November Recommendations for Kids

Fiction

Philippa Fisher's Fairy Godsister by Liz Kessler - Philippa Fisher is an ordinary 11 ½ year old girl until she meets Daisy, who confesses she is Philippa's reluctant fairy godsister. Philippa's best friend has just moved away, so perhaps the requisite three wishes will transform Philippa into the most popular girl! Daisy and her attitude provide an amusing glimpse into the mysterious fairy realm.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - Before there was the movie, there was the book! In the perpetual night, illuminated only by floodlamps, Lina and Doon fret about the future of the City of Ember. Beyond the city, the pitch-black Unknown Regions have not been explored because the understanding of fire and electricity have been lost. The citizens of Ember have forgotten their past and lost their future direction. As the city storerooms become increasingly depleted, and the lights flicker, the people worry for their future. Twelve-year-old Doon and Lina hatch a plan to deal with the corruption they witness. Doon is a Pipeworker, who repairs the plumbing in the tunnels under the city where the river tears through the darkness, and Lina runs the length and breath of the city as a Messenger. When Lina finds an old paper with enigmatic "Instructions for Egress," they begin to solve the puzzle to find the dangerous way to the city of light.

Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett - Sassy Gingerbread Baby is lonely and sets out to find friends with nearly disasterous results. After a merry chase, Gingerbread Baby finds plenty of gingerbread friends. With Brett's detailed signature artwork and a sweet cookie recipe, children will request repeated readings of this fun tale.


Nonfiction

Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem by Jack Prelutsky - Jack Prelutsky, an amusing and prolific poet, explains where he gets his inspiration for his poems, and provides poetry writing tips in his inimitable style. When he was a boy, he was not the best behaved, and he combines several of his exploits in the poem, "I wonder Why Dad Is So Thoroughly Mad". His meatball-and-spaghetti yo-yo inventions, which so horrified his mother, inspired the poem "My mother Says I'm Sickening." If you need to write a poem for homework and want some help, then this is the book for you!

Face to Face with Lions by Beverly and Dereck Joubert - From National Geographic photographers and researchers comes this exciting factual look at lions. Find out why lions have mans and how not to bet eaten by a lion.

November Recommendations for Teens

Fiction

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman - Fifteen year old Vidya is shocked and proud that her Papa (appa) has joined the Freedom fighters who follow Gandhi's teachings of non-violent protest against the British rule. During a rally, while Vidya observes in horrifying silence, her father is beaten and suffers severe brain damage. The family is forced to move in with relatives who favor a traditional home where the women are not allowed upstairs or to eat with the men to whom they serve meals. Set during WWII in India, Vidya's only refuge is her grandfather's library where she meets Raman, and their friendship blossoms. Will Vidya opt for marriage, or deal with derision to follow her dreams and continue her education? A stirring story of Hindu culture and love.

Abarat by Clive Barker - Cindy Quackenbush is a reluctant citizen of Chickentown, USA. Accompanied by John Mischief, whose brothers reside on the horns on his head, she is carried away by a mysterious sea to the ABARAT. Peopled with unique characters, this vast archipelago boasts of a different island for each hour of the day and one extra, the 25th hour, or time out of time. From the isle of Ninnyhammer, to the unofficial capitol the Yebba Dim Day, to Christopher Carrion's Island of Midnight, each island has a life and purpose unto itself. Candy's role is to save the Abarat from dark forces of evil, forces older than Time itself.

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman - Cerebral palsy prevents 14 year-old Shawn from possessing any muscle control, so he is imprisoned in his wheelchair. He constantly wishes people would realize he is a person inside of his immobile shell. Unpredictable seizures temporarily free him from the fetters of his mortal body, but his family believes they are a source of pain and frustration. Shawn suspects his father is considering killing him to terminate what he wrongly perceives as an unbearable, hopeless life. Does parental responsibility include the termination of perceived suffering? The author's note reveals that he too has a son like Shawn.

