Billboard is February's Magazine of the Month

On February 3rd, 1959 the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed near Mason City, Iowa, killing the three musicians and the pilot. This tragic event was commemorated in Don McLean's American Pie, and every year since 1979 fans have gathered at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake for a memorial concert.

In honor of these musical innovators, we've selected Billboard as our February magazine of the month. Billboard began publication in 1894 as a trade magazine for the billboard industry, and over the years evolved into covering the carnival industry, motion pictures, radio and television. In the 1930s Billboard began publishing their charts of popular music, and in 1961 they began to focus exclusively on the music industry. You can read more about the history of Billboard on Wikipedia, or check out the latest music news on their website: www.billboard.com

Be sure to stop into Carnegie-Stout to check out the latest issue of Billboard and browse our music collection on the first floor because we've got an eclectic collection with something for every listener! You might also want to browse our many biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs on and by musicians of every genre.

If fiction is more your style, we've pulled together a few titles you might enjoy:

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon
The latest character-driven title by the acclaimed Chabon, Telegraph Avenue focuses on a economically vulnerable record shop owned by two friends in California. Richly detailed and humorous, this novel tackles touches on the issues of race and consumerism in America. 

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Hornby writes about the foibles and loves of eccentric young people with humor and care. High Fidelity, an upbeat and character-driven novel of music, love, and a record store, is also the basis for a movie starring John Cusack.


A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Egan demonstrates her chops as a master of the unconventional and thought-provoking in A Visit from the Goon Squad. As the narrative switches between the engaging characters, the reader is taken on a journey through the changing music industry.

Year Zero by Rob Reid
A humorous science-fiction take on illegal downloads, Reid's first novel, Year Zero, is packed with detail. When aliens, addicted to Earth's music, discover that they owe astronomical fees for their illegal downloads, they engage the services of entertainment lawyer Nick Carter to fight back. Failing that, they'll simply destroy the Earth.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

Beukes' second novel is a fast-paced, award-winning, hard-boiled supernatural mystery about the dark-side of the South African music industry. You can read Sarah's staff review of Zoo City, which includes a link to the book's official soundtrack with songs by South African musicians.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud 

A retelling of Pride and Prejudice where Darcy and Elizabeth are members of two rival rock bands. Steamy, witty, and of a faster-pace than Austen's original that's sure to charm readers who can't get enough Darcy.

 

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!

New books for New Adults

If you're the sort of person who makes an effort to keep track of the trends and labels popular in publishing (and I am), you may've come across the discussion of New Adult fiction. If this is your first time encountering the phrase New Adult to describe a book, you're probably wondering what on Earth that is meant to convey (or at least that was my reaction). Roughly speaking, these are books about the lives of 20-somethings aimed at 20-something readers.

What's driving this new marketing push is up for debate, but many agree that it has something to do with the recent popularity of Young Adult novels among adult readers. However you want to label it, a book about someone exploring their goals, identity, relationships, and place in the world can make for compelling reading. Or viewing. From HBO's recent series Girls to the cult favorite Veronica Mars.

Because this is a rather new designation, you'll find that the titles championed as New Adult are rather varied in tone, setting, and content. It's the difference between Rowling's Harry Potter series and Grossman's Magicians. So while some of these titles are shelved in the YA section at Carnegie-Stout, others might contain more about the physical side of relationships than some readers will be comfortable with.

That said, if you're a teen who tends to read books from the adult collection, or an adult who's always reading YA, New Adult might be the books for you! We've pulled together some suggestions from our collection, but if you want to read more, check out New Adult Alley, a blog devoted to New Adult fiction.

Adult Fiction
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
Eighteen-year-old Layken struggles with holding her family together after her father dies, until she develops a relationship with her new neighbor, Will, who has a passion for poetry slams and gives her a new sense of hope.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Travis Maddox, Eastern University's playboy, makes a bet with good girl Abby that if he loses, he will remain abstinent for a month, but if he wins, Abby must live in his apartment for the same amount of time.

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Madeleine Hanna breaks out of her straight-and-narrow mold when she enrolls in a semiotics course and falls in love with charismatic loner Leonard Morten, a time which is complicated by the resurfacing of a man who is obsessed with Madeleine.

Romance

Easy by Tammara Webber
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex's frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Young Adult Fiction

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Former popular girl, Echo, finds herself mysteriously cast as an outsider at school and has scars on her arms with no memory of how they got there. When she meets bad boy, Noah Hutchinson, she is surprised that he is able to understand. Sparks fly and the two have a hard time fighting their attraction despite secrets they are both keeping.

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
When Travis returns home from Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother has stolen his girlfriend and car, and he has nightmares of his best friend getting killed, but when he runs into Harper, a girl who has despised him since middle school, life actually starts looking up.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman
This sequel to Forman's If I Stay is set three years after the car accident that almost killed Mia. This reflective story is told from the perspective of Adam, whose band took off after Mia left for Julliard, as they find their paths crossing again in New York.


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!

Spotlight: Delicious Food

We hope that you're enjoying 2013 so far, but if you're like us, you're probably feeling the pressure to lose a few pounds. Or maybe you're one of those lucky few who can eat whatever strikes your fancy and never gain a pound. Either way, Carnegie-Stout has you covered! We've gathered together information for some of the most popular diets, as well as some of the best cookbooks of 2012. Be sure to stop in and browse through our display on the first floor too!

Of course, our favorite diet advice comes from Michael Pollan: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Gluten-Free
Gluten is a protein found in several grains including wheat, barley, and rye. A gluten-free diet is necessary for people who suffer from Celiac Disease or a wheat allergy, though some people follow this diet for other reasons. You can browse our collection for materials on gluten-free diets here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
Homemade Pantry: 101 foods you can stop buying and start making
by Alana Chernila
(641.5 CHE)


Paleo Diet
Sometimes called the Caveman Diet or Stone Age Diet, this diet purports to recreate the eating habits of humans before the development of agriculture. This means one can eat fish, fruits, vegetables, and other meat animals fed on grasses rather than grains, but no grains (wheat, corn, rice), dairy products, or refined sugars. You can browse our collection for materials on paleo diets here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012 
Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking
by Nathalie Dupree & Cynthia Graubart
(641.5975 DUP)



Atkins Diet
The low-carbohydrate diet was first proposed by Robert Atkins in the '70s, but didn't become widely popular until around 2004. These days a number of low-carb diet variations exist. We have many cookbooks and diet guides that you can browse by clicking here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
by Deb Perelman
(641.5 PER)



Detoxes/Cleanses
Detoxes and cleanses are not diets proper, but are closer to the experience of fasting or being restricted to a liquid diet due to food poisoning or stomach flu. While you may lose weight during a weekend or week of drinking only juices, advocates will tell you the real goal is to create a clean slate internally. You can browse our collection for materials on here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: recipes you can trust
by Ina Garten
(641.5 GAR)



Raw Food
A raw food diet consists of foods that have not been heated, or heated to a temperature of no more than 115 °F (though there is some disagreement on this point). Adherents might consume raw fish, raw milk products, or a completely vegan diet. You can browse our collection for materials on here. 

Best Cookbooks of 2012
The Farm: rustic recipes for a year of incredible food
by Ian Knauer
(641.5973 KNA)



Mediterranean Diet
Every so often we're inundated with diet and exercise advice based on one geographical region or another (French women have perfect children! Everyone needs to try the Brazilian booty workout!). Luckily, living by the dietary norms of the Mediterranean, as recognized by UNESCO, makes for some delicious meals, and if there's a health benefit too, well, bonus. You can browse our collection for materials on here.

Best Cookbooks of 2012
Fifty Shades of Chicken: a parody in cookbook
by F. L. Fowler
(641.665 FOW)



Ornish Diet/The Spectrum
Dr. Ornish led a medical study that demonstrated a diet rich in plants, mild exercise, and stress management could improve the health of individuals suffering from coronary artery disease. His research led him to write The Spectrum, which adapts his dietary research for a wider audience.

