Review: Korda carefully lays out the developments that led to the outcome of the Battle of Britain. The decisions that led to effective defense and ineffective assault are fascinating, and Korda manages to relay them without stealing the glory of the triumph.

Read-a-likes: Other books of the Battle of Britain, such as The Few by Alex Kershaw, will be worth picking up. In the careful and logical analysis of men and machines that led to a battles outcome, Korda writes in a manner very similar to James Hornfischer. For a fictional treatment of the Battle of Britain, James Benn and Jeff Shaara are worth a look.

Availability: This title is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as an eBook, eAudiobook and book. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: This is not, as a reader might first expect, truly a story of the Revolutionary War. In fact, it is much more a story of the consequential decisions made by France, The Netherlands, England, Spain and others in reaction to the American struggle for independence. The result is somewhat herky-jerky, and occasionally aimless, but very charming nonetheless. The end of the book manages to tie things together nicely, though, and Tuchman’s unique tale will reward those willing to stay the course.

Read-a-likes: For a fictional take on the American Revolution, and subsequent events, try Saratoga by David Garland or The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. For further nonfiction, reader’s should consider 1776 by David McCullough or Revolutionaries by Jack Rakove.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as an eAudiobook. Click here to request other formats via Interlibrary Loan.

Review by Eric.

Review: The gimmick of using Shakespeare’s seven ages to provide structure to the book generally works well, with Winchester lovingly crafting each anecdote and chapter. Ultimately, like most similar recent books and movies, Winchester has a strong message about the importance of learning to live with the sea rather than treating it as a dumping ground. He does not, however, get heavy handed with this message, as many others do. This readers only complaint about this otherwise charming novel was the blatant eurocentrism. Little is written about the non-European cultures bordering the Atlantic, and they are frequently dismissed by the author outright. The very British view of the United States as a bunch of brash Yankee merchants run amok also gets a fair amount of play. That parochialism aside, this is an informative and charming read, if not necessarily a complete picture. The audiobook is read by the author, and is particularly well done.

Read-a-likes:  Simon Winchester has written a number of similarly lyrical nonfiction books, of which Krakatoa (in it’s focus on a natural feature with great import for humanity) is perhaps the most similar to Atlantic. For more on the history of the initial trans-Atlantic travelers, Fish on Friday by Brian Fagan and A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz are worth a peak. For more on the fate of the North Atlantic fisheries, Cod and The Last Fish Tale by Mark Kurlansky are worth a look. For those looking for nautical stories or fiction, look no further than the works of Clive Cussler, Linda Greenlaw and Herman Melville.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book (in both regular and large print) and as an eAudiobook. Click here to check on the availability.

Review by Eric.

Summary:  

Review:  The female characters don’t get as much characterization in this, which is typical of Cornwell, though they are a bit better developed than usual by his standards. It’s hard to fault that hugely, since the society of which he writes would have been heavily patriarchal. That’s a single quibble, however. Overall, this is a solid book, though readers should be aware that this is a different read than Cornwell’s usual military history fare.

Read-a-likes: In fact, this book is very reminiscent of Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth (downtrodden engineer struggles against political chaos to build religious structure). For readers seeking novels set in the same area, Princes of Ireland and London by Edward Rutherfurd are worth a look. Reader’s who enjoy the architectural elements should take a look at Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors or Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones. For some pertinent nonfiction, try A History of Britain by Simon Schama or Stonehenge Complete by Christopher Chippindale.

Availability:  This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as an eAudiobook.

Review by Eric.

” ‘4,’ or How I Learned to Type the Letter É”

By Eric Webb

This is going to be a review of a Beyoncé album. Fair warning.

I spent a good while trying to find the right natural disaster that could be a metaphor for Beyoncé’s voice, and thunderstorm is what I settled on (tornado and earthquake were also in the running). For sheer power alone, the comparison holds up — it’s also capable of cool rumbles and lightning quick gymnastics.

When reviewing a Beyoncé album, it’s good to get that out of the way early — Mrs. Jay-Z just destroys it vocally, always. That can problematic, because when someone is such a naturally captivating — and talented — vocalist, the other factors worth consideration fade into the background. This certainly benefits Knowles, because she has a voice that instantly legitimizes what could otherwise be throwaway pop. After all, barring laryngitis, Beyoncé probably isn’t going to sound bad.

And “4” certainly doesn’t sound bad. Quite the opposite.

What we have here on the pop icon’s fourth solo studio outing is a collection of tracks that wear their influences on their sleeves. Most of the songs are love letters to distinct eras of sound. “4” is the Beyoncé equivalent of a cereal variety pack. There is a flavor for everyone. “Party,” featuring hip hop’s living avatar of fun Andre 3000, is a great example. It’s one of the album’s brightest spots, a funky cut of sonic swagger that would sound great as the theme song to an ’80s sitcom starring Queen Latifah, one of the kids from The Cosby Show and maybe the mom from Sister, Sister as sexy, independent women pursuing love and careers in the urban jungle. (Tell me you wouldn’t watch that, at least in syndicated reruns).

“1+1” is a ’90s R&B slow jam through and through, with a steady and heavy beat that, probably more so than any other song here, lets Beyoncé’s voice do all of the heavy lifting. With little instrumentation and banal lyrics (“I don’t know much about algebra/But I know 1+1=2”), it’s a necessary evil, but it’s lazy, akin to wrapping a filet mignon in Fruit By The Foot instead of bacon, because hey, it’s still a delicious steak and that’s all anyone cares about, right?

“Rather Die Young” is a disco funk ballad that manages to reference both James Dean and weed and sounds fine, but would be a lot better with a disco ball. The vocal gymnastics get to stretch out on “Start Over,” but the real thrill on “4” is “Love on Top.”

If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if Beyoncé had Natalie Cole’s songwriter and Chicago as a backing band, this is your jam. Before listening to this, I had never thought about playing a Beyoncé Knowles song for my dad. I’m still not going to, but if there was some sort of “my life depends on it” clause, this would be at the top of the list.

For those who want their Beyoncé songs to have a little je ne sais crunk, “Countdown” is the best bet, as it’s the only thing resembling a hip hop song on the whole album. The marching band-bolstered track is eminently danceable, and it has a fun lyrical structure and some of the strongest lines to be found (“London speed it up/Houston rock it”). “End of Time” follows absolutely seamlessly, carrying the drumline beats further, lacing them with a Caribbean sway and even including a little Beyoncé maybe-sorta-rapping — it’s like she’s punching people with her words! — which is a lot more enjoyable than I’m aware it sounds.

“4” comes to a grinding, momentum shattering halt with the maudlin, overwrought, soft rock radio station baiting pablum of “I Was Here,” because somehow Diane Warren still finds songwriting work. I’m guessing she has some blackmail worthy dirt on Beyoncé.

It’s appropriate to address the album’s two lead singles separately, because they are different animals than the rest of the tracks here. There’s a good reason that “Best Thing I Never Had” and “Run the World (Girls)” are singles, and that’s because they are fiercely dedicated to maintaining the Beyoncé brand. The former is this album’s “Irreplaceable,” an anthem proclaiming how boys are stupid and Beyoncé is too fantastic for you to comprehend, completely dredged in — there’s no better word, for that I apologize — sass. The Diplo-aided “Run the World (Girls)” keeps the same message. It’s a girl power club thumper, but it also is literally Knowles’ vocals and lyrics slapped over Major Lazer’s “Pon De Floor.” I guess Diplo isn’t really sampling, just recycling. The video, however, features Knowles dancing in ways that human bodies are incapable of, which certainly keeps the spirit of the “Pon De Floor” video. I’ll let you look that one up, if you want to die inside.

The best thing about “4” is that it finds a way to be an undeniably interesting pop album and yet aggressively loyal to the Beyoncé sound. What would you expect from a thunderstorm?

4/5 (seriously)

Eric’s Picks

(5) “Party”
(8) “Love On Top”
(9) “Countdown”

By Eric Webb

This is the story of a boy named Buddy. He wore thick-rimmed black glasses, not because it was cool, but because it was the 1950s. He helped shape American rock ‘n’ roll. He died very young. He was played in movies by Gary Busey and Frankie Muniz. Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo looks marginally like (and sang a song about) him.

Buddy Holly is a legend, according to the people who call entertainers legends. Every now and then, groups of (perhaps less) famous people get together to pay homage to legends. We call this the “cover album.” Like most cover albums, “Rave On Buddy Holly” is both wildly uneven and excitingly novel.

There’s are three ways an artist can record a cover:
1) Inject the original song with your band’s own flavor, not overtaking the original, but giving it a loving high five.
2) Record a wholesale imitation of the original. This is boring, safe and as unsatisfying as a Lindor chocolate filled with water.
3) Blow the song up with your own creative dynamite and go nuts.

It’s difficult to judge an album like this, where there is virtually no collaborative, cohesive vision unifying the whole project. Fortunately, artists on a good tribute album should have a common goal: Give props to the original musician and have fun. “Rave On Buddy Holly” contains all of the above approaches, to varying degrees of success.

When it comes to injecting their own flavor into Holly’s tunes, no one brings their A-game on this album like the ladies. She & Him’s take on “Oh Boy” is everything you would want out of a solid cover. It helps that Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s normal aesthetic isn’t that far removed from Holly’s. Florence + The Machine, Karen Elson and Jenny O. follow up closely behind, with the latter’s track a particular pleasure due to an undeniably adorable pixie country twang.

There are several tracks on “Rave On,” however, that go above and beyond the call of cover. You know how Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” made the cultural consciousness forget about Nine Inch Nails, and how the Gary Jules cover of Tears For Fears’ “Mad World” on the Donnie Darko soundtrack gets infinitely more play than the original? It’s because they captured the lightning of the originals in a bottle, then smashed the bottle and let the electricity run wild.

Which brings us to Cee Lo.

At 1:31, Cee Lo Green’s cover of “(You’re So Square) Baby, I Don’t Care” is almost as quick as lightning. But in a minute and a half, Cee Lo’s aggressively distinctive voice justifies this album’s existence. With that retro gospel howl, he manages to make any song sound like the original version. “Baby, I Don’t Care” is upbeat, alluringly distant, propelled by strumming guitars and, oh yes, the epitome of fun. It’s a felony that it’s so short.

Speaking of people making songs their own, Patti Smith apparently heard that someone was doing a Buddy Holly tribute album and said, “You know what’s awesome? Incense. And candles. And cats and posters of dragons.” Her cover of “Words of Love” is straight up weird. That’s not bad. I don’t know if the word “enjoy” is appropriate here, but respect is due to the mad poet Smith for taking the challenge and running all the way to Mordor with it.

Paul McCartney turns in a rollicking good time, which makes sense. He was a Buddy Holly fan before you were born. Worth mentioning is Modest Mouse, who definitely make “That’ll Be the Day” less Holly and more Mouse, to debatable effectiveness (it certainly doesn’t improve the original). Lou Reed’s “Peggy Sue” is a sad, sluggish, murky mess that makes the listener embarrassed for such a time-tested musician.

There is one song, though, that does nothing short of performing a miracle. Forget the Red Sea parting. Forget turning water into wine. “Rave On Buddy Holly” is home to “Well All Right” as performed by Kid Rock. It is so good that it justifies Kid Rock’s continued consumption of oxygen. It’s not good for Kid Rock. It is good. The normal, purely awesome, “I will put this on my iPod” version of good. It’s snarling, it’s supported by a jubilant horn section and it rocks. You don’t need to make excuses for liking this. Plus, it’s the music equivalent of seeing your ne’er-do-well, sleazy cousin finally make something of himself, stop selling pot and get a respectable office job.

With a couple of other exceptions like the Black Keys’ track, the rest of the album is largely forgettable, which is a true testament to how much the artists in question dropped the ball. It takes effort to make classic songs unremarkable. On a listless cover of “Every Day,” Fiona Apple’s unforgettable voice is wasted in every way. And it’s a particular shame that the perpetually-bored-to-tears Julian Casablancas is graced with the title track, in which the Strokes frontman’s apathy is positively contagious.

As a collective album, “Rave On Buddy Holly” may not be the best, but it’s just like with any collection of covers. It’s exciting to listen to new interpretations of a classic artist’s oeuvre filtered through a modern lens. It makes treats like Cee Lo Green all the more delicious when you stumble upon them.

2.5/5

Eric’s Picks:

(3) “It’s So Easy” – Paul McCartney
(5) “(You’re So Square) Baby, I Don’t Care” – Cee Lo Green
(10) “Oh Boy” – She & Him
(15) “Well All Right” – Kid Rock

“Emo doesn’t die. It just gets married.”

By Eric Webb

This review has no chance of being entirely objective. You see, as a 15-year-old only allowed to listen to Christian rock and oldies, Death Cab was one of the first “real” bands I ever listened to. The nostalgia-force is so strong with me that I fear Ben Gibbard’s sensitive vocal affectations will forever transport me to my friend Alex’s pickup truck, cruising down I-35 with the windows down in tenth grade and hearing my first taste of what music could mean outside of Steven Curtis Chapman or the Big Bopper.

With that said, and trying to judge purely on sonic and lyrical merits, “Codes and Keys” is wonderful.

Much has been written of how this album reflects a new life for Gibbard, one where he has quit drinking, started jogging and married Zooey “Collective Indie Crush” Deschanel, and in the process, found a happiness that just couldn’t be contained by the pained, melancholy earnestness of “Transatlanticism” and other classic Death Cab albums. There’s a great reason for this, and it’s because “Codes and Keys” sounds like a Death Cab that is growing up — whatever that’s supposed to mean.

Representative of this older, more sober band is the single “You Are a Tourist” (if you listen to alternative radio, you’ve heard it). It’s a cut that is no less hopelessly honest and certainly no less poetic than anything else in Gibbard’s discography, but there’s a buoyancy to it that’s fresh. With lyrics urging of moving on from doubt and, of course, defining your own destination when “you feel just like a tourist in the city you were born in,” it’s clear that this is a Death Cab that is done sitting on the floor of a one bedroom apartment, marinating in ennui. This is a Death Cab that’s picking itself up and taking the listener with them.

Don’t assume that “Codes and Keys” is totally jubilant, however. The album fits snugly into the band’s milieu, with an underlying menace threaded throughout, particularly in the title track. You’re not going to be hearing any of these tracks in an Applebee’s commercial tomorrow, unless the neighborhood bar’s sizzling fajita recipe takes a fascinatingly dark turn.

