Humor
Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy
In the beginning, the main character's house is about to be destroyed to make way for a freeway. When the whole earth is destroyed instead, the main character narrowly escapes death by hitching a ride with some intergalactic kooks. A series of adventures ensue, as the main character explores the galaxy in a stolen space ship. "The book was pretty funny, but the plot was kind of thin. Readers who like absurd humor will enjoy this book." Students also recommended Mostly Harmless. Moderate.
Barry, Dave. Dave Barry in Cyberspace
Dave Barry writes about the ever-changing world of computers and the complicated, humorous, and wacky World Wide Web. Barry recalls strange web pages, "interesting" chat room conversations, and a computer convention he had the "pleasure" of attending, gearing his humor toward the average person who finds computers to be way too complicated. "On many occasions I found myself bursting out with laughter, sometimes even in public places (the library, the doctor's office waiting room). I highly recommend this story to anyone who has a dry sense of humor." Students also recommended Dave Barry Turns Forty, Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys, and Dave Barry is Not Making This Up. Moderate.
Barry, Dave. Big Trouble
From humor columnist Dave Barry comes another hilarious book. Big Trouble brings you to the crazy city of Miami Florida where the police, FBI, and some unlucky citizens get sucked into a matter of national security. A misunderstood game and attempted assassination leaves Arthur Herk, his beautiful daughters, lovely wife, along with Matt and Eliot Arnold, trying to stop a catastrophe. In this satire for America’s desire for power, light is shed on the true nature of the shady entrepreneurs and their businesses. From the city of Miami, you will see how business is done in the real world. Moderate
Bathroom Reader’s Institute. Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader
This book is unlike any other book you’ve probably read before. If you’re a kid who doesn’t like to read long stories this is a great book for you. This factual book is humorous, amusing, and entertaining to read and you’ll never want to put it down, in the bathroom or out. It’s well organized for kids who have a few minutes to spend, or want to get lots of information out of this book. This quickie has lots of interesting facts about everything and anything. It has facts about everything from Barbies to myths, from fingers to toilet paper. Although you may never get a chance to use your knowledge of these facts, it’s always neat to know them. Hey, but you’ll never know if the topic "carnival tricks" comes up in your conversation until you read this book. Easy
Cosby, Bill. Love and Marriage
Bill Cosby talks about his experiences as a teenager and later as a husband. Rather than telling the story of his life, though, he jumps around to different experiences and explains them in humorous detail. While he seems to have organized the chapters somewhat randomly at first, everything ties together well in the end. Students also recommended Time Flies. Moderate.
Kinsella, Sophie. Confessions of a Shopaholic
Rebecca’s life is full of drama, with love trouble, unique jobs, and shopping sprees! Rebecca knows where to find the most stylish shops, and doesn’t mind putting extravagant purchases on her Visa. Her excessive spending has created problems. She wants to live a rich lifestyle, but can’t pay for her indulgences. She has tried everything from finding a super-rich boyfriend, to throwing away her bills. She can’t resist buying just one more thing. Will Rebecca ever learn to spend smart and live the lifestyle she has always wanted with her Mr. Perfect? Find out in Confessions of a Shopaholic. Easy
Kinsella, Sophie. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
As one of TV’s financial fanatics, Rebecca Bloomwood (Becky) gets an invitation to move to New York with her big shot boyfriend, Luke. She dreams of a land where being an excessive shopper isn’t frowned upon, and for a while, experiences that glory. Escaping from her extensive bills, living with Luke, and being in one of the most magical cities in the world, she’s ultimately ecstatic. However, she soon experiences the down side to her habit. Will she be able to make priorities when this euphoric life starts to deteriorate? In Manhattan, Becky faces both her dreams and her fears as she comes to a realistic view of New York City. Easy
Leonard, Emlore. Pronto
Harry Arno, a Miami Beach sports bookie, cheats the mob out of a small fortune to finance his dream of moving to Italy. After somebody rats on him, the mob follows him to Italy for a surprisingly humorous show-down. "If you like organized crime, read Pronto. A good comedy filled with suspense and Leonard's classic tough-guy style." Moderate.
