Book News & Reviews
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Staff Recommendations
The Conjuror's Bird by Martin Davies. Fiction
 The Conjuror’s Bird takes the reader on a modern-day search for the elusive, rare specimen of a bird that was discovered in the South Pacific on Captain Cook’s natural history expedition in 1774. Now, noted expert on extinct birds John Fitzgerald is drawn into a hunt to find the only preserved specimen of the extinct Ulietha bird. An alluring story unfolds, one that deftly intertwines the historical past of naturalist Sir Joseph Banks and his mistress, with the present-day intrigue of a search for something so rare. –Jean S.
gener@tion DEBT: Take Control of Your Money - A How-to Guide by Carmen Wong Ulrich. Non-fiction
 Ulrich focuses on helping young people overcome or resolve huge debts. Her writing style is simple, easy to understand, and well organized. Chapters cover such topics as credit card debt, student loans, housing, vehicle purchases, insurance and taxes. She provides many valuable definitions, explanations, charts and illustrations in easy-to-understand formats. A strong feature of this book is the many websites included at the end of each chapter. This is a good “survival aid” for all ages. –Sharon S.
The Minotaur by Barbara Vine. Fiction
 Barbara Vine, a.k.a. Ruth Rendell, has been hailed as “the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world” by Time magazine. In this novel, a young nurse, Kerstin Kvist, arrives at remote, ivy-covered Lydstep Old Hall in Essex, hired for a position with the Cosway family, residents of the hall for generations. Her charge, John Cosway, is a 39 year-old man whose strange behavior is vaguely explained by his mother and sisters as part of the madness that runs in the family. The dynamics of this backbiting family, the secrets that Kerstin uncovers and the tensions of romantic trysts and betrayals make the Wuthering Heights crowd look wholesome. This is very satisfying reading, a sort of blend of Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Trollope. –Bernie D.
Texas Hold 'Em by Kinky Friedman.
 Every now and then you need a diversion and this book gives it to you. It is hilarious, off-the-wall, and right on the money all at the same time. The book is a series of little stories, a bit of philosophy, a bit of wisdom and a lot of humor. Most of his commentary relates to Texas. I particularly liked his analysis of Texas drivers. He claims the traits he identified are all native to Texans but I know I have seen lots of them in other states! –Bernie D.
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