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Why is this a pick?: For women who have sisters this book is a humorously dark account of two wildly differing personalities of two sisters Anne and Laura. The first is a writer with a caustic and somewhat alcoholic view of being a single adult in New York. Laura her sister is a vegetarian environmentalist neat freak who believes she is from the planet Saturn and has a spacesuit to prove it. Enter into this scenario a bit of madness and crazy relationships as well as a flamethrower and you have a great premise for a story. |
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Why is this a pick?: For librarians and library users this is a funny look at the Head Librarian at Middleton Public Library which is an incredible time capsule of ancient and modern texts saved from pernicious overdue fines by this dedicated immortal with bottle glasses and an arsenal of high tech weapons. He is accompanied by a bird with world domination fantasies. Some of his fellow librarians have mysterious powers which are helpful when the barbarians invade the stacks. |
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Why is this a pick?: This small colorful book is based upon a 1980’s high school teenager’s diary found in a gas station bathroom. The main character Tammy is not popular, not smart, not attractive and fighting a war with her body and society. There are no perfect solutions to her search for love and understanding and it humorously reminds us of having obnoxious younger siblings also changing in the locker room. |
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Why is this a pick?: The main character is a Canadian Asian tenth grade girl who is navigating awkwardly through her social world while holding on to a wry perspective on life and the people around her. She is witnessing the post-divorce attitudes of her parents, Wiccan and Goth AA groups and teen suicide and relationships. Her English teacher is a role model who leaves. This glimpse into free-flowing scenes of her life and abstract graphical interpretations of what it means to feel different and sixteen are poignant and true. |
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Why is this a pick?: This graphic novel was written by the popular author of The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. In it a fifteen year old alien hunter is going down the list that his parents left of alien outlaws and trying to eliminate Number 7. The connective intelligence of ants is explored as well as friendship even if the friends are all imaginary reconstructions. The art is fanciful using effervescent colors. |
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Why is this a pick?: As an artist of manga Takemiya has won awards and also teaches about it at a Kyoto University. Her fluid style offers an enjoyable depiction of a science fiction series written by Mitsuse about the kingdoms of Cosmoralia and Ayodoya and the falling of an evil star. A mysterious female warrior aids the Princess and Prince along with an elderly healer in the forest. After the birth of twin heirs the story accelerates into an amazing adventure. |
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Why is this a pick?: With the Light is an eight part series in a manga form that describes the growth and accomplishments of an autistic boy named Miyu. Family troubles including finding good schools, personal situations including friendship, and showing balance in both concern and support in their relationship to him and his world make this a good story that help readers understand what this difference in adjusting to daily life means. |
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Why is this a pick?: What is interesting about the book is how the author describes the patient lifestyle for an autoimmune disease. Comparing it to a set of scale that balances between healthy and unhealthy areas and what may cause an upset in equilibrium makes this more understandable. In 2005 over 100 autoimmune diseases were recognized by the National Institute of Health affecting over 23.5 million people and many of them got through 6 to 8 doctors before getting diagnosed. Environmental versus genetically caused conditions are also discussed and what might be triggers for some of them. |
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Why is this a pick?: Delightful ideas for coops for your feathered flock including Materials Lists and the capacity and design tips with photos of each step make this a practical book. Interesting and fun facts are of the bottom of the pages with recipe ideas. Profiles of chicken raising people and their experience are shared to make this an effective tool for people who are contemplating adding poultry to their lives. The one that I most enjoyed was the Gypsy Hen Caravan style coop the author designed and plans are included. |
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Why is this a pick?: This is a wonderful magical tale with two main characters Marco and Celia who were raised by magicians to offer resolution of a game showcasing the strength of their magical skills. The arena is Le Cirque des Rives a circus that appears randomly throughout the world and only takes place in the nighttime. The author involves the reader in a sensory description that walks you through the black and white tents experiencing treats and wonderful smells as you travel through the books pages. |
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Why is this a pick?: Using odd photos from vintage collections the author has woven a unique narrative of a young man’s voyage to discover more about the death of his grandfather who left him with some peculiar last words. These send him far from home on a quest to unravel their meaning to a remote island off the coast of Wales. Going into the ruins of a large house he finds that appearances may be deceiving as well as his memories of bedtime tales. |
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Why is this a pick?: The ironically inclined main character is Jimm Juree a former big city crime reporter in Thailand who unexpectedly moves with most of her family down to the southern coast when her mother purchases a remote and rundown resort. There are mysterious skeletons found buried in a Volkswagen van, the murder of a Buddhist monk and things gets funnier and stranger in this complex adventure. The characters in the local community, roaming dogs and people in her family are colorful and unpredictable as well as the introduction per chapter of a quote from George W. Bush to set the mood. |
