New Teen Reads

Fans of Percy Jackson are lining up for the latest book by Rick Riordan. The Red Pyramid, Book one in the Kane Chronicles, hits book shelves this month and Percy fans will find that this latest tale seems right out of a parallel universe. Like his Last Olympians series, this new offering also takes place in New York. This time instead of Manhattan, Brooklyn is the scene for the fast paced action involving Egyptian gods and ensuing chaos.   Witty characters, short chapters, young people with special powers, it’s a formula that works for Riordan and has fans lining up for his latest book.



Those pining for Percy will pick right up with14 year old Carter Kane and his 12 year old sister Sadie when mysterious forces descend upon the city and the teens get caught up in the action right from page one. While the publisher suggests this series for ages 10 and older, the action transcends word count barriers and reluctant readers, and busy adults, will find this book a welcome addition to their summer reading list.

You’ve read his books and seen the movies, but now, popular author John Grisham breaks into the Young Adult market with the character of Theodore Bone, a 13-year old who knows every judge and every policeman in his small town, as well as a bit about the law.

Sure he dreams of being a great trial lawyer, someday, but Theodore finds himself in a courtroom sooner than expected. A cold blooded killer is about to go free and Theodore’s the only one standing in his way. The resulting courtroom drama will have Grisham fans on edge as the suspense builds. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, available May 25, will keep you guessing until the final bang of the gavel. A must read for teens and anyone who enjoys a great courtroom saga.

Historical fiction just sounds like something thick and dusty but in the hands of author Michael P. Spradlin the age of kings comes alive in his series The Youngest Templar. The newest book in this series, Trail of Fate, follows the journey of Tristan, a young squire attending to the needs of the Knights Templar.  Together with Robard, the king's archer, and a young female assassin named Maryam, they travel across France, protecting the Holy Grail.  Adventure tinged with French history, and a bit of romance might have you thinking again about studying medieval history.  Think young Indiana Jones in the year 1192 and you're on the right track.  But start with book one in this series, Keeper of the Grail.

Reel in some Steelhead Books at the Library

Every good fisherman knows there's more to just tying the fly or baiting the hook.  With about one more week left of finding steelhead in our local rivers, many people are searching the library shelves for ideas, insights, and techniques to help them bring home the big ones.


Flyfishing doesn't have to be complicated and with a few simple egg patterns being an effective choice for Lake Erie waterways even a novice can have a successful day on the water.  In Steelhead Guide: Fly FIshing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead by John Nagy, you'll find lots of information about everything from flies to steelhead behaviors.  Many of the photos were taken in Pennsylvannia but resemble shorelines in Mill Hollow as well as other spots along the Vermilion River.

Fishing Ohio by Tom Cross gets specific, listing more than 200 fishing spots around Ohio.  You'll find a map in the front with numbered icons that direct you to more in detailed descriptions.  The map makes it easy to locate your area or even plan a trip.  Number 41 is the Vermilion River, with notes that it is one of the more recent additions to the state's list of steelhead sites.For each spot a brief overview is listed along with headings for Special Regulations, Driving Directions, and Camping Facilities. If you're headed to Van Buren Lake, Number 40, the author gives you a tip about a great little local ice cream spot located in the center of town. Hey, it's not just about fishing.

Best Streams for Great Lakes Steelhead by Bob Linsenman notes that several world-record fish have been caught in the Great Lakes Basin.  This comprehensive guide includes maps of all the Great Lakes. Rivers in Chapter 8 include the Rocky RIver, Grand RIver, and Elk Creek.  A brief history of Great Lakes fishing is also included.  Check page 58 where a section called "Fly Recipes" begins.  Here you'll find everything to put together the perfect combination of hook, thread, and everything else to put together the fly that will get the job done.


An index and resource guide make this book a good starting point for beginning anglers.

