Category: Staff Picks

This book had me from the first page and I didn’t put it down till I reached the last. No matter what your beliefs about afterlife, this is an incredible story of humanity, love and loss. You’ll find yourself wanting more from each character that you meet. The gruff main character Eddie will pull at your heartstrings as you learn more and more about, his life and those that helped shaped him.

Keep the sequel (The Next Person You Meet in Heaven) close to you – you’ll want it immediately after you turn the last page of this book.

– Amy, FOBPL

This book is a sweet bit of fluff. Wanderlust is mixed with a reluctant but blooming romance between 2 gifted photographers given the assignment of traveling the United States to take photographs of what inspires them. On the road, in only the company of one another, these 2 artistic but totally different personalities, learn to appreciate each other’s very different perspectives on what makes the perfect photograph.

Just as film develops to reveal moments captured by the photographers lens, these 2 characters develop a mutual respect for one another and an intense love for one another. Their journey reveals a past of severe Post-trauma for one, a past of dreams lost for the other but a strength within them both to break down the barriers they have carried with them for too many years and love again.

– Joanie, BPL

Our JUMANJI MARATHON

JUMANJI

We first enjoyed Robin Williams and crew in the original Jumanji DVD Rated PG.

Robin Williams played Alan, Bonnie Hunt was Sarah, and Kirsten Dunst & Bradley Pierce were the unwitting children when all of them were swept into the game. The story is of a young boy who disappears for 26 years, and returns to his home amid total chaos and wonderful and terrifying adventures.

JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle

New Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan Rated PG 13 (stronger language)

Four teenagers in detention, all completely opposite in characteristics, and an old video game console in the basement. What could go wrong? SO many things!! I don’t want to warn you, just be ready!!

Keep your eyes open for the nuances that link the stories together.

JUMANJI: The Next Level

Same Cast as Jungle, Rated PG 13 again.

This story opens a short time later, but the game has changed, and the graphic continue to improve. I won’t give away the changes, but they are ”not in Kansas anymore”. You will need to be attentive to all the switches, and you will again find links and bridges to the other stories.

We highly recommend an evening of popcorn & Jumanji, chuckles and gasps (and sweaty palms) – and the drum beats go on!!!

– Beth, Mystery Buff BC

I decided that this was the time to introduce my kids to Watership Down via audiobook. The kids started their journey with the rabbits on Monday. It’s a hit. We all listen to it during breakfast before the kids zip off to homework and chores. This trustee gives it two thumbs up!

– Alyshia Jensen, Trustee

In this book, the first of a trilogy, we follow Kelsea Raleigh, a young princess, as she comes out of hiding in order to claim her throne. This might sound like a typical fantasy story featuring a spunky young princess, but it’s deeper (and darker) than you might expect. While definitely a fantasy novel, there are sci-fi elements too as we realize that Kelsea’s ancestors sailed to this new land to escape modern technology. The capital of her kingdom is called “New London,” a very familiar sounding name, so as you read the book, you wonder what happened in the past, and if this is really a dystopian novel after all.

Kelsea’s quest to retake the throne is not an easy one. A lot of people would prefer her dead. There is a lot of political intrigue in this novel, and a lot of violence, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Some have even compared it to Game of Thrones. I’m not sure I would go quite that far, but it’s definitely a great read and I recommend it. The mysteries, secrecy, and the fleshed-out characters will keep you wanting to read more.

– Anne, BPL

A mad entomolgist’s efforts to create a utopian society filled with members bred to sacrifice themselves for the survival of the collective hive has become the world’s greatest threat. The outside world becomes more and more suspicious over Dr. Hellstrom’s unusual farm and scientific studies, labeled as Project 40.

When agents are sent undercover to discover what might be happening at Hellstrom’s Farm but then disappear, the agency becomes highly alarmed. More agents are sent in but no one is prepared for discovery of the absolute abomination that Dr. Hellstrom’s Project 40 has become.

– Joanie, BPL

In the book, the author explores parenting, gender issues, unconditional love, and family all in one well-written book that I couldn’t put down!

When three-year-old Claude asks to wear a dress and refers to being a girl when he grows up, parents Rosie and Penn realize they are in a situation for which they are painfully unprepared. Doing everything they possibly can to support their child, Rosie and Penn help Claude transition into Poppy. She’s thrilled to be Poppy and blossoms into a happy, joyful child. Yet problems soon arise when keeping a secret as big as ‘Poppy’ becomes a secret that ends up keeping the entire family.

Frankel weaves a layered, complex, and rich story exploring themes of self-identity, self-loathing, and self-esteem in the transgender community. Highly Recommended! ~Rebecca, BPL