Man Push Cart Directed by Ramin Bahrani  08.30.2010

Man Push Cart is a simple story of a former Pakistani rock star who now sells coffee from a push cart on the streets of Manhattan. Rae Ann thought it was a bittersweet, melancholy and beautifully filmed slice of life, the moving story of the immigrant experience in New York.

Mary Called Magdalene Margaret George  08.23.2010

It takes a good writer to imagine the life of a character set in a story where we all know the ending. And Margaret George proves to be just that with Mary Called Magdalene, a well-researched, beautifully detail novel. It's one to savour, says Rachel.

Caper Parnell Hall  08.16.2010

Caper by Parnell Hall is a good read for a summer day. Penelope enjoyed this easy to read, laugh out loud mystery starring a private investigator who could sideline as a stand up comic. The plot was clever too.

Crow Lake Mary Lawson  08.09.2010

Described by one reviewer as a "deceptively simple masterpiece," Crow Lake recounts how life goes on for the Morrison children after their parents are killed in a car accident. Jill found Mary Lawson to be a gifted and captivating storyteller.

The Ice Princess Camilla Läckberg  08.02.2010

In The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg a writer returns to her hometown in Sweden and finds her childhood friend murdered. Working with a local detective, she helps uncover a deeply disturbing past in this small town. Faye found the characters well drawn and the plot filled with psychological surprises.

Push Sapphire  07.26.2010

Push by Sapphire deals with a young woman's struggle to regain control of her life. Heidi found it a troubling read. The film Precious was based on this book.

Half Broke Horses Jeannette Walls  07.19.2010

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls reads like a memoir but is fiction based on the life of the author's grandmother. It's a wild west story of the U.S. in the early 1900s. Grandma has plenty of gumption and Marina found the story totally engaging.

Small Kingdoms Anastasia Hobbet  07.12.2010

Small Kingdoms by Anastasia Hobbet is set in Kuwait between the 2 Gulf wars when the spectre of another invasion by Saddam Hussein looms over the country. It tells the story of 5 people (2 Americans, a Kuwaiti, an Indian and an Arab) who come together to help an abused Indian housemaid. Rae Ann says the differing points of view offer a compelling look into Middle Eastern life.

This Book Is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All Marilyn Johnson  07.05.2010

For anyone remotely interested in the cyber world and how librarians are evolving with it (plus some juicy insider secrets), Rachel says This Book Is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson will provide a satisfying romp through biblio land.

The Swan Thieves Elizabeth Kostova  06.28.2010

In The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova, psychiatrist Andrew Marlow lives a solitary but ordered life. When artist Robert Oliver becomes his patient after he attacks a canvas at the National Gallery of Art, that order is destroyed and Marlow embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism. Laurie thoroughly enjoy this book.

The Clothes They Stood Up In Alan Bennett  06.21.2010

The Ransomes have been burgled. Right down to the toilet roll. Alan Bennett tells the story of how they get on with their lives - which are changed forever - with gentle wit and sly insight in The Clothes They Stood Up In. Jill really enjoyed this little book.

One Amazing Thing Chitra Divakaruni  06.14.2010

In One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni, a group of travelers become trapped in a passport office during an earthquake and decide to share 'one amazing thing' about each of their lives. Heidi found it a quick, diverse read.

The Baker  06.07.2010

In The Baker a disillusioned hitman decides to leave the business of killing people and hide out as a baker in a small town filled with eccentric characters and a fish & chips shop called 'Cod Almighty.' Enter a teenage wannabe assassin who becomes his assistant and orders for chocolate cake take on a new meaning. In other words, there's more than one way to make dough. One of the funniest movies Penelope has ever seen.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Jonathan Foer  05.31.2010

Decidedly different, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Foer is the most interesting book Marina has read in a long time. A post 9/11 story about Oscar, a quirky, inventive, exasperating 9-year-old boy who lost his dad in the World Trade Center disaster, the book is, at times, sad, funny and moving.

Remarkable Creatures Tracy Chevalier  05.25.2010

Set in the early 1800s, Remarkable Creatures tells the story of the real life friendship of fossil hunter Mary Anning and genteel spinster Elizabeth Philpot. Tracey Chevalier's lyrical writing transported Rae Ann to the past where the limitations of a male-dominated science world and the religious views of the time make Anning's finds even more remarkable.

The Man from Beijing Henning Mankell  05.17.2010

The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell is not your average crime story, according to Faye. The author keeps several story lines in play: a mass murder in Sweden, the building of the trans-American railroad and the threat of Chinese colonial expansion in Africa. The novel moves from 21st century Sweden to China and the USA in the mid 1800s and back to modern China and Africa. The kind of great writing that we have come to expect from Mankell.

Paul Moves Out Michel Rabagliati  05.10.2010

If you're leery of the world of graphic novels, Paul Moves Out by Michel Rabagliati may just change your mind. Set in Montreal in the 1980s, this book will take you back to comicbookland. Then you can say you've read a GN, Rachel says.

Highly Effective Detective Plays the Fool Richard Yancey  05.03.2010

The Highly Effective Detective Plays the Fool is the third in Richard Yancey's series about Teddy Ruzak, a Tennessee private eye about to lose his licence, his dog and his mind, if he doesn't find out what happened to Katrina Bates, a good looking dame with a philandering husband. Yancey is a very funny writer and Jill laughed, for some reason (as Ruzak would say).

Spin Catherine McKenzie  04.26.2010

Debut novel from young Canadian author Catherine McKenzie, Spin offers a glimpse into a celebrity obsessed with culture and rehab. Heidi thinks this book captures contemporary city culture and those hiding in it.

Remarkable Creatures Tracy Chevalier  04.19.2010

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier is a tale of two unlikely companions, Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. On the windswept beaches of the English coast, the two discover each other, as well as an unusual fossilized skelton which sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to vicious gossip and the scientific world alight. This novel based on real-life characters left Laurie wanting to know more about Mary and Elizabeth.

No Great Mischief Alistair MacLeod  04.12.2010

No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod resonates with the elements that make up the soul of Canada: rock, water, harsh climate and family. Penelope recommends this east coast novel as one that will give you a sense of Canadian identity.

Through Black Spruce Joseph Boyden  04.05.2010

Joseph Boyden's Through Black Spruce has a character connection to his first book Three Day Road but can be read independently. Boyden's eloquent writing takes you into the lives and minds of a young native woman and her uncle as they try to come to terms with their choices. Marina couldn't put it down.

The Sweetness in the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley  03.29.2010

If you like your heroines eccentric, resourceful and passionate about poison, then Rae Ann says The Sweetness in the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley about 11-year-old Flavia de Luce's quest to solve the mystery of a dead bird on the doorstep and a body in the cucumber patch is for you.

Outliers: The Story of Success Malcolm Gladwell  03.22.2010

Faye found Outliers: the story of success by Malcolm Gladwell an interesting read. The premise of this bestseller is that success has less to do with IQ and more with things such as work ethic, birth date, culture and just plain luck, debunking the idea of the 'self-made man.'

The Naked Detective Laurence Shames  03.15.2010

The Naked Detective by Laurence Shames is a brisk, laugh-out-loud, almost 'mock' book. Go for the ride, enjoy the dialogue and the steamy sultry world of Key West and, Rachel says, don't even worry about the plot.

84, Charing Cross Road Helene Hanff  03.08.2010

84, Charing Cross Road follows the interesting and delightful 20-year correspondence between American author, Helene Hanff, and British bookseller Frank Doel. Jill suggests you curl up and devote a couple of hours to this beautiful little book.

The Lacuna Barbara Kingsolver  03.01.2010

Rae Ann enjoyed The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver about a half American-half Mexican boy who casts his lot with art and revolution and eventually becomes an author. The appearances of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, his wife artist Frida Kahlo and exiled Bolshevik leader Lev Trotsky add another interesting dimension to the story.

Second Nature Alice Hoffman  02.22.2010

Second Nature by Alice Hoffman is a modern fairy tale about Robin Moore, a recently separated woman. When she sees a beautiful and innocent man who's been mistaken for a beast, she does something she never thought she'd do: she rescues him and takes him home. Laurie enjoyed every moment!

Fell Purpose Cynthia Harrod-Eagles  02.15.2010

Penelope enjoyed the clever twists and turns of Fell Purpose by a well-crafted British murder mystery starring Detective Inspector Bill Slider. Author Cynthia Harrod-Eagles adds a compassionate perspective to the sliding scale of what constitutes criminal behaviour.

Case Histories Kate Atkinson  02.08.2010

In Case Histories by Kate Atkinson a private detective investigates three cold cases in Cambridge, England. Faye thoroughly enjoyed the changing points of view in this character-driven mystery. Rated 'Best Novel of the Year' in 2004 by Stephen King.

Resolution Robert B. Parker  02.01.2010

Robert B. Parker who is no longer with us brings shades of Spenser and Hawk to Resolution, his second tale of the Old West. It's great fun for fans, even if they're of the American Private Eye school. Rachel will miss Parker's voice.

NutureShock Po Bronson  01.25.2010

Considered one of the most important books on the subject, NutureShock by Po Bronson is a great overview of contemporary parenting issues. Heidi feels it's a must read for all parents.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames David Sedaris  01.18.2010

Who said giving up cigarettes and learning Japanese at the same was easy? Certainly not David Sedaris. This is just one from a collection of essays in his delightfully funny book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Jill loved it.

Benny & Shrimp Katarina Mazetti  01.11.2010

In Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti, Swedish dairy farmer Benny meets librarian 'Shrimp' in a cemetery and an offbeat story of opposites attracting ensues. Rae Ann found this quirky love story, a charming little read. Just perfect for a grey day.

Blind Eye Stuart MacBride  01.04.2010

Blind Eye is the latest in Stuart MacBride's detective Logan MacRae series. The action dealing with current big city problems is grim and gritty but the situations in and outside the police station are hilarious. Penelope really enjoys the vivid human characters in these Scottish police procedurals.

     Read more staff bookshelf entries from 2009 »