Staff Review: Space Brothers

If you wanted to be an astronaut when you were a kid, you need to check out Space Brothers. If you find Neil deGrasse Tyson's enthusiasm for space exploration inspiring, you need to check out Space Brothers. If you loved the near-future realism of The Martian, you need to check out Space Brothers.

I will warn you right here that this anime is only available with English subtitles, which I know is not an option for some people. However, the fact that this is an animated series should not stop you from checking this series out. While there are a handful of cartoony moments in the series, it is, by and large, very grounded in real life. Every element is either based on the realities of current space exploration technology, or on well-researched potential technology.

Seriously space nerds, this series is for us. Guys, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide recorded dialog for this series while on the International Space Station. The live-action version (which the library does not own) features a cameo by Buzz Aldrin.

Space Brothers follows two brothers, Mutta and Hibito Nanba, who decided as children that they wanted to be astronauts. Older brother Mutta abandoned that dream, and instead became a mechanical engineer. Hibito followed through and is now an astronaut in training for a moon mission scheduled for next year (2026). Mutta's feelings of inadequacy in the face of his brother's success are only complicated when he's fired. Hibito though, never doubted his brother and secretly submits an application on Mutta's behalf to Japan's highly competitive astronaut training program.

This is a slower-paced series. While parts are fairly intense, the real focus is on the characters and the entire step-by-step process for astronaut selection and training. The characters are interesting, varied, and have distinct personalities. Obviously, my favorite character is the pug dog Apo (short for Apollo).

The whole series is a commitment at 99 episodes, but if you want a heartwarming, optimistic series about the future of space exploration this is a series you need to check out.

~Sarah, Adult Services

Staff Review: Free Men by Katy Simpson Smith

Free Men by Katy Simpson Smith is a fine tale, though not one I would normally patronize. In this book, there were no ghastly hauntings, no demonic possessions, no black blood trickling down macabre halls, no gallivanting knights riding down dissidents, no rampaging Vikings, and there was certainly a marked absence of marauding mercenaries, bloodthirsty space pirates, and buxom maidens awaiting a daring rescue. That being said, this story piqued my interest. I think it was the cover. Despite what you may have learned in school, one can sometimes judge a book by its cover. Take a peek at the screenshot of the cover that I assume is portrayed right next to this missive. You can see thick, leafy foliage providing shelter to what appears to be a dry creek bed scattered with leaves and with an air of tranquility descending over all of the above. In fact the whole narrative is infused with picturesque scenery that makes one yearn for a virgin forest and an open schedule. But I digress.

            
 Free Men unfurls shortly after our great nation won its independence and tells the story of an escaped slave, a white simpleton, and an American Indian seeking allies who stumble upon one another while on their individual paths to freedom. Upon meeting on their separate roads to redemption, this unlikely trio forges an instantaneous bond that transcends each of their individual prejudices and throws them into a situation where they are faced with a difficult decision. When an opportunity to seize an unimaginable amount of wealth from men who are certainly affluent enough presents itself, these men struggle to ascertain whether the ends justify the means. Is it a sin for these wronged individuals to seize what has long been denied to them or do they tread the dark path toward both their damnation and their salvation? 

               
The three protagonists’ journey is stalked from its inauguration by a bloodhound of a Frenchman with a sense of justice as well as an encompassing need to understand the motivations of these three disparate men. His need to bring a group of wrongdoers to justice becomes increasingly sidetracked by his fascination with his prey and his need to scrutinize the spirit of freedom these men present.  

This novel was an unexpected treat that, as I unwrapped it, presented layer after layer of depth and complexity. From the point of view of either the predator or the prey, this story vividly portrays the grey areas of life and makes the reader ponder what it truly means to be free.   

~Ryan, Circulation Department 

Staff Review: "The Last One" by Alexandra Oliva

We've all been there. You're making small talk at a social gathering, and a seemingly innocuous question turns into a conversational landmine.

"How's your cat doing? Still tearing up the couch?" you ask.

"No," your acquaintance responds, "she died last week."

Awkward silence descends.

It's common knowledge that you avoid the obviously controversial topics of politics and religion, but it's much easier to slip and ask a personally treacherous question about careers or relationships. Who wants to discuss the complications of their romantic life with near strangers and distant relatives? Add in all the varied social pressure around reproductive choices for women (the clock is ticking!), and you have a real recipe for disaster.

Zoo* is twenty-nine, happily married with an enjoyable career, and she decides to avoid the question of children for just a little bit longer by signing up for a reality TV competition focused on wilderness survival. Think, Survivor, but set in a wilderness area in Pennsylvania instead of somewhere more distant. Zoo's choice to pick adventure (and avoidance) over convention made perfect sense to me as a reader and a woman who's faced similar social pressures in her life.

I did not expect to find such a depth or resonance of character when I checked out The Last One by Alexandra Oliva. I wasn't looking for a reflection on the potential loss of self (or at least freedom) that can come from motherhood. Nope, I wanted to read Oliva's debut novel because I enjoy the escapism of a good survival tale, especially a survival tale in the face of The End of the World As We Know It.

The chapters alternate between a behind the scenes view of the reality competition and Zoo's continued struggle to survive alone in the wilderness. In the first chapter readers learn that a mysterious infection with a very high mortality rate will rapidly spread across the eastern United States (and entire world), leaving Zoo stranded and unaware.

The Last One will be near the top of my Best of list for 2016 for the way that Oliva mixes literary introspection, sharp human observation, and a suspenseful action plot. This is a fully absorbing weekend read that stuck with me even after I finished the last page, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a gripping tale of survival.

~Sarah, Adult Services


*Not her real name. Zoo is the nickname given to her by the TV show's production team, and as a reader you don't learn her real name until much later in the book.

Book Tips for Travelers

Travel brings with it a change in your daily routine. Whether you're on the road for fun or for business, you're bound to have at least a little free time, which, if you're a book lover, translates to reading time. As a lover of both books and travel, I thought I'd share some of the tips I've learned over the years for the upcoming summer travel season.

 Switch it up! Tackle your To Be Read list

• A vacation is a great time to read a book you wouldn't usually, whether it's the sort of serious reading that demands extra attention or something light and fluffy you'd otherwise feel guilty taking time off to read.

Busy schedule? Try short stories

• Short story collections are great for when you'll only have 30-minutes or so at a time to read between everything else because you can usually read an entire story in that time!
• Added bonus, an anthology will let you sample multiple authors to see if you'd like to read their full-length novels when you have more free time.

eBooks: the easiest way to bring the entire library with you

• Already on the road? Our OverDrive collection of eBooks and downloadable audiobooks are available anywhere you have internet access.

Audiobooks: the only way to read a book while you're driving a car

• MP3 audiobooks let you listen to an entire 12+ hour audiobook on only two discs.
• In addition to our OverDrive collection, we have even more downloadable audiobooks available through One Click Digital.

Paper Books: the only books you don't have to stop reading during take-off and landing

• Nothing beats a paper book for reading in bright sun, and you never have to worry about recharging!
• They're easy to swap among friends and family, which is how I've discovered some of my favorite books.
• Don't want to risk one of your books or a library book? The Friends of the Library always have books for sale on the library's second floor, and the prices can't be beat!

Digital Magazines: we've got those too

• Check out the latest issue on your tablet or smartphone with your library card through our Zinio app.

Long Trip? Suspend your holds

• Been waiting for the latest James Patterson or Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Don't lose your spot, suspend your holds until you get back, and yes, we can do this for you over the phone.

~Sarah, Adult Services

A Prophecy, A Quest and A Fatal Flaw: One Adult's Case for Reading Kid Lit

  

 
If you haven’t been reading kids' books, you are missing out. The drama, complexity and humor of many juvenile fiction books make for great reads, no matter your age. As a die-hard Harry Potter fan, and one who was well into adulthood when they were first published, I learned that a good story can simply be a good story. It is said that J.K. Rowling did not write Harry Potter as a kids' book on purpose; she was just telling the story of a boy wizard. The characters mature in her seven-book series, and we often see that similar arc in other juvenile fiction series. These stories grow in depth and maturity the further we get. 

Once I had read all the HP books, I was in search of more – the same magic, drama and sincerity that I found reading Rowling’s work. There are tons of great books to explore, many of which, I've found, share these compelling characteristics:

• It seems like most of the time, good wins over evil -- mostly. But we do see sadness, we even see death. Such is real life. But still, most of these tales are full of heart and hope. 
• They are real page-turners. They are written to keep you engrossed in the story. There are prophecies and quests and characters learning about their strengths and their fatal flaws.
• You might even learn something! Riordan’s Percy Jackson books are full of mythological characters that – though tweaked for these stories -- are actually based on the myths we were supposed to read in high school and college.
• You won’t get much swearing or any R-rated stuff here. These books are squeaky clean. 
• You want adventure? You got it! These are some crazy stories and will keep you on the edge of   your seat.
• If you are feeling generous, you can totally share these with the kids in your life. Listening to audio books of kids' lit is a near-daily activity in my household. Better yet, check out the book too and listen as you read along. It’s a very good way to help see how challenging words are spelled – especially in the Percy Jackson/mythology books.
• Stop by the Kids Desk or the Recommendations Desk to learn more about the many great tales of adventure.

Staff Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

I am late to the party. Almost everyone I know has either already read The Martian by Andy Weir or seen the movie. Aisha even wrote a post about the movie's (then) upcoming release on this blog. In a way, this is awesome. It's a very lonely feeling to read an awesome book and then have no one to talk about it with because (seemingly) no one else has read it yet. It's much more fun when everyone responds to "I really like this book I'm reading" with "OH YEAH THAT BOOK IS GREAT!"

Mostly though, I'm kicking myself. Two years ago I had access to an ARC (advance reader copy) of The Martian, but I never made it past the first page. I'd just read The Last Policeman and didn't feel up to reading another book where everything is balanced on the edge of disaster. Over the next two years as more and more people mentioned how much they loved The Martian, I became more and more convinced that this wasn't a book I wanted to read. I'm sure we've all had those moments where we tried something popular and thought, "What's the big deal?"

Avoiding something because it's popular is a guaranteed method to miss out on awesome things. However, I suspect that if I'd picked up the print edition, I would've been overwhelmed and disappointed. Happily, I listened to the audiobook narrated by R.C. Bray and that made all the difference. Bray is a perfect match for Mark Watney, the novel's main character and primary narrator. Bray's delivery captured Watney's wry, yet juvenile, humor and incredible optimism, as well as the personalities of the other characters. Bray somehow made even the most technically detailed descriptions of, say, canvas fabrication incredibly engaging. Seriously, there was a chapter that went into great detail on the design, manufacture, testing, and deployment of some fancy space canvas that had me on the edge of my seat.

I tore through the entire 11-hour audiobook over the course of four days. This is saying something because I had to give myself a break for a day after a particularly tense section (see above) and read a comic book. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I don't have an opinion on how they match up. I'm just not ready to live through that tension again, but I'll probably check it out once it's available on DVD. First though, I'll be checking out Packing for Mars by Mary Roach.

If you haven't read The Martian yet, it's not too late!* On Tuesday, January 12th we'll be discussing The Martian by Andy Weir at our first book club meeting of 2016. We hope to see you there!

~Sarah, Adult Services


*It's never too late to read a good book!

#WCW Woman Crush Wednesday: Imperator Furiosa

There are many reasons I loved Mad Max: Fury Road. I loved the guy tied to a truck with bungee cords playing a guitar that shoots flames. I love that to make this movie the director actually had an actor attached to a truck with bungee cords play a guitar that actually shot flames. I love that this movie was essentially one long, glorious car chase. But most of all, I loved Imperator Furiosa.

I love action movies: the adventure, the explosions, the lone hero (or rag tag band) fighting impossible odds to save the day. Unfortunately, your standard action movie also tend to have at most one female character, and she's generally the one who needs saving, the hero's love interest, or both. Not so with Fury Road: Imperator Furiosa is the literal driving force of the movie's story. Even with a minimum of dialogue, the movie introduces a varied cast of characters (female and male) with distinct motivations.

Bonus #wcw Melissa Jaffer as Keeper of the Seeds saying "Kaboom!"

Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) is on a mission to save a group of young women imprisoned as wives to a warlord, while Mad Max (Tom Hardy) is merely carried along for the ride. I don't want to drop any big spoilers in case you're waiting for the DVD or Blu-Ray (release date: September 1st), but this was one of my favorite movies of 2015 and I highly recommend you check it out.

Read Alike Dan Brown

Love him or hate him, there's no question that Dan Brown has a gift for writing a real page turner. His most recent book, Inferno, is the fourth to feature the popular symbologist and conspiracy magnet, Robert Langdon. Brown's writing is fast-paced and plot-driven, with interesting puzzles and elements drawn from a variety of disciplines, from art to science.

Two of the Robert Langdon novels, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, have been adapted as movies with Tom Hanks in the starring role. While neither film received rave reviews from the critics, both did quite well at the box office, so it's likely that Hollywood is at the very least considering movies for The Lost Symbol and Inferno.

You can read more about Dan Brown on his website: www.danbrown.com

If you're waiting to borrow a copy of Inferno from the library, or if you've already finished it, we've gathered together a few reading suggestions for you to check out:

The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell
Mr. Caldwell has written one novel so far, inspired, in part, by the success of The Da Vinci Code and his experiences at Princeton. His Rule of Four, is fast-paced and suspenseful, but somewhat more scholarly with rich historical and academic detail. Set in Princeton, the action follows a group of seniors who get caught up in the puzzle of a mysterious 15th century text, the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, and then one student is murdered.

The Confessor by Daniel Silva 
Bestselling author Daniel Silva is known for his fast-paced thrillers. His protagonist usually has a background in espionage, and his books tend to be violent. His series featuring Mossad agent and art restorer Gabriel Allon is packed with suspense and corruption. The series starts with The Kill Artist, which is available as an eBook in our OverDrive collection. If you're not a fan of eReading, try The Confessor, Allon partners with Pietro, a priest, to uncover secrets of a Catholic society and an assassination.

The Charlemagne Pursuit  by Steve Berry
Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series has a suspenseful mix of historical research and action, as the former Federal agent tackles globe-spanning conspiracies. The series starts with The Templar Legacy, which is available through OverDrive as an eBook. The Charlemagne Pursuit is another good starting point for this series. Cotton Malone is on the trail for answers to his father's mysterious death in a submarine, and the key might be in a manuscript found in Charlegmagne's tomb.

Ark of Fire by C.M. Palov
C.M. Palov's first novel, Ark of Fire, is a fast-paced puzzler that will keep the reader guessing along with the characters. Photographer Edie Miller finds herself drawn into a larger mystery after witnessing the theft of an ancient Hebrew relic. She's joined in her suspenseful, globe-spanning pursuit by historian Caedmon Aisquith, but can they find the truth before the villains catch them?

Other authors to check out include: Matthew Reilly, Raymond Khoury, and Scott Mariani.

You might also enjoy checking out Cheap Thrills, a book blog devoted to the thriller genre by a local blogger: cheapthrillsbookblog.wordpress.com


Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Thanks to Dubuque Author Robert Byrne

Thanks to Dubuque author Robert Byrne and everyone who came to our screening of The Towering Inferno last night in celebration of Dubuque Main Street's Architecture Days.

If you missed Bob's visit to the library, you can place a hold on Bob's novel Skyscraper in our online catalog, and browse through Bob's many other titles.

Our next movie is Life of Pi on May 22. We hope to see you there!

Books to Movies, recent and upcoming

It would be easy to write a blog post every other month with updates on books classic and recent, obscure and popular that are making the transition to Hollywood. In addition to the coming excitement of Oscar Season, the fall holds a few action titles with literary beginnings. We've gathered a few together, with some reading suggestions.

Alex Cross, based on Cross by James Patterson
Release date: October 19
This is the third film based on Patterson's popular Alex Cross series. The first two films, Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, star Morgan Freeman as Cross, while the most recent film stars Tyler Perry. The series starts with Along Came a Spider, and the next book, Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, comes out in November.
Readers may also enjoy:

• Rules of Prey by John Sandford, the first book in his Prey series featuring Lucas Davenport. Fast-paced, violent, and full of gritty details, these suspenseful mysteries mix elements of police procedurals with the psychology of the criminals.
• If I Should Die by Grace Edwards, the first book in her Mali Anderson series. Set in Harlem, this fast-paced series has a tough, intelligent, African-American woman as the detective. Anderson left the police force over racism and sexism, but when a murder is committed before her eyes, she puts her skills to use.

Cloud Atlas, based on Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Release date: October 26
Mitchell's experimental novel about the interconnections between the generations makes for a rather unusual movie, where stars like Halle Berry and Tom Hanks play multiple roles. It is a complex and thought-provoking novel that features Mitchell's skills at changing voice and style.
Readers may also enjoy:

• David Mitchell's most recent novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet, set in late 18th century Japan with a diverse cast of characters.
• If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino is the novel that helped to inspire Cloud Atlas  (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2004/may/22/fiction.italocalvino). This book includes ten different stories written in varied styles.

Anna Karenina, based on Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Release date: November 9
The latest in a series of film adaptations of this Russian classic about society's expectations and doomed love stars Keira Knightley and Jude Law, and should appeal to fans of luscious costume dramas. While you're waiting for the theatrical debut, you can check out the adaptation from 1934 starring Greta Garbo.
You may also enjoy:

• The Awakening by Kate Chopin. This highly controversial late Victorian novel of a woman dissatisfied with her marriage who begins a tragic affair. Chopin's novel shares a similar leisurely pace, though it is more lyrical than weighty.
• If you're looking for a good costume drama, try Phantom of the Opera, Marie Antoinette, or Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair is based on the novel of the same name by William Thackeray, about a young English girl who plots and schemes her way up the social ladder.

 
Life of Pi, based on Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Release date: November 21
Martel's haunting, suspenseful, and spiritual story of a young boy, Pi Patel, stranded at sea in a lifeboat with wild animals, including a tiger, will be guided to the big screen by director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain).
You may also enjoy:

• A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer. This moving Newbery Honor book tells the story of an 11 year-old girl who has to make the dangerous journey from Mozambique to her father's family in Zimbabwe. Farmer incorporates many elements of the Shona spirit world in the book. Though Nhamo's journey is dangerous, she maintains her sense of humor.
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This inspirational and reflective novel by the highly regarded Brazilian author has been translated into 71 different languages. A parable or fable about following your heart and the meaning of life, this story is spiritual and gives the reader much to consider.

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Tips to Survive the Apocalypse

You may've heard that the world will be coming to an end later this year. Well Carnegie-Stout is here to help you prepare. There are 23 weeks until December 21st, so we'd better get started.

Now, you might be feeling a little skeptical, this isn't the first time the end of the world has been predicted, and you very well might be right. But just in case the end is nigh, you might want to check out some of these information sources.

You're going to find the most practical information on the second floor in non-fiction. If you're just looking to browse, start at the call number 613.69: survival.

• Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs by Wendy Brown (333.72 BRO) 
• The Ultimate Survival Manual by Rich Johnson (613.69 JOH, New)
• Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things by Tymony Cy (608 TYM) 
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven (613.69 PIV) 
• How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It by James Wesley Rawles (613.69 RAW) 
• The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks (818.602 BRO) 
• How to Survive a Robot Uprising by Daniel Wilson (OverDrive Audiobook)
• Please consider the potential ramifications of downloading a guidebook to surviving attack by intelligent machines. Do you really trust your mp3 player?

You may also be interested in learning more about the source for these dire predictions: The Maya. Luckily, Carnegie-Stout has the books to give you an edge when it comes to Pre-Colombian calendar systems.

• 2012: the return of Quetzalcoatl by Daniel Pinchbeck (303.4909 PIN)
• The Order of Days: the Maya world and the truth about 2012 by David Stuart (529.3297 STU)
• 2012 and the End of the World by Matthew Restall (236.9 RES)
• The 2012 Story by John Major Jenkins (001.9 JEN)
• Popol Vuh: the Mayan book of the dawn of life (299.784 POP)
• Maya Cosmos by David A. Freidel (299 FRE)
• Breaking the Maya Code by Michael D. Coe (497.42 COE)

Finally, if you want to stay updated or learn more there are (of course) many websites you can visit. Here's a list of favorites website from a staff member who wishes to remain anonymous:

• Terra Vivos- underground shelters (with virtual walk-throughs), disaster scenarios, a downloadable Doomsday clock and more.
• Missile silos converted to shelters: SiloHome, HardenedStructures.com , Survivalcondo.com
• 10 Places to Ride Out the Apocalypse
• Civil Defense pamphlets and fallout shelter plans
• Post-apocalypse art: Vladimir Manyuhina; Steve McGhee; Nice collection from i09
• NUKEMAP: Drop a nuclear bomb on your neighborhood!
• io9's Reading List for the Apocalypse
• Michigan State University course Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse: Catastrophes & Human Behavior
• Westlake Ace Hardware Zombie Preparedness Center
• Patrick Geryl's Doomsday Survival List (via CNN Money)

Good luck!

Read Alike C.S. Forester

When it comes to novels of naval adventure C.S. Forester is at the top of the reading list. Mr. Forester, the pen name of Cecil Louis Troughton Smith (1899-1966), was a professional novelist best known for penning the adventures of Horatio Hornblower, loosely based on the experiences of famous naval heroes of the late 18th and early 19th century. He was also responsible for The African Queen, the basis for the classic film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

Mr. Forester's novels are always filled with historical detail that bring their maritime settings to vivid life. His heroes are honorable and courageous, and his plots have adventure and suspense. If you’ve never picked up one of his novels, start with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower or try the A&E adaption, Horatio Hornblower, starring Ioan Gruffud.

If you're already a Hornblower fan, you may also enjoy these authors:

Julian Stockwin, a former naval officer, has written a series of novels following the naval career of Thomas Paine Kydd that brim with nautical jargon and historical detail. Start with Kydd, young Tom is pulled from his life as a wig maker and pressed into service in the navy in 1793. The reader learns the ins and outs of life at sea along with Kydd as they enjoy his adventures during the Napoleonic wars.

Patrick O'Brian is another well-known author of adventure novels set during the Napoleonic period. His richly detailed series follows the naval adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, drawn partially from the life of Lord Cochrane. Start with Master and Commander, the meeting of Aubrey and Maturin, and start of their adventures, but is only loosely connected to the film of the same name.

Dewey Lambdin has made his name as the author of the Alan Lewrie series of naval adventures. Set during the same historic time and packed with period detail and naval jargon, Lewrie starts off slightly less heoric hero (he's a bit of a fop), but comes to take pride in his career. Start with The King's Coat, young Lewrie is pressed into naval service as a midshipman in 1780 and must find his sea legs soon, or risk a gory death.

William C. Hammond has turned his passion for sailing and history into a series of richly detailed novels set during the late 18th century. Start with A Matter of Honor, Richard Cutler joins the Continental Navy after his brother was killed by the men of the Royal Navy. A mix of history, exciting battles, and a bit of romance.

Bernard Cornwell is the author of fast-paced and well researched historical adventures, with a focus on the gritty reality of the battlefield. Fans of Napoleonic sea battles might enjoy Mr. Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series which follows the career of an illiterate private through some of history's most exciting battles. The series was also adapted as a television program starring Sean Bean as Sharpe.

The Honor Harrington series by David Weber is long-running, plot-driven, work of science fiction peopled by engaging characters, not the least of which is Honor herself. This series is based in part on the navel adventures of the Horatio Hornblower and the career of Admiral Nelson, but has grown over the years to a richly detailed and colorfully populated future universe. The series starts with On Basilisk Station with Honor demonstrating her extraordinary skill as a tactician and leader under pressure.

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!