Young Adult Books Adults Will Like

It's no secret that young adult novels appeal to many adult readers. The popularity of titles such as Twilight and the Harry Potter series attest to this fact. Are you reluctant to try young adult novels or just haven't found one that appeals to you? Try one of the titles below for a whole new reading experience:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Audiobook Review:The Echelon Vendetta by David Stone

The Echelon Vendetta by David Stone, read by Firdous Bamji, gives the term “spook” a new spin.

Micah Dalton is a “cleaner,” one of those useful CIA guys who drops into a situation and tidies up the mess. Messes are usually caused by trigger or knife-happy enemies, though, not ticked-off shamans. And usually, the cleaner liases with living people, you know, walking-around, everyone-can-see-them, living people.

So in pretty short order, we realize this title may sound like Jason Bourne will be hopping into a fast car or swinging on a rope, but this is a spy book with a difference. Supposedly “David Stone,” the author, knows his way around the alphabet agencies. But he also seems to know his hallucinogens and other interesting things.

Micah starts out in Europe, investigating his best friend in the agency’s murder, suicide, whatever—the man has clawed his own face off. Don’t you hate it when someone talks you into that?

Then he sees a pattern among some other deaths and starts hacking around in the mountains of the far West, trying to fit the puzzle pieces, while more gruesome deaths occur.

All the while, his friend from Venice, Porter, pops in every so often to lend advice, even though his face is clawed off.

When I last heard Firdous Bamji, he had an Indian accent. Now he is handily voicing a number of American dialects. He is quite the talker.

Will there be more Micah Dalton stories? When last seen, he had dropped off the grid at the end of this book. But you know grids—people, living or the opposite, can pop back on them. Apparently, there are three of these already.

Star Lawrence owns a recession-coping site called Do the Hopey Copey at http://hopeycopey.blogspot.com. She can be reached at jkellaw@aol.com.

Popular Movies at the Chandler Public Library

The following are the most requested movies at the

Chandler Public Library.

Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Eagle Eye
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Elegy
Hancock
Marley and Me
Rachel Getting Married
The Reader
Seven Pounds
Spirit

Last Day of Summer Reading

Today marks the end of our 2009 summer reading programs. Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to all who earned prizes! We hope you enjoyed the challenge and adventure of continuing your reading during the busy summer months. Join us next year when we will be back with another exciting year of summer reading for the whole family.

Book Review:The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

This blockbuster Swedish crime novel is the first in a trilogy featuring the mysterious and intriguing Lisbeth Salander, a tattooed, surly, asocial computer genius. When Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who's recently been convicted of libel, is summoned to the home of Henrik Vanger he is wary. What would one of Sweden's most successful businessmen want with a disgraced magazine writer? Mikael soon finds out: Vanger wants him to solve the disappearance of his beloved niece Harriet in exchange for cold hard cash. With trepidation, Mikael agrees to the assignment and soon finds himself enmeshed in the troubled world of the Vanger family. When he makes a breakthrough in the case he hires Lisbeth to be his research assistant and together they embark on a dangerous quest to discover the truth. Though billed as a mystery, I enjoyed the more chaotic structure of this novel. With several plot lines running rampant, this did not have the feel of a traditional plodding procedural mystery. The characters are fascinating, especially Lisbeth, and the pacing is spot-on, spurring the reader to quickly turn the pages and possibly stay up much too late to find out the truth. Sadly, Stieg Larsson passed away in 2004, so after the third novel is published next year we'll have no more of Lisbeth . If you like this novel, try The Girl Who Played With Fire, which hits the shelves on the 28th of this month.
- Anbolyn (Downtown)

For Readers of Romance

Last weekend the RITA (Romance Writers of America) awards were announced for best romances of 2008. Check out the winners below:

Best First Book

Oh. My. Gods by Tera Lynn Childs

Best Contemporary Series Romance

A Mother's Wish by Karen Templeton

Best Contemporary Series Romance - Suspense/Adventure

Danger Signals by Kathleen Creighton

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance

Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson

Best Historical Romance

The Edge of Impropriety by Pam Rosenthal

Best Inspirational Romance

Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren

Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

Tribute by Nora Roberts

Best Paranormal Romance

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready

Best Regency Historical Romance

My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne

Best Romantic Suspense

Take No Prisoners by Cindy Gerard

Best Young Adult Romance

Hell Week by Rosemary Clement-Moore

As you can see, the library does not currently carry all of the winning titles. If you are interested in reading one of the items we don't own, you can request that the library purchase it here.

