Friday, February 28, 2014

The March LibraryReads List!

Top 10 Books Loved by Librarians in March
The latest batch of librarian favorites are here! We've included descriptions* below and you can head to the LibraryReads website to see brief reviews submitted by librarians. We'd love to hear what you think about the titles, so if you love it or hate it be sure to let us know on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or in the comments below!

The Weight of Blood: A Novel by Laura McHugh
Published: March 11, 2014
The Dane family's roots tangle deep in the Ozark Mountain town of Henbane, but that doesn't keep sixteen-year-old Lucy Dane from being treated like an outsider. Folks still whisper about her mother, a bewitching young stranger who inspired local myths when she vanished years ago. When one of Lucy's few friends, slow-minded Cheri, is found murdered, Lucy feels haunted by the two lost girls-the mother she never knew and the friend she couldn't protect. Everything changes when Lucy stumbles across Cheri's necklace in an abandoned trailer and finds herself drawn into a search for answers. What Lucy discovers makes it impossible to ignore the suspicion cast on her own kin. More alarming, she suspects Cheri's death could be linked to her mother's disappearance, and the connection between the two puts Lucy at risk of losing everything. In a place where the bonds of blood weigh heavy, Lucy must decide where her allegiances lie.

The Accident by Chris Pavone
Published: March 11, 2014
As dawn approaches in New York, literary agent Isabel Reed is turning the final pages of a mysterious, anonymous manuscript, racing through the explosive revelations about powerful people, as well as long-hidden secrets about her own past. In Copenhagen, veteran CIA operative Hayden Gray, determined that this sweeping story be buried, is suddenly staring down the barrel of an unexpected gun. And in Zurich, the author himself is hiding in a shadowy expat life, trying to atone for a lifetime’s worth of lies and betrayals with publication of The Accident, while always looking over his shoulder.Over the course of one long, desperate, increasingly perilous day, these lives collide as the book begins its dangerous march toward publication, toward saving or ruining careers and companies, placing everything at risk—and everyone in mortal peril.

The Divorce Papers: A Novel by Susan Rieger
Published: March 18, 2014
The story of a high-profile, messy divorce, and the endearingly cynical young lawyer, Sophie, dragooned into handling it,Twenty-nine-year-old Sophie Diehl is happy toiling away as a criminal law associate at an old line New England firm where she very much appreciates that most of her clients are behind bars. Everyone at Traynor, Hand knows she abhors face-to-face contact, but one weekend, with all the big partners away, Sophie must handle the intake interview for the daughter of the firm’s most important client. After eighteen years of marriage, Mayflower descendant Mia Meiklejohn Durkheim has just been served divorce papers in a humiliating scene at the popular local restaurant, Golightly’s. She is locked and loaded to fight her eminent and ambitious husband, Dr. Daniel Durkheim, Chief of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, for custody of their ten-year-old daughter Jane—and she also burns to take him down a peg. Sophie warns Mia that she’s never handled a divorce case before, but Mia can’t be put off. As she so disarmingly puts it: It’s her first divorce, too. Told solely via personal correspondence, office memos, emails, articles, and legal papers, this will appeal to fans of Where'd You Go, Bernadette?.

The Outcast Dead: A Ruth Galloway Mystery by Elly Griffiths
Published: March 11, 2014
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway uncovers the bones of a Victorian murderess while a baby snatcher threatens modern-day Norfolk in this exciting new entry in a beloved series. Every year a ceremony is held at Norwich Castle for the bodies in the paupers' graves: the Service for the Outcast Dead. Ruth has a particular interest in this year's proceedings. Her recent dig at Norwich Castle turned up the body of the notorious Mother Hook, who was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children. Now Ruth is the reluctant star of the TV series "Women Who Kill," working alongside the program's alluring history expert, Professor Frank Barker. DCI Harry Nelson is immersed in the case of three children found dead in their home. He is sure that the mother is responsible. Then another child is abducted and a kidnapper dubbed the Childminder claims responsibility. Are there two murderers afoot, or is the Childminder behind all the deaths? The team must race to find out--and the stakes couldn't be any higher when another child goes missing.

