Reader's Advisory

The cover of this week’s Time Magazine features writer Jonathan Franzen, whose new novel, Freedom, publishes at the end of August. As the New York Times points out, he’ll be the first living writer on the cover in ten years. Click on Read More to check out other authors who have graced the cover of Time, and find out where we hide books and information on them.

It's that time of year! Gardens, fruit trees, and farmers' markets are abundant! We have resources with ideas to help you preserve and share your harvest.

From classic cars to movie stars, the 1950's are an iconic period in American history.     Stop by the library and check out our display of books and movies reminiscent of the 1950's.  If cars are your thing, check out the books showcasing the cool cars from the 50's.  If it's fashion and pop culture- we've got that covered too.  Plus any number of movies featuring stars of the 1950's like Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, Steve McQueen.  And if you're wondering what great literature came out of the 1950's check out these authors:

• Beezus & Ramona by Beverly Cleary (1955)
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (1957)
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952)
• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (1954)
• The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952)
• The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis  (1950)
• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1958)
• The Old Man & the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (1951)
• Peyton Place by Grace Metalious (1956)

Enjoy AMC's Mad Men? Well, then maybe you'll want to check out some off the books that characters have read.

Inspired by the Library's recent program, Pie Party- check out these mysteries featuring food:

• Conant Susan & Conant Jessica.   Series Star: Gourmand Chloe Carter.  First Book: Steamed.
• Diane Mott Davidson- Series Star: Goldy Schulz, a caterer from Colorado.  First Book: Catering to Nobody.
• Joanne Fluke- Series Star: Hannah Swensen, a bakery chef from Minnesota.  First Book: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder.
• Tamar Myers- Series Star: Mennonite Magdalena Yoder, owner of the Penn Dutch Inn.  First Book: Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth.

Have other favorites?  Post a comment and share you favorite foodie authors. 

Whether you've just finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, only just started Stieg Larrson's Millennium Trilogy, or simply find yourself in need of a suspenseful Scandinavian novel to read, you don't want to miss The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg.

Erica Falk, a Swedish novelist/biographer, has returned to her childhood home to take care of things after her parents' death only to learn that her childhood best friend, a strange girl named Alex Wijkner, has been killed under relatively mysterious circumstances. But looking into the dysfunctional, unpleasant secrets of Fjallbacka brings up a lot more questions than it answers.

Possessing both a haunting story and a chilling climate, this book makes for a great summer read. Click on the book cover above to request a copy or to check on the title's availability. 

If you like humorous books where anything can happen and often will, then check out author Carl Hiaasen. With crooked politicians, corrupt enviromentalists, and a whole host of inept criminals and zany heroes, Carl Hiaasen's novels are hilarious thrillers set in Hiaasen's vividly described home state of Florida.  

Like a bookstore- the library does contain a humor section- just look under in the Non Fiction section under 817 and there you'll find favorite authors like Dave Barry, David Sedaris, Jen Lancaster, Chelsea Handler and the Sweet Potato Queens.

In fact though, humor exists in many places throughout the library- we have humorous fiction by authors like Christopher Moore, Jennifer Crusie,  and Janet Evanovich.  Humor can be found in the DVD section in classic series like Monty Python or newer titles starring modern comedians such as Steve Carrell or Will Farrell.  There is even humor among the more traditional areas of Non Fiction like histories written by Sarah Vowell or Bill Cosby's parenting advice.

And if you're the type of person who needs live action to find something truly funny, check out our special after hours Improv Night @ The Library on Saturday July 17 at 7 pm.  Local improv enthusiasts will making us laugh by doing skits and games based on audience suggestions.  

Summer is a perfect time for reading and what better place is there to get books from than your local library?

The July 2010 issue of The Oprah Magazine provides a great many titles to consider from all different genres, and many of those titles can be found here at the Brookfield Public Library.

Learn more about 5 of their top picks below. Then click on the book covers to place a hold on some of their top picks!

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender "encourages us all to make the most of our unique gifts while still finding a way to live in the so-called real world."  (NEW - FIC BENDER)   

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a "massively popular thriller/survival narrative/romance" and one of many great "books to steal from your teenager."  (YA FIC REBECCA CAUDILL COLLINS) Also available are its sequels: Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira "perfectly evokes its eponymous heroine's style: clear, determined, and unlike most women of the Civil War era, unapologetically direct." (NEW - FIC OLIVEIRA)

Parrot & Olivier in America by Peter Carey is "a novel of fierce attachments, charting the proximity of beauty and terror in the human soul." (FIC CAREY) 

Last but certainly not least is the bestselling novel The Passage by Justin Cronin. A story "of love and work, of parents and children, of duty and joy and grief" that is "vital, tender, and compelling." (NEW - FIC CRONIN)

For additional and awesome summer reads, check out the July 2010 issue of The Oprah Magazine or ask for some readerly advice at the Information Desk here at the Brookfield Public Library.

Love the Earth?  Check out Marilyn's list of "Green Books"

• 1,001 Ways to Save the Earth by Joanna Yarrow (333.72 YAR)
• American Earth (333.72 AME)
• Do One Green Thing by Mindy Pennybacker (333.72 PEN)
• Farewell, My Subaru by Doug Fine (333.72 FIN)
• Green Guide (333.72 GRE)
• The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers (333.72 ROG)

• Living Like Ed by Ed Begley Jr. (333.72 BEG)

• This Moment on Earth by John Kerry (333.72 KER)
• True Green (333.72 MCK) 
• Wake Up & Smell the Planet (333.72 WAK)
• You Can Save the Earth (333.72 YOU)