HCL Recommends

Movies based on books:

2011-12-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

December 9th

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Based on: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John LeCarre

December 16th
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Loosely based on: “The Final Problem”, one of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featured in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

December 21st

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (English language version)

Based on The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

December 23rd

The Adventures of TinTin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Based on The Secret of the Unicorn by Herge

War Horse

Based on War Horse by Michael Morpugo

We Bought A Zoo

Based on: We Bought a Zoo: A Memoir by Benjamin Mee

January 20th

Coriolanus

ased on: Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Based on: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

January 27th

One for the Money

Based on: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Based on: We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Be sure to check IMDB and local theater listings for updated release dates on all of these titles.

Meet Miss Flavia de Luce

2011-11-17T17:55:00.000-08:00

I have not been a big reader of mysteries but Miss Flavia de Luce has completely won me over. This 11-year-old crime solver stole my heart with her charm, wit, and passion for poisons. I can not forget her penchant for telling fibs and oh, the cheek!

If you have not met Flavia yet, I suggest you do at once. The first four books are The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, The Weed that Strings The Hangman's Bag, A Red Herring Without Mustard, and I Am Half-sick of Shadows. I look forward to many more.

You do not have to read the books in order and I suggest, to enjoy them even more, that you listen to them as the reader does a superb job. The first three are available through Woodlands Downloadable Library. The fourth will be available soon.

Titles that I am currently reading

2011-09-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Now that I have made a "plug" for library cards, I thought that I would share with you the books that I am currently reading. Yes, that is right, "books". I usually have two or three books that I read at one time.

The first book is "Arc of Justice" by Kevin Boyle. The book takes place during the 1920's when the jazz age was popular in Detroit. Negroes were not welcomed in some areas and the KKK often caused tension and violence. Ossian Sweet was a Negroe doctor who made his way from the ghetto to an all-white neighborhood. One day a mob gathered outside his house and shots rang out. Sweet, or one of his defenders had killed one of the whites that was threatening their lives and home. This event began a murder trial for Sweet which documents the the violence in America in the 1920's. I won't give away the ending of the book as this book has been chosen as the 2011-2012 Great Michigan Read by the Michigan Humanities Council.

Look for a book discussion at Hillsdale Community Library the week of November 14th. We will have multiple copies available for checkout the week of October 10th.

The second book that I am reading is "Jeannie Out of the Bottle" by Barbara Eden. Ms. Eden starred in the sitcom "I Dream Of Jeannie" and she shares the story of her career as well as her personal life in this book. I would definitely recommend the book to those who watched the show, shall we say...a few years ago!

What is the value of your library card?

2011-09-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was in a conversation with another librarian and the topic was the value of a library card. Do you realize what a "bargain" a library card is?

A library card is available to you at no cost if you live within our service area. If you do not live within our service area, a library card from Hillsdale Community Library is $35 per year. Yes, that does seem like a huge expense but if you do the math, this averages to 0.095 cents per day!
Quite a bargain if you ask me!

What "value" does your library card give you? The "value" that the library card gives you is the ability to check out books, magazines, audio books, videos, and other materials that may not be readily available to you. If we do not have the item that you are looking for, we may be able to interloan it from another library through MeL (Michigan eLibrary Catalog). You can also use the computers at the library or, if you prefer, bring in your laptop to use.

I have always loved libraries. I used to get "kicked out" of the library on Saturdays when I was a teen. I was not being disruptive, it was time for the library to close and I had lost track of time by taking a book off the shelf and reading it right there at the library.

I invite you to discover the value of your library card. If you do not have a card with us, please stop in the library and sign up to receive a card.

Book/Movie News

2011-07-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

JULY 25TH, 2011

DAVIS ENTERTAINMENT AND LOLA VFX TEAM TO PRODUCE SCOTT WESTERFELD’S NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING FUTURISTIC TRILOGY. “UGLIES” BEING PREPARED AS FIRST OF THE PLANNED LIVE ACTION FEATURES.

Project Signals Premier Visual Effects Company Move Into Film Production

LOS ANGELES (JULY 24, 2011) – Producer John Davis and the founders of Lola Visual Effects (Lola VFX) will team to finance, develop and produce a theatrical, live action feature based on Scott Westerfeld’s New York Times best-selling “Uglies,” the first of his futuristic trilogy first published in 2005.

The filmmakers have also acquired Westerfeld’s PRETTIES and SPECIALS, the remaining trilogy installments published by Simon Pulse, a Simon & Schuster company, with total sales of over 3 million copies. Jacob Forman (“All The Boys Love Mandy Lane”) will write the screenplay.

UGLIES will be produced by John Davis (“Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” “I, Robot”) and Jordan Davis (“Jump In”), along with Colin and Greg Strause via their Hydraulx Entertainment banner. Lola’s Edson Williams and Thomas Nittmann will executive produce along with Adam Schroeder

Lola is the groundbreaking visual effects company paving the way for an entirely new level of story-telling, most recently transforming Chris Evans into the 90-pound weakling Steve Rogers for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER. The company was founded by Colin and Greg Strause, Edson Williams, and Thomas Nittmann.

Set in an Orwellian future in which teens undergo surgery on their sixteenth birthdays to become supermodel “pretty,” UGLIES is the story of Tally Youngblood, one such “ugly” teen who is forced by authorities to forgo her transformation until she infiltrates The Smoke, a community of rebels who choose to retain their appearance and live outside of normal society. Tally soon discovers appearance isn’t everything and her world is not all that it seems.

“’UGLIES’ is a smart, youthful, and edgy trilogy peopled by sophisticated characters who have to navigate through a dangerous but fascinating world,” stated John Davis. “We are at this time in the development of cinema magic where we have the proper technology to fully realize Scott’s vision for the screen.”

In addition to CAPTAIN AMERICA, Lola is the company behind Brad Pitt’s youthification in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and flawless twining of Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss in THE SOCIAL NETWORK. With this technology and expertise, Lola will handle the dramatic transformation of characters into the “pretty” versions of themselves while Hydraulx will create the futuristic world of UGLIES, an exquisite yet eerie dystopian future.

Stated Greg Strause: “With UGLIES, Scott created a visually stunning world that capitalizes on the strengths of both Lola and Hydraulx. Our partnership demonstrates the expanding possibilities of enhancing creative storytelling with innovative visual effects.”

In other book/movie news, The movie based on Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" is set to be released in 2012 and the movie based on Catherine Fisher's "Incarceron" will be released in 2013 and we can not forget The Help, based on Katheryn Stockett's book, comes out August 10th 2011.

Better than your 9th Grade World History Class

2011-07-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Fall of Giants is an engaging look at World War I through the lives of five interrelated families. Seeing WWI through the eyes of Americans, Germans, Russians, the English, and Welsh makes it much more real than the history books.

Unfortunately, the horrors of our past often turn into stories that have no affect on our current lives. As George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — Life of Reason, Reason in Common Sense, Scribner's, 1905, p. 284. This historically accurate novel helps ensure that we do not do just that.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2011-06-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

Torn between loyalty and love this WWII story about two 12-year-olds is a must read! Available at the library or via Woodland’s Downloadable Library. Inspired by true events.

Who Isn't Afraid of Sharks??!?

2011-04-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have a friend, Kristen Tracy, who writes books for teens. I've enjoyed all of her titles so far, but this summer, she's coming out with the best one yet! Sharks and Boys is the story of . . . well . . . sharks and boys. When Enid decides to follow her recently-ex boyfriend to see if he's going on a date with another girl, she certainly doesn't expect to wind up stranded at sea on a rubber raft with her twin brother, her ex and his twin, and two other sets of twin brothers. And she certainly didn't think that they would be fighting injury, thirst, sunburn, and bloodthirsty sharks! Sharks and Boys has everything you would want in a good summer read . . . scary predators, handsome boys, and a cinematic style that allows you to see all the action in your head. I, literally, could not put this book down, and stayed up way past my bedtime so that I could see what happened to the stranded teens. Keep an eye out for this one!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

2011-04-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

How do you stay true to yourself when you do not even know who you are? That is what Frankie Landau-Banks tries to figure out as she navigates from an unknown duckling to a sought-after swan in this funny, feminist tale.

With a title like this how can you resist? HCL has it in playaway format which I enjoyed but you can always interlibrary loan it if you would rather read it.

Delirium

2011-04-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

Love is a disease that finally has a cure the question is, would you really want to be cured? Lena Haloway thinks so. She knows firsthand what being uncured can do and she wants the safety and happiness that being cured can bring her. What she does not realize is the only way to know happiness is to know sadness as well.

Delirium is the first book in a trilogy by Lauren Oliver. If you enjoyed Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies Series you will want to check this one out. We do not have it available at HCL yet but you can check it out through woodlands.lib.overdrive.com in WMA, PC, or iPod format.

One Wacky Family

2011-04-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

I can admit that my family--nuclear and extended--can be a bit weird. This has been true my entire life, and I think it's added to my enjoyment of books about large families with strange habits. In that vein, I've slowly but surely been working my way through the Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews. These mysteries, beginning with Murder With Peacocks, feature a sarcastic female blacksmith who investigates murders while also dealing with the rest of her responsibilities. Meg's extended family is a hoot, and Andrews somehow manages to make them funny and eccentric while still being endearing. You'll have to interlibrary loan this series, but it's well worth it if you're looking for humorous mysteries.

Saving the World Will Change You

2011-03-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

So I figured my first post should be about a series that has had an impact on my life as a reader. Have you guys ever read the 'Animorphs' series by K. A. Applegate? They were popular in the late 90s. I started reading them when I was in middle school. I bought the first one at a yard sale, fell in love, and then- lo and behold- the library had more! And we still do. :) This is a great series if you like teen sci-fi novels like Maximum Ride and Virals. The characters are original and believable and loveable, the plot twists and turns and keeps you interested, the dialoge is enjoyable and well-writtedn, and sometimes these books just make you laugh out loud. The library has most of the series, and you can always get the ones we don't have on interloan. Check them out! I'm very excited because Scholastic is publishing a reprint of this series. At least the first few, and then if they are well-received, the rest of the series as well. The reprints will be tweaked versions of the originals, with more updated pop-culture references and fixed loopholes or inconsistencies. (When you write a 50-some-odd book series, it's hard to be consistant, right?) I'm looking forward to reading these new versions of an old favorite, and I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I always have.

You can find more information on the official Animorphs website here.

A View Behind the Curtain

2011-03-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

The books of Agatha Christie are very popular in Hillsdale, although I've never known exactly why. Granted, they are suspenseful and well-written with lots of twists and turns. Christie was a master at her craft. But they were published so long ago, conventional library wisdom would dictate that they wouldn't get checked out much anymore. At any rate, patrons who enjoy Christie's mysteries will want to check out Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks by John Curran. With material from Christie's 73 private notebooks, this book gives us a peek into the author's mind. It includes drawings and two previously unpublished Poirot stories.

Late to the Party

2011-03-23T11:44:00.001-07:00

If you have children between the ages of 9 and 16, you probably already know all about the 39 Clues series. It consists of 11 books written by seven different wildly popular authors, and it has been a runaway hit. So, of course, I hadn't read any of them. Finally, guilt overtook me and I read Maze of Bones, the first in the series and I loved it! Full of quirky characters, cranky cats, explosions, and mysterious clues, this book has everything a kid could want. And, it's perfect for those adults who grew up loving Ellen Raskins The Westing Game, as it's quite similar in concept and feel. I've already checked out the second in the series, One False Note.

Speaking of Janet Evanovich . . .

2011-03-21T06:23:00.001-07:00

Since my last post contained a suggestion of what to read while you're waiting for the next Janet Evanovich book, I figured it would be a good idea to let you know about the next Janet Evanovich book. Smokin' Seventeen, the eagerly awaited seventeenth book in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, will be released on June 21st of this year. We've already got a waiting list started for the two copies we'll buy, so stop in and add your name to the list. This promises to be a good one, with Stephanie choosing between Ranger and Morelli (and dodging bad guys, as usual).

Free Skate!

2011-03-18T07:37:00.001-07:00

Janet Evanovich is a very popular author, and patrons are always looking for read-alikes to her Stephanie Plum mysteries. Skating Around the Law by Joelle Charbonneau is a super-fun read that has the same spirit as Evanovich's books. One year after Rebecca's mother passes away and leaves her a small-town roller rink, Rebecca decides to sell it and leave her hometown behind forever. But when the town handyman is murdered in the rink all the buyers disappear, and Rebecca realizes she must solve the murder herself if she's ever going to make her escape. With a sizzling love interest, and eccentric grandparent, and a hat-wearing camel, there's a lot to like in this story. It may even inspire you to strap on a pair of skates and take a turn around our local roller rink!

Woodlands Download Library

2011-02-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

I do not have much time to read anything but textbooks and research articles these days but I am making up for that by utilizing our eBook library. For those of you who are not aware, HCL has subscribed to Woodlands Downloadable Library powered by OverDrive. I check out Audiobooks that I can listen to while running errands, cleaning the house, or driving to work.

The following is a list of recent titles I have listened to:

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson, a YA fictional story about the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, which I had already read but I liked it so much I wanted to listen to it.

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen, a YA fictional story about surviving a nuclear attack, only to learn nothing is as it seems.

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier, a totally doos (pronounced duce) story about, you guessed it, a girl trying to ditch her fairy. This is a must-listen- to story as reading it yourself will not do the pronunciations and accents justice.

Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, if you like books about werewolves you will be interested in this YA love story.

The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, a YA story of love, loss, and being strong enough to survive it all.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett, this year’s Big Read selection that is wonderfully cast with four southern voices. Octavia Spencer is the voice for Minny, she is also playing her in the film version that is set to release this summer.

Look at all the books I would have missed out on had it not been for our Audiobooks available from Woodlands Downloadable Library. Check it out for yourself at http://woodlands.lib.overdrive.com.

Specialty Gardens

2011-02-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Many people farm or even have gardens, supplying themselves with tasty fruits and vegetables all summer long. However, from time to time one might get a hankering to branch out and grow something a little bit wacky, and that's where these new books come in. Growing Tasty Tropical Plants by Laurelynn and Byron Martin explains how to grow everything from lemons to olives inside your home. What a great way to provide color, fragrance, and tasty foods to your life!

Microgreens:How to Grow Nature's Own Superfood by Fionna Hill will tell you how to grow nutritious microgreens in your home. Similar to sprouts but stronger in flavor and grown in soil, microgreens could well be the food of the future.

Which Team Are YOU On?

2011-01-27T08:54:00.001-08:00

If you keep up with teen books at all, you've probably at least heard murmurings about Zombies vs Unicorns, a short story collection edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier. These two ladies are HUGE in teen lit, particularly fantasy, and they've managed to pull together a great group of authors. The book is playfully arranged, too, with zombie and unicorn pictures in the corners of the pages so you can tell which camp the story falls into, and smack-talking introductions from the editors. It's clear that Black and Larbalestier want you to choose a team, although I thought I was going to like each side. As it turns out, though, I'm Team Zombie. Who knew??!?!??

Just a Lovely Book

2011-01-18T06:46:00.001-08:00

I had read several good reviews of The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine, which is why I decided to check it out. This was kind of a leap of faith for me, as I'd not been a big fan of Schine in the past. Imagine my surprise when I found this to be one of the best books I've read in months! This quiet tale of three women, their lives in disarray, who move to a dingy guest cottage in Westport doesn't have a lot of splashy, quirky, larger-than-life events. What it does have is good characters, realistic emotions, and a simple beauty that allows me to recommend it highly.

Historical Fiction

2011-01-07T08:12:00.000-08:00

I have often heard it said that history is boring.

When a friend asked me what I would recommend that she read, I gave her a list of the books I have been reading and realized there was a lot of historical fiction. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay , If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan and, of course, Leviathan and Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld. In all these books, I learned many things I never knew before in a way that was far from boring.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly was another one of those eye-opening, historical fiction, non-boring books. It is a well-written, well-researched book about the very different lives of two teenagers. Andi is a modern-day teenager trying to deal with her falling-apart family with the help of anti-depressants and music; while Alex is an eighteenth-century teenager trying to deal with her falling-apart country with the help of Shakespeare and fireworks.

With music and danger, princes and death, both worlds collide in a unique time-travel twist and both girls realize, “it is love, not death, that undoes us”. Nevertheless, in the end it is worth it.

Tasty Treats for Cold Winter Evenings

2011-01-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but there's something about a cold, blustery day that makes me want to hunker down with an afghan, a mug of cocoa, and a freshly-baked cookie. To help us along in this quest, HCL has a fine collection of cookbooks, including the new Crazy About Cookies: 300 Scrumptious Recipes for Every Occasion and Craving by Krystina Castella. Just the cover alone is enough to make me want to pull out the mixing bowls and cookie sheets!

Worth More Than a Passing Mention

2010-12-30T06:22:00.000-08:00

Last year, while talking about books that had online components, I mentioned this second in the Skeleton Creek series by Patrick Carman. However, I just finished reading Ghost in the Machine, and realized that it was good enough to deserve its own post. The reader alternates reading chapters of the book with watching online videos, all of which advance the plot instead of being an afterthought. The videos, which are tense and spooky and kind of creep me out (even though I'm an adult and should be much braver), are an integral part of the story. This suspenseful series is good for any kid who likes to be scared.

Leviathan & Behemoth

2010-12-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

Barking Spiders!

The best man for a job is a girl; a fifteen-year-old girl posing as a boy that is.

For those who love adventure and science fiction, this is a great new young adult series by Scott Westerfeld. Complete with amazing illustrations, Leviathan is a combination of historical fiction (WWI) and science fiction (advanced machinery of German Clankers and animal cross-breeding of British Darwinists). There are two main characters, Prince Aleksander and airman Deryn Sharp. Deryn, however, steals the show.

Happily, the second in the series, Behemoth, is already here but we will have to wait until October 2011 for the final book, Goliath.