Bellairs, John. The Lamp from the Warlock’s Tomb
Action packed and full of surprises, the book The Lamp From The Warlock’s Tomb will keep you wanting more until the very end and then some! This book is about a lamp that once belonged to a warlock. The boy who found it later gave it to his friend who liked to collect antiques. Little did he know that the lamp was cursed and when you light it, it unleashes a great evil. Now it’s up to them to stop this before it gets way out of hand! Will they be able to stop this dark force or is it the end for them!!?? Read and find out. Easy
Braun, Lilian Jackson. The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern
Quilleran is the editor of a magazine called Gracious Abodes, a Sunday supplement of a daily paper. After the first home he features in the interior decorating magazine becomes the site of a robbery and murder, Quilleran, whose true background is crime reporting, is on the case with his Siamese cat Koko. Every issue brings new problems and deaths. Students also recommended The Cat Who Played Brahms and The Cat Who Saw Red. Moderate.
Brown, Dan. Angels and Demons.
Tic tock, tic tock. Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist races to save the Vatican City from a major time bomb that is filled with anti-matter. His journey begins with a call at 5:18 in the morning, from a physicist, Maximillian Kholer, at a Science company called CERN. Along the way he meets Vittoria Vetra, the daughter of the murdered scientist, Leonardo Vetra. Together, they start off on a hectic enterprise which brings them danger, friendship, and the adventure of solving the long lived rivalry between scientists and the Illuminati group. Moderate
Brown, Dan. The DaVinci Code
In the middle of the night, Jacques Sauniere’s corpse was found murdered in the Louvre museum in Paris. The puzzling condition of his corpse tells a secret involving deep historical mysteries of Leonardo Da Vinci and Priory of Sion, a secret society. Sophie Neveu, Jacques’ granddaughter, is sent on a mission to crack the mysterious code with Robert Langdon, a symbologist. They find a secret that only a lucky few will ever know. This novel takes you on a non-stop, fast paced journey throughout Paris and London, that makes you wonder if you can really trust the people you know. Moderate
Brown, Dan. Deception Point
Just when President-hopeful Senator Sedwig Sexton argument against NASA is winning him the polls, NASA comes upon the biggest discovery of the 21st century. Buried deep in an arctic glacier, White House informant Rachel Sexton, daughter of Sedwig Sexton, must travel to the Milne Ice Shelf to confirm NASA’s discovery. Teamed up with Michael Tolland, a famous marine biologist, they discover a major problem in the alleged discovery. Full of action, suspense, thrills and romance, they must help the scientists, protect the equipment, and save themselves. Moderate
Christie, Agatha. And Then There Were None
"Ten little Indian boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine"
Would you accept a dinner invitation to death? A group of ten unwitting men and women accept such an invitation to a gathering on a mysterious island off the coast of Devon by an enigmatic host. The poem, "Ten Little Indians," is left on a table to be read by the guests. One by one, the guests are murdered, eerily following the sequence of death in the children's rhyme. Trapped in this nightmare, alliances are created, accusations fly, and the tension is unbearable. This mystery will keep you guessing until its startling conclusion. Who will be next? What is the motive behind this grotesque diabolical plot? Find out who will be left when there are none. Moderate.
Christie, Agatha. Crooked House
Wealthy, well-liked Aristide Leonides, the head of an extended family, is murdered. Doctors say it was an accidental poisoning, but Charles Hayward, soon to be married to Aristide’s beautiful granddaughter, knows better. Mistrust prevails through the house following two murder attempts. Charles is pressed for time to find the culprit, but that will be no easy task in a sinister house where everyone is a suspect, and no one can be ruled out. Moderate
Christie, Agatha. Murder on the Orient Express
The well-known detective, Hercule Poirot, is travelling on the Orient Express when a stranger approaches him and tells him about letters he has received making threats on his life. Poirot does not pay any attention until the man is murdered shortly thereafter. Poirot then takes the case, knowing the killer is still on board the train. Students also recommended Sleeping Murder, The Body in the Library, The ABC Murders, and Poirot Investigations. Moderate.
