Tuesday, December 11, 2012

'Tis the season....


....for critics (and kibitzers) to announce their choices for the top, best, and notable books of the year. 

The Washington Post has its top and notable lists; The New York Times features its 10 best books and its 100 notable books; Publishers Weekly recommends its Best Books of the Year.  The Wall Street Journal prepared a bundle of lists for you to browse (including the "50 Friends"). Of the online sites, Slate.com has its staff favorites; the editors of Huffington Post knew what they liked. and Salon offers its "ultimate book guide". 

The library review journals are just gearing up: first off is our "own" Kirkus Reviews (founded by the late Virginia Kirkus Glick, a long-time Redding resident) with its best fiction and best nonfiction lists, followed by Library Journal, with its series of "Best of" lists.

May your busy holidays leave you time to enjoy at least one of the touted books!

mhd

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Man Booker Prize announced - a first, a first, and a first

Winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize for WOLF HALL, Hilary Mantel has won the 2012 Man Booker Prize for its sequel, BRING UP THE BODIES. In so doing she has achieved three firsts:  first British and first woman writer to win the prize twice; and first writer to win the prize for a sequel.  This series on Thomas Cromwell, the commoner who was Henry the Eighth's right-hand man, provides a riveting read about a compelling historical figure. One more book is planned; does Mantel have another first in her literary future?

Dan Stevens, "Downton Abbey" star and a 2012 Booker judge, talks about BRING UP THE BODIES and other titles on the Booker short list here.

Monday, November 12, 2012

By the Book

Here's a new source of ideas for choosing your next book to read: the "By the Book" feature in the  New York Times Book Review.  Authors in the news discuss what they've read lately. (You might be surprised!)

mhd

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Cookbook Harvest

Autumn is the time for many new cookbook releases.  Perhaps it is the cooler weather that brings on thoughts of warm dishes and more time to spend in the kitchen.  Cookbooks are always popular at Mark Twain Library.  This month brings many new titles to tempt readers.  Our already bulging shelves are about to expand a bit more. 



Epicurious Cookbook
In Season
Place your holds on some of our brand new titles.  (By the way, library staff is always ready to be taste testers!) Want a particular cookbook added to the collection?  Let us know your ideas.

Dahlia Bakery Cookbook
Smitten Kitchen
Essential James Beard

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

J. K. Rowling speaks!


  JK Rowling

Here's a rare interview with one of the world's most popular authors, to mark the publication of her first book for adults.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Everyone's an expert

These days everyone's an expert on what to read - and that's the way we librarians like it!

At the Mark Twain, we've started Pinterest boards that feature patron recommendations as well as librarian suggestions.

But we don't limit ourselves to home-grown testimonials.  Beth recently described the remarkably popular NPR listeners' polls, which have identified 100 of the best-ever teen novels (2012), the top 100 science fiction and fantasy novels (2011), and 100 "killer-thrillers" (2010).

Perhaps you're looking for something a little more substantive.  You could try one of the "Books That Shaped America", the focus of a Library of Congress exhibit this summer.

Or you could be a contrarian and read one of the 373 books that did NOT win the National Book Award for Fiction. Quite a few illustrious authors (Hemingway, Nabokov, Vonnegut, Morrison...) wrote novels that were nominated but did not go on to win.  The National Book Foundation has put together an online exhibit to bring these "contenders" the attention they deserve.

Then again, maybe you'd like to try the FiveBooks Interview feature in the The Browser, which offers book suggestions each week from experts on different topics.  The choices are intriguing, as are the reasons for selecting them.

Do you have a favorite source for reading recommendations? Let us know and we'll feature it in a future blog entry.

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Best Teen Books

NPR recently polled listeners for the best ever teen fiction.  The results of their poll indicate that young adult  literature is popular not only among teens, but among adults as well.  In fact, NPR points out   that a  "whopping 75,220 voted ..., blasting past the total for last year's science fiction and fantasy poll at, dare we say it, warp speed."

 Harry Potter and the Hunger Games trilogy top the list.  A bit surprisingly the classic To Kill a Mockingbird is #3.   By far, the most popular current male author writing for a teen audience is John Green. 

Here's the complete list; you'll find these books and more by searching the library's catalog.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Booker Awards Announced

The longlist for theMan Booker Prize  was just announced in London. Hilary Mantel is one of the 12 authors, for Bring up the Bodies, her followup to the 2009 Booker winner, Wolf Hall. The second in a planned trilogy, Bring up the Bodies is already a best seller in the US.

The award seems to have a strong impact on sales in the United States.  It is not surprising to find past winners on the best sellers lists.   The award has long history of recognizing good books. Prize organizers note that from the very beginning of what was originally called the Booker Prize there was just one criterion - the prize would be for 'the best novel in the opinion of the judges.  And 42 years later that is still a key sentence in the rules.

The award is open to citizens of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland. Of the twelve writers just announced, nine are British, one Indian, one South African and one Malaysian. Not all titles are currently available in this country.  Available titles in the US are:



Soon to be available at Mark Twain Library Nacropolis by Jeet Thayil

Available at Library - Bringing up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

Available at Library Skios by Michael Frayn

Available at Library  The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Pin Me!

Why not link to our special Pinterest page which highlights our adult summer reading club members' submitted reviews.  A quick look shows that  Redding readers read from many different genres.  And, WOW, can they write some terrific reviews.  

As of today, we've pinned 61 reviews in just 3 weeks.  Want to join the club and see your title pinned? Submit a review online or in person at the library.  All reviews are eligible for our weekly raffles. 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Best Reads

The Mark Twain Library staff has compiled a handy list of the best recent fiction and non-fiction.  The titles were chosen from among those that received starred reviews in among other sources Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.

Like all lists, there are always some afterthoughts.   Here are two more great summer reads.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter 

Funny, campy and so very touching.  Effortlessly weeds its way from an tiny Italian coastline town in the 1960's to the present.   What do the famed actor Richard Burton and and a small village hotel owner have in common.  Read and enjoy.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Marriage can be a real killer. The author  takes that statement to a dark place in this fast paced work about a marriage gone terribly wrong.  One reveiw source thought it was a  mix of sharp-edged wit with deliciously chilling prose"  and " a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn."



Thursday, July 5, 2012

Short Reads for Summer

Looking for a good read that is not too long?  The Mark Twain Library has compiled a list of books under 200 pages.  The titles range from the classic to the currently popular.  These books are great to take to Topstone, relax by a pool or read on vacation. And, the teen in your life might enjoy their brevity if other summer activities are keeping them too busy to read longer books.  While the list contains a great number of titles, staff would love to hear about other titles that are short and sweet. We'll update the list and include your suggestions.


Don't forget to submit your review of any of these titles in our Summer Reading Raffle for adult readers to be eligible for prizes.  Submit your review online or at the library.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Between the Covers





The Library's new Summer Reading Club for adults begins June 25th.  The club is an informal way for Redding residents to share their love of books and reading with others in their community.  There are a variety of ways to participate.  Readers can also fill out brief reviews  of titles they've read.  Paper forms are avialable in the lbirary and the form will also be on the library's website.  Each review will be entered in a raffle for fun prizes such as tickets to Westport Playhouse preview performances and gift certicates to local merchants and restaurants. Here's our first staff prepared suggestions of the best fiction and non-fiction titles.


Best  Non-Fiction of 2011 and early 2012  - a selection of titles suggested by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews and MTL staff

Best Fiction of 2011 and early 2012  -a selection of titles suggested by the New York Times,
Booklist,  Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews and MTL staff


Friday, June 8, 2012

Good news, bad news

One of my favorite 2012 novels  - THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller - has just won the Orange Prize, a UK literary award for the best book written by a woman in English in a given year. A reinterpretation of the Iliad, THE SONG OF ACHILLES provides a fresh and emotionally enthralling perspective on the well-known story, and I am very glad that it is getting the recognition it deserves.

So that's the good news.  Here's the bad news.  The Orange Prize, "celebrating excellence, originality, and accessibility in women's fiction" around the world, has lost its sponsorship after 17 years.  That may not bother some people, who wonder about the legitimacy of a prize that champions the work of one gender by excluding the work of the other. (Interested in a discussion of the award's validity? See these articles by Joanna Trollope, chair of this year's judging panel; Cynthia Ozick, one of this year's nominees; and British critic Matthew Cain.)

But if one looks at the Orange Prize simply from the perspective of an avid reader, there's no question that it has achieved great success in identifying books worth reading. It wasn't until this year that I discovered the annual Orange longlist. Looking back over the 17 years of the award, I see in these twenty-title longlists an outstanding resource for book groups, who are typically looking for novels that offer both meat (literary substance) and drink (readability), and that's what these lists provide. Click here for the lists, divided into the long and short nomination categories.

For the sake of good reading, let's hope the prize continues!

