January Book Reviews
A Poisoned Season
by Tasha Alexander
William Morrow, 2007, 308 pp., $23.95
ISBN: 978-0061174148
Historical mysteries with a touch of romance are a guilty pleasure of mine, and Tasha Alexander's novels featuring young Victorian widow Lady Emily Ashton are easily among the best of the genre. A Poisoned Season particularly sparkles, as Emily tracks down a stalker who may be the cat burglar who is combing London for pieces of jewelry once owned by Marie Antoinette. In the process, Emily solves a murder, plays matchmaker, and continues her flirtation with a handsome Crown agent. Alexander's heroine is smart, inventive, and independent, but always believable for a woman of her times.
Reviewed by Lynn Heitkamp, Zauel Library
End the Fed by Ron Paul
Grand Central Publishing, 2009; 212 pp., $21.99
ISBN: 978-0446549196
This past year the economy has been a roller-coaster and finger-pointing began to fix the blame. Congressman Paul explains in plain English why the economy is in the shape it is in and what needs to be done. In his book, "End the Fed", Congressman Paul takes the reader by the hand and shows how the policies of the Federal Reserve have devalued the dollar, favored the financial institutions and avoided an audit by the Governmental Accounting Office. Everyone needs to read this book.
Reviewed by John Sheridan, Hoyt Library
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup
Candlewick Press, 2009, Ages 4-8., $16.99
ISBN: 978-0763632236
Jim decides to make a pirate crew from the gingerbread cookies for Santa; however, he cannot bear to part with his favorite, Captain Cookie. After Jim is asleep, Captain Cookie takes off to find a ship, track down his crew, and save them from the cannibal Santa Claus. The situation looks grim when Captain Cookie loses his cutlass and finds his crew trapped. To make matters worse, a gigantic man appears! Jim's discovery Christmas morning makes this yummy tale simply sweet.
Reviewed by Jennie Tuttle, Wickes Library
Always Follow the Elephants: More Surprising Facts and Misleading Myths About Our Health and the World We Live In
by Anahad O'Connor
Times Books, 265 pp., $15.00
ISBN: 978-0805090000
Health books abound, but this one manages to impart information in such a conversational and amusing manner that it will be a standout for anyone who enjoys exploding traditional myths and legends. O'Connor is a reporter for the New York Times who contributes regularly to the Science Times section, and he clearly enjoys investigating these "old wives' tales" and separating fact from fiction.
Topics range from first aid to a scientific study of the "double dipping" taboo made famous on the "Seinfeld" TV show. The myths cover such commonplace issues that most of them will strike a chord with the reader.
Reviewed by Kate Tesdell, Hoyt Library
Family Fun Cookies for Christmas: 50 Cute & Quick Holiday Treats by Deanna F. Cook and the experts at FamilyFun Magazine
Sterling, 2009, 63 pp., $12.95
ISBN: 978-1402763564
What a wonderful way to enjoy the Holiday Season by making cookies with the family. Great ideas like Cookie Swap Parties and Cookie-Decorating Parties as well as classic recipes that are fun easy to make. To pass the FamilyFun recipe test, a cookie has to taste good. But it also has to be simple enough for a busy person to be able to have time to make and bake. This is a great book to start an annual holiday tradition.
Deborah Trombley, Butman-Fish Library
The Outlander by Gil Adamson
Harper Collins, 2008, 389 pp., $25.95
ISBN: 978-0061491252
Adamson's debut novel is set in Alberta, Canada in 1903 and opens with a woman on the run. "Nineteen years old and already a widow. Mary Boulton. Widowed by her own hand." Adamson crafts a poetic journey through a frigid wilderness where Mary escapes from her loveless marriage into the unforgiving winter landscape and the far regions of a mind clouded by hallucinations. All the while she is hunted by her ruthless brothers-in-law as she encounters a cast of eccentric characters including a rich old woman a lone mountain man, and a fist-fighting preacher.
Reviewed by Kimberly White, Hoyt Library
Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires
Kids Can Press, 2009, 64 pages, Ages 9-12, $7.95
ISBN: 978-1554534197
Attention cat-loving humans! Have you ever wondered what your cat is doing while you're not watching? Maybe we're on to something with Binky the Cat! In this first installment of a new humorous graphic novel series, Binky becomes a certified Space Cat. He is on a mission to protect his humans from aliens, which are actually bugs. He can't believe that his humans missed that connection! He trains day and night to serve and protect and is very quick to deal with the invaders...crunch! Find out what happens when this imaginative cat decides to build a rocket ship to ward off alien invasion.
Reviewed by Tanya Grunwell, Hoyt Library
Flood by Stephen Baxter
ROC Book, 2009, 490 pages, $29.95
ISBN: 978-0451462718
Four political hostages released after 5 years of captivity in 2016 find the world changed beyond all recognition. They vow to keep in touch, and their stories over the next 40 years show attempts to save the planet stymied as rapidly rising ocean levels wipe out major cities and even continents. In the end, Earth will survive, but will the human race? Eco-fiction fans will be intrigued by the hard science and theoretical plausibility of the doomsday scenario offered by this bestselling author.
Reviewed by Sherrill Smith, Public Libraries of Saginaw
A Quilter's Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini
Simon & Schuster, 2009, 278 pp., $19.99
ISBN: 978-1439139325
In the latest installment of the Elm Creek Quilts novels, readers follow the quilters as they gather at Elm Creek Manor for the unofficial start of the quilting season. Although threatened by an early winter snowstorm, they meet to work on a variety of quilting projects. Through a series of vignettes, the book delves into the lives of each quilter, their projects and why they chose each quilt pattern. This is a story of hope, tradition, generosity and holiday spirit sure to be enjoyed by quilters and non-quilters alike.
Reviewed by Lori Sugden, Zauel Library
Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors
Walker Books for Young Readers, 2009, 288 pp., $16.99
ISBN: 978-0802798121
When Katrina discovers a young man lying in the alley of her Grandmother's bakery she assumes he is homeless and offers him a cup of coffee and some day-old pastries. She would never have guessed that she has set her destiny in motion. The young man very persistently tries to repay her selfless deed by granting her one wish. What is Katrina's wish? What would you wish for if someone granted you anything you desired? Grab a cup of cocoa and come along on Katrina's journey of ups and downs as she discovers what we desire is sometimes right in front of us.
Reviewed by Brenda Rodammer, Hoyt Library
Gentlemen by Michael Northrop
Scholastic Press, 2009, 256 pages, $16.99
Recommended for grades 7 and up
ISBN: 978-0545097499
Gentlemen is the story of four troublemaking high school boys. When one of them disappears, the others become suspicious of their own teacher. The plot would interest young male readers if the story was not so slow paced. Too much inane detail in the narrative will make it hard for the target audience to read past the first 20 pages. Although it is not exceptionally gripping, this is Northrop's first novel and he does show promise for future works.
Reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, Claytor Library
Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep by Maureen Wright
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009, $16.99
Recommended for ages 3 - 8
ISBN: 978-0761455608
It's that time of the year again, time for Big Bear to hibernate. So Old Man Winter calls down to bear to - "Sleep, Big Bear, sleep." But Big Bear doesn't hear very well and what he thinks Old Man Winter is telling him sends him on an exhausting adventure.
This humorous story told in rhyme follows Big Bear as he drives a jeep, takes a leap and dives real deep. After sitting on a steep mountain top, Big Bear finally hears Old Man Winter say, "NOW GO TO BED!"
Reviewed by Cheryl Kay, Hoyt Library
