PART III - BEST BOOKS READ IN 2004

The remaining “Best Books Read in 2004” lists by my co-workers are very eclectic. The number of employees that comprise the Library staff is certainly small, but we’re mighty! Each member of the Library staff fills a special need: to the Library itself, but more importantly, to our patrons. Please check their submissions and give their recommendations a try
Columbus Public Library is very fortunate to have Karen Hake in charge of the Bookmobile. Her dedication goes “above and beyond the call of duty”, and I know her Platte County patrons would attest to that fact. Increditably, Karen has been on the job for over 35 years! Some of the books she read in 2004 include:
1. “A Brother’s Journey” by Richard B. Pelzer
2. “Salem Falls” by Jodi Picoult
3. “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom
4. “Shakespeare Bats Clean-up” by Ron Koertge
5. “Escaping the Giant Wave” by Peg Kehret
6. “The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks
7. “Bleachers” by John Grisham
8. “Hear the wind blow” by Mary Downing Hahn
9. “Three Wishes” by Barbara Delinsky
10. “A Class by Itself” by Sandra Brown

Kathy Soulliere works in all parts of the Library, but most of the time you can find her at the circulation desk. Her comment when she submitted her list is so indicative of her love of fiction (all kinds): “Really hard to pick---can I add 30-40 more?”
1. “An Angels Story” by Max Lucado
2. “Redemption” series by Karen Kingsbury
3. “Dearest Dorothy” series by Charlene Ann Baumbich
4. “Loving Scoundrel” by Johanna Lindsey
5. “Someone to Watch over Me” by Teresa Hill
6. “Flashpoint” by Suzanne Brockmann
7. “Blind Alley” by Iris Johansen
8. “Northern Lights” by Nora Roberts
9. “A Town Called Ruby Prairie” by Annette Smith
10. “The Glorious Appearing” by LaHaye & Jenkins

Veronica Kiuntke has worked all areas of the Library. I rely upon her artistic talent a great deal; any displays or special posters strategically placed in the Library have probably been created by Veronica. She loves a good mystery and contemporary fiction.
1. “Whitefoot” by Ken Follett
2. “The DaVinci Code” by Dan Brown
3. “Hour Game” by David Baldacci
4. “Eats, Shoots, and Leaves” by Lynne Truss
5. “Braided Creek: a Conversation In Poetry” by Jim Harrison & Ted Kooser
6. “Trace” by Patricia Cornwell
7. “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” by Mitch Albom
8. “Northern Lights” by Nora Roberts
9. “One False Move” by Alex Kava
10. “Beach Girls” by Luanne Rice

Jan Osten lives life to the fullest: she has even lived in California and survived the experience. Jan says “I read more newspapers and magazines than I do books. When I do read a book--- the subject is usually about government, politics, et al. The best things I like to read are the obituaries in the New York Times!”
1. “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby
2. “Rise & Fall: House of Medici”
3. “Price of Royalty”
4. “Seven Sisters: the Great Oil Companies” (1975 edition) by
5. “Dark Side of Fortune” (1998 edition)
6. “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom (FIC)
7. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee (FIC)
Well, there you have it. My thanks to all the people who participated in this annual event--- especially my co-workers. Without their valued input, it would be so much more difficult to gauge the reading tastes of the many people who walk through the doors of the Columbus Public Library.