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The Almost Moon is almost a good read.

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

Five years after the smash hit The Lovely Bones hit shelves, Alice Sebold fans have been itching for her sophomore novel. FINALLY The Almost Moon came out a few months ago and sadly I was underwhelmed.

The premise is a good one: a woman is so fed up with her elderly mother (who has been mentally and emotionally abusive to her daughter her whole life) that she decides to smother her with a towel instead of taking care of her for one more day. It was completely unpremeditated and even a little shocking to Helen, as she stares down at her mother's limp body is disbelief. What follows is her mental journal through the next few days. Her ex-husband Jake comes to her rescue despite him having no reason to help her out. Helen doesn't know what to say to her daughters beyond, "Your grandmother is dead. And I killed her." Remorse is slightly beyond her reach and she goes on a bender of inappropriate sex with her best friend's son while plotting her escape once the police find her guilty.

The pace of the book was so slow moving, I struggled to care enough to finish the book. I kept thinking, “This has to get more exciting, doesn’t it?” The end seemed messy and unresolved. I thought Sebold could have gone to many more interesting places with the plot. Her characters were thin and I had a hard time sympathizing with Helen.

Let’s just hope that the movie adaptation of The Lovely Bones lives up to the book and that her next novel is better!

Posted on January 11, 2008 by Meghan at 09:00 AM | | Comments (1)

Library Videographers Boost William Allen White Nominees' Exposure

Traditionally, the Kansas William Allen White (WAW) book award nominee booktalks have been performed annually by Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library staff in person at local area schools. Realizing that it is impossible to reach all students in the service area in person, Sandy Lane and Robin Clark collaborated with Topeka area gifted students to produce these highly creative videos on Youtube featuring book reviews of the current William Allen White nominees for 2007-2008. The videos include interviews from “The Dr. Dyl Show”, several inanimate object reviewers, masked anonymous book reviewers, and one with exceptional headgear.

The boost in exposure includes posting the WAW video links on local, state, regional and national library list servs, the WAW official website, online library newsletters and blogs, as well as emails to area school media specialists.

Hopes are that as students view these peer produced video reviews, they will be more interested in reading the nominees and better prepared to vote by April 15, the end date for selection of the William Allen White award for 2008.

Stay tuned for more videos to come. . .

Posted on January 08, 2008 by Robin at 02:00 PM | | Comments (0)

Thoughts on Recent Reads from our Staff

Here's what our staffer's had to say about some of their recent reads:Rhett Butler's People

An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor--"James Herriotesque, but with cruder language"
Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCraig--"Better than Scarlett, but no Gone With the Wind"
Black Monday by R. Scott Reiss (the audiobook version)--" a far fetched story that was thrilling to listen to and thought provoking"
Pontoon by Garrison Keillor--"Funny"
Before I Die by Jenny Downham--"One of the best I've read in a long time"
Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfield--"Really good, kid friendly, and easy"
World Without End by Ken Follet--"Liking it"Star of the Sea
Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay--"Disappointed"
the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher--"Great!"
Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor--"a really good historical"
Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson--"very good, a compulsive read, the Vietnam novel to end all Vietnam novels"
The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connely--"good for a fast read"
the Close to Home cartoon collections by John McPherson--"like Gary Larsen"

And from someone who had seen the recently released movie adaptation of No Country for Old Men--"Fabulous!  Go See it!"

Posted on January 05, 2008 by Deb at 08:50 AM | | Comments (0)

Are you Daring?

The Daring Book for GirlsWhen The Dangerous Book for Boys came out, I thought "where is my book?" Sure, the book for boys is cool and yes, I snuck a peek even though it wasn't for me. But where are all the things every savvy girl needs to know? Well, thank goodness Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz put their heads together to bring all of us a pretty decent guide to what all girls need to know.

Do you know the words to popular hand clap games? How to double-dutch? Sew a sit-upon? This book will teach you everything you need to know about surviving the playground, as well as sprinkling in historical facts about famous women doing outrageous and courageous things.

Posted on November 23, 2007 by Meghan at 01:14 PM | | Comments (0)

Where all the women are strong, the men are good looking...

Pontoon by Garrison KeillorWhenever I'm in the mood for the literary equivalent of comfort food, I turn to Garrison Keillor. Growing up his voice was always on the radio on Sunday mornings as my mom would fiddle around in the kitchen. His news from Lake Wobegon was like listening to stories of my own Lutheran family and it never ceased to crack me up.

I was excited to see that he had a new book out this fall, although with a name like Pontoon, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, how could I not fall in love with a book that starts out with the death of an elderly woman who loved to go dancing, had a lover named Raoul and enjoyed sneaking off on adventures all around the States with him? Even better, she specified that she wanted to be cremated and put to rest inside a hollowed out green bowling ball and dropped into the bottom on Wobegon Lake. Mix in a parachuting Elvis impersonator, a mangy dog that smells like dead fish and twenty drunken Danish priests on a pontoon boat and you have a story!

