Get Hooked by an Angel

I am a big fan of police procedurals and I have just finished reading a really great one! Angel’s Tip is the latest mystery thriller from Alafair Burke, and it truly is a fast and exciting read. The book is set in New York and features Ellie Hatcher, a tough, “newly promoted” NYPD detective who has been working in the homicide division of the Thirteenth precinct for exactly one week. The book’s action is centered around the murder of Chelsea Hart, a college student from Indiana who was spending her spring break with her two best friends, in New York City. A bit wild and carefree, Chelsea convinced her friends to leave her at a nightclub on the last night of their trip, so that that she could dance and have fun “a little bit longer.” But, the best night of Chelsea’s life turned sour when her murdered body was discovered the next day in East River Park. The plot is complicated and the action moves quickly in this book. Not only do readers’ get to hear Ellie’s point of view, but also they are pushed into the mind of the killer during several parts of the book. The best part of Alafair Burke’s novel is her heroine, Ellie Hatcher. Ellie’s father was a policeman and she has followed in his footsteps in her own career choice. Ellie lives in a world of men, and being attractive and blond has hindered her ability to be taken seriously by her fellow detectives. In this book, Ellie receives a new partner, J. J. Rogan, who as an African American has had to face his own battles within the force. Ellie and J. J.’s developing partnership and uphill battle to learn the “lay of the land” within the NYPD add an extra layer of tension to this already exciting story. Dead Connection is the first novel written by Alafair Burke, that stars Ellie Hatcher. Burke has also written three books in a series with Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid that are set in Portland, OR; the first book in the Samantha Kincaid series is Judgement Calls. If you like Angel’s Tip, try also reading The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen, the first book in Gerritsen’s series starring Detective Jane Rizzolo. The story involves a creepy cerebral serial killer, a charismatic female doctor and a tough female detective set amidst the history and bustle of Boston, MA.

Visit "The Shack!"

I am usually not fond of reading books on the bestseller list, especially when the book is a “14-day” check-out because so many people want to read it! I don’t enjoy being stressed out and forced to read a book quickly, as I prefer to read at my own pace. However, I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young, a book that has been on the bestseller list for several weeks. The book is a work of fiction, but the story is so compelling, I kept asking myself as I read it, “What if this book is based on a true story?” The story revolves around MacKensie (Mac) who has a wonderful family and a nice life, until a terrible tragedy occurs and causes him to lose his faith in God and become burdened by The Great Sadness. Mac then gets the chance to have a conversation with God and what he learns is startling, amazing, and wonderful. The God that Mac meets is different from his version that he grew up with and how Mac is changed by him makes the book a good read. The story is vivid and a bit challenging to read – I suggest reading it in small doses, so you can spend time thinking about the story.

For other books that deal with people and their relationships with God try also reading Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsche, in which he chronicles his extraordinary experience of conversing with God through the process of "auto-writing."

STEAMBOATS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

I attended a tribute ceremony to the Delta Queen Steamboat and learned interesting historical facts. Steamboats have played important roles in history. Hopefully those remaining will be in operation for future generations to enjoy. Our library has many books on steamboats, such as
Live Steam by Jon Kral, a photojournalist who gives a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to live and work aboard steamboats.

Monday, November 3, 2008 at 4:00P.M.

Tribute to the Delta Queen

Along the Vicksburg riverfront and from the bow of the American Queen a tribute was made to the departing steamboat, Delta Queen. The Captain John Dugger presented a plaque to
Mayor Laurence Leyens. Mayor Leyens spoke of the importance of keeping the stern-wheel steamboats on the River and proclaimed November 3rd as “Delta Queen Day” for Vicksburg. The American Queen Quartet played and the "Delta Queen Waltz" was performed. The history of the Delta Queen was given as being built in 1927 with a cost of less than a million dollars. She began overnight trips between Sacramento and San Francisco for the next thirteen years going through the Depression. From 1940 to 1946, the Delta Queen served in the U.S. Navy. She was painted overall gun barrel gray. In 1946 she was put up for auction and bought by Tom Green from Cincinnati, Ohio for $46, 250.00 The Green Family renovated the Delta Queen in 1947. Cruises began in 1948 on the Ohio River and have continued for the past sixty years. In 1966 a law was enacted for ocean going vessels having wooden superstructure, stating that they couldn’t carry more than fifty passengers overnight. The Delta Queen has been exempted nine times from this law allowing her to have passenger cruises. Recently the exemption wasn’t given to the Delta Queen and expired on November 1st. The public is being encouraged to contact representatives to ask Congress to allow the exemption. For more information see the website at http://www.deltaqueenhistory.com/

Vote for Your Favorite Adult and Children’s Book!

In acknowledgement of the election season, the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library asked patrons to nominate their favorite adult and children’s books during the month of October. Nominations were accepted through October 31, in cooperation with an exhibit case display of famous people and their favorite books. The nominations in both the Adult and Children’s categories were wide-ranging and covered both Non-Fiction and Fiction titles. When the nominations were tallied, the top five books with the most nominations were:

Adult Books
1) The Bible
2) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
3) The Time-Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
4) My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
5) The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Children’s Books
1) Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
2) Eragon by Christopher Paolini
3) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
4) The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss.
5) Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Now, it’s your time to vote! Please visit the library and fill out a ballot, and place it in the “star-covered” paper box located on the top of the exhibit case on the second floor of the library. The case is located to your right when you walk into the library. You may vote for ONE favorite book in both the adult and children’s categories. Votes may be cast until November 21, 2008. The results of the vote will be published in the newsletter as well as on a poster inside the library. If you can’t visit the library, you may e-mail your vote to me, at jensmith@warren.lib.ms.us Don’t miss out on your chance to voice your opinion!

Thrills and Chills for Halloween

Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, I have been enjoying reading some "creepy" stories to get myself in the mood! One of the best collections I have read recently was 50 Great Ghost Stories, which was written by John Canning. The stories are of English origin, and are more on the "chilly" rather than the "gory" side of scary. Especially during the last few days of 50 degrees (brrr), it has been great cuddling up with a blanket and losing myself in these small nuggets of creepiness. If your cravings for ghost stories leans towards typical ones, try reading A Treasury of Victorian Ghost Stories, edited by Everett F. Bleiler. This collection explores traditional legends of ghosts and ghouls and is a real treat for the history lover. This time of year always creates in me a yearning to re-read classic ghost stories such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving or Dracula by Bram Stoker. Take some time to read (or re-read) a classic story!

When I first saw this title “How to Cheat at Organizing” by Jeff Bredenberg my first thought was only a man would think to cheat at organizing. But to give him a fair shake, I decided to look further. There were some good ideas, but to me it seems this man had a wife to help him out with some of these.

There seems to also be a heavy reliance on technology such as the internet. While some Moms I talked to said these ideas have their merits, one mom said that some days she doesn’t get a shower so how would she find the time to surf the internet for some of the ideas mentioned?

In fact, one of his suggestions was met with great skepticism by my child owning friends. He suggested not putting a portable DVD player in your car, but instead to spend the time singing and playing car games to focus of family togetherness. While they all said the idea was commendablet, this guy never spent very much time with kids in the car or he would know what a godsend the DVD was. One Mom said the only quiet she had was when the kids were watching a show.

One idea of his found particular favor with Moms: providing an “I’m Done with It” bag. The idea is to let the child put clothing or toys they had outgrown or were tired of in a bag and when the bag was full taking it to a local charity.
He has another book called “How to Cheat at Cleaning.” Hmm seems they all do that, don’t they?

Making the Jump

MAKING THE JUMP
Two of my favorite authors who have previously been published in paperback have made the jump to hardcover. They are both cozy mysteries.


“Espresso Shot” by Cleo Coyle continues the adventures of Clare Cosi, manager and head barista of the bustling New York coffeehouse The Village Blend. Clare’s been hired to create a gourmet coffee and dessert bar for a New York wedding to be held at the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art. Famous chefs will be there, celebrities, members of the press, well-known politicians—so why isn’t she thrilled to have this chance to shine? Because the person tying the knot is Matteo Allegro, her ex-husband and current business partner. And while Clare has no plan to ever marry Matt again, she’s afraid he’s making a terrible mistake.
The bride-to-be is “Trend” magazine editor Breanne Summour. Beautiful, wealthy and sophisticated, the snarky tastemaker has never been a low maintenance kind of gal and now she’s in full blown bridezilla mode. The only way Clare can possibly deal with her is to put her misgivings aside and focus on business. But as a successful amateur sleuth, murder is Clare’s business, too, and when fatal accidents begin befalling people close to Breanne, Clare becomes suspicious. Is someone trying to sabotage the wedding? To kill Breanne?


“The Chocolate Snowman Murders” by Joanna Carl features premier chocolatier Lee McKinney Woodyard, part owner of TenHuis Chocolades. With the Warner Pier Winter Arts Festival just days away, everyone in the West Michigan town is looking forward to the big art show—and, of course, the unveiling of TenHuis Chocolade’s special holiday chocolates.
As treasurer of WinterFest, Lee is up to her elbows in the arguments, egos, and last-minute mix-ups that happen behind the scenes. But she’s coping, even when the guest juror of the arts festival shows up drunk. Lee leaves him to sleep it off, but she is stunned the next day when her husband, Joe, discovers that someone has put the visiting dignitary in a permanent state of repose. As the last people spotted near the crime scene, Lee and Joe are in a sticky situation. But after another murder and a run-in with a deadly snowman, they’re more determined than ever to find the real killer before someone else comes to a bitter end.

Halloween is Not Just for Kids!

The creepy, crawly, Halloween season is fast approaching! If you’ve been invited to a party and can’t quite figure out what costume to wear, do not fear. The library has plenty of books that can help you find the perfect outfit. Halloween: A Grown-up’s Guide to Creative Costumes, Devilish Décor and Fabulous Festivities by Joanne O’Sullivan is a great book that can help you create fabulous adult costumes with a small amount of effort. This book contains directions to create costumes designed just for adults; you'll find everything from a sublime dancing queen to a fierce samurai warrior. It also includes suggestions for creating the right atmosphere for your home and yard with decorations that range from eek to chic. I especially enjoyed the “tried and true” projects that demonstrated transformations of old favorites -- jack-o'lanterns -- as well as yard figures, window and mantel treatments, and seasonal tableaus. In my opinion, why should you settle for an ordinary Halloween party that centers around apple bobbing or taffy pulling? Go for something more sophisticated and pick one of three themes with full party plans that guide you every step of the way, from the invitations to the activities. This book proves that Halloween bewitchment appeals to adults, too!

POPULAR CHRISTIAN FICTION

I’ve finished reading Sunset by Karen Kingsbury, the fourth and final book in the Baxter Family Sunrise Series. You can follow the tragedies and triumphs of the Baxter family starting with the Redemption Series where the family learns faith and forgiveness after a husband’s infidelity. Follow up next with the Firstborn Series where John Baxter promises his dying wife that he’ll find their firstborn son given up for adoption. The following Sunrise Series continues with John Baxter and the children moving on with their lives after the death of his wife and their mother. While reading these novels with true life experiences you’ll find yourself feeling a part of the Baxter family. Karen Kingsbury is known as the “Queen of Christian Fiction” and her books are on the New York Times bestseller list. You can view her website at www.karenkingsbury.com

Christian Fiction has risen in popularity. For those of you searching for a new author, the library has a Christian Fiction bookmark with a listing of authors.
For further help with choosing Christian books with topics such as Mystery, Romance or Westerns, take a look in our Reference Department and you’ll find a helpful book titled,
Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre by John Mort.

A Dog-Gone Great Mystery

I just finished reading Hounded to Death, a new mystery written by one of my favorite authors, Rita Mae Brown. A bonafide Southern writer (she resides in Afton, Virginia), Ms. Brown’s books truly reflect the social graces, culture and food that all Southerners know and love! Hounded to Death is the latest book in Rita Mae Brown’s foxhunting series starring Sister Jane Arnold, Master of Foxhounds. Sister Jane is a feisty widowed woman in her seventies who has done her share of living and is very respected by the members of her hunt club. When murders occur in her community, Sister Jane can not resist joining the investigations. As with the other books in this series, Ms. Brown gives wonderfully detailed descriptions of the day-to-day operations of a hunt club, including particulars about the foxes, hounds, horses, farm animals and the lives of the hunt club members. Readers can trust the accuracy of these details because Rita Mae Brown is also the Master of Foxhounds of a hunt club located in Afton. The animals in this series do take part in the narration; however, whenever any animal speaks, their narration is in italics and only other animals are able to understand their dialogue. The books in these series are cozies- the murders that occur are gruesome but not gory. Ms. Brown has written many stand-alone books as well as other series such as three novels about the Hunsenmeir sisters, Juts and Weezy, and the Mrs. Murphy mystery series (co-authored by her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown). If you have not read any of Ms. Brown’s books, you should definitely “treat” yourself to one of her mysteries!