If you are looking for a great book to read or if you would like to know who writes in a similar fashion to your favorite author, simply ask a librarian for a recommendation. Most of the library staff members are avid readers and they have the added benefit of seeing all the great books, both new and old that cross our counters every day. Alyse, one of our staff members is in the process of compiling a list of "Staff Picks" for our upcoming newsletter and she was kind enough to give me a sampling of books staff members are currently recommending to others.
Jan Karon is one of the most read authors in the library. As a high school student, Karon knew she wanted to be an author, but was not able to pursue her dream until the age of fifty when she left a career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Karon found that writing a novel was no easy task and struggled to begin her writing career. One night she dreamed of an Episcopal priest walking down the street and her curiosity drove her to create a "life" for him. And so was born the first book in the beloved nine volume (so far!) Mitford series, "At Home in Mitford." Here she introduces the eccentric characters that will fill the pages and warm your heart. The central character Father Tim, the Episcopal rector of her dream, longs for change – which he gets. Father Tim is "adopted" by a dog "the size of a sofa", meets his attractive new neighbor, and worries about an unloved boy. Karon says in Mitford, "the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable." This is a good choice for those who enjoy a "cozy" read.
Our second Staff Pick is by the very popular Nicholas Sparks. Interestingly, Sparks also lives in North Carolina. He was born in Nebraska, but spent his college years at the University of Notre Dame which he attended on a full track and field scholarship. Sparks married his college sweetheart and later moved his family to North Carolina where he wrote his first published novel "The Notebook." His newest book, "The Choice", is on our Staff Pick list. Veterinarian Travis Parker and his neighbor Gabrielle Holland get off to a rocky start, but find a growing attraction to each other and Gabby must decide whether to stay with her longtime boyfriend or become involved with Travis. The story evolves and eleven years later following a car accident, Travis faces a life or death decision. Like many of his novels "The Choice" is a story of love, tragedy, and fate. It is an easy read that is hard to put down.
Steve Hockensmith is an up and coming mystery writer. He has written short stories for years and writes a monthly column for Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. In 2006 he published his first novel, "Holmes on the Range" featuring Otto, "Big Red" and Gustav, "Old Red" Amlingmeyer, characters that evolved from short stories featured in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. It is Montana in 1893 and Old Red is a man with a dream in mind – to be a detective like his hero Sherlock Holmes. The brothers have hair "red enough to light a fire" and knowing Gustav's Holmes obsession, their friends soon nickname them Big Red and Old Red after Holmes' adventures with the Red-Headed League. After discovering a dead body, Big Red sees the perfect opportunity to emulate Sherlock Holmes and employ his "deducifyin' skills." The problem explains Big Red to his brother Old Red, is that they are cowboys, not detectives. "Old Red didn't answer with words. He just turned and showed me that little wisp of a grin he sips under his mustache when he thinks he's being clever. Oh? His smile said. A feller can't be both?" Read "Holmes on the Range" and find out for yourself. The adventures of Old Red and Big Red continue in Hockensmith's second book, "On the Wrong Track." The third cowboy detective story will continue in 2008 with the publication of Hockensmith's "The Black Dove." This series will delight both mystery and western fans.
This is just a sampling of the many books recommended by our library staff. And remember, if none of these appeal to your reading style, we have over 90,000 books from which to choose. Visit us soon at the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library!