You are probably used to seeing trailers for upcoming movie releases, but how about movie trailers for books? They've become an important part of marketing books, from "big budget" productions to homemade films. I'm not sure how much they actually help sell books, but they certainly can be fun to watch. They even have their own award (the Moby Award) and you can watch many of 2010 winners of "best and worst" book trailers on this site.

My recent favorite is by romance writer Tessa Dare who used her own camera and family toys to make a creative and funny trailer for her "Stud Club" trilogy. Enjoy!

Posted by Readers Services at 09:34 AM | Permalink

There has been good and bad news from the world of mystery writing in the past few days. On the plus side, the 2010 Edgar Nominees were announced. These titles are selected by the Mystery Writers of America to honor "the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2009." The winners will be announced in April.

On a much sadder note, many readers were shocked to learn that best-selling author Robert B. Parker passed away Monday at the age of 77. Tributes and memories are filling the internet, such as this from the Wall Street Journal and this from the New York Times, While many enjoy his "Sunny Randall" and "Jesse Stone" series, I have always been a strict "Spenser" devotee. I still remember when I first discovered this series and how I devoured all I could find. Since then, the arrival of the newest Spenser novel was always a highlight in my reading calendar and is something I will miss.

marlise

Posted by Readers Services at 09:44 AM | Permalink

Have you read a romance lately? Apparently, lots of people have. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune dated April 7, 2009, sales of Harlequin Romances are way up, despite these difficult financial times. Not only are there subcategories to cover lots of different interests, but the stories are formulatic, with the heroine in an uncertain situation where she must learn to trust. And always there is a happy ending. This certainly does sound appealing after reading the news headlines. Although I haven't read much romance lately, there was a time when I did- back in graduate school, after a long week of classes, my own treat was going to the browsing library to pick out a romance to get lost in for a few hours. Again, comfort in unsettling times. Now I find myself in a study group with fellow librarians reading romances, and I'm again discovering how enjoyable they can be. Much to my surprise, I even found myself staying up reading way past my bedtime, when normally I fall asleep rather quickly while reading in bed. (In case you're wondering, that particular book was Slightly Married by Mary Balogh.) I'm also discovering that there's some very good romance writing out there, with great character development and background settings. Don't know where to start? The web site All About Romance features a page Favorite Books by Favorite Authors, where romance readers have voted on their favorites. (If you're already a romance reader, you can vote for your favorites at Favorite Books by Favorite Authors Ballot.) And of course, you can always ask the staff at the Reader's Services Desk for recommendations.

Posted by Readers Services at 10:08 AM | Permalink

Recently I've had the pleasure of discovering the joy of reading some very meaningful memoirs. Part autobiography, part short-story collection, sometimes funny and always eye-opening, a memoir offers the audience a brief yet personal glimpse into a segment of or series of events in the author's life. What has been especially pleasurable is the intimate connection between reader and writer through this almost cathartic experience of contemplating one's own personal struggles and the sometimes emotional conclusions drawn in the process. Here are three titles that I've enjoyed:

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Reflections of a Carnegie Mellon computer science professor who lectured on "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. His advice concerned seizing the moment while living, rather than dying.

Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox
The popular film and television actor evaluates the personal philosophy that has enabled his positive outlook in spite of his battle with degenerative Parkinson's disease, in an uplifting account that considers how he has become a happier and more satisfied person by recognizing the gifts of everyday life.

Hands of My Father by Myron Uhlberg
By turns heart-tugging and hilarious, Myron Uhlberg's memoir tells the story of growing up as the hearing son of deaf parents--and his life in a world that he found unaccountably beautiful, even as he longed to escape it.

jdc

Posted by Readers Services at 12:34 PM | Permalink

For those who love mysteries, the Mystery Writers of America announced the 2009 winners of the Edgar Awards! You can also search their database of past nominees and winners for additional mystery reading ideas.

mcs

Posted by Readers Services at 02:12 PM | Permalink

What's the secret to raising a reader at home? Start early. Kids love to be read to, even when they no longer want to be referred to as "kids!" Library visits are great for finding new books, but also for finding resources designed to support parents in their quest to raise lifelong readers. Some publications also offer online suggestions.

Raising Bookworms by Emma Walton Hamilton is full of age-appropriate book recommendations.
Feel free to ask our staff for ideas, too! We are happy to help.

Posted by Readers Services at 09:48 AM | Permalink

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

Posted by Readers Services at 04:34 PM | Permalink

The calls and requests are coming into the Library for the latest book chosen by Oprah for her Book Club: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It's an interesting choice given that this is author David Wroblewski's debut novel.

I haven't read it yet and would be glad to hear any comments from those who have! Please contact us if we can help you place a copy on hold.

mcs

Posted by Readers Services at 06:22 PM | Permalink

Whether we're ready or not the campaign season is now in full swing and many are checking out the books written by the Presidential candidates, including (in alphabetical order): The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Obama), Dreams from my Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (Obama), Faith of My Fathers (McCain), and Worth the Fighting For: A Memoir (McCain). Of course the Library also carries many books about the candidates as well.

If you want to go behind the books, BookTV (on C-Span2) will host a discussion of the books written by the presidential candidates featuring Jonathan Karp, editor of all John McCain's books and John K. Wilson, author of Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest. The show will air on "In Depth" on Sunday, September 7th (LIVE, Noon - 3 pm ET).

By the way- if you, like me, don't subscribe to cable, BookTV also has a variety of interviews and more with top nonfiction authors that you can watch on the BookTV website and on their YouTube page. Some are really quite interesting and even show moments caught "back stage" or off air!

mcs

Posted by Readers Services at 10:35 AM | Permalink

Move over Harry Potter, there's a new protagonist in town and her name is Bella! In case you
missed the buzz, on Saturday, August 2nd, the fourth and final book in the romantic vampire series
entitled Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer was released, amid much celebration by teens.
Bookstores across the country held parties to mark the event, which included trivia contests about the saga, costumes, and much more. What makes these books so unique is the huge interest in them generated by those elusive young adult readers. We love to see these busy students so hooked on books! Keep your eyes open in October during Teen Read Week for related events to be held at the library. Thinking about sampling the series? Start with Twilight.

Posted by Readers Services at 11:59 AM | Permalink

Phyllis Whitney died on February 8 at the age of 104.

Amethyst Dreams was her last book, published in 1997 when she was 94 years old. One of the most prolific authors in recent history, Whitney wrote romantic suspense novels for adults as well as mysteries for young people and books about writing.

Read more about Whitney on the Phyllis Whitney web site.

Posted by Readers Services at 03:48 PM | Permalink

Last week was a treat for me. I had a pretty impromptu opportunity to fly out to San Fransisco for a few days and decided to do a VERY informal poll of what people were reading along the way. As you are probably well aware, airports equal a lot of wait time, and therefore a lot of wonderful opportunities to READ! Personally, aside from my travel guide, I brought along two books, one for "fluff" the other, Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I absolutely loved. Well, if I were to sum up the results of my study, I would do it with one word: Bestsellers. With the help of my dutiful husband, we spied some interesting titles (along with many a newspaper) in the hands of unsuspecting readers including: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky.

The best part of this whole experiment? Hearing total strangers strike up a conversation based upon a book someone was holding in hand. No doubt that there is still a passionate love of reading out there which draws us all together.

Jill

Posted by Readers Services at 11:11 AM | Permalink

The holiday season brings with it the renewal of many beloved family traditions, and in my home that means the re-reading of our favorite Christmas books. These beloved titles, regardless of their reading level, are still as much a part of our holiday rituals as putting up the tree or hanging our stockings for Santa. Of course our list includes such classics as The Night Before Christmas, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and the bible verse itself as it took place in Bethlehem. However, this magical time of year just wouldn't be the same if we didn't also snuggle up together and read some of the numerous more contemporary children's titles including:

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Arthur's Perfect Christmas by Marc Tolon Brown
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The Christmas Ship by Dean Morrissey (A new addition to our collection this year)
Everybody Serves Soup by Norah Dooley
Petunia's Christmas by Roger Duvoisin

This last title is a personal childhood favorite of mine. I loved reading this one over and over and fantasizing about how the main character, a goose named Petunia, in order to save a handsome gander who is being fattened for Christmas, disguises herself as a monster, begs, and makes and sells Christmas decorations. I have to admit that when I read it from an adult's perspective now, I sometimes miss the magic which whisked me away so many years ago. But then again, that reaction always reminds me of just how precious the vantage point of a child at Christmas time really is. It is returning to that youthful state of mind and reliving those holiday memories that makes reading these seasonal favorites an absolute must. What's your holiday favorite? Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!

JDC

Posted by Readers Services at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

As you may have heard, the literary world lost two wonderful writers recently. Many of us remember reading books by Madeleine L'Engle growing up, and as one of our librarians said, "I recently re-read A Wrinkle in Time with one of my children. I was as charmed with it now as I was 35 years ago." When news of L'Engle's passing was announced a few weeks ago, the New York Times ran a moving summary of her life and works which you can read here

And then last week fantasy lovers lost Robert Jordan, author of the wonderful Wheel of Time Series. Mr. Jordan spent most of his adult life in Charleston, South Carolina. To learn more about his inspiring life, works and valiant battle against a rare blood disease, please see this tribute to him here. Mr. Jordan's fantasy universe will be missed by his many fans.

MC/JS

Posted by Readers Services at 11:36 AM | Permalink

Don't you just hate it when your reading "taste buds" are all primed for the latest James Patterson or Janet Evanovich, you rush to the library to take it home for a nice, long weekend of thrilling reading and...it's checked out! All 7 copies! What to do? Add your name to the waiting list, and then come to the Readers Services department and pick up one of our handy "While You're Waiting For..." lists of recommended read-alikes.

The "While You're Waiting For" list will feature five individual titles or authors whose works are similar to the book you've had your heart set on. For instance, if you wanted the newest Danielle Steel, our "While You're Waiting For" list will steer you toward Barbara Taylor Bradford, Barbara Delinsky, and three other authors. Or, if you're dying to read the latest in Robert Ludlum's "Bourne" series, we'll recommend works by authors such as Robert Littell, Henry Porter, and Daniel Silva, among others.

The "While You're Waiting For..." lists can be found in the Readers Services department near the New York Times Best Seller list, or just ask a Readers Services staff member.
CH

Posted by Readers Services at 05:02 PM | Permalink

If you're a regular reader of the Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune, you've probably noticed that the "Books" section is no longer included! This caused me a small amount of panic until I realized that it hadn't been eliminated, simply moved to the Saturday edition of the paper. Of course, I'm disappointed since I only subscribe to the Sunday edition, but fortunately the Library has it. Even better, we're pulling the "Books" section and bringing it up to the Reader Services area so it's easy for everyone to find! Just look on the New Fiction shelves where we have various magazines and newspapers dedicated to book reviews (don't see it? Just ask at the Reader Services Desk!). If you can't wait to come into the Library, you can also see "Books" online.

While I'm sorry to lose "Books" from my personal collection, I must say that I'm enjoying the expanded coverage in the new Saturday edition. I also like the "Lit Life" column by Julia Keller in the Sunday "Arts & Entertainment" section. What do you think? Some people feel that moving "Books" to Saturday is an indication that the popularity of reading is waning and that one day it will not be published at all. As a reader who relies on reviews to help me find titles I might otherwise miss, I certainly hope this doesn't happen!

- marlise

Posted by Readers Services at 05:05 PM | Permalink