Staff Picks – Dog Tags

Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt

It’s no secret I like to read legal thrillers. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series by David Rosenfelt, and this book especially. The main character is a lawyer by the name of Andy Carpenter. He is independently wealthy, due to an inheritance, explained in the first book of the series. He only takes cases where he believes the accused is innocent, but always seems to stumble on to some larger conspiracy.

His last few books have centered around a dog. One was a golden retriever, one a bernese mountain dog and this is a retired german shepherd police dog. Andy likes dogs more than most people. He surely likes the german shepherd, Milo better than his owner Billy but ends up defending both of them. Billy was a policeman and an army MP in Iraq. He lost his leg in Iraq and was discharged from the army. When he came back to the police, they would only let him work the desk, which was not for him. He then turned to a life of crime, but not murder. About the time he got back from Iraq,his K-9 partner, Milo, was being retired from the police force and they were reunited. The entire conspiracy revolves around the incident in Iraq where Billy lost his leg.

I like Rosenfelt’s novels because of the action and mystery. I can never figure out what the conspiracy is all about and how his clients fit into it. What I like best about his books are the characters. Andy is self deprecating and funny. I laughed out loud several times when Andy and his friends, Pete and Vince, were trading insults. Any author that can make me laugh will have a loyal reader. You can’t beat action, mystery and humor! Now if I could just figure out why the books I like the most are all set in New Jersey, I’d have it made.

Recommended by: Kay at Main
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Staff Picks – Halloween with Matthew Mead

Halloween with Matthew Mead

With a change of pace this week, I will be reviewing a non-fiction title! Just in time for our next upcoming holiday, I want to talk to you about “Halloween with Matthew Mead.” This is a new book that was ordered recently by our Sophia branch, and I have to say, it was a great purchase! On the cover of the book we’re promised some “style made shockingly simple”. I didn’t exactly believe that claim, since in my experience of checking out many many Halloween idea books (it’s one of my favorite holidays!) usually the suggestions provided require such skill and so much time that all I can do is look at the pictures and dream. You can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when I realized most of the ideas in this book were actually projects I could do!
From the whimsical (ideas for a “forest fete” complete with mushrooms and little mice) to the elegant (a “white magic” party with white-on-white décor and treats) to the down-right cute (a “pirate’s booty” party for kids), this book really has ideas for just about everyone. I have to say, my favorites have to be either the green “martian eye cookies” or maybe the adorable (and totally simple!) “pantry pals”.. staring carrots with black-eyed peas as eyes! I am definitely copying a few recipes and ideas from this book, and anyone else who likes to put on a party for Halloween should give it a look too!

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Staff Picks – Sweep

Sweep by Cate Tiernan

Sweep is a young adult fantasy series written by an author I have always really enjoyed, Cate Tiernan. She is also the author of Balefire and the Immortal Beloved series. I enjoy her books because she writes about magick in a way that is grounded in real world pagan beliefs but that has instances of real magic, creating believable tension between the characters who are magical and those that aren’t. There are 15 books in the series – 14 of which are set in the same period in the main characters’ lives, and a 15th which is set after the main characters are adults. The titles of the books are:

1. Book of Shadows
2. The Coven
3. Blood Witch
4. Dark Magick
5. Awakening
6. Spellbound
7. The Calling
8. Changeling
9. Stife
10. Seeker
11. Origins
12. Eclipse
13. Reckoning
14. Full Circle
15. Night’s Child

Currently I am only on book 11, but I cannot foresee anything at all that could keep me from finishing this series. The main character throughout the series is Morgan Rowlands, a high school student who discovers that she is descended from a long line of powerful witches. This makes her an outsider in both the magical and non-magical worlds as she tries to balance her powers (but lack of experience) with her normal life. Through these books she faces a number of obstacles in both the mundane and supernatural realms as she strives to find her place in the world and discover what kind of adult she wants to become. There are also some of the fun super-dramatic YA romance aspects throughout the books, to balance all the action that takes place. At times the inexperience of the characters can be frustrating as they make what seem to an adult reader to be obvious mistakes and mis-communications. It isn’t a serious enough issue that it interfered with my enjoyment of the books though.

Overall, if you like young adult fantasy books or are just looking for a fun fiction series involving Wicca, this is a great series!

Recommended by: Ashley at Main

 

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