"A Chirstmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

What is the pivotal point in the play and how does the suspense shift at this point?

What was Scrooge's relationship with Jacob Marley and why is Marley's presence significant through the story?

For further information about the story and the author, check out the following link:

http://www.dtcinfo.org/PublicDocs/A%20Christmas%20Carol%20Study%20Guide.pdf

"Plainsong" by Kent Haruf

The McPheron brothers think they know nothing about young girls. Is that the case? Has their solitary life close to the earth handicapped them so far as human relations go, or has it, in fact, provided them with hidden advantages?

For an interview with the author, Kent Haruf, check out the following link:

http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/1199/haruf/interview.html

"The King of Lies" by John Hart

Work is a character trapped in his life -- by his job, his wife, and the expectations of those around him -- however he doesn't have the will to change things until he is forced to confront the past.

Do you feel that Work or his sister, Jean, could have killed their father, Ezra Pickens? Did they have justification to do so?

For more information about the author, please visit his website:

http://www.johnhartfiction.com/

Shopaholic and Baby

Becky Brandon is pregnant and on the go shopping for all the latest designer items for her baby! That includes a "Designer Obstetrician", Venetia Carter, (doctor to all the pregnant celebrities), who turns out to be an old ex-girlfriend of her husband Luke. After their first doctor appointment, Becky becomes suspicious of Venetia and Luke, and thinks they are having an affair. After hiring a private detective, who did a rather poor job, she discovers that Luke is not having an affair, but having problems with his company and a large client that the company took on as an account. The book will keep you spinning! Becky is constantly up to something! You will laugh right down to the very last page!

"And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

The ten people chosen by U.N. Owen were "beyond the reach of the law"; all had commited crimes that could not be proven. Several suffered from guilt, however did they deserve to die?

For more information about the author and her works:

http://us.agathachristie.com/site/home/

"Bone Harvest" by Mary Logue

Was the motive for the murders of the Schuler family believable, once everything came to light?

For more information about the author, Mary Logue, check out her website at:

http://www.marylogue.com/

"The Chatham School Affair" by Thomas H. Cook

In this novel, the narrator is a 14-year-old boy. Is he a reliable narrator? Is his version of the situation really a truthful interpretation of events?

For more information about the author, Thomas H. Cook, please click on the following link:

http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=5614

The Cleaner

The Cleaner is the first book in a new series by author Brett Battles. The main character is "Jonathan Quinn" a former policeman who is now a professional cleaner. A cleaner is a person who is called upon to dispose of a body and sanitize a crime scene. An agency called the Office calls on Jonathan to look into a death that occurred during a house fire in Colorado. The problems in Colorado lead Jonathan and his apprentice Nate to Vietnam and then Germany where Jonathan's past meets up with him . This page turner is part mystery, part spy novel and a total thriller.

The Murder Room by P.D. James

"The Murder Room" by P.D. James seems to be about various obsessions: love, sex, money, status, etc.

Are the characters justified in pursuing their obsessions?




For more information about P.D. James, check out the following website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pdjames/

Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser, the 16th novel in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s long running Dark Hunter series moves the ever expanding mythology one step closer to the ultimate battle between good and evil. A series of strange murders in New Orleans has Simone Dubois puzzled. Is this the work of the soul-sucking Daimons that inhabit the city or is there a new sinister species wrecking havoc in her fair city. Enter Xypher, a dream hunter granted a one month leave by Hades to seek revenge against the women who damned him to hell. Is anyone safe in a city inhabited by demons, gods, ghosts, and were-hunters? A fast paced story that sets the stage for Kenyon’s highly anticipated 17th book Acheron due out later this summer. If you enjoy paranormal romance, spend the summer with some gorgeous men and feisty women and read the Dark Hunter series. Book One, Fantasy Lover is available in the paperback section of the Wayne Public Library.

Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber

Three Widows get together on Valentines’ Day to help each other with the loss of their loved one. The three widows come up with making a list of Twenty wishes to help them to move on with their lives and get through their grief. As the lists grow their lives take on many turns and new adventures. Some “wishes” come true that were not quite on their lists! A heart warming story with a happy ending that leaves you smiling every time you think about the book!

For more great reads by Debbie Macomber visit her website!

Say Goodbye

Lisa Gardner's new book will be out in July. Pregnant FBI Agent Kimberly Quincy, the daughter of former FBI Profiler Pierce Quincy, finds herself being drawn into a web of deceit and lies by a serial killer named Dinchara. Dinchara preys not only on young girls who are prostitutes but also on young boys. There are many layers to this story with twists and turns through out the story and characters not always who they seem to be. This story is not for readers who have a fear of spiders. Each chapters starts with a fact about spiders and they play an important part in the storyline. It is a fast read that fans of previous Lisa Gardner books will enjoy!

