Summer Reading

Welcome to Summer Reading 2011!  At the end of 9 weeks we had 368 people signed up. This week, 4 new people participated and 32 people read 125 books, which brings the totals for the summer to 170 people and 1287 books.

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Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend By MacAlister, Katie Author Maxwell, Katie 2010-11 - New American Library 9780451232595 Check Our Catalog …More

Already Home By Mallery, Susan 2011-03 - Mira Books 9780778329510 Check Our Catalog After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, Jenna is desperate for a change. She's supported her ex-husband's dreams for so long that she can't even remember her own. Until she sees a for-lease sign near her parents' home and envisions her very own cooking store. HPL patron:  Great! …More

Nina's Journey: A Memoir of Stalin's Russia & the Second World War By Markovna, Nina 1989-12 - Regnery Publishing 9780895265500 Check Our Catalog A powerful autobiography written in the grand Russian tradition telling the story of how Nina Markovna endured life under Stalin and the tumult of World War II, being tossed back and forth between the opposing German and Soviet armies. HPL patron:A young girl's story of growing up in the 1930's and 1940's of Stalin's Russia with all the terror and sadness of that era.  Amazing that she survived.  …More

Powers That Be By McCaffrey, Anne Author Scarborough, Elizabeth Ann 1994-05 - Del Rey Books 9780345387790 Check Our Catalog Major Yanaba Maddock wasn't much good to the company anymore. With lungs practically destroyed by poison gas in a military debacle, she could barely breathe without coughing, much less do anything the least bit strenuous. But it wasn't the company's way to discard those they might still find some use for...and so they retired Yana to the icy planet Petaybee to do their spying. Strange things were happening on Petaybee, it seemed. Unauthorized genetically engineered species had been spotted. Geologic survey teams sent to locate newly detected mineral deposits were either coming up empty - or disappearing altogether. And the locals weren't talking. In fact, the company had reason to believe that the locals were deliberately hiding something - and perhaps even plotting rebellion. As a combat veteran and a medical retiree due to spend the rest of her days on this arctic world, Yana was the ideal person to get close to the natives. Having already lost her lungs in service to the company, Yana wasn't much of a mind to freeze to death for it, as well. But she quickly learned that the people of Petaybee were more than willing to adopt a sickly newcomer: they were eager to show her the ropes, introduce her around, teach her how to cook and how to keep warm, and even dose her up on a home remedy that calmed her cough and soothed her ragged lungs like nothing in the company's state-of-the-art medical kits. As Yana's strength and health returned, she became more and more determined to protect her new home and her new people from the depredations of a greedy and increasingly desperate company. For something strange and wonderful truly was happening on Petaybee. Something worth fighting for, or evendying for - but, especially, something worth living for... …More

To Be Sung Underwater By McNeal, Tom 2011-06 - Little Brown and Company 9780316127394 Check Our Catalog BookPage Notable Title "To Be Sung Underwater" is the epic love story of a woman trying to remember, and the man who could not even begin to forget. …More

The Inner Circle By Meltzer, Brad 2011-01 - Grand Central Publishing 9780446577892 Check Our Catalog Number-one "New York Times"-bestselling author Meltzer returns with a pulse-pounding new novel of lies and deception at the highest levels of government. After reuniting with a childhood crush, a young archivist makes an astonishing discovery in the secret vault of the National Archives, where the president privately reviews classified documents. The two soon find themselves entangled in a web of deception, conspiracy, and murder that will reveal the most well-kept secret of the U.S. presidency. HPL patron:  Ok read, slow moving. …More

Pandora Hearts, Volume 2 By Mochizuki, Jun 2010-05 - Yen Press 9780316076081 Check Our Catalog Originally published: Japan: Square Enix Co., Ltd., 2006. …More

Pandora Hearts, Volume 3 By Mochizuki, Jun 2010-10 - Yen Press 9780316076104 Check Our Catalog "First published in Japan in 2007 by Square Enix Co., LTD."--Colophon. …More

God Ain't Blind By Monroe, Mary 2009-09 - Dafina Books 9780758212214 Check Our Catalog "New York Times"-bestselling author and beloved storyteller Monroe revisits the cast of characters her readers have been waiting for, in this highly anticipated new addition to the acclaimed GOD series. HPL patron: Enjoy all of Mary Monroe's books. …More

When Somebody Loves You Back By Morrison, Mary B. 2006-08 - Dafina Books 9780758207302 Check Our Catalog In this latest page-turner from the bestselling author of "Somebody's Gotta Be on Top," former playboy Darius Jones lives the high life. But when a long-hidden secret and a family tragedy threaten to ruin it all, can Darius, his fiance Fancy, and those closest to them keep love alive? HPL patron: Love this book, I didn't want to put it down.  Because I was pulled this story, I learn some valuable lessons.  Thanks Ms. Morrison. …More

Weekend at Blenheim By Morrissey, J. P. 2003-03 - Minotaur Books 9780312311384 Check Our Catalog Praise for "A Weekend at Blenheim" "I think it's safe to say that the present occupants of Blenheim Palace will blush with embarrassment or redden with rage when they read J. P. Morrissey's devastating portrayal of their ancestor, the ninth Duke of Marlborough, in his new novel, "A Weekend at Blenheim." It is a fascinating nightmare of ducal superiority, snobbery, and stupidity, as financed by his Vanderbilt heiress duchess and as witnessed by a poor American houseguest." --Dominick Dunne, author of "Another City, Not My Own "and "People Like Us" ""A Weekend at Blenheim" is a superb reconstruction of the aristocratic autumn of Edwardian England. More than this, it is a gripping tale of intrigue that breathes new life into the 'country house mystery' with well-drawn characters, a stylish narrative, and the sophisticated parallels drawn between the baroque art of the palace and the even more baroque lives of its inhabitants." --Iain Pears, author of "An Instance of the Fingerpost" "J. P. Morrissey's descriptive powers are extraordinary and bring to life palaces and attics and paintings and gardens breathlessly." --William F. Buckley, Jr., author of "Saving the Queen "and "Stained Glass" ""A Weekend at Blenheim" is a remarkably engaging novel. Very few books manage to be this entertaining, clever, and well-written all at once. I recommend it heartily." --David Liss, author of "A Conspiracy of Paper" ""A Weekend at Blenheim" is an evocative, mesmerizing, turn-of-the-century page-turner that kept me enthralled and guessing word by word, from start to gasp-inducing last page." --Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of "Simple Abundance" HPL patron: A mystery that keeps you guessing until the last pages.  A raw portrait of the Spencer-Churchill family and the "goings on" at Blenheim. …More

Sheltering Rain By Moyes, Jojo 2002-05 - William Morrow & Company 9780060012885 Check Our Catalog Reminiscent of Maeve Binchy, an imaginative new storyteller pens a heartfelt debut of love and family set in the lush countryside of southern Ireland. …More

Windfallen By Moyes, Jojo 2003-05 - William Morrow & Company 9780060012908 Check Our Catalog The author of the international bestseller "Sheltering Rain" returns with a moving tale of heartbreak, friendship, and the healing power of love. Moyes tells the story of two women whose lives become intertwined because of a beautiful art deco house set on the cliffs high above the sea. …More

Saveur New American Comfort Food By Oseland, James 2011-04 - Chronicle Books (CA) 9780811878012 Check Our Catalog From the pages of Saveur magazine, one of the world's premier food publications, comes a celebration of the enormous range of regional American and international dishes that have shaped the classic comfort foods of today. A steaming bowl of udon noodles, a bubbling serving of macaroni and cheese, a hearty helping of huevos rancheros, a perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwich these are just some of the 100 mouthwatering recipes in this extraordinary volume that highlights the pleasures of comfort food in all its diversity. Brimming with more than 200 stunning photographs and memorable sidebars that present the people, ingredients, and techniques involved in the recipes, Saveur The New Comfort Food is an unforgettable journey behind the scenes of our favorite heartwarming dishes. HPL patron:  This book was ok.  I would not buy it. HPL patron: Ok.  Pretty basic.  I wouldn't buy this cookbook.  Not really too much in New Recipes. …More

