Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Reading Level: Adult

This is an awakening book about a recently widowed Russian immigrant and her daughters who do not understand her, thought they were unloved, and that she had ultimately kept her two daughters from being close. When her husband died, they felt the family would fall apart. He was the glue that kept the family together. However the younger daughter insisted that they could begin to understand their mom by listening to her tales, the only thing that seemed to turn her into quite a different person during the telling and something their Father encouraged them to do before he passed away. How the tales affect their relationship is a wonderful story and a reminder that our families are multi leveled and we need to be detectives to fully understand each other.

Submitted by Donna

Tales of an African Vet by Dr. Roy Aronson

Tales of an African Vet

by Dr. Roy Aronson

Did you know that fish can get the bends? Neither did I!

Tales of an African Vet is not your regular, James Herriot-style animal book. Dr. Aronson does indeed have a small animal practice in South Africa, but this book is based on his adventures in the wild.

You'll meet Jabu, a baby elephant rescued from a mud flat in the Klasseri Reserve on the western border of Kruger National Park.

Then there is Munwane, an injured baby rhino saved by a park ranger from a pack of hyenas.

And a lioness named Mehlwane, meaning “the one with the eye” who required surgery to repair a genetic defect that rolled her eyelid inward, making the lashes irritate the eye.

These stories don't take place at the office; these are surgeries performed in the middle of the bush in South Africa. First you have to track your patient, then immobilize them with a tranquilizer dart. You then set up your sterile “field” and do the work you need to do, and then you monitor your patient until they are awake and can defend themselves.

From elephants to rhinos, gemsbocks to hedgehogs, and cobras to cheetahs, you will enjoy this telling of Dr. Aronson's life in the glorious bush of South Africa.

Submitted by Laurie

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Reading Level: Young Adult
(5 out of 5)

I loved this book and I'm not happy that Ms. Jordan's website doesn't tell me when the next book in the series comes out. I need to know so I can start counting down. I happened to see this book at Borders. I didn't have my phone on me so I had my husband text me the name so I wouldn't forget. Once I read the cover I knew I had to read this book and I was crossing my fingers/praying the library had it. My crossed fingers and prayers paid off because the library did have it but I had to wait in line for it. Being a librarian you think I could cut in front of someone but sadly no I have to wait along with everyone else. Fortunately my wait wasn't too long before I had this wonderful book in my hands and then I promptly read it in two days. I have no self control when it comes to good books. If it hooks me I devour it within hours or days. Only days if I let my life get in the way. I'm not sure why my husband thinks he needs to eat. Who needs clean clothes? LOL

I can't help falling in love with books like this. Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons who have the ability to shift into human form. Jacinda is the last one of her draki kind, she is a fire breather. She lives with her mother and twin sister in a concealed draki community. The draki live in concealment because they are hunted. Her father was killed by hunters. The rule is that you can only fly at night but Jacinda breaks that rule and is hunted and almost killed. The hunter that finds her hiding spot decides to let her go. Because she has broken the communities sacred rule she has to flee with her family into the human world. Her sister, who didn't manifest into a dragon, and her mother, who let her draki die, are thrilled to be away from that place but Jacinda is miserable.

Jacinda tries to adapt for the sake of her sister and mother but she misses being able to fly. Then she meets Will and her draki comes to life. Jacinda knows pursuing Will is crazy because he comes from a family of hunters but the draki part of her is dying and she will do anything to keep that part of herself alive. Dark secrets and forbidden love. It's oh so good. It's going to be hard to wait patiently for the next one.

Book Giveaway: Starts January 2011

Every month the Hobart Branch Library will give away free books from our book sale room. To receive a free book, simply submit a book review to be published on this blog. If you would like to participate, pick up a book review form at the circulation desk. Or you can email me your review at lklemm@lcplin.org. To get the form off the blog click here: Book Review Form


Three entries per person, per month.

The Secret Life of Samantha Mcgregor series by Melody Carlson

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Bad Connection is the first in a four book series about a girl named Samantha Mcgregor. Samantha is not just an ordinary girl, she gets visions from God. When Samantha's classmate Kayla goes missing she doesn't think anything of it. Kayla liked to party and she kept telling everyone she was going to meet her online boyfriend. Then Samantha starts getting visions about Kayla and Kayla is not okay. With the help from her friend Olivia and Detective Ebony Hamilton Samantha is able to make sense of these visions and hopefully find Kayla before it is too late. This is an inspirational fiction book. Don't forget to check out the rest of the series, Beyond Reach, Playing with Fire, and Payback. Each book just got better and better.

Unraveled by Gena Showalter

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Witches, goblins, werewolves, vampires, fairies, souls, and so much more. Aden Stone finally has everything he has ever wanted, a home, friends, and a girlfriend. Unfortunately for him he still has three souls living in his head, one that has predicted he will die by a knife through his heart very soon, witches and fairies are after him, and oh by the way he is the new vampire king. Did you get all that? Aden isn't the only one with problems. His friend Mary Ann discovers she is a drainer and is a danger to her werewolf boyfriend Riley. There is a lot going on in this book but it's oh so good! I'm not going to tell you more. Just read it, unless you haven't read the first book Intertwined then read that one and then this one. The next book in this series, Twisted, will be out September 2011.

THE VAMPIRATES DEMONS OF THE OCEAN BY JUSTIN SOMPER

Reading Level: Young Adult

RATING 3

This is a young adult novel NOT about pirates and vampires but Vampirates. Vampires that live on the ocean in the year 2505. Twins Connor and Grace never dreamed that there was any truth to the Vampirates shanty their father sang to them. Due to unfortunate events, the twins find themselves shipwrecked and separated from each other. For Connor, who is taken aboard a pirate ship, there’s the chance to learn to sword fight and experience new adventures. However for Grace, who is aboard a mysterious ship of vampires, the danger is great.

If you’re ready for an adventure that will take you into the future, aboard a pirate ship and a ship of vampires, in an unforgettable race against time and the elements, you will enjoy this book.

Helen Duda

November 22, 2010