Favorite books – Page 2 – Read it or Weep

Fourteen Fantastic Reads of 2014

December 8, 2014December 8, 2014Megan2 Comments

This annual post combines two of my favorite things: making lists and talking about amazing books. Of course, it is always a challenge to winnow the list down. A quick look at my first draft of my list (yes, there are multiple drafts), tells me that I read and enjoyed a lot of mysteries and memoirs and a TON of YA. That being said, my final draft has more variety. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite reads of 2014:

1. The Secret Place by Tana French. I think this is the third year in a row that Tana French has made it onto my end of the year Top Reads list. She is amazing.

2. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Last year my list included The Husband’s Secret, which was full of family drama, hidden secrets, suspense, with a touch of romance and humor. That pretty much describes this latest offering. The audio is fantastic.

3. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. Are you looking to feel better about your own quirky family? Check out the hilariously dysfunctional Foxmans!

4. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. If someone forced me to pick only one favorite of 2014, I think this would the one.

5. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Nonfiction always surprises me. Who knew a book about rowing would be a favorite?!

6. The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence. Quirky characters and an unlikely friendship!

7. The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker. This French import is a book about a book…and a murder. Plenty of twists and turns. Read the book before it hits the big screen!

8. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Humor and heart! This is another one that is fabulous on audio.

9. Vicious by V.E. Schwab. Superpowers and moral ambiguity abound in this dark and dangerous read.

10. Out of the Easy by Ruta Septys. New Orleans in the 1950. A murder threatens to derail a young girls dreams of a better life. Heartbreaking and lovely.

11. The Storied Life of A.J. Fickery by Gabrielle Zevin. A love letter to book lovers.

12. Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. The prolific Mr. King takes a stab at a cat-and-mouse police procedural.

13. 10% Happier by Dan Harris. A non-intimidating, practical look at meditation.

14. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. A new-to-me series full of wizards and magic and good vs evil. And a skeleton detective. LOVE.

I can’t wait to see what all of my coworkers put on their lists. Be sure to check back all week for more fun lists!

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

Bonus: Memorable Memoirs of 2014

Graphically Speaking

February 26, 2014February 26, 2014MeganLeave a comment

If you are a reader of graphic novels you don’t need me to tell you how wonderful they can be. There is something refreshing (and maybe just a bit nostalgic?) about reading a story told in both words and pictures. But don’t dismiss graphic novels as fluff or kids stuff just because they are illustrated. I have found many graphic novels that are entertaining, powerful, and moving. I personally love a series, but I have also found a number of enjoyable standalones. My introduction to graphic novels was Bill Willingham’s Fables series, and it not only remains a favorite, but it is also a series I love to recommend. Here are some more of my favorites:

Memoir/Biography/Historical

1. Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley is a charming memoir that is sure to delight all you foodies out there.

2. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh is a hilarious and heartbreaking glimpse into the world of depression. The book is a compilation of new material as well as material previously published on the author’s blog.

3. Little Fish by Ramsey Beyer is a coming of age story about a girl moving away from her small town and finding herself in a big city. This is the perfect gift for the high school graduate in your life.

4. The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam by Ann Marie Fleming is a biography of her great-grandfather, China’s greatest magician. This is a fascinating look at Chinese culture and the early world of vaudeville. Definitely worth picking up.

5. The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston is a novel told in pictures and tells the story of a young girl coming of age in the 1920s. Her dream is to be a writer, but life seems to have other plans for her, until she is swept off her feet by a handsome young man. Loaded with vintage postcards, magazine ads, letters, and fashion spread, this book pairs perfectly with The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Humor

6. 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth, How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You, My Dog: The Paradox, and Why Grizzly Bears Should Wear Underpants by Michael Inman are all ridiculous, irreverent, and absolutely hilarious. Inman is the creator of The Oatmeal.com, the internet home of his comics. His humor isn’t for everyone, but if it IS your style, these books will leave you in tears!

