Iowa City Public Library | Virtual Branch

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Census Applicant Day

August 18, 2019 - 12:00pm

Scam Smarts: Avoiding Digital Dangers

August 19, 2019 - 3:30pm

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ICPL Recommends

The lady's guide to petticoats and piracy

Mackenzi Lee

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Lee Mackenzi
Young Adult

A year after a whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind: avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. But the administrators, see men as the sole guardians of science. When a doctor she idolizes marries an friend of hers in Germany, Felicity believes he could change her future. A mysterious young woman will pay Felicity’s way, if Felicity will let her travel along-- as her maid. Soon they're on a perilous quest that leads them across the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic. -- adapted from jacket

This is the sequel to The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, and it was such a great addition to the series. Again, the book featured a diverse group of people and tons of swashbuckling adventure. -Amanda

Shutter Island

Dennis Lehane

MYSTERY Lehane, Dennis
Suspense

I read this book in one sitting because it was so compelling. It explores eugenics and the ugly history of psychiatric care. I was completely shocked by the twist at the end! -Amanda

Case histories

Kate Atkinson

FICTION Atkinson, Kate
Mystery

This year Kate Atkinson came out with her 5th book in her Jackson Brodie series, "Big Sky." I was once again reminded that I had never read a single book by Ms. Atkinson, despite constantly adding her books to my Goodreads "to read" list and hearing good things about her writing. I decided to read the first Jackson Brodie book, "Case Histories." I loved it! What I was most struck by was the sense of humor in her storytelling, even while dealing with tough subjects. The Jackson Brodie books (so far) are a blend of literary fiction and mystery - we shelve them in the regular fiction section. If you, like me, have been "meaning to" read Atkinson for years and keep putting it off, do yourself a favor and start one of her books. She also has many stand-alone novels which I look forward to reading. -Heidi K

Classic

Mary Berry

641.5 /Berry
Cookbooks, Nonfiction

These are my wonderful brand-new recipes - timeless classics, simple British dishes and delicious, modern favourites to tempt family and friends. With my trusted tips and techniques for quick, easy and foolproof cooking, in Classic I'll show you how to make the very best food in my own special, no-fuss way.

GBBO lovers, take heed! The Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry has a cookbook that was just released in the States. So start calling those shrimp "prawn" and set your kitchen scales to metric. On your marks..get set...bake! -Melody

The gentleman's guide to vice and virtue

Mackenzi Lee

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Lee Mackenzi
Young Adult

Henry "Monty" Montague was bred to be a gentleman. His passions for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men, have earned the disapproval of his father. His quest for pleasures and vices have led to one last hedonistic hurrah as Monty, his best friend and crush Percy, and Monty's sister Felicity begin a Grand Tour of Europe. When a reckless decision turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything Monty knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

This book is delightful! A sweet love story, plus a diverse cast of characters set during a tumultuous time in history. Crazy adventures ensue! -Amanda

Evvie Drake starts over : a novel

Linda (Radio talk show host) Holmes

FICTION Holmes Linda
Fiction

"In a small town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth "Evvie" Drake rarely leaves her house. Everyone in town, including her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and she doesn't correct them. In New York, Dean Tenney, former major-league pitcher and Andy's childhood friend, is struggling with a case of the "yips": he can't throw straight anymore, and he can't figure out why. An invitation from Andy to stay in Maine for a few months seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button. When Dean moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie's house, the two make a deal: Dean won't ask about Evvie's late husband, and Evvie won't ask about Dean's baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken--and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. But before they can find out what might lie ahead, they'll have to wrestle a few demons: the bonds they've broken, the plans they've changed, and the secrets they've kept. They'll need a lot of help, but in life, as in baseball, there's always a chance--right up until the last out"--

This sweet story was EXACTLY what I needed after reading several psychological thrillers. I love Evvie. I love Dean. I love Andy and his daughters. -Meredith