The King's Arrow by Michael Cadnum - The year is 1100 AD, and life in England is still troubled after the Norman Conquest not 50 years earlier. Young Simon, the son of a nobleman, is offered the chance of a lifetime, to accompany the King on a hunting trip. Hoping this would be the first step on an exciting future, things take a drastic turn and soon Simon finds himself running for his life. Was the King's death an accident or was it murder? Simon has to be careful to discover the truth and to stay alive. This fantastic historical fiction that is based on real events will capture the reader and take them back in time.

Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney - Sebastian Darke has a lot to live up to: his father was a famous jester and incredibly funny. Unfortuanately Sebastian is not funny at all, and with the death of his father he must attempt to succeed him as a court jester. He teams up with his father's Buffalope (a butler who is half buffalo and half antelope) to seek employment with the rich but evil king Septimus. Along the way to the kingdom they meet up with Captain Cornelius Drummel, a fierce warrior, and save a princess, but unbeknownst to them the princess was kidnapped on orders from the evil king. Who but a fool would go against the Evil King Septimus? Find out how this crazy story unfolds in this humorous and exciting tale.

November Recommendations for Adults

Fiction

Bone by Bone by Carol O'Connell - A stunning stand-alone novel from the national-bestselling author who has "raised the standard for psychological thrillers" (Chicago Tribune). In the northern California town of Coventry, two teenage brothers go into the woods, but only one comes back. Now, 20 years later, Josh is coming home—bone by bone.

Crazy Loco Love by Victor Villasenor - From America's most beloved Mexican-American writer comes this compelling memoir of his adolescent search for meaning and identity. Growing up on his parents' ranch in North San Diego County, Villasenor's teenage years were marked by a painful quest to find a place for himself in a world he didn't fit into. A powerful portrait of a young boy on the path to manhood in the shadow of his influential father, Crazy Loco Love adds a new chapter to the grand tradition of coming-of-age.

The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine M. Lopez - Having lost their mother, the four Gabaldon sisters, named Bette Davis, Loretta Young, Rita Hayworth, and Sophia Loren by their deceased mother, are raised by their elderly Pueblo housekeeper Fermina. As the girls grow into women, they learn the truth about their mysterious caretaker, her legacy, and a family secret. An award-winning author, Lopez explores the delicate threads that knit family generations together.

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran - A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty's royal family—all with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the former queen, Nefertiti, wife of the heretical pharaoh Akhenaten. A relic of a previous reign, Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But all this changes when she is married at the age of thirteen to the future Pharaoh, Ramses the Great.

A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar - Nidali, born in Boston to a Palestinian father and Egyptian-Greek mother, narrates her story from her childhood in Kuwait, her rebellious teenage years in Egypt, to her family's last home in Texas. Nidali tells the story of her eccentric nomadic family with humor and an irresistible joie de vive.


Nonfiction

American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon by Steve Rinella - Rinella's erudition and exuberance, combined with his gift for storytelling, make him the perfect guide for a book that combines outdoor adventure with a quirky blend of facts and observations about history, biology, and the natural world. Both a captivating narrative and a book of environmental and historical significance, American Buffalo tells us as much about ourselves as Americans as it does about the creature who perhaps best of all embodies the American ethos.

The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed - "I wanted to tell the story of this family in a way not done before so that readers can see slave people as individuals," Gordon-Reed says in the NYT interview. Joseph Ellis, a Jefferson scholar who had been wary of the claims about Hemings before the DNA tests, called Ms. Gordon-Reed's book "the best study of a slave family ever written." ~excerpt from Mary Dudziak, Legal History Blog.

Hitler’s Empire: How the Nazi’s Ruled Europe by Mark Mazower - Drawing on an unprecedented variety of sources, Mazower reveals how the Nazis designed, maintained, and ultimately lost their European empire and offers a chilling vision of the world Hitler would have made had he won the war.

