VBPL Recommends

Among Others by Jo Walton

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

If you love books enough, books will love you back.

So says Morwenna Phelps, narrator of Among Others. I happen to think she's right, and that's one reason I appreciate this coming of age fantasy which could be called a love letter to the great writers of fantasy and science fiction. It's also a cracking good read.

It is 1979. Fifteen-year-old Morwenna is recovering from an accident that left her disabled and killed her twin sister. The world calls it a car accident. Mori knows better - her sister's death was caused by their mother's magic. Her home in Wales is full of magic and inhabited by creatures she and her sister have come to know as fairies. As much as she loves her home, after the incident, staying with her mother is unthinkable, so Mori goes to live in England with her previously unknown father, and is promptly packed off to boarding school by her aunts. The story, told as entries in Mori's journal, begins at this point.

Fantasy and science fiction books become her lifeline, and not just for entertainment. Through her books, she learns to cope with the adult world, to understand the role of magic and personal responsibility, love and sex. With the help of some sympathetic adults and a few friends, she starts to see a future without her twin. But Mori has unfinished business - with her mother, with the fairies, and with her sister's shade.

Among Others is a subtle, intelligent book that should appeal to lovers of speculative fiction, and to anyone who grew up with books as friends. I also highly recommend Walton's Small Change trilogy (starting with Farthing), an alternate history series completely different from Among Others, but just as enjoyable.

5th Avenue, 5.AM.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

First thing, if you haven’t seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s, go find a copy and watch it. It’s a brilliant movie that's probably the highlight of Audrey Hepburn’s career.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s was adapted from a short novel by Truman Capote which featured an unforgettable character, Holly Golightly, a young woman who does indeed ‘go lightly’ through the world, working as a call girl in New York City. Few would be shocked by that today, but in 1961, this was groundbreaking and highly controversial. Audrey Hepburn’s agent refused to even let her see the script. She initially rejected the role because, as she stated, “I can’t play a hooker.”

5th Avenue, 5 A.M. is full of these inside glimpses – Capote saw Marilyn Monroe as ‘his’ Holly, and never warmed to Audrey’s portrayal. Other actresses were considered, including Rosemary Clooney! Henry Mancini’s iconic song, "Moon River," was nearly cut from the film because the studio head loathed it. Leading man George Peppard was, to put it kindly, somewhat difficult to work with. If you’re interested in the inner workings of Hollywood, you’ll find plenty to like in this book.

But there’s more here than film gossip. Wasson’s book is also a hard look at the social mores of the 1950’s, specifically how they limited the film industry, and how Breakfast at Tiffany’s broke the mold. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a significant milestone in filmmaking, according to Wasson, because in featuring a sexually active woman as heroine, it was a first step leading the industry away from the heavily censored environment of the 1950’s when married couples slept in twin beds and any filmmaker who dared show a sexually active single woman in a positive light put his career at risk.

Check out 5th Avenue, 5. A.M. in the VBPL catalog, or download a e-book copy through our Overdrive site. To learn more about the movie, see Breakfast at Tiffany’s: The Official 50th Anniversary Companion. For books taking you inside other famous films, try Pictures at a Revolution, or one of the many books on Gone with the Wind. The library also has several biographies of Audrey Hepburn if you want to know more about this talented and beautiful lady.

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

At the height of the Great Depression, history professor Frank Nichols needs a new start. He’s fallen in love with Dora, the wife of a colleague, and to escape the scandal, they’ve had to flee from their relatively comfortable lives in academia. Now Frank has inherited a house and some money from a distant aunt, so they move to the tiny village of Whitbrow, Georgia. Dora takes a job as a schoolteacher, and Frank plans to write the history of his family’s plantation, where the brutal Lucien Savoyard was murdered by his ex-slaves at the end of the Civil War.

At first, Frank and Dora seem to be settling in to small town life, though they find some things puzzling. Why would Frank’s aunt leave a letter warning him against staying in Whitbrow? Once a month, the townspeople decorate pigs with garlands of flowers and send them across the river, and nobody seems to be sure why. Why is Frank warned not to venture beyond that same river after dark? The ruins of Savoyard Plantation lie there, so he can’t stay away, but from his first trip into that dark territory, he knows something is deeply wrong.

Times are hard, and people are starving. When the townspeople decide that pigs are too valuable to just turn loose for no reason, the killing starts. Before long, the little town turns into a living nightmare, and Frank, a flawed man haunted by his experiences in the Great War, finds himself right in the middle of it all. To save what he loves most, he must overcome his fears, discover who (or what) lies beyond the river, and ultimately, face a choice that no man should have to make.

