Grab a copy now - The Invisible Library by Cogman

The Invisible Library
by Genevieve Cogman
Berkley Publishing Group  /Roc
Sci Fi & Fantasy
July 2016


The first in a series, this introduction to the reality-wide Library and its agents is a fun, engaging ride.  Characters are intriguing and complex, and the plot line and the action is compelling.




What's different about this book
The world(s) in which Irene works is unlike others I am familiar with.  The Library exists independent of the alternate realities, all of which resemble London in intriguing ways. And the realities of those working for or in line with the Library are unexpected as well.  This is an involving read that gets better with each page, and as a librarian, I was completely hooked by the mission and methods and compulsions of this Library tale.


What I'll do now that I've read it
This novel is encouragingly similar to O'Malley's The Rook, in its dry, dry humor and its unexpected manipulations of reality and physics. The advantage of this series, however, is not having to wait years for the sequel! Book 2 and 3 are at least in the 2016 publication and release pipeline (The Masked City and The Burning Page).  So my avid and eager patrons awaiting Book 2 in the The Checquy Files will gobble up these new offerings. The question now is, How many copies will we need?

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NYC and Post-WW2 Life: While you were mine

While You Were Mine
by Ann Howard Creel
Lake Union Publishing
April 2016


A well-written and well-researched period piece that follows convincing characters in New York City immediately following the close of World War II

What's different about this book
I was not familiar with this time as it was seen and lived by people in this place, but Creel offers a well-told story, one that realistically (I assume) reflects the realities of New York as the War ends and families and their soldiers return and work to find out what life will now look like in the changed world.  Characterization is thorough: These are realistic people with their imperfections and dreams, and that may explain the slower-than-expected pacing of the plot. A worth-while read but not a fast one.


What I'll do now that I have read it
I am not usually a fan of realistic historical fiction, but this was a solid read.  I'll be book-talking this to my patrons (and friends) who look for well-written novels in this genre.

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Murder in Missoula, and a protagonist of note

Murder in Missoula
by Laurence Giliotti
Chateau Noir Publishing

September 2015

Despite a less than compelling title and cover, this book is a good read. The characters and the plot line are skillfully presented, and the reader is engaged quickly.

What's different about this book

It was the speed with which I was engaged that drew me in.  I had just put down two books because I couldn't get hooked into the stories, and I was wondering if the problem lay with me and my current life.  Enjoying this book was a relief.

I particularly liked the character development: The protagonists were likeable, and they moved the plot in agreeable and engaging lines.

What I'll do now that I've read it

This will be an easy sell to patrons interested in character-driven mystery suspense stories. We'll be sure to have copies on hand in our relevant libraries.

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A levening humor with your etymology

A Field Guide to the F Word
by Ben Parker
Valley Press
2016


The book title and description will probably attract readers with diverse expectations:  Those linguistic types who enjoy reading about the history of words and language, and those who are intrigued about this particular word. Readers with both perspectives will find the reading enhanced by an enjoyable humorous touch to both the scatological and the academic.

What's different about this book
Like the elephant in the room, The Word never appears in this book.  But we all know what the author is talking about.  What I did not expect was the wry and deft humorous touches, slipped in where least expected.  The book may be short on academic linguistics and empirical evidence, but it is strong in pleasurable reading and mental exercise.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I'm thinking of both my adult patrons who enjoy a good story and laugh, and my upper level students who do "serious" etymological studies.  This book will be a great resource for both audiences, as well as the random reader who wants to consider a topic not often considered in literature. A short and very accessible read.

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Holding Smoke - Holding a wonderful book!

Holding Smoke

by Elle Cosimano
Disney-Hyperion
May 20167

Prepare for the best read you've had in a while. Holding Smoke intrigues with a refreshing new setting, compelling characters, and enough suspense to hold the reader to the book. 

What's different about this book
The plot construct that Smoke can leave his body grabbed my attention; and the fact that Smoke is in juvenile detention for a crime he may not have committed kept me reading.  Smoke's character is developed so integrally with the plot that I wasn't aware the author was weaving that aspect.  A touch of romance and caring family and friends, good people winning: These were part of making this read one of the best I've enjoyed in a long time. 

What I'll do now that I've read it
For me, one of the basic qualities of a well-written book is not being aware of the author's presence.  I don't want to be reminded that I'm reading what someone wrote.  Cosimano's work achieves that beautifully:  There is just such a great story to enjoy! I haven't waited to share with friends, library patrons, and other librarians.  I'll be sorry --and surprised-- if this book doesn't show up on a lot of award lists.

