Summer Reading

Welcome to Summer Reading 2011!  At the end of 6 weeks we had 365 people signed up. This week, 16 new people participated and 58 people read 137 books, which brings the totals for the summer to 154 people and 792 books.

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Mini Shopaholic By Kinsella, Sophie 2010-09 - Dial Press 9780385342049 Check Our Catalog In the first Shopaholic in three years, Becky Brandon (ne Bloomwood) is back, this time hilariously challenged by the mini-terror who is her two-year-old daughter, Minnie. …More

Breathless By Koontz, Dean R. 2009-11 - Bantam 9780553807158 Check Our Catalog "New York Times"-bestselling author Koontz delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure, in this story of a world where good itself is an endangered species and one man will risk his life--and more--to save it from extinction. …More

Odd Hours By Koontz, Dean R. 2008-05 - Bantam 9780553807059 Check Our Catalog BookPage Notable Title Odd Thomas's fourth adventure breaks new ground, taking this utterly unique hero to undreamed of new places, where both the perils he will face and the stakes for which he fights surpass all that has come before. …More

Dating Is Murder By Kozak, Harley Jane 2005-01 - Doubleday Books 9780385510349 Check Our Catalog With "Dating Is Murder," Kozak delivers another sparkling treasure, a laugh-out-loud funny, literate mystery for readers of Janet Evanovich and Sue Grafton, and for Kozak's own growing legion of fans. …More

Welfare Wifeys By K'wan 2010-09 - St. Martin's Griffin 9780312536978 Check Our Catalog After the deaths and arrests of his entire crew and an informant-fueled investigation into his past, the man known on the streets as Animal relocates to Texas and finds fame and stardom as the newest act signed to the notorious Big Dawg Entertainment. His girlfriend, Gucci, is thrilled when she gets the news that he's coming back to New York on a promotional tour, but when she discovers the hidden agenda behind his homecoming nothing can prepare her for the life-altering consequences that will come of it. There goes the neighborhood . . . again. HPL patron: It was ok. …More

Rivers West By L'Amour, Louis 1993-09 - Bantam 9780553254365 Check Our Catalog "He killed me," the dying man had said. "He stabbed me." Those words stayed with young Jean Talon as he journeyed westward, finally reaching the Missouri in search of a simple and honest life building river boats. But the stranger died. And that meant unraveling a deadly knot that tied together a vicious renegade's army, the Louisiana Purchase, and the missing brother of a beautiful, headstrong woman. Too near the truth to break away, Jean Talon turns in the tools of his trade for a far more dangerous kind of work--the kind that either gets men killed or earns them a new home in a violent, untamed land. HPL patron: I feel that Louis L'Amour is the greatest author. …More

Sackett: The Sacketts By L'Amour, Louis 1981-01 - Bantam 9780553276848 Check Our Catalog William Tell Sackett had followed a different path from his younger brothers, but his name, like theirs, was spoken with respect and just a little fear. Where Orrin had brought law and order from New Mexico to the plains of Montana, backed up by the gunfighting talents of his brother Tye, Tell Sackett's destiny drew him to Texas after he had to kill a man. There, in the high, lonesome country, he came upon a vein of pure gold. All he'd wanted was enough to buy a ranch, but he soon learned that gold had ways of its own with men. HPL patron: Great western. …More

The Sackett Brand: The Sacketts By L'Amour, Louis 1985-10 - Bantam 9780553276855 Check Our Catalog In The Sackett Brand, Louis L'Amour spins the story of a courageous man who must face overwhelming odds to track down a killer. Tell Sackett and his bride, Ange, came to Arizona to build a home and start a family. But on Black Mesa something goes terribly wrong. Tell is ambushed and badly injured. When he finally manages to drag himself back to where he left Ange, she is gone. Desperate, cold, hungry, and with no way to defend himself, Tell is stalked like a wounded animal. Hiding from his attackers, his rage and frustration mounting, he tries to figure out who the men are, why they are trying to kill him, and what has happened to his wife. Discovering the truth will be risky. And when he finally does, it will be their turn to run. HPL patron: A great western. …More

