Staff Picks
Anita's Pick
The Lost City
by Henry Shukman
Traumatized by the death in combat of his charismatic friend and lover Connolly, twenty-year old Jackson Small is invalided out of the British army and returns home to England from Belize. Grappling with an emotional breakdown, and unsure of his own role in Connolly’s death, Jackson embarks on a pilgrimage to the Peruvian cloud forest to look for the lost city of La Joya - glimpsed once by Connolly and never forgotten.
But it is not so easy for Jackson to escape his military past. Robbed of all his money and most of his equipment, he is forced to undertake an undercover military operation in a lawless region ruled by an egomaniacal drug lord. He receives unexpected help from a cast of extraordinary characters - the mysterious young Peruvian boy, as wily as he is innocent, who latches on to Jackson early in the trip, the American grad-student, Sarah, with whom he falls in love, her free-spirited uncle, living off the grid in the Andean wilderness with his two wives, and a priest dedicated to helping the abandoned children of his Peruvian city.
Part love-story, part psychological drama, and wholly a page-turning adventure yarn, Shukman’s debut novel is one of the best, and most unusual, of a crop of new books I’ve read recently. Many reviewers have compared his writing to that of Conrad, Hemingway or Graham Greene, and although the comparisons are apt, Shukman’s lyrical prose and muscular story-telling owe much more to his own background as a prize-winning poet and travel writer.
Diane's Pick
A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khalil Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a bittersweet story that deals with the plight of women in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion. Two women, Mariam, an illegitimate daughter raised in a hut by her mother and and Laila, raised in a modern family with loving father and depressive mother are brought together as rivals, finally forming a deep bond against the forces that threaten them and their children. This is a gripping story not for the timid.
Jenny's Pick
Georgette Heyer
There are times that try men's (or woman's) souls, times that require us to curl up with dark chocolate and light reading. At such times, I revisit an old friend; Georgette Heyer and her witty Regency novels. There is always a plucky, sharp-tongued heroine; a difficult, spiky hero, and plenty of plot twists on the endlessly fascinating topic of human relations. Ms. Heyer's command of her period is impressive, and her people always fully human. No bodices are ripped, but there's lots of juicy verbal thrust and parry. If you wish Jane Austen had written more (who doesn't?), Heyer might be your cup of tea. For neophytes, I particularly recommend "The Grand Sophy", but I love them all.
Jessica's Pick 
Breaking Dawn
by Stephenie Meyer
Reporting from teen services – I couldn’t resist talking about the popular Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer and have recently enjoyed the fourth book Breaking Dawn. This novel was worth the wait and filled with new plot development (and a major twist) for those who have enjoyed previous books in the series. The title well represents a change in perspective for many characters and a cataclysmic whirl of an ending. Join Narrators Bella (human) and Jacob (werewolf) as they give us their take on sharing life with the Cullens - a vampire clan who has vowed to avoid harming the innocent. In rainy Forks, Washington, Bella has fallen even more deeply for Edward, a major member in the Cullen clan who faces guilt-ridden turmoil over the outcome of their love affair. Jacob desperately wishes for Bella to love him more than Edward until the unanticipated Renesme joins the story. A major collision with the ever-powerful and violent Vulturi brings both werewolf and vampire rival together, pulling from all facets of the series in a “hold your breath” twist as each chooses which side they stand by – and which of the others they would truly sacrifice their lives for. This narrative reads slightly like a movie script and will perhaps join the list of Meyer’s novels converted to the big screen. A personal favorite, as I found Breaking Dawn to be the most fulfilling of the series! See for yourself – I kept the biggest surprises to myself!
Judie's Pick
The Drowned Maiden's Hair
by Laura Amy Schlitz
This book is about 11 year old Maud Flynn, a rebellious little orphan who has a habit of telling boastful stories, she's disobedient, disagreeable, ill-mannered, and mouthy. To make matters worse she's not what most people would call pretty. In short Maud's chances of being adopted are slim to none. So no one is more surprised than Maud herself when on a day just like most others, she is adopted on sight by the fashionable and elegant Hyacinth Hawthorn. Maud cannot believe her good fortune and is determined to turn over a new leaf, to be perfectly good, anything to make Hyacinth love her, even if she has to be a "secret child" hiding upstairs when the door bell rings, unable to go outside. Even if Hyacinth's sisters, the stern Judith and dowdy sad Victoria, are absolutely against Maud’s coming to Hawthorn Grove. Maude must not be seen by anyone outside the house. But why? She'll find out soon enough, and then the question will be, how many secrets can one little girl keep? And how far will she have to go to be loved? As she matures as a character, meets other compelling characters, especially a deaf mute, the story proceeds to its satisfying ending.
This is a Juvenile Fiction Book that was recommended to me by an adult patron who just loved it. I was completely swept up in this story. All the characters are fully fleshed out and believable. I whole heartedly recommend “A Drowned Maidens Hair” to anyone looking for a memorable reading experience.
Kim's Pick 
The Secret of Santa Vittoria
by Robert Crichton
This is an older book (1966) but well worth the effort to track it down. It is one I continually recommend to anyone who has an interest in World War II, Italy, wine, or just good writing. Santa Vittoria, an isolated hillside town of grape growers, finds itself occupied by a small German force in World War II. The Germans have arrived to confiscate the town¢s wine, over 1,000,000 bottles. After the local fascists have been ousted an unlikely hero emerges to become the mayor leading the townspeople in a battle to keep most of their wine secret. Funny and dramatic with a tense battle of wits waged between the German commander and Bombolini the mayor up till the very end. Made into a film in 1969, starring Anthony Quinn, it won the golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Comedy.
Molly's Pick(s)
The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music
by Victor L. Wooten
From Grammy-winning musical icon and legendary bassist Victor L. Wooten comes The Music Lesson, a brave and honest story of his spiritual journey with his teacher, Michael, who arrives mysteriously and unannounced. Like Socrates from Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, the teacher, Michael in Wooten's book is strange and jumorous but effective at communicating wondrous messages about life and being a good musician. You don't have to play an instrument to enjoy this book!
An Introduction To Zen Buddhism by D.T. Suzuki with a foreword by Carl Jung
In this day and age of suspicion and uncertainty this book comes as a sigh of relief. It speaks about zen, a philosophy or mindset which helps one achieve harmony with people of any nation or color and bring clarity of purpose to panicked minds. To me, everything shall pass and that which remains is what's truly important in life. This book is a reminder of how to center your "self". Prioritize the things that
grab your attention in life and release thoughts if they are harmful and destructive to happiness.