Customer Review: The Silence of Murder

The Silence of Murder
by Dandi Daley Mackell [YA Mackall]

This book is very interesting. Quick and wonderful read. -- review submitted by Ellie R. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library.

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Season One on DVD

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Season One
based on the books by Kerry Greenwood [DVD Miss]

Despite their ongoing popularity, I'll have to admit, I've never really gotten into the printed mystery novels by Kerry Greenwood featuring Phryne Fisher, an Australian socialite who solves mysteries in Melbourne and Sydney in the Golden Age of Mystery Fiction (1920s-1930s) But, I was intrigued enough by what I actually have read to give this Australian TV series (now released in the U.S. on DVD) a chance, and I'm glad I did. This is a superb production -- very stylish and rich with period detail. The series (which has had two seasons produced thus far), is direct adaptations of the Greenwood novels, rather than "original" stories for the screen. The show stars Essie Davis as Miss Phryne Fisher, Nathan Page as Detective Inspector Jack Robinson and Ashley Cummings as Dorothy "Dot" Williams. The look of the show is sumptuous in its details, the music is catchy, and the attention to detail with props and costumes is marvelous. I've heard from fans of the books that readers seem to think the books are much better than the series. But speaking as somebody who couldn't get "into" the books, I highly recommend this television series on DVD. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ See Scott's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the novels by Kerry Greenwood that it is based upon.]

[This was one of the titles Scott featured in the Golden Age of Mystery Fiction issue of his library newsletter, It's All Geek to Me!]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this series ] | [ Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries episode guide at epguides.com ] | [ Official Australian TV site for this show (some content not viewable outside Australia) ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
by Daniel Brown [797.123 Bro]

Who knew we could care about crewing? This story is rich in detail yet not overwhelming. We follow one particular rower, Joe Rantz, as well as his teammates at the U of Washington, at a time when rowing was a sport of national headlines. The extreme poverty of the 1930's is dearly felt and very evident for these boys as they struggle to remain in school, as well as to compete against the wealthier schools in the East. Each chapter alternates between Joe's tough childhood as he grows up, and their college years while we follow the boys over four years as they mature as rowers and emerge as a team. The excruciating mechanics required of the human body to properly row in tandem is amazing. The author does a fabulous job of getting the reader caught up in each race. Even though we know by the second paragraph of the book that the boys won the gold by a narrow margin, the qualifying races, the Olympic heats, and the final race for the gold are very exciting. A long and satisfying epilogue after the Olympics follows the boys through their careers, lives, reunions, and eventual deaths. An excellent read and highly recommended. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ See Charlotte's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand.]

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ official Boys in the Boat and Daniel J. Brown web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review: Salem Falls

Salem Falls
by Jodi Picoult [Picoult]

I just love Jodi Picoult's novels. This particular book is thrilling. It is about a convicted child rapist who moves to the small town of Salem Falls. He meets Addie who is a rape victim. The story is about the journey these two take through adversity. And not everything is as it seems. -- review submitted by Ellie R. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

This Old House Magazine

This Old House Magazine
[Periodical This]

If you like the tv show, you'll probably like the magazine. It has before and after renovation projects, homeowner tips, new products for homes, and step by step DIY projects. Even if you don't own a house, it's still fun to look at the restoration projects similar to the ones on the tv show. One of my favorite part of each issue is 'Save this old house'. They have a brief history of an old house, typically abandoned and it dire need of repairs, to save from demolition and renovated to it's former glory. They list the price, which is minimal and often free (as long as you move it off it's current lot), and tell reader what needs done to it. It's interesting to think about the history of those houses and their future potential. I think that if you appreciate the history of old homes, or own a home and are looking for homeowner tips, you'd like this magazine. If you checkout the This Old House webpage, you can actually watch current and past episodes of the show. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library [ See Kristen's Reviewer Profile ]

[ official This Old House web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood [Atwood]

This book really made me think. Reading it made me start to question ideas that I had been brought up with. I'm glad I got that kind of result, as that it what I feel books are for- to show us a new perspective or flip ours upside down. Upon reading the final "Author's Note," it is revealed that the book is based on a series of transcripts (fictional) found by scholars. The second time I would like to explore the story, I think I would like to listen to an audiobook copy, to make it more immersive. -- review submitted by Gillian T. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Life Sentences by Alice Blanchard

