Tuesday, March 31, 2009

In a Strange City

In a Strange City
by Laura Lippman

Laura Lippman weaves the tradition of the Poe Toaster into this novel. Each year on Edgar Allen Poe's birthday, January 19, a mysterious man goes to Poe's grave, raises a cognac toast to the author and leaves three red roses and a half bottle of Martell cognac by the headstone and disappears into the night. Private investigator Tess Monaghan is lured the cemetery to watch the ritual of the Poe Toaster. She is startled to see two Toasters wearing black capes and carrying roses and bottles of cognac appear. One man shoots the other and disappears. Soon after, roses and messages quoting Poe are left on Tess' doorstep. Tess is forced to solve the murder to find her stalker. -- recommended by Donna G. - Eiseley and Walt Branch Libraries

[ In a Strange City page on the official Laura Lippman web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Blue Butterfly

Blue Butterfly
[DVD Blue]

This is the story of a ten year old terminally ill boy who, with his caring and determined mother, convinces a noteworthy entomologist to take them on a trip to the rain forest of Costa Rica to search for the Blue Morpho. Seeing and catching this beautiful blue butterfly is the one dream that Pete has in his life. Follow the mother, son and scientist as they journey to a remote village in the rain forest, and set out on a journey that is transforming for everyone involved. -- recommended by Patty L. - Walt Branch Library


Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Monday, March 30, 2009

A Hard Day's Night

A Hard Day's Night
[DVD Hard]

I believe this was Richard Lester's first film featuring the Fab Four. This zany adventure shows what life was supposedly like for the group as they toured Europe. The odd thing about this movie is the plot involving a "little old man" (Paul's grandfather) who manages to get the group into all sorts of trouble. Personally, I enjoyed "Help!" more than this film, but it is still worth watching, particularly if you are a Beatles fan. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library


Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Waiter Rant

Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter
by Steve Dublanica [647.95 Dub]

In this hilarious book (that originated as a blog), Dublanica takes us with him from his journey beginning as a waiter in u pscale restaurants. From learning the lingo to dealing with big wigs and their clientele, Dublanica will have you clutching your sides as he works the floor (and his co-workers) with quick wit. -- recommended by Sarah J. - South Branch Library


[ official Waiter Rang blog ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?


Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Healing Yourself With Foot Reflexology

Healing Yourself With Foot Reflexology: All-Natural Relief for Dozens of Ailments
by Mildred Carter and Tammy Weber [615.855 Car 1997]

Mildred Carter has been practicing reflexology for over 40 years. She is the master of natural pain relief. Her book Healing Yourself With Foot Reflexology is very comprehensive, with over 300 pages of easy to understand charts, diagrams, and instructions. I have read many of the reflexology books in print today, but I always come back to Mildred Carter's for her complete knowledge of the subject matter. -- recommended by Patty L. - Walt Branch Library


Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel

Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel
by Judith and Neil Morgan [B G2696m]

Dr. Seuss is a name almost everyone knows, but few people know the complicated man behind the name. Ted Geisel was insecure at times, a perfectionist, a prankster, a loyal friend, and more. While I love the Dr. Seuss books, it was fascinating to see the man and the pro cess behind them. -- recommended by Sandy W. - Gere Branch Library

[ publisher's Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel web site ] [ official Dr. Seuss web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Hugo Award nominees announced

The nominees for this year's Hugo Awards, for the best science fiction published in the previous year, were announced last week. The Hugos are nominated by and voted upon by fans -- those with memberships to the annual World Science Fiction Convention. Here are links into our catalog for the Best Novel nominees.

