Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia was first published in the late 1960's in Germany under the editorship of zoologist Bernhard Gryzimek. Years later Gale and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association worked together to completely revise and update the series for the first time in 30 years. Gale expanded the 13 volume set to 17 volumes, had new color paintings commissioned, and made the set easier to use.

This 17 volume set is organized by taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science in which various organisms are discovered, identified, described, named, classified, and catalogued. They start with the simplest life forms, the lower metazoans and lesser deuterostomes, in volume one, and then the series progresses through the more complex classes of animals, culminating with the mammals, in volumes 12-16 (pg x).

Grzimek's features 3,000 color photos that help enhance understanding.

If you need information on animal life take a look at these very informative books.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Let me start off by saying that I think I have a knack for picking out really good books that leave you hanging and the next book in the series doesn't come out for months.

The sequel to this book is called Crescendo and won't be out until fall of this year. End of rant :).

This book actually doesn't leave you hanging which is nice. I actually thought it was a stand alone book but when I went on the authors website I found out that there is a sequel.

Nora Grey had a plan and romance was not a part of it. But she meets Patch and she is attracted to him but at the same time he makes her uneasy. She's not sure what emotion to trust. Bizarre things are happening to her and Patch is everywhere she seems to be. Is he responsible? What Nora doesn't know is she is in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen and when it comes to choosing sides the wrong choice will cost Nora her life. I really liked this book. It was full of humor, romance, mystery, and danger. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I think this is another very cool cover.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

I love doing this blog. I mean I love to read so why not talk about the books later. What is frustrating about this blog though is I like pictures and sometimes the pictures don't always come out the way I want them to.

Exhibit A:

You can so see me in this picture. I think it looks kind of cool but it takes away from the cover, which I think is awesome. I don't judge books by their cover but it certainly helps when the the covers are cool to look at. I first saw this book in a catalog and what sucked me in at first was the cover. Who's that girl and what's her story? Why is she in the woods all by herself? Then I read what the book is about and I knew I had to read it. I'm glad I did.












This picture is a much better. Not great but better. I have a hard time not getting a glare. Anyway I'll stop focusing on my picture woes now.

Fallen is about Lucinda or Luce for short. She is sent to the Sword and Cross reform school after a bizarre fire that killed her boyfriend left her as a suspect. The first day there she meets Daniel Grigori who is achingly familiar but he claims they have never met before. Daniel frustrates Luce with is hot and cold attitude but she can't seem to stay away from him. Will she believe him when the truth comes out? That's all I'm going to say I don't want to give anything away.

The sequel Torment will be out in September.

Hotter After Midnight and Midnight Sins by Cynthia Eden

Sorry I don't have pictures but I wanted to blog about these books. If you are into paranormal romance that is to hot to handle than Cynthia Eden is an author for you.

Hotter After Midnight features paranormal psychotherapist Emily Drake and Atlanta detective Colin Gyth. Emily treats vampires who are afraid to drink blood, sex demons looking for meaningful relationships, and others that go bump in the night. Colin is a wolf shifter and his boss brings Emily in on a case that isn't human. From the start sparks fly and this is a great read.

The second book in the series is Midnight Sins and features Cara, the sex demon looking for a meaningful relationship from Hotter After Midnight, and detective Todd Brooks, Colin's partner from Hotter After Midnight. In this book another murderer is stalking Atlanta. Todd is convinced that Cara is the killer that they are looking for but after meeting her he's not so sure.

An Unexpected Song by Iris Johansen

Reading Level: Adult
(3 out of 5)

This book was an easy read. You didn't really have to think about anything you just sat back and enjoyed. It's not the best book I have ever read but it was enjoyable. Jason is a musical playwright and he has his eye on Daisy for the lead in his new musical. Daisy turns him down and no one turns down Jason. Jason must convince Daisy to star in the play while trying not to fall in love. Throw in a little mystery and you have An Unexpected Song.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

This book is like watching a train wreck. It's horrible but you can't look away. These girls are so mean and the adults are oblivious to it all. Once I picked up this story I couldn't put it down and it really makes you think. Sometimes the saying, "What goes around comes around," is true but do people really deserve what they get at the end. Just when you think it can't get any worse it does, but fear not it does have a somewhat happy ending.

