Castro Valley Library

Murder mysteries were popular this week among the contestants in our prize drawing. Check out these recommendations!

Don’t forget: there is still a week and a half left to win gift cards from local merchants in our special summer prize drawing. All you have to do to enter is give us a brief review on one of our special review cards available at the information desk.

Cathy gave a good rating to The Nitrogen Murder by Castro Valley author Camille Minichino. “I bought this book at the library’s local author fair. It was really good and I was able to get it signed. Nice twists!”

The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid was reviewed by Debra who writes the book is “part history lesson, part love story, and part mystery with a shocking ending! Good read!”

Read on Castro Valley Library patrons!

Debra gave an excellent rating to Natchez Burning by Greg Iles. She writes the book is “hugely disturbing but an absolute must read. This story engages you in a heartfelt saga of the very horrific times during the 1960s in the deepest South. Graphic and highly charged, it is a chilling and complex story.”

Ann recommends The Private Patient by P.D. James, a prolific writer who passed away in 2014. The Private Patient was the last book in James’ popular series starring detective Adam Dalgliesh. Of the novel Ann writes, “it is complicated enough that I had to keep a list of suspects handy, but not as complicated as a spy or conspiracy novel where you have to follow the twists of the plot so closely. Beautifully written in the British style but set in the present. Satisfying for the detective-story lover.”

Our patrons have been busily reading away this summer! We have reviews of four more books that may spark your interest.

Kelly enjoyed Tony Danza’s book about his year as a rookie teacher I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had. She appreciated Danza’s honesty and his insights into the struggles and rewards of teaching and wrote, “teachers will nod their heads” while reading this one.

Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes is beautifully written and should be savored like a rich dessert, according to Natasha. She writes, “It’s lyrical and poetic with characters you will fall in love with.”

Jim gave No Ordinary Disruption by Richard Dobbs, James Manyika, and Jonathan Woetzel an excellent rating. He writes, “the book discusses the major trends which are causing the economic changes happening in the world at such a fast pace. Lots of examples reinforce the trends and factors described.”

The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami was enjoyed by Silvia. She writes, “This historical fiction provides a viewpoint of an unwilling passenger. It’s tale of unfulfilled aspirations and physical and psychological survival.”

Here’s our next installment of reader recommendations! These folks have been entering our Read to the Rhythm prize drawing, part of the summer reading program for adults. Enjoy and keep reading!

Helen is a new member of our book club that meets on the last Tuesday night of the month at 6:30 pm. Here’s what she had to say about the club’s recent selection This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett: “Soon after I started reading this book I knew I had stepped into literary excellence. [Patchett] holds your attention with vignettes about her life and thoughts. It made me want to read her novels.”

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave was reviewed by Sherri who says the book contains a nice description of Sebastopol. She writes,”It’s nice to read about a local place with a hint of romance tied in.”

I, Steve: Steve Jobs in His Own Words edited by George Beahm contains more than 200 insightful quotes from the late co-founder of Apple. Library patron Jamie recommends it and calls it “an homage to a great man who wanted to change the world.”