But it’s a treat to hear the new can-do Gibbard vibe come out in tracks like “Some Boys,” an almost danceable Yeasayer-like indictment of the Y-chromosome, and “Underneath the Sycamore,” a dreamy tune with electro-pop flavors and the welcome ghost of “Soul Meets Body” haunting the background. “Sycamore,” in fact, could be the standout track of the album. And “Stay Young, Go Dancing,” all full of strings and pianos and dewey 1960s-style drums, just sounds like Gibbard let his bride possess his body and compose a Death Cab song. I would kill a man to hear She & Him cover it.

If there’s a weak point in “Codes and Keys,” it’s certainly the middle. Though not bad by any means, it’s where the momentum and purpose start to falter for a bit. “Unobstructed Views,” while certainly not bad, is trying very hard to be the “Transatlanticism” of this album. It never quite gets there.

I can’t quite accuse “Codes and Keys” of being triumphant and soaring, but it’s certainly assured and optimistic. Like any good band, Death Cab’s sound has evolved with its audience. If you’re not done moping, cue up “What Sarah Said” again and have a good cry. If you want to face the world armed with all of life’s experiences, give this album a spin.

4/5

Eric’s Picks:

(3) “Some Boys”
(5) “You Are a Tourist”
(9) “Underneath the Sycamore”
(11) “Stay Young, Go Dancing”

Summary:

Review: At 774 pages, this is not a quick read, but is a very worthwhile one. The writing is balanced, with the efforts of the French and Spanish navies playing more than just the part of the foil, and Nelson drawn as an all too human leader rather than the godlike figure he became postmortem. The book also does an admirable job of showing the effects on the war in both countries, the effects of naval actions on land campaigns and the changing nature of war both at sea and on land. A 700+ page book is definitely a time investment, but like Shelby Foote’s 3,000 page chronicle of the Civil War, this is readable, comprehensive and worth the effort for those willing to put in the time.

Read-a-likes: For two very different fictional takes on the era, The Barbary Pirates by William Dietrich and The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland are worth a look. For more on Napoleon and the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, try Napoleon Bonaparte by Alan Schom, Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern or Moscow 1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March by Adam Zamoyski.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book. Click here to check on the availability.

Review by Eric.

Summary:

Review: Kurson effortlessly weaves together history and research with the gripping exploits of the divers. The empathy shown for fallen combatants of what was then an enemy nation, honoring their service and sacrifice without condoning their role as part of the German war machine, is particularly well done. The divers personal lives can get a bit melodramatic, but that’s a small quibble. Overall, this is a gripping read for any fan of historical thrillers or thrilling history.

Read-a-likes: Fans of Kurson should check out the works of Erik Larson, particularly Devil in the White City but also In the Garden of Beasts. Clive Cussler, whose books routinely feature shipwrecks and salvage, is a natural fiction read-a-like, but other thriller authors such as Steve Berry, who features a strong historical element in his novels, should not be overlooked.

Availability: This title is available from the Lake Bluff Library as a book and an audiobook. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: Sensationalizing history is a common strategy for publishers trying to sell nonfiction books; this is the rare story that is actually more sensational than the sales pitch. Crushing colonial armies, sacking cities, seizing vast treasure fleets and all the while outwitting opponents at every turn, Morgan is like a movie character on steroids. If you want well written history that will truly, genuinely, amaze you, this is a perfect selection. It’s also well researched, and you’ll find yourself learning quite a bit along the very fun ride. I checked out the audiobook, and would highly recommend the experience; the reader was excellent.

Read-a-likes: Reader’s interested in further nonfiction reading on piracy should take a look at The Sea Rover’s Practice by Benerson Little or Pirates: Predators of the Sea by Angus Konstam and Michael Kean for further history, or try Dangerous Waters by John S. Burnett for a look at the modern variety. For a fictional twist, Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton and Pirate Freedom by Gene Wolfe are worth a look.

Availability: This book is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as an Audio Book and an eAudiobook. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: Each of the four episodes included in this first season is about 1 hour and 30 minutes long, and follows the solution of a single story arc. There are strong procedural overtones (the crime solvers are all with the police, after all) but the way Foyle uses intuition and observation to close each case is very reminiscent of Conan Doyle’s Holmes. The mysteries often have multiple threads that are pulled together in the last 20 minutes, and are excellently written. The acting and cast are fantastic; actors portraying a family often share physical attributes and mannerisms. Fair warning, this show is VERY British. In the first 10 minutes of the first show, Foyle attempts to arrest a man and is seemingly stunned that the fellow would run rather than simply wait for the handcuffs to be applied. Throughout the series, those being arrested routinely take their plight in stride, occasionally asking if they have time to pack. If you are a fan of crime dramas that have tons of action, this is probably not for you. If it’s story that you’re looking for, you’ll struggle to do better.

Read-a-likes: For further World War II mysteries, you might try reading James Benn’s Billy Boyle series, or Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther novels.  For those looking for other British mystery series should take a look at another BBC series, Rosemary and Thyme.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a DVD. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: As any review of this book will tell you, James Church is a former intelligence officer with experience in East Asia. He uses that experience to good effect here, in drawing a vivid picture of a country closed to the outside world. The plot of the story, which won effusive praise from reviewers, did not grab this reader. Most of the plot struck me as so subtle that it bordered on the opaque, and left me feeling that I followed a man stumbling blindly from one random scenario into another. This type of spy thriller may appeal to some, but it did little for me. There are currently four books in the series.

Read-a-likes: This series is often compared to Martin Cruz Smith’s Arkady Renko series, which is set in Russia; in my opinion, most of what Church tries to do here is done better by Smith. Another story of an honest policeman struggling against the insanity of a totalitarian regime, also set in Stalinist Russia, is Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44. Those interested in reading more stories set in North Korea should check out The Ginseng Hunter by Jeff Talarigo.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: Bradley has been a solid historical writer, but this is his first attempt at history on a large-scale. Both Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys were focused primarily on smaller scale, much more personal, history. And he does well for the most part, but the fundamental thesis of the book (that TR set the course for the disastrous events culminating in WWII) is imperfectly defended. The historical evidence and quotes that he provides to make his case are indeed nothing short of eye-opening and chilling (you’ll not think of American history quite the same way afterwards) but they don’t quite add up the way Bradley wants them to. While he certainly contributed extensively to the direction of future events, the amount of blame heaped on Teddy Roosevelt smacks of a too-simplistic analysis. In addition, the over emphasis on American actions has the ironic (in a book focused on exposing American misdeeds) effect of making many of the other players on the board feel a bit puppet-like. Surely, the leaders of Japan, Korea, China, Great Britain and France were just as responsible for the direction of their country’s as TR. Fortunately, the facts themselves are so hard-hitting they carry the book on their own.

Read-a-likes: If you enjoy this book, you’ll of course want to hunt down Bradley’s first two (Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys). For more information on the glamorous Alice Roosevelt, the biography Alice by Stacy Cordery is a good place to start. For more on Roosevelt’s wheeling and dealing, Bully Boy by Jim Powell and Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris are worth a peak.

Availability: The Lake Bluff Public Library owns this item as a book, eAudiobook, Audiobook and eBook. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: This series is, quite simply, not to be missed. Visiting the animals on location lends the episodes an immediacy and authenticity often lacking in other environmental documentaries. In addition, as Fry and Carwardine work with scientists striving against all odds to save the animals they are seeking, the series nimbly avoids the trap of bemoaning extinction in a forlorn and depressed manner, taking a far more practical outlook. The footage  is stunning, Carwardine and Fry are excellent company and the human and environmental insights provided are gripping. The only problem is that the series stops at 6 episodes.

View-a-likes: For those seeking similar DVD’s, Planet Earth, An Inconvenient Truth or Encounters at the End of the World might be worth a look. Reader’s might take a look at Michael Pollan’s books, for nonfiction, or My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki for fiction.

Availability: The Lake Bluff Public Library owns this item on DVD. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: Doig is always at his best when his books are strongly grounded in the Montana of his youth, and this is no exception. Butte comes vividly to life, and the always witty Morrie makes for an absolutely stellar lead. Readers who remember him from The Whistling Season will not want to miss this one. For newcomers, there is sufficient back story to keep you going and a gem of a story that should not be missed.

Read-a-likes: If you haven’t picked up Whistling Season yet, then definitely do so. If you enjoyed the western setting, you might also try Annie Proulx or Larry McMurtry. Also perhaps worth a look are Hard Winter by Johnny Boggs or the ‘Holmes on the Range’  mysteries of Steve Hockensmith.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book and an eBook. Click here to check on availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: Michael Brown, responsible for finding most of the known Trans-Neptunian Objects of any size, provides a one of a kind perspective on the ‘what-is-a-planet’ debate. In addition, he’s a witty enough writer that the science and planet debate become absolutely gripping. His chapters do stray off topic occasionally, and his obsession with his first-born child can be distracting at points, but these are minor gripes. Overall, for any nonfiction reader (not just astronomy buffs) this is a laugh out loud funny memoir that is not to be missed.

Read-a-likes: Nonfiction readers looking for more on Pluto’s dilemma should check out Is Pluto a Planet? by David Weintraub or The Pluto Files by Neil Tyson. For curious fiction readers, Percival’s Planet by Michael Byers fictionalizes Pluto’s discovery.

Availability: This book is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book and eBook. Click here to check it out!

Review by Eric.

Review: This is the second novel (after Blasphemy) to feature Wyman Ford exclusively. It does have a stronger and more interesting story to tell, and one that’s less likely to be banned by the Vatican. Unfortunately, the execution here lacks the chilling believability of Blasphemy. It’s a fun read, to be sure, but there are too many moments that strain credibility for it to be great.

Read-a-likes: As always, Preston is a great alternative for Michael Crichton readers. This book does trend a little bit more into science fiction territory, so fans of books that feature humanity taking the first tentative steps out into a larger universe should also be rewarded. This would include Pushing Ice by Alistair Reynolds and the works of Arthur C. Clarke and Ben Bova.