Skulduggery Pleasant

2010-12-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

If you are not yet familiar with the world of Skulduggery Pleasant, I recommend that you check it out. Skulduggery is a skeleton detective who has deadly sorcery skills . . . and an even more killer sense of fashion. Aided by his teenage sidekick, Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery saves the world from the forces of darkness. I just finished reading The Faceless Ones, which is the third in this series by Derek Landy. Full of snarky, intelligent humor, great characters, and plenty of action, the Skulduggery Pleasant books are sure to please. And how can you resist such a wonderful name?!??

An Abduction in Hindsight

2010-12-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

It's pretty much a given that a book about an abduction is going to be exciting. What does the abductor want? Will the authorities crack the case in time? One question that is never asked, though, is how the rescued abductee will recover from what has to be one of the worst ordeals you can go through. Until Still Missing by Chevy Stevens, a new thriller that tells the tale of Annie's abduction after she has escaped and gone back to her "normal" life. Told entirely by Annie, in the form of her therapy sessions, this story is gripping and really makes you think. It has touches of a traditional police procedural, mixed with some psychology and a whole lot of thrills.

Elsewhere

2010-12-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

Having your life cut short before it has even begun is one thing, learning you will be aging backwards is another. That is the premise of Gabrielle Zevin's book Elsewhere.

On the verge of getting her driver's license, thinking about boys and going to prom, fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is just waiting for her life to begin when it is tragically cut short. Sent to Elsewhere, she is angry over everything she has missed out on in her life and she refuses to accept her death. Complicating things is the fact that everyone in Elsewhere gets younger every year until they become infants and are sent back to Earth to be reborn.

Ranger's Apprentice

2010-12-09T07:21:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that I went this long without talking about the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan! We all know how I love a good teen fantasy series, and this is consistently one of the best. I just got done reading number seven in the series, Erak's Ransom, and it was phenomenal. Do you know how I can tell? Because it's a prequel to books five and six, so fundamentally, I knew how it was going to turn out. But still . . . I was on the edge of my seat, reading far past my bedtime so that I could find out where it was going to take me. That's the sign of an excellent book! So if you like stories about underdogs who make good, epic battles, Viking-esque warriors, strong females, and against-all-odds journeys, check this series out.

Kay Scarpetta Returns

2010-12-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

Patricia Cornwell's mystery thrillers starring Dr. Kay Scarpetta have been very popular over the years, and her latest, Port Mortuary, is sure to follow suit. As the chief of the new Cambridge Forensic Center in Massachusetts, a joint venture of the state and federal governments, MIT and Harvard, Scarpetta is confronted with a case that could shut down her new facility and ruin her personally and professionally. The Hillsdale Community Library has Port Mortuary available in both the book and CD format.

Through the Years . . .

2010-12-02T07:27:00.001-08:00

Do you remember when HBO was pretty much the only premium channel around, and it seemed so revolutionary? If you were a kid, like me, then you sat in front of the TV day after day watching the same few movies . . . Grease 2, Under the Rainbow, 9 to 5, and my favorite, Clash of the Titans. To this day, I can recite huge chunks of dialogue from the original Titans, and these repeated viewings opened up a special place in my heart for Harry Hamlin. Then, decades later, he showed up in a favorite TV show, Veronica Mars. Yay!

Hamlin recently released a book about his childhood, Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor. I haven't had a chance to read our copy yet, but by all reports, it's quite good. But if Harry Hamlin is not your cup of tea, perhaps you'd like one of the other new celebrity biographies and memoirs we've gotten at HCL. They cover a wide range of topics, from Dick Cavett to Paul McCartney, and there's sure to be one to pique your interest.

Do You Believe in Monsters?

2010-11-19T07:43:00.001-08:00

What would you do if the fate of the world rested on your shoulders, and yours alone? What if generations of your family had been in the same situation? And what if nobody around you believed in any of it? That's the scenario in a new book, The Caretaker of Lorne Field by Dave Zeltserman, and it is fascinating! Jack Durkin's family has sacrificed generations of first-born sons to fulfill a contract with the city. Every day these first-born sons methodically weed a field full of Aukowies, weed-like monsters that will take over the world if left alone. But everyone in town, including his wife and first-born son, think that he is crazy . . . that the weeds are just weeds. Who is right? Who is delusional? You'll have to read the book to find out!

Jane Austen Goes to Boarding School

2010-11-16T06:38:00.001-08:00

Jane Austen is a popular author in Hillsdale, with people of all ages reading her works. A friend who works in publishing sent me a pre-publication copy of a new book based on the Austen tale, Pride and Prejudice. This new teen book, Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg, is set in an extremely exclusive boarding school where the prom is the most important thing to happen each year. Scholarship student Lizzie Bennet is despised by her classmates for not being wealthy, which colors her perception of the various boys she meets. This is a smart update of a great Austen novel, retaining enough of the original plot to appeal to fans of Jane Austen but tweaking enough of the details to make it seem fresh. Prom and Prejudice doesn't come out until January 2011, so be on the lookout for this fun teen book.

Presidential Memories

2010-11-12T13:41:00.001-08:00

Regardless of how you feel about George Bush, you have to admit that his new book, Decision Points, is bound to be a bestseller. This presidential memoir has been all over the news this past week, and many people are eagerly anticipating it. Bush's tenure was marked by controversy and crisis, which makes his telling of the story even more interesting. The Hillsdale Community Library has both the book and the audio, so come in today to check out this hot book!

New King

2010-11-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

While Stephen King is probably best known for his mastery of the horror novel, he has proven to have an immense amount of talent in writing short stories, as well. One need only go as far back as "The Body" (which served as the basis for the hit movie Stand By Me) or "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" (which was made into another great movie) to see that he has a certain brilliance in this shorter format. His latest book, Full Dark, No Stars, which is out this month, is a collection of short stories that will no doubt excite fans of both the genre and of King.

Gluten-Free

2010-10-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Do you happen to know anyone who has celiac disease, or some other sensitivity to wheat? Until fairly recently, it was difficult to find products that didn't contain some sort of gluten, as most common products contained at least a bit. So, when a person was told to steer clear of gluten, it seemed like the worst possible thing--no more pasta or cookies or cakes or pretzels or bread! Now, however, as more and more people are being diagnosed with sensitivities to wheat, there are more products and recipes to help them out. The Complete Gluten-Free Diet and Nutrition Guide by Alexandra Anca and Theresa Santandrea-Cull contains recipes, meal plans, food guides, and many other things to make life easier for those with celiac disease.

Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef by Shauna James Ahern and Daniel Ahern is a sequel of sorts to Shauna's book, Gluten Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back . . . And How You Can Too. Both titles are based on their popular blog, and their latest book is a love story of sorts. Shauna shares stories about how she fell in love with a chef and how he started to cook gluten-free meals at his restaurant. The recipes and techniques come from Daniel, and they look delicious!

Yes, This Time!!

2010-10-08T12:03:00.001-07:00

If you like fun, breezy novels full of spunky women and their dreamy love interests (and if you don't mind an R-rated scene or two), then Jennifer Crusie is the author for you! Her latest, Maybe This Time, was particularly intriguing to me because it upped the ante with a spooky ghost story. If you want to know the truth, I stayed up well past my bedtime so that I could finish it in one night, and it's stuck with me for several days. To me, that's the hallmark of a good book!

Hoarding Explained?

2010-10-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

With the popularity of such shows as Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive, it was only a matter of time before someone came out with a book about the phenomenon of hoarding. What's amazing is how Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things remains so fascinating while conveying such a wealth of information. There's plenty of stories of hoarders combined with scientific fact, all of which allows for a very sympathetic look into the mind of a hoarder. If you know a hoarder, think you might be a hoarder, or are simply fascinated by this problem, this book is for you.

If You Don't Mind a Bit of Weirdness . . .

2010-09-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

I've already admitted that I sometimes fall in love with books that are difficult to recommend because they sound so strange when briefly described. Well, it's happened again with Horns, a wonderful new book by Joe Hill. When Ig Perrish wakes up after a night of drunken debauchery, he finds that he has horns growing out of his head and the ability to make people tell him their deepest, darkest, most devilish thoughts. Instead of moping about, he decides to use his new powers to find out who killed his girlfriend a year previous. Part murder mystery, part horror story, and part philosophical musing on religion, this book is altogether fascinating. And it would appear that Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King. Who knew??!?

Mockingjay

2010-09-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

I've made no secret of the fact that I love The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. These stories of Katniss and Peeta fighting for their lives in the arena have adventure, romance, gore, philosophy, and everything else that you could possibly want in a book. Last month, the long-awaited third (and last) book, Mockingjay, was released, and reactions have been mixed. While I loved the ending and thought it was just right, there are many people who weren't satisfied by it. But, love it or hate it, you have to respect an author whose work garners such strong reactions!

The Adventure Grows Up

2010-09-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned before how Choose Your Own Adventure books are insanely popular among our youth population, and I have to think that one doesn't lose that love as one gets older. I mean, adults want the freedom to lead lives both good and disastrous without ever leaving their couch, too! Heather McElhatton has tapped into this nostalgic love and created Choose Your Own Adventure books for adults. The Hillsdale Community Library recently acquired her second book, Million Little Mistakes, which lets you explore what would happen if you won the lottery. If you miss flipping excitedly through the book to find out if your decision will lead to unimaginable riches or an ignominious death, pick this book up.

Jacie's Archaeological Find

2010-08-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

If you like history along with mystery, Will Adams is an author you should know. His first novel, The Alexander Cipher, introduces Daniel Knox, an archaeologist with a lifelong interest in Alexander the Great.

Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC and was taken to Egypt for burial in Alexandria. His mausoleum was considered a wonder of the world, but the tomb was lost after wars, earthquakes and fires destroyed much of the city. It has never been found.

On the run from his former boss, a most dangerous man, Daniel Knox finds himself in Alexandria, Egypt where construction workers expose an ancient catacomb. Knox sneaks in, explores it, and realizes this might be the lost burial site of Alexander, an archaeological treasure. Others are also aware and would kill to get this prize. Interesting characters and dangerous situations keep your interest, as does the history about Alexander and the Middle East locale. The plot moves along at a very fast pace, which can be confusing, but is worth it by keeping the plot moving.

Adams' second novel, The Exodus Quest, is even more intriguing. Knox is on the trail of a Dead Sea Scroll and finds himself at an excavation near Alexandria. An evangelical Christian archaeologist has discovered an unknown Jewish temple site with links to the Copper Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as to the monotheistic Pharaoh Akhenaten. Knox takes photographs of the cave murals and downloads them to his friend , Gaille. Reverend Peterson is afraid that links between the Book of Exodus, Akhenaten, the Essene and Pythagorean sects, and Moses would be a fatal blow to conventional biblical history. He arranges an auto accident which leaves Daniel with amnesia and accused of murder, as his SCA friend Omar had died in the crash.

Another bad guy, corrupt tomb robber and army officer Khaled, kidnaps Gaille and the action becomes frenzied with twists and turns to keep you reading far into the night.

There are fascinating parallels between the Bible and Egyptian history. Was Akhenten Moses? Did the Jews leave Egypt through the Sea of Reeds? Was Amarna really Eden? Did the monotheistic followers of Aten flee Egypt and become God's chosen people, the Jews? Interesting speculation, but the concept, the running and hiding, the bad guys and the bit of romance between Daniel and Gaille make an adventure worth your time.

Hillsdale Community Library does not own Adams' third novel, The Lost Labyrinth. Most reviewers did not like it because it did not have the archaeological depth of his first two and said it was just a crime novel about a psychological killer.

Sweet Sixteen At Last!

2010-06-16T09:04:00.001-07:00

Love her or hate her, you have to admit that Janet Evanovich is hot!!! Her particular brand of slapstick mystery has spawned a legion of readalikes, and people anxiously await her Stephanie Plum books. Luckily, her latest, Sizzling Sixteen, is due in stores (and at the Hillsdale Community Library) on June 22. Come in or call to be added to the list, and satisfy your Evanovich cravings.

Test Prep

2010-06-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

I can admit that HCL hasn't always been the best at providing test prep materials to our patrons--too many things were stolen and too many other books needed to be bought for us to be up-to-date and easily accessible. However, a recent gift from a generous patron has allowed us to purchase a whole slew of books that will help you prepare for standardized tests galore. ASVAB? We've got it! SAT? Check! MCAT? You betcha!! Granted, summer is just about to begin and few people are thinking of taking a standardized test right now, but it's never to early to start brushing up!

Fluffy and Fun

2010-05-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is rolling around (or at least the heat has rolled in) my literary tastes tend to lean toward the fun and fluffy. The Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam by Marilee Brothers is the perfect choice when I'm in this sort of mood. It's the story of a woman who teaches a rough-and-tumble classroom of teens and who ends up in the middle of a whole lot of crime. It's funny and sexy and a whole lot of fun. My only gripe were the typos in the book, but maybe soon it will be hot enough to let me overlook even those.

Broadway Baby Bio

2010-05-21T07:30:00.001-07:00

Because I am a dork who loves to listen to the Broadway station on my satellite radio. I know . . . I am annoying to passengers. Anyway, I was very excited to read A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages by Kristin Chenowith. If you're not familiar with Chenowith, she originated the role of Glinda in the Broadway production of Wicked, she was in the quirky television series Pushing Daisies, and she's done tons of other stuff. She's cute and energetic and quirky and talented, and this book was a pleasure to read. Although it covers just a segment of her life, and not the whole thing, it was still full of interesting stories and good advice. It's interesting to hear from someone in show business who has a strong Christian faith and doesn't feel compelled to hide it.

Track Record

2010-05-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a book will come into the library that I'm already interested in, and then I find out that it's written by someone who's written other books that I enjoy. Score!

Masha Hamilton wrote, among other things, The Camel Bookmobile. While this book did not have an easy, "Hollywood" style ending, it was beautifully written and had characters that I ended up caring deeply about. Now I'm in the middle of her newest, 31 Hours, which I think will prove to be more of the same. The story covers 31 hours in the lives of various people--a mother who has a premonition that something is wrong with her son; the son, who is planning a terrorist attack that will end his life; the son's girlfriend, who finally knows what it is to love; etc. Thus far, I'm enjoying it immensely.

A while ago, I read a wonderful book called Three Sisters and Their Brother, which was about celebrity, New York city, and the ties that bind families together. At the time, I said that it seemed like The Catcher in the Rye for a whole new generation, without the self-consciousness that goes along with being The Catcher in the Rye for a new generation. When I picked up the new book, Twelve Rooms with a View, thinking that I wanted to read it, I suddenly realized that the author, Theresa Rebeck, also wrote Three Sisters. Yay!!!

Bookish Crush, Continued

2010-04-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

Remember when I blogged about my undying intellectual love for author/doctor/psychologist Leonard Sax? He wrote Boys Adrift and Why Gender Matters, two books that radically changed the way I thought about education and child-rearing. We just got his latest book, Girls on the Edge: The Four Factors Driving the New Crisis for Girls, which talks about modern girlhood and how we can help our girls become well-adjusted women. I'm looking forward to reading it and becoming even more enamored of Dr. Sax.

Fang by James Patterson

2010-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fang is featured in Playaway Audio Book format. If you haven't tried Playaways yet, try them they're great! Fang is the latest book in the Maximum Ride Series. The series features a flock of six just normal kids all born with wings in labatory test tubes and raised in cages for experimental purposes. In the first book they escape the evil scientists and are off on hair raising adventures. Fang becomes Max's best friend, her soul mate, her partner in the leadership of the flock. A prophetic message is given to Max that Fang would be the first of the flock to die. Patterson writes with the usually twists and turns from beginning to end.

Hannah Swensen Mysteries, Apple Turnover by Joanne Fluke

2010-04-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

Great addition to her series, Apple Turnover is number 13. This series has the hominess and feel of old friends, a cup of coffee and of course a couple of cookies. A murder investigation always falls, so to speak, into Hannah's lap and this one is no exception. Fun, exciting, a little romance and delicious recipes all make up this series. Try the Mocha Nut Butterball they're wonderful.

It's a Shame . . .

2010-03-31T08:39:00.001-07:00

Have I ever mentioned that I have a horrible tendency to fall in love with books that are impossible to recommend to others because they are about incredibly strange topics that don't translate well to being shortened? The latest in this long line of titles is Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard. It's about a necromancer who sells his soul to the Devil and then realizes that he wants it back. To get it, he must provide Satan with 100 new souls in one year, and he's given a run-down carnival/sideshow to assist him in this task. See what I mean? Most of you have probably already stopped reading and maybe think I'm a bit off. But if the topic doesn't turn you off completely, then you'll find that Howard's use of language is playful and astounding, and that this is a wonderful book.

Another Great Pairing

2010-03-23T08:11:00.001-07:00

Like chocolate and peanut butter or hammers and nails, some things are unbelievably wonderful in combination. The new picture book, City Dog, Country Frog, represents one of these wonderful combinations. Author Mo Willems is one of the most brilliant writers for children that I can think of. His picture books starring Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny are hilarious, and great read-alouds. Then he branched out into easy readers, which are actually the correct level of difficulty for beginning readers AND capture the logic and emotions of children that age. Illustrator Jon Muth creates the most beautiful watercolors (which is quite a compliment coming from someone who isn't overly fond of watercolors). Just look at the illustrations for I Will Hold You 'til You Sleep (written by Linda Zuckerman) and try not to fall in love with the gorgeous expanses of blue that populate the pictures. With two such brilliant men pairing up for City Dog, Country Frog, I think it can't help but be wonderful.

Brilliant!!!

2010-03-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

In spite of the fact that I can't stand them (and the fact that most of them are out of print), "Choose Your Own Adventure" books are a perennial favorite in libraries. And everybody knows that graphic novels are insanely popular for kids of all ages. So why hasn't anybody combined these two genres into an insanely popular hybrid? Somebody has! Jason Shiga's new book, Meanwhile, is a graphic novel that features different "paths" through the different comic panels. The reader must make choices that lead him along these different paths--following tabs to different sections of the book and always facing different choices. There are also special codes and top-secret pages. I can't even STAND how popular I think this book is going to be!!!

What Can I Say? I Like Fantasy!!

2010-02-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

If my reading of late has been any indication, I've been in a very escapist mood. I just finished Sword of Waters, a fantasy which is the second in a trilogy (the first being Shield of Stars). I've mentioned author Hilari Bell in this blog before, for her Farsala books, and she doesn't disappoint in this latest. A strong female characters, unexpected twists and turns, and excellent character development are all hallmarks of Bell's writing. If you're in the mood for some solid fantasy, check her out!

Dark and Quirky

2010-02-03T10:15:00.001-08:00

I'm right in the middle of this book about a young woman who roams the earth with Death as her companion, and it's turning out to be my favorite kind of book. Dark without being depressing and quirky without being precious, I'm finding it very interesting. The author, Judy Clemens, doesn't bombard the reader with information, but instead doles it out in bits and pieces as we get to know the main character. This method could easily backfire, but I'm finding it terribly engaging. I like the characters and am enjoying the time I spend with them.

An Uncommon Memoir

2010-01-26T13:02:00.001-08:00

Because memoirs are very personal accounts of an author's life, they often seem to be about everyday experiences and families. This is not the case with Cartwheels in a Sari by Jayanti Tamm. Tamm's parents were members of a cult led by Sri Chinmoy, and Tamm herself was declared to be the guru's "Chosen One." Her account of growing up with this sort of spiritual responsibility and struggling to find something to believe in is moving and incredibly interesting. Although the themes she touches on are universal, the details of her childhood are fascinatingly different to the average reader.

New Jodi Picoult

2010-01-23T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hey all you Jodi Picoult fans! She has a new book coming out in March, House Rules. Jacob Hunt is a teenager with Asperger's syndrome. In any social situation he is helplessly lost but he excels at forensic science and is frequently found at crime scenes. None of these things help him when he himself is accused of murder.

House Rules has an intriguing mix of medicine, forensics and courtroom drama - all the things for which Jodi Picoult has become well known.

- LeAnne

Requests

2010-01-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you can request books from the library? Whether it's brand-spanking new or something that you've been wanting to read for ages, chance are good we can get it for you. Our MeL interlibrary loans allow us to get books from libraries--large and small--across the state. If an item is too new, or if it seems like it would be good for our collection, we can buy it and make sure you're the first in line to get it. Patrons have recently requested The Merry Wives of Maggody by Joan Hess and I, Alex Cross by James Patterson, both of which have been added to the collection.

North Korea is Not Like North America

2010-01-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

If you are like most of us, you don't like to go to the grocery store and you grumble a bit at the electric bill when it comes. Nothing To Envy by Barbara Demick will change that, for a while at least. It's a book about everyday life in North Korea from about the ending of World War II till now, and it will make you appreciate anew the lovely choices of food and certainly will make you grateful for flipping on a light switch or anything else electrical. After this one I hereby resolve to enjoy all the sights and smells of the grocery store and know that the line is not nearly as long as it seemed to be last week.

Reviewed by Joyce

Joyce looks at Anne Boleyn

2010-01-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

If you would like to get away for a little while into the past, take a look at The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir. Going back to the 1500's for awhile makes you appreciate the 2000's and the lack of an egotistical king with sharp instruments at his disposal. It's an interesting read.

For Mothers of Daughters

2010-01-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

I end up reading a lot of books that deal with gender differences when raising children (which is odd, since I have no children of my own). You'd Be So Pretty If . . . : Teaching Our Daughters to Love Their Bodies--Even When We Don't Love Our Own is a very interesting book about body image, dieting, and the cruel little things that women say about themselves when they think nobody is listening. The author, Dara Chadwick, makes the point that even if you are trying to raise your daughter to have high self esteem and to avoid eating disorders and self-loathing, you may be sabotaging your efforts by constantly criticizing your own body. It's weird how little we think about the criticism we level at ourselves, and this book is an eye opener!

Trust No One

2009-12-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

You can usually tell a good book by the number of times it gets
checked out. I noticed Trust No One, by Gregg Hurwitz, going
in and out several times before I finally snagged it and put it in my pile.
Trust No One is a political murder mystery with action that is as unending as the plot twists and turns. When a secret service agent literally lands on him with both feet, Nick Horrigan realizes the events from seventeen years earlier have caught up with him. Nick has to put to rest his personal demons from the past while trying to keep one step ahead of the people shadowing his every move.
This is the first book of Hurwitz's I have read, but his writing style and off center humor will difinitely have me scanning the shelves for more.

Graphic Versions of Teen Favorites

2009-12-28T12:19:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of people in this world who like to read graphic novels (aka comic books), and the format has proven to be very helpful to those who think visually and thus have trouble reading entire pages of text. HCL has just purchased a bunch of new graphic novels to supplement and expand our collection. We've gotten some classics of the genre, like Maus (a retelling of the WWII concentration camp experience with mice standing in for the Jews and cats as Nazis) and The Watchmen (a superhero book which was recently released as a movie). We've also just gotten several graphic novel versions of series books that are already popular among teen readers. Artemis Fowl, Alex Rider, and Maximum Ride fall into this category. Interestingly, several of these seem to employ classic manga style to tell their stories, which should make for a good mix of genres.

An Echo in the Bone

2009-12-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

If you have followed Jamie and Claire Fraiser and their travels through time you will enjoy the most recent book in the series, An Echo in the Bone. The sixth book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, was my least favorite in the series so I wasn't as eager to read this one as I might have been. I was afraid Gabaldon had lost her touch, but she is back in spades with this one. It is full of the historically accurate details you have come to expect and sparks fly when several characters finally cross paths. I hope she finishes book eight quickly because she not only left many things unresolved, she quite literally left one character in the dark!

LeAnne

My Bookish Crush

2009-12-21T11:53:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while I read a book that causes me to have a "brain crush" on someone--it's not that I'm romantically attracted to them, but they are so brilliant that I'm reverent and filled with awe by them. Michael Sullivan, who wrote Connecting Boys with Books is one of these people, as is teen literature historian Michael Cart. But my biggest brain crush is on Dr. Leonard Sax, a medial doctor and psychologist whose work focuses on gender differences in children. As a lifelong feminist and very opinionated person, his books were a huge revelation to me. Boys Adrift talks about the five factors that are harming modern boys in their quest to grow up, and Why Gender Matters talks about the inherent differences between boys and girls and how we should honor these differences without stifling our kids. Sax's writing is chock full of statistics yet still manages to be interesting and very readable. These books changed my mind about single sex education, and completely changed the way I look at bottled water. If you have children or are interested in how children learn and grow, you might like to try Dr. Leonard Sax.

A Jodi Picoult Tidbit

2009-12-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

I first read a Jodi Picoult book when My Sister's Keeper was the "One Book, One County" selection at the library where I worked. I'd never gotten around to reading her because I was convinced her writing would be sappy and bland and altogether not interesting. Was I ever wrong!!! I now love her books and think that she has her finger on the pulse of our society in a way that is really intelligent. For example, her newest book, House Rules, is coming out in March 2010 and features a teenaged boy with Asperger's who is accused of murder. If this were in anyone else's hands, I might accuse them of cashing in on the success of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, but I know that Picoult will bring something new and fresh to her tale. She will handle her protagonist with sensitivity, and I have no doubt she will deliver a tale that speaks to many people and makes them think.

I Can't Wait!!

2009-12-07T13:56:00.001-08:00

If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I'm a big fan of Alan Bradley's debut mystery, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. The young protagonist was just so quirky and delightful, and the relationships in the story were just so great, and the mystery was just so fun, I was sad when I was done. The second in the series, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag is coming out in March 2010, and you better believe I'll be one of the first in line to read it.

I'm also looking forward to Kate Braestrup's second book, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity: A Memoir, which comes out next month. Braestrup wrote Here If You Need Me: A True Story about becoming a chaplain for the Maine game wardens after her husband was killed in a car accident. It's a beautiful book about peace and acceptance, and it's the only audiobook I've ever enjoyed. Braestrup has a unique way of looking at the world, and a lot of wisdom for someone so young and . . . well . . . "normal."

I Love Surprises!!

2009-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

There are many, I am sure, who would consider me an indiscriminate reader. There are very few topics or genres that I avoid, and if someone gives me a book, I'm usually willing to at least give it a try. Sometimes, though, I will start to read a book with the preconceived notion that I'm not going to enjoy it very much. When these books turn out to be wonderful, it's such a pleasant surprise!

Ordinarily, I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, and I'm particularly not a fan of civil rights novels for children and teens. I just feel that, while rushing to make their point, these books tend to get very simplistic, hollowly written, and manipulative. Morning in a Different Place by Mary Ann McGuigan surprised me, then, by being nuanced, interesting, and moving. It is the story of a 13-year old Irish American girl who is growing up in 1963 with an African American best friend and an alcoholic father. Touching on issues of race, class, and social change, the author offers up a very good read.

Heartsinger is a slender novel by Dutch author Karlijn Stoffels, which is ostensibly the story of two musicians--Mee, who can see into people's souls and sing their sorrows, and Mitou, who brings great joy to everyone who hears her songs. I'm so glad that I ignored my feelings that it was going to be corny and vague, as it is beautifully written! Stoffels weaves together the disparate stories of numerous characters to create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its gorgeous parts. The reader doesn't always understand how the different tales are going to fit together, so when the connections become clear, it's all the more delightful.

DIY

2009-11-25T08:47:00.000-08:00

There's always been a certain draw to doing things yourself, and when the economy tanks, DIY can be a money-saver, too! HCL has several new books that will help you take on various projects.
My friend's mother crochets, and every year about this time she gives me beautiful towels, cloth napkins, blankets and more with crocheted edges. Crochet Edgings and Trims by Kate Haxell promises to teach 150 different stitches that can be used to edge various items. With that many stitches, this book is sure to have something for every level of crochet aficionado.

Since we live in the state that coined a term, "Michigan basement," for unfinished under-the-house space, The Black and Decker Complete Guide to Finishing Basements is certainly appropriate. With many ideas for fixing common problems like moisture and lack of light, this book will help you tackle this large task. This book contains many photos to help you along.

Complete Leatherwork: Easy Techniques and Over 20 Great Projects by Katherine Pogson contains just what the name implies--detailed instructions on how to make a variety of projects using leather. Since it also includes information on basic tools and techniques, it should be useful for everyone, from beginners to pros.

It's nearly December, and with that will surely come snow, but it's never too early to think about spring and gardening. The Rock Garden Plant Primer: Easy Small Plants for Containers, Patios and the Open Garden by Christopher Grey-Wilson recommends easy-to-grow plants for a variety of garden situations. Whether you have a lot of space or only a tiny nook, you're sure to find some greenery that will please.

Something For All You Twilight Fans

2009-11-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

The latest Twilight movie, New Moon, opens across the country at midnight tonight, and you can bet that teenagers and adults alike are excited. The Twilight books are a phenomenon, but what do you do when you've finished all four and have a craving for more supernatural romance? One option is Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. About a teenaged girl's lifelong fascination with a yellow-eyed wolf and the yellow-eyed boy who loves her, this story is very popular with people who like the Twilight series.

A Lucky Find

2009-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

"Feelers" are people who dispose of all the furniture and junk in buildings after the owner has died, and they often find money hidden away (and get to keep it, as there are contracts and whatnot). This is a good book about a profession I knew nothing about. The protagonist's flowery style of speaking can be slightly disoncerting at first, but it allowed me an understanding of his character that I appreciated. And I had no idea how the story was going to end, which doesn't always happen when I'm reading. You could pair this book with Mop Men: Inside the World of Crime Scene Cleaners by Alan Emmins, a non-fiction book about another not-so-run-of-the-mill job.

A Recommendation from Joyce

2009-11-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

Jane Stanton Hitchcock's latest, Mortal Friends, takes place in the upper echelons of Washington DC society. When the latest victim of the "Beltway Basher" shows up in a chic Georgetown neighborhood and a detective starts nosing around, Reven Lynch decides to find out what's going on. Joyce enjoyed all the curves in this mystery that People magazine called a "killer read."

Autism and Asperger's Resources

2009-10-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, HCL received some sort of grant that allowed us to buy a bunch of books about autism and Asperger's. I wasn't here, so I don't have all the details about the grant, but I do know that the collection is remarkably sizeable and helpful. We have books for different age levels, and the topics range from treatment to explaining autism to support for parents. New books on the topic are coming out all the time--here are just two of them:

Quirky, Yes--Hopeless, No by Cynthia La Brie Norall can perhaps best be described by its subtitle, Practical Tips to Help Your Child with Asperger's Syndrome Become Socially Accepted. Norall, an educational psychologist, uses twenty years of experience with Asperger's children to create this easy-to-follow, practical guide. With topics such as "How to Greet Others and Make Eye Contact" and "How to Pay Compliments," this book gets right to the nitty-gritty of human interaction.

Growing Up on the Spectrum: A Guide to Life, Love, and Learning for Teens and Young Adults with Autism and Asperger's by Lynn Kern Koegel and Claire LaZebnik is aimed at older children and people in their early 20's, so it deals with topics that aren't always addressed in the autism and Asperger's literature. Subjects like dating, romance, and life beyond high school and college are explored. LaZebnik's 15-year-old autistic son also weighs in, and contributes drawings for the book.

I Might Have a Weird Sense of Humor

2009-10-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

While graphic novels as a genre have been very hard for me to get into (if you have any suggestions for a reluctant graphic novel reader, you should let me know), I've always enjoyed comics of the "funny papers" variety. Which might help to explain my latest obessession, Pearls Before Swine, which is written by Stephan Pastis. While Pastis always depicts himself as a something of a pathetic slob with a cigarette dangling out of his mouth, he doesn't smoke and is actually quite handsome.

That's him right there.

His work is featured in over 150 newspapers, and has a cast of characters that are both funny and touching. There's Pig, who is optimistic and good-natured and innocent. Rat is conniving and doesn't like other people (and is a little bit like Dogbert at times). Goat is the smart one, while Zebra lives next door to a fraternity of crocodiles that want to eat him. I know it all might sound a bit bizarre, but what comic strip doesn't? What really matters is that Pastis has a delightfully skewed view of the world that entertains me greatly.

Where can you find Pearls Before Swine? Several collections and treasuries--like Sgt. Piggy's Lonely Hearts Club Comic--are available via interlibrary loan. Pastis also has a blog which is highly entertaining.

New Books from Old Favorites

2009-09-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Fall is the season when most publishers go all out, releasing the biggest books by their brightest authors. This autumn is no exception! Here are just a few of the much-anticipated new releases.

Jacquelyn Mitchard's stunning debut, The Deep End of the Ocean, was a gigantic hit. In the 13 years since its publication, it was chosen by Oprah for her book club, was made into a major motion picture, and became a favorite of book groups all across the nation. Now Mitchard has written a sequel, No Time to Wave Goodbye, and it's been getting rave reviews. With the Cappadora children from the first book grown, fledgling filmmaker Vincent makes a documentary about abducted children who are still missing. When the film is nominated for an Academy Award, the entire family is thrust into the spotlight and forced to confront their feelings about what happened so many years before.

Another book that was a favorite of both book groups and Hollywood is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Her Fearful Symmetry, while not a sequel, is the latest thing to come from Niffenegger's pen. The New Yorker describes the book by saying, "when Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her estate, including an apartment overlooking the graveyard, to the twin daughters of her twin sister, from whom she has been estranged for twenty years. When Valentina and Julia show up to claim their inheritance, they soon discover that Elspeth is still in residence, in ghostly form."

Nicholas Sparks' latest offering, The Last Song, is a family drama centering on 17-year-old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller. As she tries to navigate her first romance while dealing with the fallout from her parents' divorce three years earlier, she learns that love can both hurt and heal. The movie version of this story, starring Miley Cyrus, is set to release in April, 2010.

Popular Michigan author Mitch Albom writes about belief, faith, and the struggle to find meaning in this world in his latest, Have a Little Faith. A request to write a eulogy leads to Albom becoming reaquainted with both his hometown rabbi and the faith he had left years before. At the same time, he becomes involved with the pastor of a struggling Detroit church, and questions of faith loom large.

Stephen King is a prolific writer, and his fans eagerly await the release of each of his books. Under the Dome, which tells the story of a town in Maine that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field, should be no different. King's latest is such an event, the final cover isn't even available now, and will be "unveiled" when the book hits the shelves!

The Help

2009-09-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Our book club recently read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is a very thought provoking, well written first novel.

Skeeter Pelhan is ahead of her time; she is over 6 feet tall, a college graduate and she wants to be a writer. A sympathetic publisher charges Skeeter with submitting something different, something that hasn't been done before. So she writes the stories of several black women who work as maids for white women, in Mississippi, during the 60's. I don't know about you but the words, "Mississippi during the 60's" always send a chill through me. The stories that unfold are sad, funny, outrageous and dangerous for those who tell them.

LeAnne

Mixed Media

2009-09-02T10:24:00.001-07:00

Having worked in both the publishing and library worlds, and having heard for years about the inevitable death of the printed page, I'm always interested in people who experiment with the book format and push the technological envelope. This is precisely why Level 26: Dark Origins by Anthony E. Zuiker caught my eye. Zuiker is the creator of the television show CSI, and his new book incorporates short films, a website, and other interactive technologies. Basically, you read a certain number of pages and then you are directed to a website to watch a short film. Yahoo even featured the book in one of its news stories. The Hillsdale Community Library has already ordered our copy, so you can expect it on our shelves as soon as it releases.

The same concept is used in a new series for middle-grade kids, written by Patrick Carman. Skeleton Creek is already out, and the second book, Ghost in the Machine, is set to release in October. I was lucky enough to see Carman speak--and to watch one of the short films from the second book--and I can tell you that this is spooky stuff! Maybe this is one way to get all those computer-addicted, thrill-seeking boys to actually want to read.

2009-09-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hillsdale County Big Read 2010

The votes have been counted and the winner is:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

2009-08-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

If you want the wits scared out of you, read One Second After by William Forstchen. It's not about things that go bump in the night, it's about technology our enemies currently have that can truly end our way of life. One Second After takes place in Black Mountain, N.C., a town not much different than Hillsdale. An EMP (electromagnetic pulse) is set off over the United States which short circuits everything that has a circuit. It wipes out every source of power and communication. Within weeks the country reverts to medieval levels of survival, each town dependent on the resources and citizens trapped within.

Although it is a work of fiction (well written, by the way) it is based on very disturbing facts. If Y2K made you nervous this book will send you over the edge.

