Rap
Hip Hop is Dead by Nas. I don't know anything about this guy but he is popular.
Folk
Celtic Woman: A New Journey by various artists. Fourteen songs by six Irish women vocalists. A couple tunes are in Gaelic. These "Celtic" discs are popular. So popular that some jerk seems to have stolen our other one. Here is the review from Allmusic.com, "Celtic Woman, a Riverdance-inspired PBS phenomena that boasts the talents of several female leads and a whole lot of orchestra and genre instruments like pipes, bodhrans, and fiddles, gives contemporary Celtic the Il Divo treatment on New Journey, a lovely and occasionally over the top collection of familiar melodies and grandiose sentiments that should please both the Celtic new age and the adult alternative crowds."
Ce by Caetano Veloso. Brazilian musician Veloso is a Big Deal. His first album came out in 1967 and "Caetano Veloso has managed to sustain a remarkable consistency, year after year composing beautiful, inventive, and very often simply ingenious music." Read the rest of the review at, of course, allmusic.com.
Rock
Snakes & Arrows by Rush. Rush's eighteenth studio album with lots of guitar and drums.
Stand Still - Look Pretty by The Wreckers. The Wreckers is a duo made by Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp. This album came out a few months ago but I figured it will still go out.
West by Lucinda Williams. A roots-rock and alternative-country styled music. Williams moved to Los Angeles after living in Austin, TX for a thirty years or so and the album, according to Allmusic.com (who else?), reflects that change with Williams confessional songwriting.
Because of the Times by Kings Of Leon. Kings of Leon are huge in England. I don't know why; I really liked a previous album, Youth & Young Manhood. Kings play a kind of Southern garage rock.
Mute Math by Mute Math. Quartet from New Orleans with an experiemental, but very listenable and enjoyable, debut album. Modern rock with electronic equipment.
Country
Nashville by Solomon Burke. Famed rhythm and blues singer Burke recorded these country tunes in Nashville with several country stars and musicians. What a voice! What style! What girth!
Jazz
Not too Late by Norah Jones. Eh. People like her.
Classical
Angel Dances by The 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic. Instrumentals by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla and some gospel tunes sung by various guests.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Look Out!
DVD
Pan's Labyrinth starring [a bunch of Spanish actors you never heard of]. Winner of three Academy awards (and loser of three, too). An adult fairy tale with young Ofelia enduring the cruelty of her fascistic military step-father in Spain. Escaping to a nearby garden Ofelia discovers a the fantastical creature living within it.
CDs
Music from the Motion Picture Black Snake Moan featuring S0n House, John Doe, R.L. Burnside, North Mississippi Allstars, Samuel L. Jackson, Bobby Rush. Blues soundtrack from Black Snake Moan.
Large Print
The River Knows by Amanda Quick. "Dashing Anthony Stalbridge had in common with Louisa was a passionate interest in the private affairs of Hastings, a prominent member of Society whom they both suspect of hiding terrible secrets."
Fiction
Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Tim likes to converse with the weird barflies at his friend's tavern. But, one night, one of those local eccentrics passes him in envelope. Inside is $10,000 cash and a woman's photo. Tim has has been mistaken as a hired killer. When the real hired killer sits next to him, Tim fakes it and says, "I've had a change of heart." After Tim discovers the real killer is a cop, he works to stop the intended killing.
Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon. An alternate history where the Israeli state collapsed in 1948. Surviving refugees started an autonomous region in Alaska. That autonomy is due to end and policeman Meyer Landsman is investigating a recent murder.
Freak Show by James St. James. Teenage drag queen matriculates at ultra-rich, ultra-conservative Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy.
Mystery
Dead Madonna by Victoria Houston. "A Loon Lake Mystery." Wisconsin author Houston was here in Lake Mills on May 19th. This is her eighth Loon Lake mystery with rural Wisconsin Police Chief Lew Ferris investigating two murders.
Science Fiction
The Alton Gift by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross. Geez, science fiction authors collaborate more than rappers. The sequel to Traitor's Sun. I'm not going to bother figuring out the labyrinthine plot to this one.
Pan's Labyrinth starring [a bunch of Spanish actors you never heard of]. Winner of three Academy awards (and loser of three, too). An adult fairy tale with young Ofelia enduring the cruelty of her fascistic military step-father in Spain. Escaping to a nearby garden Ofelia discovers a the fantastical creature living within it.
CDs
Music from the Motion Picture Black Snake Moan featuring S0n House, John Doe, R.L. Burnside, North Mississippi Allstars, Samuel L. Jackson, Bobby Rush. Blues soundtrack from Black Snake Moan.
Large Print
The River Knows by Amanda Quick. "Dashing Anthony Stalbridge had in common with Louisa was a passionate interest in the private affairs of Hastings, a prominent member of Society whom they both suspect of hiding terrible secrets."
Fiction
Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Tim likes to converse with the weird barflies at his friend's tavern. But, one night, one of those local eccentrics passes him in envelope. Inside is $10,000 cash and a woman's photo. Tim has has been mistaken as a hired killer. When the real hired killer sits next to him, Tim fakes it and says, "I've had a change of heart." After Tim discovers the real killer is a cop, he works to stop the intended killing.
Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon. An alternate history where the Israeli state collapsed in 1948. Surviving refugees started an autonomous region in Alaska. That autonomy is due to end and policeman Meyer Landsman is investigating a recent murder.
Freak Show by James St. James. Teenage drag queen matriculates at ultra-rich, ultra-conservative Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy.
Mystery
Dead Madonna by Victoria Houston. "A Loon Lake Mystery." Wisconsin author Houston was here in Lake Mills on May 19th. This is her eighth Loon Lake mystery with rural Wisconsin Police Chief Lew Ferris investigating two murders.
Science Fiction
The Alton Gift by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross. Geez, science fiction authors collaborate more than rappers. The sequel to Traitor's Sun. I'm not going to bother figuring out the labyrinthine plot to this one.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Musical Wonderment
Rock
Sky Blue Sky by Wilco. A more accessible album by Wilco with less 'artful' noise than before. We also a DVD of a live performance by them, Kicking Television.
Headstrong by Ashley Tisdale. Allmusic.com's review says this about one of the stars of High School Musical, "Attempting to give Tisdale an identity outside of High School Musical, Headstrong's sound is much more mature than the soundtrack's teen pop-meets-musicals vibe, incorporating heavy hip-hop beats, dancehall's call-and-response, Middle Eastern elements, and other mid-2000s pop music trends into the Disney pop sound."
Roots Rock
Big Iron World by Old Crow Medicine Show. I'm not sure why I ordered this disc but I listened to it yesterdya and enjoyed it. Old Crow has a roots rock sound that is part country and part traditional rock and roll. If you like it try out some of the programs from Roots Rock Radio.
Pop Standards
Call Me Irresponsible by Michael Buble. More older pop tunes from the Canadian vocalist.
Orchestral
A Song of Islands, Aotearoa Overture, Forest by Douglas Lilburn performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd, Conducting. Three of New Zealand native Lilburn's (1915-2001) works meant to convey the Kiwi country. I don't think James Judd is related to Kiwi Phil Judd.
Sky Blue Sky by Wilco. A more accessible album by Wilco with less 'artful' noise than before. We also a DVD of a live performance by them, Kicking Television.
Headstrong by Ashley Tisdale. Allmusic.com's review says this about one of the stars of High School Musical, "Attempting to give Tisdale an identity outside of High School Musical, Headstrong's sound is much more mature than the soundtrack's teen pop-meets-musicals vibe, incorporating heavy hip-hop beats, dancehall's call-and-response, Middle Eastern elements, and other mid-2000s pop music trends into the Disney pop sound."
Roots Rock
Big Iron World by Old Crow Medicine Show. I'm not sure why I ordered this disc but I listened to it yesterdya and enjoyed it. Old Crow has a roots rock sound that is part country and part traditional rock and roll. If you like it try out some of the programs from Roots Rock Radio.
Pop Standards
Call Me Irresponsible by Michael Buble. More older pop tunes from the Canadian vocalist.
Orchestral
A Song of Islands, Aotearoa Overture, Forest by Douglas Lilburn performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd, Conducting. Three of New Zealand native Lilburn's (1915-2001) works meant to convey the Kiwi country. I don't think James Judd is related to Kiwi Phil Judd.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
DVDs
Little Children starring Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson. Bored housewife and househusband have an affair and a convicted child molester moves into town. Three academy award nominations. Allmovie.com has a very good review.
Animal House starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon. Digitally remastered edition.
Good German starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire. In 1946 Germany the blackmarket is thriving. Journalist Jake Geistner arrives in Berlin and finds that his old love Lena is now attached to a corrupt and scheming black market kingpin, a U.S. Army Corporal.
Animal House starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon. Digitally remastered edition.
Good German starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire. In 1946 Germany the blackmarket is thriving. Journalist Jake Geistner arrives in Berlin and finds that his old love Lena is now attached to a corrupt and scheming black market kingpin, a U.S. Army Corporal.
Monday, May 21, 2007
New New New, For You You You
Fiction
Novels
Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey by Chuck Palahniuk. "What 'Typhoid mary' mallon was to typhoid, what Gaetan Dugas was to AIDS, and Liu Jianlun was to SARS, Buster Casey would become for rabies." Collected anecdotes of Rant Casey whose creation of an urban demolition derby, Party Crashing, led to his fiery death. Thoughts that his saliva caused an urban plague of rabies.
You Suck by Christopher Moore. Thomas wakes up with new girlfriend Jody and finds out she is a vampire. Uh-oh, now he is too. Will their love survive? A comic novel.
What's So Funny? by Donald Westlake. Career burglar Dortmunder is blackmailed into an impossible crime. More criminal humour by Westlake.
The Religion by Tim Willocks. The siege of Malta in 1565 by the Ottoman Turks against the Knights of Saint John the Baptist. French countess Carla La Penautier is searching Malta for the child stolen from her twelve years ago. With the help of mercenary Mattias Carla hopes to find and spirit the boy away from the biggest siege in history.
This book receivedly good reviews. Reviews like this: "This is what we dream of: to be swept away, so poleaxed by a book that the breath is sucked right out of us."
Graphic Novels
300 by Frank Miller. The graphic novel - in a huge format, 10" x 13" - that the recent movie was based on.
Mysteries
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. Chief Inspector Gamache of the Quebec Provincial Police investigates the murder of CC de Poitiers. Unliked by all her fellow villagers, CC was electrocuted in the middle of a frozen lake in Three Pines, Quebec during a curling tournament. Penny wrote Still Life which garnered tons of positive press and readership - Lake Mills owns a copy - and Fatal continues with lead character Gamache.
The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson. Swedish author of The Princess of Burundi. Inspector Ann Lindell takes the missing persons case of an elderly academic. When two elderly men's bodies are found neither one is the missing man, but the missing man's colleagues suspet a connection between the those deaths and their friends disappearance.
The Savage Garden by Mark Mills. This one sounds quite good. 1950s Cambridge student Adam Strickland is asked to travel to Tuscany and write about the famous Docci garden. The garden was built to honor a fifteenth century woman and the garden seems to point to evidence the woman was murdered.
Lethally Blond by Kate White. Eh. Look it yourself.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Outback Stars by Sandra McDonald. Lieutenant Jodenny Scott is a true-life hero of the sapce service. Bored of her recuperation on planet Kookaburra she signs on to the first ship out. Big mistake. With a criminal and incompetent crew squared-away officer Scott has plenty of work to deal with, and the unfamiliar territory of dealing with a boyfriend.
White Night by Jim Butcher. A Dresden Files novel featuring Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard.
Wolf's Blood by Jane Lindskold. This is the first novel by Lindskold we have bought but she has been quite popular elsewhere. Firekeeper was raised by intelligent, talking wolves until she returned to human society in her teens. Her wolf raising has helped her among the intrigues and deceptions of human society.
NonFiction
Finance
You Can Do It!: the boomer's guide to a great retirement by Jonathan D. Pond.
Women and Money: owning the power to control your destiny by Suze Orman.
Iraq
On the Hunt: how to wake up Washington and win the war on terror by Colonel David Hunt, U.S. Army (Ret.). I heard this guy on C-SPAN plugging his book and he had some interesting comments and ideas on the ongoing wars. He's also a Fox News analyst.
Blackwater: the rise of the world's most powerful mercenary army by Jeremy Scahill. Expose of the massive and sudden growth of Blackwater; founded as a training company, Blackwater has grown into a massive security contractor in Iraq and around the world. Funny, the people at Blackwater seemed upset with this book.
Biography
A Long Way Gone: memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah. First person account by Beah of his life as a child soldier in Sierra Leone from when he was thirteen until the Red Cross got him to the U.S. when he was 16.
Child of the Jungle: the true story of a girl caught between two worlds by Sabine Kuegler. Plugged as a true life Mean Girls. Sabine was raised by her missionary parents in West Papua, Indonesia among the Stone Age tribes. As a teenager Sabine is forced by circumstance leave Indonesia and attend boarding school in Switzerland.
Self-Serving Biography
At the Center of the Storm: my years at the CIA by George Tenet.
Novels
Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey by Chuck Palahniuk. "What 'Typhoid mary' mallon was to typhoid, what Gaetan Dugas was to AIDS, and Liu Jianlun was to SARS, Buster Casey would become for rabies." Collected anecdotes of Rant Casey whose creation of an urban demolition derby, Party Crashing, led to his fiery death. Thoughts that his saliva caused an urban plague of rabies.
You Suck by Christopher Moore. Thomas wakes up with new girlfriend Jody and finds out she is a vampire. Uh-oh, now he is too. Will their love survive? A comic novel.
What's So Funny? by Donald Westlake. Career burglar Dortmunder is blackmailed into an impossible crime. More criminal humour by Westlake.
The Religion by Tim Willocks. The siege of Malta in 1565 by the Ottoman Turks against the Knights of Saint John the Baptist. French countess Carla La Penautier is searching Malta for the child stolen from her twelve years ago. With the help of mercenary Mattias Carla hopes to find and spirit the boy away from the biggest siege in history.
This book receivedly good reviews. Reviews like this: "This is what we dream of: to be swept away, so poleaxed by a book that the breath is sucked right out of us."
Graphic Novels
300 by Frank Miller. The graphic novel - in a huge format, 10" x 13" - that the recent movie was based on.
Mysteries
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. Chief Inspector Gamache of the Quebec Provincial Police investigates the murder of CC de Poitiers. Unliked by all her fellow villagers, CC was electrocuted in the middle of a frozen lake in Three Pines, Quebec during a curling tournament. Penny wrote Still Life which garnered tons of positive press and readership - Lake Mills owns a copy - and Fatal continues with lead character Gamache.
The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson. Swedish author of The Princess of Burundi. Inspector Ann Lindell takes the missing persons case of an elderly academic. When two elderly men's bodies are found neither one is the missing man, but the missing man's colleagues suspet a connection between the those deaths and their friends disappearance.
The Savage Garden by Mark Mills. This one sounds quite good. 1950s Cambridge student Adam Strickland is asked to travel to Tuscany and write about the famous Docci garden. The garden was built to honor a fifteenth century woman and the garden seems to point to evidence the woman was murdered.
Lethally Blond by Kate White. Eh. Look it yourself.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Outback Stars by Sandra McDonald. Lieutenant Jodenny Scott is a true-life hero of the sapce service. Bored of her recuperation on planet Kookaburra she signs on to the first ship out. Big mistake. With a criminal and incompetent crew squared-away officer Scott has plenty of work to deal with, and the unfamiliar territory of dealing with a boyfriend.
White Night by Jim Butcher. A Dresden Files novel featuring Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard.
Wolf's Blood by Jane Lindskold. This is the first novel by Lindskold we have bought but she has been quite popular elsewhere. Firekeeper was raised by intelligent, talking wolves until she returned to human society in her teens. Her wolf raising has helped her among the intrigues and deceptions of human society.
