Little Apple Bookworm

2012-01-30T16:33:00.000-06:00

Gideon's Corpse by Douglas J. Preston and Lincoln Child.
A plume of radiation above New York City hints that a major city will be vaporized. Ten days to find the terrorists. And Gideon Crew, tracking the mysterious terrorist cell from the suburbs of New York to the mountains of New Mexico, learns the end may be something worse--far worse--than mere Armageddon.

Life on the Edge: Smithsonian’s Mountaineers

2012-01-29T15:20:00.000-06:00

By Marcia Allen
Technical Services and Collections Manager

Dorling Kindersley Publishing has long enjoyed a respected reputation for high quality books, particularly those with beautiful photography and interactive layout. Each title seems to be an engrossing, all-encompassing tour of its topic, one which treats the reader to a visual feast.   Local readers may well be familiar with the lovely Eyewitness books that so many children love, or the Eyewitness travel books for adults that do so much more than simply describe a destination.
Fairly new to the library is one of the nicest books I have seen in the last year. Mountaineers, which was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution, was written by Ed Douglas and polished by a team of consultants. I invite you to browse this wonderful book; though you may have little interest in mountaineering, you will be stunned by the audacity and determination of the central characters.
There are excellent references to climbers of ancient times. In 1991, for example, German hiker Helmut Simon was exploring the Italian-Austrian border with a friend. To the dismay of the two men, they discovered a skull protruding from a shelf of ice. They reported what they thought were recent remains of a lost hiker, but further research indicated the man to have lived during the Neolithic Age, some 5000 years earlier. The man, called “Otzi the Iceman” by scientists, had died as the result of an arrow wound that caused massive internal bleeding.
The Japanese monk Kukai, born in 774, is one of the more unusual climbers mentioned in the book. He ascended Mount Koya located near Osaka in 818 to begin work on a monastery designed for meditation. Avid followers brought about a permanent Buddhist refuge that is still in use today.
Albert Frederick Mummery was an avid pioneer of alpinism during the 19th century. Though dogged by childhood ailments, this determined Englishman climbed the Matterhorn at the age of eighteen and went on to espouse unguided climbing. He even wrote a seminal memoir about climbing, entitled My Climbs in the Alps of Caucasus. Like so many other enthusiasts of the sport, he disappeared during a climb, probably the victim of an avalanche.
Another equally famous climber, Charles Houston, is featured in the book. Houston, a 20th century American physician, was involved with several climbs, among them two tries at scaling K2. His failed attempts nearly caused his death, but they also brought about a greater good. Houston wrote a book entitled Going Higher: Oxygen, Man and Mountains, that has been a valuable resource for other climbers, particularly on the subject of altitude sickness.
    Women climbers are also prominently featured in this book. Lucy Walker, for example, was the 19th century daughter of Francis Walker, a British advocate of the adventure of climbing. Lucy suffered from rheumatism and sought relief from it by joining her father and brother in a trek through the Alps. Taken by the beauty of her new sport, she went on to become the first woman to scale the Matterhorn.
    Lest you think the book omits the most famous of the climbers, rest assured that George Mallory, Edmund Hillary, and Reinhold Messner are not forgotten. Their stories, along with those of the many other successful , as well as tragic, climbers are highlighted by drawings, photographs and maps that make each venture a treat for the reader.
    Mountaineering gear featured in the book is absolutely fascinating. The ergonomically designed 20th century crampons that replicate the shape of the foot are now standards for serious climbers. But 16th century wood and rope boot attachments, designed to steady steps in the snow, are also pictured. The climbing rope, another vital component of a successful ascent, is also explained. Hawser ropes from the 17th century, as well as highly specialized ropes from the 21st century, are featured along a timeline that illustrates clever uses by famed explorers.
    Beyond hiking up a couple of the Colorado Fourteeners with my family several years ago, I have never climbed a mountain. Nor do I intend to. But the breathtaking photographs and thrilling adventures stories will bring me back to this book again and again. It’s that good.

In Search of the Rose Notes

2012-01-28T16:54:00.003-06:00

In Search of the Rose Notes by Emily Arsenault is a cold case mystery. The current year is 2006, and Nora has just been contacted by her old best friend Charlotte, to tell her that the body of their babysitter, Rose, who went missing when the girls where 11 years old in 1990, has just been found. Nora returns to her hometown after hearing this information and old memories are dredged up that Nora would rather forget. The story flashes between the present day, the months before and after Rose disappeared, and 1996, when the girls were in high school. Although the book is a mystery, it is not your typical whodunit. There is a focus on Nora, her relationship with Rose and Charlotte, and how Rose’s disappearance has affected Nora throughout her life. As the book continues, the reader gets the feeling that Nora somehow holds the key to figuring out what really happened to Rose. The question remains whether Nora is willing, as an adult, to put the pieces together or run from all of the questions like she did when she was a kid. This is a great book if you like psychological mysteries and/or coming of age stories.

Vengeance Valley

2012-01-27T08:30:00.000-06:00

by Richard S. Wheeler

Even though Vengeance Valley is labeled as a Western, it goes beyond the genre. There is the political deception in running the town and keeping the gold. The characters are well developed and become your friends or enemies. Then of course there is an unlikely love story to round it off.

A town has grown around a silver mine in the middle of nowhere. The next closest town is a hard 5 miles away and 3,000 feet down the mountain. Needless to say this group of people were committed to their little town. Hard Luck Yancey, gave the town it's name. He was called Hard Luck because three times his fortunes had been lost to other schemeing men. In this case Alfred Noble, who really wasn't, had legally taken Yancey's mine away. One thing that set the town of Yancey apart from other mining towns was that it had a hospital with nurses and a doctor. Sister Carmela, known as Sister Drill Sergeant, ran the hospital along with Doc Borden. The only reason Doc is there is because he wants to practise medicine, but no civilized hospital would have him. Then we have Adelaide, widow and now owner of the Clover Club. She just wants to make her late husbands business prosper. The silver mine is failing and Noble knows there is gold under the hospital. Getting Sister Drill Sergeant to move the hospital is impossible, yet Mr. Noble is determined to take it out from under them. Catastrophe happens, no water, no town. But Yancey has a plan to get his fortune back.

Charming Grace by Deborah Smith

2012-01-26T10:19:00.000-06:00

Grace Bagshaw Vance may look like a sweet Georgia beauty queen, but she is willing to use every weapon in her arsenal, including charm, gravel, her family, and the occasional unloaded shotgun, to keep movie maker Stone Senterra from making a mockery of her beloved late husband's heroic story. Senterra's loyal bodyguard, Boone Noleene is assigned to charm her into giving her blessing to the project. Boone falls fast for the beauty with a spine of steel and tries to keep the project from being disrespectful of Harper Vance and keep Grace from spoiling the dream of the man who gave him a chance when he was released from prison on parole. Full of slapstick humor, adventure, and steamy romance, Charming Grace is also a sweet story of opening broken hearts and fierce family loyalty.

Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That Inspired Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-06:00

Fans of Downton Abbey, the miniseries on PBS that hooked us last year, can now continue watching on Sunday evenings to see how World War II has affected the rich aristocrats and their servants. Margaret Powell lived the life of a servant and has written a revealing book of her experiences in the homes of the wealthy. She began working at odd jobs when she was thirteen, the year she left school. She was allowed to quit her education because she had won a scholarship and was in the top class. There were no government grants at that time and her parents could not possibly afford her books and clothes so she needed and wanted to contribute to the families needs.
She began working as a kitchen maid because she hated needlework and every other job in these homes required some mending skills. She worked at various homes, some much more pleasant than others, and tells the story of how the wealthy class treated servants through the transition of war and then the end of the era of servants in England. Life was very hard and the striking inequalities in the social classes seems so tragic. Margaret was especially hurt by one mistress that criticized her for not using a silver salver to present a newspaper, "Tears started to trickle down my cheeks; that someone could think that you were so low that you couldn't even hand them anything out of your hands without it first being placed on a silver salver".
Margaret became quite a good cook but found that once she married she could not put her skills to use because they could not afford the expensive ingredients she was accustomed to using. Below Stairs is available at Manhattan Public Library as well as the Downton Abby and Upstairs, Downstairs dvds.

Death of the Mantis

2012-01-23T10:41:00.000-06:00

Death of the Mantis: A Detective Kubu Mystery by Michael Stanley (authors Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip) is a mystery set in the Kalahari area of Botswana. An unpopular game ranger is found in the Kalahari dying of a severe head injury. He is surrounded by three Bushmen who appear to be trying to help him. The question is, were they helping him or were they his murderers? Detective “Kubu” Bengu is urged to help with the case by an old school friend, Khumanego, a Bushman himself, who believes the Bushmen will be railroaded even if they are truly innocent. The case quickly becomes more complicated as two more murders are committed. Not only is the culture and landscape of Botswana fascinating, but Kubu is a lovable character, somewhat reminiscent of Columbo. He seems rather lazy on the surface and more interested with having a good meal and some wine than anything else, but he is actually a competent detective. Michael Stanley has also written two previous books, A Carrion Death and The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu, both of which star detective Kubu.

MLK, Jr. Art & Writing Contest Winners Chosen

2012-01-22T13:27:00.000-06:00

By Janene Hill

Manhattan Public Library was honored again this year to host and help sponsor the Martin Luther King, Jr. Art and Writing Contest. This year’s contest garnered 150 entries, 64 artwork submissions and 86 written pieces.

With the theme “Looking Back, Looking Forward: 50 Years of Change”, this year’s entries acknowledge the importance of integration and cooperation as highlighted by Dr. King’s messages.

Submissions for the contest were accepted at Manhattan Public Library beginning in December, with judging taking place January 9.

Winning entries honor Dr. King and encourage us to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as we strive toward a brighter future in our community and world. All of the participants in this year’s contest understood the importance of Dr. King’s place in the world that still resonates throughout society today.

This year’s artwork came in the form of nail art, photography, chalk drawings, watercolor painting, and drawn artwork in pencil and crayon. Writing included a wide variety of formats including poetry, letters to Dr. King, creative writing pieces, and narratives.

Winning entries were displayed at Manhattan Town Center Mall during Martin Luther King Day activities, and are now on display at Manhattan Public Library (MPL) and on the library website, where they will remain for the next month. Several non-winning entries are also on display at the library in the Children’s Room.

With a grant from the Manhattan Fund of the Caroline F. Peine Foundation and matching funds from the The Gallery for Peace and Justice, along with other contributions, the contest committee is able to award over $1200 in prizes to this year’s winners.

Prizes included gift certificates from Varney’s and, for Best of Show winners, gift certificates from Manhattan Town Center Mall. They also received a book and bag from MPL and the Manhattan Library Association, t-shirts and certificates courtesy of HandsOn Kansas State, and a certificate of recognition from the MLK Art & Writing Contest Committee.

A huge thanks goes out to the Contest Committee Members and judges for this year’s contest. These individuals contribute valuable time and effort into making the contest a meaningful community event.

MLK Art & Writing Contest Committee Members include: Jennifer Adams, Susan Withee, Laura Miles, and Janene Hill, all of MPL; and Cindy Burr, Director of the Gallery for Peace and Justice.

Judges for the 2012 contest included, writing judges: Dr. Peter Pellegrin, Instructor of English at Cloud County Community College, Geary County Campus; Marcia Allen, Technical Services Manager at MPL; and John Pecararo, Assistant Director at MPL. Art judges were: Jay Nelson, Director of the Strecker-Nelson Art Gallery; Amanda Hedrick, Education & Marketing Director at the Manhattan Arts Center; and Grace Benedick, a student at Kansas State University.

Award winners were invited to participate in two community ceremonies recognizing their achievement. The first was the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Celebration” sponsored by HandsOn Kansas State. Which took place on Sunday, January 15 at the KSU Leadership Studies building. The second took place during community MLK celebration at Manhattan Town Center Mall on Monday, January 16. Manhattan Mayor Jim Sherow announced the winners in the annual recognition ceremony.

Selected entries may be published or broadcast in or through local media outlets as schedules allow. Winning entries may also be used for development into greeting cards through The Gallery for Peace and Justice. More information is available through Cindy Burr at the Gallery. Last year’s winning art entries are currently available as note cards, on sale at all Varney’s locations.

MLK, Jr. Art and Writing Contest Winners

ART
Best of Show: Vonnie Neyhart (Adult)
First Place:
   Grades K-2nd: Ava Bahr, Manhattan Catholic School, first grade
   Grades 3-5th: Colin Hohenbary, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, third grade
   Grades 6-8th: Kaitlyn French and Nicki Keller, Amanda Arnold Elementary School, sixth grade
   Grades 9-12th: Heather Goodenow, Rock Creek High School, sophomore
   Adult: Mary Gordon, Kansas State University
Honorable Mentions: Mason Camera, Manhattan Catholic School, fourth grade; Jazmin Gantt, Lee Elementary School, third grade; and Erin Logan (Adult)

WRITING
Best of Show: Karis Ryu, Manhattan Catholic School, seventh grade
First Place:
   Grades K-2nd: Rachel Corn, Manhattan Catholic School, second grade
   Grades 3-5th: Elizabeth Hohn, Amanda Arnold Elementary School, fourth grade
   Grades 6-8th: Macie Frakes, Manhattan Catholic School, eighth grade
   Adult: Christy Sauer
Honorable Mentions: Breigh Brockman, Manhattan Catholic School, second grade; and Carly Smith, Manhattan Catholic School, eighth grade

Buck

2012-01-18T10:31:00.000-06:00

Buck Brannaman spends his life traveling throughout the U.S. teaching people to communicate with their horses. A consultant on The Horse Whisperer, Brannaman has a quiet way of calming horses and showing them what is expected of them. In the inspiring documentary Buck we get to follow his story as he grows from an abused child to a man who's lessons touch the lives of horses and the people who ride them.

New Year, New Beginnings

2012-01-15T14:08:00.000-06:00

by Mary Newkirk- Adult Services Librarian

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan. To make a New Year’s Resolution is to be an optimist.
A few weeks of this new year have already passed but 2012 is still merely an infant. With nearly 350 days left which we can either wisely use or waste, may I suggest a few books to spark your interest in making improvements or changes in your life. Enjoy the quotes from the famous and infamous that reflect humor and wisdom in each of these categories.

To improve intellect or brain power- Do you feel one taco short of a combination plate or dumb as a fence post? These books will challenge your thinking and exercise your brain.
Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything Joshua Foer
How to Be a Genius John Woodward – Children’s department
Embracing the Wide Sky: A Tour Across the Horizons of the Mind Daniel Tammet
Brain Power Game Plan: Foods, Moods and Games to Clear Brain Fog, Boost Memory and Age-Proof Your Mind Editors Prevention and Cynthia R. Green, PhD
The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You’ve Been Told About Genetics, Talent and IQ is Wrong David Shenk

Self Improvement- We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential. ~Ellen Goodman
One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. ~John Burroughs
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey
18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction and Get the Right Things Done” Peter Bregman (new book, soon to be available)
Fortytude: Making the Next Decades the Best Years of Your Life Through the 40s, 50s, and Beyond Sarah Brokaw
Empowerment: The Art of Creating Your Life As You Want It David Gershon
The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential…in Business and In Life Leo Babauta

Spirituality- You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman. ~Max Lucado
Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto man His Son hath given; While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year to all the earth. ~Martin Luther
Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well Billy Graham
Falling Upward: Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life Richard Rohr
Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words Brian McLaren
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy Donald Kraybill
Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life James S.J. Martin

Diet and Exercise- People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas. ~Author Unknown
Chic & Slim Toujours: Aging Beautifully Like Those Chic French Women Anne Barone
21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart: Boost Metabolism, Lower Cholesterol, and Dramatically Improve Your Health Neal Barnard
Carrots ‘n’ Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time Tina Haupert,
Cleanse Your body, Clear Your Mind: Eliminate Environmental Toxins to Lose Weight, Increase Energy, and Reverse Illness in 30 Days or Less Jeffrey A. Morrison.
20 Years Younger: Look Younger, Feel Younger, Be Younger Bob Greene

Humor- A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown
Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn
I Didn’t Ask to be Born (but I’m Glad I Was) Bill Cosby
Best Friends, Occasional Enemies: The Lighter Side of Life as a Mother and Daughter Lisa Scottoline
Cool, Calm and Contentious Merrill Markoe
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) Mindy Kaling

Organization and Time Management- Nothing is as far away as one minute ago. ~Jim Bishop
How Did I Get So Busy?: The 28-day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule and Reconnect With What Matters Most Valerie Burton
One Year to an Organized Life: From Your Closets to Your Finances, The Week-by Week Guide to Getting Completely Organized For Good Regina Leeds
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity David Allen
The Other 8 Hours: Maximize Your Free Time to Create New Wealth and Purpose Robert Pagliarini

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. ~Brooks Atkinson

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

2012-01-13T11:27:00.000-06:00

With the death of her mother, spinster Roxanna Rowan finds herself alone in Revolutionary War Virginia without prospects, suitors, or a home. She escapes to her beloved father, a soldier on the Kentucky frontier, arriving just in time to hear of his death. When the dashing but cold Colonel Cassius McLinn offers her a position as his scrivener, she has little choice but to take it. Rumors circulate of McLinn's questionable family and past, but Roxanna begins to learn of his true character as a man with many regrets, but a steadfast and caring nature. In the midst of the desolate and cruel landscape of war, Roxanna provides Cassius with light, hope, and a reason to reexamine his faith.

Based loosely on the life of George Rogers Clark, The Colonel's Lady is a fascinating look at the Kentucky frontier, military life during the Revolutionary period, and the work lives of women. Frantz has created a story that touches both the heart and the mind.

The Forgotten Affairs of Youth

2012-01-12T17:00:00.000-06:00

The prolific Scottish medical lawyer and author, Alexander McCall-Smith, keeps me regularly supplied with reading . I can hardly keep up with his four different series along with all the other new novels calling to me as a librarian. He has written over 60 books including academic titles and children's books.
The Forgotten Affairs of Youth is the latest in his Isabel Dalhousie series. Edinburgh is the setting for this contemplative philosopher. This time Isabel is asked to help find parents of a woman who was adopted as a child. The complications involved in the discovery of the possible father make us evaluate when secrets are alright to keep. Should the man who wants to claim paternity be told that he probably isn't the father, and should the one who would not be happy to find out about his child be forced to face his unknown history?
There are other story vignettes that keep us thinking about subtle moral dilemmas such as Isabel's mushroom poisoning which involves the delicatessen Isabel's niece, Cat owns, a paper submitted to Isabel's philosophical publication that was written under an assumed name and the love story's continuation between Isabel and her Jamie.

The Prince of Ravenscar by Catherine Coulter

2012-01-11T17:48:00.000-06:00

Julian Monroe returns to his English home, Ravenscar, after 3 years away, time spent mourning the mysterious death of his wife Lily. There are those in Lily's family who believe that Julian murdered his wife and are looking for revenge. His mother is overjoyed that Julian has returned home and chooses Sophie Wilkie, the daughter of a dear friend, as the woman she wishes her son to marry. Sophie and her aunt Roxanne are invited to Ravenscar, where they are joined by Julian's friend and nephew, Devlin Brabante. Sophie and Roxanne are strong, independent women who are witty and intelligent. Devlin and Justin are intelligent, handsome and honorable men, and the four are embroiled in past mysteries and in kidnappings and plots of revenge. Julian comes to learn about his father and their relationship and why his father referred to him as The Prince of Ravenscar. Filled with witty dialog and gothic romance, Coulter's latest novel provides an entertaining escape into the past.

Classic and Award-Winning Westerns

2012-01-08T17:35:00.000-06:00

by Susan Withee
Adult Services Manager

    Every month, the librarians of Manhattan Public Library’s Adult Services Department read and discuss books from a different chosen fiction genre or subject area. We do this in order to keep informed about good books to recommend to our readers and also to challenge ourselves to read outside our usual preferences. This month we tackled Westerns, and for most of us it’s been a departure and a pleasant surprise.
    Genre fiction is considered to be written according to a roughly recognizable formula. The most popular fiction genres are mysteries, science fiction, fantasies, romances, and Westerns. Traditionally, Westerns have been short adventure novels of the legendary Old West (not necessarily factually accurate Western history), taking place on the moving edge of the American frontier throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. They offer a simple writing style and straightforward plot featuring lots of action and strong and self-reliant heroes (or heroines) who are engaged in the timeless conflicts of good vs. evil, man against nature, culture vs. culture. Westerns have made the transition to film with great success and have been updated and re-interpreted into stories of superheroes and Star Wars’ space cowboys.
    Just as mysteries have come a long way from Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple to Jeffry Lindsay’s Dexter Morgan, Westerns have come a long way from the early novels of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour. Today’s Westerns offer a wider spectrum of settings, characters, and time frames, and also more depth and moral ambiguity in their plots. In spite of the concept of formula fiction, there are endless permutations to the formula and literary quality is often superb. Reading a good Western can be an engrossing, enjoyable, and satisfying experience.
    If you’re not already a Western fan and want to give one a try, a great source for book suggestions is the list of nominees and winners of the Spur Award, annual prize of the Western Writers of America. In addition to such classics of print and film as The Virginian by Owen Wister, The Ox-bow Incident by Walter Clark, Shane by Jack Schaefer, and True Grit by Charles Portis, you’ll find recent winners and best-sellers like:

Last Train from Cuernavaca by Lucia St. Clair Robson, winner of a 2011 Spur Award and a rare woman-authored, female-protagonist Western;
Summer of Pearls by Mike Blakely, featuring a riverboat community and the Great Caddo Lake Pearl Rush of 1874;
Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead, described by the Dallas Morning News as a “thinking reader’s Western”;
Bound for the Promise-Land by Troy D. Smith, the saga of Alfred Mann, a freed slave, Civil War soldier, Buffalo Soldier, and Medal of Honor winner, and his quest to rise above ignorance and intolerance;
Masterson by Richard S. Wheeler, a “sprightly romp” (Publisher’s Weekly), featuring legendary gunfighter Bat Masterson as an aging, hard-drinking curmudgeon intent on revisiting the locales of his past adventures with his young common-law wife Emma;
Valdez Is Coming or 3:10 to Yuma by Elmore Leonard and The Undertaker’s Wife or The Branch and Scaffold by Loren Estleman, both prolific writers of bestselling contemporary fiction as well.

    Other titles to look for: Stranger in Thunder Basin or Trouble at the Redston e by John D. Nesbitt; The Hanging Judge by Lyle Brandt; Vengeance Valley by Richard S. Wheeler; The Way of the Coyote by Elmer Kelton; The Trespassers by Andrew J. Fenady; A Cold Place in Hell by William Blinn; Dreams Beneath Your Feet by Win Blevins; Killstraight or Camp Ford by Johnny D. Boggs; The Sergeant’s Lady by Miles Swarthout.
    For readers wanting books with a woman’s perspective on the Western experience, try winners of the Willa Award, an annual prize given by the writers’ group “Women Writing the West,” named in honor of author Willa Cather (O Pioneers, My Antonia). Look for popular authors Sandra Dallas, Jane Kirkpatrick, Molly Gloss, Cindy Bonner, Jeanne Williams, Jo-Ann Mapson, Jana Richman, Bess Streeter Aldrich, Pamela Nowak, Loula Grace Erdman, Elizabeth Crook, Augusta Locke, Nancy E. Turner, Sandi Ault, and Kim Wiese, to name just a few.

Carrie Goes Off the Map

2012-01-06T16:37:00.000-06:00

Phillipa Ashley's new novel is a funny and entertaining romance. Carrie and Huw have been together for 10 years and are in the process of finally planning their wedding when Huw abruptly ends their relationship. Carrie is angry and hurt and creates an embarrassing scene at Huw's wedding to someone else. Not knowing what the next steps in her life will hold, Carrie decides to head off in a small camper van on a road trip with her best friend Rowena. The plans sound great until an acting job turns up for Rowena and she backs out of the trip plans. Not wanting her friend to miss her much-needed vacation, Rowena arranges for someone else to accompany Carrie on the trip. That someone else is Matt--a handsome doctor who has been sent home from his medical mission on a Pacific island following a traumatic accident. He is at loose ends on his leave and welcomes the chance to travel with no schedule or set destination. With lots of fun dialog, touching scenes and likable characters, Carrie Goes off the Map is a lighthearted and witty romance that will warm your heart.

2012-01-04T15:25:00.000-06:00

Wendell Berry takes us on a trip down memory lane in his novel Hannah Coulter. Hannah is a retired farm wife who spends her time walking her property, watching the seasons change, and reflecting on her life in the small Kentucky town of Port William. She remembers a tough childhood in the depression that was cushioned by the care of a beloved grandmother, her first husband who died in World War II, and her second husband who she made a life with. She tells the story of a life where they learned to do without but were rich with community. We also see the decline of the farm economy and the migration of young people away from the town that raised them. Hannah Coulter is a heartbreaking yet hopeful story about family, marriage, and rural life.

The Drops of God, V. 1 by Tadashi Agi

2012-01-02T18:46:00.000-06:00

Shizuku Kanzaki works in sales for a beer company and has never tasted so much as a sip of wine in his life. This was his act of rebellion against his famous wine critic father, Yutaka Kanzaki. When his father unexpectedly passes away, Shizuku finds that his estate and world-renowned wine collection will not pass to him as a matter of course. To inherit, he must compete against a young wine critic prodigy to identify twelve wines described in rich detail in Yutaka Kanzaki's will, as well as a wine known as "The Drops of God," that "stands above them all."

If you are a wine lover or enjoyed the movie Sideways for its wine references, this is the manga for you. The Drops of God series was a huge hit in Japan and in France and is only now being released in English six years after its original publication. All the wines written about in the series are real, so you can learn about wines that cost a month's worth of an average salary or some hidden gems in the $20-30 range.

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

2012-01-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

The year is 1803 and the Darcy's are preparing for Lady Anne's Ball, a long-standing tradition at Pemberley. Darcy and Elizabeth have been married several years and have settled into life at the estate with their two sons and with Bingley and Jane living near-by. In the midst of their preparations, a carriage races up to the house with a hysterical Lydia Wickham inside. Her plan was to surprise Elizabeth by showing up at the ball uninvited, with Wickham (who has not been welcome for many years at Pemberley) remaining at a local inn with his friend Captain Denney. During the dark and rainy ride through the woodlands, Denny and Wickham argue, with Denny leaving the carriage and Wickham following him into the woods. Shots are fired, Lydia races to Pemberley, a search party is formed and Darcy and Fitzwilliam find Wickham bent over the bloody and dead body of Denny. Wickham is arrested as the main suspect and is placed on trial for the murder of his friend.
James has captured the original spirit of Pride and Prejudice and introduces new aspects of many of the chararacters that are so appealing in Austen's work. James also conveys interesting information about the English legal system as well as the social system of the time. Death Comes to Pemberley offers a new view of life at Pemberley and a plot with twists and turns and an unexpected conclusion--an entertaining return to the world of the Darcy's.

Paper Covers Rock

2011-12-30T09:20:00.000-06:00

Paper Covers Rock is a new Young Adult novel by Jenny Hubbard. It has recently been named a finalist for the William C. Morris Award which honors first-time authors that write for teens. The setting of the book is an all boys’ boarding school on the east coast in 1982. It is narrated by Alex, a 17 year old boy who has just witnessed the drowning of one of his friends, Thomas. The reader is privy to all of Alex’s thoughts which he records in his journal that he keeps hidden behind a copy of Moby Dick in the school’s library. It is obvious from the first couple of pages that there is more to the drowning than meets the eye. Although the drowning has been ruled accidental, there is way more to the story than Alex and his friend Glenn are telling. The reader watches as Alex struggles with guilt and must decide whether to keep secrets and protect himself and Glenn or to confide in his teacher, Miss Dovecott who recognizes that Alex is withholding the truth. The secrets that Alex is keeping are gradually revealed in his journal over the course of the book. However, the reader is kept guessing up until the very end which direction Alex will choose to take. As an added bonus, the book is filled with original poetry that Alex writes in his journal which is quite good even aside from the rest of the book. If you enjoyed A Separate Peace by John Knowles give this book a try.

A Place Called Home by Jo Goodman

2011-12-29T10:00:00.000-06:00

Mitch Baker is a single man--a political cartoonist--enjoying life when his world is turned upside-down. His closest friends are killed in an auto accident and he and Thea Wyndham are named as guardians for three young children. Thea is no where to be found in the aftermath of the accident, leaving Mitch to make a home for the children and try to help them through their grief. When she finally arrives on the scene, she is terrified to accept the responsibility of helping to raise the children. Both Mitch and Thea are involved in romantic relationships, and their partners are not thrilled with the idea of accepting three children into their lives. As the story unfolds, Mitch begins to understand the reasons for Thea's reluctance to become part of the children's family, but he insists that their friends wanted both of them to be involved in raising the children. As Mitch and Thea struggle to be the parents the children need, they learn about themselves and what they truly want from life. A Place Called Home is a touching romance with lots of laughter and tears, and characters who come to realize that love is the foundation of a family--a heartwarming novel from author Jo Goodman.

2011-12-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

It’s a good time of year to curl up with a cup of tea and a book to escape from the pressures of the world for awhile, and what better place is there to escape to than the Irish countryside. In Born in Fire, Nora Roberts tells the story of glass artist Maggie Concannon who copes with her painful past by keeping to herself and living for her art. Gallery owner Rogan Sweeney sees her potential in his plan to promote Irish artists and determinedly pursues her. You know how the story will end, but getting to know Maggie and Rogan, along with Dublin and the Irish countryside is a delight.

2011-12-26T15:41:00.000-06:00

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
In her debut novel, Still Missing, Annie's life is great: she has a handsome, attentive boyfriend; loyal friends; and a real-estate career on the upswing. Then, at an open house one sunny afternoon, a stranger with tousled blond hair and a pleasant manner kidnaps her, takes her to a remote cabin, rapes and enslaves her. It’s the beginning of her year-long ordeal. Annie finally manages to escape. Afterward, during sessions with her psychologist, Annie takes the reader back to her abduction and narrates how she struggled to survive during and after the horror. Stevens' dark, mesmerizing character study follows a twisted path from victim-hood toward self-empowerment.

In Chevy’s second novel, Never Knowing, the setup is tantalizing. Sara Gallagher has always known she was adopted, but she suddenly feels a sense of urgency about tracking down her birth parents. She is about to marry the love of her life and also because she is the mother of a six-year-old and would at least like to know her own medical history. Then Sara learns that her birth mother is the only surviving victim of the notorious Campsite Killer, who was never caught, and that the Campsite killer/rapist is her father. When the news is leaked on the web, Sara's life becomes surreal, especially after her birth father starts calling her.

London Subterranean

2011-12-25T10:00:00.000-06:00

By Marcia Allen
Technical Services & Collections Manager

·    City fathers decided the city of London required a new county hall in 1910. When construction crews began excavating the site, they stumbled upon the immense ruins of a Roman galley.

·    The bombings of London during World War II obviously caused massive destruction. From the ruins, however, were exposed the foundations of an ancient Roman fort. Further reconstruction revealed a complete Roman bath-house located beneath Thames Street.

·    Treasure-seekers frequently stumble upon dusty mugs and other half-hidden artifacts near the Fleet River. The site once housed the Gaol of London, an 800-year-old prison that was leveled in 1845.

    Those fond of reading history, archaeology, or travel literature will find a rare treasure in Peter Ackroyd’s new book entitled London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets. This thin book is an astounding guide to the unexpected ruins left behind by the passing of the years. As Ackroyd says in his opening paragraph:

“Tread carefully over the pavements of London for you are treading on skin, a skein of stone that covers rivers and labyrinths, tunnels and chambers, streams and caverns, pipes and cables, springs and passages, crypts sand sewers, creeping things that will never see the light of day.”

Given that caution, who could resist the promise of Ackroyd’s expertise? What follows immediately captures readers’ attention. There is, for example, an entire section on London sewers. The oldest known treatment of sewage is said to have occurred during the thirteenth century, when pipes were installed in some areas to carry waste underground. As early as 1531, London had a formal board of officials who supervised the sewers and authorized the installation of new ones. That was certainly an improvement over the open fetid pits previously used, but still there were some serious problems. Methane gas explosions and “the great stink” of 1858 were major setbacks for human hygiene. And the horrifying tales of cholera outbreaks and the reports of gargantuan rats roaming the dark tunnels go on and on.

Yet another section describes the burial grounds, some of them quite old, located throughout the city. The grave of Celsus, a policeman from long ago, was located in Camomile Street. Ackroyd assures the reader that there were as many as 200 separate burial sites located within the city, many of which are no longer marked. He reminds us that the cemetery of Christ Church, Spitalfields, was open for 130 years beginning in 1729, and that during that time, an unbelievable 68,000 people were interred within its walls.

Obviously, London has undergone great cosmetic change. The first established community, for example, began to sink almost before it was completed. This was due to the mixture of sand clay, chalk and gravel upon which the city was built. As a result, above-ground housing soon became basement-level dwellings. How did the citizens deal with the sinking? They continued to build atop ground level, so that now the original dwellings lie some 30 feet below the surface. Of course, old roadways, houses and personal belongings became part of the well-packed detritus of history.

Ackroyd’s accounts of found treasure are perhaps the most fascinating tales of the book. He reminds us that a huge stone head, crafted to resemble the emperor Hadrian, was discovered in the bed of the Thames in 1832. Further, an intact crypt of a long-forgotten monastery was exposed when workers were digging on Bouverie Street in 1867. A long-hidden trap door was uncovered in 1865 when workers were repairing Oxford Street. Curious investigators pried open the door to reveal a large room, in which a formal pool or bath was still being fed by a bubbling spring.

Ackroyd’s London underground is surely a place of evil, of trepidation. Prisons, he reminds us, were originally built underground. And the tunnels beneath the city were used extensively by criminals for hundreds of years. A natural fear of the unknown adds to uneasiness toward what lies beneath the surface.
But Ackroyd’s underground is also a place of grand adventure. The forgotten booty of another age frequently astonishes those who find such treasures. And the old reminders of past lives tell their own wonderful stories. This lovely little book is a brief glimpse of the world as it once was.

Journey into Christmas and Other Stories by Bess Streeter Aldrich

2011-12-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

It's never too late to read a Christmas story of love and good cheer. At this time of year our complicated, harried world can be overwhelming. Take a few minutes to relax with a book such as Journey Into Christmas and Other Stories by the beloved writer, Bess Streeter Aldrich. Her uplifting, short vignettes of holiday memories during times of a less hurried generation are just what I needed. I particularly enjoyed "Christmas on the Prairies" from her classic A Lantern in Her Hand.
The Christmas fiction and non-fiction display books have been flying off the shelves as though they were trying to jump into Santa's sleigh. We still have a few available for check-out and the early December check-outs are beginning to come back in. Stop by for a seasonal read and have a very Merry Christmas!

Buried Secrets by Joseph Finder

2011-12-22T09:51:00.000-06:00

Nick Heller, private "spy", is called upon to investigate the kidnapping of Alexa Marcus, the daughter of a friend and billionaire. Heller is a former Navy Seal/Black Ops agent with connections in various government agencies, and he uses those contacts in his efforts to learn why Alexa was taken, who are the kidnappers and what do they want? As a video feed comes into her father's computer showing Alexa buried underground, and left with a limited supply of air, food and water, Heller realizes that this is a life-or-death race to locate her. In a shadowy world of secrets and conspiracies, Heller fights to find the truth and is drawn into a world of international subterfuge and deadly opponents. This is a fast paced, suspenseful thriller with interesting characters and many plot twists and turns. Author Joseph Finder has created a fascinating and complex main character in Nick Heller--first introduced in the book Vanished. Buried Secrets is a novel that will draw you in from the start and will keep you glued to the pages until the end--a wonderfully written story!

All Our Worldly Goods

2011-12-20T09:30:00.000-06:00

Irene Nemirovsky died in Auschwitzconcentration camp along with perhaps over a million others. She was from an enormously wealthy Jewish-Russian family that had to flee to France during the 1917 Russian Revolution. A celebrated author and mother of two, Nemirovlsky converted toCatholicism yet her Jewish heritage was the cause of her death.

Beforethe war she had attended the Sorbonne and begun writing at the age of 18. She married a Jewish banker and had twochildren and she continued as a successful writer with several of her booksadapted as movies and a play.

Fiveyears after her death, All Our WorldlyGoods was published. It is a beautifulstory of love between a man and women from different classes who go against theirparent’s wishes and marry. The wealthy demandingpatriarch makes life difficult for this couple who won’t deny their love inspite of his demands. We follow thiscouple through the first World War and then suffer the horror of it happeningall over again for their children as Hitler comes to power. All OurWorldly Goods is a lovely story of the resilience of the human spirit when thepower of love exits between two people. Another recent addition to our collection is The Mirador: Dreamed Memories of Irene Nemirovsky By Her Daughter.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

2011-12-19T11:28:00.000-06:00

Are you stressed out and overworked from all of your Christmas shopping, baking, decorating, and other holiday activities? Bring the fun back into Christmas by checking out the hilarious Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book by Brian Miller, Adam Paulson, and Kevin Wool. It will have you laughing all the way through and by the end you will be much more relaxed and jolly. The book is purported to be a “how-to” book on throwing an ugly Christmas sweater party. There are a few short chapters with party suggestions such as games, music, food and drinks, and awarding prizes. The majority of the “how-to” section is very tongue in cheek, and not intended to be serious suggestions. For instance, there is a particularly humorous section on how to pick out that perfect Christmas sweater. If you want to win the prize for the ugliest sweater, the authors suggest that your sweater must not only be ugly, but also engage the five senses. Some ways to do this are by adding 3D effects, bells or chimes, edible items, and other interactive items such as pinecones or reindeer fur. You could even add some vanilla extract or rub yourself with pine scented air fresheners! The real star of the book, however, is the number of pages of over-the-top ugly Christmas sweaters with hilarious titles and descriptions. It’s a short book, so if you still haven’t gotten enough, check out the authors’ website UglyChristmasSweaterParty.com to peruse more ugly Christmas sweaters.

MLK Jr. Art, Writing and Video Contest

2011-12-18T13:23:00.000-06:00

By Janene Hill
Young Adult Librarian, Manhattan Public Library

In 1962, Manhattan’s Douglass School was closed, allowing for the complete integration of Manhattan elementary schools. The 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Writing, and Video contests focuses that 50-year anniversary with the theme: Looking Back, Looking Forward: 50 Years of Change. This theme encourages contest participants to look at their community, their family, and their lives and how the past 50 years have changed, or not changed, in regards of Dr. King’s overriding message of non-violence, social justice, and building bridges between racial and ethnic divisions.

Each year, the MLK Contest Committee directs the contest with support from Manhattan’s MLK Memorial Committee and sponsored by Manhattan Public Library, the Caroline Peine Charitable Foundation, Manhattan Library Association, and The Gallery for Peace and Justice.

Added Features
For 2012, the Contest Committee decided to add two new aspects to the contest: 1) a video category, and 2) a group entry option.
Video submissions will be accepted written to disc to be played on computer or DVD player. Three to five minute videos can be in any style. While the Contest Committee envisioned short narratives, interviews, reenactments, or even something set to music, this category will allow budding videographers to express their creativeness in numerous ways.
Group entries will be allowed for the first time, allowing for small groups or classrooms to work on a project together and submit the work. After much consideration, the Contest Committee decided group entries could, in many cases, be the easiest way for teachers or group leaders to get many kids involved in a teachable project at the same time. All members must be listed on the entry form but only one prize will awarded per entry. The group should enter grade category based on average participant age.

General Information
As always, all participants must live or attend school in Riley or adjacent counties in Kansas.
Participants of all ages are encouraged! This includes KSU students, parents, teachers, and community members who can enter the post-High School age group. Entries will be judged in five age groups: K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th, 6-8th, 9th-12th grade, and post High School.
Entry deadline for all entries is 6 p.m., Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz Avenue. Entries will not be accepted after this time as judging will take place the following day.

Submission Requirements
All submissions must be original works created by the entrant. A completed entry form must be attached to the work. Only one writing in each category will be accepted by any person or group.

Artwork
Entries can be in any medium on a two-dimensional scale and must be no larger than 20 inches by 30 inches.
Artwork is judged based on: artistic quality, originality, creativity, presentation of theme, content, and relevance.

Writing
May be a letter, poem, memoir, story of a personal experience, or other appropriate form no longer than 500 words. Entries must be typed or legibly written. Writing is judged based on: writing style, originality, creativity, presentation of theme, content, and relevance. Writing entries will be subject to plagiarism checks.

Videos
A three to five minute piece, which may be an interview, reenactment, musical or theatrical performance, movie short, animation, or other appropriate form. Entry should be written to disc to be played on computer or DVD player. Copyright laws must be followed and all persons appearing must give consent.
Videos are judged based on: production value, originality, creativity, presentation of theme, content, and relevance. Video entries will be subject to copyright checks.

Prizes
First place and honorable mention awards given in each of the five age groups, with one Best of Show winner recognized from all entries for each of the three categories.
Winners will be contacted by Wednesday, January 11. Creators of winning entries will be asked to participate in the MLK Youth Celebration sponsored by HandsOn Kansas State on Sunday, January 15, and an awards ceremony during the Martin Luther King, Jr. community celebration on Monday, January 16 at Manhattan Town Center.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Caroline Peine Charitable Foundation, over $1000 worth of prizes will be awarded through individual prizes and educational supplies for winners’ classrooms.
With signed permission, selected entries may be published, broadcast and/or displayed throughout the Manhattan community. Winning and selected entries may also be used for publishing in a calendar and/or greeting cards developed and distributed by The Gallery for Peace and Justice.
For more information, click the MLK Contest link on the MPL homepage, or call 776-4741 ext. 170.

Legend by Marie Lu

2011-12-17T14:39:00.000-06:00

The United States of America no longer exists. The western states are now known as the Republic and the east is known as the Colonies. The two have been fighting for as long as anyone in the Republic can remember and all resources are devoted to the war effort. June was born into privilege and had all possible advantages growing up. She is a military prodigy and will likely achieve a high military post when her training is completed. Day was born into the slums of Los Angeles and is now a wanted criminal for his activities hindering the military.

June and Day are thrown together when June's first assignment is tracking and catching Day. June may be certain she wants to catch Day in the beginning, but as time goes on, it becomes less and less clear to her that the Republic is always right and Day is the one committing the most serious crimes.

Legend is Lu's debut and is a taut dystopian thriller, the first in a planned trilogy. The book has received positive reviews from The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. This one will appeal to readers who liked the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Definitely a series to watch. Fast-paced, exciting, and has the potential to make a great trilogy.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

2011-12-16T18:29:00.000-06:00

by Winifred Watson
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a charming story originally written in 1938. As Miss Pettigrew arrives at Delysia LaFosse's flat to interview for what she thinks is a governess position, she is whirled into the dizzying pace of Miss LaFosse's social life. Even before a how-di-do, Miss LaFasse presents Miss Pettigrew with a problem that must be solved immediately. The man in her bedroom must be gotten out without a trace of his being there and he mustn't know Miss LaFosse desires him to leave. Now, before I go any farther, you must know that Miss Pettigrew is a dowdy non-worldly woman who blushes at even the thought of a couple's kiss, while Miss LaFosse is a world wise woman with three men on the line. With determination (this may be her last chance at a job) Miss Pettigrew resolves to do what she is asked, even if it goes against her upbringing. Almost before the breeze of the man's passing is gone, a second man appears at her door with great suspicion & searches the flat for evidence of the other man. Miss Pettigrew doesn't miss a beat when he finds a cigar butt in the kitchen, "'Young man...if there's one thing I completely abominate it's the effeminate type of man that snaps round a house like an old, peeking busybody....If I want to smoke cheroots, I'll smoke cheroots,...Have one. I can recommend them.' Miss Pettigrew opened her bag. She took out a worn packet of cheroots." As Miss Pettigrew continues to help Delysia out of her many self made predicaments, Delysia turns Miss Pettigrew into a beautiful companion for her day filled with social affairs. This Cinderella, from rags to almost riches, story is a delight to read. I've heard the movie is fun too.

Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right by Kieran Kramer

2011-12-13T14:15:00.000-06:00

For years, Lady Poppy Smith-Barnes has pined for her true love, the Duke of Drummond. At least that’s what she’s been telling all her suitors so that she could maintain her spinster status. The imaginary duke that her cook created for the use of fairy tales and love stories served Poppy well, until the day the man himself walked into a ball and asked her to dance. Drummond, who has come to London from his quiet life in the North because he has been ordered to find a bride, sees his opportunity and quickly traps Poppy in her own lie. Their betrothal pulls them both into a world of deception and intrigue, forcing them to work together and revealing their common thirst for adventure. With plenty of spice and wit, Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right continues Kramer’s Impossible Bachelors series in fine form.

Marzi: A Memoir by Marzena Sowa

2011-12-12T18:38:00.000-06:00

This simply but beautifully illustrated graphic novel tells the story of Marzi, a young girl coming of age behind the Iron Curtain. Marzena Sowa was born in 1979 in Stalowa Wola, Poland. The majority of this graphic novel, written as a series of vignettes, takes place in the years leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Ms. Sowa manages to demonstrate both the uncertainty of the time and the joys and wonder any child can find in the world. She and her friends often act out the visit the Pope made to Poland. She talks about her anxiety when her father is away from home for days at a time when he and his fellow factory workers go on strike. She also describes carefree summer days visiting her grandmother and playing with her cousins in the country. Presenting this story as a series of vignettes is very powerful. These snippets of a childhood spent in a country with stores filled with empty shelves and celebrations where people only show up and cheer because that's what's expected provide a unique perspective of a country that was shrouded in secrecy for decades.

Some other wonderful memoirs told in graphic novel form are Persepolis and Vietnamerica.

Grammy Nominated Music Available at Your Library

2011-12-11T15:08:00.000-06:00

Although many of us are rushing around getting ready for theholidays right now, this is also the time of the year for awards nominations,including the Grammy nominations which were announced last week. For your listening pleasure, we have a goodcollection of the nominated titles available for you at Manhattan PublicLibrary.

The two most prominent performers that you’ll be hearingabout are Adele and Bruno Mars. Adele isa British singer classified as Pop, although her album 21 exhibits influencefrom blues, gospel and even country. Also classified as Pop, Mars’ album doo-wops & hooligans carriesstrains of Reggae, R&B, soul, and hip hop.

The Best Pop Duo category has some genre-crossing songs, aswell. “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster thePeople is on the album Torches which is also nominated in the BestAlternative Album category. A tributealbum called Rave On Buddy Holly includes “Dearest” performed by The BlackKeys. Other nominated Pop albums you cangrab at the library are Teenage Dream by Katy Perry, Born This Way by LadyGaga, Loud by Rihanna, The Road From Memphis by Booker T. Jones, and The Gift by Susan Boyle who rose to world-wide fame after a TV appearance on “Britain’s GotTalent.”

For those who want their music a bit more on the edge, checkout Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons, a London indie rock quartet that strives tomake “music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously.” Recorded entirely on analog, Wasting Lightby the Foo Fighters brings in 4 nominations.

If you like Rock, you might like this royal roundup: The King is Dead by The Decemberists, The King of Limbs by Radiohead, and Come Around Sundown by the Kings of Leon. You might also enjoy the Alternative category nominations Codes and Keys by Death Cab for Cutie and Circuital by My Morning Jacket.

The highlighted R&B albums are Love Letter by R.Kelly, which pays tribute to Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke and F.A.M.E. by ChrisBrown, which includes collaborations with Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne andothers. Also in the R&B category is theBob Marley cover “Is This Love” from Corinne Bailey Rae’s album The Love EP,Raphael Saadiq’s “Good Man” from his album Stone Rollin’, and El DeBarge’s Second Chance, which he describes as his “spiritual memoir”.

Moving into rap, we have Lasers by Lupe Fiasco, which hecalls “an album with a mission.” WizKhalifa’s debut album, Rolling Papers has songs that were nominated for bothBest Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. A nomination for Best Rap/Sung collaboration comes from the ever-popularBeyoncé along with André on her album 4.

Going in a completely different direction, the Countrynominations are led by recent Country Stampede performer Blake Shelton’s Red River Blue and Taylor Swift’s entirely self-composed album, Speak Now withnominations also for My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean, Play On by CarrieUnderwood, Blessed by Lucinda Williams and Own the Night by LadyAntebellum. The group Civil Wars appearsin both Country and Folk categories for their album Barton Hollow. In other Folk nominations, we have SteveEarle’s tribute to Townes Van Zandt entitled I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive, Helplessness Blues by the Fleet Foxes, and The Harrow & the Harvest by Gillian Welch. InBluegrass we have Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss and Rare Bird Alert bySteve Martin, yes that SteveMartin. Remember the banjo he often usedin his comedy? Now we get to hear thefull range of his talents.

Starting off our Blues category is husband/wife teamTedeschi Trucks Band with their album Revelator, followed by Gregg Allman’s Low Country Blues and Warren Haynes’ Man in Motion. Rounding things out with a bit of Jazz is Bird Songs by Us Five.

Quite a list and there's still time to listen before theawards are given! Stop by and we'll behappy to assist you. Or you can alwayscheck our online catalog to see what's available or to place a hold on an itemthat's currently checked-out. If youjust like to see what new music we have, there is always a list on the frontpage, “Library Info” tab, of the catalog.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

2011-12-08T12:13:00.000-06:00

In State of Wonder , Patchett takes the reader into the primitive world of the Amazon in Brazil. MarinaSingh gave up a career as a doctor after botching an emergency delivery as anintern, opting instead for the more orderly world of research for apharmaceutical company. While trying to locate a rogue scientist, Dr. AnnickSwenson, Marina’s colleague and friend, Anders Eckman, is reported to have died in thejungle. Marina isasked by her company's CEO to locate his body and communicate with themysterious and uncommunicative Dr. Swenson. The doctor has been working on afertility drug by studying the Lakashipeople, whose women bear children into old age. Marina’s search is fraught with poisonous snakesand poisonous memories, malarial mosquitoes and sickening losses, but her timeamong the Lakashi tribe is transformative. Patchett exhibits an extraordinaryability to bring the horrors and the wonders of the Amazon jungle to life, andher singular characters are wonderfully drawn. Part scientific thriller,part engaging personal odyssey, "State of Wonder" is a suspensefuljungle adventure with an unexpected ending and other assorted surprises.

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler

2011-12-07T11:41:00.000-06:00

At a gruesome murder scene in Stockholm, a 15 year-old boy is found alive, despite his severe injuries. In order to obtain information about the attacker, police Detective Joona Linna asks Dr. Erik Marie Bark to hypnotize the victim. Bark hesitates but agrees, recalling one of his earlier cases when hypnotizing a patient went horribly wrong. The hypnotism of victim Joseph Ek provides information about the killer, but also sets in motion a series of violent and unpredictable acts against the doctor and his family. Linna and Bark must race to discover who is behind the violence before an innocent child is killed. The Hypnotist is a taut psychological thriller filled with action, suspense, unexpected twists and occasional intense violence. This is the first novel by Lars Kepler (actually a husband and wife writing duo), and the beginning of a planned series of novels featuring Detective Joona Linna.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2011-12-06T13:21:00.001-06:00

It's 1996 and Emma Nelson is the proud new owner of a personal computer. Her neighbor and one-time best friend, Josh, brings over an AOL CD-ROM so Emma can use the internet on her computer. When Emma connects she is redirected to a website called Facebook, where she finds the profile of a woman who looks remarkably like an older version of herself, who has the same birth date and graduated from her high school. At first thinking this is a virus or prank loaded on the CD-ROM, Josh and Emma are skeptical, but as their actions change what is happening to the pages of their future selves, they come to realize that it's not a prank. Emma becomes obsessed with changing her future so she'll be happier and Josh wants her to stop changing things because he likes what he sees.

As their actions change things for both better and worse for their future selves, Josh and Emma become more aware of the choices they are making in their present.

This original new novel is an interesting look at how a teenager in 1996 would react to seeing something like Facebook years before its time. It also explores how decisions made on a daily basis can change an entire life and how a person might react if they could know what actions would change their future for the better (or the worse). If you liked Before I Fall or Gimme a Call, you'll probably like this one.

The Future of Us is the collaborative effort of bestselling author Jay Asher and Printz Honor winning author Carolyn Mackler.

Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman

2011-12-03T19:30:00.001-06:00

Life in the Canadian wilderness with a handsome Mountie(Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is the story behind Mrs. Mike. This riveting lovestory was written in 1947 by Benedict and Nancy Freedman after Katherine MaryFlannigan shared with them the true adventures of her life. She emigrated to Bostonfrom Irelandin the early 1900’s with her family. Dueto her poor health she needed to leave Bostonfor a dryer climate. Her mother sent herto Calgary, Alberta to her Uncle John’s ranch where shemeets Sergeant Michael Flannigan of the Northwest Mounted. This handsome, self-assured policeman whosupervised a large segment of the Canadian wilderness falls for 16 year oldKatherine Mary and asks her uncle for permission to marry her.

Their life togetheris a beautiful blend of romance, adventure, tragedy, and history. The courage and humanity of both Katherineand Mike is truly heroic as they dealt with the native Indians, sickness anddeath. Mike had to be a doctor and judgeto the brave people that settled this cold, isolated country. Through the trials of living we see theshared joys and sorrows of this committed couple both to their marriage and tothe job that called them to this wild land. There are many tragic scenes in this book that will stay with you for along time, but the way this couple continue through them will also touch yoursoul.

Recently the Freedman’s have written two sequels tothis book from long ago, The Search for Joyful and Kathy Little Bird

Bite by Bite

2011-12-02T09:56:00.000-06:00

Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party is the debut cookbook by Peter Callahan who has been in the catering business over 25 years and has catered for many well-known celebrities. Callahan’s cookbook is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. Each appetizer recipe is beautifully presented with a full page color photograph. What makes this stand out from other cookbooks is the unique presentation of each appetizer. Most of the appetizers are miniature versions of common dishes, such as lasagna, pancakes, hot dogs, Caesar salad, and spaghetti and meatballs. Each appetizer is presented in an imaginative, visually stunning manner. The seemingly mundane dish of baked beans is presented in miniature bacon cups. Barbecue chicken is served on wooden skewers in a tray of wheatgrass. Lemonade is presented in hollowed out lemons with lemon candy sticks and straws. At the end of the book Callahan also has a chapter with appetizer menus for several different types of party themes such as “Untraditional Thanksgiving Dinner.” Each theme comes with helpful tips about planning and serving. No doubt if you had a party using these recipes and presentations, guests would be talking about your party for a long time to come! This cookbook however is probably best for experienced cooks. Many of the recipes are time and labor intensive and contain unusual ingredients. Although, even if you don’t cook a single appetizer from the book, it is thoroughly enjoyable to browse. Just don’t read it on an empty stomach!

Viscount Breckinridge to the Rescue

2011-12-01T13:00:00.000-06:00

Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue, the first book in author Stephanie Laurens' new trilogy about the Cynster sisters, offers strong characters, lots of steamy romance and humor along with a bit of danger and intrigue. Heather Cynster is bored with the season when she meets Timothy Danvers, Viscount Breckenridge, at a party. He escorts her outside to her carriage, only to witness her abduction. He follows the kidnappers to Scotland, where he is able to arrange a clandestine meeting with Heather and arranges her escape. The two must travel across the countryside on foot, hiding in woods and barns to avoid capture by a mysterious man who is tracking them. Heather and Breckenridge engage in a battle of wills--Heather asserts her independence while Breckenridge's protective instincts cause him to attempt to control her. While both have feelings for the other, neither wants to admit to them. Will they be able to learn to share themselves and their feelings with each other? Laurens has created another delightful romance, with an added touch of mystery. Who is the mysterious man and why does he want to kidnap one of the Cynster sisters? The second book in the series, In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster, may offer some answers to these questions.

Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen

2011-11-29T09:53:00.000-06:00

Sarah Pekkanen shows us in her second novel, Skipping a Beat, that you may have it all, but still not have what is important. All marriages are complicated, but going fromhaving very little to immense wealth can be a relationship breaker.
Pekkanen creates a story of two small-townsweethearts that leave their West Virginiaroots and become wealthy entrepreneurs in Washington DC after creating a sports drink. Michael is driven with ambition to run his company, andJulia bides her time with her own successful party planning business. As Michael spends more and more time awayfrom Julia and women in his life make Julia doubt his fidelity their marriagecrumbles until Michael has a near death experience. Coming to terms with both of their mistakesand realizing what in life is worthwhile makes this novel an emotional ridewith laughter and tears.

What’s New in Downloadable Content?

2011-11-28T14:52:00.001-06:00

by John Pecoraro, Assistant Director and Marcia Allen, Technical Services & Collection Manager

ManhattanPublic Library

Why is the downloading option ending at Manhattan PublicLibrary on Monday, December 5th?

Because ofchanges and increased rates for the state-wide consortium, the currentdownloading option is ending. Unfortunately, any requests that you may have inplace will disappear along with the old platform. Currently, the state is in theprocess of building the OneClickDigitalservice for audiobooks, as well as the 3MCloud Library service for ebooks. Oncethese services are in place, borrowerswill be able to follow links from the library website to browse and checkouttitles.

Are there other options offered through the library?

Beginning on Monday, November 28^th,those who prefer reading devices can download ebooks from thelibrary. MPL is now a part of theSunflower eLibrary Consortium, a cooperative effortamong several Kansaslibraries that enables participantsto share the same platform as well as purchased titles.

What about all the different devices that readers might use?

Most of thetitles are available in epub format. Thatwill allow users to manage a varietyof different devices with the same process. In addition, most titles will download onKindle devices with the same quick results.

How can I register for the Sunflower eLibrary service?

You musthave a Manhattan Public Library card and pin number to use this collection. Then you can begin borrowing items andplacing holds on the contentsthat you desire.

What kinds of limits are there?

Readers canborrow five titles at a time and place as many as seven requests onitems that are unavailable. There arealso checkout period limitations. Borrowerscan determine at the time of checkout whether they wish to borrow for seven or fourteen days. Readers can also opt to return items early sothat others may usethem. Our goal is to make titlesavailable to readers as quickly as possible.

Is this just available for adults?

At thistime, we have several young adult and children’s titles available. As the collectioncontinues to grow, we will add more content.

What about audiobooks? I prefer them to ebooks.

Again, thestate has contracted with Recorded Books to provide audiobooks for readers whoprefer to listen. That collection willalso have a wide range of titlesthat can be downloaded on a portable device. Readers will go to OneClickDigitalto register and begin the borrowing process.

Can I use my Manhattanlibrary card to gain access to the state’s audiobooks?

Readersmust have a Kansas Library Card (available at MPL) to register.

For those contemplating thepurchase of an ebook reader or listening device, there are plenty of resourcesfor nice, new titles at the library. Andwe will continue to refresh the collection, adding new materials as we areable. List of upcoming titles will allowus to keep informed of new possibilities.

As the holidays near, it might be agreat time to expand your electronic holdings and venture into newformats. Not sure which device topurchase? It’s up to you and your needs. Most of what we have selected is compatiblewith Nooks, Kindles and ipads, as well as other selected devices. There are many website that review portabledevices. Take a look at e-Book Reader 2011 at http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/,for example, or 2011 Tablets ProductComparisons at http://tablets-review.toptenreviews.com. For a more comprehensive review source,check out the

Ultimate Tablet ReviewComparison Guide, http://www.groovypost.com/howto/review/the-ultimate-tablet-review-comparison-guide-matrix/. You might also take a look at the article ontablets, e-book readers, and smart phones in the December issue of Consumer Reports, available at thelibrary.

Look forthese new services on the library’s web page www.manhattan.lib.ks.us beginningMonday, November 28^th.

My Thoughts Be Bloody by Nora Titone

2011-11-28T10:33:00.000-06:00

There are numerous books recounting Lincoln’s assassination at the hands of John Wilkes Booth, but My Thoughts Be Bloody by Nora Titone puts a whole new spin on it. Instead of focusing on the conspiracy itself or the manhunt after the tragic deed, Titone takes an in-depth look at John Wilkes Booth’s background and what could have possibly motivated him to assassinate a president. Titone’s premise is that Booth’s dysfunctional family heavily contributed to his motivation to murder Lincoln. John Wilkes and his siblings grew up as illegitimate children of Junius and Mary Ann Booth. Junius Brutus Booth was something of a genius and a famous actor, but also an alcoholic. John’s brother Edward, older by four years, became the most famous American actor of his generation. John Wilkes constantly lived in the shadow of his famous older brother and father as he attempted to become an actor himself. While inheriting the striking good looks of his father, John failed to inherit his talent for acting. He bumbles along from one stage performance to the next, seemingly in denial of his lack of talent. He becomes increasingly caught up in the South’s fate in the Civil War while tensions with his older brother also escalate. Titone presents a fascinating look into the psyche and family dynamics of Booth and uses the Booth family’s own words whenever possible to tell the story. Equally interesting are all the facts Titone presents about the life of actors during the 19^th century.

2011-11-22T17:45:00.000-06:00

Sixteen-year-old Cat's best childhood friend, openly gay Patrick, is in a coma, a victim of a brutal hate crime. The local sheriff is ready to pin the crime on out-of-towners, but Cat’ssuspicions lie elsewhere. For the past three years, Cat has retreated from most of her friends after being sexually abused by one of her brother's friends. Cat slowly learns about her old friends in the meth-addled underbelly of her hill-country Southern town. Despite ominous warnings to leave it be, Catfinds the will to expose the homegrown hatred that gave rise to Patrick’sattack. Shine is a bleak story leavened by the things Cat learns about herself (and the attack) in the course of her investigation.

An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser

2011-11-21T15:00:00.000-06:00

Newport Rhode Island, home of the summer cottages ofthe very wealthy built during the gilded age, inspired the concluding settingfor An Unlikely Suitor a historicalnovel by Nancy Moser. This immigrant story is of the Scapelli’s, a mother andher two daughters newly arrived in New York City in 1895. Their father, Dante Scapelli, lost his life in an accident on the docksshortly after their arrival. Now thesmall family is scraping by as dressmakers to the wealthy.

Lucy Scapelli meets Rowena Langdon when Rowena visits MadameMoreau’s Fashion Emporium to be outfitted with a wardrobe suitable for hersummer in Newport.During a fitting, Lucy sees that she could help crippled Rowena’s clothes tofit better and hide her obvious physical disabilities. The two become friends under the disapprovingeye of Rowena’s mother. While trying toadjust to life with her wealthy friends in Newport Rowena schemes to find a way her dressmaker friend can join her.

This novel treats us to life during the Gilded Age, thesocial mores of that time, beautiful descriptive language of fashion from thatlavish era and the difficult life of immigrants at the turn of the century.

Great Gift Books (for Yourself or Others)

2011-11-20T14:43:00.000-06:00

Just intime for gift-giving or your own reading wish list, there are great new booksout for the winter holiday season. Youcan find books for almost everyone, no matter their taste or interest, and youcan also look forward to your own hibernation reading when the holiday bustleis over. Here are some non-fiction picksfor good winter reading from Manhattan Public Library.

Deadline Artists: America’s Greatest Newspaper Columns edited by John Avlon, Jesse Angelo, andErrol Louis. This anthology of greatAmerican writing is enthralling reading for lovers of history, politics,current affairs, and the art of journalism. It features selections on war, humor, crime, sports, politics, hardtimes, and civil rights from an overflowing wealth of writers – William AllenWhite, Mark Twain, Frederick Douglass, Damon Runyon, Dorothy Thompson, H. L.Mencken, Langston Hughes, Ernie Pyle, Will Rogers, Red Smith, Jimmy Cannon,Mike Royko, George Will, Maureen Dowd, William F. Buckley, Jimmy Breslin, DaveBarry, Molly Ivins, Mike Barnicle, Anna Quindlen, Carl Hiaasen, Peggy Noonan,Walter Winchell, Erma Bombeck, Pete Dexter, Cynthia Tucker, Steve Lopez – to name just a fraction. I couldn’t put it down.

Heartland: The Cookbookby Judith Fertig. Beautiful photographs,interesting narrative, and recipes featuring Midwest regional ingredientsdistinguish this scrumptious coffee table cookbook by a Kansas author. Baked Eggs with Prosciutto and AsiagoCream? Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie? Grilled Duck Breast with Wild Rice-DriedCherry Pilaf? Oh, yeah.

The Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard. The short presidency of James Garfield in 1881, seemingly a footnote inhistory, in fact came at a key time for the United States, and the era comesvividly to life in this lively and entertaining book. Written as a suspense-filled historical taleof crime, medicine, scientific invention, and politics during the post-CivilWar era, this book is drawing rave reviews.

100 Yards of Glory: The Greatest Moments in NFL History by Joe Garner and Bob Costas. If you have a football fan on your gift list,this compendium from writer Garner and broadcaster Costas is a sure winner,covering the most memorable games, plays, coaches, and players in nearly 100years of NFL history. Great photos,great writing and analysis, AND it comes with a video!

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt.Newly-announced winner of the 2011 National Book Award, this page-turnercombines history, biography, philosophy, and theology to describe how the 14^thcentury re-discovery and translation of a forgotten ancient manuscriptinfluenced the thinkers of the day and set in motion the massive cultural“swerve” we now know as the Renaissance.

The Ecstasy of Defeat: Sports Reporting at its Finest from the editors of The Onion. Another wonderful, raw, and hilariouslysatirical look at the American way of life from the wildly offbeat “news”website TheOnion.com. When the coverboasts headings like “Creepy Lifeguard Turns out to be Nine-Time Olympic Gold MedalistMark Spitz” you know you’ve stumbled into another adventure in irreverence, inthe same vein as the Onion’s previous bestseller, Our Dumb World.

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie. Massie, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Peter the Great, Nicholas and Alexandra,and The Romanovs, has created anothermasterful portrait of a captivating character in Russian history. A poor princess from an obscure Germanprincipality, Catherine married into the Romanov dynasty at age fourteen. Ambitious, determined, and shrewd, she roseto become Empress, brought the Enlightenment to Russia, and improved the lives ofher people dramatically. A woman ofgreat courage, intelligence, passion, and ruthlessness, Catherine led afascinating life.

Martha Stewart’s Handmade Holiday Crafts: 225 Inspired Projects for Year-Round Celebrations Withthe beautiful illustrations and creativity that are Martha Stewart trademarks,this book is chock full of unique craft and entertainment ideas for celebratingholidays throughout the year. A surewinner for Stewart fans.

Inside Pee-Wee’s Playhouse: The Untold, Unauthorized, and Unpredictable Story of a Pop Phenomenon by Caseen Gaines. Okay, boys and girls, for fans of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, today’s secretword is FUN! An entertaining andnostalgic look back at the wildly-popular 1980s character and creative andground-breaking TV series. “This book isso good, you’ll want to marry it!”

by Susan Withee, Adult Services Manager

Before I Go to Sleep: a Novel by S.J. Watson

2011-11-19T14:31:00.000-06:00

“Memories define us. What if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?” Your name, your identity, your past, even thepeople you love - all forgotten overnight. Every day, Christine awakens in a bed beside a man she does notrecognize—nor does she recognize the face she sees in a mirror—Christine haslost twenty years of memories—because of an “accident.”

”AsI sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow asI did this morning. Thinking I'm still a young woman. Thinking I have a wholelifetime of choice ahead of me ... And the one person I trust may only betelling me half the story." Welcome to Christine's life as related in Before I Go to Sleep.

2011-11-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

Comfort Kennedy is shocked into silence when her oldest friend, Bram, announces their engagement. She agrees to a short engagement to save face and excuses his typical irresponsible behavior. Bram's brother, Bode, realizes that he's running out of time to capture the woman he's loved for years. Bram's injury forces Comfort and Bode to spend more time together, building a romance that will have to sustain them through dangerous intrigue and the trauma of her childhood. Gold rush San Francisco provides a exciting and shady background for this romantic and sensual story. With Kissing Comfort, Goodman has created another romance you won't soon forget.

And Nothing but the Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert

2011-11-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

“My name is Stephen Colbert, but I actually play someone ontelevision named Stephen Colbert, who looks like me, talks like me, but whosays things with a straight face that he doesn’t mean”. Lisa Rogak’s biographyof Stephen Colbert, And Nothing but the Truthiness, attempts to distinguishbetween the man and the character he plays on his Comedy Central program TheColbert Report, and offers a fascinating glimpse of the man behind thecharacter he portrays. The youngest of 11 children, Colbert learned the valueof humor from siblings and his parents. He had to deal with tragedy early in his life when his two oldestbrothers and his father were killed in a plane crash. Rogak traces his entryinto acting, then into comedy in Second City and finally into writingand reporting for the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the launching point for hisown program. Known for his sharp wit and interview skills, he has developed a loyal following of fans, members of his Colbert Nation. Colbert has used his program and influence as a vehicle to raisefunds for several worthy causes such as educational programs, supporting themilitary and their families and raising financial support for the U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team. He was surprised at theawarding of the 2006 Word of the Year by Merriam Webster, as well as inclusionin their dictionary, of “truthiness”, created by him in a show segment titledThe Word and meaning “preferring concepts of facts one wishes to be true ratherthan concepts or facts known to be true”. Colbert the character displays lotsof truthiness in his satire, but Colbert the person appears to be a someone thatis intelligent, hard-working, family-oriented and multi-talented.

The Man From Beijing

2011-11-14T13:20:00.000-06:00

by Henning Mankell

Swedish author Henning Mankell starts off this adventure with a furious ride! When a journalist arrives to photograph one of Sweden’s dwindling villages, he finds a mass murder has occurred and the bodies are still warm. Traumatized by fear that the murderer may still be in the village, he escapes the scene to find help. Alas, so strong was his fear that he succumbs to a heart attack causing him to swerve in front of a semi. With his last breath, he is able to utter the name of the village. When authorities investigate, they find the village that had consisted of 21 people, now filled with 19 corpses as well as their slaughtered pets. Who would do such a heinous crime and why?

When this horrific news is broadcast, Birgitta Roslin, one of Sweden’s Supreme Court judges, realizes she has seen the village somewhere before. Searching through he mother’s papers, she finds a photo of her mother’s childhood home that matches one of the homes on the news. Curious and wanting connection with her mother’s family she sets off to find out if it is indeed the home of her mother’s foster parents. She finds clues that she thinks are important, but the local authorities are not interested.

This journey will have you traveling across the world and back in time to solve the mystery. While the title gives a clue to the involvement of China, you’ll also make a track to mid 1860’s America, and also a side adventure to Africa. The perpetrator is known midway through the story, but the “what will he do next” will keep you reading. Have a fun ride while reading The Man from Beijing.

I am Half-Sick of Shadows

2011-11-12T11:00:00.001-06:00

AlanBradley's 11 year old character Flavia de Luce is one of the most endearing,inventive and precocious characters in literature. She appears again inBradley's latest novel in the series,I am Half-Sick of Shadows. It is winter in England and Christmas isapproaching, with Flavia immersed in her chemistry experiments--this timetrying to determine if Father Christmas is real. In the midst of a storm, aline of trucks appears and heads for the de Luce family home, Buckshaw. Itseems that Colonel de Luce, in order to keep his family from bankruptcy, hasrented out the estate to a film crew. Flavia is fascinated by the appearance offamous and not-so-famous actors and actresses who take up residence in her home.The lead actors agree to perform for a fund-raiser for the local church, andthe local village residents flock to Buckshaw for the show, only to be snowedin by a blizzard. With the house filled with visitors, Flavia comes upon thebody of a murdered actress, and of course, must immerse herself in solving thecrime, much to the dismay Inspector Hewitt. We learn more about Flavia'srelationships with her sisters, her father and Dogger, who served in the warwith Colonel De Luce. This is a delightful addition to this humorous andcharming series featuring the fiendishly inventive Flavia de Luce (start with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.)

If you're waiting for Inheritance...

2011-11-11T11:32:00.001-06:00

If you're waiting for Inheritance, the newest Christopher Paolini featuring Eragon and Saphira, you have some choices of other books to read while you wait.

One wonderful series that has been overlooked by many is the Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. Sabriel, the first book in the series, was published in 1996, two years before the first Harry Potter and before children's/young adult literature captured popular attention. Sabriel is the daughter of the Abhorsen, a necromancer who puts the dead to rest and prevents the restless Dead from returning to Life. When Sabriel receives a message from him while she is away at school in Ancelstierre (where magic does not work), she must return to the Old Kingdom (where magic works) to take up his duties and try to free him from where he is trapped in Death. Sabriel is followed by Lirael and Abhorsen.

In an Asian-inspired fantasy realm, young Eon is in a fierce competition to apprentice to the Rat Dragon, one of twelve dragons who guard the realm. Twelve-year-old Eon is actually 16-year-old Eona in disguise. Hiding her sex is the only way for Eona to study Dragon magic, a pursuit forbidden to girls. If she is caught, she will face disembowelment. Eona is not chosen by the Rat Dragon, but that is, of course, not the end of the story. Eon is a fast-paced novel that will have you racing to pick up Eona, the conclusion to this complex and well-crafted story.

Princess Raisa is on the cusp of her sixteenth birthday, when she will be of age to make a politically advantageous arranged marriage. Han is a young man living in poverty and supporting his family through odd jobs after leaving his street gang. The two meet when Raisa is out in disguise investigating discontent in her kingdom and Han is fleeing from the authorities who believe he is guilty of a crime he didn't commit. Chima weaves together a number of complex story lines in this tale of intrigue and politics. The Demon King is followed by The Exiled Queen and The Gray Wolf Throne. The fourth book in the series, The Crimson Crown, will be released in fall of 2012, according to the author's website.

And if none of these books look to be to your taste, stop by the young adult section of the library and pick up one of the handouts of suggestions for those who liked Eragon, created by our talented YA librarian.

Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Bloodstains

2011-11-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

Dandy solves a murder once again!

Dandelion Dahlia Leston Gilver, or Dandy, is being schooledin how to serve undercover as a lady’s maid when normally she has her ownservants waiting on her. Thisaristocratic sleuth has already helped solve several murders and once againshe is being called upon to aid someone who fears for her life. Lollie Balfour’s husband is having his wifefollowed, steaming open her mail and has told her he is going to murder her. “He’sa monster, Mrs. Gilver. A nasty,brutish, bullying , philandering, dishonest, beasty…pig.”

This frightened Edinburgh woman becomes awidow within one day of Dandy’s appearance as her maid. Who has murdered this horrible man? Everyone in the premises has a reason to hatehim. With intricately plotted twists andturns and many red herrings we experience what is regarded as proper for the1920’s post World War Two Scottish gentry. This witty novel that exposes the differences in class reminds me of thewonderful Masterpiece Theatre classics Upstairs,Downstairs and Downton Abbey. Try Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Blood Stains and then enjoy a classic movie for a complete experience.

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

2011-11-09T12:37:00.000-06:00

Georgie Gail is less than thrilled when the telephonecompany sends out Luke Palmer to help her run the switchboard and phone linesin her rural Texastown. He’s not too happy about it,either; having to put away his fancy Texas Ranger duds and go undercoverwearing overalls to investigate a local train robber. He carries out his investigation whilerepairing phone lines and getting constantly distracted by his coworker’s abilityto stir up controversy and everything else about her as well. With Love on the Line Deeanne Gist comesthrough with another delightful Christian historical romance.

Thanksgiving Has a Tasty History to Feast On

2011-11-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

The fallholiday season is upon us, with Halloween past and Thanksgiving coming up. I like Thanksgiving; for a holiday, it’sstraightforward and uncomplicated. Simplyput, we take time off from our daily preoccupations to recognize and givethanks for our blessings. Compared tosome other holidays (I’m talking about you, Christmas!), it’s relatively freeof the labor-intensive traditions, frenetic activities, and crippling expendituresthat can get in the way of enjoyment, not to mention spiritual gratification. Granted, Thanksgiving can be trying in itsown way. When organizing festive familygatherings, there’s always a risk of logistical chaos and inter-personal drama,and, what with prodigious food preparation and consumption followed by hours ofdigestive recovery and kitchen clean-up, it can all overwhelm and exhaust. But the day can also be celebrated with asimple shared meal, quiet reflection and rest, even solitude or a privategetaway, and when it all comes together well, Thanksgiving can be personallymeaningful and spiritually strengthening.

The storyof the first Thanksgiving does have its own traditional baggage, though, a mythologyrooted in history but grown over the centuries to barely resemble the actualevents. It’s a reassuring and cherishedstory, but, as is nearly always the case with history, the truth turns out tobe far more complicated and vastly more interesting than the myth. This year, as part of your celebration of theseason, pick up one of the following books that illuminate the real story ofthe Mayflower Pilgrims and expand our understanding of our country’scomplicated, fascinating history.

Mayflower:a story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrick details thehistory of the Pilgrims as Separatists in Englandand as religious refugees in Holland, thenfollows their voyage on the Mayflower, chronicles the settlement and earlyyears of the Plymouthcolony, and examines relations between European settlers and Native Americans. Philbrick adds depth to what we know offamiliar historical figures like William Bradford, Chief Massasoit, Squanto, MilesStandish, Priscilla Mullins, John Alden, Edward Winslow, and numerous secondarycharacters, revealing unexpected and surprising historical details.

In Makinghaste from Babylon:the Mayflower Pilgrims and their world, another richly-detailed historicoverview, author and Englishman Nick Bunker writes about the Mayflower Pilgrimsas Englishmen themselves and places them in the context of the political worldin which they lived. An exhaustivelydetailed recounting of the first years of settlement, this book, according toPublishers Weekly, “scoops up every relevantcharacter and links all to the basic tale of indomitable courage, religiousfaith, commercial ambition, international rivalry, and domestic politics.”

If you onlyhave time for a short read and want a more condensed recounting of the story ofthe Mayflower Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, Glenn Alan Cheney has hitthe high points and given a broad overview in his well-researched and organizedhistory of 1620-1621, Thanksgiving: the Pilgrims’ first year in America. An easily-read and enjoyable page-turner, it isnevertheless written in evocative, descriptive prose. As one reviewer said, the book is “full of surprising information, and sympathetic to thehumanity of all the participants.”

TheMayflower Papers: selected writings of colonial New England edited by Nathanieland Thomas Philbrick is a compilation of 17^th century primary sourcematerial about the Pilgrims, the Mayflower voyage, and the founding of the Plymouth colony. It contains Of Plymouth Plantation byGovernor William Bradford, the seminal first-person account of the founding ofthe settlement. Written in theElizabethan English of the times, it is not easy reading but is a detailed,emotional recounting of an enterprise that took immense courage, devotion, andfortitude. In addition, this anthologycontains Mourt’s Relation, an account of the colony’s first year in New England which relates the celebration of the firstThanksgiving in autumn 1621, and Good News from New England, a continuation of the history, both byEdward Winslow.

The Timesof Their Lives: life, love, and death in Plymouth Colony by leading Plymouth archaeologist JamesDeetz is a social history that is especially strong in its descriptions of thedaily lives and society of the colony. Drawing on the archaeological evidence, it touches on crime, food, sex,legalities, and material culture, and upends many of our misconceptions aboutPilgrim society.

Twooutstanding video documentaries of the Mayflower journey, Plymouthsettlement, and the first Thanksgiving are: Desperate crossing: the untold story of the Mayflower, an A&Epresentation from 2007; and We shall remain: America through native eyes:Disc 1 Massasoit, part of a 2009 PBS series.

by Susan Withee, Adult Services Manager

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

2011-11-07T11:00:00.000-06:00

Clare Brewster, a widow with three boys, has returned to her home town to be closer to friends and family and to open a book shop, unaware that Beckett Montgomery has had a crush on her since they were 15 years old. Beck and his brothers and mother own a construction company and are in the process of renovating the old Boonsboro Inn to be a town show piece. As Clare becomes involved with the changes at the Inn, she realizes Beck's interest in her and they begin to see each other as more than just friends. The interplay between Beck and his brothers is entertaining as are the interactions between Beck and Clare's children. The Next Always is a very sweet romance--the first in a trilogy about the men in the Montgomery family. If you enjoy this title, you may enjoy Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet, starting with Vision in White.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

2011-11-06T14:39:00.000-06:00

Lisa Kleypas has written a charming holiday romance in her book Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. Mark Nolan becomes guardian for his 6 year old niece after a tragic accident, leaving him overwhelmed and unprepared for the care of a child. He and his brother Sam assume the responsibility of caring for the child and trying to build a new family for her. They meet Maggie, a widow who has moved to the area and has opened a toy shop, where Maggie forms a connection with Holly. This is a sweet story of love, hope and healing. Get into the spirit of the season with this enjoyable holiday story!

International Fiction

2011-11-04T11:41:00.000-05:00

International Fiction offers you the opportunity to explorethe world without leaving your most comfy chair.

The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger

When Lady Duff Gordon is forced to journey to Egyptto cure her consumption, she and her maid, Sally, fall in love with thecountry. Sally is exhilarated by therelative freedom afforded her by her new circumstances, but soon realizes that,even away from stuffy British society, freedom has limits.

Scenes from Village Life by Amos Oz

In the midst of an attempted regeneration, the dying farmcommunity of Tel Inan, Israelmixes together new restaurants and galleries with run-down buildings. An aura of threatening anticipation hovers inthese loosely connected short stories that look into the disturbing behind-the-scenesstory of village life.

In the Sea there are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda

Ten year old Enaiat is left alone in Pakistan by his mother, in the hopes that hewill escape the cruelty of Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Thus begins his five year journey through Iran, Turkey,Greece, and finally landingin Italy. Experiencing the best and worst of life,Enaiat struggles onward, never letting go of the hope of a better life.

Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin

A dedicated mother from the countryside is separated fromher rushing husband at a busy Seoulsubway station. As they search, herhusband and grown children think back on their relationships with her, herdedication and love and their lack of appreciation. This is a compelling story about a mother’slove.

The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb

Maggie Ly travels to Vietnamto try to find out anything about her father who stayed behind when she and hermother escaped to the U.S. She encounters Tu, a guide who showswesterners around Hanoi,as well as Old Man Hung, who sells pho and may have known her father. Gibb’s story is an engaging journey into newand old Vietnamand the mystery of both.

Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna

Set in 19^th century India, Tiger Hill is the story ofDevi, the favored daughter and her worshipful friend, Devanna. Devi grows up to become a powerful force onher family’s coffee plantation, while Devanna studies medicine with the hopesthat they will someday be together. InTiger Hills, Mandanna has created an ambitious and engaging saga.

Stealing Mona Lisa by Carson Morton

On his deathbed, Eduardo de Valfierno tells the story ofhow, in his youth, he and his motley crew of thieves had a daring plan to stealthe Mona Lisa. A historical mystery seepedin the ambiance of Paris,Stealing Mona Lisa mixes fiction with facts from the actual theft in 1911.

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey

When the Harwoods left Englandfor Trinidad in 1956, George is glad for anescape to paradise from his stodgy and unsuccessful life, while Sabine hatesthe heat and humidity. Through theirstory, Roffey brings to life the history of this colonial island, full ofbeauty as well as political strife.

The Queen of Water by Laura Resau

At the age of 7, Virginiais sent from her village and indigenous Ecuadorian family to be a servant to anacademic mestizo family. Although thismeans that she will not have to carry out the hard labor like those from hervillage, she finds that her new life includes differenttrials in the form of abuse and degradation. As she grows, she holds onto her independent spirit, which becomesabsolutely vital for this girl who isn’t sure where she belongs in the world.

Single-Handed

2011-11-02T12:31:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for a decidedly different police drama, look no further than the DVD set Single-Handed. The three episodes tell the story of Jack Driscoll, who has returned to western Ireland to take over the rural police district from his father. Their style of policing is very different, although both recognize the fact that the police fill a different role in a rural setting than in an urban area. Jack still must deal with all of the vices in his small home town that were present in Dublin. The community is filled with secrets, mysteries and mistrust of authority, making it difficult for Jack to solve crimes. The acting is superb and the stories unfold in scenery that is spectacularly beautiful, in stark contrast with the dark stories being told. This is an excellent series!

Until There Was You

2011-11-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

Kristan Higgins has again provided a romance novel filled with humor and quirky characters. Posey is an interesting and strong main character--a young woman living in her home town with her own business, and with friends and family who know everything about her life. Her high school crush, former bad-boy Liam,a widower, returns to town, accompanied by his teen-aged daughter and his return revives all of Posey's past feelings. Posey and Liam are drawn to each other despite Posey's hesitation and Liam's reluctance to get involved with someone while the parent of a teenager. The dialogue is crisp and funny and the relationships are believable, with lots of interesting secondary characters. Until There Was You is an enjoyable and touching romance. Other romances by Kristan Higgins include Fools Rush In and All I Ever Wanted.

A Spark of Death by Bernadette Pajer

2011-10-30T19:30:00.000-05:00

The University of Washington is thesetting for a murder at the beginning of the 20^th century in A Spark of Death: a Professor Bradshaw Mystery. The recent discovery ofelectricity has some worried by this new fangled power source. Now it appears that electricity hascontributed to the death of a pompous, much disliked teacher. Professor Oglethorpehas been found dead in a university research ‘Electric machine’ and his fellowengineering professor is under suspicion.

Professor Bradshaw is liked by his students and lovedby his small son. The horrific death bysuicide of his wife has left a permanent scar on this sensitive, likeableprofessor. Now he must figure out whomurdered Oglethorpe to clear his name. The history of Seattleis woven into this story with interesting tidbits about the fire of 1889 and aplanned trip by President McKinley to see the famous “Electric Machine’. Also,political anarchists are suspected of the murder and we learn of the dissidentsand their causes who were front page news a century ago. This is the first of a planned series with Fatal Induction to be released in May2012

Teens choose their top YA books By Janene Hill, Young Adult Librarian, Manhattan Public Library

2011-10-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Teens across thecountry have spoken.

On October 17 the2011 Teens’ Top Ten list was revealed by the Young Adult Library ServicesAssociation.

With more than9,000 votes cast, teens across the U.S. expressed their opinions forthe best books from the past year. Online voting took place in August andSeptember.

Cassandra Clareand Suzanne Collins exchanged spots from 2010 to take the first and second placeson this year’s list. This is Clare’s fourth straight year on the list, butfirst in the #1 position.

Collins is on thelist for the third straight year while James Patterson returns for a third appearanceafter a two-year absence. Becca Fitzpatrick is back for the second straight year,with six first-timers rounding out the Teens’ Top Ten.

The novels cover awide range of subject matter including aliens, fairies, dystopian societies, secondchances, and the supernatural. These stories take place in settings from afuture United Statesto Victorian England.

2011 Teens’ TopTen

1. The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Tessa Gray’s search for hermissing brother leads her into Victorian London's supernatural underworld,where she must learn to trust the demon-killing Shadowhunters in order tocontrol her powers and find her brother. Prequel to the Mortal Instruments series.

2. Mockingjay by SuzanneCollins
After surviving her second time in the arena, Katniss has been propelled intoleading a revolution. Residents of District 13 have been preparing for war foryears, and are at the front of the fight. It seems the world is on Katniss’sshoulders as she struggles with being the face of the rebellion and target ofthe Capitol’s vengeance. Final book in the HungerGames trilogy.

3. Crescendo byBecca Fitzpatrick
Nora’s life has never been ordinary, but now that she has learnedabout her true Nephilim bloodline and her guardian angel, she wants to knowmore. What really happened to her father? Does Patch really love her? Is hehiding something? Sequel to the best-selling Hush, Hush.

4. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Nineescaped from the planet Lorien just before it was destroyed by the Mogadorians.Hidden amongst the Earth-beings, the nine wait for the time they can regroup tofight their would-be destoyers. But Number One was caught in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. Theykilled them all. Number Four is next.

5. TheIron King by Julie Kagawa
As Meghan approaches her 16^th birthday she discovers she is thedaughter of a faery king, a princess. A changeling has taken the place of herkidnapped brother. Meghan will leave behind everything she knows and travel tothe fae world to find the truth, face unknown enemies, save those she caresabout, and maybe even fall in love.

6. Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia is happily surprised when at the Matching Ceremony, her lifelong bestfriend Xander’s face appears on the screen. Then something startling happens –Ky’s face appears on the screen briefly before fading to black. Cassia beginsquestioning everything. What if all the choices that have been made her wholelife aren’t the only choice and she could make her own? Should she follow the lifeset forth for her by the Society, or travel down an unknown and defiant path.

7. Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel byJames Patterson
Max is starting to believe the scientists saying she needs to save theworld. Fang has left, and the flock’s new member, Dylan, may be her perfectmate. Meanwhile, Max needs to help lead her flock to defeat a doomsday cult outto kill all the humans. Seventh book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series.

8. Paranormalcy by KierstenWhite
Employed by theInternational Paranormal Containment Agency, a fairy ex-boyfriend, a mermaidbest friend, and current boyfriend who is a shape-shifter. No, Evie’s lifeisn’t exactly as a “normal” teenager. Seeing paranormals for what they areisn’t exactly something all teenagers can do. Actually, pretty much no one elsecan.

9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Friday, February 12 started just like any other day for Sam Kingston –atleast the first time. The car crash that night should have taken her life.Somehow though, she is not dead, but reliving the day – seven times. With eachreincarnation, Sam learns more about how her actions effect others and the truevalue of the people, things, and events in her life.

10. Nightshade by AndreaCremer
When Calla saves a humanboy on her mountain from a bear attack, the consequences are farther reachingthan could be imagined, especially when that boy shows up at her school andappears to be a favored companion of her masters.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2011-10-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

I almost didn't read this one because I didn't like the cover (and yes, I know, I shouldn't be judging books by their covers). I'm glad I picked it up, though, since I'm a sucker for the crop of young adult fantasy books with strong, interesting heroines that have been published in the past few years. If you liked The Hunger Games, Matched, Graceling, or Sabriel for the strong female main character, you'll want to pick up Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Karou is a young woman living in Prague who is leading a double life. In one life she is an art student with a boyfriend who cheated on her, in the other, she runs errands picking up teeth for the wishmonger, Brimstone, the chimaera who raised her. She collects languages, has blue hair that grows in that way, three bullet scars on her abdomen and eye tattoos on the palms of her hands that have been there for as long as she can remember.

Karou is drawn into a centuries old conflict between angels and the chimaera when she runs into Akiva, an angel soldier trying to cut Brimstone off from the world. Karou and Akiva are drawn to one another, but there are secrets kept and hidden between them, and a startling revelation will drive them apart.

A Home Transformed By Janet Ulrey Adult Services Librarian

2011-10-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Our homes are our resting places,as well as our places of family connection. We may think of them as entertainment centers or perhaps ourstop-and-drop places between outside adventures. No matter how we view them, our homes arevital to us and we want them to be comfortable and well-maintained. Whether they need to be redecorated,repaired, reorganized, or remodeled, Manhattan Public Library has scores ofsources for ideas to make our homes the best.

Redecorating may involve a changein color scheme, furniture rearrangement, new accessories and wallarrangements, or tossing everything and starting over. No matter what your decorating desires are, youcan find help to improve your space. There is a wide selection of popular home décor magazines, like Better Homes and Gardens. You can locate color combinations galore in Vinny Lee’s terrificbook, The Colorful Home: Confident andCreative Colour Schemes for Every Room. Books,such as, Home from the Hardware Store:Transform Everyday Materials into Fabulous Home Furnishings by StephenAntonson, Undecorate, the No-RulesApproach to Interior Design by Christiane Lemieux, or501 Decorating Ideas Under $100 fromBetter Homes and Gardens, are full of ideas to transform your home. A “home transformed” can become a “homeconformed” to make your daily life a more pleasant experience.

When it’s time for repairs, youcould spend a fortune by hiring contractors to execute your projects, butthrifty homeowners rely on DIY methods to keep their homes in pristinecondition. You may need to fix drippyfaucets, window casements, or add insulation, but guidance is readily availableif you’ve the spirit of adventure. TerryKennedy’s Fix It Before It Breaks andRick Peters' simply explained Home How-toHandbook can help make your tasks easier. The library also has an excellent set of DVDs, the Positive Home Solutions series, which will guide you through basichome repairs and visual demonstrations. Magazines like Family Handyman andThis Old House are readily availablefor checkout.

Time is of the utmost importance tomost people, and you’re probably no exception. In that case, you no doubt see the need for getting organized. Using the library’s excellent collection ofbooks on de-cluttering plans to organize your home can save you time to doother things you love—like reading a good book! Consider titles like Joe Provey’s EasyClosets: Affordable Storage Solutions for Everyone or Andrew J. Mellen’s Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habitand Completely Organize Your Life for Good. The Reader’s Digest Association, longknown for detailed books about home improvement, has an all-in-one title thatmight be perfect for your list of needed improvements. The FamilyHandyman Best Organizing Solutions is a hefty volume loaded with all kindsof suggestions and diagrams perfect for most households.

What if you’ve an inclination formajor changes? Resources can make thoseintimidating projects more manageable. John Wagner’s book Drywall givesguidance when adding or removing walls. Books like Candice Olson’s Kitchensand Baths can put a stop to lots of guesswork. If you are looking to add more living space,Black and Decker’s handy Complete Guide toFinishing Basements: Step-by-Step Projects For Adding Living Space WithoutAdding On can help you expand. Michael Litchfield’s In-Laws, Outlaws,and Granny Flats offers suggestions for transforming one-family dwellingsinto multiple-family housing.

When you want to make changes,don’t wing it! You can give your home afacelift that is both attractive and more desirable for you with a littleplanning. And you don’t need to be a traineddecorator to finish tasteful projects. Come to the library and our staff will show you ways to collectappealing ideas!

Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extrordinary Friendship by Tom Ryan

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

A miniature schnauzer named Atticus M. Finch has climbed all48 of the four-thousand-foot mountains in New Hampshire several times. Following Atticus most of the way has beenTom Ryan, a middle aged formerly overweight newspaper owner from Newburyport, Massachusetts.

I was delighted toopen this book after seeing the cute cover of a winsome dog, Atticus, and begin reading a storythat warmed my soul. Having recentlybeen on a fall foliage tour of New England anddiscovering the White Mountains of New Hampshire I was amazed to also havestayed in the quaint town that adopted Atticus. We stumbled onto it one rainy evening looking for a place to stay. Our next day's destination was Boston, but we were too tired to drive thatfar and fight city traffic. The ClarkCurrier Bed and Breakfast will always be a highlight of our trip, as will Newburyport’s beautifulsea captain’s homes. Tom shares storiesof the special people of this place but also the low-down nasty politics of asmall town. He spends his days rubbingshoulders with everyone possible to find gossip for his underground newspaper,the Undertoad.

When Tom finds alittle puppy to purchase and accompany him on his business excursions, Atticusopens doors all over town. Who can resista well mannered little dog? As Tom andAtticus begin spending time in the mountains, first with friends and family andthen more regularly on their own, he begins to find peace and contentmentmissing from his rough upbringing. Thosewho enjoy the solitude of the outdoors and hiking will appreciate the way Tomwrites of his love for nature. Those wholove animals will be amazed at the devotion and fortitude of this 20-pound spirited dog. Those who love books will be constantly touched by the lovelyreferences to great writers through quotes and poetry sprinkled throughout thestory. Following Atticus: Forty-EightHigh Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship is truly abeautiful book you will want to share.

The Legend of Lady Ilena by Patricia Malone

2011-10-26T10:33:00.000-05:00

In sixth century Great Britain, fifteen-year-oldIlena feels set adrift after the death of her mother and father. Since they had no family nearby and herfather trained her to be a warrior, she has always known that she was destinedfor something different than the other girls of their small village, but neverknew what. Her father’s dying wordsdirect her east to Dun Alyn. Her journeytakes her across the mountains and through many trials, making friends and enemiesalong the way. Upon her arrival, she isgreeted as an evil spirit and thrown into a cage, but with the help of ahealing woman, a dwarf, and one of King Arthur’s knights she is able to findthe truth and save the day. The Legend of Lady Ilena by Patricia Malone is an exciting story about a girl finding her strength and herdestiny in a world of upheaval.

Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen

2011-10-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

Do you know a teen that is a reluctant reader? Nightjohn is a powerful novel for anyone toabsorb, but it is a dramatic motivator for our older teens that undervaluereading. Set in the south duringslavery, Sammy, a pre-adolescent slave, chooses to risk herself and the livesof others to experience learning. Theplantation where she was born is owned by a harsh, brutal man that buys and sellsslaves with no regard for human value. He punishes anyone that exhibits anyeducation or desire for such.

This very graphicportrayal of just how horrible some slaves were treated tells the importantstory of the value of education to combat such ignorance. Nightjohn, a former escaped slave hasreturned to the south to teach others to read. His willingness to risk his life for the betterment of others will speakvolumes to those of us who take for granted our freedom to learn. Warning: this is a very brutal and graphic presentation of slavery.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

2011-10-24T11:40:00.000-05:00

Victoria Jones is 18 years old and being emancipated from the foster care system. Her life having been filled with different foster homes, group homes, schools and teachers, Victoria leaves the system with no job or social skills--her only interest is in flowers and their meanings, taught to her by one of her foster parents. Sleeping in a public park and tending a garden she has created by stealing flowers from other parks and home gardens, Victoria realizes that she needs a job to survive and demonstrates her abilities to choose and arrange flowers to a florist, who offers her work. She begins to develop a relationship with the florist as well as with a young man, Grant, who works at the flower market, and has a loyal following of customers who appreciate her ability to choose flowers that have just the right meaning. Victoria's story is told in alternating chapters, describing her life as a 9 year old and as an 18 year old. The reader understands that Victoria's adult attitudes of fear, isolation and mistrust of others are based on her childhood experiences. Can she overcome her past flaws and hurts and move forward to find happiness in relationships with others and peace within herself? This is a touching and thoughtful novel, with vivid characters and a unique insight into expressing emotions through The Language of Flowers rather than words.

Horatio Hornblower

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Take to the high seas with the British Navy and our brave hero Horatio Hornblower. Based on the books by C.S. Forester, this film series created by A&E will keep you on the edge of your seat. Join Horatio as he navigates the alliances and feuds among his fellow officers, faces the enemy, and rises through the ranks, all while being incredibly dashing and clever. Full of adventure, this series is a rousing good time.

Lethal by Sandra Brown

2011-10-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

Looking for a fast-paced thriller? Look no further than Lethal by Sandra Brown. Honor Gillette and her 4 year old daughter Emily are busy making preparations for a birthday party when their home is invaded by a strange man--Lee Coburn--who insists there is something in the house left there by her deceased husband. Coburn is the object of a manhunt as a suspect in a mass killing at a trucking warehouse where he was the only person left alive. He convinces Honor that whatever is hidden is a danger to all of their lives--a key to information that will identify the leader of a drug, weapons and human trafficking operation. The three of them are on the run in the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, unsure of who to trust in both the local police and FBI. The story races to it's conclusion, all the while keeping the reader wondering--who are the good guys and who is behind all of the killings? With taut suspense and fascinating characters, Lethal will keep you guessing until the end! Brown has many other titles available at Manhattan Public Library, including Tough Customer and Smash Cut.

How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

2011-10-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

Lady Julianne is surprised when her brother asks Marc, Earl of Hawkfield, to act as her guardian for her season in London. Julianne has been in love with Hawk for years and has turned down proposals her previous three seasons, trying to win Hawk's heart. Hawk's eccentric Aunt Hester offers to sponsor Julianne, providing a home in London for the season. Julianne looks forward to the season but Hawk is appalled at having to reform his rakish ways in order to act as a guardian. Their interactions are filled with wit and humorous interplay as Julianne falls more deeply in love and Hawk denies his feelings for Julianne. A past incident affects how Hawk views his future and Julianne must fight to convince him that he is worthy of her love-- How to Seduce a Scoundrel is definitely a fun and touching romance!

Feed by Mira Grant

2011-10-14T11:20:00.000-05:00

The people of the world are scared. Zombies are everywhere, and once you've been bitten, there's no way to avoid becoming a flesh eating, brainless monster yourself. George and Shaun Mason are two of the few people in the world who actually seek out contact with zombies. It's their source of income since they film and blog about the state of the world in 2039, 25 years after the Kellis-Amberlee virus made the dead stand up and walk. They're good at their jobs and people trust them to bring them the news and an adrenaline rush, this is why they are asked to join the presidential campaign of Senator Peter Ryman to accompany and blog about his campaign.

Feed is set in a world where using zombies as a weapon is considered an act of terrorism and still carries the death penalty. This makes the acts of sabotage that plague the campaign and infect members of Senator Ryman's camp even more unthinkable than they would otherwise be. George and Shaun are determined to get to the bottom of the attacks, even if they don't survive to see the end of the campaign season.

Some other science-based horror novels worth reading: Peeps by Scott Westerfeld and The Passage by Justin Cronin.

Highland Master by Amanda Scott

2011-10-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

Amanda Scott demonstrates her mastery over Scottish romance once again with Highland Master, the first volume in her new Scottish Knight series. Independent and headstrong, Catriona is wandering in the woods near her family stronghold when she stumbles upon an injured man. Fin Cameron is on his way to discuss a tense political situation with her grandfather, but he can’t keep his mind from the vengeance he has sworn against her family. In the midst of his quandary, her confidence and family loyalty draws him in, while his respectful and caring nature appeals to her. In a time of political upheaval and clashing family alliances, Fin and Catriona find strength in each other. Strong and well-developed characters along with details of Scottish history make Highland Master a captivating read.

Fashion Design the Vicky Tiel Way By Marcia Allen Technical Services & Collections Manager

2011-10-10T15:44:00.000-05:00

If you’re looking for a book with lots of racy gossip about famous personalities, glimpses of trendy fashions, and risqué humor in large doses, Vicky Tiel’s new book is just for you. It’s all about the Dress: What I Learned in Forty Years about Men, Women, Sex and Fashion is escapist reading at its best. You won’t regret reading about this spunky designer’s very colorful past.

After a lackluster performance at Parsons School of Design, Tiel and her closest classmate, Mia Fonssagrives, headed off to Paris to make their names as dress designers in 1964. They knew little about the industry or the intense competition, but they were adventurous and enthusiastic and young, and so disappointments had little effect on their ambitions or their social lives.

Luck was with them. They focused their talents on mini-dresses, jumpsuits and evening wear, and began establishing a reputation when Woody Allen commissioned their costuming talents for his film, What’s New, Pussycat? Along the way, they began designing clothing for stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Goldie Hawn and Raquel Welsh. And they were routinely included in social circles that boasted names like Martha Stewart, Miles Davis, and Faye Dunaway.

Tiel has a great memory for the wild times of her past, and she recounts almost unbelievable stories with a sassy humor. She tells us, for example, how Brigitte Bardot chose her evening’s sexual partners from winning sprinters in random foot races. She tells of Marlon Brando’s teasing comments as she measured him for a film costume. She recalls lavish feasts accompanied by vintage wines, like a particular evening spent in Michael Goldman’s cellar guzzling Chateau d’Yquem 1959 and Mouton Rothschild 1945. She openly discusses the foolish adventures that she attempted, like her ill-planned drive into the territory of Jordan, days after the 1967 Six-Day War. She also speaks freely of her own liaisons and lists details of her seduction techniques.

If you wish to read this romp of a book, but want to justify it with a worthwhile consideration, there are the recipes Tiel includes. Sophia Loren’s pasta or Elizabeth Taylor’s caviar ‘sandwiches’ are highlights of the chapters, as is Dorian Leigh’s plain & simple vinaigrette. And there are the rules of eating that Tiel insists supermodels of Paris follow, rules like never drink anything carbonated and always eat vegetable and fruits skins.

Even more interesting are the little “life lessons” that Tiel has picked up from celebrities over the years. From Coco Chanel, for instance, we read that designers must create something classic that can be worn forever, and they must network in life without shame. Martha Stewart told Tiel that one can turn a failed marriage into a good thing. Miles Davis urged Tiel to surround herself with young people to stay forever young. Kim Novak told Tiel to go barefoot and feel the earth between her toes. And you won’t want to miss Tiel’s advice in which she urges readers to go into business without a backer because backers may want to dictate or fire those they back.

Perhaps the best lesson to be learned from the book is Tiel’s wonderful ability to avoid taking herself too seriously. In the opening of the book she recalls observing two young ladies examining one of the Vicky Tiel designer gowns in Bergdorf Goodman’s. One of two exclaims, “Vicky Tiel? Isn’t she dead yet?” Tiel was delighted with the exchange, and reminded herself that there is much to be learned from watching others. Her enthusiasm and wicked sense of humor make for terrific light reading.

Only Mine by Susan Mallery

2011-10-09T14:05:00.000-05:00

Representing the interests of her town, Fool's Gold, was not something psychologist Dakota Hendrix had really planned on doing with her time. But when a reality show comes to town for filming and the mayor asks her to do it and her boss agreed to pay her salary while she does, she really can't say no. To add to the growing number of complications in her life, a tantalizing stranger, Finn Anderssen, arrives along with the influx of the competitors and film crew.

Finn is in town to try to convince his two younger twin brothers to return to Alaska for their final semester of college rather than become involved with the show. Coming from a large, close-knit family herself, Dakota understands Finn's worry for his brothers and finds herself drawn to him. She knows he's going back to Alaska after he convinces his brothers to return, but she just can't resist this handsome, caring man.

Only Mine is the fourth book in Mallery's Fool's Gold Romance series.

Horror Fiction

2011-10-07T13:37:00.000-05:00

In honor of All Hallows Eve at the end of the month, here is a recommended reading list of new and classic horror titles and authors. For those who aren't familiar with horror, one definition from Becky Siegel Spratford, horror enthusiast, is "a story in which the author manipulates the readers' emotions by introducing situations in which unexplainable phenomena and unearthly creatures threaten the protagonists and provoke terror in the reader." Without further ado:

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a classic work of horror by Ray Bradbury that occurs in the small town of Green Town, Illinois. Halloween arrives a week early with the arrival of a dark carnival that destroys the lives of the townspeople it touches.

Dracula's Guest is a collection of early vampire stories ranging in publication date from 1738-1890. The vampires in these stories do not sparkle, nor are they brooding and sexy. If you're looking for horror stories where vampires truly are scary and can only- be kept at bay with Christian symbols or garlic, these tales will not disappoint.

One well-known author who has been writing in the horror genre for years is Stephen King. In Under the Dome an entire town is suddenly trapped by a dome that unexpectedly springs up around its edges. The petty arguments of small town life are magnified and factions develop as some seek to take advantage of the captive town.

Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) is also an author of horror fiction. His first novel, Heart Shaped Box, features metal band musician and collector of occult paraphernelia Judas Coyne. Coyne is unable to resist purchasing a ghost when he sees one for sale online. It turns out he has purchased the angry spirit of his late girlfriend's stepfather. Hill is also the author of the horror graphic novel series Locke & Key.

Hell House by Richard Matheson is written in the tradition of the great horror novels and is one of the scariest haunted house books ever written. Matheson, like King, is one of those horror authors who has developed a cult following (he also wrote the truly scary I Am Legend) and he is a favorite among horror connoisseurs.

In a creative break from the slew of recently published zombie novels, Steven Schlozman's debut, The Zombie Autopsies: Secret Notebooks from the Apocalypse, is presented as the gorily illustrated, hand-written diary of a neuroscientist investigating the causes of zombiism before he himself can succumb to the disease that causes it.

For horror leavened with a (large) dose of humor, try Christopher Moore's Vampire Love Stories series, the most recent of which is Bite Me. With his normal large and totally weird cast of characters, Moore sets a vampire cat loose on San Francisco.

Halloween wouldn't be complete without horror movies, and Let Me In is a disturbing but bittersweet film based on a book by the same title. Owen is a young boy who is bullied at school who befriends his young neighbor, Abby, a young girl only goes outside at night. Owen must confront the idea that his young, introverted friend may be connected to a string of grisly murders rocking their community.

The Ledge: An Adventure Story of Friendship and Survival on Mt. Rainier

2011-10-06T11:50:00.000-05:00

The Ledge begins with a heartfelt and poignant letter from author Jim Davidson to his friend Mike Price, leaving no doubt that Davidson survived their fall into a crevasse but Price did not. This knowledge, however, does not detract from their engrossing story.

Davidson relates his interest in climbing from his beginning efforts in New England to his move to Colorado. He met and became climbing partners with Mike Price, describing the trust and reliance needed in order to be partners. There are fascinating details about climbing—the methodical checking and re-checking of equipment and routes, the mental mindset needed, the safety precautions taken and the unknown variables that can affect the most careful of climbers. Davidson describes in great detail the climb with Price to the summit of Mt. Rainier—both climbers had the experience, ability and mental strength to make the climb. After summiting and on the way down, a collapsing snow bridge causes a fall into a crevasse, where they land part way down on a small ledge. Price is killed in the fall, and Davidson must leave his friend and climb the 80 foot ice wall in order to survive. He meticulously describes his emotions, his precarious situation and the process of climbing out of the crevasse. Afterwards, Davidson’s struggle to cope with despair and survivors guilt is emotional and touching and his will to overcome the tragedy is impressive. This is not only a story of climbing, friendship and courage but of determination to overcome impossible odds in order to survive. The Ledge is an engrossing and inspirational adventure story.

The Odd Lessons of History: The Garfield Assassination By Marcia Allen - Technical Services & Collections Manager

2011-10-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, I was amazed to read Candice Millard’s first book, The River of Doubt, a harrowing tale of adventure that involved Teddy and Kermit Roosevelt’s ill-fated 1912 trip down the Amazon. Despite what seemed to be a well-planned journey, the excursion was a disaster replete with unanticipated predators and sudden deaths for some of the travelers. Millard’s account was vividly written, and it earned the label of a “Best Book of the Year” by the New York Times Book Review.

I looked forward to Millard’s latest book, Destiny of the Republic, with great anticipation, and I was not disappointed. This new account of the assassination of President James A. Garfield is just as captivating as that earlier Roosevelt book. But as I read, I was struck by the ironies that made the 1881 tragedy play out the way it did.

Would-be assassin Charles Guiteau lacked any substantial reason for the shooting. He didn’t have any particular desire to kill Garfield; rather he was disappointed with the way his own life was playing out. He approached Garfield with the request that he be appointed ambassador to France, despite any experience or talent for such a position. When his request was denied, Guiteau concluded that killing the president was the answer. When the deed was completed, Guiteau was convinced that newly invested President Chester Arthur would free him from prison because he would certainly appreciate Guiteau’s noble gesture. Guiteau even spoke of being rescued by General William T. Sherman who would come storming the prison and bestow honors on the assassin. Guiteau’s delusions created this confusing scenario that baffled all those who dealt with him.

Yet another irony is found in the wounding of Garfield. Medical experts of that time felt confident that the president would survive the shooting; the Civil War had repeatedly demonstrated that shooting victims could survive much worse than what Garfield suffered. But: these were the early days of the discovery of septicemia. In fact, most physicians doubted that such a threat really existed. Doctors Smith Townsend and D. Willard Bliss, who took over the care of the president, put no faith in the new notion of blood poisoning. When they examined Garfield, both probed the two wounds with unwashed hands, thus making infection a certainty. When Garfield died, after suffering greatly for some two months, his body was riddled with infection, and the subsequent autopsy revealed tragic miscalculations that doomed the president. Just a few years later, the combination of X-ray and antiseptic treatment would have spared the man.

Alexander Graham Bell’s involvement in the tale is equally ironic. In addition to recently inventing the telephone, Bell was working on what he called an “induction balance.” This machine, he determined, would act as a metal detector. When he learned that the president had been shot and the location of a missing bullet was a mystery, he rushed to help with his invention. Once again, fate interfered. Dr. Bliss, the physician now in charge, directed Bell to use his machine on the wrong side of Garfield’s body. Bell believed that his invention malfunctioned, and he was crushed to learn that the apparatus would have worked if used near the right area of the body.

Maybe, too, there’s irony in Garfield’s presidency. Today most readers know little about the man and his vision for the country. This is certainly due to the fact that he was in office for only four short months. Millard’s information about the president’s background is quite revealing. A self-educated man who was a voracious reader, Garfield was born in abject poverty. He proved to be an outstanding orator, and when the 1880 election approached, his nomination surprised him more than it did the others who backed him. What he might have accomplished in office remains a great mystery.

Enough about irony. This is an outstanding book which I recommend to anyone interested in history, biography or just a well-told story. I learned much about a historical period that was vague to me, and I learned more about the spread of infection than I ever cared to discover. This is top-notch writing from an excellent writer. I look forward to her next efforts.

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane

2011-10-04T16:33:00.000-05:00

InThe Girl Who Disappeared Twice, the unthinkable has happened to family court Judge, Hope Willis. Her young daughter,Krissy, has been kidnapped. “Ifonly she’d turned her head, Judge Hope Willis, would have seen the carcontaining her daughter Krissy, struggling to escape her kidnappers. Despite all her years determining the fatesof families…she couldn’t save her own.”

Thirty-two years ago, Hope’s twin sister was the victim ofan abduction, and despite the efforts of the police and FBI, she was neverfound. Hope knows law enforcement will dowhat they can. Grasping for any possibility, despite her husband’s objection, she callsfor help from Casey Woods and herrenegade investigators, Forensic Instincts. This is Casey Woods' brainchild, a team ofhandpicked experts with the skill set to get results without worrying about thelegalities. The team includes a behaviorist, a techno-wizard, anintuitive, and a former Navy Seal-- who race against the clock to bring Krissy home.

This fast-paced suspense thriller leaves the door open for more Forensic Instinct adventures to come.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

2011-10-04T13:40:00.000-05:00

Gwyneth is sixteen, relatively normal, and lives with her extended family in a huge house in London. She does a lot of pretty normal teenage girl things: hanging out with her best friend, Lesley, chatting about boys and clothes, and dealing with her weird family members. She can also talk to ghosts, but she tries to keep that from becoming general knowledge. Things take an unexpected turn when Gwyneth starts making uncontrolled jumps into the past. That particular gift was supposed to be inherited by her cousin Charlotte. Charlotte has therefore been trained in self-defense, multiple foreign languages, proper etiquette and any number of other skills Gwyneth has not been taught.

This turn of events not only complicates things for Gwyneth, it complicates them for the secret society that guards and studies time travelers. The Lodge of Count Saint-Germain, also known as The Guardians, are trying to keep Gwyneth in the dark about many of their secrets while also using her to accomplish their ends. She is left trying to figure out the intricacies of time travel and its rules while also trying to figure out how she feels about her fellow time-traveler, Gideon de Villiers and the members of The Guardians.

Ruby Red is the first book in a series translated from the original German. The second book, Sapphire Blue, will be out in spring of 2012.

Bent Road by Lori Roy

2011-10-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

To escape the tumult and conflicts of 1960s Detroit, Arthur Scott moves his wife and children back to the wind-swept plains of his hometown on Bent Road near Hays, Kansas. His wife, Celia, resents the move that will put her close to in-laws she barely knows and a small town society she doesn't understand. As Celia grapples with loneliness and brutality of life and death on a farm, she watches events unfold-- leading to a secret lurking in this small village. A secret that involves the Scott family. Years ago, Arthur's beautiful old sister died mysteriously. Now, another young girl disappears without a trace. Arthur's only living sister, severely abused by her alcoholic husband, seeks refuge with Celia's family.

On Bent Road, a battered red truck cruises ominously along the prairie, a boy hefts his father's rifle in search of a target, and a mother realizes she no longer knows how to protect her children. This rich and haunting story of a family reminds us that simplicity of landscape does not necessairily mean simplicity of life

Dear Frankie

2011-10-03T18:08:00.000-05:00

Although it hasn't been easy, Lizzie has maintained a safe and loving life for her son, Frankie, and her mother. After having responded to her son's numerous letters in the guise of his father, she discovers that Frankie is expecting to meet him in person very soon. She hires a stranger to pose as his father, changing all of their lives in ways they never could have predicted. Dear Frankie is a beautiful, intense, and uplifting film.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

2011-10-02T12:14:00.000-05:00

"The circus arrives without warning."

So begins Erin Morgenstern's lushly descriptive, beautifully written novel, The Night Circus. The circus is an experience like no other. It opens at nightfall and closes at dawn. The food tastes better than food eaten elsewhere. The smell of caramel and apples permeates the air. The circus and its performers are dressed entirely in black, white, and silver. This background that fills the senses and maintains an air of mystery only adds to the amazing performances and tents contained within the circus. No one ever forgets their time at Le Cirque des Rêves.

The circus is not simply a masterful and magical place of entertainment for its patrons. It is also the venue for a competition between Celia and Marco, two young illusionists trained by their masters to participate in a "game," using the circus to demonstrate their skills and imaginations. Celia and Marco have been bound to this "game" by their masters, and the winner is the last person left standing. The two competitors were chosen to compliment and contrast each other, but they are too well matched, and their tale becomes that of star-crossed lovers.

The real treat of this book is the descriptions of the circus. While the characters are compelling, the circus itself is so richly and lovingly described that it is an intense pleasure to read about some of the circus acts and attractions created by Ms. Morgenstern's characters as part of their competition.

If you're waiting for a copy of The Night Circus:

For another imaginative, dark story of historical fiction and magic, try Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.

An even darker, though atmospheric and ornately told story of love and violence set in the 19th century that might appeal to people who enjoy The Night Circus is Under the Poppy.

Goodnight, Beautiful by Dorothy Koomson

2011-10-01T11:55:00.000-05:00

In Dorothy Koomson's latest book Goodnight Beautiful, Nova and Mal have been best friends since childhood, so when Mal and his wife Stephanie are unable to have a child of their own, they beg Nova to act as a surrogate mother. After much soul searching, Nova reluctantly agrees to help her friend, despite many reservations about her ability to give up a child and about how the situation will affect their long-standing friendship. Stephanie becomes jealous and resentful of the ties between Nova and Mal and forces Mal to abandon their plans for a child, leaving Nova pregnant and raising their child alone. Tragedy strikes and Nova must decide whether to let Mal back into her life for the sake of her son. The story is told from the perspectives of Leo, Nova and Stephanie and their viewpoints are touching and heartbreaking—a very moving story about love and family.

Another title available at the library by Koomson is My Best Friend's Girl.