As an additional side note -- Lincoln SF author Robert Reed was nominated in the Best Novella category for "Truth", which appeared in the Oct/Nov 2008 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, also available in the libraries' collection.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Fur Person

The Fur Person
by May Sarton

For cat-lovers only. A charming, intelligent story about a homeless cat and what happens when he decides to find himself a home. You'll recognize all the behaviors of your cat in this well-written "tail." Can read this in one evening. Similar titles: The Silent Miaow by Paul Gallico. Currently only available through Inter-Library Loan. Allegedly written by a cat to instruct other cats on how to find and takeover a home. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library


Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Beware of Unauthorized Reposting!

In an interesting development for the BookGuide site and the BookGuide Blog, we've discovered that the content of many of our postings here are being re-posted without our approval or authorization at the website goodpfbooks.com .

Just to clarify -- the content of postings on
The BookGuide Blog is copyrighted to the Lincoln City Libraries of Lincoln, Nebraska and to the LCL employees who contributed that content for use on the BookGuide web site of the Lincoln City Libraries (and subsequently the BookGuide Blog). Any re-use of this content, in part or in whole (as is happening with goodpfbooks), with the exception of brief sections for review purposes, is considered inappropriate if not illegal.

The re-use of
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Thanks to all of you for your continued support and readership!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Be Kind, Rewind

Be Kind, Rewind
[DVD Be]

Amusing, quirky, light-hearted, sentimental, and filled with movie in-jokes, Be Kind, Rewind is a treat. Efforts by a couple of video store clerks (and eventually their entire neighborhood) to save a run-down videotape rental business whose stock as been accidentally erased prove to be both broadly humorous and oddly touching. Mos Def and Jack Black star as the hapless friends, who attempt to refilm their own short versions of all of the classic movies (Ghostbusters, RoboCop, Driving Miss Daisy, etc.) with their neighbors as the actors. Although the film takes a slightly surreal twist at times, it is still a pleasant little diversion of a comedy, which should particular appeal to film buffs. Also stars Danny Glover, Sigourney Weaver and Mia Farrow -- but the real stars of the film are all the Passaic, NJ locals who had odd little bit parts. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ Internet Movie Database page for this film ] [ official Be Kind Rewind movie web site ]

Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

The Nixie's Song

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles: The Nixie's Song
by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles: The Nixie's Song is Book One in a new set of stories that continue the story of the Grace family, but seen through the eyes of a surly pre-adolescent boy living in Florida. The authors bring us into yet another disfunctional family to explore the world of their own creation. I found this book very difficult to read because of how unlikeable the characters are. Also, the authors made themselves characters in this book by making the main characters come to one of their book signings at a local bookstore. It seemed to me that the whole book was just an attempt to make money off of the success of the previous books. Unfortunately, this one does not seem as well written and was a disappointment all around. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library
[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ official Spiderwick Chronicles web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

What was your favorite new non-fiction title in the past year?

We've added a new booklist, based on a customer suggestion, that identifies some of the most popular Non-Fiction titles in the libraries' collection for 2008. Titles in this list were chosen based on the number of times individual copies of these titles circulated in the 2008 calendar year.


Obviously, this tends to emphasize titles that were added in early 2008, which therefore had greater opportunities to be checked out than non-fiction titles that were added at the end of the year.

This new list inspires us to ask visitors to the BookGuide Blog -- What was your favorite new non-fiction title from the past year?

Shot Girl

Shot Girl
by Karen E. Olson

This book is a roller coaster ride around New Haven, Connecticut. When Annie Seymour attends her co-worker's bachelorette party at a local nightclub she is shocked to find that the bar manager is her ex-husband, Ralph. Ralph kisses Annie and Annie demurs with a well-placed kick. Shortly after this altercation, Ralph is found dead outside of the bar. Annie is the prime suspect until the autopsy reveals that Ralph died of a heart attack. Meanwhile, Annie is taken off the police beat by her editor at The New Haven Herald because of a perceived conflict of interest. She is relegated to covering community events. Even as Annie covers these stories she keeps crossing paths with Ralph's cohorts. Annie doesn't believe in coincidences and investigates. -- recommended by Donna G. - Eiseley and Walt Branch Libraries

[ official Shot Girl page on the official Karen E. Olson web site ]
Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Tender Bar

The Tender Bar
by J.R. Moehringer [Compact Disc B M719]

Moehringer's memoir of growing up fatherless in his grandparent's chaotic household under the tutelage of his bartender uncle Charlie and the regulars of Long Island's Publicans bar. Moeringer's view of his mentors- seen through both the eyes of youth and experience- are lovingly brought to life, each individual's character carefully sketched to reveal both their heroic attributes and their fatal flaws. -- recommended by Vicki W. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in print format.][ official The Tender Bar web site ] [ J.R. Moehringer at Wikipedia ]
Have you read or listedn to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

KFOR Book Chat Titles for March 19th

Here is a list of this morning's books, described by library staff members on KFOR's Book Chat episode (March 19th, 2009):

A New Leash on Life by Emily CarmichaelDog trainer Jane Connor has always preferred the company of canines, so when her kennel is destroyed in an Arizona wildfire, she finds her whole world in ashes. Jane managed to rescue all the animals, but her status as a local hero won’t pay the bills. Soon she’s reluctantly agreeing to work on a reality TV series about life on the dog show circuit–starring herself and her golden retriever, Shadow. Jane has complete confidence in Shadow’s star quality–until she sets eyes on their chief competitor:an irritatingly perfect little papillon! Worse, the dog is attached at the leash to hunky Cole Forrest. Jane can hardly hide her attraction off-camera, so how will she conceal it from a national audience? It’s exactly the kind of distraction she doesn’t need. But in a summer of surprises, Jane just might discover that an old dog learn new tricks–when love is the treat.

Planet Cat: A Cat-a-Log by Sandra and Harry Choron and Arden Moore [636.8 Cho] Here is the cat's meow: a lively, entertaining, one-of-a-kind assemblage of more than 400 lists on all things cat. It's all here, from the origins of the species to care and training to breeds and behaviour to famous cats in history, art and literature. The book even includes a list of celebrity cat people. Illustrated with more than 150 photographs and line drawings, this irresistible package is sure to delight cat lovers everywhere. Featuring: How to say cat in 46 languages; Hemingway's cats; Cats who changed history; Tricks you can teach your cat; Cat food recipes; An IQ test for your cat; And more!>

Why Does My Dog Act That Way? A Complete Guide to Your Dog's Personality by Stanley CorenPsychologist and dog expert Coren (Why do Dogs Have Wet Noses?, The Intelligence of Dogs) returns with another insightful, fascinating look at everyone's best friend in this primer on the canine psyche. Drawing on a rich body of research, Coren patiently and systematically explains that dogs come hardwired with reliable personalities, allowing their human companions to interpret and predict their everyday behavior. Armed with that knowledge, Coren gives readers tips on how to create a "superdog," a welcome four-legged family member who socializes well with others and isn't overly emotional. Along the way, Coren debunks a number of myths (among them that dogs are little more than domesticated wolves), offers development tips for the key stages in a dog's life (beginning at birth) and providing owners a complete roadmap for socializing their puppies. -- from Publisher's Weekly

Dog Talk: Lessons Learned From a Life With Dogs by Harrison Forbes [636.7 For]Dog Talk chronicles Harrison Forbes's life with dogs, from the first bond he formed as a boy with a Belgian Tervuren named Sabina, to the story of Lex, a police dog who attacked his owner’s wife, and was redeemed by Harrison’s intense love and respect for the breed.nbsp; Forbes also offers practical aspects of understanding and dealing with whatever type of dog the reader may have.nbsp; In Dog Talk, the pet owner will find fascinating insights into behavioral problems, as each chapter addresses a different situation or issue. Here are some of Harrison's trademark insights into dog behavior and training: *Energy management is the basis of behavior management : unwanted or aggressive behavior, is often the result of pent-up, frustrated energy *Dog behavior should always be taken in context; a dog that is housetrained in its home isn't necessarily so everywhere else *Every dog's make-up is individual and distinct--:a combination of nature and nurture *Non-verbal communication, structure and clearly delineated limits, and the human-canine bond are basic building blocks in a good relationship *Reasonable expectations are key to an enjoyable pet experience. Dog Talk is at times funny, irreverent, insightful, and touching, and it will deepen the reader's understanding of dog behavior and as a result will enable him to approach his own dog in a fresh and motivated way to begin, improve, mend, or strengthen a relationship that can last a lifetime.

