Hershey Public Library

CAS=audio book  CD=book on CD  LP=large print book  Pbk=paperback

The $64 Tomato by William Alexander [635 ALE] – A laugh-out-loud memoir of one man's adventures with man, beast, and assorted quirks of nature encountered over a gardening season. From ornery contractors, clay-mired tractors, marauding groundhogs and deer, to crop overruns and the ravages of insects, Alexander's delightful descriptions of his tribulations bring not just a smile, but a nod of familiarity from all of us would-be gardeners.

700 Sundays by Billy Crystal [B CRY] – Billy Crystal tells us about growing up in a large, Jewish, extended, eccentric family in Long Island, NY. These sometimes funny, sometimes sad anecdotes describe how Billy decides at an early age what he wants to do with his life, and about the influence, guidance and encouragement he receives from his parents, uncles, and aunts. What distinguishes this book from other biographies is that it is not just a listing of what happened to a boy growing up. This entertaining book is a tribute to the people and events that helped shape his life and who he has become.

Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days by Judith Viorst [306.87 VIO] – A hilarious account of the three months Viorst's youngest son, his wife, and their three very young children move in with Viorst and her husband. Viorst is organized, neat, and rather set in her ways at this stage of her life. She tries hard to savor this time with her family while not going crazy at the chaos that inevitably ensues. You'll laugh and you'll identify.

Austenland by Shannon Hale [FIC HAL] – Do you have a set of videos or DVDs of THE Pride and Prejudice adaptation (the one starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, for those not in the Jane Austen know) to watch after a hard day? Are you worried about how to spend your summer now that PBS has finished showing the complete works of Jane Austen? Do you ever picture yourself in a Spencer jacket and empire-waist gown, trailing through the grounds of Pemberly? Then you need a trip to Austenland! Jane Hayes, a modern woman of a certain age, is sent on an all-expense paid vacation to Pembrook Park in Kent, England. For three weeks she is to immerse herself in Regency England and enjoy life as Lizzie Bennett and her sisters might have. But will she find her Mr. Darcy?

Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff [FIC RUF] – An intelligent vision of possible vigilantes. Sometimes people are so evil that action must be taken. But who, exactly, should take that action?

Bait and Switch: the (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream by Barbara Ehrenreich [305.569 EHR, CD] – Barbara Ehrenreich, the author of the bestselling Nickel and Dimed, returns to the world of work for this excursion into the shrinking American middle class. Identifying herself as a member of the white-collared unemployed, she attempts to procure a "middle class" job. To that end, she introduces the reader to career counseling, job fairs, online resumes, and networking events. Whether the reader has been the victim of corporate downsizing or not, s/he will be amazed to learn that doing "it" all right doesn't guarantee one the career of one's dreams. Perhaps not even a job.

Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Job and Your Life by Cesar Millan [636.7 MIL] – Dog lovers everywhere - rejoice! This book turns your dog and your relationship into a calm and assertive relationship. You can apply the principles to others around you. There are some interesting stories from other dog owners, including the Grogan family of the book Marley and Me.

Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy B. Tyson [975.6 TYS] – Part memoir, part history lesson, this book is one everyone should read. The author, a white professor of African American studies, was ten years old when his playmate's brother and father shot a young black man as he lay beaten on the ground and pleaded for his life. The time was 1970 in Oxford, North Carolina. A time not really so long ago. Tyson recounts how the event affected him for the rest of his life. The story offers a new look at a past we thought we knew. This is not the cleansed version you get in the history books. Read this eye-opening account of our nation's past and present.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak [Y SUS, LP] – Narrated by Death and set in WWII Germany, the main character, Liesel Meminger, collects an array of friends, a foster family, and stolen books. More a story of love, patience, and humanity in a time of war than a story of man's inhumanity towards man.

Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo [FIC RUS, LP] – Impossible to briefly summarize this novel, which encompasses generations of a middle class family trying not only to get by, but to fulfill their own unique American Dream. Russo is a master storyteller and is in top form here. You will care about the Lynch family, share their optimism and identify with their heartache. Don't miss this.

