Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story

Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace

Author: D.T. Max

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Lydia

            This is the most comprehensive work to date detailing David Foster Wallace’s life, career, and masterpieces. While many people only know him as the author of the 1200+ page behemoth known as Infinite Jest, Wallace was also a master of short stories and nonfiction essays.

Wallace was best known for championing a distinctive maximalist style, similar to Thomas Pynchon, Jonathan Franzen, and Don DeLillo, that is overloaded with information, pop culture references, and footnotes (some of which are as long as three pages). He was witty and extremely smart, a student of both philosophy and literature who was interested in literary theory, mathematics, and philosophical problems. Although D.T. Max never met Wallace, he consulted family and friends, Wallace’s letters, and even his own novels to discover the man behind the writing. D. T. Max shines as a biographer willing to tell the truth instead of embellishing or exaggerating his subject. Wallace emerges from the pages as a charismatic genius, yet still deeply flawed and wholly human.

            Sadly, Wallace committed suicide in 2008, after struggling with depression and addiction for more than half of his life. This biography exposes the real Wallace—good and bad—who desperately kept seeking the answer to that elusive question: “what, exactly, does it mean to be a human being?” 

Enchanted

Enchanted
by Alethea Kontis
4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Denise

Summary:
Enchanted is a fairy tale intertwined with other fairy tales. Sunday loves to write and tell stories. Nearly every story she tells becomes a reality. She feels ignored compared to her other six sisters named from each day of the week so when she finds a frog who is eager to hear her stories told, she becomes intrigued and admits that she would marry the frog if he were a man. Once Sunday kisses the frog, he changes back into a prince. Before they can live happily ever after, Sunday and the Prince of Arilland have to overcome his past and her disapproving parents.

Review:
Enchanted is a chapter book that is perfect for any reader who loves fairy tales, romance, and humor. There are many similarities between this book and the famous fairy tales it mimics, taking the best ideas from classic romances and making it suitable and fun for a younger reading audience. The descriptions of the Woodcutter family and the world in which they live in really brings the book to life.

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake
by Michael Kaplan
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue

Summary:

Betty Bunny is a picky eater, a “handful” to her parents, and a frustration to her siblings.  Once she discovers that she loves chocolate cake and that becomes her obsession, life gets interesting for the whole family!  Betty Bunny must learn to eat the healthy food first, and to have patience before she can eat her chocolate cake.  Sneaking the chocolate cake into her pocket brings about an unexpected result for Betty Bunny.

Review:

Who doesn’t love chocolate cake?  And what child wouldn’t rather eat cake than the rest of their dinner?  This amusing book is told with fun illustrations that really add to the story.  It makes you want to have a piece of chocolate cake!

I am a Pole (And So Can You!)

I am a Pole (And So Can You!)

By Stephen Colbert
4/5 stars
Reviewer: Nichole

If you’ve ever wondered about the goals and aspirations of inanimate objects we take for granted every single day of our lives, I suggest reading I am a Pole.  If you’ve ever wondered how a pole decides what type of pole to become in this world of many, many types of poles, then I suggest reading I am a Pole.  But mostly, if you’ve ever felt like a picture book about self-discovery and finding your way in the world in a really cheesy and funny way may appeal to you, you should read I am a Pole.

And as a bonus, there’s a cute exchange between the late Maurice Sendak and Stephen Colbert, which began on “The Colbert Report”, led to the writing of this book, and capitulated in Mr. Sendak’s comment on the book, which published the day Mr. Sendak died.

