Sheryl's favorites

An all-nighter for your enjoyment!

It has been a long time since I have stayed up until 4:00 a.m. to finish a novel.  My nemesis this time was "The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, originally published in Swedish.  This suspenseful ( I am NOT kidding!) mystery focuses on a long-unsolved disappearance that takes place in a "locked room" type of location, and brings together a most unique cast of characters.  This novel is the first of three in a trilogy published posthumously.  I can barely wait to get my hands on the next!

Janet Evanovich Read-alikes

I have been an Evanovich fan since "Two for the Dough."  I read them all, even the awful ones, and I never give up hope that she will return my loyalty with the laugh-out-loud humour that her first books brought to me.  I have had tug-of-war battles with library patrons over who gets to read the latest one first, and have re-read #12 at least three times...gotta love Ranger!

I have discovered several other authors that have given me that happy escapism that I look so forward to in the Plum series.

Check out Jennifer Crusie's "Bet Me,"  Lisa Lutz and "The Spellman Files" and Sandra Hill's "Jinx" series. 

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town  by Stephen Leacock  (c1912)

I first read this book many years ago...and it was old then!  I find myself revisiting it every so often, and I enjoy it just as much.  My personal favorite (as it is for many Canadians) is the chapter titled "The Marine Excursion of the Knights of Pythias."  It seems to illustrate the title of the book with a bright sunshine-y and gently reminiscent, but never judging, story of a day of disaster narrowly averted. A purely happy story that deserves to be shared as it comes close to its 100th birthday.

Each of the characters in this book have their clone in almost every small town in Canada, which serves to keep the humour timeless.  A laugh out loud and memorable read.

 

Kathy's favorites

Fair Maiden  by Joyce Carol Oates

Published late in 2009, this little book is just that - only 162 pages. The story is told from the point of view of sixteen year old Katya, an underprivileged teenager from a broken home working for the summer as a nanny in upper class New Jersey. Her employer is a woman no one else will work for. However, this is more about her relationship with a kindly (I almost typed kinky which would describe this relationship as well), wealthy old man.
 
I was disappointed as I kept waiting for something profound or truly awful to happen and then the book was finished. I found the characters boring and the plot predictable.   Makes me wonder if this was filler for her.

Death of a Witch by M.C. Beaton

For all you Hamish fans out there, here is the latest installment of that red-haired Highland hunk!
You will not be disappointed with this light romp through Lochdubh, with a bit of everything for everyone. Witches, sex, poachers, pets and the staid folks of the quiet village, nestled between the mountains. A fun whodunit to cozy up with!

 

Darci's favorites

Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

A collection of fairytales for young witches and wizards complete with thoughts on the tales by Harry Potter, Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore and J.K Rowling herself.  I found this book hard to put down. For those of you waiting for more Harry Potter, you will be very pleased to read these tales!

Hosted on TownLife.com by Econolution Inc.

This site contributes to Peace Library System.