Check out Pontoon or give the audio a listen- there's just something about listening to Garrison Keillor that makes everything right in the world.

Posted on November 16, 2007 by Meghan at 09:43 AM | | Comments (0)

Getting on with The Rest of Her Life

The Rest of Her LifeLawrence author Laura Moriarty comes out swinging with her sophmore novel, The Rest of Her Life. Leigh's family had a normal, quiet suburban lifestyle- a house with a yard, jobs to go to, school to attend. Everything changed on the last day of school when Kara, Leigh's eldest child, accidentally hit a fellow classmate with her car, killing her instantly. The entire family is turned upside-down as they deal with the backlash from the community over this death. Leigh feels more sympathetic towards the girl who died than her own daughter. Gary, Leigh's husband, is trying to take control of the situation despite how out of control he feels. Kara is a walking around like a zombie, unable to deal with her mother let alone her thoughts of killing an innocent human being. And Justin, Leigh's youngest, is lost and confused as his parents and sister steadily ignore him during this trying time in their lives.

While certainly not an uplifting read, it is curious to see the different reactions to the car accident, from Leigh practically stalking the dead girl's mother to Kara and her self-deprivation of food, love and laughter. Perhaps the most jarring parts of the book are the descriptions of the town of Danby, hauntingly familiar to Lawrence's own streets (although the author is careful to distance the two) while namedropping other familiar Kansas towns (even Topeka!). While most authors seem to highlight New York and L.A. as the backdrop for their novels, it was strange, yet refreshing, to read about these characters visiting the Nelson-Atkins museum or the William Allen White House in Emporia.

Posted on November 09, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (0)

Poe's Mysterious Death: The Plot Thickens

The Poe ShadowFrom the New York Observer:

Last year, the writer Matthew Pearl published a novel called The Poe Shadow, in which a young lawyer sets out to solve one of the great enduring mysteries of American literary history: What killed Edgar Allan Poe? Like his protagonist, Mr. Pearl was fascinated by the question, which has vexed scholars ever since the great man died in 1849 at the age of 40, in a Baltimore hospital after being discovered, distraught and incoherent, in a local tavern.

Mr. Pearl had wanted to write a novel exploring the mystery. But he never expected to uncover actual evidence that could help solve it.

There are numerous competing theories about the Mr. Poe’s death—the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, even has an exhibit dedicated to all of them. Some Poe experts believe it was the result of drink. Others think he had rabies. A few argue he was poisoned by corrupt political operatives. But Mr. Pearl—a 32-year-old graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, whose 2003 debut, the international best seller The Dante Club, prompted Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown to declare him, “the new star of literary fiction”—told The Observer recently that he has unearthed new information that suggests a less sensational answer: Mr. Poe, it seems, may have died of a brain tumor.

Read the rest of the article here.

Posted on October 19, 2007 by Anne at 08:05 AM | | Comments (0)

Charmed, I'm sure.

Charmed KnitsAs the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to turn, I can only think of one thing: sweater season! While the library is full of knitting books, some of them are a little... boring. Why not try filling out your fall wardrobe with something a little more magical? Charmed Knits is an excellent collection of Harry Potter inspired sweaters, socks and scarves with a few other surprises tucked inside. Proudly show off your mighty Gryffindor colors (or if you're like me, your Ravenclaw ones) or give your best friend a pair of Dobby inspired socks.

Need a little boost to get your going? Join the Charmed Knit-Along group and check out other people's WIPs and finished projects!

Posted on October 12, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (1)

Beyond the Musical Avant-Garde

The Rest is NoiseFrom Commentary magazine:

What really happened to classical music in the 20th century? The survey histories of modern music that were published in the 1960’s mostly took for granted the historical inevitability and ultimate triumph of atonality and the postwar avant-garde. But history, as it is wont to do, went in a different direction.

By century’s end, it was clear that there had been nothing inevitable about those two stylistic developments, neither of which was embraced by audiences or performers. Today they are, if not exactly forgotten, then ignored by a new generation of classical composers who have other priorities. The American minimalist composer Philip Glass spoke for many in dismissing the European avant-garde as “a wasteland, dominated by these maniacs, these creeps, who were trying to make everyone write this crazy creepy music.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Reserve your copy today!

Posted on October 09, 2007 by Anne at 03:23 PM | | Comments (0)

Wrap yourself in something cozy this fall.

The Crochet Stitch BibleI love yarn. There's just something about running your fingers over the fibers, whether it be a nubbly bouclé, silky cashmere or the softest bamboo. When the weather starts to cool and the air is crisp, I love spending my free time with a skein of yarn and my crochet hooks. Usually I don't have an immediate plan of action--I just pick a yarn I like and flip through my copy of The Crochet Stitch Bible to select a pattern that strikes my fancy.

Think crochet is too hard? Can't get your head out of the knitting mindset? If you've shied away from crochet in the past, give this book a try. The illustrations are some of the best I've ever seen for an instructional crochet book (you can actually see the individual loops!), the instructions are clear and the diagrams are actually helpful instead of confusing (tell me you haven't run into more than one of those in the past!). Try out patterns on a scarf or blanket--you might be pleasantly surprised!

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (0)

Get Fitted.

Fitted KnitsKnitting books come and go and most of them are pretty.... eh. Sure, the photos are glossy and the yarn is to die for, but the projects themselves are rather lame. Or something I would never be caught dead wearing or carrying around. Or the instructions are too complicated/incorrect/flawed.

After reading about Fitted Knits on NotMartha.org, I thought I'd check it out and probably turn it right back in. Nothing could be that good, right? I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were the pictures lovely to browse, but the projects were things I would wear! The sweaters are gorgeous and the patterns seem simple or moderate. If you're looking for a fall project and love knitting, this book is a must see!

You can read more about Stefanie Japel on her website, GlampyreKnits.

Posted on September 14, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (2)

Making Eye Contact

Eye ContactI have to admit- I'm not a fan of mysteries. I don't go in for surprise endings, waiting breathlessly through twists and turns and I never skip ahead to see who-done-it. Yet, a friend of mine challenged me to read something outside of my comfort zone and highly recommended Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern. Wary of this choice, I checked it out but had it piled on my desk hidden under a bunch of other things I wanted to read first. Finally, after I could ignore it no longer, I cracked the cover and vowed only to give it 50 pages to impress me. 200+ pages later I'm done and very glad I dabbled in this genre!

Life hasn't been easy for Cara. First she gets pregnant and isn't sure who the father is, nor does she really want to find out. Then she loses her best friend after a nasty fight. Shortly after Adam is born, Cara notices that he isn't like the other babies she sees at the park. Diagnosed with autism, Cara gives up everything to take care of her young son. It isn't until her parents die in a nasty car accident that she finally hits rock bottom. Still, despite all the turmoil and bad luck, Cara climbs her way back up. Afterall, she still has to take care of her son!

A decade later, Adam is in school and doing well with the help of special classes, tutors and Cara's unflagging energy to help her son. He's even managed to make friends with a young girl in his class, surprising everyone. It isn't until Adam and the girl disappear during recess that Cara starts to worry for the first time in many years. It only gets worse once Adam is found, but the girl ends up dead. With Adam as the only witness to the murder and very little evidence found at the crime scene, the police follow wild leads that ultimately end up as dead ends. If only Adam could tell them what happened...

With flashbacks to Cara's past and glimpses into the minds of different characters directly related to the murder, Eye Contact slowly unravels the mystery behind the murder as well as Cara's life. Grab a copy today!

Posted on September 07, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (0)

Thoughts on Recent Reads

I have a very eclectic list of books I've just finished reading that I really enjoyed:

Mercy SellerThe Mercy Seller by Brenda Vantrease: Anna grew up as the granddaughter of an illuminator in Prague--an illuminator who practices the dangerous act of copying the Bible into English. Anna is devastated when a wave of persecution breaks out against those who dare to oppose the church in this way, and several of her friends--including the man she was to marry--are killed.

Fleeing Prague, Anna has many adventures on her way to England, where she believes she will find safety with Sir John Oldcastle. But church officials suspect Oldcastle of being in league with the heresy, and they send a priest named Gabriel to collect evidence against him.

I enjoyed this look at an intriguing time in history, when people were persecuted for practices that seem so innocent today. The characters seemed real, though the circumstances they encounter sometimes have a hint of the miraculous to them. I loved the suspense that arose not only from the persecution but also the complex relationships. Those with an interest in religious history will Monday Morning Faithespecially enjoy this one, which by the way is a follow up to Vantrease's earlier novel, The Illuminator.

Monday Morning Faith by Lori Copeland: Librarian Johanna Holland thinks she is content with her life, she enjoys her work and taking care of her parents. But her life gets shaken up when her parents decide to move and she meets a man who takes an interest in her. 

Continue reading "Thoughts on Recent Reads" »

Posted on August 31, 2007 by Deb at 04:41 PM | | Comments (0)

Bare feet, home-grown tomatos and down comforters.

Endangered PleasuresRemember summer as a kid? There was nothing to do but play tag with the neighborhood kids, ride bikes to the corner store to buy popsicles, laze around in the sun and invent adventures for yourself. Garden vegetables tasted fresher, the grass was softer and swimming for hours on end was a requirement, not an option. Family vacations took place over at least two weeks and getting there was half the fun.

