The Celebrity Black Book

The Celebrity Black Book
by Jordan McAuley [R 790 qMcA]

This is, quite simply, the most effective tool to finding celebrity contact information available today. The format is incredibly simple -- this book is basically just one massive encyclopedia of celebrities -- over 60,000 actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, religious figures, world leaders, authors/writers, models, directors, producers, artist/photographers and reality tv stars -- arranged purely in alphabetical order, and including only their mailing addresses. In many cases, especially that of media stars, the addresses provided are for the agency that "handles" them, as opposed to the celebrity themselves directly. Although you may be able to locate SOME contact methods for certain celebrities, via their websites and other means online, no other resource is as comprehensive as this. Trying to track down Robert Englund (the original Freddie Krueger)? He's in here. Want to drop a fan letter to Buzz Aldrin (the second man to walk on the moon)? His agents are listed here! Got a question for scientist Temple Grandin? You'll find her mailing address here. The only drawback, from an organizational standpoint is that there is no index by category -- the information here is solely by the celebrities' names. But if you know who you're looking for, and you haven't found it in a quick web search -- this is the tool to use! [Note: The latest edition owned by the libraries -- the 20th anniversary edition -- is only available in the Reference collection at the Bennett Martin Public Library. Although it can't be checked out, library staff will be happy to look addresses up for you!] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

The Dinosaur Hunter

The Dinosaur Hunter
by Homer Hickam

Who knew that the tedious work of digging for dinosaur bones could create such mayhem? Square C ranch foreman, Mike Wire, narrates the story of the time that a paleontologist, Dr. Norman "Pick" Pickford, asked for permission to dig up Blackie Butte. What started out as simply brushing away the dirt from a T Rex skeleton turned into a battle with members of the Russian mob. It all started innocently enough when Ray Coulter wrote a paper for his high school English class about the fossils that his father found years before. Ray's teacher posted the paper on the school's website. It was anonymously emailed to the paleontologist. Pick charms Jeanette Coulter, a hard-as-nails widow, into allowing him to search her land for these extinct reptiles. This engaging thriller introduced me to the world of dinosaur hunting and the black market that thrives around the search for these relics. Hickam set this book in eastern Montana where he has hunted for dinosaur bones for more than a decade. During his excursions Hickam became acquainted with the ranchers and farmers who call these grasslands home. These hardy, independent folks are the basis for his colorful characters. Homer Hickam has written a number of books. His memoir, Rocket Boys was made into the well-acclaimed movie October Sky. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[ official Dinosaur Hunter page on the official Homer Hickam web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

The Long Walk

The Long Walk: A True Story of the Trek to Freedom
by Slavomir Rawicz [940.547 Raw]

Slavomir Rawicz is in the Polish Calvary in 1939 in his early twenties as Europe is becoming a hot zone, mobilizing towards WWII. Rawicz fights in a few skirmishes, but early on before the war begins, he is arrested by the Russian secret police. His personal narrative in The Long Walk describes his horrific experiences as a prisoner in Russian prison and a Siberian work camp. Leading up to his escape, Rawicz recounts the brutality of his life as an inmate. The meat of his story lies in a 4,000 mile walking escape from the Siberian work camp. Rawicz and a small group of man trek through the Siberian Arctic, Gobi Desert and over the Himalayan Mountains with little more than the clothes on their backs. It is an epic journey of man against nature. The group of escapees experiences every physical hardship one could. Rawicz writes so concisely and eloquently that you are propelled through their journey as physically and emotionally as possible as a reader. One of the most touching aspects of the story is in the relationship between the escapees. The group of men can only survive through the complete trust of one another and their ability to share resources and ideas. Their story is an account of the depth of team work, human suffering, endurance and the conquering of mind over body. The truth of the story has been disputed although it is considered nonfiction. Read it anyway, for a thrilling story and do some research later to decide whether or not you believe. The Long Walk is an enthralling quick read for historical/personal narrative fans, veterans, adventurists, or inspirational reading for someone recovering from an illness or accident. P.S.: Read the book first! The Long Walk has recently been adapted into the film The Way Back, but don't miss out on Rawicz's writing. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracey Kidder, Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran by Roxana Saberi.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ Wikipedia entry for Slavomir Rawicz ]

