A place where staff reviews are shared with the public! Be kind, all of these reviews are done by staff members who want to share what they are/have been reading, watching, and listening to. We also share what is new in the libraries and a staff member gives a brief blurb about the book, courtesy of our OPAC (Syndetics Unbound Blurbs) or Novelist Blurbs about the books.
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
September 29, 2021 - WV Author of the Month
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
September 28, 2021 - Staff Reviews
Monday, September 27, 2021
September 27, 2021 - New Arrivals
September 27, 2021
Adult Fiction
The Light After the War by Anita Abriel.
Spring 1946: Best friends
Vera Frankel and Edith Ban arrive in Naples. Refugees from Hungary, they
managed to escape from a train headed for Auschwitz and spent the rest of the
war hiding on an Austrian farm. Now, the two young women are starting new lives
abroad. Armed with a letter of recommendation from an American officer, Vera
finds work at the United States embassy where she falls in love with Captain
Anton Wight. But as Vera and Edith grapple with the aftermath of the war, so
too does Anton, and when he suddenly disappears, Vera is forced to change
course. Their quest for a better life takes Vera and Edith from Naples to Ellis
Island to Caracas as they start careers, reunite with old friends, and rebuild
their lives after terrible loss.
A Hill of Beans by William W. Johnstone & J. A. Johnstone.
"Mac Mackenzie has enough problems on his plate. He's got bounty hunters
on his tail, no one on his side, and no place to hide. Just when he thinks it
can't get any worse, he hears the rumbling of a cattle stampede--heading
straight for his camp. Mac's got two choices: Get trampled like a weed or
saddle up and help get the herd under control. At first, the trail drivers
ain't too pleased to have a stranger help them out. But once they realize Mac's
not a rustler, they ask him to join the team. Mac takes them up on the
offer--especially after he meets the cowgirl Colleen--and quickly impresses
everyone with his cooking skills. There's just a few more problems: Mac's new
employers might be the real rustlers. And Mac's stepped out of the frying pan
into the fire..." -- Amazon.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray.
In her twenties, Belle da
Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection for his newly
built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society
scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world as she
helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must
protect at all costs. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black
graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion
isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as
white - her complexion is dark because she is African American.
Adult Non-Fiction
Gardening Basics for
Dummies by Steven A. Frowine.
Even if you've never sowed
a seed nor pulled a weed, Gardening Basics for Dummies contains
everything you need to know about flowers, beds, borders, trees, shrubs, and
lawns to create your own private paradise. This friendly and informative guide
also covers all of the tools and additives available to make gardening easier.
Home Winemaking by Jack B. Keller, Jr.
With local breweries and
wineries popping up everywhere, learning how to make wine is on everyone's
"to do" list. Utilize the guidance of home-winemaking legend Jack B.
Keller, Jr. In the 1990s, Jack started one of the first (if
not the first) wine blogs on the internet. His expertise, along with
that of wine chemistry guru Daniel Pambianchi, is shared with you in Home
Winemaking. It takes a fun, practical, step-by-step approach to making your own
wine. The book begins with an introduction to winemaking, including basic
principles, equipment needed, and exactly what to do. After the fundamentals
are covered, you're given a variety of tested, proven, delicious recipes. More
than just grape wines, you'll learn how to make wine out of everything from
juices and concentrates to foraged ingredients such as berries and roots. There
are even recipes that utilize dandelions and other unexpected ingredients. With
65 options, you can expand your winemaking season indefinitely!
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Stingers by Randy Wayne White.
J
Marine biologist Doc Ford
invites Maribel, Luke, and Sabina to a remote island in the Bahamas where
lionfish, a beautiful and venomous inhabitant of the South Pacific that has
invaded Florida and the Caribbean, are not just upsetting the balance of nature
by damaging the coral reefs--their sting has put several people in the
hospital. What Doc and Captain Hannah Smith don't mention is that the island is
riddled with limestone caves, once home to a band of pirates, and stories of
Spanish gold have lured outlaw treasure hunters to the area. When the trio
finds precious artifacts, they agree to guard the secret until they've
thoroughly explored the spot. Soon, outlaws search for the trio, hoping they
will lead them to riches.
The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor.
J GN
Friday, September 24, 2021
September 24, 2021 - A Book & A Recipe
Thursday, September 23, 2021
September 23, 2021 - Staff Reviews
Securing Kalee
Monday, September 20, 2021
September 20, 2021 - New Arrivals
September 20, 2021
Adult Fiction
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi.
Escaping from an abusive
marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s
pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna
artist--and confidante--to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted
with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own...Known for her
original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the
jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she
pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is
confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with
a high-spirited young girl in tow--a sister Lakshmi never knew she had.
Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is
threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those
that surround her as she does.
These Tangled Vines by Julianne MacLean.
If Fiona has learned
anything in life, it's how to keep a secret--even from the father who raised
her. She is the only person who knows about her late mother's affair in Tuscany
thirty years earlier, and she intends to keep it that way...until a lawyer
calls with shocking news: her biological father has died and left her an
incredible inheritance--along with two half siblings.
Fiona travels to Italy,
where the family is shocked to learn of her existence and desperate to contest
her share of the will. While the mystery of her mother's affair is slowly
unraveled, Fiona must navigate through tricky family relationships and tense
sibling rivalries. Fiona both fears and embraces her new destiny as she
searches for the truth about the fateful summer her mother spent in Italy and
the father she never knew.
Fallen by Linda Castillo.
When a young woman is
found murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is
shocked to discover she once knew the victim. Rachael Schwartz was a charming
but troubled Amish girl who left the fold years ago and fled Painters Mill. Why
was she back in town? And who would kill her so brutally? Kate remembers
Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was--and those
parallels dog her. But the more Kate learns about Rachael's life, the more
she's convinced that her dubious reputation was deserved. As a child, Rachael
was a rowdy rule breaker whose decision to leave devastated her parents and
best friend. As an adult, she was charismatic and beautiful, a rabble-rouser
with a keen eye for opportunity no matter who got in her way. Her
no-holds-barred lifestyle earned her a lot of love and enemies aplenty--both
English and Amish. As the case heats to a fever pitch and long-buried secrets
resurface, a killer haunts Painters Mill. Someone doesn't want Rachael's
past--or the mysteries she took with her to the grave--coming to light. As Kate
digs deeper, violence strikes again, this time hitting close to home. Will Kate
uncover the truth and bring a murderer to justice? Or will a killer bent on
protecting a terrible past stop her once and for all--and let the fallen be
forgotten?
Adult Non-Fiction
Couple Found Slain by Mikita Brottman.
On February 21, 1992,
22-year-old Brian Bechtold walked into a police station in Port St. Joe,
Florida and confessed that he'd shot and killed his parents in their family
home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He said he'd been possessed by the devil. He
was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and ruled "not criminally
responsible" for the murders on grounds of insanity. But after the trial,
where do the "criminally insane" go? Brottman reveals Brian's inner
life leading up to the murder, as well as his complicated afterlife in a
maximum security psychiatric hospital, where he is neither imprisoned nor free.
During his 27 years at the hospital, Brian has tried to escape and been shot by
police, and has witnessed three patient-on-patient murders. He's experienced
the drugging of patients beyond recognition, a sadistic system of rewards and
punishments, and the short-lived reign of a crazed psychiatrist-turned-stalker.
Scenic Driving West
Virginia by Bruce Slone.
“Scenic Driving West Virginia features
twenty-five separate drives through the Mountain State, from rock ridges and
gorges to springs, spas and rustic farms. An indispensable highway
companion, Scenic Driving West Virginia includes route maps and
in-depth descriptions of attractions.” – Amazon.com
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Nubia: Real One by L. L. McKinney.
YA GN
Nubia has always been a
little bit...different. As a baby she showcased Amazonian-like strength by
pushing over a tree to rescue her neighbor's cat. But despite her having
similar abilities, the world has no problem telling her that she's no Wonder
Woman. And even if she were, they wouldn't want her. Every time she comes to
the rescue, she's reminded of how people see her- as a threat. Her moms do
their best to keep her safe, but Nubia can't deny the fire within her, even if
she's a little awkward about it sometimes. Even if it means people assume the
worst. When Nubia's best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he
owns the town, Nubia will risk it all--her safety, her home, and her crush on
that cute kid in English class--to become the hero society tells her she isn't.
The Very Sleepy Sloth by Andrew Murray.
E
Friday, September 17, 2021
September 17, 2021 - Staff Reviews
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
September 15, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
September 14, 2021 - Staff Reviews
Monday, September 13, 2021
September 13, 2021 - New Arrivals
September 13, 2021
Adult Fiction
Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer.
Eleanor Sunderland loves
living on Nantucket, in a gorgeous cliffside home that has been in her family
for decades. Yet this year she can't help but feel a bit isolated, even as the
island begins to come alive with summer tourists and travelers. Her best friend
has skipped town on a last-minute cruise, leaving Eleanor feeling lonely and
nostalgic about her family's weekend trips to the island, made less frequently
in the years since her husband's passing. Now, her money-driven children
contact her mostly to complain and to beg her to sell her beloved home for a
steep payout. Hoping to kick the season off on a good note, Eleanor decides her
seventieth birthday may be the perfect occasion for a much-needed reunion.
Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton.