Barbara Holland is horrified that such simple pleasures like sleeping late on weekends, happy hour, bacon, cigarettes and even talking to each other have been lost in the shuffle. We work too hard and too long; our meals come through the windows of our cars and our occasional vacations are long weekends that are scheduled down to the second. We don't really enjoy things and we certainly aren't living--we're just maintaining. What's the fun in that?

Take this long weekend to rediscover an endangered pleasure. Take a walk for the sheer pleasure of it instead of calculating how many calories it will burn. Play Red Rover with your kids, visit the farmer's market for some real produce (if you don't have a garden of your own) or put together a jigsaw puzzle while sipping iced tea. Take a nap. Take two naps. Leave guilt at the door and just enjoy the end of summer!

Posted on August 31, 2007 by Meghan at 10:00 AM | | Comments (1)

Are you Buying It?

Not Buying ItDo you think you could swear off buying things for a year? I'm not talking about groceries or gas for your car, but could you do without going to the movies? Getting an expensive haircut? Are tissues really a necessity or a luxary? Could you forgo magazine subscriptions, new clothes and shoes, dinner out with friends and gifts for your loved ones?

In Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping, Judith Levine strives to answer these questions by setting the goal of consuming less while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. What she didn't bargain for were the tough questions she had to ask herself on every single possible purchase. It wasn't merely an effort to scrimp and save her pennies, but to really focus on why we buy. Interestingly (and probably the most frustrating part to read for myself) was her decision that a $50 haircut was deemed necessary and practical while giving up Q-tips (at what, $1.50 a box for 500?) as they were a "luxary."

Another aspect she wasn't ready for was the damper on her social life. Her friends didn't quite understand what was off limits during this project, nor did they understand why anyone would want to give up everything! She started to get a lot of pity dinners and movies. Even if she wasn't paying for it herself, wasn't that cheating on the project? And then came the shopper envy; everyone else is buying, so why shouldn't she?

If you decided to take a year off from buying, where would you turn? (Hint: the library is a great resource!) What would you do? What is on your "necessary" list and what would you cut out?

Posted on August 24, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (1)

Having a Judy Blume moment.

Everything I Needed to Know...I can't remember when I read my first Judy Blume. I'm pretty sure it was Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, but the details elude me beyond that. Did I get it at the library? Did someone buy it for me? Was it a book that was passed around my circle of friends? Regardless, I was fascinated by Margaret. As she worried about experiencing her "firsts," I worried right along with her. Was I normal? Would I ever be able to fill out a bra? And what the heck is she talking about, a belt that goes under your clothes and holds something in place- that sounds AWFUL!

This collection of essays from today's popular YA and Chick Lit authors is rife with the stress of puberty. Whether it was Deenie that let you know having a back brace wasn't the end of the world or Forever... that allowed you believe true first loves don't necessarily mean "forever," reading these author's experiences gave me a (painful) trip down memory lane. The most fascinating part of this collection for me were the multiple essays on the same titles and how everyone remembers different significant parts of the plot that spoke to them. For example, in Deenie, some remembered her only as the pretty girl who had to wear a back brace. Others sympathized with her sister as being labeled "the smart one" and therefore could never be at the same level as Deenie for being "the pretty one." One author saw herself in the outcast girl who was called "Creeping Crud" because of her eczema.

What's your greatest Judy Blume moment? Which book spoke to you?

Posted on August 17, 2007 by Meghan at 08:30 AM | | Comments (1)

Taking a stab at motherhood.

Sippy Cups Are Not for ChardonnayYou might have noticed a lot of big bellies around town these days. As summer winds down, expectant mothers everywhere are anxiously awaiting September (the highest birth month) to bring the arrival of their new children--and a break from the heat.

For first time mothers, many are reading scads of books on every topic: picking a name, making your own baby food, parenting, how to decorate a nursery, and how to successfully breastfeed. Depending on what books you read, most seem to have conflicting advice. How's a new mom to know what to do? And more importantly, what is right for their baby?

Stefanie Wilder-Taylor found herself in this situation a few years ago. She read all the books, joined Mommy & Me groups and hung out at the park to eavesdrop on other veteran moms. Her new daughter was a complete mystery to her and after a few months of trial by fire she figured out that you don't have to read 47 books to raise your kid.

In Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay and Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom, Wilder-Taylor strives to be glib in her reviews of parenting styles, baby gear and the trials and tribulations of caring for a newborn on 20 minutes of sleep or less. However, she mostly comes off as acerbic and a little condescending towards other moms who are just trying to do the best they can. However, it is a relief to finally read a pregnancy/parenting book that assures you that you will make mistakes, you will feel completely helpless at times and all of this is completely NORMAL.