LeAnne

Gilbery & Sullivan Set Me Free by Kathleen Karr

2009-08-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

A totally great read. Funny, serious and enlighting all at the same time. Kathleen Karr writes about life in a Massachusetts's women prison in the early 1900's. The main character, Libby is the youngest inmate,only 16,who learns about prison life very quickly. Libby and fellow inmates are allowed to be in a choir by the chaplin and then in a play "The Pirates of Penzance". You will be rooting for Libby and her friends before chapter 2. Historical fiction with a different twist. The book is based on a true story, the Massachusetts's Sherborn Prison for Women did put on a play in 1914.

GrandLoving by Sue Johnson & Julie Carlson

2009-08-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Whether you live near to or far from your grandchildren, Grandloving will help you grow closer. An easy to read sourcebook for making memories with the grandkids. This book is packed full of great ideas.

2009-08-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

Eugene the Librarian on Britain's Got Talent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ijwEwAvdo

2009-08-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

I went to see District 9 last week. It is one of the most memorable movies I've seen in some time. The standard themes of prejudice, intolerance and persecution are given a new twist when inflicted on aliens stranded on Earth. After 20 years, everything comes to a head when one of us starts to become one of them. Definitely worth seeing. LeAnne

Muppet-tastic

2009-08-14T11:53:00.001-07:00

Nobody can really argue that Sesame Street didn't change childhood, education, and millions of lives when it debuted in 1969. A whole generation was raised on those magical muppet adventures, and another whole generation trusted that their kids would be safe within the confines of this make-believe street. If you're as entranced as I am by Sesame Street and the genius behind it, there are several books that might be of interest to you.

Jim Henson's Doodle Dreams: Inspiration for Living Life Outside the Lines is a tiny book packed with a lot of inspiration. Filled with doodles and drawings from all stages of Henson's life, it allows us a glimpse into the mind that brought us some of the best-loved characters of all times. Although most of the quotes in the book were not said by Henson, they are inspired by his unique life.

Few people recognize Carroll Spinney, as he spent most of his professional life either inside a trash can or a giant yellow bird. Yes, Spinney is the puppeteer who gave voice and action to both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. I had a chance to meet Spinney a few years ago, and he was a delightful man--gentle, funny, and altogether unabashed. That he's been able to reconcile the wildly disparate personalities of his two greatest creations is a wonder to me. The Wisdom of Big Bird (and the Dark Genius of Oscar the Grouch) is Spinney's attempt to get at the heart of these characters and share the lessons he's learned in nearly 40 years of exploring both the dark and light sides of childhood.

Do not doubt the subtitle of Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street--it covers things you would never have thought could have tied in to the history of this groundbreaking show. But that's part of what makes this book such a pleasure to read . . . that author Michael Davis is able to take all the threads that don't seem to have any connection, and weave them into a seamless whole. This book is great for anyone who loves Sesame Street, has an interest in the early days of television, works in education, or just loves to read about passionate people bringing their beliefs to the table and making something wonderful.

2009-08-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Help us decide which book to read for the 2010 Big Read. You can vote here, e-mail us or stop by the library.

The choices are:

Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and

Anne Barrows

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

by Mark Haddon

Twilight

by Stephanie Meyer

My Sister's Keeper
by Jodi Picoult

Haven't You Always Wanted a Monkey??!?

2009-08-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

I know that I talk a lot about liking or disliking a book's main character--it would seem that I am, in large part, a character-driven reader. Well, my new favorite protagonist is pictured to the left . . . Chico Bon Bon! Chico is the titular hero of Monkey With a Tool Belt by Chris Monroe, and he is delightful. I mean, who doesn't love monkeys? Who doesn't love tool belts? Who doesn't want to see a cheeky little monkey have adventures and escape from scrapes using his well-stocked tool belt? There's already a second picture book starring Chico Bon Bon--Monkey With a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem--and I'm looking forward to many more.

Why Did I Resist??!?!

2009-08-05T08:20:00.001-07:00

All of my publishing and librarian friends had been urging me to read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for a very long time now. I'd heard about how good it was, and how popular it was with its teenaged audience, and I had a very vague idea of the basic concept. Strangely, though, I never got around to reading it. Finally, I was given an advanced review copy of the sequel, Catching Fire, and figured it was about time for me to read Hunger Games. I can't believe it took me so long to discover this wonderful book!!!!! I don't want to tell you too much about the plot, but I will say that it's set in a post-rebellion United States that has been divided into 13 different sectors. In an effort to avoid future rebellions, the government requires each sector to send one boy and one girl each year to the Hunger Games, where they will fight to the death until only one person is left. If this sounds horrible, it kind of is . . . but in a really gripping and moving sort of way. I cared about all the characters in this book, I was on the edge of my seat from all the action, and I'm very excited to read the next book. I'll just be sad when I have to wait until sometime next year for the third book in this trilogy.

Goose Bumps on a Hot Summer Day

2009-07-29T05:52:00.000-07:00

Something you may not know about me: I love a good zombie movie. I realize that the slow-moving zombies are kind of silly, but there's something about the idea of regular people that you know and love becoming your greatest enemies that I find both chilling and sad. David Moody has a new book, Hater, which is a highly addictive, modern-day "zombie" tale. While not the traditional brain-eating monsters you might be used to, the "zombies" in this tale find themselves filled with a sudden fear of those around them, and the need to kill or be killed. Moody does an excellent job of building tension, and showing how easily the main characters can shrug off the growing violence. This is one of those books that plunged me directly into the action, and creeped me out more than once. The plot goes in an unexpected direction about 2/3 of the way through, and I believe I've heard that a sequel is already written.

Book to Movie

2009-07-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger has been made into a movie starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. It comes out in theaters on August 14th.

2009-07-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

I took advantage of Bargain Night at the theater this week. My daughter and I saw Public Enemies with Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. The movie portrays the lives and deaths of several infamous bank robbers of the 1930's, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson and of course John Dillinger. The charismatic Dillinger and his gang are pursued by J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling police force of "young, strong, like-minded men" (creepy, I know). Christian Bale plays special agent Melvin Purvis, charged by Hoover to run Dillinger and his gang down. Dillinger's girlfriend, Billie, is played by Marion Cotillard. The movie is good, if a little long, and both Christian Bale and Johnny Depp play their parts with satisfying intensity. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

If you'd like to learn more about John Dillinger and his gang, the movie website, www.publicenemies.net has interesting historical information on all the gang members and FBI agents involved. Or try, The Dillinger Days by John Toland in the biography section of the library.

LeAnne

Teen Fantasy . . . Not Just for Teens

2009-06-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have always been one to read a lot of teen fantasy (because I'm what's traditionally known as a "nerd"), and so I'm delighted by all the attention it's gotten over the past couple years. Harry Potter opened the door for a lot of adult readers, and then the Eragon and Twilight books drew in a lot more fans. Here are some great fantasies you might not have heard of . . .

Flame, by Hilari Bell, is the first book of her Farsala trilogy, and it introduces the characters who are going to decide the fate of their land. As Farsala is invaded by the Hrum army, three young people with wildly different backgrounds--a spoiled rich girl, the illegitimate son of a Farsalan military leader, and a scarred orphan thief--find that their lives intersect in the most surprising of ways. The Farsala trilogy is based on Persian poetry, and has a lot of great characters who have to learn to trust both themselves and each other. Bell has several other series, as well as some very popular stand-alone titles.

I suppose it makes sense to go from Flame to Fire. Author Kristin Cashore set the teen publishing world abuzz last year with her debut novel, Graceling. This beautifully written and intricate tale with an engaging premise and a strong female main character was, in my opinion, one of the best books of 2008, and one of the best fantasies I've read in years. I can't wait until October, when her latest, Fire, will be released. Billed as a companion novel to Graceling, Fire focuses on an impossibly beautiful girl who can control the minds of others. Chock full of rebel lords, thieves and spies, a troubled young king, and a rugged land, I have high hopes for this title.

I hadn't realized that there was a third book about Icemark until one of our teen patrons had it sent over from another library (I probably startled her a bit with my exuberance). This series by Stuart Hill, which also includes Cry of the Icemark and Blade of Fire, centers on Thirrin, who is only 13 years old when her father dies and leaves her in charge of a small but embattled country. As she struggles against an arrogant invader and attempts to form alliances with the vampires, werewolves, and giant snow leopards that border her land, she grows up. These books are particularly good for those who enjoy rousing and action-packed battle scenes.

And I just can't talk about my favorite fantasy books without mentioning Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea, which is one of my all-time favorites. Granted, it's old and it's so incredibly bulky (particularly in its paperback form) that it's hard to convince anyone to read it, but it has everything that good fantasy should. Endearing and relatable young protagonists? Check. Evil yet beautiful villian? Check. Seemingly insignificant good deeds being handsomely rewarded? Check. Based on Irish mythology, this book is almost Dickensian in scope, and is an all-around rollicking good read.

Playaways

2009-06-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a new workout incentive - playaways. Playaways are audio books, each on a self-contained MP3 player. They come with headphones and batteries (although, depending on the length of the book, the batteries may need to be replaced) and are a great way to pass the time out walking, on the eliptical or weeding the garden. Listen to it anywhere you'd take your iPod. HCL now has several of them, mostly YA titles. I'm currently listening to Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren. Her cockney accent is great! I look forward to working out every morning. Well, almost.