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Bonekickers

Bonekickers
[DVD Bonekickers]

The series follows Dr. Gillian Magwilde and her team of archaeologists finding treasures across the world. The series aired on BBC and was cancelled after only six episodes because of bad ratings. I surprisingly liked it anyway. The critics said it was like CSI meets Indiana Jones. It puts a twist on historical legends like the Knights Templar, the True Cross, Joan of Arc and Excalibur. Plus there's a lot of British humor in it so it's rather amusing. I enjoyed the humor and the fact and that they were explaining the history aspects. Each episode covers a different part of history then comes together in the end. [Note: If you like this you may also enjoy The series Bones on Fox, they find out peoples' histories through their bones or the Indiana Jones movies which is also about seeking treasure] -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library and South Branch Library

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this series ] | [ Bonekicker's episode guide at epguides.com ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Nebraska's Fatal Air Crashes of WWII

Nebraska's Fatal Air Crashes of WWII
by Jerry Penry [940.544 qPen]

This book gives accounts of the hundreds of airplane crashes involving military aricraft in Nebraska during World War II. Many of these crashes were not reported by the media because they were part of training exercises and needed to be kept secret. History has overlooked the sacrifices made by these men and women. This book is dedicated to all of them. The amount of research that went into this book is incredible. I was most impressed with the photographs, the eyewitness accounts, and the detailed maps of the crash sites. This book would appeal to anyone with an interest in aviation history or World War II. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Nebraska Voices of World war II: Nebraska Veterans in the Great War by Ted Larson, Wings Over Nebraska: Historic Aviation Photographs by Vincent Goeres, or the extensive Air Force Base Lincoln microfilm collection of clippings related to Lincoln's historic airbase.] -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ Jerry Penry's official Nebraska Air Crashes web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

At Willa Cather's Tables: The Cather Foundation Cookbook

At Willa Cather's Tables: The Cather Foundation Cookbook
by Ann Romines [813 CatYr]

Willa Cather told her tales, in part through the kitchens of her characters. Characters such Antonia who baked kolaches filled with spiced plums. And Father Vaillant who prepared onion soup for the first Christmas that he and Father Latour celebrated in New Mexico. As a young girl, Cather spent many hours in kitchens. First in Virginia with her grandmother where she learned family stories. Then in the pioneer kitchens of her immigrant neighbors. Those conversations were the fuel for her writing career. To honor Cather's love of good cooking, The Cather Foundation has written this book. It is divided into four sections. The first section is filled with excerpts from many of Cather's novels along with recipes that could have been prepared by the characters. Cookies that Bohemian Mary could have baked. Or gooseberry preserves that Cecile may have made for her father. Cather's family and friends contributed the recipes for the second section. The Foundation has some cookbooks that the Cather family donated. Tucked inside these books were handwritten recipes such as the lemon pie recipe from Jessie, Willa's sister. Willa's good friend from childhood, Carrie Miner Sherwood, sent Willa Christmas gifts after she moved to New York. In 1921, Willa sent Carrie a note thanking her for the steamed pudding. The Sherwood family searched Carrie's papers and found a recipe for steamed Christmas Plum Pudding, probably the recipe for the pudding she sent Cather that long ago Christmas. Along with the recipes are photos and stories of Willa?s friends from her Red Cloud days. Women such as Annie Sadilck Pavelka, who was the model for the title character in My Antonia. When Willa Cather died, Annie told her children that she had lost of her best friends. The third section is recipes from places that were important to Cather. The berry cobbler and blackberry buckle recipes pay homage to Willa Cather's Virginia roots. Webster County, Nebraska is represented by recipes from cookbooks published by local groups or in area newspapers. The last section is comprised of recipes from members of the hard-working Cather Foundation staff. Some are recipes from the annual Spring Conference Banquet such as Pork Loin Roast and Plum Cake. The foundation has made Willa Cather come back to life in these pages. Turning pages I reminisce about these novels that I read in high school. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department
[ official Willa Cather Foundation web site ]

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Customer Review - Civilisation [on DVD]

Civilisation
by Kenneth Clark [DVD 909 Cla]

