As an achievable New Year’s resolution, I decided to keep a list of all the books I read in 2004. During the bitter cold January, I sat by the woodstove and enjoyed the following lightweight reading. All except the last two titles are fiction. All are available for you to borrow from the library.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Like many others, I waited a long time to read this book. It was worth the wait. Intrigue, art history mysteries, conspiracies and a central puzzle drive this work. Where do historical facts end and myth begin? It’s a real page-turner.

Gloriana’s Torch by Patricia Finney. This is an engrossing historical novel about the events surrounding the defeat of the Spanish Armanda. The strong cast of characters includes spies, traitors, royalty, slaves, religious zealots and a resourceful dwarf. (Note: There are some graphic brutality scenes with the Inquisition and in the slave galley.)

Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon. The Space Academy forces senior cadet Kylara Vatta to resign. Her wealthy interstellar shipping family makes her captain of an obsolete ship. She’s assigned to take a cargo to a distant planet and sell the ship as salvage. The young heroine overcomes all obstacles. This is standard science fiction fare with a young adult flavor.

This "Spotlight on the Library" article was written by Mary Jacobs, the David A. Howe Public Library director. Articles are written and published monthly in the Wellsville Daily Reporter.

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Firefly by P.T. Deuterman. The Department of Homeland Security calls legendary Secret Service Agent Swamp Morgan out of retirement. He investigates a possible terrorist plot. The book is rather slow going through the mire of governmental bureaucracy. The villain at times seems inept. The slam-bang twist of an ending makes it all worthwhile.

The Curious Incident of the Dog In Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Teenage Chris Boone finds a neighbor’s dog stabbed to death. Chris uses his exceptional skills in math and science to search for a logical explanation. He is hindered by his undeveloped social skills and the world that overwhelms him. The book gives a new perspective on the life of an autistic person.

The Codex by Douglas Preston. Maxwell Broadbent accumulates a fortune by looting archaeological sites. His three sons combine forces to seek their inheritance hidden in uncharted land. Rather formula writing with jungle survival, ancient ruins and a cure for all disease. It’s still a fun adventure.

The Best Christian Writing 2004. There are a variety of topics from the history of Habitat for Humanity to the quirky health beliefs of John Wesley. There are a few gems on repentance, gratitude and spiritual living.

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