Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #5

Which author was selected for One Book, One Nebraska 2009?

Fiction

No Warriors, No Glory by Harold Coyle: Nathan Dixon, a midcareer U.S. Army officer, discovers just how different the army that he dedicated his life to will look in the future when he is assigned the task of investigating a friendly-fire incident involving a rogue un-manned ground combat vehicle or UGV.

Torpedo Juice by Tim Dorsey: Serge Storms flees to the Florida Keys hoping to reinvent himself and start over, but Serge seems to bring a cloud of crime with him, no matter where he goes, and must try to clear his name and stay out of trouble with the police.

The Sign by Raymond Khoury: Scientists on an exploration at Antarctica witness a shimmering sphere of light in the sky enveloping the ship in a luminous blaze. A priest on a mountaintop in Egypt has a vision that repeatedly consumes him. Patrons in a bar see a glowing symbol on television. A brother's death may not be all it seemed. The world holds it's breath as Gracie and Matt chase down the story of a lifetime.

Beach Trip by Cathy Holton: As four college friends reunite in an attempt to relive the carefree days of their college years, their hidden stories are gradually revealed and they learn that they must confront their shared past and a secret that threatens their bond and their lives forever.

Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber: Lydia Goetz, owner of A Good Yarn on Seattle's Blossom Street, offers a class called Knit to Quit for people who need to quit something and start over, and finds herself dealing with a whole new set of people and problems, including a couple on the home front.

The Killing on Jubilee Terrace by Robert Barnard: Detective Inspector Charlie Peace investigates the accidental death of Vernon Watts, a cast member on the soap opera "Jubilee Terrace," who was beloved by audiences but not friendly with his colleagues, after an anonymous note suggests his death may have been murder.

The Last Child by John Hart: Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merriman searches the town after his twelve-year-old sister Alyssa disappears on her way home from the library one day, and Detective Clyde Hunt, lead cop on the case, watches over Johnny and his mother to keep them safe while the boy and his friend continue their hunt.

The Frightened Man by Kenneth Cameron: General Denton, an expatriate U.S. Civil War veteran and former frontier sheriff, teams up with social worker Janet Striker in 1900 London to investigate the brutal murder of prostitute Stella Minter and hunt down what might be the long-gone Jack the Ripper.

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg: Helen Ames grieves over the loss of her husband with her twenty-seven-year-old daughter Tessa, but she is shocked to learn that her seemingly loyal husband led a double life and spent most of their retirement savings.

One-Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling: Nora Peterson and Jenna Montgomery find their lives forever linked when a tragic accident on Christmas Eve leaves one grieving while the other rejoices at her daughter's second chance at life.

Yuletide Treasure by Jillian Hart: The book includes these two books: Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling and A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart.

Unbridled Dream by Stephanie Grace Whitson: Seventeen-year-old Irma Friedrich, having been given the role of Lady Belle in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, struggles to gain her mother's approval while she is courted by the troupe's superstar, Shep Sterling.

Killer Cruise by Laura Levine: Jaine Austen wins an all-expenses-paid vacation on a fancy cruise ship in exchange for teaching three writing classes, but when the smooth-talking British dancer Graham turns up dead from an ice pick to the chest, Jaine feels she must find the killer hiding among the passengers.

Cold Choices by Larry Bond: The USS Seawolf, a Navy submarine, is watching Russians as they train for battle in the Barents Sea. Russia's Severodvinsk harasses the Seawolf and eventually they collide. The Russian submarine is damaged and the Seawolf must convince the Russians they know where it is, keep the Russians alive and keep their own submarine afloat.

4th of July Library Hours

We will be closed Friday, July 3rd

and Saturday, July 4th

to celebrate our country's freedom

And here are a few fun holiday related activites:

4th of July Trivia

4th of July Crossword Puzzle

4th of July Coloring Pages

Summer Reading Reminder

We just can't believe that summer reading flew by so quickly this year! This week is the last week of the "official" program; however, we want to encourage you parents to keep sending the kids in throughout the next few months. The more they read this summer, the more prepared they'll be when returning to school this fall. And if they are here in the library and want a specific book that we don't have, or they really like a particular author and would like more of his books available for checkout, bring them up to the circulation desk and have them fill out a consider for purchase slip. Dena is really good about ordering books that are requested by the kids, and we want to do everything within our power to keep the kids interested in reading.

