Thursday, December 7, 2017

What We're Reading!

Here's a snapshot of what the library staff is reading.

What are you reading right now? Recommend books to others in the comments section.



The Tiger's Prey: A Novel of Adventure
The Tiger's Prey: A Novel of Adventure
By Smith, Wilbur
Author Harper, Tom
2017-10 - William Morrow & Company
9780062276506 CHECK CATALOG

The New York Times bestselling author of Desert God and Pharaoh adds another chapter to his popular historical saga featuring the seafaring Tom Courtney, the hero of Monsoon and Blue Horizon, with this magnificent swashbuckling saga set in the eighteenth century and packed with action, violence, romance, and rousing adventure.
Tom Courtney, …More


Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
By Sullivan, Matthew
2017-06 - Scribner Book Company
9781501116841 CHECK CATALOG
Goodreads Debut Author of the Month and an Indie Next Pick
"Sullivan's debut is a page-turner featuring a heroine bookseller who solves a cold case with clues from books--what is not to love?" --Nina George, author of The Little French Bistro, and the New York Times bestselling The Little Paris Bookshop
When a bookshop patron commits suicide, his …More


All the Light We Cannot See
All the Light We Cannot See
By Doerr, Anthony
2014-05 - Scribner Book Company
9781476746586 CHECK CATALOG
Awards:
ALA Notable Books (2015), Alex Awards (2015), Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence (2015), Colorado Blue Spruce Award (2016), Dayton Literary Peace Prize (2015), Idaho Library Association Book Award (2014), Indies Choice Book Awards (2015), National Book Awards (2014), Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award (2015), Pulitzer Prize (2015)

From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, a stunningly ambitious and beautiful novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. …More


The Christmas List
The Christmas List
By Evans, Richard Paul
2009-10 - Simon & Schuster
9781439150009 CHECK CATALOG
The "New York Times"-bestselling author of "The Christmas Box" returns with a holiday novel of hope, love, and redemption. …More


Serafina and the Black Cloak
Serafina and the Black Cloak
By Beatty, Robert
2015-07 - Disney-Hyperion
9781484709016 CHECK CATALOG
"Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul."

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate.There's plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the
…More


Mustaches for Maddie
Mustaches for Maddie
By Morris, Chad
Author Brown, Shelly
2017-10 - Shadow Mountain
9781629723303 CHECK CATALOG
Based on the true story of the authors' daughter, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 12 years old. Maddie courageously battles her illness and fears while embodying a spirit of compassion, humor, and grace throughout her health setbacks and the usual trials of navigating middle school. …More

Thursday, November 16, 2017

A POISON DARK AND DROWNING

A Poison Dark and Drowning (Kingdom on Fire, Book Two

Sue Hill

5 Stars

November 16, 2017

A POISON DARK AND DROWNING is a romantic and action-packed adventure and just so much fun to read.

I am utterly addicted to the magical version of Victorian England that Jessica Cluess has crafted in this series, and it was an absolute pleasure to return to it in this novel.

I really enjoyed this second book in the Kingdom on Fire series. Where A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING really focused on character development and Henrietta's growing power, A POISON DARK AND DROWNING is much more plot-driven and action-packed, and because of that, I enjoyed it a lot more than book one.

I also was happy to see that the magic system was more fully developed in this book. My biggest complaint in book one was that the magic felt almost too convenient at times, but that wasn't the case in this book. The system felt fully fleshed out and much more believable.

The characters in these books do tend to be pretty cookie cutter, but at the same time, most of them are also very entertaining.

The romance did fall a little flat for me. I feel like these books have so much potential for great romance, and I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for book three. The Henrietta/Rook romance just doesn't have much of a spark to it, and while I was thrilled to see the relationship between Henrietta/Blackwood developing further, it lacked some of the emotion I was hoping for.

I love what Cluess did with the plot of this novel. The pacing is fantastic and there are some great twists along the way. The ending is unexpected in the best way and left me eagerly awaiting the next book.

Witchy Novels

5 Witchy Novels

By Lili Feinberg
Arguably one of the biggest fantastical staples of my childhood were witches. Whether it be watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch marathons when home sick, encountering Shakespeare’s “double, double toil and trouble” in school, or taking a trip to Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, witchiness was simply inescapable. Thanks to the beloved witches and wizards of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, these witchy YA tendencies have followed me throughout life, and I have to share some of my favorite tales of witchery with you.
After all, anything can happen with a little bit of magic!
Seriously Wicked by Tina Connolly
The first book in this fluffy and rollickingly fun series proves that the only thing worse than being a witch is living with one. Like any young girl, Cam is expected to grow up to be just like her mother. Unfortunately for her, Mom’s a seriously wicked witch. Cam’s used to casually stopping her mother’s crazy schemes for world domination on the daily, but things take an unexpected turn when a demon gets loose and inhabits the cutest boy in school. Her friends are getting zombified, their dragon escapes their garage, and a phoenix hidden in the school is about to explode during the Halloween Dance. You can find out how things shake out in book three of the series, Seriously Hexed, out next week on November 14th!
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Hawkins has produced a staple in any YA reader’s world by gifting us with the amazingness that is Hex Hall—an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, also known as witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. When Sophie lands there on her first day, she manages to make three powerful enemies that look like models, catch a crush on a gorgeous warlock, get stuck with a creepy ghost following her around, and find herself rooming with the most hated person in school: its first and only vampire attendee. Naturally, the best kind of shenanigans ensue!
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Dennard has crafted an intricate world full of new kinds of witches in her series The Witchlands. Gone are flying broomsticks and cauldrons, replaced by Threadwitches that can follow threaded connections between people, Bloodwitches that serve as ruthless bodyguards and fearsome warriors, and Truthwitches who can discern truth from lies. When two best friends anger a powerful Guildmaster, they must flee their home while being pursued by a powerful Bloodwitch—sending them on a dangerous journey full of encounters with the most unlikely of companions, and setting up one of my personal favorite YA female friendship stories ever! Up next in the series is the novella Sightwitch, out January 23, 2018.
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Schwab’s debut novel adds a dark, atmospheric read to this list. Lexi has grown up in the town of Near—a town that has a storied witch that frightens children, a town where you must not listen to the wind calling you at night for fear of never returning, a town where there are no strangers. These statements are the facts that the residents of Near live by. So when a strange boy that fades like smoke appears one night and children begin disappearing from their beds the next, the hunt for the lost children, the strange boy, and the fabled Near Witch is on. Like me, curious little Lexi simply cannot allow this juicy mystery to pass her by.
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Witches have played an important part in history, so it’s only natural for a historical fiction novel following three witchy sisters made its way onto this list! Everybody knows that the Cahill sisters are eccentric—too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good (insert old-timey harrumph here). However, the truth is even worse: they’re witches. If word ever got out, it could lead them to an early grave. When Cate discovers her mother’s diary, uncovering a spell that could lead to her family’s destruction, she must find a way to change their fates. While balancing tea parties, marriage proposals, and forbidden romances, Cate starts scouring banned books and forging rebellious friendships to save her sisters before it’s too late.


Monday, November 6, 2017

Warning Light by David Ricciardi

I found myself not being able to put it down. "Jake" is a character that you can definitely relate to, and you find yourself wondering often what you would do in his situation(s). Rich with technological, geographical and multi-cultural information, this book was not only intriguing, but informative as well. I especially found Jake's reflections on his boyhood with his aunt and uncle to be realistic and moving, making his experience all the more meaningful and human. I would definitely recommend this book to friends!
The scam that got our agent in place had to have been well orchestrated and appeared to be quite plausible. The Iranians were suspicious enough to arrest the man on espionage charges. The story follows his evasive tactics after his escape,as he relies on his remarkable resourcefulness. His life experiences have provided him with knowledge that proves invaluable.The chase moves with sprint-like speed. The pace never slows and when change occurs in the storyline and the agent barely escapes, it is though the baton has been passed without loss of a step or a second.


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Everyday Watercolor

BUY THIS GREAT WATERCOLOR BOOK

Sue Hill

5 Stars

October 18, 2017





I've tried so many different watercolor books and NONE have been as helpful and fun as this one. Jenna's writing style makes it fun and easy to understand/learn and, of course, her watercolor paintings are beautiful! 
I’m savoring Jenna’s book. I’ve been a fan of her work for quite some time (and her as a human...she’s authentic guys...tis rare these days). This book absolutely does not disappoint. It’s thorough and easy to follow. It’s a feast for the eyes all on its own. You can tell she has a passion for teaching. She lays out the fundamentals beautifully and then layer by layer expounds on them until you’ve mastered your own little unique style. Jenna helps you find YOUR creative voice. It’s not a color by number and paint her style.


  • price:

    $22.99

  • isbn:

    978-0-399-57972-1

  • release:

    Oct 10th, 2017

  • format

    Trade Paperback

  • category:

    Art - Techniques - Watercolor Painting

Friday, October 13, 2017

NEED TO KNOW BY KAREN CLEVELAND

If I could rate it 6 stars, I would. This is the rare kind of book that makes you question your reality. It is utterly consuming in it's exploration of truth and deception. The characters are minimally developed, just enough to make the reader all too aware that this could be you. Unlike so many stories of it's type, it is not a roller-coaster ride, it's the ride that paralyzes you with ever increasing centrifugal force. Need to Know by Karen Cleveland is a thriller without physical violence, a spy story with no trade-craft, a family novel without pathos, sympathy, and with problems you never want your loved ones to face. Insidiously powerful images juxtapose a home-cooked meatloaf with a thug watching your kid leave a school tainting everything that's familiar with terror. The ending is stunning.


I could not put this book down! Not to be biased, of course anyone could read this, but this is a spy novel written more for a woman. A female criminal analyst finds herself fighting for her family, caught between Russian spies and her love for her country.

I love spy novels.  I have had a hard time getting into the books I have been reading.  This book was one I could not put down.  This book will not be out until January, so remember the title.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Questo

QUESTO

Sue Hill

5 Stars

October 6, 2017



Queso is not complicated, and neither are any of these recipes. But they all do have more finesse than that simple Ro-Tel and Velveeta mentioned in the first sentence above. Maybe the hardest parts of these recipes is roasting the peppers and slipping their skins, and grating cheese. Nothing complicated or time-consuming.

While there is a good bit of history explained at the beginning of the book, there are also interesting bits of info and lore introducing each recipe.

The first chapter is really interesting if you are into old recipes and historical food lore. You will find dates for when each recipe first appeared, and the location: Recipes start with a Chiles Poblano from 1887 in Mexico. There is a chile verde con queso from California in 1896, and a rarebit from Boston in 1914, one from San Antonio and one with meat and broth from El Paso in the 1920’s; a cheese dip from Arkansas and a queso from Lubbock in the 1930’s.

The second chapter is all Tex-Mex: There are restaurant recipes, and take-offs, interpretations and reproductions of restaurant recipes. You will find cheese mixed with pureed pinto beans and pickled jalapenos, and cheese with pulled pork and green chile salsa, cheese with ground beef chili, cheese with beef picadillo, and more.

Take a browse through the “Look Inside” feature on this product page. Ten Speed Press, publishers of this book, always do a great job of providing pertinent information in the “Look Inside”. When you look at the Contents page and the Index, you have an overview of all the recipes.

There are a lot of pictures in this cookbook, and they are mouthwatering! If you do order this book, I’d advise getting some basic ingredients together prior it its arrival. Once you start browsing the book, you will not want to wait to start cooking up a batch! Gather American cheese, white and/or yellow, an assortment of your favorite chiles and a basket of grape tomatoes, maybe an onion and some garlic. Make sure chips and/or tortillas, cornstarch, cumin, cayenne are on your pantry shelves, and milk in the frig. With those ingredients at hand, you will be able to create a number of recipes from this book.
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