For another perspective try A Good Life Wasted or Twenty Years as a Fishing Guide by Dave Ames.  If you've ever daydreamed about what it would be like to not have a real job, but just fish every day for a living then this book is for you.  Written by a man who spends more than 150 days a year fly fishing, this collection of insights and stories will have you looking at that desk job in a whole different way.  Anyone who spends that same amount of time in a cubicle will want to tag along as Dave Ames takes you down river to abandoned copper mines to the tune of distant fiddles.  A perfect campfire or lounge chair adventure.


Whatever you're looking to hook, be it fish or just a solemn interlude spent contemplating the fishing lifestyle, the library has the book for you.  Cast off, but stop at your library first.

Treasure Hunters

Everyone is a treasure hunter at heart and searching the shelves at the library can lead to an unending supply of treasured reading choices.  Since the 39 Clues have been on our series spotlight it's been hard to find one on the shelf. With titles like The Viper's Nest and The Sword Thief kids are quick to grab up any of the titles when the cover directs you to "Read the books. Play the game. Win the prizes."

But treasure seekers will also want to check out Attica, by Garry Kilworth.  Aimed at grades 5-9, this adventure follows the step-siblings Alex, Chloe, and Jordy as they move into a new house and find that the attic holds more than dusty remnants of the past owners.  Entering the attic they're transported to a world that is as magical as it is dangerous.  Bizarre landscapes and Dali-type characters interact with them along their journey.  This book will have you checking your own attic for strange activity.

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi first attracted me because of the main character Zac has ties to Ghana.  When his grandfather tells him tales of his link to African royalty and a secret treasure Zac just assumes it's a fairy tale. 

When his grandfather is murdered Zac has no choice but to set off on a journey to find the gold and search out the reason behind his grandfather's death.  I'm hoping for more books featuring this character.

Leepike Ridge by N.D. WIlson tells the story of 11 year old Matt.  While he's lived on Leepike Ridge all his life he never would have believed he would be caught underneath it.  Worried about his home life, what kid wouldn't be if mom was dating the math teacher, Matt sets out on a late night walk and ends up being washed down a river and into a series of underground caves.  But he's not alone.  No, his troubles only get worse as his only companions are a dead man and an injured dog. 

Matt's mom presumes he's dead but a group of villianous treasure hunters are in pursuit. What could be under Leepike Ridge that would draw all this attention?

Some times just searching the shelves results in unexpected treasure.  Visit the library today and see what treasures you can find.

Food for thought; thought for Ferran

No you won’t see any books here by nepotistic southern belles and their sons, even though they may be popular with local audiences. And I also don’t agree with local editors who try and remind me that a restaurant is an object and should not be referred to in print with words like “they” and “their”.

Food aficionados will appreciate Food for Thought; Thought for Food, the dense offering by Ferran Adria, edited for English audiences by Vicent Todoli. This book transcends all editorial guidelines, becoming a mesmerizing union of food and art plated up in a colorful bundle wrapped in white but filled with fun surprises. Where else can you hold the menu from Documenta 12 featuring the symbolic menu offered to just 100 people as part of El Bulli’s inclusion in the European art festival?

Even the drawing of Ferran on the cover shows his status as a culinary icon. I mean if The Simpsons creator Matt Groening is providing your cover art then you know you’ve made it big, not that the title “Best restaurant in the WORLD” for three years and three Michelin stars isn’t something to tuck in your apron pocket.

Knowing Ferran’s reputation of epic artistry and attention to detail, I was surprised to open up the book and find two editing mistakes on the first two pages I scanned. Two for two, I was a little afraid to read further. Check out page 65 for a misprinted photo location and page 60 for a misspelling of table setting.

Whatever, I own the book and don’t really care what mistakes the editor made, the door that opens to the world of El Bulli inside the cover was reason enough to purchase.
Food for Thought is available on Amazon for $29.67.

For those looking for something a little closer to home they might want to try Kitchen confidential : adventures in the culinary underbelly byAnthony Bourdain. Sure he was a bit of a cop out, selling t-shirts in the parking lot at CIA and offering tattoos, but early on I loved his writing and I’d also recommend Bourdain’s work of fiction Bone in the Throat for a fun romp through the culinary underworld.

Dachshunds on the shelf

When someone saw me walking my mini-dachshund through town the other day and asked how old she was I mistakenly said, "Oh, I've had her about a year". I realized much later that Sid, Sid Vicious if you're being formal, actually turned two this past February. I guess because she is still rather tiny, and also the fact I can't believe I own such a small dog, I sometimes forget just how long she's been here.

Small dogs have a way of growing on you and even show up in literature from time to time. Margaret Rey may be famous along with H.A. Rey for the Curious George series but also wrote about Pretzel, the longest dachshund in the world. Across the street from Pretzel lives another dachshund named Greta who lands herself in a bit of trouble that requires Pretzel to use his strength, and length, to rescue her.

Dachshunds show up in several books by author Ezra Jack Keats. Look for Willie the dachshund in Whistle for Willie, he appears on the front and back cover. Willie also shows up in another book by that author, Pet Show.

Hank Zipzer is the popular series by Henry Winkler. Hank named his dachsund Cheerio because of how she looked when she ran in circles after her own tail. She shows up in several episodes with one of the funniest being A Tale of Two Tails.

In Mr. Dogwood goes to Washington by Leigh Anne Florence kids get a view of Washington D.C. through the eyes of two dachshunds, Woodie and Chloe. Color illustrations in this small chapter book as well as a a fun story make this a great way to learn about our nation's history and see what a dachshund might look like if he joined Nasa and the space program.

Kids aren't the only ones bringing their dogs along for fun. Look in the mystery section for The Serpents Trail: a Maxie and Stretch Mystery by Sue Henry. Maxie finds it hard to believe she's left everything to travel in her Winnebago, this time to Alaska, but her mini-dachshund Stretch is always there for company, and to sniff out clues.



Our dog Sid was a very good friend for our lab Holly. Although I don't think any household should be subjected to teenagers and dachshunds together, the mix just makes for too much defiance in one small space, the arrival of Sid was perfect timing as Holly's health declined. She was a good friend to Holly and I suppose that's why I keep her around.

Time and Time again

Maybe it was just the Valentine's Weekend getting to me or not knowing what a triple toe pick sow cow was, but I thought I'd check out The Time Traveler's Wife on DVD. If you're like me and always seem to be at the bottom of a reserve list with thirty people ahead of you, perhaps you'll be interested in these books located in our Young Adult Department.

Check out Undercover by Beth Kephart. Sort of a modern day Cyrano remake Undercover tells the story of Elisa, the undercover author of many a love note penned for Theo as he tries to woo the lovely Lila. Elisa writes other letters, too. Letters to her father, the only one who seems to understand her. Scenes of ice skating on the frozen pond as Elisa withdraws to the one thing that makes her feel special, figure skating. Hey it's a love story and you might learn about that triple toe loop thing. The author, Kephart, is a figure skater so if anyone is going to know, she is.

For more of a time after time love theme check out Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn. Beginning with a life and death in prehistoric times and evolving into a love haunted by history, this book follows the lovers through the realms of ancient Egypt, Greece, up to the present day. Can all this have started through the desire of a beautiful green stone? You'll be hanging around the emerald counter at your mall's jewelry store.

Check out this book and it may have you looking for other documentation on reincarnation. A must read for the non-fiction crowd would be Only Love is Real: A Story of Soulmates Reunited by Brian L. Weiss. If you can't find that check out Many Lives, Many Masters, also by Weiss.

We're in Stitches!

Yes, it's true...Crochet Workshop is back on the calendar with a new six week workshop presented at the Amherst Public Library in cooperation with Pat Catan's of Amherst. Vivian will be there to help you review some of the stitches we learned in previous workshops and to get new members up to speed. Then we're off and running for six weeks where we'll make a scarf, six more weeks of winter you know, and then learn a new afgan pattern.

