The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright

I consider myself to be a fast reader - that is, I can speed through most books at a decent pace while still comprehending what it is that I am reading. Rarely, if ever, have I made it through a book as quickly as I did The Wednesday Letters, which, at the very least, was a mercifully quick read. The speed at which I was able to read, however is indicative of the overall depth of both the story and characters.

The premise of this book is sweet and promising - a husband and wife pass away together, drawing their three grown children back home. As the children deal with the loss of their parents, they discover boxes and boxes of letters that their father wrote to their mother every - wait for it - Wednesday - during their life together. Together, the kids discover a family secret that none of them could have guessed. Amazingly, the plot surrounding the devastating revelations and sub-plots are all neatly wrapped up on one whirlwind weekend of mourning.

I do not want to include any spoilers in case anyone would like to give this book a try - to be fair, it did receive a positive review from Publishers Weekly, and lots of people on Amazon reviewed it glowingly as well. From my perspective, this book was offensive to women, overly didactic, and completely lacking in any sort of character development or logical plot evolution. I would be interested in hearing other reader's takes on this particular title, however, and am REALLY looking forward to our book club discussion on it!

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

Like so many women of a certain age, one of my favorite books growing up was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Jo March was and always will be a heroine of mine, and Louisa and Jo, in my mind, were one and the same.

Author Kelly O'Connor McNees, also a fan of Little Women and Louisa May Alcott, took the opportunity to do some research and create a fictionalized account of one of Louisa's summers of which little to no documentation survives. We were fortunate enough to have Ms. McNees join us at the Minooka Branch, where she provided a reading from the book, answered questions from the audience and signed copies of her book.

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott takes place during the summer that Alcott's family spent in Walpole, New Hampshire, when Louisa was 22 years old. During the course of the summer, in this fictionalized account of her life, Louisa falls in love. McNees deftly weaves her story in with fact, producing a hopeful yet very human heroine. This is a bittersweet and nostalgic book that I would highly recommend to any fans of Alcott, historical fiction or romance.

Check out the very wonderful and lovely Kelly O'Connor McNees at her website as well:

http://kellyoconnormcnees.com/

The Immmortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Recently recognized as one of the best books of the year by Amazon.com, Oprah, NPR, and the New York Times, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, will take you on a journey that fascinate, infuriate and educate.

Henrietta Lacks tragically lost her life at the hands of an aggressive cervical cancer back in 1951, made even more tragic by the fact that she was the mother to five young children at the time. What no one in her family knew then, or for the next 20 years, is that doctors harvested some of her cancer cells while she was still alive (without her knowledge or consent,) and these cells have been crucial to breakthroughs in medical science ever since - in curing polio, studying how cancer grows, learning how viruses spread, just to name a few applications - Henrietta's cells even went into space.

While Henrietta's cells continued to multiply, her family floundered. Struggling to get by, often ironically lacking basic medical coverage, her family continues to have trust issues with medical facilities and personnel. While Henrietta's cells have generated billions of dollars for some, none of this has gone to her family. Not only is this book an amazing story of human life and incredible science, it also addresses the ethical and moral issues surrounding our bodies and ownership of such.

Author Rebecca Skloot, who spent ten years writing this book and gaining the Lacks' family's trust, does an amazing job of combining the scientific with the personal. This is narrative non-fiction at its best.

Book Clubs!

Looking for a book discussion group?

We currently have 2 at the Three Rivers Library! The Read a Movie Book Club meets the last Wednesday of the month at the Minooka Branch building, and Bookies Book Club, held in conjunction with the Village of Minooka, meets the second Saturday of the month at Minooka Village Hall.

We'd love to see you at our next meeting!

*Please note the next Read a Movie Book Club will meet January 26, 2011

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Ann Brashares continues to jump successfully from teen to adult fiction in her second adult book, “My Name is Memory.” A mix of romance and fantasy takes readers on a journey across centuries and past lives. Daniel is one of a few people in the world who remembers his past lives, no matter the body he is born into. We hear a firsthand account of Daniel’s journey from sixth-century Africa through eighth-century Turkey to WWI, in almost a detached way, except when it comes to Lucy.

Readers meet Lucy as Daniel pursues her in present day, trying to get her to remember who he is and their lives together. Readers are able to see Daniel’s view of their star-crossed love story as it has developed over time, but Lucy (also known as Sophia in the past) never remembers. Though scared by Daniel’s seemingly insane claims about their lives, prompting Daniel to leave her alone, Lucy slowly and eventually discovers the truth. As the mysteries are unraveled, going back and forth between their two viewpoints, another element of danger in the form of a murderous soul threatens to ruin their current reunion.

I most enjoyed the element of fantasy of this book, which has never been explored thoroughly in the past, shedding a different light on the idea of reincarnation. Brashares does changing viewpoints and romance well, developing characters to care about and a romance to root for. While the book becomes sluggish at some points, the adventure and suspense Brasheres leads up to is worth the wait. “My Name is Memory” is an intriguing start to Brashares' planned trilogy.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Every year during Banned Books Week, I make sure and read at least one book that has been challenged or banned...BECAUSE I CAN! This year one of the books I chose was Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Although the book has been around for quite a while (it was first published in 1999,) it made the news this year after a gentleman in Missouri referred to it in an editorial as "soft pornography," and Ms. Anderson's publishing company took out a full page ad in the New York Times to defend their author and the book.

We meet Melinda, a high school freshman, at the beginning of the school year. She is clearly depressed, refuses to talk to anyone (including her parents) unless absolutely necessary, and not only does she NOT have any friends, she has people who hate her so much they torment her. We see the world through Melinda's eyes and it is not a pretty - or safe - place to be.

As the school year continues, we see some small signs of life in Melinda - although she is barely coping, she finds an outlet in her art class. She continues to exist on the fringe of school society as additional clues are presented as to what prompted Melinda to go from a popular and bright student to one who tries to disappear into herself.

Without providing any spoilers, this book is a sensitive and realistic journey into the mind of someone who has been deeply injured. Yet, in spite of the damage, she perseveres. This book deals with heavy subject matter, but one that BOTH teenage boys and girls, sadly, need to be aware. This was Anderson's first novel and it was nominated for a National Book Award. I look forward to reading more of this author.

Bookies Book Club!

What: Bookies Book Club

When: Saturday, October 9th

10:00 a.m.

Where: Minooka Village Hall Community Room

What We're Discussing: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult

Hope to see you there!

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

Andie Miller has had 10 years to get over her divorce and her ex-husband, and now that she's getting ready to remarry, she is ready to put the past behind her. While visiting her ex to wrap up some final details, he asks her one last favor - to take over supervision of two orphans in a creepy haunted manor in a remote corner of the world - for which she will be paid enough money to begin her new life debt-free.

When Andie arrives at the home, she is greeted with open hostility by the housekeeper, Mrs. Crumb, and stony indifference by the two children: 12 year-old Carter and 8 year-old Alice. As Andie sets about debunking the ghosts that she keeps hearing about, getting through to the children and getting the house in order, she begins noticing some odd occurrences and strange characters hanging around the house.

The longer Andie spends at the house, the more determined she is to protect and stay with the children, and the more she starts believing in ghosts. Will she be able to protect the children from the malevolent spirits she has seen? Can she convince the children to leave the only home they have known? Will she marry her fiance and live happily ever after?

Jennifer Crusie has penned a spooky and fun story complete with romance, terror, humor and intrigue. Gothic chick lit! While it gets a little messy towards the end with a sudden storm of characters and plot lines, overall, it is still a quick and satisfying easy read.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is an annual event in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, one that is required viewing for all inhabitants of the 12 districts of the nation. Each district randomly selects a male and female young adult to represent them in the "game," a brutal contest in which the last person surviving wins. The games were created as a means for the "Capitol" to remind its citizens of their ultimate power and control after an uprising which led to the demise of the area formerly known as District 13.

When Katniss Everdeen's younger sister, Prim, is selected to represent District 12 in the annual game, Katniss wastes no time in volunteering to take her place, knowing this will most likely lead to her own death in the arena. Her participation in the game, along with fellow District 12 participant, Peeta, has repercussions which no one could have predicted.

This three-part series by Suzanne Collins (Underland Chronicles series) is written for a young adult audience; however, the themes, pace, plot and characters ensure this is a worthy read for adults as well. Suspense, danger, and romance all intertwine in this well-written and cleverly done series. These books are page-turners that will keep the readers engaged from the get-go. In fact, Collins is so adept at ending each chapter with a cliffhanger, it is nearly impossible to put the books down.

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Growing up, Justin Halpern remembered his father as being a blunt and intimidating figure in his life. Always consistently honest, his father never held back in letting his family know just what was on his mind at any given time. When Halpern suddenly finds himself moving back home at the age of 28, he has the opportunity to view his dad's wisdom from a whole new perspective - and with a fresh sense of appreciation.

With the help of his family and friends, the author set about collecting some of the wit and witticisms of his father over the years, and created a Twitter page to share them with others. What started off as a 140-character-or-less series of tributes to his father evolved into a book deal, and now, a television show.

This is a quick and entertaining read that is also surprisingly sweet. If crass language is a concern, this probably is not the book for you - although language is a problem, something with the word, "Sh*t" in the title is most likely not a serious consideration anyway. The quotes, while liberally peppered with expletives, are both hilarious and honest. In the end, the short vignettes and quotes paint a picture of a dedicated father whose love for his family is both touching and fierce.

To follow Justin Halpern on Twitter, go to: http://twitter.com/Shitmydadsays

The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle

Camden Anderson has a pretty good life. She's a successful veterinarian, her husband owns and runs a popular restaurant, and they have a high-school age daughter who is smart, loving and responsible. Sure, her marriage has its share of rough patches, but whose doesn't? When she returns one day from a particularly nasty humane society rescue, Cami is completely blindsided by the fact her husband has left her.

Shattered by her sudden life change, Cami struggles to come to terms with the reality of her life, finding solidarity and companionship with an abused horse that she is boarding. Her friends, family and menagerie of pets support her and provide her with all kinds of distractions as she slowly begins the healing process. Cami's strength and ability to forge ahead yet still retain her vulnerability make her a very likable and real character.

This is a lovely story of love, friendship, camaraderie and forgiveness. The majority of the book is told from Cami's point of view, with just a few chapters from some of the other characters, which was interesting. I really appreciated the chapter that was from Cami's husband's perspective - it made him much more of a sympathetic character. This was a very engrossing story, with interesting characters and a plot that isn't rushed and doesn't gloss over the mess of relationships. I plan on checking out additional titles by this author.

He's a Tall, Cool One

I admit, I am a little biased when it comes to Anthony Bourdain - I love his "No Reservations" television show and have read all of his nonfiction. I find him to be incredibly intelligent, surprisingly insightful and deliriously funny in his writing.

His latest, Medium Raw, picks up where Kitchen Confidential left off - except with an older, wiser and maybe slightly-less confrontational author. Bourdain has definitely matured through the years and this is evident especially when comparing these two books together. His chapter that he dedicates to his daughter is so surprisingly sweet yet still incredibly funny. The initial chapter, in which he so lovingly and carefully describes a secret feast featuring an illegal dish is quite unforgettable .

As someone who is NOT a foodie - I do not watch the Food Network, nor do I care about celebrity chefs in general - it surprised me that I find such appeal in Bourdain's work. Anyone who appreciates good writing, interesting characters and does not mind consistently salty language might find a new author to follow in Anthony Bourdain.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

With the recent release of the movie "Eat, Pray, Love," based on the book of the same name, I felt the need to revisit the 2006 bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert to see if I had a different opinion a second time around. Sadly, I did not. If anything I found the book more irritating this time around.

I really love the idea of this book - solitary woman picks herself up after a difficult divorce, travels the world over to find herself, and, whoops, falls in love along the way - what's not to like? Well, for one thing, I was hoping for more of a travelogue - how the places and people she visits transform her life and vice versa. Instead it was more of, "look at me in Italy, in India, in Bali." The author seems unable, or unwilling, to look outside of her own narrow view of things long enough to grasp that there are people around her with far greater problems than hers.

Gilbert's journey also lacks credibility, as she is paid a healthy advance to write the story of her travels before she even embarks. Maybe I am a little jealous, but the fact that she's getting paid for all of this self-discovery prior to it even happening sort of sullies the integrity of her story.

I mostly dislike the book because it seems like such a wasted opportunity - Gilbert had a chance to be a heroine and an inspiration to not only women everywhere but anyone who has hit a point in their life where they do not know what direction to go. Rather than using this time to grow as a person and enrich her life and the lives of those around her, she instead chooses to focus more and more on herself and how those around her might assist her in achieving even greater levels of self-involvement.

Overall, despite my negative experience with this particular book, I would still recommend people give it a try - readers I have spoken with have either loved it or hated it, you might be the one who loves it.

