Angelina, Youth Assistant (Graham Room)-
Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides? by Ariel Meadow Stallings
I’ve always fa
ncied myself as an independent, creative woman who doesn’t really fit into any molds. I recently became engaged, and in the slew of wedding planning literature I’ve read, this is the only book I’ve found so far that doesn’t try to sell or dictate the “perfect” (read: cookie-cutter and boring) wedding. The writer of this book shares stories from her own offbeat wedding and those of many other happily married individuals who did not bow to the wedding-industrial-complex, impractical and silly etiquette rules, and nonsensical, outdated traditions. It shows how brides (and grooms) can work together to plan a personalized, meaningful wedding, on a tight budget, and still have fun. This book also examines real issues about gender roles in today’s society and how wedding choices can reflect the couple’s stances on them. It offers tips on tiny, practical things, such as lubricating the rings before the ceremony, as well as more serious general advice on how to deal with more traditional family members and friends who may baulk at your choices for your wedding or be outright offended that you don’t want to use their time-honored wedding traditions as your own. The book is at different times funny, touching, practical, and off-the-wall. I’ve been recommending this book to all of my engaged friends, and they’ve all agreed with me that this is a must-read for all brides-to-be.
Claudia, Assistant Director-
Our Husband by Stephanie Bond
Three women each receive calls from officials letting them know their husband has been hospitalized after a car accident. The three women all end up in the same patient’s room and are stunned to learn they are married to the same man, Raymond Carmichael, a charming, handsome bigamist, compulsive gambler, debtor and shortly thereafter…dead man. Ultimately murder is determined and the three wives are implicated. This is a humorous novel with a touch of mystery and romance. The plot is a bit light, but it’s a fun, silly romp with enjoyable characters: Wife #1, a 50-something socialite; Wife #2, a 30-something doctor and, Wife #3, a 21-year-old stripper. I listened to this book narrated by the brilliant C. J. Critt. Her reading gave realistic, endearing voices to the characters and I found myself laughing out loud frequently. In the end this was a novel about sisterhood. Chick lit and Janet Evanovich fans should enjoy this.
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn
New York Times reporter Nicholas Kristof and his wife Sheryl WuDunn take us on a passionate global voyage to learn the stories of real 
women and girls who have endured brutal conditions (lack of education, demoralization, rape, beatings, sex trafficking, mutilations, and murder) in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This is some tough material, but very moving, enlightening and written in a very approachable style. The book is organized into short chapters that focus on these extreme women’s conditions. We meet the women and learn of the successes and failures in the outcomes of aid directed toward improving their situations. When my book group finished this reading, we knew we had to help our sisters to overcome their plights. As a result, we started two Dining for Women chapters in CT to support the education, empowerment and survival of women and girls worldwide. Empowering women and girls has proven to be the key to improving their lives and thus, the lives of families and communities worldwide. This should be a must-read for all – it’s really an eye-opener, but instills hope.
Ray, Branch Manager (LP)-
One phenomenal read that captivates your curiosity and never lets go is written by the legendary champ of television’s popular game 
show, “Jeopardy.” Ken Jennings’ well written, humorous and insightful memoir is surprisingly fascinating and easy reading. One learns all the answers to all one’s questions about the behind the scenes details of a popular television game show all the while keeping you informed, entertained and mesmerized. There is a great deal of history of the subculture that thrives on competitive word games, puzzles, college bowl quiz tournaments and the many trivia buff luminaries throughout the ages. You learn how invested Ken Jennings became as a dedicated trivia buff while keeping an engaging personality. You may not feel as smart as Ken Jennings but you will learn so much by reading the answers to each chapters’ quizzes at the end of each few pages. For an informative, fun, and page turning read I highly recommend Brainiac, Adventures in the Curious, Competitive World of Trivia Buffs.
For superb storytelling and exquisite atmospheric surroundings, Dorothy Frank Benton is unsurpassed. Any of her ten or more charming and convincing tales will transport you to the essence of Southern gentility, hospitality and neighborly friendships while lurking underneath are family struggles and secrets. “Lowcountry Summer,” pits Caroline Wim
bley Levine against a formidable array of family and friends struggling against breakups and teen rebellion. Caroline is in line to take over as matriarch of the family after the passing of her mother, Miss Lavinia, even while she is trying to rein in a rambunctious teen, cantankerous sister-in-law and difficult brother. Eric, Caroline’s college age son, who is the center of her life, takes up most of her energy except when she is working on her own romances with the local pig farmer, civic leaders, businessmen and law enforcement agents. Lowcountry Summer is one page after mesmerizing page turning read that will have you laughing uproariously one minute and wiping away your tears from the previous page another minute. You will not be able to put this perfect summer read down.
Dani, Circulation Assistant (LP)-
For those who are interested in an alternative version of fairy tales I think you should read “A Hole in the World” by Sophie Robbins. The story follows Bianca who finds this mysterious cave inside of a wall. She hears a voice cry out “Help Me”. She runs away but for years after she dreams of the cave and the voice that had called out to her. Bianca life is anything but adventurous. She is sent to an all girls boarding school by her parents and dreads every moment being there. Through no fault of her own she is expelled from the school and sent back home. She is happy to reconnect with her best friend Scotty and hopes that her life gets better. Bianca tells Scotty of the cave and how she is drawn to it but also scared at the same time of what she might find. She eventually goes into the cave and that’s where her life changes for the better. She rescues Princess Alexandra from imprisonment and a large troll. From then on Alexandra views Bianca as her Prince Charming. Bianca introduces Alexandra to her world of going to school, iPods, and what its really like to be a teenager with all the confusion emotionally and hormonally that comes along with being a teenager. This book is full of adventure and all the magical things that happen in “fairy tales” and in the end true love conquers all.