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Mysterious Update

Phantom  Last to Die: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel The Drop (Harry Bosch Series #17)


Mystery lovers – have you noticed it’s getting to the point that you need a detective’s spiral pad to keep notes on all the mysteries (and thrillers, too) being rushed to publication.  A recent New York Times article shed some light on this publishing mystery.  Authors who could be counted on to bring out one new title in their series each year are now feeling strong pressure to publish more.  eBook formats have made readers eager to download the next title quickly. Authors are even producing short works just in eBook format for the most insatiable.  Take out your notebook and note these clues to upcoming titles.    You will be sure to find them all available at the Mark Twain Library in the months to come.  And subscribe to Wowbary to be alerted when your favorite title has arrived.  Look at a few due out soon.  

Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross Series #18)XO (Kathryn Dance Series #3)                The Age of Doubt Cast On, Kill Off


                                           

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Ready to Rumble?

The recent failure of the Pulitzer board to award a 2012 prize for fiction prompted quite an uproar.  The publishing industry put up its dukes and flailed away at the perceived insult to its 2011 fiction lists.

The brouhaha actually worked out in productive ways.  Many people (see And the winner isn't... and The Great Pulitzer Do-Over ) took the opportunity to champion their favorite 2011 novels, bringing attention to a wide range of worthwhile books.*  That's a good thing!

It made me reflect on the vagaries of the book prize process, though, and at the risk of being called unpatriotic, I'd say the British handle their literary awards system more efficiently.  They announce an initial 15-book "longlist", cut it down to a 5-6 book "shortlist", and then award the prize. Lots of publicity is focused on that extensive longlist, and being placed on the shortlist is seen as the real stamp of approval, with the actual award a bit of an anticlimax. (Similar to the Oscars.) Avid readers really appreciate those longlists.

Of course, the British do have their own controversies.  The judges for the 2011 Man Booker Prize, the UK's top literary award, noted that they were going to take "readability" into account in their deliberations.  Quel horreur! The literary community was incensed. It didn't help that the ultimate selection for the prize, THE SENSE OF AN ENDING, was widely seen as a tepid choice.

But I'm looking forward to next year's Booker Prize anyway.  Why?  Because I am so very amused that one of the five members of the 2012 judging panel is actor Dan Stevens, better known to many of us as Matthew Crawley of "Downton Abbey". (I kid you not. Oh, all right, he does have a degree in literature from Cambridge.) Those Brits sure know how to have more fun.

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

*It's not over 'til it's over? The Pulitzer jury describes "what really happened this year"


Friday, April 20, 2012

Poetry tells a tale

Contemporary poetry has a "serious" reputation; only by close and sustained analysis, it is said, can a reader discern a poem's true meaning. But how many of us can spare the requisite hours for such an activity (even if it is April, National Poetry Month)? Fortunately, limited time and energy may no longer be a problem if you've discovered one of the livelier genres of the form - the novel in verse.

Narrative poetry, particularly for young adults, is flourishing. This distinctive way of telling a story has been fairly described as "a quick read, with depth". Sounds promising to busy readers!

Click here for a select list of verse novels. One, Out of the Dust, won the 1998 Newbery Award for its poignant depiction of the Great Depression. A more recent title, The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic, has been described as a "masterpiece". While not every book listed deserves such high praise, each will provide reading (or listening) pleasure.

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Charles Dickens - Let's Celebrate!

2012 is a banner year for Charles Dickens, as the English-speaking world celebrates the 200th anniversary of his birth. I've been a fan of Dickens since I was a teenager. I loved the way that the virtuous young protagonists of his novels ultimately prevailed; I found his ability to weave together the fraught lives of a vast scrum of vivid characters compelling; and, of course, the brisk pace of his storytelling (Dickens published most of his novels in serial installments, typically with cliffhanger endings) prompted me to race to the end of each of his books, not even aware of their many pages.

It's surprising to me, therefore, that many readers these days are reluctant to try Dickens; perhaps they are daunted by the length of his books.  A look at his work as presented on the small screen, however, might persuade some to pick up his novels. The BBC has spent the last thirty-plus years adapting one Dickens masterpiece after another for television, including the superb Bleak House (2005), Little Dorrit (2008), Nicholas Nickleby (2000), and my favorite, Our Mutual Friend (1998). Two more (Great Expectations and The Mystery of Edwin Drood) are coming to the TV screen in 2012.


But the way you experience his work doesn't really matter. Whether you read, watch - or listen to* - Mr. Dickens' tales, your time will be well rewarded.

And how will I observe his milestone birthday? I am finally going to read a biography of Dickens, whose life story is reputed to be as compelling as his fiction!

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

*Click here for a list of the library's collection of Dickens books, audiobooks and video adaptations

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Book Groups Seek Book

In a book group with lots of avid readers who would think there would be that moment of silence when not one member has an idea for the next book to read … or worse there are too many ideas.  As the librarian in my group, I sometimes want to hide because eyes turn to me.  When that happens, I pull out my secret weapons, suggestions from three favorite websites for book lovers.   Avoid that awkward moment at your next meeting.  Come armed with suggestions from one of these sites:


Reading Group Choices is one of the oldest websites for book lovers and just seems to get better with age.  If food is a big part of your groups reason for meeting don’t miss the  food by the book link
MostlyFiction is fueled by its contributors and often has reviews of books just released.  There are great links to past reviews  

Reading Group Guides – Launched by an avid reader this site has grown to include over 3500 guides.  Check out their advice on how to run an effective group

Still need suggestions or want a reading guide prepared for you contact me - Beth@marktwainlibrary.org

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Great Reads by Genre Picked

Every year the Reading List Council, a group of librarians considered the most expert at providing advice to readers about the best books published in a calendar year develops a list of Best Books by Genres.
Here's a list that the Mark Twain Library has culled from that list with special interest for our Redding Readers.  Enjoy! Be sure to let the Mark Twain Library staff if you agree with the experts.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Airport Lit

What is Airport Lit? Well, as Dominique Browning, a NY Times travel writer, opined recently, it's literature that features "plain, old-fashioned, unrelenting, compelling storytelling." She finds such books so engrossing that she can easily ignore the increasing indignities of air travel (hence the name).

My reaction is - why save such good reads for the airplane?  They're engaging and satisfying anytime and anywhere.

Ms. Browning listed some of her favorite 'AL' authors - George R. R. Martin, Scott Turow, P. D. James, Maeve Binchy, Bernard Cornwell, Ruth Rendell - and opened up the article for comments. Her readers cited a wide range of writers, including novelists Deborah Crombie, Jo Nesbo, Ian Rankin, Charles Todd, Joanna Trollope, Georgette Heyer, and Louise Penny, and such nonfiction authors as David McCullough. Here's a link to the article and reader suggestions.

I would enthusiastically include in this group fiction writers Philip Kerr (Bernie Gunther series), Robert Harris, and Elizabeth Jane Howard (Cazalet Chronicles), plus nonfiction notable Erik Larson.

Have you got any names to add to this list of sure-bet reads? Please add them below!

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

Monday, February 20, 2012

Romantic Reads - teen edition

"Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it, let's do it, let's fall in love" *

Teenagers of both sexes find the lure of love just as irresistible as their elders do - though they may be less willing to admit it! But the most popular teen novels often use romantic tension to keep readers rapidly turning pages.

What would THE HUNGER GAMES be without the emotional triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale?  Could the DAIRY QUEEN trilogy, with its full complement of football, basketball and tractors, retain its appeal absent the poignant bond between D. J. and Brian? Would readers rush to finish THE SCORPIO RACES if they were not tugged by the fledgling relationship between Puck and Sean?

To introduce you to a wide variety of well-written, briskly-paced novels with engaging characters and satisfying endings (many of which will appeal to older as well as younger readers), here's a link to a list of some of the best teen "romantic reads" of the past few years, organized into various categories for your browsing pleasure, such as "At Death's door" (characters with fatal conditions) and "What's a good war without a buddy by your side?" (dystopias are no fun without a special friend). Hope you find a new favorite!

Mary Hoskinson-Dean

* thanks, Cole Porter

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Tattle Tattle for Feb 2012

Award winning authors offer words of inspiration and dramatic stories - Two to read now and one to look forward to:

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai University - Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo offers a dramatic story of families striving for a better life in a city of stark contrasts.  Based on three years of uncompromising reporting, a bewildering age of global change and inequality is made human.

What we Talk About When we Talk About Anne Frank - Nathan Englander grapples with the great questions of modern life. From a gifted young writer and award winning author chosen as one of  "20 writers for the 21st century."

When I Was a Child I Read Books - The Pulitzer Prize winner author of Gilead and Housekeeping offers a series of essays that reviewers are describing as "tightly developed ...some personal but mostly more general, on the Big Themes: social fragmentation in modern America, human frailty, faith."  Place your hold now for the March debut of this work.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Romantic Reads

Every 5 seconds someone buys a romance novel, making it a $1.2 billion dollar a year industry.  A percentage of that growth is driven by gals who are eBook fans.  91% or romance book readers are well educated women who have healthy incomes.  (Source: Romance Writers of America)

So in preparation for Valentine's Day why not check out the popular display table featuring romances of all sorts.  Here’s a quick peek at the most popular writers loved by Mark Twain Library fans of the genre!

Jude Deveraux is a top selling author whose books offer a bit of romance, a bit of the past and a bit of the present.

Nora Roberts is a prolific writer whose works are peppered with a bit of spice and lots of family sagas.  Her works are frequently made into television movies and lots of fun to read.

Eloisa James – Fordham University professor by day… romance writer by night?  Historical romance bestsellers



Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Children's Book "Oscars" have been announced

Well, Allison and I were - once again - poor prognosticators of the American Library Association's children's literature awards - but we were still happy about the winners.

Chris Raschka's A BALL FOR DAISY won the Caldecott for the best illustrated book of 2011.  This wordless melodrama for toddlers about a puppy who loses his ball is enlivened by Raschka's trademark squiggly figures and will be a wonderful lapsit book for any child and grownup.

OK, we dare you to read DEAD END IN NORVELT, the Newbery Award winner for the best children's novel of 2011, without guffawing at least once!  Jack Gantos has focused on one special summer of his childhood in the dying town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, when he assisted his neighbor in preparing obituaries of the town's founders. Apparently this turned out be a weird, funny - and continually embarrassing - experience, which Gantos has made into a compulsively readable story.

The Printz Award for the best 2011 novel for teens went to John Corey Whaley for his first book, WHERE THINGS COME BACK.  It's another tale about a boy's life in a small town, this one in Arkansas, but comedy is only one of its many attractions. Tragedy, suspense, religion, love, mystery all intertwine in a story that rewards your reading to the last word.

Next time you're in the library, take a look at the bulletin board outside my office.  Now posted there are all the 2011 award winners and notable children's books lists. You're sure to get some ideas for great reading!

              Mary Hoskinson-Dean                                                                           

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Emotional Intelligence

Want to understand others better.  Read fiction. Studies indicate that reading fiction activates neuronal pathways in the brain that measurably help the reader better understand real human emotion — improving his or her overall social skillfulness.

Psychologists have been studying the impact for a while now.  One noted researcher in the field, Keith Oatley of the University of Toronto put it best when he noted that "literary soul maetes expect nothing of you."

A little bibliotherapy is good for what ails you.  A good read doesn't just mimic life, it helps to intensify experiences and make them more intersting.  But, it does this from a safe distance.  If your hero confronts a tragedy or gets caught up in events spiraling out of control, you can put the book down and pick it up later after having taken a bit of time to ponder the problem form a safe distance.

So if your feeling a bit too self absorded , immerse yourself in a good book from the Mark Twain Library.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Tattle Tattle

January is a busy month for the release of some fascinating new books with unique subjects.  Here's just a few titles that made their way to our catalog that I hope will be of interest.  (Beth Dominianni, Director )

The Wandering Gene and the Indian Princess: Race Religion and DNA by Jeff Wheelwright - if you found The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks fascinating you will be equally interested in this story of the power of one genetic variant to travel and effect lives.

More Room in a Broken Heart: The True Adventures of Carly Simon - "Anticipation is keeping me waiting.."
Recommended to anyone interested in the singer-songwriter era of rock music and readers who wore out Simon's records playing them over and over! You know who you are!

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking - Author Susan Cain is creating a noisy stir in the publishing world - this is a thoroughly researched work which states the case for how much we loose by undervaluing quiet people. 

Wine to Water by Doc Hendley - A small town Harley riding bar tender  launched a movement that has brought clean water to so many. 

In our Prime: The Invention of Middle Age by Patricia Cohen - A New York Times reporter sheds light on the changing definition of Middle Age.  One review describes her book as a "liberation anthem."

Friday, January 13, 2012

The American Library Association awards will be announced soon - and we can't wait! This year there are no front-runners for the major awards: The Caldecott, for best illustrated book, the Newbery, for best children's chapter book, and the Printz, for best teen novel.

But my colleague  Allison Murphy and I do have our favorites:  she is rooting for Gary Schmidt's OKAY FOR NOW to win the Newbery, and I am a booster of THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater for the Printz. We both wonder whether SWIRL by SWIRL, illustrated by Beth Krommes, will win the Caldecott.

The awards will be reported the morning of January 23.  Will our - or your - favorites win? Stay tuned!
Happy Reading - Mary Hoskinson Dean - Children's Dept Head