Book Chat: One of Our Thursdays is Missing

One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde
*****
"I really like Jasper Fforde's books and this one was no exception. They really make you think with all the references to other books and characters." -Amy Rech

Book Chat: The Man Who Tasted Shapes

The Man Who Tasted Shapes by Richard E. Cytowic
****
"A remarkable book discussing the rare disorder of synesthesia. This lack of seperation between the senses allows people to taste shapes, feel colors, or see sounds. Through his research the author makes the case that consciousness is not rational." -Mark Tolbert

Book Chat: Salvation in Death

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb
****
"One of about 40 books in the 'In Death' series. Well told story where many puzzle pieces fall in place as the investigation procedes - related crimes and people. Even after it is known who did it and why, the story continues for how they get caught." -James Whitfield

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Have you ever been nervous about stepping out and trying something new? The young bird in If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade is safe inside his comfortable nest. He is considering giving his new wings a try. There is a great big, wonderful world to explore but what if he tries and his wings don’t work? We all face situations where we might succeed or we might fail. This book is about the decision to try something new and one possible outcome.

Sandra Markle’s Butterfly Tree is a beautiful story about Jilly and her mom exploring one of the many wonders of nature. One afternoon while playing on the beach Jilly sees something in the distance. At first it looks like black pepper raining in the blue sky. As the black rain comes closer, it turns into an orange cloud and eventually disappears into the nearby woods. Jilly and her mom set out to follow the orange cloud and make an amazing discovery. Check out this book and find out what amazing discovery they make.

Book Chat: The Passage

The Passage by Justin Cronin
***
"Mixed feelings on this book. It is a government project gone wrong - so wrong that it turns half the world into vampires. It is obviously the 1st of twelve books to come. After 800+ pages and to realize the end is 11 books away is devastating!" -Amy Grelinger

Book Chat: The Daily Coyote

The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton
*****
"Love this book! Very well written and extremely interesting. all about love, survival, and trust in the wilds of current day Wyoming. Nonfiction and couldn't be more compelling!" -Caroline Hale

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

This Plus That Life’s Little Equations is a creative collection of unexpected combinations that add up to something really special. Author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal puts together two or more common things that together add up to something special. Whether it’s leaves + hot soup = fall or laughter + keeping secrets + sharing = best friend this book will make kids and adults see the simple things in life are the best things in life. Read this thought provoking book and see what kind of life’s little equations you can come up with.

It’s time for bed but Kitty Cat is still busy playing peekaboo, tickling her toes and using her imagination. Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are you Going To Sleep? by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson is a fun rhyming book most parents and kids will be able to relate to. Will Kitty Cat ever be ready to go to bed? Find out in this cute book colorfully illustrated by Laura J. Bryant.

Pierre is a ten-year-old boy who longs to cook in his parent’s French restaurant, La Bonne Vache. Pierre spends as much time as he can in the kitchen hoping for an opportunity to show his cooking skills. Unfortunately, his parents don’t think he is old enough to cook and tell him to go outdoors and play. One day Pierre meets a food critic who is on the way to the restaurant. Read The Boy Who Wanted To Cook by Gloria Whelan and find out what happens when the food critic visits the restaurant and see if Pierre has a chance to prove himself.

Book Chat: The Long Goodbye

The Long Goodbye: A Memoir by Meghan O'Rourke
*****
"O'Rourke's memoir is an intimate portrayal of a daughter's anguish upon the death of her fifty five year old mother. With excruciating honesty, O'Rourke explores the depths of her sorrow, and finds herself lost in a culture that has difficulty acknowledging grief." -Aja Drake

Book Chat: Full Dark, No Stars

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
*****
"Even after all these years, Stephen King is STILL the master of all things dark and gruesome. Each of the four stories in this book explores what seemingly 'normal' people will do under 'extraordinary' circumstances. This book is not for the delicate reader, but rather for those who love to explore the human condition - no matter how morbid. By the way - King's fourth story was inspired by Wichita's own brush with evil - BTK." -Lesa Albin

Book Chat: Unbroken

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
*****
"The biography of Louis Zamperini, the Olympic Champion, who was interred in a Japanese POW camp during WWII. His survival and resiliency is told by the author of Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand." -Kay Swartz