Adult Reads
By Mary Biscuso, Library Assistant, Adult Services
Fiction
The Girl on the Train
By Paula Hawkins
Rachael’s life has been better. Her husband has left her for another woman and they have a child, the child Rachael always wanted.
Drinking isn’t helping. Neither has losing her job. Or gaining weight. Still grasping at former routines, Rachael rides the train into the city every day, creating an idyllic little story about the couple she sees in their trackside house until she witnesses – or does she – something horrific.
In the same vein as Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train supplies an unreliable narrator in a Hitchcockian psychological thriller. Get on the list.
Descent
By Tim Johnston
On a trip to the Rockies before track-star daughter Caitlin heads off for college, the Courtlands are ready to enjoy a family vacation together. Parents Grant and Angela see this time as a chance to heal a faltering relationship.
Caitlin and her brother Sean slip out for an early morning run. Several hours later, Grant gets the phone call no parent wants: Sean’s been found gravely injured on a roadside. Caitlin is missing.
The Courtland family unit begins to disintegrate, each member becoming more isolated from the others, united only by the certainty that she is alive.
Nonfiction
Star Wars Workbooks
By Workman Publishing
Getting a jump-start on school readiness is easy with this clever series of books aimed at preschoolers through second-graders.
Filled with colorful Star Wars graphics, these workbooks present phonics, reading and math activities in a fun-filled format.
Perfect for the preschooler learning letters, this series also provides enrichment activities for after-school or as a summer refresher. The workbooks are a great way to spend some quality educational time with your youngsters.
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True
By Richard Dawkins
More widely known for his work on evolutionary biology, Dawkins has penned a science book that will surprise and delight the entire family.
Before the advent of the scientific method, our early ancestors explained natural phenomena through tales of magic. The Japanese thought that earthquakes were a result of the world resting on a giant catfish that flipped its tail, and the Vikings posited that a rainbow was the gods’ bridge to earth.
Dawkins’ genius is his ability to show that reality can be just as fascinating as the fabulous tales of our ancestors. Brilliantly illustrated by the award-winning artist Dave McKean.
Children’s Reads
By Tamra Headrick, Library Assistant, Youth Services
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
By Dan Santat
This sweet story of an imaginary friend in search of the perfect child is the 2015 Caldecott medal winner. (Ages 3-6)
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
By Mac Barnett
Sam and Dave decide one day that they are going to dig a hole. These boys are on a mission and won’t stop until they find something spectacular. (Ages 4-8)
El Deafo
By Cece Bell
A funny graphic novel memoir of a girl who loses her hearing at a young age and has to cope with a huge, awkward hearing aid. (Ages 8-12)
The Crossover
By Kwame Alexander
Who says poetry is boring? Told in verse with a hip-hop writing style, Crossover captures the high energy of youth basketball. The book is the 2015 Newbery Medal winner. (Ages 9-12)
