What We're Reading

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
by Stieg Larsson

The anxiously-awaited third part of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy does not disappoint. The novel picks up the story directly after the cliff-hanger conclusion of The Girl Who Played with Fire. With Lisbeth recovering in the hospital, albeit down the hall from the seriously-injured Zalachenko, much of the first part of the novel involves tying up loose ends from the first two books, as well as a history of the Swedish Secret Police, and the insidious secret section within the SSP. Then the pace quickens and never lets up until the book’s more-than-satisfying conclusion. What makes this novel – indeed, the entire Millennium Trilogy – more than a mere thriller, is its characters: Lisbeth Salander, Mikael Blomqvist, Erica Berger and the rest of the Millenium staff, Armansky, the police, computer hackers, and all the rest. This is a complex story told in an intelligent and exciting way.

--recommended by Carole Hull, Library Assistant

DVD REVIEW – talhotblond
Directed by Barbara Schroeder

For many, the internet provides a welcome respite from the pressures and disappointments of everyday life. Gamers and chat room denizens frequently create attractive, powerful, idealized alter egos. For most, this retreat into fantasy is temporary and harmless. For Thomas Montgomery, a 45-year old factory worker and father of two, however, the line between fantasy and reality quickly blurred, with tragic consequences. Representing himself online as “marinesniper”, a strapping young soldier, Montgomery struck up increasingly passionate online relationship with 18-year-old Jessica Shieler (screen name: “talhotblond”). When one of Montgomery’s co-workers revealed Montgomery’s deception, and struck up his own relationship with Jessi, his infatuation transformed into obsession, jealousy and a burning need for revenge. There’s much more to the story, however, than a tragic love triangle, and director Barbara Schroeder skillfully combines interview footage with revealing and disturbing excerpts of online chat sessions to paint a shocking portrait of obsession, deception and manipulation.

-- recommended by Greg Williams, Librarian

Three Shadows
by Cyril Pedrosa

When three shadows appear outside their home in the quiet countryside, Louis and Lise have no doubt that they have come for their son. The family flees, traveling to faraway places in their attempt to stay together. Written and illustrated by Pedrosa, who began his career as a Disney animator, this book is a beautifully rendered homage to the love parents have for their child, and the lengths they will go to try to protect them. Pedrosa’s flowing style of illustration matched with the simple dialog leave the reader with surprisingly complex feelings about the story and the characters. This deeply personal story is at once charming and heartbreaking, creating an accessible work of art that is not to be missed.

-- recommended by Sarah L McIntyre, Support Services Librarian