Clancy, Tom. The Hunt for Red October
A top secret Russian nuclear submarine capable of destroying hundreds of cities is lumbering toward the U.S.’s coast. Captain Marko Ramius of the Red October is a man with a dark past and hidden motives. His ship, armed with the newest stealth technology, is virtually a ghost to all types of surveillance. Soon Russia’s entire nuclear submarine fleet is deployed into U.S. waters, threatening the nation, claiming it to be a “rescue mission.” Will Jack Ryan, a talented “citizen,” and the CIA prevent a nationwide disaster? Clancy shows the relationship between military actions and political decisions, and how sometimes it‘s better not to know…Moderate
Clancy, Tom. Red Storm Rising
After terrorists explode their main oil refinery, the Russians develop a complicated plan for securing the oil fields in the Persian Gulf through diplomatic subterfuge and military conquest. "The first and last fifty pages were boring, but the rest was very good. I did not want to put it down once I picked it up." Moderate.
Clark, Mary Higgins. I'll Be Seeing You
News reporter Meghan Collins is on assignment in an emergency room when she looks down at a murder victim being wheeled past her and realizes they look almost exactly alike. This shocking moment leads Meghan into a mystery with a strange set of clues: a dead girl who shares her features, the disappearence of her father near the scene of an accident, and a lab where identical twins can be born three years apart. "A great story with lots of thinking involved. Very suspenseful." Students also recommended Loves Music, Loves to Dance, Silent Night, The Lottery Winner, and All Around Town. Moderate.
Coben, Harlen. Tell No One
David Beck has rebuilt his life since his wife's murder eight years ago, finishing medical school and establishing himself as a pediatrician, but he's never forgotten the woman he fell in love with in second grade. And when a mysterious e-mail arrives on the anniversary of their first kiss, with a message and an image that leads him to wonder whether Elizabeth might still be alive, Beck will stop at nothing to find the truth that's eluded him for so many years. A powerful billionaire is equally determined to make sure his role in her disappearance never comes to light, even if it means destroying an innocent man. (Review by Jane Adams from Amazon.com) Moderate.
Coonts, Stephen. Final Flight
Navy jet pilot Jake "Cool Hand" Grafton is a commander of a carrier that is harboring a deadly female terrorist. What unfolds as a plot to tip the balance of nuclear power pits Jake one-on-one in a spine-tingling and extremely dangerous dogfight that will be someone's Final Flight. (Ingram review from amazon.com) Moderate.
Coontz, Stephen. Under Seige
This book is the fourth in a series involving Navy pilot Jake Grafton and his friend Toad Tarkington. When a killer hired by a Columbian drug cartel starts shooting people in Washington, D. C., including the President, Jake has to help restore order to the city again. Moderate.
Cornwell, Patricia. From Potter's Field
Dr. Kay Scarpetta is a medical examiner. Temple Brooks Gaulf is a psychotic killer whose victims end up on Dr. Scarpetta's table. The "behind the scenes" work of Dr. Scarpetta and her colleagues eventually leads to the solution of Brooks' seemingly perfect crimes, but not before some very scary things happen. Students also recommended Post Mortem and The Body Farm. Moderate.
Crichton, Michael. The Terminal Man
Doctors have figured out how to send electric shock waves into the brains of patients in order to "soothe" them out of violent seizures. Unfortunately Harry Benson, the first to try this treatment, soon learns how to self-administer these shocks so that he can feel relaxation and pleasure at will. After he escapes from the hospital, he soon lapses into murderous rampages. "This book is more proof of Crichton's brilliance in writing science fiction novels so well thought-out and so well-explained one just knows it could actually happen." Students have also recommended Airframe, Sphere, The Lost World, Congo, and Rising Sun. Moderate.
Cross, Amanda. A Trap for Fools
After Prof. Addams is pushed from a window to his death, the University hires Kate to investigate because she is known for her detecting skills and also has a perfect alibi for the night of the murder. Diving blindly into the case, Kate soon finds deceit among her closest friends and eventually begins to wonder whether the university may be setting her up to fail. In the end her careful detective work helps her find the solution that has eluded even the police. "This book is not exquisitely written but the characters are astounding. Although the author uses no fancy language, she paints a very detailed picture of each." Moderate.
Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Imagine this scenario: Three people were last seen playing cards late in the night. In the morning two of them are found insane and the other mysteriously dead. What happened? Scenarios like this are commonly found within The Complete Sherlock Holmes. The book contains every short story written by Conan A Doyle about the cases of its namesake. Every case generates a conundrum that only Holmes can solve. Narrated by his comrade Dr. Watson the stories lead the reader down roads filled with bafflement and amazing occurrences. Although the book is quite long, it has the potential to engross readers for hours. Moderate
Follet, Ken. The Eye of the Needle
A German spy in England during World War II has acquired information on D-Day which is vital to the war. Hired to catch him, a retired historian and a private eye set out on a chase which takes them all over Great Britain and finally to a small island for a hair-raising climax. "This book has earned a place among my all-time favorites. It thrills you while also teaching you about the setting of World War II." Moderate.
Folsom, Allan. The Exile
John Barron has just joined LAPD’s legendary 5-2 squad and as a young cop this should be a great career move. However when a serial killer evades capture Barron finds himself the soul surveyor of the squad. Now he must flee to Europe with his mute sister to escape his past and start his life again. Unfortunately when Barron arrives in Europe he learns of strange killings. Once again Barron is hot on the trail of the killer who destroyed his squad and ruined his life; only now the stakes are higher a countries fate hangs in the balance. Moderate
Folsom, Allan. The Day After Tomorrow
Paul Osborn, a doctor from Los Angeles, is in a cafe in Paris when he looks up from his newspaper and right into the eyes of the man who brutally killed his father some thirty years before. Osborn and eventually the police set off in search of the man only to discover a huge life-threatening organization behind what they thought was a lone killer. Moderate.
Gaarder, Jostein. Sophie's World
Sophie, a fourteen-year-old Norwegian girl, begins receiving mysterious letters. The first set of letters is a kind of philosophy course in the mail; a man named Alberto Knox seems intent on teaching Sophie about everyone from Plato to Locke. The second set of letters is addressed to "Hilde Moller Knag, c/o Sophie Amundsen." Sophie eventually uses philosophy to uncover the truth about this strange situation. "An extremely deep book." "I think this book is really good because I learned a lot about philosophy." Challenging.
Garber, Joseph. Vertical Run
Dave Elliot shows up to work one morning only to have his company's president try to kill him. Shortly thereafter, he finds himself face to face with a whole team of professional mercenaries trying to hunt him down in his office building. Relying on skills he has not used since his days in the Special Services in Vietnam, Dave has to figure out why so many people want him dead before he can escape them. Moderate.
Grimes, Martha. The Five Bells and Bladebone
Richard Jury, an officer from Scotland Yard, is assigned to solving the murder of wealthy Simon Lean. His search leads to a bar where he meets one of Lean's many liaisons. When this woman is found dead a few days later, Jury discovers that Mrs. Lean and the liaison look almost exactly alike, and the mystery deepens. "The places of action are sporadic, but they are very good when they come." Moderate.
Grisham, John. A Time to Kill
A Black man kills the two white men who raped and beat his daughter. This book tells the story of the trial and of the young lawyer who defends the black man. It also raises interesting questions about the ethics of taking justice into one's own hands. Students also recommended The Pelican Brief, The Firm, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, and The Runaway Jury. Moderate.
Grisham, John. The Firm
Mitch McDeere had it all: top of his class at Harvard Law School, a wonderful wife, and the choice of any law firm. But when he signs with Bendini Lambert & Locke, a firm in Memphis, everything changes. They give him a BMW, pay off his loans, but once he’s a part of the firm, and he can’t get out. The FBI is onto Mitch’s firm, and he must pick a side. Can Mitch help the FBI and escape, or will the firm’s “clients” get to him first? This is a story of deception, trust, but above all, survival. Moderate
Higgins, Jack. Dark Justice
A solo terrorist stands hunched over an AK-47, holding every intention of pinning the president. Blake Johnson intercepts the attempted murder, but this was only the beginning of a complex network of criminals. Blakes’ equal, Sean Dillon becomes an addition to the task to eliminate the recent threat along with an intelligent core of specialists. However these counter-terrorists discover that the network is smarter than they anticipated and they work in no pattern. The shady man behind the entire terrorist operation becomes frustrated with the CIA involvement and his motive changes. Blake, Dillon, and their counterparts all become primary targets. Moderate
Hunter, Robin. The London Connection
Simon Quarry, a hitman, is hired to bust a gang of notorious drug dealers in Columbia along with their leader, Vargas. The story takes place all over Europe and the United States and involves a lot of high-stakes action. "I would advise anyone who doesn't like a lot of blood and killing not to read this book." Moderate
Koontz, Dean. Whispers
This book tells the story of a man whose mother told him ridiculous stories as he was growing up, including the notion that people could come back from the dead. As an adult, the man is constantly frightened and suspects that every woman who vaguely resembles his mother is actually her reincarnated. In his deluded state, he imagines that he can only stop his mother by killing the women and destroying their organs. Students also recommended Intensity, Watchers, The Mask, Lightning, and Icebound. Moderate.
