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HQ Staff Picks February 2018
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Cradle and All by James Patterson An outbreak of mysterious plagues, famine, and treacherous weather spreads without warning in countries and cities throughout the world. Devastation settles upon the land in such a quick and deadly rush that it leaves people in fear of what is to come next. But nothing compares to the miraculous wonders that are taking place in the cities of Boston, Massachusetts and Maam Cross, Ireland. Kathleen Beavier and Colleen Deirdre Galaher are two teenage girls who are dealing with a situation far beyond their control. Both girls are pregnant and claiming to be virgins carrying the Devine child. This unbelievable news has caused such an uproar, that religious leaders from Boston and Rome, Italy have called for an investigation in hopes of discovering the truth about which girl is telling the truth and which girl is not. Cradle and All is a spiritually based story in a modern day setting written by James Patterson. The front cover of the book captured my attention with the floating baby stroller with red intertwined lines wafting from its opening. The formation of red lines, which symbolizes a presence, sparked my curiosity as to what the book may be about. What I like most about the novel is Patterson’s convincing virgin birth stories. I felt like an optimist and a skeptic all at the same time. This novel definitely fits the description of a real page turner that is worth the read and double the trouble. *Bernadette*
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"The more cultivated a person is, the more intelligent, the more repressed, then the more he needs some method of channeling the primitive impulses he's worked so hard to subdue. Otherwise those powerful old forces will mass and strengthen until they are violent enough to break free, more violent for the delay, often strong enough to sweep away the will entirely."
That pretty much sums up The Secret History. A richly detailed and character driven novel about a group of students studying Classic Greek at a small liberal arts college in Vermont. They are the very definition of cultivated, intelligent, and repressed. After studying Ancient Greek for several years, they find themselves obsessed with the idea of attempting a baccanal - an ancient Greek tradition usually involving drunken revelry and wild sexual experimentation - as a chance to escape their straight-laced high society lives.
From here, things take a turn for the worse. Things go horribly wrong. And driven to near insanity by the ghosts of what they've done, one by one, they spiral into their own individual forms of madness.
The Secret History is compelling and it reads like a classic - elegant and profound. But it is dense, and reads a bit like a 19th century novel and god, the characters are absolutely insufferable. But while they aren't exactly relateable, they are fascinating and they each demand sympathy in their own way. Despite hating them, I found myself caring about them, and it's rare that a book has the ability to make me feel about characters the way I would an actual person. An engrossing, masterfully told story.
*Taylor*
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Good Me Bad Me : a novel by Ali Land Family. A word that evokes cozy feelings of warmth, love, and comfort. Not always. Not for Milly. Raised by a serial killer, she was. Her own mother. How could she? Turned her in to the local police, she did. Her own mother. How could she not? Trying to be good, she is. Despite her mother. But can she? A darkness, unmistakable, lurks inside of her… Milly is the narrator and main character in Ali Land’s debut novel, Good Me Bad Me. She is fifteen years old, her real name is Annie, and she is living undercover with a foster family while her mother awaits trial for nine counts of murder. Her tale is quite gripping and equally terrifying. Not only did her mother kill children for sport, she made Milly watch as she carried on with her heinous acts in what she disturbingly called “the playroom.” She abused Milly, and her older brother before her, in all sorts of unimaginable, dreadful ways. It sounds a bit too much, right? Don’t worry, the author appropriately omits explicit details and chooses instead to present a vague overview of what Milly witnessed and experienced before she turned her mother in. Nevertheless, the monstrosity of where Milly comes from is astoundingly clear. One of the ways we know is through Milly’s broken up, backwards thought-process which is shown by the odd way sentences are organized. Can Milly shake the weight of her past and succeed in her quest to be good? Or was she doomed from the start and destined to turn out bad like her mother? With its compelling structure and just-right pacing, there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy finding out for yourself if you read this riveting psychological thriller. *Isabel*
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The Miranda by Geoff Nicholson The circumference of the earth is almost 25,000 miles. Mathematically speaking, if you walked 25 miles a day, you would cover the distance of the earth in 1,000 days—a little under three years. And this concept fuels The Miranda, the quirky little novel by Geoff Nicholson: Joe Johnson abruptly quits his job, leaves his wife, and purchases a house with a quarter mile loop with plans to walk the distance of the circumference of the earth. As Joe settles into his new routine, his neighbors settle into his life, making it harder and harder for him to remain as anonymous as he wants to be—and there’s a very good reason for his motivation. The Miranda is part domestic comedy, part psychological thriller, and part disastrous romance, which makes it a very unique book for equally unique tastes. But if you’re looking for something off the beaten path (pardon the pun), The Miranda could be just what you need. *Jess*
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The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B TysonIf you’re looking for a book in honor of Black History Month or if you’re a fan of history, law, and true crime, this is a book you NEED to pick up. It is a difficult read as it reveals a “breathtaking level of savagery” but it paints a tragically realistic view of the climate of our country during the beginning stages of the Civil Rights Movement. The book fairly lays out the facts concerning both the North’s and South’s attitude toward segregation and equality between the races but also allows Emmett Till to rise from the pages as the 14 year old boy that he was, and not just an icon for the movement. The bravery of the men and women who did not allow this crime to be pushed aside or buried as had happened in numerous similar crimes, is given its due credit by the author’s writing and explanation of what all was at stake. This is not a hate letter to Mississippi or the South but a reminder to our country as a whole that this kind of prejudice cannot stand and still exists today. It is a heart-breaking read that should resonate in the conscience of every reader and remind us that - in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr - “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and to “stick with love” as “Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
*Rebecca*
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The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren Twelve years ago, the senior students of Long Acre High School were enjoying what was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of their lives when tragedy struck. Instead of prom night being remembered for the music, gowns, and fun times, two fellow students chose to make sure that particular night would go down as one of the worst mass school shootings in US history. The Ones Who Got Away is about a group of friends, particularly Olivia Arias and Finn Dorsey, who are the survivors of that tragic school shooting and they’re now all back together filming a documentary about the attack. Olivia and Finn, secret high school sweethearts twelve years ago, are two of the survivors and while they survived the shooting physically, the emotional wounds they carry has affected them tremendously. These two haven't seen each other since that tragic night, but once they’re reunited, those feelings from so long ago come back to life stronger than ever. I’ve been a fan of this author since I came across her work a few years ago while browsing the library stacks. There’s just something about her writing style that draws you in from page one; yet, nothing prepared me for this book. I expected it to be great, it’s Roni Loren after all. I just wasn't expecting it to affect me as much as it did. If you’re looking for a book that’s full of substance and romance and a step outside the typical love story, then The Ones Who Got Away is a must read. It’s poignant, sensual, character driven, and a truly unforgettable second chance romance that will melt your heart. This is the first book in a new series and I cannot wait to read what’s next! *Brandi*
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Her Every Fear by Peter SwansonKate, who lives in England, agrees to a 6 month apartment swap with her cousin Corbin, who lives in Massachusetts. What she is unaware of though, is the sketchy past her cousin has shared with a college friend who now is disgruntled and out for revenge on anyone in Corbin’s life. Having already survived a toxic and traumatic relationship, she never believed that for a second time in her life, she’d be faced with the unthinkable acts of a psychologically disturbed man. Peter Swanson paints a vividly scary picture of the psychopaths who walk among us every day. There is no “gotcha moment”, but it is consistently creepy and suspenseful all the way to the end. For a book with a great flow, you won’t be able to put this one down. *Crystal*
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Ready Player One by Ernest ClineEver find yourself wishing you could escape this world and live in a different one? So does Wade Watts. However, unlike us, Wade can actually do it. Wade is an eighteen year old boy who lives in a trailer park in the year 2044. After his mother died when he was eleven, Wade was sent to live with his abusive aunt and her boyfriend. In other words, Wade always has a reason to want to escape from reality, and thanks to the OASIS he can. The OASIS is a virtual reality system that allows its users to step out of their reality and enter a virtual one where almost anything is possible. In addition, when the creator of the revolutionary device died, his will revealed that he had placed a hidden object known as an easter egg within his creation and whoever found it would inherit both his company and a vast fortune. Therefore, when Wade discovers the first of the three clues that leads to the coveted egg his penniless and unknown OASIS avatar is suddenly an international celebrity. However the hunt is far from over, and Wade soon discovers that some people will do anything to win Halliday’s prize, and that includes murder. When Ernest Cline wrote Ready Player One he concocted a perfect mixture of nostalgia and science fiction, and it is freaking fantastic. Cline does this by filling his world with futuristic devices and concepts while also keeping up a seemingly endless stream of references to pop-culture from the 1980’s. From the Iron Giant to Star-Wars to PACMAN this novel seems to have them all. So if you’re a lover of the 80’s, a video game enthusiast, or just looking for a good sci-fi read, then look no further than Ready Player One. Plug in your controller and get ready for a wild ride. *Seth*
