Library
We asked the Library staff to share some of the best books they read in 2011:
KIDS BOOKS:
Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss
Someone gave me a set of Dr. Seuss books this year to read with my grandson, and Green Eggs and Ham is our favorite.
- Darren, Shipping and Receiving
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
Because I believe in Christmas.
- Julia, Children's Librarian
Waking Beauty, by Leah Wilcox
My daughters are 4 and 6 years old, and they love this book. It's a comedic Sleeping Beauty story, and the pictures are funny.
- Chris, Shipping and Receiving
Octopus Soup, by Mercer Meyer
A very talkative picture book, with no words. I bought it for a high school age relative in Japan, to help practice English.
- Yoko, Magazine Desk
The Hidden Gallery (the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, book 2) by Maryrose Wood and illustrated by Jon Klassen; audiobook read by Katherine Kellgren
Loved this in audiobook - it sly, pithy, and full of wonderful howling noises and more.
- Rachel, Youth Services Collection Development Librarian
The Night Fairy, by Laura Amy Schlitz
My first pick for my 8-year old daughter's bookclub. A beautifully illustrated story, with a strong female character and good life lessons.
- Stacia, Reference Librarian
Body of Water, by Sarah Dooley
This is the story of a family forced to flee from their trailer home due to a fire. 12 year old Ember suddenly must act grown up, put on a "good face" and help her sister and her parents through difficult times - scrounging for food and the daily fee for the campsite. Includes side themes: wicca, arson, discrimination & loss.
- Desiree, Columbia Pike Children's Librarian
YOUNG ADULT AND TEEN BOOKS:
Jasper Jones, by Craig Silvey
On the surface this book is about a boy who gets dragged into a murder mystery by a local outcast kid - but it's about so much more as Charlie faces the racism his best friend endures, the crumbling of his parents' marriage, and a family's horrible secret.
- Michelle, Youth Services Collection Development Librarian
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
A thought provoking novel that makes you contemplate extreme potentialities and eventualities of human society.
- Lori, Cataloger
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
A bevy of "Miss Teen Dream" beauty queens falls from the sky. Onto a deserted (or is it?) tropical island. There is mystery, terror, irony, self-realization, pirates?very hot pirates, romance (see pirates), a pinch or so of politics, and hilarity. A bitterly funny satire with kick butt girl power.
- Pat, Youth Services Technology Librarian
Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor
I loved the way Daughter of Smoke and Bone draws you into its strange and different world, and makes the fantastical and unbelievable seem possible.
- Julia, Children's Librarian
NON-FICTION FOR ADULTS:
Making an Exit: From the Magnificent to the Macabre - How We Dignify the Dead, by Sarah Murray
It has a cool cover, and it turns out to be a really interesting look at how different cultures deal with this inevitable part of life.
- Lydia, Bibliographic Services Librarian
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
The book really made me think about the ethics of medical treatment and medical testing and how much these ethics have evolved over time.
- Anne, Head of the Materials Management Division of the Library
Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell
Makes you look at regular things from an economist's viewpoint, and shows you why certain success stories happen the way they do.
- Jeff, Library Technology
Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don't Have In Search of Happiness We Can't Buy, by James A. Roberts
An examination of consumerism, with historical context, and practical approaches to living within your means.
- Alexandra, Business Librarian
A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship and the Things That Really Matter, by William Deresiewicz
It turns out that Austen's books aren't just "good reads", but the source of several lessons about to live life happily. Some of them I already knew, but others I needed to learn.
- B, Reference Librarian
Brave Girl Eatingby Harriet Brown
A journalist's straightforward account of her family's struggle with anorexia. Reading her story changed how I parent my daughter, and opened my eyes to a disease I knew little about.
- Stacia, Reference Librarian
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe, by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
When everything in Afghanistan started to go backwards for women, this is the story of one woman who started and grew a successful business in order to take care of her family.
- Suchitra, Books by Mail Librarian
FICTION FOR ADULTS:
The Space Between Us, by Thrity Umrigar
I was fascinated by the insight this book gave me into Indian society. And it's extremely well written.
- Rae, Adult Collection Development
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Because it's important to always be prepared.
- Amiel, Interlibrary Loan
Contest by Matthew Reilly
Great escapist reading about a father and daughter saving the world from scary bad monsters. I loved that it's a bit of sci-fi, a bit of a mystery, and all adds up to a rockin' action thriller. But the real reason I picked it up? The "contest" is set in the New York Public Library - lots of fun for bibliophiles.
-S., Reference Librarian
Anything by James Lee Burke
I discovered Burke this year, and I've been reading everything he's written.
- Justin, Library Supply Manager
Buried Prey, by John Sanford
The series has been going for a while, so I really enjoy the supporting cast dynamics and the humor. Sanford also write good, believable villains.
- Ron, Reference Librarian
A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
This book has everything I love: vampires, history, a scholarly plot, eccentric aunts, and a house with magical attributes. And of course, witches.
- Jennifer, Reference Librarian
The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown
It's set in DC, so I liked learning about local history, the Free Masons and their symbolism.
- Chris, Shipping and Receiving
"Syoshin", meaning "Suttee", written by Jayakanthan and translated from Tamil into Japanese
This is a collection of short stories, and my favorite is "Dareno tameni naita noka (in Japanese)", meaning "For Whom Did He Cry/Wail?" I got the book from the Friend's Sale, and it will be added to our Japanese Collection (we'll add a link once it's cataloged).
- Yoko, Magazine Desk
Doc by Mary Doria Russell
I'm not a particular fan of westerns, but the streets of Dodge City, Kansas came alive for me in an absolutely fresh way in this engrossing novel about Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and the the Texas cattle trade in 1878. Seriously. Russell is a masterful researcher and excellent writer and I dare you to start this book and not want to just curl up and read til you finish--it's that good.
- Pat, Youth Services Technology Librarian
The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes
A unanimous two thumbs up from our couples book group. This elegantly spare, intense novella reveals the pitfalls of memory from the point of view of an aging Brit looking back on people and events of his youth.
- Margaret, Central Library Supervisor
The Help, by Katherine Stockett
An honest portrayal of what it was like to be "the help" during this era, with a full range of emotions experienced by the characters.
- Lenee', Reference and Book Clubs Librarian
Blackveil, by Kristin Britain
Book 4 of the Green Rider series, this is an excellent tale of magical adventure.
- Amiel, Library Technology
HUMOR:
The Devil's Dictionary, by Ambrose Bierce
One of the great and ALWAYS AVAILABLE downloads from Project Gutenberg--FREE through the Library's website. Aspiring writers like Dickens, Lincoln and James Joyce also give their stuff away on Project Gutenberg.
- Peter, Public Information Officer
The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson
A fascinating hoax perpetrated on leading neurologists around the world inadvertently leads into the world of those deemed mad and those who study and treat them. Armed with his newly-acquired psychopath-spotting skills, journalist Ronson heads into the corridors of power to test the hypothesis that many high level politicians and CEOs are clinical psychopaths. It's a fascinating and very fun ride from the author of The Men Who Stare at Goats.
- Pat, Youth Services Technology Librarian
- Video: We Read For Haiti
As of July 30, 6811 kids have signed up for summer reading, and to help send money to rebuild the Petit Goave Library in Haiti. Desiree, youth services librarian at the Columbia Pike Branch Library, wrote up the full story for IFLA's June...
- Give Great Books For All Ages
Want to give a gift they'll love for years? Try books! For Kids - Our children's librarians share their favorite books to give to kids on From Tots to Tweens - everything from picture books for the littlest readers, to chapter books for older...
- Old And New, Andy Berkbigler
Old and new. I am beginning my fourteenth year at Shorecrest, my twenty-first year teaching, and my first year as our school librarian. In a way, my life as a teacher began even before I was born since there has been at least one person in my family teaching...
- Inklings: Fall Reading Highlights
Welcome back, Scots!We are off and running with a great year ahead of us. Don?t you love September? Everyone?s energy is up; people are catching up with friends and teachers, new friends are forming connections, 9th graders are making new friends and...
