SMHS Librarian's Space

New books to the library this summer. School starts on August 6, 2009. Book check out begins 8-11-09. Two book check-out limit. New titles are two week only check-out. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes Synopsis Now in paperback, the #1 San Francisco Chronicle bestseller that is an enchanting and lyrical look at the life, the traditions, and the cuisine of Tuscany, in the spirit of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence.


Frances Mayes entered a wondrous new world when she began restoring an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. There were unexpected treasures at every turn: faded frescos beneath the whitewash in her dining room, a vineyard under wildly overgrown brambles in the garden, and, in the nearby hill towns, vibrant markets and delightful people. In Under the Tuscan Sun, she brings the lyrical voice of a poet, the eye of a seasoned traveler, and the discerning palate of a cook and food writer to invite readers to explore the pleasures of Italian life and to feast at her table._________ Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes Synopsis Best of the Best. In this follow-up to her bestselling account of her love affair with Tuscany, Mayes carries forward the concerns and people of Under the Tuscan Sun, while exploring new themes: gardening, travel throughout Italy, deepening friendships with Italians, and primavera, a new season. Interweaving sections on language, art, food, and wine with her journeys in Italy, this audio captures what Mayes has called "the voluptuousness of Italian life" in the lyrical, sensuous style that distinguishes her previous work.___________________________________________________________ The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Synopsis A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant. 

An enchanting debut and a spellbinding tale of fate and belief in the bonds of love, The Time Traveler's Wife is destined to captivate readers for years to come. ______________ Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Series #15) by Janet Evanovich Synopsis The next Stephanie Plum novel

New books for Summer 2009 _Abarat_ Barker, Clive Annotation: Barker's "New York Times" bestseller continues the story of young Candy Quackenbush from Chickentown, U.S.A., who embarks on an epic, life-changing journey when she dives from a barren field in Minnesota into the enormous Sea of Izabella. ___________________________________________ Asphalt Angels Holtwijk, Ineke Annotation: "Asphalt Angels" centers around a boy named Alex, a street child of 13 in Brazil, who has been kicked onto the streets by his stepfather after his mother dies. Alone and scared, Alex quickly adapts to life in the streets with a group of other children. A raw, poignant story of a band of Brazilian street kids who survive--if they can--by their wits alone._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City of Bones (Mortal Instruments (Hardback) #1) Clare, Cassandra Annotation: In New York, 15-year-old Clary Fray doesn't expect to witness a murder--much less one committed by three teenagers covered with odd markings and brandishing bizarre weapons. Exotic and gritty, this book begins a new fantasy series about demons and a secret tribe of warriors called the Shadow hunters.______ Foundling (Monster Blood Tattoo #1) Cornish, D. M. Annotation: The orphan Rossamnd--a boy with a girl's name--begins his journey through theperilous Half-Continent where the human race lives in perpetual conflict withmonsters of every shape and description._________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hatter M: The Looking Glass Wars, Volume 1 Beddor, Frank Annotation: Put to rest any delusions or disinformation you have of the tea-guzzling madman of faux literary history and prepare to expand your consciousness as the saga of Hatter Madigan and his relentless search for the lost Princess of Wonderland unfolds in Volume 1 of the Hatter M graphic novel series! In Frank Beddor's bestselling The Looking Glass Wars, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan was ordered by Queen Genevieve to take Princess Alyss and leave Wonderland after a bloody palace coup staged by the murderous Redd. But while escaping through the Pool of Tears (the portal connecting Wonderland to our world) crushing centrifugal force pulled them apart, and Alyss was lost. In this first volume of the geo-graphic parallel adventure trilogy, Hatter finds himself in Paris, France in the year 1859 shockingly separated from the child he had been sworn to protect. Hatter must now embark upon a non-stop quest, crisscrossing the globe for 13 years in search of his lost Princess._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Seeing Redd (Looking Glass Wars (Hardcover) #2) Beddor, Frank Annotation: Battles rage, looking glasses explode, and the Alyssians are once again uniting to defend White Imagination, in this fast-paced second book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Necessary Roughness Lee, Marie G. Annotation: Chan Jung Kim was always popular at his school in L.A. But now the Kim family has moved to a tiny Minnesota town where football's the name of the game and nobody has ever seen an Asian-American kid before. Desperate to fit in, Chan finds himself on the football field, pretending to be something he's not. For the first time in his life, Chan is forced to think about what it means to be Korean--and what is really important._____________________________________________ A Prayer for Owen Meany Irving, John Annotation: Owen Meany, the only child of a New Hampshire granite quarrier, believes he is God's instrument. He is. This is John Irving's most comic novel; yet Owen Meany is Mr. Irving's most heartbreaking character. ____________________________________________________ Pinned Martino, Alfred C. nnotation: Martino pens a story, set in the world of high school wresting, of two very different young men who both have the drive, the determination, and the commitment to self-sacrifice necessary to become a champion.____________________________________________________________________________________ Deliver Us From Evie by Kerr, M. E. Annotation: A story of expressing one's sexual identity. Everyone realizes that Evie and Patsy's relationship is far more complex than just friendship._____________ Far From Xanadu by Peters, Julie Anne Annotation: In a small Kansas town, sixteen-year-old Mary-Elizabeth "Mike" Szabo tries to come to terms with her father's suicide and her own homosexuality._____ Rainbow High by Sanchez, Alex Annotation: Follows three gay high school seniors as they struggle with issues of coming out, safe sex, homophobia, being in love, and college choices._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Road by Sanchez, Alex Annotation: While driving across the United States during the summer after high school graduation, three young gay men encounter various bisexual and homosexual people and make some decisions about their own relationships and lives.___________________________________________________________________________ A Blue Bloods Novel: Revelations de La Cruz, Melissa Annotation: As Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy is called into question, an ancient place of power in Rio de Janeiro is threatened, and the Blue Bloods need Schuyler on their side.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Van Alen Legacy (a Blue Bloods Novel) de La Cruz, Melissa Annotation: With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged. Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series._____________________________________________________________ Wicked: The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West by Maguire, Gregory Annotation: Retelling of The Wizard of Oz with an evil Wizard and a good Witch of the West.