Sackett's Land: The Sacketts By L'Amour, Louis 2000-10 - Bantam 9780553276862 Check Our Catalog Son of a feared fighting man, Barnabas Sackett inherited his father's fiery temper, sense of justice and warrior skills. Declared an outlaw in his native England, Barnabas set his daring sights on the opportunities of the New World. The ruthless piracy of the open seas and the unknown dangers of the savage American wilderness lay before him. And so did the thrill of discovery and the chance to establish a bold new future if he survived. HPL patron: Great western. …More

Silver Canyon By L'Amour, Louis 1957-10 - Bantam 9780553247435 Check Our Catalog Fueled by youth, courage, and quickness with a gun, Matt Brennan rode into Hattan's Point ready to live or die at a single challenge. But in one day he was a changed man. A beautiful woman had dared him to stay alive. A powerful landowner had set him up for a beating. And a good friend had died in his arms. Suddenly Matt found himself owner of the Two-Bar Ranch--and the odd man out in a vicious range war. With enemies everywhere, Matt knew that the next time he drew his gun, there would be much more than his life at stake--. HPL patron: Great western. …More

Homecoming By Landis, Jill Marie 2008-08 - Center Point Large Print 9781602852495 Check Our Catalog The "New York Times"-bestselling author of "Magnolia Creek" returns with an unforgettable, inspirational story about a young woman adrift in two worlds--the worlds of the white man and the Comanche--and her courageous journey to discovery, belonging, and love. Original. …More

The Black Path By Larsson, Asa Translator Delargy, Marlaine 2008-07 - Delta 9780385341011 Check Our Catalog BookPage Notable Title From the internationally bestselling author of "The Blood Spilt" and "Sun Storm"--winner of Sweden's Best Crime Novel Award--comes a searing tale of darkness beyond imagination. …More

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo By Larsson, Stieg Translator Murray, Steven T. Translator Keeland, Reg 2008-09 - Knopf Publishing Group 9780307269751 Check Our Catalog BookPage Notable Title An Indie Next Selection In this European publishing sensation, a crusading journalist joins forces with a 24-year-old pierced and tattooed genius hacker to investigate the whereabouts of a missing woman from one of the wealthiest families in Sweden. HPL patron:  first 30 pages of back story tough going-once title character appears in chapter 2, it becomes a page turner, with mystery, psychology, danger, and suspense.  I heard the buzz and waited to read this post-modern trilogy in sequence.  Lisbeth Salandar, the girl with the dragon tattoo is a great modern character, computer hacking detective. HPL patron: **** :) HPL patron: I had a difficult time sticking with this book the first time I read it.  Once I finished, I was anxious to read "The Girl who Played with Fire."  I re-read this book in anticipation of reading the next book in the series and I'm glad I did.  I missed a lot of the plot the first time, probably due to all the Swedish geography and names.  Much better reading the 2nd time around! …More

Highland Fling: Perfect Timing By La Brecque, Jennifer 2006-07 - Harlequin Books 9780373792665 Check Our Catalog E.R. physician Kate Wexford is used to expecting the unexpected. But even she isn't ready for this... One minute she's visiting her local museum, lusting after a man in a painting -- Darach MacTavish, Laird of Glenagan. A man who died at Culloden more than 250 years ago. Then the next thing she knows, she's in the painting with him...in his bed..."naked!" Laird Darach MacTavish has enough to worry about without being ambushed by beautiful women. Still, he has to admit, he's never met --or enjoyed more -- a lass like his Katie. It's too bad she's a little daft. Because Katie's insisting she's been sent back in time to save his life. Ha! Darach would like to see her try -- that is, if he decides to let her out of his bed.... …More

Suffer the Little Children By Leon, Donna 2007-05 - Atlantic Monthly Press 9780871139603 Check Our Catalog Donna Leon's charming, evocative, and addictive Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries are widely acclaimed national and international best sellers, reaching a wider audience in the United States than ever before. Her latest, Suffer the Little Children, is classic Brunetti, a fantastic addition to the series. When Commissario Brunetti is summoned in the middle of the night to the hospital bed of a senior pediatrician, he is confronted with more questions than answers. Three men--a young Carabiniere captain and two privates from out of town--had burst into the doctor's apartment while the family was sleeping, attacked him, and taken away his eighteen-month-old boy. What could have motivated an assault by the forces of the state so violent that it has left the doctor mute? Who would have authorized such an alarming operation? As Brunetti delves into the case, he begins to uncover a story of infertility, desperation, and illegal dealings. At the same time, Brunetti's colleague, Inspector Vianello, discovers a moneymaking scam between pharmacists and doctors in the city. But it appears as if one of the pharmacists is after more than money. What secrets are in the records? And what has been done with them? Donna Leon's new novel is as subtle and fascinating as her best mysteries, set in a beautifully realized Venice, a glorious city seething with small-town vice. …More