Those Across the River may be a first novel, but Buehlman demonstrates a master’s hand at pacing and especially at creating the atmosphere that is so essential for effective horror writing. Short sections move the story along, and the unfolding mystery will keep you turning pages. The characters are nuanced and compelling. I read well into the night, unable to stop till I'd finished, then had to pick up a Regency romance to calm down enough to sleep. Oh, and I made sure all my doors and windows were locked.

Those Across the River is available in print and as a downloadable e-book. For more atmospheric horror set in creepy small towns, try The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian or some of the many books by John Saul. For more historical horror, check out Dan Simmons' The Terror or Drood.

Waking Up in Dixie by Haywood Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Elizabeth Whittington loved her husband Howe when she married him, and not just because marriage into her small Georgia town’s richest and most prominent family saved her from an abusive father and an alcoholic mother. But over the years, Howe has turned into the meanest man in town. Elizabeth is holding on to the shreds of her marriage for the sake of her adult children and her own reputation. She seeks solace from her husband’s coldness and her domineering mother-in-law in a platonic friendship with C.J., an old acquaintance, and is thinking seriously of making a new start with him.

Everything changes when Howe has a stroke. After months in a coma following surgery for a brain tumor, he emerges a changed man. Howe’s ‘come to Jesus’ moment has him determined to make amends for the wrongs he’s done. He begins to show his pride in their son, tries to instill some long-overdue discipline in their spoiled daughter, and finally stands up to his mother. And he’s rediscovered his passionate love for Elizabeth, abandoning years of infidelity. It should have been everything she wished for.

But if making amends means embarrassing his family by blackmailing a business associate into getting into rehab, or scheming to get her installed as head of the Altar Guild instead of his mother, or standing up at the church vestry meeting to argue about scripture, Elizabeth wants no part of it. And then there’s C.J., who is slowly turning from supportive friend to creepy stalker. What’s a southern lady to do?

What Elizabeth ends up doing will keep you turning pages in this quick moving book full of poignant humor. Look for Waking Up in Dixie in print or in audio CD in the VBPL catalog, or download the audio through the library’s Overdrive site.

If you’re looking for more humorous domestic fiction about southern women “of a certain age,” try Wife-in-Law also by Smith, or Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews.

Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I admit it, I’m a sucker for the English country house mystery. A group of upper class people, mostly dressed in tweed, have all assembled for a weekend house party at Lord So-and-So’s manor, often, but not always, in the period between the two World Wars. Amidst all the hunting and drinking and upstairs-downstairs gossip, there’s invariably a murder. Or sometimes two.

Agatha Christie wrote in this genre, as did Dorothy Sayers and Margery Allingham and many other classic mystery authors. But for the modern reader used to a more intimate type of storytelling with deeply felt points of view, writers of Ms. Christie's era may come across as somewhat cold. The focus in their books was often on the puzzle, and character development came second.

Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple mysteries give us the classic plot in an updated form. Daisy is a fabulous character – the daughter of a viscount who chooses to try to make a living as a journalist during the Roaring 20’s. Using her aristocratic connections, she gets herself invited down to Wentwater Court, the home of the Earl of Wentwater, his second (and much younger) wife and his adult children. Daisy is there to write an article for Town and Country. Another guest, Lord Stephen Astwick, seems to be there to cause trouble, especially for the newly married Lady Wentwater, with whom he apparently has a past.

When Stephen is found dead in what's apparently a skating accident, it’s Daisy’s photographs that prove the accident was murder. A Scotland Yard detective (handsome, of course!) comes to investigate, and Daisy finds herself in the middle of all of it, trying to figure out whodunit.

What I like most about Daisy is that she isn’t a passive shrinking violet, but she’s not atypically modern either. The 1920’s were a dynamic time in social relations, and Dunn does a credible job of showing the changing societal expectations for women while not pushing her main character into unrealistic 21st century attitudes. Nothing irks me more than a historical novel peopled with modern characters.

While there are some unrealistic aspects to Death at Wentwater Court (would the detective really have used Daisy, one of the potential suspects, as a stenographer while he interviews suspects? I think not), this is mostly a great read, sure to appeal to fans of historical cozies and of the 1920’s-30’s period in general. Check out Death at Wentwater Court in the VBPL catalog, and if you like it, there are many sequels. For other mysteries featuring upper class amateur detectives of the period, try Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen or Sweet Poison by David Roberts.

Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Each year Marcie travels with her mother to New Hampshire to visit family over summer vacation. However this year things are different. Following her parent’s divorce, Marcie is forced to leave behind her boyfriend and a group of her closest friends, known as the leftovers, to move across the country to Idaho with her mother. Once her father becomes serious with a bartender, Marcie starts to suspect that the move may be more permanent than she first thought. Chronicling her new life in verse in her journal is the only thing that keeps Marcie afloat as her mother sinks into a deep depression. But as Marcie struggles to adjust to her new life, things become complicated when she catches the attention of a cute popular boy at school. Confused more than ever after the recent demise of her parent’s marriage, Marcie struggles to understand what love is, and what it means to her.

Although apprehensive at first to read a story written in verse, I was completely blown away by this debut novel and came to appreciate this unique writing style. Written in short verses, Love and Leftovers takes out the extraneous details that weigh down many contemporary teen novels, allowing you to get to the heart of the story more quickly. Each word packs a punch, conveying a world of emotion and tackling deep issues head on with clarity. This heartfelt, coming of age love story is a great read for fans of novels written in verse.

For more novels written in verse, readers should be sure to check out Ellen Hopkin's novels as well as May B. by Caroline Starr, which was recently reviewed on this blog.

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Liesl is a lonely girl who has been confined to the attic by her cruel stepmother after her father’s death. One night, as if by magic, Po, a ghost from the other side appears into her room
with his friendly animal companion in tow. The two form a bond and start plotting to escape. Together they plan to set her father’s ashes to rest among the pond by the willow tree. That very same night, Will, an alchemist’s apprentice, has been sent on a most important errand, but on the way becomes mesmerized by the lonely girl in the window. Rushing to finish his task, he makes a grave mistake when he misplaces a box containing the alchemist’s most powerful magic. Fleeing for his life, he encounters Liesl and Po. The trio faces countless obstacles as they attempt to outwit the cast of zany characters, who for various reasons are determined to thwart the trio’s plans. Will Liesl finally be able to lay her father's ashes to rest? Can Will escape the clutches of the angry alchemist?

With a cast of eccentric characters you can’t help but love (most of them at least) the story is both endearing and humorous. Reminiscent of childhood, Liesl and Po has many of the components of a classic fairytale, including an evil step mother and a box full of powerful magic. The wonderful charcoal illustrations match the Victorian tone of the book, depicting a dark, dreary world almost devoid of color. The darker themes of death and loss are balanced nicely with the humor and adventure interspersed throughout, making this an excellent pick for middle grade readers.

Readers who enjoy Liesl and Po should be sure to check out The Flint Heart by Katherine Paterson and The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell.

Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts by Claire LaZebnik

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the world of Keats Sedlak. Her family puts the fun is dysfunctional! Named after an obscure poet, Keats is no stranger to eccentricity. In her family full of academic nutcases, she has always felt like the black sheep that holds the family together. Luckily she has Tom. Nice, normal, dependable, if slightly mundane Tom. Everyone in the family seems to have an opinion on her life, and is quick to share them with her. Their favorite topic of course is Keats’ love life.

After a decade of unhappy marriage, Keats’ mother throws a wrench into the finely balanced chaos and finally decides to call the marriage quits and put the family house up for sale. Her family in turmoil, Keats turns to Tom for support. However even this seems too much for reliable Tom to handle. Her brother hasn’t left the house in two years; her father is writing his will and her mother is (gasp!) dating again! Follow Keats as she traverses the pitfalls of family dynamics and attempts to rearrange her own life in the process.

Claire LaZebnik dishes out a fun and entertaining piece of chick lit that deals with real issues. She creates a family full of oddballs with striking similarities to many of the quirks found in our own families. The strong protagonist is both witty and relatable, and the honest depiction of sibling rivalry makes for a captivating read. With equal parts humor and depth, Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts is the perfect read for those of us who take comfort in knowing most families are a little crazy.

Fans of this novel should be sure to check out Claire LaZebnik’s earlier novels, as well as Just Like Me Only Better by Carol Snow.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

There are numerous ways fate can step in and change the course of your life. For Hadley, it’s missing the flight she's been dreading to her father’s wedding by a mere four minutes. During her wait at the crowded airport to catch a later flight, Hadley meets a handsome British boy named Oliver. Throughout the course of their long flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Hadley and Oliver form an intense bond, discussing everything from their favorite color to their first kiss. After the flight the pair become separated. With no way to contact Oliver, Hadley rushes to make her father's wedding on time. Will fate step in and once again and bring Hadley and Oliver back together?

Told over the course of twenty-four hours, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is the perfect Valentine’s Day read, short and sweet. Deeper than the plot summary may suggest, the story takes an introspective look at relationships from a variety of different angles and provides an honest portrayal of the complexities of the father-daughter relationship. Smith’s comical genius shines through in the witty banter between the main characters. This beautifully written story has the potential to make even the most cynical at heart a believer in the possibility of love at first sight.

Fans of this book should be sure to check out Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins as well as Dash and Lily’s Book of Dare’s by Rachel Cohn.

Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Bill Willingham, best known for his Fables comic series, brings us a whimsical tale full of adventure and mystery. Peter “the wolf,”a young boy scout, finds himself lost in a strange world inhabited by a cast of talking animals. While exploring his new surroundings, Max befriends a badger named Banderbrock, a cat named McTavish, and a bear named Walden. Max is forced to put his detective skills to good use, as he and his fellow companions follow the Mysterly River in pursuit of a Wizard, who will presumably provide both protection and answers. Pursued by the nefarious blue cutters, huntsmen armed with magic swords, Max must rely on the help of his friends and his own resourcefulness in order to solve the mystery of why he is in the mysterious forest, and how he can get back home.

Willingham invites you into an imaginative fantasy land, beautifully depicted in both the words and

pictures, full of loveable characters. The story contains a variety of exciting genres, the most prominent among them being the compelling detective storyline. Interactions between the characters are sharp and witty and the many twists and turns make this a hard book to put down. Down the Mysterly River is a rarity among youth fiction. In much the same manner as Brian Jacques’ Redwall series, Down the Mysterly River holds appeal for a wide audience of readers. A fast paced plot rife with adventure is perfect for older youth, while the philosophical issues carefully interwoven into the story will gratify older teens and adults. Chock full of swift action and humor, this novel also holds special appeal for reluctant male readers. If you are a book lover like me, you are sure to delight in the ending.

Readers who enjoy fantasy adventure stories should also be sure to check out the Redwall series. If you are interested in books filled with illustrations, check out The Apothecary by Maile Meloy and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

Outlander [audio book on cd] written by Diana Gabaldon, Performed by Davina Porter

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Outlander is the first book in the hugely popular Outlander series. Fans are now awaiting the eighth book in the series, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood, due out sometime next year.

Claire Randall is a nurse during World War II, enjoying a second honeymoon with her husband Frank, in the Scottish highlands. While gathering flowers at the base of a small circle of standing stones, Claire falls back 200 years to the time of the Jacobite rising that led to the battle at Culloden. She finds herself in the middle of a skirmish between British soldiers and a clan of ragged Scotsmen.

This sounds silly, I know, but through the talents of Diana Gabaldon, the story comes together very well…if not in a completely believable way.

Ms. Gabaldon’s knowledge as a historian and biologist blend brilliantly with her thoughtful and realistic character portrayal. Through details of time, place and circumstance, we are immersed into clan conniving and manipulation worthy of modern U.S. political word play, only with the addition of swords and dirks.

Although I tend to be a one-time-only reader, there are certain novels that I need to revisit once in a while, so that I can immerse myself again into the world and characters that made a special impact on me. I’m a teacher as well as a softie, and a romantic at heart, so my all-time favorites tend to be children’s favorites like Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott or Anne of Green Gables by L. H. Montgomery. After reading Outlander from cover to cover for the 13th or 14th time, I finally just had to give it up and limit myself to peeks now and then.

As all devoted fiction readers know, it is difficult to give up that kind of special book. The day I discovered that VBPL had the book in audio format was a great day, indeed!

This unabridged performance of the book, given by Davina Porter, gives due justice to my favorite novel. Ranging from broad Scottish brogue to educated (although thoroughly evil) British accents, Ms. Porter defines each character brilliantly. Her tone and inflection throughout, insert the listener directly into 1743 Scotland, even if in reality, he or she is sitting in the driveway trying to squeeze out one more minute of escape.

The audio version on cd, the 20th Anniversary edition, as well as the original publication of Outlander: a Novel can be found in our VBPL system. It is also available in e book format in our Overdrive collection.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is an incredible true story of cell samples taken from a poor, uneducated tobacco farmer without her knowledge. These cells have been replicated, and have enabled gigantic strides in medical research. They have become an “immortal” population of cells that will probably be replicating well after the rest of us are gone from this earth.
It was in the public ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital where Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Her physician gave samples of her cervical tissues to a colleague who regularly used samples from patients to experiment on. His goal was to replicate human cells in a lab.

Henrietta’s cells now called “He La” cells have replicated to the point where millions of dollars have been exchanged between labs and scientists all over the world. As of the publication date of this book, the Lacks family had not received any of this money and could not afford health insurance for themselves.

