Saturday, December 27, 2008

3 cups of Tea

I finished Greg Mortensen's wonderful book Three Cups of Tea over the weekend. It is his story of building schools to educate Pakistan's poorest of the poor and fight terrorism beyond bombs and wars and ideologies. This book will be the Le Mars public Library's first book discussion scheduled for January 7. I am excited to hear everyone's thoughts on this book as it provides a view of Pakistan that is not seen on the news. It really made me think about how the U.S. government has responded to Muslim countries, and reacted to these people in general. I learned lots, and had my views challenged after reading this book. Bravo Greg Mortenson!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Hound of the Baskervilles

I finished listening to one of Sherlock Holme's most famous tales by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tale this morning. If it had been Halloween time I would have been properly 'creeped out' as it were! I have seen video versions of this story, but never have I read or heard it all the way through. This was a WILBOR download onto my IPOD and I thoroughly enjoyed the tale! This is one book that is probably more readily available for download than some of the more current titles, but it was a great time to get in some "classic" stories! I love doyles language and the very vivid pictures he paints of the English Moor, and of the characters from the late 1800's that fill this story. The image of an English manorhouse upon the edge of a dark, mysterious place was properly spooky! This is a wonderful story to listen to, and I recommend this book.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Camel Club part 4


David Baldacci has a fourth, and presumably final, installment of his Camel Club series, Divine Justice. I have been anxious for the completion of this story since I finished part 3, Stone Cold. Divine Justice continues the story of Oliver Stone who is now being hunted by the FBI because he's assasinated two high level politicians. If you have been a fan of Baldacci as I am, you will no doubt be happy to have this next installment of this series. Baldacci books are sure to be fast paced and full of surprises. Baldacci, along with Vince Flynn give an altogether different look at Washington politics and policies. You will want to be sure to read other Baldacci novels when you're done with this one. You'll need to get your name on a waiting list because these novels are highly sought after. It will be worth the wait.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Genre: Mystery. Iowa Author: Donald Harstad

If you have a certain genre of book you love to read, i.e. horror, you know that there comes a time when you're hunting around to find a new author who writes exactly the kind of book you would love to read. Among my favorite genre is the mystery. I thought I would introduce you to an author that I enjoy reading but whom you probably don't know. Donald Harstad is an Iowa author, a former police officer from Clayton County Iowa, now retired and writing mysteries set in NE Iowa. His first book was Eleven Days published in 1998. Since that time he has had five books published, all fictionalized accounts of his experience in law enforcement. The content of Harstad's books include his encounters with Satanists, vampires, drug dealers, thieves, the FBI and murderers. "All the stuff I do is based on what I've done or seen around here - even the vampires. We had people in Crawford County that thought they were vampires," he said. "I try to base most of my books on people and situations I have encountered but I try to change everyone's names," he added.
The Le Mars library, sadly, only has two of his books, "Eleven Days" and "Known Dead". But try one out first and see if not right about this author: His books are great! We can find other ones at Interlibrary Loan if you like them. I promise. You won't be disappointed.


"My name is Carl Houseman. I’m a deputy sheriff in Nation County, Iowa. I’m also the department’s senior investigator, and senior officer, to boot. I’d like to tell you about the killings we had in our county in the summer of ’96, and the subsequent investigation that stood the whole state on its ear. This is my version of what happened. It’s the right one" -from Eleven Days.


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Monday, December 1, 2008

Check out this great classic!



"I have been, am, in his service; I have seen his generosity and goodness; and I will never betray him-not for all the gold in the world. I have come from a village where they don't eat that kind of bread." Can you place that quote? Well, it happens to be from Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. A memorable quote, I think. I had this book downloaded into my IPod from our WILBOR site so I could listen to it on the way to Thanksgiving dinner in St. Louis! If you haven't chanced to check these out yet, you should be sure to check out the site. the WILBOR downloadables are full of classic books and it is a great way to 'read' them if you've never done so before. The Jules Verne book fills the bill for family entertainment, full of action, and good fun all around. There's no doubt that Verne is teaching as well. The listener gets a history lesson, a geography lesson, and lessons in being honest and trustworthy. Would Passepartout take a bribe to betray his master, Mr. Phileas Fogg? Was Mr Fogg a liar and a thief? Would Mr. Fogg sacrifice his wager to rescue his servant? And what about that numskull detective Fix, who was following them all over, who nearly ruined everything? Could he be forgiven, ever for his betrayal? That is the wonderful amazing part of the story that keeps you listening. You can check it out on WILBOR, come to the library and get the book, or get it from us on audio as well. It's worth the effort.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

The Power of Nice

Now here's a book that' practical for anyone no matter what their career. And that's exactly the idea. The Power of Nice by Linda Kaplan has as its premise that conquering, especially the business world, is done much more effectively with 'niceness' than with any thing else. The authors argue that despite the general cutthroat rules of the business world, true niceness has much greater rewards Kindness, appreciation, and just being friendly play a big part in reaching one's goal ,than anything. Not content to tell about niceness, the authors also offer practical suggestions and case studies. Nice guys finish last? This book turns that philosophy completely upside down. Niceness in companies means they have lower employee turnover rates, and higher productivity. Nice people live longer, are happier and make more money! Wow! Read this book, even if you don't own a business but just want some great ideas about succeeding in business, or at whatever your career is!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Best Sellers at the LeMars Library



The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer is not only on lots of best seller lists, it's popular here too. I have my name on it and will have to wait patiently. You would think the librarian might get a break here, but I came in too late to lay claim. None-the-less plenty have been reading and enjoying it, so I had to encourage you to check it out too. Here's a review from a reader: "I read this book off a recommendation of a friend and had no idea what to expect. I really didn't even know what the book was about! However, it's one of the best books I've read in a while. "

The Story, set just as the second World War ends is about a writer who discovers the citizens of the Isle of Guernsey quite by accident. She begins a remarkable correspondence with the Potato Peel Pie society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Cabinet of Curiosities

I'm not a big horror fan. I have trouble reading things that tend to stay in my memory and my dreams.Stephen King, Dean Koontz... these authors are well known and quite popular. And I stay away from them But here is another author that you might try: Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child. I have just finished Cabinet of Curiosities and realized after I was well hooked by the story that these could easily be classified as horror. The story revolves around a grisly discovery at a construction site of several dozen long dead bodies, a curator at the New York Museum of Natural History, and special FBI agent Pendergast. The story is about a serial killer who is seeking the 'fountain of everlasting life' through his bizzare experiments. There is some great history woven into the stories as well as cool tours into the archives of a natural history museum. Cabinet is actually book 3 of the Pendergast series so if you're a stickler about starting at the beginning read Relic, then Reliquary before you pick this one up. But beware, these books will keep you reaching for more!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Silks


If you haven't read Dick Francis, don't miss this chance! This would be a great book to introduce his style and his enthusiasm and knowledge of English racing. I loved this story of lawyer/jockey Geoffrey Mason and his encounter with homegrown bully Julian Trent. There is plenty of suspense as we wonder when this young monster, Julian, will show up again. And why is he so insistent that Mason take and lose the murder case of fellow Jockey Steve Mitchell? Plenty of detective work going on, insight into the British system of law and the downright apathy that accompanies the police in everything but the most horrific of crimes. You'll see I'm a bit of a mystery fan, but horses draw me in every time. Four out of Five stars for this story!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Digging To America


For 2008 the Iowa Center for the Book chose Anne Tyler's book Digging to America as their All Iowa Reads Book. They encouraged book clubs, libraries, and readers of all kinds to have a discussion about the issues and ideas raised in this story. The story was about adoption and in a very real way about what it was like to be American. Two families from radically different backgrounds and ideologies are brought together on the same day in the same place, an airport, as they are waiting for their new daughters to arrive from Korea. The one family, American by birth, enthusiastically embrace everything foreign about their daughter. The other family, Iranian, struggles to become as American as possible. These two families develop an unlikely friendship. The story is as everyday as it can be. I kept waiting for something monumental to happen throughout the story, but it remained as every day as it could be. It was a great read though. I enjoyed the story and was pleased with the Center for the Book's choice this year. Don't pass this one by if you can help it!