Today is Dr. Suess’ Birthday! And to celebrate, tomorrow is National Read Across America Day! We thought we would share a few recommendations of books for you to check out from our book-loving employees!
The Gable Faces East by Anita Stansfield
ANGELA: This has been a really fun book to read so far. It’s entertaining and makes you want to read more. In the book Jess Davies is forced to rebuild and his home after a fired and soon finds himself struggling to keep his horse breeding business afloat. When the sister of his enemy Alexandera Byrnehouse becomes Jess’s new horse trainer, it begins to look like both Jess’s and Alexandra’s lives are starting to get better. But soon Jess and Alexandra find out dark truths about both of their pasts. I can’t wait to see how it finally ends!
The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
KOURTNEY: “Right now I am currently reading the Selection series. I am only on book #3, The One, and I am loving it. My sister recommended the series to me, and at first I was a little hesitant. She told me it was a mix between The Hunger Games and ABC’s The Bachelor. I love both of those so I decided to give the book a chance and I love it! I would definitely recommend this book.”
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed
of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
SAMMY: Right now I am in the middle of Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”. It has opened my mind to new ideas and new possibilities to improve my life. This book helps you to see what is stopping you from being a powerful positive influence in your own life and how to overcome it. The seven habits truly can change your life and it’s a great, motivating read!
The age-old game of “Telephone” gets a face lift in this fun game from USAopoly!
Five crowns is a five-suited, rummy-style card game. It is a quick favorite for avid and casual card players alike. The unique deck provides each player multiple options for arranging their hand into books and runs.
The world’s fastest game! Everyone gets ten dice. Someone says, “Go!” and everyone rolls and rolls as fast as they can until someone gets all their dice on the same number. Sure, there are a few more rules, but you get the idea. It’s a fun, fast frenzy. It’s Tenzi!
From frosty snowmen to sparkly Christmas trees, there are all kinds of textures for baby to explore in this safe, sturdy book that encourages early learning.
Children and parents alike will enjoy this colorful counting board book in which adorable animals gather around the baby Jesus on the night of the Holy Nativity.
It all starts with one little seed of love.“The Miracle Maker is coming!” Everyone in the tiny hamlet is excited when they hear the news that the renowned man of wonders is coming to their village. But the humble traveler who appears isn’t what anyone expected. They were looking forward to someone magnificent who would change their lives. But it seems this man can barely take care of himself, let alone fulfill the dreams of others. However, miracles can come in all shapes and sizes—and sometimes from unexpected places.
Traveling home along a quiet road on Christmas Eve, the Andersen family became stranded in a remote part of the French countryside. The heartwarming story of their encounter with a modern-day innkeeper in a quaint village in France is a reminder that whoever you are, wherever you are, God knows you and loves you, and His miracles still happen today at Christmas and all the year through.
Marva Ferguson has a very personal Christmas tradition that happens every December 26. As an aging widow, the tradition means more to her now than it ever has. Her newest neighbor, nine-year-old Charlee, loves Christmas too. But her family has fallen on hard times and things get worse when Charlee becomes critically ill. Then, on December 12, Charlee makes a wonderful discovery. A mysterious note is delivered that promises twelve days of gifts and stories that will reveal the truth behind the beloved Christmas carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. As the days go by, the gifts hint at a possible lost lyric. Was there once a 13th day of Christmas? And if so, could its magic change or save a life? If Marva knows something about the letters from the Elves, she s not telling. However, you don t live as long as Marva Ferguson and not have a secret or two including a whole lot of faith in your apron pocket. Filled with laughter, tenderness, and hope, The 13th Day of Christmas invites us to see how an old Christmas favorite can turn into a true Christmas miracle.
As Charles Dickens dipped his pen and began to write the classic tale A Christmas Carol in the autumn of 1843, the spirit of the story captured his heart and mind in an extraordinary way. Dwindling sales of his previous books had resulted in a desperate financial situation for Dickens, who had used much of his income to support worth causes and needy family members. But the book which he had intended as a quick solution to his problems turned out to be much, much more.
Elise Dutton dreads the arrival of another holiday season. Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken, and distrustful.
A family favorite and time-honored Christmas tradition for 70 years.
Finally, a book that says it’s OK to believe in Santa Claus, yet shows how this time honored symbol is meant to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas
“Niya is like a more complex Tic-Tac-Toe or Connect Four in which players are capable of controlling each other’s moves beforehand. The game takes place in Japan’s Imperial Garden. The game board is 16 garden tiles that are randomly placed at the beginning of the game. Each garden tile has one symbol and one plant on it. One of two players goes first and places one of their tokens where a tile is and takes the tile away. The next player must then place one of their tokens only where that same symbol or plant from the previous player’s tile is on another tile. Each move affects the next players move by limiting where they can place their tokens. The game ends when one player gets four of their tokens in a row or a 2×2 square. Niya takes about one minute to learn and about ten minutes to play. It is a very simple, fun game recommended for ages eight and up.”
AGES 7 TO ADULT • 2-4 PLAYERS
“Westerfeld’s latest novel is different from those that he’s written before in that Afterworlds tells two different stories: one is the story of an author, the other is the book that gets her published. Darcy Patel is a teenage author whose draft written during National Novel Writing Month gets picked up by a publisher in New York. Every odd-number chapter in Afterworlds tells about Darcy’s adventures in NYC as she tries to ingrain herself into the world of young adult authors–that is, authors who write for a young adult audience–while simultaneously discovering who she truly wants to be. Every even-numbered chapter, on the other hand, is a chapter from Darcy’s book, which is called Afterworlds. Darcy’s novel centers around Lizzie, a young girl from San Diego who learns to cross over into the “afterworld” when she’s lying on an airport floor during a terrorist attack, trying to play dead so she won’t actually be killed.
