Great Reading Challenge: Category Spotlight "A Famous Crime"

The Great Reading Challenge of 2018 is in full swing. If you haven't heard, the Great Reading Challenge (GRC) is open to adults 18 and over and is a fun way to engage in reading with a community of like-minded readers, while tracking your books read for the year. You get to choose categories - either before or after you read books. Use the GRC to broaden your reading horizons, or just have fun finding categories to fit the books you were going to read anyway. Maybe you will read more broadly, or maybe you will finally get to some of those books you have meant to read for years! In any case, we hope you'll have fun reading! Register for the GRC here.

This new regular blog spotlight will highlight books we have available for check out at Carnegie-Stout that fulfill different categories of the GRC. All of the book descriptions are courtesy of our NoveList Plus database.

This spotlight covers #11 "Read a book about a famous crime"


In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (364 CAP)
Available in book, ebook and CD Audio Book

"On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues. As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence."

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry (364.1523 BUG)
Available in book format

"The prosecutor of the Tate-LaBianca trials presents the inside story behind the Manson killings, explaining how Charles Manson was able to make his "family" murder for him, chronicling the investigation, and describing the court trial that brought him and his accomplices to justice."

Ugly Prey: An Innocent Woman and the Death Sentence That Scandalized Jazz Age Chicago by Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi (364.1523 LUC)
 Available in book format

"An Italian immigrant who spoke little English and struggled to scrape together a living on her primitive family farm outside Chicago, Sabella Nitti was arrested in 1923 for the murder of her missing husband. With no evidence and no witnesses, she was quickly found guilty and sentenced to hang. Ugly Prey is a page-turning courtroom drama, but also a thought-provoking look at the intersection of gender, ethnicity, class, and the American justice system."

Spotlight on Audiobooks

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, and warm weather shuffles its way here, we're quickly reaching prime audiobook season. Whether you're listening to a book you downloaded from our OverDrive or One Click Digital collections as you do yard work, or a CD or MP3 audiobook is keeping you company on a cross country drive, Carnegie-Stout is hear to help you find something good to read!

Our Adult audiobook collections are located on the second floor (YA titles are in the Teen Zone, and kids' titles are in the Children's Room), and library staff would be happy to help you find a great read any time you stop in. If you aren't able to stop by for a chat, you can always use the Personal Recommendations form to tell us what sort of books you're looking for, and we'll create a list of suggestions just for you!

To get you started, I've put together a list of suggestions for you to check out:

Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy; narrated by Sile Bermingham

Irish author Maeve Binchy is a Dubuque favorite. The pace in her stories is often relaxed and the tone is typically heartwarming and homespun. Start with Heart and Soul, set in an underfunded Dublin heart clinic, this story features a colorful cast of characters that range beyond the shores of Ireland. Audiobook narrator Sile Bermingham’s accent warmly evokes the setting and characters.

The Professional by Robert B. Parker; narrated by Joe Mantegna

Parker was known for his fast-paced mysteries, especially his Spenser series which gave a fresh take on the hardboiled detective. Witty humor and a complex plot are paired with compelling characters. Try The Professional, a thrilling mix wealth, power, affairs, blackmail, and murder. Joe Mantegna (of Criminal Minds) narrates, which provides a crisp and distinctive voice throughout the series.

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert; narrated by Juliet Stevenson

Though you probably recognize Elizabeth Gilbert from her famous memoir (Eat, Pray, Love), she’s also an accomplished novelist. The Signature of All Things is the story of Alma Whittaker, born to a life of privilege in 19th century Pennsylvania, science is her true passion. Juliet Stevenson provides a masterful narration of Alma’s journey through life and love that captures the setting.

Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi; narrated by Wil Wheaton

Scalzi, known for his engaging and offbeat science fiction, updates a science fiction classic, Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper, for modern readers. Snarky, unreliable Jack Halloway works as a prospector on a distant planet owned by the wealthy ZaraCorp, but the find of Jack's career quickly turns out to be worth more than his life. Wil Wheaton's (yes, that Wil Wheaton) wry narration is a great match for Jack.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter; narrated by Edoardo Ballerini

In 1962, an Italian innkeeper falls for an American starlet, an affair that is rekindled 50 years later. An upbeat and engaging novel for fans of character-driven literary romances. Narrator Edoardo Ballerini’s Italian accent and crisp delivery clearly captures the magic of this story.

Society’s Child by Janis Ian; narrated by Janis Ian

(Biog Ian) Grammy winner Janis Ian narrates her autobiography, which borrows its title from her famous song, “Society’s Child.” A fascinating behind the scenes look at the music world from the 1960s to today that incorporates Ian’s music, bringing an additional depth to the recording. Some of Ian's music is available for download through our Freegal collection as well (though not "Society's Child").

The Son by Philipp Meyer; narrated by: Will Patton, Scott Shepherd, and Kate Mulgrew

An epic family saga tracing the sometimes violent fortunes of a Texas family from the 19th century through to the modern age. The multiple perspectives of this 150+ year history each receive own narrator: Will Patton, Scott Shepherd, and Dubuque native Kate Mulgrew. The narrators add to the novel’s strong sense of place.

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty; narrated by Elizabeth McGovern

An engaging historical novel, The Chaperone tells the story of Cora, small town wife and mother, who accompanies ingénue Louise Brooks to New York City in her quest for stardom. Elizabeth McGovern’s (Downton Abbey) skilled narration creates distinct voices for the characters, bringing the Roaring Twenties to life for listeners.

Six Years by Harlan Coben; narrated by Scott Brick

A compelling and intricately plotted stand-alone from a master of suspense thrillers, Six Years is a story of lost love and shattered expectations. Jake is devastated when the woman he loves marries another man, but when her husband dies six years later, Jake is forced to realize he never really knew Natalie. Narrator Scott Brick’s gravelly voice is a perfect match for the sarcastic Jake.

The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, one of the most memorable events of the Civil Rights movement. On August 28th, 1963, around 200,000 gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in support of Civil Rights, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who famously told the world about his dream of a better and more equal world.

2013 is, in many ways, very different from 1963, and even more so than 1863 when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. There are many great resources available for you to learn about the ways in which our nation has changed, and the stories of those who participated in the 1963 March. Stop into Carnegie-Stout to check out our display of books and DVDs on the first floor, or explore some of these great online resources:

C-SPAN is offering live coverage of today's celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, both on their television channel and through online streaming: officialmlkdream50.com

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, a division of the National Archives, includes an interactive overview of the Civil Rights movement: civilrights.jfklibrary.org

You can also browse through the National Archives online collection of materials related to the 1963 March on Washington: tinyurl.com/NARAMLK50

The Smithsonian's Museum of American History has information on the March on Washington and the Emancipation Proclamation: http://ow.ly/olk8q

NPR has a series of articles and interviews with participants in the 1963 March on Washington: www.npr.org/series/213897602/the-march-on-washington-at-50

PBS has created a documentary on the 1963 March, as well as a variety of online resources related to the March available on their website here: www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/march-on-washington/#.Uh4EGj-1d8E

Spotlight: Spycraft

When I say "spy" what do you think of? James Bond? The NSA? Chuck? There's no shortage of spy stories from the comic to the thrilling, from pure fantasy to real life. This means that there's likely to be an espionage book, movie, or tv show to suit your every mood and taste.

Today we've gathered together mix of movies, television shows, and books to suit most any fan of the spy genre. Did we miss your favorite secret agent? Be sure to leave a comment (anonymous commenting is enabled, to protect your cover)!

Television
The second season of Homeland will be out on DVD at the end of August. This tense and suspenseful series is set in a fictionalized (and rather dramatic) world that is recognizably based on reality. The main character, Carrie, may be based, loosely, on an actual CIA operative or operatives.


The BBC series MI-5 (originally aired as Spooks) explores the hidden world of the spies in MI-5, the British equivalent to our FBI, meaning they deal with domestic intelligence. This is a serious take on the spy world, and isn't for viewers who don't care for violence.

Chuck is a far more comic look at the spy world. Starring Zachary Levi as an average nerd who has a wealth of super spy information downloaded into his head, turning him into a super weapon. Hijinks and romantic tension abound.

Covert Affairs features Piper Perabo as a new CIA recruit, gifted with languages, who rises quickly through the ranks. There's romance and action, without being overly violent. 

Archer is a comic animated series for adults that takes popular spy tropes, pop culture jokes, and an anachronistic setting. 

Movies

The story of the CIA's hunt for Osama Bin Ladin, Zero Dark Thirty is certainly not a documentary, but it's very much based on real events, requiring viewers to have familiarity with current events of the past 15 years to appreciate.

Tom Cruise is no stranger to the spy genre. You can watch him as super spy Ethan Hunt in the action-packed Mission Impossible film series. Or for more of a romantic-comedy twist, check out Knight and Day where he plays a super spy on the run, who sweeps Cameron Diaz's character along for the ride.

The star-studded R.E.D., based loosely on a comic book series, is an action-packed comedy romp starring Bruce Willis as a retired spy drawn back into the game to save the civil servant he has a crush on. A sequel came out in July, but the DVDs won't be out until at least November.

Matt Damon stars as amnesiac super spy Jason Bourne in the series of movies based off of Robert Ludlum's novels. Although the most recent film, The Bourne Legacy, stars Jeremy Renner. 

Books
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
How can we not include Ian Fleming's James Bond? The resourceful British spy, and the inspiration many modern spy stories, both literary and big screen. Fast-paced, action-packed, with exotic locations, and les femmes fatales, Fleming's gritty novels will grab your attention. The first book in the series, Casino Royale, was the source for two film adaptions, including Daniel Craig's first turn as Bond.

Queen and Country by Greg Rucka
Rucka has written for some of the big names in comics (like Batman and Wonder Woman), but his creativity isn't limited to superheroes. His suspenseful Queen and Country series features Tara Chance, Lead Agent for Special Operations of the British Secret Intelligence Service. This tense, gritty series will appeal to fans of Daniel Craig's Bond, and titles are available both as traditional novels and graphic novels with a variety of illustrators.

Once a Spy by Keith Thomson
Charlie's father, Drummond, lived an average life before his diagnosis with Alzheimer's. An assumption that is blown to pieces, along with his house, one night by assassins. This father/son spy-thriller is a lighter in tone look at the world of spy craft, while still maintaining an action-packed plot.

Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre
Conman Eddie Chapman trained as a spy for the Germans, but when given a mission to destroy a British airplane factory, he became a double agent for MI5 instead. A fast-paced and suspenseful true story of WWII espionage.

Charles Cumming

Mr. Cumming writes delightfully twisted novels of modern espionage. His books are full of cunning twists, international locations, and gritty politics. You can read his novels in any order, and expect to find a careful attention to character and the political landscape of spycraft.

Alan Furst's The Night Soldiers series
Alan Furst’s suspenseful and carefully researched loosely connected series of novels about espionage in the Europe of the 1930s and 40s. From the ghettos of Warsaw to the streets of Paris, these books give a glimpse into the dark shadow world of WWII spies.

Database Spotlight: Freegal

You may've heard that Carnegie-Stout now offers downloadable music to our full service patrons (residents of the city of Dubuque who have a current library card, and those non-resident patrons who have purchased access at the platinum level) through Freegal, a new database. Freegal allows you to log in with your library card number and PIN (most likely the last four digits of your phone number), and download up to three free mp3s each week.

It's really that simple! But if you have any questions, run into any problems, or just want to chat about some cool music you discovered in Freegal, you can stop in to the library, give us a call (563) 589-4225, send us an email (yourlibrarian@dubuque.lib.ia.us), or leave us a comment!

The trickiest part about Freegal is finding something to download. There are thousands of songs, and you can search by title or artist, but the browsing options are limited to a handful of descriptive categories. In my first test of Freegal, I got lucky. I found an mp3 download for a South African rap song I've been looking for a legal copy of for years. I also found a download for my favorite song of the summer. I know it's been said that Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" is the anthem of Summer 2013, but personally I've been loving a song off of Two Door Cinema Club's 2010 album.


~ Sarah, Adult Services

Spotlight on Shojo & Josei manga

When you're looking for a good book, it's often helpful to know the vocabulary that help readers, publishers, and librarians to sort the thousands of books printed each year into recognizable categories. The differences between middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult fiction. Why this series is urban fantasy and that one paranormal romance, and just what is the difference between a suspenseful thriller and a thrilling suspense novel? The distinctions aren't always clear, and some authors delight in defying conventions, but these are the tools that give us a shared vocabulary.

When it comes to manga (Japanese comics and graphic novels) there's a whole new set of vocabulary to learn. Today we're going to take a closer look at josei and shojo manga. These works are created with a feminine reading audience in mind. Individual titles can vary greatly in tone, topic, and setting, but the main character is almost always a woman or teenage girl, and there is usually a romantic element to the storyline. If you're a fan of women's fiction, chick lit, or romance novels, these are the manga for you!

Shojo (or shoujo) manga are intended for a teen or young adult audience, while josei are aimed at young professionals or new adults. Because of the differences between our cultures, American readers might find that the line between shojo and josei titles can be blurred. Readers should also be aware that publishers often retain the right to left format of the original manga. It might seem strange at first, but you'll quickly grow used to reading a book from back to front.

I've gathered together a list of popular titles and personal favorites that fall under the umbrella of shojo and josei manga. You should also check out our anime collection, as it is very common for a popular manga to be adapted for television.

Ttiles found in the adult Manga collection: 

A Drunken Dream and Other Stories by Moto Hagio 

Moto Hagio is one of the earliest and most popular shojo manga artists. Check out Andrew's review to learn more about this collection of short stories by Hagio. 

A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori

A story of life in 19th century Central Asia told through the eyes of a young bride. Rich with carefully researched detail and beautifully intricate art, you should check out Chel's review to learn more! 

Ooku by Fumi Yoshinaga 
An award-winning alternate history manga set in a feudal-era Japan where most of the men have been killed by a plague. Japan is led by a female shogun, and the Ooku is inhabited by her male harem. 

Nana  by Ai Yazawa 

Two young women, both named Nana, meet on the train to Tokyo. Both are moving to Tokyo, one to rejoin her friends and the other to achieve her dreams of musical stardom. Despite their different personalities and goals, they decide to share an apartment together. 

With the Light by Keiko Tobe 

Sachiko's son, Hikaru, is not like other children, and she finds that there is little understanding or support for those diagnosed with autism, but little by little their family finds a way. 

Bunny Drop by Yumi Unita 

Single career-minded Daikichi is the last person anyone expects to take over the guardianship of 6-year-old Rin, but then no one expected to discover that his late grandfather had an illegitimate child either.

Titles found in the Teen Zone:

Antique Bakery by Fumi Yoshinaga
An earlier series by the creator of Ooku, Antique Bakery is much lighter fare. Set in a small, quirky bakery, each issue is packed with images of delicious pastries. Character-driven with touches of romance, mystery, and a fair dash of absurd humor. 


Skip Beat by Yoshiki Nakamura 

Kyoka is distraught to learn that her boyfriend was only dating her so she'd take care of him on his quest to musical stardom. Not only does she kick him to the curb, she decides to beat him at his game, and become Japan's number one pop idol!

Fruits Basket by Takaya Natsuki 
A story of family and the supernatural, Fruits Basket is popular as both manga and anime. After she is orphaned, Tohru is taken in by the Sohma family who suffer a strange curse. When stressed or embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they turn into one of the 12 animals of the zodiac.


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!

What are you reading? A few good books.

Studies consistently show that most people discover new books from people they trust, whether friends, family, or a book industry professional (bookseller, librarian, author, or reviewer). Those of us at Carnegie-Stout's Recommendations Desk are always happy to talk books with you, and if you give us a week, we'll give you a whole list of books we think you'll like! We also invite you to share your favorite books with other Dubuquers on our Pinterest board. Don't have a Pinterest account, or want to submit an anonymous review? No worries, you can pick up a review bookmark at the Recommendations Desk!

Today I'm here to vouch for a mixed list of recent books that have received a number of good reviews and press. I've read them all personally, and it's not just hype. So if one of these titles has been on your radar, but you weren't quite sure if it was worth your time, pick it up! This list is also a bit of a grab bag for genre and style, so you might spot some unexpected title worth checking out!

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Robin Sloan’s first novel is an offbeat adventure tale built around a love of books and reading. In addition, he provides a thought-provoking look at how technology is changing our relationship with information. Quirky characters, an ancient conspiracy, and the human drive for innovation. Plus? Glow-in-the-dark cover!

Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

The fact that this was the second title selected for Oprah's Book Club 2.0 should not put you off. Ayana Mathis’ haunting debut is a collection of interconnected stories that explore the lives of one African-American family during the 20th century. A lyrical and bittersweet story of family, identity, and race that captures both universal human experience of a dynamic historical epoch.

Tenth of December by George Saunders

Critics-darling George Saunders hovered on the edges of my awareness, so when his latest short story collection popped up on several most-anticipated lists for 2013, I bit. Tenth of December is dark, funny, and thought-provoking, with just a touch of the fantastic. Saunders voice is distinctive and infectious.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

After enjoying her first novel, I was already inclined to like Rainbow Rowell's second book, Eleanor and Park. A young adult novel about the intensity of first love, Eleanor and Park are mismatched outsiders thrown together when Eleanor changes schools in the middle of their sophomore year. The 1986 setting mean that adult readers will likely catch more references than the average teen.

Among Others by Jo Walton

Jo Walton blends reality with the fantastic in her character-driven novel, Among Others, winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. This ambiguous and engaging story is set in a world where magic might, or might not, influence reality. A British boarding school, an evil mother, a dead twin, Welsh fairies, and a love letter to the classics of science fiction that added a dozen titles to my To Read list.

Suspect by Robert Crais

I picked up Suspect, a stand alone title by Robert Crais, author of the Elvis Cole series, as part of my quest to incorporate more mystery novels into my reading life. A suspenseful and fast-paced tale of an LAPD cop hunting for the men who killed his partner/love interest with the help of his new partner Maggie, a German Shepard suffering from PTSD after deployment in Afghanistan.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

While most Dubuquers are probably familiar with Kate Atkinson as the author of the Jackson Brodie mystery series, I've spent the past ten years with my fingers quietly crossed that she would return to her quirky, family-centered literary fiction. Life After Life is just the witty, complex, time travel reincarnation mashup, Downton Abbey era novel I've been waiting for.

Next up on my Everyone's Talking About It Reading List are: The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, and The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes. How about you?
 

*Family and friends beware! These are titles you will likely be unwrapping at gift giving occasions.

Database Spotlight: Zinio

Do you love magazines? Do you look forward to hearing what our Magazine of the Month will be? Do you have a new tablet or laptop, and you're curious what it would be like to read a magazine digitally? Well, Carnegie-Stout has just the resource for you!

In a recent partnership with Dyersville's James Kennedy Public Library, we've added Zinio to our database collection. Zinio is a new tool that allows you read digital copies of some of the periodicals that the library subscribes to in print. With titles ranging from Cosmo to Popular Science, Newsweek to Rolling Stone, there's something for everyone!

To find Zinio, go to the library's homepage: www.dubuque.lib.ia.us and click on the "Research Tools" link on the left-hand side of the screen. This brings you to an alphabetical list of our research databases from which you will be able to open Zinio.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

The trickiest part with getting started using Zinio is that you will have to register twice: once with a library account that will allow you to borrow from the library's collection, and once with Zinio, so that you can read your magazines. First click the purple Create Account button. You'll be asked to enter your library barcode. Only patrons who live in Dubuque or Dyersville are eligible to use Zinio, but everyone is welcome to come into Carnegie-Stout and browse our physical collection!

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Once you have verified your library card and set up a log-in with an email address and password, you'll be taken to the Carnegie-Stout PL and James Kennedy PL Zinio collection. When you locate a title that you want to read, click on the cover image and you'll be directed to Zinio's main site, where you will be asked to register your account in order to read the magazine.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

After you're fully registered, and have added all the titles you would like to read from the Carnegie-Stout PL and James Kennedy PL Zinio page to Your Reading List in Zinio, you'll be all set to enjoy your magazines! Zinio will send you email notifications when new issues of your titles become available, and you'll be able to add or delete titles in the future. Please be aware that the main Zinio site also sells subscriptions to digital issues not available for free through the library, and that some of these titles are adult in nature.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Those of you with mobile devices should take a look at the Zinio app. It's free to add this app to your device, and will allow you to read the magazines you're borrowing from our collection on the go!

Click on the images to view larger versions.

If you have any questions about Zinio, run into any problems, or would just like a staff member to walk you through the set up process, give us a call (563-589-4225), send us an email (yourlibrarian@dubuque.lib.ia.us), or stop by in person! Don't forget, we offer drop-in tech help from 6:30 to 8:30 every Wednesday evening.

Check these books out from the comfort of your own home

This week we're spotlighting a few titles available as eBooks through Carnegie-Stout's OverDrive collection. Some of these titles are only available as eBooks, and if you'd like some help downloading one give us a call (563-589-4225) or stop in! We offer drop in tech help on Wednesday nights starting at 6:30 p.m. In order to checkout an eBook from Carnegie-Stout, you need to live within Dubuque city limits, but most other Dubuque County libraries provide access to eBooks for residents of their communities.

We've pulled together a selection of titles from various genres, so hopefully there's something here for every reader! Print aficionados, never fear, some of these titles will be added to our print collection, or we may be able to borrow a copy from another library (another service only available to city residents).

Destiny's Embrace by Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins is one of the foremost authors of African-American romance writing today. Over the course of her career she’s written historicals, romantic suspense, and even Westerns. Her heroines are sassy, her writing is engaging, and the romance is steamy. Her most recent title, Destiny's Embrace, follows Mariah Cooper as she starts a new life as a housekeeper on a ranch in California, and the sparks fly between Mariah and rancher Logan Yates. This is an engaging start to a new series with sharp characters and interesting historical detail.

Prophet by R.J. Larson

R.J. Laron’s first novel is a fast-paced and engaging fantasy novel that draws on the stories of the Old Testament for inspiration. Prophet tells the story of Ela, a teenage girl who never expected to be called on by the Infinite as a prophet, but she rises to the challenge and sets off to serve His will in distant lands. Currently, Carnegie-Stout only owns this title as an eBook as part of our OverDrive collection. If you don’t own an eReader, this book would be a great excuse to try out one of the Sony eReaders we have available for checkout!

Split Second by David Baldacci 
Baldacci is known for his fast-paced political suspense novels and pulse pounding plot twists, though there's never any question that his heroes are the good guys. The first book in his Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series, Split Second introduce two Secret Service agents who turn to a second career as Private Investigators. The series is ongoing, with the latest book, The Sixth Man, coming out this April.


Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
Our collection includes dozens of titles by prolific fantasy author Terry Pratchett, but we are missing one or two print copies out of the 39 from his Discworld series. Pratchett is known for his humor, world-building skills, and memorable characters. Wyrd Sisters puts a new spin on Shakespeare's Macbeth, with allusions to several of his other plays, and has, in turn, been adapted as a play itself. Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick become embroiled in politics when they suddenly become the guardians of a murdered king's only child.


The Feast Nearby: how I lost my job, buried a marriage, and found my way by keeping chickens, foraging, preserving, bartering, and eating locally (all on $40 a week) by Robin Mather
If you're interested in the local food movement or tales of frugal living, you should check this book out. The story of her exploration of the local food options of her Michigan community are interspersed with delicious and straightforward recipes. This is an upbeat book and Mather's writing has a warm humor, rather than dwelling on her personal upheaval.


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!

Friday Grab Bag: Award Nominees

We're putting the final touches on a new project that some might call madness, and we'll have all the details for you next week. We didn't want to leave you without a Friday post, so we're pulling together a list of titles that are up for one award or another!

First up The Oscars! The 85th annual Academy Awards will be presented this weekend on Sunday, February 24th. ABC has a full list of the nominees on their website, and many of the films are available for check out through Carnegie-Stout. Of course, many of the nominees are based on books that are also available for check out!

• The Pirates! in an Adventure with Napoleon by Gideo Defoe, part of the series which inspired The Pirates! Band of Misfits nominated for Best Animated Feature Film
• Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, the inspiration for Lincoln with twelve nominations
• The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, the film of the same name has eight nominations
• Argo: how the CIA and Hollywood pulled off the most audacious rescue in history by Antonio Mendez & Matt Baglio ties in with the film Argo, which has seven nominations
•  The adaptation of Life of Pi by Yann Martel has eleven nominations
• Les Miserables, based on the classic by Victor Hugo, has eight nominations
• The Hobbit: an unexpected journey, the first of three movies based on Tolkien's classic has three nominations
• Kon-Tiki based on Thor Heyerdahl's adventure memoir is a nominee for Best Foreign Feature
• The latest film of Anna Karenina based on the classic by Leo Tolstoy has four nominations

The long list for the second annual Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction were announced this month. This award is selected by the American Library Association, and will be awarded on June 30th during the annual convention. You can check out the whole list by following this link. Staff of Carnegie-Stout have reviewed two titles from the long list here on the blog: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver and Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo.

The nominee list for the 2012 Nebula Awards were also announced this week. This award is given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The winners will be announced on May 18th, which gives you enough time to check out all of the nominees for Best Novel (all of which are available at Carnegie-Stout):

• Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed
• Ironskin by Tina Connolly
• The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
• The Drowning Girl by Caitlin R. Kiernan
• Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal
• 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson

Be sure to check back next Friday to learn about the first ever Dubuque Tournament of Books (or stop by the Recommendations Desk to learn more)!