Staff Reviews: Books, Films, Music, and More

Cándida Miniño, Outreach Librarian, recommends Death Note by Tsugumi Ōba.

A soul reaper (Shinigami in Japanese) bored with his immortal existence decides to drop his Death Note for a human to find. The Death Note is a notebook that reapers use to take the lives of the people whose names they write. 

The person who finds the book is Light Yagami—a genius high school student. Light tests the rules of the Death Note, one of which is: You must visualize the face of the name you’re writing.

Yagami decides to start killing local and international criminals.

Authorities realize all these deaths are a plot and a famous investigator that goes by “L” is called upon. A battle of wits ensues between two strategists: one trying to find the long-reach vigilante, the other trying to find out the face and name of his pursuer. 

The read turns into a psychological thriller, which brings up questions of ethics and morality. I really liked it!

All the manga (Japanese graphic novels) can be found at the Library shelved under GRAPHIC NOVEL FIC SHO. 

Find Death Note here.

Gold Mine Processing Associate, Brenda Cook, recommends Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand. 

The story unfolds and is derived from the journals authored by Louis Zamperini during his life as a legendary four-mile runner at the Berlin Olympics during World War II.  

In 1941, Zamperini enlisted as a lieutenant in the Army Air Force and became a bombardier. His aircraft is shot down over the Atlantic, during which he and a couple fellow troopers survive after spending 47 days adrift at sea. Sharks, weather, starvation, injuries, and madness were tough enough to fend off, but unbeknownst to them it was only the beginning of their nightmare. 

Zamperine’s strength, endurance, faith, and mental and physical control helped him survive. 

After finally landing on shore, Zamperini and the other survivors are captured by the Japanese and placed in a war camp. Zamperini journalizes the brutality and inhumane treatment he and many at the camp endured during the two-year tenure. He especially is treated worse than most because his captors, one especially known as “the Bird” who knew of his Olympian abilities and wanted to mock and break him mentally and physically. 

Though disturbing to hear of what some prisoners-of-war had to endure, the story’s importance needs to be conveyed to give an understanding of their sacrifices and also why so many suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Zamperine’s strength, endurance, faith, and mental and physical control helped him survive. 

This was a great book and I appreciate our service people all the more because of it. 

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook, and CD here.

Children’s Librarian Judy Zimmer recommends Rising Above Shepherdsville by Ann Schoenbohm.

This novel drew me in with the opening paragraph:

“There I was, Mama, standing in the tall grass right next to the Redeemer Baptist Church, the day after the Fourth of July, when I spied what I would have sworn on a heap of Bibles was an angel rising straight up to heaven. Enormous white wings spread and soared above me in a sunset so pink and gold, it promised miracles-even here in Shepherdsville, Ohio- a place badly in need of divine intervention.”

In 1977, twelve-year-old Dulcie Dixon is dumped at her aunt’s house by her stepfather after the untimely death of her Mama.

She arrives in Ohio with no voice, a spelling bee trophy, and her mother’s ashes.

This is a novel that has stuck with me, one that I would even read again. The last person I recommended it to remarked that it had brought her to tears.

I recommend it for upper middle school kids and adults alike.

Find it in Juvenile Fiction here.

Children’s Librarian, Ellen O’Dell, recommends The Blue Zones Kitchen by Dan Buettner.

The recipes in The Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook are the perfect remedy for those with wanderlust!

Be transported to island communities like Ikaria, Greece, or the tropical beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. This cookbook explores the typical recipes in the world’s “Blue Zones,” or places with an extraordinarily long life expectancy.

The author, Dan Buettner, spends quality time with families in each region, observing the people and their habits while carefully documenting the food that they eat.

Buettner says of Blue Zones, “These people don’t live longer because of supplements, pills, or hocus-pocus antiaging serums. They do so because their surroundings nudge them into the right behaviors.” In addition to eating whole foods and simple meals, Buettner notices that people often cook and enjoy their meals together.

Buettner credits the long life spans [in Blue Zones] to the diet and the strong sense of community.  

When cooking at home, I prioritize healthy meals that come together efficiently. A few recipes require a long prep time, but many take less than an hour. My new favorite dishes include Summer Pasta from Sardinia, Italy, and the Gallo Pinto from Costa Rica. I can prepare both of these dishes quickly on a weeknight, plus they make plenty of leftovers. Once the colder weather arrives, I look forward to revisiting this cookbook and making some Minestrone! These meals emphasize using whole foods, fresh produce, and herbs.

