Fiction
Final Justice by Fern Michaels. The Sisiterhood looks for a Presidential pardon but a competing candidate must be defeated. After all, "their cherished freedom - and th efuture of the country - are at stake."
Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs. During a house renovation a plumber finds a ceremonial shrine with a skull. Temperance Brennan is called to help.
Gypsy Morph by Terry Brooks. Part of the Genesis of Shannara series. A future North America is "blighted by chemical warfare, pollution, and plague" with no government or law. "Allies of good unite to fight the rampaging evil" of scoundrels and demons.
Large Print
Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
More CD and DVD
DVD
Shine a Light with the Rolling Stones. Band clips, behind the scenes, concert footage.
Doomsday starring Bob Hoskins and a bunch of chicks. An "elite fighting unit" goes into a "post-apocalyptic zone" to find a cure to an epidemic. Sounds like Escape From New York. That's alright, I grew up on trashy post-apocalypse movies on television and like most all of them. Especially when they have goofy costumes, elaborate mohawks, overdone make-up.
Nim's Island starring Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin. Girl and dad live alone on a desert island. When dad disappears girl emails favorite author for help. Huh? Well that makes no sense to me but this is a kids' movie.
Dexter: the second season starring Michael C. Hall and James Remar. Season two of the Showtime television series. I bet James Remar was in a post-apocalypse movie sometime in his career.
Music CDs
Wait for Me by The Pigeon Detectives. Here is another one of those, "Why did I get this?" albums. I think I may have read a promo release, or heard it on 6 Music.
Oh. I've heard the tune I Found Out before. It's a catchy little ditty.
Wait, I may have heard this on Little Steven's show.
Handy Manny with Los Lobos. Songs from the animated kids' series that Boy #1 loves to watch.
Number One Songs by Merle Haggard. This will get good check-outs. Ten songs.
Kidz Bop 14.
Shine a Light with the Rolling Stones. Band clips, behind the scenes, concert footage.
Doomsday starring Bob Hoskins and a bunch of chicks. An "elite fighting unit" goes into a "post-apocalyptic zone" to find a cure to an epidemic. Sounds like Escape From New York. That's alright, I grew up on trashy post-apocalypse movies on television and like most all of them. Especially when they have goofy costumes, elaborate mohawks, overdone make-up.
Nim's Island starring Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin. Girl and dad live alone on a desert island. When dad disappears girl emails favorite author for help. Huh? Well that makes no sense to me but this is a kids' movie.
Dexter: the second season starring Michael C. Hall and James Remar. Season two of the Showtime television series. I bet James Remar was in a post-apocalypse movie sometime in his career.
Music CDs
Wait for Me by The Pigeon Detectives. Here is another one of those, "Why did I get this?" albums. I think I may have read a promo release, or heard it on 6 Music.
Oh. I've heard the tune I Found Out before. It's a catchy little ditty.
Wait, I may have heard this on Little Steven's show.
Handy Manny with Los Lobos. Songs from the animated kids' series that Boy #1 loves to watch.
Number One Songs by Merle Haggard. This will get good check-outs. Ten songs.
Kidz Bop 14.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Beer Drinking Snakes in Tanks
NonFiction
Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles by Robert Jackson. Photos and details on tanks from WW1 onwards. The M6 Heavy Tank could go 22 miles per hour but "came to nothing because the Americans concentrated their considerable production facilities on medium tanks." The M26 Pershing Heavy Tank did get made but only "saw action" in the Pacific Theater.
Snakes: a concise guide to nature's perfect predators by Daniel Gilpin. Perfect? If snakes were so perfect they would hunt day and night and not have to sit in the sun to stay warm. They'd also be able to run.
Detox: the process of cleansing and restoration by Parragon Publishing. A mixture of recipes and therapies with nice colour photos of fruit, vegetables and upscale white women.
Beers of the World: over 350 classic beers, lagers, ales, and porters by David Kenning. We have some other beer books already but I could not resist. Organized by country with each beer entry containing photo, historical information, and tasting notes. HEY! Swan Draught! I used to drink Swan when I attended Murdoch for a semester. Swan brewed an Export that was good and I used to get their stought as well. Oh, and Emu! I forgot about that one until I read the wikipedia article.
Bitter Ocean: the Battle of the Atlantic, 1939-1945 by David Fairbank White. Between '39 and '45 36,000 Allied sailors and navy airmen and 36,000 merchant seaman died on the seas in convoys delivering all the materials (food, clothes, guns, ammunition) needed to wage the war in Europe and Africa. 80% of German submarines crewman were lost.
Ham Radio License Manual: all you need to become an amateur radio operator by Ward Silver. Donation from the TriCounty Amateur Radio Club.
Large Print
Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann. A novel that, according to the cover, is a romance during a wildfire.
Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles by Robert Jackson. Photos and details on tanks from WW1 onwards. The M6 Heavy Tank could go 22 miles per hour but "came to nothing because the Americans concentrated their considerable production facilities on medium tanks." The M26 Pershing Heavy Tank did get made but only "saw action" in the Pacific Theater.
Snakes: a concise guide to nature's perfect predators by Daniel Gilpin. Perfect? If snakes were so perfect they would hunt day and night and not have to sit in the sun to stay warm. They'd also be able to run.
Detox: the process of cleansing and restoration by Parragon Publishing. A mixture of recipes and therapies with nice colour photos of fruit, vegetables and upscale white women.
Beers of the World: over 350 classic beers, lagers, ales, and porters by David Kenning. We have some other beer books already but I could not resist. Organized by country with each beer entry containing photo, historical information, and tasting notes. HEY! Swan Draught! I used to drink Swan when I attended Murdoch for a semester. Swan brewed an Export that was good and I used to get their stought as well. Oh, and Emu! I forgot about that one until I read the wikipedia article.
Bitter Ocean: the Battle of the Atlantic, 1939-1945 by David Fairbank White. Between '39 and '45 36,000 Allied sailors and navy airmen and 36,000 merchant seaman died on the seas in convoys delivering all the materials (food, clothes, guns, ammunition) needed to wage the war in Europe and Africa. 80% of German submarines crewman were lost.
Ham Radio License Manual: all you need to become an amateur radio operator by Ward Silver. Donation from the TriCounty Amateur Radio Club.
Large Print
Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann. A novel that, according to the cover, is a romance during a wildfire.
Monday, August 18, 2008
CD and DVD
CD
Viva LaVida: or, Death and all his friends by Coldplay. I'm not sure what's going on here. These guys are still popular according to sales lists. I think Stephanie the Library Assistant is a fan of theirs.
Real Animal by Alejandro Escovedo. Little Steven was playing Escovedo's latest tune on his radio show and the tune was quite catchy so I ordered this. Two other Escovedo albums are in the SHARE catalog.
Escovedo started out as a punk in San Francisco and has played in several genres since then.
Digi Snacks by RZA as Bobby Digital. My brother sent me a Wu-Tang Clan CD a few years ago. i don't know why it was chosen. I listened to it but do not remember much about it. The disc is sitting around somewhere, I should dig it out and listen again. From what I know the guys like old kung-fu movies, comic books, and Bill Murray.
The Slip by Nine Inch Nails. CD packaged with a live DVD by Trent Reznor. I don't know if this guy likes comic books. If he does the books probably have vampires or goth story lines.
Fire Songs by The Watson Twins. A few months ago I was checking in some CDs by one of our regular customers whose tastes sometimes coincide with mine. I listened to one of his returns by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. I really liked that disc so when I saw the release announcement for this I ordered it.
DVD
Hellboy starring [people from Hell]. Demon is raised from infancy by the U.S. Army and works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense invesitagting and defending against paranormal events.
Shutter starring [people I never heard of]. Horror movie. Couple moves to Japan and image of girl starts showing up in their pictures.
NonFic DVD
Defensive Drills, Offesnive Drills, Hitting Mechanics from A Game Sports. Baseball drills for teaching young players.
Those I left Behind by Lisandro Perez-Ray. Documentary on families split between the U.S. and Cuba and unable to visit one another.
Beyond the Sea: a history of the Mariel boatlift by Lisandro Perez-Ray. 130,000 Cubans were sent over by Castro. Among the convicts and junkies were many who procliamed themselves gay, or drug addicts, or prostitutes to get to the U.S.
In Search of the Sentinel by Albert Paley. "one-hour documentary that follows the vision of the artist, from idea through fabrication and installation of the largest public sculpture on a university campus in the United States."
The Not So Big House: home by design by Sarah Susanka. Core design principles brought to life that emphasize quality over quantity.
Viva LaVida: or, Death and all his friends by Coldplay. I'm not sure what's going on here. These guys are still popular according to sales lists. I think Stephanie the Library Assistant is a fan of theirs.
Real Animal by Alejandro Escovedo. Little Steven was playing Escovedo's latest tune on his radio show and the tune was quite catchy so I ordered this. Two other Escovedo albums are in the SHARE catalog.
Escovedo started out as a punk in San Francisco and has played in several genres since then.
Digi Snacks by RZA as Bobby Digital. My brother sent me a Wu-Tang Clan CD a few years ago. i don't know why it was chosen. I listened to it but do not remember much about it. The disc is sitting around somewhere, I should dig it out and listen again. From what I know the guys like old kung-fu movies, comic books, and Bill Murray.
The Slip by Nine Inch Nails. CD packaged with a live DVD by Trent Reznor. I don't know if this guy likes comic books. If he does the books probably have vampires or goth story lines.
Fire Songs by The Watson Twins. A few months ago I was checking in some CDs by one of our regular customers whose tastes sometimes coincide with mine. I listened to one of his returns by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. I really liked that disc so when I saw the release announcement for this I ordered it.
DVD
Hellboy starring [people from Hell]. Demon is raised from infancy by the U.S. Army and works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense invesitagting and defending against paranormal events.
Shutter starring [people I never heard of]. Horror movie. Couple moves to Japan and image of girl starts showing up in their pictures.
NonFic DVD
Defensive Drills, Offesnive Drills, Hitting Mechanics from A Game Sports. Baseball drills for teaching young players.
Those I left Behind by Lisandro Perez-Ray. Documentary on families split between the U.S. and Cuba and unable to visit one another.
Beyond the Sea: a history of the Mariel boatlift by Lisandro Perez-Ray. 130,000 Cubans were sent over by Castro. Among the convicts and junkies were many who procliamed themselves gay, or drug addicts, or prostitutes to get to the U.S.
In Search of the Sentinel by Albert Paley. "one-hour documentary that follows the vision of the artist, from idea through fabrication and installation of the largest public sculpture on a university campus in the United States."
The Not So Big House: home by design by Sarah Susanka. Core design principles brought to life that emphasize quality over quantity.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Never Ending Stream of Large Print Because Rachel the Page Has Not Yet Learned CD and DVD Processing
Large Print
Silent Thunder by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen. Another one of those parent-sibling novels. According to the back cover Roy has an Edgar Award so I suppose he is no slouch.
Marine architect Hannah is supposed to help prepare an old Russian nuclear sub for museum exhibition in the U.S. Her assisting brother is killed after finding a strange message on the back of an electronic panel.
Ancient Highway by Brent Lott. Three generations of family in Los Angeles. The Texan who left home in the '20s for Hollywood. His young daughter in the '40s. The grandson in 1980.
Moon Shell Beach by Nancy Thayer. This is a chick book. Here is the evidence: 1) girls who grew up together on the beach. 2) a fractured childhood friendship. 3) acrimonious divorce sending a woman back home. 4) difficult forgiveness by one gal. 5) "powerful and deeply moving novel". 6) "evolution of a lifelong friendship, the power of forgiveness, and the reward of believing in miracles".
Foreign Body by Robin Cook. According to the cover illustration someone has a clamp left in their body. According to the back a med student's grandmother dies after a surgery in India and the med student investigates.
Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer. "Brilliant Boston TV reporter Julie Mueller is struggling to raise a teenage daughter alone. She's given up on happiness - that is until she receives the gift of culinary classes for Mother's Day...buring desire for fellow student...[who] happens to the the love she let slip away."
How about a stupid, vapid TV reporter? Let's aim for some realism next time, Strohmeyer.
Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner. This cover illustration says something about creepy bugs in a jar. The back says "FBI agent...pregnant hooker...horrifying...dead hookers...young agent...pregnant...lunatic who uses spiders...mother sister...victims of a serial killer...perfect murder...lethal web...psychopath."
Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. Gal who quit high falutin' job to stay with kids hits 40 and worries she made wrong decision and discusses with her three pals.
Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. Five young gals meet every Wednesday at a Palo Alto park in the late 1960's to share books. They form a writer's circle and experience the upheaval of the '60s and '70s.
In 1999 I went out to the Bay Area for a family get together. We used a rented Oldsmobile to go to Napa and that car's driver seat gave me a wicked awful back-ache. I also got sick with an inner ear infection that blossomed during the trip. The return flight to Kansas was atrocious. I think the Waitresses in the Sky were afraid to come near me I was so ill. I saw a doctor in Wichita and the prescribed antibiotics zapped the infection but it took me a month to fully recover.
Silent Thunder by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen. Another one of those parent-sibling novels. According to the back cover Roy has an Edgar Award so I suppose he is no slouch.
Marine architect Hannah is supposed to help prepare an old Russian nuclear sub for museum exhibition in the U.S. Her assisting brother is killed after finding a strange message on the back of an electronic panel.
Ancient Highway by Brent Lott. Three generations of family in Los Angeles. The Texan who left home in the '20s for Hollywood. His young daughter in the '40s. The grandson in 1980.
Moon Shell Beach by Nancy Thayer. This is a chick book. Here is the evidence: 1) girls who grew up together on the beach. 2) a fractured childhood friendship. 3) acrimonious divorce sending a woman back home. 4) difficult forgiveness by one gal. 5) "powerful and deeply moving novel". 6) "evolution of a lifelong friendship, the power of forgiveness, and the reward of believing in miracles".
Foreign Body by Robin Cook. According to the cover illustration someone has a clamp left in their body. According to the back a med student's grandmother dies after a surgery in India and the med student investigates.
Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer. "Brilliant Boston TV reporter Julie Mueller is struggling to raise a teenage daughter alone. She's given up on happiness - that is until she receives the gift of culinary classes for Mother's Day...buring desire for fellow student...[who] happens to the the love she let slip away."
How about a stupid, vapid TV reporter? Let's aim for some realism next time, Strohmeyer.
Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner. This cover illustration says something about creepy bugs in a jar. The back says "FBI agent...pregnant hooker...horrifying...dead hookers...young agent...pregnant...lunatic who uses spiders...mother sister...victims of a serial killer...perfect murder...lethal web...psychopath."
Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. Gal who quit high falutin' job to stay with kids hits 40 and worries she made wrong decision and discusses with her three pals.
Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. Five young gals meet every Wednesday at a Palo Alto park in the late 1960's to share books. They form a writer's circle and experience the upheaval of the '60s and '70s.
In 1999 I went out to the Bay Area for a family get together. We used a rented Oldsmobile to go to Napa and that car's driver seat gave me a wicked awful back-ache. I also got sick with an inner ear infection that blossomed during the trip. The return flight to Kansas was atrocious. I think the Waitresses in the Sky were afraid to come near me I was so ill. I saw a doctor in Wichita and the prescribed antibiotics zapped the infection but it took me a month to fully recover.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Oops! Missed Two NonFic
NonFiction
Real Estate Investing Answer Book by Denise L. Evans.
Home Buyer's Answer Book by Diana Brodman Summer.
Real Estate Investing Answer Book by Denise L. Evans.
Home Buyer's Answer Book by Diana Brodman Summer.
Photo Filled NonFiction Stack from Ruth the Page
NonFiction
Affordable Home Design: innovations and renovations by Martha Torres. I believe I mentioned once before that my kitchen is was not yet painted. It still isn't. This has some neat modern designs that Boy #1 at home would be impressed by.
Basement Ideas That Work: creative design solutions for your home by Peter Jeswald. Lots more neat photos.
I'll adjust the title by adding this subtitle: (unless you have a 120 year old house with weeping foundation walls and a 6' 2" ceiling height).
Drywall: professional techniques for great results, 3rd Edition by Myron R. Ferguson. The instructive illustrations are great. Covers tools, materials, hanging walls and ceilings, taping, sanding, angles, curves, arches, stress cracks, water damage and stains, sound control.
Pilates On the Ball: training core stability for a healthy body and mind by Gemma Wright. We have some other exercise ball book that does well so I got this one too.
Exercise Ball: fun, safe, and effective workouts with your Swiss Ball by Sara Rose. Same as above. I'll withhold comments about the illustrations. Ask me in person if you want my comments.
Speedweeks: 10 days at Daytona text by Sandra McKee. Photo book with ten days of racing for the Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, qualifying and exhibitions.
San Francisco: city by the bay, 3rd edition photographs by Morton Beebe. Some donation.
Affordable Home Design: innovations and renovations by Martha Torres. I believe I mentioned once before that my kitchen is was not yet painted. It still isn't. This has some neat modern designs that Boy #1 at home would be impressed by.
Basement Ideas That Work: creative design solutions for your home by Peter Jeswald. Lots more neat photos.
I'll adjust the title by adding this subtitle: (unless you have a 120 year old house with weeping foundation walls and a 6' 2" ceiling height).
Drywall: professional techniques for great results, 3rd Edition by Myron R. Ferguson. The instructive illustrations are great. Covers tools, materials, hanging walls and ceilings, taping, sanding, angles, curves, arches, stress cracks, water damage and stains, sound control.
Pilates On the Ball: training core stability for a healthy body and mind by Gemma Wright. We have some other exercise ball book that does well so I got this one too.
Exercise Ball: fun, safe, and effective workouts with your Swiss Ball by Sara Rose. Same as above. I'll withhold comments about the illustrations. Ask me in person if you want my comments.
Speedweeks: 10 days at Daytona text by Sandra McKee. Photo book with ten days of racing for the Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, qualifying and exhibitions.
San Francisco: city by the bay, 3rd edition photographs by Morton Beebe. Some donation.
Monday, August 11, 2008
CDs and two DVDs
CDs
I was wondering the other day about how long we (the Library) would be buying music on CD. I skimmed an article by David Byrne on the changing music industry and how record labels are becoming increasingly less important. Any musician can now record and mix their music using PC software and then do a small pressing of CDs or sell the content online. We'll see how it goes.
Around the Bend by Randy Travis. You may remember Randy Travis from the motion picture Black Dog.
Perfectly Clear by Jewel. Yodeling Alaskan sings a country tinged rock album.
No End in Sight: the very best of Foreigner by Foreigner. Two discs with a total of 32 songs. Not until I read the track listing did I realize how of their songs I can easily recall. Listen to this next spring and catch them at some county fair.
Superhero Brother by GS. Love and Special Sauce. We had another album by G. Love, Lemonade. The guy uses a stupid name but the blues music is neat - band bio.
Saints of Los Angeles by Motley Crue. There is a listing of current tour dates on the back of disc's slipcase. Is that a hint about the music's shelf life?
DVD
Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster starring [Frankenstein meets the what?]. The evil but beautiful Princess Macuzan and her bald, effeminate dwarf assistant nadir arrive in Puerto Rico to kidnap women to use in repopulating their dying planet. Meanwhile Frank, an American astronaut who is actually an android, crash-lands near the aliens. He becomes Frankenstein, a crazed killer with only half a face.
Bank Job starring Jason Statham. "Small time hoods" are asked to rob safety deposit boxes and are being used for more than they know. A heist movie. Well reviewed.
