Lima Public Library Book Reviews

Nonfiction

Afghanistan Declassified: a Guide to America's Longest War by Brian Williams (958.1047 W)

Nearly 100,000 U.S. soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, fighting the longest war in the nation's history. But what do Americans know about the land where this conflict is taking place? Williams brings the country to life and fills many of the gaps in our understanding of Afghanistan.

The Time of Our Lives: a Conversation about America by Tom Brokaw (973.927 B)

The well-known broadcast journalist evaluates the American dream of the past, present and future as experienced by four generations of his and other families and offers ideas on how we can revitalize the promise of the American Dream.

Angel in the Rubble: the Miraculous Rescue of 9/11's Last Survivor by Genelle Guzman-McMillan (92 Guzman)

Guzman recounts the horrific ordeal that took the lives of many of her friends and co-workers on Sept. 11 and the 27 hours she was trapped under the collapsed Tower One. This is not only her story of survival against all odds, but her story of spiritual renewal.

Wendy and the Lost Boys: the Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein by Julie Salamon (92 Wasserstein)

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the first woman playwright to win a Tony Award, Wendy Wasserstein was a Broadway luminary, but her personal life was overshadowed by private tragedies. This is a moving portrait of an uncommon woman.

Fiction

Bad Moon by Todd Ritter

The day that Neil Armstrong made history was the same day that 10-year-old Charlie disappeared. His bike was found near the river and police, never finding his body, assumed he had drowned. Forty years later, Charlie's younger brother finds out that his recently deceased mother was convinced that Charlie was kidnapped, and he decides to investigate. Ritter's debut will keep readers enthralled and guessing right to the very surprising end.

As the Pig Turns by M.C. Beaton

When a police officer is murdered, Agatha Raisin is a suspect. She quickly clears her name, and the officer's wife hires her to find the real killer. This is the 22nd in the long running and popular Agatha Raisin cozy mystery series.

Creed's Honor by Linda Lael Miller

Connor Creed works his uncle's ranch Lonesome Bend, Colo. It's not his dream life, but he owes his uncle at least this much. His life is unstrung when his estranged identical twin brother suddenly appears. Perhaps Tricia McCall will help him cope, and together they might find and live their own dreams.

Headhunters by Jo Nesbo

Roger Brown is a headhunter for a large company based in Oslo, Norway. He does quite well but needs extra income as his beautiful wife's business is bleeding money. He sets up a side business. Nesbo's trademark dark humor and numerous plot twists are evident in this outstanding stand-alone.

Children's

Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barrett Smith

Scrub is stuck staying with his hippie grandma for the summer. She owns a bed and breakfast; it's called The Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast. Some of the guests are a little strange. Scrub comes to find out that all of his grandma's guests are aliens from other planets visiting Earth for vacation. Find out what happens when Scrub tries to protect the secret of the bed and breakfast and all the alien guests and get some good laughs as well.

Ages: 8 and up

It's the First Day of School ... Forever! by R.L. Stine

Artie is having the worst first day of school ever! First, he falls out of bed and hits his head, his brother gets syrup in his hair and doesn't have time to get it out, and he gets splashed with water which makes it look as though he wet his pants, and that's just in the morning. His second day of school starts out the same and ends up like his first day. The third day is the same as the first, what is going on? Find out what happens to Artie; will it be the first day of school, forever?

Ages: 9 and up