For several hours a week I work at the Huntley Library re-shelving items. During this process, opportunity presents itself for me to peruse materi- als I’d not see while looking on my own. Very often I say to myself, Oh, that looks interesting…and then I keep it or jot down the info. I’ll share some with you that pique my interest.
Death Stalks Door County
By Patricia Skalka
Although conventional wisdom says to not judge a book by its cover, this cover grabbed me. An eerie photo, taken at moonrise, looking down on water and the top platform of a fire tower, suggests mystery. The title also made me take a second look…Death Stalks Door County…a popular, familiar vacation peninsula for Chicago area residents. A quick look inside the book revealed it was published in 2014, so the descriptions would be current. The book jacket mentioned a former Chicago homicide detective recently relocated to Door County as a park ranger; hmmmm…there must be a story to THAT, too. This book can be found in the “Mystery” section of the Huntley Library.
Intern’s Handbook
By Shane Kuhn
The slim fiction book with a bright orange cover had the word “intern” in the title, which made me think it was a Washington political sleazy sex story. But then I noticed a skull on the front and could not match the drawing with my assumption. Ha! Not a government intern, but a corporation intern who systematically infiltrates the highest echelons by being efficient, industrious, and low key to the point of invisible because his goal is actually not a job, but espionage and assassination. This self-described “thriller” can be found in the “Fiction” section.
Under The Boardwalk
88 minutes, 2012
DVD 794 UND
In the DVD section, an image of the Monopoly game board caught my eye with the clever title Under The Boardwalk (not the song by the Drifters).This “docurama” tells the history of the classic game and those who play it. My brother-in-law is a ruthless player, buying every property he can. This might be a good birthday gift for him.
Candy Making For Kids
By Courtney Dial Whitmore
JUV 641.853 WHI
Recently I spent four days with a friend and her grandchildren, ages five and three. Got any family this young? You know how they want to be busy every minute? If you’re expecting little visitors soon, you might want a couple of activity idea books like these. Candy Making For Kids has lots of large, colorful photographs and the introduction says no candy thermometer needed. It has friendly recipes for kids of all ages.
Create With Maisy: A First Arts-And-Crafts
By Lucy Cousins
JUV 745.5 COU
The second book will not give them a sugar high; however, it does look like it might be better for someone over 5ish. Create With Maisy: A First Arts-And-Crafts Book. It has lots of bright drawings with clear, step-by-step instructions written in large, dark print so you can see it Create With Maisy: A First Arts-And-Crafts Bookfrom across the table as you work with your little one(s).
Chocolate
By Kay Frydenborg
JUV 745.5 COU
You may think this title, Chocolate, would be found in the cooking/baking non-fiction section but you’d be wrong. The author, Kay Frydenborg, mixes up the history, science, culture, and religion of this delicious indulgence…I mean health food. At right around 200 pages, this book, written at the Young Adult level, has photographs, art work, and even a couple of recipes. Looks like smooth reading. It’s in the “New” book section at the Huntley Library.
