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Negative cat
by Sophie Blackall
jE Blackall
"Max isn't a typical cat, but his loving owner still sees the best in him"-- Provided by publisher.
Baby, sleepy baby
by author Atinuke
jE Atinuke
Picture Books
"It's bedtime for a drowsy little one, and the whole family takes turns to cuddle and sing this sleepy baby to bed. One by one the baby's sister, grandmother, father, and mother call on the winds, the clouds, the stars, and the moon to sail and rock and delight their little one until dreams take over"--
Our household enjoyed this sweet lyrical bedtime read filled with a calming cadence and dreamy illustrations. Even if it didn't always soothe my toddler before bed, I enjoyed revisiting this story! -Shawna
There's a ghost in this house
by Oliver Jeffers
jE Jeffers
Picture Books
"A young girl lives in a haunted house, but she has never seen a ghost. Are they white with holes for eyes? Are they hard to see? Step inside and help the girl as she searches under the stairs, behind the sofa, and in the attic for the ghost." -- Amazon.
This spooky, fun read will delight year-round. Translucent pages make for an unexpected surprise as you enjoy two perspectives of the same tale unfolding. -Shawna
The last book on the left : stories of murder and mayhem from history's most notorious serial killers
by Ben Kissel
364.1523/Kissel
True Crime, Humor
An equal parts haunting and hilarious deep-dive review of history's most notorious and cold-blooded serial killers, from the creators of the award-winning Last Podcast on the Left.
As a fan of Last Podcast on the Left, I knew I'd love this book. The information presented is interesting and terrifying, but broken up with dark comedy and unique illustrations. -Shawna
Jaws
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Jaws
The story of a killer shark that has taken over the waters near a seaside community, and the three men who set out to kill it.
One of my favorite movies to watch over and over. With so many memorable lines, an iconic soundtrack, and such great costuming and imagery, it never feels like Summer until I've watched Jaws. -Shawna
The cheerleaders
by Kara Thomas
eBOOK
Young Adult
"As a town prepares for the anniversary of the deaths of five cheerleaders who were killed in three separate, horrific accidents, two teens uncover long-buried truths about what really happened years ago"--
Five years ago, one high school faced a semester of tragedy in which five cheerleaders died. Now, Monica, sister of one of the deceased, looks back at the situations surrounding the deaths and begins to wonder if the police missed anything. Did they catch the right murderer? Did her sister really kill herself? What happened to cause all these deaths in her town? On top of the questions, Monica sorts through her own struggles with an older man, changing friendships, and existing in a family still mourning the loss of her sister. For a fast paced thriller filled with twists and revelations, pick up The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas. You won’t be putting it down any time soon! -Shawna
The nest
by Gregory A. Douglas
FICTION Douglas, Gregory A.
Horror
"It was just an ordinary garbage dump on peaceful Cape Cod. No one ever imagined that conditions were perfect for breeding, that it was a warm womb, fetid, moist, and with food so plentiful that everything creeping, crawling, and slithering could gorge to satiation. Then a change in poison control was made, resulting in an unforeseen mutation. Now the giant mutant cockroaches are ready to leave their nest--in search of human flesh!"-- Back cover.
Horror fans will love this gruesome book about man-eating cockroaches. I would advise NOT reading this while snacking! Originally published in 1980, now reprinted with a new introduction. -Shawna
The good neighbor : the life and work of Fred Rogers
by Maxwell (Maxwell Evarts Perkins) King
791.45028092 /Rogers
Biographies
Drawing on original interviews, oral histories and archival documents, the author traces the iconic children's program host's personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work.
With biographer, Maxwell King, scheduled to visit Iowa City this Spring, now is the perfect time to dive into this comprehensive account of the life of Fred Rogers, known to many as Mister Rogers. For an informative and inspirational read, place your hold on this book now! -Shawna
Stephen King's Pet sematary
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Pet
After moving to an idyllic home in the countryside, life seems perfect for the Creed family-- but not for long. Louis and Rachel Creed and their two young children settle into a house that sits next door to a pet cemetery--built on an ancient Indian burial ground. Their mysterious new neighbor, Jud Crandall, hides the cemetery's darkest secret-- until a family tragedy brings the secret to life. Now, an unthinkable evil is about to be resurrected.