Now back to the reading program - there isn't a morning program this Wednesday. Intead, we'll be having the swim party at the pool at 7:00, at which time the kids who successfully completed all 6 programs can pick up their wrist bands.

Make sure that the logs are stamped by 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 1st!

The logs still need to be stamped by the 3:00 deadline in order to successfully complete the program and qualify for a wristband.

We will not be stamping logs at the pool party!

If there is any questions, give us a call at 762-1387.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #4
Which states did Mark Twain live in? (hint: there's 5 total)

Finger Lickin' Fifteen is here!

For those of you like Janet Evanovich, Finger Lickin' Fifteen has been processed and is ready to be checked out to all of you loyal fans. If you would like to read the book in the next few months, be sure to contact us and we'll place you on the hold list. Her new books are rarely on the shelf due to their popularity, but they are quick reads and the list moves along quite fast. Also, if we call you for a hold, be sure to come in a pick it up right away, as we'll only hold it for a few days.

If you haven't read Evanovich, be sure to check out her previous novels. I hear they are quite entertaining and they are highly recommended by a number of our regular patrons. The series starts with One For The Money and progress up to Finger Lickin' Fifteen. Click here for a complete listing of her novels.

Also, Ms. Evanovich is also holding a "Name the Book Contest" on her website. The person who picks the winning name for book 16 will win an advanced, signed copy of book 16 and acknowledgement in the book. Click here for more info.

NebraskAccess Facelift!

NebraskAccess has recently undergone some reorganizing and has even been given a new home address at www.nebraskaccess.ne.gov. Many of the old features are still available with the addition of some new, including librarian recommended websites on topics ranging anywhere from board game rules to financial investing. I hope to go through these sites as time allows and share some of my finds with you, but until then, explore the new NebraskAccess and if there is anything you find particularly interesting or useful let me know. I'll share it here on the blog. You can email me at luv2read15@yahoo.com.

Bookworm

FICTION LARGE PRINT
Double Cross by James Patterson: Alex Cross rejoins the police to help track down a murderer who stages killings in public settings, and the odds against Cross surviving the case double when the Audience Killer is joined by Kyle Craig, a criminal carrying a grudge against the detective.

Land of my Heart Tracie Peterson: When Dianne Chadwick urges her family to move west to her uncle’s ranch in the Montana Territory; she has no idea that her new life in the rugged frontier will not be the idyllic adventure she expects.

Bond Ride for Vengeance by William W. Johnstone: After saving Sweet Apple, Texas, from disaster, Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves decide to stay and help the new marshal and maybe relax with the daughters of two feuding cattlemen.

The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini: Sylvia Compson, having uncovered letters in an antique desk written by slave Joanna, pieces together the story of the woman's life.

Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux: Jocelyn Minton, having formed a friendship with the elderly Miss Edi after her father remarried and she began to feel like an outsider in her own family, copes with the death of her confidante.

The Judas Strain by James Rollins: Aboard a cruise liner transformed into a makeshift hospital, Dr. Lisa Cummings and Monk Kokkalis, operatives of SIGMA Force, search for answers to a bizarre affliction.

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall: Hannah Lapp has been raised in a traditional Old Order Amish family, but when she falls in love with a Mennonite, she is forced to choose between her true love and her place in her family and community.

Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford: Elizabeth Deravenel, having been appointed executive of her family's business empire, finds herself in the middle of rumors, disloyal employees, and enemies trying to take her down.

A Man for Temperance by Gilbert Morris: Spinster Temperance Peabody, raised in a religious colony, discovers the community is decimated by a cholera outbreak, and she decides to take the surviving children back East.

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritson: Medical examiner Maura Isles and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli investigate when a murderer begins placing his victims in the Crispin Museum and a young archaeologist goes missing.

Rogue Forces by Dale Brown: The president, Joseph Gardner, pledged to start pulling U.S. forces out of Iraq on his first day in office.

Mr and Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels: Lily and Peter are college students and both supplement their tuition by donating to the fertility clinic. One day they meet and are attracted to each other, but don't meet again until nineteen years later.

Loitering with Intent by Stuart Woods: For Stone Barrington, Key West proves to be more dangerous than anticipated with drugs, fraud, and a mysterious death from the past may be linked to what had seemed an open-and-shut case.

Patience by Lori Copeland: Patience Smith's life takes an unexpected turn when she is kidnapped and taken into the Colorado mountains where she eventually is able to escape her abductors.

A New Leaf by Thomas Kincade: Single mom Molly Willoughby meets Dr. Matthew Harding, widower and newcomer to Cape Light, a small town in New England, but they are both reluctant to start a new relationship, and Reverend Ben guides Tucker Tulley when someone unexpected shows up on Tucker's doorstep.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)


Question #3
Which state was Margaret Mitchell born in?

A List of Ten Great Children's Novels

Over my lunch break, I was perusing one of my favorite blogs (www.indiefixx.com) and was delighted to find a post with some suggestions for children's books. I am all for reading children's novels - they are just so relaxing and imaginative and the subject matter always seems a little lighter than some of the adult novels.

So if you would like to read the list, compiled by Renee Ann, an Australian Artist, simply click here and you'll be redirected. She also made up a lovely and free illustration of a stack of books that you can download!

Based on the Book

Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher was made into a movie, which I believe received rave reviews, in 1990. We have the novel available for checkout.

Suzanne Vale is funny and famous, a thirty-ish actress who has crash-landed in rehab, and navigated the humorous and harrowing byways of all of her addictions...even love. Tough yet fragile, she's hanging on -- and she's not sure why. There is her unsupporting cast of friends and lovers: Alex, an arrogantly handsome TV writer. Suzanne has a place in his heart...and maybe even in his new script. Jack, a producer and super-stud. His relationship with Suzanne is heavy on analysis and light on commitment. Lucy, her trusted gal pal. When the going gets rough, they charge away their blues on Rodeo Drive. Jesse, a novelist and the almost-too-good-to-be-true result of a "dating accident." His Niceness is boring Suzanne to death -- and driving her crazy with love.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize!(Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #2
Which war did Edgar Allen Poe serve in?

Bookworm

FICTION
Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon by Nancy Atherton: Lori Shepard investigates whether sabotage is responsible for the series of odd accidents befalling Calvin Malvern, who is acting as King Wilfred at the village of Finch's annual faire.

The 8th Confession by James Patterson: As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge.

First Family by David Baldacci: First lady Jane Cox insists on hiring private detectives Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to help when her twelve-year-old niece is abducted and the child's mother killed following a birthday party at Camp David, and while the investigators have no trouble identifying the assailant, they cannot figure out the motive for his obsession with the first family.

The Immortality Factor by Ben Bova: When biotech lab director Arthur Marshak discovers a way to grow replacement organs and limbs within a patient's own body, the uproar from religious extremists, conservative politicians and media coverage threatens to derail the project. Marshak decides to let a science court rule on the validity of human organ regeneration.

Triple Cross by Mark T. Sullivan: Former U.S. Special Agent Mickey Hennessey, head of security for the Jefferson Club, a private resort for the world's wealthiest people, is the only one of his team to make it out alive when the Third Position Army, a highly trained, heavily-armed paramilitary force, breaches the security system on New Year's Eve, taking everyone hostage--including Mickey's children--and he vows to do whatever it takes to free them.

Give Me Back My Legions by Harry Turtledove: Roman politician Publius Quinctilius Varus is assigned three legions and sent to the Roman frontier east of the Rhine to subdue the barbarous German tribes, not realizing there is a traitor in the ranks who is trying to learn everything he can about the Roman arts of war and policy in an effort to help Germany survive.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith: Mma Makutsi discovers that her old rival Violet Sephotho, at the Botswana Secretarial College, has set her sights on Mma’s fiancé, Phuti Radiphuti. The proprietor of a local football team has enlisted the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency to help explain its dreadful losing streak. The owner of the team is convinced he as a traitor in his midst.

Her Kind of Hero by Diana Palmer: Contains two romance novels, including "The Last Mercenary," in which Micah Steele travels far and wide to rescue Callie Kirby, a woman from his past who has been kidnapped by his sworn enemy and with whom he is still in love; and "Matt Caldwell, Texas Tycoon," in which Jacobsville's most-sought-after bachelor Matt Caldwell finds himself falling for his new employee, the innocent and mysterious Leslie Murray.

Intent to Kill by James Grippando: Ryan James, a former minor-league baseball player turned sports radio host, receives an anonymous tip about the unsolved hit-and-run accident that killed his wife three years prior live on the air, but the information points to a powerful New England family, and puts Ryan, his wife's brother "Babes," and the case's prosecutor in danger.

Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard: After Jack Foley is released from prison, he devises a scheme to steal Cundo Rey's fortune, but his plan requires the help of Rey's common-law wife, Dawn Navarro.

CD’S FICTION
Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark: While Natalie and her roommate, Jamie Evans, were both struggling young actresses, Jamie had been involved with a mysterious married man to whom she referred only by nickname. Natalie comes face to face with him years later and inadvertently addresses him by the nickname Jamie had used. A few days later, Natalie is found in her home dying from a gunshot wound.

First Family by James Baldacci: First lady Jane Cox insists on hiring private detectives Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to help when her twelve-year-old niece is abducted and the child's mother killed following a birthday party at Camp David, and while the investigators have no trouble identifying the assailant, they cannot figure out the motive for his obsession with the first family.

Wicked Prey by John Sanford: Lucas Davenport grows increasingly concerned about various potential threats as the Republican convention in St. Paul approaches, and Randy Whitcomb, a pimp and petty thief with a grudge regarding a stray bullet that left him in a wheelchair, plans a way to get revenge by targeting Davenport's fourteen-year-old adopted daughter.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize!(Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.

Question # 1: Who wrote The Grapes of Wrath (please include middle name)?

CINDY'S PICKS

Do you long for far away adventure, but are afraid to leave the country? Do you want to be entertained without thinking, "Is that possible?" Would you like some light reading that does not make you think too hard? Then I have two words for you, Clive Cussler. Clive Cussler's non-fiction books are mostly divded into three series, The Dirk Pitt Adventures, The Numa Files, and The Oregon Files. I would recommend starting with the Dirk Pitt Adventures, as this series will lay the ground work for the next two. As Dirk Pitt ages thoughout this series, you may want to start with the earlier books first. http://www.cusslermen.com/books.htm

Enjoy,
Cindy

Based on the Book

Today marks one month until Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince hits theaters - and boy am I excited! If you are a Harry Potter fan, be sure to stop in and pick up the book so you can reread it before the movie comes out. If you haven't read Harry Potter (and if you like fantasy/mystery/excellent storytelling and writing) for heaven's sake come in and start the series. They are so good that you just might be able to get through the Half Blood Prince (which is the 6th book) in time.

Click here to watch the trailer.

New but not "New" books

Here at the library we are constantly circulating new books into the library, many of which have been dontated to the library and don't make it to the "New" shelves, so I thought I would highlight some of those here.

We had a nice donation of "women's" fiction recently, which included:

Something Blue by Emily Griffin:
Darcy Rhone thought she had it all figured out: the more beautiful the girl, the more charmed her life. Never mind substance. Never mind playing by the rules. Never mind karma. But Darcy’s neat, perfect world turns upside down when her best friend, Rachel White, the plain-Jane “good girl,” steals her fiancé, while Darcy finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life…with a baby on the way. Darcy tries to recover, fleeing to her childhood friend living in London and resorting to her tried-and-true methods for getting what she wants. But as she attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent, Darcy finds that her rules no longer apply. It is only then that Darcy can begin her journey toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and motherhood. Something Blue is a novel about one woman’s surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship, love, and happily-ever-after. It’s a novel for anyone who has ever, even secretly, wondered if the last thing you want is really the one thing you need.

Miss New York Has Everything by Lori Jakila:
Don't let the smiling stewardess on the cover fool you: Jakiela's memoir has more in common with Chuck Klosterman than Coffee, Tea or Me? The early story focuses on the author's 1970s childhood in a working-class Pennsylvania town, especially on her father, a factory worker who considered other people "cockroaches," but doted on his pet miniature poodle. She dwells on her love of '70s pop idols like Shaun Cassidy and explains that her decision to abandon a career as a journalist and writing teacher to become a flight attendant was inspired by a childhood admiration for Marlo Thomas and That Girl. Unsurprisingly, Jakiela discovers life in the skies isn't really glamorous, and the job quickly takes an emotional toll. "My world started to shrink down to small spaces," Jakiela writes, an endless chain of jet cabins and hotel rooms. But there are also poignant moments in brief portraits of colleagues and passengers, and more than enough proof that Jakiela's decision to pursue a writing career was the right move.