NonFiction
Finance
You Can Do It!: the boomer's guide to a great retirement by Jonathan D. Pond.
Women and Money: owning the power to control your destiny by Suze Orman.
Iraq
On the Hunt: how to wake up Washington and win the war on terror by Colonel David Hunt, U.S. Army (Ret.). I heard this guy on C-SPAN plugging his book and he had some interesting comments and ideas on the ongoing wars. He's also a Fox News analyst.
Blackwater: the rise of the world's most powerful mercenary army by Jeremy Scahill. Expose of the massive and sudden growth of Blackwater; founded as a training company, Blackwater has grown into a massive security contractor in Iraq and around the world. Funny, the people at Blackwater seemed upset with this book.
Biography
A Long Way Gone: memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah. First person account by Beah of his life as a child soldier in Sierra Leone from when he was thirteen until the Red Cross got him to the U.S. when he was 16.
Child of the Jungle: the true story of a girl caught between two worlds by Sabine Kuegler. Plugged as a true life Mean Girls. Sabine was raised by her missionary parents in West Papua, Indonesia among the Stone Age tribes. As a teenager Sabine is forced by circumstance leave Indonesia and attend boarding school in Switzerland.
Self-Serving Biography
At the Center of the Storm: my years at the CIA by George Tenet.
Friday, May 18, 2007
DVDs and papery things
DVDs
Rocky Balboa starring Sylvester Stallone and Burt Young. Rocky takes on the challenge of an exhibition bout against the reigning heavyweight champ.
Guardian starring Kevin Costner and Mr. Demi Moore. Famed rescue swimmer Ben regrets a tragic mission and is assigned to teach new recruits. Cocky upstart Jake is "driven by a painful secret" and more interested in breaking records than doing the job. I assume the two Guardsman clash, the young one screws up, someone cries, and then they rescue someone under terrible conditions.
Dreamgirls starring Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx. I'd list Beyonce Knowles in the cast list but I'm still not sure who she is or what she is famous for. 1960s girl pop trio hits the bigtime.
Good Shepherd starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert DeNiro, John Turturro. The founding of the CIA seen through the eyes of Edward Wilson. AFter watching this you can check out Turturro in The Big Lewbowski.
AudioBooks
Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander. Kaddish Poznan spends his nights erasing names from the tombstones in Buenos Aires' Jewish cemetary. It is the height of Argentina's Dirty War and some family members do not want to be connected to suspected revolutionaries, even dead ones. Kaddish and his wife search for his estranged son who has gone missing in the government's anti-revolutionary fervor.
Last Tycoons: the secret history of Lazard Freres & Co. by William D. Cohan. "A tale of unrestrained ambition, billion-dollar fortunes, byzantine power struggles, and hidden scandal."
Fiction
Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child. A decade after leaving the Army and staying so far under the radar he may as well be dirt Jack Reacher is contacted by a member of his old unit. When informed that unti members are being killed Reacher joins with the survivors and find ties to terrorism past and present.
NonFiction
How to Invest $50 - $50,000, 9th Edition by Nancy Dunnan. "The small investor's step-bystep paln for low-risk, high-value investing."
Fun and Fabulous Curtains to Sew by Valerie van Arsdale Shrader.
Swiss Ball Core Workout by Declan Condron. A Swiss Ball is one of those big inflatable exercise balls.
Rocky Balboa starring Sylvester Stallone and Burt Young. Rocky takes on the challenge of an exhibition bout against the reigning heavyweight champ.
Guardian starring Kevin Costner and Mr. Demi Moore. Famed rescue swimmer Ben regrets a tragic mission and is assigned to teach new recruits. Cocky upstart Jake is "driven by a painful secret" and more interested in breaking records than doing the job. I assume the two Guardsman clash, the young one screws up, someone cries, and then they rescue someone under terrible conditions.
Dreamgirls starring Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx. I'd list Beyonce Knowles in the cast list but I'm still not sure who she is or what she is famous for. 1960s girl pop trio hits the bigtime.
Good Shepherd starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert DeNiro, John Turturro. The founding of the CIA seen through the eyes of Edward Wilson. AFter watching this you can check out Turturro in The Big Lewbowski.
AudioBooks
Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander. Kaddish Poznan spends his nights erasing names from the tombstones in Buenos Aires' Jewish cemetary. It is the height of Argentina's Dirty War and some family members do not want to be connected to suspected revolutionaries, even dead ones. Kaddish and his wife search for his estranged son who has gone missing in the government's anti-revolutionary fervor.
Last Tycoons: the secret history of Lazard Freres & Co. by William D. Cohan. "A tale of unrestrained ambition, billion-dollar fortunes, byzantine power struggles, and hidden scandal."
Fiction
Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child. A decade after leaving the Army and staying so far under the radar he may as well be dirt Jack Reacher is contacted by a member of his old unit. When informed that unti members are being killed Reacher joins with the survivors and find ties to terrorism past and present.
NonFiction
How to Invest $50 - $50,000, 9th Edition by Nancy Dunnan. "The small investor's step-bystep paln for low-risk, high-value investing."
Fun and Fabulous Curtains to Sew by Valerie van Arsdale Shrader.
Swiss Ball Core Workout by Declan Condron. A Swiss Ball is one of those big inflatable exercise balls.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Items of Interest
DVD
Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith. Homeless single dad works his way into employment and stability.
Borat starring Borat. Kazakhstani journalist travels the United States.
American Barn Stories: and other tales from the Heartlands. Another DVD on old barns, the sequel to Old Barns of Wisconsin.
Fiction
Too Hot to Handle and Sweet Wind, Wild Wind by Elizabeth Lowell. Two ranching romances by Lowell in one volume.
AudioBooks on CD
Obsession by Jonathan Keller,an. Everyone's favorite eye-shadow wearing, male, mystery author has another Dr. Alex Delaware thriller.
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods. New York City lawyer Stone Barrington ends up mixing with the mob after a chance encounter.
NonFiction
Knitting Cuff to Cuff: a dozen designs for sideways-knit garments by Susan Guagliumi.
Inside Ferrari by Jon Nicholson and Maurice Hamilton. Photographer Jon Nicholson had three seasons worth of all-access to Ferrari's F1 racing teams. Nicholson covers the factory, testing, practice and races for an unprecedented inside look at the Ferrari racing program.
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron. Ephron's reflections on aging.
Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith. Homeless single dad works his way into employment and stability.
Borat starring Borat. Kazakhstani journalist travels the United States.
American Barn Stories: and other tales from the Heartlands. Another DVD on old barns, the sequel to Old Barns of Wisconsin.
Fiction
Too Hot to Handle and Sweet Wind, Wild Wind by Elizabeth Lowell. Two ranching romances by Lowell in one volume.
AudioBooks on CD
Obsession by Jonathan Keller,an. Everyone's favorite eye-shadow wearing, male, mystery author has another Dr. Alex Delaware thriller.
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods. New York City lawyer Stone Barrington ends up mixing with the mob after a chance encounter.
NonFiction
Knitting Cuff to Cuff: a dozen designs for sideways-knit garments by Susan Guagliumi.
Inside Ferrari by Jon Nicholson and Maurice Hamilton. Photographer Jon Nicholson had three seasons worth of all-access to Ferrari's F1 racing teams. Nicholson covers the factory, testing, practice and races for an unprecedented inside look at the Ferrari racing program.
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron. Ephron's reflections on aging.
Monday, May 14, 2007
All the Latest
Fiction
Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss. "A Lucifer Box Novel" Lucifer Box is known as one of London's better portraitists. He is not known for his work as as a spy for the British government. Flamboyant, and annoyingly self assured, Lucifer's latest mission has him sent to investigate a Fascist organization whose meeting in upstate New York has connections with a convent in Norfolk, England. A humorous mystery novel setin the '20s.
Invisible Prey by John Sandford. Lucas Davenport finds more Minneapolis murders to muddle with.
NonFiction
Dazzling Beaded Jewelry: 50 great projects by DIY Network.
Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide, 2nd Edition by James Stephenson.
How to raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin. Shelved downstairs in the Parenting collection.
CRASH!: from the '40s, '50s & '60s by John Gunnell. "Unique collection of accident-scene photos from the '40s, '50s, and '60s...twisted bumpers, smashed headlights and wrecked 'collector' cars."
Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss. "A Lucifer Box Novel" Lucifer Box is known as one of London's better portraitists. He is not known for his work as as a spy for the British government. Flamboyant, and annoyingly self assured, Lucifer's latest mission has him sent to investigate a Fascist organization whose meeting in upstate New York has connections with a convent in Norfolk, England. A humorous mystery novel setin the '20s.
Invisible Prey by John Sandford. Lucas Davenport finds more Minneapolis murders to muddle with.
NonFiction
Dazzling Beaded Jewelry: 50 great projects by DIY Network.
Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide, 2nd Edition by James Stephenson.
How to raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin. Shelved downstairs in the Parenting collection.
CRASH!: from the '40s, '50s & '60s by John Gunnell. "Unique collection of accident-scene photos from the '40s, '50s, and '60s...twisted bumpers, smashed headlights and wrecked 'collector' cars."
Monday, May 07, 2007
Newest of the New
Fiction
Death's Witness by Paul Batista. Famous criminal lawyer Tom Perini is murdered while jogging through New York's Central Park. Perni was in the midst of a major corruption and bribery trial of a much-loved Congressman. Batista's wife starts to dig into her husband's work and hidden private life.
6th Target by James Patterson. From the Women's Murder Club series.
Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard. Hot kid US Marshall Carl Webster is hunting for an escaped POW in World War Two Detroit. Carl is sure that the German-born butcher Walter is part of a spy ring hiding POWs. Carl cozies up to Walter's alienated wife, Honey, to try and find out.
NonFiction
Scarves and Shawls for Yarn Lovers by Carri Hammett.
Knitting for Peace: Make the world better one stitch at a time by Betty Christiansen. Information about the charity knitting program and patterns for kids clothing.
Death's Witness by Paul Batista. Famous criminal lawyer Tom Perini is murdered while jogging through New York's Central Park. Perni was in the midst of a major corruption and bribery trial of a much-loved Congressman. Batista's wife starts to dig into her husband's work and hidden private life.
6th Target by James Patterson. From the Women's Murder Club series.
Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard. Hot kid US Marshall Carl Webster is hunting for an escaped POW in World War Two Detroit. Carl is sure that the German-born butcher Walter is part of a spy ring hiding POWs. Carl cozies up to Walter's alienated wife, Honey, to try and find out.
NonFiction
Scarves and Shawls for Yarn Lovers by Carri Hammett.
Knitting for Peace: Make the world better one stitch at a time by Betty Christiansen. Information about the charity knitting program and patterns for kids clothing.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
New paper filled products covered in words.
Fiction
Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland. 1880 Paris seen through the eyes of Auguste Renoir and the seven models (journalist, war hero, actress, and others) who appear in Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, set on the Seine River.
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris. Another in the comedic vampire series featuring Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Fallen out with her vampire boyfriend, Sookie deals with could-be-boyfriend - and shapeshifter - Quinn. Meanwhile, an upcoming vampire summit promises tense negotiations and trouble as some vampires attempt a shift in power.
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg. Three sisters in World War Two Chicago. Two sisters pine for their boyfriends overseas, one sister writes to the numerous men met at USO dances.
NonFiction
better: a surgeon's notes on performance by Atul Gawande. Practicing surgeon and New Yorker writer Gawande writes how doctor's push themselves for performance against the problems of place (India), continual injuries (Iraq), and threat to livelihood (malpractice courtroom).
Einstein: his life and universe by Walter Isaacson. This most recent biography of Einstein is the first to use all of Einstein's recently released personal papers. An accessible biography into his personal life and scientific discoveries.
From the Heart: a woman's guide to living well with heart disease by Kathay Kastan. Dealing with the emotional turmoil of heart disease and bypass surgery from a counselor who has suffered through the same.
Large Print
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark. We have the regular print of this. Something about awoman who thinks her husband may be a killer and that she heard the murder as a child.
Woods by Harlan Coben. We have this one in regular print too. Dude blamed for murders that happened 20 years ago.
Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland. 1880 Paris seen through the eyes of Auguste Renoir and the seven models (journalist, war hero, actress, and others) who appear in Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, set on the Seine River.
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris. Another in the comedic vampire series featuring Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Fallen out with her vampire boyfriend, Sookie deals with could-be-boyfriend - and shapeshifter - Quinn. Meanwhile, an upcoming vampire summit promises tense negotiations and trouble as some vampires attempt a shift in power.
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg. Three sisters in World War Two Chicago. Two sisters pine for their boyfriends overseas, one sister writes to the numerous men met at USO dances.
NonFiction
better: a surgeon's notes on performance by Atul Gawande. Practicing surgeon and New Yorker writer Gawande writes how doctor's push themselves for performance against the problems of place (India), continual injuries (Iraq), and threat to livelihood (malpractice courtroom).
Einstein: his life and universe by Walter Isaacson. This most recent biography of Einstein is the first to use all of Einstein's recently released personal papers. An accessible biography into his personal life and scientific discoveries.
From the Heart: a woman's guide to living well with heart disease by Kathay Kastan. Dealing with the emotional turmoil of heart disease and bypass surgery from a counselor who has suffered through the same.
Large Print
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark. We have the regular print of this. Something about awoman who thinks her husband may be a killer and that she heard the murder as a child.
Woods by Harlan Coben. We have this one in regular print too. Dude blamed for murders that happened 20 years ago.
New Media
DVD
Harsh Times starring Christian Bale, Freddy Rodriguez and Eva Longoria. Christian Bale plays a veteran with a saviour complex intent on hiring on with the LAPD. rejected by the police department he is hired by Homeland Security and goes overboard in protecting the community.
Grizzly Man directed by Werner Herzog. That's right, another Herzog picture. But, this one was a donation. Herzog tells the story of Timothy Treadwell who spent 13 summers in Alaska living near and filming grizzly bears. Until one ate him.
Audio Books
The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck. This is actually a kids' audio but I have it here in the pile so I'll mention it. Tom is the youngest of seven boys. His brothers go on adventures and quests and record their stories for the Story Bureau. Tom stays at home with his mother. When all six of Tom's brothers fail to appear for Tom's birthday, Tom gets a letter from the Bureau and is off to find out what happened to his siblings.
The Firm by John Grisham. Actually the case is just new. The old one must have been beaten up and gotten replaced. Well. I suppose the new case makes it look brand new. I saw the movie version of this in a San Antonio theater in 1993 while I was on vacation.
Harsh Times starring Christian Bale, Freddy Rodriguez and Eva Longoria. Christian Bale plays a veteran with a saviour complex intent on hiring on with the LAPD. rejected by the police department he is hired by Homeland Security and goes overboard in protecting the community.
Grizzly Man directed by Werner Herzog. That's right, another Herzog picture. But, this one was a donation. Herzog tells the story of Timothy Treadwell who spent 13 summers in Alaska living near and filming grizzly bears. Until one ate him.
Audio Books
The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck. This is actually a kids' audio but I have it here in the pile so I'll mention it. Tom is the youngest of seven boys. His brothers go on adventures and quests and record their stories for the Story Bureau. Tom stays at home with his mother. When all six of Tom's brothers fail to appear for Tom's birthday, Tom gets a letter from the Bureau and is off to find out what happened to his siblings.
The Firm by John Grisham. Actually the case is just new. The old one must have been beaten up and gotten replaced. Well. I suppose the new case makes it look brand new. I saw the movie version of this in a San Antonio theater in 1993 while I was on vacation.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Fiction
Fiction fiction by fiction writers
Woods by Harlan Coben. Coben is a bestselling author. Twenty years ago two teenage campers were disappeared in the woods. Now, one of survivors, Paul, is a prosecutor. When human remains are found in the woods Paul becomes a suspect.
Chameleon by Richard Hains. Hains is a financial expert and this first novel is an excellent thriller. Hains' detail of the financial world and how it works underpin the whole book and present a unique storyline. Protagonist Jon Phillips is planning a fraudulent bond sale to set up his early retirement. But, the deal goes wrong and the Russian gangsters financing the deal want their money back.
Large Print Fiction by fiction writers who write in regular print but have their books published in Large Print to reach more readers and make more money
We Shall Not Sleep by Anne Perry. See description in an earlier entry for the regular print copy.
Obsession by Karen Robards. katherine is bound and gagged as her home is ransacked. She awakens in the hospital with multiple injuries and memory gaps.
Woods by Harlan Coben. Coben is a bestselling author. Twenty years ago two teenage campers were disappeared in the woods. Now, one of survivors, Paul, is a prosecutor. When human remains are found in the woods Paul becomes a suspect.
Chameleon by Richard Hains. Hains is a financial expert and this first novel is an excellent thriller. Hains' detail of the financial world and how it works underpin the whole book and present a unique storyline. Protagonist Jon Phillips is planning a fraudulent bond sale to set up his early retirement. But, the deal goes wrong and the Russian gangsters financing the deal want their money back.
Large Print Fiction by fiction writers who write in regular print but have their books published in Large Print to reach more readers and make more money
We Shall Not Sleep by Anne Perry. See description in an earlier entry for the regular print copy.
Obsession by Karen Robards. katherine is bound and gagged as her home is ransacked. She awakens in the hospital with multiple injuries and memory gaps.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Several rectangular block things made of paper
Non Fiction
Best Make-Ahead Recipes:How to cook now...to save time later by Editors of Cook's Illustrated. Tested recipes plus tips and techniques.
In an Instant: a family's journey of love and healing by Lee and Bob Woodruff. So Bob is tooling down the road in Iraq when BOOM!...his head gets caved in. This autobiography covers Bob and his wife Lee's marriage and Bob's subsequent recovery from the IED attack.
Long Road Home: a story of war and family by Martha Raddatz. Alex Aguero's Cavalry platoon was patrolling in Sadr City April, 2004 when they came under attack and were isolated in a back alley. Unable to fight their way out, Aguero's platoon waited while truck after truck loaded with infantry squads tried to reach them. The 24 hour gunfight ended with 8 dead and 60 wounded troopers. Radditz covers the story from both Sadr City and Fort Hood, TX where families feared the worst.
With Speed and Violence: why scientists fear tipping points in climate change by Fred Pearce. Pres. Bush's top climate change modeler said, "we are on the precipice of climate system tipping points beyond which there is no redemption." Science writer Pearce spoke to scientists about their climate fears and findings.
Too Far From Home: a story of life and death in space by Chris Jones. While the Space Shuttle Columbia was burning apart on re-entry, three astronauts were continuing their work at the International Space Station. With the loss of the Columbia, and the launch program cancelled for a safety investigation, all three astronauts were stranded in space.
All the President's Pastries: twenty-five years in the White House by Roland Mesnier. Executive Pastry Chef at the White House for 25 years reminisces and teaches his art.
unSpun: finding facts in a world of disinformation by Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jackson. "The secret decoder ring for the twenty-first-century world of disinformation." Learn the warning signs of hype and spin, the common tricks of deception, find trustworthy and objective sources of information.
To Catch a Predator: protecting your kids from online enemies already in your home by Chris Hansen. Creepy guys going to jail.
On Call in Hell: A Doctor's Iraq War Story by Richard Jadick. Navy doctor Jadick volunteered to travel with the Marines to Iraq during a doctor shortage. During the Battle of Fallujah Dr. Jadick knew that immediate medical care was the best way to save lives. Jadick established his aid station in the middle of the fight and stayed there for 11 days. By stationing themselves in the frontlines Jadick's team saved the lives of 30 Marines who would have expired. For more on the battle itself check-out No True Glory by Francis West.
Pirate Primer: mastering the language of Swashbucklers and Rogues by George Choundas. Threats, calls, greetings, epithets (my favorite), arrghs, and other handy information on pirate language. Listen to Rogue's Gallery: pirate ballads, sea songs and chanteys while you read through.
Best Make-Ahead Recipes:How to cook now...to save time later by Editors of Cook's Illustrated. Tested recipes plus tips and techniques.
In an Instant: a family's journey of love and healing by Lee and Bob Woodruff. So Bob is tooling down the road in Iraq when BOOM!...his head gets caved in. This autobiography covers Bob and his wife Lee's marriage and Bob's subsequent recovery from the IED attack.
Long Road Home: a story of war and family by Martha Raddatz. Alex Aguero's Cavalry platoon was patrolling in Sadr City April, 2004 when they came under attack and were isolated in a back alley. Unable to fight their way out, Aguero's platoon waited while truck after truck loaded with infantry squads tried to reach them. The 24 hour gunfight ended with 8 dead and 60 wounded troopers. Radditz covers the story from both Sadr City and Fort Hood, TX where families feared the worst.
With Speed and Violence: why scientists fear tipping points in climate change by Fred Pearce. Pres. Bush's top climate change modeler said, "we are on the precipice of climate system tipping points beyond which there is no redemption." Science writer Pearce spoke to scientists about their climate fears and findings.
Too Far From Home: a story of life and death in space by Chris Jones. While the Space Shuttle Columbia was burning apart on re-entry, three astronauts were continuing their work at the International Space Station. With the loss of the Columbia, and the launch program cancelled for a safety investigation, all three astronauts were stranded in space.
All the President's Pastries: twenty-five years in the White House by Roland Mesnier. Executive Pastry Chef at the White House for 25 years reminisces and teaches his art.
unSpun: finding facts in a world of disinformation by Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jackson. "The secret decoder ring for the twenty-first-century world of disinformation." Learn the warning signs of hype and spin, the common tricks of deception, find trustworthy and objective sources of information.
To Catch a Predator: protecting your kids from online enemies already in your home by Chris Hansen. Creepy guys going to jail.
On Call in Hell: A Doctor's Iraq War Story by Richard Jadick. Navy doctor Jadick volunteered to travel with the Marines to Iraq during a doctor shortage. During the Battle of Fallujah Dr. Jadick knew that immediate medical care was the best way to save lives. Jadick established his aid station in the middle of the fight and stayed there for 11 days. By stationing themselves in the frontlines Jadick's team saved the lives of 30 Marines who would have expired. For more on the battle itself check-out No True Glory by Francis West.
Pirate Primer: mastering the language of Swashbucklers and Rogues by George Choundas. Threats, calls, greetings, epithets (my favorite), arrghs, and other handy information on pirate language. Listen to Rogue's Gallery: pirate ballads, sea songs and chanteys while you read through.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Books and Stuff
Non Fiction
Organic Lawn Care Manual: a natural, low-maintenance system for a beautiful, safe lawn by Paul Tukey. "Just say no to lawns on drugs." Wipe out weeds, beat the pests, start a new lawn or improve the existing one, pick and maintain grass varieties.
Colon Cancer: What you need to know - NOW by the American Cancer Society.
Nurturing the Shy Child by Barbara G. Markway and Gregory P. Markway. "Latest information and practical tools to help shy and socially anxious kids."
Twinkie Deconstructed by Steve Ettlinger. "From phosphate mines in Idaho to cornfields in Iowa...to demystify some of America's most common processed food ingredients - where they come from, how they are made, how they are used - and why."
Lost Life of Eva Braun by Angela Lambert. Eva Braun died at 33 with little known about her. The former convent girl was Hitler's mistress for over 13 years. A formerly middle-class Catholic girl who was despised by other high-ranking wives and publicly humilitated by Hitler. Her ordinariness brings to mind the "banality of evil" that other Germans were guilty of.
Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney: Slavery, secession, and the President's war powers by James F. Simon. President Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney were at ends ever since Taney's 1957 Dred Scott decision that revoked the rights of black people. Their odds over slavery, the legality of Southern secession, and the legal authority of the president during war still resonate.
Fiction
Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer. A scientist, a medical student and a private eye are connected by a blood vial. A thriller.
Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander. Novel set during Argenitna's Dirty War against it's citizens. A father tries to find his missing son.
Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith. New novel in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Large Print
Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. Knitting club members in a Manhattan yarn shop start to share their lives with one another.
Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King. Lady divorce therapist Clare is newly divorced and does not want a new guy around. When "a burly sea captain" [I'm not kidding, that's a quote from the cover] moves to town to run the marina Clare finds herself competing for his attention.
Dead Room by Heather Graham. Archeologist Leslie survives an explosion and has a new ability to see ghosts. With information from her dead fiance's ghost, Leslie tries to solve a conspiracy and has conflicted feelings for her ghost and the ghost's very live cousin.
DVD
Last King of Scotland starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvor and Gillian Anderson. Fictional telling of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin and his Scottish doctor. My parents have a family friend who met Idi Amin; he got the hell out of there as soon as possible. The same guy also knew Dr. Marcus Foster, the Superintendent of Schools in Oakland who was murdered by the Symbionese Liberation Army terrorist group.
Organic Lawn Care Manual: a natural, low-maintenance system for a beautiful, safe lawn by Paul Tukey. "Just say no to lawns on drugs." Wipe out weeds, beat the pests, start a new lawn or improve the existing one, pick and maintain grass varieties.
Colon Cancer: What you need to know - NOW by the American Cancer Society.
Nurturing the Shy Child by Barbara G. Markway and Gregory P. Markway. "Latest information and practical tools to help shy and socially anxious kids."
Twinkie Deconstructed by Steve Ettlinger. "From phosphate mines in Idaho to cornfields in Iowa...to demystify some of America's most common processed food ingredients - where they come from, how they are made, how they are used - and why."
Lost Life of Eva Braun by Angela Lambert. Eva Braun died at 33 with little known about her. The former convent girl was Hitler's mistress for over 13 years. A formerly middle-class Catholic girl who was despised by other high-ranking wives and publicly humilitated by Hitler. Her ordinariness brings to mind the "banality of evil" that other Germans were guilty of.
Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney: Slavery, secession, and the President's war powers by James F. Simon. President Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney were at ends ever since Taney's 1957 Dred Scott decision that revoked the rights of black people. Their odds over slavery, the legality of Southern secession, and the legal authority of the president during war still resonate.
Fiction
Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer. A scientist, a medical student and a private eye are connected by a blood vial. A thriller.
Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander. Novel set during Argenitna's Dirty War against it's citizens. A father tries to find his missing son.
Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith. New novel in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Large Print
Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. Knitting club members in a Manhattan yarn shop start to share their lives with one another.
Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King. Lady divorce therapist Clare is newly divorced and does not want a new guy around. When "a burly sea captain" [I'm not kidding, that's a quote from the cover] moves to town to run the marina Clare finds herself competing for his attention.
Dead Room by Heather Graham. Archeologist Leslie survives an explosion and has a new ability to see ghosts. With information from her dead fiance's ghost, Leslie tries to solve a conspiracy and has conflicted feelings for her ghost and the ghost's very live cousin.
DVD
Last King of Scotland starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvor and Gillian Anderson. Fictional telling of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin and his Scottish doctor. My parents have a family friend who met Idi Amin; he got the hell out of there as soon as possible. The same guy also knew Dr. Marcus Foster, the Superintendent of Schools in Oakland who was murdered by the Symbionese Liberation Army terrorist group.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
New Fiction and a Non Fiction
Fiction
Laced by Carol Higgins Clark. "A Regan Reilly Mystery" Regan is newly married to NYC police detective Jack and on honeymoon in Western Ireland. The castle hotel they stay at has a fire and a theft by notorious jewel thieves Jack has been chasing for a over a year.
The River Knows by Amanda Quick. Romantic fiction set in Victorian London.
Simple Genius by David Baldacci. Suspense novel set at two secret Army and CIA facilities in Virginia.
The Marriage Game by Fern Michaels. We have the large print version of this. Gal returns from honeymoon to be served with divorce papers. She finds out she is one of many of her husband's ex-wives.
Non Fiction
Intimacy After Infidelity: How to Rebuild And Affair-Proof Your Marriage by Steven D., Solomon and Lorie J. Teagno. The three types of intimacy and the three types of infidelity. "Practical exercises that can heal emotional wounds and enable you to recover your ability to trust."
Laced by Carol Higgins Clark. "A Regan Reilly Mystery" Regan is newly married to NYC police detective Jack and on honeymoon in Western Ireland. The castle hotel they stay at has a fire and a theft by notorious jewel thieves Jack has been chasing for a over a year.
The River Knows by Amanda Quick. Romantic fiction set in Victorian London.
Simple Genius by David Baldacci. Suspense novel set at two secret Army and CIA facilities in Virginia.
The Marriage Game by Fern Michaels. We have the large print version of this. Gal returns from honeymoon to be served with divorce papers. She finds out she is one of many of her husband's ex-wives.
Non Fiction
Intimacy After Infidelity: How to Rebuild And Affair-Proof Your Marriage by Steven D., Solomon and Lorie J. Teagno. The three types of intimacy and the three types of infidelity. "Practical exercises that can heal emotional wounds and enable you to recover your ability to trust."
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Fiction, Large Print, and One NonFiction
Fiction
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. Twenty-nine year old Sydney is once divorced and once widowed. After starting a summer job as a live-in tutor on the New Hampshire coast Syndey feels like her life is rebuilding. When the family's two grown, and competitive, sons come for an extended vacation their rivalry extends to Sydney. Involved in a love triangle, Syndey worries the relationships will permanently damage the family and her rebuilding life.
Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton. Fiona Sweeney leaves New York City for rural Kenya to work as a traveling librarian. Using camels as transportation Fiona's library has strict rules about it's limited collection: if any book goes missing all library visits cease. Fiona's and the Bushman's cultures clash over issues of modernization and literacy.
Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini. Why did I buy this? It must have been a request. Oh, there! The author is from Madison. Elizabeth and her new husband, Henry, leave Pennsylvania for their newly purchased ranch in California. When Elizabeth and Henry arrive in California they find they have been swindled. Taking laborer jobs at the ranch they thought they bought Elizabeth continues work on her quilting and forges relationships with the other women there.
Set Sail for Murder by Carolyn Hart. Henrietta helps a former boyfriend trying to protect his wife from her greedy relatives during a Baltic cruise.
Large Print
No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a 60th Year by Virginia Ironside. "A funny, and often poignant, diary of an older woman a little past her prime, but happy enough to leave it behind her and see what the future has in store. So don't tell Mary Sharp to take a gourmet cooking class - and whatever you do, don't tell her to join a book club."
Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs. We have the regular sized type version of this. Look below for description.
Deeper Sleep by Dama Stabenow. We have this in regular sized type as well.
Non Fiction
Walking on Egg Shells: Navigating the Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents by Jane Isay. Advice to both grown-children and their parents. "Real-life wisdom and advice on how to stay together without falling apart."
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. Twenty-nine year old Sydney is once divorced and once widowed. After starting a summer job as a live-in tutor on the New Hampshire coast Syndey feels like her life is rebuilding. When the family's two grown, and competitive, sons come for an extended vacation their rivalry extends to Sydney. Involved in a love triangle, Syndey worries the relationships will permanently damage the family and her rebuilding life.
Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton. Fiona Sweeney leaves New York City for rural Kenya to work as a traveling librarian. Using camels as transportation Fiona's library has strict rules about it's limited collection: if any book goes missing all library visits cease. Fiona's and the Bushman's cultures clash over issues of modernization and literacy.
Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini. Why did I buy this? It must have been a request. Oh, there! The author is from Madison. Elizabeth and her new husband, Henry, leave Pennsylvania for their newly purchased ranch in California. When Elizabeth and Henry arrive in California they find they have been swindled. Taking laborer jobs at the ranch they thought they bought Elizabeth continues work on her quilting and forges relationships with the other women there.
Set Sail for Murder by Carolyn Hart. Henrietta helps a former boyfriend trying to protect his wife from her greedy relatives during a Baltic cruise.
Large Print
No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a 60th Year by Virginia Ironside. "A funny, and often poignant, diary of an older woman a little past her prime, but happy enough to leave it behind her and see what the future has in store. So don't tell Mary Sharp to take a gourmet cooking class - and whatever you do, don't tell her to join a book club."
Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs. We have the regular sized type version of this. Look below for description.
Deeper Sleep by Dama Stabenow. We have this in regular sized type as well.
Non Fiction
Walking on Egg Shells: Navigating the Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents by Jane Isay. Advice to both grown-children and their parents. "Real-life wisdom and advice on how to stay together without falling apart."
Thursday, April 12, 2007
New Fiction (continued)
Fiction
Sunday List of Dreams by Kris Radish. Milwaukee author Radish wrote this story about list maker Connie Nixon who never follows through on the list of her deepest desires. While searching through some boxes at home Connie discovers her daughter's secret job as a sex toy store owner. Impulsively jumping a plane to New York leads Connie to crossing some items off her list of desires.
Booomsday by Christopher Buckley. The author of Thank You For Smoking writes another comedy. In Boomsday Baby Boomers and their kids are at war over the upcoming costs of the aging Boomers and their mismanagement of Social Security. The solution? A pay-out. Receive your pay-out now and kill yourselves before you're 75.
Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. Izzy Spellman's family business is private investigating. So, it's good that Izzy and her family like invading people's privacy. Izzy wants to leave her job but has to take on a missing persons case to satisfy her parents.
Roma by Steven Saylor. A novel of ancient Rome by Saylor . Saylor has written some really good mysteries set in ancient Rome and his knowledge of Roman history and the detail he adds to those novels made them fantastic. This novel follows Roman history over a couple hundred years through two Roman families, one rich and one poor.
Color of Blood by Declan Hughes. We have Hughes' Wrong Kind of Blood which was published last fall. Wrong introduced Ed Loy. Born in Ireland Ed left for California and ended up a private investigator. After his mother's death Ed returned to Dublin, Ireland and decided to stay. Still working as an investigator Ed is asked by a prominent doctort to find his missing teenage daughter. The job seems easy until the girl's mother and former boyfriend are murdered.
We Shall Not Weep by Anne Perry. The three Reavley siblings are still involved in the Great War in both the French front and at home in London. A rape in the British lines and a terrorist in London are this book's troubles.
Inspirational Fiction
Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer. Mick Brannigan is hurt on the job and cannot work. Losing his paycheck means his wife, Layne, now provides the sole income. What's more, Mick is now in charge of their three kids and the household.
Mysteries
Picasso Flop by Vince van Patten and Robert J. Randisi. van Patten is an interesting dude. The son of Dick van Patten, Vince has been a film actor (see him on DVD in Rock N Roll High School available at Lake Mills Library), a ranked tennis professional and is a world class poker player. Vince is also the tuxedoed guy in those Potawatomi casino adverts. Picasso received a starred review in Library Journal when ex-con and card ace Jimmy Spain is asked to watch over and teach a friend's card playing son. When the kid is accused of murder during a card tournament at Vegas' Bellagio Casino Jimmy has to clear the kid's name.
Probable Cause by Theresa Schwegel. Rookie Chicago cop Ray Weiss is from a family of cops and always wanted to be one. But life as a rookie cop is not as expected. Then it's Ray turn at "initiation". The initiation is the local cops' favorite, burglary. When Ray breaks into a store and finds a dead body the department's lack of rules and order give him reason for fear.
Cover-Up by Michele Martinez. Promoted on the cover as a suspense novel rather than a mystery. Local gossip reporter in NYC is found mutilated in Central Park. The federal prosecutor in charge of the case starts getting emails containing information about the crime scene.
Catered Valentine's Day by Isis Crawford. The cover says, "A Mystery With Recipes." Gerard says, "Ach, (gag) (gag), ach, ich."
Accidental Florist by Jill Churchill. Jane Jeffrey is getting married and her mother is going to run - ruin? - everything. Jane's fiance detective has her take a defense class where a dead body is found. Now Jill has to deal with a wedding and a homicide investigation.
Western
Texas Showdown by Elmer Skelton. Two novels by Skelton: Pecos Crossing and Shotgun.
Sunday List of Dreams by Kris Radish. Milwaukee author Radish wrote this story about list maker Connie Nixon who never follows through on the list of her deepest desires. While searching through some boxes at home Connie discovers her daughter's secret job as a sex toy store owner. Impulsively jumping a plane to New York leads Connie to crossing some items off her list of desires.
Booomsday by Christopher Buckley. The author of Thank You For Smoking writes another comedy. In Boomsday Baby Boomers and their kids are at war over the upcoming costs of the aging Boomers and their mismanagement of Social Security. The solution? A pay-out. Receive your pay-out now and kill yourselves before you're 75.
Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. Izzy Spellman's family business is private investigating. So, it's good that Izzy and her family like invading people's privacy. Izzy wants to leave her job but has to take on a missing persons case to satisfy her parents.
Roma by Steven Saylor. A novel of ancient Rome by Saylor . Saylor has written some really good mysteries set in ancient Rome and his knowledge of Roman history and the detail he adds to those novels made them fantastic. This novel follows Roman history over a couple hundred years through two Roman families, one rich and one poor.
Color of Blood by Declan Hughes. We have Hughes' Wrong Kind of Blood which was published last fall. Wrong introduced Ed Loy. Born in Ireland Ed left for California and ended up a private investigator. After his mother's death Ed returned to Dublin, Ireland and decided to stay. Still working as an investigator Ed is asked by a prominent doctort to find his missing teenage daughter. The job seems easy until the girl's mother and former boyfriend are murdered.
We Shall Not Weep by Anne Perry. The three Reavley siblings are still involved in the Great War in both the French front and at home in London. A rape in the British lines and a terrorist in London are this book's troubles.
Inspirational Fiction
Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer. Mick Brannigan is hurt on the job and cannot work. Losing his paycheck means his wife, Layne, now provides the sole income. What's more, Mick is now in charge of their three kids and the household.
Mysteries
Picasso Flop by Vince van Patten and Robert J. Randisi. van Patten is an interesting dude. The son of Dick van Patten, Vince has been a film actor (see him on DVD in Rock N Roll High School available at Lake Mills Library), a ranked tennis professional and is a world class poker player. Vince is also the tuxedoed guy in those Potawatomi casino adverts. Picasso received a starred review in Library Journal when ex-con and card ace Jimmy Spain is asked to watch over and teach a friend's card playing son. When the kid is accused of murder during a card tournament at Vegas' Bellagio Casino Jimmy has to clear the kid's name.
Probable Cause by Theresa Schwegel. Rookie Chicago cop Ray Weiss is from a family of cops and always wanted to be one. But life as a rookie cop is not as expected. Then it's Ray turn at "initiation". The initiation is the local cops' favorite, burglary. When Ray breaks into a store and finds a dead body the department's lack of rules and order give him reason for fear.
Cover-Up by Michele Martinez. Promoted on the cover as a suspense novel rather than a mystery. Local gossip reporter in NYC is found mutilated in Central Park. The federal prosecutor in charge of the case starts getting emails containing information about the crime scene.
Catered Valentine's Day by Isis Crawford. The cover says, "A Mystery With Recipes." Gerard says, "Ach, (gag) (gag), ach, ich."
Accidental Florist by Jill Churchill. Jane Jeffrey is getting married and her mother is going to run - ruin? - everything. Jane's fiance detective has her take a defense class where a dead body is found. Now Jill has to deal with a wedding and a homicide investigation.
Western
Texas Showdown by Elmer Skelton. Two novels by Skelton: Pecos Crossing and Shotgun.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
More of that new Fiction
Fiction
Black Hats by Patrick Culhan. 'A novel of Wyatt Earp and Al Capone.' Wyatt Earp heads to New York City to watch over Johnny Holliday, the son of Doc Holliday, who has opened a speakeasy. Earp, Holliday, and Bat Masterson are soon battling a pre-Chicago Al Capone.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Picoult telling of a Columbine-like shooting in small town New Hampshire.
Dead Room by Heather Graham. A year ago Leslie barely survived an explosion in Manhattan. Since then she has been able to communicate with ghosts, including her dead fiance, Matt. Matt starts to fill her in on a deadly conspiracy while Leslie starts to fall for Matt's living cousin.
My French Whore: A Love Story by Gene Wilder. What a title! Amateur actor Paul Peachy leaves his loveless marriage in Milwaukee to enlist in the army and serve in World War One. German speaking Paul assists in interrogating a German spy right before his own night patrol is ambushed and captured. To avoid a P.O.W. camp, Paul impersonates the high-ranking, and high-living, spy.
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell. This book received some wicked good reviews. Cab driver, former cop, miniskirt wearing, single mom Shae-Lynne lives and works in small town West Virginia. When her assumed dead sister shows up, chased by a gangster, Shae-Lynn has to deal with what her sister's life has turned into.
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison. Some sort of vampire novel. Judging from the miniskirt wearing gal on the cover I assume the novel has lots of sex in it.
Sliver of Truth by Lisa Unger. This author is cranking out the new stuff. Sliver is a thriller with a gal somehow connected to a wanted man. Gee, what an original premise. Regular gal placed in inexplicable danger by unknown connection to a mysterious figure who is pursued by both law enforcement (FBI of course) and crooks.
Scavenger by David Morrwll. A thriller.
Hide by Lisa Gardner. Annabelle Granger has been in hiding for years. When Bobby Dodge finds her during his hunt for a serial killer, Annabelle's closely hidden secrets are exposed.
Large Print
Marriage Game by Fern Michaels. Samantha Rainford returns home from her honeymoon to fresh divorce papers. She is only the latest ex-Mrs. Rainford and decides it is time for revenge.
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods. With Woods' New York lawyer Stone Barrington.
Marriage Game by Fern Michaels.
Black Hats by Patrick Culhan. 'A novel of Wyatt Earp and Al Capone.' Wyatt Earp heads to New York City to watch over Johnny Holliday, the son of Doc Holliday, who has opened a speakeasy. Earp, Holliday, and Bat Masterson are soon battling a pre-Chicago Al Capone.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Picoult telling of a Columbine-like shooting in small town New Hampshire.
Dead Room by Heather Graham. A year ago Leslie barely survived an explosion in Manhattan. Since then she has been able to communicate with ghosts, including her dead fiance, Matt. Matt starts to fill her in on a deadly conspiracy while Leslie starts to fall for Matt's living cousin.
My French Whore: A Love Story by Gene Wilder. What a title! Amateur actor Paul Peachy leaves his loveless marriage in Milwaukee to enlist in the army and serve in World War One. German speaking Paul assists in interrogating a German spy right before his own night patrol is ambushed and captured. To avoid a P.O.W. camp, Paul impersonates the high-ranking, and high-living, spy.
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell. This book received some wicked good reviews. Cab driver, former cop, miniskirt wearing, single mom Shae-Lynne lives and works in small town West Virginia. When her assumed dead sister shows up, chased by a gangster, Shae-Lynn has to deal with what her sister's life has turned into.
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison. Some sort of vampire novel. Judging from the miniskirt wearing gal on the cover I assume the novel has lots of sex in it.
Sliver of Truth by Lisa Unger. This author is cranking out the new stuff. Sliver is a thriller with a gal somehow connected to a wanted man. Gee, what an original premise. Regular gal placed in inexplicable danger by unknown connection to a mysterious figure who is pursued by both law enforcement (FBI of course) and crooks.
Scavenger by David Morrwll. A thriller.
Hide by Lisa Gardner. Annabelle Granger has been in hiding for years. When Bobby Dodge finds her during his hunt for a serial killer, Annabelle's closely hidden secrets are exposed.
Large Print
Marriage Game by Fern Michaels. Samantha Rainford returns home from her honeymoon to fresh divorce papers. She is only the latest ex-Mrs. Rainford and decides it is time for revenge.
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods. With Woods' New York lawyer Stone Barrington.
Marriage Game by Fern Michaels.
New Fiction
Loads of New Fiction. I spaced out on how behind we were on getting new adult fiction so I ended up ordering 42 new books. Here are some of them.
Mysteries
Deeper Sleep: A Kate Shugak Novel by Dana Stabenow. The latest in Stabenow's Alaskan P.I. novels.
By the Time You Read This by Giles Blunt. Detectives in the Toronto Sex Crimes Unit try to find a girl whose sex photos are getting posted across the internet by pedophiles.
Stalking Ivory by Suzanne Arruda. Jade de Cameron has to come to Africa to escape the horrid memories of the Great War. Working as a photographer to document an elephant herd, Jade and her two colleagues find the remains of four poached elephants and one man.
Fiction
Canaan by Donald McCaig. A novel set after the Civil War and covering the Reconstruction South and the Indian Wars of the West.
Paula Spencer by Roddy Doyle. A sequel, of sorts, to The Woman Who Walked Into Walls. Dubliner Paula is now 47, her husband dead, and living sober for four months and counting.
Betrayers by James Patrick Hunt. Two deputies in St. Louis are machine gunned to death in their squad car. The investigating officers find that the meth dealer one of the deputies had previously busted held a grudge.
Magic City by James W. Hall. Hall is one of several crime novelists that have made Southern Florida the most popular setting for that genre. Magic is supposed to be Hall's best novel yet. When a photo showing the ringside seats of the 196 Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston fight is displayed on the wall of a newly opened restaurant, the place is burned down. A string of murders follows and when Thorn ends up with the last remaining copy of the photo, he also holds the evidence of a long-ago crime that someone is killing to hide.
Dry Ice by Stephen White. Psychotic murderer Michale McClelland has been released from a mental asylum and is after Doctor Alan Gregory.
Perfect Fake by Barbara Parker. Tom Fairchild is out on parole for forgery. Struggling to make a living, Tom gets an offer to travel to Italy to make a reproduction of a 500 year old map. Discovering that his benefactor wants a forgery not a reproduction, Tom finds his own life in danger.
Breakpoint by Richard A. Clarke. A terrorism thriller.
Gods of Newport by John Jakes. "Epic tale of scandalous doings in New England's most famous resort."
Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier. Author of Girl With A Pearl Earring. Poet William Blake's new neighbors inspire his greatest work in 1792 England.
Alibi Man by Tami Hoag. I don't know a thing about Hoag but her thrillers are quite popular. Elena Estes turned her back on Palm Beach society and became a police officer. After resigning her position in disgrace Elena is further ostracized. When one of Elena's friends is murdered, Elena's personal investigation brings her back in contact with the Palm Beach elites she rejected.
Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice. Mother Neve and daughter Mickey have lived along Rhode Island's coast since Mickey was a toddler. As Mickey's teen years distance her from her mother, Neve tries to reconnect with her distant father.
Mysteries
Deeper Sleep: A Kate Shugak Novel by Dana Stabenow. The latest in Stabenow's Alaskan P.I. novels.
By the Time You Read This by Giles Blunt. Detectives in the Toronto Sex Crimes Unit try to find a girl whose sex photos are getting posted across the internet by pedophiles.
Stalking Ivory by Suzanne Arruda. Jade de Cameron has to come to Africa to escape the horrid memories of the Great War. Working as a photographer to document an elephant herd, Jade and her two colleagues find the remains of four poached elephants and one man.
Fiction
Canaan by Donald McCaig. A novel set after the Civil War and covering the Reconstruction South and the Indian Wars of the West.
Paula Spencer by Roddy Doyle. A sequel, of sorts, to The Woman Who Walked Into Walls. Dubliner Paula is now 47, her husband dead, and living sober for four months and counting.
Betrayers by James Patrick Hunt. Two deputies in St. Louis are machine gunned to death in their squad car. The investigating officers find that the meth dealer one of the deputies had previously busted held a grudge.
Magic City by James W. Hall. Hall is one of several crime novelists that have made Southern Florida the most popular setting for that genre. Magic is supposed to be Hall's best novel yet. When a photo showing the ringside seats of the 196 Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston fight is displayed on the wall of a newly opened restaurant, the place is burned down. A string of murders follows and when Thorn ends up with the last remaining copy of the photo, he also holds the evidence of a long-ago crime that someone is killing to hide.
