Mystery Books Add Your Mystery Book Reviews Moon [Camilleri, mystery] by Andrea Camilleri This is the latests installment in the series of mysteries featuring Sicilian police inspector, Motalbano. Was the salesman murdered by jealous women or were there drug connections? As always, the story is atmospheric and well-written. This is a straight forward story with more humor than usual and less societal ills. Some strong language and descriptions. Black Arrow by I.J. Parker
General Fiction MissAdd Your Fiction Book Reviews Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Day by Winifred Watson This is an entertaining story about a proper, but unsuccessful nanny who goes for a job and meets a glamorous young singer and adapts quickly to the exciting life she lives. Her sound advice endears her to everyone she meets and she experiences a day unlike any other. The plot is quick and humorous. A couple of mild expletives and implied adult situations, but a safe, enjoyable book. Soon to be made into a movie. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Audiobooks PeterAdd Your Audiobook Reviews Peter and the Starcatchers [audio, by Dave Barry Although aimed at teens, this first in a series story is a fun, exciting adventure story appealing to all ages. It involves Peter Pan, pirates and a great treasure. It explains how Peter went from an ordinary boy to the magical one we know from other stories. I found some of the constant action a little tediuos, but over-all was enjoyable. No strong language, adult situations, or gory violence. Justinian's Flea by William Rosen I have been working through the Stephanie Plum series by listening to the various books on audio.Both C.J. Critt and Lorelie King are able to do a variety of voices and bring the various wacky characters to life. There is another readerfor the series,I don't remember her name offhand, but she has a stronger New Jersey accent than the other two. A.L. Audiobook Book Reviews
Audiobooks Peter and the Starcatchers [audio, Dave Barry Although aimed at teens, this first in a series story is a fun, exciting adventure story appealing to all ages. It involves Peter Pan, pirates and a great treasure. It explains how Peter went from an ordinary boy to the magical one we know from other stories. I found some of the constant action a little tediuos, but over-all was enjoyable. No strong language, adult situations, or gory violence. Justinian's Flea by William Rosen This serious history helps cover the period after the Roman Empire and before the Middle Ages, when the Byzantine Emperors continued Roman traditions. It also describes the effect of the plague on Europe. This is very detailed and might be more than you want to know about the politics of the time and about epidemics. For serious history buffs. The audio version was spoiled for me by the robotic, monotone narration of the usually tolerable, Scott Brick.
Mystery Books Add Your Mystery Book Reviews Paper Moon [Camilleri, mystery] This is the latests installment in the series of mysteries featuring Sicilian police inspector, Motalbano. Was the salesman murdered by jealous women or were there drug connections? As always, the story is atmospheric and well-written. This is a straight forward story with more humor than usual and less societal ills. Some strong language and descriptions. Black Arrow by I.J. Parker This is a mystery set in medieval Japan. The new governor of a distant province must solve a series of murders, prevent a rebellion and learn the secrets of the locals. Although there is action and some mild historical atmosphere, I found the book very slow starting and rather tepid.
General Fiction Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day This is an entertaining story about a proper, but unsuccessful nanny who goes for a job and meets a glamorous young singer and adapts quickly to the exciting life she lives. Her sound advice endears her to everyone she meets and she experiences a day unlike any other. The plot is quick and humorous. A couple of mild expletives and implied adult situations, but a safe, enjoyable book. Soon to be made into a movie. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko Leslie Marmon Silko's book Ceremony is an extraordinary story. The novel is abouta young half white, half Native American, Tayo and his search for his will to survive. After being a prisoner of the Japanese during WWII, he is confused and lost. Tayo returns home and shrugs off the alcohol and violence that other soldiers turn to and finds himself looking at his Laguna past and traditions. The entire story is a ceremony that the reader is watching unfold. It is steeped in ancient beliefs and the importance of roots. Ceremony is a must read for any reader.
