Langley-Adams Library Recommendations

London, 1887.  After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.  But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.* The main character, Veronica Speedwell, was a hilarious, independent and sassy narrator. It was enjoyable to read and see her get under the skin of all the other characters. Even though this was a mystery there was more emphasis on the bante...

Dear My Blank is written by a fifteen year old girl by the name of Emily Trunko. She started a Tumblr page that allowed people to write anonymous (or not) letters to people saying things they needed to get off their chest but didn’t want to actually say to the person. It’s a clever way to blow off steam. When her Tumblr did really well she decided to write a book using letter submissions people had sent in. The book contains letters about love, heartbreak, hardships, family, friends, and anything you can think of. It is a book that many people could relate to. It is a really interesting and creative idea that would be a great book for many people. I saw this book and thought that it would be interesting because I also write letters that I never send out. I really enjoyed it and it was really cool to see other people’s letters. Emma Fandel Library Page Available at the Langley Adams Library

“Are you happy with your life?”    Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.   Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.  Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”   In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His   wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.  Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.* ...

Rumi and her sister Lea play music and write songs together up until the day Lea dies in a car accident. Suddenly Rumi is left with her mom, who becomes quiet and withdrawn. When summer comes around, Rumi is sent to Hawaii to stay with her aunt while her mom grieves alone. Throughout the summer, Rumi has a lot of truths she has to face. She’s stuck with the memories she has of her sister and her own survivor’s guilt. She’s stuck with the knowledge that her own mother doesn’t want her around while she grieves. Also, she’s stuck in a place that is completely new and unknown to her. As time passes by in Hawaii, Rumi meets a cast of characters that shape her summer, help her grieve her sister, and help her come to conclusions about her own identity. Overall,  Summer Bird Blue  is a well-written young adult novel that I highly recommend you read! I listened to it on audio, which is available through the consortium on Overdrive/Libby, but Langley-Adams Library has a copy for you to...

Detective Jake Peralta, a talented and carefree cop with the best arrest record, has never had to follow the rules too closely or work very hard. That changes when Ray Holt, a man with a lot to prove, becomes the new commanding officer of Brooklyn's 99th precinct. As Holt reminds Peralta to respect  the badge, an extremely competitive colleague - Detective Amy Santiago - starts to close in on the hotshot cop's arrest record. Other members of the precinct include Sgt. Terry Jeffords, a devoted family man, Detective Charles Boyle, a hard worker who idolizes Jake, and Rosa Diaz, a sexy-yet-intimidating detective. Civilian office manager Gina Linetti is tasked with cleaning up everyone's mess, while somehow getting involved in everyone's business* This is hilarious sitcom the members of the 99 th precinct of New York deal solve a variety of crimes all while getting on each other’s nerves. The show features a diverse cast of characters who are guaranteed to make you l...

In this book Stephen Kurkjian, an investigative reporter, recounts what happened the night of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum heist in 1981. He then explores the different theories on what may have happened to the paintings when they were stolen and who might have them today. This art heist has become one of the most infamous in history since priceless paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas were taken and never found. Kurkjian offers a very insightful breakdown of the art heist along with his theories because he has been following this story as a reporter from the very beginning. This book has a lot of interesting history not only about the museum but about Boston as well. Since Kurkjian offers so many theories about the heist it allows you to decide for yourself what could have happened. I also found it very easy to read despite having never been to the museum and ended up making a trip there when I finished the book. This is a great book for people who love true cri...