Reviews

Teen Review

Calvin

By Martine Leavitt
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Chris K.
Jun 6, 2016

It's been a long time since a book has transported me so completely. Has taken me so deeply into myself that I become oblivious to the world around me and my head spins with disconnection when I try to regain awareness. Just me and the book, and nothing else. I started reading and was supposed to stop because life was still going on around me, but I didn't. I couldn't find my way back. So life moved on without me until I finished the book. Now I must figure out how to catch up, but that's okay. It was worth stopping at a special place for a while.

Teen Review

The Glittering Court

By Richelle Mead
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Octavia V.
Jun 4, 2016

Richelle Mead, well-known for the Vampire Academy series has written a new book, The Glittering Court. While there are no vampires or werewolves in this new fantasy series, there is instead, Adelaide, Countess of Rothford.  Adelaide lives with her grandmother and has no source of income, leaving marriage her only choice.

Staff Review

The Vegetable Butcher

By Cara Mangini
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Traci M.
Jun 2, 2016

If you are someone who regularly eats the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, good for you. For the rest of us, who might feel overwhelmed in the produce section or at the local farmer's market, this is a great place to start. Featuring over 50 vegetables and a couple of sneaky fruits, the author takes you through selection, preparation, and cooking.

Teen Review

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

By Christopher Paul Curtis
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Becky C.
May 31, 2016

Told from the point-of-view of 10-year-old Kenny, it's really his big brother Byron who's the hero of this funny, emotional sucker-punch of a novel. Byron, thirteen, is a juvenile delinquent--a black sheep--according to Kenny, and pretty much everyone else in the so-called "Weird Watsons" family. But in the end it's Kenny who helps Byron overcome his depression over witnessing tragic events during a trip to visit their grandmother in Birmingham, Alabama during the height of the struggle for Civil Rights. 

Staff Review

The Affinities

By Robert Charles Wilson
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Diane H.
May 29, 2016

Have you ever felt that you didn’t belong anywhere? Ever wanted to be with people who understand as much as you understand yourself? If so, the affinities are for you. Of course, you may not be a match for any of the twenty-two groups at the heart of Robert Wilson’s The Affinities.

Staff Review

Cambodia Noir

By Nick Seeley

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
May 28, 2016

Cambodia Noir is a full tilt boogie from the get go!

Will Keller is a photographer for a Cambodian newspaper and has lived in Cambodia for nine years. He has a drug and alcohol problem and just doesn’t care. 

Staff Review

Greywalker

By Kat Richardson
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Octavia V.
May 27, 2016

Seattle Private Investigator Harper Blaine is just a woman trying to pay her bills. But after a near death experience, her life is changed forever. Since the accident Harper has not been feeling well and sees strange shadows during the day. The doctor is no help and she slowly begins to realize she is seeing into the Grey, a place between the living and the dead. The Grey is full of vampires, ghosts and magic unknown to the everyday human. Harper needs clients and she cannot ignore the "Grey creatures" that seek out her help.

Teen Review

George

By Alex Gino
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Becky C.
May 23, 2016

I don’t normally recommend books about elementary school kids to teens, but this is an exception. Especially a book about a hot topic in the news: transgender rights. See Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s recent speech here. From the speech, here's a quote that gets me in the feels:

Staff Review

Drywall: Hanging and Taping (DVD)

By Craig Umanoff
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by Michelle H.
May 19, 2016

If you have something to build or fix, consider searching our collection of instructional videos. They offer expert demonstrations, uncover hidden aspects to specific trades, and film the most talented specialists. And they celebrate the mastery of crafts often overlooked because of their association with sweat and toil.

Staff Review

Devil in Winter

By Lisa Kleypas
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Traci M.
May 18, 2016

Romance readers across the world jumped for joy when Lisa Kleypas announced the hero for the third book in the Ravenel series, Devil in Spring. Don't believe me, check out the amount of SQUEE! and OMG! on this site alone. The hero is Gabriel, Lord St.