To see a list of all of the nominated titles, visit the RITA website.

Popular Books at the Chandler Public Library

The following items are currently the most requested books at the Chandler Public Library.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Columbine by David Cullen

Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels

First Family by David Baldacci

Knockout by Catherine Coulter

Grand Finale by Janet Evanovich
Swimsuit by James Patterson
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Black Hills by Nora Roberts

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child

Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Movie Review: My Sister's Keeper

My Sister’s Keeper is a movie based on Jodi Picoult’s book, under the same title.
Brian (Jason Patric) and Sara (Cameron Diaz) Fitzgerald are two very loving parents, with the perfect life. They both have successful careers: Brian is a fire fighter, Sara a lawyer. They have two beautiful children, and everything appears to be perfect. That is until their youngest daughter; Kate (Sophia Vassilieva) is diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, the parent’s scramble to find a genetic match for her. Neither of them matches, and neither does her older brother, Jesse (Evan Elligson). Finally, after finding no donor, the parent’s decide to have another child, and make sure she is a perfect genetic match.
The movie begins by introducing us to Anna, the eleven-year-old, genetically identical now youngest daughter played by Abigail Breslin. The movie then takes us to a pawnshop, were Anna sells her locket, and we watch as she enters the law office of Campbell Alexander, played by Alec Baldwin.
Here, the brave eleven year old files for medical emancipation from her parents, stating that she is tired of giving up body parts, and specifically doesn’t want to give up her kidney, the newest item Kate needs in order to survive.
The story travels along the impeding lawsuit, shows us the twists and turns of any law story, and introduces us to a sympathetic judge, played by Joan Cusack. We watch as the disease slowly eats away at Kate, the battles with-in the lawsuit and family. The movie illustrates the attention Kate’s disease takes away from the other members of the family, the medical and very personal struggles of a young girl living, or at least trying to live, with a disease, and a marriage pulled apart. It illustrates a mother’s fighting desire to save her child, no matter what, and a father who is unsure what to do.
Many moral and ethical questions are raised through-out the film, and the movie wonderfully builds sympathy with each character, by bringing us into their narration, into their story, just like the book. Readers who enjoyed the back and forth narration will enjoy the movie because of this.
The movie, overall, does raise the questions of what’s right, what’s wrong, and what is a parent to do when one child is dying, and the other can save her, but refuses.
However, those who loved the ending in the book, beware, it's changed significantly. - Ray (Sunset)

Summer Reading Final Week

We are in the final week of the Chandler Public Library's 2009 summer reading programs, but there's still time to register yourself and your children before we've handed out the last prize. Adults can click here to register, teens can click here, and if you have little ones they can pick up their reading log at any Chandler Library location. Don't miss out! The programs end on July 25.

Staff Picks

Amy at Hamilton suggests Mum's the Word by Kate Collins
In the debut novel in a new chick lit mystery series, O'Brien introduces law school dropout, florist, and amateur sleuth Abby Knight. When a black SUV rams her vintage Corvette, Abby accepts the help of hunky former cop Marco Salvare. But their budding relationship is soon threatened by murder.

Deidre at Downtown suggests Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea

Working in a Mexican taco shop while dreaming of the father who left their family to work in the United States, nineteen-year-old Nayeli struggles with the realization that most of the men in her village have left to pursue work in the north.

Book Review:The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane provides an adventurous story with a touch of the supernatural, likeable characters and fascinating historical details. Connie Goodwin is a Ph.D candidate at Harvard studying Colonial America. While cleaning out her deceased grandmother's house in Marblehead, MA she discovers the perfect topic for her thesis when she happens upon the name of a possible unknown woman who was executed during the Salem witch trials. Following the clues, she also discovers that this woman, Deliverance Dane, possessed a book of "receipt" which she quickly finds out was probably a spell book. The bulk of the novel follows Connie as she tries to find this spell book, as she develops a relationship with a fellow historian and uncovers aspects of her own family history that she never knew about. The contemporary chapters are interspersed with chapters that tell the story of Deliverance Dane in 1692. For an adventure novel, the pace of this book is not very swift, but this gives the reader the chance to savor each chapter and to enjoy the research process that Connie undertakes. The supernatural elements of the novel are quite believable and even exciting. I relished this book and would suggest it to anyone who likes a thoughtful, intelligent adventure novel or to fans of fiction about the Salem witch trials and the Colonial period of American history. - Anbolyn (Downtown)

J.A. Jance Visit

J.A. Jance, the bestselling mystery author, will visit the Basha Library on Friday, July 31 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. She will speak about her fascinating background and the creation of her lovable characters Brady and Beaumont. Her books will be available for purchase and signing. Space is limited! Register online, or call 480-782-2850 for more information.

