Lisa recommends "Yummy Yellow"

One of my current favorite children’s authors also writes awesome kids’ music.  If you have ever read the Pete the Cat books by Eric Litwin (aka Mr. Eric), then you will want to check out his musical side in cds by The Learning Groove, including Yummy Yellow.  Many of their songs are based on classical music themes with fun words and actions.  Kids, especially the PreK set, will have a lot of fun stomping like monsters, tickling their parents, and learning the (super silly) tango.  Parents will be able to enjoy this music too.

If you like Yummy Yellow, you will also want to check out Groovy Green, Bouncy Blue, Outrageous Orange, and Rockin’ Red!

Sarah Recommends "An Invisible Thread"

An Invisible Thread
I picked up this book after hearing the author speak at the Michigan Library Association conference last month.  It is the true story of a woman who befriended a nearly homeless boy in Manhattan in the 1980s and their life-long relationship.  The book is poignant and heartwarming without crossing the line into cheesy (much). 

Recommended for Adults and Teens.

Anne recommends "The Language of Flowers"

The Language of Flowers

After a tragic childhood in foster care, 18 year-old Victoria finds herself trying to survive on her own on the San Francisco streets.  Her extensive knowledge of flowers pulls her to a florist’s shop where she can begin a new life but eventually must confront her past.  Readers will get wrapped into Victoria’s highs and lows as well as learn about the subtle meanings behind the flowers that Victoria uses to communicate with others.

Recommended for Adult and Young Adult Readers

Marilena recommends "The fiddler on Pantico Run : an African Warrior, his White descendants, a search for family"

This book reads like a historical novel including poetic descriptions, mystery and colonial intrigue.  Half way through, the reader might think the protagonist/author has gone as far as he can in his search, but turn the page and a new adventure begins.  For adults, especially those who enjoy genealogical research and early American history.

Kate recommends "Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore"

Though it revolves around the hero attempting to solve the mysteries of a 500-year-old code, Robin Sloan's Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore is a fun and illuminating look at the 21st century, the digitization the world around us, and what our future may hold. Like so many recently, designer Clay Jannon loses his job to the recession. He then finds himself working the midnight shift in a dusty bookstore in San Francisco. Strangely, this store barely sells any books, and instead loans out ancient manuscripts to eccentric borrowers at all hours of the night. Realizing something strange is afoot, Clay sets out to get to the bottom of things, using a dizzying combination of software, apps, and networking that scholars of the past could not. This delightful novel combines mystery, science fiction, and even romance to take us on an unforgettable journey through the past - by way of the future.

Recommended for Adults and Young Adults

Kathy recommends "State of Wonder"

State of Wonder, by best-selling author Ann Patchett, is my favorite book this year. Marina Singh, a medical researcher, is sent to the Amazon to find the secret location of Professor Swenson, hired by her company, to work on development of a miracle fertility drug. This mission is prompted by the sudden death of Marina’s friend and colleague Anders Eckman, who has died mysteriously while attempting to find the professor.

The vivid descriptions of the Lakashi people, who are able to bear children well into old age, and the truly magical yet oppressive atmosphere of the jungle are riveting. As the story unfolds, Marina is torn between a number of moral and ethical dilemmas. The bittersweet ending provides much food for thought, and is a great choice for book discussion groups.

Suitable for Adults

Marilena recommends "Lafayette: the lost hero"

Lafayette [videorecording-DVD] : the lost hero.: No one in recorded history has suffered a fate quite like Gilbert de Lafayette. Once he was the most famous man in the world; today few people know who he was or what he accomplished. It is time to re-evaluate his crucial role in the establishment of America's democracy.

I found this piece of American History absolutely fascinating!

Kara Recommends "The Lions of Little Rock"

Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958

Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear - speaking, which Marlee never does outside her family.

But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn't matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.  –from Amazon

The Lions of Little Rock is for children ages 8-12

Kara recommends "The Happiness Project"

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.- from Amazon

This book made me happier just reading it and I’m looking forward to reading Rubin’s latest book, “Happier at Home”!

This book is for adults.

Kara recommends "The One and Only Ivan"

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.- from Amazon

The One and Only Ivan is a great read for kids ages 8-12

Kara recommends "Wonder"

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.- from Amazon

This book is great for all ages, but especially for kids 8-13.

Lisa recommends "Pete the Cat Saves Christmas"

If you haven’t picked up a Pete the Cat picture book (look under E Litwin in the children’s room), you are definitely missing out.  Pete is a very cool cat who teaches kids colors (Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes) and numbers (Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons).  He has eased back-to-school worries (Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes).  In his newest edition, Pete celebrates the meaning of Christmas.  When Santa can’t deliver presents to all of the boys and girls, Pete hitches his minibus up to the reindeer and helps Santa out.  For added fun, you can visit http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/feature/petethecat/ and listen to Eric Litwin sing.  Very cool!

Recommended for ages 2-8 (or “older” kids who love a great picture book character).

Beth recommends "Alys, Always"

Frances Thorpe comes upon a car crash and hears the dying words of the driver.  What she does with this knowledge afterwards propels this story of a bereaved, privileged family and a manipulative, ambitious woman determined to rise within the classes of British society.  This is Harriet Lane’s first novel and she creates an atmosphere of creepy suspense, treating the reader to twists and turns as we watch Frances meticulously scheme and plot right up to the end – which may or may not surprise you.

Recommended for adults and older teens.

Annie recommends "I can't spell Caribbean" by Living Soul & the Pearl Divers

If you just can’t bear to let go of summer, check out this CD by local Michigan musician Don Middlebrook.  He’s the lead singer/songwriter for Living Soul & the Pearl Divers.  His music is a must for Parrot Heads looking for another Jimmy Buffett fix.  This island music CD is sure to brighten everyone’s day. 

Therese Recommends "A Knight in Shining Armor"

This is one of those books I can read again and again and have done so again this past weekend.  It is a romance, with a bit of time travel and a lot of adventure.  Through a series of unforeseen circumstances, Dougless Montgomery found herself abandoned in England with no money and no passport. She knew that what she needed was a Knight in Shining Armor--only she hadn't counted on Lord Nicholas Stafford appearing. Together they learn of each other’s worlds and along the way they discover a love that transcends time.  The time travel is not so much whereas the reader gets confused, merely amused.  If you like romance, I think you’ll enjoy this love story by Jude Deveraux.  One of her best!

For Young Adult or Adult

Gretchen recommends "Money Rules"

Jean Chatzky’s latest book Money Rules: The Simple Path to Lifelong Security is a quick primer on money management filled with concrete advice like how much to save for retirement as well as philosophical adages about managing your financial life. Organized in one page “rules,” it’s a quick and easy read that in these tough economic times provides some reassurance that financial stability is possible.  Suitable for adults.

Tracy recommends "Face Book"

Chuck Close is famous for his portraits of faces, but he has a disability called prosopagnosia which means face blindness.  He can’t recall who people are when he sees their faces.  He has dyslexia, so he was not a good reader or good at math.  So how does he paint faces?  This book talks about his process for art.  In the middle there is a section of flip pages that go through his self-portraits in different mediums.  It is a fascinating book.  I would recommend it for anyone interested in art, people overcoming a disability or interested in Chuck Close’s life.

Therese recommends "Dewey: the small-town library cat that touched the world"

This book is a fast read for both young adult and adult. This feline will touch your heart strings as he “grows up” in the Iowa library and makes many friends.  If you love cats and love libraries, this is the book for you.

For young adult/adult reading

Juliane recommends "Let's Pretend this Never Happened"

This was a hilarious memoir from the popular and prolific Jenny Lawson (a.k.a. The Bloggess).  I highly recommend listening to it on audiobook since I think listening to an author read their own work (especially a memoir) makes it ten times funnier.  Side note:  her voice is a little gravelly at first but work past it, it is worth it!  Her anecdotes start with her terribly bizarre upbringing as the daughter of a self-made taxidermist.  For example, she relays how, when walking to school from her family’s farm in rural Texas, she desperately tried to shrug off a brood of turkeys that slowly started to follow her to school one day only to find out that the turkeys made their way *into* the school and chaos ensued.  The book weaves some touching memoirs together with laugh-out-loud moments.  Amidst all her crazy capers, she also reveals much about her tender psyche growing up poor, marrying well, bouts with infertility and anxiety disorders.  This was a great read – and (again, special plug for the audiobook) the sound engineer seemingly lets her riff for about 15 minutes at the end of the last disc for some delightful “outtakes.”  A great read if you enjoy other memoirs like, “Are you There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea” or anything by David Sedaris.

Therese recommends "Wife 22"

Wife 22 is a funny and touching novel.

For adult reading

Marlene recommends "Glamorous Illusions"

Glamorous Illusions by Lisa Tawn Bergren is the first book in the Grand Tour series that follows the life of Cora Kensington as she travels Europe in a time when wealthy families often sent their children on grand tours of Europe.  Cora’s life changes when she discovers she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king.  This is a great read and I can’t wait for the next book.  If you’re looking for a good series to jump into, I’d recommend Glamorous Illusions.  

Kate recommends "Beautiful Ruins"

Jess Walter’s Beautiful Ruins tells the interwoven stories of many realistic characters across several decades and continents.  First we're introduced to Pasquale, the young and hopeful proprietor of a run-down hotel in a sleepy Italian fishing village.  From there we meet Dee, the beautiful American actress who arrives in the village on a boat, like his dream come true, fresh from the set of the 1963 film Cleopatra.  The stories of these characters spin off into those of their friends, relatives, and foes, exploring the reasons and consequences for the choices they make.  Each chapter has a unique narration to reveal more about the characters' paths in life, sometimes even an unconventional one like a screenplay excerpt or a fictitious manuscript chapter.  When aged Pasquale show up to a Hollywood production company in the present day to try to track Dee down through past acquaintances, we get to ride along with the people and events that led them to where they are today. The cast of characters defining their lives for the past 50 years makes this novel difficult to put down.

Recommended for Young Adults and Adults

Jamie recommends "The Happiness Project"

There are a variety of books out there that follow an author's journey to another country or a exploration of a new way of living.  The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is one of those books, but it also has a level of inspiration to it that I wasn't expecting. It's a practical guide to how the author planned to be become happier.  It has the usual anecdotes about focusing on love, asking for help and expressing gratitude, but the thing that was great about this book was that it made me want to clean!  The chapters are laid out like lists and organization was the focus of one chapter.  She so perfectly described how being organized made her feel that I had to go home and clean out some cupboards, a great feat indeed.  She describes how you can put together your own happiness project, but mostly it was just a nice, quick read to remind you of why you're happy and how the little things in life can help you become even more so.

Tracy recommends "Citizen Scientists"

Have you ever wanted to be a scientist?  This book describes four accessible projects that children and adults can do.  It covers a project a season, and gives an extensive bibliography and websites in the back.

Carrie recommends "I Am The Messenger" by Markus Zusak

This is one of Zusak's better books. It is appropriate for any mature teen reader. There is mild language use but it does not distract from the message of the story. The story follows Ed Kennedy around; set in modern-day Australia. The story is easy to follow and interesting enough to make it a page-turner. The unique concept behind the story of sending messages to people Ed does not know makes the book even more interesting! I personally enjoyed the character relationships. By having the characters interact in different ways the story was more relatable and believable. None of the characters were flat making them seem like real people enabling the reader to get lost in the story. I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars :)

Carrie Recommends "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones is a page turning mystery with a unique character perspective. The Lovely Bones follows the rape, murder, and investigation around a young girl Susie Salmon. Set in the 1970's this book is hard to put down. There is some graphic images portrayed involving the crimes around Susie. The perspective the story is told in makes it easy to read and unique enough to make the reader want to continue reading.

Juliane recommends "Happens Every Day"

A librarian at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library recommended this to me, and at first I thought – when am I going to be in the mood to read a book about a young mother getting a divorce?  Since I have a 30 minute commute to work each way I decided to listen to it on audiobook (I love when an author reads their own book for the audio version, especially when it is a memoir like this, written in first-person).  Something about the author’s vivid descriptions and deep introspection pulled me in.  Her lilting voice spun a tale of the joys of young motherhood, the adventure of moving to a new city to follow her husband’s academic career, and personal memories of her beloved, albeit enigmatic, husband.  It’s WASP-y in all the right ways – intellectual academic-types, well-bred families, summers in Maine.  The first half plays out like a Pinterest board come to life – the author is moving her family of two young boys and pets to Oberlin, OH where her husband will teach poetry.  The town is funky and fresh.  They make quick friends with the locals, eat at wonderful cafes, drink tea, and she volunteers at a local farmer’s market.  Together they restore an old 19^th century home they lovingly call “Bricky.”  They make fast friends with a new female professor and quickly things change.  Rather suddenly the husband decides he wants out.  The author does a good job of foreshadowing the fact her husband chose to leave her from the beginning of the memoir, but even when it unfolds, I felt undone, unprepared, and raw.  The second and third half of the book put the reader squarely in the author’s shoes as she wrestles with “what’s happening…?” (she repeats this many times as she tries to get her bearings).  The author recounts her attempts to repair and save the marriage, but in the end accepts the fact her husband has fallen out of love with her and their life and there is nothing she can do to change him.  The author never comes across as whiny or meek, but rather very self-introspective and courageous to share her inner-most thoughts. I recommend this work to anyone who can get sucked into reality show marathons or who enjoyed, “Eat, Pray, Love” or “500 Days of Summer” these works share similar themes of personal loss and recovery.

Recommended audience:  adult

Gretchen recommends" Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs"

Heather Lende has been called “part Annie Dillard, part Anne Lamott.”  This memoir, her second book, chronicles family, friendships, and faith in small-town Alaska as the subtitle explains.  Lende’s plain-spoken narrative reflects on her nearly fatal bicycle collision and her subsequent recovery, cheered on by the whole community in Haines, Alaska where she lives.   At midlife, she writes unflinchingly about the deep sadness of losing those close to you and the simple joys of living each day with her family and neighbors in the tiny Alaskan town reached only by plane or boat.  Her vivid writing brings the reader to idyllic Haines and its fascinating residents, but her observations on the human condition are universal, wherever you live.  This memoir is suitable for adults.

Jamie recommends the Sookie Stackhouse series

Are you looking for a little light reading this summer?  The Sookie Stackhouse series of books by Charlaine Harris might be the ones for you!  These novels revolve around telepath Sookie Stackhouse and her adventures (or misadventures) with the local vampires, werewolves and fairies in her hometown of Bon Temps, Louisiana.  Each book has a central mystery that is solved by the end.  These supernatural mysteries are quick, guilty pleasure reading for the long, hot summer. Start now and you'll be caught up in time for the release of the final novel in the series next year.  Better yet, once you've finished the books you can check out the True Blood DVDs and see how the novels were adapted for television.

Recommended for adults.

Beth recommends "Alpha"

Planning on visiting an amusement park this summer?  May I suggest:  Wilsonville, marvelously brought to life in Greg Rucka’s thriller Alpha.  Along with exciting rides and fantasy lands and adorable characters in costume you will also find a sleeper agent from a terrorist organization, a former Special Ops soldier planted undercover because intelligence predicts an attack, supporting casts on both sides, and a visiting class of deaf students.  Just to heighten the tension – one of those deaf teens is the daughter of the soldier.  The plot is as adrenaline-pumping, pulse-pounding as any roller coaster, and the characters are people you can care about.  I highly recommend Alpha to fans of Lee Child.  And if you jump off this ride ready for another, consider an older title by Lincoln Child (of the Preston-Child writing team)– Utopia – another theme park under threat, packed with thrills and chills.  Summer reading for me doesn’t get much better than this. 

Recommended for adults and teens.

Jamie recommends "The Hunger Games" series

Surely by now you've heard about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  The first book, printed in 2008, has been a favorite in the young adult world for years, but it was never something I felt compelled to read.  The story of a futuristic society in which each of the 12 districts of North America sends a boy and girl into a gladiator dome of survival wasn't something I thought I would enjoy...until I decided to read it.  The Hunger Games and it's sequels is the story of a Big Brother government bent on dominating its citizens not only for survival, but also entertainment.  Katniss, the 16-year-old heroine of the books, is a resourceful survivor and you can't help but root for her to get everything she wants in life, even if she isn't sure what she wants should she survive the games.  Peeta, the other tribute from District 12, is someone you also want to root for and sure enough you find yourself pitted in the struggle with them against the government of Panem.

At their core these books about war and the toll it takes on individuals and society as a whole.  They are a quick read simply because you find yourself compelled to get to the end to find out what happens to these characters.  Although the main characters are teenagers, these books are also great, easy reads for adults who are so inclined.  If you decide to jump into the Hunger Games series just prepare yourself for a haunting journey with these characters. As a bonus, the movie was great and a very close adaptation to the book.

Phoebe "Witches of East End"

Phoebe recommends Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

Known for her very popular teen chick lit/paranormal romance series “Blue Bloods”, Witches is the author’s first ‘adult’ novel.  This book has created a somewhat original mythology combining witches practicing white magic with those wonderful tales from Norse creation myth including their own gods, spirits and creatures (whom you really rarely read of in popular fiction.)  The novel is set in a misty half-forgotten town on Long Island where everyone else is ‘normal,” yet the Beauchamp women seem to have lived there forever.  The second part of the Beauchamp Witches series is due out in June 2012 and I have already done a saved search for when it arrives.  What fun!