Bring along your size J crochet hook and a skein of "Peaches and Cream" yarn for the first night and any project yarn you choose after that. For those looking for more instruction check out some of the crochet books and DVDs we offer at the library. Crochet Basics, by the editors at Vogue Magazine, has some patterns perfect for beginners. Instructional DVDs and even books for left-hand crochet have been popular choices.

Younger crochet enthusiasts will appreciate Crochet Fantastic Jewelry, Hats, Purses, Pillows & More by Jane Davis. A great pattern is included for slippers and the photos in the back will get you started with basic stitches or act as a visual reminder after you leave the workshop.

Crochet with Wire by Nancie M. WIseman proves that crochet is not just for yarn as she takes you through some designs using light gauge wire along with beads and findings. For the rebellious at heart, check out Anticraft: Knitting Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister by Renee Rigdon. Crafting with pagan overtones is presented in some fun projects including "Bad Eggs" and a Skull cross stitch pattern. The Tree of Life and Death is a beaded shine using peyote stiches and advanced beading techniques. The wican skirt might make a hit at the next staff meeting.

Our crochet workshop takes place Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the library's community room February 16, 23 and March 2, 9, 16, and 23. Call the reference desk at 440-988-4230 to register or just drop in on whatever dates you can join us.

Playing With Fire

The Girl Who Played With Fire is the second book in this Stockholm based Millenium trilogy that has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide. When author Stieg Larsson died unexpectedly in 2004 the rights to his manuscripts prompted a legal battle for publishing rights. The plots to ten different novels had been meticulously researched but never sent to print.

The first book in the series, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, introduces readers to Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Despite all the Swedish street names and towns that can't be typed on a standard keyboard, the plot quickly draws you in and before you know it you're purchasing book three from the United Kingdom because you just can't wait till the American release date in May 2010.

As my one German friend said, "Everyone from my best friend's little sister to my grandmother have all read the entire trilogy and are setting the TiVo for the European television series based on the books", (six episodes, two episodes for each book). Look for an English movie version in the works.

Testing, Testing

The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2010 by Editors at America's Test Kitchen



Just bought this book over the weekend after realizing you need to register to read any of their online recipes. However the recipe for Maple Glazed Pork Roast that aired January 30 is not the same as the one listed in the 2010 cookbook. They've left out a key ingredient, cornstarch, in the book after claiming it was a secret ingredient in the coating used to brown the meat. So why was it left out of the book? I wonder how many of the other recipes are different.

View all my reviews >>

Check out The Best Light Recipe: a Best Recipe Classic at the Amherst Public Library. We also have several of America's Test Kitchen's DVDs to check out. All are from 2007 but some good recipes and seeing is believing.

Bring on the Guys

Maybe there's too much marketing dedicated to romance books and cozy mysteries, but at the Amherst Public Library we've got something for everyone.

Guys will want to check out the new Halo Encyclopedia, a collection of everything Halo brought to you by DK Publishing, the same folks that put together the Eyewitness books. Great for beginning and advanced players it's a must have for every library where gamers gather.

You've seen the settings so why not read the books? Three novels featuring the Halo war zone are featured in a series of novels. Halo: the fall of Reach, by Eric Nylund is a prequel the the game that gives you the set up for most of the combat senarios. Also check out Halo: First Strike and Halo: the Flood.

There's always an adventure brewing when Alex Rider is on the scene. The latest offering in this series by Anthony Horowitz relies on lots of high tech gadgets that add to the attraction of this Bond-a-rama character. Check out Crocodile Tears in the Young Adult Section.

An interview with Mike San Giacomo

Local author, Mike San Giacomo, stopped by the other day and spoke with us about his graphic novel “Tales of the Starlight Drive-in”. Of course we always talk to authors who bring us free books.

