Smart Suspense

Gentlemen & Players, by Joanne Harris, is a look inside a private boys' school in England that will keep you guessing and gasping until the last page is turned. Harris is an expert at leading the reader along a path that can take sudden sharp turns. Nothing is quite as it seems in the world of St. Oswald's. The cast of characters that Harris has created are fully drawn and full-dimensional. Even if the world of British boys or private schools is not familiar to you, the author's descriptive skills will make you feel as if you're sitting in Mr. Staightley's classroom witnessing the story unfold. The novel was also recently nominated for the 2007 Edgar Allan Poe Award as Best Novel.

Surprise Ending!

Uncharted, by Angela Hunt, is a read worth checking out. Five long-time friends find themselves stranded on a desolate island. Not only are they stranded but it seems impossible to get off by any efforts they make. A diversified cast of characters soon realize that the island is no ordinary island. In fact it is eerie, even bizarre with quicksand and caves covering buried secrets, hidden passions and a truth that is the surprise of all surprises. It is a gripping book and may even change your life, so check it out next trip to the Delphi Public Library.

Outstanding Christian Fiction....

A GREAT and entertaining read found in the Christian Fiction genre! Next trip to the library, look up this fascinating book, The Begotten, by Lisa T. Bergren. It's a page-turner for sure. Lisa Bergren takes you back to the year 1339 to medieval Italy where she accurately brings to life the church of that era while she uses a colorful cast of characters to develop her story line which is one of mystery and miracles. Bergren holds to historical and scriptual truth, dealing with light versus darkness, as well as prophecy and deceit. The plot, which is sometimes intense, and leaves you waiting for her sequels which, to our delight, are soon coming: The Betrayed, 2007 and The Beloved, 2008.

A wonderful read you won't want to put down. Check it out! Literally!

So Many Books, So Little Time ...

The reader's dilemma--how to squeeze in more time to read all those books stacked up on your nightstand! 2006 has been a good year for great new books, and 2007 promises to offer even more of our favorites. Every now and then, though, it's nice to revisit an old friend, a favorite from childhood, or perhaps take a stab at that old classic you never got around to reading. One of my "old friends" is John Irving, and every now and then it's nice to reacquaint myself with some of his many unique and fully drawn characters. Owen Meany is one of those fictional characters that seems to linger in my thoughts as if he were a real memory. A Prayer for Owen Meany is a gem of a book, and when you reach the last page you will feel as if you have said good-bye to a part of your family. Irving delves into serious social issues (the Vietnam War) and religious issues (Christian martyrdom), but he does so with great humor and sensitivity. Critical reviews have been mixed, but Owen Meany has stayed with me for years. I believe that's the sign of a great book.

Holiday Reading

The first of the holiday books are hitting the library shelves right about now. Anne Perry, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more of your favorite authors have special Christmas titles out. Elizabeth Berg has a short sweet Christmas offering entitled The Handmaid and the Carpenter. It's a fictionalized version (duh!) of Mary and Joseph's courtship, romance, and marriage. Berg portrays Mary as a sassy teenager who is devout, thoughtful, and nature-loving and loves to speak her own mind in a time when women were NOT encouraged to do so. Joseph is seen as a loving, hard-working, husband who is sometimes gruff and is a stubborn, rule-abiding man. Mary's pregnancy shakes him to the core but he remains supportive and takes good care of Mary and Jesus and the rest of their family. The book is a nice, easy read that you could tackle in an evening or a weekend. It allows you to see these familiar Biblical characters in a new light and more easily understand the hardships they faced. A great way to start the Christmas season!