Reviews

Want to know what our librarians and staff are reading? Browse through a variety of reviews added to our catalog from a variety of genres.

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  • The rivals : Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova : their epic duels and extraordinary friendship by Howard, Johnette.
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    Tagged: Sports and Recreation

    As a life-long fan of Chris Evert, I was extremely pleased with this joint biography of her and Martina Navratilova. Alternating chapters between Chris and Martina. Well-done.

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  • The underneath by Appelt, Kathi, 1954-
    ★☆☆☆☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    Dreadful Newbery Honor Book. The cast of characters include an old dog, abandonned cats, a mean old man (a caricature of the epitome of evil), ghosts and spirits. Ick!

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  • Death on the Nile by Christie, Agatha, 1890-1976.
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    Tagged: Fiction

    [Review of paperback copy, not audiobook.] I usually prefer the Christie mysteries that have no detective, but this one featuring Poirot was excellent. While there were a lot of characters to keep track of, it added some fun flipping back and forth trying to figure out the clues. As Poirot zeroes in on the murderers, he and the reader are sad to discover that they are well-liked. The twist in the final pages send shivers up the spine!

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  • Sleep demons : an insomniac's memoir by Hayes, Bill, 1961-
    ★★★☆☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    In early 2010, there was a column in the NYTimes on insomnia. One of the authors had also written a book so I sought it out. It ends up that this is sort of a gay memoir by a guy who suffers from insomnia. As he is only a few years younger than I, I could relate to his memories of growing up and coming out. As I do most of my reading before falling asleep or at 3:00 a.m. when I have awakened with thoughts of work and cannot go back to sleep, it seemed apropos that I should be reading a book about insomnia! It drags a bit toward the end, but it was an interesting read.

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  • I curse the river of time by Petterson, Per, 1952-
    ★★★☆☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    Fairly quiet and meditative novel. I found the two main characters, Arvid and his mother to be a little bit inconsistent. Some of their words or actions were a little unexpected and disconcerting. I did not like this as well as his previous novel, Out Stealing Horses.

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  • Everything : a novel by Canty, Kevin.
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    In short, alternating chapters, we see the thoughts of the four main characters whose lives are interconnected. None of them are particularly likable or interesting, yet somehow you can relate to their disaffected lives and feelings. Two of them are middle-aged and two are younger. Coping with getting older (and still wondering "what's it all about?") and dealing with relationships (family ones and romantic ones) are two key themes. Staying true to the tone throughout, there are no real revelations at the end either, but it is an interesting and worthwhile read.

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  • By nightfall by Cunningham, Michael, 1952-
    ★★☆☆☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    Once an author has won a major award, in the case of Cunningham, the Pulitzer, one just expects more. The Hours was complex, unique and interesting. This latest novel, By Nightfall, seems trite, precious, and overly descriptive. Cunningham claims that he doesn't want to be referred to as a "gay writer". That's fine, but then, try to write something that doesn't sound exactly like it came from the mind of a gay man. The protagonist in this novel, Peter, seems gay right from the start, even though he is supposed to be straight. And what's up with his gay hairdresser? Do they really camp it up and tell their straight male clients all about their sex lives? I almost put this down midway through, but I stuck with it only to still be disappointed when it ended. If I had to use one word to describe this, I would say "tedious".

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  • The twin by Bakker, Gerbrand, 1962-
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Donald R on Jan 1, 2011

    Dublin Impac Literary Award winner in 2010. This is a very quiet novel that slowly draws the reader in. The title itself, "The Twin", while seemingly simple, is actually rife with meaning because you never see that word in the singular. What does it mean then? As you read, you yearn for the unspoken to be revealed: where is the other twin? Helmer, age 56, is the narrator who gradually shares what happened years ago to his identical twin brother Henk and how it has affected his life on a farm in the Netherlands in the late 1900s. Sprinkled with homoeroticism throughout, it is the story of a very solitary life.

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  • One crazy summer by Williams-Garcia, Rita.
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Rachel F on Dec 31, 2010

    Set in the summer of 1968, three young girls travel to Oakland, California to spend the summer with a mother they barely know. From day camp with Black Panthers to exploring new neighborhoods and cities Rita Williams-Garcia bring her characters to life with tenderness and humor.

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  • Fat vampire : a never coming of age story by Rex, Adam.
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Tara M on Dec 31, 2010

    Many vampire books of the YA genre have tried to take a stab (no pun intended) at the more humorous approach to the fangs, but this one takes the, uh, slurpee. Doug finds himself a vampire. He's not transformed into a glitter-ing heart throb of a creature. He's 15. He's chubby. He loves comic books. And he's gotten the attention of a Reality Show called "Vampire Hunters" who are out to reveal his true nature. How's a guy to get a date then??

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  • The red pyramid by Riordan, Rick.
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Tara M on Dec 31, 2010

    If you were a fan of the Percy Jackson series, just wait until you feast your eyes on Red Pyramid, Book #1 of the Kane Chronicles. Instead of Ancient Greece, we now start exploring the myths of Ancient Egypt, care of London and various other spots around the globe. Brother and sister pair, Carter and Sadie, get sucked into (literally) an adventure that has them fleeing for their lives from ancient Egyptian God Set and discovering their family's past in the process. This book is absolutely addictive and you'll be pounding on Rick Riordan's door for the second installment.

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  • Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by Ford, Jamie.
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Mary F on Dec 31, 2010

    A young Chinese boy and Japanese girl meet in Seattle at the onset of WWII. They join forces and become life-long friends. Mysteries unfold years later when the hotel is being renovated and the boy’s son finds remnants of his father’s past. Heartwarming and wonderful! Mary - Foundation

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  • Matterhorn : a novel of the Vietnam War by Marlantes, Karl.
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Mary F on Dec 31, 2010

    This novel is not about mountain climbing. If you feel the Viet Nam war defines your generation, this book will let you know what it was like to actually have been there. War novels are not my cup of tea but this story is exceptional because it’s about the marines - their camaraderie, foibles, fears, and suffering – written by a marine who experienced it all. Mary - Foundation

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  • Cables untangled : an exploration of cable knitting by Leapman, Melissa
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    I love texture knitting and I love this book. Covering every aspect of cable knitting this book even gives advice on how to avoid those annoying ladders knitters often get when switching from knit to purl during cabling. The projects are magnificent and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. If you haven't tried cables yet, this would be a great place to start. If you want to explore more in-depth cable knitting this is also the book for you.

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  • Big book of knitting stitch patterns. by Sterling Publishing Company. Fabbri editori.
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    If I had to choose only one stitch dictionary this would be the one. Clearly presented and logically organized the stitch patterns included here will inspire beginner and advanced knitters alike.

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  • The pattern companion. by Farkas, Cassia B
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    Not a glitzy, coffee table knitting book, this one, nevertheless, offers in depth information as well as inspiration for experienced knitters and solid advice for beginners who are ready to take the first steps up to the next level. Practicality and thoroughness make this book a favorite of mine.

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  • Fiber gathering : knit, crochet, spin and dye more than 25 projects inspired by America's festivals by Seiff, Joanne
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    If you've never been to a sheep and wool festival you are missing one of the most intense fiber experiences around. Philadelphia residents are fortunate enought to live near enough to make an easy day trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival held in Howard County, Maryland every year on the first weekend in May. Not sure a sheep and wool festival is for you? Check out this book and you will start counting the days. This lovely book captures the spirit of many of the best known festivals in the United States. If this book doesn't make you want to attend one, nothing can.

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  • The twisted sisters sock workbook by Vogel, Lynne
    ★★★★☆

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    In addition to a wonderful sock book, this book also goes beyond knitting to explore complimentary crafts such as dyeing and spinning. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and will offer inspiration for both beginning sock knitters and long time sock fanatics as well.

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  • Shawls and scarves by Thomas, Nancy J. Xenakis, Alexis
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    Even though my mother has tried to convince me that shawls are for grannies, I still love to knit them. And, hey, I am old enough to be a granny. So what? This book has so many beautiful shawls that it is hard to decide which one to knit next. My favorite is the circular shawl knit from doily patterns using increasingly larger needle sizes to create a shawl shaped to stay put on your shoulders. With the information presented, knitters can adapt doily patterns of their choice to create their own unique heirloom shawl.

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  • The natural knitter : how to choose, use, and knit natural fibers from alpaca to yak by Albright, Barbara
    ★★★★★

    Reviewed by Teresa G on Dec 30, 2010

    Next to the creative rewards of knitting, one of the most rewarding aspects of this craft is the beauty of the materials used to create handmade items. This book delves into the various fibers used in knitting and the characteristics of each. Unlike many other books which focus on the techniques of knitting, this book explores the materials found in yarn shops and festivals all across the country.

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