Monthly Archives: October 2012
Staff Picks – Still Life
Still Life by Louise Penny
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his investigative homicide team are called to the quaint village of Three Pines. Jane Neal has been found in the woods, killed by a hunter’s arrow. The locals are sure it’s a tragic accident, seeing as Jane was a gentle, kindly soul without an enemy in the world. Gamache at first is inclined to agree. But as he methodically and thoroughly investigates each of Jane’s friends, he uncovers secrets and circumstances which convince him Jane’s death was deliberate.
I was fortunate to pick up “Still Life”, not realizing it was the 1st in a series of Inspector Gamache mysteries. I like Gamache who is a man of integrity and compassion, respecting not only the victim but those grieving for her, even as he gathers facts and forms a compelling case for murder. Also, the villagers and police work separately and together to determine Jane’s killer, dropping clues for the reader along the way as the story unfolds (though I must admit I did not guess the correct who-dunnit). I plan to read more of this series.
Recommended by: Barbara at Main
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Staff Picks – Maze Runner
Maze Runner by James Dashner
I couldn’t put this book down! The first three chapters were setting everything up. This character named Tom was riding in something like an elevator. It was dark and he was very disoriented. He could not remember anything about his past. His name was the only thing he could remember.
When the elevator stopped, it opened and sunlight almost blinded him. There were numerous boys looking at him, no girls, no adults. He kept asking questions, but no one would give him any answers.
That first day he met the boys that were in charge. They were called the Keepers. They assigned a boy, Chuck, to show him around. He got a tour around the area, and something to eat. Tom kept getting ahead of what they were trying to show him. He decided on the second night that he wanted to be a maze runner, though he didn’t know why.
The maze runners went out into the maze everyday, ran and took notes. They had to avoid Grievers, which were a combination of flesh and machine. They could sting you or kill you, and they lived in the maze. The walls of the maze moved everyday, so it was never exactly the same two days in a row. There was also supposed to be an exit from the maze where they could escape and return to their homes, though they could not remember anything about their lives before they got there.
Tom had been there less than a week when the action started, and the action didn’t stop even at the end of the book. This story is a trilogy, with the addition of a prequel. I’m hooked, and I will have to read them all! And I thought I wouldn’t like a young adult book, silly me.
Recommended by: Kay at Main
Check this book’s availability on our catalog!
Also, if you’re interested in reading and discussing this book, it is our YA Book Club book for the month of October at the main branch! Stop at the circulation desk and check out a copy, and come to the meeting on October 23rd from 4pm – 5pm. 🙂