I was wondering the other day about how long we (the Library) would be buying music on CD. I skimmed an article by David Byrne on the changing music industry and how record labels are becoming increasingly less important. Any musician can now record and mix their music using PC software and then do a small pressing of CDs or sell the content online. We'll see how it goes.
Around the Bend by Randy Travis. You may remember Randy Travis from the motion picture Black Dog.
Perfectly Clear by Jewel. Yodeling Alaskan sings a country tinged rock album.
No End in Sight: the very best of Foreigner by Foreigner. Two discs with a total of 32 songs. Not until I read the track listing did I realize how of their songs I can easily recall. Listen to this next spring and catch them at some county fair.
Superhero Brother by GS. Love and Special Sauce. We had another album by G. Love, Lemonade. The guy uses a stupid name but the blues music is neat - band bio.
Saints of Los Angeles by Motley Crue. There is a listing of current tour dates on the back of disc's slipcase. Is that a hint about the music's shelf life?
DVD
Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster starring [Frankenstein meets the what?]. The evil but beautiful Princess Macuzan and her bald, effeminate dwarf assistant nadir arrive in Puerto Rico to kidnap women to use in repopulating their dying planet. Meanwhile Frank, an American astronaut who is actually an android, crash-lands near the aliens. He becomes Frankenstein, a crazed killer with only half a face.
Bank Job starring Jason Statham. "Small time hoods" are asked to rob safety deposit boxes and are being used for more than they know. A heist movie. Well reviewed.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
What to Read 7
Another long-winded presentation of titles to try.
Volk's Shadow by Brent Ghelfi
Last True Story I'll Ever Tell by John Crawford
Tango for a Torturer by Daniel Chavarria
Volk's Shadow by Brent Ghelfi
Last True Story I'll Ever Tell by John Crawford
Tango for a Torturer by Daniel Chavarria
Thursday, July 24, 2008
What to Read 6
Fiction
Defensive Handgunning by Glenn Rehberg.
Remote Control by Andy McNab.
Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith.
Defensive Handgunning by Glenn Rehberg.
Remote Control by Andy McNab.
Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
More Large Print - We've Got A Lot
Large Print
Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen. This has a weirdly convoluted summary on the cover that I am not going to try and translate.
Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver. A killer is data-mining to find victims to rape and kill and then pins the crimes on innocent fall guys. Everything goes swimmingly for the scumbad until Lincoln Rhyme's cousin becomes one of the fall guys.
Twisted Creek by Jodi Thomas. Allie inherits a small town Texas cafe and brings her grandmother along as cook. Allie's bad luck starts to turn when some unlikely people become her friends.
Blood Trail by C.J. Box. Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett investigates the murder of an elk hunter who was hung and gutted like the game he was after.
River of Heaven by Lee Martin. Sam Brady has led a solitary life ever since his boyhood friend died on the railroad tracks in 1955. When Sam's brother returns after years of self-exile Sam starts to reveal details of that day in '55.
Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart. Four high school seniors go into the woods in Pennsylvania. Two are killed and the other two are missing. A private detective and local cop work together on a case that"meanders down a twisted path that leads to an old unsolved murder - and justice for a killer with a heart of stone."
Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan. "Stunning stories humanize the perils of poverty and violence so piercingly that few readers will feel they've ever encountered Africa so immediately."
Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz. Commoner Haruko marries the Crown Prince of Japan in 1959. Haruko is scorned by the Court and only respected because she will bear the Prince an heir. Thirty years and one nervous breakdown later Haruko persuades another commoner girl to accept her son's marriage proposal.
Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen. This has a weirdly convoluted summary on the cover that I am not going to try and translate.
Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver. A killer is data-mining to find victims to rape and kill and then pins the crimes on innocent fall guys. Everything goes swimmingly for the scumbad until Lincoln Rhyme's cousin becomes one of the fall guys.
Twisted Creek by Jodi Thomas. Allie inherits a small town Texas cafe and brings her grandmother along as cook. Allie's bad luck starts to turn when some unlikely people become her friends.
Blood Trail by C.J. Box. Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett investigates the murder of an elk hunter who was hung and gutted like the game he was after.
River of Heaven by Lee Martin. Sam Brady has led a solitary life ever since his boyhood friend died on the railroad tracks in 1955. When Sam's brother returns after years of self-exile Sam starts to reveal details of that day in '55.
Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart. Four high school seniors go into the woods in Pennsylvania. Two are killed and the other two are missing. A private detective and local cop work together on a case that"meanders down a twisted path that leads to an old unsolved murder - and justice for a killer with a heart of stone."
Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan. "Stunning stories humanize the perils of poverty and violence so piercingly that few readers will feel they've ever encountered Africa so immediately."
Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz. Commoner Haruko marries the Crown Prince of Japan in 1959. Haruko is scorned by the Court and only respected because she will bear the Prince an heir. Thirty years and one nervous breakdown later Haruko persuades another commoner girl to accept her son's marriage proposal.
Here's the NonFiction I Was Too Lazy to Carry Out With the Fiction
NonFiction
Ghost: confessions of a counterterrorism agent by Fred Burton. Burton was a member of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) counterterror team. The DSS protects embassies and diplomats around the world and Burton was on the edge edge of the fight against terrorists.