Interesting Perspective...

from two of my favorite authors. See what Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner have to say on the role sexism plays in contemporary author recognition. What do you think?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-pinter/jodi-picoult-jennifer-weiner-franzen_b_693143.html

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Setterfield introduces us to Margaret Lea, a biographer and daughter of a London rare bookstore owner. Asked to compose the biography of the dying famous author, Vida Winters, Margaret travels to the novelist’s Yorkshire home to decide if Miss Winters will give her the truth, having fabricated the facts of her life on many occasions. Margaret is not only swept up in the unraveling story of the author, but must also face her own demons as the account brings up painful memories from her own past.

As Miss Winters tells her story, we learn of the Angelfield family, focusing on the attractive Isabelle and her brother Charlie. As Charlie forms an unnatural obsession with his sister, Isabelle goes away and marries, only to return shortly after the death of her husband with twin babies on the way. Adeline and Emmeline are born, and are strongly bonded by wickedness and their secret twin language. As Isabelle is put away in a mental institution and Charlie shuts himself off from the world, a governess is brought in to run the house and control the twins, especially the willful Emmeline. Margaret is drawn deeper into the tale of these girls as she learns about the experimental separation of the twins, a ghost, more than one attempt at murder, a baby and abandonment, and a tragic fire. In Margaret’s determination to verify Miss Winters’ story, she meet Aurelius, who has a story of his own to tell, which connects him with the Angelfield family. The twist in the end of Miss Winters’ story will make readers gasp, as they find out her place in the devastating tale.

Setterfield's book, a Jane Eyre apparent, is written in Gothic Style, complete with mysterious secrets, ghosts and shocking revelations. Even with the slow beginning, the book soon picks up and becomes a hard to put down story. Readers will want to know the answers to the many mysteries Margaret herself is trying to figure out and understand about Miss Winters' past. As she investigates the facts of Miss Winters' story, Margaret and the readers slowly begin to figure out the missing pieces of the intricate and marvelous story of Vida Winters. Setterfield's tale is richly detailed, enjoyable and suspenseful, as she mesmerized me with her dual story of the Angelfield family and Margaret Lea. I was drawn in by the mystery and rich storytelling of this unique tale. A great read!

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World.

When three friends who are up-and-coming young professionals in New York City wonder if the corporate fast lane is all it's cracked up to be, they decide there is only one way to find out. Leaving their jobs, their boyfriends and their lives behind, Holly, Amanda and Jen embark on a year-long adventure around the world.

After carefully researching and budgeting, the women begin their quest in South America. From there, they head to various locations in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Some aspects of the trip have been pre-arranged, such as relief work in Africa or studying at an ashram in India, but in between, the women leave themselves open to itinerary changes in an effort to broaden their experiences as much as possible.

As an armchair traveler, I loved reading about the different locations and cultures that the friends visited. Each of the women have a background in journalism, so they each took turns writing their experiences - although I did not really relate personally with any of the authors, the different perspectives were really interesting. This book is both a fascinating travelogue and a study in friendship.

Bookies Book Club

What: Bookies Book Club
When: Saturday, August 14th
10:00 a.m.
Where: Lion's Park, Minooka
Small Pavilion
Discussing: Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
P.S., I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Please join us!

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Looking for a quick and thrilling read this summer? Give Still Missing by Chevy Stevens a try.

Annie O'Sullivan has a fulfilling life - she is a successful real estate agent, has wonderful friends and adores her boyfriend. She owns a beautiful Victorian home on Vancouver Island which she shares with her loyal dog. Life as she knows it is changed forever when she is abducted from a real estate open house that she is hosting. When she comes to, she discovers she is being held in a tiny cabin that is completely closed off from the rest of the world. Her captor, whom she refers to as, "The Freak," is creepily in control, from the clothes she wears to when she uses the bathroom. His expectations of Annie as his submissive "wife" are quietly terrifying and cringe-inducing. Annie is a fighter, however, and soon learns to read The Freak in an effort to not only stay alive, but also try and get an edge on him.

The book opens with Annie's first meeting with her therapist after the abduction, so right away it is clear that she has survived her ordeal. Told through a series of conversations with her therapist, her story draws the reader in, as she shares her shocking and heartbreaking experiences with The Freak. As she struggles to rebuild her life post-trauma, she also deals with some additional loose ends of her case that result in a stunning conclusion, yet hopeful conclusion. I highly recommend this book!

