Thursday, April 28, 2022

April 28, 2022 - BCPL Children's Series of the Month


For April 2022, Brooke County Libraries are excited to share our children's series of the month! We are featuring the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. Keep reading for more information and stories about Artemis Fowl and his creator.

The Fowl Adventures is a series of ten fantasy novels written by Irish author Eoin Colfer revolving around various members of the Fowl family. The first cycle, Artemis Fowl, follows elf LEP recon officer Holly Short as she faces the forces of criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl II. The second cycle, The Fowl Twins, follow Fowl's younger twin brothers Myles and Beckett as they live out their house arrest under the supervision of pixie-elf hybrid Lazuli Heitz. The series has received positive critical reception and generated huge sales. It has also originated graphic novel adaptations.

A film adaptation based on the first novel was in the process of development by Disney since 2016, and eventually released on the Disney+ streaming service.


Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher, historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with gripping Viking stories inspired by history he was learning in school at the time!



In the first book, Artemis Fowl, twelve-year-old genius Artemis Fowl II and his bodyguard Butler kidnap Holly Short, an elf and a captain of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance force (LEPrecon), holding her for a ransom of one ton of gold to exploit the magical Fairy People and restore his family's fortune.

The Artemis Fowl series, alternatively titled the First Cycle of The Fowl Adventures, introduces Artemis as a villain and the Peoples' enemy, but as the books progress, Artemis's character develops and changes. As an anti-villain, he assists the People and a reluctant Short in resolving conflicts with worldwide ramifications. His moral compass develops throughout the series.



The Fowl Twins series, alternatively titled the Second Cycle of The Fowl Adventures, set five years later, follows Artemis' younger twin brothers as they live out their house arrest under the supervision of "pixel" Lazuli Heitz and NANNI, an artificial intelligence based on Holly's and Artemis' brainwaves.



After leaving school he got his degree from Dublin university and qualified as a primary school teacher, returning to work in Wexford. He married in 1991 and he and his wife spent about 4 years between 1992 and 1996 working in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. His first book, Benny and Omar, was published in 1998, based on his experiences in Tunisia; it has since been translated into many languages. A sequel followed in 1999, followed by some other books. Then in 2001 the first Artemis Fowl book was published and he was able to resign from teaching and concentrate fully on writing.

Since then, Artemis Fowl, which was named the public’s favourite Puffin Modern Classic of all time, has sold in excess of 25 million copies and has been translated into 40 languages.


Did you love this series as a kid? Maybe one of your own children is a huge fan? We'd love to hear your stories about these stories in our comment section or on our social media pages!


Interested in the series now? We have some titles available on our ebook site WV Reads... check it out!



 As always, images and info are courtesy of WV Reads, Google, Wikipedia, author web pages, etc.


Tuesday, April 26, 2022

April 26, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Rising Sun
By Michael Crichton
Release Date: January 27, 1992
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - I was surprised to find this was less an action thriller, more a police procedural and mystery. While some of tech is outdated, the concepts behind them are still being manipulated today. The same goes as well as many of the relationship dynamics and situations. Peter Smith and John Connor are likable if flawed protagonists and it's easy to get into their lives and their search for the truth.

Michael Crichton has many avid fans across the multiple genres he's tackled. I confess I've only read a few, and while I can see the appeal, I am never racing to pick up another novel of his. Rising Sun is pretty much the same. It's not a non-stop thrill ride but there are a lot of clues getting dropped and fun little twists. So it's always entertaining. Smith's perspective as he learns more about the case and Connor himself is an excellent touch. He's relatable, if maybe a little blind, and underneath his outward struggles, a decent person. 

Smith actually reminded me a lot of Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby in that he's an average person giving you his take on the people and scenarios around him. Sure, Smith has a personality and a past but this is carefully crafted to make him pretty neutral. And therefore, he gets to suspect everyone. Connor is an excellent mentor/sidekick for him. He's mysterious but endlessly helpful. There's another slew of side characters both good and evil as well of course. All of them are written in a way that feels real. As far as the plot goes, this is where I have some issues with Crichton's style. He throws out detail after detail but instead of giving us easily weaved threads to do some thinking for ourselves, he pretty much just ends up telling us how it is. As I said before though, there were many aspects though still strikingly relevant today such as racism, police tactics, globalism, economics, crime, child custody, etc. I wouldn't call this a light or fast-paced read but Crichton's loyal readers as well as crime thriller fans will find plenty to like. 

(NS)

Monday, April 25, 2022

April 25, 2022 - New Arrivals

Adult Fiction

Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb.