Maus

Maus: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History & Maus II: A Survivor’s Tale: And Here My Troubles Began

By Art Spiegelman
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Nichole

 

Nothing you’ve read about the Holocaust can prepare you for what these two graphic novels are going to deliver.  This isn’t just the story of a man’s experience in Auschwitz during WWII.  This isn’t just a graphic novel cleverly depicting each race of people as a different animal, Jews being mice, Americans as dogs, Poles as pigs, Germans as cats, etc.  This isn’t simply a collection of haunting images of death, destruction and unimaginable cruelty and loss.  This is the story of a father and son.  And if you’ve ever looked at your parents and thought they were irritating or embarrassing to you, you know some of Art’s pain dealing with his father Vladek.  This is a story of Art interviewing his father about his history, getting to know a young Vladek, tortured away, and how this affected Art’s relationship with his dad.

This is not an easy read.  This is not a light afternoon-at-the-beach book.  This will move you.  This will make you think.  This will make you ache.

What is striking in the books is the disparity between “present day” and “pre-war” Vladek.  He begins as a charismatic, carefree, wealthy man, married into big money, and they were a family of influence.  He and his wife Anna had a young child and they were happy, with confidence and resourcefulness enough that the ominous talk about the anti-Jewish feelings in Hitler’s Germany may at some point have an impact on their world in Poland.  Maybe.  Slowly, they lost more and more: their factories, their home, their valuables, they sent off their child to a safe haven to find out he died there, their family was taken away to camps, killed, until it was just Vladek and Anna, hiding, going from one barn or basement to another, until they ended up in Auschwitz.  Vladek’s focus the entire time he was in the camp was to survive and find his way to Anna.  People died all around him, were shot or beaten to death for no reason, were sent to the gas chamber and then the ovens, and he witnessed inhuman cruelty.  And though you know he and Anna survive, it’s harrowing to experience just reading it.  But the story is coming to you from a neurotic, stubborn, miserly, racist man, and though all of these traits were present in the younger version of Vladek, they helped him survive the Holocaust, and they became overwhelming elements of his personality until his death.

Part of what makes the book so special is that it’s brought to you by the Vladek’s son, through his drawings done from interviews he did with his dad, despite their strained relationship, which are incorporated into the books themselves.  And Art is not shy or dishonest about his own intolerance of his father, which plagues him with guilt, as well as being the son of a survivor, which has even greater psychological impact, and we find that Art is struggling as much as Vladek, trying to make sense of what the Holocaust did to their family, and how it affects them throughout their lives.

Read it.  Not because it won a Pulitzer Prize or because it may teach you something.  Because it will make you feel something.  And maybe, you may learn something about yourself.

Z is for Moose

Z is for Moose
by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Dawn

Summary:

Acting as the referee, Zebra is certain he will be able to direct everyone to appear on the correct page, at the appropriate time. He is hoping for no mishaps, hurt feelings or unnecessary drama. It’s the ABC’s, what can go wrong, right? Well it’s not that easy when there’s a forgotten moose….

Review:

At first I thought this book would be a normal ABC book. It starts off like any other ABC book, but this is not your average book of the ABC’s. It’s hilarious! Moose just can’t wait for his turn with the letter M, but he gets a surprise, just like us, when we finally reach his letter. Moose is clumsy and obnoxious, but loveable and the ending is sweet satisfaction for Moose and readers alike. Both children and adults will get a huge kick out of this story. The illustrations alone demand for MANY rereads and this ABC book will not disappoint!

Wichita

Wichita

Author: Thad Ziolkowski

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Lydia

            Wry wit, vivid imagery, and intelligent pop culture references abound in this quirky novel about a wayward man who returns home to find his family life in ruins. Set in Wichita, Kansas, college graduate Lewis Chopin returns to find his New Age mother busy with her current business of the moment—storm chasing tours—and his brother on the verge of another mental breakdown. The family is so crazy that Lewis—adrift, unemployed, and recently dumped by his longtime girlfriend—actually seems to be the most normal of them all. 

            This is essentially the plot of the novel, but the story told is far from thin and weak. The novel is layered with Lewis’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences as he watches his peculiar brother slowly unravel while his mother slips further into denial. The humor in this novel masks a truly crushing sadness as the Chopin family, each member dealing with his or her own issues, attempts to stick by each other in a troubled time.

 Ziolkowski’s acerbic novel demonstrates what it means to live—both alone and in relation to others—in the twenty-first century. The ending is raw, powerful, and as gripping as a tornado itself. I finished this book in a matter of days, and then recommended it to everyone I know. It’s just that good.

Homer

Homer
by Elisha Cooper
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Deb

Summary:  Home isn’t just where the heart is.  Home is often where the dog is.  And for this loyal dog-who you will recognize if you ever loved a dog-home is where YOU are.

Review:  If you have loved a dog this simple sweet story will hit home with you.  Homer is depicted as an older dog who enjoys just being at home watching the daily activities of the family.  He is watchful during the day and at night he takes his place in his special chair after his day is done. Short and simple is sometimes best as this story is.

Every Thing On It

Every Thing On It
by Shel Silverstein
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue

Although Shel Silverstein died in 1999, he left over 1,500 unpublished poems.  His family got together once a month for over a year to read aloud his poems and they put together this book of 145 poems.  Filled with his original artwork and wonderful poems, this book is a treasure. If you liked Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends, you will definitely like Every Thing On It. 

Aleph

Aleph

Author: Paulo Coelho

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Lydia

            Paulo Coelho is arguably one of the twenty-first century’s most renowned authors. Writer of the critically acclaimed book, The Alchemist, Coelho’s most recent work is a departure from his normal style. This book is a memoir, making his writing as personal as if you were reading out of his diary.

            The book details Coelho’s crisis of faith, and his subsequent journey to find what he has lost. On a spur of the moment he decides to take a journey on the Trans-Siberian railway. While on this journey he meets the mysterious, aggressive, and very persistent Hilal, a beautiful woman who claims to have known Coelho in a past life. The book then describes the rest of their journey and what they learn about one another. My favorite character was Hilal, who at times fascinates and infuriates both the reader and Coelho.

            I have read many of Coelho’s books, and this was my favorite by far. I feel that Coelho went above and beyond his normally very simple writing. Most of all, I was surprised that this book was a memoir; proof that sometimes life’s events are more unreal than any found in a book. 

The Princess and the Pig

The Princess and the Pig
by Jonathan Emmett
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Dawn

Summary:

An unfortunate (or fortunate?) accident has caused the new baby princess, Priscilla, to switch places with a farmer’s baby piglet. The farmer believes that a good fairy has helped him by turning the pig into a baby, so he names her Pigmella and brings her home to his wife. The King and Queen believe that a bad fairy has cursed them, so they raise the pig as their daughter, Priscilla. Pigmella has a wonderful childhood being raised on a farm. She is poor, but happy. Priscilla on the other hand turns out to be a bit of a handful. One day, the farmer’s wife hears a story about how the princess was turned into a pig and she realizes they must be talking about Pigmella. Being good, honest people, the family goes to the King and Queen to return Pigmella to her rightful home. But the King and Queen don’t believe them and Pigmella gets to return home with her family and lives happily ever after.

Review:

This book is one of the best fractured fairytales I have read. The story is humorous and I really like how some of the characters have a happy ending and others do not. The book also has literary references throughout, which makes it fun to read as an adult. The kids may not get it, but the adults will definitely be in on the joke. Not only is this a great story, the illustrations are very well done. They are full of bright colors and really compliment the tale. This book would make a great read aloud for all ages. It would also be great for one-on-one reading, when there is time to pour over the illustrations.

The Familiars #2: Secrets of the Crown

The Familiars #2: Secrets of the Crown
by Adam Jay Epstein
4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Todd

Summary:
When human magic disappears suddenly from Vastia, it falls on the familiars, Aldwyn the telekinetic cat, Skylar the know-it-all blue jay, and Gilbert the gullible tree frog--to find the Crown of the Snow Leopard, an ancient relic that can reverse the curse.  They learn that the only way to do this is by following in the purple paw prints of Aldwyn's father, who'd gone missing while searching for the Crown years earlier. This magical spirit trail extends into the Beyond, where our heroes encounter new enemies and danger, while Aldwyn learns about his mysterious past. 

Review:
A cute story that anyone with a love of magic can enjoy. Each step the heroes take on their journey leaves you wanting to learn even more about the world that surrounds them. And while not an overt theme, one can read the story as a child who has just found a home for himself, who happens to come across a connection to his parents, and starts to truly seek out who his parents really were.  And then asks that child the questions of: will you be happy from what you’ve learned, just how much do your parents define you, and even if you can’t see any reason to like them, should you want to do honor to their memory? This was a great book that I highly recommend!

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me

Author: Richard Fariña
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Reviewer: Lydia

Richard Fariña’s book was a hidden surprise for me; I’ve never heard of him before, but his quirky style is very reminiscent of such authors as Thomas Pynchon or David Foster Wallace. Set in the Beat era, this short book follows the adventures of Gnossos Pappadopoulis as he rambles, meanders, and gallivants through his college years and life in general. There are encounters with bears, a run-in with a fraternity, and did I mention lots of aimless meandering?
Fariña’s style, like Pynchon’s or Foster Wallace’s, is not for everyone. Sentences begin and then end three lines later without much regard for punctuation, obscure references are made regarding everything from art to history to religion, the reader rarely knows who is speaking, and in actuality, there is no real plot line. In the end, as much as I enjoyed the strangeness and humor of this novel, Fariña’s style sometimes becomes overwrought and tiresome.

Bone

Bone

By: Jeff Smith

5/5 stars

Reviewer: Will N.

What is Bone, I hear you ask?  Bone is...wait, what?  You didn't ask?  Well...uh, it doesn't really work if you don't ask.  So, just go on, go ahead and ask.  You can, I don't know, whisper it or something, or write it on your hand.  Go on, I'll wait.

....we good?  Ah-ha!  Excellent.  So!  What is Bone, you just now asked?  Good question (if I don't say so myself).  Bone is an all-ages comic boo - hey, hey hey!  Get back here!  You asked so now you'll have to listen to the whole spiel, capiche?  Yes, I know I said all-ages comic book, but that doesn't mean it's just for kids!  This is for all ages, I'm telling you.  Just trust me on this.  Sit down.

There.  *Ahem*  So, this is a story of humor, and epic fantasy.  It follows three strange creatures, cartoonish cousins from a place called Boneville, as they stumble into an uncharted valley unlike anything in their experience.  There they find themselves pulled into a troubled kingdom filled with ancient conflict, and encounter princesses, dragons, monsters, and more.  We are talking fantasy epic here, think Lord of the Rings, only with more of a sense of humor.  Did I mention it's funny?  And that it is a fantasy story?  You have that look that tells me you get the idea, and that I should stop talking now.  I suppose I will, since part of the fun is figuring out the story as you go.

Bone was independantly published, written and drawn entirely by cartoonist Jeff Smith.  The series has won over twenty one awards.  It may take a little while to get going, but it is well worth the attempt.

Little Pink Pup

Little Pink Pup
by Johanna Kirby
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Dawn

Summary:

When Pink was born, he was the runt of the litter. His piglet siblings were much larger and pushed him out of the way to get food. He was so small that the Kirby family did not think he would survive. So, they brought him into their home, where he encountered Tink, the family’s pet dachshund. Tink just had her own litter of puppies and when she saw Pink, she immediately welcomed him into her family and nursed him back to health

Review:

This is such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I’m so glad that Johanna Kirby chose to turn Pink and Tink’s story into a children’s picture book. Written in clear, simple text, this story is inviting for beginning readers. The full-color photos were the perfect choice for illustrating this non-fiction tale that will definitely appeal to a wide audience. This book is perfect for teaching children about accepting people who are different.