The Body in the Gazebo By Page, Katherine Hall 2011-04 - William Morrow & Company 9780061474262 Check Our Catalog From award-winning author Katherine Hall Page comes the next book in the Faith Fairchild mystery series, where the caterer and amateur sleuth must solve a case more than eighty years in the making. …More

Cross Fire By Patterson, James 2010-11 - Little Brown and Company 9780316036177 Check Our Catalog Detective Alex Cross's wedding plans are put on hold when he is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington, D.C.'s, most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked politicians. HPL patron:  Riveting, tense, exciting, and more! …More

The Postcard Killers By Patterson, James Author Marklund, Liza 2010-08 - Little Brown and Company 9780316089517 Check Our Catalog After his daughter and her boyfriend are murdered in Rome, NYPD detective Jacob Kanon heads to Europe where other young couples have been found dead in various cities. Little connects the murders, other than a postcard to the local newspaper that precedes each new victim. Now Kanon teams up with a Swedish reporter who has just received a postcard in Stockholm--and they think they know where the next victims will be. …More

The Revolution: A Manifesto By Paul, Ron 2008-04 - Grand Central Publishing 9780446537513 Check Our Catalog Moving from topic to topic at a quick pace, whittling everything down to its bare essentials, Paul tackles everything from the false choices in American politics to foreign policy as it was laid out by the founding fathers to economic freedom, abortion, civil liberties, and personal responsibility. …More

Deadly Intentions By Poarch, Candice 2011-05 - Dafina Books 9780758238030 Check Our Catalog In her final book in an exciting series about female cousins in search of the family's heirloom, national bestselling author Poarch raises the heat with a steamy thriller filled with intrigue and passion. Original. HPL patron: A good book. …More

A Manual of Ancient History: From the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Western Empire (1871) By Rawlinson, George 2008-08 - Kessinger Publishing 9781437016161 Check Our Catalog Comprising The History Of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Parthia, And Rome. …More

Treachery in Death By Robb, J. D. 2011-02 - G. P. Putnam's Sons 9780399157035 Check Our Catalog Detective Eve Dallas' partner, Peabody, overhears two fellow officers arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked--guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down--knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret. …More

Birthright By Roberts, Nora 2004-03 - Jove Books 9780515137118 Check Our Catalog When 5,000-year-old human bones are found at a construction site in the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Woodsboro, the news draws archaeologist Callie Dunbrook out of her sabbatical and into a whirlwind of adventure, danger, and romance. …More

Dead Heat By Rosenberg, Joel C. 2008-03 - Tyndale House Publishers 9781414311616 Check Our Catalog The stage is set for war. Oil prices are surging to record highs. A new dictator is rising in Iraq. China is threatening Taiwan. North Korean forces are ready to strike south. Israel is feverishly trying to complete the Third Temple. And in the midst of a world ready to explode, American president James MacPherson's second term is ending. The battle to succeed him is heating up into the most fiercely contested presidential election in American history. Who will lead a bitterly divided country over the next four years? And just what role-if any-does the U.S. play in history's last days? As the presidential campaign narrows into a dead heat, the Secret Service learns of a catastrophic terrorist plot to assassinate one of the candidates-but which one? Who do they want dead? And can U.S. forces stop the terrorists before millions lose their lives? From "New York Times" best-selling novelist Joel C. Rosenberg comes an explosive new political thriller released amid the drama of the 2008 presidential campaign . . . and God forbid it should ever come true. …More