Life Sentences
by Alice Blanchard

Daisy Hubbard takes a leave of absence from her job as a research scientist in Boston to look for her sister, Anna. Anna is schizophrenic and has gone off her meds. Daisy flies to California and works with LAPD detective Jack Makowski to find her. The plot of Life Sentences is complicated. It starts out as a medical thriller about rare genetic diseases. Then the book pokes into the family secrets that not only bind Daisy, Anna and their mother but also alienate them from each other. We also learn about Makowski's motivation. He's a tenacious cop whose fatal flaw is that he likes to save "damsels in distress". This strong urge causes him to make bad decisions that put his life and career in jepordy. The book has lively dialogue and moves along at a brisk pace. But it is hard to believe that a police officer would do what Jack does. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department [ See Donna's Reviewer Profile ]

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review: Ready Player One

Ready Player One
by Ernest Cline [YA Cline]

Ready Player One was a very good book in my opinion. I liked that it combined many different genres. It included fantasy, action, sci-fi, and comedy/pop culture all in one book. The characters were deep, and everyone had their own strengths and weaknesses. People would put up a facade in the Oasis and only at the end of the book do you get to see what they are really like. However, there were some aspects of the book that I did not like. Some pop culture references were too obscure for the targeted audience, young adults. These references, I felt, closed off the book to readers. Also, there were times when the author would repeat phrases four or five times. Maybe this is just me, but I felt Ernest Cline was denying himself creativity. -- review submitted by Gillian T. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Heart of the Storm by Edward Fleming

Heart of the Storm: My Adventures as a Helicopter Rescue Pilot and Commander
by Colonel Edward L. Fleming [629.132 Fle]

We follow Fleming during his 30-year career as a helicopter rescue pilot, and learn very quickly why it's considered one of the most dangerous occupations. Among other rescues, Fleming was involved with the recovery of downed pilots in Vietnam and stranded villagers during flooding in the Philippines. During his career as an air national guardsman, he pulled crew members from ships in the north Atlantic during hurricanes and was involved in the rescue from the antarctic of the woman scientist who needed emergency breast cancer treatment. We become involved with his crew, cheer at their successes and mourn with them at the losses, but all are interesting stories. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ See Charlotte's Reviewer Profile ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review: Ice

Ice
by Sarah Beth Durst [j Durst]

This was a fantastic book! I literally finished the book in one day just because it was that good. Cassie portrays the character of a smart, strong young woman as she goes across the brutal Arctic. -- review submitted by Amilia B. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

The Amazing Harvey by Don Passman

The Amazing Harvey
by Don Passman

The distinctive cover of this one jumped out at me from the "new mysteries" section at Barnes and Noble every time I saw it, so I was happy to see the libraries pick it up as well. The Amazing Harvey is Harvey Kendell, a professional magician in Los Angeles, struggling to make ends meet. Moving from one low-paying performance job to another, and hanging out with his fellow magicians at The Magic Castle between gigs, Harvey's life suddenly spirals out of control, when he's accused in a case of rape and murder. Harvey knows that he didn't do the crime -- heck, he'd never even met the women he's accused of assaulting and killing. But, the police have DNA evidence that seems to contradict his claims. Turning down his mother's offer to hired a flashy TV attorney, Harvey instead turns to a former classmate, Heather, who's having some issues of her own, keeping her legal practice afloat without relying on handouts from her far-more successful attorney father. With Harvey working as Heather's legman, they look into the details of the life of the victim in Harvey's case, and Harvey also helps Heather with some of her other current cases. The characters here are well-rounded and, for the most part, likeable. Harvey's coping mechanism for stress is to crack wise. The backdrop of a working magician's life is fascinating. I look forward to more in this series. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ See Scott's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, don't pass up the opportunity, if you ever get it, to see the television series The Magician, starring Bill Bixby. It had a short one-season existence on NBC in 1973-74, and starred Bixby as playboy philanthropist Tony Blake, a top-end magician (think David Copperfield) who solves mysteries on the side. It was terrific, and it's a shame that it hasn't come out on DVD yet. Bootleg copies are available to watch, either partial or full episodes, on YouTube.]

[Scott shared this one at the May 2014 Series Share meeting of the Just Desserts mystery fiction discussion group at the libraries!]

