Novel Experiences

The September House by Carissa Orlando Book Review by Rachael from the Altona Branch When Margaret and her husband Hal first see the old Victorian house for sale at such a good price, they know the walk through will just be a formality. The realtor discloses that there has been a murder, but it happened a hundred years ago, and in their excitement for the house, Hal and Margaret don't pay much attention when she discloses that all of the other deaths were deemed natural. Finally becoming homeowners after a lifetime of dreaming about it, they are ecstatic.  After they move in, they start noticing small disturbances, then September comes and the small disturbances ramp up. Most people would flee in terror, but not Margaret. She is not like most people, her attitude is that there are rules to these things, and everything is survivable. Nothing is going to chase her out of her dream house. Hal on the other hand is less inclined to stay. He begs Margaret to leave with him after living t

 The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself                      by Michael Singer Book Review by Sarah from the Winkler Branch I listened to the audiobook which was fairly quick at 6 hours, 11 minutes listening time. My overall impression of this book was of comforting viewpoints but nothing really new or groundbreaking. It was a spiritually based book, not religious though did have some scripture references at the end. It had more of a Zen eastern spirituality flavor with a side of quantum physics, psychology and philosophy. I found the author's explanation of energy, how it can get stuck and work against us insightful. He explained in great detail how energy is boundless and how to harness it's endless power. This book serves as a guide to the why and how to transcend the confines of ego to let go of fear, worry, stress, pain; all human suffering essentially in order to achieve true enlightenment. How to become free of the blockages that hold us back from reaching our

  City of the Lost By Kelly Armstrong Rockton Book 1 Adult Fiction, Thriller Reviewed by Michelle from the Altona Branch     Casey Duncan, detective, killer, and best friend who needs to escape her life, finds a remote town for other castaways.  On the first day of her arrival, she is thrust into her first job-a murder. How does one fight crime in a town so remote, with no computers, no vehicles, and very little electricity? With skill!     I am not a fan of thrillers, but this one kept me gripped. It was an easy read in a genre I never read and I became invested in the characters. To place this book on hold, click here. A Darkness Absolute By Kelly Armstrong Rockton Book 2 Adult Fiction, Thriller Reviewed by Michelle from the Altona Branch     A continuation of the story of cast-away detective Casey Duncan.  Follow her latest investigation with her partner  in the remote community of Rockton.     Will and Casey team up with a cabin crazy fellow and together they try to solve the kidna

  By Gail Foreman    Young Adult Fiction Reviewed by Kaylee     If I Stay is about 17 year old Mia, who is in a tragic car crash. She doesn't remember any of the accident, but little by little she pieces together the events of the past. She has to make the extremely difficult decision of whether or not she has enough left to survive.     I liked that Gayle Foreman was able to change the way you look at life and the challenges you face. If I Stay is one of the best books I've read and I love how I was able to feel everything that Mia felt. Her story really stayed with me. To place this book on hold, click here.

  By Jory John  Illustrated by Pete Oswald Junior Easy Reviewed by Wendi from the Altona Branch     Grape used to be sweet, but then something happened that turned him into a bitter grape and eventually a Sour grape. When his good friend holds a grudge against sour Grape, he realizes how unfair grudges can be and how life is so much sweeter when we forgive and show compassion.     I love how this book is set up not only for children but for people of all ages. To place this book on hold, click here.

  By Justin Cronin Adult Fiction, Sci-Fi/Dystopian Reviewed by Rachael-Altona Branch Administrator     In The Ferryman we meet Cynthia, who lives on the  island of Prospera, a place that is  hidden from the outside decaying world to keep the residents safe.  The people of Prospera are reborn as teenagers to start new lives when their health is in decline and through this process they take on wards to help guide them back into adulthood. Before Cynthia is gone, we learn about how she came to love her ward and husband.           As we get into the story, we meet Proctor, Cynthia's grown son. Proctor is a ferryman, an important job that involves helping retirees board the ferry to the nursery where they reintegrate and start new lives.  While most people are willing to go to the nursery, some are not so it becomes the ferryman's job to help these residents transition when it is time.      There is unrest in Prospera, the residents that live in the Annex are not like the people of