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Staff Picks
The Woman who waited
" An absolutely beautifully written, almost lyrical account of an unlikely, slow blossoming love affair. Set in a post - WWII small Russian Village, a young journalist falls for an older woman, who has been waiting for her fiance to return from the war for 30 years. Makine weaves a beautiful tale of love and loss, and tells it from the eyes of a somewhat arrogant 26 year old, who spends most of his time in Mirnoe, the small village, pining for a woman who is seemingly untouchable. At the end though, the book teaches us a valuable lesson in being careful what we wish for, and ends in heartbreaking simplicity."
- Melodie
Love, Water, Memory
Love, Water, Memory is the fourth novel from PNW author Jennie Shortridge that I have had the pleasure of reading. Her latest book is part psychological mystery and part love story. What would it be like to wake up in California - far from where you live in Washington, with no memory of anything? This is where Lucie Walkers story begins. With help from Fiance Grady, memories slowly return and Lucie is forced to deal with deep, dark emotions that have been repressed for years. Will Lucie have the courage to become a more compassionate and loving person, or will her fears compel her to remain unchanged?
Leaving Everything Most Loved
On Maisie's 10th outing, we see her yearning for a major life change. She wnats to follow in her Mentor, Maurie's, footsteps and travel abroad. but first, Maisie must work through the murders of two Indian women and with clues running in different diections, that will take some time. Maisie must also tie up loose ends with those she loves and cares for before embarking on her voyage to Indian. There will undoubtedly be some big suprise in store for we readers when we next see Maisie.
- Kathy
Splendors and Gloosms
What an aptly titled book - darkly mysterious, yet shot through with splendor and joy of humanity ad love. Three very different yet ordinary children find themselves facing a powerful and frightening evil magic in a victorian London just on the edge of surreality. As the mysteries are slowly revealed and the evil threatens the childrens innocence, the splendor of this book will draw both young and grown readers into it's gripping, redemptive story.
~ Sasha
When you wish upon a Rat
This story is a sweet, heart-warming tale of an Australian girl named ruth who learns to appreciate her crazy, disoganized family for who they are. Perfect for ages 8-12, Ms. McCarthy adds historical fiction with a magicalrat to create a unique story for anyone having trouble being thankful for what they have.
Flimsy Little Plastic Miracles
"Things aren't going well for Ron Currie Jr. He is mourning the loss of his father, when his new book gets burnt down in a fire at the house of the woman he has loved for years but can never be with for long before she breaks his heart again. To give her space, and write a new book, he escapes to an Island where he tells the story of his life, and his love for Emma. After too many drunken nights, bar fights, a suicide attempt and a failed affair with a college student - Currie disappears again and takes us on another trip halfway around the world.
This book will make you laugh, even when it's so sad you don't really want to laugh. It's very down to earth, relatable, and will make you wonder about how much stock people really put in the truth- and how much time we spend fictionalising facts in order to please others.
It's an all round great read for everyone, although it does contain some strong language and sex. "
-Melodie
The Darkest Minds
" I loved this book! I couldn't put it down, it's fast paced and engaging from the first, right through to the last page.
It follows Ruby who wakes up one day and her life has completely changed - for a reason she hardly understands. She's taken from her parents, and ends up in a 'rehabilitation camp' designed for other children who are 'dangerous' like she is. She manages to escape, but quickly finds herself in the hands of people who are trying to use her powers for their own purposes. Escaping again, she sets off on her own until she finds a small group of kids who are on the run like her. They join up to try and find the rumored East River community where children with abilities are safe from the government and their camps.
Once at the camp though, things are not what they seemed at first, and soon Ruby finds herself needing to escape the situation again. But this time it's harder to tell who she should be running from, and what the right thing to do it."
- Melodie
Timekeeper
" A great sequel to Timeless, this book follows Michelle Windsor who now lives in New York with her Grandparents after losing her Mother in an accident.
After discovering her ability to time travel, she's returned home to start at her new school - where to her surprise, she meets Phillip again, with whom she fell in love in 1910. But he doesn't remember her at all - and there are other ghosts from the past that have also come back to haunt her.
Michelle has to defend her life and the people she loves, while trying to remind Phillip of their love and figuring out her time travel ability. She discovers her fathers journals, and the Time Keepers Society, which opens up a whole new world to her.
This book was exciting and I finished it in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down. It's a great read for all ages."
- Melodie
Eat & Run
" This is easily my favourite book on running that I have read so far. Scott Jurek is a legend when it comes to running, and is arguably the greatest runner alive at the moment.
The book allows you an insight into Scotts life from his early years, when he used sports as an escape from his home life where he was taking care of his ill mother, his siblings and the house, while also studying and training for endurance sports.
He talks a lot about his personal experiences, home life and friends, and how they pushed him to be a runner.
You can easily follow his career progression and his development into the man he is now throughout the book. He talks alot about his diet, his thoughts on running, and on being a good person.To him, the three seem to be connected and it shows through his story telling that he truly believes what he preaches.
Eat&Run is such an inspiring book - to be a better person, a better runner, and a healthier being altogether.
I think everyone should read this, even if you can't run around the block without hyperventillating. It's very interesting to peek into the life and mind of someone who can run 165 miles in a day, and to understand their reasons and passion for it."
- Melodie
Born to Run
" A great book if you're into running, or interested in other
cultures. The book revolves around running, the Tarahumara tribe and
Christopher McDougalls search for injury free, natural and fun running.
I
really loved reading about all the research McDougall found and having
it explained in simple, understandable terms - not in scientific runners
only jargon. He explains theories about barefoot running and goes into
the history of the Tarahumara, and talks a lot about his own experiences
with running, the injuries he's sustained and what all he went through
to try and cure himself. I think a lot of people who also run will be
able to relate to this, and will find a lot of the information to be
helpful, or food for thought at least."
- Melodie
