2012: The Favorites List:
Fiction librarian Dena from Philbrick Hall has read over 250 books in 2012. She’s now narrowed her list down to her 21 favorite books of the year. All of these were published in 2012 and encompass both fiction and non-fiction, adult and teen. Head over to the
Philbrick Hall Facebook page and let us know what your favorite books of 2012 were!
Adult Gift Recommendations:
Give the Gift of Reading! Shopping just got easier! Share the joy of reading! We recommend the following books for adults on your "gift" lists!
Angels:
This list is for anyone with an interest in Angelic fiction. While most of the titles fall in the urban fiction category, some are mysteries and some are romance.
Are you being entertained?:
Enter the realm of the imagination, visit foreign lands or partake of alien cultures. Thwart a crime or uncover a family’s dark secrets. These tales are for the adventurer and the seeker of curiosities. Easy to read reviews of books by authors you know and new writes you will embrace.
Are you ready for some football?:
Love football? These books all go behind and beyond the game, exploring the life of players and coaches and examining some of the most important historical events in the game.
Asian Cooking:
The cooking and foods of Asia promise exotic flavors for some and a taste of home for others. Here is a selection of titles focusing on South and Southwest Asian cuisine. Get cooking!
Book Club Picks by Jen:
This is a list of some of my favorite books to recommend for book clubs. Nearly all of these have been tested "in the field" in my current book club and led to fascinating discussions and diversions!
Childbirth and Parenting:
For many new and expectant parents the number of books promising an easy pregnancy, a blissful birth, a who child sleeps through the night, eats all their veggies, scores at the top of the class, and coasts into the Ivy League school of their choice can be overwhelming. Here are a few sensible, down-to-earth choices to get you started.
Craft project books:
Do you like crafts but need direction? Whether it is for gifts, charities or interior decorating, these books will have projects that will inspire the crafter in you.
Dystopian Fiction:
Can’t get enough of
The Hunger Games? Discover more books that feature heroes and heroines fighting the sinister societies they inhabit.
Exploring Philadelphia:
Many local people don't realize what adventures they can have right in their own backyard. This selection of books gives you ideas for exploring the Philadelphia region's numerous and varied attractions.
Facebook Fans Read:
If you follow our facebook page you might have seen these titles that our fans have been reading and talking about online.
Family Drama:
These are books that move around in time and between different places to tell stories that we can all relate to. They’re stories of wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, and of the journeys that we all take through life.
Horror Movies:
From classic to contemporary, crazed animals to vampires, these delightfully frightening flicks are guaranteed to give you the creeps.
Interesting interior design books:
If you need to freshen up your current living space or have a new place to decorate, there is nothing like making your living space beautiful. This selection of books provides creative, ingenious, and colorful ideas for the most penny-wise budget.
Literary Cookbooks:
From District 12 to the Secret Garden, Turkish Delight to Treacle Tart. Food plays a big role in the books we read, and you too can make what your favorite characters and authors eat. Take a look at a few of the cookbooks that have been written to celebrate the books and characters we love.
Mash-Up Novels:
Mash-up novels combine literary classics (or historical figures) with anything. The "anything" tends to be monsters, zombies, sea monsters, androids, werewolves, vampires... you get the idea.
Military Sci-Fi:
If you've ever been reading a Tom Clancy novel and felt like it could use more space-ships and aliens then these are the books for you. Hard-edged and action-packed, you won’t be able to put them down.
Nerd Pride:
Books about the history and rise of Geek/Nerd culture.
Nordic Exposure:
Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) is very popular these days, from bestselling novels (
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) to fashion (H&M) and furniture (IKEA), popular TV series (
Wallander) and not to mention producing the most successful act in pop music - ABBA. Browse this list to get a little glimpse into the art and history of northern Europe.
Not your average elves and wizards fantasy:
Character-driven writing is the “glue” that holds this list of atypical fantasy books together. Whether the settings are quasi-historical or otherworldly, each book is filled with memorable characters. Often, by the end of the book or series, you won’t want to say goodbye to the people you meet as you delve into these original fantasy offerings.
Steve Jobs and Apple:
Books about the American computer entrepreneur and inventor Steve Jobs, his company and inventions.
Tearjerkers:
Sometimes you just need a good cry. Here are the library staff’s favorite weepy reads.
Teresa's Favorite Knitting Books:
Not all knitting books are created equal. These books have tried-and-true patterns that are easy to follow regardless of skill level. Others delve into the theory of knitting techniques. Either way you will enhance your knitting skills and have fun along the way.
Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking:
Many of us are trying to reduce the amount of animal products we eat, both for health and ethical reasons. Here is a selection of books, some new titles as well as some classics, to make the healthy and humane choice a tasty one too.