Blue Smoke and Murder

Elizabeth Lowell's newest book takes the reader into the world of Western Art collectors and high stakes art auctions. When Jill Breck inherits 12 family owned painting after the death of her great-aunt, her life and the painting are in danger. Jill calls upon St. Kilda's Consulting for help. Help arrives in the form of Zach Balfour whose job is not only to protect Jill and the paintings but also to finer out who wants the painting destroyed before they can make it auction. This is a fast paced read with plenty of action.

The Diplomat's Wife

In The Diplomat's Wife, World War II has ended, Marta Nederman is safe in England and the Cold War with the Soviets is beginning. In an attempt to help British Intelligence, Marta must journey back to Prague, Czechoslovakia to meet with a contact from her days in the Jewish Resistance. This book can be read without reading Pam Jenoff's The Kommandant's Girl.

M is for Malice by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone, a private investigator, is hired to look for the long-lost and disinherited brother of the Malek family and is further drawn into the family's affairs after he is found and murdered.

Did you find the eventual murderer to be a believable plot twist?


For more information on Sue Grafton and her character, Kinsey Millhone, please visit her website at:

http://www.suegrafton.com/kinseymillhone.htm

A Blogging Good Time!

Summer Reading for Adults – Ages 18 and up!
(Note: you can only participate in either the Adult Summer Reading in the Adult Dept. or The Parent Summer Reading in the Children’s Dept. not both!- Wayne Residents only!)

In person registration:Begins 9:00 a.m. June 5 - Registration will continue until July 15!

Where: Main Library, Adult Reference Desk, 461 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470

When: Program begins June 15 and ends August 15, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

Here is what you need to do in order to win a $25.00 gift card.

1) Register at the Adult Reference Desk!
2) Find a great book to read!
3) Read it!
4) Go to http://waynebookdiscussion.blogspot.com
5) Click on the month June
6) Click on "A Blogging Good Time"

7) Scroll down just a bit.
8) Click on Post a Comment
9) Type in your book information and book summary.
10) Type in the Word Verification
11) Select Name/URL and type in your assigned number – “your first name” Example: 12-Joe
The more books you read and blog about, the closer you are to winning!
The contestant who has the most book blogs will win!

The Manny by Holly Peterson

In Holly Peterson's "The Manny" what character do you associate with or feel most connected to?

Jamie (wife)

Phillip (husband)

Peter (manny)

Dylan (son)

The Enemy by Lee Child

What is stronger in this book: the plot or character development?

Why?

Do you think this was intentional on the part of the author?

For more information about Lee Child, check out his website at:

http://www.leechild.com/

The Burglar in the Rye by Lawrence Block

Bernie Rhodenbarr, an admitted criminal, said that he was “obsessed with doing the right thing”. Did he do the right thing by everyone involved?

For more information about Lawrence Block, check out his website at:

http://www.lawrenceblock.com/index_framesetfl.htm

Celebrate National Library Week April 13- 19

Celebrate National Library Week by reading one of the fine books chosen by the Wayne Public Library Staff! Take a peek at our newsletter!

The American Library Association and Julie Andrews are also celebrating libraries!

Read a book, share your thoughts and come blog about it!

Open Season by C.J. Box

Joe Pickett is portrayed as a very human character, complete with flaws, and who makes mistakes. Do you agree with his pursuit of the case, despite the consequences to his family and career?

For more information about the author and other books by C.J. Box, visit his site at:

http://www.cjbox.net/

Books for April

Below are the books we will discuss in April, join in and blog about what you have read! Have another book you would like to discuss? Let us know by posting a book you would like to discuss!

1. Mystery: Burglar in the Rye by Lawrence Block



2. Romance: Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea



3. Literary Classics: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Have time to come to the book discussion in person? Visit our website for dates and times of our Book Discussions.

The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing

Question: In Doris Lessing's novel, The Golden Notebook, writer Anna Wulf suffers from writer's block. She claims that world events have overwhelmed her until she feels that her words are an insignificant weapon against the injustices and tyrannies of the present day. How do you feel that this sort of writer's block may have affected writers - and novelists in particular - after the terrorist attacks on 9/11?

Books to be discussed

The beginning books to be discussed are:

• The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier


• Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky


• Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay


• The Golden Notebook by Doris May Lessing

Have you read one of these books? Tell us what you thought of it! Did you like or dislike it? Why or why not? Would you recommend the book you read to a friend?

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

What is the Dark Passenger? Is it a rationalization or real being?

For more information about the author, some reading group guide questions as well more on the 'Dexter' series, click on the following link:

http://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/dexter/

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier

What did you like or dislike about the book? Would you recommend this book to a friend? Would you like to read other titles by this author?

Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky

In the novels initial chapters why does Hugh react the way he does? Is he a racist? Is he torn between his wife and his family? Does he believe and/or trust his wife?