American Pickers - The Complete Season One

American Pickers - The Complete Season One

[DVD American]

This reality series is about two guys named Mike and Frank who travel all across America looking for antiques buried in peoples' buildings that they think are diamonds in the rough. They buy them from the owners, fix them up with the help of their friend Danielle, and sell them for a profit. It's a cool show that teaches you a lot about history - most of the stuff they find comes with its own unique story. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Storage Wars - people buy a storage locker and turn its contents for a profit or Pawn Stars - people bring antiques to a pawn shop in order to sell or pawn them for money.] -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official American Pickers web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. 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.

New Customer Review - Holding Up the Earth

Holding Up the Earth
by Dianne Gray [j Gray]

Shifting the point of view as Dianne Gray does in Holding Up the Earth is not my favorite literary technique, yet she manages it pretty well. She actually switches between the voices of five different girls to bind together her story of fourteen-year-old Hope, a foster kid who has been shuffled from home to home since the death of her mom. Hope visits her new foster mom's Nebraska farm and through old letters, a diary, and stories, hears the voices of four girls her age who lived there in 1869, 1900, 1936, and 1960. Through their tales, readers are introduced to the life of pioneers and hired hands and of life during the dust bowl and later nuclear testing days. And through Hope's voice, readers learn about farming and small towns, but also something more. May we always have memories that shape us, but may we also always move forward to make new ones. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library

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New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. 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 Buddha in the Attic

The Buddha in the Attic
by Julie Otsuka

A beautifully crafted jewel of a book, sharing glimpses into the lives of Japanese picture brides in early 20th century California. Uniquely told in first person plural style, this novel heartbreakingly displays the optimism, despair, and strength of women, from their travel to a new culture across the ocean until their forced internment during WWII. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try When the Emperor Was Divine, by Julie Otsuka and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford.] -- recommended by Kathryn K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio and downloadable E-book formats.]

[ official Julie Otsuka 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.

Rango and The Oscars

Enjoy tonight's Oscar telecast, celebrating the best in motion picture entertainment for 2011! While you're waiting for the show to begin, enjoy the following review of one of tonight's five films nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, then check out the You've Enjoyed the Movie...Now Enjoy the Book! booklist on BookGuide, featuring the books that Oscar-winning films have been based upon.

Rango

[DVD j Rango]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film -- the trailers and DVD cover made the art seem vaguely grotesque in some ways, but in the end I fell in love with this film. Though marketed as a film for kids, I really believe the majority of this film's references and humor were aimed at a more nostalgic adult audience. Rango is the tale of a pet chameleon with aspirations of being an actor, who ends up abandoned in the desert. In search of civilization and precious water, our main character stumbles across a nearly-dead western town in need of a heroic sheriff, and decides to "act" the part. What he doesn't expect is the need to truly become a hero to the townsfolk as they face a serious struggle. This film is full of wonderful tributes to traditional western tropes, and has some terrific voice performances from actors such as Johnny Depp, Ned Beatty, Harry Dean Stanton and many more. The animation, both on the characters and their environments, was stunning, both in quiet emotional scenes and slam-bang action sequences. Highly recommended! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available: various kids books and videogames based on Rango.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Rango web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. 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.

Bossypants (on CD)

Bossypants (on CD)
by Tina Fey

I've enjoyed Tina Fey's writing and acting on both Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, and was pleased to see she was the narrator of the audio version of her own book. Her sarcastic, witty attitude comes across perfectly as she reads Bossypants, and it's obvious she's having fun sharing her memories. At the same time, however, I sort of felt as if this biography was very light -- she doesn't really go into any serious depth about any of her topics, instead breezing through her experiences almost like an outsider, or teasing us with hints of a greater story, which then she doesn't share. Still, if you enjoy biographies about the making of television shows, or you're a die-hard SNL fan, or you grew up making jokes or "putting on a show", you'll probably enjoy this one. I definitely enjoyed listening to this more than I did reading it...Fey's personality comes across very effectively on audio. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio and print formats.]

[ Publisher's official Bossypants web page ] | [ Tina Fey page on Wikipedia ]

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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.

The Art of Fielding

The Art of Fielding
by Chad Harbach

It's true, I do love baseball, but I'm certain The Art of Fielding is not just for baseball fans. This surprisingly satisfying first novel by Chad Harbach centers around Henry Skrimshander, a scrawny small-town kid who is an absolute savant on the infield. Set in a fictional college campus, Henry is surrounded by a handful of rich characters, the sort you like all the more for their flaws. There is Owen, Henry's self-described "gay mulatto roommate", a strict environmentalist who spends his time between innings with his head in a book; President of the college Guert Affenlight, who finds falling in love a completely new experience in his 60s; Guert's daughter Pella, who married too young and has returned home for something of an unconventional fresh start; and Mike Schwartz, the lumbering and arthritic captain (and glue)of the team. When Henry's errorless streak is suddenly and unexplicably broken it sets in motion an unravelling of long held ambitions and expectations. The characters' journey through the unpredictablility of love and life expectations makes The Art of Fielding a richly enjoyable book. -- recommended by Steph E. - Anderson and Bethany Branch Libraries

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

[ Publisher's official Art of Fielding web site ] | [ Wikipedia page for Chad Harbach ]

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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.

Delectable Mountains - a Just Desserts selection!

Delectable Mountains
by Earlene Fowler

After multiple recommendations to use an Earlene Fowler title for the libraries' Just Desserts mystery fiction discussion group, we finally used one of her titles -- Delectable Mountains -- for one of our group discussions in January 2012. I enjoyed this one quite a bit -- it's a middle-of-the-road mixture of cozy and police procedural, and falls right in the middle of the long-running series featuring Benni Harper, set in a small California community. The characters are all well-defined, even if the mystery itself is a bit predictable. Benni doesn't stand out as a busy-body, as many "amateur sleuths" do -- her involvement in the mystery seems reasonable, and I found myself liking her as a character very much. I recommend this series to anyone who's a fan of such authors as Carolyn G. Hart -- strong sense of place, and character-driven storyline. Enjoy! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library and coordinator of the Just Desserts group. [ Join other mystery fans each month to discuss a pre-assigned mystery novel -- our February 2012 meeting is tonight, February 23rd! ]

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

[ official Earlene Fowler and "Benni Harper" 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.

New Customer Review - Together Apart

Together Apart
by Dianne Gray [j Gray]

While the blizzard that affected the lives of the main characters was a real event known as The School Children's Blizzard, Together Apart is about much more. Many people who survive natural disasters say that the main thing is that their family lived. While that may be true, it is also just as true that the real story lies in what happens after the disaster. Together Apart is what happens to the fictional Hannah Barnett, whose two brothers died in the blizzard of 1888. As for Hannah, she huddled with a local boy to keep warm -- incurring rumors in the community about their relationship and causing estrangement with her farming family. Needing her own space to grieve, Hannah applies in town for work. Together Apart is also about Isaac, the boy with whom Hannah huddled to stay alive. When Isaac tires of abuse from his step-father, he runs away but only to the nearby town because he wishes to stay close to his mom. There are plenty of other things I could tell you about Together Apart, but I'd prefer for you to discover these delectable treasures for yourself by reading the book. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library [See Allison's issue of the Customer Snapshot library newsletter]

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. 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.

Super 8

Super 8

[DVD Super]

When filming an entry for a film competition a young group of friends witness a massive train crash that appears to be an accident. Immediately after the crash people start disappearing from town, lights start flickering, dogs go missing and they begin to wonder if it wasn't an accident afterall. The story takes place in 1979 and it has a retro feel to it. The acting is great, the storyline is intriguing, and the moments of comedy between the kids are a great addition that don't take away from the mysterious storyline. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Goonies - another movie about a group of young misfits.] -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Super 8 web site ]

Have you seen 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 web site. 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.

Doughnuts: Simple and Delicious Recipes to Make at Home

Doughnuts: Simple and Delicious Recipes to Make at Home
by Lara Ferroni [641.865 Fer]

There's nothing quite as satisfying as the guilt-inducing taste of a fresh-made doughnut, be it fried or baked, the traditional round-with-hole, or filled. This book's attractive cover caught my eye on the library's "new books" displays and the thin size convinced me to give it a read. In the first 1/2 of the book, Ferroni presents the basic recipes that form the core of her building palette -- including doughnuts from other cultures, such as crullers and/or sopapillas (just to name a few). The rest of this handy little volume is variations in flavors and textures, including numerous glaze flavors, accompanied by mouth-watered photographs of the end products. She finished off with a bibliography listing sources for special tools and ingredients for the kitchen geeks among us. I'll have to admit, though I love Krispy Kremes, I lean more toward baked doughnuts, and about 1/3 of the recipes here give me inspiration for trying a few new baked doughnuts at home. Recipes that jumped out at me included Margarita, German Chocolate and Creme Brulee! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [Sample Scott's monthly book column!]

[ Doughnuts entries on Lara Ferroni's official blog ]

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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.

Midnight Riot

Midnight Riot
by Ben Aaronovitch

This is the first volume in a new series, which capitalizes effectively on the hot trend of contemporary urban fantasy. Peter Grant is a new London police constable who seems to have a touch of the paranormal to him. On one of his first major cases -- guarding a crime scene -- a witness comes up to him to report having witnessed the murder. Only...the witness is a ghost. Grant's special abilities bring him to the attention of his superiors, who assign him to become an apprentice to Scotland Yard's only magic-using detective, and Grant soon finds himself immersed in the daily grind of a copper who has to deal with demi-gods, vampires, and river spirits as part of his job. And not only that, but also all the paperwork that the paranormal generates as well. This is a marvelous introduction to Aaronovitch's gritty, realistic world. There's a lot of humor mixed in with deadly seriousness. A second volume (Moon Over Soho) is already out, and more are planned. I recommend this to any fans of the Dresden Files novels of Jim Butcher, especially if you like a strong British flavor to your urban fantasy. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library (check out Scott's monthly book column -- It's All Geek to Me!)

[ official Ben Aaronovitch web site -- including the official site for this series ]

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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.

The Whistleblower

The Whistleblower

[DVD Whistleblower]

The is a devasting look at international and United Nations corruption and malfeasance regarding sex trafficking during the wars for the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Not for the faint of heart but a necessary story, nonetheless. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Informant, The Prisoner, Traffic.] -- recommended by Jim W. - South Branch Library

[Also available: The Whistleblower: Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors and One Woman's Fight for Justice, the book by Kathryn Bolkovac and Cari Lynn, upon which this movie was based.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official The Whistleblowers web site ]

Have you seen 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 web site. 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.

The Essential Kitchen: Basic Tools, Recipes and Tips for a Complete Kitchen

The Essential Kitchen: Basic Tools, Recipes and Tips for a Complete Kitchen

by Christine McFadden [643.3 qMcF]

A fun reference guide of kitchen tools and gadgets. Contains color photos and descriptions of nearly every kitchen item imaginable sorted into categories by chapter (Cutting, Peeling, and Piercing; Mixing and Whisking; Frying, Grilling, and Broiling, etc). This also helps in identifying that kitchen thing from Grandma that you haven't figured out what it does, and now you know how indispensible it is! Unfortunately, this also triggers your gadget-buying reflex. Provides excellent guidance on pots and pans, the type and purpose of various knives, gives specific info on types of utensils, equipment, uses, and brands. The author is upfront about what's necessary and what's a luxury. Also included in each chapter are recipes that utilize the tools discussed. Also provided is a list of manufacturers and distributors. An enjoyable browse as well as a must-have reference. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Alton's Brown's Gear for Your Kitchen by Alton Brown.] -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

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.

Happy 200th Birthday, Charles Dickens!

Today, February 7th 2012, is Charles Dickens' 200th birthday! In honor of this event, and if you're a user of Flickr, we invite you to stop by our Dickens Word Search, now on our Flickr account. You can interact with the puzzle to help find the names of a variety of classic Dickens characters buried in a word maze. Happy Dickens Birthday, one and all!

The House of Silk

House of Silk
by Anthony Horowitz

If you are a fan of Conan Doyle, this book holds true to his style. And - wow! - what a mystery. Holmes and Watson take you on a trail where seemingly unrelated things actually are related and the House of Silk is a place where no one wants to find themselves. -- recommended by Jodene G. - Walt Branch Library

[Also available in downloadable audio format.]

[ official Anthony Horowitz / House of Silk 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 web site. 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.

An Irish Country Doctor

An Irish Country Doctor
by Patrick Taylor

This is the first book in the Irish Country Doctor series (#6 just came out in 2011). Taylor based this series on the journals he kept while working as a country doctor in Northern Ireland. Think James Herriot but a People Doctor and not a Veterinarian. Barry Laverty accepts a position as an assistant to an older physician who has been the doctor for years in Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland in the mid-1960's. Barry is thinking of staying as a GP or choosing a specialty. There are your standard eccentric characters who teach the inexperienced young doctor there's more to medicine than book-learning. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the James Herriot books and Jan Karon's Mitford series.] -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in Large Print format.]

[ official Patrick Taylor / Irish Country series 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 web site. 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.

The Help (movie)

The Help (movie)
based on the book by Kathryn Stockett [DVD Help]

This is the movie version of the novel "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Skeeter - a college graduate - returns to her hometown in Mississippi and discovers her maid, who raised her, was no longer around. She sees the way her friends treat their maids and decides to write a book with interviews of maids from her hometown. At first the maids are wary about talking to her, but eventually they open up. Though there are moments with humor, most of the story is very emotional - you will cry. The acting is fantastic, Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis steal every scene. [If you like this, you may enjoy reading A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg, In Love & Trouble by Alice Walker, Sweet Jiminy by Kristen Gore, and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman[Also available in print, downloadable e-book, book-on-cd, and Large Print formats.][ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] [ official The Help web site ] -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you seen 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 web site. 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.