Mike: I’m very excited that my book was nominated for the Best Graphic Novel of 2008 by the Comic Buyer’s Guide.

Book Blogger: For those who have never read your book, can you tell us something about “Tales of the Starlight Drive-in”?

Mike: I wrote all 31 stories in Starlight, all set in a mythical drive-in theater. The stories take place over 50 years and can be read separately, but when read together form a giant novel. It's a giant novel of life, love, failure and redemption.

Book Blogger: Can you tell us about the Comic Buyer’s Guide so we get an idea just how big an honor this is.

Mike: Comic Buyers’s Guide is the second longest-running periodical that reports on the comic book industry and the only one based in the United States. If you’re a writer or illustrator in the comic industry you follow Comic Buyer’s Guide.

Book Blogger: Sort of the Academy Awards of the Comic Book Industry.

Mike: Yep, and here I am shamelessly begging for votes.

Book Blogger: Wow, it’s quite an honor to even be nominated.

Mike: It is very cool to be nominated. Winning would be even cooler.

Book Blogger: So how can we help.

Mike: Anyone can vote in the contest and votes from you and your friends would be nice. I’ve included the link here to the site where you can sign up to vote.

Book Blogger: Wait a minute. I don’t want to have someone calling me or putting me on a mailing list of some sort just because I registered on their web site.

Mike: You won’t be put on a mailing list or anything. It’s a very straightforward contest.

Book Blogger: So why do they need my address?

Mike: You have to submit your name and address because you can only vote once, but husband and/or wife/ mom and or/ dad can also vote if they care to. A win would be great, and you all can help. Voting only takes a minute

Book Blogger: So everyone can vote once and voting continues through May 31.

Mike: Thanks for your help.

Click here to vote

Click here for more info on the book

Check your friendly library shelf

Deadline to Read

Imagine what you would do if you found out you had only one year to live? For Ben Wolf, a high school senior, this was reality and what he chose to do changed the way he saw his family, his friends, and even uncovered some secrets about his small hometown of Trout, Idaho.

Ben chose to keep his eminent death a secret from his friends and even from his brother, Cody. The fear of our personal mortality keeps us all on a sort of moral leash, but undone from this boundry of fear of the unknown, Ben was able to question everything from his history teacher's blessed text book to understanding how his own death would impact those he loved.

Chris Crutcher’s books always take readers on an emotional journey, and DEADLINE is no exception.

The goal of "Choose to Read Ohio", sponsored by the State Library of Ohio, is to encourage the reading of books written by Ohio authors together across Ohio communities. The Amherst Public Library encourages Ohioans to Read Together, Read Ohio, and Read for Life.

For more information on "Choose to Read Ohio" visit their website for a full list of titles for children, teens, and adults. Find Deadline by Chris Crutcher (2007, Harper) at the Amherst Public Library in our Young Adult section (call number YA CRU).

Nuevos Libros!

Hola amigos! Me llamo Cheryl and I've got news about some new resources at the Amherst Public Library. We've added a small collection of Spanish language reading materials. Multi-linqual families as well as students and home schoolers are always looking for materials to help them retain and learn Spanish. Now we offer some reading materials that go beyond the regular language tapes.
The library has always had a variety of language books to teach different levels of Spanish, Italian, German, French and even Japanese, Chinese, Hungarian....well, as you can see the list goes on and on.

Visit the children's department of the library to check out some of these new titles:

Diario de Greg un Renacuajo (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Ramona la Chinche

Scooby-Doo! yel Castillo Hechizado

Stuart Little

Winny de Puh

Stink el Increible Nino Menguante

El Gran dia de Lily

The Storyteller's Candle La velita de los cuentos

and a great magazine, Iguana, filled with stories, cartoons, puzzles, and great articles about kids from around the world.
If you have ideas for future titles please let us know.
Buenos dias!