My Cat's Not Fat, He's Just Big-Boned by Nicole Hollander [741.5 qHol]Cats who think too much, cats who hypnotize their owners, cats who plot dastardly deeds but get distracted, cats who think they're kids, and of course cats obsessed with food, food, food. Nicole Hollander's "Sylvia" cartoon strip appears in newspapers nationwide and is syndicated by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.

The Good, Good Pig: the Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy MontgomeryMontgomery's books on exotic wildlife (Journey of the Pink Dolphins, etc.) take her to the far corners of the world, but the story of her closest relationships with the animal kingdom plays out in her own New England backyard. When she adopts a sickly runt from a litter of pigs, naming him Christopher Hogwood after the symphony conductor, raising him for slaughter isn't an option: Montgomery's a vegetarian and her husband is Jewish. Refitting their barn to accommodate a (mostly) secure sty, they keep Christopher as a pet. As he swells to 750 pounds, he becomes a local celebrity, getting loose frequently enough that the local police officer knows to carry spare apples to lure him back home. The pig also bonds with Montgomery's neighbors, especially two children who come over to help feed him and rub his tummy. Montgomery's love for Christopher (and later for Tess, an adopted border collie) dominates the memoir's emotional space, but she's also demonstrably grateful for the friendships the pig sparks within her community. The humor with which she recounts Christopher's meticulous eating habits and love of digging up turf is sure to charm readers. -- from Publisher's Weekly
[Also available in Large Print format.]

Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen PryorA groundbreaking behavioral scientist and dynamic animal trainer, Karen Pryor is a powerful proponent of the principles and practical uses of positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. Here are the secrets of changing behavior in pets, kids--even yourself--without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips...or shooting the dog![Note: This title is no longer owned by the Lincoln City Libraries, but you can get it through our Interlibrary Loan service.]

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck [818 Ste]With the success of Marley and Me, a whole lot of "man and dog" books have appeared on the market. But one of the best in the genre is one of the older titles -- John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley in Search of America. The Charley of the title is Steinbeck's standard poodle, and they do, indeed set off in the author's truck to rediscover the "real" America. Stenbeck describes what they find in his understated but perfectly descriptive style, giving a bittersweet portrait of the US in the early 1960's. This book is a short read, but it touches the heart. The relationship between the author and his remarkable traveling companion, and the fact that the reader of today knows that turbulent times are just ahead for the nation they are exploring.[Also available in unabridged audiotape format.]

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock
[DVD Picnic]

I first saw this film nearly 20 years ago and was impressed by its moodiness as well as the intriguing story. The setting is Valentine's Day at a private girls' school in Australia, 1900. The girls prepare to go for an outing at a remote location known as "Hanging Rock." Several girls and a teacher mysteriously disappear during the excursion. Is it an alien abduction or a kidnapping? This is a wonderful film to watch if you like unexplained mysteries. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library


Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

New Booktalk Booklist - Rabbit and Other Updike


Rabbit and Other Updike
Bethany Branch, March 13, 2009
Matt N.

Matt discussed the Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom novels of the late John Updike, plus Updike's first novel, "The Poorhouse Fair".