"Alice Gunnersley and
Alfie Mack sleep just a few feet apart from one another. They talk for hours
every day. And they've never seen each other face-to-face. After being in
terrible accidents, the two now share the same ward as long-term residents of
St. Francis's Hospital. Although they don't get off to the best start, the
close quarters (and Alfie's persistence to befriend everyone he meets) brings
them closer together. Pretty soon no one can make Alice laugh as hard as Alfie
does, and Alfie feels like he's finally found a true confidante in Alice.
Between their late-night talks and inside jokes, something more than friendship
begins to slowly blossom between them. But as their conditions improve and the
end of their stay draws closer, Alfie and Alice are forced to decide whether
it's worth continuing a relationship with someone who's seen all of the worst
parts of you, but never seen your actual face."-- Provided by publisher.
Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown.
"Thatcher Hutton, a
war-weary soldier on the way back to his cowboy life, jumps from a moving
freight train to avoid trouble . . . and lands in more than he bargained for.
On the day he arrives in Foley, Texas, a local woman goes missing. Thatcher,
the only stranger in town, is suspected of her abduction, and worse. Standing
between him and exoneration are a corrupt mayor, a crooked sheriff, a notorious
cathouse madam, a sly bootlegger, feuding moonshiners . . . and a young widow
whose soft features conceal an iron will. What was supposed to be a fresh start
for Laurel Plummer turns to tragedy. Left destitute but determined to dictate
her own future, Laurel plunges into the lucrative regional industry, much to
the dislike of the good ol' boys, who have ruled supreme. Her success quickly
makes her a target for cutthroat competitors, whose only code of law is
reprisal. As violence erupts, Laurel and--now deputy--Thatcher find themselves
on opposite sides of a moonshine war, where blood flows as freely as
whiskey."-- Publisher marketing.
Adult Non-Fiction
The Greatest Escape by Douglas Miller.
"The Greatest Escape:
A True American Civil War Adventure tells the story of the largest prison breakout
in U.S. history. It took place during the Civil War, when more than 1200 Yankee
officers were jammed into Libby, a special prison considered escape-proof, in
the Confederate capitol of Richmond, Virginia. A small group of men, obsessed
with escape, mapped out an elaborate plan and one cold and clear night, 109 men
dug their way to freedom. Freezing, starving, clad in rags, they had to still
travel 40 miles to Yankee lines and safety. They were pursued by all the white
people in the area, but every Black person they encountered was their friend.
In every instance, slaves risked their lives to help these Yankees, and their
journey was aided by a female-led Union spy network. Since all the escapees
were officers, they all could read and write well. Over 50 of them would
publish riveting accounts of their adventures. This is the first book to weave
together these contemporary accounts into a true-to-life narrative. Much like a
Ken Burns documentary, this book uses the actual words the prisoners recorded more
than 150 years ago, as found in their many diaries and journals." --
Publisher's website.
Science of Strength
Training by Austin Current.
Whether you want to tone
and sculpt, lose weight, gain an athletic edge, or support mobility, strength
training will help achieve your goals. This book reveals the mechanics of each
movement in detail, identifying the muscles and joint actions working below the
surface, so you can maximize your workouts and feel you're getting it right.
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
The World Needs Who You
Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines. E
"Author Joanna Gaines
follows up her #1 New York Times bestselling We Are the Gardeners with The
World Needs Who You Were Made to Be. This children's book, beautifully
illustrated by Julianna Swaney, celebrates how creativity and acceptance can
come together in a bright and beautiful adventure."--Provided by
publisher.
My Very First Cookbook by Danielle Kartes.
J NF
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
September 8, 2021 - Staff Reviews
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
September 7, 2021 - Book Club Preview
Monday, September 6, 2021
September 6, 2021 - New Arrivals
September 6, 2021
Adult Fiction
Billy Summers by Stephen King.
"When Billy Summers
was twelve years old, he shot and killed his mother's boyfriend after he kicked
Billy's sister to death. At 17, he enlisted in the army. At 18, he was a sniper
in Iraq and involved in the deadly battle to recapture Fallujah. For nearly
twenty years, he's worked as a paid assassin. He's a good guy in a bad job, and
he wants out. He takes on a very complicated, very lucrative job that he hopes
will be his last. He's got a perfect new identity lined up and a scrupulously
orchestrated, flawless escape plan. And then something happens that changes
everything for Billy. A stranger needs rescuing, and Billy sacrifices the
safety of his own perfectly devised new life to offer her protection. And then
the two of them-the most compelling and surprising duo in King fiction-set out
on one last mission, to rectify the injustices of one extraordinarily evil man."--
Provided by publisher.
Class Act by Stuart Woods.