I really appreciate that the libraries still have this documentary production -- I remember seeing it in school classes when I was growing up, and then viewing it back when there was an AV department at the downtown library (I think it might have been on 3/4" videotapes!!). This is an incredible, and beautiful, examination of the history and development of Western European culture in the areas of the arts and architecture (and, to a certain degree, philosophy). The production is lavish, and provides an excellent introduction to cultural history for those not familiar with it (or those wanting a refresher course). One of the BBC's first color documentaries, this has help up well over time! [Note: In 2011 the BBC remastered this entire series and aired it for the first time in the UK in High Def. -- reviewed by Jeff M. - a regular customer at the Bennett Martin Public Library

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

With Love and Laughter, John Ritter

With Love and Laughter, John Ritter
by Amy Yasbeck [Biography Ritter]

John Ritter was one of my TV heroes -- a comedic actor, adept at both witty dialog and absurd pratfalls, but who managed to remain a "good guy" in real life. From his early parts and recurring role as the paster on The Waltons, to his star turns on Three's Company, Hearts Afire and Hooperman, I had followed his career with pleasure, enjoying each of his performances, but enjoying reading about his behind-the-scenes life almost as much. His death in 2003 was so sudden and shocking, it threw me for a loop, and hearing after-the-fact that it was due to an undiagnosed medical condition was all the more alarming. Ritter's second wife, Yasbeck, does a tender job of looking back at Ritter's life -- the celebrity of his parents Tex and Dorothy Ritter, and his innate need to perform. Counter-balancing Ritter's career trajectory, Yasbeck shares her own background and upbringing, leading to their relationship and the child they had together. Though the last couple of chapters deal with the heartbreak of Ritter's death and the medical issues associated with the condition he fell victim to, the majority of this book is a feel-good tribute to one of our best comic actors, taken from us too early. I enjoyed this tremendously. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official John Ritter Foundation web site ] | [ John Ritter entry on Wikipedia ]
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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Vietnamerica

Vietnamerica
by G.B. Tran [741.5 Tra]

Vietnamerica is a personal graphic memoir by G.B. Tran in which he documents the conversations with his immigrant Vietnamese family. They recount their family history in Vietnam leading up to their escape to America. The illustrations throughout are colorful and unique to the graphic novel genre. Tran also incorporates his father and grandfather's watercolors throughout which adds another strong visual layer. The nonlinear story retraces his parents' and grandparents' lives in Vietnam as they were growing up amidst the controversies of French and finally American occupation. Unlike other Vietnam war stories Tran focuses on Vietnamese familial relationships, which were affected by the political conditions of the time. Further he explores his relationship as a Vietnamese American and his place in both cultures. Tran ends his story in tribute to the memory of his family and the importance for all immigrants to appreciate their ancestral heritage. A great read for all first generation immigrants. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try When Heaven and Earth Changed Places by Le Ly Hayslip, The Photographer by Emmanuel Guibert, Waltz With Bashir by Ari Folman, Che : a graphic biography by Sid Jacobson, Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ G.B. Tran's official blog ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Science Fiction convention this weekend in Lincoln!

Local Science Fiction & Fantasy fans have reason to celebrate -- there is a convention that appeals to your sensibilities coming up in this very weekend here in Lincoln!

ConStellationNE II is the second go-around for a new science fiction convention, being held this weekend (April 15-17) at the Guesthouse Inn & Suites at 5250 Cornhusker Highway. Their author guest of honor is Jim C. Hines, with artist guest of honor April Lee (a painter and free-lance artist), and media guest of honor independent filmmaker Christopher R. Mihm. You can find out more information about ConStellationNE II at the convention's official website. They've also recently put out an online schedule of events, which you can check out at this link, to see if their programming might be of interest to you!