Recommended for adults and teens.

Matt recommends "Cave of Forgotten Dreams"

In December 1994, three scientists happened upon a cave in southern France that had been sealed by a rock slide tens of thousands of years earlier. Further exploration yielded an astonishing discovery: the oldest known cave paintings in the world, magnificently preserved in the sealed environment, and dating back some 30,000 years.

The cave was immediately shut off from visitors by the French government in order to preserve the integrity of the site, which also contains a multitude of animal bones (including the skulls of extinct cave bears). Entrance is currently reserved for a select few anthropologists, art historians, archaeologists, and, for a few days anyway, a documentary film crew.

Legendary German filmmaker Werner Herzog was granted unprecedented access to Chauvet Cave a few years ago to make Cave of Forgotten Dreams, a wondrous film that allows us, too, to have an up-close view of the astonishing paintings of bears, lions, horses, mammoths, rhinos, and even the hand prints of some of the Stone Age artists. (The scientists can trace the movement of one individual artist through the cave because of his irregularly-shaped pinkie finger.)

Herzog himself is more of an artist than a strict documentarian. While there’s a good deal of information in the film, it’s most valuable as an opportunity to just see the paintings (the camera lingers on them for minutes at a time), to experience the mystery of their origins, and to ruminate on the connections between those ancient people, who made some of the earliest art we know, and ourselves.

Colette recommends "Cell 8"

Colette recommends CELL 8 by Anders Roslund & Bőrge Hellstrőm

I was expecting another excellent and original Scandinavian thriller, instead I found a novel of tough political themes.  CELL 8 is an originally plotted novel where the investigation jumps in time and location (Sweden/Ohio, USA).  The issue focuses on the most controversial subject in the modern criminal justice system:  the death penalty.  A 17 year old is placed on death row in Ohio for the murder of his younger girlfriend…years later a musical entertainer on a Swedish cruise boat is arrested for assault.  CELL 8 is difficult to put down and challenges you to think about concepts of revenge, public justice, private retribution, hate, clandestine politics and the application of state sponsored execution.

Highly recommended for adults.

Colette recommends "I Married You for Happiness" by Lily Tuck

I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck

Based upon what could really be a depressing premise:  sitting by your husband’s bedside where he has unexpectedly died after arriving home from work and going up to rest.  Nina sits vigil through the night and remembers snippets and memories of a long-term marriage:  the joys, deceptions, intimacies and trust that make up the life they shared.  “A rare and elegant affirmation of the transcendence of love.” 

Lily Tuck is a National Book Award winner known for her spare and lean writing. It is a tender look that draws you into someone else’s life from which you emerge feeling surprisingly hopeful and content.  It is not romance ‘genre’, nor is it corny or maudlin; it is literary fiction of a lovely sentiment.  Exceptional.

Recommend for adults.

Jeanne recommends "Farishta"

Farishta is the story of an American diplomat stationed in northern Afghanistan.  For the last twenty years or so, Angela Morgan found herself struggling to move beyond personal tragedy.  In 1983, Angela’s husband was killed and she lost her baby in the Beirut embassy bombing.  She accepts the posting in Afghanistan to hopefully resurrect her career.  The only woman at her post, Angela is at odds with other officers and cultural attitudes toward women in Afghanistan.  The book provides fascinating insight into Afghanistan and the men and women who are called into public service in foreign lands and sometimes hostile environments.  The novel was the debut-winner of the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Grace recommends "Desserts from the famous Loveless Cafe: simple Southern pies, puddings, cakes, and cobblers from Nashville's landmark restaurant"

Now that the new year is well under way and most of our resolutions have fallen by the wayside, here’s a tempting array of delicious Southern treats from a Nashville favorite.  Renowned for its down home charm, the Loveless Cafe in Nashville,Tennessee, is the domain of pastry chef Alisa Hunstman whose Blackberry Jam Cake, Bourbon Peach Shortcake, and Blueberry Skillet Cobbler are just a sample of the more than 100 luscious recipes in this delightful cookbook.  Fun and easy to make with full color photos.

Recommended for adults and young adults.