Mary's Review: Quirkyalone by Sasha Cagen

For many among the community Valentine's Day is a special kind of torture, wherein one watches the rather nauseating romantic displays of others while questioning one's own worth. For those who find themselves often alone, not willing to settle just for the sake of a relationship, there is a book for you. Know that you are not alone. The great thing about quirkyalone is that it is so relatable in a nation that is obsessed with the wedding. The insights of this book have a way of ringing true in an 'aha, I never thought of that before, but yes!' sort of manner. Its regretable that the book is so short (fewer than 200 pages, with many photographs), and that it never quite seems to strike a rhythmn between its personal stories and the overarching cataloguing of the quirkyalone in its various guises. Because both aspects are enjoyable this is quite easy to overlook, and the pacing of the book never feels lagging or dull. A warning to readers-heed the quiz at the beginning of the book. This is not a read for those outside of the quirkyalone affinity, who will more likely find it to be ridiculous and even pathetic than insightful and comforting. To those of you among the club, welcome. We've been expecting you.
Final verdict: 4Q, 3P

Jessica's Review: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown is a book that needs almost no review. One needs only to read the reviews of movie critics to get the basic gist of the story. This book has been raved about as well as its author's other books (Deception Point, Digital Fortress, Angels and Demons) and every book has been talked about from book club to book club, coworker to coworker, friend to friend. There are few people who haven't recommended any of Brown's books to another. Even if you are not a specialist in the history of Christ or the reason behind thousands of years of the Masons who've been protecting Christ's secrets, it is still easy to understand the plot of the book and the educational experience one has when learning about DaVinci himself and what he has hidden in his paintings. Although many people are of the belief that books made into movies are the worst thing you could ever do to a book considering they never do the story justice (a belief of which I usually agree). I find that the film version of this story starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, the lead character, was in fact brilliant. Each actor/actress carried themselves in such a way that made every moment believable. I would recommend the book, the movie, and the author to anyone who loves a good mystery, a good adventure, or just a good story.
Rating: 5Q, 5P

Carrie's Review: Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

Fat Charlie Nancy has been embarrassed by his father for as long as he can remember, so when he finds out his father has died of a heart attack while singing in a karaoke bar, it only adds to his mortification. Fat Charlie has no choice but to leave England and attend his father's funeral in Florida which he ends up missing after mistaking another funeral party for his father's. Charlie knows that his father must be laughing at his son's mix up. Then everything turns for the worst after Fat Charlie finds out that his father is a God. Anansi, to be more exact, a trickster spider God found in African folklore. From then on Fat Charlie's world is turned upside down: he meets his long lost brother, Spider, who has seemed to have inherited all of his father's powers and charm and who has taken a liking to Fat Charlie's fiancé. If that isn't enough to deal with, Fat Charlie learns that his boss is succeeding to frame him with embezzlement charges! This novel is an exciting and fast paced read, which integrates pieces of African mythology with the fast paced world of today's society. Neil Gaiman, author of Stardust, now a famous motion picture, spins an exciting tale which is sure to captivate any audience of readers looking for action, humor, and family acceptance no matter how bizarre the circumstances may be.

Rating: 4Q, 4P

Dane's Review: The Theory of Everything: the origin and fate of the universe by Stephen Hawking

Holy camoly bro. I HEART science and what better sci-fi wonder than the universe itself. The greatest mysteries are those of our own world! Hawking is a must read author. He takes the vast complexities of the universe and explains them through easy to understand metaphors and combines wit and humor into his writing with ease. The craft of his work is outstanding and marvelous, and even if you don't understand, have a huge interest in or an extensive background of science, specifically the micro and macro sciences of the universe, you can still read Hawking.
After finishing this book I went straight for more and I suggest you do the same because it really isn't any universal mystery as to why Hawking is a best seller.
Rating: 5Q, 4P

Jackie's Wild Seattle by Will Hobbs

Shannon (14) and Cody (7) have just arrived in Seattle and are excited to spend the summer with their mysterious Uncle Neal while their parents are volunteering with Doctors Without Borders in Pakistan. Right away they realize that Seattle is worlds away from their home in New Jersey and Uncle Neal failed to mention several things to their mother. First of all, he is a full time volunteer for a wildlife rescue center called Jackie’s Wild Seattle and they will be living at the center for the summer. Neal rescues all kinds of animals, great and small, and brings them to the center. On their first day, Shannon and Cody assist Neal in rescuing a bald eagle that has fallen from its nest. Neal names the eagle, Liberty, and spends all his free time with her. Normally he has no interaction with the animals after he brings them to Jackie but Shannon soon learns that Neal is hiding a secret. What is it about Liberty and the circle of healing that has brought Uncle Neal to Jackie’s Wild Seattle? How will this summer complete with a red-tailed hawk, a coyote in an elevator, a stranded baby seal, a talking raven named Kickstand, and a bear cub change their lives forever?

Jack's Run by Roland Smith

Because Alonzo Aznar and his drug cartel found the Osborne’s in Nevada, the Witness Security Program has moved them to a new location and changed their identities once again. Jack has now become Mack and the Greenes have been joined by their father, who is set to testify against Alonzo in an upcoming trial. Christine –once Joanne- has moved to L.A. for college and a shot at hitting it big in Hollywood and as a safety precaution Mack will be joining her for the duration of the trial. But is the city of “lights, camera, action” really going to keep them safe and undercover? Will someone slip up and will Alonzo find the Osborne/Granger/Greenes once again? How does American Idol figure in to the mix?

Jack's Run is the sequel to Zach's Lie

The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

Cameryn is your typical 17-year-old high school senior, other than her seemingly morbid fascination with death and forensic science. She wants to be a forensic pathologist and has studied all the books she can get her hands on. And lucky for her, she has an opportunity most teens her age don’t. Her father is the county coroner, although in their sleepy little town of Silverton, Colorado, you don’t see much action, so he’s accepted her request to be his assistant. But that all changes when the serial killer penned “The Christopher Killer” takes his fourth victim and strikes close to home. Cameryn is faced with not only attending her first autopsy but finding out whether she can keep her cool when faced with the death of a close friend. Does Cameryn have what it takes to help find and capture The Christopher Killer?

Sequels: The Angel of Death and The Circle of Blood

Breaking Dawn & Stephenie Meyer

Attention Stephenie Meyer fans! It was announced yesterday that Breaking Dawn the 4th book in the Twilight saga will be release 8/2/08. Check out her website for more info on Breaking Dawn and the movie version of Twilight.

Here's a link to a CNN video interview with Stephenie.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Do I dare disturb the universe? That quote screams out from a poster hung in Jerry Renault’s locker. It’s hard enough being a freshman (at a boy’s Catholic school), going out for the football team, and trying to fit in. But Jerry has been targeted for an initiation by The Vigils, a secret society of elite students. His assignment is simple, really. During the school wide fundraiser, Jerry must refuse to sell the chocolates for 10 days, after which he may accept the chocolates. Quite a difficult task considering that this year the boys are being asked to sell twice as many (50 boxes each) at double the cost. As day 10 approaches, Jerry decides to disturb the universe and continues to refuse to sell. The Chocolate War that ensues could have Jerry wondering whether life is worth taking a stand or if it’s better to follow the crowd.

February is for book lovers

Princess Mia by Meg Cabot

How can a princess survive without her prince? Mia isn’t sure and would rather stay in bed forever watching bad TV, wearing her Hello Kitty pjs, and eating meat (OMG?!) than figure out how to live without Michael. To make matters worse, Lilly isn’t speaking to her and someone has created the website ihatemiathermopolis.com, which is worse than bad tabloid rumors. Is it possible that a therapist, Lana Weinberger, the 300 year old journal of a past Genovian princess, and a bomb in the Chemistry lab could help Mia find her own way?

(PS... try the site. It really works!)

Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers

You know the drill. Mom isn’t home so you leave a note on the fridge to let her know where you are and when you’ll be back. In turn, Mom needs you to run errands after school so she leave you a shopping list and hopefully some money. For Claire and her mom, who is a doctor, their relationship is maintained by notes on the refrigerator door. But when life throws them a curve, will notes be enough to sustain them? Have you ever experienced Life on the Refrigerator Door?

Check out this cool book trailer for Life on the Refrigerator Door created by the Topeka Library.