2007's Ten Best Books By Your Library Staff

Occasionally I read the New York Times Sunday Book Review. It covers the best sellers and first chapters of many books. But the article about their ten best books of 2007 really caught my eye.
That's when I got the bright idea to create the 10 best books for 2007 by our library staff. I asked them what they'd read during 2007 that really stuck in their minds, really popped up as a "good read." The book didn't have to be a newly published one or even a classic, but it had to be a book they'd read during 2007. So, from your favorite library staff, here are the books they consider the top 10 best of 2007:

• The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve - A woman discovers after her husband's death that he kept a series of secrets from her and lived a double life.
• Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard - The story of a Mormon teenager whose life is torn apart when a schizophrenic man murders her two young sisters, and how the event affects her and her family.
• The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan - Richard Hannay is asked by a freelance spy for help with a German plot to murder the Greek Prime Minister and steal British plans for the outbreak of war. When the spy is murdered, Richard continues the spy's work and his adventure in Scotland begins as he is chased by both police and German spies. Written in 1915, the book was made into movies in 1935, 1959, and 1978.
• I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark - Psychological thriller involving murder cases, sleepwalking, a whistled song, and how accurate memories are over a period of years.
• We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates - An incident that is hushed up in town and never spoken of again shatters the fabric of a perfect family with tragic consequences.
• The Little Friend by Donna Tartt - A revelation of familial longing and sorrow, the novel tells of a little girl who grows up in the shadow of her brother, who - when she was only a baby - was found hanging dead from a tree in their back yard. His killer is never identified and the family tries to deal with the tragedy.
• Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin - When paramedics find a malnourished 6-year-old boy near a burning car that holds a dead woman, they wonder who he is - and why he won't talk. A small-town journalist covers the story and unearths long-buried emotions about his own history.
• Letters for Emily by Camron Wright - While afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and dying, Harry Whitney compiled a book of his poems for his favorite granddaughter. After his death, his book is discovered, as well as the secrets he has hidden in each poem.
• Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - Big shot Chicago Stars quarterback Dean Robillard's life is turning sour. On a road trip to figure out why, he spies on a lonely Colorado highway, a young woman dressed in a beaver suit. Blue Bailey is on a mission to do great harm to her ex. Together the wandering portrait artist and the football star encounter all manner of strange characters and a real life.
• Up Close and Personal by Fern Michaels - When Trinity learned the dark truth about her parentage, she left her South Carolina family estate and her trust fund. She said she'd never return, but then she wavers. Her childhood friend, now a handsome attorney, tracks her down and she finds out what her future holds for her.

So, that's the top ten! But things got so good, I just couldn't leave out these other four suggestions by the staff:

• Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky - A novel that asks penetrating questions about race, family and the choices people make in times of crisis - choices that have profound consequences for generations. A novel in which a woman discovers the truth about her past and her husband's heritage and unearths secrets rooted in prejudice and fear.
• Flirting with Pete by Barbara Delinsky (by a different staff member) - A novel about Casey, a successful counselor, and her quests: to understand her father (who could acknowledge her only in death), to uncover the mystery of Jenny (a compelling case study), to deal with the gradual decline of her mother (who is in a permanent vegetative state), and to bring closure to the past so she can move into the future.
• Lemony Snicket Series by Daniel Handler - 13 novels about the adventures of three children after the death of their parents in a fire. Film adaptation of first three books released in 2004. While the series' dark humor has won several awards and sold over 55 million copies, it has also been banned in some schools.
• Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer - Five fantasy novels starring the teenage criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, a child prodigy, whose main goal is the acquisition of money through a variety of schemes (although his values change towards the 5th book). Movie of first book scheduled for 2008, as well as 6th book to be published.

Well, you have lots to pick from. Or better yet, plan to read all of them in 2008. They're here in our library just waiting for you to come get them. And don't forget to bring your library card!