Rebecca Skloot expresses a profound empathy for Henrietta and her community through Henrietta’s daughter, Deborah. Deborah seemed to have the toughest time adjusting to her mother's death. She had a very difficult time separating the idea of ther mother's cells being alive and growing with the spirit of her mother being gone. At one point years after Henrietta's death, one of the Johns Hopkins scientists finally helps Deborah understand what the He La cells are, and what they look like. While holding onto a vial of frozen cells for the first time, Deborah whispers “You’re famous,” she whispered. “Just nobody knows it.”
Reading this work brings to mind ethical issues of human tampering from the past. I began thinking of the eugenics period in the early 1900s in which “feeble minded and socially” inadequate people were sterilized against their will. Several state courts, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court sympathized with the eugenics movement at the time. Although the U.S. eventually turned against this form of genetic control, it was the eugenics movement that inspired Hitler to run his experiments and genocide campaign during the Holocaust.

If you like this creative work of nonfiction, you might also enjoy In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson
For further research and reading, including links to the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, and The Lacks Family website, check out: http://www.rebeccaskloot.com/.

The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

What can a bunch of prairie dogs do with a bright green, fuzzy tennis ball?! They can have The Great Fuzz Frenzy, that’s what! In this hilarious picture book by duo Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, a pack of prairie dogs watch a large mysterious object

BOINK! PLUNK! RUMBLE!

down their tunnel until it sits perfectly still at the bottom.

The pack is at first afraid. They’ve never seen this before! Tentatively the prairie dogs poke and pull the ball, until a frenzy ensues!

“It was a fuzz frenzy.
A fuzz fiesta.
A fuzz fandangle.
The whole prairie was abuzz about fuzz.”

The reader doesn’t need to look too closely to see what creative uses the prairie dogs have for the fuzz. In fact, they wear themselves out, fall asleep and wake to a mystery – where’s the fuzz?!

Readers can enjoy a story about goofy recklessness and greed, and then reconciliation through teamwork.

This is a great read-aloud book. The directional text, fold-out pages, and short descriptions move the story along and encourage listener participation. The variety of sound words, adjectives and descriptive phrases invite listener participation at all ages.

The bright and colorful illustrations give the reader a prairie dog perspective. The brown tunnels and furry prairie dogs give contrast to the bright green fuzz, yet invite close-up exploration of ants and worms. I especially love the expressions of the prairie dogs as they play with the fuzz.

If you like this animal adventure, you might want to take a look at other picture books available from VBPL by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel. My Big Dog , Help Me, Mr. Mutt!: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems! These and many others have their own special touch of whimsy!

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0000

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

May and her family are homesteaders on the Kansas prairie. She loves school, and wants to one day become a teacher -- but because of her reading difficulties (something like dyslexia, but never specified in the text), her father says she will never be able to learn to read. Her family sends her to help out a young couple who have just moved to the prairie, "just until Christmas," her father says.

But soon after she arrives, the young bride runs away, her groom leaves to find her, and neither of them return, and May is abandoned. Finding strength she didn't know she had, May fights to survive in their tiny, sod house.

Told in a sparse verse, May's story is a quick, but compelling read. Flashbacks to her childhood and schooldays help to flesh out May's character, and young readers will cheer her on as she combats the quickly-arriving winter.

If you enjoy May B., you might like other historical verse novels, such as those of Helen Frost and Margarita Engle. For another look at life on the prairie, there's always the classic -- Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, along with Kirby Larson's Hattie Big Sky

Divergent by Veronica Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book reviewers are always looking for the next big thing -- for years, we heard about that this book or that might be the "Next Harry Potter" or the "Next Twilight" or most recently the "Next Hunger Games." Divergent is definitely a contender for that last accolade.

In a post-apocalyptic Chicago, society has been divided into five factions: Candor, Abnegation, Erudite, Amity, and Dauntless, based on the virtue that each faction values. While children are raised in the faction of their parents, at age 16, they must choose to either stay and become a full member, or to train with a new faction.

When Beatrice and her brother, both born in Abnegation, make difficult choices about their futures, they begin to find that the factions -- and the society in which they live -- is not quite what they've always believed.

With adventure reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy, Roth's debut novel will keep the reader on the edge of his seat. The Chicago setting adds an interesting dimension to the action -- the L and the skyscrapers take an integral role in the plot.

If you enjoy Divergent, check out other teen dystopian novels, such as Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and of course, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0000

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Rory Deveaux, a seventeen-year-old from Louisiana, has enrolled in a boarding school in London while her parents -- both college professors, are spending their sabatical year studying in England.