Dry Ice by Stephen White. Psychotic murderer Michale McClelland has been released from a mental asylum and is after Doctor Alan Gregory.
Perfect Fake by Barbara Parker. Tom Fairchild is out on parole for forgery. Struggling to make a living, Tom gets an offer to travel to Italy to make a reproduction of a 500 year old map. Discovering that his benefactor wants a forgery not a reproduction, Tom finds his own life in danger.
Breakpoint by Richard A. Clarke. A terrorism thriller.
Gods of Newport by John Jakes. "Epic tale of scandalous doings in New England's most famous resort."
Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier. Author of Girl With A Pearl Earring. Poet William Blake's new neighbors inspire his greatest work in 1792 England.
Alibi Man by Tami Hoag. I don't know a thing about Hoag but her thrillers are quite popular. Elena Estes turned her back on Palm Beach society and became a police officer. After resigning her position in disgrace Elena is further ostracized. When one of Elena's friends is murdered, Elena's personal investigation brings her back in contact with the Palm Beach elites she rejected.
Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice. Mother Neve and daughter Mickey have lived along Rhode Island's coast since Mickey was a toddler. As Mickey's teen years distance her from her mother, Neve tries to reconnect with her distant father.
Monday, April 09, 2007
New DVD
Wicker Man starring Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn. Policeman Edward Malus goes to private island Summersisle on his missing girl investigation. Summerisle's annual pagan rituals are coming and deceit and horror catch Malus in a place where his authority means nothing.
Snow Queen starring Bridget Fonda, Jeremy Guilbaut. Kai and her father run an isolated inn after the death of her mother. When a mysterious lodger kidnaps the handsome bellboy, Kai's love, Kai follows the Snow Queen to rescue the bellboy. Okay, this is not really new. I bought a replacement disc after the previous disc was damaged.
Snow Queen starring Bridget Fonda, Jeremy Guilbaut. Kai and her father run an isolated inn after the death of her mother. When a mysterious lodger kidnaps the handsome bellboy, Kai's love, Kai follows the Snow Queen to rescue the bellboy. Okay, this is not really new. I bought a replacement disc after the previous disc was damaged.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
New Fiction, Large Print, and one Audiobook
Fiction
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark. Kay Lansing marries wealthy Peter Carrington, owner of the estate that Kay's father used to work at. Peter has long been suspected of murder but enjoys the loyalty of Kay. When the Peter's former mother-in-law hires an investigator to dig further into the drowning of Peter's first wife, Kay starts having suspicions.
Kingdom Come: The Final Victory by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Christ has returned to rule earth but the people who are born everyday still must choose accept Christ as savior. Some people choose Lucifer and conspire against God.
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods. New York lawyer Stone Barrington gets in trouble with a mob boss.
Skin by Ted Dekker. A major storm and a vindictive killer come to Summerville with cult survivor Wendy caught between the two.
Large Print
A Fine Night for Dying by Jack Higgins. Paul Chavasse investigates a small time smuggling ring between England and France. But, his undercover operation to turns up a decidely big-time criminal enterprise.
Miss Julia Strikes Back by Ann. B. Ross. Miss Julia discovers her prize engagement ring has been stolen. Julia heads to Palm Beach with her young son for a stake-out.
Audio
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Quandary Phase. A BBC radio dramatization of Adams' So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish.
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark. Kay Lansing marries wealthy Peter Carrington, owner of the estate that Kay's father used to work at. Peter has long been suspected of murder but enjoys the loyalty of Kay. When the Peter's former mother-in-law hires an investigator to dig further into the drowning of Peter's first wife, Kay starts having suspicions.
Kingdom Come: The Final Victory by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Christ has returned to rule earth but the people who are born everyday still must choose accept Christ as savior. Some people choose Lucifer and conspire against God.
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods. New York lawyer Stone Barrington gets in trouble with a mob boss.
Skin by Ted Dekker. A major storm and a vindictive killer come to Summerville with cult survivor Wendy caught between the two.
Large Print
A Fine Night for Dying by Jack Higgins. Paul Chavasse investigates a small time smuggling ring between England and France. But, his undercover operation to turns up a decidely big-time criminal enterprise.
Miss Julia Strikes Back by Ann. B. Ross. Miss Julia discovers her prize engagement ring has been stolen. Julia heads to Palm Beach with her young son for a stake-out.
Audio
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Quandary Phase. A BBC radio dramatization of Adams' So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish.
Friday, March 30, 2007
New Large Print Fiction, Audio, Music CDs, and a book on stamps
Large Print Fiction
McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller. Jesse McKenttrick's Arizona ranch is in his blood. He could never sell the property to former local Cheyenne Bridges. But, as sparks start to fly can Cheyenne leave her "play it safe" world for love?
Winter Lodge by Susan Wiggs. Publishers Weekly said, "In her latest bustling romance, Wiggs cooks up a rich stew of family plots past and present, spiced with plenty of generations-old Polish recipes, in this second installment of the Lakeshore Chronicles...With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces complicated, flesh-and-blood characters into her idyllic but identifiable smalltown setting, sets in motion a refreshingly honest romance, resolves old issues and even finds room for a little mystery. The result is as appealing as the heroine's Polish Apple Strudel, the recipe for which is thankfully included." Gerard Saylor said, "...[you don't want to know what I said]..."
Hide by Lisa Gardner. A starred review from Booklist, "Gardner fans look out: this one will take your breath away. Near the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital, a buried chamber is discovered. Inside are six bodies, one of which may be that of a girl who has been missing for two decades--the best friend of a woman, Annabelle, who has spent her childhood moving from city to city, from identity to identity, hiding from someone or something totally unknown to her. She's been safe for several years now, but a single act of bravery plunges her right back into a life of fear. This is a rich, complex tale that juggles a handful of mysteries at once. Who is the killer, and could it be someone connected with a notorious child murderer? Who or what was Annabelle's family running from? How did her father, a mathematician, know how to set up foolproof new identities? And why does an old sketch of a murder suspect look unsettlingly like Annabelle's father? Head and shoulders above anything else Gardner's written, this riveting novel represents the author at the height of her powers."
The Suspect by John Lescroat. Stuart Gorman wife was insured for three million dollars. Her death by drowning puts Stuart on trial for what seems a slam dunk case for the prosecutor. But Stuart's lawyer, Dismas Hardy, is not an attorney to tangle with in court.
Trouble by Jesse Kellerman. The second novel by Faye and Jonathan's kid. Med student Jonah stops a woman's murder but kills the assailant. Now the D.A. wants to "talk", the dead man's family wants to "talk", and the intended murder victim is turning into Jonah's psycho girlfriend.
Ravenscar Dynasty by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Rich kid Edward's family dies in a house fire in 1904. He swears revenge and rebuilds the family empire.
Audiobooks
Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome by Steven Saylor. Saylor is an excellent author. His Roma Sub Rosa mystery series were compelling and highly enhanced by Saylor's vast scholarly knowledge of ancient Rome and Roman customs. Roma covers the descendants of two of Rome's founding families. Covering a thousand years of history and the invasion of the Gauls and of Hannibal, the death of Julius Caesar, and the never-ending battles among the patricians for power.
Alibi Man by Tami Hoag. Elena Estes old life is long gone. Once a member of the Palm Beach elite she turned away to become a cop. Disgraced in her chosen profession, Elena has been living on the fringes of Palm Beach when she finds the body of a murdered friend. Elena investigates and finds secrets among the wealthy families of Palm Beach's"bad boys".
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy. Something about a new highway and a spiritual grove.
Music CDs
The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani. I'll withhold all commentary on this one.
Motorhead: BBC, Live and In-Session by Motorhead. That's right, MOTORHEAD! Two discs from four BBC radio shows recorded live in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1986. With Louie, Louie, Tear Ya Down, No Class, White Line Fever ('79 and '81). Don't forget the Motorhead DVD we have entitled Boneshaker: 25 & Alive.
Stamp Book
Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps: 33rd Edition.
McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller. Jesse McKenttrick's Arizona ranch is in his blood. He could never sell the property to former local Cheyenne Bridges. But, as sparks start to fly can Cheyenne leave her "play it safe" world for love?
Winter Lodge by Susan Wiggs. Publishers Weekly said, "In her latest bustling romance, Wiggs cooks up a rich stew of family plots past and present, spiced with plenty of generations-old Polish recipes, in this second installment of the Lakeshore Chronicles...With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces complicated, flesh-and-blood characters into her idyllic but identifiable smalltown setting, sets in motion a refreshingly honest romance, resolves old issues and even finds room for a little mystery. The result is as appealing as the heroine's Polish Apple Strudel, the recipe for which is thankfully included." Gerard Saylor said, "...[you don't want to know what I said]..."
Hide by Lisa Gardner. A starred review from Booklist, "Gardner fans look out: this one will take your breath away. Near the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital, a buried chamber is discovered. Inside are six bodies, one of which may be that of a girl who has been missing for two decades--the best friend of a woman, Annabelle, who has spent her childhood moving from city to city, from identity to identity, hiding from someone or something totally unknown to her. She's been safe for several years now, but a single act of bravery plunges her right back into a life of fear. This is a rich, complex tale that juggles a handful of mysteries at once. Who is the killer, and could it be someone connected with a notorious child murderer? Who or what was Annabelle's family running from? How did her father, a mathematician, know how to set up foolproof new identities? And why does an old sketch of a murder suspect look unsettlingly like Annabelle's father? Head and shoulders above anything else Gardner's written, this riveting novel represents the author at the height of her powers."
The Suspect by John Lescroat. Stuart Gorman wife was insured for three million dollars. Her death by drowning puts Stuart on trial for what seems a slam dunk case for the prosecutor. But Stuart's lawyer, Dismas Hardy, is not an attorney to tangle with in court.
Trouble by Jesse Kellerman. The second novel by Faye and Jonathan's kid. Med student Jonah stops a woman's murder but kills the assailant. Now the D.A. wants to "talk", the dead man's family wants to "talk", and the intended murder victim is turning into Jonah's psycho girlfriend.
Ravenscar Dynasty by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Rich kid Edward's family dies in a house fire in 1904. He swears revenge and rebuilds the family empire.
Audiobooks
Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome by Steven Saylor. Saylor is an excellent author. His Roma Sub Rosa mystery series were compelling and highly enhanced by Saylor's vast scholarly knowledge of ancient Rome and Roman customs. Roma covers the descendants of two of Rome's founding families. Covering a thousand years of history and the invasion of the Gauls and of Hannibal, the death of Julius Caesar, and the never-ending battles among the patricians for power.
Alibi Man by Tami Hoag. Elena Estes old life is long gone. Once a member of the Palm Beach elite she turned away to become a cop. Disgraced in her chosen profession, Elena has been living on the fringes of Palm Beach when she finds the body of a murdered friend. Elena investigates and finds secrets among the wealthy families of Palm Beach's"bad boys".
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy. Something about a new highway and a spiritual grove.
Music CDs
The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani. I'll withhold all commentary on this one.
Motorhead: BBC, Live and In-Session by Motorhead. That's right, MOTORHEAD! Two discs from four BBC radio shows recorded live in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1986. With Louie, Louie, Tear Ya Down, No Class, White Line Fever ('79 and '81). Don't forget the Motorhead DVD we have entitled Boneshaker: 25 & Alive.
Stamp Book
Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps: 33rd Edition.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Latest DVDs
DVDs
Let's Go To Prison starring Will Arnett, Dax Shepard, Chi McBride. Rich guy goes to prison and does not fit in. A comedy.
Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. A poor fisherman in Sierra Leone finds a mongo-sized pink diamond and gets a smuggler to assist him in rescuing his son from the rebels' child army. I have an automatic dislike for anything with Leonardo DiCaprio in it, but this is supposed to be a really good film.
Bab El Oued City starring [no one you know]. Algiers, Algeria in 1989 is a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism. Boualem lives in the Bab El Oued district of Algiers and works the night shift as a baker. Boualem sleeps during the day but the local Islamic cleric uses a loudspeaker on Boualem's building to broadcast his sermons. Fed up with being awakened each morning, Boualem steals the speaker and throws it in the ocean. The theft ignites the fundamentalists who muscle their way to control of Bab El Oued.
Aguirre the Wrath of God starring Klaus Kinski. In 1650 Pizarro has destroyed the Incan Empire and after crossing the Andes has bogged down in Peru. In need of money, Pizarro dispatches a lieutenant, Don Lope de Aguirre, to search for El Dorado. Aguirre has visions of concquering all of South America and takes his small band of soldiers down a treacherous river and kills anyone who opposes him. "An unforgettable portrait of madness and power." This is the film where the local indians offered to kill Kinksi because Kinski was such a jerk.
The Prestige starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, David Bowie, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine. Magicians, and former partners, Robert and Alfred are bitter and hated rivals in 1900 London. After Alfred presents an amazing trick, Robert becomes obsessed with uncovering his secret.
Pandora's Box starring Louise Brooks. A special edition, double-disc version of the silent movie milestone. Released in 1929, Pandora's Box made actress Louise Brooks a major star. Brooks' character Lulu is a brash showgirl whose sexuality devastates "everyone she comes in contact with." Features the restored digital transfer, four musical scores with different interpretations, a '98 documentary of Brooks, a rare interview with Brooks from '84, and a book by Brooks covering her relationship with the director.
The Pusher Trilogy starring [more people you never heard of]. Three films by Danish director Nicolas Refn portraying the drug world in Copenhagen. Pusher has drug courier Frank hustling in quicktime to make enough money to pay back his boss, The Duke, after Frank had to ditch his drug load before the police got him. Pusher Two has Tonny, The Duke's son, released from prison. Tonny is a notorious screw-up who has angered every gangster in Copenhagen but The Duke decides to let Tonny back into the fold, knowing it may lead to disaster. Pusher Three: The Duke is a violent and vicious thug on the street. But, at home he is incredibly henpecked, caters to his spoiled daughter, and tolerates his dimwitted thugs.
Iraq Documentary
Off to War: From Rural Arkansas to Iraq: The Complete Ten-Part Series. Follow the Arkansas National Guard from training in Texas to combat missions in Iraq. Arriving in April, 2004 the unit was in Iraq for less than 24 hours when a member was killed. Coverage of the families at home and the soldiers in combat.
Television Series
Deadwood: The Complete First Season starring Keith Carradine, Timothy Olyphant, Brad Dourif. This is a replacement copy, our previous set was defective. The Black Hills of South Dakota in 1876 have turned into the latest destination for gold fever. Deadwood is the biggest town in the gold fields and home to settlers, lawmen, saloon owners, and numeorus unsavory characters.
My Name is Earl: Season One starring Jason Lee and Jaime Pressley. Low-life thief Earl is making up for past misdeeds. Earl has a long list to work on: from criminal acts like stealing a one-legged girl's car, a laptop, and gasoline to misdeeds like shooting a girlfriend with a BB gun.
Veronica Mars: Complete Second Season starring Kristen Bell. Bell continues her work as the high school aged private investigator. Season Two's main mystery is what happened to cause a school bus to plunge off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
The Unit: Season One starring Dennis Haysbert, Robert Patrick, Scott Foley. Based upon the book Inside Delta Force by co-producer Eric L. Haney. Unit follows the families and soldiers of the 303rd Logistical Unit who publicly are Army clerks but are actually secret commandos with missions around the globe. Also created by film-maker and playwrite David Mamet.
Let's Go To Prison starring Will Arnett, Dax Shepard, Chi McBride. Rich guy goes to prison and does not fit in. A comedy.
Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. A poor fisherman in Sierra Leone finds a mongo-sized pink diamond and gets a smuggler to assist him in rescuing his son from the rebels' child army. I have an automatic dislike for anything with Leonardo DiCaprio in it, but this is supposed to be a really good film.
