Book Picks from Your Local Library for Dec. 3

Want to give yourself the gift of a quiet afternoon spent reading?

These suggestions from the staff members at the can help you do that—for free!

 This week’s children’s book recommendation was written by public services assistant II, Karen Schmidt, of the children’s department. And the adult recommendations were written by public services assistant Rachel Vaughn.

For adults:

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

When Eve meets Dom, a dashing older man, it begins as a whirlwind summer romance set among the breathtaking and poetic South of France. But what seemed so perfect in the bright summer sun is now slowly falling victim to secrets and suspicions as the bleaker seasons set in. Dom’s previous marriage is not a subject up for discussion, but Eve believes Dom is hiding more than marred emotions. What really happened to Dom’s ex-wife, and is Eve fated for the same ending?

The Informationist by Taylor Stevens

Meet Vanessa “Michael” Munroe—an exciting mix of double-oh-seven and Mission Impossible spy work with a touch of Lisbeth Salander’s (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) gritty no-holds-barred attitude. Munroe is an expert at obtaining information that no one should have access to and she’s good at what she does—really good. Munroe’s usually cool demeanor is thrown when a Texas oil billionaire requests her services to help find his missing daughter. Used to working with big corporations, an emotionally charged missing person case is not Munroe’s specialty. The case gets even more personal when it takes Munroe to Africa, the place where she was born, raised, and started her dangerous career.

For kids:

The Little Brute Family by Russell Hoban

The Little Brute Family is a classic First Reader first published in 1966. The disagreeable Brute family eats sand and gravel porridge, pushes and pinches each other, and never says “please” and “thank you” until one day Baby Brute sees the error of his ways and reforms his wayward family. The tongue-in cheek humor makes this little book a treat for beginning readers and their parents. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Summaries are based in part from information in the library's catalogue.