Availability: This item is available as a book and audiobook from the Lake Bluff Public Library. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: This is the first in what is currently a 5 book series, and a finalist in 2007 for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. And, with strong writing and likeable characters, it was certainly worthy of that consideration. Fair warning, this is not a mystery for everyone. Big Red, who narrates, does so with a sort of laconic Roy-Rogers-esque humor that will polarize readers. And while it has a humorous element, this is most definitely not a cozy. Readers of Carl Hiaasen and Donald Westlake, though, will probably be best rewarded here. Readers of westerns will likely find a lot to like as well.

Read-a-like: If you enjoyed this one, there are of course a further 4 titles in the Holmes on the Range series. While they are more comic thrillers, the works of Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey may be worth a look as well. Donald Westlake is another mystery author well-known for deadpan comedy in his mysteries. Mystery writers with series in the contemporary west, such as Peter Bowen and Nevada Barr, may be worth a look as well. Larry McMurtry’s westerns would probably be worth a look for those that enjoyed the setting.

Availability: This title is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book and an eAudiobook. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: Usually both Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, who write most of their books together, don’t fare as well in their individual efforts. Preston’s Wyman Ford series, of which this is the 3rd book (kind of), is gathering steam. The writing here is strong, the plotting and characters tighter than Preston usually manages on his own. The subject matter, which deals with highly sensitive religious matters, is well handled. Religiously sensitive readers might want to take a pass, but those with an interest in theology or looking for a good thriller should take a look.

Read-a-likes: As always, Preston is an excellent choice for fans of the late Michael Crichton. The religious aspect here means that fans of Dan Brown (and the horde of imitators his success has spawned) may be rewarded as well. James Rollins Sigma Force novels might also be worth a look.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book and an eAudiobook. Click here to check on the availability!

Review: This is probably the best movie I watched in 2010; I don’t watch many, so that may not be saying much. The story, which is packed with both humor and action, holds equal appeal to adults and kids. While it is entirely appropriate for kids (it’s rated PG), it is worth noting that this is not a Disney movie. At various points, the characters in the movie have to make hard choices, often resulting in very real sacrifices and consequences. While I acknowledge that some parents may be bothered by this (hence making it an individual judgment call), the movie is much, much stronger because of it. The animation is also lovely; it’s easy to see why this was a 3D IMAX movie.

View-a-likes: The wit and cross-generational appeal of How to Train Your Dragon is very reminiscent of the Shrek movies. If you enjoyed the dragons, you might pick up Eragon or Dragon Hunters, though both are better suited to a teen audience. And, of course, the movie is based on a series of books by Cressida Cowell.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library in both DVD and Blu-ray. Click here to check on the availability!

Carlen’s Top Reads of 2010

Fordlandia by Greg Grandin (2009—Adult Nonfiction): Very well-received adult non-fiction! Great for guys!

As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins (2010—Juvenile Fiction): Teen loses cell phone reception, disaster ensues.

Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill (2009—Teen Fiction): Crazy and humorous! Teen girl “Bug” finds out her car, a classic 1958 Cadillac, is actually owned by the Devil. It’s a literal wild ride to save Bug’s soul and to keep her car!

Stitches by David Small (2009—Teen Fiction): Perfect balance of striking artwork and a heart-wrenching story line. This would be a great read for people who have not read a graphic novel before. It’s also a great book for adults, even though we have it in teen. (See full review here).

Solomon’s Thieves by Jordan Mechner (2009—Teen Fiction): The Crusades meet the graphic novel. Good artwork, and not “girly.”

Fables by Bill Willingham (2003—Teen Fiction): All your favorite fairy tale characters now living in the present but unknown by regular humans (Mundys). The first book is a murder-mystery (exciting)! The storyline increases in depth and keeps the reader interested in the following novels.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (2009—Teen Fiction): A harrowing, realistic view of anorexia from the victim herself. Very well-written and captivating.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (2009—Adult Nonfiction): Marathon runner McDougall examines human evolution with regards to running. The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico can run for hundreds of miles. Also a good guy read!

Donna’s Top Reads of 2010

Stuff of Legend by Mike Raicht (2010—Juvenile Graphic Fiction): In 1944, a young boy is kidnapped by the Bogeyman who takes him to the realm of the Dark. His playthings join forces to rescue him. Outstanding graphics; its themes of camaraderie, betrayal, bitterness, and redemption make this a page turner for all ages. (Recommended: 5^th grade and up).

Forever Friends by Carin Berger (2010—Juvenile Picture Book): In the spring, a bluebird wakes a rabbit and they play together every day until the fall comes and it’s time for the bird to fly south with a promise to return in the spring. (Recommended: preschool and up).

Chi’s Sweet Home series by Konami Kanata (2004—Juvenile Graphic Fiction): This series is for cat lovers and manga lovers. It shows the adventures of the most obnoxiously cute kitten ever who finds a new home with a loving family. (Recommended: 3^rd grade and up).

We are in a Book by Mo Willems (2010—Juvenile Early Reader): The genius of Mo Willems shines through in his latest addition to the Piggy and Elephant series. The main characters come to life as the reader magically enters the book. (Recommended: kindergarten and up).

Eliza’s Top Reads of 2010

The Hunger Games trilogy (2008, 2009, 2010—Juvenile Fiction): For fast-paced, can’t possibly put it down good reading. (See Eric’s review here).

Enola Holmes and the Case of the Gypsy Goodbye by Nancy Springer (2010—Juvenile Fiction): The final installment of Enola Holmes, who solves the puzzles and ciphers around her mothers disappearance while trying to stay under the radar of her older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock.

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (1937—Juvenile Fiction)—Poirot is a really enjoyable character to follow through the classic beautifully wrought whodunits of Agatha Christie. Love triangles, jilted exes, follies of the rich and murder are on the menu for this one.

Middlemarch by George Eliot (1872—Adult Fiction)—Exquisite use of language and layered stories piled high with rich and extremely complex, flawed but sympathetically human characters. This story follows several families in a small town at a time of change.

At Home by Bill Bryson (2010—Adult Nonfiction): I would read anything this man writes, as he traces history’s footsteps through the house.

Eric’s Top Reads of 2010

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010–Juvenile Fiction): Overcame the middle book slump of Catching Fire to provide a gripping conclusion that defied (rather than caved into) series expectations.

Slow Horses by Mitch Herron (2010–Adult Fiction): It’s that rare espionage thriller that gets the balance exactly right: the characters are allowed to be credibly intelligent spies and are given a credibly thorny problem that they unravel in a well paced and believable way. (See Eric’s full review here).

Echo by Jack McDevitt (2010–Adult Fiction): This is just a great series in general, with archeologists and collectors studying the history of a space traveling humankind 10,000 years from now. (For Eric’s full review, click here).

Work Song by Ivan Doig (2010–Adult Fiction): Okay, so this is the sequel to Whistling Season and if you’ve read that, you can’t pass on this. It stands on its own well enough, though, and Morris Morgan is a fantastic protagonist.

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (2009–Adult Fiction): This is a very hit-or-miss book, love or hate, but it worked for me. I liked the universality of the novel and the slow unfolding of the story in lovingly described everyday scenes. (See Eric’s review here; for Carlen’s review, click here).

Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems (2010–Juvenile Picture Book): Another book that not everyone loves, but it really worked for me. On the one hand, it’s a story about sharing and how in giving something away it’s possible to end up with more than you had ever imagined. It’s also a tale of growing up, putting away childhood things, and then finding them again when you have children of your own.

Martha’s Top Reads of 2010

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (2003—Juvenile Fiction): One of the most delightfully charming books I’ve read in a long time—this is a must-read for all fantasy fans. (See full review here)

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (2008, 2009, 2010—Juvenile Fiction): An excellent trilogy that is as thoughtful as it is thrilling. (See Eric’s review of The Hunger Games here).

The Reluctant Heiress by Eva Ibbotson (1982—Teen Fiction): The wit and charm of the prose and the well-rounded ensemble of characters made this novel delightfully entertaining and really showcased Ibbotson’s talent with words.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (2009—Adult Fiction): Cherie Priest does incredible justice to an almost dangerously inventive premise. The characters are vivid and the alternate history is well executed and rather strangely realistic. (See full review here).

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers (2009—Adult Nonfiction): An intensely vivid account of a Syrian American business owner in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (2007—Adult Nonfiction): I came away from this book wanting to raise my own chickens and farm the front lawn. Highly recommended for fans of Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman (2009—Teen Fiction): Poignant, thoughtful, and utterly heartbreaking, If I Stay is a beautiful examination of family relationships. Break out the Kleenex box for this one. (See full review here).

Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (1891—Adult Fiction): Hardy’s breathtakingly beautiful prose makes this tragedy powerful and deeply moving. (See full review here).

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart (2005—Juvenile Fiction): Ruby Oliver is laugh-out-loud funny, intensely relatable, and a wonderfully well-drawn character. E. Lockhart is a talented author who effortlessly captures the spirit, diction, and drama of high school. (See full review here).

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater (2009—Teen Fiction): Sequel to Stiefvater’s Lament (see my review here). I loved Lament, but Ballad was even better. Stiefvater’s take on Celtic mythology is compelling and the narration is beautifully written and uniquely voiced.

Matt’s Top Reads of 2010

The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values by Sam Harris (2010—Adult Nonfiction)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson (2010—Adult Fiction)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2008—Juvenile Fiction)

The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins (2009—Adult Nonfiction)
Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (2010—Adult Fiction)

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (2003—Adult Nonfiction)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010—Juvenile Fiction)

Regina’s Top Reads of 2010

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride (2010—Teen Fiction): Funniest horror story I’ve ever read; clever, suspenseful, and witty.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847—Adult Fiction): Brilliant! First Gothic romance of Western literature laced with proto-feminist ideals.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (2010—Teen Fiction): Present day Paris and Paris of the 1790s collide. Wonderfully researched historical fiction. (See full review here)

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (2010—Teen Fiction): For those who love a dark, truly creepy tale. (See full review here).

