The Ocean at the End of the Lane VS Tenth of December: Dubuque Tournament of Books, Round One

This week we'll be posting the judges' decisions for the first round of the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books. To see an overview of the judges and contestants, check out this blog post.

Judge: Bob

Dubuque 365Ink

The Tenth of December is a collection of short stories by George Saunders who is regarded by a lot of people as the best writer of short stories alive. Someone, I don’t remember who, referred to the stories in this collection as “little joy bombs.” For the most part they are but laced with a goodly amount of sadness, horror and a little twisted humor thrown in to good effect.

“Victory Lap” is about a young boy, Kyle, who is faced with a life and death dilemma. He sees his former friend, Alison, get kidnapped and he has to decide whether or not to get involved no matter how scared he is.

“The Tenth of December” is a story about a man who is trying to kill himself by freezing himself to death. He sits outside on the 10th of December. He is interrupted in the middle of things. This is one of and maybe the best story in the collection.

Another story vying for best in collection is “Escape from Spiderhead.” It is a kind of Science Fiction Horror story. Jeff has been sent to an experimental prison, the inmates of which are at the beck and call of a sadistic warden named Abnesti. The warden develops pharmaceuticals and tests them out on the inmates. The type of drug and the experiment left me slack- jawed and wide-eyed with my socks going up and down. It’s not the kind of story you “like” because of what happens at the end but I tell you it is absolutely riveting.

Up to this point The Tenth of December was, certainly, one of the best books I read all year. That is, until I read Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane. It might be unfair to try and compare these two books because one is a novel and the other a collection of short stories. I have a preference for longer forms of fiction so Mr. Gaiman had the edge there. It was the story that did it for me. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a much stronger story than any of the stories in The Tenth of December.

Mr. Gaiman’s novel is spellbinding, almost literally. There being a few spells cast here and there. It concerns a man who is about 40 years old. He goes back to his home town to attend a funeral. He has some time to kill so he takes a ride around town coming to rest at the place where he grew up. He starts to have these memories of the extraordinary women who lived up the lane from him when he was a kid. There was a grandmother, a mother and a daughter. He starts to remember an astonishing adventure he had that involved all three of the women but especially the daughter. As the afternoon progresses he has reverie after reverie remembering minute details of his adventure, particularly the horrific scary parts. You’ll get no spoilers from me on this one. Go and read The Ocean at the End of the Lane. It will amaze you. I don’t ever use the word awesome (to inspire awe) to describe anything because it’s overused so I’ll use a simile. The book is breathtaking and that is why I chose it to go on to Round Two in the Tournament of Books.

And the Mountains Echoed VS The Girls of Atomic City: Dubuque Tournament of Books, Round One

This week we'll be posting the judges' decisions for the first round of the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books. To see an overview of the judges and contestants, check out this blog post.

Judge: Marie

River Lights Bookstore 

 

Spanning more than six decades and covering three continents, And the Mountains Echoed primarily tells the story of a brother and sister whose love for one another more than made up for what they lost, and the repercussions of great sacrifice in the pursuit of greater good.  Khaled Hosseini proficiently draws the reader into the lives of each character, evoking empathy in even the most trying of situations.  His reputation as an amazing storyteller is well-earned.

The Girls of Atomic City, written by Denise Kiernan, is a retelling of the lives and efforts of a select group of women during World War II.  These women traveled from homes all across the United States to take part in a secret government project.  Not allowed to discuss their work, not even with one another, they were left in the dark about the true effect and risks of the work they were undertaking. Ms. Kiernan took pains to capture the voice of the era and this, more than anything else, is what shines through.  Coupling recounted stories are photographs, both of the principal players during present day and, as they were when they worked in Oak Ridge. 

Perhaps I should not have read And the Mountains Echoed before The Girls of Atomic City, but that action cannot be undone.  I could not imagine, after finishing Khaled Hosseini's latest novel, how any other work could best it, and The Girls of Atomic City certainly did nothing to persuade me otherwise.  While the subject matter of The Girls of Atomic City is one that fascinates me, I found Ms. Kiernan's writing so colloquial and simplistic as to be off-putting.  The feeling of the book was that of an historical fiction and not as an in depth recording of past events.  And the Mountains Echoed, on the other hand, was masterfully written.  While the core of the novel is the relationship between a brother and sister, the adjacent story lines are just as enthralling and necessary.  I wish I could expound further, but it seems a Sisyphean task to try to contain a full review of this magnificent book in such a small amount of space.

Orphan Train VS Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: Dubuque Tournament of Books, Round One

This week we'll be posting the judges' decisions for the first round of the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books. To see an overview of the judges and contestants, check out this blog post.

 

Judge: Megan

Telegraph Herald

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini
Review by Megan Gloss
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker offers a historical - yet thoughtful, poignant and fascinating - account of the unlikely friendship that evolved between First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and her dressmaker, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Keckley, a former slave who bought freedom for herself and her son in St. Louis in 1860. She went on to fashion a professional reputation and successful career as a seamstress upon relocating to Washington D.C., dressing the city's high society and political hierarchy.

It was March of 1861 that Lincoln singled out Keckley from a number of other hopefuls to fill the role as her seamstress. Keckley was responsible not only for creating the First Lady's elaborately detailed gowns, but for dressing Lincoln in the very designs Keckley had suited just for her.

  
A touching bond was formed between the two women in their commonality through tragedy. Keckley's son - who was more than 3/4 white - had enlisted in the Union Army and was killed in battle. After the death of Lincoln's first son, Keckley began to serve as a trusted confidant and companion to the First Lady, offering emotional support during that loss, and later, during the loss of her husband in the assassination that stunned a nation already divided and reveling in turmoil and grief.

Keckley saved scraps from many of the gowns she made for Lincoln, piecing together a tribute known as the Mary Todd Lincoln Quilt. And after the Civil War, she authored a memoir, Behind the Scenes: Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House, offering an intimate glimpse of the Lincoln family. It resulted in a scandal that forced the First Lady to abandon ties with her once-trusted "modiste" and best friend.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker is a moving story of the enduring companionship between two women that lives on through the archives and a snapshot of the rich history of that time. Author Jennifer Chiaverini did an admirable job in digging deep into the history, yet telling a story that is both relatable and inspiring.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Review by Megan Gloss

Molly is quickly nearing the age where she no longer can be a part of the foster care system. A community service position assisting the elderly Vivian is the only promising prospect keeping her out of a youth detention center and out of further trouble.

As she helps Vivian sift through possessions and old memories in her home, Molly unexpectedly discovers that she and the woman she thought she'd have nothing in common with are one and the same. As a young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose fates and futures were eerily uncertain.

Together, the two form both a liberating and comforting bond, reaching conclusions to unanswered questions they have carried with them throughout their lives, and ultimately, offering each a sense of closure and, for perhaps the first time, the thought of hope and possibility in the future.

Orphan Train is remarkably moving and its characters, well-developed and strong.
Decision: It was a difficult selecting one book over the other in this first round pick. While both were well-written stories of resilience, the unforeseen destiny of unexpected friendships formed out of unfortunate circumstances and intriguing characters, Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker spoke to me more and was more relatable. I enjoyed the historical backdrop and authenticity of the novel and also felt a connection to each of these women and a fascination with the bond they shared.

Husband's Secret VS The Cuckoo's Calling: Dubuque Tournament of Books, Round One

This week we'll be posting the judges' decisions for the first round of the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books. To see an overview of the judges and contestants, check out this blog post.

Judge: Bethany

Finding Pins and Needles 

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo’s Calling is a masterfully orchestrated mystery. The novel is long, with many characters and great detail; which leaves the "who dunnit" up in the air for 95% of the book. The abundance of dialog at times feels drawn out, but gives it a more realistic perspective. As a reader, you really have to pick and choose and pay attention to facts if you’re trying to sleuth through it with the protagonist. Most mysteries I’ve read, if the book goes into any great detail, it must be integral to the answer, and possibly gives the ending away. This simply wasn't the case with The Cuckoo's Calling, the details did all come together, but, as I said, in a masterfully orchestrated way. “Orchestrated” seems to be the most accurate way to describe J.K. Rowling’s execution and conclusion.

This book has seriously raised the bar for my expectations in a mystery. Since reading The Cuckoo’s Calling, I have read a number of “who dunnit” books that have been unsuccessful at measuring up.

Having read J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, I see some of the similarities in her character development and "page turning" writing. The subjects are far from similar and this is definitely an adult vs. youth oriented book. I wouldn't call it a suspense novel, but it is a great puzzle. I'd happily recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

This author could not have been more in my head. Liana Moriarty has an uncanny ability to portray real characters. Her writing style is fabulous, and I look forward to reading more from her. Her writing is what carries 70% of the book for me. The other 30% is a captivating plot line. I wouldn’t call this a must-read-in-one-day-thriller type, but compelling still. The story captures a segment in time where there is an apex between a handful of characters in their own kind of crisis. She does a great job of making you identify with them and more importantly, care what happens to them.

As for the story line, I’ll say it is an illustration of human fragility and mystery that culminates with a certain harmony and balance. If you are a reader who prefers a tidy ending, where you have every question answered, this is a book for you. All three of the main characters are searching to find their way and ultimately they find answers in a maybe unexpected way.

Round 1 Choice:

I enjoyed both novels for their compelling mystery elements. Both also had wonderful character development that truly carried the stories. Having said that, I happen to identify and enjoy the characters more in The Husband’s Secret. There is more of a heartfelt connection in The Husband’s Secret that The Cuckoo’s Calling didn’t possess. For me, that element tipped the scales in favor of The Husband’s Secret, my choice for round one.

Gulp VS Relish: Dubuque Tournament of Books, Round One

This week we'll be posting the judges' decisions for the first round of the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books. To see an overview of the judges and contestants, check out this blog post. 

Judge: Fran

River Lights Bookstore 

Comparing Lucy Knisley’s Relish: My Life in the Kitchen and Mary Roach’s Gulp is like comparing pancakes and pigs’ feet. Both books deal with food but in a totally different context.

Let's first look at the ways the two books are similar.  Both are written by women who have a rich sense of humor and a clever writing style. Both are nonfiction. The consumption of food is a subject frequently mentioned in the two books. Both have amusing illustrations.

The Gulp illustrations appear prior to a chapter and are generally realistic. Knisley’s illustrations, since Relish is a graphic novel, are fundamental to both the format and the story. The cartoons are bright, colorful, and charming.  They help tell the story of Kinisley’s adventures and also provide a step-by-step guide for how to prepare the recipes she includes.  Her cartoon style reminded me of the Archie comics I enjoyed as a child.

Their differences are more apparent. Relish, a young adult book, is a memoir of Lucy Knisley’s childhood and young adulthood experiences with food. Her mother is a chef and her father a gourmand so she grows up eating a wide variety of food. She learns to cook, and to appreciate and enjoy food.  As a child and teen, she helps her mother with her garden and works in her catering business. The book is composed of her personal memories and her reflections on cooking and eating. Although several recipes are included they are her own or her mother’s recipes and no particular scientific information is offered.

On the other hand, Glup: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, while written in a humorous and somewhat breezy style, is definitely a scientific work. Roach includes numerous footnotes and a twelve page bibliography. Details are given of experiments performed in the 1800s on through ones being done today. She conducts interviews and reports her discoveries. The language she uses is scientific although much of it is understandable and palatable to the non-scientist. She references her personal experiences, but they are related to the circumstances of a particular interview.

Roach is a well-known, established author. Many adults will choose to read her works and will find them enlightening. I highly recommend Gulp, but I feel it is a book that one should select as a personal preference. Given the subject matter, I don’t want to force someone to read it. On the other hand, since Relish is a book that many adults are going to pass over. It is a light, quick read and will make you smile. It will provide a much needed breath of fresh air as we struggle through the last months of a trying winter. And like me, a reader might discover that a graphic novel can be interesting and fun to read.

Suspect VS Sycamore Row: Dubuque Tournament of Books, Round One

This week we'll be posting the judges' decisions for the first round of the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books. To see an overview of the judges and contestants, check out this blog post.

Judge: Charleen

Cheap Thrills book blog 

 

My reaction upon finishing the second of my two books was, "Why did you agree to do this?" Both books were so good! How could I possibly choose a winner?

Suspect features an unconventional character duo that it's hard not to root for. I especially loved Maggie, the veteran military dog who feels like she's lost her pack. The mystery is a good one, but the growing bond between Maggie and Scott nearly overshadowed the rest of the story.

While Suspect was an enjoyable read, Sycamore Row is the one I keep thinking about. Grisham paints a complex picture of how one man's final act captivates a Southern town. I loved slowly losing myself in this community, and once the trial started, I had to finish the rest of the book in one sitting.

This was a hard decision as I thoroughly enjoyed both of them, but it's Sycamore Row that wins Round One for me.

Charleen @ Cheap Thrills

Garden Gate and Organic Gardening: March Magazines of the Month

Spring is finally on its way, and with the official change of season on March 20th, it's time to start planning your garden. Whether you're looking at grand landscaping or just trying to grow some potted flowers, Carnegie-Stout has the materials to help you get started.

We're highlighting two of our many gardening magazines this month:

Garden Gate began publication in 1995, and has remained a popular source for gardening advice, tips, and information. The magazine's publisher, August Home, is based in Des Moines, Iowa, and the magazine is notable for the lack of advertisements. You can check out an issue from the library, or take a look at the extra features available on their website: www.gardengatemagazine.com 

 Organic Gardening began publication in 1942, and is today part of the Rodale, which publishes several health and wellness magazines. The magazine's decades of focus on the environment provide a wealth of expertise for today's interest in sustainability and the green movement. Organic Gardening is available in both print and digital collections. To check out a digital issue of this or many other magazines through your computer or tablet, check out Zinio. Additional features and content are available through their website: www.organicgardening.com

Previous magazines of the month with a gardening theme have included: Urban Farm and Fine Gardening. Or if you find that you much prefer reading about gardening to actually getting your hands dirty, check out this list of gardening themed mysteries.

Staff Review: Unmentionables by Laurie Loewenstein

Laurie Loewenstein has written a simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting insight into our world as it was a century ago. With scenes in small-town Illinois, war-torn France and gritty Chicago, you will experience both humor and hardship along with Loewenstein's flawed but lovable cast of characters.

The story reads as though in a contemporary setting. You'll find yourself immersed in long-standing feuds, cruel discrimination, military hospitals, and of course, love and adventure, almost without noticing the author's thorough research. She includes fascinating details of everything from clothing to printing presses to relationships and expectations. Your eyes will be opened to the obstacles and charm of the slower communication and transportation, and the (even more) judgmental neighbors, our ancestors lived with not so long ago.

Unmentionables includes a little something for everyone. You'll learn about the struggle for women's suffrage and early 20th-century politics and economics. The characters are diverse and complex, and you may find yourself missing a couple of them when you finish the book. If you're looking for a feel-good novel with a little extra education and drama, Unmentionables is perfect for you.

~Rachel, Technical Services

Dubuque Tournament of Books 2014: Meet the Books

March is just around the corner and that means it's time for the 2nd Annual Dubuque Tournament of Books! Be sure to stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor to pick up your tournament bracket for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

This year we have a team of local judges who will decide which book is our champion:

Judge: Fran

River Lights Bookstore 

 Gulp by Mary Roach

Mary Roach (author of Stiff: the curious lives of human cadavers) continues to explore the weirder corners of science in this witty look at the digestive tract.
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley

Lucy Knisley's engaging, lively graphic memoir about the importance of good food to her life and family received a 2013 Alex Award.

Judge: Marie

River Lights Bookstore 

 

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

A lyrical story of an Afghani family through the turbulence of the 20th century from the author of The Kite Runner.
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan

The richly detailed history of life in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the WWII factory town devoted to the top secret project to build the atomic bomb.

Judge: Charleen

Cheap Thrills book blog 

Suspect by Robert Crais

A fast-paced tale of a cop hunting for his partner's killers with the help of Maggie, a German Shepard suffering from PTSD after deployment in Afghanistan, from the author of the Elvis Cole mystery series.
Sycamore Row by John Grisham

John Grisham's first sequel returns to the characters and setting of his first novel, A Time to Kill, as Jake Brigance takes on the controversy that erupts after the suicide of a wealthy man.

Judge: Bethany

Finding Pins and Needles 

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

A suspenseful story from the Australian Liane Moriarty, Cecelia's life is perfect until the day she discovers a letter from her husband that contains a shocking secret.
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

The first in a fast-paced series featuring private investigator Cormoran Strike from the author best known for writing the Harry Potter series.

Judge: Becky

Charles C. Myers Library, University of Dubuque

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

A bittersweet story of first love between misfits in 1986, Rainbow Rowell's first young adult novel is a 2014 Printz Honor book.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Personalities clash in this thought-provoking novel, directionless Louisa takes a job as an assistant to Will, a paraplegic adrenaline-junky who doesn't want to live his life in a wheelchair.

Judge: Sue

Nicholas J. Schrup Library, Clarke University

 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

An engaging and funny novel by debut novelist Graeme Simsion, the super logical scientist Don's plan to find a wife is thrown into chaos when he meets Rosie, who is searching for her biological father.
The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway

Debut novelist Bee Ridgway's intricately plotted story of conspiracy, time travel, and romance features compelling characters and enough mystery to keep the pages turning.

Judge: Megan

Telegraph Herald

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Kline examines the overlooked stories of unwanted children in this moving novel. Molly, a teen who's spent years in the foster system, meets Vivian, who came to Minnesota on an orphan train decades ago. 
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini 

The author of the popular Elm Creek Quilts series turns her pen to the life of Elizabeth Keckley, former slave and dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln in this richly detailed novel.

Judge: Bob

Dubuque 365Ink

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

This bittersweet and haunting tale of childhood friendship is a good entry point to the dreamlike writing of the popular Neil Gaiman.
Tenth of December by George Saunders

Wry, whimsical, and unpredictable, this short story collection by essayist and novelist Saunders was a finalist for the 2013 National Book Award.

FY15 Library Budget Presentation Video

Carnegie-Stout Public Library Director Susan Henricks gave a presentation to the Dubuque City Council last night about the Library's fiscal year 2015 budget recommendations. Here's the video:


For more information, see the City of Dubuque's Fiscal Year 2015 Budget.

You can pick up a copy of the Annual Report for Carnegie-Stout Public Library by stopping in, or on our website.

Staff Review: Mothership by Martin Leicht and Isla Neal

 Are you a fan of YA Fiction? Are you tired of reading depressing YA dystopias, especially given the cold, dreary weather we’ve been having? If you answered yes to either of those questions you really should give Mothership by Martin Leicht and Isla Neal a chance.

Elvie Nara makes the mistake of falling in lust with Cole Archer, the hottest guy in school. One thing leads to another and Elvie ends up pregnant. She tells Cole and he disappears. Nobody has seen him since Elvie dropped the pregnancy bomb. Did I mention that Cole’s girlfriend, Britta McVicker, and Elvie happen to be archenemies? Now Elvie is at a special school for pregnant teens and she is pretty much counting the hours until she can give the baby up for adoption. Elvie's mother died when she was young and always dreamed of traveling. Elvie wants to visit all the places her mom dreamed of going, and the only way to do that is by giving up the baby.

So far this sounds like a typical teen drama right? Sort of Juno meets Mean Girls? But wait, here is the twist. The book takes place in the year 2074. Hanover School, the school for pregnant teens, is actually an old low-orbit luxury cruiser spaceship. The title “Mothership” totally makes sense now doesn’t it? So Elvie and other pregnant teens are floating in space, going to class, getting prenatal care, hidden from the prying eyes of Earth. Ideal right? Wrong! Guess who also happens to be at Hanover School? Britta McVicker! Cole was a busy boy. Even in pregnant teen school there are cliques, and Britta is still the queen bee.

One day Elvie is skipping class and eating ice cream on the observation deck when suddenly she sees the ship being boarded by men dressed as some sort of space commandos. The mothership is under attack! Guess who happens to be one of the commandos? Cole Archer. What are the odds?

This book is kind of crazy and perhaps that is why I enjoyed reading it so much. Elvie is intelligent, snarky, mechanical, and determined. Cole is an absolute idiot (but he sure is pretty). And things on the mothership are not at all what they seem.

Elvie’s father is fantastic. This man has a contingency plan for every single scenario. Your teenage daughter is pregnant? He has a plan for that. The hood of your car pops open while driving at high speeds? Not only does he have a plan for that, he has actually practiced that scenario. Elvie’s best friend is named Ducky. If you are a fan of 80s movies you would be correct in guessing that Ducky got his nickname because of his resemblance to Jon Cryer’s character in Pretty in Pink (1986). Elvie and Ducky are obsessed with old movies. Ducky supports Elvie 100%. He is the greatest best friend ever.

When the mothership comes under attack, Elvie proves to be one heck of a leader. Her mechanical abilities come in handy and her snarky, sarcastic attitude adds quite a bit of humor. One thing, and this isn’t a spoiler, but I love the nicknames she has for her fellow classmates. My favorite has to be for the girl who is always chewing on her hair. Elvie simply refers to her as “Chewie” throughout the book. The events that lead up to Elvie attending Hanover School, and the attack on the spaceship, are told through flashback chapters in the book. It was nice to not have to suffer through the drama of teenage romance, and just see it through the eyes of the pragmatic and snarky Elvie. I think she gets that from her father.

This is the first book in a planned trilogy. I have some questions about Elvie’s mother, and I suspect there is more to her story. Maybe I will find out if I'm right somewhere within the next two books. This is a quick, fun read. Due to the subject matter, this book is better suited for older teens and adults. The second book, A Stranger Thing, is available now.

~ Amy, Adult Services

Staff Review: The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

If you like colorful language and unique dialog in an historical setting, you should enjoy The Good Lord Bird, the 2013 National Book Award winner by James McBride.  When abolitionist John Brown frees a young slave he is under the impression that he is helping a young black girl.  The child, nicknamed Onion by Brown, is unwillingly swept into the Captain's crusade to end slavery.  The story covers approximately 4 years and is told through Onion's eyes.  He portrays John Brown as a strong, righteous man who is a religious fanatic that truly believes in his cause and is willing to sacrifice everything to end slavery.  During his time with Brown, Onion is treated with respect and kindness even though survival was often in question.

Onion's perspective is often humorous but never lets the reader forget the injustices and violence brought about by slavery.  At times the story bogs down with the repetition of Captain Brown's rants, slowing down the middle of the book for me, but the story ends strong.  We know what happens to John Brown, but it's Onion's story you want to finish. His life ends up taking many unexpected turns, but Onion remains resilient throughout the book.

-Michelle, Circulation

To read more about John Brown and the Harper's Ferry raid try:

• Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks (Fiction Banks) An atmospheric novel of John Brown's life told from the perspective of his son Owen.
• Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz (LP 973.7116 HOR) A richly detailed account of the Harper's Ferry raid from the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.
• John Brown's Spy: the adventurous life and tragic confession of John E. Cook by Steven Lubet (Biography Cook) A biography of John E. Cook, who helped John Brown in the planning of his raid.
• John Brown's Trial by Brian McGinty (973.7116 MCG) McGinty's legal background allows him to focus on the impact of Brown's trial on the United States leading up to the Civil War.

Staff Review: Death Without Cause

Wahlert High School and University of Iowa graduate Pamela Klauer Triolo now lives in Texas.  When she emailed the Library last summer to ask if we’d like to accept a copy of her first novel, I was pleased to find Death Without Cause was already on our shelves.  Now that I’ve read her book, I’m equally glad to report that I want to read The Imposter, the next title in her planned series of health care mysteries featuring nurse Santos Rosa, but it doesn’t have a release date yet.

Robin Cook and Tess Gerritsen are authors of medical thrillers I’ve read in the past.  Pamela Triolo compares favorably; a bit less graphic and a touch more cozy.  All three authors use their medical backgrounds to give an insiders’ view of health care settings, professional ethics and politics. 

The first chapter of Death Without Cause begins with Santos and fellow nurse Patrick Sullivan facing a tense code blue emergency when a local public figure scheduled for a routine knee replacement begins hemorrhaging.  The following chapters alternate from Santos’ point-of-view to the thoughts of an unnamed hospital employee who is plotting a deadly game for patients.  I like that many of the chapters are relatively short; some are less than a page long.

Triolo’s cast of characters and well-plotted storyline kept me absorbed.  The good guys weren’t perfect, and the bad guy wasn’t inexplicably evil.  His motivation, if not his identity, was revealed as the story progressed.  There was a balance in not only the characters, but the action as well.  Details of Santos’ family life and friendships counter the riveting medical action.  Triolo’s time spent working in hospital is evident in her knowledgeable account of how staff respond to unexpected and unexplained problems for patients.  If I ever end up in a critical care situation, I’d want a team like Santos’ co-workers from the Texas Medical Center in my corner. 

The descriptions of Houston reinforce my desire to visit Texas someday; I’d like to attend the Nutcracker Market.  Maybe Pamela Triolo will be there autographing copies of her next book.

 - Michelle, Adult Services

February Magazines of the Month: Mental Floss & Macworld

Mental Floss is a magazine of entertaining trivia, puzzles, intellectual humor, and general edutainment. The magazine was started by two students at Duke University, and has been publishing eight issues a year since 2001. Regular contributors include A.J. Jacobs, Ken Jennings, and John Green. Their website and blog is packed with even more wacky entertainment:  mentalfloss.com

Mental Floss is one of the titles available through our collection of Zinio downloadable magazines.

Macworld is the oldest continuously published magazine specific to the world of Mac products, with their first issue appearing in 1984. Between their print issues, their website (www.macworld.com), and their weekly podcast, Macworld will keep you up to date on all things Apple.

Macworld is also available through our collection of Zinio downloadable magazines.

What to do when you've finished "The Empty Hearse"?

If, like me, you've been waiting for PBS to air the latest season of Sherlock, you'll probably understand the dread in anticipating the wait for series four. That's why we put together some reading and viewing suggestions to help keep you entertained (when you aren't rewatching the first three seasons).

Sherlock, a co-production with the BBC, takes the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and reworks them for the modern world. Dr. Watson has a blog, and Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) has amazing cheekbones. Each episode is more like a short film than a typical TV episode, which contributes to the years fans have had to wait for the second and third seasons.

We've tackled some of the many variations on Holmes's story on the blog before, and the field is likely to only become more crowded, now that much of Doyle's writing is in the public domain. If you're looking for a fun comparison, Elementary is another series that updates the mythology of Sherlock Holmes to the present day. Though in this version, Holmes lives in New York City, and Watson is played by Lucy Liu.

Reading suggestions for fans of Sherlock:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
This moving story about a teen, Christopher, who employs the methods of Sherlock Holmes to investigate the vicious murder of his neighbor's dog. Christopher's autism makes it difficult for him to understand the people around him, but his focus leads him to uncover a dark secret in his own family.

The Devotion of Suspect X  by Keigo Higashino
This award-winning Japanese mystery tells an intricately plotted tale of cat and mouse. Ishigami, a solitary math teacher, helps his attractive neighbor cover up the murder of her abusive ex-husband. A crime complicated when Dr. Yukawa, Ishigami's successful rival, enters the investigation.

The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters
As the end of the world approaches in the form of an asteroid, Detective Hank Palace is focused on his first murder case. Offbeat and intricately plotted, readers will appreciate Palace's outsider perspective.

An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears
A darkly convoluted plot drives this character-driven mystery set in 17th century England. The conflicting perspectives, the complex politics, and the changing understanding of medicine adds to the tension.

Dubuque League of Women Voters Political Directory

The Dubuque League of Women Voters 2014 Political Directory includes the contact information for many city, county, state, and national elected officials, including:

• U.S. and Iowa Elected Officials
• Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
• Dubuque County Officials
• City of Dubuque Staff
• Dubuque Mayor and City Council
• Western Dubuque County Community Schools Board
• Dubuque Community Schools Board
• Political Parties
• Voter Registration
• Election Schedule for 2014
• And more!

DLWV 2014 Political Directory

See also Dubuque County Elected Officials 2014.

Staff Review: Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Presented with an unexpected day off last week when the cold and a burst pipe closed the library on Tuesday, I did the only reasonable thing: read a great book.

Ancillary Justice is the first novel by prolific short story author, Ann Leckie. The wonder of this book is how Leckie created a story that was both familiar and unexpected. A character who is an AI, even an AI who is a ship, is a classic of the Science Fiction genre. What makes the story feel fresh is Leckie's attention to world building and characterization.

As a reader, I'm drawn to stories of grandly imagined, future civilizations grounded by the perspectives and experiences of a few characters, or space opera in the best sense of the term. Ancillary Justice is a perfect example of what I'm looking for when I want a space opera. Justice of Toren, a 2000 year-old war ship created by the Radch Imperium, makes for a compelling narrator: she is both an outsider and someone who knows the culture intimately.

The plot starts with Justice of Toren posing as a human named Breq as she nears the end of a decades long quest, and is unexpectedly confronted by someone she knew centuries ago. Through alternating chapters, you're introduced to the pieces of her past that have brought Justice of Toren to the frozen, backwater planet of Nilt. 

Ancillary Justice is a solid foundation for a proposed trilogy, and Leckie provides an intriguing introduction to a large and dangerous universe. From the complex internal politics of the Radch to the ominous threat of the alien Presger, I'm eager for the next book to come out. I've checked her website, and there's no date as yet, but that's what our Author Alerts feature is for.

If you're looking for something else to read in the mean time, I suggest checking out:

Ursula K. Le Guin's Hainish Cycle. Not a series proper, but a loosely connected collection of novels and short stories that give an anthropologist's eye view to the future. Start with The Left Hand of Darkness, which provides a similarly unique perspective on gender.

Iain M Banks's Culture series. With intricate plots and complex world building, it's easy for the reader to lose themselves in the Culture Universe. As an added appeal, some of the characters are vast AI intelligences (even starships).

~Sarah, Adult Services

January Magazines of the Month

Our January magazines of the month are Essence and Ebony. You can stop in to Carnegie-Stout and read the latest issues, or check out issues from past months to enjoy at home!

 

Essence magazine began publication in the 1970s, and is today owned by Time, Inc.  Essence is a fashion and lifestyle magazine for African-American women. The magazine organizes and sponsors the yearly Essence Festival in New Orleans every July, featuring a line-up of prominent African-American musicians and cultural figures. You can check out more about the magazine on their website: www.essence.com

 

John H. Johnson of Chicago, Illinois began publication of Ebony, which features coverage of African-American celebrities and politicians, in 1945. Mr. Johnson was also the founder of Jet (magazine of the month in January 2012) which has news features, along with features on celebrities and dating, diet, fashion, and other advice. You can read more about Jet and Ebony on their website: www.ebonyjet.com

Reading Resolution, 2013

In 2012 I made a reading resolution for New Year's: listen to at least one audiobook each month. It turned out to be so much fun that I decided to set a new reading resolution for 2013: read at least one mystery novel each month.

As much as I enjoyed adding audiobooks to my reading routine, it seems that mysteries just aren't my genre. While I greatly enjoy books that incorporate elements of mystery and suspense, if the main focus of a story is whodunit I'm done with it the minute that I solve the puzzle. The result is that I checked out a number of mysteries this year, but only read a few cover to cover. Below I've listed the ones that I enjoyed the most.

Suspect by Robert Crais
I started my year off with the newest title by Robert Crais, Suspect. Crais is known for his series of hardboiled mysteries featuring Elvis Cole, an LA private eye. I wasn't looking to jump into a series though, so I was happy to see that Suspect is a stand alone title. It's a suspenseful and fast-paced tale of a LAPD cop, Scott James, who is hunting for the men who killed his partner.  James is aided in his investigation by his new partner, Maggie, a German Shepard. Maggie carries her own wounds from her deployment in Afghanistan. I liked this book so much that I've already blogged about it once, and I went and bought a copy for my mom to read.

Invisible Murder by Lene Kaaberbøl & Agnete Friis
Invisible Murder is actually the second book in a series, I recommended the first, The Boy in the Suitcase, in an earlier blog post. While you could certainly jump into this series with the second book, if you skip the first, though, you'll miss a lot of the character development. This fast-paced, gritty series is the product of Danish coauthors Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis. Nina isn't a detective, she's a dedicated nurse, who finds herself unable to balance the pressures of her job working with refugees for the Red Cross with her life as a wife and mother.


The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes
Marian Keyes is known for writing humorous chick-lit, not mysteries, but! with a title like The Mystery of Mercy Close and a main character who is a private investigator, I'm going to go ahead and count this as a mystery. Because this is the fifth novel in her series following the Walsh sisters, that means I have four other books to read and enjoy. Helen Walsh is struggling with a bout of suicidal depression, a new relationship, and a missing person case involving a former boy band (that her ex is managing). I listened to the audiobook, and Irish narrator Caroline Lennon provided a clear and lively delivery.


The Last Policeman by Ben Winters
At first glance, the premise of a setting where there are only six months until the end of the world might seem unbearably depressing, and that isn't wrong. The Last Policeman, first of a trilogy, is not a cheerful book, but there is something hopeful in the story. Hank Palace was promoted to detective shortly after the announcement that the asteroid Maia is on an unavoidable collision course with Earth. Hank has dreamed of being a detective since he was a kid, but trying to solve his first murder in the chaos of looming disaster is nothing like he expected. The plot is fast-paced and twisted, but it's the characters that make the story shine. Even the characters who don't rate names are vividly alive, and it's terrible to think how they'll all be dead so very soon.


Trying to read 12 mysteries in 2013 left me feeling pressured (self-imposed goal or no), but I never would've discovered these books without reading books outside my comfort zone. I want to keep pushing my reading interests, so for 2014, I plan to explore the world of superhero comics. It's hard to tell where to start with a genre that's been building backstory for decades, but luckily I have coworkers to help guide me on my journey.