Staff Recommendations
Pages
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In utero
by Gooch, Chris
Reviewed by: Andrea Borchert, Librarian, Koreatown Media LabJuly 24, 2024
Call Number: 740.9999 G645-3
Chris Gooch, notable Australian graphic novelist, presents us with a coming-of-age-sci-fi-graphic horror novel. Precocious tween Hailey is none too happy when her mother drops her off at a shabby holiday child care location--a neglected mall. It is a really creepy derelict place, but Hailey is not to be deterred, especially when she meets Jen who will lead her into some of the more harrowing places in the complex. They soon discover otherworldly creatures that might be a threat to humanity, but it is their growing friendship that gets them through it all.
... Read Full Review
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Miss Morgan's book brigade : a novel
by Skeslien Charles, Janet
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJuly 16, 2024
The novel’s plot is recounted in alternating chapters, told from the perspectives of two librarians, in two different eras: Jessie Carson during World War I and Wendy Peterson during the late 1980s. Each of them has a connection to the New York Public Library, and to the work of a remarkable woman, from whom little was expected.
During the Gilded Age, Anne Morgan, daughter of J. P. Morgan, banker and financier, led a very privileged life. However, she was aware of other people's lives and became a staunch crusader for better working conditions and benefits... Read Full Review
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On the isle of Antioch
by Maalouf, Amin
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJuly 9, 2024
The novel is divided into four chapters: First notebook: Fog; Second notebook: Patches of Sunlight; Third notebook: Moorings; Fourth notebook: Disappearance. It covers one month, beginning on November 9th and ending on December 9th, with no year specified, but is definitely in the present.
Graphic artist Alexandre, aka Alec, has chosen to live alone and work on the island of Antioch, somewhere off the French Atlantic coast. He depends on having consistent electricity for the internet, cell phone service and radio... Read Full Review
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Some desperate glory
by Tesh, Emily
Reviewed by: Andrea Borchert, Librarian, Koreatown Media LabJuly 1, 2024
Call Number: SF
Some Desperate Glory is the story of a young woman, Kyr, who grew up in a military cult, located in space, and bent all of her will, energy, and focus towards succeeding in that environment, even if success made her a terrible person. But Kyr didn’t realize, until it was too late, that she was never meant to succeed.
It’s only when she’s forced to flee the only home she’s ever known that Kyr, the best student in her class, gains enough perspective to start asking questions about her life. Questions like “If the head of Gaea Station is a hero, why... Read Full Review
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Shakespeare : the man who pays the rent
by Dench, Judi, 1934-
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJune 26, 2024
Call Number: 822.092 D391-3
Actor Dame Judi Dench has portrayed many characters (in comedies and in tragedies) in different formats (stage, screen, TV, sound recordings); in the James Bond franchise she was featured in the role of M (the first female to do so), whose character gave it all for Queen and country, and then got bumped off; she has been parodied for being Dame Judi by comedian Tracey Ullman--some videos can easily be found on YouTube and are a hoot; she is known as ... Read Full Review
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The measure : a novel
by Erlick, Nikki
Reviewed by: Janice Batzdorff, LibrarianJune 17, 2024
If you could find out how long you’re going to live, would you want to have that information? If you know that you’ll die in fourteen years, would you still marry or have children? Would you tell your parents?
What if the person you’re dating snoops and breaks up with you upon discovering that your time is short? What if your employer requires that you disclose your life expectancy... Read Full Review
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Bits and pieces : my mother, my brother, and me
by Goldberg, Whoopi, 1955-
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionJune 10, 2024
Call Number: 812.092 G618
For all her candor, no-holds-barred way of expressing herself, we may think we know all there is to know about Whoopi Goldberg. How wrong could all of us be, as you will discover in this autobiographical memoir. This remembrance is primarily about Whoopi's immediate family (her mother Emma Johnson and her brother Clyde Johnson), and all they meant to each other. It is an homage, a paen, especially to her mother, definitely in charge of Whoopi and brother Clyde. She led by example, not putting up with any nonsense, and doing all of it with an abundance of love, kindness, wisdom... Read Full Review
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The Twilight Garden
by Adams, Sara Nisha
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryJune 3, 2024
There are two residences on Eastbourne Road in Stoke Newington on the outskirts of London. Winston has lived in #79, with his boyfriend Lewis, for several years. Bernice, recently divorced, has just purchased #77 as a new home for herself and her young son, Sebastian. The two houses share a garden, which is increasingly becoming a point of contention between the two new neighbors. Just another bullet point on a growing list of grievances each has about the other.
One afternoon, Lewis finds an envelope in his mail. It is addressed to “the Young Man at Number 79”... Read Full Review
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A Short Walk Through a Wide World
by Westerbeke, Douglas
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryMay 28, 2024
Three sisters gather at what they have decided is a wishing well near their home in Paris. The year is 1885. There are so many terrible things happening in the world that they decide they each will make a wish and sacrifice something important to them by casting it into the well, which they believe will ensure their wishes will be granted. The first two make their wishes (a stop to the bombing of public buildings and that Dr. Homais will find a cure for syphilis) and their sacrifices (a gold chain and a favorite doll, respectively). When it comes to Aubry, the youngest, her wish... Read Full Review
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How to solve your own murder : a novel
by Perrin, Kristen
Reviewed by: Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch LibraryMay 20, 2024
Call Number: M
Annie’s Great Aunt Frances has always been a presence in Annie’s life. A rather nebulous, undefined presence, but a presence none the less. Great Aunt Frances owns the house in Chelsea where Annie has grown up with her mother. Communication from Great Aunt Frances has always been sporadic at best and communication about her from her mother or grandparents has been equally limited. What Annie knows is this: Great Aunt Frances had her fortune told at a carnival when she was 16 years old. That fortune predicted that she was going to be murdered. That fortune so shook teenage Frances... Read Full Review
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The outsider : the life and work of Lafcadio Hearn : the man who introduced voodoo, Creole cooking,
by Kemme, Steve
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionMay 13, 2024
Call Number: 814 H436Ke
Lafcadio Hearn, a man with unusual origins and a complex life, whose early life gave no indication as to what he would later achieve, as he repeatedly overcame obstacles and controversies that became a part of his life until his death, and even after. The subtitle of the book is an enticing hint to Lafcadio Hearn’s achievements and to his fascinating life. His father was an Irish officer-surgeon and his mother was a noble-blooded Greek woman, and he was born in 1850 on the Greek island of Lefkada. Lafcadio is a variation on the place where he was born. Abandoned by both... Read Full Review
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The Kamogawa food detectives
by Kashiwai, Hisashi, 1952-
Reviewed by: Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & FictionMay 7, 2024
This is the first book, in a series, to be translated from Japanese into English. From the illustration on the book cover and the title of the book, this might seem to be a cozy mystery. And, in some ways it is. The Kamogawa Diner is located on an insignificant side street in Kyoto, and there is no signage outside. So, how do customers find this place, and how do the owners stay in business? First of all, there is a daily set menu for regulars who eat there. Other customers find the diner from a vaguely worded ad (“We find your food.”) in the Gourmet Monthly. ... Read Full Review