Familiars By Little, Denise 2002-07 - Daw Books 9780756400811 Check Our Catalog This collection of 15 original tales of animal--and other--companions who are more than what they seem includes stories ranging from a humorous look at the role played by the Clintons' cat, Socks, during the troubled presidential administration to the challenges a minor wizard faces in trying to save his cat. Top fantasy authors Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Jody Lynn Nye, Andre Norton, and Michelle West are among the contributors. (July) …More

Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie By Logan, L. 2001-07 - San Val 9780613450737 Check Our Catalog …More

The Ruthless Charmer By London, Julia 2000-10 - Dell Publishing Company 9780440235620 Check Our Catalog No woman could resist Julian Dane. Except Lady Claudia Whitney. Julian had known her since childhood, but the headstrong lass had grown into a beautiful woman. Julian vows to teach her everything he knows about passion. But Claudia, in her most innocent ardor, promises to challenge him to the most dangerous emotion of all: wild, all-consuming love. The rogue met his match in the woman he was forced to wed.... …More

Kennedy's Brain By Mankell, Henning Translator Thompson, Laurie 2007-09 - New Press 9781595581846 Check Our Catalog Internationally acclaimed and bestselling author Mankell delivers a timely and riveting thriller that will have readers on the edge their seats until the very end. HPL patron: Downer book.  Informative if interested in early AIDs search for antivirus drugs, treatment.  Plot takes reader to Mozambique, Spain, Sweden, Greece.  Ending inconclusive-sequel ahead. …More

Sticky Fingers By Martin, Nancy 2011-03 - Minotaur Books 9780312573737 Check Our Catalog Roxy Abruzzo barely escaped big trouble in her first adventure, "Foxy Roxy." Now Roxy is determined to stay on the straight and narrow--except that she gets in over her head doing a few jobs for her uncle Carmine, one of the last oldtime mob bosses in Pittsburgh. HPL patron: It was okay. …More

The Paris Wife By McLain, Paula 2011-02 - Ballantine Books 9780345521309 Check Our Catalog BookPage Notable Title A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, "The Paris Wife" captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley. HPL patron:  After a recent trip to Paris, this book caught my eye.  I knew nothing about Hemingway's time in Paris but wanted to draw a connection tomy recent sight-seeing excursions and one of America's reknowned authors.  This "historical fiction" novel was fun to see a wife's perspective of events, very true to nonfiction accounts. …More

The Delivery Man By McGinniss, Joe, Jr. 2007-12 - Grove Press 9780802170422 Check Our Catalog The Delivery Man is a thrilling and astonishing debut--a scary, fast-paced, and illuminating portrait of the MySpace generation. It is a love story set against the surreal excess of Las Vegas--and the artificial suburbs, gated communities, and freeways that surround it--where broken lives come to seek new beginnings and casinos feed the lust of tourists and residents alike. Ultra-sophisticated local kids grow up fast and burn out early. After attending college in New York, Chase returns to Vegas and is drawn into the lucrative but dangerous world of a teenage call-girl service with his childhood friend, Michele, a beautiful Salvadoran immigrant with whom he shares a tragic past. Over the course of one extraordinary summer they will confront the violence and emptiness at the heart of the city and their generation. At once stark and electrically atmospheric, horrifying and hopeful, The Delivery Man is an ambitious literary novel as well as a fast and absorbing page-turner--and a powerful indictment of a society in which personal responsibility has been abandoned, lust is increasingly mistaken for love, and innocence is an anachronism. HPL patron: This book kept me up all night in a roller coaster of events and continually shocked me to the end. …More

Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies By Medrich, Alice 2010-11 - Artisan Publishers 9781579653972 Check Our Catalog HPL patron: Great cookie cook-book-I would buy this book.  In fact I'm going to Barnes and Noble later today. …More