Bab El Oued City starring [no one you know]. Algiers, Algeria in 1989 is a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism. Boualem lives in the Bab El Oued district of Algiers and works the night shift as a baker. Boualem sleeps during the day but the local Islamic cleric uses a loudspeaker on Boualem's building to broadcast his sermons. Fed up with being awakened each morning, Boualem steals the speaker and throws it in the ocean. The theft ignites the fundamentalists who muscle their way to control of Bab El Oued.
Aguirre the Wrath of God starring Klaus Kinski. In 1650 Pizarro has destroyed the Incan Empire and after crossing the Andes has bogged down in Peru. In need of money, Pizarro dispatches a lieutenant, Don Lope de Aguirre, to search for El Dorado. Aguirre has visions of concquering all of South America and takes his small band of soldiers down a treacherous river and kills anyone who opposes him. "An unforgettable portrait of madness and power." This is the film where the local indians offered to kill Kinksi because Kinski was such a jerk.
The Prestige starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, David Bowie, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine. Magicians, and former partners, Robert and Alfred are bitter and hated rivals in 1900 London. After Alfred presents an amazing trick, Robert becomes obsessed with uncovering his secret.
Pandora's Box starring Louise Brooks. A special edition, double-disc version of the silent movie milestone. Released in 1929, Pandora's Box made actress Louise Brooks a major star. Brooks' character Lulu is a brash showgirl whose sexuality devastates "everyone she comes in contact with." Features the restored digital transfer, four musical scores with different interpretations, a '98 documentary of Brooks, a rare interview with Brooks from '84, and a book by Brooks covering her relationship with the director.
The Pusher Trilogy starring [more people you never heard of]. Three films by Danish director Nicolas Refn portraying the drug world in Copenhagen. Pusher has drug courier Frank hustling in quicktime to make enough money to pay back his boss, The Duke, after Frank had to ditch his drug load before the police got him. Pusher Two has Tonny, The Duke's son, released from prison. Tonny is a notorious screw-up who has angered every gangster in Copenhagen but The Duke decides to let Tonny back into the fold, knowing it may lead to disaster. Pusher Three: The Duke is a violent and vicious thug on the street. But, at home he is incredibly henpecked, caters to his spoiled daughter, and tolerates his dimwitted thugs.
Iraq Documentary
Off to War: From Rural Arkansas to Iraq: The Complete Ten-Part Series. Follow the Arkansas National Guard from training in Texas to combat missions in Iraq. Arriving in April, 2004 the unit was in Iraq for less than 24 hours when a member was killed. Coverage of the families at home and the soldiers in combat.
Television Series
Deadwood: The Complete First Season starring Keith Carradine, Timothy Olyphant, Brad Dourif. This is a replacement copy, our previous set was defective. The Black Hills of South Dakota in 1876 have turned into the latest destination for gold fever. Deadwood is the biggest town in the gold fields and home to settlers, lawmen, saloon owners, and numeorus unsavory characters.
My Name is Earl: Season One starring Jason Lee and Jaime Pressley. Low-life thief Earl is making up for past misdeeds. Earl has a long list to work on: from criminal acts like stealing a one-legged girl's car, a laptop, and gasoline to misdeeds like shooting a girlfriend with a BB gun.
Veronica Mars: Complete Second Season starring Kristen Bell. Bell continues her work as the high school aged private investigator. Season Two's main mystery is what happened to cause a school bus to plunge off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
The Unit: Season One starring Dennis Haysbert, Robert Patrick, Scott Foley. Based upon the book Inside Delta Force by co-producer Eric L. Haney. Unit follows the families and soldiers of the 303rd Logistical Unit who publicly are Army clerks but are actually secret commandos with missions around the globe. Also created by film-maker and playwrite David Mamet.
Monday, March 26, 2007
New Fiction
Fiction
Heartstopper by Joy Fielding. Sandy Crosbie is the new high school English teacher in small-town Torrance, FL and regrets her recent move. After a runaway teen girl is abducted and murdered in town, one of the prettiest local girls also disappears. With the pressure of a townwide undercurrent of sex and scandal pushing her worries, Sandy also has her own daughter to worry about.
Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman. Obsession returns doctor Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis investigating a deathbed murder confession. Kellerman has a new author photo on Obsession's cover and the new photo doesn't have the obvious, caked-on eye make-up look like previous book jacket photos.
Recently Repaired NonFiction
Superflirt by Tracey Cox. This is a fascinating book. Cox's intended audience is single people looking to learn body language to increase their dating success. But, the information on body language and behaviour is really interesting.
Heartstopper by Joy Fielding. Sandy Crosbie is the new high school English teacher in small-town Torrance, FL and regrets her recent move. After a runaway teen girl is abducted and murdered in town, one of the prettiest local girls also disappears. With the pressure of a townwide undercurrent of sex and scandal pushing her worries, Sandy also has her own daughter to worry about.
Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman. Obsession returns doctor Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis investigating a deathbed murder confession. Kellerman has a new author photo on Obsession's cover and the new photo doesn't have the obvious, caked-on eye make-up look like previous book jacket photos.
Recently Repaired NonFiction
Superflirt by Tracey Cox. This is a fascinating book. Cox's intended audience is single people looking to learn body language to increase their dating success. But, the information on body language and behaviour is really interesting.
Friday, March 23, 2007
New Things
AudioBooks
Ridiculous by Norm MacDonald. The long awaited comedy album from Norm. Skits and songs by Norm and performances with Will Ferrell, Molly Shanon, Tim Meadows, Jon Lovitz, Steve Higgins, Artie Lange.
Alexandria Link by Steve Berry. Cotton Malone retired from the State Department and became a dealer for rare books. Cotton's retirement is easy until his store is burned down and his teenage son is kidnapped. A cartel of international moguls is forcing Cotton for the information they believe will lead them to the lost Library of Alexandria.
My French Whore by Gene Wilder. Paul Peachy leaves his wife in Milwaukee to enlist in the Army during World War I. As a German speaker, Peachy is asked to interrogate a German spy. After getting captured during a patrol, Peachy decides to avoid P.O.W. camp by impersonating the "urbane and accomplished spy".
Sisters by Danielle Steel. 300th verse same as the first.
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris. Hannibal Lecter's story from childhood into early adulthood. Surviving the horrors of World War Two's Russian front, Hannibel is rescued from a Soviet orphanage by his uncle who takes him to live in Paris.
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella. We have the print version of this, too. Becky Brandon is pregnant and happy and has the best nursery she could imagine. When Becky finds out her celebrity obstetrician is her husband's former (and perfect) girlfriend she starts to worry and freak-out.
Mystery
Damn Near Dead: Old, Bold and Controlled: An Anthology of Geezer Noir edited by Duane Swierczynski. Short story collection of noir-"ish" mysteries featuring elderly protagonists. The story by Bill Crider was nominated for an Edgar Award.
Poetry
Fun Being Me by Jack Wiler. Poetry? Poetry?! What the...? "Wiler writes poems that are droll, harrowing, angry, and disarming as they refuse mere consolation. A moralist in the tradition of Lenny Bruce, Wiler delights in the hypocrisies we blithely call normality." Hey, I just read one, Flying Under Duress, and it was good!
Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices by Sarah James and Torbjorn Lahti. Success stories from eco-municpalities.
Ridiculous by Norm MacDonald. The long awaited comedy album from Norm. Skits and songs by Norm and performances with Will Ferrell, Molly Shanon, Tim Meadows, Jon Lovitz, Steve Higgins, Artie Lange.
Alexandria Link by Steve Berry. Cotton Malone retired from the State Department and became a dealer for rare books. Cotton's retirement is easy until his store is burned down and his teenage son is kidnapped. A cartel of international moguls is forcing Cotton for the information they believe will lead them to the lost Library of Alexandria.
My French Whore by Gene Wilder. Paul Peachy leaves his wife in Milwaukee to enlist in the Army during World War I. As a German speaker, Peachy is asked to interrogate a German spy. After getting captured during a patrol, Peachy decides to avoid P.O.W. camp by impersonating the "urbane and accomplished spy".
Sisters by Danielle Steel. 300th verse same as the first.
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris. Hannibal Lecter's story from childhood into early adulthood. Surviving the horrors of World War Two's Russian front, Hannibel is rescued from a Soviet orphanage by his uncle who takes him to live in Paris.
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella. We have the print version of this, too. Becky Brandon is pregnant and happy and has the best nursery she could imagine. When Becky finds out her celebrity obstetrician is her husband's former (and perfect) girlfriend she starts to worry and freak-out.
Mystery
Damn Near Dead: Old, Bold and Controlled: An Anthology of Geezer Noir edited by Duane Swierczynski. Short story collection of noir-"ish" mysteries featuring elderly protagonists. The story by Bill Crider was nominated for an Edgar Award.
Poetry
Fun Being Me by Jack Wiler. Poetry? Poetry?! What the...? "Wiler writes poems that are droll, harrowing, angry, and disarming as they refuse mere consolation. A moralist in the tradition of Lenny Bruce, Wiler delights in the hypocrisies we blithely call normality." Hey, I just read one, Flying Under Duress, and it was good!
Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices by Sarah James and Torbjorn Lahti. Success stories from eco-municpalities.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
New DVD
Just one today:
Reservoir Dogs starring Harvey Keitel, Lawrence Tierney, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi. This is a two disc anniversary set of the 1992 motion picture that sent Quentin Tarantino into big-time Hollywood hotshot status. Includes multiple commentaries, deleted scenes, a tribute to actor Lawrence Tierney (famed for punching out co-stars and crew throughout his career), cast interviews, and a tribute to film noir. Basically, all the extra features you intend to watch and don't.
Reservoir Dogs starring Harvey Keitel, Lawrence Tierney, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi. This is a two disc anniversary set of the 1992 motion picture that sent Quentin Tarantino into big-time Hollywood hotshot status. Includes multiple commentaries, deleted scenes, a tribute to actor Lawrence Tierney (famed for punching out co-stars and crew throughout his career), cast interviews, and a tribute to film noir. Basically, all the extra features you intend to watch and don't.
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Hits Keep Coming. CDs/ DVDs and AudioBooks
DVDs
Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig , Eva Green, Jeffrey Wright. I haven't seen this but boy it sure had universally good reviews. I have avoided reading those reviews or summaries since they might spoil the story for for me. So, look the description up yourself.
The Departed starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg. I haven't seen this one either. I have not read reviews or summaries for The Departed either.
Music CDs
Mali to Memphis: An African American Odyssey with Amadou and Mariam, John Lee Hooker, Guy Davis, Boubacar Traore, and others. Mali to Memphis traces the musical heritage of the blues from West Africa to the U.S. Try it out.
Taylor Hicks by Taylor Hicks. Debut album from some American Idol dude with prematurely gray hair. My brother has prematurely gray hair, too; I doubt he can sing worth a dang though.
Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing by Keith Urban. Latest release from the Australian country singer. I've never heard this guy's music but his wife is good looking.
AudioBooks
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell. This one sounds good (no pun intended). "Shae-Lynn Penrose drives a cab in a town where no one needs a cab - but plenty of people need rides. A former police officer with a closet full of miniskirts, a recklessly sharp tongue, and a tendency to deal with men by either beating them up or taking them to bed, she has spent years carving out a life for herself and her son in Jolly Mount, Pennsylvania, the tiny coal-mining town where she grew up." When Shae's younger sister, previously thought dead, arrives to town followed by a Russain gangster Shae has to deal with her sister's past activities and her own messy love life.
Innocent Man by John Grisham. A nonfiction piece by Grisham about a former baseball player convicted and sentenced for murder on a case "built on junk science and the testimony of jailhouse snitches and convicts...If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this audiobook will shock you."
Populatio: 485; with selections from Off Main Street by Michael Perry. Author Perry narrates his book about being a volunteer fireman in rural Wisconsin. This is a replacement for a damaged item. But, I took a long time to order the replacement so it may as well be new.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Jess Aaron becomes friends with schoolmate Leslie Burke. Jess and Leslie play in the woods and create the kingdom of Terabithia. This is a kid's book that ended up in my pile so I'm writing about it.
Too Far From Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space by Chris Jones. Donald Pettit, Kenneth Bowersox, and Nikolai Budarin were on a fourteen week mission to the International Space Station in November, 2002 when the shuttle Columbia fell apart on re-entry. All three astronauts were stuck in space indefinitely without a ride home. Jones relates the frantic work of engineers in Houston and Moscow to return them back to Earth.
Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig , Eva Green, Jeffrey Wright. I haven't seen this but boy it sure had universally good reviews. I have avoided reading those reviews or summaries since they might spoil the story for for me. So, look the description up yourself.
The Departed starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg. I haven't seen this one either. I have not read reviews or summaries for The Departed either.
Music CDs
Mali to Memphis: An African American Odyssey with Amadou and Mariam, John Lee Hooker, Guy Davis, Boubacar Traore, and others. Mali to Memphis traces the musical heritage of the blues from West Africa to the U.S. Try it out.
Taylor Hicks by Taylor Hicks. Debut album from some American Idol dude with prematurely gray hair. My brother has prematurely gray hair, too; I doubt he can sing worth a dang though.
Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing by Keith Urban. Latest release from the Australian country singer. I've never heard this guy's music but his wife is good looking.
AudioBooks
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell. This one sounds good (no pun intended). "Shae-Lynn Penrose drives a cab in a town where no one needs a cab - but plenty of people need rides. A former police officer with a closet full of miniskirts, a recklessly sharp tongue, and a tendency to deal with men by either beating them up or taking them to bed, she has spent years carving out a life for herself and her son in Jolly Mount, Pennsylvania, the tiny coal-mining town where she grew up." When Shae's younger sister, previously thought dead, arrives to town followed by a Russain gangster Shae has to deal with her sister's past activities and her own messy love life.
Innocent Man by John Grisham. A nonfiction piece by Grisham about a former baseball player convicted and sentenced for murder on a case "built on junk science and the testimony of jailhouse snitches and convicts...If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this audiobook will shock you."
Populatio: 485; with selections from Off Main Street by Michael Perry. Author Perry narrates his book about being a volunteer fireman in rural Wisconsin. This is a replacement for a damaged item. But, I took a long time to order the replacement so it may as well be new.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Jess Aaron becomes friends with schoolmate Leslie Burke. Jess and Leslie play in the woods and create the kingdom of Terabithia. This is a kid's book that ended up in my pile so I'm writing about it.
Too Far From Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space by Chris Jones. Donald Pettit, Kenneth Bowersox, and Nikolai Budarin were on a fourteen week mission to the International Space Station in November, 2002 when the shuttle Columbia fell apart on re-entry. All three astronauts were stuck in space indefinitely without a ride home. Jones relates the frantic work of engineers in Houston and Moscow to return them back to Earth.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
New DVDs
Action
Snakes on a Plane starring Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Kenan Thompson. Venomous snakes unleashed on a plane to kill a federal witness. Yeah. Yeah. I know. But, I haven't seen it either.
The Hexer starring Michal Zebrowski. Polish action-adventure story with swords, magic, monsters, and villains. Geralt - the White Wolf - is a weapons expert who fights any opponent. Geralt fights evil for humanity's sake and meets his destiny as a hero.
Bandidas starring Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, Steve Zahn, Sam Shepard and Dwight Yoakam. Penelope and Salma look pretty in Mexico while avenging the deaths of their fathers and "seizing the ill-gotten gains of [a] robber baron." Comedy action adventure with the always good Steve Zahn.
Horror
The Hills Have Eyes starring Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan and Ted Levine. Unrated edition with extra gore. A normal family is stranded in the New Mexico desert and attacked by a family of mutants.
Slither starring Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, and some other people. A meteor infected with alien plague crashes outside of a small town infecting the local rich guy. The local rich guy mutates into a hungry monster as his fellow space slugs start to infect other locals. Space zombies, worms, threats to humanity, that guy from Serenity (Nathan Fillion), how can you lose?
