Adult Summer Reading

 

Week 6!  10 people joined the fun this week, bringing the total up to 144 people.  Of those, 37 read 125 books during this week.  So far this summer 144 people have read 736 books.    It's not too late to join the fun!  Sign up at the circulation desk.  We still have signing prizes available, as well.

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Book reviews from participants Aug 2: 

Great Modern Short Novels:  "The Lost Horizon" by James Hilton was a very good sci-fi story, but the writing was somewhat ponderous, although I am sure it was considered modern when it was written.  The Steinbeck novel was absorbing and so easy to read!  Not sure what to make of the Saul Bellow. But a good collection.

Backlash by Aaron Allston:  The remarkable Star-warws novels latest series keeps the saga alive, and still relative and exciting 3 decades after the first movie.  Allston, as well as Golden and Demming, are masters of Star Wars lore.  And will continue to thrill a 3rd generation.

Story of Painting by Wendy Beckett:  A beautiful overview of painting, painters, and their works.  A simplified and interesting course in art history-very informative as well as pleasing to look at.

Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian:  Good-Interesting.

Easier than you think by Richard Carlson:  Really enjoyed.

Black Sand by William Cauntiz:  Very good read could hardly put it down.

Cleopatra Gold by William Cauntiz:  Suspenseful, didn't like as much as his other books.

Exceptional Clearance by William Cauntiz:  Good book could hardly put it down.

One Police Plaza by William Cauntiz:  Bery good-holds your interest.

Suspects by William Cauntiz:  Good book made me laugh, almost cried, holds your interest, hard to put down.

Iced by Carol Higgins Clark:  Exciting book

Heard that song before by Mary Higgins Clark:  This book is exciting.  Keeps you in suspense through the whole book.

Holly Blues By Albert, Susan Wittig 2010-04 - Berkley Publishing Group 9780425232606 Check Our Catalog China Bayles is angered when her husband's troubled ex-wife, Sally, shows up at her herb shop, claiming to be broke with nowhere else to turn. When China starts receiving menacing calls, it's up to China to find out whatever it is Sally's running from. …More

Backlash By Allston, Aaron 2010-03 - Ballantine Books 9780345509086 Check Our Catalog After a violent civil war and the devastation wrought by the now-fallen Darth Caedus, the Galactic Alliance is in crisis--and in need, in this latest chapter in the extraordinary history of the "Star Wars" Galaxy. …More

Deliver Us from Evil By Baldacci, David 2010-04 - Grand Central Publishing 9780446564083 Check Our Catalog Shaw and Katie James from "The Whole Truth" are reunited in a deadly dual of nerve and wits against a surprising, secretive enemy and lead around the world at a breakneck pace, in Baldacci's most explosive thriller to date. …More

Stone Cold By Baldacci, David 2007-11 - Grand Central Publishing 9780446195102 Check Our Catalog #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci is back to continue the adventures of the Camel Club with this sequel to THE COLLECTORS. …More

The Pleasure Master By Bangs, Nina 2005-08 - Love Spell 9780505524454 Check Our Catalog Transported back in time to 1542 Scotland, New York hairdresser Kathy Bartlett meets Ian Ross, a rake with a reputation. Learning the men in his family compete to prove their prowess, she swears she will never succumb to him--but things between Kathy and Ian heat up faster than she can control. Reissue. …More

The Story of Painting By Beckett, Wendy 2000-09 - DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley) 9780789468055 Check Our Catalog Sister Wendy is back with this expanded version of her popular book, which features more than 450 masterpieces, 150 oversized details from key paintings, and 250+ photos, drawings, and documents that place paintings in their historical context. …More

Blind Trust By Blackstock, Terri 1997-09 - Zondervan 9780310207108 Check Our Catalog Two weeks before he was to marry Sherry Grayson, Clint Jessup disappeared without a trace. Now, suddenly, eight months later, he's back with no word of explanation. Only an impossible request: trust him. Trust him despite the devastating past. . .and an inexplicable and increasingly frightening present. Whatever secret Clint is hiding, it's changed him. And it's about to change Sherry, sweeping her and Clint into a terrifying whirlpool of pursuit and intrigue--one where death and deliverance teeter on a razor edge of circumstance that can either restore or forever destroy Sherry's faith not only in Clint, but in others, and perhaps in God himself. Blind Trust is part of the Second Chances series by award-winning suspense novelist Terri Blackstock. Combining fast-paced reading with realistic characters and situations, Second Chances takes readers to where the conflict between good and evil becomes the proving grounds of faith. …More

Broken Wings By Blackstock, Terri 1997-12 - Zondervan 9780310207085 Check Our Catalog Among the 151 people who died in the crash of Flight 94 was Mick Hammon, the plane's captain and Erin Russell's close friend. A pilot herself, Erin now struggles with the shattering losses both of her friend and of her own confidence in the cockpit. With pilot error speculated as the cause of the accident, Erin fights to save Mick's reputation for the sake of the family he left behind. But that fight pits her against Addison Lowe, the crash investigator. Like Erin, he is determined to get at the truth of the disaster. But his conclusions could ruin Mick's good name and the future of Mick's family. Clashing over the details of the disaster, Erin and Addison discover an unexpected, mutual attraction for each other. But it could go down in flames as the investigation spins out of control. Broken Wings is part of the Second Chances series by award-winning suspense novelist Terri Blackstock. Combining fast-paced reading with realistic characters and situations, Second Chances takes readers to where the conflict between good and evil becomes the proving grounds of faith. …More

Dawn's Light By Blackstock, Terri 2008-10 - Walker Large Print 9781594152399 Check Our Catalog In the face of a crisis that sweeps an entire high-tech planet back to the age before electricity, the Brannings face a choice. Will they hoard their possessions to survive?or trust God to provide as they offer their resources to others? #1 bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if series in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts?and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world. As the Pulses that caused the outage are finally coming to an end, thirteen-year-old Beth Branning witnesses a murder. Threatened by the killer, she keeps the matter to herself. But her silence could cost her life. Meanwhile, as Deni's ex-fianc?? returns to Crockett with a newfound faith and the influence to get things done, Deni is torn between the man who can fulfill all her dreams and Mark Green, the man who inhabits them. As the world slowly emerges from the crisis, the Brannings face their toughest crisis yet. Will God require more of them than they?ve already given? How will they keep their faith if he doesn?t answer their prayers? …More

Last Light By Blackstock, Terri 2006-10 - Walker Large Print 9781594151279 Check Our Catalog After an unexplained catastrophic event in the atmosphere knocks out all electronics in the world, materialistic, well-to-do Americans are suddenly left helpless. And as they get down to the essentials of life, they learn to lean on God as they never have before. …More

Never Again Good-Bye By Blackstock, Terri 1996-08 - Zondervan 9780310207078 Check Our Catalog Normally, Wes Grayson would have been attracted to the striking woman with the camera. But this woman has clearly been stalking Amy, his adoptive daughter and the center of his life. And a threat to Amy is a threat to Wes. Laney Fields has no desire to threaten anyone, just a longing to see the child she'd brought into the world six years ago and then been forced to release for adoption. But when she learns that Amy's adoptive mother has died, Laney becomes determined to play a part in her daughter's life. Between a man and woman torn by past losses, present fears, and the paradox of their growing fascination for each other, stands one small child. She could be the object of distrust that will drive them apart or the agent of faith in God that can bring them together. …More

Night Light By Blackstock, Terri 2008-01 - Walker Large Print 9781594151958 Check Our Catalog In the face of a crisis that sweeps an entire high-tech planet back to the age before electricity, the Brannings face a choice. Will they hoard their possessions to survive--or trust God to provide as they offer their resources to others? #1 bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if series in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts--and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world. An era unlike any in modern civilization is descending, one without lights, electronics, running water, or automobiles. As a global blackout lengthens into months, the neighbors of Oak Hollow grapple with a chilling realization: the power may never return. Survival has become a lifestyle. When two young thieves break into the Brannings' home and clean out the food in their pantry, Jeff Branning tracks them to a filthy apartment and discovers a family of children living alone, stealing to stay alive. Where is their mother? The search for answers uncovers a trail of desperation and murder . . . and for the Brannings, a powerful new purpose that can transform their entire community--and above all, themselves. …More

True Light By Blackstock, Terri 2008-05 - Gale Cengage 9781594152160 Check Our Catalog The darkness deepens in a world without power. But, daring to defend a young outcast, one family strikes a light. In the face of a crisis that sweeps an entire high-tech planet back to the age before electricity, the Brannings face a choice. Will they hoard their possessions to survive?or trust God to provide as they offer their resources to others? Number one bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if series in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts?and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world. Now eight months into a global blackout, the residents of Oak Hollow are coping with the deep winter nights. But the struggle to survive can bring out the worst in a person?or a community. A teenager has been shot and the suspect sits in jail. As the son of a convicted murderer, Mark Green already has one strike against him. Now he faces the wrath of all Oak Hollow?except for one person. Deni Branning has known Mark since high school and is convinced he is no killer. When Mark finds himself at large with a host of other prisoners released upon the unsuspecting community, Deni and her family attempt to help him find the person who really pulled the trigger. But clearing Mark's reputation is only part of his battle. Protecting the neighbors who ostracized him is just as difficult. And forgiving them may be the hardest part of all. …More

