Weekend Reads

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Our brains are wired to make decisions in many different ways. Malcolm Gladwell sets out to explore those decisions we make almost instantaneously (using a part of our brain called the "adaptive unconscious") in his second book, Blink. We don't usually trust these kinds of decisions, but Gladwell argues that there is evidence that indicates we should. Gladwell introduces this concept to us through an anecdote about an ancient statue that just didn't look "right". Many of the people who looked at the statue "just knew" that something about it was wrong, even though evidence primarily pointed to it being authentic. 

I enjoyed the structure and organization of Blink. Gladwell's reliance on the traditional point-proof-analysis structure made his argument clear and easy to follow. Gladwill is definitely one of those "made you think" authors and worth checking out!

Find it in Nonfiction under 153.4 GLA

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Christopher Rowe is in training to be an apothecary. He is apprenticed to Master Benedict Blackthorn, and spends his time solving puzzles and creating potions. When the city's apothecaries become targets for murder, Christopher works hard to make sure that he and Master Blackthorn can escape a similar fate. This is a great book for readers who loved the fast-paced problem solving of books like those from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Join Christopher and Tom as they try to outsmart the mysterious cult that is attacking London's apothecaries.

Find it in Fiction under F SAN

Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington

Wickham Hall is steeped in history and tradition, and Liv Bloom knows that she is lucky to be asked to come to such a place. Once she is there, she feels even luckier when she realizes she has her own studio, her own paints, and her own first love. She is on top of the world, only to have it all stolen from her when she is viciously murdered just a few weeks into her new life. After her death, she remains on campus as a ghost, and only her friend Gabe can see her and help her solve the mystery of her death, as well as the deaths of many other young students over the years as well. Part mystery, part ghost story, Liv, Forever does a great job of constructing narrative. There is enough exposition to hook readers and lay a good foundation for the events that follow, and the story really picks up momentum as it goes.

Find it in Fiction under F TAL