A Simple Favor
Format: DVD
Who’s It For: Adults
A Simple Favor is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. Best friends, secrets, danger, a dead body and the ever-revolving question of who is duping whom. It is so full of intriguing twists and turns! It leaves you guessing all the way to the end! Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding are terrific in this film.
Based on the book “A Simple Favour” by Darcey Bell
A Delicate Touch by Stuart Woods
Format: Audio book
Who’s it for: Adults
Be on the lookout for a new audio release on December 31, 2018!
Stuart Woods has a new novel! Stone Barrington has been approached by an old acquaintance to solve a puzzle. The solution to a part of the problem will blow the lid open on a decades old scandal involving many prominent New Yorkers who would prefer the past stay buried. Stone Barrington has to weigh his options. Should he play it safe to the detriment of others, or see justice done and risk fatal exposure? Listen to this new title read by Tony Roberts, available on CD December 31st.
Find it in the catalog.
Title: Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You by Joy Bauer
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults
The purpose of this book is to offer healthy food suggestions to alleviate the distress of everyday common ailments. Each chapter addresses a complaint and gives a detailed explanation of what causes it and how to combat it. Five foods are highlighted that can offer relief, and the science of each and why it can help is explained. Recipes for each food follows, with clear instructions and excellent photographs. There are sixty recipes designed to help with aches and pains, increase energy, and reduce anxiety and stress.
Joy Bauer is a well-known leading health authority. She is a nutrition consultant for the Today Show, Woman’s Day magazine, and the New York City Ballet. She has written twelve best-selling books.
The cover of this book caught my eye, so I decided to give it a try. And, I was pleasantly surprised. It is memoir that is interwoven with lessons learned from the animals in the author’s life. The author, Sy Montgomery, has been an animal lover since early childhood, and she developed deep connections with the animals that crossed her path. A writer by trade, Montgomery has traveled the world to conduct research for her writing. Thus, the animals she encounters range from family dogs and backyard hens to emus and octopuses.
Personally, I am not an animal person, but I still found Montgomery’s stories intriguing. In particular, I enjoyed learning about all of the exotic animals that she came across, including the Matschie’s tree-kangaroo and the Goliath birdeater. This was a quick, easy read. But, it may not be suitable for everyone, as it does contain a very frank discussion about depression and mental illness.
The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Travis McElroy
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Format: Graphic Novel
Who’s it for: Teens, Adults
A story of three brothers and their dad playing dungeons and dragons is a tale as old as time. If that time also included irreverent humor, wanton violence, and one overly dramatic elf. The hit podcast turned New York Time’s best seller has hit your local library shelf. If fantasy, bad jokes, magical jellyfish, and goblin slaying sound like your kind of fun, welcome to The Adventure Zone!
Here There Be Gerblins starts off with our three heroes bungling their way into a rescue of their employer from a lair of goblins, and they only make things worse from there. Our champions will encounter perils such as giant spiders, the Zone of Truth, and even tea with a bugbear (heavens!) Magnus the fighter is brash and will charge into any situation, Merle is the cleric who never knew he could heal, and the Wizard Taako who’s more interested in looking good than saving the day. But don’t forget Griffin, our dungeon master as he makes things harder for our heroes, and maybe make a few puns along the way.
Featuring the charming art of artist Carey Pietsch bringing to life these larger than life characters. They even have a section at the end of the comic dedicated to fanart to show off all the different fan perceptions of the characters from when they were a podcast. If you’re looking for a new graphic novel series to invest in, volume 2, Murder on the Rockport Limited, is already announced for next year. So roll for initiative and prepare for goofs, it’s the Adventure Zone!
The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults
When I was a teenager I was obsessed with reading Gothic romance. I devoured every Victoria Holt (Jean Plaidy and Philippa Carr were her other pen names), Phyllis Whitney, and Mary Stewart book I could get my hands on. I also read Anne Rice. And Dracula by Bram Stoker was my favorite classic that I read at the time. As an adult I read Susanna Kearsley and any other Gothic romance I can get my hands on. Up until now, none of them have come close to being as mysterious, creepy, haunting and romantic as those I read as a teenager. Hester Fox’s debut book, The Witch of Willow Hall is everything I love about Gothic romances.
The year is 1821. Lydia Montrose and her family have recently moved to New Oldbury from Boston after a scandal caused by her older sister, Catherine. Their house, Willow Hall, is large and imposing at it sits on the hill. Lydia has a hard time sleeping in the house. Who is the woman in the garden she sees out the window late one night? Emeline, the youngest sister, is captivated with the pond and the young boy she meets there. And Catherine is on the hunt for a husband so that she can avoid more scandal. Her situation will soon no longer be a secret. Mr. Barret, their father’s business partner, has become an interest to both Lydia and Catherine.
What was the scandal that caused them to move to New Oldbury? Why does Lydia feel uncomfortable in the house? Will Catherine find a husband?
There is mystery, tragedy and romance. A great read for a stormy, cold afternoon by the fire (maybe not so much late at night).