Novel Experiences

  By Alok Vaid-Menon Young Adult Non-Fiction Reviewed by Britany from the Winkler Branch Favourite Line: "This is not about erasing men and women but rather acknowledging that man and woman are two of many--stars in a constellation that do not compete, but amplify one another's shine." This line was very powerful to me.  It shows that no one wants to invalidate what makes someone feel the most themselves, we (as gender nonconforming people) just want the ability to do the same and exist the same within society, without shame, hate or judgment. Additional Comments: I really enjoyed this read.  It was a rapid read, however, an extremely informational one.  I recommend this book to everyone!  I have done quite a bit of reading into this subject myself, and I still found information that I wanted to look up later to dive into further.  I also think this book  would be good for someone who needs somewhere to start! It's not overwhelming on information and gives you a reall

  It's that time of year again.  Summer is almost over and school will soon be starting again for another year. To celebrate, here is a list of school related books for all ages to get you in the back to school spirit. As always, click on the book title to place the book on hold or contact your local branch for more information. Hello School! A cozy introduction to what makes school so much fun features a diverse group of students who share first-day milestones, from getting a cubby and making new friends to taking a nature walk and participating in arts-and-crafts activities. Schooled Homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television, tasted a pizza, or even heard of a wedgie. But when his grandmother lands in the hospital, Cap is forced to move in with a guidance counselor and attend the local middle school. While Cap knows a lot about tie-dyeing and Zen Buddhism, no education could prepare him for the politics of public school. High Sc

  The Rosie Project By Graeme Simsion Adult Fiction Reviewed by Heidi from the Winkler Branch     The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is about a man named Don Tillman.  A Professor of Genetics who is highly intelligent but socially awkward, Don is embarking on a mission to find a wife.  As a scientist, he decides a comprehensive questionnaire is the most efficient route.  As you can imagine, this doesn't go very well.  Along the way he meets Rosie, who is not a Wife Project candidate, but somehow, they fall in love.  I found this book equally funny and heartfelt, hopeful and realistic.  If you're looking for a quirky, fun read, I'd highly recommend this series. To place this book on hold, click here. To place the audiobook on hold, click here. The Rosie Effect By Graeme Simsion Adult Fiction Reviewed by Heidi from the Winkler Branch     The Rosie Effect picks up with Don Tillman and Rosie living in New York, the city of strange and wonderful people, where no one feels weird

  By Megan Miranda Adult Fiction Reviewed by Linda from the Winkler Branch      It’s not safe for a journalist to get too close to her story. Leah Stevens crossed that line, and now she has to rebuild her life from the ground up. The saving grace in Leah’s world of loss was meeting up again with Emmy, a roommate from college days. Emmy was starting again too, and they decided to become roommates again. Their new lives in a remote town in Western Pennsylvania had a bit of a rough start, but things seemed to be going well. Then a woman is found, brutally assaulted and left for dead, near their house, and Leah realizes she hasn’t actually seen Emmy in several days. Leah needs to find out what happened to Emmy; this is a story she can’t help getting very close to, even if it drags her back into the story that ended her career, or forward into a situation that could end her life.       The Perfect Stranger is clever, twisty, dark thriller that I barely put down, and that lingered in my m

  By Gary D. Schmidt Junior Fiction Reviewed by Charlize from the Miami Brach     Just Like That tells the stories of Meryl Lee Kowalski and Matt Coffin.     After a personal tragedy, Meryl Lee (a character you might remember from Schmidt's Newberry Honour book The Wednesday Wars) moves to the St. Elene's Preparatory Academy for Girls boarding school.  Troubled with snobbish classmates, difficult teachers and family issues, Meryl Lee finds her life uprooted.     Running from a mobster from his past, Matt Coffin winds up on the coast of Maine near St. Elene's.  Through the help of the kindly Mrs. Nora MacKnockater, Matt begins to feel like he has a home.     Through circumstances that surprise them both, Meryl Lee and Matt find themselves becoming friends, healing from past wounds and bringing the community of St. Elene's together.     Just Like That is another admirable companion to The Wednesday Wars.  It is poignant, thought provoking and well written.  As in Gary D.

  By Emily Inouye Henry Young Adult Fiction Reviewed by Julie from the Altona Branch     Emily Inouye Henry, the author of Beneath The Wide Silk Sky , is the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II.  Beneath The Wide Silk Sky is a Young Adult historical fiction novel about the fear and bigotry that lead to the discrimination and violence towards innocent people during World War II.     Sam Sakamoto is a 16 year old girl with a dream of becoming a photographer, but it's only a dream.  Her family is on the verge of losing the family farm and money is too scarce to even buy a roll of film for her old box camera.  Her best friend Beau encourages her to enter a statewide photography contest for amateur photographers and even offers to buy her a roll of film.     Then, on December 7, 1941, Japanese airplanes attack the US naval base at Pearl Harbor and Sam's world is changed forever.  Fear causes the American p