Several years ago, when I was considering cop jobs, working for the DSS seemed like a real neat job to me. You could travel all over, live overseas, and get free ammo. Then I saw that the pay was horrendous. I don't think I was qualified anyway; if I remember correctly they were looking for people with prior experience.
Fleeced: [big long wordy subtitle] by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann. "In this ahrd-hitting call to arms Dick Morris and Eileen McGann reveal the hundreds of ways American taxpayers are routinely fleeced - by our own government."
Me of Little Faith by Lewis Black. "In more than two dozen essays that investigate everything between how Christians and Jews celebrate their holidays, to the politics of faith, to people's individual search for transcendence, Black explores his unique odyssey through religion and belief...the inconsistencies and peculiarities of religion [that infuriate] Black."
Fish Without A Doubt: the cook's essential companion by Rick Moonen and Roy Finamore.
Rome 1960: the Olympics that changed the world by David Maraniss. I heard Maraniss speak at the WI Library Association meeting in Green Bay last fall and he spoke about doing the research for this in Rome. Should be a neat book.
Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder by Vincent Bugliosi. Zoinks! What a title! "Bugliosi presents a tight, meticulously researched legal case that puts George W. Bush on trial in an American courtroom for the murder of nearly 4,000 American soldiers fighting the war in Iraq."
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. Humorous true-life stories by Sedaris.
Ghost: confessions of a counterterrorism agent by Fred Burton. Burton was a member of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) counterterror team. The DSS protects embassies and diplomats around the world and Burton was on the edge edge of the fight against terrorists.
Several years ago, when I was considering cop jobs, working for the DSS seemed like a real neat job to me. You could travel all over, live overseas, and get free ammo. Then I saw that the pay was horrendous. I don't think I was qualified anyway; if I remember correctly they were looking for people with prior experience.
Fleeced: [big long wordy subtitle] by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann. "In this ahrd-hitting call to arms Dick Morris and Eileen McGann reveal the hundreds of ways American taxpayers are routinely fleeced - by our own government."
Me of Little Faith by Lewis Black. "In more than two dozen essays that investigate everything between how Christians and Jews celebrate their holidays, to the politics of faith, to people's individual search for transcendence, Black explores his unique odyssey through religion and belief...the inconsistencies and peculiarities of religion [that infuriate] Black."
Fish Without A Doubt: the cook's essential companion by Rick Moonen and Roy Finamore.
Rome 1960: the Olympics that changed the world by David Maraniss. I heard Maraniss speak at the WI Library Association meeting in Green Bay last fall and he spoke about doing the research for this in Rome. Should be a neat book.
Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder by Vincent Bugliosi. Zoinks! What a title! "Bugliosi presents a tight, meticulously researched legal case that puts George W. Bush on trial in an American courtroom for the murder of nearly 4,000 American soldiers fighting the war in Iraq."
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. Humorous true-life stories by Sedaris.
Fiction with Russian Thugs and Dr. Watson,
Fiction
Volk's Shadow by Brent Alexei "Volk" Volkovoy is beholden to two very different but equally dangerous men. One is a Russian Army general intent on personal wealth and political gain. The other is a Moscow crime lord. Both men are ruthless so it's a good thing "Volk" is so violent. VOlk is after a Faberge egg and evidence of atrocities from his old combat zone of Chechnya.
The Crimes of Dr. Watson by John H. Watson, M.D., edited by Duane Swierczynski. Dr. Watson is imprisoned for murder after Holmes' faked death in Switzerland. Holmes writes to the only man he can think to help free him, Philadelphia resident Colonel Harry Resmo. Watson's letter and included clues are found among Resmo's papers and Swizzlestickerinski presents the evidence for you to solve the crime.
Volk's Shadow by Brent Alexei "Volk" Volkovoy is beholden to two very different but equally dangerous men. One is a Russian Army general intent on personal wealth and political gain. The other is a Moscow crime lord. Both men are ruthless so it's a good thing "Volk" is so violent. VOlk is after a Faberge egg and evidence of atrocities from his old combat zone of Chechnya.
The Crimes of Dr. Watson by John H. Watson, M.D., edited by Duane Swierczynski. Dr. Watson is imprisoned for murder after Holmes' faked death in Switzerland. Holmes writes to the only man he can think to help free him, Philadelphia resident Colonel Harry Resmo. Watson's letter and included clues are found among Resmo's papers and Swizzlestickerinski presents the evidence for you to solve the crime.
AudioBooks on CD
AudioBooks
Not In the Flesh by Ruth Rendell. A truffle-hunting dog in in England digs up a body instead of a fungus. C.I. Wexford has to find out who was buried there and is surprised when a second body turns up.
The dog's owner should hire the dog out as a cadaver sniffing dog.
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child. Jack Reacher just wants a cup of coffee (like usual) in the middle-of-nowhere town named Despair. The locals are hostile (like usual) and Reacher gets in trouble (like usual). Reacher teams up wth a female cop (like usual) from the neighboring town named Hope. Reacher "goes up against a whole town...cracking open its terrifying agenda" (like usual).
