at 7:00 PM on July 12 in the First Floor Program Room. We will be discussing Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink.  Books are available for check-out at the circulation desk. 

The upcoming book discussion titles for the rest of 2016 are as follows:

• August 10, Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart.
• September 13, Missing Pieces by Heather Gudenkauf. (Heather will be joining the discussion)
• October 11, Lila by Marilynne Robinson. (this is the All Iowa Reads selection for 2016)
• November 15, The Painter by Peter Heller.
• December 13, everyone is invited to bring their favorite book they read in 2016.  Hot chocolate, hot apple cider and cookies will be provided.

All meetings will be held at 7:00 PM in the First Floor Program Room.  Books are available for check-out approximately 6 weeks before the discussion date. 

~ Amy, Adult Services

Nine Books for Hamilton Fans

If Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ron Chernow, and Alexander Hamilton have sparked your interest in the history of the United States' founding and its early days, you're not alone. The Tony Award-winning musical has inspired enthusiasm and curiosity among many, which is why we've invited Dr. Eugene Tesdahl to give a presentation on the life and times of Alexander Hamilton. Dr. Tesdahl, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, will be presenting at Carnegie-Stout Public Library on Monday, July 11 at 6 p.m. (the 212th anniversary of Hamilton and Burr's duel).

Dozens of books have been written about our nation's earliest days, but we've narrowed the list down to nine suggestions below (we assume you've already checked out Hamilton: The Revolution and Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow).

You might also enjoy reading some of the same books that our Founding Fathers borrowed from the New York Society Library, which included such notable members as George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Hamilton himself. You can browse their ledgers of borrower records online!

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789 by Joseph Ellis
(973.3 ELL) The triumph of the American Revolution was neither an ideological nor political guarantee that the colonies would relinquish their independence and accept the creation of a federal government with power over their individual autonomy. The Quartet is the story of this second American founding and of the men responsible, men who shaped the contours of American history by drafting the Bill of Rights.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell

(973.33 VOW) On August 16, 1824, an elderly French gentlemen sailed into New York Harbor and giddy Americans were there to welcome him. Or, rather, to welcome him back. It had been 30 years since the Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette had last set foot in the United States, and he was so beloved that 80,000 people showed up to cheer for him.

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
(Biog Jefferson) Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power gives us Jefferson the politician and president, a great and complex human being forever engaged in the wars of his era. Philosophers think; politicians maneuver. Jefferson's genius was that he was both and could do both, often simultaneously. Such is the art of power.

Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America by Stephen Knott & Tony Williams
(973.41 KNO) From the rumblings of the American Revolution through the fractious Constitutional Convention and America's turbulent first years, this captivating history reveals the stunning impact of this unlikely duo that set the United States on the path to becoming a superpower.

The Struggle for Sea Power: A Naval History of the American Revolution by Sam Willis
(973.35 WIL) Sam Willis traces every key military event in the path to American independence from a naval perspective, and he also brings this important viewpoint to bear on economic, political, and social developments that were fundamental to the success of the Revolution. In doing so Willis offers valuable new insights into American, British, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Russian history.

Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick
(973.3 PHI) The focus is on loyalty and personal integrity, evoking a Shakespearean tragedy that unfolds in the key relationship of Washington and Arnold, who is an impulsive but sympathetic hero whose misfortunes at the hands of self-serving politicians fatally destroy his faith in the legitimacy of the rebellion. As a country wary of tyrants suddenly must figure out how it should be led, Washington's unmatched ability to rise above the petty politics of his time enables him to win the war that really matters.

The Washingtons: George and Martha, "Join'd by Friendship, Crown'd by Love" by Flora Fraser
(Biog Washington) This is a remarkable story of a remarkable pair as well as a gripping narrative of the birth of a nation--a major, and vastly appealing, contribution to the literature of our founding fathers . . . and founding mother.

Washington's Immortals: The Untold Story of an Elite Regiment Who Changed the Course of the Revolution by Patrick O'Donnell
(973.33 ODO) In August 1776, General George Washington's army faced off against over 20,000 British and Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Brooklyn. It was almost the end of the war. But thanks to a series of desperate bayonet charges by a single heroic regiment from Maryland, known as the "Immortal 400," Washington was able to retreat and regroup.

Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence by Carol Berkin
(973.3 BER) The American Revolution was a home-front war that brought scarcity, bloodshed, and danger into the life of every American, and Carol Berkin shows us that women played a vital role throughout the struggle. Berkin takes us into the ordinary moments of extraordinary lives.

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Nine Cat Books for Cat Lovers

It's a bit of a cliche that librarians are cat people, but it's definitely true that cats and libraries are a great combination. So whether you're a cat fanatic or just someone who thinks they're cute, we've put together a list of nine books that we think are purrfect!

You Need More Sleep: Advice from Cats by Francesco Marciuliano

(818.602 MAR) Our feline friends have spent eons observing, napping, pondering, napping, and taking notes about the human condition. In between naps, they've realized that we humans could use some catlike guidance when it comes to handling the ups and downs of life. In this book they've condescended to share their invaluable wisdom in short advice columns.

Cat is Art Spelled Wrong

(818.602 CAT) Fifteen writers, all addressing not just our fascination with cat videos, but also how we decide what is good or bad art, or art at all; how taste develops, how it can change, and why we love or hate something. It's about people and technology and just what it is about cats that makes them the internet's cutest despots.

Cat Zodiac: An Astrological Guide to the Feline Mystique by Maeva Considine

(133.5 CON) Brand-new cat owners, or those who have lived with a feline companion or two for years, need only look to the stars to demystify cat behaviors. This zodiac collection delves into the inner lives of cats, exploring each sun sign and offering character traits, lifestyle insights, and relationship inclinations to help cat owners learn to live in harmony with their unique pets.

Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu by Junji Ito
(MANGA Ito) Master of Japanese horror manga Junji Ito presents a series of hissterical tales chronicling his own real-life trials and tribulations in becoming a cat owner. Junji Ito has recently built a new house and has invited his fiancée, A-ko, to live with him. Little did he know ... his blushing bride-to-be has some unexpected company in tow: Yon, a ghastly-looking family cat, and Mu, an adorable Norwegian forest cat.

Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats by Susan Herbert
(759.2 HER) Susan Herbert's delightful feline reimaginings of famous scenes from art, theater, opera and film have won her a devoted following. This unprecedented new compilation of her paintings provides an irresistible introduction to her world of cats, featuring previously unpublished images as well as a wide selection of her best-loved pieces.

Tiny Hats on Cats: Because Every Cat Deserves to Feel Fancy by Adam Ellis
(745.54 ELL) A fun and creative book for cat lovers, crafters, and pop-culture devotees alike. Readers will learn how to craft colorful and creative feline headgear from the book's step-by-step instructions. And in case you can't get enough feline haberdashery, you should also check out Cats in Hats: 30 Knit and Crochet Patterns for Your Kitty by Sara Thomas.

Shake Cats by Carli Davidson
(636.8 DAV) The fur flies in this irresistible third installment in the bestselling Shake series by popular pet photographer Carli Davidson, featuring adorable and hysterical color photographs of more than sixty cats caught mid-shake.

Catify to Satisfy: Simple Design Solutions for Creating a Feline-Friendly Home by Jackson Galaxy & Kate Benjamin
(636.8 GAL) In this book, Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin show cat guardians everywhere how to use home design tricks to address everyday cat care issues. Featuring the amazing projects cat guardians from around the world have shared with Jackson and Kate -- design strategies for solving even the most daunting kitty challenges -- this book is the ultimate guide to creating a happy home for cat guardian and cat alike.

Simon's Cat: Off to the Vet by Simon Tofield
(741.5 TOF) In this brand new book we see Simon’s Cat face any feline’s most dreaded scenario – he’s off to the vet. And he’s not at all happy about it.

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Staff Review: The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson

It's been twenty years since Iowan-turned-Englishman Bill Bryson wrote Notes from a Small Island, relating his 1995 trip around Great Britain. The book wound up being the most successful travel book ever, with 2.5 million copies sold to date. So, Bryson's publisher, with "little glinting pound signs" in his eyes, suggested Bryson do it again, with a different itinerary this time of course.

The result is The Road to Little Dribbling, written just as Bryson passes his test to become a British citizen (his wife is English). His itinerary this time roughly follows the so-called Bryson Line, a line he invents linking the two most far-flung points in Britain, Bognor Regis and Cape Wrath, as the crow flies. Bryson perambulates this route, with numerous side-trips to London (his favorite city in the world, a city with more green space than any other in Europe). 