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Fortune Favors the Wicked - a different Regency romance

Fortune Favors the Wicked

by Theresa Romain

Kensington Books

March 2016

This romance breaks the mold in several ways: a heroine who is not the usual lily-white maiden, a hero who is less than the physical dream, and a plot that requires more than the usual social niceties.  If you don't "do" romance, you might like this one anyway.

What's different about this book

The story is set around Charlotte, who seeks a treasure to help her escape her cultured, elegant but socially inappropriate life as a courtesan in London. Of course, Benedict Frost also needs that treasure, for excellent reasons of his own, his blindness not being the chief of those reasons.  The book avoids the trite and cliched means to tell the story, and the reader is the winner: strong plot, compelling characters, a satisfactory but not treacly-sweet resolution.

What I'll do now that I've read it

This is a book for my adult romance readers, and one I'll happily book-talk and share. It offers a refreshing break from the mold of Regency romances.

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A Lady in the Smoke: Victorian with romance, mystery, and intelligence

A Lady in the Smoke A Victorian Mystery

by Karen Odden

Random House Publishing

March 2016

Rather than another formulaic mystery from Victorian England, this book offers a clearly written and engaging story with authentic setting and an interesting plot. It is very good on several levels.

What's different about this book

I appreciated the quick start to the plot, and the immediately sympathetic lead figure. Elizabeth Fraser is an intelligent protagonist, and when she steps forward to help the sole surgeon after a train wreck, the story begins apace. I also enjoyed the Victorian perspectives on medicine, social class structure, and the legal practices of the times. 

What I'll do now that I've read this

This book will be a great addition to various of our collections: mysteries, historical fiction, romance, and adventure. For my patrons that select nothing other than historical fiction, this book will be a welcome addition.

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Cold Barrel Zero - a black-ops thriller

Cold Barrel Zero
by Matthew Quirk
Mulholland Books
March 2016 

Can there be such a thing as too much page-turning action? Cold Barrel Zero comes as close to the edge as possible - but manages to keep its great story and intriguing plot.

What's different about this book
Before reading Quick's newest release, I saw the mentions of this being a page-turner. I always take that with some skepticism. But indeed this book does begin fast, continues fast, and doesn't stop the action until the last sentences. Somehow the author manages to string enough narrative among those episodes of action to set the context and develop characters, but the reader is far too engaged in what's happening to notice. I did wonder if the final plot twist was just o-n-e  t-o-o many, though. Great story, a few unexpected twists, and a generally enjoyable read.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This will be a sure addition to our adult fiction library collections - it will intrigue and entertain patrons that look for a strong politico-military underdog that wins nobly. And I'll be glad to book-talk this book to readers eager to be quickly drawn into some action.

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A series that just gets more engaging

The Woman in Blue
by Elly Griffiths
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
May 2016

This British crime novel, the eighth in the Ruth Galloway series, continues the irresistible story of the world of Norfolk and Ruth and her widening network of contacts.  

What's different about this book 
The Woman in Blue stands on its own as an engaging read, but the strength of the reading pleasure derives from the cumulative impact of the series itself: These are characters we care about, relationships that we are invested in, and the mystery and suspense are the icing on the Ruth Galloway cake. In this episode, we continue to see the strong character development that Ms. Griffiths excels at, and the drama is another fresh and engaging plot. After multiple books in a series, some authors fail to keep it fresh. This author, however, does not fail to intrigue and delight.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
The entire series of Ruth and her circle will become part of the library for each adult collection I oversee. And this latest installment will be my latest recommendation to friends and patrons.  
The opportunity to review new titles is sometimes a beautiful serendipity:  I am grateful to have had the chance to meet Ruth and follow her story. Don't miss it!

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Universal joy in sound and text

Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah 
Jessica Miller Kelley, Editor
(C) 2014 Westminster John Knox Press

Accompanying my reading of this book were the remembered sounds of of Messiah.  I was humming under my breath as I read the book's text tied to the selected movements and their librettos. This synergy of text, sound, and source Biblical passages ensured an emotional engagement.

What's different about this book
The strong ties we have to Handel's work anchors our pleasure in these directed thoughts and devotions.  Contrary to the author's comment that Christ's birth is "at most" a focus for just one month each year, those familiar with Messiah and its scriptural source will find inspiration for year-round worship and growth.

The book is divided into three parts that highlight the entire life of Christ: His birth and its foretelling; His passion and resurrection; and His eternal reign. The movements of Messiah are beautifully interwoven with devotional text excerpted from Bartlett and Taylor's Feasting on the Word.  This makes for a rich, rich experience -sound and word- during the Advent season's devotional focus.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I am targeting this book as a display and focus for my library patrons seeking inspiration during this global time of Christian worship and re-focus.  The Messiah parsed across the inspirational text will be a welcome read for many.

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