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Quick Study

Quick Study
by Maggie Barbieri

Alison Bergeron, an English professor at a small Catholic college in the Bronx, ran afoul of the law and is performing community service. Alison is serving meals at a soup kitchen where she meets Hernan Escalante and his extended family. Alison hires Hernan and his nephew, Jose Tomasso to paint her dining room. Soon afterwards, Jose disappears and his body is found floating in the Hudson River. Alison does not feel that the police will take this crime seriously because Jose was an illegal immigrant. Alison puts on her sleuthing cap and the humorous adventure begins as she searches for the killer -- much to the consternation of her police officer boyfriend, Bobby Crawford. -- recommended by Donna G. - Eiseley and Walt Branch Libraries

[ publisher's official Quick Study and Maggie Barbieri web pages ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

New Booktalk Booklist: Books From Other Countries

Books From Other Countries
Gere Branch Library, March 16, 2009 and Bethany Branch Library March 20, 2009
Julie B.


Multicultural Works
Others

Monday, March 16, 2009

August Rush

August Rush
[DVD August]

This is the mystical and enchanting story of two musicians who fall in love, but due to outside interference, are together for only a brief time. It is also the story of an orphaned boy who hears the music that no one else hears. It is as if the music calls him out into the world to search for parents that he has always believed he would find. He also has a prodigy like ability to play and compose music. This ability stuns the music world and sets him out on a journey that creates both conflict and unwavering faith in his life. -- recommended by Patty L. - Walt Branch Library


Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Friday, March 13, 2009

The Man With the Strange Head

The Man With the Strange Head and Other Early Science Fiction Stories
by Miles J. Breuer

This collection of a short novel and 10 short stories highlights an influential early writer of science fiction who heralded from Lincoln, Nebraska. Miles J. Breuer was a medical doctor in Lincoln, who was a prominent contributors of SF stories to the early pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly the groundbreaking magazine Amazing Stories. Breuer had pretty much fallen off the radar of most genre fans, but the University of Nebraska Press released this collection, with biographical notes by UNL's Michael R. Page, in 2008 as part of their Frontiers of Imagination reprint series. Although the stories are quite dated now, I still highly recommend this collection to those wanting a look back at one of the early 20th century masters of the genre. Lincolnites in particular should find references to our city, both overt and subtle, in several of Breuer's stories. Particularly enjoyable among the shorter stories are "The Gostak and the Doshes" and "A Problem in Communication." -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library


Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

Katniss lives in a futuristic dystopia where "The Capitol" keeps the outlying districts under control by forcing each of them to send two teenagers to compete in the annual Hunger Games - a big-time TV production of a survival fight to the death. The teens must fight each other as well as the elements, which are controlled by the game handlers. If they are lucky and have been appealing on the pregame interviews, they will have sponsors who will send them supplies to help them survive. Lots of suspense, some romance, and plenty of big questions about government control, make this survival tale by the author of the popular Gregor the Overlander series a real page-turner. -- recommended by Mary L. - Walt Branch Library

[ official The Hunger Games web site ] [ official Suzanne Collins web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

New Booktalk Booklist - Silence Means Security

Silence Means Security
Bethany Branch Library
March 6, 2009
Sean S.

Sean gave a booktalk as part of the Bethany BooksTalk series, on the theme of contemporary espionage fiction.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Read...Discuss...Repeat! - March - Team of Rivals

In February 2009, America (and especially Lincoln, Nebraska) celebrated the 200th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln.
March 2009's Read...Discuss...Repeat! selection is Team of Rival: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin. Goodwin appeared in Lincoln on February 15th as part of the city's Ten Score celebration. If you enjoy history books, political biographies, or books about our city's namesake, then we encourage you to read this book and then stop back at the BookGuide link above (or here at this Blog entry) to comment on it.
You can also stop by this month's Read...Discuss...Repeat! page on BookGuide for background information about the book, a list of "readalike" suggestions, and links to web sites related to the book and author. Then (or now, if you've read the book), stop by and fill out our on-line comment form to share your thoughts and opinions about Team of Rivals!