Reviewer Spotlight

Branch: Matthews Branch

An avid reader with an eclectic taste in books, Rosanne L.'s reviews are always a joy to read. Here's what she has to say about books and reading: "My love for reading began early. Growing up, my dad worked for the US Information Agency and brought home weeded books that weren't going to the Embassies. Every week, my best friend Ginny and I rode our bikes to the local library where we were sadly limited to 8 books each! For me, reading was pure escapism as it gave a middle class kid from the Bronx a chance for imaginary "travel" to faraway, exotic places. For some reason, I have more of an affinity for nonfiction than fiction, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a mega-thriller, creepy horror, or a good mystery. Within nonfiction, I especially like science, current events, travel and memoirs. I also enjoy thumbing through those gorgeous gardening books that make you want to run out with a trowel. Reading is the quintessential education. Even with today's emphasis on the visual, you can see that people still adore books - there is something so visceral about them. I include among my favorite authors Dean Koontz for his uncanny nail biting ability, and Colleen McCullough for her unbelievable attention to historical detail. I just recently finished the best-selling Dan Brown books - real page-turners with a lot of interesting background material. I do like a good British mystery now and then and Christie, James and Du Maurier are still old time favorites. I also like New Age-y stuff. Deepak Chopra Russell Targ, and Michael Talbot are fascinating metaphysicians. I write reviews with the hope that I can share my enthusiasm for books and topics that are perhaps not as well known or popular, but that I find wonderful. I always read for fun! I must admit, though, that writing reviews while trying to juggle for content and focus on brevity is still a challenge for me. When patrons share their feelings and thoughts, it's really a special treat because sometimes they can lead you to a real gem of a book."