Summer 2008

Writing this when it’s raining torrentially and my rain gauge has, however briefly, noted that the rate was 3.49 inches per hour, the temptation is to limit the chosen titles to books about the weather and the rules for indoor games.  We’ve not added either sort to our collections recently, but we have acquired a nice bunch of books, many of which either suggest summertime activities or are just nice summer reads. 

As an aside:  a “summer read” implies that in summer one has additional time for reading, not just that it may be lighter in content.  Do you?  Have you read something you particularly liked?  Add it to our white-board and recommend it to others.

FICTION

The best science fiction and fantasy of the year

Short stories don’t appeal to everyone, nor do sci-fi and fantasy.  But an anthology of works vetted by people who know the genres might be a nice way to try them.  And if you find your concentration span is shorter in summer owing to other distractions, it might be just the thing.

The Moneypenny diaries

Bond – James Bond.  We know his voice and his look from Sean Connery and his successors, but I’m guessing that only the true fans know Miss Moneypenny as well.  She has played by five different women, and I’m not sure I even noticed.  Her diaries have been “edited” by Kate Westbrook; a new view of the tales.

Uneasy relations

Some of you are going to, or already have, shared a summer vacation with family.  I’ve never done that, but have heard from many friends the simultaneous wonders and tribulations of the experience.  This is a mystery novel, but the title prompted me to include it here.

NONFICTION

The creative family

The same stories from the same friends caused this book to leap to the list.  It’s full of ideas for for the family on  rainy days, too-hot days, days when you know you’ve spent too much time at the beach, and being indoors is the right thing to do.  It’s a book for all year round. 

Bookbinding

When this book was ordered, I knew I’d be writing a little ad for the Technical Services Department.  If you read this book, and you like the subject matter, please let us know.  We don’t need a bookbinder, but someone who enjoys the art and craft of book mending would be a happy addition to our volunteer roster!

Roadfood

You know the road you always take up to your favorite inn, or to your mother’s in Indiana, or your cousins in New Jersey, and you probably always take your breaks at the same places.  It’s not that you like them, but you know where they are, and it’s convenient.  Right?  Well, it’s time to get past those places and learn some new ones.  The Sterns have made a business (and a website and many books) of finding the places you don’t have the time to seek out.  They give you a review and a quick overview.  Even if you don’t take the book home, you can have a quick look at it if it’s on the shelf, and check your regular routes for new options.

LARGE PRINT

Sail

The title conjures up a wonderful day out, slicing through the water with the ease born of a good sailor on a well-crafted boat.  But I remind you that this book was written by one of the masters of suspense, so although it begins as a family vacation, it might not be the trip they counted on. 

Comfort food

For those of you who loved “Friday Night Knitting Club,” here’s another from Kate Jacobs with the same comfortable mood.  It’s a woman with her family and friends, it’s cooking, it’s the possibility of romance. 

PLAYAWAY

Have you discovered these yet?  They’re prerecorded MP3 players, about the size of a business card, each with a single title on it.  Plug in your own earphones, make sure you have a battery, and enjoy.  Since we’re in the process of building our Playaway collection, we’re adding not just new titles, but some of the classics and old favorites.  This is also because licensing of new titles and production have been slow. 

Dracula

If your familiarity with this classic begins and ends with Bela Lugosi’s screen portrayal and Halloween costumes, you really need to acquaint yourself with the original.  It’s scary.  And then you should read the original Frankenstein.  In both cases, the original is far superior to any later version.

Engulfed

David Sedaris has been around for awhile, but I’ve just started reading him, and so should you.  If you listen to his book (the most recent of many) in a public place, be prepared for people to wonder about why you’re laughing all by yourself.  He’s deft with description, dialogue, and sharing his pleasantly off-beat view.  This is a man who went to Japan to quit smoking.

AUDIO

Resolution

This is the second in Robert Parker’s western series featuring Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch.  Hawk and Spenser on horseback?  That’s not what the readers and critics are saying.  It’s good Robert Parker.

Miracle

Precious Ramotswe of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is on another case.  The draw of these books is not just a mystery story but that the series is set in Botswana, full of scenery, customs and people far beyond the ken of most of us.  And Mr. McCall Smith paints a beautiful picture of it all while telling a good story.