7. Chi’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami will make a cat lover out of even the staunchest nay-sayer (I should know, I was one of them!). These tiny, darling books chronicle the author’s adventures in adopting a street kitten.

Sci-Fi/Horror

8. Locke & Key by Joe Hill follows the Locke family as they move into their family’s ancestral home, a Victorian mansion called Lovecraft. Bad things happen. The story is dark, disturbing and utterly addictive. Joe is certainly giving his father, Stephen King, a run for the title of King of the Macabre!

9. Y: the Last Man and Saga by Brian Vaughan are two offerings from a Cleveland native. Y: the Last Man follows Yorick, the lone survivor of a plague that kills all the men. Saga is his newest offering and it is just plain bizarre, in an awesome way! Interplanetary wars and star-crossed lovers!

10. The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman…do I really need to explain this one? Actually, I gave up in the show after the first season, but the books are fantastic. They are so much more horrifying than the tv series and after the first book, they books and television show are two entirely different things. I think it’s safe to read and watch simultaneously.

And just so that I am not ending on that horrific zombie note, here’s a nice bonus:

Eric Shanower’s Oz series is a must-read! This graphic adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic Wizard of Oz series is one of my favorite discoveries. The story is fresh and illustrations are amazing. Every time I look at them I want to take them apart and frame the pages. I encourage you to venture to the Children’s Department and rediscover Dorothy and her band of misfits as they have adventures in the land of Oz.

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Lucky 13: Top Ten (plus three) Reads of 2013

December 19, 2013December 19, 2013MeganLeave a comment

This year I made an effort to expand my reading horizons and in the process I discovered some amazing books! I read or listened to 200 books in 2013 and picking 13 favorites was nearly impossible, but after much fretting, I am finally satisfied with my 2013 “Best Of” list.

1. Favorite Nonfiction:

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. I found this book fascinating. The case studies and anecdotes are compelling (and in some cases a little creepy). I found the suggestions and techniques for changing habits to be useful in my own ongoing quest to make healthier choices.

2. Favorite Picture Book:

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. My nephews, ages 7, 8, and 9, think that they are getting too old for picture books, but I say you’re never too old for a charming and hilarious story! The letters from Yellow and Orange are my favorite!

3. Favorite Audio:

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. Don’t let the gorgeous cover fool you, this is not fluff. This story has it all: family drama, hidden secrets, suspense, and even a touch of romance and humor. It was this book, more than anything else, that motivated me to walk the dogs in the recent blizzard-y weather.

4. Favorite YA:

Reality Boy by A.S. King. Considering that the majority of my reading is YA, picking just one book for this list was a little painful. I must admit that I have become slightly obsessed with A.S. King’s books. Her books are full of heart-breakingly dysfunctional characters and the their struggles to have better lives. Her stories are powerful and empowering, and not just for teens.

5. Favorite Middle Grade:

The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy. This is the hilarious sequel to The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. The League of Princes is off on another (mis)adventure and once again their leading ladies are there to save the day. Fans of fairy tales, fractured or otherwise, won’t want to miss this series.

6. Favorite Debut:

In the Shadow of the Blackbird by Cat Winters. I had to sneak another YA book on the list, but I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the old photographs and vivid descriptions of life during the great Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Readers looking for fright will find a devilishly delightful ghost story!

7. Favorite Historical Fiction:

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. This book covers the life of one woman, Dorothy, from her youth in pre-WWII England, through the war and into the present day. As she lay dying her daughter makes a startling discovery about her mother’s past. Full of twists and turns, I was guessing right up until the surprising end!

8. Favorite Graphic Novel:

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley. Not sure about the whole graphic novel thing? Ease into them with the delicious memoir! Give this to your favorite foodie (but be sure to read it before you wrap it)!

9. Favorite Science Fiction:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. 80’s pop culture collides with future dystopian America. Virtual reality is the new reality and gamers are battling out for chance to win billions. This book was so much fun and the audio was narrated by Wil Weaton!