Chocolat by Joanne Harris [FIC HAR, LP] – If you liked the movie, you'll like the book even more! The main character, Vianne, is labeled as an outsider, gypsy, and possibly even a witch by the residents of a small provincial town in France when she arrives on Ash Wednesday with her young daughter and opens a "chocolatier shoppe" during the Lenten season. The tension builds between Vianne and the local priest as she begins winning people's hearts with her unorthodox ways in the progression towards Easter. Your mouth will water at the description of chocolate treats and your mind will savor the fine word crafting that Joanne Harris presents in the novel.

The Collectors by David Baldacci [FIC BAL, CD, LP] – The Collectors is a good book with an unpredictable plot (as are all of the Baldacci books that I have read). It involves the Camel Club from a previous book by the same name, combined with an intriguing "con" plot. The two plots come together in a most unusual way. The book ends with a lead into the next book.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks [FIC SPA, CD, LP] – John, an Army enlistee, tells his story in retrospect, of finding the girl of his dreams, falling in love, losing the girl of his dreams, but, amazingly, never giving up the love that changed his world. At their first meeting, John and Savannah appear to be total opposites. Their life together is joyous, tragic, and comforting. Only through her eyes does he come to understand his father and mother, whom he thought were unknowable.

Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje [FIC OND, CD, LP] – No one writing in English crafts prose at Ondaatje's level. He has an uncanny ability to make the lyrical appear straightforward, and the straightforward appear lyrical.

Eragon by Chris Paolini [Y PAL, J CAS, J CD] – This is the first book in the Inheritance Trilogy. The second book is Eldest [Y PAO, CD], and the third book, Brisingr, is scheduled to be released in September 2008. In the fantastical world of Alagaesia, mythical creatures, dragons, and magic are all present on the fringe of a society just struggling to survive under a tyrannical ruler. When Eragon finds a blue stone and tries to sell it for food, their entire world changes.

Fire in the Blood by Irene Nemirovsky [FIC NEM, CD, LP] – Short novel but, oh, how sweet! this is a beautifully written book. Life in a small French village comes to life with vivid descriptions. The reader will learn about the main character, Silvia, and be drawn into the village - revealing marriage, infidelity, and scandal. Destined to be a classic!

The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle [FIC KYL, LP] – This is an honest tale of a young girl, Alice, and her life on a horse ranch in Desert Valley, Colorado. The characters experience sorrow and illness. Alice has to sort out her life and her relationships with her family and friends. Kyle shows us what living in the American West is like. Her characters and story in this book are strong. You will always remember this book and tive the author a blue ribbon for her horse "show."

Gods Behaving Badly: A Novel by Marie Phillips [FIC PHI] – In this book, the gods and goddesses of Olympus are alive, but with limited powers, in 21st century London. Crammed together in a crumbling townhouse, constantly squabbling among themselves, they discover that they must rely upon two perplexed mortals to restore their powers and save humankind. I loved the "what if" nature of this book and the humor involved in these once superhuman bings now having to adjust to radically reduced circumstances.

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland [FIC COU] – Lightweight satire. If you're in the mood for a new perspective on our society, Coupland is a good place to start.

Here If You Need Me: A True Story by Kate Braestrup [B BRA, CD (920 BRA)] – The author of this poignant, funny, and insightful memoir was devastated when her beloved husband, a Maine state trooper, was killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise four young children on her own. She also decides to become a Unitarian minister, which had been her husband's plan after he retired. Her practical and gentle faith comes in handy as she accompanies Maine Game Wardens to times of crisis. Braestrup offers us insights into her own struggles with faith and shows us a truly practical kind of belief.

How to be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson [158 HOD] – The simple message behind this well-argued and entertaining work is that we should be happy - that's it. The revolution starts here!

I'm Just Here for the Food: Food + Heat = Cooking by Alton Brown [641.5 BRO] – Brown's book delves into our curiousity about the history, lore, and science of cooking. If you like the Food Network's show Good Eats, you'll gravitate toward this book with its unique illustrations and examples that give one the freedom to cook a meal or a dish from a set of ingredients, rather than following a recipe. Of course, there are recipes as well. You have a choice!