The woman's body was found in the early morning, on a bench in a New York City playground. She was clean, her hair neatly arranged, her makeup carefully applied. But other things were very wrong--like the tattoo and piercings, clearly new. The clothes, decades out of date. The fatal wound hidden beneath a ribbon around her neck. And the note: Bad Mommy, written in crayon as if by a child. Eve Dallas turns to the department's top profiler, who confirms what seems obvious to Eve: They're dealing with a killer whose childhood involved some sort of trauma--a situation Eve is all too familiar with herself. Yet the clues suggest a perpetrator who'd be roughly sixty years old, and there are no records of old crimes with a similar MO. What was the trigger that apparently reopened such an old wound and sent someone over the edge? When Eve discovers that other young women--who physically resemble the first victim--have vanished, the clock starts ticking louder. But to solve this case she will need to find her way into a hidden place of dim light and concrete, into the distant past, and into the cold depths of a shattered mind.

 

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.

“As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding...six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope."-- Provided by publisher.

 

See Her Die by Melinda Leigh.

New sheriff Bree Taggert is called to a shooting in a campground shuttered for the winter. But she arrives to find a perplexing crime. There is no shooter, no victim, and no blood. No one but Bree believes the sole witness, Alyssa, a homeless teenager who insists she saw her friend shot. Bree calls in former deputy Matt Flynn and his K-9 to track the killer and search for Alyssa's friend. They discover the battered corpse of a missing university student under the ice in Grey Lake -- but it's not the victim they were looking for. When two more students go missing and additional bodies turn up, Bree must find the link between the victims. She knows only one thing for certain: the murders are fueled by rage. When Alyssa disappears, Bree must race against time to find her before her witness becomes another victim.

 

Adult Non-Fiction

Watercolor in Nature by Rosalie Haizlett.

Nature illustrator Rosalie Haizlett has hiked through countless forests with her sketchbook and watercolors, documenting the plants, animals and landscapes that she encounters. She has also taught tens of thousands of students to paint and appreciate nature's beauty through her popular online classes and in-person workshops. In this book, Rosalie provides step-by-step instruction on how to paint 20 realistic insects, fungi, birds, botanicals and mammals in her vibrant wet- on-dry watercolor style. Pick up the skills you need to become a better observer in the outdoors, take your own reference photos and paint a wide variety of subjects so that you can continue to draw inspiration from nature long after you finish the projects in this book. You'll also learn some fun nature facts along the way! Whether you're a total beginner or ready to take your skills to the next level, Rosalie is here to walk you through every step of the process.

 

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy! by Ree Drummond.

“Between my family, my website, my cookbooks, and my TV show, I make a lot of food around here! And as much as I've always loved cooking (and of course, eating!), it seems that more and more these days, I'm looking for ways to simplify my life in the kitchen. I find myself gravitating toward recipes that are delicious but don't require a lot of prep or fuss, because they free me up to have more time (and energy) for other areas of my life. This also makes cooking less of a chore and more of a pleasure--exactly what cooking should be! The Pioneer Woman Cooks--Super Easy! will free you up and transform your cooking life as well, with 120 recipes that range from effortless breakfasts to breezy skillet meals to speedy soups to ready-in-minutes Tex-Mex delights, so you'll have lots of options for any given meal. Many recipes in this cookbook call for step-saving (and sanity-saving) shortcuts that will revolutionize the time you spend making meals for your family, and all of them are utterly scrumptious!”

 

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

What Was the Plague? by Roberta Edwards.  J NF

While the coronavirus COVID-19 changed the world in 2020, it still isn't the largest and deadliest pandemic in history. That title is held by the Plague. This disease, also known as the "Black Death," spread throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe in the fourteenth century and claimed an astonishing 50 million lives by the time it officially ended. Author Roberta Edwards takes readers back to these grimy and horrific years, explaining just how this pandemic began, how society reacted to the disease, and the impact it left on the world.

 

Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens.  J GN

After sneaking out against her mother's wishes, Artie Irvin spots a massive wolf―then watches it don a bathrobe and transform into her mom. Thrilled to discover she comes from a line of werewolves, Artie asks her mom to share everything―including the story of Artie's late father. Her mom reluctantly agrees. And to help Artie figure out her own wolflike abilities, her mom recruits some old family friends. Artie thrives in her new community and even develops a crush on her new friend Maya. But as she learns the history of werewolves and her own parents' past, she'll find that wolves aren't the scariest thing in the woods―vampires are.


Brooke County Public Libraries    Wellsburg (304) 737-1551    Follansbee (304) 527-0860

Friday, April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022 - A Book & A Recipe




Who loves to read and gets hungry? All of us at Brooke County Libraries! We're excited to share our April 2022 Dinner and a Recipe Idea with you.

