While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky
Adult New Book Display – Main Level - Delinsky

Robin Snow was a world class runner. She had dreams of going to the Olympics. When she suffers a massive heart attack during a training run, her family is devastated. How could this have happened to their vibrant, healthy daughter? Robin’s family surround her bedside in utter disbelief that she is brain dead – that machines are the only thing keeping her body going. Family secrets come out, but ultimately the family pulls together and learns about each other (as well as the Robin they didn’t know!). Here's some good brain candy for an easy weekend read.

The Truth Cookie

The Truth Cookie by Fiona Dunbar
Youth Fiction Lower Level - DUNBAR

Lulu (short for Louisa) Baker is not happy. Her father is going to marry Varaminta Le Bone, an awful woman that hates Lulu! Varaminta has a son Torquil that is horrible to Lulu. He steals Lulu’s Wodge of Stuff, which is a tin of photos and mementos from Lulu’s mom. Lulu is much attached to her Wodge of Stuff because her mom died tragically one day about 7 years ago and this is what Lulu has to remember her by. Every time Lulu tries to tell her dad about the awful stuff that Varaminta and Torquil do somehow she gets in trouble for it. On Lulu’s birthday she gets a recipe book from an unexpected person. This is no ordinary cookbook; this cookbook gives recipes for making things better. There is one recipe that Lulu wants to make, Truth Cookies. These cookies when eaten make the person the tell truth. Lulu is hoping that if she can make these then everything will go back to normal and Varaminta and Torquil will be out of her life forever! Find out if Lulu is successful in The Truth Cookie by Fiona Dunbar.

The Costume Copycat

The Costume Copycat by Maryann Macdonald.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - MAC

Angela loves Halloween! It’s always so much fun to get dressed up and receive treats, especially from friendly Mrs. Walker. She gives out the best candy apples. Thus, Halloween should be a happy and stress free event. Unfortunately, it's not that way for Angela.

You see, while Angela delights in her costumes, her older sister Bernadette always seems to pick the absolute perfect disguises every year. Somehow Bernadette’s costumes are never affected by adverse weather conditions and always seem to entertain the neighborhood including Mrs. Walker. It’s just not fair! Angela wants to look as good as Bernadette. She wants special treatment and treats. Therefore, Angela decides to become a “costume copycat” and starts wearing Bernadette’s old costumes every Halloween. Will Angela finally be admired and given special treats?

The Costume Copycat by Maryann Macdonald is a very cute and relatable Halloween story. The illustrations are bright, endearing, and comical. The story is perfect for story times because it is all about the favorite childhood pastime of trick-or-treating. Furthermore, this is one holiday picture book that has a true and interesting plot.

Trick R' Treat

Trick R' Treat Directed by Michael Dougherty
DVD Collection - Main Level - SCIFI HORROR - TRI

Being somewhat of a morbid child who was both fascinated and terrified of the macabre, it’s safe to say that Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. There’s something thrilling about the scattered colors of the fall leaves crunching under ones feet, the gloomy eyes of the Jack O’ Lanterns peering out into the night, and oh yeah… there’s that whole candy thing. In addition to these annual symbols of the season one can not overlook the best part of it all, horror movies.

As a child of the 80’s (with a fairly open minded mother) I was able to relish the horror movie video boom. With the advent of home videos I was able to catch up on the classic (Halloween, The Evil Dead, and Creepshow to name a few) and not so classic (Lloyd Kaufman, and Roger Corman anyone?) horror films I missed out on. However the state of the modern American horror movie has me wondering whether “Silent Night, Deadly Night 2” was really that bad.


Ok, yes it was that bad.

Hey at least it has the famous "Garbage Day" (warning this link contains violence) quote, but what passes for American horror today is either gratuitous torture with scant plot, or remakes. We’ve got the classic horror remakes such as House of Wax with less than classic actors. (AKA Paris Hilton pretends to act.)

I know, it's a frightening thought for us as well

Then there are the slasher remakes like Friday the 13th, and Black Christmas. Then there are the “did we really need a remake of such an obscure movie to begin with” remakes (My Bloody Valentine? Really?!) Finally my favorite is the unnecessary sequel to a remake that was in itself unnecessary. I’m looking at you Rob Zombie. If you’re going to remake a film at least have something to add. John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” and Cronenberg’s “The Fly” are great examples of how a horror remake should be done.

GOOD Um... NOT SO GOOD


To say I’m a bit distraught by the modern American horror film would be an understatement, so it is with great pleasure I was able to view Mike Dougherty’s horror anthology “Trick R’ Treat.” The film revolves around four somewhat intersecting tales that involve classic icons of the genre such as werewolves, serial killers, ghosts, and one menacingly original creation. However, the writing is smart enough to take these standards and turn them on their head. In addition to this, the film doesn’t merely rely on grotesque imagery and needless torture just because it can. Of course it doesn’t mean there aren’t any gross out moments; it just means they actually service the story. Dougherty also has an excellent sense of style with regard to visual atmosphere. While many modern day directors like to overload their film with visual tricks and create a music video instead of a film, (I’m looking at you again Rob Zombie), Dougherty knows how to create an interesting shot without showboating. The film also has a great sense of humor, albeit a dark one. “Trick R’ Treat” also pays homage to classic horror films like “Halloween,” without directly ripping them off.

In this awful climate of modern horror one would think that an original film would be welcomed with opened arms. However, Warner Bros. appearently didn’t think so with regard to Trick R’ Treat. Set to be released in 2007 the movie was unfairly pushed back until it was unceremoniously dumped onto DVD last week. So if you are faced with the choice to see “Saw 25” in which exactly the same thing happens in this installment as it has in the previous ones or the option to check out “Trick R’ Treat” and indulge your 80’s horror movie nostalgia the answer should be pretty clear cut. Unless of course you already have that “Silent Night, Deadly Night” marathon planned.¬

The Fixer Upper

The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews
Adult New Book Display-Main Level – ANDREWS

Dempsey Killebrew had everything going for her in Washington DC. She had a great job as a lobbyist (even though she is a lawyer). Dempsey also had great friends and shared an apartment with a few of them. Her life changed in an instant when her boss is caught in a political scandal and he pointed the blame at her! This event left Dempsey broke, unemployed and homeless. It is hard to pay $2000 a month in rent when one does not have any income. Dempsey had nowhere to turn and was out of options. She decided to help out her father, who had inherited an old family place called Birdsong that is located in Guthrie, Georgia. Dempsey realizes this could be a good opportunity for her, her dad does not think it needs that much work, just some paint and a little elbow grease to get it in tip top shape to sell.

Dempsey was in for the shock of a lifetime when she actually pulled up to the old Victorian house. It is basically a dump with junk everywhere. She is also in for a surprise when she finds out that there is a squatter with an unfriendly dog living there. It turns out this squatter is a distant relative that refuses to leave, ever! Dempsey agrees to let her stay while she renovates the house.

Guthrie is a typical small town; everyone knows everyone and their business. Dempsey has met some friendly people, some she would consider friends. The one problem that does creep up is the FBI Agents that will not leave her alone. The agents are trying to get Dempsey to give up information about her ex-boss. Check out The Fixer Upper to see how Dempsey clears her name of any wrong doing, finds her identity, true love and actual belief in herself.