Three Black Swans

Three Black Swans
by Caroline B. Cooney
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Deb

Summary:

Missy and Claire are teenage cousins who happen to look alike.  Missy is given an assignment at school to plan a ‘hoax’ and present it to class.  Her ‘hoax’ is to go on the school tv program and announce that she has found her long lost twin, her cousin, Claire.  The ‘hoax’ creates all sorts of complications and new discoveries.  Are they really twins, were they adopted and is there someone who has seen their program on YouTube and knows the truth about them?  

Review:

Caroline Cooney is at her best with this realistic fiction novel.  There are surprises and twists that keep this story moving and makes the reader wonder what is really going on with the girls. Great story!  

Smile

Smile
by Raina Telgemeier
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue
Rebecca Caudill 2013 Nominee

Summary:

This graphic novel about the author, Raina Telgemeier, is about her rather dramatic dental experience after her front teeth were severely injured when she was in sixth grade.  Falling when she was running into her house sets the scene for the whole book.  Not only does Raina have to deal with numerous dental procedures and surgeries, but she is also going through all the middle school and early high school experiences.

Review:

I really enjoyed this graphic novel!  It was fast paced and quite entertaining.  The descriptions of Raina’s dental work were presented in such a way that you could really empathize with the middle school, and then early high school, situations that she went through.  Some of it was hard not to wince at, but Raina was a real trooper.  The book ends on a positive note with Raina learning her new friends are true friends, and that when she smiles at someone, they smile back.  J

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If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House

If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House
by Jane O'Connor
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Helen

Summary:
A lighthearted look at the First Families of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. These are funny, surprising stories of the most famous home in America and its occupants.

Review:
Interesting, amusing and exceptionally well-illustrated. Also, these walls have quite a bit to tell about the house and its occupants. As an example, during President John Tyler’s presidency, the White House was such a mess that it was called the “Public Shabby House:, President William Howard Taft was so large he had to have a jumbo sized bathtub installed, big enough for 4 people; and President Lincoln didn’t mind that his younger sons Tad and Willie, kept pet goats in their White House bedroom.

Sleeping Naked is Green

Sleeping Naked is Green

By: Vanessa Farquharson

4.5/5 stars

Reviewer: Marina

I have a love for all those books where people take on a personal challenge for a year- like reading the Encyclopedia Britannica, eating locally, etc. etc.  With that love in mind I picked up this book about how one woman changed one thing in her life to be greener every day for one year.  I wasn’t entirely sure how it would turn out, but was pleasantly surprised.  Some of her changes are easy and have little impact on the way you live your life- like switching to recycled paper towels- other seem a little too intense for me- like her makeshift bidet replacing some of her toilet paper use.   She does it all with a sense of humor that shines through to her readers.  This book is sure to have you laughing and finding some new ways to make changes in your own life to help make the world a little better. 

If you’d like to see the full list of her changes to see what’s in store for you if you pick up the book, click here.

Nobody's Son

Nobody’s Son

Written by Sean Stewart

4/5 stars

Reviewer:  Will N.

Here is a story that begins where most fantasy stories end.  Shielder’s Mark has done the impossible, and lifted the curse of the Ghostwood.  He has survived the perils of the Red Keep, and emerged a legendary hero.  But as I said, this is only the beginning.  Instead of a comfortable fade into happily ever after, Nobody’s Son continues following our hero, where we see things after his quest are not everything he had hoped they would be.  He is ridiculed at court, his magic sword is claimed by the ancestor of the blade’s previous owner, and through ignorance of court politics he finds himself making powerful enemies with every step.

This book contains ghosts, magic blades, at least one witch, a handful of scheming nobles, and some inadvertent time travel, but at heart, Nobody’s Son is about coming to terms with yourself, and your past.  It explores the relationship between fathers and their sons, how it is essential, and how it can go astray.  There is a somewhat melancholic undertone present throughout the story, asking “Why am I unhappy?  Have I ever been happy?  Is it even a possibility?”  The hero is challenged, and perhaps the reader as well, to find equilibrium with the past, with death, and with growing up.  It is well worth a read.

