Thursday, June 11, 2009

Staff Recommendation: Shortcomings

I loved this graphic novel, and the way it played out like a movie. The drawings are beautiful, and the characters are intriguing and lifelike, if not always likeable. Ben Tanaka is a 30-year-old Korean American who cannot help being dissatisfied with his job, his life, and his relationship, but, his quest to get more out of life seems to lead him back to even more dissatisfaction.

Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine
Reviewed by: Katie

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Staff Recommendation: City of Thieves

Benioff writes about WWII with humor, insight, and a full respect of the history of Russia. Lev, our awkward hero, is caught looting and, instead of being executed, he is sent on an impossible mission to acquire a dozen eggs. During his quest, Lev kills two Germans, is chased by cannibals, meets his future wife, and completely captures the attention and affection of this reader.

City of Thieves by David Benioff
Reviewed by Mandy

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Staff Recommendation: The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet

This beautifully illustrated, highly-intelligent, quirky novel is like no other book I've read or seen! Forget all things normal for awhile and go on a wild adventure with this twelve-year old genius cartographer who jumps a freight train in Montana--destination Washington, D.C., to accept a prestigious science award. Enjoy the journey!

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen
Reviewed by Alyssa

Monday, June 8, 2009

Staff Recommendation: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

As a Marblehead native, I especially enjoyed reading this novel about Salem witches, both past and present. When Connie, a modern-day scholar, discovers an ancient key that hints to the existence of a mysterious spell book owned by her ancestor Deliverance Dane, an accused Salem witch, not only is she haunted by visions of the past, but she develops secret powers of her own.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dance
by Katherine Howe
Reviewed by: Alyssa

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Staff Recommendation: Rooftops of Tehran

Rooftops of Tehran is a novel of deep humanity that falls directly into your heart. Seraji paints a picture of love and hardship in a country on the brink of revolution through the eyes of its youth. This close to home view of the struggle for equality in the middle east will benefit all who desire a deeper understanding of real political crises.


Rooftops of Tehran
by Mahbod Seraji
Reviewed by: Mari

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Staff Recommendation: Shanghai Girls

Pearl and May, two sisters infused with shanghai glamor, have never known poverty or conflict. But their lives are jarred into reality when their father's gambling debts dissolve the family fortune, and they are forced to flee from invading Japanese forces. As their world falls apart, the sisters must suddenly learn to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world.

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Reviewed by: Mari

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Staff Recommendation: The Strain

If you're still lusting for vampire lore after reading the Twilight saga and The Historian and want to be frightened a la Stephen King and Anne Rice, this book is for you! Co-authored by the creator of Pan's Labyrinth, this first novel in a trilogy opens with a mysterious plane crash at JFK airport that transforms hundreds of "dead" humans into vampires!

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Reviewed by: Alyssa