You will read this and enjoy it (like usual) because (like usual) Child does a great job with his characters and story.
Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. The professorial exercise of "You are dying , what do you tell your students." becomes real for Pausch after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. So, Rausch writes lecture, gets on television, writes a book, and doesn't die.
Just kidding. He still has cancer (in the later stages unfortunately) and the lecture Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams is supposed to be very inspiring and worth the attention it has received.
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot. A talkative woman gets married and hitchhikes through the countryside in her wedding dress. (Plot deduced from title and cover image.)
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross. Julia is freshly widowed and taking care of her husband Wesley's estate when Wesley's mistress shows up at the front door, announces dissatisfaction with Wesley's will, and deposits Wesley and the mistress's bastard child for Julia to care for. A comedy.
Plague Ship by Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul. Who are we kidding? I have little doubt that Du Brul did all the heavy lifting here.
A spy ship comes across a cruise ship filled with dead people. The cruise ship sinks with one survivor and the spy ship captain is left to solve the mystery.
Sail by James Patterson and Howard Rougham. See my above comments about authorship.
A family in turmoil after hte father's death four years ago takes a sailing trip when disaster strikes and draws them together.
Not In the Flesh by Ruth Rendell. A truffle-hunting dog in in England digs up a body instead of a fungus. C.I. Wexford has to find out who was buried there and is surprised when a second body turns up.
The dog's owner should hire the dog out as a cadaver sniffing dog.
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child. Jack Reacher just wants a cup of coffee (like usual) in the middle-of-nowhere town named Despair. The locals are hostile (like usual) and Reacher gets in trouble (like usual). Reacher teams up wth a female cop (like usual) from the neighboring town named Hope. Reacher "goes up against a whole town...cracking open its terrifying agenda" (like usual).
You will read this and enjoy it (like usual) because (like usual) Child does a great job with his characters and story.
Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. The professorial exercise of "You are dying , what do you tell your students." becomes real for Pausch after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. So, Rausch writes lecture, gets on television, writes a book, and doesn't die.
Just kidding. He still has cancer (in the later stages unfortunately) and the lecture Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams is supposed to be very inspiring and worth the attention it has received.
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot. A talkative woman gets married and hitchhikes through the countryside in her wedding dress. (Plot deduced from title and cover image.)
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross. Julia is freshly widowed and taking care of her husband Wesley's estate when Wesley's mistress shows up at the front door, announces dissatisfaction with Wesley's will, and deposits Wesley and the mistress's bastard child for Julia to care for. A comedy.
Plague Ship by Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul. Who are we kidding? I have little doubt that Du Brul did all the heavy lifting here.
A spy ship comes across a cruise ship filled with dead people. The cruise ship sinks with one survivor and the spy ship captain is left to solve the mystery.
Sail by James Patterson and Howard Rougham. See my above comments about authorship.
A family in turmoil after hte father's death four years ago takes a sailing trip when disaster strikes and draws them together.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Large Print by Hannah the Page
Large Print
Swan Peak by James Lee Burke. Dave Robicheaux, his wife, and his friend Cletus go on vacation in Montana. I was unable to remember the wife's name and opened up the book to find it. I saw the word "she" and kept reading for a name. I found this instead, "She held his head between her breasts, then picked up his phallus, and placed it inside her."
Killer View by Ridley Pearson. Sun Valley Sheriff Walk Fleming and his team are searching for a missing skier when one of the team is shot dead. Another team member has disappeared.
Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais. Elivs Cole discovery of an exculpatory videotape got Lionel Byrd acquitted of murder. When Lionel is discovered dead by suicide with a photo album of dead women in his lap Cole wonders if his work led to the death of more women.
One of Those Malibu Nights by Elizabeth Adler. Some romantic suspense mystery set in Malibu.
Swan Peak by James Lee Burke. Dave Robicheaux, his wife, and his friend Cletus go on vacation in Montana. I was unable to remember the wife's name and opened up the book to find it. I saw the word "she" and kept reading for a name. I found this instead, "She held his head between her breasts, then picked up his phallus, and placed it inside her."
Killer View by Ridley Pearson. Sun Valley Sheriff Walk Fleming and his team are searching for a missing skier when one of the team is shot dead. Another team member has disappeared.
Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais. Elivs Cole discovery of an exculpatory videotape got Lionel Byrd acquitted of murder. When Lionel is discovered dead by suicide with a photo album of dead women in his lap Cole wonders if his work led to the death of more women.
One of Those Malibu Nights by Elizabeth Adler. Some romantic suspense mystery set in Malibu.
Monday, July 21, 2008
NonFic Donations
NonFiction
Monochrome Days: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with depression by Cait Irwin.
Mind Race: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with bipolar disorder by Patrick Jameson, PhD.
Eight Stories Up: an adolescent chooses hope over suicide by Dequincy A Lezine, PhD.