"After a rocky jaunt
in Maine, Stone Barrington is settling back in New York City when an old client
reaches out for help with a delicate matter. A feud they thought was put to
rest long ago has reemerged with a vengeance, and reputations—and money—are now
on the line. As Stone sets out to unravel a tangled web of crime and secrets,
his mission becomes even more complicated when he makes an irresistible new
acquaintance. In both the underbelly and upper echelons of New York, everyone has
something to hide—and if Stone has learned anything, it’s that history has a
way of repeating itself…"-- Amazon.com.
The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin.
The morning of January 12,
1888, was unusually mild, following a punishing cold spell. It was warm enough
for the homesteaders of the Dakota Territory to venture out again, and for
their children to return to school without their heavy coats -- leaving them
unprepared when disaster struck. At the hour when most prairie schools were
letting out for the day, a terrifying, fast-moving blizzard blew in without
warning. Schoolteachers as young as sixteen were suddenly faced with life and
death decisions: Keep the children inside, to risk freezing to death when fuel
ran out, or send them home, praying they wouldn't get lost in the storm?
Adult Non-Fiction
Way Out in West
Virginia by Jeanne Mozier.
“The latest edition of
this very popular guidebook features 72 new pages, making it a must-have for
all Way Out devotees. In case you hadn’t heard, author, star-gazer and
entrepreneur Jeanne Mozier has compiled the ultimate insider s guide to all
that is wild, wacky and wonderful about West Virginia. Way Out takes you on an
incredible tour of the Mountain State, whether in an armchair as a great read
or on the ultimate WV road trip. Enjoy a slightly skewed look at the state’s
best bathing, best driving, best dining, best pool halls and best shopping.
Visit sites of UFO activity, moldy mummies, and ancient Indian curses. Learn
about the state’s incredible geology, amazing history, white water rafting,
remarkable collections, and fun festivals. Travel with her on her quest for WV
s best pepperoni roll, five-star restaurant and ramp dinner. With Jeanne s
help, you too can visit the baths and spas where George Washington took his
historic soaks. Open Way Out in West Virginia to almost any page and find
strange and strangely useful information, in this case about a state whose
borders, not to mention its voting residents, consistently defy straight-edged
rulers.” – Amazon.com
The Science of Wine by Jamie Goode.
A thoroughly revised and
updated third edition of this essential and groundbreaking reference gives a
comprehensive overview of one of the most fascinating, important, and
controversial trends in the world of wine: the scientific and technological
innovations that are now influencing how grapes are grown and how wine is made.
Jamie Goode, an authority on wine science, details the key scientific
developments relating to viticulture and enology, explains the practical
application of science to techniques that are used around the world, and
explores how these issues are affecting the quality, flavor, and perception of
wine. The only complete and accessibly written resource available on the
subject, The Science of Wine engagingly discusses a wide range of
topics including terroir, the influence of soils on wine flavor, breeding new
resistant grape varieties, the effects of climate change on grape growing, the
role of yeasts and bacteria in winemaking, and much more. A must-have reference
for a wide audience of students, winemakers, wine professionals, and general
readers interested in the science of wine.
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Key City on the River by Greta Gorsuch.
YA
On a cold November
afternoon in 1833, two wagons are about to cross the dark Mississippi River
into Iowa Territory on a tiny boat. Penny Cooper, Nate Tilden, Aunt Sunday, and
Jonathan and Ella Butterman are full of questions. Aunt Sunday just wants to
know if they're going to drown. Jonathan and Ella wonder if they will succeed
in the new Territory. And Penny and Nate are eager to learn if they are going
to be free--to marry, to prosper, to live as free people. Aunt Sunday, Penny,
and Nate were slaves in Kentucky, not a year before. What will the new Iowa
Territory decide on the question of owning human beings? No one yet knows. The
little group survives the Mississippi crossing and settles in Key City. There
isn't much to the town: a few log cabins and modest buildings in a forest
opening. And very rough, very tough lead miners, including the mad Ginn
brothers who hate Nate and his dark skin. They can't forget he stopped them
from stealing Jonathan's horse. Storm clouds are brewing. Key City on the River
is based on fact and takes place in a real town. It explores a little known
time in early American history as well as the timeless issue of otherness mixed
with hope for the future.
The Story of Kamala Harris by Tonya Leslie, Ph.D. J NF
"Kamala Harris is the first woman, Black American, and South Asian American to become vice president of the United States. Before she made history, Kamala was a passionate kid who enjoyed traveling and attended civil rights protests with her family. She always wanted to help people, so she worked hard to become a lawyer, then a U.S. senator, and now, vice president! Explore how Kamala went from being a young girl to an American leader and role model. Watch Kamala progress from a little girl to vice president of the United States with a visual timeline marking the major milestones in her life."-- Provided by publisher.