Colleen, Head of Technical Services–

The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich. They’re funny, quirky, and each book is more outrageous than the last.  You find yourself both laughing at and sympathizing with the characters, especially crazy Grandma Mazur. The books are touted as light murder mysteries but that to me takes a back seat to the characters and New Jersey, where they take place and seems like a character all on its own. And how can you not love a protaganist that has a love for junk food?

Luann, Circulation Assistant (Ora Mason)-

I have been attempting in the past couple of years to read some of the classics, which I should have read in high school and college.  I just finished the Hobbit by J. R.R. Tolkein.  It was my second attempt, after trying to read it and then putting it down a few years ago.  I am not a big “fantasy” genre fan (people got far too into the Lord of the Rings Trilogy), but I made it through this time and I have to say that I enjoyed it.  I am now looking forward to seeing the movie after reading the book.

I am currently reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and after seeing the musical years ago on Broadway, I have a greater understanding of the thoughts of the characters and the themes which he tryed to convey by what I have read atthis point.  I certainly see why this is considered a classic!  The size of the book is enough to frighten anyone away, but the author mixes up his style of writing, using various techniques, which keep it interesting and enjoyable.  If you like a book with a little bit of everything; history, drama, suspense; then this is worth the attempt for sure.  I haven’t made it far, (page 284 out of 1194) but I intend to finish.

Dani, Circulation Assistant (Louis Piantino)-

One of the last books I read that I really enjoyed was “Playing the Player” by Lea Santos. What I liked most about the book was that it has that wisecracking humor so common within the Latin American community. The character of Dodo (the grandmother) reminded me very much of my own grandmother, very straight forward no nonsense type of woman. The love story between the two main characters, Madeira and Grace and how such a life altering situation (car accident) brought them together initially and how they finally realized that they were meant to be together. I also liked the underlying theme that although you may be viewed as a “Playa” you can still be a loving and caring person if given the chance.