Best Cookbooks of 2012 
The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook: more than 100 recipes from the best little bakery in the south
by Cheryl & Griffith Day
(641.86 DAY)


Zone Diet
The Zone Diet, developed by Barry Sears, calls for participants to balance the calories in their meals to follow a ratio of 40% carbohydrates to 30% proteins and 30% fats. The thinking is that this will help to balance your hormone and insulin levels. You can browse our collection for materials on here. 

We also have books for Weight Watchers, the Eat This, Not That series, books with "skinny" in the title, and more.

Read Alike: The Hobbit

The Hobbit: an unexpected journey, the first film in Peter Jackson's planned trilogy, opens in U.S. theaters today. The film is an adaption of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again. The book's popularity led to Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, which was, in turn, the source of Jackson's first popular Middle-earth trilogy.

Many of you have probably seen all or part of Jackson's film adaptions of The Lord of the Rings, and hopefully you've read the books as well. If you haven't yet, we definitely recommend picking up The Hobbit whether or not you'll be going to the theater this weekend. If you're curious about how the book became the movie, check out this interview where Peter Jackson talks about some of the decisions he made in the process of filming.

If you've already read The Hobbit a dozen times and are looking for something new, we've pulled together a few suggestions for you. Of course, it's easy to argue that most modern fantasy owes a debt to Tolkien's influence, and because this upbeat adventure novel has appeal for readers young and old, we've included titles from the youth, young adult, and adult collections! 

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin
A fantasy classic that remains popular with readers from tween to adult. Earthsea is a world dominated by the seas, and where names hold great power. The story follows Ged as he grows in his skills as a wizard from a boyhood as a goatherd to his time as a student in the wizard's school. Much like Bilbo, Ged's journey teaches him to think beyond himself to the larger threats of evil in the world.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien met while teaching at Oxford and formed a friendship that shaped their literary careers. Lewis and Tolkien shared a love of mythology, and that love shines through in different ways in each of their writing. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia has adventure, a battle between good and evil, and is popular with younger readers. You can read more about Lewis and Tolkien's friendship here.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Alexander's Prydain Chronicles have a solid appeal for younger readers, but the suspenseful adventure, the details from Welsh mythology, and a touch of humor hold up well. There's a colorful cast of characters including Taran, assistant pig-keeper, Eilonwy, runaway witch, Doli the dwarf, and, of course, Hen Wen the oracular pig. The heroes find themselves in a battle against evil that spans five books. 

Dune by Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert is best known as the creator of the Dune series, which, after his death, was carried on by his son Brian. Though the setting for Dune is vastly different from Tolkien's Middle-earth, Herbert's detailed worldbuilding, epic story, and descriptive language capture a similar appeal. Although younger readers might find be uncomfortable with some of the issues raised, adults older teens who are willing to try science fiction should give this series a try.

More for Tweens
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem

More for Teens
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

Adults should take a look at our Read Alike post for Robert Jordan, which has a mix of modern fantasy authors. You might also enjoy Andrew's review of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I'd like to thank Andrew and Emily for their help with this post!

Did you already attend a midnight showing? Give us your movie review in the comments!

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!

Spotlight on Historical Biography

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, is both well-reviewed and turning an impressive box office profit. Bill O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln (written with co-author Martin Dugard) remains on the bestseller lists a year later, and has been joined by his Killing Kennedy. It's no secret that readers here in Dubuque and across the nation enjoy reading about the significant people and events of American history.

Joining Mr. O'Reilly on the best seller lists this week is Jon Meacham's Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. Mr. Meacham's fourth book, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Biography. His writing is characterized by his careful research and attention to accuracy, but it's his focus on the people behind history that so many readers find appealing. Mr. Meacham is not alone in his skills, and today we've gathered together a few other notable authors of historical biography. 

Doris Kearns Goodwin
Ms. Goodwin is probably best known for Team of Rivals: the political genius of Abraham Lincoln, which served as the basis for Spielberg's film. Her eye toward the relationships of her subjects brings a fresh perspective to their familiar lives. Ms. Goodwin was also the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for History in 1995 for No Ordinary Time; Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Her writing career began with a book on Lyndon Johnson, during whose presidency she worked as a White House Fellow and assistant to the President. In fact, Stephen King consulted with Ms. Goodwin about her experiences as he worked on 11/22/63.

David McCullough
Mr. McCullough's engaging and highly respected histories and biographies, his work as the host of American Experience and as a narrator on several historical documentaries have earned him two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He's known for his positive tone and ability to explain the large events of history through their impact on the individual. Try his biography of John Adams or Mornings on Horseback, the story of Theodore Roosevelt's youth.

Ron Chernow
Mr. Chernow worked as a journalist and as a member of a Think Tank specializing in finances before becoming a popular and well-regarded author. He's received a National Book Award for The House of Morgan, as well as a Pulitzer Prize for Washington: a life. His writing has a great attention to detail, and tends to be a little quieter and thoughtful in tone. He often uses his experience in finances to write about those who have had a significant impact on our nation's economics, as in his biography of Alexander Hamilton.

Other authors you might enjoy:

• Walter Isaacson
• Joseph J. Ellis
• Caroline Alexander
• Stephen E. Ambrose

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!

Black Friday, tips to find the deals

The Holiday Season is approaching rapidly, which means that many of us are getting ready to do some serious shopping. Whether you're a Black Friday veteran or novice, Carnegie-Stout has tips and tools to help you plan your attack, but, fair warning, the library will be closed on Thanksgiving and the 23rd so our staff can enjoy the holiday with family.

Never fear though! The number one tip to prepare for Black Friday is to plan ahead (number three: fanny packs, warning! link contains swears). You want to have a shopping list, know where the best bargains are, and when the stores open.

While I've always been a fan of sorting through all the ads in the Thursday paper after stuffing myself with turkey, the internet means that you could've started your planning last week. Luckily this also means you don't have to go from store website to store website, but can find all the Black Friday ads in one place. You still might need to visit the store's pages to verify the local opening hours, but at least you can check if there any deals worth showing up at six a.m. first.

Websites that collect Black Friday Advertisements:
bfads.net
blackfriday.com

Websites that compare prices at various retailers:
www.bizrate.com
www.shopping.com
pricegrabber.com

But maybe you're on the hunt for some particular item, rather than just looking for the best door busters. Wading through dozens of circulars to find which stores have the sales you need, even electronically, can be a headache. If you know exactly what you want, a site that compares prices can be useful, but best bargain doesn't always mean best. First you'll want to compare televisions or blenders or leaf blowers to find which brands and models will do what you need them to.

This is when you should check Consumer Reports (they also have price comparisons). You might be familiar with Consumer Reports from their annual buying guide or their monthly publications, and both are available at Carnegie-Stout. But did you know that Carnegie-Stout also has access to Consumer Reports' online site?

You can find Consumer Reports in our list of Library Research Databases by clicking here. If you are at home you will be asked to enter your library barcode and PIN, but everyone can search their Buying Guides and Recommendations from a computer inside the library. You can even print off your findings for ten cents a page (black & white).

If you're not able to access Consumer Reports from home, and Carnegie-Stout isn't open, you can still read some of their advice at www.consumerreports.org. You can also turn to the product reviews on personal blogs, websites like Amazon (although these are not always trustworthy), or from a trusted friend or neighbor. Alternatively, you can take a look at the product reviews offered by:
Good Housekeeping (we have the magazine to flip through too)
CNET (technology and electronics)

And because librarians are most often asked to help select and operate eReaders, the first place you should check is OverDrive's list of compatible devices. This will tell you if your new eReader will play nicely with our eBooks. And if you're the lucky recipient of a shiny new eReader this holiday season, we'll be here to help you learn how to check out and download those eBooks.

Reviews and comparisons of eReaders:
Consumer Reports (you may need to go through the library's website to see all information)
Good Housekeeping
CNET

And if all this is too much for you, remember, you can always stay home and celebrate Buy Nothing Day instead.

Deus ex Libro

The paranormal and urban fantasy labels cover a wide variety of books, from bubbly and romantic to dark and gritty. From fairies to vampires, readers will find themselves browsing in the Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, and Mystery sections to find their next books. That's why we're here to help you narrow down the search.

Recently I've enjoyed several series that feature the interference of the gods in the lives of mortals, especially one particular mortal singled out for the gods' attention and all the chaos that comes with it.  Each of these series are also fast-paced with first-person narration and darker humor, but after that, they're all a little different.

Hounded by Kevin Hearne
The first book in Hearne's Iron Druid chronicles is an action-packed romp through Celtic mythology in the Arizona desert. Atticus O'Sullivan is the last of the druids, and he's been on the run for centuries, what with having stole the vengeful god of love's sword. Despite his great age, Atticus is more of a footloose twenty-something than a wise mystic, but at least he has his trusty partner, Oberon, the wisecracking Irish wolfhound.

Readers may also enjoy: Storm Front by Jim Butcher, see Andrew's review here.


Black Blade Blues by J.A. Pitts
Somewhat more serious and moody, J.A. Pitts' series follows Sarah Beauhall as she struggles to find her balance as an adult. Between student debt, a non-existent relationship with her family, two jobs (blacksmith and prop master for a local b-studio) and relationship troubles with her girlfriend, the last thing she needs is to become the wielder of Gram, an ancient Norse blade made for killing dragons. Personal growth, vast conspiracies, epic battles, and an old homeless man who might be Odin.

Readers may also enjoy: Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey.


Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
Urban Shaman, the first book in C.E. Murphy's Walker Papers series, is a bit more menacing in tone. Set in the Pacific Northwest, the series starts as Joanne Walker's life falls to pieces. Her mother just died, she's about to be fired from her job as a police mechanic, and the woman she's trying to help claims that she's being hunted by Cernunnos, god and leader of the Wild Hunt. But Cernunnos isn't the only god taking an interest in Joanne's life. It's sarcastic and violent, with interesting characters, and a murder mystery for good measure.

Readers may also enjoy: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, see Amy's review here.


First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones 
The first book in Ms. Jones' fast-paced series featuring Charley Davidson, private investigator and grim reaper. The story is irreverently funny to balance the darkness of the crimes, and when you add in a deliciously steamy romantic sub plot, you get a fun and suspenseful read. I won't spoil the surprise by revealing the identity of Charley's supernatural lover because the reveal sets up the next book in the series. The narrator of the audio book (available as a download through OverDrive) does an excellent job of matching the novel's tone.

Readers may also enjoy: Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson.

If you're looking for more books where ancient gods interfere with the modern world try:
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
American Gods by Neil Gaiman


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!

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!

Scare Up a Good Read

I was first introduced to the horror genre in my 9th grade English class when we were assigned Stephen King's short story collection Nightmares and Dreamscapes. As one prone to nightmares, I was a little wary about reading anything remotely scary. But after I finished "The End of the Whole Mess," I was hooked and quickly plowed through the rest of the collection.

Since then, I've learned that there are many, many different kinds of horror. There are the classic masters - Poe, Stoker, Lovecraft - whose stories have frightened generations of readers. There are books that explore the darkest reaches of the human mind, and those that deal in supernatural forces. Of course, tales of vampires, werewolves and zombies have always been part of the genre, as are those books that poke fun at the things that go bump in the night.

Classic horror - Classic doesn't always have to mean old (though there's certainly nothing wrong with that!) Covering many horror subgenres, the classics are those that have both stood the test of time and that have defined and shaped the genre.

The Complete Stories of Edgar Allen Poe  - "The Raven," "The Tell-Tale Hart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and many more classic gothic horror tales by the master.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty - The classic tale of demonic possession that inspired many movies.
Dracula by Bram Stoker - The quintessential vampire novel. Try to read it and not hear Bela Legosi's voice.
Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelly - Shelly's misunderstood monster still lives on today in books, movies and thousands of Halloween costumes
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - Eerie and menacing, Jackson's tale of a 80-year-old haunted mansion will stay with you for months afterwards.
The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells - Wells' tale of genetic engineering gone horribly wrong was decades ahead of it's time, and is even more frighting today.
Psycho by Robert Bloch - Norman Bates and his mother. Need I say more?
Tales of H.P. Lovecraft - "The Call of Cthulhu," "The Dunwich Horror," "The Outsider" and more in this collection of Lovecraft's more suspenseful and horrifying tales.

Psychological horror - What darkness lies in the hearts of men and women? These books explore monsters and horror that we inflict upon each other.

Abandon by Blake Crouch - Investigating the bizarre and abrupt disappearance of every citizen from a gold-mining town over a century earlier, a history professor and his daughter embark on the journey aware that the last team that attempted to solve the mystery was never heard from again.
A Dark Matter by Peter Straub - Old friends try to come to grips with the darkness of the past--a secret ritual that left behind a gruesomely dismembered body--and find themselves face-to-face with the evil they helped create.
The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle - Landing in a budget-strapped mental institution after being accused of a crime he does not remember, Pepper is assaulted by a monstrous creature that has been attacking patients but that the hospital staff does not believe exists.
Misery by Stephen King- Rescued from a car crash by a psychotic woman claiming to be a fan, novelist Paul Sheldon becomes a captive invalid in her secluded Colorado farmhouse.

And more ... (click on the title for a description)
Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon
The Terror by Dan Simmons (my review of this book is here)
What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz
Your House is on Fire, Your Children All Gone by Stefan Kiesbye

The Occult - The supernatural, spirits and black magic are staples of the horror genre. These books will give you chills, night or day.

Carrie by Stephen King - A repressed teenager uses her telekinetic powers to avenge the cruel jokes of her classmates. A remake of the classic 1976 movie based on the books is due out next year.
Hide Me Among the Graves by Tim Powers - In 1862 London, the ghost of John Polidori, the one-time physician of Lord Byron, is determined to possess the life and soul of an innocent young girl, and a group of mismatched allies must enter into a supernatural underworld in order to stop him.
Horns by Joe Hill- After his childhood sweetheart is brutally killed and suspicion falls on him, Ig Parrish goes on a drinking binge and wakes up with horns on his head, hate in his heart, and an incredible new power which he uses in the name of vengeance.

And more ... (click on the title for a description)
Mister B. Gone by Clive Barker
The Thirteen by Susie Moloney
Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman

The Funny Side of Horror - Are you more Shaun of the Dead than Dawn of the Dead? The horror genre is ripe for parody, and these books take full advantage. Although humor certainly doesn't mean you won't have your pants scared off!

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith - Reveals the hidden life of the sixteenth U.S. president, who was actually a vampire-hunter obsessed with the complete elimination of the un-dead, and uncovers the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of the nation.
Bite Me: A Love Story by Christopher Moore - Goth girl Abby Normal and her brainiac boyfriend pursue a vampire cat and his minions, but things become even more complicated with the arrival of three ancient vampires intent on getting some payback.
Jane and the Damned by Janet Mullany - Jane Austen, turned into a vampire against her will, joins a group of English vampires in putting their superhuman strength and speed to the service of their country and thwarting a French invasion.
This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It by David Wong - The sequel to John Dies at the End in which our heroes find that books and movies about zombies may have triggered a zombie apocalypse, despite a total world absence of zombies. It takes you on a wild ride with two slackers from the Midwest who really have better things to do with their time than prevent disaster.

And more ... (click on the title for a description)
Allison Hewitt is Trapped: A Zombie Novel by Madeleine Roux
Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion by Alan Goldsher
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith

Zombies and Werewolves and Vampires, Oh My! - The staples of the horror genre are the creatures of our nightmares made real. While vampires and werewolves have been the classic manifestations, zombies are gaining popularity among writers and readers of horror alike.

