With the holidays fast approaching, Wake County Public Libraries has published their annual “favorite things” book lists as a gift to all our patrons. Patrons can find copies of the Kid and Adult booklets at the Youth Services desk and at the Circulation desk respectively. Patrons can also go to the website at www.wakegov.com/libraries/reading/favoritethings2009.htm and find a digital copy of the list there.

Here are some titles from the list:

Youth

The Big Storm by Nancy Tafuri Dark black clouds start to gather. The wind begins to blow. A storm is coming! Count from 1 to 10 as Bird, Mouse, Rabbit and their friends take shelter in a cozy hollow. The animals are all safe for the night, but who else in hiding in the cave with them? – Farida, Holly Springs Library

The Red Blazer Girls: The Rings of Rocamadour by Michael Biel Three spunky Catholic school girls take on an exciting mystery. Can they solve the puzzles in time to find the valuable Ring of Rocamadour? A Nancy Drew story for modern times. – Jennifer, North Regional Library

Adult

Huge by James Fuerst Huge is no ordinary whodunit mystery, but neither is 12-year-old Eugene “Huge” Smalls. The sixth grader has a bad reputation, plenty of attitude and a passion for solving crime. Hired by his tough loving grandma to find out who defaced the local nursing home sign, this young hard-boiled detective will tug at your heart strings. Fuerst’s first novel is a refreshingly witty take on the coming-of-age story and Huge is a boy you will never forget. – Brandy, Southeast Regional Library

The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson Five Southern women weave in and out of each others’ lives: compassionate Lorraine, bossy Margaret, grief-stricken Bernice, ambitious April, and brusque Rhonda. Johnson shows how people leading unremarkable lives can have a tremendous impact on those around them. An interesting side note: the author was a producer of the 2006 Broadway musical The Color Purple. – Kathe, West Regional Library