Comedy
Idiocracy starring Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard. Directed by Mike Judge, creator of Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill and Office Space. In 2005, Army Private Joe Bowers is chosen for a secret hibernation experiement. Chosen because he is statistically average, Joe is forgotten when the army base hosting the experiment is closed. Awakened in 2505, Joe discovers that "society is so dumbed-down by mass commercialism and mindless TV programming that he's become the samrtest guy on the planet."
Wrong Guy starring Dave Foley, Jennifer Tilley. This film was lost in the ether after it's 1996 Canadian release. But, thanks to your brilliant Library Director, you can now laugh until you hurt at the antics of star Dave Foley. Foley plays a businessman convinced he will be getting a huge promotion. When he doesn't get the promotion, Foley stages a hissy-fit and threatens his boss. When Foley later discovers his dead and bloody boss he goes on the lam, afraid he will be arrested as the murderer.
Drama
Manderlay starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe and Chloe Sevigny. Grace is traveling across America and discovers isolated Manderlay, an old plantation where no one knows slavery has been abolished. "Grace tries to emancipate the slaves and open the residents' eyes to the truth...with surprising results."
Wah-Wah starring Gabriel Byrne, Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson. Based on actor-director Richard E. Grant's childhood experiences in colonial Africa. Ralph Compton's parents divorce in British Swaziland in the 1960s. "Faced with the emotional fallout of the divorce, boarding school, and his father's re-marriage, Ralph manages to find solace through friends, acting and the love of a beautiful young girl."
Conversations with Other Women starring Aaron Eckhart, Helena Bonham Carter. Two guests, and strangers, at a wedding reception become entangled in a battle of wits. As they continue talking you discover they are not strangers and used to be lovers. Told in a split screen with the present reception directly compared to their past.
One Knight with the King starring Peter O'Toole, Tiffany DuPont, Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, and Tommy "Tiny" Lister. The title implies an Elvis connection but there is none is the biblical drama about Hadassah who becomes Esther, Queen of Persia. Born in poverty, Jewish Hadassah marries King Xerxes. When Judaism is decreed illegal, and punished by death, Esther defends her people.
Flags of our Fathers starring Ryan Phillipe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach. Story of the raisers of the Iwo Jima flag and how their lives changed from the experience.
Documentary
An Inconvenient Truth. Documentary about global warming featuring Al Gore. Depending on your politics you can watch this and be scared, or you can watch it and grind your teeth.
Music
From Tokyo to You: Live in Japan by Cheap Trick. Sixteen tunes in Cheap Trick's 25th anniversary to the Budokan.
Snakes on a Plane starring Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Kenan Thompson. Venomous snakes unleashed on a plane to kill a federal witness. Yeah. Yeah. I know. But, I haven't seen it either.
The Hexer starring Michal Zebrowski. Polish action-adventure story with swords, magic, monsters, and villains. Geralt - the White Wolf - is a weapons expert who fights any opponent. Geralt fights evil for humanity's sake and meets his destiny as a hero.
Bandidas starring Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, Steve Zahn, Sam Shepard and Dwight Yoakam. Penelope and Salma look pretty in Mexico while avenging the deaths of their fathers and "seizing the ill-gotten gains of [a] robber baron." Comedy action adventure with the always good Steve Zahn.
Horror
The Hills Have Eyes starring Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan and Ted Levine. Unrated edition with extra gore. A normal family is stranded in the New Mexico desert and attacked by a family of mutants.
Slither starring Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, and some other people. A meteor infected with alien plague crashes outside of a small town infecting the local rich guy. The local rich guy mutates into a hungry monster as his fellow space slugs start to infect other locals. Space zombies, worms, threats to humanity, that guy from Serenity (Nathan Fillion), how can you lose?
Comedy
Idiocracy starring Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard. Directed by Mike Judge, creator of Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill and Office Space. In 2005, Army Private Joe Bowers is chosen for a secret hibernation experiement. Chosen because he is statistically average, Joe is forgotten when the army base hosting the experiment is closed. Awakened in 2505, Joe discovers that "society is so dumbed-down by mass commercialism and mindless TV programming that he's become the samrtest guy on the planet."
Wrong Guy starring Dave Foley, Jennifer Tilley. This film was lost in the ether after it's 1996 Canadian release. But, thanks to your brilliant Library Director, you can now laugh until you hurt at the antics of star Dave Foley. Foley plays a businessman convinced he will be getting a huge promotion. When he doesn't get the promotion, Foley stages a hissy-fit and threatens his boss. When Foley later discovers his dead and bloody boss he goes on the lam, afraid he will be arrested as the murderer.
Drama
Manderlay starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe and Chloe Sevigny. Grace is traveling across America and discovers isolated Manderlay, an old plantation where no one knows slavery has been abolished. "Grace tries to emancipate the slaves and open the residents' eyes to the truth...with surprising results."
Wah-Wah starring Gabriel Byrne, Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson. Based on actor-director Richard E. Grant's childhood experiences in colonial Africa. Ralph Compton's parents divorce in British Swaziland in the 1960s. "Faced with the emotional fallout of the divorce, boarding school, and his father's re-marriage, Ralph manages to find solace through friends, acting and the love of a beautiful young girl."
Conversations with Other Women starring Aaron Eckhart, Helena Bonham Carter. Two guests, and strangers, at a wedding reception become entangled in a battle of wits. As they continue talking you discover they are not strangers and used to be lovers. Told in a split screen with the present reception directly compared to their past.
One Knight with the King starring Peter O'Toole, Tiffany DuPont, Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, and Tommy "Tiny" Lister. The title implies an Elvis connection but there is none is the biblical drama about Hadassah who becomes Esther, Queen of Persia. Born in poverty, Jewish Hadassah marries King Xerxes. When Judaism is decreed illegal, and punished by death, Esther defends her people.
Flags of our Fathers starring Ryan Phillipe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach. Story of the raisers of the Iwo Jima flag and how their lives changed from the experience.
Documentary
An Inconvenient Truth. Documentary about global warming featuring Al Gore. Depending on your politics you can watch this and be scared, or you can watch it and grind your teeth.
Music
From Tokyo to You: Live in Japan by Cheap Trick. Sixteen tunes in Cheap Trick's 25th anniversary to the Budokan.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
New Slew of Paperbacks
A mix of new and old titles by:
Allison Brennan
Vince Flynn
Randy Wayne White
Lee Child
Robin Cook
Linda Fairstein
Lisa Gardner
Lee Harris
Tamar Myers
John Ridley
Karin Slaughter
W. Michael Gear
Elaine Viets
Allison Brennan
Vince Flynn
Randy Wayne White
Lee Child
Robin Cook
Linda Fairstein
Lisa Gardner
Lee Harris
Tamar Myers
John Ridley
Karin Slaughter
W. Michael Gear
Elaine Viets
New Fiction
Christian Fiction
Storekeeper's Daughter by Wanda Brunstetter. Naomi was happy with life in Amish Pennsylvania until her mother died, she had to work in her father's store, and she became the surrogate mother to her seven siblings. After Naomi turns her back on one of her duties, her status and happiness are endangered.
Promise for Ellie by Lauraine Snelling. Ellie and Andrew have wanted to marry each other since they were in grade school. When their wedding has to be postponed Ellie takes it in stride , but Andrew is angry and does not understand why Ellie is not.
Reaper's Song by Lauraine Snelling. The Bjorkland's traveled from Norway to farm the plains of the Dakotas. Haakan and his neighbors harvest success with a steam powered separator takes them on the road to other communities leaving Ingeborg facing an early change of season.
A Land to Call Home by Lauraine Snelling. Penny stays in the Dakotas as her boyfriend Hjelmer travels West to work on the railroad. When Penny receives only one letter from Hjelmer her other suitors start to turn her head.
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall. Hannah is from an Old Order Amish family but loves a Mennonite, Paul. When Paul proposes and Hannah accepts, she has to face her family with the decision.
Fiction
Two-Way Split by Alan Guthrie. Mystery master Guthrie returns to Edinburgh, Scotland with another crime caper. Robin Greaves wife has been cheating with a fellow gang member of Robin's. When the gang's post office robbery ends in carnage the gang is on the run and Robin's revenge plans go awry.
Taming the Beast by Emily Maguire. Maguire is an Australian author who published this in Australia in 2004. Sarah Clark is fourteen when she is seduced by her 38 year old teacher, Daniel. The relationship ends badly, of course, and Sarah is devastated. Sarah spends years having a series of encounters in an attempt to ignite the intensity of that first relationship. When Daniel returns several years later how will the matured Sarah deal with him?
Blue Devil Island by Stephen Mark Rainey. The Solomon Islands, 1943. U.S. Navy pilots are fighting the Japanese from an airfield on Conquest Island. As the air battles rage the unknown, and non-human, natives start to take a toll on the island's new inhabitants. Soon, the sailors are fighting on two fronts and the Japanese are the less deadly opponent.
Large Print
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy. Father Flynn is concerned when a highway is planned to go through Whitethorn Woods. St. Ann's Well, on the edge of town, is in the path of the highway and slated for destruction. The generations old meditation place is loved by some and dismissed by others and Father Flynn has to listen to all sides.
At Some Disputed Barricades by Anne Perry. The Great War continues it's destructive path through 1917 as chaplain Joseph and his ambulance driving sister, Judith, continue their work on the front lines. Their brother Matthew remains in England trying to find the murderous Peacemaker who is trying to stop the war through violence at home.
Storekeeper's Daughter by Wanda Brunstetter. Naomi was happy with life in Amish Pennsylvania until her mother died, she had to work in her father's store, and she became the surrogate mother to her seven siblings. After Naomi turns her back on one of her duties, her status and happiness are endangered.
Promise for Ellie by Lauraine Snelling. Ellie and Andrew have wanted to marry each other since they were in grade school. When their wedding has to be postponed Ellie takes it in stride , but Andrew is angry and does not understand why Ellie is not.
Reaper's Song by Lauraine Snelling. The Bjorkland's traveled from Norway to farm the plains of the Dakotas. Haakan and his neighbors harvest success with a steam powered separator takes them on the road to other communities leaving Ingeborg facing an early change of season.
A Land to Call Home by Lauraine Snelling. Penny stays in the Dakotas as her boyfriend Hjelmer travels West to work on the railroad. When Penny receives only one letter from Hjelmer her other suitors start to turn her head.
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall. Hannah is from an Old Order Amish family but loves a Mennonite, Paul. When Paul proposes and Hannah accepts, she has to face her family with the decision.
Fiction
Two-Way Split by Alan Guthrie. Mystery master Guthrie returns to Edinburgh, Scotland with another crime caper. Robin Greaves wife has been cheating with a fellow gang member of Robin's. When the gang's post office robbery ends in carnage the gang is on the run and Robin's revenge plans go awry.
Taming the Beast by Emily Maguire. Maguire is an Australian author who published this in Australia in 2004. Sarah Clark is fourteen when she is seduced by her 38 year old teacher, Daniel. The relationship ends badly, of course, and Sarah is devastated. Sarah spends years having a series of encounters in an attempt to ignite the intensity of that first relationship. When Daniel returns several years later how will the matured Sarah deal with him?
Blue Devil Island by Stephen Mark Rainey. The Solomon Islands, 1943. U.S. Navy pilots are fighting the Japanese from an airfield on Conquest Island. As the air battles rage the unknown, and non-human, natives start to take a toll on the island's new inhabitants. Soon, the sailors are fighting on two fronts and the Japanese are the less deadly opponent.
Large Print
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy. Father Flynn is concerned when a highway is planned to go through Whitethorn Woods. St. Ann's Well, on the edge of town, is in the path of the highway and slated for destruction. The generations old meditation place is loved by some and dismissed by others and Father Flynn has to listen to all sides.
At Some Disputed Barricades by Anne Perry. The Great War continues it's destructive path through 1917 as chaplain Joseph and his ambulance driving sister, Judith, continue their work on the front lines. Their brother Matthew remains in England trying to find the murderous Peacemaker who is trying to stop the war through violence at home.
New NonFiction
Mommies Who Drink: Sex, Drugs, and Other Distant Memories of an Ordinary Mom by Brett Paesel. Paesel adjusts from her single days where she had nightly Ladies' Night, to her mom days of sleep deprivation and no spare time. A comedic look at the adjustment from boozing night owl to nursing night owl.
MTV Europe by Lauren Berger et al. Another new travel guide.
Penny Pincher's Almanac: 1,552 Suprising Ideas for Getting the Most Value Out of Your Money, Home, and Possessions edited by Reader's Digest. "You can live a whole lot better for a whole lot less."
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration by Rex Miller and Mark R. Miller. A repair guide with 800 illustrations.
Jay's Journal of Anomalies by Ricky Jay. Master magician and historian Ricky Jay's shortlived Journal of Anomalies is reproduced here in entirety. Jay covers some of the "bizarre entertainments" of history. Including: nose amputation, Aztec Lilliputians, armless calligraphers.
MTV Europe by Lauren Berger et al. Another new travel guide.
Penny Pincher's Almanac: 1,552 Suprising Ideas for Getting the Most Value Out of Your Money, Home, and Possessions edited by Reader's Digest. "You can live a whole lot better for a whole lot less."
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration by Rex Miller and Mark R. Miller. A repair guide with 800 illustrations.
Jay's Journal of Anomalies by Ricky Jay. Master magician and historian Ricky Jay's shortlived Journal of Anomalies is reproduced here in entirety. Jay covers some of the "bizarre entertainments" of history. Including: nose amputation, Aztec Lilliputians, armless calligraphers.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Six New Fiction and One Diabetic's Guide
Fiction
Suspect by John Lescroat. Legal thriller with a defense attorney falling for her client accused of murder.
Man in the Middle by Brian Haig. Army Lieutenant Colonel Sean Drummond is assigned to investigate whether a defense official's death was suicide or homicide. To find out, Drummond has to take on the defense official's own investigation: Who cooked up phony evidence for the Iraqi War?
Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer. A fictional telling of Adolph Hitler's life, with portraits of his parents and siblings.
Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs. Former CIA worker Katie Schottland has a happy home life and a good job writing for a TV series. But, Katie has never gotten over her sudden and unexplained CIA firing fifteen years ago. When a former colleague calls promising an explanation in exchange for Katie's assistance Katie readily agrees. When that colleague, and others like her, start dying Katie starts wondering if a killer is working down a list and why.
Finn by Jon Clinch. Huckleberry Finn's brutal father was never detailed by Mark Twain. Clinch's much anticipated debut tells the story of the elder Finn, his family and Huckleberry himself.
Large Print Fiction
Watchman by Robert Crais. Large print version of the novel described in a previous entry.
NonFiction
Diabetes Survival Guide: Understanding the Facts About Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention by Stanley Mirsky, M.D. A revised and updated edition of Mirsky's Controlling Diabetes the Easy Way. Covering: Metabolic Syndrome, diet, new drugs, equipment, complications, stem cell research, and surgical options.
Suspect by John Lescroat. Legal thriller with a defense attorney falling for her client accused of murder.
Man in the Middle by Brian Haig. Army Lieutenant Colonel Sean Drummond is assigned to investigate whether a defense official's death was suicide or homicide. To find out, Drummond has to take on the defense official's own investigation: Who cooked up phony evidence for the Iraqi War?
Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer. A fictional telling of Adolph Hitler's life, with portraits of his parents and siblings.
Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs. Former CIA worker Katie Schottland has a happy home life and a good job writing for a TV series. But, Katie has never gotten over her sudden and unexplained CIA firing fifteen years ago. When a former colleague calls promising an explanation in exchange for Katie's assistance Katie readily agrees. When that colleague, and others like her, start dying Katie starts wondering if a killer is working down a list and why.
Finn by Jon Clinch. Huckleberry Finn's brutal father was never detailed by Mark Twain. Clinch's much anticipated debut tells the story of the elder Finn, his family and Huckleberry himself.