In Some Girls Are, Regina is apart of the Fearsome Fivesome. Anna is the leader and Regina's best friend. At a party Anna's boyfriend Donnie tries to rape Regina. Regina tells Kara, who isn't Regina's biggest fan, and Kara ends up telling Anna that Donnie and Regina slept together. They go from being best friends to enemies in 90 seconds flat. The now Fearsome Foursome are out for Regina's blood and some of these pranks are over the top. Regina finds some solace in Michael but they have a timid friendship because Regina wasn't very nice to Michael in the past.

VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever 2010

I bet you didn't know that we let hounds in the library, well VideoHounds that is. The VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever 2010 is the complete guide to movies on VHS, DVD, and HI-Def formats. According to the library journal, "It simply doesn't get any better than this(From the front cover)".

On the inside of the front cover is The Rating Scale: One Dog's Opinion. The scale goes from Woof! (No Bones) to Four Bones. No Bones says that watching your neighbor's vacation videos might be less painful. May be redeemed by stretches of unintentional amusement. Four Bones says masterful cinematic expression. Flawless or nearly so. Will want to recommend to complete strangers on the street.

How is the VideoHound put together? First you have the introduction. Then there is a section on how to use VideoHound. This comes in handy for first time users. Then the rest of this over 2000 plus page book is broken down into categories: Alternate Titles Index, Videos A-Z, Category Index, Kibbles and Series Index, Awards Index, Cast Index, Director Index, Writer Index, Cinematographer Index, Composer Index, Video Sources Guide, and Web Site Guide.

So the biggest section is the videos A-Z section. "Each VideoHound review contains up to 19 items, ranging from title, to the review, to cast listings, to awards received. the information in these reviews is designed to help you choose a video you'll like, increase your enjoyment of a movie as you watch (especially by answering that nagging question of "What else have I seen that guy in"), and increase your knowledge of movie trivia (xii, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever)."

You may not agree with the rating scale on some of your favorite movies but this book has a lot of movies in it ranging from the well known to the obscure. It is a fun book to flip through.

Check out their website: http://www.movieretriever.com/

Richmond Rogues Series by Kate Angell

Reading Level: Adult Fiction

(4 out of 5)

Meet the bad boys of baseball:

Risk Kincaid and Zen Driscoll find true love in Squeeze Play.

The top power hitters of the Richmond Rogues, Psycho, Romeo, and Chaser, find themselves sidelined from the game in Curveball but not from their women.

In Strike Zone Brek Stryker is getting married but who will he end up with, Taylor or Hilary. Sloan McCaffrey chases after one sister to end up with the other.

Kason Rhodes comes home from spring training to find out his house has been lived in while he was away and she is determined to stay. Rhaden Dunn has his eye on someone who may be forbidden to him.

I don't even like baseball but these books make me want to start watching. Kate Angell knows her baseball and her men. My only disappointment is that she didn't do a separate book for each ball player. Instead of having only four books to read I could have had nine.

Look for Alex Boxer's story in Santa, Honey. It's a good one to.

The Natural Pharmacy Edited by Alan R. Gaby M.D.

Someone slap my hand for the confession I am about to make. I, Lacey Klemm reference librarian, am not aware of every reference book we have in the library. Ouch that hurt! But my goal this year is to get to know the reference collection better. I know the ones I use on a regular basis very well but like this book, The Natural Pharmacy, I didn't even know we had it. After taking a look through it I'm glad I know about it now. It's a very informative book.

Before you read futher here is an important disclaimer: It is important to realize that this book is provided for information or educational purposes only and should be used in consultation with a healthcare professional knowledgeable in natural medicine. Information is this book is not meant to replace any medical information supplied by a doctor or pharmacist (pg. xxii).

The Natural Pharmacy is a complete A-Z reference to natural treatments for common health conditions, vitamins, herbs, minerals, diet, and lifestyle. It features a very handy section called How to Use This Book. Just what I need to help me navigate. The book is broken into three sections, Health Concerns, Nutritional Supplements, and Herbs.

Health concerns has entries on athletic performance, diverticular disease, hay fever, hives, stress, and much more. Basically each entry has information about what it is, what the symptoms are, medical treatments, dietary changes that may be helpful, nutritional supplements that may be helpful, herbs that may be helpful, and holistic approaches that may be helpful.