Today we're featuring Quick & Easy Square Peg Calzones from Killer Crust by Chris Cavender. This book was part of the Pizza Lovers mystery series.

Let's get started!

Ingredients:
1 pack Pillsbury Thin Crust or Classic Crust refrigerated pizza dough (13.8 oz or 11 oz.)
1 Bottle of Ragu Pizzaquick Traditional SnackSauce (4 oz.) Or your preference of sauce.
4 tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
4-8 pepperoni slices (to your preference.)
Any additional pizza toppings you wish to add (recommended amount of 1 tbsp per calzone.)
Prepacked grated Italian cheese (your preference on blend.)
Cornmeal for dusting.
PAM nonstick cooking spray.

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 F.
(Don't forget to put in pizza stone if you have one - it needs to warm too.)
Carefully unfold crust and place on cookie sheet.
Cut sheets horizontally to get three smaller sheets, approx. 8 inches by 4 inches or 4 by 4.
Do not round edges.
Place calzone on a plate dusted with cornmeal.
Spread 2 tablespoons of grated parm cheese in center of the rectangle, leave about an inch for seal.
Add 2 tbsps of sauce on top of cheese.
Add pepperoni and toppings.
Add 2 tbsps of premix cheeses.
Fold the dough in halves, making a rough square.
Use fork to seal the edges.
Bake for 11 to 14 minutes or until center are more brown than gold.
(Don't worry the edges are not the same color.)
Remove and sere hot with pizza sauce, olive oil, or other dipping sauce on the side.



Be sure to let us know if you try out this recipe! We'd love to hear or see on one of our social media pages or in our comment section below. Or you know... sample a piece if you're in the neighborhood.

Excited about the idea of the Pizza Lovers mystery series? Want to see some calzones in action?

Check out our ebook copy on WV Reads!

 
All images and content are courtesy of WV Reads, Google, etc.

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

April 20, 2022 - Staff Reviews


The Pact
By Linda Castillo
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - A fine little addition to the Burkholder series. It was refreshing to have Kate and Thomasetti not investigating the same old murder case here. This short but intense story is perfect for a dark, chilly evening.

Castillo's Kate Burkholder series is excellently written. I have issues with how redundant and silly at times the plot became. Kate's a smart and independent heroine who has a weak spot for her most of the time partner John Tomasetti. At the beginning of each book, I find myself wishing Kate would finally grow up, put her issues with her past and Amish lifestyle behind her. She frequently pushes away Tomasetti who is devoted and loyal, if a bit moody and impatient. She never does but she's a great leader, wise investigator, and sympathetic personality.

The story centers around two not too bright boys who run off into the woods together. Of course, the one boy's family hates the other just because they're Amish. That's a common theme in the series so it's no surprise. The boys at first seem to be stalked by "The Scarecrow" but later nearly succumb to the dangers of the wilderness and mostly abandoned land. There is a brief appearance of possible villians that are quite dastardly. Kate and John's handling of them make for a few chilling and exciting moments. I'm almost sorry this story wasn't expanded into one of the novels as it was like a quick breath of fresh air in the Burkholder tales. But I admit the plot was handled rapidly and yet skillfully enough that it's a satisfying short story. This can easily be read as a standalone. Although it is fun to see Kate's team of local troopers with their quirks and effective teamwork on display. Kate's got her work cut out for her with a new case that's different than most of her other adventures. Just enough suspense is here to make it a fun little read.

(NS)

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

April 19, 2022 - Spring Library Displays


Hello library lovers!

We're excited to share today some of favorite Spring time library displays over the years. Feel free to borrow them! We definitely cannot claim all the ideas as our own, just the execution.


Easter is a big holiday in our area, and our readers of all ages have really enjoyed the Easter themes!



For a more general Spring theme, we just love Spring flowers! We've found some very easy and effective, eye-catching displays. Look close at the flowers on the bulletin board and you'll see there are book covers on them too.




We couldn't forget St. Paddy's Day in March! We've done numerous versions of this theme below. But our favorite was the book title theme with the word "Luck"! Super simple display that covers a lot of different genres.



Even more easy and general ones are a couple below that we Spring favorites! April showers really bring out the readers for us in West Virginia.




Hope you've enjoyed some of our Spring display ideas and will share them with others! 

Maybe you checked out or loved a book from one of our displays? Let us know! We'd love to hear some of your experiences and suggestions too, please let us know in the comments or our social media pages.

All images in this post are taken from Brooke County Libraries.

 

Monday, April 18, 2022

April 18, 2022 - New Arrivals

Adult Fiction

Nothing to Lose by J. A. Jance.