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Breaking Free : How I Escaped Polygamy, the Flds Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs by Rachel JeffsRachel Jeffs is the daughter of the infamous Warren Jeffs. In this memoir, she details her life inside the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and her brave decision to leave everything she’s known behind. In 2015, Rachel made the courageous decision to escape the polygamists sect after the arrest of her father. In Breaking Free, Rachel gives readers an inside look at what it was like to grow up under the control and abuse of “ The Prophet.” This is a beautiful, well-written story of courage and faith. I give this book two thumbs up!! *Shannon*
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Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire“You’re nobody’s doorway but your own, and the only one who gets to tell you how your story ends is you.”Every Heart a Doorway takes place at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children - not a mental hospital, like the parents believe, but a sort of safe house for children who have wandered into various fantasy worlds through invisible doors, sometimes spending months or years in them. Now they're back in the "real" world and they spend all their time wishing they weren't, and trying to get back to their fantasy worlds, where they truly felt at home. It's quite heartbreaking in a "Land of Misfit Toys" sense. The best word I can use to describe this particular book is refreshing. It's short, only 187 pages, which is long enough to build suspense/plot but still a quick read. It's a new spin on the "chosen one" trope - literally every character in the book is a "chosen one" of some sort, each belonging to a different fantasy world that picked THEM specifically. There are infinite numbers of fantasy worlds and they're so wildly different; it's fascinating to read about all the places the characters came from.Part fantasy, part murder mystery, part coming of age, with the ease of reading of a YA novel. *Taylor*
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My Bloody ValentineTen years ago, a mining accident caused the death of several miners. Harry Warden was the only survivor. It was Harry’s vicious survival instincts that kept him alive. Since the accident, Harry has been in a comatose state. One year later, without warning, a rampage of brutal murders embarks in the local town of Harmony on Valentine’s Day with the assumption Harry has awaken from his coma. My Bloody Valentine is a horror classic about a homicidal maniac terrorizing a small mining town. After the movie fasts forward to present day, a group of teenage friends, now adults, experiences a horrifying nightmare in the form of brutal murders. What starts out as a harmless night of partying in the mine turns deadly as Harry slashes his way through the tunnels setting the mood for the perfect Valentine’s Day massacre. So, as this Sweethearts Day approaches, curl up with your sweetheart and enjoy this gruesome kill fest as Harry Warden comes back to life. And remember…trust no one. *Bernadette*
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Cutting EdgeTake a handsome ex-hockey star who could never do much more than skate, a prima donna figure skater who finds fault with every partner thrown her way, a crazy/genius Coach, an Olympic dream, and you have The Cutting Edge. Doug Dorsey (D.B. Sweeney) and Kate Moseley (Moira Kelly) are star crossed skaters: an eye injury at the Olympics ended Doug’s hockey career and an ill timed fall in the pairs figure skating finals left Kate’s gold medal dreams unfulfilled. Coach Anton Pamchenko (Roy Dotrice) has the bright idea to pair the two together in the hopes of chasing after that elusive Olympic gold medal one more time. The Cutting Edge is a great romantic comedy. To those who have yet to see this film, here is a warning: it is addictive. The chemistry and emotion between Moira Kelly and D.B. Sweeney is incredibly believable. With the chemistry and believability of the cast, and the incredible skating sequences, The Cutting Edge is a delight for all ages. If you’re a fan of love/hate romances and triumphant sports movies, then The Cutting Edge is for you! *Brandi*
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Mountain Between Us Kate Winslet is an amazing actress and Idris Elba can do no wrong, so when I saw these two were playing the main character roles in this film, I had to see it. Alex (Winslet) and Ben (Elba) wind up taking a private chartered flight out of Colorado. Their pilot has a stroke during the flight which in turn causes them to crash in the Colorado Rockies, killing the pilot & wounding Alex’s leg pretty badly. With no way to contact anyone for help, Alex and Ben find themselves having to survive in extreme elements of the wilderness, all the while forming an unbreakable bond. The different obstacles the main characters face combined with the stunning camera work as they pan the breathtaking scenery made this such a wonderful movie to indulge in. I can’t say enough about it. I have a feeling it’s easily going to be one of my favorite movies I’ve watched in 2018. For a story of survival and love, borrow this one. *Crystal*
