In the middle of each month, the library receives ten of the top bestsellers that are currently listed on the New York Times and Dallas Morning News bestseller lists. In addition to the bestsellers, other popular authors or subjects are routinely purchased. A list of all new fiction is listed on our website. Below are short reviews of recently acquired novels.
The Bourne Objective by Eric Van Lustbader. Mr. Lustbader is continuing the great adventure stories begun by Robert Ludlum and featuring Jason Bourne. Agent Bourne is the protagonist of seven novels as well as three blockbuster movies starring Matt Damon. This latest fast-paced and suspenseful novel was published in June 2010.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This romantic, moving, and funny memoir of self discovery takes the reader on a trip across Italy, India and Indonesia. Gilbert is trying to stop living in imitation of what others expect and find her “true” self. Along the way, she discovers wonderful people and some unexpected changes. Julia Roberts portrays the author in the newly released movie by the same name.
Take Four by Karen Kingsbury is the fourth novel in the Above the Line Series. Kingsbury is a popular writer of inspirational fiction and seems to always hit a home run. This novel is no exception and provides the heartwarming story her readers have come to expect.
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares. This author has had great success with her young adult novels, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. My Name is Memory is a romantic adult story that is also destined to become a bestseller. This imaginative and transporting novel tells the story of a love that lasts more than a lifetime.
Private by James Patterson. Once again Patterson teams up with Maxine Paetro to deliver a page-turner with hero, Jack Morgan, former marine helicopter pilot leading the charge. Fans who have come to expect sleek, hard hitting mysteries will not be disappointed with this latest effort. James Patterson now has the distinction, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, of having more bestsellers than any other writer.
Family Ties by Danielle Steel. The general consensus is that this is not one of Steel’s best novels. Her fans are legendary and she continues to outsell every other novelist around with 590 million the latest estimate. She must be doing something right and that usually is telling a good story with believable characters.
The Search by Nora Roberts is an intriguing story about the only survivor of a serial killing who has escaped to start a new life on an island hidden away in the Pacific Northwest. This heroine hopes to train her beloved Labrador retrievers and find peace in her new surroundings. Roberts once again hooks her reader from the beginning and doesn’t let go.
Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh. You might think you don’t know this author but if you are like me and order online, you’ve heard of Zappos.com. I think the first pair of shoes I bought online was from Zappos. They are the place for everything and one of the great Internet success stories. This book explores not only how they got there but also how you can get there.
Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. Oprah devoted an entire show to this book and credits this author with her recent weight loss. It is not a diet book but explains how to examine one’s relationship to food and most importantly- how to change it. The famous diet guru, Dr. Christiane Northup, M.D, states “Women, Food and God is absolutely mesmerizing and loaded with insights which can change your life.”
Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert. A great mystery character, China Bayles, is at it again. She is known among mystery enthusiasts as a “leader among female sleuths”. An ex-lawyer and current herbalist, China’s herbal shop is located in Texas which makes her my heroine right away. All of Albert’s books are well crafted and well written and this one is no exception.
The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke. Dave Robicheax, the most famous flawed hero in current mystery fiction, is once again in New Iberia, La. and after the really bad guys. No one can describe the beauty and culture of South Louisiana quite like Burke does - nor can anyone surpass him in writing about evil. This may be the best novel in the Robicheaux series.
Storm Prey by John Sanford is the twentieth novel in the Prey series and may be the best yet. It is definitely up to Sanford’s usual quality of storytelling. Sanford once again masterfully uses suspense to sustain a cleverly devised plot that is peopled with likeable characters.
Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen. New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen's relentless, inventive novels take readers on pulse-racing thrill rides that are as satisfying as they are heart-stopping. Now, in this edge-of-your-seat suspense novel, a mysteriously isolated town stands abandoned - as a silent watcher waits.