“If you only read two fantasy authors in your life, it should be J K Rowling and Brandon Sanderson. He makes his magic systems so believable, it’s hard to come back to reality after visiting his worlds. Steelheart is slightly different from Sanderson’s other books because it is a dystopian novel set in Newcago, the remains of Chicago. It follows the story of David, an 18 year old who was made an orphan by Steelheart. Steelheart is one of many Epics that were given extraordinary powers and have used them to take over the world. Think evil Superman-type. Steelheart now rules Newcago and no one, human or Epic, can stop him. Enter the Reckoners. The Reckoners are a group of people who devote their lives to finding Epics’ weaknesses and destroying them, and David wants to join them. He has an advantage over Steelheart that no one else has: he has seen Steelheart bleed, and may be the only person able to discover the way to stop him for good. Recommended for ages 12+ and for those who enjoy a great dystopian thriller.”
The Caldecott Medal Winner, Sibert Honor Book, and 
A moving and beautifully researched story about camels, lost princesses and the strength of wisdom and knowledge, stunningly illustrated by P.J. Lynch. It is the second tale in a trilogy from acclaimed storytellers Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. This tale begins with a disgruntled camel, desperately trying to protect a little baby from a violent desert storm whipping up all around him. He is rescued by Issa – the desert guide – who takes the child in, naming her Mariama. She becomes Issa’s family and, as he begins to lose his sight, his eyes. Many years later, a mysterious stranger arrives at their doorstep, a stranger who will change both their lives for ever…Another mesmerizing tale from the creators of the award-winning “Cloud Tea Monkeys”. A beautiful and touching tale, illustrating the bond between a child and the man who brought her up like a daughter. Both deliciously exotic and yet portraying warmly familiar and universal truths. 
The decision to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is among the most significant choices a young person can make in his or her lifetime. As they prepare to labor throughout the world, future elders and sisters often share one burning question: What should I expect in the day-to-day of mission life? Called to Serve, a spirited and humorous journey through various facets of the mission experience, addresses this question with beautiful pictures, fun facts, and thought provoking questions. From adventures in ethnic cuisine to the gift of service, this book illustrates some of the most defining and inspiring aspects of the mission experience. It is sure to delight the multitude of young men and women who will one day be called to serve.
You have read the title, and now you’re scratching your head, wondering if this book is for real, right? It is. Yes, the authors are bona fide Mormons. And hilarious, too! They call themselves Sistas in Zion. Did we mention they have got enough faith to move mountains? Well, they have not moved any mountains just yet, but that is not stopping them from keeping right on praying and believing and knowing that the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth it. Their unique perspective on their own diary entries will have you laughing one minute and exclaiming Amen! the next. They talk about personal experiences and lessons they have learned about relationships, sisterhood, standing up for what you believe, embracing diversity, and dealing with adversity what being a Christian is all about. The Sistas humorous and poignant outlook on life will strengthen your faith and remind you of the joy to be found in living a Christ-centered life. You will soon realize that the authors are not mad-mad they are crazy-mad, funny, and inspiring!
This new compilation of stories from sister missionaries covers everything from deciding whether a mission is right for you, to adapting to post-mission life. Experience a real look into the sacrifices sisters make, and learn about homesickness, companionship struggles, divine miracles, and the elation of helping save souls in the kingdom of God through the humor and faith of these dedicated sisters.
A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.
When Widow Tulip Jones of Bore, England, inherits a ranch in By-Golly Gully, Texas, and moves in with two trunks of tea, twelve pet tortoises, and three servants, hilarity ensues. The peaceful life suits the wealthy widow fine until word gets out and every unmarried man in Texas lines up to marry her. Widow Tulip and her small staff of three can’t possibly run the farm and manage all the suitors, so she devises a plan—and it just might work. This story filled with giant tortoises, 1,000 brides, bad guys, a smart widow, and even a little romance is sure to get kids laughing.
How do you make the ordinary extraordinary? With a little bit of oomph! An utterly inspiring and playful new book on creativity from Barney Saltzberg, author of Beautiful Oops!, A Little Bit of Oomph! teaches the invaluable lesson of throwing your heart into whatever you re doing and trying just a little bit harder because with a little extra effort and a lot of oomph, you can make anything beautiful. With a little bit of oomph you can help a sprinkle of seeds lift flap become a magical, three-dimensional bouquet of flowers. With a little bit of oomph, small notions like a goldfish in a little bowl open out to big oceans (just look through the peephole!). Oomph can transform a dog s tail into a funny tale (there s a miniature book involved). Oomph changes curiosity into discovery, daydreams into playthings, your singing into others dancing. A triumph of imagination, vibrant, colorful art, and paper engineering, A Little Bit of Oomph! is filled with pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, spinning circles and gatefolds and, underlying every page, Barney s timeless message that creativity is for everyone. Just add a little bit of oomph.
From the award-winning author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oinkcomes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s signature humor herethere’s also a subtle lesson for kids who don’t know when to let go of an argument. A smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit!makes it easy to agree on one thingreading it again!
