To start off our monthly series of book lists, the staff of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to share with you some of their favorite reads:
Alan Bentson, Readers' Advisor
The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon
This book draws you immediately into the story of a teenage girl who is kidnapped, rescued, and then accused in the press of masterminding the kidnapping herself to extort money from her rich grandmother. For Junior and Senior High Readers. Cassette book RC 17013. Braille book BR 8840.
Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye
An exquisite mix of satire, farce, fantasy and old-fashioned adventure story as Hermux Tantamoq searches for Linka Perflinger, a jaunty mouse who brought a damaged watch to his shop for urgent repairs and then disappeared. For grades 6-9. Cassette book RC 54785. Braille book CBA 7488.
Pat Brock , Administrative Assistant
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
After 30 years of marriage, Wilson Lewis faces a painful truth: his wife Jane has fallen out of love with him and it is entirely his own fault. He sets out to rekindle the love and relationship with time and effort. Cassette book RC 56908. Braille book BR 15299. Large print book LP 20014.
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
True love, compassion and forgiveness, flourish even in tragedy. Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High, in 1958, when a twist of fate made quiet Jamie Sullivan his partner for the homecoming dance and his life was changed forever. Cassette book RC 49104. Large print book LP 16130.
Wes Derby, Readers' Advisor
Naked Prey by John Sandford
Crime buster Lucas Davenport's latest case involves a man and woman found hanged in the woods of Northern Minnesota . One is black, the other white and both are naked. It's a great page-turner with several plot twists; just when you think you know what's going to happen, or who done it, you're always in for a surprise. Violence, strong language, and explicit sex. Cassette book RC 56232. Braille book BR 14804. Large print book LP 19972.
Left Behind by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
A thought-provoking, fictionalized account of what the world may be like and what life may be like for those left on Earth after The Rapture. This book is filled with action, adventure, and Christian theology. First in a series. Cassette book RC 47462. Braille book BR 13919. Large print book LP 16622.
Ed Godfrey, Braille Department
Return to Spirit Lake by Christine Colasurdo
The author's fond memories of Spirit Lake before the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption and her bittersweet return visit ten years later. Braille book BR 11700. Braille book locally-produced at WTBBL BRW 812.
Linda Johns, Children's Librarian
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
After years of giving “spare parts” to her sister who has Leukemia, Anna goes to court to stop her family from making her donate a kidney. Alternating voices address complicated issues and relationships in this provocative portrait of a family. Cassette book RC 58402. Large print book LP 20485.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Ashoke and Ashima leave Calcutta to begin their arranged marriage in 1960s Cambridge , Massachusetts. Their son, Gogol Ganguli, struggles with two cultures and the burden of his unusual name in a novel that spans three decades. The New York Times called it “quietly dazzling” – and it is. Cassette book RC 56937. Braille book locally-produced at WTBBL BRW 1033. Large print book LP 20145.
Gabriel Rapier, Shipping Department
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A timeless story about Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, who longs to see the world and dreams about a treasure hidden in the Egyptian pyramids. He sells his flock and heads for Egypt. Along the way he is led by a series of spiritual guides including the Alchemist who advises him to follow his heart. Cassette book RC 37602. Braille book BR 14874. Large print book LP 12012.
Dune by Frank Herbert
A classic sci-fi hero story invoking themes of a coming messiah, mystical psychic powers, and the endless battle between good and evil. It has all of the elements of "Star Wars" minus the light sabers. First in a series. Cassette book RC 44126.
Robin Rousu, Adult Services Librarian
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Local author's novel on the themes of scent and immortality begins in Seattle and skips through time and space, sparkling with a joyous sense of the absurd, the intellectual, and the erotic. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Cassette book RC 21231.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
After the death of their parents, Dave raises his little brother while eschewing many of the formalities of maturity. This darkly comedic, unconventionally structured, self-depreciating memoir lives up to its name. Strong language and explicit sex. Cassette book RC 49737. Large print book LP 16985.
Joyce Van Tuyl, Braille Coordinator
Brave Companions: Portraits in History by David McCullough.
You will want to meet each of the scientists, writers, lawyers, and artists profiled in these seventeen biographical essays. These exceptional men and women have not only shaped the course of history or changed how we see the world but their stories express much that is timeless about the human condition. Cassette book RC 37179. Braille book locally-produced at WTBBL BRW 527.
The Story of Language by Mario Pei.
This book makes you think about language in a new way. It is a fun and fascinating discussion of language's origin, history, growth, forms, and functions. Cassette book RC 30776.