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Staff Picks

Looking for your next book to read or movie to watch? Our staff have some suggestions from their favorites.

Children

Books About Friendship
Kelly Lamm - Children's Librarian, Beaumont Branch
Porky and Bess
by Weiss, Ellen

Length: 48 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Random House, New York : c2010.
by Weiss, Ellen

Length: 48 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Random House, New York : c2010.

A selection of books about friendship for children of all ages.

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Children's Chapter Books by Mary Landrum
- Children's Librarian, Northside Branch
Little Sister is not my name
by Draper, Sharon M.

Length: 102 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Scholastic Press, New York : 2009.
by Draper, Sharon M.

Length: 102 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Scholastic Press, New York : 2009.

Your children love to read about Junie B. Jones, but you'd like them to try something new.

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Classics for Kids
Theresa McCarty - Librarian, Beaumont Branch
The call of the wild
by London, Jack

Length: 238 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Baronet Books, New York : c1989.
by London, Jack

Length: 238 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Baronet Books, New York : c1989.

Some of the all-time best stories around for young readers.  Read one of these, and you'll never forget it.

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Coretta Scott King Award Winners
Mary Landrum - Children’s Librarian, Northside Branch
Miracle's boys
by Woodson, Jacqueline.

Length: 133 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York : c2000.
by Woodson, Jacqueline.

Length: 133 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York : c2000.

The Coretta Scott King Award recognizes books that present positive images of African Americans. Here's a list of recent winners.

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Let's Go the the Zoo
Mary Landrum - Children's Librarian - Northside Branch
Zoo
by Gibbons, Gail.

Length: [32] p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: T.Y. Crowell, New York : c1987.
by Gibbons, Gail.

Length: [32] p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: T.Y. Crowell, New York : c1987.

Read these great picture books before you go to the zoo this summer.

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Winter Picture Books
Mary Landrum - Children's Librarian Northside Branch
Very hairy bear
by Schertle, Alice.

Length: 1 v. (unpaged) :

Subjects:

Publisher: Harcourt, Orlando : c2007.
by Schertle, Alice.

Length: 1 v. (unpaged) :

Subjects:

Publisher: Harcourt, Orlando : c2007.

Winter means it's time to hibernate. Here are some picture books about our bear friends who hibernate. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.

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General Favorites

Books for the Sports Fan
Kelli Dean - Outreach Services Manager
Bragging rights : a season inside the SEC football's toughest conference
by Ernsberger, Richard.

Length: 344 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: M. Evans and Co., New York : 2000.
by Ernsberger, Richard.

Length: 344 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: M. Evans and Co., New York : 2000.

Reading about sports can be almost as exciting as watching them.  Here are some of my favorites.

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Contemporary Kentucky Poets
Naomi Clewett - Library Assistant, Tates Creek Branch
The air around the butterfly : poems
by Stoykova, Katerina.

Length: 141 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Fakel Express, Sofia, Bulgaria : 2009.
by Stoykova, Katerina.

Length: 141 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Fakel Express, Sofia, Bulgaria : 2009.

Kentucky has a rich literary tradition and a vibrant community of poets and other writers. Here is a sampling of works by Kentucky poets.

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Die Hard Favorites
Rebecca Montaño-Smith - Assistant Manager, Village Branch
Patterns of home : the ten essentials of enduring design
by Jacobson, Max

Length: 282 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Taunton Press : Newtown, CT : c2002.
by Jacobson, Max

Length: 282 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Taunton Press : Newtown, CT : c2002.

These are the books that I buy and give away. These are the books that I recommend over and over again. Some are new, some are old but all of them made the cut.

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Erin's Picks
Erin West - Library Assistant, Northside Branch
Chime
by Billingsley, Franny

Length: 361 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Dial Books, New York : 2011.
by Billingsley, Franny

Length: 361 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Dial Books, New York : 2011.

I don't have a type. Really. I'll read just about anything if the story is compelling.

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Favorite Series Starters
Leila McGuire - Library Assistant, Central Library
Eragon
by Paolini, Christopher.

Length: 509 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York : 2003.
by Paolini, Christopher.

Length: 509 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York : 2003.

When I read stories, I typically get attached to the characters or the world that the author has so brilliantly created; while I enjoy stand-alone reads, some of the best journeys come from charact

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History and Science! FTW!
Randi Ray - Librarian Assistant, Eagle Creek Branch
Mortality
by Hitchens, Christopher.

Length: xv, 104 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Twelve, New York : 2012.
by Hitchens, Christopher.

Length: xv, 104 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Twelve, New York : 2012.