10. Favorite Book Recommended by Fellow Librarians at RRPL:

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan. This is a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter with a futuristic science fiction twist. Fascinating!

11. Favorite Mystery:

Broken Harbor by Tana French. This is the fourth book in the Dublin Murder Squad series. I love everything about French’s police procedural novels. The setting is vivid, the characters are well-developed and perfectly flawed, and the mysteries are suspenseful without being gruesome.

12. Favorite Funny Book:

The Last Word by Lisa Lutz. This is the last book in the Spellman Files series and I suggest you start at the beginning. The series stars a highly dysfunctional family of private investigators. Hilarity ensues.

13. Favorite Fiction:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. This is my current favorite book. It is a charming coming-of-age story with lots of family drama, humor, and a sweet romance. This book is like a cozy blanket on a chilly day: you want to dive in and not come out. I realize that sounds cheesy, but I found this book to be so comforting. I have lots of love for Rainbow Rowell.

….and a last minute addition for luck! I promise, no more.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. This is superhero science fiction. With a twist. Imagine living in a world with only super villains. In Steelheart, ordinary humans develop superhuman talents and use them to enslave and terrorize ordinary people. All but a small handful of people submit. The resistors call themselves The Reckoners and their only goal is to rid the world of Epics. This series opener is amazing!

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

I Read YA, Do You?

May 23, 2013MeganLeave a comment

YA (young adult) literature isn’t just for teens anymore. It appears that the movie industry has finally wised up to something that fans of YA have known for years: YA books are AWESOME (and apparently make great movies). So, you’ve read Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and maybe even The Perks of Being a Wallflower. What’s next?

White Cat by Holly Black. This is the first book in The Curse Workers series. It’s like The Sopranos with magic. Set in an alternate reality America, some people have the supernatural ability to manipulate the minds, memories, emotions, and luck of others with the touch of a hand. Other curse workers have the power to kill, transform, or physically injure others. Curse work is illegal, workers are feared, and most are criminals, mobsters, and con artists. Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of workers but he has no curse skill. He is an outcast, a con artist, and a murderer….dun dun dun!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Thanks to the success of The Walking Dead, zombies are all the rage and YA has TONS of awesome zombie fare. One of my favorites is this trilogy by Carrie Ryan. Mary has grown up in relative safety, while the Unconsecrated roam the forest and unrelentingly attempt to get beyond the fences. When the wall it breached Mary has to choose between the life she has always known and the dangers of the great unknown. Dark, intense, and never once is the word zombie mentioned!

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. Are you a history buff? You won’t want to miss this awesome steampunk take on WWI! Here’s the scoop: the year is 1914, and Europe is on the verge of a war. Prince Alek, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is on the run from the Clanker Army. Deryn Sharp, a girl disguised as a boy, is an airman for the British Air Force learning to fly the genetically engineered air beast, the Leviathan. The two form an uneasy alliance as they struggle to protect their secrets and stay alive. Clankers vs Darwinist! Giant walking machines vs. Giant flying beasts. This is the first in a trilogy as well.

The Diviners by Libba Bray. Flappers are once again hip, thanks to the remake of The Great Gatsby! How would you like your Flappers with a side of supernatural demonic serial killer? So. Freaking. Creepy.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga. Speaking of creepy! Love Dexter? Check out this series starring Jasper Dent, the son of the countries most notorious serial killer.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Sure, Iron Man is a really hot cyborg, but Cinder is a cyborg version of Cinderella. This first book in the series is a futuristic retelling of the Cinderella story, complete with a handsome prince and a wicked stepmother.

I am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak. Not into all the dark, supernatural stuff? No problem! From the author of The Book Thief (have you read that one? No? You should!) comes the story of Ed Kennedy, my favorite nobody. Ed Kennedy is a nineteen-year-old Australian cab driving who lives with a smelly old dog, pines away for his best friend, Audrey, and loves to play cards. He’s an ordinary guy, going nowhere fast, until the day he foils a bank robbery. His glory is short-lived, but shortly after the would-be robber is sentenced, Ed receives an ace of clubs with three addresses written on it. And so begins Ed’s new adventure.

Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt. This book was recently chosen as NPR’s Back Seat Book Club selection and a personal favorite of mine. Doug has a time life at home and now that he has moved to a new, small town things don’t look much better. Both his dad and his brother are bullies and his other brother is away in Vietnam. With nothing to do and no friends, Doug finds himself at the library. There he discovers Audubon’s birds and a talent he never knew he had. I did not expect to become so completely emotionally tangled up with Doug and his problems. And the birds! Audubon’s birds! Really? Yes! I have read this one twice now and I am sure I will read it again.

Are you read for this summer big YA movie? I don’t know about you, but I am so excited to see City of Bones by Cassandra Clare on the Big Screen!

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

The Perfect Pairing-A Book and a Beverage

May 17, 2013MeganLeave a comment

One of my favorite ways to enjoy a book is to steal away to the local coffee shop and tuck into a vanilla latte. With an extra shot of espresso. Now that the warm weather has finally arrived, it is time to move out to a patio or porch with a cool, refreshing beverage. Sounds relaxing, right? Need some inspiration? Here are some perfect warm-weather reads, paired with the perfect drink.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman is a sweet coming-of-age story set in Savannah during the 1960’s. This charming book filled with loveable and eccentric characters should be enjoyed with a tall glass of sweet tea (though the ladies of the story often indulged in a Long Island Iced Tea).

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen is a perfect spring read! It’s full of gorgeous gardens, divine food, and a hint of magic and romance. Pair this one with a crisp, cold apple cider. The old tree in Claire’s yard would approve.

Maybe you prefer a retro read? Children of the 80’s will love all of the pop-culture references in Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. I suggest that you pop open an iced-cold Tab and dive into virtual world of the OASIS.

This may seem like an unusual pairing, but I guarantee that you’ll enjoy an icy, tart lemonade with Stephen King’s 11/22/63. This giant tome this is a perfect pick for a lazy warm day. You will surely lose track of time once you start reading this suspenseful tale of history and time travel. A lemonade is just the thing to keep you perfectly refreshed.

All this talk of warm weather reading and tasty beverages has me thinking about my weekend reading plans. I think this is what I want my Saturday morning to look like:

Game by Barry Lyga is the sequel to I Hunt Killers. Of course my beverage of choice will most likely be an iced latte. I am excited to spend some time during day light hours with this super creepy serial killer book. You’ll find both of these titles in the Teen section of the library, but if you like Dexter you will definitely enjoy reading about the son of a notorious serial killer.

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Childishly Happy

April 29, 2013JulieLeave a comment

The New York Times published a letter to the editor last Thursday from a Shaker Heights woman who had held onto books from when her children were little. She was thankful for that as she is now reading them with her mother, who suffered a stroke, in what is probably good as both brain and speech therapy. Although this is a good reason to bring out the picture books, I think there many others. Like the fact that they can evoke more innocent times, the artwork is so varied and marvelous, and just try not to laugh when reading Traction Man Meets Turbodog by Mini Grey. Anything by Peter Sis is amazing and some, like his picture book The Three Golden Keys and his autobiography, The Wall, are enlightening as well. Many adults leave children’s books in childhood, but imagine what might be gained from revisiting those shelves filled with treasures.

— Julie

Twelve for Twelve

December 13, 2012December 13, 2012AnnLeave a comment

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My top favorite books read during 2012 are-
Gone Girl– Gillian Flynn “Delightfully wicked”
The Informationist– Taylor Stevens “Vanessa Michael Munroe is one tough cookie”
Broken Harbor– Tana French “Creepy and dark”
Colo’s Story : the Life of One Grand Gorilla- Nancy Roe-Pimm “Colo rules!”
The Twelve– Justin Cronin “Beware of the virals”
The Butterfly’s Daughter– Mary Alice Monroe “A girls’ road trip”
The Expats- Chris Pavone– “Spies, spies everywhere”
Lone Wolf– Jodi Picoult “A howling good read”
Defending Jacob– William Landay “Guilty, or not guilty?”
Dawn Patrol- Don Winslow “Surf’s up”
The Call– Yannick Murphy “CALL: Looking for a great book; ACTION: Read this”
12/22/63– Stephen King “Change the past, change the world”
Ever by My Side– Nick Trout BONUS TITLE “Vets are pet parents too”

