Best ‘New to Us’ Books in 2011: Amy F.’s Picks

Hi all, I’m an irregular blogger at best, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have several books to recommend!  I like a healthy dose of paranormal in my fiction, but I’m not averse to mysteries, women’s fiction, thrillers and science fiction, with a little chick lit and historical fiction thrown in for good measure. These are the five best older books that I discovered in 2011:

Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher has actually called his series “Dirty Harry Potter” – but I think “Gritty Magic” would be more accurate.  Harry Dresden is a wizard, and he advertises in the phone book, which means he gets all sorts of interesting clientele.  His Chicago is hard-boiled, filled with low-lifes, shadowy characters and mafiosos who may or may not also be werewolves or have demons at their beck and call.  In this book, someone is using black magic to murder people, and Harry has to figure out how to stop the killing before he becomes the target.  A fast pace and good dark humor make this one hard to put down. Read my colleague Dan B.’s full review.

Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
Lincoln Rhyme is hard-pressed to show any interest when his cousin Arthur is arrested for murder.  After all, all the evidence points to him, and Arthur is not Lincoln’s favorite cousin.  Bowing to pressure when Arthur’s wife begs for help, he reluctantly agrees – until her realizes the evidence is a little too perfect.  The killer uses data mining – gathering those little details out there about all of us – where we shop, what we buy, what magazines we read, websites we visit – to perfectly frame his victims.  Seemingly innocuous information turns into life-altering evidence in his brilliant but twisted mind.  This thriller keeps you guessing and turning the pages until the very end.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
You’ll understand why I procrastinated reading Outlander when you see its size – it’s a BIG book.  Luckily, Outlander was totally worth the time I gave to it.  This book has everything: adventure, magic, romance, mystery, history, and great writing to boot!  On a second honeymoon in Scotland, Claire’s world is ripped out from under her when she wakes up two hundred years in the past.  Not only does she have to figure out where – and when – she is, she has keep herself alive and unharmed long enough to figure out how to get back.  The challenges she faces are fascinating, funny and scary – and will keep you turning the pages! Read my colleague Kathryn G.’s full review.

A Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield
Ever since Stella Hardesty dispatched her abusive husband with a wrench, she’s found a new path in life.  Sure, she keeps her sewing shop going, selling thread and needles to look “legitimate”.  She can’t help it if women keep calling her to dish out her own special brand of justice to the many abusing and cheating husbands and boyfriends in town!  She manages to stay under the radar most of the time, but she knows her warm feelings towards the town sheriff are not good.  If only he didn’t look quite so good in those jeans….

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Every time a Kate Morton book is published there’s a collective sigh of happiness in library-land, so I decided to see what the fuss was about.  In 1913, a little girl is found abandoned and alone, carrying a single suitcase, on the docks in Australia.  In 2005, her granddaughter Cassandra discovers that suitcase and resolves to solve the mystery of her grandmother’s identity.  Who was she?  The answers lie in a garden across the world, in Cornwall.  This is the kind of good book I was sorry to finish.

Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? Please let us know in the comments!

Monkeewrench by P.J. Tracy

I admit it, I’m a sucker for misfits – and Monkeewrench is a perfect band of misfits.  There’s Grace, a ultra-private tough girl whose house is a fortress; Harley, a tattooed biker with a pretty obvious (and obviously adopted) last name; Roadrunner, a beanpole of a man whose preferred attire is spandex bodysuits; Annie, a plus-sized sexpot; and Mitchell, uptight corporate type.  How these five came together is a mystery, but you know they’ve been through something big, and probably together.  Now they form the software company called Monkeewrench, and they’re doing well with their game SKD (Serial Killer Detective) – until the killings start.

The first murder scene looks awfully familiar, but it isn’t until a second body shows up that they realize the reason it’s so familiar is it looks exactly like scenes from their game – scenes of victims 1 and 2, respectively.  From here out it’s a race to find and stop the killer before he stages the next scene.  Knowing what that looks like – i.e., how the victim dies – doesn’t help much when you don’t know where, when, or who the victim will be.

This series was written by a mother-daughter team, but you’d never know there are two authors.  Transitions are seamless and the tension never lets up.  The story is one you’ve probably heard before, but it’s delivered in such a way, and with so many  interesting characters and quirks, that you’ll be wanting to read the next book in the series when you finish this one.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Find and reserve this book in our catalog.

