Author Spotlight: Louise Penny (9/1/20)

LibraryReads Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny is back with the next adventure of everyone’s favorite Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. This time, Gamache finds himself in a Paris filled with family secrets and gruesome discoveries. ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE 4 starred reviews! “The strengths of this latest procedural from Know More » […]

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Postcards from Three Pines

Postcards from Three Pines

“In the lead-up to KINGDOM OF THE BLIND coming out November 27th, I’ve looked back on the previous books with some amazement. For thirteen years we’ve been visiting the little Quebec village together. I went back over my notes, and it got me thinking that you might like to know how it all happened. So, Know More » […]

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Our #LibFaves17 Picks

Our #LibFaves17 Picks

We enjoyed seeing so many of you participate in #LibFaves17 (thanks for making Jane Harper’s THE DRY an official 2017 Top Ten pick!). Now here are OUR #LibFaves17 picks (aka our 2017 “Recommended Reads” from the newsletter): Talia THE MAP THAT LEADS TO YOU by J.P. Monninger Also available in audio Finally, a book version Know More » […]

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Cultural Inspirations from Three Pines

Cultural Inspirations from Three Pines

“In the bedroom Clara picked up the well-worn book beside Jane’s bed, C.S. Lewis’s, Surprised by Joy. It smelled of Floris.” — from STILL LIFE Readers of Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache series know that art and culture play a big a role in her satisfying mysteries. Minotaur Books invites you to explore creative works Know More » […]

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The Nature of the Feast

The Nature of the Feast

“They ate by candlelight, the candles of all shapes and sizes flickering around the kitchen. Their plates were piled high with turkey and chestnut stuffing, candied yams and potatoes, peas and gravy.” — from STILL LIFE Readers of Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache series have come to relish the descriptions of food as much as Know More » […]

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The Real Places of Three Pines

The Real Places of Three Pines

  If you’re a fan of Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache series like we are, then you know that the village of Three Pines is fictional and can’t be found on a map. BUT it’s inspired by real places and Louise finally reveals where they are in a countdown leading up to the publication of Know More » […]

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The great Gamache re-read!

The great Gamache re-read!

opens in a new windowLong Way Home jacketLouise Penny's new book, THE LONG WAY HOME, won't be out until August 26, but our friends at Minotaur Books have something to help with your Three Pines-withdrawal: the great Gamache re-read!

Starting today, a community of readers is engaging in a group re-read of the nine books in Penny’s beloved, bestselling Chief Inspector Gamache series! From now through May 4, the group is reading STILL LIFE (Book 1) and going on GamacheSeries.com to discuss the book. Then every two weeks the discussion moves to the next book with a guest post from a bookseller, librarian, blogger, fellow author, or major fan of Louise. (The first guest moderator is Lesa Holstine!)

opens in a new windowGamache Series

April 21 - May 4: STILL LIFE 
May 5-18: A FATAL GRACE 
May 19 - June 1: THE CRUELEST MONTH
June 2-15: A RULE AGAINST MURDER 
June 16-29: THE BRUTAL TELLING 
June 30 - July 13: BURY YOUR DEAD 
July 14-27: A TRICK OF THE LIGHT 
July 28 - August 10: THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY 
August 11-25: HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN 
August 26: THE LONG WAY HOME

The re-read is a fantastic way for fans to revisit the magic of the series while also welcoming new readers into the community. Why not have your patrons (and patrons) join the fun? 

Happy (re-)reading! [...]

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Once Again Louise Penny Wins the Anthony Award for Best Novel!

Once Again Louise Penny Wins the Anthony Award for Best Novel!

This past weekend at Bouchercon, Louise Penny was awarded the Anthony Award for Best Novel for the third year in a row with another exquisite Chief Inspector Gamache novel, A TRICK OF THE LIGHT! In 2011 she won for BURY YOUR DEAD and in 2010 she won for THE BRUTAL TELLING

If you haven't joined the Penny party, it's about time! Robin Nesbitt of the Columbus Metropolitan Library admitted on the library's blog that she only just picked up the first book in the series and very much enjoyed it!

"This is a great read for fans of Agatha Christie.  Great characters, great writing, and good plot - if you haven't read this series yet, give it a try."

A word to new readers: the character and relationship development in these books is beautifully done, but they are all stand-alone mysteries so start with which ever book you can get your hands on!

See the rest of the Anthony Award winners here.

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Monday Fun Day! (12/5/2011 Edition)

Monday Fun Day! (12/5/2011 Edition)

Welcome to a new week, librarians! We've had an exciting few weeks as the Best of 2011 lists come in and we get to celebrate many of our favorite books from throughout the year.

FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT by Darynda Jones and narrated by Lorelei King has been named Best Romance Audio Book of 2011 by Audible!

- Steampunk pioneer and Hugo Award-nominated title, BONESHAKER, is scheduled to hit the silver screen! Variety has all the details here.

opens in a new windowMystery Cake- BURY YOUR DEAD by Louise Penny took home the Nero Award this weekend and we were even more heart-warmed to hear it after Ms. Penny joined us in the office last week for some deliciously mysterious cake! 

- Finally, Esquire named THE SUBMISSION by Amy Waldman Book of the Year!

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Monday Fun Day! (9/19/2011 Edition)

Monday Fun Day! (9/19/2011 Edition)

Welcome to a new week, book lovers!

We have more exciting award news for you straight out of St. Louie. Last week we talked about our enthusiasm with the Barry Award winners and now we have even more to celebrate because both the Macavity Awards and the Anthony Awards were announced!

The 2011 Macmillan Macavity Award winners:
Best Novel: BURY YOUR DEAD by Louise Penny
Best First Novel: ROGUE ISLAND by Bruce DeSilva
Sue Feder Historical Mystery: CITY OF DRAGONS by Kelli Stanley

The 2011 Macmillan Anthony Awards winners (the Best Novel may sound familiar):
Best Novel: BURY YOUR DEAD by Louise Penny
Best First Novel: THE DAMAGE DONE by Hilary Davidson
Best Paperback Original: EXPIRATION DATE by Duane Swierczynski

You can see the full list of 2011 Macavity Award winners and 2011 Anthony Award winners at Lesa's Book Critiques.

opens in a new windowBanned Books Week BannerBanned Books Week is just around the corner which means it's time to pull your favorite banned book off the shelf and remember what exactly makes that book important and unbannable to you. We also highly recommend you get involved with ALA's Virtual Read-Out on YouTube.

The Virtual Read-Out information page offers suggestions for the types of videos you can upload to their stream:

1) You can submit a video no more than two minutes long of a reading from a banned or challenged book.

2) A video of an eyewitness account of local challenges can be submitted. This video should be no longer than three minutes long.

Finally, we have to feature a few of these brilliant miniature paper sculptures that are mysteriously appearing in libraries across Edinburgh. Enjoy!

opens in a new windowPaper Sculpture [...]

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