Years ago, when he was a homicide detective with the Seattle PD, J. P. Beaumont's partner, Sue Danielson, was murdered. Volatile and angry, Danielson's ex-husband came after her in her home and, with nowhere else to turn, Jared, Sue's teenage son, frantically called Beau for help. As Beau rushed to the scene, he urged Jared to grab his younger brother and flee the house. In the end, Beaumont's plea and Jared's quick action saved the two boys from their father's murderous rage. Now, almost twenty years later, Jared reappears in Beau's life seeking his help once again--his younger brother Chris is missing. Still haunted by the events of that tragic night, Beau doesn't hesitate to take on the case. Following a lead all the way to the wilds of wintertime Alaska, he encounters a tangled web of family secrets in which a killer with nothing to lose is waiting to take another life.

 

Caramel Pecan Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke.

Embracing a sweet escape from her usual routine at The Cookie Jar, Hannah gets asked for her help in baking pastries at the local inn for a flashy fishing competition with big prizes and even bigger names. But the fun stops when she spots a runway boat on the water and, on board, the lifeless body of the event's renowned celebrity spokesperson...Famed TV show host Sonny Bowman wasn't humble about his ability to reel in winning catches, and no one knew that better than his tragically overworked sidekick, Joey. Did Joey finally take bloody revenge on his pompous boss--or was Sonny killed by a jealous contestant? With goodies to bake and a mess of fresh challenges mixed into her personal life, it's either sink or swim as Hannah joins forces with her sister, Andrea, to catch a clever culprit before another unsuspecting victim goes belly up...

 

City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman.

Los Angeles is a city of sunlight, celebrity, and possibility. The L.A. often experienced by Homicide Lt. Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware, is a city of the dead. Early one morning, the two of them find themselves in a neighborhood of pretty houses, pretty cars, and pretty people. The scene they encounter is anything but. A naked young man lies dead in the street, the apparent victim of a collision with a moving van hurtling through suburbia in the darkness. But any thoughts of accidental death vanish when a blood trail leads to a nearby home. Inside, a young woman lies butchered. The identity of the male victim and his role in the horror remain elusive, but that of the woman creates additional questions. And adding to the shock, Alex has met her while working a convoluted child custody case. Cordelia Gannett was a self-styled internet influencer who'd gotten into legal troubles by palming herself off as a psychologist. Even after promising to desist, she's found a loophole and has continued her online career, aiming to amass clicks and ads by cyber-coaching and cyber-counseling people plagued with relationship issues. But upon closer examination, Alex and Milo discover that her own relationships are troublesome, including a tortured family history and a dubious personal past. Has that come back to haunt her in the worst way? Is the mystery man out in the street collateral damage or will he turn out to be the key to solving a grisly double homicide? As the psychologist and the detective explore L.A.'s meanest streets, they peel back layer after layer of secrets and encounter a savage, psychologically twisted, almost unthinkable motive for violence and bloodshed.

 

Adult Non-Fiction

Android Smartphones for Seniors for Dummies by Marsha Collier.

Android smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models, offer great ways to simplify and enhance your life. From easy ways to stay in touch with your friends and family to helpful reminders for everyday tasks, Android phones can keep you connected and current at all times. Sometimes, though, the learning curve can seem a little steep. 

But it doesn't have to! Android Phones For Seniors For Dummies is your one-stop guide to discovering the essentials on how to take charge of your Android-powered phone. It skips the techspeak and confusing jargon to deliver key information in a straightforward and reader-friendly way. 

 

Girly Drinks by Mallory O’Meara.

Strawberry daiquiris. Skinny martinis. Vodka sodas with lime. These are the cocktails that come in sleek-stemmed glasses, bright colors and fruity flavors--these are the Girly Drinks. From the earliest days of civilization, alcohol has been at the center of social rituals and cultures worldwide. But when exactly did drinking become a gendered act? And why have bars long been considered "places for men" when, without women, they might not even exist? With whip-smart insight and boundless curiosity, Girly Drinks unveils an entire untold history of the female distillers, drinkers and brewers who have played a vital role in the creation and consumption of alcohol, from ancient Sumerian beer goddess Ninkasi to iconic 1920s bartender Ada Coleman. Filling a crucial gap in culinary history, O'Meara dismantles the long-standing patriarchal traditions at the heart of these very drinking cultures, in the hope that readers everywhere can look to each celebrated woman in this book--and proudly have what she's having.

