Frozen Heat by Richard Castle

Isn’t it great, every now and then, to find a book that is just frothy fun, and still a well done entertainment?  My latest purely pleasurable book is “Frozen Heat,” a tie-in to the ABC romantic mystery series, “Castle.”  The book is unexpectedly enjoyable, well-written and fast paced, and all that I could want from “Richard Castle.”  As an added meta-bonus, the story is sprinkled throughout with sly references to the tv series and its actors and while you don’t need to have seen the show to enjoy the book, catching the inside jokes is a lot of fun.  An example, specifically for fans of the show’s star, Nathan Fillion:  two of the detectives on Nikki Heat’s squad are named “Malcolm” and “Reynolds,” and yes, they are partners!      -BR

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And for other books in the series--

Macbeth

Macbeth.  If that’s not a name that strikes fear into your heart, I don’t know what can. (Of course, that fear may come from a myriad of associations, from high school English courses or the theatrical superstition never to speak its name, to the actual blood-soaked castles of the story itself!)   This is Shakespeare at his most phantasmagorical, a tale of witches, vengeful spirits, and murder done by a noble man turned evil tyrant through prophecy and an overly ambitious wife.  I just finished listening to this version by L.A. Theater Works which, while oddly lacking the English accents, does fair justice to the Scottish Play.  I enjoyed the performances of James Marsters and Joanne Whalley as Macbeth and his lady, and perhaps even more, that of J.D. Cullum as Macduff.  The eerie three sisters are also memorable.  Shakespeare ought to be heard to be really appreciated, and this version has a lot of juice to it!  -BR

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The One and Only Ivan

What is it like to live in a cage for decades?  Alone.  Katherine Applegate, the winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal with her book "The One And Only Ivan" gives us, the reader, a fictional glimpse as to what it could be like.  She took the true story of Ivan the Gorilla who lived in the Tacoma Mall in Washington state, added some fictional characters, and put the story in his voice.  Actually, what his voice might have been.  Though this story is fictional, she gives the reader an inside view as to what an animals life in a zoo, or a life separated from their natural habitat may actually feel like.  Not just the physical surroundings, but what it is they may feel on the inside.  So even though this book is considered a children's book, it is a book worth picking up and reading. - EF

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Life of Pi

I just watched the movie Life of Pi this weekend. Not having read the bestselling novel that the movie was based on, I had no idea what to expect. Boy, was I impressed. Ang Lee directed (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain), and his style was evident throughout the film. The story is primarily an adventure story, chronicling Pi's survival on the open seas with only a small lifeboat and a tiger named Richard Parker for company. I found the story enchanting and the scenery beautiful. There were also humorous moments throughout. How could you not laugh at a tiger named Richard Parker? Highly recommended as one of the best new films of the past six months- AD

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Jamie Oliver is my favorite celebrity chef and his books and television specials never fail to entertain.  His latest offering, Jamie Oliver's Great Britain: 130 of My Favorite British Recipes, from Comfort Food to New Classics, delivers exactly what the title suggests.  What I particularly love about Jamie's work is how he uses food to learn about people, to get to know them and their culture, and then to share that knowledge through the culinary arts.  This cookbook is a favorite of mine because Jamie brings the interest home to England, a country with rich history and a surprising diversity that has long fascinated me.  -JW

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Sailor Twain by Mark Siegel/Comics and Sequential Art by Will Eisner

Any graphic novel fans out there?  Honestly, I can say that I had not delved into this particular format when I began working as a librarian, though I was aware of them in a pop-culture kind of way.  BUT, having our graphic novel collection as my responsibility opened my eyes to their wonders.  At their best they weave story and image together in dazzling, sometimes cinematic ways.  Here’s one of the great ones: “Sailor Twain.”  The book blends a deceptively simple drawing style with a rather beautiful story of a steamboat pilot who rescues an injured mermaid from the Hudson River, only to become entangled in a heartrending story of desire, betrayal and revenge.  Simply gorgeous.   -BR

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And If you are curious about the art of graphic novels and comics, I recommend “Comics and Sequential Art,” an analysis of the form that shows how to both read and create this artwork by the legendary Will Eisner.   -BR

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The Demonologist

Warning: Don't read this book if you are worried that demon possessions are a real phenomenon. Strike that - read it even if you aren't sure --the story will scare the pants off you either way! --AD

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