On her first day at the new school, a brutal murder takes place just minutes from her school, and it seems to be a copycat of one of the famous serial killers in history: Jack the Ripper. When Rory sees a suspicious man on campus, she begins to wonder if she has seen the murderer, but then, why is she the only one who can see him...?

Maureen Johnson has delivered a delicious teen mystery, full of intrigue, romance, and a taste of the supernatural. Rory, her heroine, is sympathetic and the reader can't help but cheer her on as she attempts to solve both the mystery of the murders and of strange occurances in her own life.

Like Johnson's other novels, The Name of the Star is a quick, fun read (even if the topic is murder!), and readers who have enjoyed her earlier novels will be clamoring for a sequel as soon as the read it.

While you're waiting for a sequel, I highly recommend some of Maureen Johnson's other novels -- Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and its sequel are also set in London. For a similar blend of realism and supernatural, check out Justine Larbalestier's Magic and Madness trilogy and Diana Peterfreund's Killer Unicorns trilogy.

Tyrell and Bronxwood by Coe Booth

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Tyrell and Bronxwood by Coe Booth

Tyrell's life seems to be falling apart around him: his father's in jail, he's living in a homeless shelter with his mother and younger brother. Tyrell is struggling to keep his family together, while making the right choices and trying not to follow in his father's footsteps.

Set in inner-city neighborhoods in the Bronx, Tyrell and its sequel Bronxwood depict the realities of life for urban teens, and the difficult choices they face. Coe Booth has created a very personal first-person narrative, and Tyrell's voice is depicted through the use of street lingo. (This narrative style does take a little getting used to, but it's well worth it).

Tyrell's story is continued in Bronxwood, as his father is released from jail and attempts to take back his role in his family's life. Both books present a fascinating look at the life of an urban teen, and leave the reader wanting even more.

If you enjoy Tyrell and Bronxwood, you might also like Coe Booth's other novel Kendra and the urban teen fiction of Walter Dean Myers.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel Lancaster was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 12, almost died from complications at age 14, but now, at age 16 is still living with cancer. Medicine is keeping the cancer from getting worse, but she is not cured.

In an attempt to encourage Hazel to "have a life," her mother brings her to a weekly cancer support group, and it's there that she meets Augustus Waters -- a cancer survivor, himself. Like Hazel, he is mature beyond his years, and more than a little cynical after everything he's been through.

As he did with Looking for Alaska, John Green presents a very real portrayal of teenage emotions in a extreme circumstances, and he doesn't shy away from the pain inherent in the topic, thus elevating a sad story about two teens to a contemplative narrative about the meaning of life, and death, and love.

(And to be honest, if I had known that this was about teenagers with cancer, I probably wouldn't have read it. But I adore Green's writing, and I had intentionally avoided spoilers, and I'm so glad I did!).

Like John Green's other novels, The Fault in Our Stars is written for teens, but I think this one especially will be meaningful and poignant to adult readers as well. Just make sure to plan ahead and have a box of kleenex at hand.

While you're waiting for your hold on John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, you might also enjoy the emotion filled novels of David Levithan and Aidan Chambers -- and of course, if you haven't read them yet, check out John Green's earlier novels too.

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

noreply@blogger.com (James G) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Amulet is the story of a very brave girl named Emily and her younger brother Navin. After losing their father in a car accident, Emily and her family move to the house of her great grandfather, who went missing some time ago. But trouble finds them again when a dark creature kidnaps their mother and drags her through a door in the basement! Determined to save their mother and guided by a magical stone amulet that Emily found in the house, the two children follow the creature into a mystical world filled with wonder...and danger!

This is a wonderful read for children. Each volume of the series takes the reader to a new part of a magical world the exists parallel to ours. The story's protagonist is a strong young girl determined to protect her family from the dangers of the new lands they find themselves in. The books feature larger than life adventures that are very compelling and move at a pace that is sure to keep the attention of young readers. The artwork is also beautiful. You'll be drawn in as you turn each page and discover breathtaking panoramas of mystical lands. The grand scale of these images will leave you feeling a sense of wonder at the world the author has created for his characters. Glowing forests, castles in the sky, and more await in the world of Amulet!

Amulet is unique among youth graphic novels, but if you like Kazu Kibuishi's style of art, check out his other youth book, Copper. If you're looking for the same style story for an older audience, try The Saga of Rex, by Michel Gagne.

Batman: Long Halloween, by Jeph Loeb

noreply@blogger.com (James G) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Gotham City is a mob run town at the beginning of Batman's career, but the Caped Crusader plans to put an end to that. Batman, Lieutenant Gordon, and the fiery District Attorney Harvey Dent make a pact to take down Carmine "the Roman" Falcone, Gotham's biggest crime boss, even if it means bending the rules. But things get complicated when a mysterious killer starts murdering a member of Falcone's organization on each holiday of the year. Batman is forced to divert his efforts to finding this elusive killer, dubbed "Holiday" by the media. Who is this "Holiday", and why are they targeting the Falcone crime family? You'll be guessing until the very last page in Batman: the Long Halloween!

This is a classic Batman graphic novel that captures the spirit of noir detective fiction. It's got great action, a clever mystery, and excellent characterization. The plot keeps you guessing at who "Holiday" is until the end. The crime politics of the Falcone family adds depth to the story, and Batman's gritty no-holds-barred tactics are satisfying for fans of the character.

The artwork also adds to the "noir" feel of the graphic novel. Stark scenes of a stormy Gotham further the hard-boiled tone of the story. And the imagery Tim Sale uses to depict classic Batman villains captures the essence of the characters' eccentric personalities.

If you're looking for other compelling Batman stories, try out Jeph Loeb's other Batman works like Batman: Dark Victory, the sequel to Batman: the Long Halloween, or Batman: Hush. Or if you're looking for a Dark Knight story that's a little darker, check out Batman: The Black Mirror, by Scott Snyder.

Batman: The Black Mirror, By Scott Snyder

noreply@blogger.com (James G) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Richard Grayson, the former Boy Wonder, dons the cowl during Bruce Wayne's absence and becomes Batman in...The Black Mirror!

Batman follows a winding path of murder and mystery that leads him through the grim underbelly of Gotham City. Tangling with new crime bosses and old enemies, Grayson must rise to meet a series of deranged threats to the people of Gotham. But can he fill the shoes that Bruce Wayne left behind?

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gordon discovers a deep, very personal mystery that leaves a trail of horror and doubt. Memories from Gordon's past come back to haunt him as he hunts an evil that hits close to home...literally! Will he figure out the truth in time, or will he lose his loved ones forever?

With a dark and twisted plot, this is Batman at its finest: gritty, suspenseful bordering on horror, and full of sociopaths. Snyder effortlessly weaves Batman and Commissioner Gordon's storylines together, gradually overlapping the two plots until they combine in an electrifying climax. And the characters have real depth to them. Grayson fights self doubt as he tries to live up to the title of Batman, and the reader gets to know Commissioner Gordon in new and exciting ways.

The artwork is also brilliant. The shadows in each image fill the reader with tension and remind us that this story is dripping with fear. Liberal use of black and red evoke images similar to a psychological horror film.

Combine these elements with pacing that masterfully builds suspense and the result is a gripping story that captures the action and mystery of traditional Batman stories with a healthy dose of sociopathic terror.

If you like Batman: The Black Mirror, check out Scott Snyder's original series, American Vampire. Or if you're looking for some other dark and haunting Batman stories, definitely try Grant Morrison's Batman: Arkham Asylum and Jeff Loeb's Batman: Long Halloween.

Tiny Titans by Franco Baltazar

noreply@blogger.com (James G) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Do you have a daughter, nephew, or grandchild that loves Batman or the Teen Titans? Did you grow up reading comics and want to introduce your children to the wonderful world of superheroes?

Look no further, because the Tiny Titans are on the scene!

Robin, Superboy, Wondergirl, and all the other the sidekicks of DC's big name heroes go to Sidekick School in the charming series, Tiny Titans! Filled with puns, penguins, and age appropriate adventures, this comic series is a highly entertaining read for people of all ages.

Art Baltazar ingeniously writes for multiple audiences with this series, but his primary audience is children. Each book is a collection of stories ranging from one to several pages long. The dialogue is easy to follow and full of school and daily life related humor. The artwork is also appealing to youth audiences, as Baltazar uses simple images with bold lines and bright primary colors.

Older comic readers will also find lots of treats in these books. The series is peppered with inside jokes about the DC Comics world, so older fans will have plenty of enjoyable moments as they flip through these books.

Tiny Titans is perfect for young readers as well as reluctant readers who love superheroes. Be prepared for delightfully playful adventures in Welcome to the Treehouse, Adventures in Awesomeness, First Rule of Pet Club, and many others!

If you like Tiny Titans, also try out Dave Pilkey's Captain Underpants and Ook and Gluk series. And if you're looking for more action packed youth graphic novels, try out the stylistically amazing Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures.