Zombie in Love

Zombie in Love
by Kelly DiPucchio
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Dawn

Summary:

Mortimer is a lonely zombie who is looking for love. He has tried all of his best romantic moves on potential love interests, like gifting them with a (maggoty) box of chocolates, a shiny red (real) heart, and even a diamond ring (with a decomposing finger still attached), but to no avail. Mortimer finally gets the idea to put out a personal ad inviting a lucky lady to meet him at Cupid’s Ball. After waiting around the whole night, he is about to give up, and in walks the girl of his dreams – a zomie named Mildred.

Review:
I absolutely LOVED this book. The illustrations are full of little details, which would make multiple reads a pleasure for kids and adults alike. Also, the illustrator chose soft watercolors in a muted palette, which gives what could be scary, a cute charm. I also love that this book would be perfect for Halloween or Valentine’s day, and it is equally appealing to girls and boys. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare before Christmas” or any child (first grade and older) with a sense of humor! (Note: This book was recently announced as a 2012 finalist for the Children’s Choice Book Awards.)

Quiet

Quiet

Author: Susan Cain
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Lydia

I normally enjoy fiction, so this book was a departure for me. In Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain explores the primary differences between introverts and extroverts and aims to dispel the negative connotation of the word “introvert”. Cain argues that introverts are more than just shy, reserved people who enjoy spending time alone or reading—in fact, she flips this stereotype on its head and points out the countless positive attributes of introverted people. From powerful CEOs to grade school teachers, introverts bring a unique set of skills to the table, much the same way that extroverts do.

Caught somewhere between a crash course in psychology and a piece of journalism written in first-person perspective, simply put, this book was a fascinating read. While there are many case studies and a hefty dose of scientific jargon, the book still appeals to a mass audience. I know I’m not alone when I say that Quiet taught me to accept my introversion, because being an introvert isn’t a disease or some sort of anomaly. With such a positive message, embrace your inner introvert and pick up this great book for a good read.

50 Underwear Questions: A Bare-All History

50 Underwear Questions: A Bare-All History
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue

Summary:

This entertaining book takes a look at the history of underwear.  Using a question and answer format, fun cartoon illustrations, and a “private parts” section should give the reader maybe more than they would ever want to know about underwear!  The reasoning behind the “styles” that were worn in the past, and are worn now, is presented in a humorous and interesting way.

 Review:

A fun book, loaded with lots of information!  Not only will you learn about underwear, but you will learn a bit of history as the book describes what is going on in different countries and sections of the world at the time that the underwear is worn. 

One Shot

One Shot

By: Lee Child

4/5 stars              

Reviewer: Marina

One Shot is the ninth book in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, soon to be a movie starring Tom Cruise.  In the heartland of America, a sniper massacres 5 civilians in a public shooting.  The man accused of the shooting in a quick resolution simply says “Get Jack Reacher for me.”  Lucky for him, Reacher, an ex-military cop, does indeed show up to solve the crime.  Reacher is a lone man traveling the country after leaving the military and solving problems everywhere he goes in his own, usually violent, way.  This installation of his story is no different.  One of the great things about Reacher is he is a good guy that doesn’t hurt anyone that doesn’t deserve it.  He gets the job done so that good always wins out over evil and he does it in his way.  This is a great book, just like all the Reacher novels that come before and after and you can pick up any one in the series at any time without losing much background.  If you read them in order, some secrets of his past will unravel for you, but there will always be a hefty dose of mystery for you.  If you want to start at the beginning, pick up Killing Floor.  Otherwise select any one of his books and cheer on Reacher just like I do.    

