Reviews

Staff Review

Affinity

By Sarah Waters

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 18, 2010

Set in Victorian London, Miss Margaret Prior, an upper-class woman, becomes a "Lady Visitor" at Millbank Prison as a diversion from suicidal thoughts. She meets Selina Dawes, a spiritualist-medium who has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud and assault. Miss Prior becomes intrigued by Selina because she is young and lovely and because things occur that cannot be explained - flowers mysteriously appear in her bedroom as well as a cutting of Selina's hair. Miss Prior finds herself falling in love with her and Selina returns her affection.

Staff Review

Explore Egypt with Youth!


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 18, 2010

Next month, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is featuring 19th century photography of Egypt. If you're planning to take young friends along, consider supplying them with some books that will pique their interest and prepare them for the experience.

Staff Review

Paddle-to-the-Sea


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 17, 2010

nullPaddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling, is an enjoyable, quick read about the travels of a carved miniature canoe and indian. It begins its journey from Nipigon country in Canada with basic descriptions of the beautiful countryside. The canoe makes its way throughout the Great Lakes until its journey ends across the Atlantic in France.

Staff Review

Noah’s Compass by Anne Tyler


Rated by Brent W.
Feb 17, 2010

Noah’s Compass by Anne TylerI’ve always felt that the central beauty of Anne Tyler’s work is the way in which it ennobles the common man. Characters often fumble around in the existential darkness, but usually find their way.

Staff Review

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 17, 2010

Reign or Shine by Michelle RowenIn this first YA novel by author Michelle Rowen (known best for her light-hearted supernatural adult fiction), we meet Nikki Donovan, a just turned 16 year old who has recently started at another new school. Her mother, a writer, is continually moving them at the whim of her latest relationship.

Staff Review

Truesight by David Stahler


Rated by Diane H.
Feb 17, 2010

Truesight by David StahlerIn Truesight, by David Stahler, blindness is considered to be the path to “true sight”, a pure way of life. What started as a small community of blind people grew to a large community of people genetically manipulated to be born blind.

Staff Review

Lost Horizon (1937 Classic Film Frank Capra)


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 17, 2010

“Since John Logie Baird invented the color television in 1944, I refuse to watch anything on TV in black and white.” Does this sound like something you would say? Please make an exception and watch this classic film starring Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt. A recent conversation with colleagues brought up the subject of Lost Horizon and Shangri-la and I remembered how much I had enjoyed re-runs of this movie on late night TV over 40 years ago. I don’t know how many times I watched it but I absolutely loved it.

Staff Review

Semi-Homemade 20-Minute Meals by Sandra Lee


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 12, 2010

Semi-Homemade 20-Minute Meals by Sandra LeeI really enjoy reading books found in the cookbook section of the library's collection. The author Sandra Lee says, "Real meals for real life".  She offers organizing tips in the beginning of her book and colorful pictures throughout her book of each delicious dish! This month has been chilly and I am looking forward to trying the Roasted Tomato-Basil Soup on page 150!

Staff Review

Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 11, 2010

sunshineI was leery of this science fiction film; I didn’t like the sound of the plot. The year is 2057, and the sun is dying. Well, first of all, according to all the science I’ve read, Earth’s sun isn’t in danger of dying, going supernova or expanding into a red giant and engulfing the planet anytime soon (put the latter on your calendar for, oh, about five billion years from now).