So I went to Harry Potter last night (and yes, it was awesome) and during the previews they played the trailer for the Where the Wild Things Are movie. It looks to be a good and releases in October! Maurice Sendak is one of our favorite children's authors here at the library. If you have kids or grandkids or an inner child, stop by and read a few. They are imaginative and endearing. A few of the titles include In the Night Kitchen, Where the Wild Things Are and Outside Over There.Monday, July 20, 2009
Based on the Book
So I went to Harry Potter last night (and yes, it was awesome) and during the previews they played the trailer for the Where the Wild Things Are movie. It looks to be a good and releases in October! Maurice Sendak is one of our favorite children's authors here at the library. If you have kids or grandkids or an inner child, stop by and read a few. They are imaginative and endearing. A few of the titles include In the Night Kitchen, Where the Wild Things Are and Outside Over There.Friday, July 17, 2009
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.)Thursday, July 16, 2009
Nebraska Memories

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
New but not "New"
Peony by Pearl S. BuckThis is the story of a culture within a culture. The conflict between the two cultures comes out as a love affair develops between two young people. Peony is classic Pearl Buck showing not only the conflict of the new and old ways but the difficulty in a society where there was no discrimination against the Jews. Pearl Buck won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.

The Complete Book of Cross Stitch Designs by Linda Schaffer
A classic of stitchwork, The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs showcases 500 designs—from traditional favorites to originals found nowhere else. There are soft and lacy patterns; some that mimic knitting, weaving, or patchwork; and others that use large openwork and popcorn stitches. And every stitch design features a photo, reader-friendly instructions, and a diagram showing each stitch and its placement—so it’s easy to understand the entire design at a glance. The guide also includes a pictorial index, which displays the complete pattern, and directions for all basic crochet stitches. Both beginners and experienced crocheters alike will turn to this invaluable reference for years to come. (Please note that we own the "classic" edition, so the cover looks different.)

Guts by Gary Paulsen
In Guts, Gary tells the real stories behind the Brian books, the stories of the adventures that inspired him to write Brian Robeson's story: working as an emergency volunteer; the death that inspired the pilot's death in Hatchet; plane crashes he has seen and near-misses of his own. He describes how he made his own bows and arrows, and takes readers on his first hunting trips, showing the wonder and solace of nature along with his hilarious mishaps and mistakes. He shares special memories, such as the night he attracted every mosquito in the county, or how he met the moose with a sense of humor, and the moose who made it personal. There's a handy chapter on "Eating Eyeballs and Guts or Starving: The Fine Art of Wilderness Nutrition." Recipes included. Readers may wonder how Gary Paulsen survived to write all of his books -- well, it took guts.

Black Hills by Nora Roberts
A summer at his grandparents' South Dakota ranch is not eleven-year-old Cooper Sullivan's idea of a good time. But things are a bit more bearable now that he's discovered the neighbor girl, Lil Chance, and her homemade batting cage. Each year, with Coop's annual summer visit, their friendship deepens from innocent games to stolen kisses, but there is one shared experience that will forever haunt them: the terrifying discovery of a hiker's body.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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 #8
Which poet served as a nurse during the Civil War?

Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh: Young Stephen Huxtable, the Earl of Merton, becomes entangled in a romantic affair with Cassandra Belmont, a beautiful widow who has been accused of murdering her husband, but taking Cassandra as his wife would risk his reputation.
Marine One by James W. Huston: After the President of the United States is killed in a helicopter crash, Mike Nolan, a Marine Corps reserve helicopter pilot and civilian trial attorney, is hired to defend the European manufacturing company in a court, but his only hope to win is to discover what really caused the crash.
Nightwalkers by P. T. Deutermann: Cam Richter finds himself caught up in mischievous pranks around his land. Then the pranks turn hostile and he realizes he's a target of a killer who holds him responsible for something he didn't do. As he tries to find out why someone wants him dead, he begins to uncover the secrets of the plantation.
Winterkill by C.J. Box: In a violent Wyoming blizzard, game warden Joe Pickett finds an arrow-riddled corpse stuck to a tree. The investigation, run by federal agents with conflicting agendas and strong rivalries, leads to a group of survivalists called the Sovereign Citizens.
Razor Sharp by Fern Michaels: The Ladies of Pinewood are about to come to Lizzie's aid after she takes on a high-profile case involving some "ladies of the night" and some wealthy, arrogant customers. Even the higher courts will prove no match of seven fearless friends determined to ensure that real justice is served, Sisterhood style.
Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger: Ariadne Evans swore her sleuthing days were over after her very own knitting shop became a crime scene a few months back. But she hadn't anticipated that the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival would become the site of another murder -- with hers truly as a prime suspect.
The Last Gunfighter Hell Town by William Johnstone: Buckskin, Nevada, was once a boom town then died a peaceful death. But when a fresh vein of silver is struck, Morgan lets himself get pinned with a tin badge at the worst possible time.
Non Fiction
In The Mind's Eye by Elizabeth Dodd: A collection of essays in which Elizabeth Dodd examines the natural and human history of various sites in the American Southwest, southern France, and the Pacific Northwest.
Becoming Attached by Robert Karen: The book offers fresh insight into some of the most fundamental issues of emotional life, a voyage of discovery in children’s emotional development and its pertinence to adult life, and personal discovery.
Walking Your Blues Away by Thom Hartmann: A new approach to using walking to heal emotional trauma and bring forth optimal mental functioning.
American Lion by Jon Meacham: Details the life of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, and focuses on his political actions and choices that shaped the White House and inspired the later presidents--including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and others.
The Last Princess by Matthew Dennison: A comprehensive biography of Beatrice, the youngest daughter of England's Queen Victoria, that chronicles her life, devotion to her mother, marriage, and family.
Paul Newman: A Life by Shawn Levy: Looks at the life of Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman, discussing his youth in Cleveland, Ohio, his early acting struggles, his artistic battles, long-lasting marriage to Joanne Woodward, late-life decision to become a race car driver, and charitable work.
Eat This, Not That for Kids by David Zinczenko: Provides nutritional facts for thousands of foods from fast-food restaurants to vending machine choices that children usually enjoy; and suggests healthier alternatives.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Harrry Potter is almost here!
Friday, July 10, 2009
New but not "New"
The Essential 55: an award-winning educator's rules for discovering the successful student in every child by Ron ClarkThe runaway bestseller that's a must-have for every parent and teacher.
How many authors would travel coast to coast on a bus to get their book into as many hands as possible? Not many. But that's just what Ron Clark, author of The Essential 55, did to keep his book and message in the public eye. And it worked. The book sat tenaciously on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks. Ron Clark was featured on the Today show, and in the Chicago Tribune, Good Housekeeping, and the New York Daily News -- not to mention the calls we've received from teachers and parents who want to get their hands on Ron's guidelines for teaching children. Call number 371.102 CLA
The Book Borrower by Alice MattisonIn deceptively quiet, guileless prose, she has described the mind numbing routine of child-care and the fraught, complex relations of men and women. Only Margaret Atwood has written as knowingly about the frienship between women. Emotionally wrenching, beautifully realized work. Call number FIC MAT
The One-Life Solution by Dr. Henry CloudDo you feel that if you could get rid of some of the chaos in your work life, you could take your performance to a greater level? Do you stay late at the office many nights, or check your BlackBerry when you don't? Do you have difficulty dealing with cantankerous bosses or passive-aggressive coworkers? If you've answered yes, your performance is suffering and your work life has taken over your personal life. In The One-Life Solution, bestselling author Dr. Henry Cloud examines the workplace. Through engaging real-world examples, Dr. Cloud shows us how to construct and enforce better boundaries against the technological devices, bullying bosses, and distracting coworkers who invade our time and space. Call number 650.1 CLO
The Works of Edgar Allan PoeThis beautifully bound volume includes over 70 stories and 40 poems, including his famous works The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart & The Raven. Call number FIC POE
The Pictorial Encyclopedia of Japanese Culture: the sould and heritage of JapanThis book is visual rich as well as informative. It provides a comprehensive look at the Japanese culture. Call number 390.0952 PIC
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Lots of New VHS!
Since DVD technology has taken over, we have been receiving more and more VHS donations, many which are finding their way into our collection. Nearly 30 new titles have been added to our catalog this week alone, including the following titles:Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Bookworm

