KDL Recommends

If you love Downton Abbey, the British peerage, historical non-fiction that reads like fiction, King Tut, WWI, Florence Nightingale, etc. you will enjoy Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by Countess Fiona Carnarvon. Fans of the show will appreciate the photos of the real occupants and visitors to “Downton Abbey”.
-Betsy at KDL’s Caledonia Township branch

(Thnx for the recommendation Maggie!) Non-fiction that shows America at her finest in post-World War II occupied Germany. Extensive history of the “second-string” pilots & participants who at the height of the Airlift were making drops of vital supplies (including candy to the children) every seven minutes!
-Laura at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

This was a fantastic dystopian read! I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. The story takes place after the angel apocalypse and follows seventeen year old Penryn, and Raffe, a wounded angel she ‘befriends’ to help rescue her kidnapped sister. Great action, plot twists, a little bit of romance and some good horror!
-Kathy at KDL’s Walker branch

This is the compelling story of two women from very different backgrounds (one lives in a poor village in India and one is a physician in California) linked invisibly by a daughter who is adopted from Mumbai. With great character development and a candid look at various social issues, this book is ultimately about the various forms of love and family. It’s the best book that I’ve read in a long time!!
-Kristin at KDL’s Englehardt branch

Warning: Vampire romance. Great readalike for Twilight, Anne Rice and Diana Gabaldon.
-Michelle at KDL’s Service Center

This is a great mystery read about Batman with a little bit of action, would have liked him whooping on more bad guys in it, but this Batman is older and doesn’t have the strength to take on ten baddies if he doesn’t have to. It gave great insight into a lot of his gadgets and enemies. The book tells a tale through two different perspectives, I really enjoyed it. A great read for anyone who knows a bit about Batman but not much, like myself but is willing to learn
-Craig at KDL’s Cascade Township branch

Imagine that you’ll wake up as different person every day of your life. And if you find someone you want to be with the next day, and the next and the next, but you can’t? (But, I liked the ending!)
-Yuko at KDL’s Service Center

The female character is strong & tough, yet feminine & funny.
-Shaunna at KDL’s Grandville branch

This memoir by the current vice-president of the Republic of Ghana chronicles his coming-of-age during decades of political upheaval in his country. It is a fascinating look at how normal life can be for children in the midst of such uncertainty for adults trying to hold their lives together.
-Helen K. at KDL’s Spencer Township branch

A riveting account of James Garfield’s rise to the presidency, his attempted assassination by an unhinged office seeker, and his eventual death at the hands of inept doctors.
-Mark at KDL’s Krause Memorial branch

I just read The False Princess by Eilis O’Neal, which was way more fun than it should have been. Princess Nalia gets led into her parents’ throne room on her 16th birthday, where they very apologetically inform her that she’s actually a body double for the real princess, standing in for the past sixteen years to protect against assassination attempts. But now it’s time for the true princess to get back to being all official, so her “parents” are all thanks for your help, here’s a couple of coins, enjoy being a serf. Clearly, though, adventures ensue, Nalia comes into her own, and fun times are had by all (except for the people who die but I can’t spoil anything, alas).
-Monica at KDL’s Wyoming branch

It’s the second book in the “Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein” series. The character of the teenage Victor Frankenstein is so flawed – he’s power-hungry, jealous, greedy, tempestuous, and diabolical. Being inside his head as he journeys into insanity is fascinating.
-Kristin at KDL’s Comstock Park branch

Draws on a renowned gerontologist’s extensive discussions with hundreds of senior-aged Americans to reveal wisdom gleaned from their experiences on topics ranging from families and finances to careers and aging.

Recommended by Susan at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

When a young copyright attorney is mistakenly identified as a member of the Backstreet Boys by a group of intergalactic music aficionados, hilarity and adventure ensues. Fans of Douglas Adams shouldn’t miss it.
-Eric at KDL’s Tyrone Township branch

Little Marisol is part of a group that is painting a mural at her school. Her assignment is to paint the sky portion of the mural. However, when she tries to choose a blue watercolor, she finds that there is no blue. What will she do? Follow Marisol in this incredibly illustrated book as she finds that the sky can be many other beautiful colors, other than blue.

Recommended by Robin at KDL’s Spencer Township branch

What Came From the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt is a powerful story—quite Tolkienesque. Tommy Pepper discovers a chain that, when he wears it, gives him all the art and knowledge of the Valorim, a race of people from a distant galaxy. How this chain comes to him, and how it helps him and his family deal with the death of his mother, as well as how he becomes a help to those distant warriors, is written from both sides of the universe. I don’t know why people think Schmidt only writes for kids; his books are awesome for adults, too.
-Deb at KDL’s Cascade Township branch

When her notorious, hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled, and agoraphobic mother goes missing, teenage Bee begins a trip that takes her to the ends of the earth to find her.

Recommended by Melissa at KDL’s Service Center

In an alternate New England of 1900, where the Brotherhood dominates and controls society, 16-year-old Cate Cahill has struggled since her mother’s death to keep secret that she and her younger sisters are witches, but when a governess arrives from the Sisterhood, everything changes.

Recommended by Susan at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

A great beginning of a series with a touch of mystery and a spine tingling ending!
-Beth at KDL’s Gaines Township branch

A youth graphic novel prefect for us drama geeks.
-Beth at KDL’s Gaines Township branch

Wonderful time travel romance. This story kept me interested. Good readalike for Overlander. Also a first novel.
-Michelle at KDL’s Service Center

My husband and I haven’t loved a television series as much since The Sopranos. Kelsey Grammer is brilliant as the ruthless mayor of Chicago and every episode packs a “Blamo” moment that leaves you hungry for the next.
-Morgan at KDL’s Service Center

Because all of the world’s problems can be solved with soap and tap dancing. Seriously!
-Mark at KDL’s Krause Memorial Branch

Finally got around to watching The Last King of Scotland, which was incredibly well-done but which made me so stressed and panicky I was forced to view the majority of it through the tiny holes in my afghan. Recommend for anyone who is all, “Today is the day I want to learn about murderous Ugandan dictators!”
-Monica at KDL’s Wyoming branch

Although I also saw it in theaters, I recently watched The Muppets again on DVD. As a fan of the Muppets, I was not disappointed. Jason Siegel and Amy Adams are great, and the Muppets were hilarious! There are many great cameo appearances including Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, and a few more surprises! It also has a great soundtrack including the Oscar Award winning “Man or Muppet.” Great, now that song will be stuck in my head all day!
-Shannon at KDL’s Comstock Park branch