In the nutritional supplements section you will find information about specific vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients. Each nutrient entry includes information about where it is found, health concerns for which the nutrient might be supportive, suggested dosage ranges, and possible side effects or interactions.

The herb entries give you information on the botanical name, common name, parts used and where it is grown, historical or traditional use, active constituents, how much is usually taken, and if there are any side effects or interactions.

There is a contents section and an index section for easy look up.

So-Easy Slow Cooker by Better Homes and Gardens

Reading Level: Adult or for anyone who likes to cook.
(4 out of 5)

I love my slow cooker. To me it is one of the best inventions ever. I put everything into the crock pot in the morning and when I get home from work it's all cooked and ready to eat. For those of you out there who are pressed for time a slow cooker may be the answer.

Over the past couple of weeks I tried the Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken Stroganoff, and Easy Cheesy Sloppy Joes. All were good but I think my favorite was the Chicken and Dumplings. The dumplings are different then regular dumplings due to cornmeal and cheddar cheese. I thought they were very good. There are several other recipes I want to try out as well like Greek Chicken with Couscous, Smashed Potato Soup, and Southwest Steak and Potato Soup.

If you like your slow cooker check out this book. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Thank You

I would like to thank Karl, Rose, Erica, and Samantha for submitting reviews to the Book Nook Blog. I really appreciate it. Thank you for participating in the book giveaway. I hope to do it again in the future.

Stolen Figs by Mark Rotella

Stolen Figs is a book about a man that visits his family in Calabria, Italy with his father. Memories of Mark's father come alive and the author learns about the history and adventures of the Rotella family. He meets many characters that all know his relatives because of the closeness the little town shares. It tells of places the author visits and the history of the town. As the author takes you through the town you feel like you are with him by the way he describes the sights, sounds, tastes, and how it feels. I enjoyed this book and felt like I was visiting Calabria.

Review submitted by Erica

Compulsion: an Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman

Compulsion is another psychological mystery novel featuring Dr. Alex Delaware as a consultant of the LAPD. He and his friend Detective Milo Sturgis follow the trail of a killer who seems to have no motive. Jonathan Kellerman has a long list of successful mystery novels featuring Alex Delaware drawing upon his personal experience as a clinical psychologist.

Review submitted by Rose

Blood Work by Michael Connelly

Reading Level: Adult
(5 out of 5)

Former FBI Agent Terry McCaleb is two months into recovery from a heart transplant when Graciela Rivers shows up unannounced on his boat to ask him to help solve her sister's murder. At first, McCaleb refuses because of his health. But when Graciela tells him that his heart came from her murdered sister, McCaleb is shocked into agreeing to help her. It seems that the LAPD aren't doing much, because it looks like Gloria, Graciela's sister, was simply another victim of a convenience store robbery. But as McCaleb puts the pieces together, starting with the surveillance video of the robbery, he comes to a grim realization that the robbery was just a front for a more sinister scheme.

Terry McCaleb is no ordinary hero. He's frail yet relentless. He's conducting an investigation without a badge or a private investigator's license. He can't even drive himself. The cold blooded killer craftily plants evidence to set him up. And now the police are after him. Will McCaleb's newly transplanted heart succumb to the stress of the investigation? Is he going to take the fall? The journey that Michael Connelly has created for Terry McCaleb is definitely worth following on every page. Connelly expertly weaves a tension filled, page turning crime novel with a surprise ending. A definite must read!

Review submitted by Karl

Intertwined by Gena Showalter

Four souls-One body

Gena Showalter's new novel Intertwined is a story that will seize the reader's attention and refuses to let go. Showalter, who is usually known for paranormal romance literature, has written a novel for young adults. The protagonist, Aden Stone, possesses four human souls inside his mind. When the presence of a teenage girl silences the voices, he realizes that she might be the key to freeing the souls so he can live in peace. Along the way they meet some vampires and werewolves who aid him in this epic adventure. The story is very clever, and the author uses an idea that has never been done before. Each of the characters have a contrasting personality, and are developed thoroughly. Also, two forbidden romances add to the plot by creating tension and danger. Even with its four hundred plus pages, the novel is a fast read because the action continuously holds the reader's attention. Although, the ending is acceptable, it will not satisfy most readers. A demand for a sequel will be most anticipated.

Review submitted by Samantha

I read this book as well and I couldn't have written a better review about it. It was a really fun read and I'm anticipating the sequel.