Rereading Old Favorites

Have you ever had the experience of reading a book, absolutely loving it, then returning later to read it again, and wonder what you were thinking the first time around? Happily, I did not have that experience with the book, Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen.

One of the selections for this month's Bookies Book Club, Water for Elephants is a romantic story full of intrigue, danger, and circus characters...and who can resist a circus? Told in the form of flashbacks, 90 year old Jacob Jankowski, now a resident of an assisted living facility, recalls his unlikely stint as a vet for a traveling circus during the summer of 1931.

Reeling following the unexpected deaths of his family, Jacob is unable to complete his final exams to obtain his ivy league veterinarian degree and decides to hop a train to escape the nightmare his life had become. As luck would have it, the train he just happened to catch was the Benzini Bros. circus train, and they were thrilled to have a young almost-vet willing to join their crew. Jacob is quickly indoctrinated into the circus, and is soon liked and trusted by both the performers and the working men - no easy feat. When he meets the beautiful Marlena, who just happens to be married to his sometimes charming, sometimes scary boss, he is lost. Rosie the elephant eventually joins the menagerie and Jacob falls for her as well. When the circus owner's unethical practices come back to haunt him, Jacob's life suddenly turns in a whole new direction.

This book is an engrossing and beautifully told story. Gruen has done her research and captures the feel of the traveling circus marvelously. The characters, including Rosie the elephant are multi-dimensional and real. My absolute favorite thing about this book, however is the ending - without including any spoilers, let's just say that I am a sucker for a happy ending, no matter how twisted that might be. A wonderful read that is also being made into a movie of the same title, starring Robert Pattinson as Jacob and Reese Witherspoon as Marlena. It's hard to imagine the movie living up to the book, but I am willing to give it a shot!

Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake

Set in the 1890's, this story features Lady Sydney Hathwell, who travels from England to America to meet a potential groom. Lady Sydney quickly decides they are not suited to each other. Mr. Hume doesn't care though so Lady Sydney decides to go and meet her American Uncle. The only problem is that when she contacts him, Uncle Fuller mistakenly thinks Sydney is a nephew.

What's a girl with no other options to do? Put on a pair of britches and travel out west to her Uncle's ranch. Some people see right through her masquerade. Some don't which leads to some great adventures, seeing life through the eyes of an almost "man", since Sydney is not quite 18.

This Christian fiction mixes just the right amount of humor, romance and adventure to satisfy a wide variety of readers.

All Over the Map by Laura Fraser

Wow, I can see by the topic of books I've been reading that I am due for a vacation! My latest is titled, All Over the Map, written by Laura Fraser. She authored an earlier book called, An Italian Affair, which I would recommend reading prior to this one, but it's certainly not mandatory. In the earlier book, Fraser details her post-divorce relationship with a Paris professor, providing the reader a window into her broken heart and slowly-healing self image. It is a lovely little book.

Her latest autobiographical tale begins as she awaits the professor's company in Mexico on yet another romantic travel adventure. When he arrives, he shares some news with her that will end their relationship as she knows it. She leaves Mexico with renewed determination to find love, companionship and security. She undertakes this new mission the only way she knows how - by succumbing to her desire to travel, explore new places and meet new people.

It is on one of these adventures that she unexpectedly becomes a victim - something that shatters her confidence and steals the magic of travel from her. Will she ever be able to recover her love of travel and the nerve to wander on her own? Will she find the love and/or home she is searching for? Fraser is a gifted writer with a wonderful sense of humor. This book is great for any one who seeks love, adventure, and dreams of far off places. Think Eat, Pray, Love but way less self-absorption. Also check out Fraser's website at: http://www.laurafraser.com/

The Kindness of Strangers

For those of you armchair travelers out there, this is a lovely little book of vignettes, each by a different writer, detailing their widespread and varied travel stories. The vast majority of them are tales of, well, the kindness of strangers.

One of my favorite aspects of traveling to new places is the shared human experiences that occur. It is easy to recognize differences with other cultures; however put me in that culture, and, every time, I am reminded that we have more in common than I could ever imagine. This book is a celebration of interactions, of generosity, and of love. It is especially inspiring to read at a time when more and more polarizing events seem to be taking place in our current affairs. For anyone who dreams of connecting with others and visiting distant lands, this book is a quick but satisfying read.

Play Dead by Ryan Brown

Texas high school football meets zombies in this fun and fast-paced debut from Ryan Brown (son of best-selling author Sandra.)