What You Must Think of Me: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with social anxiety disorder by Emily Ford.
Chasing the High: a firsthand account of one young person's experience with substance abuse by Kule Keegan.
The Thought That Counts: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder by Jared Douglas Kant.
Me, Myself, and Them: a firsthand account of one young person's experience with schizophrenia by Kurt Snyder.
The Whistle Didn't Blow Long Enough: a history of the Chicago and Lake Superior Railroad: shortest common carrier railroad in Wiscsonin by Robert Duerwachter.
Railroads of Southern and Southwest Wisconsin: development to decline by Daniel J. Lanz.
Monochrome Days: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with depression by Cait Irwin.
Mind Race: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with bipolar disorder by Patrick Jameson, PhD.
Eight Stories Up: an adolescent chooses hope over suicide by Dequincy A Lezine, PhD.
What You Must Think of Me: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with social anxiety disorder by Emily Ford.
Chasing the High: a firsthand account of one young person's experience with substance abuse by Kule Keegan.
The Thought That Counts: a firsthand account of one teenager's experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder by Jared Douglas Kant.
Me, Myself, and Them: a firsthand account of one young person's experience with schizophrenia by Kurt Snyder.
The Whistle Didn't Blow Long Enough: a history of the Chicago and Lake Superior Railroad: shortest common carrier railroad in Wiscsonin by Robert Duerwachter.
Railroads of Southern and Southwest Wisconsin: development to decline by Daniel J. Lanz.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
What to Read 5
What to Read 5.
Filmed in the basement storage room. With bad lighting and mumbling audio.
The Far Country by Nevil Shute.
The Cold Spot by Tom Piccirilli.
Filmed in the basement storage room. With bad lighting and mumbling audio.
The Far Country by Nevil Shute.
The Cold Spot by Tom Piccirilli.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Crime Fiction and The Bible
Fiction
Wounded and the Slain by David Goodis. Another paperback from Hard Case Crime. A reprint from 1955. "Their marriage on teh rocks, James and Cora Bevan flew to Jamaica for a last chance at patching things up. But in the slulms of Kingston James found himself fighting for his life - while Cora found her own path to destruction, in the arms of another man."
Empty Ever After by Reed Farrel Coleman. Coleman has been awarded the Shamus, Barry, and Anthony awards for his novels. Coleman wrote the very good Hose Monkey under the pen name Tony Spinosa.
Demon of Dakar by Kjell Eriksson. Scandinavian noir and crime is quite rage these days. Swedish copper Ann Lindell and her assistants follow the clues from a trail of bodies back to the Dakar restaurant. Neither the restaurant owner and kitchen staff are above suspicion.
Yellow Medicine by Anthony Neil Smith. Fired from his Deputy job in Mississippi for "rule-bending and bribe-taking" Billy Lafitte lands on the tundra of rural Minnesota. Booze and girls occupy his spare time when a local band's girl bassist asks him to help out her boyfriend.
I've read several positive comments about this novel. The author is from Minnesota. I know some of you may take offense at that, but give him a try anyway. Besides, take pity on the guy, he works at Southwest MN State Univ. - he may as well be in Iowa.
Large Print
Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock. Something about something.
NonFiction
Frommer's National Parks of the American West. Parks.
KJV Large Print Wide Margin Bible. Our last Large Print novel was a paperback and falling apart.
Miller's 20th Century Glass and Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass. Donations made in memory of Frances Pirwitz by the Lake Mills Women's Club
Wounded and the Slain by David Goodis. Another paperback from Hard Case Crime. A reprint from 1955. "Their marriage on teh rocks, James and Cora Bevan flew to Jamaica for a last chance at patching things up. But in the slulms of Kingston James found himself fighting for his life - while Cora found her own path to destruction, in the arms of another man."
Empty Ever After by Reed Farrel Coleman. Coleman has been awarded the Shamus, Barry, and Anthony awards for his novels. Coleman wrote the very good Hose Monkey under the pen name Tony Spinosa.
Demon of Dakar by Kjell Eriksson. Scandinavian noir and crime is quite rage these days. Swedish copper Ann Lindell and her assistants follow the clues from a trail of bodies back to the Dakar restaurant. Neither the restaurant owner and kitchen staff are above suspicion.
Yellow Medicine by Anthony Neil Smith. Fired from his Deputy job in Mississippi for "rule-bending and bribe-taking" Billy Lafitte lands on the tundra of rural Minnesota. Booze and girls occupy his spare time when a local band's girl bassist asks him to help out her boyfriend.
I've read several positive comments about this novel. The author is from Minnesota. I know some of you may take offense at that, but give him a try anyway. Besides, take pity on the guy, he works at Southwest MN State Univ. - he may as well be in Iowa.
Large Print
Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock. Something about something.
NonFiction
Frommer's National Parks of the American West. Parks.
KJV Large Print Wide Margin Bible. Our last Large Print novel was a paperback and falling apart.
Miller's 20th Century Glass and Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass. Donations made in memory of Frances Pirwitz by the Lake Mills Women's Club
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)