[ Publisher's official The Amazing Harvey web site ] | [ official Don Passman web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

The Con Job: A Leverage Novel by Matt Forbeck

The Con Job: A Leverage Novel
by Matt Forbeck

This is the first of a series of three original tie-in novels written based on the TNT cable television series Leverage, which ran for five seasons from 2008 through 2012. This book is most definitely a wink and a nod to the fans of the show, with lots of inside references and appearances by minor supporting characters from episodes of the series. The gist of the show is that a group of former "bad guys" has teamed up to form an organization that assists the "little guys", being victimized by corrupt but powerful people. The "team" consists of -- a Hitter, a Hacker, a Thief, a Grifter and a Mastermind. In this particular story, set somewhere in the middle-to-late part of the TV series' run, the gang is hired by the kid of a classic comic book illustrator, who had entrusted his life's work of art to a man who proceeded to rip him off. The team must infiltrate in infamous San Diego Comic Con, and somehow figure out a way to either recover the artist's work, or con the corrupt art dealer out of his ill-gotten gains. As in the series, problems crop up in the middle of the con game, and other players enter the situation, which requires a lot of quick changes to the team's plans. Forbeck, a part-time-novelist, part-time-game-designer, does a great job of capturing the personalities of the TV series' characters and vocal styles. The "mystery" plot is a bit floppy, but that really doesn't matter here -- you read this type of novel to recapture some favorite characters and see where their relationships are going. For fans of Leverage, I give this one solid marks. If you've never seen the TV show, I think this one is still written well enough to suck you in. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ See Scott's Reviewer Profile ][If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try either of the other two Leverage novels, The Zoo Job and The Bestseller Job, both written by other authors.]

[See more titles like this in the TV Tie-Ins booklist, elsewhere on the libraries' BookGuide site!]

[ Wikipedia page on Leverage the TV Series ] | [ official Matt Forbeck web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review: Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls [j Rawls or jPB Rawls]

This book is absolutly astounding and extremly heart warming. It may be slightly sad, but it is absolutly wounderful. Rawls makes the story seem so real that you forget it is a book and not really happening. You will grow to love the characters and when you finnish the book, you will not want to leave the charming characters in their story. I recomend this story to anyone who loves heartfelt adventure and the love between a boy and his dogs. -- review submitted by Felicity N. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

White Hot Kiss
by Jennifer L. Armentrout [YA PB Armentrout]

Seventeen-year-old Layla has never completely felt like she belonged. Being half demon, half gargoyle, she doesn't fit in with her gargoyle adoptive family, even the adoptive brother Zayne for whom she has less than brotherly feelings. Humans are out of the question because her demon half will take the soul of any human she kisses. Demons are evil and she has no interest in pursuing a relationship with one of them, either. That is, until she meets Roth, the mysterious demon who saves her life on multiple occasions. Layla begins to trust Roth and even realizes that she may want to kiss him - the first time she has had the ability to do soul without endangering a soul. Her adoptive family sees black and white when it comes to demons and the fact that she's hanging out with one is like a betrayal to them. Layla is caught in the middle of a millenniums-long battle and is more of a key player in it than she could ever imagine. -- recommended by Sam N. - Gere Branch Library[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.]

[ official White Hot Kiss page on the official Jennifer Armentrout web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review: How to Ride a Dragon's Storm

How to Ride a Dragon's Storm: The Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup the Viking
by Cressida Cowell [j Cowell]

I thought this book was really funny and well writin. The characters are unforgetable and lovable, especialy Hicup Horrendus Haddock 3rd. I have already read the story numerous times and it never gets old. I recommend this book to anyone ages 7-1007. -- review submitted by Felicity N. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Customer Review - The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan [j Riordan]

This was a very good book. I did not like how they did not really introduce the new main person. He just randomly came in to the story. In terms of action I would give it a ten. I would tell a friend to read this book. This book is a very good book for people who enjoy greek mythology. -- review submitted by Noah S. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Customer Review - Raptor

Raptor
by Paul Zindel [YA Zindel]

This book was extremely thrilling and horrifing all the same. I recomend this book to anyone who loves science fiction and horror. But... I would not recomend this book to anyone with a weak stomach, because it is very grossly detailed. -- review submitted by Felicity N. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Pilgrimage by Annie Leibowitz

Pilgrimage
by Annie Leibovitz [770.924 qLei]

The inspiration for this coffee table book came when Annie Leibovitz and her sister impulsively visited Emily Dickinson's home. Later, Leibovitz made a list of the potpourri of places that she wanted to see and record with her camera. Paging through the book, one learns how Leibovitz selected each location and befriended the curators. The images that illustrate this book have a random quality to them. Some are grand vistas of places such as Yellowstone National Park. Others are intimate photos of living rooms and bedrooms. Still others focus on the details of people's lives such as the blood-stained gloves that Abraham Lincoln wore on the night of his assassination. These photos are a huge departure from the edgy portraits that one usually identifies with Leibovitz. Lovers of photography and armchair travelers will enjoy the stories and pictures. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department [ see Donna's Reviewer Profile ]