Alexandria by Lindsey Davis: In the first century A.D. in Rome, Marcus Didius Falco works as a private "informer" often for the emperor. When he takes a vacation to Alexandria Egypt, he soon finds himself in the midst of a case involving the Head Librarian of the world-famous library found dead behind locked doors.
Shadows Still Remain by Peter De Jonce: New York Police Department detective Darlene O'Hara risks losing her job when she refuses to believe that the prime suspect in the murder of a college student is guilty and sets out to find the real killer.
The Branch and the Scaffold by Loren D. Estleman: A fictional account of the life of Judge Isaac Parker, telling how he earned the title of "Hanging Judge of the Border" for his severe judgments during his tenure as the sole law in the territory around Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Return of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone: The town of Bury, Idaho was raw and untamed and not for the faint-hearted, but Smoke Jensen was neither. Nor were the outlaws he was after -- the ones who had killed his wife and boy.
The Valentine Legacy by Catherine Coulter: Jessie Warfield and James Wyndham are an unlikely romantic duo in the riding set. James is being pressured to marry her and Jessie is being pressured to leave. She runs away but ends up at James' cousins and is transformed into a stylish and beautiful maiden.
The King James Conspiracy by Phillip DePoy: In 1605, at Cambridge University, one of the translators working on the new Bible is savagely murdered by unknown hands. Help comes from people who are not who they claim to be -- Brother Timon has a secret past and blood on his hands. He is an agent for the forces working to stop the translation itself.
Flinx Transcendent by Alan Dean Foster: Flinx races against time and various obstacles to save the Human Commonwealth from certain destruction, and must face the AAnn, come to terms with the truth about his father, locate an ancient sentient weapons platform, and outwit assassins.
The Increment by David Ignatius: Harry Pappas, chief of Persia House for the CIA, receives intel about the Iranian bomb program from an Iranian scientist, but when the scientist's life is in jeopardy, and the United States government is little help, Pappas is forced to betray America and enlist the aid of a British spy team known as "The Increment."
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly: Forced out of the "Los Angeles Times" amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, and uses his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career.
Whispers of the Dead by Simon Beckett: Forensic anthropologist David Hunter travels from London to a field laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee, and after he is called to a crime scene in a remote mountain cabin, Hunter begins to search for a serial killer who is knowledgeable about forensics.
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.
An Honorable German by Charles McCain: Max Brekendorf, a young German
German naval officer, commands a U-Boat in the beginning of World War II, but as the war progresses, Max worries about his fiancée, Mareth, who faces danger while living in Berlin, and Max must make a choice between his own morality and his loyalty to the Reich.
Cemetary Dance by Douglas Preston: FBI special agent Aloysius Pendergast and Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta think they have an open and shut murder case when they receive footage of the killer leaving the victim's apartment, but things are not so clear when they learn the suspect actually died two weeks before the crime.
Gone Tommorrow by Lee Child: Jack Reacher survives a suicide bombing that claimed the life of Susan Mark, and with the help of a female police officer, Reacher looks for answers about Susan Mark's life, and follows a trail that leads him to Washington, California, and Afghanistan.
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 #6
Which Nebraska author wanted to be a medical doctor?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Based on the Book
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.Here's the trailer of the movie and an interview with the actresses. Be sure to stop in and check out the book before seeing the movie!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Happy 4th of July!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The History of Independece Day
We have a wonderful DVD available for checkout titled Independence Day: The History of the 4th of July and it can be found in our DVD collection under the call number DVD 394.2634 IND Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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.)
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.
Monday, June 29, 2009
4th of July Library Hours
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.Thursday, June 25, 2009
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.Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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.Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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?
Monday, June 22, 2009
A List of Ten Great Children's 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.Thursday, June 18, 2009
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?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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.Monday, June 15, 2009
CINDY'S PICKS
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.
Friday, June 12, 2009
New but not "New" books
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.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
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.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bookworm

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.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Today is World Oceans Day!

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
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:
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Paige Picks
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
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.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Based on the Book
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

