I was attracted to this book because it’s about manatees, which I think are fascinating animals.  It tells the story of a girl who has a sailing accident, and only survives because of the manatees’ help.  Monninger writes very convincingly in the voice of a teenage girl.  A quick, light read, and very enjoyable.

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.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is an inspirational, uplifting book written by a terminally ill computer engineering professor.  Surprisingly not one bit depressing. 

Spiritual but not religious.  Quite funny at times, slightly reminiscent of Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, but more meaningful.  A wake-up call for procrastinors.

~Contributed by Mary D.

This is a new addition to our Young Adult collection.  Although I’m not a huge Sci-Fi fan, this book really reeled me in.  Readers can only assume it takes place in our future, after something has happened to force people to live inside huge domes which simulate an outdoor environment.  Everything is going along fine there (with each batch of new babies being genetically engineered, what could go wrong?), until one day a stranger comes along and takes away all of the “wonder babies” (the youngest members of society who are unusually bright).  This doesn’t sit right with 13-year-old Martin, whose sister is among the newly missing.  He sets out to find her and what he finds out along the way will keep you formulating new questions until the very end.  The Sky Inside is unbelievably suspenseful and imaginative.

~Contributed by Gina Loprinzo

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

For months, my friends had been trying to get me to read the book Twilight.  Everyone kept telling me, “The book was amazing!”  At first, I did not believe them, because who wants to read about vampires and a small town?  Eventually, though, my friends got me to read the first chapter of Twilight and I thought, “Well, you know, this is not too bad,” so I kept reading.  Before I knew it I was done with that book and ready for the second one.

Twilight is about a girl named Bella.  She is your average girl, just trying to get though high school one day at a time.  Bella was doing just fine getting through high school, until she meets a guy name Edward who turns her life upside down.

~Contributed by Caitlin Modelson

Why do some activities drain us of our energy and seem to take forever, while other activities energize and empower us as we lose all sense of time and place?  Expanding upon Marcus Buckingham’s work with the Strengths Movement, educator and author, Jenifer Fox, in her book, Your Child’s Strengths, explains how the Affinities Program she developed at The Purnell School helps students become successful by “playing to their strengths.”  When strengths are tied to interests or affinities, she states, children can develop skills that enable them to succeed.  The book includes a workbook enabling parents and teachers to help children make discoveries about themselves from their daily activities.  By discovering, developing and using their strengths instead of identifying and strengthening their weaknesses, students gain the confidence and self-knowledge they need to succeed in life.  Highly recommended!

Contributed by Carolyn Hart

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