Book Review: The Seville Communion by Arturo Perez-Reverte

When a computer hacker penetrates Vatican security to send an urgent, anonymous plea to the pope, Father Lorenzo Quart of the church's Institute of External Affairs, a sort of Vatican CIA, is dispatched to investigate. The hacker's message concerns a troubled 17th-century church in Seville, Our Lady of the Tears. Apparently, the dilapidated church "kills to defend itself." It stands in the way of a huge real estate deal, and two people have died there, in apparent accidents, as they brought pressure to condemn it. A handsome dandy who wears expensive black suits instead of a cassock and knows how to conduct himself in a fistfight, Quart prides himself on his discipline but soon finds it heavily taxed as he's embroiled with a bellicose, elderly parish priest, a blue-jeaned American nun and a stunning Andalusian duchess intent on saving the church from the businessmen (including her husband) who threaten it. Despite some unconvincing plotting and a few heavy-handed moments, Perez-Reverte's characters capture the imagination, and his dramatic Seville seduces his protagonist and readers alike. reviewed by Publisher's Weekly

Fun at Work Day

Inject some laughter into your workplace by planning a fun and relaxing activity. Do something to encourage enthusiasm and openness and to help build rapport and release tension. When we enjoy our work, we are more productive and creative.

Tax Forms at the Library and Online

Most commonly used tax forms are available for you to pick up at the library. If we don't have the form you're looking for, tax forms can also be found online at the following websites.

Federal:
IRS

State:
Iowa
Illinois
Missouri

KDL What's Next Website

Ever wanted to read a series of books in order but couldn't find the correct order anywhere? Want to read other series of books by your favorite author?

One of my favorite websites is the KDL What's Next Database. This wonderful site, lets you search by author title or series to find out the order books in a series fall in.

Book Review: The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

As FBI Special Agent Pendergast immerses himself in the investigation of an art critic's bizarre murder, he conjures up clues pointing to the Devil as the culprit. After several killings in the same ghastly manner, similar clues are found. Pendergast teams up with Police Officer Vincent D'Agosta, with whom he had worked in The Relic (also by Preston and Child), and they begin a lengthy, intense, and time-driven search for the murderer. Along the way, D'Agosta becomes romantically and professionally attached to New York Police Captain Laura Hayward . Their story runs parallel to the investigation and adds another layer of plot. The peculiar nature of Agent Pendergast, who always seems to get out of any kind of dire straits, complements and contrasts with down-to-earth, practical D'Agosta, and they act as catalysts for one another. The action moves from New York City to Italy and places in between. The authors are especially adept at creepy descriptions of eerily spooky castle ruins, crypts, and grave robberies. Readers who like ghost stories, hauntings, and other paranormal activities will find themselves eagerly engaged in this page-turner.– reviewed by Pam Johnson for School Library Journal

I Love My Library

Valentine’s Day will soon be here and, this year, we are giving you the opportunity to show how much you love your library. Reply to this post and share a fond memory of the library or why you love your library. Alternatively, stop in at the library and share a story about why you love your library or how the library has played an important part in your life.You can read what other people have shared either at the blog or in the library. Select stories will be printed in next months newspaper column.

Birthday of Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1811, at the age of two, he was orphaned and left in dire poverty. Fortunately, Virginia merchatn John Allan was willing to raise him. Edgar Allan Poe was a poet and story writer, called "America's most famous man of letters." He is best remembered for his poetry and for his tales of suspense. He is also noted for writing the first detective mystery novel. He died at Baltimore, Maryland on October 7, 1849.