The original film adaptation of Stephen King's best selling Pet Sematary was directed by Mary Lambert. With a 2019 adaptation slated for release in the coming months, now is the time to revisit Lambert's 1989 Pet Sematary. -Shawna
Broken monsters
by Lauren Beukes
MYSTERY Beukes Lauren
Horror
Beukes offers a creepy story filled with gruesome imagery in this 2014 book set in Detroit. Mystery and Horror fans will both find appeal in this novel in which detective Gabi Versado is hunting down a murderer/grotesque artist. -Shawna
The babadook
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Babadook
Amelia is a single mother plagued by the violent death of her husband. When a disturbing storybook called Mister Babadook turns up at her house, she is forced to battle with her son's deep seated fear of a monster. Soon she discovers a sinister presence all around her.
This 2014 Australian Horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent blends psychological and supernatural horror. The end result is an unnerving a creepy film that will linger in your thoughts. -Shawna
Gremlins
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Gremlins
Billy Peltzer's father buys him a new cuddly pet. But heed these three warnings: Don't ever get him wet. Keep him away from bright light. And the most important thing, the one thing you must never forget: no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs ... never, never feed him after midnight.
With an adorable, mysterious creature, romance, family fun, and moments of terror tinged with hilarity, this movie has so much going on I find something new about it to love year after year. -Shawna
Hark! the herald angels scream
by
808.83873 /Hark
Horror
For the Holiday Horror reader on-the-go, this recently published book of short stories is a great option. With stories ranging from shockingly terrifying to mildly disquieting, this collection keeps readers entertained and wanting more. -Shawna
Wraith
COMIC/Wraith
Graphic Novels
Joe Hill's New York Times Bestselling novel, NOS4A2, introduced readers to the terrifying funhouse world of Christmasland, and the mad man who rules there: Charlie Manx. Now, in an original new comic mini-series, Hill throws wide the candy cane gates to tell a standalone story that is at once both accessible to new readers, and sure to delight fans of the novel where he explored Charlie's twisted beginnings, introduces a new and depraved cast of characters to Christmasland, and takes readers on a 100 mph ride down a nightmare road in a car with no brakes.
Joe Hill explores the past of the main villain of his novel, NOS4A2 in this graphic novel. -Shawna
NOS4A2 : a novel
by Joe Hill
FICTION Hill Joe
Horror
As the son of Stephen King it is no wonder Joe Hill has written some marvelously creepy novels. Hill's truly horrifying depiction of a Christmas wonderland leaves haunting imagery and weaves a story that keeps readers wanting more. -Shawna
The shining
by Stephen King
FICTION King, Stephen
Horror
People often say a movie can't stand up to a book. In this case, the book and the movie are both amazing works in their own right. -Shawna
The shining
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Shining
A young boy and his parents spend the winter in a resort hotel which is possessed by ghosts.
Though this movie is not specifically a holiday movie, it is best experienced on a snowy winter day, several of which often occur around winter holidays. The opening sequence of this film perfectly sets the stage for this ominous movie that builds to a notably climactic end. -Shawna
Krampus
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Krampus
This darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul reveals an irreverently twisted side to the holiday. The horror-comedy tells the story of young Max, who turns his back on Christmas as his dysfunctional family comes together and comically clashes over the holidays. When they accidentally unleash the wrath of Krampus, an ancient entity from European folklore, all hell breaks loose and beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own.
A modern movie sure to become a holiday classic. With plenty of laughs, scares, and a few sweet moments this movie perfectly blends the genres for a unique viewing experience. -Shawna
The Strangers: Prey At Night
by
DVD/MOVIE/SF/HORROR/Strangers
The Strangers: Prey at Night is a movie starring Christina Hendricks, Martin Henderson, and Bailee Madison. A family of four staying at a secluded mobile home park for the night are stalked and then hunted by three masked psychopaths.
