Reviews

Teen Review

Fallout

By Todd Strasser

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Sep 30, 2014

It's 1962 and the world is watching as President Kennedy and Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev face off. Tensions are rising day by day, the Cuban Missile Crisis is reaching its peak. Scott's father has built an underground bomb shelter and the family is the brunt of the neighbor's jokes. That is until the air raid sirens go off and suddenly only Scott's family has somewhere safe to go. Just as Scott's dad is about to close and lock the heavy steel door, some of the neighbors grab it and try to open it back up; they are desperate to survive.

Staff Review

That Night

By Chevy Stevens
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Lisa J.
Sep 29, 2014

High school seniors Tony and Ryan had a plan for after graduation.  They were going to get jobs and an apartment and live together—Toni to get away from her mom who favored her younger sister, and Ryan to leave behind his alcoholic and abusive father.  It all seemed so simple.  But that's not what happened.  Senior year the "mean girls" clique started harassing Toni, just to be mean.  Then, unbelievably, Toni's little sister, Nicole, starts hanging out with the clique and harassing Toni too.  Nicole has also changed a lot since starting high school;&n

Staff Review

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

By Neil Gaiman

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Sep 27, 2014

In The Ocean at the End of the Lane, author Neil Gaiman presents a magical fairy tale that completely captures the reader’s imagination.  This is a book you will not want to put down once you have started reading, so it is a good thing that, at just over 200 pages in length, it is an easy day read!  The story unfolds as the narrator, a man in his fifties, returns home to England to speak at a funeral.

Staff Review

The Cuckoo's Calling

By Robert Galbraith
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Colleen O.
Sep 25, 2014

Cormoran Strike is a private detective who has just broken up with his on-again/off-again girlfriend of fifteen years. He's living in his office, where he gets almost daily calls asking for the money he owes for the business.  Robin is a temp sent from an agency to help run his office, although she quickly discovers that there's not much to do because there's not much business. Out of the blue, in walks a man asking Strike to investigate the death of his sister, Lula Landry.

Teen Review

Aviary Wonders Inc.

By Kate Samworth

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Sep 24, 2014

The full title of this amazing book is Aviary Wonders Inc. (Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual) Renewing the World's Bird Supply Since 2031.  The narrator of this story first developed his passion for birds and bird watching while working at his family's logging business (the irony is intentional.)  He is no longer logging; he now runs a company that builds birds.  After searching out the best engineers, biologists and artists to work for him, he launched the company in 2031 and they have struggled to keep up with demand ever since.

Teen Review

Tomboy: a graphic memoir

By Liz Prince
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Kate M.
Sep 24, 2014

Ever since she was little, Liz preferred jeans to dresses, action figures to dolls, and sports to dress-up. Adults and other kids told her this made her a tomboy. Seeing the way the mass media marketed to girls and told them how they should look and behave, Liz was fine with not falling into the “girly” category. But the tomboy label wasn’t easy to fit into either. Eschewed by girls who didn’t understand her jeans and baseball caps, and belittled by boys who didn’t want to play with a “girl” (especially in front of other boys), Liz had trouble finding her place.

Staff Review

The Family Romanov

By Candace Flemming

Rated by Kate M.
Sep 23, 2014

The beginning of the end of Romanov rule of Russia began with the ascension of Nicholas II. Ill prepared for the crown by his father, Nicholas depended heavily on his new wife Alexandra (married under the shadow of the death of Nicholas’ father their marriage was seen as a curse by the Russian people). Problems for the Romanovs multiplied when Alexandra, after several difficult pregnancies, produced only female heirs leaving the line of succession unsure.

Staff Review

Jodorowsky's Dune

By DVD - 2014
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jed D.
Sep 23, 2014

Frank Herbert’s (mostly) beloved Dune series was turned into a train wreck spectacle in the 1984 version directed by David Lynch.  Personally, I love that train wreck, but it has many detractors.  So, imagine if Dune was instead made by eccentric Chilean/French director Alejandro Jodorowsky during the crazy 1970’s.  He lined up a cast and crew like no other: Orson Welles as the evil Baron.  Salvador Dali as the Emperor.  Mick Jagger in the role later occupied by Sting.  It was to be scored by Pink Floyd.  Throw in Dan O’Bannon and H.R.

Staff Review

Horns

By Joe Hill

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Sep 22, 2014

A year after the horrific rape and murder of his one true love, Ignatius Perrish got drunk, did terrible things, and woke up the next morning with horns growing from his forehead.  Horns that compel others to confess their true, worst thoughts, and makes them seek permission to do the terrible things they always wanted to do.  Ig may resemble a demon, but real demons reside everywhere, much to his horror.