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Me Before You Series by Jojo Moyes

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Series Title: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

First Book: Me Before You

Who it’s for: Adults

Me Before You is the first book in a trilogy surrounding the life of Louisa Clark. Louisa is a loveable character whose life is altered forever when she lands a new gig helping paraplegic Will Traynor. The first novel was turned into a movie and our lovable Louisa is played by the even more loveable Emilia Clarke. Throughout the trilogy Louisa finds herself a little more with each person that comes in and out of her life. Readers who enjoy books about self-discovery and a little romance will devour these novels. The series only gets better after the first book so pick up your copy of After You and Still Me. Find it in the catalog

 

The Darkest Minds

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Read the Book, Watch the Movie!

Book: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Movie: The Darkest Minds
Movie Release Date: August 3, 2018

Ruby first witnessed the effects of Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (IAAN) when her classmate spontaneously dropped to the cafeteria floor during lunch. This mysterious disease has since killed 98% of America’s youth population in rapid succession.  Those few that do not succumb to the illness emerge with an assortment of powerful (and frightening) abilities.  So frightening in fact that when Ruby awakes on her 10th birthday, her parents lock her in the garage and immediately call the police.  She’s then carted off to Thurmond, a government-run camp operating under the guise of “rehabilitation” manned by the US military’s new Psi Special Forces (PSF) branch.  Upon her arrival,  Ruby discovers that kids with her particular kind of abilities are considered especially dangerous and are to be executed on-sight.  In a desperate act of self-preservation, Ruby disguises herself and her abilities to escape detection.

Now 16, Ruby’s secret is out and a group called the Children’s League comes to aid her in her escape from camp.  In exchange, they want to train Ruby as a soldier in their fight against the government.  Perturbed at the idea of being used as a weapon, Ruby runs – right into a group of kids in search of East River, a haven hidden away to protect AWOL youth like themselves.  She joins their ranks, but she fears that her presence is putting her new friends in danger.  PSF’s and Skip Tracers are intent on tracking them down and Ruby’s lack of control over her abilities puts everyone at risk.  While war wages on the outside, Ruby must battle her want of companionship against her need to protect said companions.

The first in a series, The Darkest Minds is thrilling, heart-breaking, and a little bit terrifying from beginning to end, exploring themes of friendship, self-sacrifice, and overcoming fears along the way.  Find it in the catalog.

A Gathering of Secrets

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A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo
Format:  Audiobook
Who it’s for:  Adults

Another plot twister by Linda Castillo!  In this latest audio book you’ll hear another story about the dark side of Amish life.

The main character, Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder investigates a fire that completely destroys a barn on an Amish farm in the community of Painter’s Mill.  When the body of an 18 year old Amish boy is discovered in the ruins, it is ruled a homicide and Kate has to unravel the secrets.  As the truth comes to light, the twists and turns of the story will keep you in suspense until the very end!

I enjoy all of this author’s books and recommend them to readers who love a good mystery/thriller.  Since the author has the same characters in her books, I recommend reading from the beginning of the Kate Burkholder series.  You’ll discover that Kate was Amish but left the faith after a life changing event in her young life.  She is appointed the Chief of Police in the small town because of her past relationship with the Amish.

The reader, Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job!  And of course, you can always read this bestseller in book form too. Find it in the catalog.

Dread Nation

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Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Format: Book

Who’s It for: Teens

In which I find myself surprisingly entertained…

Dread Nation, an alternate historical fiction, is not a genre I usually read yet I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. Set in the time of the civil war, the is told from the perspective of Jane, a house slave who has been sent to Miss Preston’s School of Combat for Negro Girls. While at schools the girls learn how to be attendants to wealthy women and also how to quickly and efficiently dispatch Shamblers, which are zombies.

I am not a fan of zombies but in Dread Nation, they aren’t the focal point. It was the relationships between the cast of characters, the engaging action scenes and Jane’s sarcastic humor that truly held my attention. Jane is a spitfire who believes in telling it like she sees it but she’s also smart enough to know when to play the role of a submissive slave. This makes her perfect as the books voice. Each chapter is preceded by a short letter from Jane to her beloved mother, revealing a softer, more vulnerable side of Jane that is usually tucked away. The titles of the chapters are her short and often amended perspective on the events about to unfold.

The author does a good job of addressing and balancing the racial prejudice that was prevalent during this time period while still making this is fun story of survival, friendship and mayhem.

Find it in the catalog.

Edgar Gets Ready for Bed

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Edgar Gets Ready for Bed by Jennifer Adams, Illustrated by Ron Stucki, Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”
Format:  Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Little Raven Edgar doesn’t want to get ready for bed.  When mommy asks him to eat his dinner, be nice to his sister, clean up his mess and take his bath, his answer to her is always, “Nevermore!”  Mommy is getting tired and very frustrated but finally takes time to read him a story.  She read “The Raven” by E. A. Poe.

This is a charming bedtime story to read to your little ones.  It has simple illustrations and very real conversations between Mommy and Edgar.  I loved the sweet ending that reassures baby bird that his mother will love him “Evermore”.

Find it in our catalog

I Can Only Imagine

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I Can Only Imagine  Directed by Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin
Format:  DVD
Who it’s for:  Adults, Teens

This is the true story behind Bart Miller’s creation of the song I Can Only Imagine.  As a young boy, Bart Miller (played by J. Michael Finley) grew up in a home with an angry father (played by Dennis Quade) who mistreated his mother and made Bart feel like he would never amount to anything.  With the support of his friends, his own courage, and his strong faith, Bart persevered.  After finishing high school, Bart left his home and his miserable father and ended up joining the Christian band MercyMe.

Although the band is successful, they can’t seem to get the break that takes them to the big time.  Feeling frustrated, Bart returns home.  To his disbelief, Bart’s father has become a Christian.  He is also dying.  Bart takes care of his father and finds that he is able to forgive him before he dies.  Months later and back with the band, Bart reflects upon what has happened in his life, and the grace that God has shown him.  Bart Miller imagines what it would be like to be in Heaven standing before God.  I Can Only Imagine is the resulting song.

The performances of J. Michael Finley, Dennis Quade, Trace Adkins and Priscilla C. Shirer are superb.  If you don’t have time to watch the DVD, at least listen to the sound track.  J. Michael Finley, who the film’s producers found on Broadway, gives an amazing singing performance.

This is an excellent movie.  I have to say it is one of my favorites!  I give it five stars!!

Find it in the catalog.