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Spider-Man: HomecomingPeter Parker is just an average high schooler. Well except for the part that he has super powers and has fought along-side and against two of the most well-known heroes in the world, Iron Man and Captain America. However, the most heroic thing Peter has done since he helped Iron Man in his feud with Captain America is rescue a cat from a tree and stop a mugging. Yet Peter’s life as a friendly neighborhood hero suddenly changes when he discovers that new powerful weapons are being sold in Queens that could endanger the whole city of New York. It is time for this neighborhood hero to become a full-fledged superhero. The third time is the charm right? In the case with Spiderman Homecoming I believe this was definitely the case. Although they weren’t all that bad, the previous Spiderman franchises never succeeded in conveying the feeling that the main character was still in high school, which is the thing that sets Spiderman apart from other super heroes. Tom Holland and the cast of Spiderman: Homecoming exude the adolescence that is present in every high schooler. The result is not only a great movie, but a Spiderman movie where everyone’s favorite web-slinger feels like he’s finally where he belongs, in high school. When he’s not saving New York from certain doom that is. *Seth*
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Goodbye Christopher Robin This is an excellent, emotional film about the creator of Winnie the Pooh and his family. Based on true events, A A Milne has just returned from the war and is struggling to adjust, so he decides to move his family to the country. While spending time with his son and his stuffed animals, Milne gets the idea to create a book, called Winnie the Pooh. This is a fantastic film with superb acting that the whole family will enjoy! I would highly recommend this film to all, from the young to the old. *Shannon*
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The Good Place - Season One The Good Place starts with a simple conceit: that Eleanor Shellstrop has somehow ended up in the happy part of the afterlife, but she really belongs in the not-so-happy part. So Eleanor carries the lie, living in a home that she doesn’t exactly adore with a soulmate she doesn’t particularly connect with, hoping to avoid being sent to The Bad Place. But things take a turn when The Good Place begins to malfunction, and there’s a big chance that it’s because of Eleanor. The Good Place, created by Michael Schur (who also created Brooklyn Nine-Nine), expertly combines the talents of Kristen Bell (as Eleanor) and Ted Danson, who plays the architect of The Good Place, Michael. Supporting cast Manny Jacinto, Jameela Jamil and William Jackson Harper round out Eleanor’s band of misfits, while D’Arcy Carden steals every scene as Janet, the humanoid computer that helps keep The Good Place running. The Good Place isn’t just funny, it’s also clever and smart, and beautifully rendered through its production design. It also forces us to ask questions and really think about life and what it means, but in the best way possible. The Good Place is a great show, no matter where Eleanor may end up. *Jess*
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LEGO Star Wars: The Force AwakensLEGO games are just the best. There are very few video games out there that allow you to screen share and play side-by-side, but LEGO is one of them and I love them for it! As with the other movie-inspired LEGO games, the play for The Force Awakens takes you through the plot of the movie with quirky animations and fun challenges throughout. Whether you want to release some steam and "Hulk-smash" LEGOs all over the world and collect coins like my husband does or simply whizz BB-8 all over the desert like my two-year-old, this game has something for everyone. And with multiple players, the whole family can enjoy it together. Available for the PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and WiiU. *Rebecca*
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How to Be Perfectly Unhappy by The Oatmeal How to be Perfectly Unhappy is a quick and easy read that still manages to give you plenty to think about. It is about the author’s take on what it means to be happy and how not being happy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unhappy. He takes readers through an honest reflection on how he lives his life and what he finds meaningful. The illustrations are funny and original, as per usual when it comes to Matthew Inman’s graphic novels. It also features fun and silly made-up words like “Blork” and “SlargNacking.” The illustrations and choice of language definitely create a comedic effect, while the topic is more on the serious side. This creates an interesting juxtaposition which makes for an overall better reading experience because it will make you laugh and it will make you contemplate. Even though I didn’t necessarily agree with his take on happiness I can understand where he’s coming from and I enjoyed the read regardless. *Isabel*
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