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2000
listed by staff or board member's first
name
Barb Kuttler, Special Project
Librarian
I really enjoyed
F FIEL, LARGE TYPE F FIEL, TC F FIEL
- Bridget Jones's Diary and
- Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
by Helen Fielding.
Must be read with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (F AUST,
LARGE TYPE F AUST, YA F AUST, TC F AUST, VC F PRID, VC F JANE).
Barb Reardon, Information Services
Librarian
B GOODWIN, LARGE TYPE B GOODWIN, TC B GOODWIN
- Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin
A memoir of growing up in 1950s Brooklyn, New York, and the girl's "love
affair" with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Caran Johnson, Volunteer and Outreach
Services
919.4046 BR, LARGE TYPE 919.4046 BR, TC
919.4046 BR, CD 919.4046 BR
- In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
A great storyteller! Factual, humorous, and interesting book about his
adventures and travels in Australia. I listened to the book on CD and
laughed out loud at many of his vivid descriptions.
M HILL, LARGE TYPE M HILL
- Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman
Hillerman mysteries are set in Navajo country and are a combination of
police procedural (Navajo tribal police) and a fascinating look at Navajo
culture, customs, ceremonies, and conflicts between traditional ways and
modern culture. A great series! This book deals with theft of Anasazi
pottery from an area of remote cliff dwellings.
Carol Crane, Technical Services Library
Clerk
378.12 AL, LARGE TYPE 378.12 AL, TC 378.12 AL
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Nonfiction. I LOVE this book. I not only enjoyed the book while I was
reading it, but thought about it long after I finished the last page. The
book is about life, living, and dying, and all the lessons to be learned
in between.
Chad Becker, Maintenance
Page
F LAHA, LARGE TYPE F LAHA, TC F LAHA, CD F LAHA,
VC F LEFT
- Left Behind by Tim LaHaye
This book is written by a Christian author and is one of the best
page-turners I have ever read. It deals with biblical prophecy and the
endof the world. Simply fascinating the way the author has interpreted the
Bible. If you like fiction, you will not be able to put down this book!
Read the whole series!
Faye Clow, Library
Director
F HOWA
- Discovering the Body by Mary Howard
A beautifully described Iowa setting provides the backdrop for the
story of a young artist's second thoughts about her testimony at a murder
trial.
Hedy N. R. Hustedde, Information
Librarian
M DIBD
- Ratking by Michael Dibdin
The first in the Aurelio Zen series about a stoic and philosophical
Italian police commissioner. I found lots of philosophical and witty
one-liners and delighted in the telephone images throughout. This mystery
has to do with the kidnapping of a powerful Italian industrialist. There
is much about modern-day Italian culture, geography, and politics that was
of interest to me.
F LENZ
- The German Lesson by Siegfried Lenz
This is juvenile delinquent Siggi Jepsen's essay about duty and
responsibility assigned to him while he was serving time in a reformatory
for a series of art thefts. It is full of wonderful, vivid, unique
descriptions of Schleswig-Holstein right along the North Sea from 1943 -
1954. This place was removed from the brutality of the concentration camps
but still very much involved in WWII in a way that only an obscure village
could be. Anyone interested in German literature should read this as Lenz
is one of the triumvirate of German postwar writers of conscience along
with Heinrich Boll and Gunter Grass.
Jackie, Library Page
362.7609 PE, LARGE TYPE 362.7609 PE, TC
362.7609
- A Man Named Dave by David J. Pelzer
This book is about a man named Dave who was abused during his entire
childhood but continued to survive despite all the odds against him. It's
a very touching story. I liked this book because Dave really lets the
reader in on all the suffering he went through and how he kept fighting
back and being strong for his own family. He went back to his house where
he grew up to make peace with his mother and then, in the end, he finally
got to the point of forgiving her for all the hurt she had caused him
while growing up. Dave also writes with a sense of conviction that no
matter how bad anyone's childhood was, there's always hope and you can
come out a strong person.
John, Lead Library Clerk, Technical
Services
CD JZ TAJ, TC JZ TAJ
This is a great CD for showing the diversity of musical styles
included in the "Blues" genre. Great songs (although most are from other
writers), excellent musicianship, and fantastic production have made this
one of my favorite "Blues" (actually of any genre) CDs.
Judi Sarafin, Information
Librarian
F PILC, LARGE TYPE PILC, TC PILC, CD PILC
- Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Contemporary fiction, set mostly in Scotland. The characters are
developed so well that I felt I knew them. The author's descriptions of
smell and surroundings, etc., were exceptional.
Karen Madesian, Circulation Services
Manager
M EVAN, LARGE TYPE M EVAN, TC M EVAN
- One for the Money
- Two for the Dough
- Three to Get Deadly
- Four to Score
- High Five
- Hot Six [no LARGE TYPE]
all by Janet Evanovich
In the pursuit of tracking down bail "jumpers," Stephanie Plum and a
colorful array of characters have all sorts of dangerous and humorous
adventures - quick, "fun" reads.
F EVAN, LARGE TYPE F EVAN
- The Christmas Box
- Timepiece
- The Letter [no LARGE TYPE]
- The Locket [no LARGE TYPE]
- The Looking Glass [also TC F EVAN; no LARGE TYPE]
- The Carousel
all by Richard Paul Evans
Sentimental, romantic, "restore-your-faith" novels - quick reads for
the holidays.