Bruiser by Neil Shusterman (2010—Teen Fiction): Raises compelling ethical questions of friendship and sacrifice. (See full review here).

Big Bear Hug by Nicholas Oldland (2009—Juvenile Picture Book): Laugh-out-loud illustrations accompany gentle message.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (2009—Juvenile Fiction): Gentle, thoughtful rendering of life of 12 year old Callie at the turn of the last century.

Guys Read: Funny Business edited by Jon Scieszka (2010—Juvenile Fiction): Compilation of short stories written by guys for guys. Will appeal to anyone who is a brother, has a brother, been a father, mother, or grandparent, or has male friend—in other words, everyone!

Dr. De Soto by William Steig (1982—Juvenile Picture Book): Classic about the clever mice who out-fox the fox!

Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger (1961—Adult Fiction): Salinger’s classic about two members of the gifted Glass family explores themes of Zen Buddhism, Christianity, modern psychology, and spiritual growth.

Let’s Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile (2009—Juvenile Picture Book): two boys attempt to “do nothing” but their imaginations get in the way.

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List compiled by Martha

Review: The Battle of Leyte Gulf has always had, of course, the appeal of David taking on Goliath and winning against all odds. What Hornfischer does here to recommend his account over others is to provide sound reasons for what happened rather than simply retelling the story. And while disparities in air power and new advances in technology by the United States do help make sense of the battle and it’s outcome, the author never takes away from the heroism and sacrifice of the sailors on both sides of the fight. A peek at the legacy of the battle within United States Naval tradition provides a fitting, and very moving, finale to the book.

Read-a-likes: Fans of James Bradley’s Flyboys and Flags of Our Fathers will be particularly rewarded for picking up this one. Those looking for more on Leyte Gulf should check out The Battle of Leyte Gulf : The Last Fleet Action by H.P. Willmott. Reader’s looking for a novel set in similar waters should take a look at The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk or Broken Jewel by David L. Robbins.

Availability: The Lake Bluff Public Library owns this title as a book. Click here to check on the availability.

Review by Eric.

Review: Since it’s release in 1993, the Honor Harrington Series (currently at 12 books) has become one of the most essential military science fiction series available. Putting a future Horatio Hornblower/Admiral Nelson at the center of epic space battles, Weber writes tales of political, strategic and tactical maneuvering on a rarefied level. This first entry is very good; the next entry in the series, The Honor of the Queen, is superlative. The audio for the book is solidly done, as well. There’s nothing about the reader (Allyson Johnson) to write home about, but neither does she get in the way of enjoying the tale.

Read-a-likes: Other military science fiction authors, such as David Drake and Elizabeth Moon, are worthy read-a-likes. Fans of the seafaring stories of C.S. Forester and Patrick O’Brian may be rewarded here as well. Weber rewrites their classic tales of wooden ships and iron men with panache here.

Availability: The Lake Bluff Public Library owns this item as a MyMediaMall eAudiobook. Click here to check on the availability!

Review by Eric.

Review: This isn’t as good as the first in the series, but that’s a high mark to hit. The second of three acts, which is invariably intended to throw the characters into the utmost peril to set up the conclusion, is always a challenging one for any author. Collins clearly knows where she wants the series to be by the final book, but hadn’t perhaps fully thought out the journey to get there. That said, Collins still does a better than average job of pulling the reader into the story, and you can’t read the epic finale until you finish this one.

Read-a-likes: See the read-a-likes here, for The Hunger Games.

Availability: The Lake Bluff Public Library owns this item as a book and an eAudiobook. Click here to check on the availability.

Review by Eric.

Review: And that’s just the first 20 pages! Tipping the scales at 605 p., the word ‘epic’ is fairly accurate. And this is just the first in what is currently a 4 book series. Best known for his Honor Harrington military sci-fi novels, Weber doesn’t stray too far from home here. Technology, political machinations and warfare are the main draws, all of which Weber does very well, and it makes for a gripping read. This reviewers only complaint is that the premise of the book suggests that some thorny religious issues would need to be dealt with for the plot to progress; Weber deals with them only passingly, perhaps missing an opportunity.

Read-a-likes: Fans of other military science fiction authors, such as Elizabeth Moon and David Drake, will be rewarded here. And, of course, fans of Eric Flint (who similarly has advanced technology dropped into the Middle Ages in his Assiti Shards series) should consider this a must. In addition, fans of Patrick O’Brian, C.S. Forester and Julian Stockwin willing to tolerate the presence of a sci-fi veneer will be rewarded, as most of the action is the sort of swashbuckling high seas adventure that would make those worthies proud.

Availability: This item is available from the Lake Bluff Public Library as a book. Click here to check on the availability of the item.

Review by Eric