LeAnne

Another Engaging Young Heroine

2009-06-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I blogged about Asta in the Wings, a delightful debut with a precocious young protagonist. Now I've finished The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, author Alan Bradley's first novel, and I've fallen in love with yet another spunky young character. This time it's 11-year-old Flavia de Luce, who lives with her father and two olders sisters in a crumbling mansion in England. An accomplished chemist and a budding detective, Flavia is strangely excited when a stranger dies in the family cucumber patch. As she investigates the death, making good use of both her unique way of viewing the world and the invisibility that being a child affords her, the reader gets a tantalizing peek into Flavia's world. And what a world it is! Just when you forget that Flavia is only 11, she displays some endearing bit of childish vulnerability and you recognize Bradley's skill in portraying her. Likeable enough to make the reader care, quirky enough to maintain interest, and naughty enough to not be cloying, Flavia is my new favorite. Luckily for me, this book is the first in a series.

Mouth-Watering Reads

2009-06-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

While I may not always have the opportunity (or the pocket change) to dine in the finest restaurants, I often have the inclination to whip up some delicious feast at home. Lately, we've had a whole crop of cookbooks to satisfy the gourmet in all of us

When I lived in New York, I realized just how Midwestern casseroles are. It's not that the people there didn't know what casseroles were, they just never thought to make them. I was that weird girl who made casseroles (and who gained popularity once everyone realized how delicious casserole is). 9X13: The Pan That Can is a new cookbook from the folks at Better Homes and Gardens, and it is full of casseroles, cakes, side dishes, and many more dishes that "fit America's most popular pan." It's a pretty no-frills cookbook without a lot of photos, but the dishes that are pictured look positively delicious. This is real stick-to-your-ribs fare.

Speaking of sticking to your ribs, Morton's famous steakhouse has a new book, Morton's The Cookbook: 100 Steakhouse Recipes for Every Kitchen. Although different cuts of beef do take center stage in this colorful book, there are also recipes for seafood, pork, and side dishes. The truly wonderful thing about this particular cookbook is the clarity of the directions--any cookbook that contains the phrase "Take the veal out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes" is bound to be easy to follow.

Made in Spain: Spanish Dishes for the American Kitchen is a bit more complicated as a cookbook. Some of the ingredients would be difficult for the average cook to find, and although substitutions are always listed, even some of those seem rather exotic. However, the photography in this book is gorgeous. Foods that I don't even like looked mouth-watering and tempting and delicious. Check this book out just to drool over the photos and dream of going to Spain. Oh . . . and because it includes a recipe for Spanish hot chocolate, which is thick and delicious.

His many shows on the Food Network have made Bobby Flay a household name, and sometimes it's easy to remember that there's a reason for his fame. In his latest book, Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries & Shakes, Flay takes the quintessential American meal and puts a new spin on it. Using common ingredients in surprising combinations, he creates a certain excitement. Or maybe I'm the only one who gets excited by Plaintain Shoestring Fries and Greek Burgers.

And for those of who imbibe from time to time, there's The Essential Cocktail: The Art of Mixing Perfect Drinks. This book has everything . . . the history of various drinks, recipes for basic cocktails, variations on classics, drinks you've never heard of, garnishes, and more. The instructions are easy to follow, too. Gorgeous color photographs complement this book, which I sort of want to read for the interesting stories about each drink.

And for those who prefer to find their recipes online, may I recommend The Amateur Gourmet? This blog, which is full of restaurant reviews and recipes culled from other sources, is both informative and entertaining. The author is an enthusiastic but (obviously) amateur cook, and he tries all the recipes before he posts them, so you will have a good idea about difficulty level and what might go wrong. The almond cake recipe he recommends is divine.

the 39 Clues Series

2009-06-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

This series volumes 1-3 are available in book form and volume 1 is on playaway also at the library. Gordan Korman plans on making this a 10 volume series. Very exciting YA or J book, fast paced and the clues are not obvious. The story is about a sister(14)Amy Cahill and brother (11)Dan,orphans, who get pulled into a quest for 39 clues which take them all over the world. The 39 clues will end with the winner having great power and wealth. Their grandmother Grace had set up the contest in her will. Somehow, the secret of the Cahills' centuries-old power had been lost. Their power hungry relatives are their competition in a very deadly race for world domination.You can go on line to get more clues and win prizes at www.th39clues.com

An Engaging Young Heroine

2009-06-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a new author comes along who reminds me why I love books and people and the world. Asta in the Wings had gotten many good reviews by the time I sat down to read it, so I was expecting it to be decent. What I wasn't expecting was for it be so totally captivating and exquisitely written. It's the story of seven-year-old Asta, who (along with her brother) is kept completely removed from the world by her mother. How the mother convinces her children that they mustn't leave the house, and how the story unfolds, is fascinating! The author nails the voice of a young girl who is both ahead of the curve and totally out of place--Asta's descriptions of what she feels and sees and thinks are particularly wonderful. Jan Elizabeth Watson's writing talent is particularly evident in the way she garners sympathy for characters that beg to be hated. I'm very much look forward to reading her future books.

2009-06-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

For a good summer read consider Beach Trip. It really has some surprises and is a page turner.

Movie alert

2009-05-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

For all you Jodi Picoult fans, the movie adaptation of My Sister's Keeper, is due out on June 26th. Don't forget the kleenex.

LeAnne

Add Yourself to the List!

2009-05-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

Millions of readers have fallen in love with Stephanie Plum and her vast cast of sidekicks--wacky Grandma Mazur, mysterious Ranger, Spandex-wearing Lulu, and sexy Morelli, to name just a few. By blending slapstick comedy with intriguing mysteries, author Janet Evanovich has kept this series going strong over the course of fifteen years. Her latest book, Finger Lickin' Fifteen, releases on June 23, 2009, and the library already has several copies on order. Stop by today to add your name to the list, so you can be among the first to read this guaranteed best-seller.

Posted by Cory

LeAnne's summer reading recommendation

2009-05-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer takes place on the island of Guernsey at the end of WWII. The island is located in the English Channel and was occupied by the German army during the war. The unconventional islanders and their interaction with the occupying soldiers make the book hard to put down. A great read for the beach or hammock.

Wooo-hooooo! The First Post!!!!

2009-05-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

The Hillsdale Community Library is not just filled with books, movies, audiobooks, and computers . . . we are also filled with opinions!!! This blog will be a place for the entire library staff to let you know what we're reading, who our favorite authors are, what new books are coming to the library soon, what websites we've found helpful, and so much more. It's also a place for you to share your opinions. We hope that you'll use the comments section to let us know what books and media you liked, hated, just discovered, or think that other people in Hillsdale will enjoy.

The first thing you can let us know is what you think the blog should be called. "HCL Recommends" is descriptive, but it isn't very fun, so let us know if you have an idea for a better name.

HCL Recommends

Movies based on books:

December 16th Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Loosely based on: “The Final Problem”, one of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featured in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

December 21st

December 23rd

January 20th

January 27th

Meet Miss Flavia de Luce

Titles that I am currently reading

What is the value of your library card?

Book/Movie News

Better than your 9th Grade World History Class

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Who Isn't Afraid of Sharks??!?

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Delirium

One Wacky Family

Saving the World Will Change You

A View Behind the Curtain

Late to the Party

Speaking of Janet Evanovich . . .

Free Skate!

Woodlands Download Library

Specialty Gardens

Which Team Are YOU On?

Just a Lovely Book

Historical Fiction

Tasty Treats for Cold Winter Evenings

Worth More Than a Passing Mention

Leviathan & Behemoth

Skulduggery Pleasant

An Abduction in Hindsight

Elsewhere

Ranger's Apprentice

Kay Scarpetta Returns

Through the Years . . .

Do You Believe in Monsters?

Jane Austen Goes to Boarding School

Presidential Memories

New King

Gluten-Free

Yes, This Time!!

Hoarding Explained?

If You Don't Mind a Bit of Weirdness . . .

Mockingjay

The Adventure Grows Up

Jacie's Archaeological Find

Sweet Sixteen At Last!

Test Prep

Fluffy and Fun

Broadway Baby Bio

Track Record

Bookish Crush, Continued

Fang by James Patterson

Hannah Swensen Mysteries, Apple Turnover by Joanne Fluke

It's a Shame . . .

Another Great Pairing

Brilliant!!!

What Can I Say? I Like Fantasy!!

Dark and Quirky

An Uncommon Memoir

New Jodi Picoult

Requests

North Korea is Not Like North America

Joyce looks at Anne Boleyn

For Mothers of Daughters

Trust No One

Graphic Versions of Teen Favorites

An Echo in the Bone

My Bookish Crush

A Jodi Picoult Tidbit

I Can't Wait!!

I Love Surprises!!

DIY

Something For All You Twilight Fans

A Lucky Find

A Recommendation from Joyce

Autism and Asperger's Resources

I Might Have a Weird Sense of Humor

New Books from Old Favorites

December 16th
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Loosely based on: “The Final Problem”, one of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featured in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes