Saturday, June 30, 2012

New Customer Review - Fish

Fish
by Gregory Mone [j Mone]

Did you know there are both good and bad pirates? In Fish by Gregory Mone, when Fish (whose real name is Maurice) is forced to join the crew of The Scurvy Mistress, he doesn't know one kind of pirate from the other. He also doesn't care. His sole mission is to retrieve the bag of gold coins which Nate had stolen from him. Unfortunately, Fish gets caught. In the interrogation that follows, Fish learns that some pirates are raiders while others are seekers. The "raiding" pirates believe that attacking every ship in the water is the swiftest way to fortune. (These are the bad pirates.) In contrast, "seeking" pirates prefer to undertake challenging quests. The Scurvy Mistress is manned by both types, a division which eventually leads to a mutiny. Thus begins an adventure where Fish not only has to decide which pirates to defend, he also faces other choices. For example, should he interfere with Cobb's orders, when a fellow pirate is sentenced to walk the plank for betraying the crew? Or should he fight when challenged to a duel, despite his abhorrence of violence? Although Mone isn't blatant about themes, he does interweave into Fish the values of family, friendship, pacifism (which might seem like an oxymoron in a pirate book) and being true to self. Their subtle inclusion is part of what makes Fish stand out from typical adventure stories. Time to talk treasure! Every good pirate story must include it. Fish is no exception. Initially, all that anyone on board knows is that head pirate Cobb seeks a treasure that will render the ship's treasure chest of coins "as worthless as pebbles and stones". Cobb also promises that every member of the crew will receive a share large enough to buy a herd of horses. That's enough to make Fish give up on the idea of retrieving that bag of coins his uncle gave him. It's also enough to cause mutiny. What better adventure could one ask for than a soaking-good seafaring pirate story about a treasure hunt? There's even a dash of romance and humor. Just be sure that when you do borrow Fish, you can curl up for a long read. It's that good! -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Lincoln City Libraries' On-Line Book Clubs

Do you subscribe to one or more of the On-Line Book Clubs offered by the Lincoln City Libraries?

You can have portions of books -- from 12 different categories or genres -- sent to your e-mail every Monday through Friday. By the end of the week, you'll have received 2 to 3 chapters' worth of recent and readable books -- enough that you can decide whether you want to track down the entire book(s) here at the library or at a bookstore.

The On-Line Book Clubs are a product of DearReader, and the current categories are: Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Non-Fiction, Good News, Thriller, Business, Pre-Publication, Audiobooks and Classics. There's also a Teen Books category.

Visit our On-Line Book Clubs page for more information, and to see the current week's selections in all categories, and follow the on-screen instructions to sign up today!

The Eighty Dollar Champion

The Eighty Dollar Champion
by Elizabeth Letts [798.25 Let

The true story of Snowman, a former plowhorse, and Harry de Leyer, Dutch immigrant and trainer at a private girls' school. Harry buys Snowman for $80 off a knacker's truck and later discovers the horse's spectacular jumping skills. Set in the 1950s and 60s, this story brings to life the moneyed show jump world with its built-in prejudices, as Harry and Snowman compete against the upper-crust and their elite thoroughbreds with fancy equipment and blankets. Snowman ultimately appeared in most of the major magazines and newspapers, and was a model horse for Breyer. Horsey people will love this book - one can almost smell the leather, saddle soap, and horse sweat -- but "regular" folk will enjoy this quiet story as well. Told chronologically but includes flashbacks where appropriate as one learns about Harry and his wife during WWII and how they made it to America. Nine discs, the 10th is comprised of photos. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand.] -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in book-on-cd and downloadable E-book formats.]

[ official Elizabeth Letts/Eighty Dollar Champion web site ]


Have you read 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 website. 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.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Calico Joe

Calico Joe
by John Grisham

A wonderful story about baseball, father/son relationships, redemption, and forgiveness. I especially liked the Erik Singer audio book; his voices and narration are very effective. Some of the baseball statistics seem a little monotonous for a fictitious novel, but overall a really great (fairly short) read. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Bleachers and Playing for Pizza, also by Grisham.] -- recommended by Jeremiah J. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio, book-on-cd, downloadable E-book and Large Print formats.]

[ official John Grisham web site ]


Have you read 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 website. 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.

New Booktalk Booklist - Unsinkable!

If you missed Sandy W's April booktalk, presented at both Bethany Branch and Gere Branch, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, never fear -- her booklist is now available on the library BookGuide readers advisory pages!