Large Print Fiction
Watchman by Robert Crais. Large print version of the novel described in a previous entry.
NonFiction
Diabetes Survival Guide: Understanding the Facts About Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention by Stanley Mirsky, M.D. A revised and updated edition of Mirsky's Controlling Diabetes the Easy Way. Covering: Metabolic Syndrome, diet, new drugs, equipment, complications, stem cell research, and surgical options.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Couple New DVDs
Beer League starring Artie Lange and Ralph Macchio. Comedy about drunken softball league buffoons in New Jersey.
Broken Lizard's Club Dread starring Bill Paxton, jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, and Brittany Daniel. From the creators of the comedies Super Troopers and Beerfest. A machete-wielding manicac is roaming Coconut Pete's Pleasure Island and ruining the booze soaked vacations of many. The "hilariously inept staff" is left to battle the maniac.
Broken Lizard's Club Dread starring Bill Paxton, jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, and Brittany Daniel. From the creators of the comedies Super Troopers and Beerfest. A machete-wielding manicac is roaming Coconut Pete's Pleasure Island and ruining the booze soaked vacations of many. The "hilariously inept staff" is left to battle the maniac.
Loads More NonFiction
Four Days to Glory: Wrestling with the Soul of the American Heartland by Mark Kreidler. Kreidler follows two Iowa high school wrestlers as they attempt to become four time state champions.
Blind Side: Evolution of Game by Michael Lewis. The vital importance of the left tackle in football. Follow the story of a young athlete's evolution into the position and the evolution of football itself.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges edited by Jack Canfield.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Calculus by W. Michael Kelley.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry by Ian Gulch.
Cover Letter Magic: Trade Secrets of Professional Resume Writers, 3rd Edition by Wendy S. Enelow.
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home by Martha Stewart.
Is it hot in Here? Or is it Me? : The Complete Guide to Menopause by Pat Wingert.
Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: and Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
No: Why Kids - of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Why parents Can Say It by David Walsh.
Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear.
The Birthday Party: A Memoir of Survival by Stanley N. Alpert. "On January 21, 1998, federal prosecutor Stanley Alpert was kidnapped off the streets of Manhattan. This is the story of what happened next..."
Easter Rising: An Irish American Coming Up from Under by Michael Patrick MacDonald. MacDonald's escape from the South Boston ghetto.
My Year in Radical Islam: A Memoir by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross. "At twenty-three, I was a devout believer in radical Islam. I worked for a Saudi-funded charity in Ashland, Oregon, that was accused of funding al-Qaeda. Funny thing, I was Jewish. At the time, it all seemed perfectly normal."
Blind Side: Evolution of Game by Michael Lewis. The vital importance of the left tackle in football. Follow the story of a young athlete's evolution into the position and the evolution of football itself.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges edited by Jack Canfield.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Calculus by W. Michael Kelley.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry by Ian Gulch.
Cover Letter Magic: Trade Secrets of Professional Resume Writers, 3rd Edition by Wendy S. Enelow.
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home by Martha Stewart.
Is it hot in Here? Or is it Me? : The Complete Guide to Menopause by Pat Wingert.
Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: and Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
No: Why Kids - of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Why parents Can Say It by David Walsh.
Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear.
The Birthday Party: A Memoir of Survival by Stanley N. Alpert. "On January 21, 1998, federal prosecutor Stanley Alpert was kidnapped off the streets of Manhattan. This is the story of what happened next..."
Easter Rising: An Irish American Coming Up from Under by Michael Patrick MacDonald. MacDonald's escape from the South Boston ghetto.
My Year in Radical Islam: A Memoir by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross. "At twenty-three, I was a devout believer in radical Islam. I worked for a Saudi-funded charity in Ashland, Oregon, that was accused of funding al-Qaeda. Funny thing, I was Jewish. At the time, it all seemed perfectly normal."
What?! More Fiction? You Lucky Dogs.
Mysteries
Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. Another one of those recipe mysteries. Includes 12 recipes. I wonder if the story comes with a plot or just a sugar frosting.
Arsenic Labrynth by Martin Edwards. Set in England's Lake District. Police Inspector Hannah Scarlett re-opens a 10 year old case concerning a missing woman after a drifter returns to town telling tales. The Arsenic Tunnels, used to remove arsenic from tin ore, draw Hannah and a local historian who makes a gruesome discovery.
Hooded Hawke by Karen Harper. We have three other novels by Harper from her Elizabeth I mystery series. All three titles have proven popular. In Hooded Elizabeth and her court leave summertime London for the country. Accompanied by Francis Drake, both Elizabeth and Drake are targeted by assassins. Both of them have untrusted cousins eager to usurp their positions, but who is the real target?
Gray Ghost by William G. Tapply. Stoney Calhoun's memory was obliterated by a lightning strike seven years ago. Rebuilding his life on the Maine coast as a fishing guide and bait shop owner, Stoney's fishing cutomer discovers a recently burnt corpse on an island. When the customer appears dead on Stoney's porch Stoney starts to wonder if there is a connection to his forgotten past.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon. "Butt-kicking take-no-prisoners heroine" Kylara Vatta returns. After the pirate space fleet of Gammis Turek destroys her family's business and kills all her relations, Kylara and her small fleet start hunting down the pirates. A very well reviewed space epic with lots of action.
Fortress of Ice by C.J. Cherryh. A king fighting dark forces, a child learns his true parentage, yadda yadda yadda. Cherryh sells books by the bucket load so she must be pretty good.
Eagle by Jack Whyte. Concluding volume of Whyte's Camulod Chronicles (read as "Camelot"). Launcelot comes to England to find if the law-loving Arthur is for real.
Fiction
Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline.
At Some Disputed Barricade by Anne Perry. Another volume set during World War One.
Rumpole and the Reign of Terror by John Mortimer. Rumpole's beloved courts have been hamstrung by terrorism laws. When he defends a Pakistani doctor accused of working for al-Quaeda he skewers the shortsightedness of new anti-terror laws.
Deep Storm by Lincoln Child. Doctor Peter Crane travels to a North Atlantic oil rig to diagnose a mysterious medical condition. On arrival he sees that the true mystery is two miles down in an undersea research facility. The excavation of what may be Atlantis has been making people sick, and Crane finds that more than medical illness is at fault.
Allah's Scorpion by David Hagberg. Iranian commandos, under the code name "Allah's Scorpion", try to infiltrate Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to rescue al-Quaeda prisoners. When a tanker primed to explode in a lock in the Panama Canal is associated with the same code name the CIA and agent Kirk McGarvey have to work fast to prevent a nuclear follow-up to 9/11.
Exile by Richard North Patterson. San Francisco lawyer David Wolfe is asked by a former girlfriend to defend her against murder charges. The crime? The assassination of the Israeli Prime Minister in San Francisco. Can Jewish David take on the case of a Palestinian militant, even one he can't quite forget? Nothing is as it seems as David's work takes him to the West Bank and Israeli.
Pig Island by Mo Hayder. Another accomplished thriller from Hayder. Professional skeptic Joe Oakes exposes supernatural hoaxes for a living. Joe's visit to a religious commune on a Scottish island make him question his theories and beliefs.
Texicans by Nina Vida. The birth of Texas told through Joseph Kimmel. Kimmel travels to San Antonio when his brother gets cholera there. Robbed by a runaway slave he is rescued by Henry Castro who is traveling with immigrants to Castro's new settlement, "Castroville".
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy.
Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. Another one of those recipe mysteries. Includes 12 recipes. I wonder if the story comes with a plot or just a sugar frosting.
Arsenic Labrynth by Martin Edwards. Set in England's Lake District. Police Inspector Hannah Scarlett re-opens a 10 year old case concerning a missing woman after a drifter returns to town telling tales. The Arsenic Tunnels, used to remove arsenic from tin ore, draw Hannah and a local historian who makes a gruesome discovery.
Hooded Hawke by Karen Harper. We have three other novels by Harper from her Elizabeth I mystery series. All three titles have proven popular. In Hooded Elizabeth and her court leave summertime London for the country. Accompanied by Francis Drake, both Elizabeth and Drake are targeted by assassins. Both of them have untrusted cousins eager to usurp their positions, but who is the real target?
Gray Ghost by William G. Tapply. Stoney Calhoun's memory was obliterated by a lightning strike seven years ago. Rebuilding his life on the Maine coast as a fishing guide and bait shop owner, Stoney's fishing cutomer discovers a recently burnt corpse on an island. When the customer appears dead on Stoney's porch Stoney starts to wonder if there is a connection to his forgotten past.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon. "Butt-kicking take-no-prisoners heroine" Kylara Vatta returns. After the pirate space fleet of Gammis Turek destroys her family's business and kills all her relations, Kylara and her small fleet start hunting down the pirates. A very well reviewed space epic with lots of action.
Fortress of Ice by C.J. Cherryh. A king fighting dark forces, a child learns his true parentage, yadda yadda yadda. Cherryh sells books by the bucket load so she must be pretty good.
Eagle by Jack Whyte. Concluding volume of Whyte's Camulod Chronicles (read as "Camelot"). Launcelot comes to England to find if the law-loving Arthur is for real.
Fiction
Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline.
At Some Disputed Barricade by Anne Perry. Another volume set during World War One.
Rumpole and the Reign of Terror by John Mortimer. Rumpole's beloved courts have been hamstrung by terrorism laws. When he defends a Pakistani doctor accused of working for al-Quaeda he skewers the shortsightedness of new anti-terror laws.
Deep Storm by Lincoln Child. Doctor Peter Crane travels to a North Atlantic oil rig to diagnose a mysterious medical condition. On arrival he sees that the true mystery is two miles down in an undersea research facility. The excavation of what may be Atlantis has been making people sick, and Crane finds that more than medical illness is at fault.
Allah's Scorpion by David Hagberg. Iranian commandos, under the code name "Allah's Scorpion", try to infiltrate Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to rescue al-Quaeda prisoners. When a tanker primed to explode in a lock in the Panama Canal is associated with the same code name the CIA and agent Kirk McGarvey have to work fast to prevent a nuclear follow-up to 9/11.
Exile by Richard North Patterson. San Francisco lawyer David Wolfe is asked by a former girlfriend to defend her against murder charges. The crime? The assassination of the Israeli Prime Minister in San Francisco. Can Jewish David take on the case of a Palestinian militant, even one he can't quite forget? Nothing is as it seems as David's work takes him to the West Bank and Israeli.
Pig Island by Mo Hayder. Another accomplished thriller from Hayder. Professional skeptic Joe Oakes exposes supernatural hoaxes for a living. Joe's visit to a religious commune on a Scottish island make him question his theories and beliefs.
Texicans by Nina Vida. The birth of Texas told through Joseph Kimmel. Kimmel travels to San Antonio when his brother gets cholera there. Robbed by a runaway slave he is rescued by Henry Castro who is traveling with immigrants to Castro's new settlement, "Castroville".
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Fresh Fiction
Trouble by Jesse Kellerman. The second novel by the progeny of Faye and Jonathan Kellerman. I cannot tell if Jesse wears eye make-up but it sure looks like his dad does.
Red River by Talita Tademy. Author of Cane River. Fictional telling of the Colfax "riot" and massacre in 1873 Colfax, LA. Told from both sides of the conflict over Reconstruction politics and the beginning of Jim Crow.
Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Rees. Omar Yussef has taught history for years and stayed aloof of the constant political violence in Bethlehem. After a former pupil is accused by Palestinian police of conspiring with the Israelis to kill a guerrilla, Omar is the only one who believes in his innocence and is willing to investigate against the wishes of the police and the killers of the a-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.
Murder Among the O.W.L.S. by Bill Crider. A Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery. Rural TX sheriff Dan Rhodes investigates the death of a member of the Older Women's Literary Society. Crider's Rhodes mysteries always have good humour with a sometimes flabbergasted, but always endearing, and Dr. Pepper drinking sheriff. I'm not sure how Crider has time to write novels with all the blogging he does.
Still Life with Husband by Lauren Fox. Milwaukee author Fox's book is "generous, heartfelt, and often hilarious novel of marriage and friendship" as Emily is aggravated by her husband Kevin and starts to desire David, a local reporter.
Fever Moon by Carolyn Haines. Haines is famous for her Souhtern set "cozy" mysteries. Fever Moon is a darker mystery set in New Iberia, LA during World War II where Adele Hebert claims to be a werewolf after being found covered in the blood, and hunched over the body, of a local plantation owner.
Terror by Dan Simmons. In 1845 126 men of the Franklin Expedition are enduring their second Arctic summer. Their ship is slowly being crushed by ice. The scientists and crew are fighting the cold and hunger. As the winter approaches an unseen predator is stalking them from the ice.
Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. NFL superstar quarterback Dean is driving through rural Colorado when he stops to pick up a hitchhiker, Blue. This is a romance so I assume some sort of romance develops between the two.
Successor by Stephen Frey. Financier Christian Gillette is asked by the President to work with Cuban professionals to lead a capitalist revolution after Fidel died in secret. But, Gillette must work in secret, and has to be wary of competing attempts by would-be Cuba rulers.
Watchman by Robert Crais. Rich, spoiled girl Conner Barkley has an early morning auto accident in her Aston Martin. The crash puts Conner right in the middle of a federal investigation. When the government cannot protect her from the killers sent to silence her, her family calls in Joe Pike.
It's About Your Husband by Lauren Lipton. Freshly transplanted to New York, recent divorcee Iris Hedge is offered work to spy on a possibly cheating husband of a friend. But Iris starts to fall for the husband.
Red River by Talita Tademy. Author of Cane River. Fictional telling of the Colfax "riot" and massacre in 1873 Colfax, LA. Told from both sides of the conflict over Reconstruction politics and the beginning of Jim Crow.
Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Rees. Omar Yussef has taught history for years and stayed aloof of the constant political violence in Bethlehem. After a former pupil is accused by Palestinian police of conspiring with the Israelis to kill a guerrilla, Omar is the only one who believes in his innocence and is willing to investigate against the wishes of the police and the killers of the a-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.
Murder Among the O.W.L.S. by Bill Crider. A Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery. Rural TX sheriff Dan Rhodes investigates the death of a member of the Older Women's Literary Society. Crider's Rhodes mysteries always have good humour with a sometimes flabbergasted, but always endearing, and Dr. Pepper drinking sheriff. I'm not sure how Crider has time to write novels with all the blogging he does.
Still Life with Husband by Lauren Fox. Milwaukee author Fox's book is "generous, heartfelt, and often hilarious novel of marriage and friendship" as Emily is aggravated by her husband Kevin and starts to desire David, a local reporter.
Fever Moon by Carolyn Haines. Haines is famous for her Souhtern set "cozy" mysteries. Fever Moon is a darker mystery set in New Iberia, LA during World War II where Adele Hebert claims to be a werewolf after being found covered in the blood, and hunched over the body, of a local plantation owner.
Terror by Dan Simmons. In 1845 126 men of the Franklin Expedition are enduring their second Arctic summer. Their ship is slowly being crushed by ice. The scientists and crew are fighting the cold and hunger. As the winter approaches an unseen predator is stalking them from the ice.
Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. NFL superstar quarterback Dean is driving through rural Colorado when he stops to pick up a hitchhiker, Blue. This is a romance so I assume some sort of romance develops between the two.
Successor by Stephen Frey. Financier Christian Gillette is asked by the President to work with Cuban professionals to lead a capitalist revolution after Fidel died in secret. But, Gillette must work in secret, and has to be wary of competing attempts by would-be Cuba rulers.
Watchman by Robert Crais. Rich, spoiled girl Conner Barkley has an early morning auto accident in her Aston Martin. The crash puts Conner right in the middle of a federal investigation. When the government cannot protect her from the killers sent to silence her, her family calls in Joe Pike.
It's About Your Husband by Lauren Lipton. Freshly transplanted to New York, recent divorcee Iris Hedge is offered work to spy on a possibly cheating husband of a friend. But Iris starts to fall for the husband.
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