Linda the Librarian

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Our library has been adding Playaway books to our collection.  I think they're pretty cool!  They're battery powered recorded books that fit into the palm of your hand.  All you do is plug your earphones into the device and you're good to go!  I was using mine when I was doing dishes, folding laundry, and whatever other household tasks needed to be accomplished. I'd never read Agatha Christie before this fall.  Murder on the Orient Express is one of the titles that our high school students need to read for summer reading.  It intrigued me, so after the students were done reading it and completing their projects I read it and loved it.  When I saw this book come through, I thought I'd give it a whirl. Ten people receive an invitation for a party at a house on Soldier Island off the coast of England.  The 10 guests don't have any apparent connection and seem an odd assortment for a house...

In Times Gone By by Tracie Peterson Kenzie left her life back in Kansas to forget the humiliation of being jilted at the altar.  She came to San Francisco not only to forget, but also to help her cousin in his chocolate business.  As she tries to heal and forget, the handsome Dr. Fisher tries hard to help her think about the possibility of true love.  She rebuffs him at every opportunity.  Will she be able to keep love out of her heart forever?  Will Dr. Fisher be able to win her?  There's only one way to find out! I liked this book because it was a light and relaxing read.  I also appreciated that part of the series was set during the great San Francisco earthquake and the city's time of recovery.  At the end of the book Ms. Peterson includes an overview of the characters in the story who are historical figures and what parts of the story were true events.  I learned some things about that era of our nation's history.  If y...

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne I had absolutely no idea what this book was going to be about when I picked it up, but the cover intrigued me.  If you've ever been involved with a multi-level marketing scheme, you've probably had to read positive thinking books to keep your excitement level high.  This would be the type of book you'd read.   You conceive, believe, and achieve your dream. That's what this book is like.  I got about a third of the way into it and had to take it back to the library.   On to the next book!

The other day a patron was having trouble locating a book.  After I found it for him this is the conversation that followed: Patron:  You found it!  I looked all over for it! Me:  It was hiding.  Don't worry you haven't lost your mind.  It may have wandered off, but it's not gone. Patron:  Can I get that in writing? Me:  For your wife? Patron:  Yes!!

The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis I love Narnia!  Have I mentioned that I love Narnia?  After listening to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe I needed to continue the series posthaste!   This is a story of what happens to the Pevensie children during their reign over Narnia.  At the end of book two they are no longer children in Narnia, but all grown up.  The Horse and His Boy tells a little about Narnia's relationship with some of the surrounding kingdoms and how they handled a particularly sticky relationship. King Edmond and Queen Susan are visiting Calormen, Prince Rabadash has proposed to Queen Susan and is waiting impatiently for her answer.  When King Edmond discovers a bit of treachery, he and Queen Susan and their trusted advisers need to figure out a way to get home to Narnia.  After they escape, a young boy, Shasta, must carry important news to the friends of Narnia to rescue them all from Prince Rabadash's wrath....

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis I was talking to a friend and patron at the library about this series.  I told her the other day that I want so much to be Lucy, but I think I may be Susan (a little too cynical and slow to believe).  I love re-reading these books.  I cry in the same places and rejoice in the same places every single time.   This is the first adventure of Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy Pevensie in Narnia.  They enter Narnia through a magical wardrobe in fulfillment of an old Narnian prophecy - that all will be made right when Aslan returns and two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve sit on the thrones of Cair Paravel.   I'll just share my favorite scene from the whole book: "You'll understand when you see him." "But shall we see him?" asked Susan. "Why, Daughter of Eve, that's what I brought you here for.  I'm to lead you where you shall meet him," said Mr. Beaver. ...