Cheri's Book Picks

In Rule 34 by Charles Stross, Liz, the head of the ICI [Innovative Crime Investigation] department in Scotland follows and monitors the internet for trends to determine if people are engaging in illegal activities. Disturbing activity draws them into an investigation that involves international murder and conspiracy.

Jennifer Weiner’s new book Then Came You, brings together three women, each with different agendas. As events unfold, they touch each other’s lives in peripheral ways, never expecting to actually meet. As often happens, their best laid plans go awry, and they come together in a very unexpected way. Ms. Weiner weaves a wonderful story of compassion and love.

Margaret Truman, former president Harry Truman’s daughter, has written scores of books about intrigue in and around Washington, D.C. The newest title Monument to Murder opens up in Savannah, but quickly moves to D.C., as a secret government organization is revealed, and murders they commit are deemed acceptable in the name of patriotism. Once the truth is revealed, it may bring down the current administration. A novel of superb intrigue and suspense.

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Bring On The Birds introduces kids to birds of all shapes, sizes and colors. Kids will see how birds can dance, dive, hang and even hide. Susan Stockdale’s simple rhyming text and bright, bold illustrations teach young readers about both exotic and familiar birds in their natural habitat.

Old Man Fookwire is a grump. The only thing he likes is birds. All summer long he paints pictures of the birds that visit his backyard. When summer turns to fall, Old Man Fookwire grows sad because he knows the birds will fly south for the winter. He builds beautiful birdfeeders to feed the birds and try to get them to stick around. But the birds aren’t the only ones who want to eat the delicious seeds and berries. Read Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin and see what happens when a grumpy old man and some mischievous squirrels try to out wit each other.

Amelia Bedelia is back! Go West, Amelia Bedelia! is a fun book that will guarantee laughs by Herman Parish. In this book, Amelia Bedelia goes west to visit her uncle’s dude ranch. Kids and adults will find themselves laughing out loud at Amelia Bedelia’s confusion of common phrases and literal meaning. There is never a dull moment on the ranch when Amelia Bedilia is visiting.

Book Chat: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

The summer reading program may be over, but we enjoyed reading your book chats so much that we've decided to post them to the blog periodically. Comment and let us know how you feel about the books you've read.

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
*****
"We have no idea what happens behind the walls and veils of the Muslim world. This is the true story of the life of educated women during and after Taliban rule. made me realize how lucky I am." -Lois Neufeld

Tell us what you think about the Adult Summer Reading Program.

First, I want to thank the Friends of the Andover Public Library organization for sponsoring our first-ever adult summer reading program.

Secondly, thank you to all the participants.  I hope each of you enjoyed reading this summer and found new authors to try from our posted book chats.

Lastly, I want your input on whether you liked the program and if you have any suggestions for future adult summer reading programs.  Feel free to comment below or send comments/suggestions to jheaney@andoverlibrary.org.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.  Happy reading!

Sincerely,

Janelle at Andover Public Library

The check in pile was particularly large the day after summer reading, but Janelle handled it with grace.

Summer Reading Prize Winners

The summer reading program is over!
Here are the results of our prize drawing on July 15th:

Adult Summer Reading Prizes

1st prize: The Nook = Ken Gibbs

2nd prize: $50 Hereford House gift card = Stacey Davis

3rd prizes: $25 Metro Grill gift cards = Cathy Stuhr and Lesa Albin

4th prizes: $10 Scooters gift cards = Karen Osborne and Joann Schmidt

Blog participation prize: $10 Dairy Queen gift card = Michelle Thiessen

Children’s Summer Reading Prizes

YMCA Swim Party = Paris Phillips

Zoo Passes = Josiah Glennen

Music Theatre Tickets = Ruth Anne Dunn

Exploration Place Passes = Tristan Groen


Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who participated!

Book Chat: Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

****

"Each summer I select one 'classic' to read, and this summer I selected Jane Eyre since the movie came out again. This is also a re-read (read 30 years ago!). First time I read it I felt that it was a tragedy. Much like a Greek tragedy. This time I read it I found Jane to have all the characteristics of a modern woman. She rises up from adversity and manages to keep her head on straight with determination and true good characters. Charlotte Brontë writes her setting and characters with vivid and amazing word choices. (Does she use the same word twice?) I enjoyed this much more the second time and think that reading this as an adult brings a world more insight into the true depth of the intended story. No longer does this seem like a Greek tragedy, but rather a story of triumph and happiness one makes for themselves." -Suzanne Eastman

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Harry and Horsie want some cookies, but mom put the cookie jar way up out of reach. They decide to build a CookieBot, a robot that will be able to reach the cookies. Read CookieBot! A Harry And Horsie Advernture written by Katie Van Camp and see what happens when CookieBot runs completely out of control. Colorful, retro style comic book illustrations are a perfect match for this fun adventure.