Many of these recipes are vegetarian – or even vegan! – and require minimal ingredients, making them simple and budget-friendly. While some cookbooks may call for spices or other items not commonly used in my kitchen, I already had most of the items for these recipes. If you check out The Blue Zones Kitchen, you can look forward to beautiful photography, interesting stories, and inspiration to try healthy new recipes.

Find The Blue Zones Kitchen in print here.

Diana Tellez-Muños recommends the Cabinet of Wonders in the new Wood River Museum of History and Culture

The Wood River Museum of History and Culture has been welcoming visitors for a delightful month, and the Cabinet of Wonders exhibit has undeniably left its mark, inspiring a sense of awe and curiosity among all who have ventured inside.  

The Cabinet of Wonders invites visitors to discover history by opening the doors and drawers of a fanciful cabinet that holds a great variety of regional history artifacts.  

Uncover the history held within, such as an interactive vintage washing machine, transporting you to an era where the simple act of laundering clothes becomes an avenue for newfound appreciation of today’s modern conveniences. Encounter a phonograph and let the melodies of the past transport you, offering a captivating auditory glimpse into bygone melodies. Appreciate the fashions of different eras and immerse yourself in the evolution of fashion and witness how each garment tells a unique story of the cultural and societal influences that shaped its creation. 

The Cabinet of Wonders serves as a time machine, transporting you through epochs of change and transformation, all while paying homage to the indomitable spirit of the people who have shaped this remarkable region. 

For young adventurers and budding historians, the exhibit’s interactive displays and kid-friendly installations offer an educational playground of discovery. 

 The Cabinet of Wonders never fails to instill a profound sense of wonder. Even after you’ve unraveled its treasures, the journey doesn’t reach its conclusion; instead, it beckons you to return. With each visit, the Cabinet unveils new treasures telling more of Central Idaho’s history.  

The Wood River Museum of History and Culture and its Cabinet of Wonders is a splendid haven for enriching family time while delving into the captivating history of Central Idaho. The interactive displays easily captivate young and old alike, while kindling an undeniable curiosity that lingers long after your visit. The Museum offers an immersive experience that seamlessly weaves education and entertainment, leaving an indelible mark that ignites an unquenchable thirst for further exploration. 

Director of Philanthropy, Carter Hedberg, recommends Paris: Secret Gardens, Hidden Places and Stories of the City of Light by Mary McAuliffe. 

Bonjour mes amis!  

I have been a Francophile since childhood. By the fifth grade, I had established a lasting relationship with my French pen pal; I studied a semester in Paris while in college; and have visited France as often as my budget and schedule allowed.

I love Paris and I adore this enchanting new travel book, Paris: Secret Gardens, Hidden Places and Stories of the City of Light by historian and author Mary McAuliffe.  

This is not your typical travel book. It doesn’t simply offer brief snippets describing the greatest hits of Paris, nor is it filled with lots of glossy color photographs. Instead, it is a thoughtful, well-written, and detailed book that invites the reader on a journey below the surface of the City of Lights …

…a journey of discovery that reveals little-known facts and stories about one of the most beloved cities in the world.  

Each chapter focuses on a different neighborhood or arrondissement of Paris and recommends a location to begin your exploration of that area. For example, the chapter, The Heart of Paris, McAuliffe has you descend the steep steps from the Pont Neuf bridge on the western tip of lle de la Cite´ to an oasis she treasures, the Square du Vert-Galant. She then continues to describe this tiny triangular park lushly and vividly, including the type of experience you are likely to encounter if you visit. She also provides the history of the area filled with fascinating anecdotes that bring it to life. Your journey progresses as you move to the next location on this historic island situated in the middle of the river Seine. And so, each lovely chapter goes on.  

McAuliffe also includes stunning black and white photos which evoke a since of nostalgia and romanticism and compliment her narrative and writing style. She concludes with this sentence, “And it is here that I will leave you, to enjoy the peace and beauty of this spot, and to continue your own explorations of the secret gardens, hidden places, and stories of Paris.” This is a book I wish I had had on my first visit to Paris and will definitely bring with me for my next.  

À la prochaine! 

Find Paris: Secret Gardens, Hidden Places and Stories of the City of Light in print here.