Posted on August 03, 2007 by Meghan at 09:48 AM | | Comments (2)

Novellas; or, the curse of the quick read

I packed several novellas, or short novels, for my vacation reads so that I would have maximum choice with minimum weight in my luggage. The upside is that so far all of the book are wonderful. The downside is that by the second day of vacation, I am starting my third book. If I’m going to keep reading at this pace,  I thought I should blog as I go...

D.A. by Connie WillisD.A. by Connie Willis
This is the third book I have read by Connie Willis. (After To Say Nothing of the Dog and Doomsday Book). I adore her writing and rather than rush through it all and run out, I am parceling out a new book to myself every few years so that I can continue to discover new things from her writing. I slipped this one into my plan (Passages was supposed to be next) because when I saw it in the New Books Shelves I simply couldn't resist.

In a not-too-distant future where UCLA is still a college of choice for west coast students and the competitive college application process is in full swing, Theodora Baumgarten is a typical high school student, except for one thing. While many of the other public school students around her are striving to build their academic portfolios so they can be considered as Cadet applicants to the elite space Academy at the International Space Station, Theodora has no interest in going into space. She's content to bide her time in high school with her favorite computer hacker friend KimKim, while they ridicule the obsessed students who talk constantly  about the space Academy. At a mandatory school assembly, Theodora is startled, confused and soon frantic when her own name is announced as the newest space Cadet and she is whisked home to pack. Despite her protests, Theodora's situation becomes worse and KimKim cannot rescue her friend. Anyone else would be thrilled to be chosen for the Academy program, but Theodora didn't even fill out an application, so how has she ended up on a whirling space station? More importantly, how can she get home again without ruining her chances for UCLA?

Connie Willis writes science fiction screwball comedy. For much of the novella D.A., I had no idea to what the title could possible be referring. And by the time I figured it out (okay, I admit, the character figured it out before me...) the plot was twisting deliciously and I was completely hooked. A few pages later it was over. As in -- "the end." This dilemma is the basis of my love-hate relationship with short stories and short novels. I get caught up in a story and befriend the characters only to have way too much left to my imagination when I run out of pages to read. I could happily read about Theodora's adventures all week, but instead I have just a glance at this world, a glimpse of another life. However satisfying a story that leaves me thinking might be, I am still left wanting more...

Check it out – it’s under 100 pages and you’ll want to read it in one sitting.

Posted on August 02, 2007 by Lissa at 02:52 PM | | Comments (2)

Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union

from The Seattle Times:Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union

Welcome to the Federal District of Sitka. Population: 3.2 million. Language: Yiddish, lightly spiced with Esperanto and "American." Winter climate: cold, rainy, dim.

The District's political prospects, toward the end of 2007, are looking dim too, thanks to the upcoming "Reversion" under which the Jewish city-state on the western side of Baranof Island will revert to Alaska after 60 years of semi-autonomy. Will Sitka go the way of the Jewish homeland in Palestine, which collapsed "with savage finality" in 1948?

Hard to say. But as more than one "Sitkanik" remarks, "These are strange times to be a Jew."

Read the rest of the article here.

Posted on July 15, 2007 by Anne at 08:48 AM | | Comments (0)

The Cult of the Amateur by Andrew Keen

From The New York Times Book section:photo courtesy of NY Times Book section

Digital utopians have heralded the dawn of an era in which Web 2.0 — distinguished by a new generation of participatory sites like MySpace.com and YouTube.com, which emphasize user-generated content, social networking and interactive sharing — ushers in the democratization of the world: more information, more perspectives, more opinions, more everything, and most of it without filters or fees. Yet as the Silicon Valley entrepreneur Andrew Keen points out in his provocative new book, “The Cult of the Amateur,” Web 2.0 has a dark side as well.

Read the rest of the article here.
Reserve your own copy.

Posted on July 08, 2007 by Anne at 08:38 AM | | Comments (0)

Manhunting

ManhuntingKate has a great career in the city, lovely French provincial furniture, and 3 ex-fiancées.  Kate is also lonely, so her best friend Jessie decides it is time to quit sitting around waiting for Mr. Right to come along.  She just needs a plan; so they sit down and make a list of the qualities she wants in a man, distinguished, successful, and making 3 times his age, etc. Then she packs Kate off to a resort in Kentucky catering to the upwardly mobile business crowd.  Once Kate gets there her plan goes all wrong.  All of the upwardly mobile business types are pretty much carbon copies of the 3 ex-fiancées and she finds herself floating on the lake in an old row boat with the very sexy and annoying caretaker Jake during the day and saving the local bar at night. 

Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie was originally released as a paperback and has been one of my favorite books by her ever since.  It is funny with a lot of heart and female wisdom. Recently it was released as a small hardcover and in audio format as well.  Check out Kansas Overdrive to listen to it on your mp3 player, all you need is your library card.

Check out her great website to see her new releases and read the first chapter of her books.

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Shari at 10:39 AM | | Comments (0)

Strange Tribe by John Hemingway - a read not for the timid

From Curledup.com:Strange Tribe by John Hemingway

Growing up is hard enough when you have two loving parents (who love each other), enough money to make all of you comfortable and no serious illness or addiction in the family. What about someone who grows up in this situation: his mother is schizophrenic; his father is bipolar, an alcoholic, a cross-dresser and has a partial sex change? Then, there are three new mothers after divorce number one. John Hemingway (born 1960, brother of Lorian) dealt with all of this, and he has lived to tell of it in a fine memoir, Strange Tribe, a saga of the ongoing influence (and damage) that Ernest Hemingway, one of our country’s finest writers, has had on his extended family.

Read the rest of the review here.
Find the book in your library here.

Posted on June 24, 2007 by Anne at 08:52 AM | | Comments (0)

OpenOffice for everyone!

Graphic courtesy of libcoop.netHave you ever been frustrated by the lack of word processing software on your home computer or displeased with the big-name software bugs ?  Well, look no further than OpenOffice.
According to their website:

"OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute."

What does this mean for you?  It means that you can have an office suite, much like MS Office products, for free; AND it's accessible wherever you may roam.  OpenOffice also supplies free tutorials on their websites, provides Mac support, and operates in a variety of languages. 

Check out the variety of products available for download here.
Need instructions for downloading?

How is this legal?  Read more about it here.

Posted on June 12, 2007 by Anne at 09:56 AM | | Comments (0)

Read This Book: Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

Soon I Will Be INVINCIBLEThis book is being published tomorrow – but since I read an advanced copy, you can read about it today!

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

Q: Why are you so excited about this new book?
A: First off, the cover art is phenomenal; it’s designed by the artist Chip Kidd and it simply depicts shiny gloves and a mask. The narration is captivating.  The author, Austin Grossman, is both a consultant for gameda-design and a student of Victorian literature.

Q: Is this book similar to anything you’ve read before?
A: No. This book is 36% famous good guys with dark secrets, 28% appealing bad guys, 21% mastermind schemes, 11% office politics and 4% family angst, approximately. It would be too easy to say that this was a classic battle of good versus evil. Plus, that would be incorrect. Just like real life, the forces of good and evil are not clear cut and the motivations of each villain and hero are complex. The book is told in alternating chapters from two characters – Dr. Invincible, the evil genius who has escaped from prison (again) to try to take over the world (again), and Fatale, a new cyborg super heroine who is in search of her origin story and trying to begin her career as part of the superhero team The Champions.

Continue reading "Read This Book: Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman" »

Posted on June 04, 2007 by Lissa at 09:03 AM | | Comments (0)

Book Review: The Harrowing: A Ghost Story

The HarrowingThe Harrowing: A Ghost Story by Alexandra Sokoloff
The Harrowing tells the story of five lonely college students stuck in their dorm for the Thanksgiving holiday. Loneliness and a deep dread for their home life seem to be the only thing they have in common. But their weekend binds them together as they struggle with deciding whether their demons come from within themselves or from the outside. It is a question the five students pose to a Ouija board. At first they ask teasingly, but later they are disturbed and frantic to understand who or what is providing the answers to their questions as nightmarish events unfold. Reluctant to believe in other worldly beings, can psychology provide their answers? And is it anymore desirable?

Sokoloff builds the tension effectively and makes it hard to put the book down. Her skills as a former screenwriter are evident as she sets a very real stage. Characters which at first seem fairly one dimensional develop beyond their stereotypes, and questions that seem easy to answer become increasingly complex. This is a compelling thriller that will make you think, and that’s the scariest kind of tale.  After only reading a few pages, I realized this would be a daylight only read for me. I’m not the only one to think this is a really excellent thriller, since it was a Bram Stoker’s Award nominee for best first novel. I eagerly await her next novel, The Price, which will be available this winter.

Do you have any good suggestions of paranormal thrillers? If so, post suggestions in the comments.

--Michelle Eklund, Reviewer

Posted on May 24, 2007 by Lissa at 09:36 AM | | Comments (0)

Video Book Review: The Friday Night Knitting Club

When Georgia Walker was pregnant, she began taking on knitting projects to make extra money. She has worked hard to build her business, and her daughter is almost thirteen now. Their small Manhattan knitting store is called Walker and daughter and it is tucked away above a popular deli. Busy city women rush in at closing time to pick up one more skein or get supplies for a new project, and on Friday night, regular customers tend to linger longer, talking and knitting and becoming friends. Read The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs!