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Published: March 4, 2014
Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do. Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought. Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for. For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante
Published: March 4, 2014
When Dr. John Taylor is found dead in a hotel room in his hometown, the local police find enough incriminating evidence to suspect foul play. Detective Samantha Adams, whose Palo Alto beat usually covers small-town crimes, is innocently thrown into a high-profile murder case that is more intricately intertwined than she could ever imagine. A renowned plastic surgeon, a respected family man, and an active community spokesman, Dr. Taylor was loved and admired. But, hidden from the public eye, he led a secret life—in fact, multiple lives. A closeted polygamist, Dr. Taylor was married to three very different women in three separate cities. And when these three unsuspecting women show up at his funeral, suspicions run high. Adams soon finds herself tracking down a murderer through a web of lies and marital discord.

Gemini: A Novel by Carol Cassella
Published: March 4, 2014
A stranger's life hangs in the balance. What if you had the power to decide if she lives or dies? Dr. Charlotte Reese works in the intensive care unit of Seattle's Beacon Hospital, tending to patients with the most life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Her job is to battle death-to monitor erratic heartbeats, worry over low oxygen levels, defend against infection and demise. One night a Jane Doe is transferred to her care from a rural hospital on the Olympic Peninsula. This unidentified patient remains unconscious, the victim of a hit and run. As Charlotte and her team struggle to stabilize her, the police search for the driver who fled the scene. Days pass, Jane's condition worsens, and her identity remains a mystery. As Charlotte finds herself making increasingly complicated medical decisions that will tie her forever to Jane's fate, her usual professional distance evaporates. She's plagued by questions: Who is Jane Doe? Why will no one claim her? Who should decide her fate if she doesn't regain consciousness-and when? Perhaps most troubling, Charlotte wonders if a life locked in a coma is a life worth living. Enlisting the help of her boyfriend, Eric, a science journalist, Charlotte impulsively sets out to uncover Jane Doe's past. But the closer they get to the truth, the more their relationship is put to the test. It is only when they open their hearts to their own feelings toward each other-and toward life itself-that Charlotte and Eric will unlock Jane Doe's shocking secret, and prepare themselves for a miracle.

Precious Thing: A Novel by Colette McBeth
Published: March 4, 2014
Some friendships fizzle out. Rachel and Clara promised theirs would last forever. They met in high school when Rachel was the shy, awkward new girl and Clara was the friend everyone wanted. Instantly, they fell under one another’s spell and nothing would be the same again. Now in their late twenties Rachel has the television career, the apartment and the boyfriend, while Clara’s life is spiraling further out of control. Yet despite everything, they remain inextricably bound. Then Rachel’s news editor assigns her to cover a police press conference, and she is shocked when she arrives to learn that the subject is Clara, reported missing. Is it abduction, suicide or something else altogether?

Kill Fee: A Stevens and Windermere Novel by Owen Laukkanen
Published: March 20, 2014
The billionaire picked a heck of a way to die. On a beautiful Saturday in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, state investigator Kirk Stevens and his occasional colleague FBI special agent Carla Windermere witness the assassination of one of the state's wealthiest men. The shooter is a young man, utterly unremarkable except in his eyes. There is something very wrong in his eyes. And it's only the beginning. The events of that sunny springtime day will lead Stevens and Windermere across the country, down countless blind alleys, and finally to a very flourishing 21st-century enterprise: a high-tech murder-for-hire social media website. But just who has the dead-eyed shooter targeted next...and who's choosing his victims? That's where things get complicated.

Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon
Published: March 11, 2014
In his New York Times bestseller Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon showed readers how to unlock their creativity by stealing from the community of other movers and shakers. Now, in an even more forward-thinking and necessary book, he shows how to take that critical next step on a creative journey getting known. Show Your Work is about why generosity trumps genius. It's about getting findable, about using the network instead of wasting time networking. It s not self-promotion, it s self-discovery let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, productive.

Which one will you read first? If you need help placing a hold with your Chandler Public Library card, give us a call at 480-782-2800. 