 

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed.  J

Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him--the son of a servant--with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can't wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science club and hopefully the soccer team; but when he arrives, his hopes are dashed. First-year scholarship students aren't allowed to join clubs or teams--and not only that, they have to earn their keep doing menial chores. At first Omar is dejected--but then he gets angry when he learns something even worse--the school deliberately "weeds out" kids like him by requiring them to get significantly higher grades than kids who can pay tuition, making it nearly impossible for scholarship students to graduate. It's a good thing that in his favorite class, he's learned the importance of being stubbornly optimistic. So with the help of his tightknit new group of friends--and with the threat of expulsion looming over him--he sets out to do what seems impossible: change a rigged system.

 

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass by Therese M. Shea.  J NF

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had an unlikely friendship built on mutual respect. Both had risen from poverty to prominence in the years prior to the Civil War due to hard work and a passion for their beliefs. Lincoln grew to rely on Douglass for his advice during the war. Readers will learn biographical information about both of these important Americans through accessible text and interesting fact boxes, including quotations from each. Stunning historical images give readers context about the turbulent times in which Lincoln and Douglass lived.


Brooke County Public Libraries    Wellsburg (304) 737-1551    Follansbee (304) 527-0860

Friday, April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Love for Beginners
By Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 8, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - I had to try quite hard to get into this one, but Shalvis' sweet and quirky love story had two great main characters to entertain me. Emma came off prickly at first and it took a minute to find her more relatable side through all her struggles. Simon was an excellent hero from the start though, endearing and always looking out for others. This wordy romance is worth a read if you can get into it.

Shalvis' romances sort of weave across line sometimes between sizzling tension and plain old dramedy. This one is no different. Sparks are flying for the couple Emma and Simon while they're also just plain perfectly polite at the outset. They've known each other for awhile but this isn't really a friends to lovers tale. It's more doctor-patient. But Emma's got a bit of an attitude and a lot of trust issues. Simon's quiet and cautious at first, but his generosity and determination would melt the coldest of hearts eventually. He was almost too perfect with his patience and concern for all the people around him.

At times, this story felt bogged down with details, inner thoughts, and repeat moments. Emma's got so much baggage that it takes awhile to really unload and warm up to her. The struggles she faces aren't exactly relatable for those of us without severe medical problems. But she has sort of an inspiring gritty side to her. She is, however, infinitely more likable than the secondary heroine Ali. I'm still not sure Shavlis adopted this second couple format. More than foreshadowing as Lori Foster and some others have been known to do, this is a whole other story here. Personally, I would have rather seen the book cut down about 100 pages and removed Ali's POV. She was whiny and completely oblivious when it came to her sort of ex-boyfriend Ryan. He doesn't get portrayed in the most flattering light either. They spend way too many pages moping and doing shared custody of their little dog. Dog lovers, rejoice! Shalvis' knack for including pets is on full display in this one. There's still just a bit too much gloom in the recent Wildstone series for me but this one was an improvement. If you're looking for a really heartfelt, sometimes sappy, romance with a little steam, go for it. Anyone looking for a real page-turner maybe skip this one.

(NS)

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips


Here we are again for BCPL's March 2022 Resume Tip! Check out this month's little piece of advice.

 Resume Tip #18 - Spell Check Carefully

It's a common idea that spell check will catch all your spelling errors. But it's easy to use the wrong spelling of a similar word and make a noticeable mistake. Or your may have just made a typo or added an additional word or two you didn't need.

If there's one thing a prospective employer for any company appreciates, it's attention to detail. Make sure to proofread in addition to running a general word program spell check. Maybe ask someone you know or someone nearby to take a quick look before you hit submit or send. It can never hurt to have a second pair of eyes on your resume.

Thanks for stopping in and remember your local library is always there to help with your job search!

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

April 12, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Stronger Than You Know
By Lori Foster
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3.5 Stars - A really engaging drama from Foster with a fast moving plot. Kennedy's a likable heroine, sweet and smart, if a bit naive. Reyes is the real star of the story though, a sharp and honest hero who swoops in to her rescue. There isn't as much action as one might expect but it was still a quick, hard to put down, romantic read.

I think this book suffers a little bit from wanting to be a romance, a drama, and a thriller/mystery all in one. Sometimes sacrificing some of one genre for another in spots leaves things a bit lacking. Kennedy's definitely not sheltered but most people would expect her to be a bit less trusting and a bit harder given her back story as a kidnap victim. But Reyes is truly perfect for her because from the first page he's patient, considerate, and ready to go to battle for her. I'd say his biggest flaw is he's a bit a heart breaker around town, but not unsual for Foster's stories.

