Great reads from those who know books best

As summer winds to a close, you won’t want to waste any of your

precious beach time on books that bore. Check out these winners from

“Librarians’ Picks 2003,” compiled by those who know books best at

Newport Beach public libraries:

Dean Koontz’s “By the Light of the Moon” -- A mad doctor has

injected itinerant artist Dylan O’Connor, his autistic brother and

struggling comic Jillian Jackson with an unknown substance that

leaves them with visions and otherworldly abilities. After their

assailant’s assassination, they dart around the West to escape the

same fate in a 24-hour chase building to an unexpected finish.

Fast-paced action and memorable characters make this one of the best

from a master of suspense.

John Follain’s “City of Secrets: The Truth Behind the Murders at

the Vatican” -- Did the Vatican carry out a huge cover-up in 1998

after a Swiss guard, his wife and a vice corporal were found dead,

the apparent victims of a double murder/suicide? Read one theory

about the sensational crimes, based on a four-year investigation by a

Rome-based correspondent for London’s Sunday Times.

David Liss’ “The Coffee Trader” -- In a tale of historical

intrigue, an Edgar Award-winner transports readers to 17th-century

Amsterdam’s immigrant Jewish community. From this confined corner,

Portuguese Jew Miguel Lienzo joins forces with a Dutchwoman to

capture the coffee market. The suspenseful saga is as sure to keep

you up at night as the caffeinated substance in its title.

Martin Booth’s “Islands of Silence” -- A young archeologist

discovers a life-altering secret on a small Scottish island. Soon

afterward, he’s shipped off to war and ends up as a medic aboard a

ship about to storm the beaches of Gallipoli. Told in first person

narrative, in chapters alternating between present and past, this

mystical love story explores a broken soul’s search for redemption.

Trisha Ashley’s “Every Woman For Herself” -- It may be menopausal

“chick lit,” but it sure is fun. Divorced, childless and in poor

financial straits, Charlie Rhymer is forced to move back to her

childhood home. After accidentally killing her ex-husband’s best

friend with a frying pan, she returns to Yorkshire to find her

father’s mistress sleeping in her bed, her sister practicing black

magic and her reputation threatened by an angry widow.

John Katz’s “A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me” -- If

you don’t own a dog, you may adopt one after reading this celebration

of the special bond between people and their pets. With witty

anecdotes and touching reflections, Katz captures the personalities

of two low-maintenance Labs and a pair of more demanding border

collies.

Coming next week: More good reads for Labor Day weekend.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

Susie Lambs. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers

by accessing the catalog at www.newport beachlibrary.org.