If you'd like more book recommendations, browse our Book Lists page or check out the previous LibraryReads lists

*Book descriptions from the publisher.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Book Review: Joyland

Often one might think of the horror novel as scary but mostly plot driven, with minimal character development. Here is a surprise that will help you negate this sterotype: Joyland by Stephen King. In Joyland the author introduces us to a young college student, suffering from a romantic break-up, who takes a job for the summer at an amusement park. It so happens that a murder was committed on a haunted ride, so the attraction indeed becomes haunted! Our college student not only investigates this murder but also comes in contact with a young boy who is dying and his mother. Single and beautiful, the young mom not only suffers from watching her son's fatal illness but also from a love-hate relationship with her father. This creative, psychological horror-mystery combines masterful character development with philosophic themes such as death and dying. The end result is a masterful and memorable suspense novel that has a powerful "coming of age theme" equal to The Catcher in the Rye. A must-read for those who enjoy a fast paced murder-horror-mystery with powerful character development and artfully crafted psychological themes! - Henry (Downtown)

Henry's not the only staff member at CPL who liked Joyland. Check out Peter's review here.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Library Closed - Read up on history

All four Chandler libraries will be closed Monday, February 17 for Presidents' Day.

While the library's closed, you can access free information through our website, including History Reference Center. Read articles about George Washington, find the text of the Gettysburg Address, learn about Black History Month, and more. Free with your library card and PIN numbers.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Book Review: Hunting Season: Immigration and Murder in an All-American Town

Hunting Season by Mirta Ojito recounts the November 2008 murder of an undocumented Ecuadorean immigrant, Marcelo Lucero.  I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but this book was so well written and flowed so well, it was very easy to read. Unfortunately, it covered the horrible topics of racism and hate crimes. It is sad that this continues to go on in our country and I can only hope that this book will help people understand how to help end racism and the crimes resulting from that racism. In the story told in this book, there are no "winners." The victim was obviously a victim of the crime, but the attackers also are scarred for life because of their actions, which many in their community support. - Rosanna (Downtown)

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Reading the Oscars

It's time for the Oscars! Five of the nine Best Picture nominees for the Academy Awards are based on books this year and several other book-to-film adaptations were nominated for technical awards. Take a look to see what nominated films were based on a book -- you might be surprised!

American Hustle -- inspired by the story of Mel Weinberg and ABSCAM, read the true story in The Sting Man: Inside Abscam.

12 Years a Slave -- an adaptation of Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir, check out a copy and get more of his story in Twelve Years a Slave.

Captain Phillips -- based on the real Captain's account of pirates boarding the Maersk Alabama, read more of his story in A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea.

The Wolf of Wall Street -- adapted from the autobiography about the rise & fall of Jordan Belfort's financial empire, find out more by reading The Wolf of Wall Street (and the follow-up Catching the Wolf of Wall Street).

Philomena -- based on the true story of a woman and the secret she kept for 50 years, read Philomena: A Mother, Her Son, and A Fifty-Year Search to find out more.

Other nominated films based on books include:
  • The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 
  • Lone Survivor 
  • The Great Gatsby 
  • Inside Llewyn Davis 
  • The Book Thief, Saving Mr. Banks  
  • Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
  • Invisible Woman
You still have time to read a couple before the awards are announced on March 2nd -- which one will you read first? 

Find more book-to-film adaptations on our Book Lists page.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Book Review: An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

You might be familiar with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield from the videos he did for the Canadian Space Agency, teaching viewers about life in space, or from his YouTube cover of the song Space Oddity, which he sang and recorded on his last night aboard the International Space Station. But Hadfield has a lot more to say, not only about space, but about life in general.

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth is part memoir, part space adventure, and part inspirational guide. The path to becoming an astronaut is surprisingly long and an unexpected majority of it isn't spent in space at all - in fact, many astronauts never make it off the planet. But Hadfield's lesson is that even these less glorified tasks are important and demand your full attention. He talks about how to handle problems large and samll (from an unscheduled space walk to repair an ammonia leak that could take out the ISS's power supply, to the logistics of eating, keeping clean, and peeing in zero gravity), how to behave at work (don't be the like the esteemed astronaut who gets on an elevator and thinks he's too important to push his own button, for example), and the importance of remembering what's really important (family, friends, and appreciating a wonderful view of the world around you - or two hundred miles below you). It's a fascinating read, both for its view on life in space and its advice for being successful at anything. - Michelle (Sunset)