The Little Little Girl With The Big Big Voice is a fun story about a little girl in search of a new animal friend to play with, but her big voice scares all of the animals away. Will she ever find one that isn’t frightened by her “roaring” voice? Find out in this colorfully illustrated book written by Kristen Balouch.

Karma Wilson’s, Hogwash!, is a clever story about a Farmer trying to give his pigs a spring cleaning. No matter how hard he tries he can’t give his pigs a bath. His wild imagination helps him come up with all sorts of tricks but the pigs always manage to out smart him. Read this crazy story and find out what happens to Farmer when he finds himself stuck in the mud.

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Fergus, the pig, and his little brother, Dink, love to walk up and down the beach searching for treasure. The waves leave them all sorts of treasures like seaweed, pebbles, and shells. What happens one day when they find a treasure bigger than anything they’ve ever found before? Find out in the Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler, a great story about conquering fears.

Tweak Tweak by Eve Bunting is a sweet story about Mama Elephant and Baby Elephant as they take a walk and Baby Elephant sees many new animals for the first time. He is curious about the other animals and has lots of questions for Mama, some about what the other animals can do but mostly questions about what little elephants can do. Read this cute story and learn with Baby Elephant about frog, monkey, the songbird, the butterfly, the crocodile and even Baby Elephant.

Agnes Morley grew up on a cattle ranch in New Mexico. She was no girly-girl. Her parents sent her to Stanford University hoping it would make a lady out of her. Instead she decided to make history and play women’s basketball. Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women’s Hoops on the Map by Sue Macy is a story about the first women’s college basketball game ever between Stanford and Berkeley. Read how a lady can be tough and strong as well as refined and polite. A lady can even play basketball.

Summer Reading Programs end this Friday, July 15th at 2pm.

Our adult and children's summer reading programs end at 2pm this Friday, July 15th. Please turn in your completed book chats or log sheets before the deadline. Drawing for the children's prizes will be shortly after 2pm and the adult prizes will be around 2:15pm this Friday. Need not be present to win.

Thank you to the Adult Summer Reading Program participants who have entered the special drawing for blog followers. We will have that drawing for a $10 gift card to Dairy Queen for those participants who comment on a post and post their full name below their comment by 2pm on Friday, July 15th. Limit 3 entries.

Ideas for comments....

I read that book also and I felt is was....
I read a book that was very similar to this book. It is ....
If you like this book, I highly recommend....

Cheri's Book Picks

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is delightful to read, filled with ancient books, centuries old witches, demons and vampires who live among us and continue to fight age-old battles. The author has a knack for keeping you turning the pages.

Two deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey is intriguing. Daniel, who lives in California, wakes up on a beach in Maine, unable to remember his name or what drove him there to attempt suicide. Mr. Sakey is an excellent storyteller.

That brings us to What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. Dumped on her head in her spin class, Alice wakes up and her only memories take place in what happened over 10 years ago. Is she still married? She has kids..when did that happen? And why can't she stand her 'new' friends? Why is her husband in Brazil? I liked this book a lot.

I have to include a couple of suspense filled, action packed books, and Bloodmoney by David Ignatius has it all. Spies, travel and turncoats.

William Dietrich's new book Blood of the Reich fits into the same category, but with a different twist. It takes place in present day, flipping back to the World War II era for background. Super-colliders, the SS, and murder abound.

Alafair Burke's book Long Gone is a good read....her characters are well developed and the plot is filled with twists and turns.

Flashback by Dan Simmons is a great look at post-apocalyptic America. The U.S.economy has imploded, [imagine that!] and Texas has seceded and formed its own government. A difficult and grim future is ahead. A new drug called 'flashback' is at the heart of the problems, and plays a huge part as foreign countries attempt to move in to 'help'.

Book Chat: The Fleet Street Murders

The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch

****1/2

"Book 3 in the Charles Lenox series. Historical mystery set in 1867 London featuring the deaths of two journalists from rival newspapers in a twisting plot. Good read! Recommend reading Book 1, A Beautiful Blue Death, first, since it's plot is the basis for part of this story." - Karen Demel