J.A. Jance

Friday, July 31

3:00 - 4:30 pm

Basha Library

Staff Picks

Dana at Hamilton suggests The Lace Reader by Brunonia Berry

A young woman descended from a long line of mind readers and fortune tellers has returned to her hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, for rest and relaxation. Any tranquility in her life is short-lived, however, when her aunt drowns under mysterious circumstances.




Myron at Downtown suggests Some Like it Wicked by Teresa Medeiros


The story of an orphaned girl whose family are Scottish nationalists, Some Like it Wicked is a historical romance for those who like their romances full of sass and steam. After falling for a decorated British Navel officer, Sir Simon Wescott, as a teenager, 20 yr-old Catriona Kincaid is willing to do almost anything to get Wescott, now a disgraced soldier and professional rake, to help her get to the Scottish Highlands and help her brother defend their homeland. "Although he's sworn off his dreams of becoming a hero, Simon can't resist playing knight errant to Catriona's damsel in distress...(from the back cover)"

Tour de France

The 96th Tour de France began on the 4th of July in Monaco. Lance Armstrong returned after a 4-year retirement to race for the yellow jersey once again (He's currently in 2nd place overall). The race can be viewed on the Versus channel in the U.S and you can also follow the action on the Tour website. To find out more about this exciting race, try one of the library items below:

Books

Chasing Lance: Through France on the Ride of a Lifetime by Martin Dugard

French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France by Tim Moore

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong

Tour Fever: The Armchair Cyclists Guide to the Tour de France by J.P. Partland

We Might as Well Win: On the Road to Success With the Mastermind Behind Eight Tour de France Victories by Johann Bruyneel

DVD

ABC Wide World of Sports (Includes Lance Armstrong's first Tour de France win)

Book Review:Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern’s latest offering, Thanks for the Memories requires you to suspend reality for a while and allow for an implausible premise to unfold.

Joyce Conway received a blood transfusion after a tragic accident. While recovering, she begins to dream about a little girl she has never met and is suddenly able to carry on conversations about art and architecture and speak foreign languages. Joyce is determined to find out about her blood donor.

Justin Hitchcock hates needles but is persuaded to donate blood by a beautiful doctor in Dublin. Little does he know that his “gift of life” will give him more than he bargained for.

Although the plot sounds fantastical, there is a very human and real counterpart to this novel. The drama of the beginning of the book gives way to the heartwarming, romantic comedy that makes this book fun. Joyce and Justin are surrounded by seemingly annoying friends and family. Joyce’s dad, Henry, is a lonely widower who is set in his ways. He loves his routine of doing the “Dosuko” puzzle in the morning paper. He has little use for technology; he calls a cell phone a “hand phone” and creates quite a scene at the airport when he is required to pass through security. (Actually, Ms. Ahern could have written the entire novel based exclusively on the relationship between Joyce and her dad; it would have been hysterical.) Frankie and Kate have been Joyce’s closest friends since school; their relationships provide more hilarity. Justin has his share of wacky relatives with Al and Doris, his brother and sister-in-law from Chicago. Justin’s daughter and ex-wife and her husband give Justin all he can handle. All of the characters and pieces of this book work together for a clever story with a twist and a satisfying ending.

So, go ahead…suspend reality and don’t let the impossible premise stand in your way of this enjoyable and engaging novel. You’ll be glad you did. -Linda (Downtown)

More About Iran

Since the election in Iran a couple of weeks ago, this middle eastern country has been in the news every day with stories about fraud, protests and unfortunate violence and deaths. What do we really know about Iran and what it's like to live there? Try one of the following library items to find out more:

Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran by Azadeh Moaveni

Things I’ve Been Silent About: Memories by Azar Nafisi

The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran by Hooman Majd

The Devil We Know: Dealing With the New Iranian Superpower by Robert Baer

Inside Iran by Mark Edward Harris

My Life as a Traitor by Zarah Ghahramani

Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat

Mirrors of the Unseen: Journeys in Iran by Jason Elliot