Novel Experiences

  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

  By: Hayley Campbell Adult Non-Fiction Reviewed by Michelle from the Altona Branch     In this book, the author goes on a journey through the business of death.  Interviewing many professionals that help the living with their dead, she learns the many facets of how to treat our dead with dignity.     While there are many similar books on the topic of death, this one is intriguing because Campbell covers topics and people I had not seen before, including, an executioner, a death mask creator, and a murder scene clean-up crew.     I especially enjoyed the chapter about the embalmers who work with children and babies.  It taught me about the great lengths professionals go through to support families who have lost little ones. To place this book on hold, click here.

  By Kim Appelt Adult Non-Fiction Reviewed by Tracy     After losing a fair bit of weight, I am having to learn how to dress for my body shape.  In this book, Kim Appelt teaches you what the classic body types are, what different trends are (dressy, edgy, boho, etc.). She also talks about what looks good on what shape for different occasions.     Appelt also talks about how to store your clothing, what should be hung or folded, how to organize your closet effectively, and covers what kind of accessories you should choose.     I would recommend this book to anyone who needs help with any of the above topics.     Copies available in Morden and Winkler. To place this book on hold, click here.