Hot in Cleveland: Season One

Hot in Cleveland: Season One
[DVD Hot]

I've been a fan of Wendie Malick ever since "Just Shoot Me" and I've heard nothing but good things about this series so I added it to my list. It's about these three middle-aged women from LA who decide to fly to Paris. One is an actress, whose show was just cancelled; another is a writer; and the last one is the eyebrow queen of L.A. On the way to Paris the plane has to make an emergency landing in Cleveland. At first they're upset, but then they go to a bar and are stunned that the men are looking at them instead of past them like they do in L.A. They decide to stay and move into this house where they meet Betty White's character, who is the caretaker of the house. The series is hysterical, I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a good comedy with actual storylines this is the one for you. [If you like this you may also enjoy "Just Shoot Me" with Wendie Malick as an ex-model working for a fashion magazine (available through interlibrary loan), or Frasier with Jane Leeves as Daphne.] -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library and South Branch Library

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Hot in Cleveland web site from TV Land ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Dog On It

Dog On It
by Spencer Quinn

This was the January 2011 selection for the Just Desserts mystery fiction discussion group, and despite that group's members have a varied taste in mystery styles, Dog On It found nearly universal acclaim among our members. Personally, this was one of the most entertaining and enjoyable mysteries I've read in several years. That is almost entirely because of the narrative voice used by Quinn in this story. Dog On It is told from the point of view of Chet -- a mutt who is owned by Bernie, a private investigator. Chet is a dropout from the police K-9 academy but still has a hard-boiled detective's drive to right wrongs. Unfortunately, he's a dog. And, he's therefore susceptible to things that typically distract dogs -- odd smells, food, other dogs, fleas, and a short attention span. Somehow, despite this hilarious but somewhat unreliable narrator, Quinn tells a solid mystery story, with quite a few scary moments. If you like a good Southwestern US setting, and you're looking for an unusual narrative voice, you can't miss this one! Dog On It is merely the first in an ongoing series featuring Chet and Bernie. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the subsequent volumes in the Chet and Bernie series.] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ official Chet the Dog web site/blog ] | [ publisher's official Spencer Quinn web page ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

A new Reviewer Profile - Carrie K

We've added a new Reviewer Profile to the BookGuide site -- part of our ongoing efforts to introduce readers to the folks who review materials on the Staff Recommendations pages of the BookGuide site.

Carrie K. has been contributing reviews since 2010, and you can look forward to more from her in the upcoming months. In the meantime, if you'd like to hear a little bit about this reviewer's background, click this link to see her profile!

You can also see all past Reviewer Profiles by visiting the Staff Recommendations Indexed by Reviewer page and looking for the "reviewer profile" links next to the reviewers' name.

Stolen

Stolen
by Lucy Christopher

This is a young adult, fictional story, not a romance, yet not a horror story. A Sixteen year old girl, Gemma, is kidnapped and taken away to the vast and remote outback of Australia. Her kidnapper , Ty, believes he is deeply in love with Gemma and is "rescuing" her from her big city dwelling, indifferent parents, selfish friends as well as a materialistic life in London. The story is told in the first person and reads as an honest, realistic letter to her kidnapper. The personality development of both main characters is intriguing and the reading is continually guessing as to whether Ty is just an eccentric, slightly delusional person or someone more sinister, extremely mentally ill. As Gemma reluctantly gets to know Ty, her emotions run the gamut until she begins to empathize with her kidnapper and have romantic feelings toward him. Naturally, these feelings brings up the psychological phenomenon, "Stockholm Syndrome", in which a hostage grows adulation and positive feelings toward his or her captor. After I finished this novel, I read up on the author, Lucy Christopher. This was her first book, and I was very surprised that she actually wrote this book as part of her doctoral thesis. The author is from Wales and resided in Australia for most of her life. Therefore, Ms. Christopher brought vivid, mind capturing detail to the story allowing the reader to be pulled in and to have a clear picture of the outback without having ever being there. Stolen was intriguing, and as I had hoped, the story is not be overly dark and depressing. Surprisingly, there is no rape and very little physical violence, so if you are a reader who is sensitive to these themes, it is still a book I would recommend. I have been not so patiently waiting for this story to be published for quite a few months. I read it quickly and was not disappointed. Ms. Christopher is definitely a unique author to the Young Adult genre. -- recommended by Jessica H. - Walt Branch Library


[ official Stolen and Lucy Christopher web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

The Poacher's Son

The Poacher's Son
by Paul Doiron [Compact Disc Doiron]

Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch is out on a call about a bear that killed a farmer's pig. When he gets home there is a cryptic message on his answering machine from a man that he has not spoken to in two years, his father, Jack. The next day Mike learns that his father is the prime suspect in the murders of Jonathan Shipman, an executive of Wendigo Timberlands, and his bodyguard, Deputy Bill Brodeur. They were ambushed just after they left an acrimonious town hall meeting. Wendigo just purchased half a million acres in northern Maine from Atlantic Pulp and Paper (APP). APP had granted a number of long-term leases to local residents more than thirty years ago. The residents had built homes and businesses on these pieces of property and now they are being forced off the land because Wendigo will not honor the leases. Shipman tried to put a good spin on Wendigo's plans at the meeting but the residents are still angry. Brodeur is driving Shipman back to his motel when both men are shot and killed. Mike puts his job on the line when he tries to prove his father's innocence. He knows that Jack is a drunk and violent man but he does not believe that his father would ambush any one. It's just not his style. Doiron has crafted a novel with a strong sense of place. As I listened to the CDs I imagined myself tracking the pig-killing bear in the woods with Mike and slapping at the mosquitoes. This mystery has been nominated for an Edgar for best first novel. Paul Doiron's day job is Editor in Chief of Down East: The Magazine of Maine. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try ooks by C. J. Box, Nevada Barr, Joseph Heywood or Steve Hamilton.] -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[Also available in print and downloadable audio formats.]

[ official Paul Doiron and The Poacher's Son web site ]
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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Dead Again

Dead Again
[DVD Dead]

This is one of the most impressive mystery/thriller movies I've seen in the past 20 years. It's also one of my personal favorites from among Kenneth Branagh's lengthy list of credits. Branagh and Emma Thompson (who were a couple at the time of the movie's release) play dual roles. He is Mike Church, an L.A. private eye specializing in missing persons. Thompson is Grace, an amnesia victim whom Church is helping to rebuild her memory of her own personal history. However, they also play ill-fated lovers Roman Strauss (a composer) and Margaret Strauss (a pianist). Strauss was blamed for the brutal murder of his wife in 1948. When Mike's efforts to dig into Grace's history trigger memories of past-life experiences, both the P.I. and the amnesiac find their lives in danger from elements still at play in the 1948 murder. Every performance in this film is terrific, from the leads to the supporting cast, including Andy Garcia, Derek Jacobi, Hanna Schygulla and many more. Branagh's directing is suspenseful, and the flips in time periods are handled with excellence. This is a beautiful, tense, and engaging film. Mystery fans (and romance fans) will not be disappointed. And remember... "I'm Not Roman!!" [If you enjoy this, you may wish to try Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, Henry V, starring Kenneth Branagh and Stranger Than Fiction, starring Emma Thompson] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ]

Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful? New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

How to Make Your Car Last Forever

How to Make Your Car Last Forever
by Tom Torbjornsen [629.28 qTor]

If your mechanic sounds like he's speaking Latin, why not reintroduce yourself to your car. Auto maintenance can be daunting for non-enthusiasts and disinterest can lead to costly repairs. In Tom Torbjornsen's book he explains from the ground up the functions of your car along with the "how to" and "why to" of proper maintenance. This book is no nonsense, with diagrams and pictures illustrating detailed descriptions of car parts and their functions. Some of the written descriptions of parts are a bit lengthy and detailed, but don't be overwhelmed, study the diagrams instead if need be. Each chapter ends with a step by step car maintenance task from checking fluids to changing wiper blades. Torbjornsen's career has been connected to all fields of the car industry, which surely lends to his concise explanations. He is currently the host of America's Car Show (fm radio) and includes in each chapter frequently asked question Q&A. Even if these are not directly applicable to your situation they drive home the importance of car maintenance (and might spark a laugh or two). This book is a nice refresher or teaching tool for someone with advanced car knowledge. Geared towards beginners though, I'd recommend this book to those who have a new driver in the household, want to brush up on their car maintenance knowledge, thrifty do it yourself types, or those who simply want to make their car last forever. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Car Talk with Click and Clack the Tappert Brothers (629.28 Mag), or DVD Long Way Down and Long Way Down (910.41 McG). Also, check out the library's online Auto Repair Reference Center database.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official Tom Torbjornsen's America's Car Show web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.