Check it out at: Unsinkable: The 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic, for some excellent adult and youth non-fiction books looking back at this tragic event and the lives of the individuals who survived that harrowing ordeal.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Commish

The Commish
[DVD Commish]

Viewers familiar with Michael Chiklis' gritty portrayal of Vic Mackey on The Shield may be surprised to see his earlier starring role as Tony Scali, the police commisioner of fictional Eastbridge, NY. In this series from Stephen J. Cannell, the producer who brought us The Rockford Files, Wiseguy, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, Hunter and Silk Stalkings (just to name a few), the emphasis was placed equally on Tony Scali's work and home lives -- at work, there were police cases to be supervised and crimes to be solved, often featuring very quirky or comical characters; on the homefront, he had a wife and a son to take care of. There was a terrific supporting cast to The Commish, which changed over the seasons, as actors came and went. The Commish was more of a "gentle" show, emphasizing the character foibles with humor, but it didn't shy away from serious storylines and dramatic moments. And, most importantly, it gave Michael Chiklis a chance to really shine on screen. I recommend this to anyone who's a fan of classic "cop" shows from the 1970s and 1980s, but who's not really into the "gritty" ensemble shows like Hill Street Blues or NYPD Blue. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [subscribe to Scott's monthly "It's All Geek to Me!" booklist newsletter or any of the 35+ other newsletters available through the libraries Books, Movies & More email newsletter service!]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this series ] | [ The Commish episode guide at epguides.com ]

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 website. 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 Next One to Fall

The Next One to Fall
by Hilary Davidson

Hilary Davidson follows her award winning debut novel with another page-turner. Travel writer, Lily Moore, goes to Machu Picchu with her best friend, photographer Jesse Robb. Jesse's purpose in taking Lily to Peru is twofold. One, it might help Lily deal with her grief over the death of her sister. Two, they may be able to collaborate on a series of travel articles. He thinks that his photos along with Lily's articles will produce winners. At Machu Picchu Jesse and Lily overhear a couple arguing. A woman screams and Jesse and Lily rush to help her. They find her sprawled across the bottom step of one of the ancient stone staircases. Jesse goes for help and Lily stays behind to comfort the woman. Just before she dies the woman tells Lily who pushed her. The police see the needle tracks on the dead woman?s arms and view her as an addict. They dismiss her claim that someone pushed her and rule the death as accidental. Lily doesn't agree and pursues her own investigation through the streets of Cusco and among the wealthy of Lima. Davidson paints a vivid picture of the "lost city of the Incas". I have been to Machu Picchu and her descriptions bring to mind the days I spent walking among the limestone temples and up and down the staircases. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the works of Lyn Hamilton, Elly Griffiths and Dana Cameron.] -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[ official Hilary Davidson blog for The Next One to Fall ]
 
Have you read 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 website. 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.

New Customer Review: Hex Hall

Hex Hall
by Rachel Hawkins [j Hawkins or YA PB Hawkins]

Mix together angst and attitude. Then pile on the romance and rebellion. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins is an addicting read. I wanted to guzzle it like a fizzy soft drink. Unfortunately, by the end, I also felt as if my teeth had rotted. When you think of female teen fiction, what comes to mind? If you said bad boys and mean girls, you'll have nicely summarized the bulk of Hex Hall. In chapter two, Sophie meets Archer. He sounds about right for your typical "bad" boy. After rescuing her from a werewolf, he angers Sophie by insulting her powers. That also sounds about right for an opening scene. After all, if Archer was nice from the start, what would be his attraction? And, if Sophie liked him from the start, what fun would there be in his pursuit of her? Next, in chapter four, Sophie meets the three "charmed" ones. They are pretty and mean. What else would you expect? After all, if they were plain and kind, what would the pay-off be when they finally accept Sophie? Oh, there is one other thing that female teen fiction should bring to mind: friendship. My favorite character is Jenny. She's one of the more interesting characters in a parade of clichés. To a certain extent, Hex Hall reminds me of the movie Mean Girls, because initially Sophie doesn't want anything to do with the three "charmed" ones. When Sophie realizes exactly what kind of witches they are, she turns down their offer to join them. In turn, the leader Elodie accuses Sophie of thinking she is better of them, but Sophie claims that isn't her reason. This scenario is one of several where I think Hawkins missed an opportunity to instill moral values into Hex Hall. While I dislike preachy novels, I also admire those authors who slip little snippets of wisdom into their books. Another missed opportunity occurs when Jenny tells Sophie that students aren't allowed to use their powers to be lazy, but then nothing else is ever said about this idea. The above criticisms aside, my biggest peeve is how much Hex Hall is a Harry Potter clone. To start, Hecate Hall is housed at a remote location. Students can reach this location only by ferry. Inside the school, a spiral staircase twists up three stories, seemingly supported by nothing. Pale and cold people sometimes sweep by the students. I'll give you one guess as to what they are. There's only one bathroom on the entire floor. One teacher picks on Sophie and even some of her peers despise her because, unbeknownst to Sophie, she possesses the strongest powers available to a witch. There is a groundskeeper and even a forbidden wood. While I love a good fantasy, Hex Hall wasn't one. Sadly, too many of the young adult paranormal books I've read have disappointed me. This puts me on the hunt for the exception. Or maybe I'll just stick with young adult fiction that has nothing to do with witches, vampires, werewolves, and faeries. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Customer Review - Heart of a Samurai

Heart of a Samurai
by Margi Preus [j Preus]

How would you react if someone greeted you with a bow or by avoiding eye contact? Captain Whitfield reacted with impatience, which puzzled Manjiro and his fishermen companions. To them, those actions showed politeness. Other similar examples of miscommunication between cultures abound in Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus, the fictionalized true story of how a Japanese teenage fisherman named Manjiro discovered America in 1841 and how as an adult he persuaded Japan to ease open its boundaries. As such, it will interest historical fiction buffs and those seeking multicultural novels. Because Heart of a Samurai also involves sea travel, whaling expeditions, mutiny, and storms, it'll also appeal to anyone who likes adventure stories. Margi Preus visited Japan twice, which no doubt helped with her convincing portrayal of Manjiro and his companions. In every situation, Preus helps me see what five fisherman in 1841 might have felt. All of these situations are also explored within the context of a story that is already incredibly interesting. Manjiro and his companions get caught in a storm. Even when they find land, their peril has just begun. Because of an author's need to remain faithful to actual events, the risk of historical fiction is that it can read like a dry narrative. In contrast, Heart of a Samurai poignantly explores universal themes. Some are fairly familiar such as that of growing up and finding one's place in the world. Other themes have been less frequently explored but are equally important, such as how to negotiate the precarious balance between two worlds that one loves. Through moments like these, Preus makes Manjiro feel like a real person. What I loved most about Heart of a Samurai is how Preus introduced me to an inspiring individual whom I wish I could have known, within the context of an enthralling story. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F., a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

In remembrance of Ray Bradbury - Fahrenheit 451 Review

In recognition of the passing on June 5th of legendary American writer Ray Bradbury, this month we include Walt Branch librarian Becky's combined review of three different versions of one of Bradbury's most indelible works -- Fahrenheit 451.

Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury

Within a few months' time I happened, in this order, to: see the movie, read a graphic novel version and, finally, read the original book itself of Ray Bradbury's modern American classic Fahrenheit 451. And this was just a couple of years ago, about the time I turned 50. It had never been an assigned book in my high school or college classes and, although I knew the subject matter and had seen bits and pieces from the film, it was never on my "must read" or "must watch" lists. I actually found it useful and challenging to approach the variations in this order, as I am primarily oriented to audio-visual depictions of stories. It was interesting to see what had been emphasized and/or omitted in the movie and comic book when I got back around to the novel. I would guess a lot of people decry the movie in favor of the book, but I got something out of all three editions of this seminal work. More than anything, though, I was fascinated by the genesis (combining elements of various short stories he had already penned and a real and strange encounter with a patrolling cop) and execution (serial form first, changing titles, periodic recollections of its creation as subsequent editions were published), and the credit Bradbury gives to LIBRARIES for helping him become who he was

If you are not familiar at all with the story, it is about a time in the - perhaps even more so now - not-too-distant future in which you can insert yourself into your favorite TV shows from the comfort of your home, wars start and end (sometimes very badly) in just a couple of days, and a fireman's job is to ignite fires instead of put them out. The prevailing authority dictates that books, especially works of fiction and philosophy, turn people into unhappy malcontents who think and question too much. They don't fit society's norms and are, therefore, dangerous to their own and others' "peace". Enter Montag the "Fireman" who enjoys his book-burning job, Beatty, his "Captain" and nemesis, Millie, his self-medicating wife, Clarisse, the young woman who challenges him to reconsider why he does what he does and what makes him happy, and Faber, who facilitates his awakening. And then there are those mechanical hounds who relentlessly deliver sanitized, specific justice

Oskar Werner and Cyril Cusack deliver solid performances as Montag and Beatty in the 1966 film, directed by legendary filmmaker François Truffaut, which has a 'happier' ending than the novel. Although the film score was composed by the esteemed Bernard Herrmann and had some nice dramatic and quiet moments, I also found it intrusive at times, a vague precursor to Philip Glass's minimalism without hitting quite the right balance. Some would argue that Werner's performance was dull or wooden, or his German accent distracting, but I actually thought these were plausible characteristics for the persona of Montag, who journeys from "before" to "after" in a very short time. And I found it especially poignant that Truffaut chose to show Mein Kampf as one of the books being thrown into the pile for incineration, as pertains to the convoluted human dynamics of freedom, tyranny, and violence. I was a bit thrown off by Julie Christie portraying both Millie and Clarisse but came to see it more favorably the more I thought about it, as an artistic interpretation of Montag's ideal love divided into two halves - one who acknowledges and feeds her soul and one who has lost hers

I am not a big reader of comics or graphic novels, so I don't have much of an opinion about the "authorized" comicbook version but it's certainly one way that the book might appeal to a young adult, or a reading-challenged person.

If you've never read the novel, I suggest you give it a try - it's not all that lengthy and it was fairly accurate at predicting techno-social advances. If you've only seen the movie, or only read the book, read or watch the other version and see if you agree with the choices made by writer and filmmaker.

I'll finish with a couple of quotes from the book: near the end, when Montag falls in with men from the hobo camp outside The City, one of them describes himself and the others who have committed entire books to their memory to preserve them for the future as "…bums on the outside, libraries on the inside"; from Bradbury's 1982 Afterword, as he remembers roaming the UCLA library where he rented a typing room to create his manuscript, "There I strolled, lost in love, …pulling volumes out, touching pages…"
 
Thank you, Mr. Bradbury, for being bold and imaginative and indefatigable, and unashamed in your love of reading, writing, books, and libraries. -- review by Becky W.C. - Walt Branch Library


[Also available in multiple different print editions, book-on-cd and Large Print formats.]


[ Ray Bradbury entry on Wikipedia with numerous off-site links ] | [ official Ray Bradbury web site ] | [ Internet Movie Database entry for the 1966 film Fahrenheit 451 ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

Friday, June 22, 2012

New Customer Review - The Death Instinct

The Death Instinct
by Jed Rubenfeld [Rubenfeld]

Did you know the first terrorist act on American soil was in 1920? It was then that a wagon filled with dynamite blew up on Wall Street injuring or killing close to 400 people. The perpetrators have never been named or punished, but Rubenfeld's novel, which involves psychoanalysis, Madame Curie and radiation, World War I and police work make an exciting what-if about the topic. Not a quick or easy read, but definitely enjoyable.

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Operating Instructions

Operating Instructions
by Anne Lamott [306.871 Lam]

This is a great story of a first time mother who has fought off some personal demons. Now, she takes on single motherhood in a diary format and shares her struggles and triumphs. The raw emotion expressed makes you empathize and celebrate every milestone. It is a nice change from a parenting book where everything goes so perfectly. Life is messy, and Lamott managed to wrap up the first year of her son's life in an appealing package. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son's First Son, also by Lamott.] -- recommended by Sarah J. - South Branch Library

[ unofficial Anne Lamott fans web site ] | [ official Anne Lamott page on Wikipedia ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

New Customer Review - Falling In

Falling In
by Frances O'Roark Dowell [j Dowell]

Falling In is a welcome change from the darkness and broodiness that one gets these days in fantasies written for older youth. Without the burden of emotional angst, juvenile fantasies are free to launch readers into imaginative worlds. Written by Frances O'Roark Dowell, Falling In is full of whimsy and diverse friendships! The summary alone intrigued me: "Isabelle Bean follows a mouse's squeak into a closet and falls into a parallel universe where the children believe she is the witch they have feared for years, finally come to devour them." Falling In is like nothing I had expected because of the peculiar main character Isabelle Bean and because of the twists in the plot. What about those diverse friendships? Well, there is Grete, a mysterious old woman the children meet in the woods who knows Isabel's mom. How is that possible, when the two live in parallel universes? Then there is Elizabeth, a girl from the camps who like Hen has a secret or two of her own. There's also eight-year-old Jacob who flubs some very important plans. And for the animal factor, there is a reclusive brown spider. To find out its purpose, you'll need to read Falling In for yourself. While imparting valuable lessons about friends and prejudice, it is also imaginative and playful. Dowell doesn't know if she'll write another fantasy; Falling In is not her typical fare. However, I really enjoyed it and so will be reading her realistic fiction. I'm also rooting for her to write more fantasies. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps

Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps
by Ted Kooser [917.823 Koo]

Ted Kooser describes "the place he calls home" in Nebraska. He touches on the important and the mundane; there is something for everyone! Several of his thoughts that caught my attention -- remembering flowers from a wedding but not who was married that day (p.4), jars of odd screws and bolts (p.18), his son's tree house which reminded me of my son's basement (p.24), miniature glass animals like the ones my own mother collected and gave to me (p.64), the x-ray machine in the shoe department (p.111). -- recommended by Meredith M. - curator of the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors

[Also available in downloadable audio format.]

[ official Ted Kooser web site
]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School
by Kathleen Flinn [641.507 Fli]

As the author, Kathleen Flinn, writes, "if you can't cook, you're reliant on others to make your meals and most often they're corporations. They're biggest motivation? It's not your health, it's their bottom line." The author invited nine volunteers for basic classes on food -- volunteers who loaded their kitchen cupboards with boxes of processed groceries. The book is divided into parts and each describes a food product or group and how best to prepare it. The chapter on meat discussing the many hormones and antibiotics that are fed to livestock gives one pause. The chapter on chicken, "Fowl Play," explains how to cut up a chicken and the hundreds of options for serving a bird. Also included are chapters on basic knife skills, spices and their combinations, vinaigrettes, bread, pastas, fish, eggs, stocks, and soups. Each chapter ends with the recipes that are taught in the class. One especially interesting thing Flinn notes is a whole history on cake mix in a chapter called "What's in the Box" that recounts the history of many convenience foods and their origins in WWII army rations. Flinn was not interested in turning out The Next Iron Chef, but rather helping people become comfortable in making some basic recipes and unafraid to try new. "Try to find a comfortable place somewhere between Tuna Helper and Top Chef. If you burn, scorch, drop, boil over, overcook, undercook, underseason or otheriwse put a meal together that's less than a success, in the end it doesn't matter. It's just one meal. You'll make another one tomorrow." Some very good hints and instructions in this book. Even if you're a competent cook, this makes you want to enroll in a basic course at the community college. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official Kathleen Flinn web site and book page ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Zen

Zen
[DVD Zen]

Based on a series of novels by Michael Dibdin, featuring Italian police detective Aurelio Zen, this set of three adaptations aired on BBC ONE in the UK, and on PBS' Masterpiece Mystery here in the US. The movies starred Rufus Sewell as the titular hero, Zen, with strong supporting work from a cast of relative unknowns, highlighted by Caterina Murino as Zen's romantic interest, and the late Francesco Quinn (son of Anthony Quinn) as Zen's private investigator friend Gilberto. The producers chose to film the show in English, even though the characters are all supposed to be Italian, and if you can accept and get past that little incongruity, this is a stylish, slick, enjoyable mystery series. Aurelio Zen is far from a "perfect" cop, but he's got good instincts and a respectable moral code. Sewell's portrayal is terrific, and the stories held together very well -- although I've never read the novels the three movies were based on, so I can't speak to how effectively they were adpated. The settings and atmosphere of these three stories are just oozing with colorful details, and the jazzy soundtrack is as much a character in the films as any of the speaking roles. After re-watching all three of these stories on DVD (with some nice behind-the-scenes "making of" featurettes), I was disappointed to learn that the BBC has decided not to produce any additional Zen episodes. But, I highly recommend the three that do exist! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [subscribe to Scott's monthly "It's All Geek to Me!" booklist newsletter or any of the 35+ other newsletters available through the libraries Books, Movies & More email newsletter service!]

[Also available are the Aurelio Zen mystery novels, by author Michael Dibdin.]

[ 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 website. 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.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

New Customer Review - Jim the Boy

Jim the Boy
by Tony Earley [Earley]

A simple tale about a simpler time. this details the life of farm boy Jim Glass, age 10. Glass is a pretty typical young boy, growing up in North Carolina in the Depression years. For readers who long for a book that explains the subleties of morals and ethics, and stays away from sex, violence and cursing, this is it. The Chicago Tribune says it's a novel "that perfectly captures the innocence and confusion and wonder of childhood." I agree. -- review submitted by Barbara R. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Steal Like an Artist

Steal Like an Artist
by Austin Kleon [153.35 Kle]

Great quick read, with some good motivating ideas on various forms of art, writing, and other creative expression. -- recommended by Jeremiah J. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable E-book format.]

[ official Austin Kleon web site ]


Have you read 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 website. 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.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Bradbury Stories: 100 of his Most Celebrated Tales

Bradbury Stories: 100 of his Most Celebrated Tales
by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury was one of the true giants of 20th century literature, with close to fifty books published, including classics such as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Dandelion Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes, etc. He also wrote poems, essays, operas, plays, teleplays and screenplays -- he was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay to John Huston's version of Moby Dick. But one of the things he'll be best remembered for is the hundreds, yes, hundreds of short stories he wrote over the course of his career. I grew up reading his classic collections, such as R is for Rocket and S is for Space in my school library as a kid, growing into The Martian Chronicles and others as I got older. For me, Bradbury has become one of my top five favorite authors off all time. He's had so many stories published in his lifetime, that it is sometimes difficult to track them all down. This collection, Bradbury Stories, assembles 100 of his absolute best short works, and is a perfect way to pay tribute to the master, now that he has passed away, just this month. It's impossible to single out which of Ray's stories have most affected me over the years -- he's such a lyrical, stylized writer, with a gift for capturing a "sense of place" and nailing characters in just a few phrases. But, if you've never read Bradbury (shame on you), I would definitely start with "There Will Come Soft Rains" and "A Sound of Thunder" (perhaps one of the two or three best "time travel" stories ever written!). Though those two stories are not in this particular 2003 volume (from which I'd recommend "The Burning Man" and "The Toynbee Convector"), this collection is still to be savored -- don't try to read it all in one short period of time -- instead, read a few stories at a time and spread out the pleasure. You've got a treasure chest waiting to be opened! [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try any of Bradbury's other short story collections or novels, including Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Illustrated Man, The Halloween Tree, and many more. Another excellent story collection is The Stories of Ray Bradbury, released in 1980.] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [subscribe to Scott's monthly "It's All Geek to Me!" booklist newsletter or any of the 35+ other newsletters available through the libraries Books, Movies & More email newsletter service!]

[ Ray Bradbury entry on Wikipedia with numerous off-site links ] | [ official Ray Bradbury web site ] | [ Ray Bradbury entry on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

New Customer Review - The Truth-Teller's Lie

The Truth-Teller's Lie
by Sophie Hannah

A dark and psychological police procedural detailing the search for one or two serial rapists, based on the testimony of a young woman who may or may not be telling the truth. The violence is told in detail, which may make it too dark and twisted for squeamish readers. (I admit, I lightly passed over it.) The tension and suspense are there in spades, however, and Hannah tells a passionate tale of love and sex gone terribly wrong. The London Times called it "A superbly creepy, twisty thriller about obsessive love, psychological torture and the darkest chambers of the human heart." -- review submitted by Barbara R. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Homemade Living Series

The Homemade Living Series
by Ashley English [various call numbers]

For beginner homesteading DIY enthusiasts, Ashley English's Homemade Living series is a must. At first glance, the exquisite photography and layout of each title are reminiscent of a coffee table book. After you've flipped through each title, just to look at the pictures, the concise text written for the laymen is enough to get started on any of the projects. If you're interested in keeping a few backyard chickens and don't know where to start, read Keeping Chickens for an introduction. Keeping Chickens covers building a coop, picking breeds, and general chicken care topics. Home Dairy provides basic instructions and recipes for making your own cheeses, butter, and yogurt. Keeping Bees is a straight forward guide to starting a hive, harvesting honey and tending your bees. All of English's titles include step by step instructions, illustrations, pictures, tips, and true short stories from enthusiasts. English's series is an excellent introduction to the fine arts of homemaking for the urban/suburban/rural farmer, foodie, exotic pet keeper, and or the just plain curious reader. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Backyard Homestead 641.3 Mad, The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Keeping Chickens 636.5 Sch, Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living 640 Kap, The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading: An Encyclopedia for Independent Living 640 Fai, Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life 307.26 Iva, Beekeeping in the Midwest 638.1 Jay, Making Great Cheese: 30 Simple Recipes From Cheddar to Chevre, Plus 18 Delicious Cheese Dishes. 641.637 Cil.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official Ashley English web site and blog ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

New Customer Review - Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe
by Daniel Defoe [Defoe, or j Defoe]

There is no doubt that Robinson Crusoe is important to literary history. First published in 1719, it is among one of the first novels ever written. It also marked the beginning of realistic fiction, with its success leading to the popularity of castaway novels. I doubt however that the style and content of the original version of Robinson Crusoe will appeal to today's young readers. First, let's consider the style. It is so rambling and repetitious that it made my head hurt to read it in large chunks. Besides writing novels, Daniel Defoe apparently also wrote manuals. I believe it! A second problem I have with Defoe's style is how analytical and impassive his descriptions are. I can't remember the last time I checked my email so often during one page. Next, let's consider the content. It irritated me on two levels. First, Defoe was badly in need of an editor. I'm all for skipping ahead to that fatal seafaring journey where he is marooned, because from that point until his rescue I somewhat enjoyed the story. Moreover, in my version (a slightly shortened form of part one), after Crusoe is rescued, Defoe tortured me for twenty-five additional pages with accounts of Crusoe's life back in England. The content also irritated me on a second level, in that there is material which begs for footnotes so that readers understand the context of the times wherein Defoe wrote. At this point, I would be amiss if I didn't point out what I did enjoy about Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe created an extremely realistic character. I also enjoyed reading about all the tools that Crusoe created during his sojourn on the island, along with his ponderings on moral dilemmas such as when is it right to kill another man and what role God should have in his life. As you can see, there are gems in Robinson Crusoe. Unfortunately, they're so grimed in repetition and unnecessary content that they become drudgery to me. For that reason, I found myself wondering: Do some literary classics become dated? Should a book ever be rewritten in modern English? Should a book ever be abridged? What do you think? -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library [See Allison's issue of the Customer Snapshot newsletter!]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

Friday, June 8, 2012

My Horizontal Life

My Horizontal Life
by Chelsea Handler [306.7 Han]

Absolutely hilarious. I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe at times. Be advised: Chelsea holds NOTHING back in this collection of tell-all stories about her abundance of one-night stands. Some of the stories can be lengthy and anti-climactic (like some of her affairs) but overall a good read. I'm giving it only 7 out of 10 because the language can be offensive at times. Great book for a few good laughs, but definitely rated "R". [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me; Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang; or Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea, all by Chelsea Handler.] -- recommended by Jeremiah J. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio, book-on-cd and downloadable E-book formats.]

[ official Chelsea Handler web site ]


Have you read 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 website. 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.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

New Customer Reviews: The Chronicles of Prydain

The Book of Three
by Lloyd Alexander [j Alexander]

Meet Taran. Like most of us, he dreams of a more adventurous life. He doesn't want to tend vegetables or make horseshoes but instead dreams of galloping about on horses, flashing swords, and being a hero. One day he gets that chance, when he notices something amiss. The bees are fleeing. Next, the rooster and hens follow the bees. Before he can stop her, the family's prophetic pig has burrowed under the fence of her pen and escaped. In plunging after her, Taran is thrust into a battle of good against evil with such abundance of adventure his heart ought to feel content, but instead he is left yearning for the peace of his home Caer Dalben. One thing that astounds me about The Prydain Chronicles is how large of an ensemble Alexander not only introduces but makes memorable. Taran is assaulted by a wolfhound named Gurgi. The latter's favorite phrases are "poor, tender head" and "crunchings and munchings". Although initially Gurgi seems only out to gain food, he proves a faithful companion. As the companions proceed, they're captured by the wicked queen Achren. Taran is rescued again, this time by a girl. Although Eilonwy resembles the liveliest of chatterboxes, she also proves herself a feisty companion. When Achren catches Eilonwy talking to Taran and tries to whip her, she escapes by biting Achren. Although his release wasn't intentional, Fflewddur proves another valiant companion, despite his penchant to embellish the truth. At the moment he stretches the truth, one or more of his harp strings break, adding unforced comical relief to a tale fraught with danger and grief. Much later in their adventures, Taran also meets Doli. He's a dwarf who keeps trying to turn invisible by holding his breath. Everyone in his family has the power but him, which makes him feel like an outcast. Alexander's characters are all ones with whom you'd likely identify and enjoy getting to meet. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a customer of the Bennett Martin Public Library [See Allison's issue of the Customer Snapshot newsletter! See Allison's reviews of all of the Chronicles of Prydain novels by Alexander on the Customer Reviews page of BookGuide!]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New Customer Reviews appear regularly in the pages of the BookGuide web site. You can visit the Customer Reviews page to see them all and/or submit your own, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually as we receive them.

The Dovekeepers (audiobook)

The Dovekeepers
by Alice Hoffman

Only two women and five children of more than 900 people survived the Roman siege of Masada in the year 73 C.E. after the suicide pact of the Jewish rebels. The story unfolds through the voices of four women: Yael, daughter of an assassin; Revka, determined to protect her grandsons; the warrior Aziza; and her mother, a woman of mysterious powers. I found this to be a very "rich" and sustantive historical novel. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, or The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.] -- recommended by Diane E. - Technical Processes Department

[Also available in book-on-cd and Large Print formats.]

[ official Dovekeepers and Alice Hoffman web site ]
 

Have you read 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 website. 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.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy

Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy
by Jostein Gaardner

This story is set in Norway and begins when a young girl comes home from school one day and finds in the mail box a note with two questions on it. "Who are you?" & "Where does the world come from?" As the days go by Sophie finds herself enrolled in a correspondence course in philosophy. Each lesson contains a few pages on a particular philosopher. Though they are brief as to not weigh down the story, they are very comprehensive and easy to grasp. They start with the ancient philosophers and work their way through history to the more modern philosophers. Sophie also starts receiving mail addressed to a girl named Hilde, who from the post cards has lost a few things, things Sophie has found around her room, and not known why. As these strange things begin to happen more frequently, Sophie and her teacher have more and more philosophical discussions about life as they know it. I won't spoil it for you but there is wonderful plot twist at the end. Even if you don't have a particular interest in philosophy anyone who loves a book with a deep plot twist will enjoy this one, and maybe learn a bit, too. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library

[ semi-official Sophie's World web site ] | [ Wikipedia page for Jostein Gaardner ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Big Year

The Big Year
[DVD Big]

The Big Year is a bird watching comedy starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black as birding enthusiasts. Nearly every bird watching enthusiast keeps a life list of birds they have watched over the years. The Big Year takes bird watching to an over the top competitive level in which Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black commit to a year of extreme bird watching, with a goal to see as many birds in one year as possible. The comedy begins with the background stories of each bird watcher. Steve Martin as Stu Preissler is a very successful retiring CEO wanting to do a big year for his bucket list. Jack Black as Brad Harris is underemployed, down and out hoping to rebound in life through his true passion for birds. Owen Wilson plays Kenny Bostick, a seemingly undefeatable birding big year champion who will maintain the title at whatever cost. The three men follow bird migration patterns across the country amidst various mishaps, stormy relationships and weather. The Big Year is a refreshing comedy full of heart-warming moments and even a few life lessons. Of course, you will laugh a lot too. The Big Year is a family friendly comedy for all ages and especially humorous to watch if you or someone you know is an avid bird watcher. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Life Aquatic, Lonely Guy, School of Rock, and any Audubon bird watching guide in the libraries.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available: the book this movie was based upon.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official The Big Year web site ]


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 website. 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.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Slipknot

Slipknot
by Linda Greenlaw

Non-fiction writer, Linda Greenlaw, has turned her pen to mystery writing with this interesting summer read. Jane Bunker left her old life as a homicide detective in Miami and returned to Maine where she spent her early years. Now she is a marine insurance inspector in Green Haven. As Jane is checking out a fish processing plant for a policy renewal, she sees a group of people clustered around something. The "something" turns out to be the body of Nick Dow, the town drunk. Jane recognizes him as the man who caused a ruckus at the town the meeting the previous evening. The local authorities think that Dow's death was either an accident or suicide. Jane's police instincts say that it was murder and she starts her own investigation. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the works of Paul Dorian and Archer Mayor.] -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[Also available in downloadable audio format.]

[ official Linda Greenlaw web site ]


Have you read 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 website. 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.

Friday, June 1, 2012

All Access: The Rock and Roll Photography of Ken Regan

All Access: The Rock and Roll Photography of Ken Regan
by Ken Regan [Music 789.166 qReg]

This coffee table size book is a well-photographed trip through five decades of the music industry. As I turn each page I gasp in amazement at the exquisite portraits and candids. The book is laced with Ken Regan's stories about getting the photographs. One of the stories is about the timely snowstorm that made sure that Regan was one of the few phototogs who made it to Fort Dix, New Jersey to photograph Elvis Presley on the eve his discharge from the army. Another story describes the best photo that he ever took of a musician - Bob Dylan. There are many photos of a youthful Mick Jagger because he was on five of the Stones tours. This is a stunning masterpiece. It's perfect for rock fans, baby boomers who remember these performers when they were in their prime and photographers who appreciate the effort that went into making these photos. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[ official Ken Regan web site ]

Have you read 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 website. 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.