Though I am a devoted horror fan, home invasion horror movies can sometimes creep me out too much. The Strangers: Prey at Night toes the line but the fun soundtrack and campy style eased the horror and made for a fun, creepy movie. -Shawna
I'll be gone in the dark : one woman's obsessive search for the Golden State Killer
by Michelle McNamara
364.1532 /McNamara
True Crime
"A masterful true crime account of the Golden State Killer-- the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California for over a decade-- from Michelle McNamara, the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case. For more than ten years, a mysterious and violent predator committed fifty sexual assaults in Northern California before moving south, where he perpetrated ten sadistic murders. Then he disappeared, eluding capture by multiple police forces and some of the best detectives in the area. Three decades later, Michelle McNamara, a true crime journalist who created the popular website TrueCrimeDiary.com, was determined to find the violent psychopath she called "the Golden State Killer." Michelle pored over police reports, interviewed victims, and embedded herself in the online communities that were as obsessed with the case as she was. At the time of the crimes, the Golden State Killer was between the ages of eighteen and thirty, Caucasian, and athletic-- capable of vaulting tall fences. He always wore a mask. After choosing a victim-- he favored suburban couples-- he often entered their home when no one was there, studying family pictures, mastering the layout. He attacked while they slept, using a flashlight to awaken and blind them. Though they could not recognize him, his victims recalled his voice: a guttural whisper through clenched teeth, abrupt and threatening."--Amazon.com.
After the arrest of the Golden State Killer suspect I immediately placed my name on the hold list for the Book on Disk copy of Michelle McNamara's comprehensive true crime book. Luckily enough, I was able to pick the item up just before going on a long road trip and I listened to the entire book over a long weekend. McNamara balanced the gruesome crime facts with information about the decades long search for the killer and how it played a role in her life as well as so many other lives. -Shawna
The couple next door
by Shari Lapeña
FICTION Lapena Shari
Suspense
"I read this novel at one sitting, absolutely riveted by the storyline. The suspense was beautifully rendered and unrelenting!"--Sue Grafton, New York Times bestselling author of X "Meticulously crafted and razor-sharp. THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR lingers long after you turn the final page."--Harlan Coben, #1New York Times bestselling author of Fool Me Once "Provocative and shocking."--Lisa Gardner, the New York Times bestselling author of Find Her How well do you know the couple next door? Or your husband? Or even--yourself? People are capable of almost anything. A domestic suspense debut about a young couple and their apparently friendly neighbors--a twisty, rollercoaster ride of lies, betrayal, and the secrets between husbands and wives. Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all--a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story. Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years. What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family--a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist"--
After shelving this title for months on the Bookmobile I decided it was time to give it a try. A fast paced story with mystery and unexpected twists, I was instantly hooked. I checked out an eBook and physical book copy so I could read it as fast as possible. I loved the story and instantly checked the catalog for more by this author. -Shawna
John
by Cynthia Lennon
BIOGRAPHY Lennon, John
Biographies
Inspired by the recent Last Podcast on the Left episode about Mark David Chapman (murderer of John Lennon) I checked out this personal biography about John Lennon, written by his first wife, Cynthia (Powell) Lennon. The unique perspective of this book helps it to stand out from the litany of biographies about the idealistic Beatle. -Shawna
The Beatles : the biography
by Bob Spitz
781.66092 /Beatles
Biographies
Listening to a recent episode of Last Podcast on the Left which covered the murderer of John Lennon made me think about my favorite Beatles biography. The length of Spitz's book can be daunting, but Beatles fans will quickly become engaged and read through this comprehensive biography. -Shawna
Get out
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Get
A young black man meets his white girlfriend's parents at their estate, only to find out that the situation is much more sinister than it appears.
Many of the horror films I love are fun, but not really very good. This one stands out - its is fun and a good movie! As a 2018 Best Original Screenplay Oscar winner and Best Picture nominee, it must be! -Shawna
Baby driver
by
DVD MOVIE ACTION Baby
A talented, young getaway driver relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss, he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.
I love a movie that has me searching for the playlist on Spotify as the final credits roll! -Shawna
The all new Ball book of canning and preserving : over 350 of the best canned, jammed, pickled, and preserved recipes.
by
641.4 /All
Cookbooks
Learn to preserve your favorite foods! This comprehensive guide aims to make canning easy for newbies, but includes surprising flavor twists and advanced techniques for those who already know the perks of preserving. The Ball name has been an authority in home food preservation since 1884, and this work puts a fresh new focus on flavor on the stovetop as well as inside the jar.
