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Cinematographer, Maggie, is reluctant to return to her Texas hometown. There she finds herself in the middle of a family crisis. Her mentally ill sister is not taking her medication and doing drugs. She has abandoned her daughter, Riley, with Maggie’s father and Riley is a mouthy tween. Also, Maggie keeps running into people from her past that knew her before she was a Christian and hurt people. Maggie seems fearless, but inside she is full of doubt about her life, career, and her troubled niece. A former classmate, Connor, seems to be the only one who sees her true self. The serious moments of this book balance well with Maggie’s hilarious, constant, and sometimes self-deprecating commentary. A fun, worthwhile read.

Reviewed by Jeanenne R., Steele Creek Branch

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We pick up where Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code left off. Arriving back from France, Robert Langdon is asked to speak in Washington. When he arrives, there is no audience. In fact no one has heard that he was supposed to give a speech at all. The speech was a ruse to get him to Washington. When he gets there he realizes that his mentor, Peter Solomon, has been kidnapped. It is a race against time and through the hallowed halls of our nation’s capitol to protect the secret of the Masons and save Peter Solomon’s life. This story is a fast paced read that will keep the reader guessing.

Reviewed by Rachel K., University City Regional

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Former SS Captain Gunther Lutze returns to the deserted Dachau concentration camp to reminisce about his days as a sadistic overseer, not expecting to encounter ghosts from his past. As a surprised Lutze is transported back to the camp during wartime, he faces former inmates long dead and reminders of his cruelty, and is finally brought to justice. The story was the basis for a classic episode of the television series The Twilight Zone. Creator Rod Serling’s original script was adapted to create this graphic novel version. Like the television episode, it’s an effective mix of realism and surrealism, with a twist ending. Recommended to fans of the series, as well as anyone who enjoys a good story.

Reviewed by Mark S., University City Regional

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Creating art in the 21st century is both harder and easier claims Calvin Tomkins, author and art critic for The New Yorker. Obstacles faced by today’s artists include unlimited freedom of style or subject and constant pressure to succeed. Nor do society’s obsessions with media and money ease the burden to create something original. In his book, Tomkins profiles ten admired and prolific contemporary artists, ranging from painters to filmmakers. He feels that these ten artists are uniquely connected through the various ways they deal with the challenge of living. Tomkins successfully explores this connection by looking past the art and into each life, proving his belief that “if the work is interesting, the life probably is too.”

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

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With his father back in prison and his mother refusing to work, 15-year-old Tyrell struggles to keep the family afloat (and out of child protective services) as, evicted from their apartment, they take temporary shelter in a roach-infested Bronx hotel. Tyrell tries to do right, but he doesn't always know just what that is, and his idea of right definitely doesn't always align with popular society’s. Language, plot and tone are realistic. While Tyrell is in a horrible(though not uncommon) situation, this is not a book where absolutely everything that can go wrong, does. Tyrell’s problems will not neatly disappear by the book’s conclusion, but readers may find some hope.

Reviewed by Beck B., Cornelius Branch

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