Read a whole graphic novel! Clubbing

Well, I’ve finally done it — read a whole graphic novel. Clubbing, by Andi (a guy) Watson and Josh Howard. I even understood most of it, even though it was “veddy, veddy” British in tone. …more…
Anniesse

This is the start of our director’s review…to see more visit MCPL’s other blog http://mcplteenspace.blogspot.com
for this and other reviews of books for teens. We hope that parents and teachers visit both
blogs and share your views on books for and about teens as well as mentioning adult fiction that you know teens may enjoy also. Reading levels are so varied and so are interests, that we find many adults interested in young adult literature - gives them that young feeling again. And, many teens are interested in fantasy, science fiction and even romance that are written for an older audience and yet tell stories that are universal in scope.

The best thing about blogging is sharing the joy of reading.
Donna

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The Next Thing on My List

The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski, is a novel about June Parker. June makes the acquaintance of a young girl named Marissa Jones at Weight Watchers and after offering her a ride home, they are involved in an unusual traffic accident and the girl dies. Finding the girl’s list, 20 things to do before 25, June decides to accomplish the goals for her to sort of set things right for the girl’s untimely death. The tasks range from watching a sunrise to running a 5k to kiss a stranger and on to the more serious one of change someone’s life. The list itself is interesting and I really enjoyed June’s attitude and her hopes for the mission she has chosen. Ordinary people meeting unusual circumstances have created a gently thought provoking read. What would your list be before 25? before 50? before 75? It is something to think about.
Not exactly chick lit but certainly a woman’s story.

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Guys only library blog? yes

Fans of libraries - check out this latest take on sharing through blogs - http://pigskull.blogspot.com/ Scott County Public Library’s blog Pig Skull Book Club is a book discussion group for fathers and sons. “No sissy stuff” is part of its advertising. Visit and see what you think.
Donna =)
Muhlenberg Co. Public Libraries likes fathers and sons too - that’s why we will be at the Kentucky Deer Classic on August 25, 2007 at the Muhlenberg County Ag and Expo Center in Powderly. Lots of fun for the whole family: displays and workshops about hunting and of course, Miss Pockets telling Stories from the Woods.

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Good Reads

At the staff meeting Tuesday morning, Director Anniesse Williams introduced us to a new blog and so I had to go - and join the www.goodreads.com website. A place to share reviews with friends, you do not have to have gmail or whatever and you can read about what other people are reading all over. It is neat, but please post here for your Muhlenberg Co. friends, books that you have checked out from the library! Hope to see you both places, donna =)

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Back on Blossom Street

Debbie Macomber has once again displayed her gift for telling heartwarming stories of families and friends working through life’s ordinary problems. Back on Blossom Street follows The Shop on Blossom Street and A Good Yarn as part of a trilogy. Well, I just picked it up as a new book and I did not jump back and get the other two first, and I still enjoyed it. I do believe this is one set that I would like to have read in order though.
The shop’s owner Lydia Hoffman, a youthful cancer survivor, in the first story goes through a lot of changes and forges relationships that would have been better in chronological order. But not one to miss out on the details, I enjoyed three so much I now have checked out the first book and hope to finish it soon and move on to the second one. The story of Lydia, her sister Margaret and the knitting class members, Jacqueline, Carol and Alix provide that feeling of visiting an old neighborhood which I think makes a very comforting read. Compassion, caring, and the little details of life that upset us and bring us joy are truly gifts in the words of a Debbie Macomber novel.

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Harry Potter at last

Well, I finished HP 7 Saturday morning about 9:30 am. It was as wonderful as I hoped it would be. Through dangerous obstacles and the final battle with Lord Voldemort’s forces of evil, the three friends held that marvelous bond of love that was Harry’s gift of life from his mother.

Rowling’s overall theme of love, beginning with Harry’s mother’s love saving his life creates many wonderful ways to use these fascinating and most read books of the last decade and perhaps last century, to encourage values in young people.

For single adults and parents who have the idea that these are magic books for children, I dare you to read one and look again. There is much more than magic at play in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And much to be learned and shared from the magic of books that have children and adults reading not just articles or brief stories, but huge volumes of continuing stories that are not available on film until years after the book comes out. And while many did wait for the movie, the books continue to be read again and again by new people who discover the “magic” that gives hope in the eternal battles of good and evil.

As Dumbledore told Harry in the first book, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”. Look to find the wisdom of Dumbledore quoted in years to come as part of everyday life.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Well, I started Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber and what I read I truly enjoyed. The friends in the story have real people relationships and there are secrets to be revealed as the plot unfolds. However, Friday night at midnight the last Harry Potter was released and I was at Wal-Mart for my copy. So the rest of the weekend was spent with Harry and crew. I had an out of town meeting and family to tend to so I have not gotten even half way through the 759 pages yet. It is great! It is exciting and I do not want to rush or skim it - it is about the journey with my friends - not about the facts of how it ends. Will write more later…after I have more time to READ.
Donna

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Many Choices

The library has so many books to choose from sometimes the choices are overwhelming. I just finished a fun paperback romance and now am looking through what I have out to pick for the weekend. Debbie Macomber’s Back on Blossom Street is the third in her Seattle based knitting friends series. I have not read the first two but I have always enjoyed Debbie M, so that is a possibility. Bittersweet is next to my bedside waiting….it is a historical inspirational, one of my favorite genres set in 1860 California and featuring the Pony Express and romance…yes!
And a humorous chic lit title Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Hardison. Oh what to choose?
I will let you know Monday. Hope some of you will soon share your favorite reading too!
donna

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Matchmaker is not just romance

One of the older titles I read this spring is really not old, just 2006. Matchmaker by Jamie Denton is a romantic suspense thriller which for fans of J. D. Robb and CSI, has enough serial killer gruesome details and dysfunctional marital relations to fit in with current bestsellers. The mystery is not who the serial killer is since that is revealed early on and his viewpoint is one of those repeatedly presented in this three voice story. Greer and her estranged husband Ashley who are professional FBI trained profilers provide the other two views and the sizzle keeps the reader looking to find out what comes next and if they will resolve their murky relationship. Characters and plot appear current with today’s headlines and television topics. Personal note: discussion of vics, UNSUBS and mutilated body parts, along with bad language does not make for pleasant recreational reading in my opinion, but I read one for an example anyway.
Donna

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Staff annotations

Summer reading makes for a busy time at the library with Summer Reading Programs four days a week and just a little time to re-group on Friday for the next go-round! Staff members write annotations regularly and I will feature some here that did not make the news articles from the library in the local newspapers. Remember this site is for lots of readers, not just this writer, so come on and share some of your favorite books.

Tina Cobb read a couple of interesting titles this spring. Causing Havoc, by Lori Foster is a romance with an extreme fighter Dean “Havoc” Connor in the lead role. This popular athlete is doing well for himself when he receives a letter from his little sister needing help and returns home to Harmony, Kentucky. He falls for Camille’s friend Eve and his life and memories are turned upside down as the family’s story is revealed. I like Lori Foster too and she always comes through with hot romance and happy endings. Tina also reported on If Only In My Dreams, by Wendy Markham. Actress Clara McCallen, diagnosed with breast cancer, stays in town to be on location for her next big movie instead of going home for Christmas. Clara’s love story movie has her falling for a war hero. Thinking she was dreaming, she steps off the train and comes face to face with the real war hero, sixty years in the past. Tina said it was a real good book.

Debbie DeArmond read Kidnapped this spring. Not the one by Robert Louis Stevenson but a new thriller by Jan Burke. It is an Irene Kelly mystery and Debbie says “if you haven’t read any of Burke’s novels with Irene Kelly in them, you have really missed out.” Cleo Smith is a sociopathic serial killer who kills several people in this novel but no one suspects her. Cleo is always careful to leave no clues, she wipes everything down, changes her clothes after the killing and sometimes it is hard to tell if she is a man or a woman. But one night after her kill she is surprised by the arrival of Irene Kelly; Cleo barely gets away and she doesn’t get to clean up the scene. Irene will not be able to rest until she can find out who is doing the murders. It is hard to distinguish the good characters from the evil ones until you are deep in the novel.

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