Gotham Central

Gotham Central

Written by Greg Rucka (Queen & Country) & Ed Brubaker (Criminal)

Drawn by Michael Lark

5/5 stars

Reviewer:  Will N.

                                                  (Eisner & Harvey Award winning series)


There is something to this series that is unique; something that I suspect will interest you regardless of how you feel about graphic novels. This is not the tale of a vigilante do-gooder in tights, though it does share the same world as the caped crusader. It is instead more of a police procedural, with a level of depth and gravitas that sets it well apart from most other DC titles. The focus here is placed on the Gotham City Police Department, specifically the Major Crimes Unit, and how they deal with living in the shadow of Batman.

In the first issue a detective is killed, but instead of being a background victim in a Batman serial, this is a death that matters, impacting story and characters alike (as such a death truly would) and it sets the tone for the rest of the series. This is a story about people, not superheroes. Batman is only a peripheral character, and remains on the outside of the narrative; a vague presence that not everyone is completely comfortable with. At best he is a rival, at worst he is a living reminder of their failures. In this way Gotham Central sets an unusual precedent, wherein you don't want Batman to get involved, or save the day. You want to see the police do their jobs, and do them well.

If you like police procedurals, give Gotham Central a chance. Whether you know anything about Batman or have ever read a comic book before isn’t important. The stories and the characters stand up well enough on their own to warrant any reader's attention.

Me...Jane

Me...Jane
by Patrick McDonnell
5/5 stars
Reviewer: Dawn
(2012 Caldecott Honor)

Summary:

Jane is a curious young girl who loves to be outside with the animals. Often, she climbs to the top of her favorite tree, with her stuffed monkey Jubilee, and dreams of helping all of the amazing creatures in the jungles of Africa. One day Jane awakens to find that her dream has come true. The end of the book has an About Jane Goodall page that delves deeper into her life story and there is also a message from Jane Goodall herself.

Review:

This picture book biography of Jane Goodall is absolutely stunning. Visually, it is a work of art. This book was a 2012 Caldecott Honor Book and it has also won many other awards. There are a number of mediums at work here, including photographs and stamps. Together, they paint a picture of a simpler, earlier time. McDonnell chose to portray Jubilee as alive, which I think works perfectly for a book about following your dreams. In the middle of the book there is a spread of illustrations from Jane’s childhood notebook. It is really amazing to have a peek at games and artwork she created when she was a little girl. The final image of Jane, a photograph of her with a chimp, is the perfect ending to a book about fulfilling your dreams.

State Of Wonder

State of Wonder

Author: Ann Patchett
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Lydia

          

Ann Patchett’s newest novel, State of Wonder, begins slowly but manages to hook the reader halfway through the story and then never lets go. Patchett fashions a believable world as she details the story of Dr. Marina Singh, who travels to the Amazon rainforest to uncover the truth behind her friend and coworker’s mysterious death. Tied in with this tragedy are questions of environmental and human ethics as Marina also tries to make contact with another coworker from her company who is also in the Amazon researching and developing a powerful drug.

In a place populated by savage tribes, poisonous snakes, and deceptive friends, Marina must uncover the truth behind each of these two intertwined mysteries. My favorite aspects of the novel are the descriptions of each locale, as well as the way the characters seem to come to life on the page. There is a major twist (or two) at the end of the book, and these major turns in the novel save this book from the rather slow beginning.

Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

By: Sherman Alexie

5/5 stars

Reviewer: Marina

Junior is a half-Indian half-White teen caught between his two cultures and living on The Rez.  Life is hard for him in a world where he doesn’t fit in with either culture, has a full dose of nerdiness on top of that, and oddities like being born with 10 extra teeth!  Despite his trials Junoir tells his story of trying to make his way in this crazy life with a sense of humor, a dash of cartoons he draws, and a sprinkle of four letter words.  It’s hard not to feel for what junior is going through- going to school off rez, his level of poverty, and the teasing he receives from the other Indians from being too white.  Ultimately, Junior is just like any other teen, facing the usual teen dilemmas and is extremely relatable.  Pick up this book for a read and you are sure to laugh out loud and thoroughly enjoy yourself.  