Cole Logan is not your typical high school quarterback - with a reputation as a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, he is known to test the limits of his coach. When he is brutally attacked by members of the rival team the morning of the big game, he fights for the right to still play. When the coach refuses, Cole walks out on his team. When a stunt perpetrated by the rivals goes horribly wrong, the entire team and coaching staff perishes, except for the head coach. Cole, who witnessed the accident and attempted to rescue his teammates, feels responsible and, along with the coach's pretty and smart daughter, seeks revenge.

While neither zombies nor football are something I would normally seek to read about, I really enjoyed this book. The dialogue is snappy, the plot is outrageous, the bad guys are just so, so bad, there is a romantic sideline, and the whole book is just funny. For those looking for a quick, light and fun read for the summer and who are not bothered by the undead, sexual situations or crude language, this just might fit the bill.

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

In Maines' debut novel, she dreams of a marvelous world where cosmetics giant Carrie Mae not only employs women to sell makeup, but also operates a top-secret arm that works undercover to empower and fight for women's rights around the world. Not only do they hand pick women for this duty, they also outfit them with the most fabulous accessories: poisonous breath spray; blush brush knives; and, tracking device earrings, to name a few.

Nikki Lanier, educated as a linguist but struggling to find gainful employment, falls into the Carrie Mae company at the prodding of her overly-involved mother, and is quickly recruited by one of the upper management of the top-secret portion of the company. Lacking a better option, she undergoes rigorous training in preparation for her first mission - locating and rescuing a missing activist in Thailand. Teamed with an older and much more experienced partner, Nikki is thrown into the world of human trafficking and soon is not sure who she can trust. While the ending of the book is a bit clunky between characters, gadgets and plot, overall this is an entertaining twist on the chick lit genre.

Horns by Joe Hill

Joe Hill, author of Heart-Shaped Box, and son of horror legend Stephen King, continues to solidify his place among up-and-coming writers with his most recent work, Horns.

Ig Perrish awakens one morning with the mother of all hangovers...not to mention the horns growing out of his head. As he attempts to move through his day, he begins to realize that people aren't as freaked out by the horns as he thinks they should be. Plus, they tell him things that they normally would not tell anyone - secret, dark desires - then cannot remember the conversation or even that they spoke with him. In one such conversation, Ig's brother Terry reveals the who the killer of Ig's former girlfriend is, a crime that the community assumes was committed by Ig. Ig, with horns humming, decides to use his new power to trap the real killer.

Hill continues honing his storytelling abilities in this entertaining and thought-provoking read. He tackles age-old topics such as good vs. evil, what awaits in the afterlife, and what are people really thinking behind their public facades? Is forgiveness always an option? To learn more about this book and Joe Hill, see the widget below.

Horns Widget

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

Mary Beth Latham has a good life. Married with three teenage children, she devotes herself to her family, yet still manages to run a landscaping business on the side. Each of her kids requires something different of her - eighteen year-old Ruby is independent and creative, ready to move on to college; the twins, Max and Alex, are fraternal in every way. Max is quiet and a loner; Alex is a star athlete and popular. Despite all the different needs, schedules and lives, Mary Beth manages to create a happy and secure home for her family.

One night, Mary Beth's world is shattered by one violent, tragic act. As she struggles to recover, she must rediscover what she holds dear while dealing with her staggering loss. While this is a difficult book to read at times, it is also beautifully written. Quindlen is amazing at writing real women characters and relationships. While ultimately an uplifting story, it is a long hard road for both Mary Beth and the reader to reach that point of hopefulness at the end of the book.

Bookies Book Club!

Join the village of Minooka and Three Rivers Public Library
for our monthly book discussion club! We meet the 2nd Saturday of the month, at 10:00, at Bean Encounters
in Minooka. For the June meeting, we will be discussing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson, Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh. See you June 12th!

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

This book is written from a unique and frightening perspective - that of an Alzheimer's patient. Author Genova, a first time novelist, holds a PhD. in neuroscience and is active with the National Alzheimer's Association, lending an air of credibility to her work.

