Readers' Advisory: Librarian's Choice 2010

I read this book 8 years ago when I was 19 and absolutely devoured it. It sat on my shelf for 8 years and a student worker of mine started reading it and I felt compelled to read it again. This is one of my favorite books. I loved it the second time even more than the first reading. I hope to pick it up again and again in 8 year increments and let her inspire me again and again.

I read this book on a weekend trip to Kansas City and devoured it. Persepolis is very captivating as young Satrapi is surrounded by war and revolution and then must mature and find herself as she moves to Europe to finish her studies. An awesome read about the effects of war and revolution on a young woman's life. Loved it.

Wow, this graphic novel is one of the best graphic novels I have ever read. Bedchel blew me away with her emotional rendering of her upbringing and her father's life. The visuals are breath-takingly beautiful and the story is not completely linear, leaving room for readers to be hooked and wanting to read more. This graphic novel is for anyone who loves emotional portraits of families, however dysfunctional they may be.

A history professor recommended this novel to me and it blew me away. It's a very short novel centering around Milo, an Iraq war veteran recovering in a hospital, and his massage therapist, Honor. When Honor places her hands on his back, stories unfold and the rest of the novel is devoted to the stories entertwining. Engrossing and moving. If you like imperfect characters struggling with life choices and circumstances and you like hopeful endings, you will love this book. I am looking forward to reading more Mendelsohn.

This is a tragic and sad book, but's also very redemptive. This book hit close to home as some of Hannah's experiences resonated with me or others I went to high school with. I loved the reality of book and how it makes one recognize how we treat one another without being didactic. I'm sure many teenagers and adults will read this book and continue to revel in it's poignancy.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE John Hughes movies. Gora's book was a heartfelt, and yet, very honest behind-the-scenes look at John Hughes, his movies, the members of the "Brat Pack", and Cameron Crowe's 80s teen movies. The book is an outstanding read for fans of John Hughes and 80s teen movies.

When my co-worker and I attended the 2009 Printz Awards, we saw Terry Pratchett accept his honor for this book via a Webcast. He looked like a beekeeper and his was standing in front of a make-shift looking home in which a worker behind him appeared to be repairing a tin roof. Pratchett gave a hilarious acceptance speech and Hannah and I instantly loved him. I am pleased to say that I loved this book. Adventure stories are not something that I would normally pick up on my own, but this book rocked my socks off! Mau, a teenage lad, living in a tiny village in the "Southern Pelagic Ocean", is the only survivor after his village is pummeled with a tsunami. As it turns out, a teenage girl, Ermintrude "ghost girl" is one of the few survivors from her ship-wreck. When they first meet, Ermintrude trys to shoot Mau, but despite language barriers (which pose some hilarious interactions, they quickly become companions bound together by survival. A delicious and very funny read! Highly recommended!

Amazing finish to a fantastic series! Luke and I both read the Millennium trilogy and loved it. He's a crime fiction guy and I've never had much of a desire to read crime fiction, but I was drawn to this series. Sometimes the government details bog the story down a bit, but the interesting characters and, especially one feisty heroine make up for it. We are sad that the series has ended, but now, we will see how the movies hold up.

This book was my favorite financial book I read the past couple of months. Pond offers 101 easy tips and ideas to plan, save, and invest. I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of his language and advice. I put so many post-its in my library copy, that I purchased the book tonight. With its simple strategies, savvy advice, helpful charts, and links to websites on Pond's website, this is a book I will be referring to a lot in the upcoming years. Highly recommended to anyone, regardless of your financial state and goals.

Rich character, rich setting, and an intriging plot centered around two brothers and their coming-of-age. Highly recommended.

I love authors who can write multiple, diverse narrators in one book and captivate my heart with each of them. Stockett has blown me away (and I think she's currently blowing away my husband as he is halfway through it and keeps chatting with me about it). This is one of those books that will stay with you after you read it.

The foreshadowing and the ominous narration make this novel delicious. Can't wait to check out the movie and read more from Ishiguro.

Mind-blowing novel around hermaphrodite and his/her family. The novel spans generations and is a fantastic, succulent read. Highly recommended.

Where has this book been all my life? Many of my friends read this book in middle-school or high school. I, on the other hand, had never heard of it until a couple years ago. I loved this book. I read much of it in one sitting on a Sunday night. It's definitely a story about how we treat one another, especially the mentally handicapped, but I think it's also a story about self-image and believing the best about yourself instead of looking to please to others. I am an animal lover, so of course, I loved Algernon and his parallel story. This novel is just a heart-wrenching, deeply engaging novel. If you are like me, and haven't read or even heard of this book, pick it up on your next low key Sunday night.

This book accompanied me on many September walks. Powers tells the story of a man who has a condition where he remembers his life, but thinks his sister, who is his one living family member, is a fraud. Set in Nebraska amongst the mass number of cranes who reside there, the book is psychologically eerie while the story of family and neurological science unfolds. Deeply moving and engrossing.