What have you read for me lately? Latest favorites from your Roseville librarians--

I recently read the mystery To the power of three by Laura Lippman. The story line involves 3 teenage girlfriends and how their lives intertwine. The mystery is a "who done it" involving a whole cast of characters from their parents to their boyfriends. It was a fast-paced read, with a twist at the end. myrna

Gilead by Marilyn Robinson. Adult fiction. This book surprised and delighted me. It is a quiet, slow moving book; an elderly father is writing to his 7 year old son to tell him what his own life has been. It is sweet, thoughtful, spiritual. Some might call it a Christian fiction since the elderly father is a minister and he spends quite a bit of time ruminating about his ministry, his faith and his life as a Christian. I found it to be more about his spirituality, his desire to understand himself. Well done fiction. -- joan

I know Teacher Man is a popular read, but I would like to recommend that people listen to the audio version. The CD is unabridged and read by the author. It gives a much better sense of what the NYC classrooms were like when Frank McCourt taught there . Good commuting audio. --Karen

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Talking Book read by the author, unabridged. Very cool first novel by Hosseini. Set in the narrator’s childhood Afghanistan and the modern U.S. It is a coming-of-age story, reminiscence of childhood that likely no longer exists in Afghanistan, and the universal quest to find a connection with those we love. The bonus is that it’s a great introduction to the Afghan people and what’s transpired there in the last 30 years. I enjoyed the CD, as I prefer author readings if they’re of good quality and this one was good. One of my new favorite books-Chris

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Youth fantasy set in magician-run London. The ancient djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by 11 year old apprentice, Nathaniel, to steal the amulet from a rather rude rival magician. Darker than early Harry, some violence, (characters are killed) probably good recommendation for 12 and older. I was reminded of Pullman's The Golden Compass.—dena