Krich, Rochelle. Fair Game
Jesse is a detective who works for Homicide. When a Chinese woman is found dead, they determine she was killed by a drug called corore. After six more victims are found dead of the same cause, the mystery deepens. Moderate.
Kurtz, Katherine and Scott MacMillan. Knights of Blood: At Sword's Point
A series of murders in Europe have left officials there perplexed; all of the victims have been found drained of their blood. A Los Angeles Police Department detective, John Drummond, knows that the secret behind the killings lies in the wars of the Crusades and the battles of World War II. "An awesome book! Interesting plot and twists! Great book!" Moderate.
Layne, Marion Margery. The Balloon Affair
A group of people who work with solar energy become furious when the state makes a new sunshine tax. One of the angriest people, Rod, is supposed to take a group of important government officials, including the governor, up in a hot-air balloon. Instead, he decides to skyjack the group in the hope of forcing them to reconsider their policies. His plan almost works until some unknown, unexpected enemies begin searching for the skyjackers along with the police. Moderate.
Le Carré, John. A Perfect Spy
Charming and energetic Pym, the perfect spy, has disappeared. As British Intelligence searches for him, we learn of his past--his childhood and his education as a spy--and of numerous secret operations throughout the world. "The story line does not flow but rather random pieces of jigsaw puzzle-type information are thrown at you, and it is your job to piece together the story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thinking on three levels." Challenging.
Leonard, Emlore. Pronto
Harry Arno, a Miami Beach sports bookie, cheats the mob out of a small fortune to finance his dream of moving to Italy. After somebody rats on him, the mob follows him to Italy for a surprisingly humorous show-down. "If you like organized crime, read Pronto. A good comedy filled with suspense and Leonard's classic tough-guy style." Moderate.
Morrell, David. Desperate Measures
Matt Pittman, a reporter, is doing a story on grand councelor Jonathan Millgate when someone cuts off Millgate's life support. Accused of the murder, Pittman goes on the run away from the police and in search of clues. His journey takes him through Vermont and all the way to Washington, D. C. Moderate.
Patterson, James. Along Came a Spider
The story begins with a double kidnapping: the daughter of a famous Hollywood actress and theyoung son of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Gary Soneji is a murderous serial kidnapper who wants to commit the crime of the century; Alex Cross, the brilliant homicide detective pitted against him; Jezzie Flanagan, the female supervisor of the Secret Service; all of them thrown together in one of the most unusual suspense triangles ever. (Book Description from Amazon.com) Moderate.
Pullman, Phillip. The Ruby in the Smoke
Set in Victorian London, this book tells the story of a girl on a mission to find out the truth about her father's death. With only one clue to start her search--a poorly written letter on a scrap of paper--she sets out on an investigation that leads her deep into the world of the London docks and the illicit opium trade. Moderate.
Robb, Candace. The Lady Chapel
Will Crounce, a member of the Mercer's Guild, is found with his throat slit and hands cut off in York in 1365. When Owen Archer begins to investigate, he finds himself drawn into a tangle of rivalries and betrayals within the guild. Eventually, he becomes so busy trying to find the murderer that he does not notice that he and his wife are in danger themselves. "This book gives ideas of what it was like back then and about Edward III and his wool trade." Moderate.
Smith, Cynthia. Impolite Society
A sleuth with a taste for the finer things in life, Emma Rhodes investigates the mysterious suicide of an American minister and discovers, much to her dismay, that there may be a killer among her own upper-crust friends. (Ingram review from amazon.com) Moderate.