Posted on May 21, 2007 by Lissa at 10:34 AM | | Comments (0)

Please Read... Stoner by John Williams

Stoner by John WilliamsBrowsing through the sublime West Village bookstore, Three Lives & Company, last month, I came across Stoner, a recent addition to the superb New York Review of Books Classics Series. I made a mental note to see if our library owned it (and indeed we do).

The story is simple enough: William Stoner grows up on a farm, goes to college to study agriculture, changes his major to English, decides to continue school and get his Ph.D., marries the first woman with whom he falls in love, has a kid, teaches at the university of forty years, then dies soon to be forgotten by pretty much everyone. But this novel is so much more than its simple story; Stoner is an extraordinarily well-told story of a seemingly ordinary life.

Williams writes what he describes in a 1981 interview in Ploughshares as "plain" style. His prose is unadorned and spare, yet makes for addictive reading. Viking Press published the book in 1965 to virtually no acclaim and modest sales.

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Posted on April 25, 2007 by Brad at 08:30 AM | | Comments (1)

Please Read... The Pesthouse by Jim Crace

The Pesthouse by Jim CraceI've heard good things about Jim Crace for the past few years; friends have told me he is an author I would enjoy, so I decided to take a look at his latest novel, The Pesthouse.

It's the second novel I've read in the past few months set in a post-apocalyptic America, the other being Cormac McCarthy's masterful, newly-hailed Oprah's Book Club selection, The Road. The Pesthouse offers little to no back story about what catastrophe wiped America out; it's a world stripped back to a medieval era of violence, superstition and rumor.  

Franklin Lopez and his stronger, older brother Jackson, have left their home to flee to the East Coast to catch a boat to Europe. Franklin must stop to rest an inflamed knee while his brother forges ahead. Searching for a place to rest, Franklin stumbles upon the "Pesthouse" and Margaret, a woman who has been quarantined because her fellow villagers suspect she is contagious with "the flux", a disease that has killed others in their community. A mysterious pestilence kills everyone in the village that night, sparing Franklin and Margaret who through pure luck happen to be on a hill and beyond the death's reach.

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Posted on April 18, 2007 by Brad at 08:30 AM | | Comments (0)

Take a trip to old time Scotland with Liz Curtis Higgs

Thorn In My Heart--Book 1 in the seriesYou know you have really gotten into a historical fiction novel when after reading it you are thinking in the dialect of the characters.  Such a thing happened to me recently after reading an installment in the Scottish series written by inspirational author Liz Curtis Higgs.  Higgs has taken the Biblical story of Jacob and reworked it into 18th Century Scotland, quite a challenge when you consider that Jacob had multiple wives.  And indeed, the main character Jamie does have a twin brother that he feuds with and multiple women that he courts.  Who does he marry and does he marry more than one?  You'll have to read the series to finFair Is the Rose, #2 in the seriesd out, which not only has the draw of multiple romantic entanglements but also is a vivid encounter with  historic Scottish culture. Higgs is especially adept in the way she incorporates the language of the period into the story.  She includes a glossary, but most of the time the reader doesn't need it because she makes the meaning clear by the way the word is used.  Other details like the clothing and quotes from classic Scottish authors also bring the period to life.  It's easy to see why Higgs won the Christy Award for the best historical Christian novel last year.   And now readers can read about Whence Came a Prince: #3 in the seriesHigg's experiences in a new travelogue called My Heart's In the Lowlands: Ten Days in Bonny Scotland where she shares about her journeys through the Galloway and Dumfries area, where her books are set.  There is even a contest on her website where a reader could win a trip to Scotland or some Scottish themed artwork.   For fans of historical romance, I ken you will enjoy this series verra well.

Books in the series:
Grace In Thne Eyes: #4 in the series
1.  Thorn In My Heart
2.  Fair is the Rose
3.  Whence Came a Prince
4.  Grace In Thine Eyes

Posted on April 17, 2007 by Deb at 12:58 PM | | Comments (0)

Winter Birds: a charming novel

Winter Birds coverA review of Winter Birds by Jamie Langston Turner

Imagine gettng an assignment: You must write a novel and include a quote from Shakespeare and an allusion to birdwatching in each and every chapter. Could you do it? I know I couldn't, or that if I did it wouldn't be worth reading, but that's exactly what Jamie Langston Turner has done in this novel, and she makes it look effortless. Of course it helps that her main character is an 80 some year old woman who was married to a Shakespeare scholar and whose main occupation is watching the birds at the feeder outside of her window. 
Turner, in her usual relective manner, has this character, named Sophie, observe the world around her with great detail and insight.  You wouldn't think an elderly woman who stays at home all day and watches TV would create much of a story, but through Sophie the reader learns about Patrick and Rachel, who are struggling to reconnect with people after the tragic kidnapping and death of their children.  They reach out to their neighbors, who have one daughter who is severly disabled and another who is a teenager on the verge of self-destruction.  And they also connect with Sam, a black man on parole after being jailed for a burglary attempt.  And of course there is Sophie herself, whose own troubled past includes a husband who was shot to death by his son.  As Sophie thinks about quotes from Shakespeare and about birds, the reader also sees how God is at work behind the scenes, bringing together unlikely people to form a family of sorts and to reveal His love. 
I highly recommend this book, but read it when you have the time to do some reflection of your own.  And you might also be inspired to brush up on your Shakespeare or to do some birdwatching afterwards.  After all, who knows what you might learn from it?