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss:
Once upon a time a man who had become invisible arrived in America." An unlikely and unforgettable hero, Leo Gursky is a survivor -- of war, of love, and of loneliness. A retired locksmith, Leo does his best to get by. He measures the passage of days by the nightly arrival of the delivery boy from the Chinese restaurant and has arranged a code with his upstairs neighbor: Three taps on the radiator means, "ARE YOU ALIVE?, two means YES, one NO." But it wasn't always so. Sixty years earlier, before he fled Poland for New York, Leo met a girl named Alma and fell in love. He wrote a book and named the character in it after his beloved. Years passed, lives changed, and unbeknownst to Leo, the book survived. And it provides Leo -- in the eighth decade of his life -- with a link to the son he's never known. How this long-lost book makes an extraordinary reappearance and connects the lives of disparate characters is only one of the small miracles The History of Love offers its readers. Rich, inventive, and continually surprising, this is a novel about lost love, found love, and rediscovered love; it is about where we find love when it seems all too elusive and what happens when we do. In short, it is a triumph.

June/July Display

The June/July display in the library is a wonderful collection of bald eagles that belongs to the kind and generous Larry Yeager. make sure to stop in and check them out.

A few facts about bald eagles:

* Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph.
* Bald eagles have 7,000 feathers.
* Bald eagles weigh from ten to fourteen pounds and have lifting power up to 4 pounds.
* The bald eagle became the National emblem in 1782 when the great seal of the United States was adopted.

Bookworm

Fiction
Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander: Dr. Molly Whitcomb, having lost her job at a university, decides to move to Timber Ridge, Colorado, where she will make a new start teaching children, but a lie about her past threatens to ruin her newfound faith and her relationship with the sheriff.

The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson: Nun Mary-Margaret Fischer, having returned to her convent to take her final vow, receives a message from Jesus that she must marry her troubled childhood friend Jude Keller and debates what she should do.

Drama City by George Pelecanos: Lorenzo Brown hopes that his new job as an officer for the Humane Society will keep him out of trouble and out of prison; however, his parole officer, Rachel Lopez, seems to be heading for trouble, just when Lorenzo needs her the most.

Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart: Former detective Mallory Russo teams up with police detective Charlie Wanamaker in order to solve the murder of two young boys in a park and the disappearance of two missing teenagers possibly involved in the killings.

Breakwater by Carla Neggers: Quinn Harlowe had recently left the pressure of her job at the Justice Department to "have a life". But that ends when her friend is found dead outside her bayside cottage. She suspects Huck, a bodyguard at Breakwater, but he is really an undercover agent trying to penetrate a violent network of vigilantes.

Every Move You Make by Carla Cassidy: After receiving a strange gift on her thirtieth birthday, Annalise Blakely finds out about a string of recent murders where the killer targets women, dresses them up as dolls, and leaves them for the police to find.

Carved in Stone by Jefferson Bass: Anthropologist Bill Brockton is called to a cave in East Tennessee when a thirty-year-old corpse, preserved into an almost perfect mummy, is discovered, and soon Bill finds himself pulled into a local feud and an ecological mystery that is baffling scientists.


Nonfiction
Do The Right Thing by Mike Huckabee: Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee recalls his campaign to secure the Republican nomination for president in 2008, and explains why he believes his back-to-basics message drew such a following throughout the country.

Get a Jump! By Carl Buck: Created to help families learn more about the financial aid process and discover the resources they need to pay for college.

Step-By-Step Yard and Garden Projects: Hundreds of easy projects, tips, and techniques to make your garden more beautiful and comfortable.

The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches by Jeff Yeager: Jeff Yeager shares the strategies he has used to save money, retire early, and live the ultimate cheapskate life while making a difference in the world.

Outliers: the Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell: The author explores why some people are high achievers and others are not, citing culture, family, and upbringing as possible reasons some people are not as successful as others.

Bicycles: Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni: A collection of romantic-themed poetry from African-American poet Nikki Giovanni, and features the title selection along with "I am Jazz," "Your Shower," "Gray Clouds Hover," "Friends and Lovers," and others.

Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer: The author relates her struggle to overcome obstacles, including an abused childhood and bad marriage, in order to be successful and profiles individuals who did the same.

Today is World Oceans Day!

To celebrate World Oceans Day, I thought I would put together a post highlighting some of the ocean themed materials we have available here at the library.

In our DVD collection, we have BBC's series Blue Planet: Seas of Life. If you are interested in learning about the ocean and it's various ecosystems and lifeforms, this is one of the best visual resources available. Here is a playlist I put together with some excerpts.



In addition to the DVD, we have a companion book for the series titled The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans

Other Nautical themed works in our collection include:
Moby Dick by Melville Herman
The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules VerneMurder on the Oceanic by Conrad Allen
Ship of Ghouls by R.L. Stein
Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
Fatal Tide by Iris Johansen
Dolphin Song by Lauren St. John
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
And many many more non-fiction and fiction books concerning the ocean and the rich life it holds.

For more information on how you can help protect the ocean, visit http://www.theoceanproject.org/

Based on the Book

We decided at the staff meeting this morning that I should change my name to Blogmaster T. This makes me feel like I should have super powers of somekind or at least wear a cape, but I possess neither so I guess I'll just have to stay plain old Tiffany (at least for now).


And for those of you have commented on the blog when you have come in to the library - thank you so much! It is good to know that there are people on the other end reading my posts :-)

This week's Based on the Book is Bee Season, which has been available on DVD for some time now. We have the novel available for checkout.

"Eliza Naumann, a seemingly unremarkable nine-year-old, expects never to fit into her gifted family: her autodidact father, Saul, absorbed in his study of Jewish mysticism; her brother, Aaron, the vessel of his father's spiritual ambitions; and her brilliant but distant lawyer-mom, Miriam. But when Eliza sweeps her school and district spelling bees in quick succession, Saul takes it as a sign that she is destined for greatness. In this altered reality, Saul inducts her into his hallowed study and lavishes upon her the attention previously reserved for Aaron, who in his displacement embarks upon a lone quest for spiritual fulfillment. When Miriam's secret life triggers a familial explosion, it is Eliza who must order the chaos.

Myla Goldberg's keen eye for detail brings Eliza's journey to three-dimensional life. As she rises from classroom obscurity to the blinding lights and outsized expectations of the National Bee, Eliza's small pains and large joys are finely wrought and deeply felt.

Not merely a coming-of-age story, Goldberg's first novel delicately examines the unraveling fabric of one family. The outcome of this tale is as startling and unconventional as her prose, which wields its metaphors sharply and rings with maturity. The work of a lyrical and gifted storyteller, Bee Season marks the arrival of an extraordinarily talented new writer. "

Below is an interview with Richard Geer on his role in the movie:

Paige Picks

It's been awhile since I have featured any staff picks, so I thought I would ask our paiges to recommend some books. They are well read, as you can imagine, and it sounds like they have some good recommendations.


Jett picked Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead. Jett says, "I enjoyed the unique spin it puts on the Robin Hood legend."

"For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.

Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Stephen R. Lawhead's latest work conjures up an ancient past and holds a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare yourself for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood."






Sean picked Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose. It is a nonfiction account of the trials faced by a company of soldiers during World War II. Sean says of the book, "It illustrates courage and bravery at it's finest"

"They came together in the summer of 1942. It was as good a rifle company as any in the world. Here is the story of E Company -- men who went hungry, froze, and died for each other -- from the rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to their disbanding in 1945."





Anthony chose The Legend of Drizzt Series by R.A. Salvatore. The series consists of 13 fantasy books. Anthony says he likes these books because "there are elves and swords and fighting. What's not to like?"

The epic tale of everyone's favorite dark elf, Drizzt Do'Urden, reaches new heights!Drizzt Do'Urden struggles with his own inner voices, voices that call him back to the pitiless depths of the Underdark. But louder still are the voices of his newfound friends, and the dream that drives Bruenor Battlehammer on to reclaim Mithral Hall. Time and again they're told to turn back, that some dreams can never be fulfilled, but on they fight -- together.

The Twilight Saga in The Atlantic

I found an article in a back issue of The Atlantic about The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, and luckily the entire article is available on their website. It is titled "What Girls Want: A Series of Vampire Novels Illuminates the Complexities of Female Adolescent Desire" and delves into the deeper issues found within the stories that speak to a new generation of young women.

It is evident that the author of the article, Caitlin Flanagan, is well read in the classical romance novel. If you have read the novels or have a daughter who has read the novels, you should read this article. It's pretty good and has enough references to other love stories that you just might find a new book to read in the process.


Click here to read the article.



When hearing the term "Vampire Romance Novel" one may be more inclined to think of dime store paperbacks than classical literature, but the Twilight sagas are so well crafted and engaging that they will likely become classics themselves (though I still want to scream "find a hobby" at the main character because her obsession with Edward and his unnatural beauty is a little over the top, not to mention unhealthy.)

Bookworm

FICTION

Nightwalker by Heather Graham: Jessy Sparhawk is haunted by the ghost of the murdered man who fell onto her while she stood at a craps table, and involves herself in the a murder investigation being led by Private Detective Dillon Wolf which takes them to a desert, ghost town called Indigo.

Still Life by Joy Fielding: Interior designer Casey Marshall, severely injured and left in a coma after being hit by a car, can still hear what is going on around her, and finds herself privy to some very disturbing information--including the fact that someone may have tried to kill her.

Boneman's Daughter by Ted Dekker: Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, having spent time in Fallujah as the captive of insurgents who forced him to learn to kill by breaking bones and leaving victims to die, returns to find himself under suspicion when a serial killer who employs the same method of murder begins abducting young girls--including Evans' own estranged daughter.

Deadlock by Iris Johansen: It begins with a mission when Emily and her partner, Joel Levy, and the crew are attacked and held hostage by a captor who is determined to find the missing link to a legendary treasure. Jon Garrett is a hired to save Emily and Joel and is soon catapulted into unraveling the truth behind a bigger conspiracy...or dies trying.

Miss Julies Delivers the Goods by Ann B. Ross: When naïve Hazel Marie, the former mistress of Miss Julia's first husband, learns that her flulike symptoms have another cause, it's up to the enterprising Miss Julia to patch things up between Hazel Marie and her estranged PI boyfriend, J.D. Pickens. Meanwhile, a burglary at the house of lawyer Sam Murdoch, Miss Julia's second husband, means trouble.

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline: Reporter Ellen Gleeson is stunned when she sees her adopted son Will on a "Have You Seen This Child?" flier and must decide if she is willing to uncover the truth about her son's birth and possibly risk losing him forever.

The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice: After her husband dies and her eldest daughter, Carrie, runs away, Maggie Shaw moves her remaining brood-level-headed Travis and troubled Beck-from Ohio to Newport, R.I., where she will teach English at the prestigious Newport Academy, where the kids also enroll.

The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick: Lucinda Bromley is plagued by rumors that she poisoned her fiancé, but manages to keep tending her beloved plants and occasionally consulting on a murder investigation. The death of a lord, by a poison from a plant that was stolen from her conservatory, leads her and Caleb Jones into an investigation concerning the early days of the Arcane Society and a deadly conspiracy.

Malice by Lisa Jackson: Detective Rick Bentz awakens in the hospital following an accident to see his first wife, Jennifer, who died twelve years earlier, standing in the room, and when a copy of her death certificate arrives in the mail emblazoned with a red question mark, Bentz travels in search of the truth--falling right into the trap of a vengeful killer.

The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips: In 1931, a miner's family in Alabama tries to make it through the Depression while dealing with racial tension in their small town, the possibility of a disastrous mining accident, and the discovery of a dead infant in their well.

The Diary by Eileen Goudge: When the two grown daughters of Elizabeth Marshall discover an old diary of their mother’s in her attic, it comes as a shock to learn that the true love of Elizabeth’s life was not their father.

Borderline by Nevada Barr: Anna Davidson is on administrative leave and the bright spot in her life is her husband Paul. Hoping the warmth and the adventure of a raft trip in Big Bend National Park will lift her spirits, they float on the Rio Grande. But, in the downed branches between two boulders, more dead than alive, is a pregnant woman.

The Dakota Cipher by William Dietrich: Ethan Gage returns home to investigate the Louisiana Territory for Napoleon, who maintains it was sold back to France, and with the help of Norwegian, Magnus Bloodhammer, encounter British loyalists, hostile Indians, and disciples of an Egyptian snake cult.

Michal by Jill Eileen Smith: Soon after Michal, the daughter of King Saul falls in love with a young harpist named David, he is forced to flee the kingdom, and Michal is left alone to deal with her father's unpredictable moods, compete with her beautiful older sister, and wonder whether she and David will ever be reunited.

Based on the Book

This weeks based on the book is Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, which was made into a movie in 1985 and stars Maryl Streep and Robert Redford. Both the novel and the movie are available in our collection.

In this book, the author gives a true account of her life on her plantation in Kenya. She tells with classic simplicity of the ways of the country and the natives: of the beauty of the Ngong Hills and coffee trees in blossom: of her guests, from the Prince of Wales to Knudsen, the old charcoal burner, who visited her: of primitive festivals: of big game that were her near neighbors--lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, buffaloes--and of Lulu, the little gazelle who came to live with her, unbelievably ladylike and beautiful.



Here is the original trailer