His travel commentary is entertaining and often very funny. Those who have read Bryson know he's a real curmudgeon; this work confirms that his curmudgeonliness has moved to the next level. Some reviewers have called him on this, saying he's become an over-the-top crank, but I found his grousing largely amusing and was more annoyed by his penchant for acting "over the hill" and in his "dotage" (at 63) when it's clear that he is as sharp as ever and can easily walk for miles. Why pretend to be decrepit? Besides, his crankiness is more than offset by the loving tribute he pays throughout the book to the stunning beauty of Britain's natural landscape and to her countless cathedrals, monuments, museums, and other historical sites. Britain's a bottomless treasure trove for art buffs, book lovers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. 

Sadly, not all of Britain is doing very well these days. Bryson pays visits to formerly vibrant villages and resort towns now well on their way to dying, leading him to make caustic remarks about the government's austerity measures. In the main though, this book will leave you yearning to cross the Atlantic and see for yourself  “how casually strewn with glory Britain is.”  

~Ann, Adult Services

Nine Books that will Inspire You to Explore Nature

Did you know that June is Great Outdoors Month? It's hard to resist the call of the outdoors in the early days of summer, whether you're strolling the River Walk, hiking through the Mines of Spain, or just relaxing in your own backyard.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, though our first National Park (Yellowstone) is even older. Whether you're planning a visit to a National Park this summer, or just interested in reading up on their history, we've put together a list of helpful books to get you started.

If you're looking for some inspiration for outdoor fun (or if the weather's just too muggy for your taste), we've gathered together a list of Nine Books that Will Inspire You to Explore Nature!

Following the Wild Bees: the craft and science of bee hunting by Thomas D. Seeley
(595.799 SEE) Following the Wild Bees is a delightful foray into the pastime of bee hunting, an exhilarating outdoor activity that used to be practiced widely but which few people know about today. Thomas Seeley, a world authority on honey bees, vividly describes the history and science behind this lost pastime and how anyone can do it.

Happy Home Outside: everyday magic for outdoor life by Charlotte Hedeman Guéniau
(747.49 HED) Taking in garden rooms, outdoor spaces such as cabins, canopies, and dining areas as well as moveable spaces such as vintage vans and tents, Charlotte brings her everyday magic and glorious sense of relaxed living with bright color to every corner of the garden.

Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life by Richard Louv
(155.91 LOU) Vitamin N is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive, and practical guidebook for the whole family and the wider community, including tips not only for parents eager to share nature with their kids but also for those seeking nature-smart schools, medical professionals, and even careers. It is a dose of pure inspiration, reminding us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as exhilarating as it is essential, at any age.

The Rarest Bird in the World: the search for the Nechisar nightjar by Vernon R.L. Head
(598.99 HEA) In 1990, a group of research scientists performed a survey of birds in the Plains of Nechisar in Ethiopia, returning with hundreds of specimens, including a single wing from a bird unlike any ever seen before. Vernon Head joins an expedition two decades later that will attempt to locate the rarest bird in the world.

The Wander Society by Keri Smith
(153.35 SMI)  Several years ago when Keri Smith discovered cryptic handwritten notations in a worn copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, her interest was piqued. Little did she know at the time that those simple markings would become the basis of a years-long, life-changing exploration into a mysterious group known only as The Wander Society.

Patterns in Nature: why the natural world looks the way it does by Philip Ball
(500.2 BAL) Though at first glance the natural world may appear overwhelming in its diversity and complexity, there are regularities running through it, from the hexagons of a honeycomb to the spirals of a seashell and the branching veins of a leaf. Revealing the order at the foundation of the seemingly chaotic natural world, Patterns in Nature explores not only the math and science but also the beauty and artistry behind nature’s awe-inspiring designs.

The Book of Camping and Woodcraft: A Guidebook for Those Who Travel, in the Wilderness by Horace Kephart
(796.54 KEP) In the early 20th century, travel writer Horace Kephart published a series of articles in Field and Stream, which served as the foundation for this classic book on wilderness camping. His work as an outdoorsman led to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Parkour & Freerunning Handbook by Dan Edwardes

(796.046 EDW) An illustrated introduction to parkour--freerunning--that provides step-by-step instructions on basic moves, which include landing, rolling, jumping, mounting, balance, and more, along with tips to avoid injuries. The book also discusses clothing, culture, and other related topics.

GoatMan: how I took a holiday from being human by Thomas Thwaites
(BIOG Thwaites) A research grant offers Thomas Thwaites the chance to take a holiday from the complications of being human--by transforming himself into a goat. What ensues is a hilarious and surreal journey through engineering, design, and psychology, as Thwaites interviews neuroscientists, animal behaviorists, prosthetists, goat sanctuary workers, and goatherds.

