New City Library - Staff Picks

Audio Book Review: Elegance of the Hedgehog

Admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:13:26 +0000

Reviewed by Gail Seidenfrau,Circulation Supervisor

Summary:

A concierge, a woman of modest means, interacts with those living in an
building in France. Her life and views of herself are changed when she meets
a wealthy Japanese man and a precocious preteen.

Review:

Enjoyable reading, intelligently written and a surprise ending.

Book Review: Songs For The Butcher's Daughter

Veronica Reynolds — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:03:49 +0000

Reviewed by Arlene Sandner, Librarian

Songs For The Butcher's Daughter

Summary:
A memoir of an immigrant poet who was born into a world of chaos and poverty.
His life story is translated from Yiddish, and re-told by a young Catholic
former student of religion and language who found temporary work in a
warehouse of Yiddish books.

Review:
This tightly woven, fast paced story will take you to the depths of the
Russian immigrant experience of the early part of the 20th century. The
author is a winner of The National Jewish Book Award.

Audio Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love

Admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:40:10 +0000

Reviewed by Jodi Hink, Part Time Librarian

eat, pray, love

Summary:
Traces the author's decision to quit her job and travel the world for a year
after suffering a mid-life crisis and divorce, a journey that took her to
Italy, India and Indonesia.

Review:
Not only did this book give me a taste of all three countries, I enjoyed
seeing the author go through spiritual change. I usually do not think
authors reading their own books necessarily give the nuance a trained actor
would, but in this case since it was a memoir, I did enjoy hearing the author
read her book.

Book Review: Recipes for a Perfect Marriage

Admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:29:14 +0000

Reviewed by Jodi Hink, Part Time Librarian

Recipes for a Perfect Marriage

Author: Morag Prunty

Summary:
Tressa Nolan is a 38 year old food writer desperate to be married. When she does marry she is terrified she made the wrong choice in a mate. The story goes back and forth between Tressa's marriage and her Irish grandmother's seemingly perfect relationship with Tressa's grandfather. We soon discover all is not what it seems.

Review:

Audio Book Review: The Fountainhead

Admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:24:34 +0000

Reviewed by Jodi Hink, Part Time Librarian

The Foutainhead
Author: Ayn Rand

Summary:
Presents the story of a gifted architect, his struggle against conventional
standards, and his violent love affair.

Review:
The reader, Christopher Hurt, does an excellent job of reading this tale that
you will be happy it has 26 CDs. It is an exciting story that really delves
into human motivations.

Book Review: This is Where I Leave You

Admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:19:52 +0000

Reviewed by Marianne Silver, Head of Adult Services

This is Where I Leave You
Author: Jonathan Tropper

Summary:
The death of Judd Foxman's father brings his dysfunctional family back together to sit shiva for seven days. That situation alone should be difficult enough; however, it's compounded by Judd's discovery of his wife's affair with his boss and the subsequent loss of his job. Will he survive the week with his three siblings and his mother the "enlightened" therapist?

Book Review: Salvation in Death

Admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:52:14 +0000

Reviewed by Susan Telesca, Head of Technical Services

Salvation in Death
Author/Artist: J.D. Robb
Summary:
Holy communion means death for Father Miguel Flores. Lt. Eve Dallas must
try to solve this crime without offending the Catholic Church. However
along the way the Lt. finds things aren't as they seem. Who was Father
Flores really?

Review:
I have always been a huge fan of the J.D. Robb mysteries and this one is no
exception. I like mysteries and these are excellent without being to graphic.
This book has a plot twist I didn't see coming. If you like mysteries check
out the J.D. Robb series

Movie Review: Nothing but the Truth

Admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:11:05 +0000

Reviewed by Kathy Bachor, Library Assistant

Nothing But The Truth
Author/Artist: Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon
Summary:
A Washington, DC soccer mom/reporter scoops everyone and outs a CIA
undercover operative. Tension develops between the reporter and the
government's special prosecutor as confidentiality of sources is weighed
against national security.

Review:
This movie was enjoyable and thought-provoking. Politics, power, and
individual rights are wrestling within the plot to be considered the most
important aspect of Constitutional protections. Might make you look at some
of these issues from a new angle!

Book Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:09:56 +0000

Reviewed by Veronica Rutter, Librarian

Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Author/Artist: Jeff Lindsay
Warning: Descriptions of Graphic Violence

Summary:

The first in the dark mystery series that inspired the hit Shotime show,
Darkly Dreaming Dexter introduces Dexter Morgan. He's a respected blood
spatter specialist for the Miami Police Department and a serial
killer! Trained by his foster policeman foster father to kill only those that
deserve it, Dexter lives and murders by a strict code.

Review: