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!

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.

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.

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.

Pictures and more

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.