Staff Favorites 2012

Gordon Miller, Page, Hilton Head Branch

Argo coverThis book relates the true account of the 1979 rescue of six American hostages from Iran. On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and captured dozens of American hostages, sparking a 444 day ordeal and a quake in global politics still reverberating today. But there is a little-known footnote to the crisis: six Americans escaped. And a midlevel agent named Antonio Mendez devised an ingenious yet incredibly risky plan to rescue them. Armed with foreign film visas, Mendez and an unlikely team of CIA agents and Hollywood insiders, directors, producers, and actors, traveled to Tehran under the guise of scouting locations for a fake film called Argo. While pretending to find the perfect scenery and backdrops, the team succeeded in contacting the escapees and smuggling them out of Iran without a single shot being fired. In this book the author finally details the mind-bogglingly complex and dangerous operation he led more than three decades ago. This is a true story of secret identities and international intrigue; it is the gripping account of the history making collusion between Hollywood and high-stakes espionage. - From publisher's description

Jenna Marstiller, Circulation Supervisor, Hilton Head Branch

Beautiful disaster coverAfter the Fifty Shades hype, I discovered this title and decided to read it, WOW, I was hooked from the opening pages. This was such an emotional journey of ups and downs, and I was constantly on edge waiting for that detrimental moment when everything was truly going to go up in flames. Friendships, heartaches, tears, love, devotion, you name it, this book will throw it at you in such a manner you'll have a Love/Hate relationship with the characters and enjoy the plot of the story just because it made your toes curl.


Sheryl Hill, Circulation, Beaufort Branch

Takes place in India. Wonderful British cast. Wonderful family movie about what older citizens sometimes have to do.



Traci Cox, Information Services Coordinator

I’m not sure if it was the cast of this movie (Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling) or if it was the overall theme that I enjoyed more, but this movie gave me the warm fuzzies. As much as I like Steve Carell’s humorous roles in other movies, I enjoyed his role of the ‘average dad’ in this movie. There are various love stories going on at the same time: the deep crushes of youth, young love, broken love, soul-mate love…and love on-the-mend. The character’s lives are intertwined in unusual ways -- resulting in a fun, meaningful, and full-of-heart ending.

Halle Eisenman, Reference Manager, Hilton Head Branch

Daughter of smoke and bone coverAn engrossing and original fantasy about a blue-haired teenager named Karou who lives in Prague and runs mysterious errands around the world for a chimera who collects human teeth for unknown reasons. The world Laini Taylor creates in this book (the first of a trilogy) is so vivid and creative, I felt completely immersed in and enchanted by it. Kristine Hvam, the reader of the audiobook, masterfully narrates the novel and enhances an already magical story.


Angie Brown, Circulation, Bluffton Branch

Destiny of the Republic coverPresident James Garfield is probably remembered as the president who has assassinated not long after taking office. This book is not simply a biography of this little know president, but gives a riveting account of the political climate and medical drama in this important time in history in the United States. It includes a rich cast of characters including his assassin Charles Guiteau, Alexander Graham Bell and the doctors who in their ignorance actually hastened his death. This book brought the dead president back to life. Hopefully, Garfield won’t simply be remembered as a president shot by a mad man, but that he was a victim of ignorance and circumstances of this time. A must read for history buffs and those who enjoy non-fiction.

Fran Hays, Branch Manager, Beaufort Branch

Dog Stars coverA flu-like pandemic followed by a blood disease for those few who survive the initial disease have left people in isolated pockets where there is access to water and the ability to grow food. Most, such as Bangley, see other humans as a threat and shoot them on sight. Others, like his buddy Hig, want to give people the benefit of the doubt. While following Bangley and Hig, the plot also examines the nature of relationships. Do we need others for more than physical help? What is the nature of a community, or of a family? Author Heller presents a book with a coherent plot and finely drawn characters that kept this reader turning pages far into the night.

Jo Anne Hardyman, Circulation, Beaufort Branch

Dog who dancedIt's amazing what you learn from books--there IS a dog/human partner dance competition! And with a good story of friendship, families and reconciliation, too.



Jo Anne Hardyman, Circulation, Beaufort Branch

Dog's JourneyThe sequel to "A Dog's Purpose" is another of those books from a dog's perspective but with the added twist of "does the owner take care of the pet or does the pet take care of the owner?"



Brendagael Beasley-Forrest, Catalog Librarian

If you haven’t hopped aboard the Downton Abbey carousel yet, do give it a whirl! The dialogue is “spot on” in this post-Victorian period drama set it bonnie Yorkshire, England. Its immediate success propelled it from a PBS miniseries to a Masterpiece period drama, now in its third season. Our library has the first two seasons on DVD. Its rich plot has many unexpected quandaries and twists that are relevant to today’s viewer. The icing on the cake is the gorgeous setting and costuming--delectable eye candy! My personal favorite character is the incomparable Maggie Smith, who plays Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham. Her lilting voice and wide gaze underscore her disgust with the changes that are happening all around her, with a blending of social classes and a new voice for women pursuing equal rights.

Our library has or has access to several books to give you background and supporting documentation to enrich your enjoyment of the Downton Abbey experience: