Book News: November 2011 Archives

Anne McCaffrey

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By Readers Services on November 23, 2011 12:31 PM 0 0 Vote 0 Votes
There was sDragonsong.jpgad news last week ago for Science Fiction and Fantasy readers: prolific and award-winning (she was the first woman to win a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award) author Anne McCaffrey passed away.

As soon as I read the news, I went to the shelf to find my own beloved copy of Dragonsong.  It occurs to me now that this was probably one of the first books I ever bought for myself as a young adult and I have often re-read it over the years when I wanted an enchanting comfort read.

As I resisted sitting down and immediately re-reading it, I also realized that - in addition to the story itself - I have also always been drawn in by the wonderful artwork on the cover by Elizabeth Malczynski.  I also noticed the note I wrote on the upper right corner: "read this first."   Clearly at some point I loaned several titles by McCaffrey to someone (Dragonsong is just one in the large Pern series) and felt it was important they begin with my favorite!

I think every reader has a few special authors that for whatever reason become beloved.  Anne McCaffrey is certainly one of mine and I'm sorry she will no longer be creating her magical worlds.

marlise

Featured YA Display: Trips in Time - Historical Fiction

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By Readers Services on November 23, 2011 11:36 AM 0 0 Vote 0 Votes
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Our newest YA display Trips in Time highlights gems from our Historical Fiction collection (located at the top of the mezzanine staircase, under the frog sculpture) features titles sure to transport you to adventurous and bygone places and events.  Well-researched historical fiction has the ability to offer readers a sampling of days of old, whether they be set during the Civil, Revolutionary, or World Wars, a plague village set in 1666 England, travels on a pirate ship, or even the sinking of the Titanic.  Strong characters inhabit these places and draw us in, almost letting us believe that we too are experiencing life somewhere, someplace long ago.

Enjoy your travels this holiday season as you transport yourself to someplace old, though new to you.

 

Jill

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November Titles to Check Out

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By Readers Services on November 16, 2011 4:32 PM 0 0 Vote 0 Votes
Two intriguing titles are out this month based on historic November anniversaries:

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November 22, 1963 changed the United States forever. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in his motorcade, and a broken-hearted America has spent nearly 50 years remembering and speculating about the tragic events in Dallas. In his latest novel, mega-best-selling writer Stephen King asks a fascinating question: What if you could go back in time and change that day? More specifically: What if you could save JFK? In 11/22/63, an English teacher travels back to 1958 and begins a quest to alter history. Space and time are placed on the line in King's thought-provoking and much-anticipated novel. Remember this iconic moment in history with a truly imaginative, harrowing read.






Skyjack.jpgThe only unsolved airline hijacking in American history occurred on November 24, 1971. The suspect, a man using the name D.B. Cooper, has remained unidentified since the fateful day when he collected a ransom of $200,000 and parachuted from a rear exit door of the hijacked Boeing 727. The FBI investigation has gone on for 40 years, and the man behind the crime became a legend. Geoffrey Gray's Skyjack: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper delves into this great American mystery and the tumultuous period in which it occurred. With Nixon in the White House, war raging in Vietnam and social unrest at home, Cooper came to be regarded as something of a Robin Hood-esque figure. The still-perplexing questions about what happened to this shadowy figure when he jumped from the plane will fascinate true-crime fans.



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