Foster takes another hard look at human trafficking here and this feels incredibly similar to her Edge of Honor series. It's almost the same couple to couple format. Reyes' family is basically running an underground operation that I'm still unclear really gets anything done. But hey, it's a cool concept. Reyes and his family are all total badasses, which we get a lot of pages about. We also got a lot of previews of Reyes' sisters romance to come. In between a lot of this filler, Kennedy and Reyes quickly bonded but didn't fall into bed together quickly. The steamy scenes were fewer here than some Foster quickie reads. My only real complaint was how annoying Jodi was. Her reckless attitude was over the top. I suspect her presence was to set up a fourth book (like Storm's in Edge) but I won't read that one most likely. Fans of the first book, Reyes's brother and new sister-in-law do return here to help. This felt like a huge improvement over the first story though. It had a more genuiene atmosphere, bit more realistic plot, and I thought the couple was more likable. But these can also be read standalone for anyone looking to try Foster or fill a weekend of reading.

(NS)

Monday, April 11, 2022

April 11, 2022 - New Arrivals

Adult Fiction

Death of a Green-Eyed Monster by M. C. Beaton.

Hamish's new constable, Dorothy McIver, may be the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. Completely bewitched by her sparkling blue eyes, Hamish spends the summer traveling with her up and down Sutherland until finally, he can take it no longer. He gets down on one knee beside the Land Rover and begs her to marry him--and to his amazement and delight, she says yes. But just as the town of Lochdubh gets ready to celebrate, Hamish finds himself with a new murder on his hands. If he doesn't find the killer fast, Hamish's dream wedding could become a nightmare.

 

City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston.

City of Time and Magic sees Xanthe face her greatest challenges yet. She must choose from three treasures that sing to her: a beautiful writing slope, a mourning brooch of heartbreaking detail, and a gorgeous gem-set hat pin. All call her, but the wrong one could take her on a mission other than that which she must address first, and the stakes could not be higher. While her earlier mission to Regency England had been a success, the journey home resulted in Liam being taken from her, spirited away to another time and place. Xanthe must follow the treasure that will take her to him if he is not to be lost forever.

 

The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams.

"Britta Colby works for a lifestyle website, and when tasked to write about her experience with a hot new body-positive fitness app that includes personal coaching, she knows it's a major opportunity to prove she should write for the site full-time. As CEO of the FitMi Fitness app, Wes Lawson finally has the financial security he grew up without, but despite his success, his floundering love life and complicated family situation leaves him feeling isolated and unfulfilled. He decides to get back to what he loves -- coaching. Britta is his first new client and they click immediately. As weeks pass, she's surprised at how much she enjoys experimenting with her exercise routine. He's surprised at how much he looks forward to talking to her every day. They convince themselves their attraction is harmless, but when they start working out in person, Wes and Britta find it increasingly challenging to deny their chemistry and maintain a professional distance. Wes isn't supposed to be training clients, much less meeting with them, and Britta's credibility will be sunk if the lifestyle site finds out she's practically dating the fitness coach she's reviewing. Walking away from each other is the smartest thing to do, but running side by side feels like the start of something big."-- Provided by publisher.

 

Adult Non-Fiction

The Obesity Code Cookbook by Dr. Jason Fung.

"Dr. Jason Fung has inspired thousands of people around the world to transform their diets with his groundbreaking book The Obesity Code. Now, The Obesity Code Cookbook makes it even easier to follow Dr. Fung's weight-loss advice. Mouth-watering recipes--from slow-roasted pork shoulder to chia pudding and almond cake--showcase healthy fats, nutrient-dense foods, and low or no carbs. The Obesity Code Cookbook is an indispensable tool for home cooks looking to lower insulin, lose weight, manage diabetes, or simply lead a healthy, longer life." -- Provided by publisher.

 

She Made Me Laugh by Stephanie Emmons.

Most people likely know of Mother Teresa's great faithfulness to God's call as she started her ministry to the poor in Calcutta. But at the time, few knew that she had lost all sense of God's presence, love, and sometimes the assurance that God existed at all. Astonishingly, for 50 years, the saint's life was spent in what she called "the darkness." Yet, somehow Mother Teresa managed to get up every morning and say yes to God. And not only did she say yes, she came to accept the darkness, while also allowing a sense of humor and even playfulness to shine through. This book is a memoir of the author's direct experiences with Mother Teresa during a trip to Calcutta in 1996 when she discovered that sense of humor first hand. It is also an extended reflection on the beloved saint's "dark night of the soul" and what that might mean for spiritual seekers today.

 

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems.  E

When Pigeon finds a delicious hot dog, he can hardly wait to shove the entire thing in his beak. But . . . then a very sly and hungry duckling enters the scene and wants a bite. Who will be the more clever bird?

