TV Show Read Alikes

We've created read alike posts for popular books that became popular movies (or less so). We've also written about the literary inspirations behind popular television programs. Today we're going to try our hands at suggesting read alikes for three humorous television shows that weren't based on books.

Big Bang Theory
This geek chic comedy by the creator of Dharma and Greg and Two and a Half Men is currently in its 6th season. The series focuses on the misadventures of science minded grad students and their one non-geek friend.

If you enjoy the humor and friendship of Leonard, Sheldon and pals, but have more in common with Penny, you should pick up a book by Nick Hornby. He writes about the foibles and loves of eccentric young people with humor and thought, and several of his novels have become big screen hits.

If you're the type of viewer more tickled by geeky elements, like Wil Wheaton's reoccurring role, you might enjoy Redshirts by John Scalzi or Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. If you've read Andrew's review of Cline's debut, you already know that Wheaton is the audio book's narrator.

Modern Family
An update to the family sitcom currently in its 4th season, and whose cast includes veteran sitcom actor Ed O'Neill. Despite being a scripted comedy, the show is filmed as a mockumentary, a style that evokes reality tv, a la The Office or Parks and Recreation.

Kevin Wilson takes the quirky family one step beyond quirky in his darkly humorous first novel, The Family Fang. You can read more about it in Sarah's staff review, or check it out for yourself!

Lisa Lutz’s funny, fast-paced mystery stories feature a large cast of colorful characters. The Spellman Files is the first in her upbeat series following Izzy Spellman and her work at her dysfunctional family’s detective agency.

British author Hilary McKay writes for kids and tweens, but her witty series about the Casson family of artists has charmed many an adult reader. The series starts with Saffy's Angel, and it is told from the perspective of the Casson family's second-oldest daughter.

Warehouse 13
Take one part wacky adventure, one part supernatural mystery, add a dash of steam punk style, and a quirky band of misfits, and you'll have something similar to Warehouse 13. The breakout hit of the rebranded SyFy network, this show appeal to viewers who normally wouldn't touch science-fiction. If you're anxiously awaiting the conclusion of season 4, never fear because new episodes will resume airing on April 4th.

If the artifacts, those seemingly everyday items imbued with impossible powers, are what tickle your fancy, try Libriomancer by Jim C Hines or Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly. Libriomancer is the story of a Midwestern librarian whose powers are based on the power of the written word. That's right, it's a world where every cool thing you've read about in the fiction section can become non-fictional. Seven Deadly Wonders has a touch of Indiana Jones, as the characters race to find seven ancient artifacts that could destroy the world.

If the conspiracy is more your thing, try The Rook by Daniel O'Malley, with offbeat humor, a fast-paced plot, and a far-reaching cover-up of the supernatural. You can read more about it in Sarah's staff review.


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!

A Bride’s Story by Kaoru Mori

Andrew ended his blog post Graphic novels for people who don’t read graphic novels with these words: “Did I not address a genre or topic you're interested in? Did I not name a graphic novel you'd love to see more people read? Speak up in the comments!”  I asked for graphic novels for historical romance fans, and he suggested A Bride’s Story, a shojo manga series with three volumes.

If I had been smart enough to read the catalog note that says “Book reads from right to left in the traditional Japanese format,” I could have saved myself the embarrassment of having to ask Sarah how to read manga, not to mention the time wasted beginning at the end and being very puzzled.  I’m glad I stuck with it because reading Mori’s book was a magic carpet ride.  The detailed art work enthralls; I only wish the inside pages shared the vivid colors of the cover. Kaoru Mori joins Jan Brett and Paul Goble as illustrators whose books I would buy just to ohhh and ahhh over the artwork; sometimes the words distract from the images.

Set in the mid-19th century in the Caucasus region of central Asia, the narrative of A Bride’s Story captives me while I learn about a society where a 20 year old woman marries a 12 year old boy.  I admire Amir, the central character, for her talents as a cook, horsewoman and archer.  The Halgal and Eihon family dynamics intrigue me.

Some critics fault the book for lack of plot and too much anthropology.  I find the richness of the drawings compensate.  It is a visual book, and the details satisfy me.  It’s not a fast food meal in a bag; it’s a slow-cooked feast.

 - Michelle, Adult Services

Spotlight: Delicious Food

We hope that you're enjoying 2013 so far, but if you're like us, you're probably feeling the pressure to lose a few pounds. Or maybe you're one of those lucky few who can eat whatever strikes your fancy and never gain a pound. Either way, Carnegie-Stout has you covered! We've gathered together information for some of the most popular diets, as well as some of the best cookbooks of 2012. Be sure to stop in and browse through our display on the first floor too!

Of course, our favorite diet advice comes from Michael Pollan: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Gluten-Free
Gluten is a protein found in several grains including wheat, barley, and rye. A gluten-free diet is necessary for people who suffer from Celiac Disease or a wheat allergy, though some people follow this diet for other reasons. You can browse our collection for materials on gluten-free diets here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
Homemade Pantry: 101 foods you can stop buying and start making
by Alana Chernila
(641.5 CHE)


Paleo Diet
Sometimes called the Caveman Diet or Stone Age Diet, this diet purports to recreate the eating habits of humans before the development of agriculture. This means one can eat fish, fruits, vegetables, and other meat animals fed on grasses rather than grains, but no grains (wheat, corn, rice), dairy products, or refined sugars. You can browse our collection for materials on paleo diets here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012 
Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking
by Nathalie Dupree & Cynthia Graubart
(641.5975 DUP)



Atkins Diet
The low-carbohydrate diet was first proposed by Robert Atkins in the '70s, but didn't become widely popular until around 2004. These days a number of low-carb diet variations exist. We have many cookbooks and diet guides that you can browse by clicking here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
by Deb Perelman
(641.5 PER)



Detoxes/Cleanses
Detoxes and cleanses are not diets proper, but are closer to the experience of fasting or being restricted to a liquid diet due to food poisoning or stomach flu. While you may lose weight during a weekend or week of drinking only juices, advocates will tell you the real goal is to create a clean slate internally. You can browse our collection for materials on here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: recipes you can trust
by Ina Garten
(641.5 GAR)



Raw Food
A raw food diet consists of foods that have not been heated, or heated to a temperature of no more than 115 °F (though there is some disagreement on this point). Adherents might consume raw fish, raw milk products, or a completely vegan diet. You can browse our collection for materials on here. 

Best Cookbooks of 2012
The Farm: rustic recipes for a year of incredible food
by Ian Knauer
(641.5973 KNA)



Mediterranean Diet
Every so often we're inundated with diet and exercise advice based on one geographical region or another (French women have perfect children! Everyone needs to try the Brazilian booty workout!). Luckily, living by the dietary norms of the Mediterranean, as recognized by UNESCO, makes for some delicious meals, and if there's a health benefit too, well, bonus. You can browse our collection for materials on here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
Fifty Shades of Chicken: a parody in cookbook
by F. L. Fowler
(641.665 FOW)



Ornish Diet/The Spectrum
Dr. Ornish led a medical study that demonstrated a diet rich in plants, mild exercise, and stress management could improve the health of individuals suffering from coronary artery disease. His research led him to write The Spectrum, which adapts his dietary research for a wider audience.

Best Cookbooks of 2012 
The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook: more than 100 recipes from the best little bakery in the south
by Cheryl & Griffith Day
(641.86 DAY)


Zone Diet
The Zone Diet, developed by Barry Sears, calls for participants to balance the calories in their meals to follow a ratio of 40% carbohydrates to 30% proteins and 30% fats. The thinking is that this will help to balance your hormone and insulin levels. You can browse our collection for materials on here. 

We also have books for Weight Watchers, the Eat This, Not That series, books with "skinny" in the title, and more.