Annotation:First rate political thriller as only the British can do it. This drama follows a breaking political scandal from the perspective of the journalists who cover the story. A stellar cast including Bill Nighy and David Morrissey make for great TV drama. ~ Cynthia

Annotation:Follows two London detectives as they process crimes from investigation to prosecution. ~ Cynthia

Annotation:For Valentines Day last February, I was in the mood to read something light-hearted and romantic. Thus, I picked up a copy of “Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict” and found myself instantly hooked. Being a huge fan of all things Jane Austen, I fell in love with the time travel premise of the story. Courtney Stone from modern day Los Angeles finds herself one morning in the body of Jane Mansfield in nineteenth century England. Courtney has no idea how she got there. The last thing she remembers is that she’d been nursing a broken heart because she and her fiancé had broken off their engagement. Finding herself in Regency England provides her with the opportunity to find herself again and to explore the culture and customs of another time and place which she only knows through Jane Austen’s novels. But nineteenth century England is not as romantic as one might think it to be. There are the issues of hygiene, technology and outdated rites to deal with. Fans of Austen, chick lit, and romantic comedies should definitely put this one on their reading list. ~ Lora

Annotation:This award-winning crime novel has received a lot of positive attention and I wanted in on it. The story is part of a trilogy written by the late journalist and author, Stieg Larsson. At the center of the drama is the middle aged journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, who finds himself at the wrong end of a libel case. Mikael is found guilty and must serve possible jail time. There’s a lot of speculation concerning his own defense in the matter against him. Therefore, an offer by Swedish industrialist and former CEO Henrik Vanger of the Vanger Corporation to solve the cold-case mystery involving the disappearance of his niece, Harriet Vanger, some forty years previously for a cool million couldn’t come at a better time. Soon Mikael finds himself in an intriguing web of lies and family secrets that involves a Nazi past, corporate corruption, a serial killer and violence against women. Lisbeth Salendar, who is the girl with the dragon tattoo, eventually teams up with Mikael. A brilliant computer hacker she’s also an asocial punk who has been victimized and/or misunderstood by authorities throughout her life. Being the odd girl out, Lisbeth is the star of the story. This contemporary and very realistic crime novel puts a total different face on Sweden, which most romanticize as the land of the midnight sun, Ikea, and Pippi Longstocking. ~ Lora

Annotation:Grace hasn’t seen Daniel since the fight he had with her brother, almost killing him. When he suddenly returns and Grace can’t fight her feelings for Daniel, her family is almost ripped apart. Even more troubling is the secret that Daniel has hidden from her, the reason he left so many years ago, and what he did to her brother that night. The cliffhanger ending r really makes me wish the sequel would come out sooner. ~ Nichole

Annotation:Based on the Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison, this movie follows the very funny teenage life of Georgia, her friends and the boy she lusts over, Robbie. The British film is full of laughs as it captures the true spirit of Georgia from the books. This movie is highly recommended. ~ Nichole

Annotation:“An American tale for our time” claims the book jacket. Two sisters, diametrically opposed in temperament, have turned their backs on their Vietnamese roots. Van, an immigration lawyer and Linny, a city-savvy chef, have complex secret lives which they have never shared. When they join together to prepare a celebration for their eccentric father’s naturalization party, they begin to forge a connection. Set in Michigan, the book gets so much right, about sisters, families and the bonds of an immigrant community. ~ Betsy

Annotation:These flip-a-word books (see below) are perfect for those children just learning to read and recognize one syllable sight words. The bright and bold illustrations by Yukiko Kido are eye-catching. One can find these books by Harriet Ziefert in the children’s easy reader fiction section. This area, as with all fiction areas in the library, is organized by the author’s last name. Look for JE ZIEFERT. Quack Shack (words in the “ack,” “ick,” and “ock” family) ~ Cindy

Annotation:These flip-a-word books (see below) are perfect for those children just learning to read and recognize one syllable sight words. The bright and bold illustrations by Yukiko Kido are eye-catching. One can find these books by Harriet Ziefert in the children’s easy reader fiction section. This area, as with all fiction areas in the library, is organized by the author’s last name. Look for JE ZIEFERT. Snow Bow (words in the “eet,” “ate,” and “ow” family) ~ Cindy

Annotation:These flip-a-word books (see below) are perfect for those children just learning to read and recognize one syllable sight words. The bright and bold illustrations by Yukiko Kido are eye-catching. One can find these books by Harriet Ziefert in the children’s easy reader fiction section. This area, as with all fiction areas in the library, is organized by the author’s last name. Look for JE ZIEFERT. Wet Pet (words in the “et,” “ed,” and “am” family) ~ Cindy

Annotation:Pig and Mouse don’t agree with Duck on how to make a birthday cake for Cow. ~ Cindy

Annotation:Cow, Pig, Duck, and Mouse are playing when their ball rolls into the doghouse. One by one, they go in to get the ball but never come out! ~ Cindy