I am new to canning, and my mom recommended referring to "the big Ball book." This updated version has great looking and (most importantly) safe tips for canning at home. -Shawna
Strange weather : four short novels
by Joe Hill
FICTION Hill Joe
Science Fiction, Short Story
"One of America's finest horror writers" (Time magazine), Joe Hill has been hailed among legendary talents such as Peter Straub, Neil Gaiman, and Jonathan Lethem. In Strange Weather, this "compelling chronicler of human nature's continual war between good and evil," (Providence Journal-Bulletin) who "pushes genre conventions to new extremes" (New York Times Book Review) deftly expose the darkness that lies just beneath the surface of everyday life.--Amazon.com
As a Stephen King fan, I naturally am drawn to his son's books. I had been eagerly waiting for the release of this collection after reading an early release of the story, Snapshot in the magazine, Cemetery Dance. The ideas in these stories have stuck with me and I often find myself thinking back on them. -Shawna
Free fire
by
DVD MOVIE ACTION Free
In a colorful yet gritty 1970s Boston, Justine, a mysterious American businesswoman, and her wise-cracking associate Ord, arrange a black-market weapons deal in a deserted warehouse between IRA arms buyer Chris and shifty South African gun runner Vernon. What starts as a polite if uneasy exchange soon goes south when tensions escalate and shots are fired, quickly leading to a full-on Battle Royale where it's every man (and woman) for themselves.
There is so much to love about this move - the action, the humor, the soundtrack. -Shawna
My best friend's exorcism
by Grady Hendrix
FICTION Hendrix Grady
Horror, Humor
The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act…different. She’s moody. She’s irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby. Abby’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries—and by the time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?
My husband checked this book out to read on a flight and he loved it so much, I started reading it as soon as he finished. It is everything I love in 80s horror movies in a book. I will definitely look out for more by this author! -Shawna
Feminist icon cross-stitch
by Anna Fleiss
746.443 /Fleiss
Crafts
30 daring cross stitch designs to celebrate strong women
I first discovered this book on the shelves of the Bookmobile. I ended up making two of the patterns as Christmas gifts for family members. There is a nice mix of text and image patterns and many that are great for beginners! -Shawna
The Shining
by
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Shining
A young boy and his parents spend the winter in a resort hotel which is possessed by ghosts.
This is a movie I never tire of. Anytime I see a snow flurry, I get an urge to go home, hole up, and watch the Shining. -Shawna
Sleeping beauties : a novel
by Stephen King
FICTION King Stephen
Horror, Thriller
In a future so real and near it might be now, something happens when women go to sleep: they become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If they are awakened, if the gauze wrapping their bodies is disturbed or violated, the women become feral and spectacularly violent. And while they sleep they go to another place, a better place, where harmony prevails and conflict is rare. One woman, the mysterious "Eve Black," is immune to the blessing or curse of the sleeping disease. Is Eve a medical anomaly to be studied? Or is she a demon who must be slain? Abandoned, left to their increasingly primal urges, the men divide into warring factions, some wanting to kill Eve, some to save her. Others exploit the chaos to wreak their own vengeance on new enemies. All turn to violence in a suddenly all-male world. Set in a small Appalachian town whose primary employer is a women's prison, Sleeping Beauties is a wildly provocative, gloriously dramatic father-son collaboration that feels particularly urgent and relevant today.--Provided by Publisher.
As a major Stephen King fan I am always excited to see a new King book published. I read the first half of the book and after taking a break from the story I finished up by listening to the rest of the book as an eAudio book through Overdrive. I was surprised to find a short interview with Stephen and Owen King at the end of the audio book which talked about the method and dynamic of co-authoring a book. -Shawna
Helter skelter : the true story of the Manson murders
by Vincent Bugliosi
364.1523 /Bugliosi
True Crime
The prosecutor of the Tate-LaBianca trials presents a perceptive study of Charles Manson, his followers, and the murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others in 1969.
A long read but provides an in depth understanding of the Manson murders and the context surrounding them. -Shawna
My Lists
About Me
Title: Bookmobile Assistant
Where you'll see me in the library: On the Bookmobile, and on the first floor of the Library at the Help Desk and at the Children's Desk.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy a variety of crafting - knitting, crochet, sewing, cross stitch, and embroidery. I also enjoy cooking, gardening, and home canning. My favorite evenings are spent at home with my family, watching scary movies.
A beautifully illustrated book with a calming color palate that sets the scene for a sweet story about a cat loving kiddo and his oddball cat. Cat lovers will relate to the little boy's passion for his less than enthusiastic household companion. -Shawna