Month: August 2013

Well Jack Reacher fans, he’s back.  In the 18th novel in this series, not counting the three e-book singles, Lee Child has Reacher on the run again.  On Saturday a patron came in to ask when we were getting this newest novel and was thrilled to know that I could reserve a copy for him that will be available on September 3rd.

In a review in Friday’s NYT, Janet Maslin raved about “Never Go Back.”  I must admit I have never read any in the series.  I did, however, see the DVD with Tom Cruise portraying Reacher.  In this case, I think, the books must be better than that movie because Child has such a loyal,avid following.

Being very unfamiliar with Reacher, I laughed as Maslin offers this quote from the book.  “An extreme mesomorph physique, with a six-pack like a cobbled city street, and a chest like a suite of N.F.L. armor, and biceps like basketballs, and subcutaneous fat like a Kleenex tissue.”

Reacher misfortunes are never ending and this newest title is no exception.  He now faces two enormous problems:  he is facing a homicide charge and a paternity suit.  In addition, Maj. Susan Turner, the woman who replaced Reacher in his old job, reenters his life.

For Reacher addicts, Maslin states that there are a few points that can be nitpicked, but readers will be rewarded with the least mechanistic book in the series and an exceptionally well plotted adventure.

 

This is a period both my husband and I love.  The book features interiors, furniture, ceramics, glass, metalware and textiles. Many beautiful color illustrations and information on production methods and materials.  A really lovely book.

It was fun to see a leather armchair in the shape of a baseball glove which we considered buying – it was $1,000 so we didn’t!  But it is now valued at $4,500 to $6,000.  Dang.

This summer we decided to make a paper list of our DVDs and update it quarterly.  I’ve just done the last quarter update.  The blue folder is kept on bottom shelf of entertainment DVDs.

Yesterday Lillian asked me about Consumer Reports.  I’m not sure everyone is up to date on that:

The current 3 issues are on the table at reference.  These do not circulate.

2012 and the rest of 2013 are with circulating serials.

2010 and 2011 are in folders by reference desk and can circulate.

We received a new order today, August 28, of mostly juvenile picture books.  Four of them clearly stood out from the rest.

“A Very Witchy Spelling Bee” by George Shannon features colorfully dressed witches all of whom have green faces.  Cordelia, a very young witch, loves to spell.  She practices all the times. and since she has the power to cast a spell, she can easily zap “C-A-T” into “C-O-A-T.”  Eventually she competes against Beulah Divine in a “double spelling bee.”  I know spell check is loved by most of us, but Cordelia really is so in love with spelling words herself that her enthusiasm may be caught by young readers who will enjoy this witchy story.

“Mr. Tiger Goes Wild” written and illustrated by Peter Brown is the story of Mr. Tiger who decides to shake things up in his community.  “Everyone was perfectly fine with the way things were.  Everyone but Mr. Tiger.”  When he stops being so proper and begins to loosen up, everyone is very upset.  Brown’s illustrations, done in browns, greens, and oranges, feature very rectangular-shaped animals which adds to the mood of the story.  Young readers will enjoy the simple text, the fanciful illustrations and the message of being oneself.

“The King of Little Things” written by Bil Lepp and illustrated by David T. Wenzel is written and illustrated as a traditional fairy tale.  The watercolor drawings feature kings, castles, soldiers, etc. that would inhabit an ancient realm.  Greedy King Normous must be king of all the world.  When his army conquers all the empires that there were, he is content until it is discovered that the King of Little Things still reigns.  How King Normous eventually meets his match when locking horns with the King of Little Things makes this a great new fairy tale that young readers will enjoy.

“Open This Little Book” written by Jesse Klausmeier and illustrated by Suzy Lee combines the joy of reading with the physical experience of turning the pages of a book.  This is a book within a book within a book, etc.  Each book emphasizes a specific color and relates the story of the reader–the bear, the rabbit, the frog and the ladybug.  This is a book that demands to be read again and again.