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West Vancouver Memorial Library · The Inquiring Mind Recent Staff Favourites The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland Roger, a middle-aged clerk at Staples, and Bethany, a twenty-something lost soul, correspond and connect through journal entries, letters, and Roger's novel. A deep friendship develops between the two as Bethany comes of age and gains self-esteem. Funny and heart-felt. Anne The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill This gripping novel details the wrenching life story of a girl from West Africa, from her abduction by slave traders to her eventual landing in London to work with the abolitionists. Hill crafts an unforgettable tale distinguished by a vivid heroine of extraordinary strength and resolve. Caroline The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery A huge hit in France, this quietly humorous story is a philosophical gem. Set in a posh apartment building in Paris, Renee the ugly and seemingly stupid concierge oversees the lives of the bourgeois tenants. Life for everyone changes when the elegant Mr. Ozu moves in, ignores protocol and invites Renee to tea. Margaret Climate Wars by Gwynne Dyer Military historian Gwynne Dyer talked to scientists, politicians and soldiers about the geopolitical effects of global warming and came up with some plausible scenarios for the next 50 years. The strategic problem is food and the consequences of not acting are dire. Sharon When A Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin Peter Godwin writes the dual historical threads of Zimbabwe and his family. He watches the country he loves go through devastating change while discovering a family history that is a story unto itself. This book both educates and entertains with horror, amazement, compassion and warmth. Sheila The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant Vivian, a quiet girl, was raised by fearful, refugee parents who sheltered her from their past and her only living relative, her glamorous and infamous Uncle Sandor. She becomes entwined with her uncle and tries on personas and fashions until she finally uncovers her sense of self. Tara www.westvanlibrary.ca A publication of the West Vancouver Memorial Library© December 2008 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1J8 604.925.7400