Somehow discussions of T-Day’s favorite roasted bird ended up being about the best audio books to listen to in your car when traveling this holiday season. You’ll learn what a poult is. We end with what is tickling our fancy and what we really think of ABC’s television series Nashville.
Until now, my only exposure to the artistic endeavors of New Zealanders came from filmmaker Peter Jackson, comic musical series Flight of the Conchords, and more recently pop songstress Kimbra. Then I stumbled across a New Zealand writer’s name – Paul Cleave – and I asked our collection development team to order some of his titles. Blood Men was the first to arrive at NPL. On the front cover Tess Gerritsen offers the following “riveting and all too realistic.” On the back cover John Connolly proclaims it “dark, bloody and gripping…” Crystal says “this book will freak you out in the way that only a spot-on gory and twisted thriller can!”
Edward Hunter is a successful accountant and family man who also happens to be the son of a convicted serial killer. Just a few days before Christmas, Edward and his wife go the bank, only to be caught up in a robbery attempt. As Edward tries to intervene and save a teller’s life, his wife Jodie is shot and killed. In his deep grief, Edward turns to heavy drinking. Out of the blue his father calls from the penitentiary and asks Edward to visit him. It is during their heated and awkward reunion that Jack reminds his son he too has a “darkness” inside him, counseling that “it’s okay to listen to the voice.” Thus begins Edward’s struggle between seeking revenge or granting forgiveness to his wife’s killers. Does the apple fall far from the homicidal tree, or right into the hands of our protagonist? Blood Men is actually Cleave’s fourth novel. NPL also owns Cleave’s latest thriller called The Laughterhouse.
It is indeed rare today to come across someone who doesn’t use Facebook, Twitter, or maintain a blog online somewhere. I wonder how many of us still keep a traditional handwritten journal. My journal days ended years ago, but I used to include warning passages in my teenage diary addressed to my little sister: “Cassie, if you are reading this I will throttle you!” If you do keep a journal, have you thought about what will happen to it when you’re gone? A collection of journals and what they reveal about their departed composer make Nichole Bernier’s debut novel a bittersweet reflection on the delicate balance between motherhood, career, marriage, and friendship.
The plot is this: Kate inherits her best friend Elizabeth’s journals after she perishes in a tragic plane crash. What Kate discovers as she reads about Elizabeth’s life experiences and private thoughts makes her question what kind of friend she really was to Elizabeth, as well as her own choices while juggling the roles of wife, mother, and professional. Bernier’s novel keeps a slow and patient pace, much like a loving and steadfast parent. I recommend this novel especially to fans of Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve. It would make a great women’s book club selection! Visit Bernier’s website for more information, including a book discussion guide.
Rather than lament having to go back to school, we celebrate the guilty pleasures we didn’t get to read in school. But you can check out from the library! September is library card sign up month too, so what better excuse to get a library card and check this stuff out. Of course you don’t need a library card to attend Salon@615 author talks, Courtyard Concerts, or Movies at Main but it is kind of tasteless to show up without one. We end with what is tickling our fancy in pop culture including a very tasteful So You Think You Can Dance appreciation.
Love Southern-style cooking, but don’t know how to cook your beloved dishes? Local Southern food guru Tammy Algood will tell you everything you need to know in her Complete Southern Cookbook. With easy to follow recipes, Algood will teach you to prepare Southern staples such as basic Southern cornbread, and chow-chow, as well as more exotic Southern fare like chitlins and vinegar pie. The chapters are organized alphabetically by the main ingredient. From almonds to zucchini and everything in between, Algood includes recipes for all your Southern favorites. The recipes I tested and tasted for you: Basalmic grilled peaches (amazing!), orchard-fresh peach ice cream (just as good as the local ice-cream shops we love), cherry-rhubarb crumble (i’m no longer afraid of rhubarb) and savory zucchini pie (so easy-it makes the crust for you!). But now I return this book so another library patron can host a fabulous Southern feast. Ms. Algood will be at this year’s Southern Festival of Books to promote her latest bookFarm Fresh Southern Cooking . I wonder if she’d sign my apron…
We all know the real star of the Olympics is Bob Costas. Unless they are using an android instead of the real Bob Costas. We’ll figure it out. Also, we celebrate the birth of Alfred Hitchcock and the mourn the death of Ernest Borgnine.
Detective Chief Inspector John Luther is a brilliant and obsessive investigator who’s easy to become emotionally unhinged. This leads to great trouble in both his personal and professional life. In season one we find out his wife has left him, and he’s back from a suspension following the near death of a suspect. Luther is not exactly what you’d call a dirty cop, but he does investigate and apprehend his suspects by bending the rules. Luther’s unorthodox friendship with former suspect Alice Morgan is one of the most riveting match-ups in recent television history. Idris Elba, whom you may know from the critically acclaimed series The Wire, won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Luther. Although Elba is the main reason to watch this show, the supporting cast of comrades and enemies are all top notch actors. Even when plot lines seem implausible, keep watching because you’ll want to see how Luther will solve the case. The library also owns season two of this series.
Be nice. Be on topic.
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Comments (3) 
Somehow discussions of T-Day’s favorite roasted bird ended up being about the best audio books to listen to in your car when traveling this holiday season. You’ll learn what a poult is. We end with what is tickling our fancy and what we really think of ABC’s television series Nashville. 
Rather than lament having to go back to school, we celebrate the guilty pleasures we didn’t get to read in school. But you can check out from the library! September is library card sign up month too, so what better excuse to 
We all know the real star of the Olympics is Bob Costas. Unless they are using an android instead of the real Bob Costas. We’ll figure it out. Also, we celebrate the birth of Alfred Hitchcock and the mourn the death of Ernest Borgnine.
Themocracy