When Dreams Cross By Blackstock, Terri 1997-01 - Zondervan 9780310207092 Check Our Catalog Justin Pierce's brainchild, Khaki Kangaroo, is exactly the cartoon theme Andi Sherman needs for her world-class amusement park, Promised Land. In turn, Andi's park is the opportunity that can rocket Justin from obscurity to success. For both of them, spreading the Gospel through their creation is their passion--a shared dream that could cement a powerful partnership. If their shared past hadn't already driven them apart. Now, with construction of the park in its final phase, what begins as an uneasy alliance between the successful businesswoman and the talented animator enters a baptism of fire. Disaster stalks Promised Land--and only by burying their pride can Justin and Andi save everything they've work for from destruction. When Dreams Cross is part of the Second Chances series by award-winning suspense novelist Terri Blackstock. Combining fast-paced reading with realistic characters and situations, Second Chances takes readers to where the conflict between good and evil becomes the proving grounds of faith. …More

Secrets of Eden By Bohjalian, Chris A 2010-02 - Books on Tape 9780307705051 Check Our Catalog From the "New York Times"-bestselling author of "Midwives" and "The Double Bind" comes a novel of shattered family ties, intimate secrets, and the nature of sacrifice. Few writers can manipulate a plot with Bohjalian's grace and power.--"New York Times Book Review." …More

Easier Than You Think ...Because Life Doesn't Have to Be So Hard: The Small Changes That Add Up to a World of Difference By Carlson, Richard 2005-05 - HarperOne 9780060758882 Check Our Catalog With his trademark storytelling and advice, Carlson offers 40 proven and easy ways to change the way people think and act that will make an enormous difference in their lives. …More

Tempted By Cast, P. C. Author Cast, Kristin 2009-10 - St. Martin's Griffin 9780312567484 Check Our Catalog In the sixth installment of the Casts' award-winning, "New York Times"-bestselling teen vampyre series, Zoey Redbird, High Priestess-in-training, finds herself juggling three guys--one of which is so into protecting her that he can sense her emotions. …More

Heat Wave By Castle, Richard 2009-09 - Hyperion Books 9781401323820 Check Our Catalog A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light. …More

Black Sand By Caunitz, William J. 1988-12 - Crown Publishers 9780517571323 Check Our Catalog A brutal machine gun massacre at a seaside resort kicks off a deadly hunt for a priceless ancient artifact. And while NYPD detective Teddy Lucas chases searing love and Greek cop Andreas Vassos pursues an obsessive passion, the toughest case of their careers could get them slammed into a New York City sidewalk. (Fiction)((Bantam. …More

Cleopatra Gold By Caunitz, William J. 1995-11 - Random House Value Publishing 9780517158654 Check Our Catalog An electrifying new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of One Police Plaza. A deadly heroin network, the Cleopatra Syndicate, has surfaced in New York City. Only one man can take it down: Alejandro Monahan, a cop in deep cover as a nightclub singer . . . whose father was murdered at the hands of Cleopatra herself. LG Featured Alternate. …More

Exceptional Clearance By Caunitz, William J. 1991-08 - Crown Publishers 9780517584859 Check Our Catalog …More

One Police Plaza By Caunitz, William J. 1985-01 - Bantam Books 9780553247466 Check Our Catalog …More

Suspects By Caunitz, William J. 1987-08 - Bantam Books 9780553267051 Check Our Catalog The phenomenal NYT bestseller from the author of One Police Plaza takes a journey into the nightmare world of the NYPD where cops and criminals cohabitate and often kill each other. HC: Crown. (Fiction) …More

Iced By Clark, Carol Higgins 2008-05 - Grand Central Publishing 9780446508735 Check Our Catalog It's Christmas in Aspen and P.I. Regan Reilly is vacationing with her parents and hoping to meet an unmarried man. Soon, however, all thoughts of romance turn to sleuthing when million-dollar paintings start disappearing, along with an old friend of Regan's--who happens to be an ex-con. The snow is falling, the plot is thickening, and the danger is closing in on Regan. After assorted hijinks, adventures, false alarms, and--yes--plain old silliness, the plot finally gets all tied up in a nice, neat, mostly happy ending that will no doubt charm even the most Scrooge-like reader. Solidly entertaining, mostly clever, occasionally funny, and always fun, this one is sure to please the author's growing audience. --Booklist "A fun and funny read." --- USA Today "The quintessential beachbook...Clark writes with a breezy style that will quickly refresh readers." --- Publishers Weekly …More

I Heard That Song Before By Clark, Mary Higgins 2008-03 - Large Print Distribution 9781594132582 Check Our Catalog This #1 "New York Times" bestseller by America's Queen of Suspense is a riveting thriller about a young woman whose wealthy, sleepwalking husband may have murdered his first wife--and could be planning to murder her. …More