In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African-Americans Reclaimed Their Past by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Prominent African-American scholar looks back into the furthest reaches of African-American ancestry to tell a riveting story by way of profiling 16 extraordinary achievers and weaving together their personal, dramatic narratives.

Lewis Carroll In Numberland: His Fantastical Mathematical Logical Life by Robin Wilson - Just when we thought we knew everything about Lewis Carroll, here comes a highly original biography that will appeal to Alice fans everywhere. An engaging look at the incredible genius of one of mathematics' and literature's most enigmatic minds.

October Recommendations for Kids

Fiction

TIM, Defender of the Earth by Sam Enthoven - TIM (or Tyrannosaur Improved Model) is the product of a super top secret lab and is doing just fine in the lab under London where he lives. Life was nice in his lab until suddenly humanity is threatened by the evil, oh and demented Professor Mallahide and his horde of vicious nano-bots. It is up to TIM to team up with the fourteen year old Chris and his classmate Anna (who just happens to be the daughter of the mad professor!) to stop this disaster. Who will win in this titanic battle; Professor Mallahide, or TIM, Defender of the Earth!?!

What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas - Everyone is wondering what will Fat Cat sit on? Will he sit on the horse or the cow or maybe the pig? Each time the question is asked another animal might be sat on by Fat Cat! In the end Fat Cat does sit down, but soon another question about Fat Cat leads to more panic! This book has simple but incredibly fun drawings that kids can easily relate to and enjoy. Perfect to be read out loud to children or just one on one.

Warriors: Cats of the Clans by Erin Hunter - The famed Warriors books are incredibly popular and with this companion book fans will have even more fun! This book depicts all the different clans from the Warriors series, giving details and information on the various clans and their members. Learn about Firestar of the Thunder Clan, or Onestar of the Wind Clan. The descriptions are told in a story manner as if you are hearing about them from a storyteller. This book is sure to be popular, be sure to request a copy today!


Nonfiction

Those Amazing Musical Instruments! by Genevieve Helsby - There are so many instruments out there and each of them makes their own unique sound. This book takes the reader on a guided tour of an orchestra by each section. Pick up this book and learn about the wonders of a harp and a mandolin in the strings section, or the tuba and a saxophone in the brass section. Accompanying the book is a fantastic CD containing samples of all the instruments in use. If you are a lover of instruments, or just want to learn more about them, check out this book and take part in a musical experience.

Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections by David West Reynolds - This book is actually four books in one! This volume collects all the cross-sections from the amazing vehicles of all six Star Wars Films! Ever wonder how an X-Wing works, or see the insides of a Naboo Fighter? The book is filled with detailed pictures of these fantastic vehicles and great information about how they work. This is a must read for any fan of Star Wars, young or old!

October Recommendations for Teens

Fiction

First Kiss (Then Tell) by Cylin Busby - Remember your first kiss, or are you still impatiently waiting? In this unique collection, writers and illustrators share their stories, poems, remembrances, and cartoons. Writers and illustrators divulge details of their first kiss. Funny, sweet, romantic, and gross (think extreme, unexpected nausea)—but always entertaining!

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen - Eli is 9 when he and his family seek shelter from the nuclear war. Now 15, Eli and his family still live in the Compound, which is a state-of-the art extravagant bomb shelter built by his billionaire father. When miscalculation and contamination affect their food supplies, his father hatches a morally reprehensible plan to supplement their needs. Spoiled Eli is haunted by his guilt over the part he played in his twin and grandmother being locked out of the compound. By discovering an old laptop and finding an Internet signal, Eli comes to doubt the destruction of the world. Why would Eli's father want to keep his family underground? A creepy, psychological thriller!

Beanball by Gene Fehler - Luke "Wizard" Wallace, a talented high school baseball star leans into a fastball pitch and gets beaned. The pitch is hard enough to crack his skull and cause him to lose his vision in one eye. Told from 28 different points of view: the coaches, Luke, his girlfriend, a new crush, good friends, teammates, nurse, parent, umpire, among others express their thoughts regarding the accident and the following events. Luke discovers what is important to him, and embarks on a new life.

Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen - Evangeline's parents are divorcing, and when she discovers her mother's secret stash of steamy romance novels, she embarks on her search for the perfect 'crimson kiss'. As her reputation as a serial kisser grows, Evangeline comes to realize it is not really just the kiss she desires. Kissing her best friend's secret crush only adds to the aumsing mess.

Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper - The story opens with Anne slowly realizing she is in a coffin and recounting the events which placed her there. This historical novel, based on a true story, relates Anne Green's life in 1650 England. She is a servant in a wealthy household, and was convicted of murdering her stillborn child and subsequently hanged. She did not die from the hanging, but gradually regained consciousness in her coffin while surgeons were preparing to dissect her body. She reflects on her days as a servant, her seduction by a young lord, and the accusation of the murder of her baby. A well-researched, riveting read concludes with an afterword explanation of how Anne could survive such a hanging.

October Recommendations for Adults

Fiction

Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill - The fifth installment in the Dr. Siri Paiboun series, the coroner/detective returns to the Hmong for an exorcism of a chief's daughter. Political satire, romance, broad humor, and supernatural interference make for a delightful murder mystery.

The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardner - Stephen King has called her the "next suspense superstar." Forensic psychiatrist, Jo Becket, is hired by SFPD to apply her skills at psychological autopsy to discover why San Francisco's A-list citizens have been the victims of suicide and murder.

The Fire by Katherine Neville - The story that began in The Eight continues and this time Alexandra's mother has become a pawn in the deadliest game ever played. Blending exquisite prose and captivating history with nonstop suspense, Neville again weaves an unforgettable story of peril, action, and intrigue.

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent - The author is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier, the first women to be hanged as a witch at the Salem Witch Trials. Kent recreates the lives of Martha and her daughter Sarah who together faced mob hysteria, interrogation, and imprisonment. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.

Yesterday's Weather by Anne Enright - Once a land entrenched in family and tradition, Enright presents a series of deeply moving glimpses into a rapidly changing Ireland and ways in which people cope. Sharp, tender, never predictable, the sum of these stories is a rich tapestry of people struggling to find contentment with one another—and with themselves.


Nonfiction

Dry Storeroom No. 1 by Richard Fortey - "All our lives are collections curated through memory." With elegant and illuminating narrative, Fortey takes the reader behind-the-scenes at London's Natural History Museum, introducing the extraordinary people whose meticulous research and driving passions helped to create the timeless experiences of wonder that fill this unique place.

The Forever War by Dexter Filkins - The prizewinning foreign correspondent for the New York Times, Filkins covers the war against Islamic fundamentalism with compassion for the people who have lived through the horror. As in all classic war literature, the stories transcend time and place through a fearless adherence to emotional truth in a situations that defy understanding.

A FreeWheelin' Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties by Suze Rotolo - Suze Rotolo writes firsthand about the immensely creative and fertile years of the 1960s, just before the circus was in full swing and Bob Dylan became the anointed ringmaster. It chronicles the back-story of Greenwich Village in the early days of the folk music explosion, their four years together, and her life after Dylan. Her approach is sensitive, discreet and affectionate, an honest look at a great love affair.

Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men by Michael Kimmel - In mapping the social world where tomorrow's men are made, Kimmel offers a view into the minds and times of America's sons, brothers, and boyfriends, and works toward redefining what it means to be a man today—and tomorrow. Only by understanding this world and this life stage can we enable young men to chart their own paths, to stay true to themselves, and to travel safely through Guyland, emerging as responsible and fully formed men of integrity and honor.

The Way of the World by Ronald Suskind - From Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Ron Suskind comes a startling look at how America lost its way and at the nation's struggle, day by day, to reclaim the moral authority upon which its survival depends. For anyone hoping to exercise truly informed consent and begin the process of restoring the values and hope—along with the moral clarity and earned optimism—at the heart of the American tradition, The Way of the World is a must-read.