In Case We're Separated: Connected Stories by Alice Mattison [FIC MAT] – In a series of stories that vary in time period and point of view, Mattison gives us the story of an American family. From Jewish immigrants in the 1920s and 1930s to the Kennedy assassination and the Vietnam War to the AIDS crisis and beyond, these interweaving stories create a prose double sestina. Instead of the repeated words of the poetic form, these stories contain repeated objects of images: a glass of water, a sharp point, a cord, a mouth, an exchange, and a map that may be wrong.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick [J SEL] – The illustrations! Remember the books you read as a child - when the pictures told more of a story than the words themselves? Her's a book like that! Don't let the 500+ pages and 2-inch binding scare you away. Hugo's struggle and determination to discover the purpose of a mechanical man will keep you turning the pages. Winner of the Caldecott Medal in 2008.

Junie B. Jones is Almost a Flower Girl by Barbara Park [J PAR] – Funny, funny, funny - need I say more? Even if you don't have a child that is addicted to these books, read them for yourself. Junie B. is very precocious. She'll bring out the child in you. Pure fun!

King of Lies by John Hart [FIC HAR] – Beautiful writing, a gripping plot that is part mystery, part family saga and well-developed characters with evolving, complex relationships define this debut novel that has been compared favorably to the best of Raymond Chandler, Scott Turow, and John Grisham. Hart's literary style and the strength of his characters make this more than just a great page-turner.

The Kurt Wallander Series by Henning Mankell [MYS MAN] – Start with The Faceless Killers and you will be hooked by the contemplative, Swedish detective and the intricate, unpredictable plots.

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner [FIC WEI, CD, LP] – I loved this book!! It's about four women - totally different lives, lifestyles, even from different parts of the country, and yet their lives manage to become entwined. Follow Ayinde, Becky, Lia and Kelly as a force greater than themselves puls them together and bands them as true friends.

Lottery by Patricia Wood [FIC WOO] – Lottery presents the story of a dear, simple character whose life blooms despite his handicap, becuase of the love and support of his Gram and some loyal, trusted friends. When he wins the lottery, obviously life gets complicated. This is not a saccharine tale; it has edge, heartaches, humor, grit, and a memorable soul named Perry Crandall. You'll be smiling when the story ends.

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen [J SOR] – In this gentle story (a Newberry Award winner), Marley's father has returned home after being a prisoner of war in an unnamed war. His nerves are shattered - he no longer sings, is often tired, and yells at Marley and her brother, Joe. Marley's mother has inherited her grandmother's house and farm in northwestern Pennsylvania. In an attempt to help Daddy heal, the family leaves Pittsburgh to visit the country. The change does Daddy a world of good, and he stays on until the family can join him full-time during summer vacation. Marly begins the book by hoping for a miracle - the return of the Daddy she remembers - and continues finding miracles everywhere. From the flowering of sap in the "sugar bush" to the new blossoms of spring to the joy that comes from eating food you've grown yourself, miracles abound on Maple Hill.

Momzillas by Jill Kargman [FIC KAR] – Poor Hannah Allen - ever since she agreed to move from her hometown of San Francisco to New York City, her life has been pretty miserable. Her mother-in-law is a real snob, and Hannah feels like she will never fit in. Find out how Hannah proves that being yourself always wins in the end. A fun read.

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus [FIC FER] – The story of the controversial "Brides for Indians" program supposedly launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man's world. Wonderful read and impressive historical fiction.

Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Diane Schoemperlen [FIC SCH, CD] – The narrator of this improbable, but spiritual, tale is a mildly successful writer, comfortable in her solitude. That is until the day when she finds a woman attired in Nikes and a trenchcoat in her living room. A woman who identifies herself as "Mary, Mother of God." The two spend a week together, during which time the reader is introduced to Mary in art, literature, and the documenting of miracles historically attributed to her. Mary is quite a woman, as they say!

The Penny by Joych Meyer [FIC MEY] – How can anything so insignificant and small as a penny change a life? Jenny Blake finds out the day she stoops down to pick up a penny in the middle of the road. This one action sets off a series of events that will change her life. Jenny is a young girl living in St. Louis in the 1950s, a time when prejudice and sexual abuse is not openly acknowledged by society. Jenny suffers silently in her lonely world until the day the penny sets off a chain reaction, giving her the courage to reveal and confront the dark secret her family has harbored for so long.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks [FIC BRO, LP] – The plot of this book revolves around the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, a 14th century holy book that somehow survived centuries of hatred and destruction. The lives of the "people of the book" are cleverly interwoven. I loved it from beginning to end.

Postcards by E. Annie Proulx [FIC PRO] – Is there anyone who doesn't enjoy receiving a postcard? E. Annie Proulx introduces almost every chapter with one. And every chapter offers a new and insightful perspective on a member of the Blood family. The reader meets Jewel and her children: Mernelle, who finds love through her correspondence; Dub, who, after losing an arm in an accident, finds quasi-happiness in wealthy Miami; Loyal, who could be a murderer, searches for a satisfying relationship in all the wrong places. Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award.

The Prayer Chest by August Gold [FIC GOL] – This book may not be for everyone, but if prayer is a part of your life, then you will enjoy it immensely. It is a story of one family in need of a miracle and is rich in mystery, romance, and spiritual insight. For people of all faiths - or none.

Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis [223 LEW, CD] – Brilliant approach to sharing his personal views and his findings in his pursuit to understand and apply learned truths. Lewis's introduction is a perfect demonstration of his intentions: "This is not a work of scholarship ... I write for the unlearned about things in which I am unlearned myself ..." Small taste of what this experience will bring you. A truly enjoyable book!

The Ride of Our LIves by Mark Leonard [917.304 LEO, CAS, CD, LP] – Imagine taking your elderly parents, three grown children, and daughter-in-law on a road trip in two RVs. Written by Mike Leonard, an NBC feature reporter, the story of their journey has everything: laugh-out-loud humor, poignancy, a few close calls, warmth, and the love of a family with whom you'll enjoy traveling.

Room for Improvement by Stacey Ballis [FIC BAL] – Designer Lily Allen lands her dream job on a reality TV show called Swap/Meet. Two homeowners redo two rooms in each other's homes, and then get a total makeover themselves. Laugh with Lily at the mispahs that occur during the making of a reality TV show. See how said "dream job" affects her relationships, including those with her two best friends, hillary and Naomi, and her love life.

Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot [FIC CAB] – Heather Wells, college dorm (I mean resident advisor) sleuth extraordinaire is at it again. It seems to be very hard for her to stay out of the thick of things, especially when she is right there when they are happening. (For those of you that are fans of Heather: are she and Cooper getting closer?) Read this second installment of Heather's trials and tribulations. Light, fun read for the beach or a rainy day or a cold winter's day.

Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill [FIC NEI, CD] – Lucy Sweeny, a married, stay-at-home mom, is a sweet, loveable character prone to disaster. She's disorganized at best, out of control at worst. She feels like she has lost herself. Can she be found before it's too late? Read it and see.

Soccerhead by Jim Haner [796.334 HAN] – If you've ever coached a youth sports team, you will appreciate the hardship and sudden obsession the author experienced as a first-time coach. A sport can become a huge influence in your life, but that's not always a bad thing.

Spud by John Van de Ruit [Y VAN] – Alexander McCall Smith calls Spud "South Africa's Catcher in the Rye," but I think a more apt comparison is to Louise Rennison's "Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" series - but with boys. Spud is the nickname bestowed upon 13-year-old John Milton by his boarding school housemates, who are uniformly obsessed with sex, passing gas, and other bodily functions. Spud is intent on just surviving his friends' pranks, his teachers' craziness, and his family's constant battles and drama. Meanwhile, in the outside world, the year is 1990, and South Africa is going through change with the end of apartheid and the freeing of Nelson Mandela. I enjoyed this book quite a bit and am looking forward to a sequel. Be warned: the humor can be ludicrous, but it's also quite raunchy, which in my mind is completely in line with normal teenage boys' behavior.

