The Lace Reader

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry is a mystery with a bit of thriller thrown in. The book starts with the quote, "My name is Towner Whitney....... Never believe me. I lie all the time." Throughout the book, the reader tries to figure out what is true and what is thought to be true. The setting is in Salem Mass. where the local "witches" have opened many tourist attractions and where a sect, the "Calvinists" has set up camp to defy the "witches". The friction of the two groups is intertwined into the story of Towner and why she didn't want to leave Califronia to return home. She said she never would, but now......

This book can be found at the Newberg Public Library www. newberglibrary.org

Book reviewed by Denise R

Jane Bites Back

Jane Austen never died- she was turned into a vampire. Yep, that's the premise of Michael Thomas Ford's new novel, Jane Bites Back. I was intrigued by the idea, but I figured I would be putting it down after the first 20 pages. Instead I found myself sucked into this sarcastic, witty and humorous story about Jane Austen, an old rival, an old flame, a new flame, publishing in modern times and running a small business.
Despite the vampires the story was not gory, unlike Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (which I never finished). You could enjoy this story without being a Jane Austen fan, although you will miss some of the nuances. If you are a Jane Austen fan and you take yourself very seriously, this book is not for you. If you are a Jane Austen fan who sometimes likes vampires and sometimes likes romance more than you like to admit, this book might be just your cup of tea.

This book reviewed by Korie

This book can be found at our web page www.newberglibrary.org

Firmin by Sam Savage

Firmin is distraught. One of 13 children, he resides in an old book store in Boston's Scollay Square. His days are filled with reading everything and anything and watching old movies at the run down movie house (where the flicks become x rated after midnight). His only friend Jerry has died and the city is bulldozing down Scollay Square . What is a rat to do? Yes, Fermin is a rat and the narrator of this witty lit story. A fun and short read: only 164 pages.

Reviewed by Denise

This book can be found in our catalog: http://www.newberglibrary.org/