Non-Fiction Books Math Instinct by Keith Devlin This is a very accessible book which demonstrates that the instinct for math is found naturally in infants and animals. Mathematical concepts difficult even for computers are performed subconsciously. Even plants display growth in a mathematical pattern. Also shows that math is often understood in one context and completely misunderstood in others, such as word problems. Written for the layman in an interesting and enjoyable manner. Stop Whining and Start Livingby Dr. Laura Schlessinger A new self-help book from Dr. Laura Schlessinger. She attempts to help people get past their negativity. The chapters all begin with the problem of an actual caller to her show, she then instructs them to essentially, "get over it" and they say, "Wow! I never thought of it like that." and somehow they are magically assisted. I found no practical advice or useful methods of refocusing your energy from negative to positive. Some readers might appreciate the inspirational stories of some of the callers, but do not use this book for serious advice on everyday living.
S.D. As the World Churns by Tamar Myers Myers resuses reuses old jokes and formulas and long-time readers may be a little tired of the routine, but there are plot advances in her personal life of interest. No sex, gore or strong language. S.D. Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson
Welcome to the NCPL Reader-to-Reader Wiki! The NCPL's Reader-to-Reader Wiki was designed so that you can find a good read and share your reviews and opinions on what you've read. To check outthe reviews go to one of the genre links to the right. Linksto lists of thebest books (examples: Modern Library's 100Best Fiction Novels and National Geographic's 100Greatest Adventure Books)and fun links for finding books are below. review click here or go to one of the genre linkson pages (links on the right right) and they will have a link for you send a review. follow the links. If you would like to post a review to the wiki, but have limited access to a computer,ask at the Adult and Teen Services desk for a form and your review will be posted for you. Here are some useful resources to help you make the perfect choice: Best Book Lists
Advance Copies AdvanceAdd Your Advance Copy Book Reviews Riding Toward Everywhere, by William T. Vollmann (Released Jan. 2008) Whether or not you have ever read a book by William T. Vollmann, a quick look almost anywhere on the web reveals that he is a complex and diverse writer and thinker who searches in earnest, or perhaps ceaselessly, for a subject that inspires him.
Advance Copies Advance Copy Book Reviews Riding Toward Everywhere, by William T. Vollmann (Released Jan. 2008) Whether or not you have ever read a book by William T. Vollmann, a quick look almost anywhere on the web reveals that he is a complex and diverse writer and thinker who searches in earnest, or perhaps ceaselessly, for a subject that inspires him.
Mystery Books Add Your Mystery Book Reviews Black Arrow by I.J. Parker This is a mystery set in medieval Japan. The new governor of a distant province must solve a series of murders, prevent a rebellion and learn the secrets of the locals. Although there is action and some mild historical atmosphere, I found the book very slow starting and rather tepid. I will not track down the other titles in the series. S.D. What Never Happens by Anne Holt Norwegian novelist Anne Holt's latest in a series. In this one the police must solve a series of celebrity murders with the help of a wife trained as a profiler. Typically, the reader is shown the mind of the killer, but must wait for the identity until the police reach the answer. The crime itself is interesting and the ending is unusual for a mystery, but there is entirely too much filler about the investigators' personal lives, something I find tedious in a mystery novel. There is some gore and some expletetives, but not like so many modern thrillers. Over-all I found the novel unexciting and was glad for it to end.
Non-Fiction Books Not That That by David Zinczenko This is a diet book and shows how someone could consume fewer calories and fat by making different selctions at restaurants and in the grocery store. Instead of advising eating only "health foods" like many books, this one says if you are going to eat fast food anyway, you do have some options nontheless. It lists the fat and calories of various items on fast food menus and recommends similar, but slightly healthier options from the same menu. For instance a Whooper has less fat than a Big Mac. The book might be useful to someone who eats out regularly, but only an interesting browse to the rest of us. -S.D. Start Living Livingby Dr. Laura Schlessinger A new self-help book from Dr. Laura Schlessinger. She attempts to help people get past their negativity. The chapters all begin with the problem of an actual caller to her show, she then instructs them to essentially, "get over it" and they say, "Wow! I never thought of it like that." and somehow they are magically assisted. I found no practical advice or useful methods of refocusing your energy from negative to positive. Some readers might appreciate the inspirational stories of some of the callers, but do not use this book for serious advice on everyday living. S.D.