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Staff Review: Displacement: A Travelogue by Lucy Knisley

Displacement: A Travelogue is the fourth* book from the autobiographical cartoonist Lucy Knisley, and it is my hands-down favorite.** I've been reading her comics since 2009***, and I've admired the way she's grown and expanded in her skills as an illustrator and as a storyteller. That she focuses her pen on her own life only adds to that sense of growth; inevitably, both she as author and I as reader have gained perspective and maturity over the years.

I've encountered readers who found it difficult to relate to her earlier works because of  her youth. That generational differences are part of the focus for Displacement might add appeal to readers outside of the "Millennial" label, especially those readers who might be hearing of her work for the first time after her recent Eisner nomination.

Click to enlarge

Displacement focuses on Lucy's experience accompanying her 90-something grandparents on a Caribbean cruise. Lucy is adrift in her mid-twenties, facing all the uncertainty of career and personal life, while her grandparents are experiencing the decline and loss of their twilight years. The change in roles and responsibilities in their relationship is an aspect that I found particularly meaningful in my own reading. There's a billboard I pass every time I drive to visit my parents showing a young girl with her parents, and then the same family thirty-forty years in the future with the phrase "Roles Change" and I have to grip the steering wheel a little harder for a mile or two.

My favorite element of the book were the passages Lucy illustrated from the diary her grandfather kept during World War II. This added a depth to the narrative, which, by the nature of a memoir, has the danger of falling too deeply into the author's own experience. These passages created a fuller image of her grandparents by giving us a glimpse into their lives when they were 20-somethings themselves. It certainly contributed to the fact that I was tearing up by the end of the book.

~Sarah, Adult Services


*not counting her self-published titles or anthologies she's contributed to

**to be fair, I'm only halfway through reading her most recent book, Something New

***Full disclosure, Lucy Knisley is part of my sister's extended social circle, to the extent that my sister appeared in a few of Lucy's online comics. We've met once or twice, but this was many years ago.

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Staff Review: Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg

Did You Ever Have a Family, a debut novel by Bill Clegg, opens with a bang. Literally. A big one. In the scale of the whole wide world, it may not be a cataclysm, but in the more modest scale of family and community it's catastrophic. In an instant the novel's main character loses everyone and everything; she's rendered family-less in the blink of an eye, yet she must find a way to go on. What choice does she have, other than suicide?

By this point you may be thinking this book does not sound like a feel-good read and that you probably ought to avoid it. But that would be a mistake. I found it to be one of the most moving, most human, and ultimately most redemptive novels I've read this past year and I heartily recommend it.

After the opening big bang, Clegg beautifully and succinctly relates not only the incident's aftermath but also years of backstory -- the relationships and events -- that lead to this particular cast of doomed characters being together in one place on the incendiary day. The wider network of relatives, friends, acquaintances, and even service workers affected by the tragedy, closely or tangentially, is painstakingly introduced, person by person within their own chapters, their individual humanities brought to life in a series of exquisite scenes that move from the affluent Connecticut 'burbs of New York City through Montana and Idaho and on to the turbulent coast of the Pacific Northwest.

What is particularly impressive about this novel is the even-handed and compassionate way in which Clegg presents his characters, people of very different income and educational levels, racial backgrounds, sexual preferences, and social standing. The catastrophe at the core of the plot has wounded them all and in their raw vulnerability they slowly rise to the occasion, becoming more rather than less, reaching out to one another, and, in the end, forming new communities based not upon occupation, class, or local reputation, but upon more basic and authentic aspects of being human.

Before tackling fiction, Clegg, a literary agent, wrote two memoirs about his own devastating drug addiction; it seems his descent into the abyss and eventual restoration are serving him well in his fiction.

~Ann, Adult Services

Book Tips for Travelers

Travel brings with it a change in your daily routine. Whether you're on the road for fun or for business, you're bound to have at least a little free time, which, if you're a book lover, translates to reading time. As a lover of both books and travel, I thought I'd share some of the tips I've learned over the years for the upcoming summer travel season.

 Switch it up! Tackle your To Be Read list

• A vacation is a great time to read a book you wouldn't usually, whether it's the sort of serious reading that demands extra attention or something light and fluffy you'd otherwise feel guilty taking time off to read.

Busy schedule? Try short stories

• Short story collections are great for when you'll only have 30-minutes or so at a time to read between everything else because you can usually read an entire story in that time!
• Added bonus, an anthology will let you sample multiple authors to see if you'd like to read their full-length novels when you have more free time.

eBooks: the easiest way to bring the entire library with you

• Already on the road? Our OverDrive collection of eBooks and downloadable audiobooks are available anywhere you have internet access.

