Recommend by Ashley

The Blood Confession

Countess Erzebet Bizecka appears to have everything a young noblewoman in sixteenth-century Hungary could want. She is rich and beautiful. She lives in an enormous castle, attended by dozens of servants. There is no one, now that her parents have died, to make any demands of her. She is free to live her life in any way she wishes. But life wasn’t always this way……

This is a gothic novel which has woven strands of the real life Countess Bathory’s story into a spellbinding work that combines horror, romance, and history into one powerful story.

Nightlight

This comedy is about a girl named Belle Goose, who moves to Switchblade, Oregon looking for action. Then she meets Edwart, a sexy computer nerd, who has no attraction to girls. Belle believes that Edwart is a vampire because he never touched his tater tots at lunch. So how would Belle sway Edwart to make her into his vampire girlfriend, when he rejects girls? You'll have to read it to find out! This book is a parody on the Twilight book.

Recommend by Carol

The Lost City of Z

A grand mystery reaching back centuries. A sensational disappearance that made headlines around the world. A quest for truth that leads to death, madness, or disappearance for those who seek to solve it. This is a blockbuster adventure narrative about what lies beneath the impenetrable jungle canopy of the Amazon. This work of non-fiction reads like fiction. It kept my attention all the way through it. If you like this book you may also want to read River Doubt, which takes place in the Amazon as well, and is about Theodore Roosevelt’s trip down the River of Doubt.

Invasive Procedures

The Healers move in secrecy through the city streets, their huge, strong bodies hidden in dark cloaks. They bring a deadly promise to the poor of the city. They can cure the incurable diseases – Parkinson’s, sickle cet – and they ask for mothering in return. But the genetic therapy techniques they are using are so targeted that what will cure one can, and will, bring certain painful death to anyone else exposed. This taut thriller takes the reader a few years into the future, to the promise and dangers of genetic medicine. This book kept me on the edge of my seat!!!

The Faith Club

After September 11^th, Ranya Idliby, an American Muslim of Palestinian descent, faced constant questions about Islam, God, and death from her children, the only Muslims in their classrooms. So she reached out to a Christian and a Jew to try to understand and answer these questions for her children. After hours of soul searching about the issues that divided them, Ranya, Suzanne, and Priscilla grew close enough to discover and explore what united them. Everyone should read this book.

The Book of Names

When a childhood tragedy comes back to haunt Professor David Shepherd, he finds himself in possession of knowledge that holds the world in a delicate balance, He uncovers the Book of Names – an ancient text originating with the biblical Adam, and thought lost to history forever. If you want to know more you are going to have this book!! Excellent.

Lighthouse Adventures

This book is filled with many fascinating tales of lighthouses. Within thse pages you will find short stories, long stories, technical descriptions, shipwrecks, acts of courage, fascinating drawings, details on how things worked, maps of where things are and were, photos, and generally something for everyone. If you like lighthouses you will love this book.

Recommend by Gail

Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine

Let me introduce you to a fabulous magazine!

Cloth Paper Scissors  covers all types of fiber arts and collage work, including mixed media, assemblage, altered books, art dolls, visual art journals, rubber stamping, creative embroidery, and book arts. Geared for the beginning artists/crafter as well as the advanced, Cloth Paper Scissors has a playful, positive tone, encouraging both the beginning and seasoned artist to try new techniques and share their work and expertise with a greater audience.

New Moon Girls Magazine

Let me introduce you to a fabulous magazine for girls!

New Moon Girls magazine is about helping girls discover and honor their true selves, engage in meaningful pursuits and dialogue, and express their voices in ways that matter.

Look for the current issue downstairs in the Children’s area.

Folk Hats

I knitted the Nigerian Cap, show me what you create!  With 30 completely original patterns for fun and functional hats, this globe-trotting collection presents clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions for knitters of all skill levels. History and folklore from the hat's country of origin accompany each project. Included are felted cowboy hats, festive hats from Cameroon and Japan, historic derbies from around Europe, a beaded cloche from Afghanistan, warm Cossacks from Russia, and darling baby bonnets from Nigeria and China. The imaginative and versatile designs and range of yarns and techniques put a new spin on the standard hat pattern and reinterpret these folk classics for modern knitters.

The Great Birdhouse Book

Dillon supplies instructions for building 28 creative birdhouses. Each project is illustrated with a color photograph and an exploded diagram from all sides, and the detailed instructions include listings of required tools and supplies. For birders who have no aptitude for woodworking, Dillon suggests decorating unfinished birdhouses purchased in craft supply stores.

Bridge of Sighs

Here is another fine novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Russo. He always seems to have something new to say. This book tells the story of Lou, often called Lucy, who, after a very cautious and conventional life lived in the same small upstate New York town, is headed for a vacation in Italy. It’s an improbable leap for this most improbable hero, but with Russo at the helm, even the most oddball of setups can yield riches.

Recommend by Jenn

Curse of the Blue Tatoo

In 1803, after being exposed as a girl and forced to leave her ship, Jacky Faber finds herself attending school in Boston, where, instead of learning to be a lady, she battles her snobbish classmates, roams the city in search of adventure, and learns to ride a horse.

Eighty Acres

Jager's account of growing up on the family farm near McBain, Michigan during the 1940s captures the wholesome spirit of yesterday. He takes readers inside his life as he relives his memories from early childhood to adulthood

Recommend by Lynn

Top Producer

This novel is set in the fast-paced, kill or be killed setting of Wall Street, with characters ripped from the headlines.  The top producer is Grove O’Rourke, a stock broker who hauls in millions for his firm and six-figure income for himself.  But he is fragile, having lost his wife and daughter in a horrific accident with an 18-wheeler.  Now his best friend Charlie Keleman has been literally eaten by sharks in a tank at the aquarium where he has staged a birthday party for his wife Sam.  So begins this financial thriller which unfolds a Ponzi scheme that rivals Bernie Madoff’s.  Good characters, a fast pace, and solid, understandable explanations of financial workings in the land of top producers.

The Long Fall

Leonid McGill is a PI with a past so shady he has decided to live a more moral life.  But his past still haunts him in the form of a recurring nightmare.  It also haunts him in the form of a hit being put out on him.  How he tracks his would-be killer while juggling his shaky marriage and a son who would dole out justice is a suspenseful, riveting read.

Dog On It

Bernie is a down-on-his-luck private investigator and he’s been reduced to taking divorce cases to make his alimony and child support payments.  Until Cynthia Chambliss hires him to find her missing daughter, Madison.  Told from the point of view of Bernie’s K-9 trained dog, Chet, this book is not just a good, fast-paces mystery, but also a humorous romp seen through the eyes of a dog.  It’s sort of an ADHD look at the circumstances of an abduction and at the odd characters Chet encounters.  A very fun read or listen!

Recommend by Vicki

Sheperds Abiding

Listen to this audio book if you want to get uplifted for the Christmas holidays! The characters who live in Mitford, will grab your heart, as they go through their daily lives in this small rural town. Faith, Hope, and Love abound.

John McDonough, the reader of this audio book, takes you through the days leading up to the holidays with richness and song.

Wintergirls

A truly emotional, destructive story on the consuming world of anorexia thru the eyes of 18 year old Lia. This is an extremely well written yet depressing account of two friends and their battle of keeping their bodies thin and how it affects not only themselves, but those who love them too.

The Magician's Elephant

Peter goes to a fortune teller who says “She lives, your sister Adele lives.” Peter, an orphan searches for hope, family and the elephant who lead him to his long lost sister. Once again, this children’s author takes you on a truly magical journey of self discovery and forgiveness!