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

You’d think being Graced would be good, right?  In Katsa’s case, not so much – she’s Graced with the power to kill, and her uncle has been using her “gift” to his advantage for years.  Imagine feeling horror at your own strength; fear of your own power.  This is what Katsa goes through every day, where her reputation as her uncle’s enforcer makes people shy from her gaze and avoid her touch.  Fearing she might injure someone unintentionally, she never relaxes or lets down her guard.  Only a select few will look her directly in the eye, and she feels very much alone in the world until she meets Po, a Graced prince who fights better than anyone she has ever met.  Finally, someone she can be herself with!

Click here to find this book in our catalog.

Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray

The more stressed Ruth gets, the more cakes she bakes.  Even when she’s not baking, her idea of meditation is picturing herself in the middle of a warm bundt cake.

Her father, who she hasn’t seen in years, has just broken both wrists and wants to move in while he recovers.  Her mother already lives with her and makes it quite clear she NOT pleased.   Meanwhile, her teen daughter is behaving like a teenager, and her husband announces he’s lost his job.  What else is there to do but bake a cake?

Do not read this book if you’re trying to limit your carb intake, and definitely avoid it if you’re hungry!  Ruth’s descriptions of the cakes she bakes will make your mouth water.  The story is sweet without being sugary, frothy but still satisfying.  Naturally, recipes are included!

Click here to find this book in our catalog.

Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker

Despite what you may be thinking, you are NOT too old to read this book!  Humor is necessary for everyone, and Clementine delivers.

Clementine is a spunky, creative third-grader who – despite what her teacher thinks – is ALWAYS paying attention.  She’s just paying attention to what’s happening out the window – or in the hall.  Just because she’s not listening to the teacher does NOT mean she is not paying attention!

I listened to Clementine on audiobook before reading the paper version, and I’m pretty sure some other drivers thought I had lost it.  It’s not too often you see another driver alternately giggling and grinning ear to ear, after all.  But I promise, you’ll be giggling too.  Clementine makes you keep turning the pages to see what she’ll come up with next, even while you’re still chuckling to yourself about her last stunt.  Which of course, is never a stunt from Clementine’s perspective.  As Clementine says, “Spectacularful ideas are always sproinging up in my brain.”  She was HELPING when she cut off all her friend’s beautiful hair.  You’ll see!

Click here to find this book in our catalog.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

What would you do if you were given the choice between definite death by hanging, or possible death as the official food taster for a not so popular leader?  Yelena opts for the second option, which means she must smell, taste and even experience the symptoms of certain poisons on herself, so all poisons can be identified before they reach the lips of the Commander.  In addition to facing death with every meal, she is denied the possibility of escape – she’s been given a poison for which the only antidote is a potion she must take every day – or die.  Her poisoner – and her teacher – is Valek, the Commander’s assassin and a cool cat who seems to have covered all the angles – but finds himself surprised by Yelena anyway.  She’ll surprise you, too!  This book has magic, intrigue, a strong female character who can kick butt when she needs to, and romance to boot.  What more could you need?

Click here to find this book in our catalog.

Bubbles Yablonsky Series by Sarah Strohmeyer

Legally Blonde fans, meet Elle Wood’s working class cousin, Bubbles Yablonski.  She may seem dumb, but she’s got a great outlook on life, is always willing to share her recipe for a good facial, and she looks amazing in spandex!  Plus she solves enough mysteries to make it obvious the “dumb blonde” title may not really apply.

Bubbles is a hairdresser who is trying to move up in life, and after working her way through every class at Two Guys Community College she finally found her niche – journalism. When the series starts in Bubbles Unbound, she’s just got her foot in the door at the local paper, the Lehi News-Times, and is still doing hair to make ends meet.  And where better to find a juicy story but the local beauty parlor?  Bubbles is always getting herself into trouble by following these stories into places she never should have ventured.   Fortunately, she has a wonderful supporting cast of characters, including her mother Lulu, who is a lulu; her mother’s best friend, Genevieve, who is quick on the draw with a shotgun even if she rarely hits the target; her friend and boss at the salon, Sandy; and her very sensible daughter (even if her hair is colored with Kool Aid), Jane.  And let’s not forget the leading man, whose name (naturally) is Stiletto – because you couldn’t just have a “Steve” for someone named Bubbles!  Actually, his first name happens to be Steve, but try not to hold it against him.  He is as cool (and as good looking) as his last name implies.  He’s also a photographer who periodically takes pictures for the Lehi News-Times – and a man who appreciates Bubbles as much for her sparkly personality as for the way she looks in spandex.

Click here to find this book in our catalog.