KDL Recommends

In this charming and delightful little book, two men compete for the privilege of asking a woman to the social event of the season by seeing which of them can identify the greatest number of birds, with many adventures along the way. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy this title.
-Mark at KDL’s Krause Memorial branch

My pick for the month is Heading Out To Wonderful, written by Robert Goolrick. He is also the author of A Reliable Wife. Although I just started the novel 2 nights ago, I am 2/3 of the way through, and keep thinking, “I’ll just read one more chapter, just one more!”
-Robin at KDL’s Spencer Township branch

Gripping British psychological thriller from a very witty author. If you enjoy Rosamund Lupton, I think you’ll like Sophie Hannah too.
-Melissa at KDL’s Service Center

Enjoyable snippets of life in Paris for a year from romance novelist (and professor) Eloisa James.
-Melissa at KDL’s Service Center

A delightful first novel that flows between Kashgar (famous for being located along a junction of the Silk Road in the 1800’s) and modern day England. The novel has a rich descriptive cultural tone as well as colonial and religious fervor which sets up very interesting dynamics in 2 parallel storylines in differing generations—yet the stories are connected. It’s the unfolding of that connection that drives the novel. I “read” the audio book and the narrator was excellent!
-Laura at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

Show Me a Story!: Why Picture Books Matter, compiled and edited by the great children’s historian, Leonard S. Marcus. This is a great anthology of interviews with celebrated children’s illustrators, including Marcus’s interviews with Maurice Sendak and recent Caldecott award winner Chris Raschka, as well as other greats. After reading the interviews, you’ll find yourself with a greater historical perspective regarding children’s literature and its evolution as well as learning how each illustrator came to be an illustrator, with many of their roads proving that arriving at your life’s work is often complex, confusing, and interesting.
-Dawn at KDL’s Wyoming branch

I listened to the audio version of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Jim Dale did an excellent job narrating.
-Morgan at KDL’s East Grand Rapids branch

Targeted by hostile rivals the moment he is proclaimed a prince, Khemri learns of dark mysteries in the heart of the Empire before discovering the ruins of a space battle and meeting a young woman who challenges everything he has ever believed.

Recommended by Beth at KDL’s Gaines Township branch

It’s a “chapter book for E readers” by the same author of Bunny Days…delightful illustrations!
It’s a picture book exploring the joys of friendship, starring two eight-tentacled pals.
-Laura at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

Although the premise sounds awful, the story is heartfelt and uplifting. Stella and Angel wind up running a group of Cape Cod cottages when their guardian, Stella’s great aunt, unexpectedly passes away. Not wanting to be taken into foster care, the girls bury her and work together to keep the customers and neighbors in the dark. Finding strength in one another, they help the business thrive and find the family they desire.
-Liz at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

I found this book quite interesting with lots on little facts and historical examples provided. The overall message that I took away from this book was be the change you wish to see in the world and also where you spend your money is a vote of support for the people or corporations that own it.
-Craig at KDL’s Cascade branch

I just read Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. Don’t start it unless you’ve got some time. I started it before bed and was up half the night. Beautiful, realistic story. I’m not usually a Teen Fiction fan, but loved the characters in this severely dysfunctional family told with honesty and yet with hope.
-Penni at KDL’s Service Center

An international best-seller and originally published in German in 2002(A delicious narrative, lyrical and poetic!)
-Laura at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

When thirteen-year-old Sherry is visited by the ghost of her mother, asking Sherry to help solve a case involving rhinoceros poaching at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Sherry’s involvement not only helps save the rhinos, but it also brings mother and dau ghter closer together than ever before.

Recommended by Laura at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

Based on true events chronicled in family memoirs, this novel of the American West spans from the Civil War to the Great Depression. It is the story of Ebenezer Paint—who panned for gold in Alaska, piloted riverboats on the Mississippi & Missouri Rivers, & homesteaded in Montana territory—and his sons & grandchildren. Lots of historical background as well as really descriptive writing… an excellent read! (Only one caveat—it’s 464 pages long!)
-Marlys at KDL’s Wyoming branch

This was a gentler holocaust story, very well written – but not as graphic as some, talking about the experience of a young Jewish woman during World War II – most of the details are from when she was about 15 until the war ends and she re-enters life outside of German control. So good that I read it in less than a day!
-Jacque at KDL’s Cascade Township branch

An epic history covering the period from the end of World War I through the 1970s chronicles the decades-long migration of African Americans from the South to the North and West through the stories of three individuals and their families.
-Holly at KDL’s East Grand Rapids branch

New to our graphic novel collection is DMZ. This gritty series imagines America’s second Civil War, a war between what is left of the United States military and a loose collection of militias and gangsters. Manhattan is the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between these warring factions. The story follows Matty Roth, a young reporter caught in the crossfire. The art is spectacular and the action is intense.
-Trevor at KDL’s Kentwood branch

As the tragedy of a missing girl enfolds in her small town, fifteen-year-old Samara, who feels emotionally abandoned by her parents, begins to question her faith.

Recommended by Helen Kay at KDL’s Spencer branch

Albert Nobbs with Glenn Close…marvelous movie…very heartfelt…a woman during the turn of the century..trying to make it in the world at that time…decides its best to become a man in order to make it..in the world as it is. I loved it.
-Tami at KDL’s Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch

The moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who, with bravado, humility, and even humor, try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed. Shot over the course of a year, this documentary captures a period in Chicago when it became a national symbol for the violence in America’s cities.

Recommended by Laura at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

Over the summer of 1976, thirty-six bombs detonate in the heart of This is true story of Danny Greene, an Irishman who took on the Italian Mob for control of Cleveland’s underworld in the 1970’s. Starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken.

Recommended by Jim at KDL’s Kentwood branch