Grisham does it again with another tale of courtroom drama. In The Appeal, the verdict comes at the very beginning, and the rest of the book deals with all the events which follow. If you are looking for an intense read with lots of characters and plot details, this book is for you.
~Contributed by Gina Loprinzo
An Irish Country Village is a sequel to An Irish Country Doctor (see previous post), but it’s not necessary to read them both or in order. Many of the same characters as in the first book return, we just get to know them a little better. The story moves along with great descriptions of the clothes, cars, music and values of the era. A bit of nostalgia with a few Irish recipes thrown in.
~Contributed by Mary D.
An Irish Country Doctor is a lovely story about a young doctor, just starting in practice with an older general practitioner. About life in a small village in Northern Ireland during the early 1960’s. It was very enjoyable and relaxing to read, with great descriptions of the various characters, as well as beautiful scenic descriptions. Absolutely worth reading, especially if you have an interest in Ireland, or even if you don’t. Refreshingly, not a mention of the troubles.
~Contributed by Mary D.
Filed under: Adult Fiction | Tags: Adult Fiction, Scotland, series, time_travel
From Library Journal:
“After being separated by seven years of World War II, Claire and Frank Randall return to the Scottish Highlands for a second honeymoon. Left to her own devices while her husband immerses himself in 
historical pursuits, Claire inadvertently enters a circle of standing stones and is plunged back 200 years to a Scotland on the verge of the second Jacobite uprising. Her pluck and skill as a nurse win the Scots’ grudging respect, but only marriage to a Scot will save her from the clutches of Frank’s vicious forbear, Black Jack Randall. Though first novelist Gabaldon uses time travel primarily to allow a modern heroine, this is basically a richly textured historical novel with an unusual and compelling love story.” – Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Being mostly a Non-Fiction reader, I was told about this series by my aunt. Having a love for anything Scottish, I decided to read it. At the time, there were 4 of the 6 books released and I read all of them in just over two weeks. I couldn’t put them down. These books are very large, 600-900+ pages of ____ (insert your own adjective here, because these books have it all). For some, the Scots’ dialect may be intimidating, but I ken (know) you will get used to it. I highly recommend the whole series for adults, starting with Outlander, followed by Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, The Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and coming in 2009 (I’m so excited!), her 7th book, An Echo in the Bone.
~Contributed by Susan H
Filed under: Adult Fiction | Tags: adult_fiction, family, quick_reads, Rita_Mae_Brown, sisters
Are you looking for a quick read for a day at the beach? I’ve got the perfect book for you! The Sand Castle by Rita Mae Brown can be read in one leisurely afternoon. The story takes place in 1952, and 
tells about one day in the lives of two sisters, and is narrated by one’s 7 year old daughter. In a short time, Brown takes the story from lighthearted, to melancholy, to amusing, to bittersweet. Everyone can find something to relate to in this book, from losing a loved one to cancer to spending a day laughing and arguing with family.
Contributed by Gina Loprinzo
Filed under: Adult Fiction, Mysteries | Tags: adult_fiction, book_review, Grafton, Mysteries, series
Avid fans of Grafton’s ABC mystery series will have undoubtedly already read T is for Trespass (it’s been flying off the shelves!). The great thing about this series is that the books don’t necessarily have to be read in order. Of course, if you like somewhat light mysteries, I would recommend you start with “A is for Alibi” and work your way through them all! Grafton never disappoints readers with her strong, likeable 
female heroine, private investigator Kinsey Millhone.
What’s different about this latest edition is that Grafton alternates between the voice of Kinsey and that of the antagonist of the book. You’ll be turning pages feverishly to find out what’s happening with one and then the other.
~Contributed by Gina Loprinzo
Filed under: Adult Fiction, Young Adult Fiction | Tags: adult_fiction, New_Moon, series, Stephenie_Meyer, teens, vampires, YA_fiction
The last book I read (in between semesters) was New Moon. This is the second book in the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. For much of the story, Bella is separated from her love, the vampire Edward. While this is heartbreaking, there is plenty of excitement as Bella’s friendship with 
Jake deepens and she discovers a secret about him (no spoilers here!).
School Library Journal says, “New Moon will more than feed the bloodthirsty hankerings of fans of the first volume and leave them breathless for the third.” This is one reader who will be reading the third and fourth volumes the first chance she gets.
Recommended for ages 15-adult.
~Contributed by Gina Loprinzo