Steve and Me by Terri Irwin [B IRW, LP] – Steve Irwin, crocodile conservator and wildlife documentary producer, was the husband of Terri Irwin, and she writes a moving narrative of the life they shared. Most of us remember Irwin from Animal Planet and Discovery Channel documentaries, where he tells us about strange, exotic animals and takes dangerous chances. Terri goes beyond the persona to let us know the kind of man, husband, and father he was, and how they worked together throughout their married life. She describes their passion for wildlife and where it came from. She also explains the new, kinder techniques that Steve developed for handling animals. These techniques seem to us to be crazy and dangerous stunts, but are actually actions that make precise sense in the environment and situations they work in.

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama [FIC TSU, CD, LP] – The story takes place in Japan, pre- and post- WWII. It is a story about love and loss in the lives of two brothers.

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith [MYS MCC, CAS, LP] – Although this is about a "Ladies Detective Agency," the sleuthing part of the story is entwined with the personalities and lives of the proprietor, assistant, and others. they are refreshing, kind people. Even the "bad" people are not violent. A nice, light story.

Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier [FIC FRA, LP] – This historical novel, narrated in the first person, spans 90 years, mostly before the American Civil War. It is set in North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains. It is a love story and a fictionalization of the historical events.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini [FIC HOS, CD, LP] – This book is about two women from Afghanistan whose lives become intertwined due to outside circumstances. This book follows the incredible, moving journey of Miriam and Laila. The story is hard to describe in a few words. It will break your heart, but you won't be able to put it down. (2)

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas [FIC DUM, CAS, CD] – As much adventure as anyone can handle. It's regarded as a classic for good reasons: daring, romance, comic violence - who could ask for more?

Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games by Mitt Romney and Timothy Robinson [796.98 ROM] – The all-encompassing journey to make the Salt Lake City winter olympics come to pass is depicted in this awesome book. From financial corruption remedies to restoring international credibility, from the immediate post-9/11 terrorism threat to inspiring humanitarian aid, this book sends a message of hope and determination through goodwill and leadership.

Turning Thirty by Mike Gayle [FIC GAY] – Brit Mike Beckford and his American girlfriend Elaine decide that, while they love each other, they are no longer in love. Mike is somewhat unsettled by the realization because he had a list of things that he had hoped to accomplish by different ages - at 30 he hoped to be in a long-term relationship looking to get married. Now he is nowhere near that goal. Interesting male perspective.

The Watchers by Mark Andrew Olson [FIC OLS] – If you were intrigued by The Da Vinci Code (by Dan Brown), you will want to read this book. These modern day characters are threatened by evil forces fo vicious that only a higher power can protect them. "The Watchers" have passed their gifts from generation to generation. When a young, rich, hip California girl is awakened to her lineage, demons and angels begin to come from every corner of the globe to help, or hinder, her search. While Olson is a Christian writer, don't expect to read gentle prose. Realistic characters bring to life the ancient battle for men's and women's souls.

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks [FIC SPA, Pbk F 2943] – Are you a consummate romantic? Or has the romance gone out of your life? However you respond, you'll love reading about the absolutely perfect wedding - and the family dynamics which define this ultimate occasion. Every male reader will want a "Jane." Every female reader will want a "Wilson" of her very own.

The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin [MYS AKU] – Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, this fast-moving mystery provides a surprise in every chapter. Beginning with an apparent suicide (what an opening!), the story would have ended there except for the persistant questioning of a novice investigator named Erast Fandorin. With his brain as his best weapon (think Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes), he unravels an ingenious plot by a secret society to "improve" the world. The surprises keep coming until the final pages. Akunin is a pseudonym for popular Russian author Grigory Chkhartishvili who has written a series of Erast Fandorin mysteries.

Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams [FIC WIL, CD] – Thirty-one year-old Amy Crane just ha a baby six months ago. Amy is living with the baby's father but is concerned about where their relationship is headed. She meets Alice, a "yummy mummy." Alice takes her on as her latest project and completely remakes her outside - but Amy is still struggling inside. Will Amy work out her inner demons in order to save her relationship? Find out in the pages of Yummy Mummy.