Dacula Branch Staff Picks

This month the staff at the Dacula Branch offers up some titles for your consideration.

Still Alice
By Lisa Genova

Why you should read it: Alice Howland is a Harvard professor, wife, and mother who had complete control over her life until the day arrived when she could not find her way home. We all know how our lives are derailed by family members with Alzheimer’s, but traveling with Alice on her journey through the disease gave me a whole new perspective on this disease. I laughed and cried with Alice. I celebrated her triumphs and grieved for her losses. And in the end, I asked my own mother to forgive me my impatience with her.


I'm Feeling Lucky
The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59
By Douglas Edwards

Why you should read it: Douglas Edwards, Google's first director of marketing and brand management, describes what it was like to work for the company in its earliest days. Even if you claim to hate computers, reading this firsthand account of Google's renegade approach to every aspect of running a tech company will make you want to quit your day job, learn how to code, and do whatever it takes to become one of Google's 30,000+ employees.


The Tiger's Curse
By Colleen Houck

Why you should read it: I would recommend it to anyone who loved Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series--it is very similar in many ways, yet written much better. The plot--to break the Tiger’s Curse--is perfectly paced, with a clear resolution to each task by the end of each novel. The romance is chaste and suitable for girls grades six and above. The Indian history and mythology is well researched, entertaining, and interesting. The series has a poignant resolution--have your tissues handy!


Dreams from My Father
By Barack Obama

Why you should read it: What a great opportunity to learn about the 44th President of the United States. Many citizens have stated they didn't know much about President Obama and with this book, they can find out about the man. This book was written 17 years ago when he was 34 years old, so it just relates the part of his life before that. It is, however an inspiring book. It is written in a story format, keeping the reader's interest. This biography allows the reader to learn the thought process going on at various stages of his life. This should be a must read for everyone in this country.


The Dust Bowl
An Illustrated History
By Dayton Duncan

Why you should read it: Imagine a United States where many people had next to nothing to eat--literally. Most people had little money to buy a bit of food, and many had their home-grown food sources destroyed. Many of our parents and grandparents lived through some of these worst days in American history. About surviving the cataclysmic time of the Great Depression and the infamous Dust Bowl during the 1930s, this story turns our families into quiet heroes of endurance. It is an incredibly stirring book with amazing photos that brings home a very important part of our American family history.


Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging
By Louise Rennison

Why you should read it: I absolutely adore this series! Rennison perfectly captures the angst and humor of being a 14-year-old girl! Written as a set of diary entries, the books describe Georgia’s daily life at home with her parents, wacky little sister, and grandfather, as well as her school adventures with her best friends, the Ace Gang. I’ve never laughed harder reading any other books. The audio books are worth a listen, too. I’ve shared this series with my parents and my sisters--even my father (of three girls) enjoyed them! Although the books are British, Rennison includes a glossary at the end of each book. The books are suitable for teens grades 6 and above--even adults!

And that ends our list of picks from the Dacula Branch. We'll be back next month with another library branch and another list of favorites. Until then, let us know in the comments if you have any books you recommend!