The Snow Child

The Snow Child

Author: Eowyn Ivey
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reviewer: Lydia

The phrase “pleasantly surprised” might seem like a cliché, but I was both surprised and completely enamored with this hidden gem of a book. Eowyn Ivey’s debut novel, The Snow Child, is a promising start to the career of a new writer, and I look forward to her burgeoning success in the future.

The novel is like nothing I’ve ever read before; part fairy tale and part realistic account of farm life in the 1920’s Alaskan wilderness. The story is tender and poignant, yet wild and dangerous—just like the novel’s main character, Faina, herself.

The other two main characters are Mabel and Jack, who are middle-aged and childless, a burden that weighs heavy on both of them. One night in a fit of playfulness they build a snow girl complete with scarf and mittens. The next morning the snow girl is gone, as are the mittens and scarf, and there is a track of footprints leading into the woods. After this Mabel and Jack begin seeing a strange girl in the woods who looks oddly like the snow child they created. What follows next is a story full of surprises and suspense as Mabel and Jack begin to love the child as fiercely as their own.

From the gorgeous artwork on the front cover to the haunting story, this tale of happiness, sadness, loss, pain, and hope is as enchanting as your favorite fairy tale. I plan on rereading The Snow Child many times in the future, as well as impatiently waiting for Ivey’s next work of art.

Missing

Missing
by Becky Citra
4/5 stars
Reviewer: Deb

If you like horses and suspense this book is for you.  Set in Canada, we learn about Thea and her dad who move from town to town.  Thea is never able to stay long enough in one place to make friends.  This time Thea’s dad gets work renovating a guest ranch on Gumboot Lake. Thea makes friends with a local boy and works at building the trust of an abused horse.  When Thea tries to solve a decades-old mystery, she starts to come to terms with the losses in her life.

This book is fast reading and has enough suspense to make the reader want to know what happens next.

Geek Wisdom

Geek Wisdom, the Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture

Editor: Stephen H Segal

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reviewer: Cheryl

Who knew that the secrets of Life could be found in science fiction movies, fantasy novels and comic books?  Geeks did.  You don’t just go around quoting lines from the nerdy reaches of pop culture unless you’ve found something truly worthwhile therein.

Geek Wisdom is a collection of essays on the philosophical meaning of some of the most commonly quoted gems.  Each is presented in a comfortably browsable format that explores the context and the layers of significance in the quote.  They are also often followed by some bit of trivia you can use to impress your geek friends.  The sources for these meditations are varied, from television and movies to literature to video games and internet memes.  In general, the sources are overlooked by the mainstream as being too modern or too fun to hold any true wisdom.  Still, the authors reveal what fans have known, at least subconsciously, all along. Regardless of the context, mankind seeks meaning in life and can’t resist sharing what they find along the way.  This book will entertain, but it will also have you watching the latest sci-fi blockbuster with new eyes.

I am the Messenger

I Am The Messenger

By: Markus Zusak

4.5/5 stars

Reviewer: Marina

I Am The Messenger is a novel of mystery, triumph, change, making a difference, and playing cards.  Narrator Ed Kennedy is a somewhat lost 19 year old taxi driver.  His life is stagnant and not really going the way he wants it to.  After accidentally foiling a bank robbery Ed starts receiving mysterious playing cards in the mail with puzzles written on them.  The puzzles direct him to his tasks once he can decipher them and Ed starts making a difference in people’s lives. 

This novel is a powerful and engaging story sure to keep you reading on.  Ed is a likeable character that you’ll want to see succeed.  Some of the scenes of the book can be a bit harsh and therefore possibly more suitable for older teens.  The book ultimately has a very positive message and will definitely leave you with things to think about.