Saturday, April 30, 2011

Sue Recommends The Fallen by Mark Terry

Have you been missing the heroics and fearlessness of Jack Bauer of tv's 24 television show? Mark Terry's Derek Stillwater is here to take his place.

The Fallen is the third of the Derek Stillwater novels and considered by some to be his best so far. This novel brings Homeland Security undercover agent Stillwater face to face with the leader of The Fallen Angels and former partner who was believed to be dead at the G8 conference in Colorado Springs. What can this one man accomplish through quick thinking and raw heroism to protect world leaders and the world from these irrational terrorists with unreasonable demands?

After reading this novel, I will be picking up the first two with Derek Stillwater. Mr. Terry has Book 4 in the series coming out in June which involves biological and nuclear weapons threatening U. S. election day. I am looking forward to the thrills Stillwater next adventure, Valley of Shadows, will add to my life in June.

SH

Friday, April 22, 2011

Mike Hopes You Listen to Velvet Underground

Loaded by Velvet Underground

It seems like at the beginning of every spring Velvet Underground's "Loaded" hits the rotation in my playlist. Maybe it's because I've been so sick of the doldrums of winter that I can really rock out to "Who Loves the Sun." And there's nothing quite like rolling down the windows and cranking up "Rock 'n Roll", which is Lou Reed's paean to America's present to the world. Of course, every song on the album is great (imho) so you'll just have to grab a copy, roll the windows down, and blast it as you're driving down the highway on a bright spring day.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss


The riveting first-person narrative of a young man who grows to be the most notorious magician his world has ever seen. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime ridden city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that transports readers into the body and mind of a wizard. It is a high-action novel written with a poet's hand, a powerful coming-of-age story of a magically gifted young man, told through his eyes: to read this book is to be the hero.

Although the setting is the same this is not just another Harry Potter orphan attends a school for magic story. Kvothe is much more gypsy like as well as more accomplished than Harry, with fewer scruples.
TB

Friday, April 15, 2011

Deb enjoyed listening to The King's Speech

Simon Vance, a three-time Audie Winner and narrator of over four hundred audiobooks, is in top form in this reading of The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. Penned by the grandson of Lionel Logue, King George VI's famous speech therapist, the story is both a personal memoir of sorts (Logue died before his grandson was born) and a concise bit of early to mid twentieth century history. Based in part upon Logue's newly discovered diaries, Mark Logue tells the remarkable story of the rare friendship which developed between his grandfather, a commoner from Australia, and the future monarch which lasted until the King's death in 1953.

Who are your favorite narrators? Please send us your comments!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Rob recommends Mr. Funny Pants


Michael Showalter (The State, Wet , Hot American Summer, The Baxter) has written a funny book. His particular brand of quirky, punny, smart-alec, off-balance humor is not for everyone though. Think of him as Dave Barry morphed with George Carlin. Mr. Funny Pants is a collection of memories, advice, reflections on modern life and writing books. Some of the topics (not really chapters, more like monologues) include Sandwiches, Even Gangbangers Get the Sniffles, and Excerpt from My Imaginary Interview with Charlie Rose. These are all after, of course, the Preface, the Post-Preface, Post-Post-Preface, Pre-Post-Post-Preface and End of Pre- and Post-Prefaces Preface. You get the picture.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sue Recommends The Jungle by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul


The Jungle is the 8th in the Oregon Files Series by Cussler and Du Brul and is a favorite of all action/adventure fans.

This time around the former CIA operative and his "good guys" mercenaries keep the thrills going as they rescue innocents in Afghanistan, Burma, the U.S., and even sinking ships, escape kidnappings and death, and ultimately are given the task of saving the world from a 13th century weapon. There are twists and surprises that keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. One of the best in the series.

This is just one of the titles you will find on the We Need a Hero booklist available in the Wellesley Free Library. Ask for a copy when you come in.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Megan recommends: Red on Red

Red on Red by Edward Conlon

I usually write about books that have been out a while, but I'm breaking the mold this time. Red on Red was just published this week, but I highly recommend it. The story follows two New York City police detectives, Meehan and Esposito. The unlikely partners investigate several incidents: a suicide, a serial rapist, and a gang war. Along the way we learn about the personal lives of the two men and see into the complexities of and shades of grey inherent to police work. The novel is a detective story, but the quality of the writing is what drew me in. It reminded me of Lush Life by Richard Price, only better.