http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/ en lmellett@minlib.net Copyright 2009 2009-11-19T21:57:38+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/looking-for-a-good-book/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/looking-for-a-good-book/#When:17:36:46Z The Brookline Public Library is happy to provide our community of readers with a new and exciting service. We all know that tracking down the right book at the right time can be a struggle, especially when many of us don’t have as much times as we’d wish to browse shelves or pore over reviews.  So, let us do the work for you!  This new online reader’s advisory service is a way for you to request a customized reading list from the library staff, taking into account your reading habits, likes and dislikes, and current story must-haves.  Here’s how it works: 1. Fill in our survey here.  It’s substantial, but the length and detail is all so we can provide you with a list of recommended titles best suited to what you’re seeking.  The more information you provide, the more likely it is we can suggest the best books for you. 2. Librarians at the Brookline Public Library will use your answers to create a customized reading list for you. 3. Within three weeks, we will get back to you with your customized reading list, either to be picked up in person at the library or emailed to you, whatever your personal preference. 4. Once you’ve gone through the list, send us feedback via this form, or start another request by filling out another survey. 5. Browse our recommendations gleaned from answering readers’ requests at our Looking for a Good Book Reader’s Advisor blog here to see what else you might be interested in reading! If you have any questions, or want to follow-up with us, please feel free to send us an email at brooklinera {at} brooklinelibrary {dot} org. Please be aware this is a trial service. Due to the generosity of the Friends of the Brookline Library, we are able to offer this service for a trial period of a year, but after a year, depending on staff scheduling and commitments, we may have to suspend the service. 2009-08-25T17:36:46+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/murder-at-the-old-vicarage/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/murder-at-the-old-vicarage/#When:21:57:38Z “A killing blow on the head took the life of Graham Estow, but the vicar and his wife were hardly grieved. He was the son-in-law who had severely beaten their daughter Joanna a few months ago. Unfortunately, it appears that someone very close to the household is the murderer, though no one is about to confess to it. Inspector Lloyd and Detective Sergeant Judy Hill wander through a maze of self-confessed killers, myriad motives, and their own frustrating partnership to find a murderer with a message.” Liz’s Note: A well written, traditional British mystery by a writer who deserves to be much better known. Lloyd and Hill are wonderful characters. 2009-11-19T21:57:38+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/earthly-delights/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/earthly-delights/#When:13:39:25Z “Corinna Chapman was once a high profile accountant and banker. Now she is a baker working in her own business, Earthly Delights, in Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia. Corinna is living in an eccentric building on the Roman model called Insula. She is quite content with her cat, Horatio, and her shop until a junkie falls half dead on her grate, a gorgeous sabra stalks along her alley and tells her that she is beautiful, and she starts receiving threatening letters accusing her of being a scarlet woman. Life for Corinna has suddenly become interesting. And she still needs to get her bread out in time for the morning rush….” Liz’s Notes: Entertaining characters, a terrific sense of place and mouthwatering descriptions of food make this Australian mystery absolutely delightful. 2009-11-18T13:39:25+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/dying-to-call-you/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/dying-to-call-you/#When:13:31:57Z “While making the best of her new telemarketing job, Helen Hawthorne thinks she hears a murder on the other end of the line-and must avoid a close call with a killer.” Liz’s Note: One of the great things about this humorous series is knowing that the author has actually worked all of the “Dead End” jobs she writes about. Reading about the people on the other end of those annoying telemarketing calls is eye opening as well as very entertaining. 2009-11-17T13:31:57+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/dreaming-of-the-bones/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/dreaming-of-the-bones/#When:17:18:02Z “Crombie has been nominated for virtually every major mystery award for her brilliant police procedurals featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, who are personally and professionally entwined. In this New York Times Notable Book, Duncan’s ex-wife, a Cambridge biographer, asks for his help in proving that her current subject was not a suicide but was in fact murdered. Initially skeptical, he finds aspects of the case that arouse his own suspicions.” Liz’s Note: This is a another strong entry in an excellent series. Crombie does an excellent job in showing how the past really does influence our present, often in ways we fail to recognize. This is a mystery that will certainly appeal to fans of the traditional British police procedural, and also to readers of A. S. Byatt’s Possession. 2009-11-14T17:18:02+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/the-burglar-in-the-library/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/the-burglar-in-the-library/#When:16:40:29Z “Bernie Rhodenbarr returns in the eighth installment of Lawrence Block’s bestselling Burglar series. After his girlfriend dumps him to marry another, Bernie follows the couple to a New England Inn with his sights set on an autographed first edition copy of Raymond Chandler’s “The Big Sleep,” located in the Inn’s library. But when a dead body appears and all the guests remain snowbound, it’s up to Bernie to solve the case!” Liz’s Note: Another thoroughly enjoyable entry in this very funny series. In describing this book the author says “Think Agatha Christie at Fawlty Towers”, and that is certainly the perfect description. Bernie is a delightful character and the setting will remind fans of the classic house party mysteries of the past. 2009-11-14T16:40:29+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/murder-with-peacocks/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/murder-with-peacocks/#When:15:48:24Z “Three Weddings…And a Murder So far Meg Langslow’s summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she’s maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones - each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. And, in whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints at skeletons in the guests’ closets.” Liz’s Note: Looking for a funny mystery? The Meg Langslow series is a hoot. Murder With Peacocks won the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Contest. 2009-11-14T15:48:24+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/still-life/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/still-life/#When:15:11:26Z ““Miss Jane Neal met her maker in the early morning mist of Thanksgiving Sunday. It was pretty much a surprise all round.” Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec and his team are called in to investigate a suspicious death that the locals in the tiny hamlet of Three Pines are sure is just a tragic hunting accident. “ Liz’s Note: This lovely Canadian mystery was the winner of the New Blood Dagger in Britain and the Arthur Ellis Award in Canada for best first crime novel. Penny has created some brilliant characters, and readers will be happy to meet up with them again in subsequent volumes of this series, which gets better with each book. 2009-11-14T15:11:26+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/the-english-school-of-murder/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/the-english-school-of-murder/#When:18:26:09Z “Can anyone British teach English as a foreign language? It’s murder…. “Adroit, inspiring, and written with a rare lightness of touch, ”—The London Times Literary Supplement “Believable plotting, a memorable cast of characters, and three—count ‘em—three beguiling sleuths in a warm, gently raunchy, crisp, and literate caper.”—Kirkus Reviews “Amiss is bumblingly appealing and howlingly funny.”—The Chicago Sun Times He’s also a civil servant down on his luck and out of a job—and thus ripe for a post as a police spy at the Knightsbridge School. Robert’s cover will be to teach English as a foreign language. His mission soon becomes, well, murder…. “ Liz’s Note:Edwards grew up reading the classics of the Golden Age of mysteries - Christie, Sayers, Marsh, Innes and Crispin, and it shows in her thoroughly entertaining series. Witty dialogue, clever characters and an intelligent plot make this a treat for lovers of the traditional mystery. 2009-11-13T18:26:09+00:00 http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/dooley-takes-the-fall/ http://www.brooklinelibrary.org/readers-advisor/entries/dooley-takes-the-fall/#When:18:58:05Z “Seventeen-year-old Dooley is witness to a suicide, but with his troubled past and new details to the case he is suspected of murder.” Robin’s Note: This is a relatively new title but it’s been buzzed about as a strong tale that manages to be readable, suspenseful, and emotionally honest.  Dooley is a bit of a black sheep, but he’s caught in a situation that’s pushes what he can handle on his own.  This is a strong pick for readers looking for a realistic tale that’s realtively short but packs a punch. 2009-11-04T18:58:05+00:00