Alice Howland has it all - she is a busy, brilliant lecturer and Harvard professor, married to an equally brilliant man. Her three grown children have all turned out healthy and are pursuing dreams of their own. Alice has begun to notice little annoyances, such as not being able to locate her glasses or forgetting appointments, which she feels are easily explained away by menopause. When she becomes disoriented when out for a run one day, she decides to visit the doctor just in case. At age 50, Alice is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

As the book progresses, so does the disease. We feel Alice's descent into the unknown, as her husband and children try to cope with this stranger in their lives. This is a difficult book to read, not only for the sadness factor, but also because so many of us can relate to the early symptoms of the disease. Have some kleenex on hand to read this one!

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult continues her run of timely issue-based narratives with this story of a young man with Asperger's syndrome, who must challenge society's perception of him when he is accused of a heinous crime.

Emma Hunt has her hands full - a single mom with two teenage boys who works from home, she also has the added pressure of maintaining a solid and predictable routine for her older son, Jacob, who has Asperger's syndrome. Although incredibly intelligent, Jacob has a difficult time communicating with others and picking up on social clues. He also is prone to throw a tantrum when his regular routine is disrupted. His younger brother, Theo, although also very intelligent, is floundering through his formative years while Jacob saps most of their mother's energy and time.

When tragedy strikes Jacob's social skills tutor, he finds himself in some serious trouble. Is Jacob guilty of a crime other than landing on the autism spectrum? Will his newbie attorney be able to understand and work with his "quirks?" Will this fragile family be able to weather the situation or will they crack under the pressure? Picoult handles the familial relationships with grace and her characters, as always, are perfectly drawn as imperfect humans.

Bound To Shadows by Keri Arthur

This is the 8th book in the Riley Jenson Guardian series. Riley, part vampire and part werewolf is smart, sassy and tough. She is a guardian for the nonhuman population, which is like a police officer for humans. In this book, she has to hunt down a killer who is beheading their victims. She also has to deal with her werewolf soulmate, Kye, who Riley hates plus keep her jealous vampire boyfriend happy. This book definitely has a twist at the end that was totally unexpected. So, if you like a paranormal romance that is suspenseful, who-done-it kind of book which includes some hot and spicy encounters, give Keri Arthur's Guardian series a try.

Something whimsical

Looking for something fun to read? Try Shanna Swedson's series: Enchanted Inc, Once Upon Stilettos, Damsel Under Stress and Don't Hex With Texas

These three titles feature Katie Chandler, a small town girl from Texas now living in New York. Katie was warned that strange people live in New York City but she seems to run into the strangest, like a flying gargoyle, mischievous fairies and a very powerful bad wizard. The weird thing is no one else seems to give these people a second glance. That's when Katie finds out she have a very powerful gift, the ability to see through the disguises the magic world wears to blend in and appear normal to humans.

When Katie accepts a job working for MSI Inc. life as she knows it will never be the same. These easy to read books are a little bit fantasy, a little bit romance and a whole lot of fun!

Let me know how you enjoy them!

Mary S.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I really must thank the "Bookies" book club for selecting this book to read for the April discussion - otherwise I might never have read it. I had read the reviews, knew it was a popular choice for readers of all types, but the description just did not do it for me. Once I started, however, I was hooked.

Told from the perspectives of three different women, The Help takes place in Jackson Mississippi in the 1960's, when the winds of change are just beginning to blow and civil rights are moving to the forefront of the American conscience. Aibileen is an older, wiser black woman who has spent her life raising her employer's white children. She is strong, faithful and intelligent. Her best friend is Minny, younger, spirited, and has a reputation for being mouthy and difficult (among her white employers.) Skeeter is a member of the white gentry, who grew up on a cotton plantation and was raised by her mother's black servant, Constantine, and whose friends are now hiring "help" of their own. The three women take turns narrating the story, as they become tied together in a manner that none of them could have anticipated.

A few readers I know had a difficult time getting into the story; once they made it through the first few chapters, they were invested. This is a powerful story of love, courage, empowerment, sisterhood and survival. This is a great read for a book club or just for your own enjoyment. It is hard to believe that this is Kathryn Stockett's first novel - I cannot wait for her next offering!

Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

I first heard of this book while listening to a speaker talk about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois and my first thought was that sounds ridiculous! The author, Seth Grahame-Smith, claims that the idea came to him while he was in a bookstore, looking around at what people were reading. He noticed a display on Lincoln, and another on the Twilight series and the idea just clicked. He said it was his "chocolate and peanut butter" moment.

I have to admit I was skeptical when I first picked up the book. I've only read one other book that he had written, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and thought it was okay but not that great. I've enjoyed reading some of the vampire series that are available and I love historical fiction, so I thought I'd at least take this one home and look at it! I was really surprised that I really enjoyed this book! Grahame-Smith takes the things we know about Lincoln's life and introduces vampires in a totally believable way... if you believe in vampires that is! His stories and the use of photos in the book made me run to my computer and check to see what actually happened. I would recommend this book to any reader who likes to read horror and/or historical fiction.

Staff Picks! Staff Picks!

Here are a few titles that have been recently recommended by the fine readers on staff at the Three Rivers Public Library District:

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - Eight years ago, Dr. David Beck's wife, Elizabeth was kidnapped and killed while they were on their honeymoon - so why suddenly is he receiving emails that could only be from her? With the cops now breathing down his neck, how can he prove his innocence and figure out the mystery at hand? A suspenseful read.

Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman - What I enjoyed about this book was the "what would I do" question. Jorie and her husband have what appears to be a storybook marriage. They are loved by townspeople and one of those families you can count on for anything. Then comes a knock on the door that changes their lives forever. What would you do? Could you stand by your man?

Sweethearts Knitting Club by Lori Wilde - This is a romance about a small town and high school sweethearts meeting up again after the bad boy goes to jail and ends up the sheriff of the town is not as good as every one believed he was.

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel - Essays from novelist Kimmel on her unusual childhood growing up in a tiny town in Indiana. This book is funny and touching, and reminds me of my own childhood here in Minooka!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Circus animals, romance, unforgettable characters (including an elephant!) and a memerizing plot make this book one to savor. Best of all, it has one of the best endings to a story I have ever read!

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

Chelsea Handler, known for her E! network television show, Chelsea Lately, had produced another book detailing her irreverent take on life. Following her successful My Horizontal Life and Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, her new title takes off where the others left off.

In this particular book, Chelsea seems to have settled down quite a bit - she has a steady boyfriend (who is the president of the E! Entertainment Network) and even shows her softer side when she decides to adopt a dog. Her family plays a central role in many of the exploits as well. The conversations that take place between herself, her siblings and their father are particularly memorable. Despite the relative calmness of her escapades, she is still hilarious...if you like her sort of humor in the first place. If you find her a bit too much on television, this book might not be for you. However, if you are looking for a few laughs, don't mind salty language or sarcasm, give this one a try.

Happiness Key by Emilie Richards

Tracy DeLoche wasn't looking for a fresh start when she headed for Happiness Key, Florida, after her divorce. Hoping to remove the tenants and sell the property as quickly as possible, she certainly did not want to plant any roots in the area. However, when one of her tenants passes away soon after her arrival, she becomes far more involved in her tenants' lives than she ever planned, and in the process, learns to open up and live again herself.

This book has a little bit of everything in it - romance, mystery, humor, suspense - which all wraps up with my personal favorite - a happy ending! The main characters all come from very different backgrounds, which leads to tension among the neighbors at first, but they all learn to overcome and get along in spite of this. Overall, this is a story of friendship and sisterhood, but all of the side plots help add some pizazz and keep the book moving along.

If you enjoy this book, I would recommend Emilie Richards' earlier work, particularly her Donoghue sisters books, The Parting Glass and Whiskey Island.

Wealth Watchers by Alice Wood

After a freak brain injury caused author Alice Wood to have to relearn many basic skills, personal accounting among them, she developed this personal finance system based on the principles of the Weight Watchers healthy living program. Because I am very familiar with the Weight Watchers philosophy, and can always use some financial guidance, I thought this book sounded very intriguing.

For those of you not familiar with the basic tenets of the Weight Watchers program, it basically assigns point values to foods, based on its calories, fat, fiber, etc. Each person has so many points that they can use on a daily basis, so they must budget their points to ensure they have enough quality meals to get them through the day. Wealth Watchers works much the same way, except instead of points, individuals work out what their "DDI" - (daily disposable income) is and attempt to stay within these guidelines to maintain good financial health. If they want something above and beyond the daily DDI, they must save for it.

Wood's book does a good job of laying out the basic tenets of the program, and includes some background information on how she ended up needing the program in the first place. Roughly half the book is a space for journaling your finances, so the book itself is a quick read. As with the Weight Watchers program, this book provides the tools for financial health; it is up to the reader to utilize them! I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a technique to get their financial lives in order - this book provides a simple solution for a complicated issue.