Thursday, June 27, 2013

Mission to Paris by Alan Furst


Fredric Stahl is a charming Vienna born American Actor visiting France to make a movie. But it is 1938, Parisians are in peril, and there are dangerous people who, presuming Fredric to possess a native loyalty that regards them in his favor, are intent on utilizing Fredric's movie star influence for their own diabolical ends. Short, but absorbing, I enjoyed this tale of political warfare gilded with budding romance. 255 pages.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: First Floor McNaughton

Review submitted by Tracie Hall, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended    

How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons


A detailed guide for the Grow Bio-intensive gardening method (similar to Square Foot Gardening), this book is a gold mine of information for novice and expert gardeners alike. There is a strong emphasis on healthy soil preparation as a remedy for pests and disease, and also for more nutritious crops and higher yields. Chapters include Bed Preparation, Compost, Companion Planting, and A Balanced Natural Backyard Ecosystem - a must have for any gardener's library.

 Acquired through Interlibrary Loan

Review submitted by David McDonald, Public Safety
Rating: Highly Recommended    

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult


This is a story of regret, forgiveness and redemption as told through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor and her granddaughter. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, the book took a final twist. Definitely worth reading.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: First Floor McNaughton

Review submitted by Cathy Elliott, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended    

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli



Was there ever that one person who influenced you in some way that changed your life in some manner, whether it be big or small? Stargirl is one of those people who could have that effect on anyone whether you knew her or not. This book was an absolutely adorable read, showing how wonderfully valuable it is to do good deeds and just be yourself while disregarding the peer pressures of being "normal".

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Third Floor Muth PS3569.P546 S737 2000

Review submitted by Christina Diep, Brandman Library Assistant, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended    

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Roots: an Underground Botany and Forager's Guide by Douglas B. Elliott


The drawings of the edible roots in this book are beautifully detailed, but only small drawings are available of the plant portion that grows above ground. Photographs of the entire plant would be much more useful, and while many of the plants described might exist in the western regions of North America, the author is clearly much more familiar with the eastern half of the continent, as this constitutes almost the entirety of his regional references.


Leatherby Libraries Call Number: QK 99 .N67 E44 1976

Review submitted by David McDonald, 
Patrol Officer, Public Safety
Rating: Somewhat Recommended