Author Tony Hillerman died this week at age 83. Best known for his series of police procedurals set amid the mystical splendor and stark beauty of a New Mexico Navajo reservation, Hillerman wrote eighteen novels featuring Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee of the Navajo tribal police, for which he was awarded the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America.

The duo made their first joint appearance in the 1986 novel Skinwalkers, although Leaphorn was introduced in the premiere book in the series, 1970's The Blessing Way. Chee came on board in 1980's People of Darkness.

Hillerman's novels celebrated both the magic of nature and the spirituality of Native American legends while his detectives solved crimes that pitted the complexities of modern society against the waning cultural mores of a Navajo society called the Dineh.

Born in 1925, Hillerman grew up among the Pottawatomie and Seminole Native American communities in the small town of Sacred Heart, Oklahoma.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Hillerman acknowledged the influence of these Native American tribes. " ' What I basically wanted to do was write War and Peace in Pottawatomie County. I'd never written anything longer than 800 words, so I thought I'd write a mystery... and since I didn't have any idea whether I could plot a mystery, I thought I would kind of sell it by putting it in an exotic setting. And since to me the Navajo reservation and Navajo culture are fascinating, it therefore must be fascinating to everyone else.'"

Serving with the Army's 103rd Infantry Division during World War II, he took part in the D-Day assault on Normandy Beach, and was severely wounded during a battle in Alsace, for which he received the Silver Star. Hillerman is survived by his wife of 60 years, and their six children.

CH

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I always enjoy taking home a DVD from the library—it’s a bit like tucking a tiny magic carpet into my bag, to be unfurled later at my command. When I checked out “Ten Canoes (DVD TEN),” other than knowing it was about Australian aborigines, and that it had gotten over-the-top reviews, I knew nothing of where this particular magic carpet would carry me. As it happens, it quickly whisked me to a land that was “long ago and far away.” Set in an unspecified time before Europeans had arrived in Australia, the story tells of ten village men going to gather a special tree bark used to make canoes. The canoes would be used in an expedition to gather goose eggs in a nearby swamp. When one of the young men in the group reveals that he loves the youngest wife of his oldest brother, a wiser, older man in the group named Minygululu tells him a cautionary story of a similar triangle among their ancient ancestors. “Ten Canoes” is actually a story within a story: There is the story of the canoes being made, which is shot in black and white, and there is the story of the ancient ancestors, which is in color. One of the pleasures of this movie is experiencing the wonderful cinematic images dovetailing with these seamlessly flowing stories. The quietness of the movie is striking—along with the low key narration of David Gulpilil, we hear bird song, the rustling of leaves, and the flowing of water, and if your nerves are still jangled from being assaulted by the latest crashing, screeching, digitized superhero movie, “Ten Canoes” is a powerful antidote. David Gulpilil himself is an indigenous actor and dancer who has appeared in movies such as “Crocodile Dundee” (DVD CRO), “Rabbit-Proof Fence” (DVD RAB), and, most famously, in “Walkabout” (VIDEO WAL).

Much of the power of this movie lies in the performances. The movie “wise men” are actual aboriginal elders and other players are aboriginal artists and musicians. The actor who plays the ancestor Ridjimiraril (Crusoe Kurddal) is truly amazing, with a face carved from ancient ebony. Director Rolf De Heer deserves credit for pulling the movie together under great difficulties, including the threat of lurking crocodiles and blood sucking leaches. Be sure to watch the special feature on the making of the movie—it will give you some surprising insights into some of the conflicts between movie-making and traditional aboriginal culture.

So pop the DVD into your player, and listen up. “Bout time to tell you a story, eh? Then, I’ll tell you one of ours . . .” So starts “Ten Canoes,” as it takes you on its magical journey, as quietly as a crocodile swims downstream, into the past.

FM

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Cinderella Pact Sarah Strohmeyer

Nola Devlin leads a double life…she’s the popular lifestyle columnist Belinda Apple for Sass… but in reality she’s an overweight, overworked, underappreciated editor for the celebrity
magazine. Trouble begins when one of Belinda's columns on dieting inspires her two equally overweight best friends to form a Cinderella Pact, that is, a “diet to end all diets,” so that all three will enjoy the seemingly successful life that Belinda does. Strohmeyer’s cultural satire is softened by her respect and compassion for her characters.

Getting Rid of Bradley Jennifer Crusie

Finally high school physics teacher Lucy Savage is getting rid of Bradley, her worthless husband…or so she thinks! At a celebration lunch with her sister, an officer of the law overhears Lucy’s rants about her ex, and he concludes that this is the same Bradley wanted for embezzlement. Fearing for her safety (?), Zach (cop) moves into Lucy’s house where danger lurks everywhere…But is he really one of the good guys? Another story with Crusie’s trademark humor and realism.

Deaf Sentence David Lodge

Recently retired linguistics professor Desmond Bates has been going deaf for some time and finds retirement rather boring. When an American Ph.D. candidate asks for his advice, Desmond is flattered by her request and he accepts. Meanwhile, the needs of Desmond’s aging father, an unexpected speaking engagement in Poland and a visit to Auschwitz present Desmond with a much improved outlook on his life. As with all his novels (12), Lodge uses humor and pathos to explore and navigate life’s passages.

The Third Angel Alice Hoffman

Haunting, mesmerizing tale set in London concerns three women at pivotal points in their lives who have gathered for the marriage of one. This is vintage Hoffman exploring relationships among women with her usual psychic insights and lovely prose. What are we willing to do to maintain friendships? Some say this is Hoffman’s best!

The Forgery of Venus Michael Gruber

Matt Wilmot is a commercial artist of modest talents who is pulled into the shadowy, bizarre realm of art restoration…… or is it forgery? Gruber writes passionately and knowledgeably about the world of art and its history. And fans of the literate thriller will not be disappointed in Gruber’s sixth novel.

The Woman Who Wouldn’t Gene Wilder

It’s 1903, and young concert violinist Jeremy Webb has suffered a complete breakdown onstage. Sent to a health resort in Badenweiler, Germany, Jeremy tries to win the attention of the beautiful but distant Clara. With spare, lovely prose Wilder has created an unforgettable, passionate love story.

One Good Turn Kate Atkinson

It’s Edinburgh summer festival, and crowds standing outside the theater have just witnessed a sudden act of extreme road rage. Suddenly everyone’s life is affected by the crime, including Jackson Brodie……millionaire, ex-cop. With masterful plotting and a host of Dickensian characters, Atkinson weaves yet another witty, intelligent, satisfying story.

The Soul Thief Charles Baxter

Nathaniel Mason is a graduate student in early 1970s Buffalo who meets the mysterious Jerome Coolberg one evening at a party. The latter becomes so obsessed with Mason that he steals everything from him, including his identity. Years later we discover Mason living a bland existence in the Midwest, while Coolberg has transformed himself into star of NPR. With a surprise twist at the story’s end, we learn that Coolberg has played a huge role in Mason's life.

The Last Lecture Randy Pausch

This book is a brief, inspiring lecture the author felt compelled to create so his children would know him after his death. His message of embracing life is not new, but his thoughts are powerful, witty, honest and very entertaining. Wonderful in the audio format!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society Mary Ann Shaffer
While London is emerging from the aftermath of World War II, Juliet Ashton is having a difficult time with the inspiration for her next novel. A letter from Guernsey Island reveals an usual book club created as a cover to protect its participants from arrest by the occupying Germans. Captivated by the whole idea, Juliet sets sail for Guernsey, and what she discovers alters her life forever.

The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed Michael Meyer
Meyers’ study of old Beijing is an intimate, illuminating portrait of its (hutong) oldest neighborhood, Dazhalan. His book reveals the immense cost of progress as bonds that unite neighborhoods are severed by forced evictions, and lifestyles are destroyed to make way for shopping malls, Wal-Mart, high-rise buildings………..even the 2008 Olympics. Social upheaval is not new to Beijing, but the scale of this latest one is unprecedented. Don’t’ miss this lively, entertaining story of lovable characters and a history that is disappearing before your eyes!

Exposed: Confessions of a Wedding Photographer Claire Lewis

Funny, lively memoir about a woman who finds herself in a career she never imagined. Claire Lewis’s job as a wedding photographer may not be as dangerous as that of a war assignment, but she does find herself in some pretty horrific situations with stressed-out brides, mothers and all the funny, demanding situations that make weddings and subsequently Claire’s world anything but dull.

The Prince of Frogtown Rick Bragg

Regrettably this is the final volume of the beloved American saga that journalist Rick Bragg began with All Over but the Shoutin' and continued with Ava's Man. Rick Bragg closes his circle of family tales with an unforgettable story about fathers and sons inspired by his own relationship with his new ten-year-old stepson. The author’s wonderful gift of narration, at times hilarious and then deeply poignant, makes this an unforgettable audio book. You will be saddened in leaving Bragg’s world.

MC

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2002 National Book Award Winner Julia Glass will appear at Town House Books and Café on Thursday evening, November 13th from 6 to 7pm. Winner of the Nelson Algren and Tobias Wolff Awards for her first novel, Three Junes, Ms. Glass will greet people and sign books in the Garden Room of Town House Books. The reception is free of charge and open to the public. For additional information please call 630-584-8600.

And if you are in the Chicago area anytime between now and November 16th, you may want to check out the 19th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival taking place at various sites throughout the city. Prominent lecturers, spectacular art exhibits, and unforgettable performances in the areas of literature, architecture, law, philosophy, economics, history, and music are offered to visitors. Guests include David McCullough, Francine Prose, Jeffrey Sachs, Anne Carson, Mark Doty, Mark Salzman, Alex Ross, Naomi Klein, Garry Wills, Richard Rhodes and many more. For a complete list of programs, presenters, venues, (maps) go online and view each day's happenings or download the entire program guide at www.chfestival.org.

MC

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Falling leaves, roasted pumpkin seeds, wool sweaters--why it must be time for the National Book Awards

The Library owns or is the process of owning most of these titles. Reserve you copy today!

js

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What it is is a fascinating book from Lynda Barry.
It is shelved in the graphic novel department (741.51 BAR) but I believe it would be better suited in the memoir or art of writing department. Barry asks a lot of questions about where ideas and images come from. What do we, or should we do with our own stories or thoughts? What gets in the way of transmitting our ideas - whether it be from the brain to the page or the eye to the canvas? Check this book out.

Another visually intoxicating book is from Maira Kalman. Ms. Kalman has written and illustrated many wonderfully whimsical children's books. This work was written and painted during Ms. Kalman's time of mourning the loss of her husband. It is at turns moving, thoughtful, surprising and funny.

Beware, after experiencing these two gems you may just want to purchase your own copies.
JS

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The patron who asked us to buy The Darkness Within by St. Charles author Rachel Gies has given it two thumbs up. She said it's suspenseful and keeps you guessing until the very last page. Don't be fooled by the cover. This is a crime/suspense novel, not a novel about the zoo!

Here is the product description from Amazon:

Kate Coleman and her brother Nick are being terrorized as they find out more about who may be after them after they lose their parents in a fatal car accident. Someone, or something, is playing cat and mouse with them as they unveil illegal business dealings and are constantly watched by a beast, waiting to be set free. As they get closer to the truth, they are in danger of becoming the beast's next victims. Terror and suspense explode on every page.

JHL

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