LuAnn Hogan, Technical
Services
M JEFF
The Homefront Mysteries:
- The Victory Dance Murder
- In the Mood for Murder
both by M. T. Jefferson
These mysteries are set on the homefront during WWII, in the town of
Robinsville, Pennsylvania. While accurately depicting the ways of that
era, these mysteries are quick paced, suspenseful, and fun to read. These
are good books to just sit and relax with.
Maria Levetzow, Young Adult
Librarian
SF WILL
- The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. In the 21st century,
historians time travel to the past to do research. A young student travels
to the very dangerous middle ages - and is stuck there when an epidemic in
the 21st century forces the technicians into the hospital and the time
travel lab is closed.
YA F MACK
- Drawing Lesson by Tracy Mack
Rory is an artist, taught by her father. But after she finds her
father kissing one of his models, he leaves Rory and her mother. In his
absence, she can't draw at all. And if she's not an artist, who is she? A
beautifully written book, bringing to the miind's eye the colors of Rory'
palette.
CD RC LANG, TC RC LANG
- Invincible Summer by kd lang
kd lang's singing is so effortless; her wonderful, versatile voice is
soothing and uplifting at the same time.
Mark Edwards, Library
Page
- Book: Are You Being Served? by Adrian Rigelsford,
Anthony Brown, and Geoff Tibballs
This book is a documentary style book that tells all about the
popular Great Britain sitcom Are You Being Served? I like this book
because I like to watch British comedies, and I learned some things about
it that I didn't know before.
- Video: Dirty Work starring Norm MacDonald
- Sound Recording: I'm Telling You for the Last Time by
Jerry Seinfeld (comedy)
- Magazines: T. V. Guide, Star Trek
Communicator, Advance (Iowa Public Television
Program Guide)
- Newspapers: USA Today, Quad-City Times,
Des Moines Register
Mary B, Library Clerk
ROM HOWA, TC ROM HOWA
- Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
Contemporary romance/mystery. Made me laugh a lot.
Nancy Medema, Lead Library Assistant,
Circulation
ROM LOWE, LARGE TYPE ROM LOWE, TC ROM
LOWE
- Midnight in Ruby Bayou by Elizabeth Lowell
Continuation of her "gem" series. This romantic suspense story
revolves around the world of jewelry making, specifically with rubies. A
good story that keeps you turning the pages.
Pat Laas, Library Board of
Trustees
F ALVA
- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
This fascinating historical fiction piece involves the memories of
four sisters from the Dominican Republic. The book chronicles the life of
these sisters and their campaign against Raphael Leonidas Trujillo,
dictator of the Dominican Republic in 1960. These four sisters, or
"Butterflies" as they were called, were extraordinary women and three of
them were martyred for their cause of independence in the Dominican
Republic. This tale, because it is historically based, is a real winner
and a definite "good read."
Paul, Student Liaison and Information
Services
J ROWL SF, JUV BOT ROWLING
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Book 4 in the "classic" Harry Potter series. The midnight wait in
line at WalMart was well worth it on the day of this book's release for
purchase.
J* DUAN, YA SF DUAN
- So You Want to Be a Wizard
- Deep Wizardry
- High Wizardry
- A Wizard Abroad [J* DUAN only]
all by Diane Duane
If you've whet your appetite with Harry Potter, you'll want to try
this series. A young girl and her friend learn about the responsibilities
of being wizards. Although classified as juvenile, adults, too, will enjoy
this fantasy series.
F IRVI
- A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
This is my new All-Time-Favorite Book. You'll laugh, you'll cry, it
will become a part of you! From tragedy to comedy, a tale of best friends.
Rita Rosauer, Adult Services
Manager
F LENT, TC F LENT
- In the Fall by Jeffrey Lent
This book is historical fiction at its best. It follows the story of
three generations of a family from the Civil War through the 1930's. It
begins when a Union soldier, Norman Pelham, is found wounded in the
southern woods by Leah, a young slave girl. He falls in love with her and
brings her back to his farm in Vermont. The two quietly raise a family and
try to protect them from the racism they experience in their small
community.
This compelling story of three generations of this interracial family is
powerfully written. It will appeal to those who enjoyed Cold
Mountain by Charles Frazier. Interestingly, Lent's editor, Elisabeth
Schmitz, also discovered and edited Cold Mountain. It will appeal
to the same audience but I consider it better written, that is, more
gripping and fast-paced.
Shar Campbell,
Receptionist
M EVAN, TC M EVAN
- Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
The author continues the adventures of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum
and Trenton vice cop Joe Morelli as they join forces to bring black market
arms dealer Alexander Ramos to justice. Stephanie's grandmother tries to
join in the hunt by packing a .45 and trying to do a stake-out to capture
their man. Stephanie seems to attract "interesting" characters who try to
kill her, date her, and in general try to destroy her. "Ranger" (aka
Carlos Manoso) always seems to know when Stephanie needs a friend/lover
and comes to the rescue. Evanovich's bestsellers are always a quick read
with a little mystery and romance. Can't wait for #7!
Tami Chumbley, Youth Services
Manager
J DICA
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A sweet story about friendship. It's the story of what happens when
India Opal Buloni moves to Naomi, Florida, and befriends a big, ugly dog
named Winn-Dixie. One never imagines that an unusual friend can have such
an impact on a young girl's life.
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