[ official Smithsonian American Art Museum page for this Leibovitz exhibition ] | [ Wikipedia page for Annie Leibovitz ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review - Bad Girls Don't Die

Bad Girls Don't Die
by Katie Alender [YA Alender or YA PB Alender]

I think this is a great book for teens. It is about Alexis and her sister and how they defeat the ghost that haunts them. -- review submitted by Mya M. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor

Prep School Confidential
by Kara Taylor [YA PB Taylor]

Anne didn't mean to burn down part of her exclusive academy in New York. Really. The incident forces her parents to send her to boarding school outside of Boston, which is completely unacceptable to Anne. She'll do anything to get back to New York. That is, until her seemingly innocent, nerdy roommate is murdered and the school covers it up. Anne begins digging as those around her remain silent and finds out that her roommate is not as innocent as she seemed. Someone wants to silence Anne before she discovers the truth, even if they have to frame her for the murder to do it. Unexpected help with her sleuthing comes from her roommate's angry brother and a beautiful boy from school. While Anne is putting herself in harm's way each time she starts asking questions about the murder, her heart is also in danger from these two very different, but very captivating men. Will Anne solve the murder before someone silences her permanently? -- recommended by Sam N. - Gere Branch Library

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.]

[ official Kara Taylor web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review - Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
by Jordan Sonnenblick [YA Sonnenblick]

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is a great book that people should read! This book is really good because you learn about how life is with leukimia and how the main character had to deal with his little brother having it. I had many thoughts going through my head throughout this book — What will happen next? Will he be okay?... I would recommend this book for other people because it is filled with lots of action. -- review submitted by Savanna B. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

When Parents Text by Lauren Kaelin and Sophia Fraioli

When Parents Text: So Much Said...So Little Understood!
by Lauren Kaelin and Sophia Fraioli [eBook]

Mildly amusing book, tied in the the website set up by Kaelin and Fraioli, where they share dozens (no hundreds) of texts sent by cellphone by parents of today's tech-savvy generation. Some parents may be hip to the use of today's tecnology, and the established lingo of the texting generation. But not the one featured on this site or in this book. These short, punchy messages are organized in helpful categories, and are good for a few chuckles here and there. But I found reading an entire book of them in one or two sittings to be more than I could really take -- a little of this type of humor goes a long way, and a lot of this type of humor ends up being too much. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile ]

[ official When Parents Text web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review - Me Before You

Me Before You
by Jojo Moyes

I have throughly enjoyed this book and I'll for sure recommend it to everyone, anyone! I'd say that this book could even be read to children but with the exception of a filter. There's only some parts where it's a bit rated R, but mostly PG-13. You'll laugh for sure, and you'll "feel" the characters, especially Will and Lou. I advise to read this book on a rainy day, because it's just one of those kind of books, ya know? -- review submitted by Vanessa L. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Storm Front by Richard Castle

Storm Front
by Richard Castle

If you follow the ABC TV show "Castle" then you're aware that in the first episode our fictitious author, Richard Castle, has killed off his hero of multiple books, Derrick Storm. But NOT REALLY! Turns out Storm was merely PRETENDING to be dead for four years to root out his enemies. Storm can out-Bond Bond, yet he's not cartoonish. Okay, bigger than life but you expect that sort of thing from a super spy. Someone is killing bankers with worldwide influence toward an unknown end. Along the way Storm picks up a partner, and after consulting with an economics professor, the explanation is amazing and yet understandable and believable. Exciting and just plain fun as we bounce around the world with Storm. We still don't know who is actually writing the Richard Castle books, as the TV show is still pretending that the actor, Nathan Fillion, is the author. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Charlotte's Reviewer Profile ]

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ official Storm Front page on the "official" Richard Castle web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review - The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green [YA Green]

I'd say this is one of the best books I've ever read. Mainly, I wanted to read this before the movie comes out. But, my friend did recommend this to me, because it's an awesome book. I believe that this book has an excellent plot and storyline, great for teens. It's an amazing love story between two cancer patients. -- review submitted by Amilia B. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Rest in Pieces by Bess Lovejoy

Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses
by Bess Lovejoy [306.9 Lov]

