Staff Reviews: Books, Films, Music, and More

Karen Little, Library Assistant and English Language Learning Instructor, recommends The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (available in English and Spanish). “What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole? “Kind,” said the boy. This is just one of many musings from a curious cadre of friends who are on a journey questioning life and what the future holds in the graphic novel, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The contemplative boy is one of four … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Kelly Noble, Gold Mine Processing Manager, recommends Assassin's Strike by Ward Larsen. I enjoy reading espionage thrillers, especially those that are written well and contain plausible plots. Ward Larsen is among the best writers in the genre. His David Slaton novels are exciting, adventurous, action packed and riveting. When reading thrillers of this type, I always examine the story for its authenticity. Are the countries real? Does the author understand the current geo-political climate of … [Read more...] about Book Review: Assassin’s Strike

Janet Ross-Heiner, Library Assistant and Engilsh Language Instructor recommends What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance by Carolyn Forché. Over the past six years I have cultivated relationships with many patrons who have a great passion for reading. I invite you now to read, What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance by Carolyn Forché. Her incantation with writing has a tone that is scorching and poetic. I felt spellbound when reading her work. … [Read more...] about Book Review: “What You Have Heard Is True”

Will Duke, Information Systems Manager, recommends Razzmatazz by Christopher Moore. Sammy “Two-Toes” Tiffin is back in the sequel to Christopher Moore’s sequel Noir.  Now, if you haven’t read Noir, go do that right now.  I’ll wait.  Okay, good book, right?  Well, you’re in for more of the same in Razzmatazz.  Eddie’s back trying to start a driving school with his girlfriend, while his crazy uncle is trying to save his opium den business while hiding … [Read more...] about Book Review: Razzmatazz

Aly Wepplo, Media and Digital Librarian, recommends Der Hund Von Baskerville (The Hound of the Baskervilles), a silent film directed by Richard Oswald. I’m thrilled to be a part of The Liberty Theatre Company’s upcoming play, The Hound of the Baskervilles. It’s a modern adaptation of the classic Sherlock Holmes mystery, and it’s brought to life by just three actors – playing almost 20 parts. The story is a classic of English literature. In it, Holmes and Watson investigate the legend of a … [Read more...] about Film Review: Hound of the Baskervilles

Pam Parker, Circulation Manager, recommends The Candy House by Jennifer Egan.  The Candy House (2022): Highly recommended for those that like to wax philosophic and unravel complex plots as they read.  Be prepared for a dose of gritty reality.  Jennifer Egan’s newest work of fiction, The Candy House, is unusual.   Published as a novel, it reads more like a series of related short stories. A number of the characters appear in several stories but at different periods … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Candy House