Plymouth Staff Choices

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Adult Mysteries – Braun - Main Floor

As The Cat Who Could Read Backwards is the initial book in the “Cat Who” series; more background information is provided in this book than in subsequent novels. James Qwilleran starts his job at the newspaper, Daily Fluxion. The art world is already frustrated with one of the writers at the paper, MontClemons, with whom Qwilleran is living. Reluctant to open up, many of the artists make it difficult for Qwilleran to get his articles for the paper, until three murders disrupt the art world. Although the police are involved in the investigation, it is Qwilleran and a backwards reading, painting appreciating Siamese cat, Kao K'o-Kung (aka Koko) that solve the crimes.

While some mysteries aim to shock with blood and vulgarities, The Cat Who series seeks to provide a fun, light, clean read. The simple yet engaging text and fast placed plot move the story along. By developing the charters, Braun makes them just as important as the mystery itself, helping the reader to connect with Qwilleran and Koko. If you love cats and mysteries, but are tired of the gore and foul language found in many books, then The Cat Who series is for you!

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos.
Youth Cd Books - Lower Level - GANTOS

Joey Pigza is a hyper little boy who means well, but sometimes he can’t control his impulses. Joey lives with his mother so when he has the opportunity to spend a summer with his father, Joey thinks nothing could be better! He is excited to get to know the man who is “just like him only bigger.” The summer starts off good with visits to Story Book Land, baseball practice, and man to man talks. However, soon Joey realizes that his father, Carter, needs help. As an alcoholic, Carter has uncontrollable mood swings and makes many irrational decisions. For instance, one day Carter decides to take young Joey bungee jumping. Furthermore, he discards all of Joey’s medication which helps keep the young boy calm. Finally, and most hurtfully, Carter turns the fun activity of playing baseball into a nightmare by berating Joey's performances. Soon Joey is wondering why he ever wanted to visit his father in the first place. Can he get back to his mother safely? Does his desire to leave his father mean he doesn’t love him? Can Joey take control of his own life without medication like his father says he can? These are some of the issues that Joey grapples with during his eventful summer.

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos delves into serious issues, but it does so with much laughter. Read expertly by Mr. Gantos, the cd book which received an AudioFile Earphones Award, will have the reader laughing and feeling sorrow almost in the same breath. It is a true treat and is the second book in the Joey Pigza series. The other books are: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key , What would Joey do? , and I am not Joey Pigza.

The Bishop’s Wife
Dvd Collection – Main Level – COMEDY BIS

Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) has everything a man could want: a beautiful wife and daughter, a wonderful job, and the prospect of building a new and magnificent cathedral. Unfortunately the funds for this new venture come with strings attached. Should Henry sell out just to have enough money for a big new building? This dilemma is so trying on his spirit that he prays to God for guidance. Soon guidance does appear, in the form of a handsome and kind angel named Dudley who is played magnificently by Cary Grant. Henry is very doubtful that Dudley is an angel, but all those around Henry are enchanted by Dudley including Henry’s beautiful and neglected young wife Julia (Loretta Young). Dudley helps Julia feel happiness again, and he even softens the heart of a cold Mrs. Hamilton--the donor for the cathedral. Everyone believes in his special ways except Henry. Will Henry grow to believe that Dudley is an angel? Most importantly, will Henry realize that his family is his most important endeavor before it is too late?

A classic Christmas movie, The Bishop’s Wife is very heart-warming and pure. The Christmas scenes are shot beautifully and should put anyone in a holiday mood! An interesting tidbit about the movie is that the actor (Robert J. Anderson) who played young George Bailey in another Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life has a funny and short scene with Cary Grant in The Bishop’s Wife. If you are looking for a movie with holiday cheer and an uplifting message then The Bishop’s Wife is the movie for you!

Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz
Adult Nonfiction – Upper Level – 306.81 C

Is marriage as an institution in crisis? The answer seems to be yes almost uniformly, although what the problem is and what to do about it varies from one end of the political spectrum to the other. Author Coontz agrees that marriage is going through a rough time right now – but her analysis of why is unique. Coontz examines marriage around the world and through history, examining who, how and why people married, and their attitudes towards issues like children, fidelity, choice of partners and inheritance. Filled with juicy details of the alliances of kings and queens, as well as excerpts from diaries and letters, she manages to focus both on the personal and overall trends. Her conclusion: while marriage has always been in flux, today’s emphasis on love and mutual satisfaction has made the modern marriage both the most satisfying and the most fragile in history. This is a fascinating read for anyone interested in where we’ve come from and where we might be going.