Increase your science literacy, broaden your philosophical horizons, and stretch your critical thinking skills.   History and science for the win!

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Jamie Recommends
Jamie West - Circulation Supervisor II - Beaumont Branch
Hounded
by Hearne, Kevin.

Length: ix, 304 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books, New York : 2011.
by Hearne, Kevin.

Length: ix, 304 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books, New York : 2011.

As you can probably tell from my list, I like moody, atmospheric books along with some fun sci-fi and fantasy adventures.  One of the most enjoyable things to do when reading (to me at least)

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Lisa’s Favorite Books
Lisa Taylor - Librarian Assistant, Northside Branch
Physics of the impossible : a scientific exploration into the world of phasers, force fields, teleportation, and time travel
by Kaku, Michio.

Length: xxi, 329 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Doubleday, New York : c2008.
by Kaku, Michio.

Length: xxi, 329 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Doubleday, New York : c2008.

These are my favorites out of the books I've read recently.

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More Than a Cookbook
Cathy Howell - Manager, Technical Services
Garlic and sapphires : the secret life of a critic in disguise
by Reichl, Ruth.

Length: 333 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Penguin Press, New York : 2005.
by Reichl, Ruth.

Length: 333 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Penguin Press, New York : 2005.

As the manager of a department that orders all the new books for the library I see a lot of titles.  But anytime a “more than a cookbook” comes through I always take notice.

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Non-Sappy Love Stories
Ann Hammond - Library Executive Director
The last Chinese chef
by Mones, Nicole.

Length: 278 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, Boston : 2007.
by Mones, Nicole.

Length: 278 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, Boston : 2007.

I enjoy stories of people who manage to overcome obstacles and find happiness together.

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Short Stories
Heather Wingfield - Central Library Adult Services
The birthday of the world and other stories
by Le Guin, Ursula K.

Length: xiii, 362 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers, New York, NY : c2002.
by Le Guin, Ursula K.

Length: xiii, 362 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers, New York, NY : c2002.

I lead a  busy life.

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Slipstream
Caleb Dunaway - Librarian Assistant, Beaumont Branch
Replay
by Grimwood, Ken.

Length: 310 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Arbor House, New York : c1986.
by Grimwood, Ken.

Length: 310 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Arbor House, New York : c1986.

Let's face it: life can often be downright weird.

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Speculative
Caleb Ritchie - Computer Aide, Central Library
The sparrow
by Russell, Mary Doria

Length: 408 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Villard Books, New York : 1996.
by Russell, Mary Doria

Length: 408 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Villard Books, New York : 1996.

From real science that seems unreal, to speculative worlds that seem all too likely, this group of books is bound to give you food for thought as well as an engrossing reading experience.

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There’s Joy in the Journey
Susan Courtney - Librarian Assistant, Central Library
The memory of running
by McLarty, Ron.

Length: 358 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Viking, New York : c2004.
by McLarty, Ron.

Length: 358 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Viking, New York : c2004.

I enjoy books that take the reader on some type of journey, be it a visit to a new or unknown land or a more figurative quest of self-discovery.

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Teen

Caleb's Teen Lit Smorgasbord
Caleb Dunaway - Librarian Assistant, Beaumont Branch
The girl who circumnavigated Fairyland in a ship of her own making
by Valente, Catherynne M.

Length: 247 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York : 2011.
by Valente, Catherynne M.

Length: 247 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York : 2011.

An expansive buffet of literary selections for young adults, drawn from all varieties and flavors of books.

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Comic Booking
Rebecca Proudfoot - Library Associate, Central Library
Feynman
by Ottaviani, Jim.

Length: 272 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: First Second, New York : 2011.
by Ottaviani, Jim.

Length: 272 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: First Second, New York : 2011.

Here is a list of exceptional comic books/graphic novels from our Young People's Department.

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Teen Supernatural Romance
Katie Camp - Children's Librarian, Tates Creek Branch
Evermore
by Noël, Alyson.

Length: 306 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, New York : 2009.
by Noël, Alyson.

Length: 306 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, New York : 2009.

Are you looking for an unconventional love story to follow Twilight?  Do you prefer characters that aren’t entirely human?  All of these stories include the element of roma

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Top Teen Picks
Leila McGuire - Library Assistant, Central Library
Enclave
by Aguirre, Ann.

Length: 262 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York : 2011.
by Aguirre, Ann.

Length: 262 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York : 2011.

I am an avid reader and reviewer of Young Adult Literature.

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Movies

Derek's All-time Favorite Movies
Derek - Librarian Assistant, Central Library Circulation and Computers
Les Diaboliques [DVD]

Length: 1 videodisc (117 min.) :

Subjects:

Publisher: Criterion Collection, [Irvington, N.Y.] : c2011.

Length: 1 videodisc (117 min.) :

Subjects:

Publisher: Criterion Collection, [Irvington, N.Y.] : c2011.

After creating a list of my recent favorites I thought it would be fitting to share a selection of my all-time favorite movies.

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Derek's Recent Favorite Movies
Derek - Librarian Assistant, Central Library Circulation and Computers
Black swan [DVD]

Length: 1 videodisc (108 min.) :

Subjects:

Publisher: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Beverly Hills, Calif. : [2011]

Length: 1 videodisc (108 min.) :

Subjects:

Publisher: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Beverly Hills, Calif. : [2011]

Having in the past worked outside of the library at a video rental store, then five years at a major entertainment retailer, and currently spending a few evenings

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Robyn's Favorite British Television Series
Robyn Wade - Librarian Assistant, Central Library
Being human. [DVD] / Season one

Length: 2 videodiscs (ca. 343 min.) :

Subjects:

Publisher: BBC Video ; [United States] : [2010]

Length: 2 videodiscs (ca. 343 min.) :

Subjects:

Publisher: BBC Video ; [United States] : [2010]

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and tv is always better on the other side of the pond.

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Non-Fiction

Engrossing Non-Fiction
Jenny Lewis - Circulation Supervisor II - Tates Creek Branch
Notes from a small island
by Bryson, Bill.

Length: 324 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Morrow, New York : 1995.
by Bryson, Bill.

Length: 324 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Morrow, New York : 1995.

I like reading non-fiction that reads like a great story. When non-fiction is done well you feel connected to the people being written about and you feel like you are right there with them.

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Life’s Meaning and Purpose
Kimball Winters - Library Associate, Tates Creek Branch
The spirit of the disciplines : understanding how God changes lives
by Willard, Dallas

Length: xii, 276 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco : 1991, c1988.
by Willard, Dallas

Length: xii, 276 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco : 1991, c1988.

These titles present Christian teachings geared toward enjoying the fullness of human life.

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Now that you’re watching Downton Abbey….
Tonya Head - Central Library Manager
Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey : the lost legacy of Highclere Castle
by Carnarvon, Fiona

Length: x, 310 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Broadway Paperbacks, New York : c2011.
by Carnarvon, Fiona

Length: x, 310 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Broadway Paperbacks, New York : c2011.

I love history, so I have been riveted by the BBC series, Downton Abbey.  As many of you probably know, it takes place during the Edwardian period in England right before and during World War

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Stranger than Fiction
Kathy Phillips - Adult Services, Central Library
Moby-duck : the true story of 28,800 bath toys lost at sea, and of the beachcombers, oceanographers, environmentalists, and fools, including the author, who went in search of them
by Hohn, Donovan.

Length: 402 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Viking, New York, N.Y. : 2011.
by Hohn, Donovan.

Length: 402 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: Viking, New York, N.Y. : 2011.

I love reading non-fiction. As a librarian, I admire the amount of research an author must undertake to write a book on any subject.

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Fiction

Forensic Mysteries
Virginia McClure - Reference Librarian, Central Library
Death benefit
by Cook, Robin

Length: 418 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons , New York : 2011.
by Cook, Robin

Length: 418 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons , New York : 2011.

Looking for a Patricia Cornwell read-a-like? Do you love to watch “Bones,” “CSI” or “The Mentalist”? Then this list is for you!

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Jenny's Favorite Fiction
- Circulation Supervisor II - Tates Creek Branch
Bridget Jones's diary : a novel
by Fielding, Helen

Length: x, 271 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Viking, New York : 1998, c1996.
by Fielding, Helen

Length: x, 271 p. ;

Subjects:

Publisher: Viking, New York : 1998, c1996.

My picks are a little bit all over the place, but I don't really have a favorite genre or style. I like to read a wide variety and I'm always open to suggestions.

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Zaphod Beeblebrox’s Summer Reading List
Rob Parmley - Reference Librarian, Beaumont
Going postal : a novel of Discworld
by Pratchett, Terry.

Length: 377 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: HarperCollins, New York : 2004.
by Pratchett, Terry.

Length: 377 p. :

Subjects:

Publisher: HarperCollins, New York : 2004.

Do you know Zaphod Beeblebrox, If so the following list of books might be for you.  Like Mr. Beeblebrox these books are somewhat eclectic but filled with their fair share of humor, pointless drivel, imagination, and possible a lesson or two.  So sit back and enjoy a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster and one of these fine titles, Mr. Beeblebrox would definitely  approve.       

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