Posted on December 30, 2006 by Deb at 02:00 PM | | Comments (0)

Treasure of Kahn by Clive and Dirk Cussler - out November 28!

From Library Journal:

Dirk Pitt Sr. and his partner, Al Giordino, take center stage in this latest National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) adventure. The two are on Lake Baikal in Siberia when a massive earthquake disrupts their research. The rescue of a scientific survey vessel and its passengers reveals a sinister agenda somehow tied to the history of Genghis Khan, one of the world's greatest conquerors. As more earthquakes occur around the globe, major oil-supply pipelines are fractured, and the U.S. President and his staff watch as soaring gas prices create a worldwide panic. Can Dirk Sr. and Al repair the pipelines, deduce the culprit, and save the world? The quality fans expect from a Clive Cussler novel is in abundance, even as Clive shares billing for a second time (after Black Wind) with his son, Dirk. Their latest will easily top the best sellers lists. For all fiction collections.

Put your copy on hold today!

Thanks to staffer Marta for the heads up on this wonderful book!

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Anne at 08:21 AM | | Comments (4)

Book Review: Velma Still Cooks In Leeway

Velma Still Cooks In LeewayVelma Still Cooks In Leeway by Vinita Hampton Wright

What Happens:
Velma, in the form of a journal, reflects on the events of the last year. Velma runs a little diner in the small town on Leeway, KS, which has become the hub of her tight kit community. During the course of the book Velma has to deal with a dying relative to comes to stay with her while he waits for the inevitable.  She also shares in the burden of her next door neighbor's daughter, who ends up pregnant after a date rape situation. Velma is like the rock that her neighbors and relatives turn to for help, but she herself falls apart sometimes. She has her faith and church to turn to for support, but even that has its problems, as some of the people in the church are far from perfect.

Style:
Velma of course is the sole narrator. The story moves along at a fast enough pace, and towards the end there are some twists and turns that really build drama and suspense. Velma's musings are what makes this story stand out though, some of her reflections made me pause as a reader and even copy down some quotes for my own journal.  Through the midst of painful situations and disappointing people, Velma somehow manages to stay mostly sane and find something to hope for and believe in.

How Good Was It?
Excellent! I always am impressed when an author manages to write a compelling story that is also thought provoking.  I would heartily recommend it to fans of faith filled fiction that entertains while giving the reader plenty to ponder long after they turn the last page.

Posted on October 28, 2006 by Deb at 10:47 AM | | Comments (0)

Hot and New! Book Review: Everything Must Go

Everything Must GoMe & Emma

A quiet story you won't soon forget.

Everything Must Go by Elizabeth Flock is the third novel from the bestselling author of last year's critically praised Me & Emma. Everything Must Go will be published October 24, 2006.

During high school, Henry begins working as a salesman at Baxter’s, a downtown men’s specialty store. As an unexpected football star, Henry’s prospects look good in college. But a past tragedy is slowly eating away at the Powell family, and Henry is called back from his first year of college to take care of his mother. His older brother Brad moves to the opposite coast, and Henry’s father spends each day away at his office. Henry goes back to work at Baxter’s. Months pass, then years. Each day after work, Henry checks on his mother, who has often drunk herself into a stupor by mid afternoon. The highlight at work is the store’s annual sale each year after the holidays, when regulars return for high quality bargains. The novel moves back and forth through Henry Powell’s existence, revealing how his life slowly stalls while the rest of the world moves forward

Henry’s life could be a gloomy mess, but Elizabeth Flock redeems the novel with extraordinary insight in the human condition. At time humorous and heartbreaking, the scenes reveal that loneliness, anger and disappointment don’t have to lead to unhappiness. Each day, Henry lives in the moment. He imagines a biographer observing and recording his every movement. He lip-synchs to records while imagining his screaming fans on his music tour. Although he has reached middle-age, he is still patiently waiting for his life to begin. Henry Powell’s quiet story is one you won’t soon forget.
Reviewer, Lissa Staley

More information:
Elizabeth Flock’s Profile Page on amazon.com
An interview with Elizabeth Flock about her second novel Me & Emma.
Author Elizabeth Flock will be at Rainy Day Books near Kansas City on November 1.

Posted on October 22, 2006 by Lis