Recommended Reading: That Summer by Lauren Willig

Book Description:

2009: When Julia Conley hears that she has inherited a house outside London from an unknown great-aunt, she assumes it’s a joke. She hasn't been back to England since the car crash that killed her mother when she was six, an event she remembers only in her nightmares. But when she arrives at Herne Hill to sort through the house—with the help of her cousin Natasha and sexy antiques dealer Nicholas—bits of memory start coming back. And then she discovers a pre-Raphaelite painting, hidden behind the false back of an old wardrobe, and a window onto the house's shrouded history begins to open...

1849: Imogen Grantham has spent nearly a decade trapped in a loveless marriage to a much older man, Arthur. The one bright spot in her life is her step-daughter, Evie, a high-spirited sixteen year old who is the closest thing to a child Imogen hopes to have. But everything changes when three young painters come to see Arthur's collection of medieval artifacts, including Gavin Thorne, a quiet man with the unsettling ability to read Imogen better than anyone ever has. When Arthur hires Gavin to paint her portrait, none of them can guess what the hands of fate have set in motion.

Lauren Willig is most known for her Secret History of the Pink Carnation books; a comedic historical-romance series based around Napoleonic-era spies. However, in recent years she's been branching out into standalone novels with much different tones. That Summer still has its share of humor and romance, but on the whole it's a more serious book. It's intense, but it's not a whirlwind of overwrought emotions. Slimmer than the Pink Carnation books, yet with a new layer of complexity. There's something about it that's calculating, which suits its content very well. It's comprehensively researched, you get dropped right into the world of pre-Raphaelite artists, but Willig never allows the research to overwhelm the story itself. The characterization is perfect the whole way through, and you'll still be thinking about these people long after their stories are over... Be warned, the ending is shocking. Not everything turns out well.

Released last June, That Summer isn't your typical light beach read, but it's still a great choice heading into the summer months!

Recommended Reading: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

I adored this book. The characters were brave, witty, humorous and intelligent (even *gasp* the female characters). The plot was fast-paced and engaging. The setting was painted with careful attention but not so detailed you start skimming for the next section of dialogue. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys light-hearted historical romances with plenty of humorous banter.

Book Description: 
Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?

North Shelby has copies of this book in print and audio book. Stop by the library to pick up a copy or click here to reserve a one through our catalog.

Morgan
Children's Librarian

What the Staff is Currently Reading...

Michelyn, from Reference Dept.:
Superfreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
"It makes everyday economics interesting, even if you don't care about money and shows how the world really works based on economics. Start with the first one, Freakanomics: a Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by the same authors."


Amber, from Reference Dept.:
Rain of Gold by Victor E. Villasenor
"This is the true story of two early 20th century Mexican families that immigrated to America. It's a beautiful love story between husband and wife and, also, a son and his parents."




Katie, Director of Library Services:
I Am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Ayres (audio version)
"A fascinating behind the scenes glance at one of rock and roll's most notorious figures."





This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection by Carol Burnett
"An intimate and often hilarious combination of stories and anecdotes along with a poignant look at the death of Burnett's daughter (tearjerker)."






Kate, from Children's Dept.:
Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo
"A little predictable but a fun, quick read."






Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
"A great combination of alternate history, steampunk, and coming-of-age with lots of danger and fantastic technology. I am looking forward to the next in the series."







Dark Life by Kat Falls
"The surface of the world has changed drastically, the people haven't. Outlaws, unhelpful bureaucrats, and little sisters are no easier to deal with just because you live at the bottom of the ocean. Amusing and slightly scary."





Lori, from Young Adult Dept.:
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
"This is a fantastic sequel to The Iron King. This book was just as action packed as the first and the romantic complications increase, as well. I can't wait for the third, The Iron Queen, due to be released in February of 2011."




The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medieros
"I'm incredibly excited to read this book, partly because I follow the author on facebook and have been hearing about the characters for a while. I've just started and it definitely has me hooked with a great first meeting between the hero and heroine - who doesn't love a historical romance where the bride is stolen at the altar!"

Book Review: The Madness of Lord Ian by Jennifer Ashley

This is the first historical romance that has appealed to me in ages.
I LOVED this book. Why? It was different. There’s a wounded hero, a sharp likeable heroine, misunderstandings, dark family secrets, murders, and yes, love. I truly cared about these characters and can’t wait for the next one in the series.

The tortured hero, Lord Ian, is autistic (or at least mildly so). He was put into an asylum for most of his young life, until his oldest brother, Hart, became Duke and got him out. The leading lady is Beth Ackerley, a wealthy widow whose upbringing is a little shady. When her vicar husband died, she became a companion to a wealthy woman, a Ms. Barrington, who left her fortune with Ms. Ackerley when she died. She is now a woman of means and can do as she wishes.

At the beginning of the story, Beth is engaged to be married until Lord Ian comes into the picture. She breaks it off with her fiancé when warned by Ian of his true character. She then takes off for Paris to see the sights. Ian finds out where Beth has gone and because he was so taken with her decides to go to Paris as well. While Beth is there she befriends a woman, Isabella, who happens to Ian’s sister-in-law. Isabella is the estranged wife of Mac Mackenzie, the second youngest of the family, an artist currently residing in Paris. Beth is smart, beautiful, compassionate and unashamed when questioned about her past, which she is when Inspector Fellows begins asking her questions about Ian Mackenzie and a murdered woman. The story ends up being a murder mystery with a few other surprises thrown in that you didn’t see coming, including the “real” reason Ian was put into an asylum. You also get to meet, Hart, the oldest Mackenzie brother and the Duke. He is not a little scary. Cameron is the 2nd oldest and is described as the black sheep of the family who is a skilled horseman and a little rough around the edges.

The next book in the series will be Isabella’s story with Mac.

Go to the Mackenzie home to learn more.

Michelyn