Book List

Romance Author Jill Shalvis Talks “Alpha Males”

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Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Jill Shalvis is the award winning author of over four dozen romance novels, including her sexy contemporary and award winning Lucky Harbor series.  Forever and a Day was one of Amazon’s Top Romances for 2012). She won a Rita for Simply Irresistible and is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner as well.  She also has one of the best author websites that includes her wonderfully entertaining and hilarious blog.  She posts everyday and it is well worth your time to check it out.

On October 16th, Ms. Shalvis was a guest contributor to the Huffington Post’s Book section with her list of her favorite “alpha males” in fiction.  Of course her number one alpha male is her husband, but her list includes some good picks.  How many do you agree with!

1.  Roarke – From JD Robb’s In Death series

2.  Jamie – Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

3.  Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

4.  Hawk from Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

5.  Wrath from Dark Lover by JR Ward

6.  Wolf from Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard

7.  Piers Yelverton from When Beauty Tamed The Beast by Eloisa James

8.  Archangel Raphael from Nalini Singh’s “Angel” series

9.  Nick Allegrezza from Truly Madly Yours by Rachel GIbson

10.  Ranger from Janet Evanovich’s “Stephanie Plum” series.

Favorite Picturebooks About Libraries and Librarians

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Is there any wonder that those of us that love libraries also love books about librarians and libraries? There are a number of wonderful picturebooks that can show children to true magic of a library, how to unlock its joys, and how  to behave there. These books can remind adults and introduce young children to the many reasons why our libraries, regardless of the form they take, are such special places.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies.
Bored with another normal, inky evening, bats discover an open library window and fly in to enjoy the photocopier, water fountain, and especially the books and stories found there.

The Library Pages by Carlene Morton, illustrations by Valeria Docampo.
Mrs. Heath is horrified when she sees the changes the students have made while she is on maternity leave and wonders if her wonderful library will ever be the same.

Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk.
Sam, a shy but creative mouse who lives in a library, decides to write and illustrate his own stories which he places on the shelves with the other library books but when children find the tales, they all want to meet the author. If you find this book particularly fun, there are a series of books that chronicle Sam’s library adventures.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq by Jeanette Winter.
In spite of looming war, librarian Alia Muhammed Baker was able to save the books from the library of Basra by moving them to safety. Simple forms and deep colors in a naïve style evoke the war without being explicit. The bravery and action of one person celebrates both everyday heroism and books as a unifying force.

Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Raúl Colón.
While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomás finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library.

If those are already favorites in your house, or they are all currently checked out, then here are some more books to help keep you turning pages; No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou written by Rhonda Gowler Greene, That Book Woman written by Heather Henson, Library Lion written by Michelle Knudsen, Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, Stella Louella’s Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst. and There’s a Dragon in the Library by Dianne de Las Casas. Did I leave out a great picturebook about libraries or librarians?

5 Erotic Romance Novels Better Than Fifty Shades of Grey

/ Linda / 1 Comment

While you’re waiting for the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey to come out, here are a few highly recommended erotic titles to keep you entertained.

Bared to You by Sylvia Day – This is book one of a trilogy that focuses on the complicated relationship between Eva and Gideon who were both abused and are looking to find true love.

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice (under pseudonym A.N. Roquelaure) retells the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty with an erotic twist.

Sweet Addiction by Maya Banks – The story of two lovers who seem to be living the ultimate love story, but end up separating and then meeting years later.

Sexual Life of Catherine M. by Catherine Millet – A memoir translated from French detailing Catherine’s vigorous sex life.

House of Holes by Nicholson Baker.  A story about the exploits of an adult resort that specializes in sexual fantasies.

USA Today Picks This Fall’s Coolest Books

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USA TODAY’s Jocelyn McClurg and Bob Minzesheimer share their picks for 30 of the coolest titles for fall.

September Releases:

  1. Never Go Back by Lee Child
  2. W Is for Wasted by Sue Grafton
  3. Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford
  4. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
  5. Wilson by A. Scott Berg
  6. Who Asked You? by Terry McMillan
  7. Simple Dreams by Linda Ronstadt
  8. Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon
  9. Local Souls by Allan Gurganus
  10. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
  11. Killing Jesus: A History by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
  12. The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

October Releases:

  1. The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
  2. One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
  3. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
  4. Camelot’s Court: Inside the Kennedy White House by Robert Dallek
  5. The House of Hades: Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
  6. Solo: A James Bond Novel by William Boyd
  7. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding
  8. Identical by Scott Turow
  9. We Are Water by Wally Lamb
  10. Sycamore Row by John Grisham
  11. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
  12. The Most of Nora Ephron by Nora Ephron
  13. The Death of Santini by Pat Conroy

November Releases:

  1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
  2. Double Down: Game Change 2012 by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann
  3. The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
  4. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
  5. The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin

On Our Shelves: New Children’s Fiction

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Looking for some newly released fiction to peruse? Here are some of the newest additions to our children’s fiction collection that just might catch your fancy.

Zero tolerance by Claudia Mills
Seventh-grade honor student Sierra Shepard faces expulsion after accidentally bringing a paring knife to school, violating the school’s zero-tolerance policy.

The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp by Kathi Appelt
Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn, ancient Sugar Man, and his raccoon-brother Swamp Scouts Bingo and J’miah try to save Bayou Tourterelle from feral pigs Clydine and Buzzie, greedy Sunny Boy Beaucoup, and world-class alligator wrestler and would-be land developer Jaeger Stitch.

Mister Max: the Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt
When Max’s parents leave the country without him, he must rely on his wits to get by, and before long he is running his own–rather unusual–business.

The Truth of Me: About a Boy, His Grandmother, and a Very Good Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
Robbie and his dog, Ellie, spend the summer at his grandmother Maddy’s house, where Robbie learns many things about his emotionally distant parents and himself.

Salt: a Story of Friendship in a Time of War by Helen Frost
Twelve-year-olds Anikwa, of the Miami village of Kekionga, and James, of the trading post outside Fort Wayne, find their friendship threatened by the rising fear and tension brought by the War of 1812.

Still want more? Well here are a few more to help fill your library bag; Zombie Baseball Beatdown by Paolo Bacigalupi, Ghoulfriends Just Want to Have Fun by Gitty Daneshvari, My Homework Ate My Homework by Patrick Jennings, Gone Fishing: a Novel in Verse by Tamera Will Wissingerl, The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos, and Write This Book: a Do-it-Yourself Mystery by Pseudonymous Bosch.