- Reader Of The Week: Ms. Croffut
I love to read historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, satire, you name it. I love to read. Unfortunately, I cannot find enough time in a day to do all the reading I would like to, but summertime is just around the corner, and I will be...
Library
Our Favorite Books from 2011
We asked the Library staff to share some of the best books they read in 2011:
KIDS BOOKS:
Someone gave me a set of Dr. Seuss books this year to read with my grandson, and Green Eggs and Ham is our favorite.
- Darren, Shipping and Receiving
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
Because I believe in Christmas.
- Julia, Children's Librarian
Waking Beauty, by Leah Wilcox
My daughters are 4 and 6 years old, and they love this book. It's a comedic Sleeping Beauty story, and the pictures are funny.
- Chris, Shipping and Receiving
Octopus Soup, by Mercer Meyer
A very talkative picture book, with no words. I bought it for a high school age relative in Japan, to help practice English.
- Yoko, Magazine Desk
The Hidden Gallery (the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, book 2) by Maryrose Wood and illustrated by Jon Klassen; audiobook read by Katherine Kellgren
Loved this in audiobook - it sly, pithy, and full of wonderful howling noises and more.
- Rachel, Youth Services Collection Development Librarian
My first pick for my 8-year old daughter's bookclub. A beautifully illustrated story, with a strong female character and good life lessons.
- Stacia, Reference Librarian
Body of Water, by Sarah Dooley
This is the story of a family forced to flee from their trailer home due to a fire. 12 year old Ember suddenly must act grown up, put on a "good face" and help her sister and her parents through difficult times - scrounging for food and the daily fee for the campsite. Includes side themes: wicca, arson, discrimination & loss.
- Desiree, Columbia Pike Children's Librarian
YOUNG ADULT AND TEEN BOOKS:
On the surface this book is about a boy who gets dragged into a murder mystery by a local outcast kid - but it's about so much more as Charlie faces the racism his best friend endures, the crumbling of his parents' marriage, and a family's horrible secret.
- Michelle, Youth Services Collection Development Librarian
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
A thought provoking novel that makes you contemplate extreme potentialities and eventualities of human society.
- Lori, Cataloger
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
A bevy of "Miss Teen Dream" beauty queens falls from the sky. Onto a deserted (or is it?) tropical island. There is mystery, terror, irony, self-realization, pirates?very hot pirates, romance (see pirates), a pinch or so of politics, and hilarity. A bitterly funny satire with kick butt girl power.
- Pat, Youth Services Technology Librarian
Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor
I loved the way Daughter of Smoke and Bone draws you into its strange and different world, and makes the fantastical and unbelievable seem possible.
- Julia, Children's Librarian
NON-FICTION FOR ADULTS:
It has a cool cover, and it turns out to be a really interesting look at how different cultures deal with this inevitable part of life.
- Lydia, Bibliographic Services Librarian
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
The book really made me think about the ethics of medical treatment and medical testing and how much these ethics have evolved over time.
- Anne, Head of the Materials Management Division of the Library
Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell
Makes you look at regular things from an economist's viewpoint, and shows you why certain success stories happen the way they do.
- Jeff, Library Technology
Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don't Have In Search of Happiness We Can't Buy, by James A. Roberts
An examination of consumerism, with historical context, and practical approaches to living within your means.
- Alexandra, Business Librarian
It turns out that Austen's books aren't just "good reads", but the source of several lessons about to live life happily. Some of them I already knew, but others I needed to learn.
- B, Reference Librarian
Brave Girl Eatingby Harriet Brown
A journalist's straightforward account of her family's struggle with anorexia. Reading her story changed how I parent my daughter, and opened my eyes to a disease I knew little about.
- Stacia, Reference Librarian
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe, by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
When everything in Afghanistan started to go backwards for women, this is the story of one woman who started and grew a successful business in order to take care of her family.
- Suchitra, Books by Mail Librarian
FICTION FOR ADULTS:
I was fascinated by the insight this book gave me into Indian society. And it's extremely well written.
- Rae, Adult Collection Development
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Because it's important to always be prepared.
- Amiel, Interlibrary Loan
Contest by Matthew Reilly
Great escapist reading about a father and daughter saving the world from scary bad monsters. I loved that it's a bit of sci-fi, a bit of a mystery, and all adds up to a rockin' action thriller. But the real reason I picked it up? The "contest" is set in the New York Public Library - lots of fun for bibliophiles.
-S., Reference Librarian
Anything by James Lee Burke
I discovered Burke this year, and I've been reading everything he's written.
- Justin, Library Supply Manager
The series has been going for a while, so I really enjoy the supporting cast dynamics and the humor. Sanford also write good, believable villains.
- Ron, Reference Librarian
A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
This book has everything I love: vampires, history, a scholarly plot, eccentric aunts, and a house with magical attributes. And of course, witches.
- Jennifer, Reference Librarian
The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown
It's set in DC, so I liked learning about local history, the Free Masons and their symbolism.
- Chris, Shipping and Receiving
"Syoshin", meaning "Suttee", written by Jayakanthan and translated from Tamil into Japanese
This is a collection of short stories, and my favorite is "Dareno tameni naita noka (in Japanese)", meaning "For Whom Did He Cry/Wail?" I got the book from the Friend's Sale, and it will be added to our Japanese Collection (we'll add a link once it's cataloged).
- Yoko, Magazine Desk
I'm not a particular fan of westerns, but the streets of Dodge City, Kansas came alive for me in an absolutely fresh way in this engrossing novel about Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and the the Texas cattle trade in 1878. Seriously. Russell is a masterful researcher and excellent writer and I dare you to start this book and not want to just curl up and read til you finish--it's that good.
- Pat, Youth Services Technology Librarian
The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes
A unanimous two thumbs up from our couples book group. This elegantly spare, intense novella reveals the pitfalls of memory from the point of view of an aging Brit looking back on people and events of his youth.
- Margaret, Central Library Supervisor
The Help, by Katherine Stockett
An honest portrayal of what it was like to be "the help" during this era, with a full range of emotions experienced by the characters.
- Lenee', Reference and Book Clubs Librarian
Blackveil, by Kristin Britain
Book 4 of the Green Rider series, this is an excellent tale of magical adventure.
- Amiel, Library Technology
HUMOR:
One of the great and ALWAYS AVAILABLE downloads from Project Gutenberg--FREE through the Library's website. Aspiring writers like Dickens, Lincoln and James Joyce also give their stuff away on Project Gutenberg.
- Peter, Public Information Officer
The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson
A fascinating hoax perpetrated on leading neurologists around the world inadvertently leads into the world of those deemed mad and those who study and treat them. Armed with his newly-acquired psychopath-spotting skills, journalist Ronson heads into the corridors of power to test the hypothesis that many high level politicians and CEOs are clinical psychopaths. It's a fascinating and very fun ride from the author of The Men Who Stare at Goats.
- Pat, Youth Services Technology Librarian
- Video: We Read For Haiti
As of July 30, 6811 kids have signed up for summer reading, and to help send money to rebuild the Petit Goave Library in Haiti. Desiree, youth services librarian at the Columbia Pike Branch Library, wrote up the full story for IFLA's June...
- Give Great Books For All Ages
Want to give a gift they'll love for years? Try books! For Kids - Our children's librarians share their favorite books to give to kids on From Tots to Tweens - everything from picture books for the littlest readers, to chapter books for older...
- Old And New, Andy Berkbigler
Old and new. I am beginning my fourteenth year at Shorecrest, my twenty-first year teaching, and my first year as our school librarian. In a way, my life as a teacher began even before I was born since there has been at least one person in my family teaching...
- Inklings: Fall Reading Highlights
Welcome back, Scots!We are off and running with a great year ahead of us. Don?t you love September? Everyone?s energy is up; people are catching up with friends and teachers, new friends are forming connections, 9th graders are making new friends and...
- Reader Of The Week: Ms. Croffut
I love to read historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, satire, you name it. I love to read. Unfortunately, I cannot find enough time in a day to do all the reading I would like to, but summertime is just around the corner, and I will be...