 

Big Nate Blasts Off by Lincoln Peirce.  J

Nate has a crush on Ruby. But after his scrap with Randy Betancourt makes headlines in the Weekly Bugle, he's got a problem WAY worse than detention! Can Nate bounce back? And will the annual Mud Bowl be a blast . . . or a bust?


Brooke County Public Libraries    Wellsburg (304) 737-1551    Follansbee (304) 527-0860

Thursday, April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022 - Book Club Preview


Hey, fellow book lovers! It's time to share our BCPL Book Club Pick for April 2022. This month's selection is Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. 

Our discussion will be on Thursday April 28th at 5 pm - both virtually on Zoom and in person at Brooke County Library. Please contact us for more info if you'd like to join!

About the book - 

Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy.

Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years—promised to protect him, no matter what.

A groundbreaking work from a master, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is told with a rare understanding of all that makes us human, and shows the power of stories to reveal and shelter us from the darkness inside and out. It is a stirring, terrifying, and elegiac fable as delicate as a butterfly's wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark.

About the author -

Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, nonfiction, audio theatre, and films. His works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals. He is the first author to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie medals for the same work, The Graveyard Book. In 2013, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was voted Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards.


As always, images and info are courtesy of Google, Goodreads, Wikipedia, WV Reads, and author webpages.

Intrigued? Check out the ebook in our collection on WV Reads! We have the audiobook available on the site as well.

Did you already read this title and love it? Please let us know! We always love to hear from our readers.

 

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

April 6, 2022 - Staff Reviews


Devil in Disguise
By Lisa Kleypas
Release Date: July 27, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


4 Stars - Another lovely regency romance from Kleypas, continuing the long running story of a few families. Merritt's status as a widow won't save her from the possibility of ruin as she meets Keir, a memorable and sweet whiskey distiller from Scotland. Worth a read for anyone but it's a touch better knowing the family tree already.

Merritt's marriage was short lived but turned out to be an important element of the story, beyond just her taking on much of her husband's workload. She was not quite how I would have pictured based on her parents but she does seem to have elements of the two. She's level headed like her dad but her mother's impulsive streak shows up. Merritt's so devoted to Keir, it's sweet. Keir's not the typical cold Kleypas hero. He's definitely got a softer side, especially so for Merritt.

I never read series in order and Kleypas' many intertwining series are no exception. However, I had just devoured books two and three in the Wallflowers that happen to feature Merritt's parents prominently. It was definitely more entertaining with the many points of view that floated around. The big secret revealed about Keir was delicious for Kleypas fans, and no doubt something she was excited to share. This one also mixed up some of the usual plotlines too. Merritt wasn't husband hunting. And yet the sparks flew fast and wild for her and Keir. We didn't have to wait an eternity for them to admit their feelings or anything. Also, the sort of role swap with Merritt helping protect Keir from danger was quite brilliant. Not much more of my favorite and unfavorite things without spoilers. There were aspects dealing with Merritt's first marriage I didn't care for being thrown into the mix. But this was a delightful read with many refreshing aspects, especially for the author's devoted readers.

(NS)

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

April 5, 2022 - Rainy Day Reads


April Showers always bring us lots of readers! 

Check out some of favorite "Rainy" day reads in this list. All titles are available from Brooke County Libraries either as ebooks on WV Reads or at one of our locations. You may find a new favorite too to curl up with on a dark and dreary afternoon.


Sheltering Rain by Jojo Moyes
Estranged from her mother since she ran away from her rural Irish home as a young woman, Kate swore a future oath that she’d always be a friend to her daughter, Sabine. But history has a way of repeating itself, and Kate now faces an ever-widening chasm between herself and her daughter. With Sabine about to make her own journey to Ireland to see the grandmother Kate abandoned, Kate is left wondering how they ever made it here, and what she can do to close the gap between them. 



Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy
The story of one summer when Fiona, Thomas, Elsa and David all have to face the particular life crisis which first made them leave their homes and end up in Greece. With the help of Vonni, a middle-aged Irish woman who lives in the village and is now a near-native, they each find a solution - although not necessarily the one they anticipated...


Hard Rain by B.J. Daniels
When Brody McTavish sees Harper Hamilton's runaway horse galloping across the pastures, he does what any good cowboy would do—gives chase and rescues her. Unfortunately for him, the woman he's secretly loved for years didn't need saving, and she's just reached her limit with people treating her as hopeless. But they soon have bigger problems when they make a gruesome discovery—human remains revealed by a recent rainstorm. Remains that will dredge up old Hamilton family mysteries…and bring about a scandal that could threaten all Harper's loved ones.



Rain on the Dead by Jack Higgins
On a dark summer night, two Chechen mercenaries emerge from the waters off Nantucket to kill a high-value target, the former president of the United States, Jake Cazalet. Unfortunately for them, Cazalet has guests with him, including black ops specialist Sean Dillon and his colleague, Afghan war hero Captain Sara Gideon. The Chechens do not survive the night, but Dillon is curious as to how they even got on the island. What he discovers sends a chill through his bones—a name from very far back in Dillon’s past. If this man is working with the terrorists now, the assassination attempt is only the beginning—and the next time, the results might be much, much different.


I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows
Annie Bell can't escape the dust. It's in her hair, covering the windowsills, coating the animals in the barn, in the corners of her children's dry, cracked lips. It's 1934 and the Bell farm in Mulehead, Oklahoma is struggling as the earliest storms of The Dust Bowl descend. All around them the wheat harvests are drying out and people are packing up their belongings as storms lay waste to the Great Plains. As the Bells wait for the rains to come, Annie and each member of her family are pulled in different directions. Annie's fragile young son, Fred, suffers from dust pneumonia; her headstrong daughter, Birdie, flush with first love, is choosing a dangerous path out of Mulehead; and Samuel, her husband, is plagued by disturbing dreams of rain.



Prayers for Rain by Dennis Lehane
When a former client jumps naked from a Boston landmark, Private Investigator Patrick Kenzie wants to know why. Once a perky young woman in love with life, her suicide is the final fall in a spiral of self-destruction. What Kenzie discovers is a sadistic stalker who targeted the woman and methodically drove her to her death – a monster that the law can’t touch. But Kenzie can. He and his former partner, Angela Gennaro, will fight a mind-twisting battle against the psychopath, even as he turns tricks on them…


Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon
Now, Father Tim Kavanagh’s adopted son has graduated from vet school and opened his own animal clinic. Since money will be tight for a while, maybe he and Lace Harper, his once and future soul mate, should keep their wedding simple. So the plan is to eliminate the cost of catering and do potluck. Ought to be fun. An old friend offers to bring his well-known country band. Gratis. And once mucked out, the barn works as a perfect venue for seating family and friends. Piece of cake, right? In Come Rain or Come Shine, Jan Karon delivers the wedding that millions of Mitford fans have waited for. It’s a June day in the mountains, with more than a few creatures great and small, and you’re invited—because you’re family.


The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.


Summer Rain by Barbara Freethy
Danielle Monroe is determined to use her new job in DC as a stepping-stone to a high-powered political career. But the secrets surrounding her father's death continue to overshadow her goals. Her family thinks she holds the final piece of the puzzle, but she doesn't even know what the puzzle is…until an attractive and possibly dangerous stranger shows up in her life. Patrick Kane is searching for answers about his own dark tragedy, not realizing that the beautiful Danielle may not just hold the key to his mystery but also his heart. They have to stay alive long enough to find out.



Out of the Rain by Debbie Macomber
The old adage says Marry in haste, repent at leisure. Marriage Wanted - Can you marry in haste and not repent at all? As far as Nash Davenport's concerned, marriage isn't shelter from the storm, it is the storm. He's a divorce attorney, himself divorced, who believes no married couple can live up to their wedding vows. Savannah Charles, however, believes in the value and the values of marriage. She's a wedding planner who finds herself saying yes when Nash unexpectedly proposes. Even though it's strictly a business proposal. Laughter in the Rain - Can you marry at leisure and wish you'd done it in haste? Abby Carpenter has been involved with predictable, practical Logan Fletcher for years. One day she meets the unpredictable, impractical and very exciting Tate Harding. Does an everyday guy like Logan have a chance against a handsome stranger like Tate?


The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
The three bring shocking news: The man convicted of murdering Jody’s father is being released from prison and returning to the small town of Rose, Kansas. It has been twenty-six years since that stormy night when, as baby Jody lay asleep in her crib, her father was shot and killed and her mother disappeared, presumed dead. Neither the protective embrace of Jody’s uncles nor the safe haven of her grandparents’ ranch could erase the pain caused by Billy Crosby on that catastrophic night.



Rain Gods by James Lee Burke
Starting a new life as the sheriff of a dried-out, broken-down border town in south Texas, Hackberry Holland is drawn into a murder investigation when nine dead prostitutes are dug up in the desert, forcing him to focus on something other than his own demons.

Did we forget any of your favorites - either Rainy titles or just books to read on drizzly day? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you in our comment section or on any of our social media pages.

Check back in with us next month for another reading list theme!

Images and info are courtesy of Google, Goodreads, Wikipedia, and WV Reads.