Audiobooks: the only way to read a book while you're driving a car

• MP3 audiobooks let you listen to an entire 12+ hour audiobook on only two discs.
• In addition to our OverDrive collection, we have even more downloadable audiobooks available through One Click Digital.

Paper Books: the only books you don't have to stop reading during take-off and landing

• Nothing beats a paper book for reading in bright sun, and you never have to worry about recharging!
• They're easy to swap among friends and family, which is how I've discovered some of my favorite books.
• Don't want to risk one of your books or a library book? The Friends of the Library always have books for sale on the library's second floor, and the prices can't be beat!

Digital Magazines: we've got those too

• Check out the latest issue on your tablet or smartphone with your library card through our Zinio app.

Long Trip? Suspend your holds

• Been waiting for the latest James Patterson or Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Don't lose your spot, suspend your holds until you get back, and yes, we can do this for you over the phone.

~Sarah, Adult Services

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Staff Review: The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, book 1) by Rick Riordan

Are you a Rick Riordan fan?  Do you impatiently wait for him to publish his next book?  I am, and I do!  I LOVED the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus series.  Riordan does an amazing job of bringing the Greek (and Roman) gods to life, giving them personality and making them relevant in the modern world.  These books are informative and incredibly fun.  I had a hold on The Hidden Oracle, I think I was number 3 on the list.  The book came out, I decided I couldn’t wait and I bought it.  I’ve read it twice already, and then I went back and re-read the two previous series about the Greek gods.  Yes, I’m obsessive.  Anyway, on to The Hidden Oracle.  Please be warned that this post will contain spoilers from previous books. 

At the end of The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus, book 5), Zeus expressed his displeasure with Apollo by sending him…somewhere.  Apollo just disappeared and nobody knew what happened to him.  To be fair, he is immortal so I’m pretty sure Percy and crew didn’t really give him a second thought.  Well, 6 months after the events of The Blood of Olympus, Apollo has fallen to Earth.  He is mortal, a 16- year-old boy, he no longer has 8-pack abs and he has ACNE!  The horror!  Oh, and in his pocket is a wallet that says his name is Lester.  When it comes to punishing Apollo, this time Zeus isn’t messing around. 

Apollo appears in a back alley somewhere in New York City.  He is promptly attacked by some hooligans and is saved by a young girl named Meg. She appears to be about 12.  Apollo decides that he is in her debt and must do her bidding since she saved his life.  He also realizes he needs help and the best place to get said help is Camp Half-Blood.  He makes his way to Percy’s apartment and from there to Camp Half-Blood.  When he arrives at camp, all is not well. All of the oracles have gone silent.  There hasn’t been a prophecy since the battle with Gaea.  The oracles are Apollo’s thing so he now knows it is up to him to figure out what is going on.  To make matters worse, half-bloods are disappearing from camp.

Apollo isn’t really a likeable guy.  He is full of himself, spouts haikus all the time and truly believes the world should revolve around him.  But, he isn’t quite as cold and heartless as many of the Greek gods and as the book progresses he makes great strides towards becoming more “human”.  Two of the campers who disappear are children of Apollo and he is truly concerned about their well-being.  He genuinely likes them and they in turn treat him kindly even though he is no longer an immortal god.  He also expresses great concern for Meg and takes his self-induced servitude towards her very seriously.  I can’t wait to see how this series progresses.  There is, of course, the mystery of what happened to the oracles and the big bad is revealed. 

Rick Riordan tweeted that we will catch up with all the main characters from the previous Greek books.  What role will they play in the story?  Well, you will just have to read the book to find out. 

A few notes: 

• Early on Percy mentions that Annabeth is in Boston dealing with some family issues – have you read The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the gods of Asgard, book 1)?  Those family issues are kind of a big deal. 

• Did everything that happened to Nico in all the previous books just break your heart?  Well, this book made my heart swell to 3 times its size, just like the Grinch.  Nico is happy y’all…and it is about dang time! 

•  A co-worker of mine is listening to The Hidden Oracle on audio. She highly recommends it because the reader (Robbie Daymond) does an excellent job of portraying Apollo's lack of understanding of the mortal world and his ever growing humanity.  

I'm giving this on 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I'm deducting half a star due to not loving Apollo as a lead character, yet.   

~Amy, Adult Services