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong - On the eve of her marriage, Elena Michaels learns that her fiancé has been concealing his secret life as a werewolf, and, as a bonus, he has made her into one also.
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist  - Twelve-year-old Oskar is obsessed by the murder that's taken place in his neighborhood. Then he meets the new girl from next door. She's a bit weird, though. And she only comes out at night.
Zone One by Colson Whitehead -  In a post-apocalyptic world decimated by zombies, survivor efforts to rebuild are focused on Manhattan, where civilian team member Mark Spitz works to eliminate remaining infected stragglers and remembers his horrifying experiences at the height of the zombie plague.

And more ... (click on the title for a description) 
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Petrified by Graham Masterton
Raising Stony Mayhall by Daryl Gregory
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
The Strain by Guillermo del Toro
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman

~ Allison, Adult Services

Spotlight: Debut authors

All readers - avid and occasional alike - look forward to the next book written by their favorite author. Fans of James Patterson usually don't have long to wait for his newest novel, while fans of authors like George R.R. Martin may have to wait years for his next tome. Or, perhaps you've grown tired of the same ol' stories. So what's a reader to do?  How about trying something written by a brand-new author!

Hundreds of debut authors enter the writing scene every year, from every genre. Some are instant bestsellers, while others gain readers more slowly through word of mouth. Some debut authors have had success in magazines or online, with self-published ebooks.

What sets these authors apart from more familiar names is that this is their first go in the national book publishing scene - their first chance to make a good impression on thousands of readers.  Debut authors don't have to work within expectations, which allows them to take risks that more established authors might not, for fear of losing their loyal readership. Without the benefit of reputation or name recognition, though, it can be difficult to really make an impact.

We add hundreds of debut authors to our collection every year. Here's some of the most promising we've seen in the past few months:

Albert of Adelaide by Howard Anderson (Fiction Anderson) - After escaping from Australia's Adelaide Zoo, a duck-billed platypus encounters a number of Australian animals, including a pyromaniac wombat, drunk bandicoots, and a wrestling Tasmanian devil as he embarks on a journey through the outback searching for liberty and peace.

Diary of a Mad Fat Girl by Stephanie McAfee (Fiction McAfee) - Graciela "Ace" Jones – a high school art teacher in a small Mississippi town - tries to right a number of wrongs, including a friend's cheating husband and her own boyfriend, who proposed three years too late. Funny and engaging, and full of romance and intrigue in the tradition of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum.

The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (Fiction O'Melveny) -  When 16th-century Venetian doctor Gabriella Mondini is barred from practicing medicine, she sets off across Europe in search of her father, a respected doctor who left under mysterious circumstances 10 years ago to gather material for his Book of Diseases. As a rare female doctor, Gabriella needs his mentorship, but his letters have grown increasingly incoherent; as she follows his route, she hears disturbing stories about his erratic behavior.


Wide Open by Deborah Coates (Science Fiction Coates ) - When Sergeant Hallie Michaels returns home to South Dakota from Afghanistan on ten days' compassionate leave, her sister Dell's ghost is waiting at the airport to greet her. The sheriff says that Dell's death was a suicide, but Hallie doesn't believe it. As Hallie pushes for answers, she attracts more ghosts--local women who disappeared without a trace - and discovers a disturbing pattern. Now she needs to not just figure out what happened to Dell but to make sure no one else shares her fate

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (Fiction Ivey) - A childless couple working a farm in the brutal landscape of 1920 Alaska discover a little girl living in the wilderness, with a red fox as a companion, and begin to love the strange, almost-supernatural child as their own.

Firelight by Kristen Callihan (Romance Callihan) - Forced to wed London's most nefarious nobleman to save her family from financial ruin, Miranda Ellis, who is gifted with exceptional abilities, discovers that her new husband is no ordinary man when she must enter a world of dark magic to save his soul

Stop by the first floor to browse our display of debut authors for even more!