Fascinating and humorous little volume that looks at the physical afterlife of several noteworthy human beings' bodies. If you thought that people could suffer indignations while they were alive -- wait until you've read about what happens to the earthly remains of some of these historical celebrities! Ranging from ancient religious figures (like the Saint Nicholas who inspired the Santa Claus mythology), Thomas Beckett, Voltaire, Moliere and Ludwig Van Beethoven, to such recent figures as Hunter S. Thompson, Timothy Leary, Gram Parsons and Osama Bin Laden, the fates of these folks bodies can be truly crazy. Lovejoy's book covers people in the following categories: Saints and Sinners, Science and Medicine, Sports, Literature and Entetainment, Unsolved Mysteries, Politicians, Collectible Corpses (truly bizarre!), Love and Devotion, and bizarre Last Wishes. Did you know that Einstein's brain was stolen? Did you know Johnny Depp paid to a have a special cannon built to shoot gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's ashes into the sky? Learn the truth about what really happened to baseball great Ted Williams' head. Find out which parts of Rasputin are buried in which locations. And discover the ultimate fate of the remains of both Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Both engrossing and gross reading at the same time, but filled with curious historical factoids. To be read when you're in a quirky mood! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Dead Beat by Marilyn Johnson, and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.]

[ official Rest in Pieces and Bess Lovejoy web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Sins of the Flesh by Colleen McCullough (downloadable audio)

Sins of the Flesh
by Colleen McCullough [Downloadable Audio McCullough]

Police Captain Carmine Delmonico comes home early from his vacation to help his team catch a psychopathic killer in Holloman, Connecticut. The team focuses their investigation on a trio of eccentrics who knew the victims and who keep changing their stories. But the cases are still puzzling and complicated. They are complicated because one of the suspects is the high-powered head of the local mental and the friend of one of police detectives. They are puzzling because of the various methods used to kill them. As they investigate the detectives travel through a maze of lies and betrayals. This series is set in the 1960s in a small sleepy college town in the days before technological and forensic science tools assisted investigations. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services [ see Donna's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the Oak Knoll series by Tami Hoag and the works of Karin Slaughter and Lisa Jackson.]

[Also available in traditional print format.]

[ official Sins of the Flesh page on the publisher's official Colleen McCullough web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Customer Review - The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

The False Prince
by Jennifer A. Nielsen [j Nielsen]

The False Prince is the thrilling first book in Jennifer A. Nielsen's popular Ascendance Trilogy. The gripping plot twists and turns as the characters struggle to survive a brutal competition. Winning means riches and power. Losing means death. And no one can be trusted in this witty story that leaves you guessing until the end. This is a book that can be easily read, and will be entertaining to a large range of readers. So get comfortable, because you won't want to put it down! -- review submitted by Amanda R. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site, particularly during the Summer Reading Program. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Star Trek: The Original Series on DVD

Star Trek: The Original Series: Season One
[DVD Star]

This is the original series of Star Trek with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. I think it's a really enjoyable science fiction show that most people have heard of before even if they haven't watched it. In addition to the space adventures and personalities of the crew, I liked the numerous episodes addressing different extraterrestrial cultures. Watching the crew sneak around and figuring out how to fit into each culture while on the planet's surface, while getting themselves out of a predicament, was entertaining. I'd suggest this to those who have thought about watching the show but haven't, because I don't think you'd be disappointed. I'd also recommend it to those who liked the new Star Trek movies with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. They are obviously different but I'd suggest watching at least a few episodes because it's part of Star Trek's history. It's also interesting to compare the 1960s view of the future with the 2000s view of the future. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library [ see Kristen's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try seasons two and three of the original series.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this series ] | [ official Star Trek web site ] 

Have you seen this series on DVD? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn

After the Golden Age
by Carrie Vaughn

I had the pleasure of meeting author Carrie Vaughn at a science fiction convention in downtown Lincoln the last weekend of April 2014, and in preparation for that, my science fiction club read After the Golden Age for a group discussion prior to the convention. Vaughn is perhaps better known as the author of the popular Kitty Norville urban fantasy series (featuring werewolves), but After the Golden Age is the first book in a new series for this author. It is set in a world in which a small, select group of individuals have developed super powers, and use them for purposes both good and evil. The novel's heroine is the non-super-powered daughter of the city's two super-powered heroes, who consistently gets kidnapped and used as a bargaining chip to try to force her parents to capitulate to their enemies's demands. This novel is an odd mix of humor and seriousness, with Celia West having to come to terms with some bad decisions she made as a rebellious teen. After the latest series of villainous attacks, Celia uses her forensic accounting and research skills, and is able to uncover things about her parents' past that may prove to be more dangerous to them than any megalomaniac. Now, if she can only get her own love life organized, and stop seeking parental approval for her career choices, maybe she can help save the city this time? -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile ]

[ official Carrie Vaughn web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!