Thor: The Mighty Avenger by Roger Langridge

noreply@blogger.com (James G) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Thor has been cast out of Asgard for some unknown transgression and now he must find his own path on Earth. Landing in a small town, he is discovered by Jane Foster, a curator at the local museum. Jane tries to help Thor find his place on Earth, but trouble is never far from the Son of Odin. Thor must rise to meet the challenges before him, from killer robots to using cell phones, in Thor: The Mighty Avenger, an incredibly fun tale of adventure, self discovery, and love.

This is unquestionably the best interpretation of Marvel’s Thor that I have ever read. What makes this series so great to me is its tone. Thor: The Mighty Avenger is lighthearted and heartwarming. Many superhero stories have become darker and more serious. So when I read this series, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Thor’s adventures are filled with equal parts adventure and humor, and his relationship with Jane Foster is innocently awkward and adorable.

The artwork matches the tone of the story. Soft colors and clean lines create a sleek, elegant look that is easy to drink in. And the subtle details in facial expressions flesh out the characters in a graceful way. The artist makes the characters appealing without hyper-sexualizing anyone. The characters feel more real and natural.

The plot and artwork come together to make an effortlessly enchanting tale of the early days of the Norse god of thunder. In a way, the story and art mirror Langridge’s portrayal of Thor., an innocent, carefree hero who is quick to fight, but also quick to laugh. The end result is a wonderful series that moves easily between fast paced adventure and endearing humor in a light and incredibly enjoyable way.

Thor: The Mighty Avenger is really in its own class, but if you're looking for more Asgardian action, try out Thor: Ages of Thunder by Matt Fraction, and Thor by J. Michael Straczynski. Also be sure to check out volume 1 and 2 of Brian Michael Bendis' new series, The Avengers!

The Complaints by Ian Rankin

noreply@blogger.com (ddt) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Malcolm Fox is an inspector in the Edinburgh police department's Complaints and Conduct division, an Internal Affairs investigative unit called by the nickname The Complaints. No one wants to work in The Complaints--and no one wants to be under their microscope. In this multi-layered mystery by Ian Rankin, detectives traverse the slippery slope between crime-solving and police misconduct.

While reviewing the case of Detective Jamie Breck, under suspicion for viewing child pornography, Fox is put in the unenviable position of having to work in tandem with Breck under the worst of conditions. Fox's sister is suspected when her abusive boyfriend is murdered, and Breck is in charge of investigating the homicide. Fox and Breck dance a wary tarantella around each other as they pursue their separate inquiries.

As the cases heat up both Fox and Breck are suspended from the force, giving them the unique opportunity to pursue their investigations as private citizens flying under the radar of official police authorities. A pair of ousted cops with scores to settle, they make a craker-jack team who not only solve murders but also develop a professional respect and begrudging friendship in the bargain. Eventually they come to realize they've been set up by the same person, an associate of the dead boyfriend. Breck's skills as a gamer and Fox's years of police experience serve them well in solving the mystery of who framed them--and why.

The Virginia Beach Public Library catalog is the place to check for other books by Ian Rankin, including the second volume in the Inspector Fox series, The Impossible Dead.

The Swinger by Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck

noreply@blogger.com (ddt) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Swinger by Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck is a salacious, embarrassingly fun read. Give this novel a try if you like a juicy plot with complex characters set against a backdrop of massive wealth and today’s tabloid headline culture. Unfortunately for sports fans, the headlines inspiring this roman á clef ultimately proved to be true.

The title character of The Swinger is Tree Tremont, the phenomenally gifted and successful professional golfer. On track to surpass the great Jack Nicklaus in major tournament wins, Tree has the world on a string. He’s worth a half a billion dollars, his wife is an international beauty, his two small children are adorable, and his parents have devoted their lives to making him a champion. And what a champion he is! Virtually unbeatable on the course, Tree’s competitors are unnerved by the swaggering confidence of his play and read meaning into even the slightest of his facial expressions and physical mannerisms.

Then his perfect life and public image are shattered. The indestructible, undefeatable Tree Treemont is felled by a scandal totally of his own creation. Lust gets the best of him and he indulges to the extreme in the round-the-clock availability of gorgeous women, opulent spending and performance enhancing drugs. Yet somehow the disintegration of his perfectly orchestrated life is oddly liberating—since he was a small child Tree marched to the orders of his retired military officer father and exacting mother. With is life in tatters and his dignity shredded, he has nothing to lose. Will intensive therapy for multiple addictions help Tree rise from the ashes to regain his former glory? Or has his enviable luck finally run out? With this compelling character it could go either way.

Other novels featuring athletes as complex characters are Peter May’s The Runner and The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach.