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A Baker's Dozen of Staff Picks August, 2017
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Check out what our staff is recommending this month!
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If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to subscribe to our bimonthly issue, you may do so by visiting Avon Lake Public Library homepage and clicking on Find New Books to Read under the Quick Links section. Simply place a check next to A Baker's Dozen of Staff Picks or any other newsletter you might be interested in receiving.
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The Not-quite States of America : dispatches from the territories and other far-flung outposts of the USA by Doug MackTraces the author's explorations of lesser-known U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to juxtapose their blends of culture against the expansionist views of the Founding Fathers, sharing insights into ongoing debates about why each territory has not pursued statehood.
Jen: Technical Services "Do you know which areas of the United States are territories vs. commonwealths? This book follows the author as he travels and explores each of their unique flavors of culture, while giving you history of the places and people along the way. How did the U.S. acquire these areas in the first place, and why? No passport needed if you are flying directly into a commonwealth or territory for a visit! Many cruise lines also travel to Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) from the mainland. Plenty of food for thought for future vacation plans! "
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The River of Doubt : Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice MillardA stirring narrative of a real-life adventure chronicles the 1914 expedition of Theodore Roosevelt into the unexplored heart of the Amazon basin. He explored and mapped the little-known region surrounding a tributary called the River of Doubt, detailing the dangerous conditions they faced--white-water rapids, starvation, illness, jungle menaces, and Indian attacks--to accomplish their goal.
Laura: Adult Services "As riveting as any suspense fiction, this true story of Theodore Roosevelt's harrowing journey in 1912 along the then-uncharted River of Doubt in the Amazon rain forest left me astounded by the fact that Roosevelt and his party persevered despite enduring numerous and often life-threatening hardships. I also learned much about the Amazon, as well as about Roosevelt and his family. A well-written, meticulously researched page turner."
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Camino Island by John GrishamA young woman is recruited to recover priceless F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts that were stolen during a daring heist. By a #1 best-selling author.
Dan: Page Supervisor "Newly released by John Grisham, this is a quick read with very likable characters. The main action takes place on a fictitious island located near Jacksonville, FL. Stolen manuscripts end up with a local book seller and a young writer is coerced into gaining his trust to locate the manuscripts. I liked this book because while reading it I felt like I was on the island enjoying the sand and surf. The characters were enjoyable, as well as their character-flawed lives. Reading a little about this book on-line, I found the storyline was developed by Mr. Grisham and his wife while taking a long drive into Florida."
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The Lucky Ones by Julianne PachicoSharing an intersecting life in Columbia during the ongoing civil war, a prismatic group of characters forge unexpected common ground, providing a lens on the intensity of life in Columbia during the violent years of guerrilla insurgencies and corruption. A first novel.
Dianne: Circulation
| "A unique novel where each chapter left me with an uneasiness I could only hope would be resolved by the end. Will these children survive to adulthood? How will the parents, teachers, caretakers of these children reconcile the differences between their perceived comfortable lifestyles with the veracity and unpredictability of war? Who are the Lucky Ones after all?" |
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Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore : a novel by Matthew SullivanLydia Smith, a clerk at the Bright Ideas bookstore, must unravel a puzzle left behind by a patron who has committed suicide, an effort that is complicated by memories of her violent childhood.
Ann: Adult Page "This is a debut novel with drama, suspense, interesting characters, and books."
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The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. : a novel by Neal StephensonA discreet translation assignment enmeshes a linguistics expert and a military intelligence operator in the world-shattering revelation that magic was once widely practiced and can be reactivated if they travel back in time to make historical changes that are complicated by human treachery.
Gerry: Administration "Magic is real! Or, it was, until 1851 when advancing science and more shared observations of our universe (hello, photography!) made tricks formerly played in the shadows (yes, by witches) impossible. A high-tech attempt at an actual "Schroedinger's Cat" experiment brings it back. A huge cast of characters and narratives across centuries step in and out of wonder (and between eras) when little is impossible, especially when you put the military black budget and a witch's mind to it. But they must watch their backs as nobody is alone in 1601 London -- or in a present-day Walmart."
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The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth WareAssigned to review an exclusive North Sea luxury cruise, travel journalist Lo Blacklock witnesses a woman being thrown overboard and is baffled when all passengers remain unruffled and accounted for, a nightmare that unravels as Lo struggles to convince everyone that what she saw was real.
Jess: Adult Services "This instant New York Times Bestseller will have you rethink that cruise you have planned. If your type of book always has you sitting on the edge of your seat, this one is for you."
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Shadow Man : a novel by Alan DrewWhen a serial killer begins breaking into random homes in California's quiet Rancho Santa Elena, detective Ben Wade and forensic specialist Natasha Betencourt confront a long-buried secret and the tragedy of a teen's suicide in order to get ahead of the killer.
Liese: Substitute Librarian
| "Police detective Ben Wade, a divorced, former LA Cop, suspects a serial killer is on the loose in the seemingly safe, southern California town of St. Elena. Ben, who grew up in the town on a ranch, knows many of its secrets. He may be the best one to put a stop to the killing, but were all victims killed by the same person? Past life events are driving both the killer and his pursuer. Author Alan Drew incorporates several familiar stories out of the news into the plot. Once you pick up this book, you will want to lock your doors and windows while looking for stolen moments to read to the end." |
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Waking Up with a Billionaire by Katie LaneA third installment in the best-selling Overnight Billionaires series follows the Beaumont brothers and the women who love them. By a USA Today best-selling author.
Virginia: Substitute Librarian
| "A fun summer read with plenty of humor and heartache. It is a touching story of two damaged individuals as they challenge each other and learn to face their fears. Waking Up with A Billionaire, is the third and final book in Katie Lane’s Overnight Billionaires trilogy. I haven't read the other books in this series and found the book to be a good read on its own." |
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News of the World : a novel by Paulette JilesIn the aftermath of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, an elderly widower and itinerant news reader, is offered fifty dollars to bring an orphan girl, who was kidnapped and raised by Kiowa raiders, from Wichita Falls back to her family in San Antonio.
Karen Scott: Adult Services "Travel with Captain Kidd as he returns an 8 year old passenger, Johanna, back to her parents. His adventurous trip puts you right in the front seat of his wagon. Old West gunfights and other challenges abound."
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Down a Dark Road : a Kate Burkholder novel by Linda CastilloWhen an Amish man convicted for murdering his wife eight years earlier escapes and abducts his five children, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder races to the scene, only to be ambushed by the man, who implores her to prove his innocence. By the award-winning author of Sworn to Silence.
Nicole: Children's Department
| "This is the newest title in the Kate Burkholder series. This series is full of suspense and Castillo does a great job of describing the Ohio Amish landscape. Definitely a favorite of mine!" |
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Though recently soldiers from opposite sides of a massive intergalactic war, moth-winged Alana and ram-horned Marko simply want peace and anonymity to raise their daughter (an abomination to the powers that be) away from conflict and hatred. Vaughan’s whip-snap dialogue is as smart, cutting, and well timed as ever, and his characters are both familiar enough to acclimate easily to and deep enough to stay interested in as their relationships bend, break, and mend. (Amazon)
Gina: Teen Librarian "Saga is a great story because while based in a fantastic outer-space galactic war situation, the themes of family, belonging, and loving someone for who they are are relevant to our every day life."
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Plankton Is Pushy by Jonathan FenskeWhen Mussel does not return his greeting, Plankton tries everything he can think of to get Mussel to talk until his increasingly pushy attempts result in Mussel finally opening his mouth and issuing quite a surprise. By the Geisel Honor-winning creator of Barnacle Is Bored. Kim: Children's Department "This is quite an unique picture book featuring a chatting plankton and a mussel that doesn't have much to say."
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Calling All Patrons. . . Do you have a book you would love to recommend to other patrons? We would like to hear from you! Please click on the link below and fill out the form. (Your title should be part of the Avon Lake Library collection.) The review may be posted in the library for patrons who are looking for book suggestions.
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Look for more suggestions coming to your email address soon! Keep in the loop! Sign up for Email Blasts about upcoming library events.
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Avon Lake Public Library 32649 Electric Blvd. Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 440-933-8128alpl.org |
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