Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Gone by Michael Grant

Gone by Michael Grant
Everyone age 15 and older disappears one day - out of nowhere - they poof... leaving a new world filled with kids 14 and under to fend for themselves. But that's not the only strangeness going on... some of them have developed special powers. And everyone's taking sides. An adventure-filled page-turner.

"LOST" meets "Heroes" If you liked the Hunger Games, try this one. First book in a planned series of six.

Janice, Youth Services

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Book #1 of the series: "Percy Jackson & the Olympians")
This story grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until the end. A fantasy page-turner filled with lots of action, sword fights, Greek Gods, and even a betrayal. The story of a boy who find out he's a "half-blood" (his mother was mortal but his father apparently wasn't) and the quest he goes on to save the world.

Not a "new" book or series but one I finally got around to starting and it was worth it!
Recommended for Teens, avid fantasy readers & Harry Potter fans.

Janice, Youth Services

Bobby and Jackie: a love story by C. David Haymann

Bobby and Jackie: a love story by C. David Haymann

Excellent love story about two people, by virtue of their shared pain, found each other and were able to get on with their lives. This book shines a light on the Kennedy Brothers extra extra-marital proclivities. This is definitely not for those who were shocked by JFK's dalliance with MM.

Donna O., Reference

The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog by Nancy Ellis-Bell

The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog by Nacy Ellis-Bell

A fabulous little read about a family turned upside down by a "potty mouthed, one footed, blue and gold macaw." It's a wonderful book!

Marilyn S., Circulation

The Accidental Billionaires: the founding of Facebook: a tale of sex, money, genius and betrayal by Ben Mezrich

The Accidental Billionaires: the founding of Facebook: a tale of sex, money, genius and betrayal by Ben Mezrich

Looking for a good true story? It's true! I just finished the Accidental Billionaires...Be right in the same Harvard dorm room with the players as ideas germinate. Follow their successes. Compare to what it is today.

This should be required reading for everyone remotely interested in start ups...anyone who ever thought that they had an inspirational idea about...anything never done before...which is probably each of us!

Easy read - written by the author of 21, which started at MIT.

P.S. Another good business/mgt book (previously blogged) is The Future of Management by Gary Hamel. Here you will find case studies on the "new" and successful Google, Toyota, Whole Foods, etc., business models.

Donna O., Reference

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (book #1 of “The 39 Clues”)

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (book #1 of "The 39 Clues")

The Cahills are the most powerful family the world has ever known. Grace Cahill, the matriarch of the family, left a challenge in her will for her surviving relatives. They can either take one million dollars or the first in a series of Clues that will reveal the source of the family’s power. It’s Cahill vs. Cahill in a race to beat the competition and be the first to assemble all 39 Clues. Read The 39 Clues books to follow fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her eleven-year-old brother Dan as they travel the world to hunt for the Clues.” - Scholastic (www.the39clues.com)

I read the first book, The Maze of Bones and just loved it. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. It’s an action-packed scavenger hunt and full of lots of obstacles – bombs, poison, and lots of mind-bending puzzles.

Check out the website, and find out which Cahill branch you belong to: www.the39clues.com

And watch fan Whoopi Goldberg interview Gordon Korman, author of book #2 about “The 39 Clues” at:

http://video.scholastic.com/services/player/bcpid1726686681?bctid=4858358001

Janice, Youth Services


All My Patients Have Tales by Jeff Wells

All My Patients Have Tales by Jeff Wells

This is just a great read about a new veterinarian and his adventures with his patients. If you love animals, this book is for you!

Marilyn S., Circulation

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

I really enjoyed this story – I had a hard time putting it down. It features a teenage girl who has the gift of “Sight” which means she can see the other world of fairies. Her grandmother has always warned her to stay away from them and she has - she’s always ignored them (even when they’re right in front of her) but suddenly two fairies begin to pay more attention to just her and start following her around. She notices other fairies looking at her differently and hears their whispers of her being “the one”. She needs to figure out what’s going on & quick - before her Grandmother locks her in the house and never lets her out.

If you liked Twilight, I would definitely recommend Wicked Lovely – it has fantasy, romance, and a bit of fairy tale – for Teens and “young at heart” adults.

Janice, Youth Services