~Ann

Top Ten of 2011

December 14, 2011JulieLeave a comment

Ok, so I managed to finish some books this year – whoo hoo! But did 10 of them merit the end of the year “best of” list? No. Or at least not that I remember…. Soooo, I will be rounding out the list with some titles that I have only just started but will be compelled to finish (if all the rave reviews can be believed).

Allen, Sarah Addison: Girl Who Chased the Moon

Bailey, Elisabeth Tova: Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Forman, Gayle: Where She Went

Harkness, Deborah: A Discovery of Witches

Hiaasen, Carl: Star Island

Joyce, William: The Man in the Moon

Perkins, Stephanie: Anna and the French Kiss

Almost-reads:

Horowitz, Anthony: House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel

Kaaberbol, Lene & Agnete Friis: The Boy in the Suitcase

Morgenstern, Erin: Night Circus

— Julie

I Love to Listen-Awesome Audio

October 26, 2011MeganLeave a comment

I know I have talked about this before, but it bears repeating: audiobooks are awesome. I mean really, what else are you doing during your morning commute? I suggest switching off the “downer” news, pop in a book on cd and see how much better you feel when you find yourself stuck in a traffic jam. Switching to books in the car has done wonders for my blood pressure since I am no longer in a furious rush to get anywhere. Why would I rush when I have someone telling me a story? Same deal with walking the dog. As soon as I pull out the Playaway my dog is jumping around and drooling with excitement because she knows that I could walk forever once I get into my “book.” Between my 20 minute daily commute to and from work, driving around town running errands, and walking the dog on a semi-regular basis, I have managed to “read” 36 books for far this year just by listening. Not too shabby. So, you are ready to give listening a try? Where to start? Here are some of my favorites:

One of my favorite series to listen to is Alan Bradley’s Flavia De Luce mysteries. Narrator Jayne Entwistle does a marvelous job of giving the precocious youth sleuth and amateur chemist a voice. Meet Flavia in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Her adventures continue in The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag and A Red Herring Without Mustard. I am anxiously awaiting the next book, I am Half-Sick of Shadows. These charming and hilarious mysteries are a real crowd-pleaser.

Looking for something more suspenseful and fast-paced? Richard Doestch’s The 13th Hour is just that! This book has it all-edge of your seat action, murder, mystery, and time travel.

Is nonfiction your thing? I loved the audio version of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This is the thought-provoking story of how one woman, without her knowledge or permission changed the world of medicine.

How about historical fiction? The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is currently shelved in the Teen collection, but I know plenty of adult book clubs that selected this one to discuss. It is a heartbreaking and moving look at WWII, told from the point of view of Death. On many occasions I found myself sitting in the driveway after work listening instead of going inside.

I also really loved Water for Elephants, everything Sarah Addison Allen writes (Garden Spells, Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and The Peach Keeper), Blood Oath, and Going Bovine.

Did you find something to listen to? I hope so!

˜Megan

The Help (the Book, the Movie)

August 4, 2011August 4, 2011AnnLeave a comment

Minnie is Aibileen’s friend.
Aibileen is a maid in the Lefolt household.
Skeeter is one of Elizabeth Lefolt’s best friends.
When these three women very quietly join forces in the extremely segregated Jackson, Mississippi community of 1962, great things just might happen.
Read The Help by Kathryn Stockett; see the movie on August 10th.
This is one of the very best books I’ve read this year, and if you’ve missed it it’s not too late. It is especially wonderful as an audio book (read by Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell). The library owns the title in many formats- book, large print book, audio book, downloadable audio book, and downloadable e-book.

~Ann