May We Suggest...Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell (born Patricia Carroll Daniels; June 9, 1956) is a contemporary American crime writer. She is widely known for writing a popular series of novels featuring the heroine Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner. Cornwell was born in Miami, Florida to Marilyn and Sam Daniels. Her father was one of the leading appellate lawyers in the United States and served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black. Cornwell later traced her own motivations in life to the emotional abuse she says she suffered from her father, who walked out on the family on Christmas Day 1961.

In 1979, Cornwell started working as a reporter for The Charlotte Observer and soon began covering crime. Her biography of family friend Ruth Bell Graham, A Time for Remembering (renamed Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham in subsequent editions), was published in 1983. In 1984, she took a job at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia. She worked there for six years, first as a technical writer and then as a computer analyst. She also volunteered to work with the Richmond Police Department. Cornwell wrote three novels that she says were rejected before the publication, in 1990, of the first installment of her Scarpetta series, Postmortem.

Cornwell has made several notable charitable donations, including funding the Virginia Institute for Forensic Science and Medicine, funding scholarships to the University of Tennessee's National Forensics Academy and Davidson College's Creative Writing Program (the result of which is the Patricia Cornwell Creative Writing Scholarship, awarded to one or two incoming freshmen), and donating her collection of Walter Sickert paintings to Harvard University. As a member of the Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital's National Council, she is an advocate for psychiatric research. She has also made million-dollar donations to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice for the Crime Scene Academy and to the Harvard Art Museum.

READ-A-LIKES

Kathy Reichs - Forensic scientist Temperance Brennan is based in Montreal, though recently more and more of her stories have unfolded elsewhere. These stories provide similar levels of detail; suspense; a strong cast of supporting characters, including the male-dominated police Tempe must battle to solve crimes; and a strong sense of place in Montreal and the other locations. The plots often focus on serial murderers. Deja Dead is the first.

Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper thrillers are set in New York, where she heads up the sex-crimes unit of the District Attorney's office. A strong sense of place, violent crimes set in suspenseful tales, a tough attorney/investigator and a cast of interesting characters make these strong possibilities for Cornwell's fans. (In fact, Cornwell dedicated Last Precinct to Fairstein, and attorney Jaime Berger appears to have been based on Cooper.) Final Jeopardy is the first in the series

"Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, Never Let Me Go, is many things. It is a coming of age story, a romance, a mystery, a horror story, and a tear-jerker. It is a tale of deceptive simplicity that reveals emotional depth and resonance in its characters. But most importantly, it is well-told story that is enjoyable to read. Indeed, Never Let Me Go is a novel that doesn’t fit into a single genre. It’s not a surprise that the novel made Time Magazine’s All-TIME 100 Novels list.

Never Let Me Go is told through the reminiscing of Kathy, a student at an exclusive English private school named Hailsham. She and her fellow classmates are treated well, but as they grow older they come to realize that there is a secret which permeates their lives. By the time the secret is revealed, it is too late to save themselves. Set in a fictional England during the 1990s, Never Let Me Go takes place in a dystopian landscape.

Given the recent popularity of The Hunger Games trilogy, Never Let Me Go is an excellent choice for those wanting to read something similar. Even if dystopian literature is not your cup of tea, Never Let Me Go is an excellent novel for teens and adults. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves literature.

288 p.

Book review by Justin.

Soweto Gospel Choir’s “African Spirit”

There is a Psalm that says to "Make a joyful noise." I remember hearing this Psalm growing up, and the idea of a "joyful noise" has stuck with me. I can't think of a better description for the Soweto Gospel Choir and their album African Spirit. There is nothing timid about a gospel choir, even on CD, and I can only imagine how powerful this group must sound live.

The music combines South African gospel with spirituals, reggae, and American popular music. “Seteng Sediba” is a rousing opener in which I hear no Western harmony or melody, just fifty-plus thrilling voices with hand drums; in contrast, the album closer, “World in Union” includes Hollywood strings (and synthesizer?) and sounds like it could play over the end credits of The Lion King. Elsewhere, the reggae pulse of “Avulekile Amasango” appropriately segues into Bob Marley’s “One Love.”

Like the opening track, most of the songs use minimal or no instruments, and these were my favorite. These voices need no accompaniment, and I felt disappointed whenever a track began with an instrument other than a human voice, because this usually indicated a comparatively dull pop/R&B ballad (usually sung in English). Then, Bono shows up halfway through the disc for a rendition of U2's "One,” and the choir is pushed to the background. I don’t understand this, because there is such a distinct passion in the African songs and voices here that every other sound pales by comparison.

The Soweto Gospel Choir’s talents have not gone unrecognized. They have received awards worldwide, including two Grammy Awards, and they have performed with many popular musicians, so I guess that explains Bono. A few puzzling song choices aside, this is a rewarding introduction to South Africa’s music, and there is no missing the joy and intensity of these musicians, even for my Missouri ears.

Click on album cover or here to reserve a copy.

Review by David Hill.

"The Adventures of Nanny Piggins" by R.A. Spratt

What a fun read! This title was recommended in a librarian’s training session on selecting books for young readers. I must admit that I am probably not considered a “young reader” by anyone’s definition, however the title and cover art drew me in immediately. I would describe this story as a charming mix of Mary Poppins, Nanny McPhee and A Series of Unfortunate Events books all rolled into one, minus the darkness and impending doom of the Unfortunate titles. I actually laughed out loud a few times (I know that's difficult to believe from me).

I thoroughly enjoyed this unforgettable walk through a fantasy world where a chocoholic pig could ring the doorbell and inquire about a nanny position. Sure beats her former job as a circus performer! Don't even bother to ask about the cannon or the ballet dancing bear. Just sit back and relax. Nanny Piggins has everything under control. Rumor has it that a second installment of the porcine nanny’s adventures is in the works to be released next summer.

Recommended for Grades 3-6.
240 pages

Book review by Mel, Branch Manager at the Library Station.

Trick 'R Treat

Trick 'r Treat is a delightfully modern take on the classic slasher films with a little of the blood and guts torture of today's horror flicks thrown in. Don't let this scare you, though. It's all in good fun. Written and directed by Michael Dougherty, Trick 'r Treat is based off of his short film, Season's Greetings.

The film opens in a small town in Ohio, where we witness the sometimes strange, sometimes gruesome Halloween festivities. A principal and his son reveal a darker side while enjoying the usual traditions. A young woman, considered the "runt of the litter," attempts to lose her “virginity" so she can finally be part of the pack. The neighborhood children plan a dark tribute to the town's scariest myth, taking a prank too far. A man sits alone, frightening would-be trick or treaters, and a couple returning from a party debate the merits of certain Halloween traditions. All of these stories are seamlessly tied together with fantastic attention to detail. One common element is a creepy trick or treater in a shabby scarecrow costume. “Sam the Scarecrow” always shows up wherever someone isn't following Halloween tradition. If I were you, I would make sure to have plenty of candy. You don't want to run out before Sam makes it to your house.

Trick 'r Treat is both a unique take on the horror movie and also an homage to the popular anthology films of the 1980's and the classic horror comics of the 1950's. Trick 'r Treat reminds us that, while we all covet the mountains of candy, we were still scared stiff by the ghost and monster stories that make Halloween so wonderful. So, what are you afraid of?

Rated R.

Book review by Heidi, Circulation Assistant at the Library Station.

May We Suggest...Tim LaHaye

For 25 years, Tim LaHaye pastored one of the nation's outstanding churches in San Diego, Calif., which grew to three locations. It was during this time he also founded two accredited Christian high schools, a school system of 10 Christian schools, San Diego Christian College (formerly Christian Heritage College), and assisted Dr. Henry Morris in the founding of the Institute for Creation Research, the nation's foremost exponent of creationist materials.

LaHaye has written more than 60 non-fiction books on a wide range of subjects such as: family life, temperaments, sexual adjustment, Bible prophecy, the will of God, Jesus Christ, and secular humanism with over 14 million in print, some of which have been translated into 32 foreign languages. His writings are best noted for their easy-to-understand and scriptural based application of biblical principles that assist in facing and handling the challenges of life.

The Left Behind fiction series, co-authored with Jerry B. Jenkins, have broken all publishing records with a total of 80 million in print. These books have appeared on the best-seller lists of The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Christian Booksellers Association. Based on the Bible’s book of Revelation, the apocalyptic thrillers follow the lives of those left behind after the sudden disappearance of millions of believers.

LaHaye holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary and the Doctor of Literature degree from Liberty University.

LaHaye and his wife Beverly, who is chairman of the board and founder of Concerned Women for America, have been married for over 60 years and live in southern California. They have four grown children, nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

READ-A-LIKES

Joel C. Rosenberg - Rosenburg writes writes nail-biting political thrillers with an Evangelical themes. Fans of Left Behind will recognize Rosenberg's modern-day apocalyptic settings, with action taking place in America, the Middle East, and Europe.Start with Rosenberg's first novel, The Last Jihad; like the first Left Behind book, the story starts on a plane, though in this case it is a hijacked jet on a kamikaze mission to America. Fascinatingly, this novel of Middle Eastern terrorism was written prior to the 9/11 attacks on America.

Frank Peretti - Peretti is another wildly popular, fundamentalist suspense writer. Sex and strong language are never present, and Biblical quotations are common. Some of Peretti's characters are strong in their Christian faith, while others struggle, much like the characters in the Left Behind series. Start with his first novel, This Present Darkness. Set in contemporary America, it features human and superhuman heroes and villains who are waging a violent physical and spiritual war for the souls of individuals, of a town, and of a church.

Bill Myers - Myers is best known for his books for children, but his adult novels should appeal to Left Behind fans for their compelling plots and fundamentalist ideologies. A good starting place for Myers is Blood of Heaven. It is the story of a godless, soulless murderer who has a unique chance to escape Death Row: He will be granted pardon, but only if he agrees to receive an injection of DNA that is believed to have come from Christ's blood.

True Crime on the Kindle: A Shocking True Story of Shame, Desire and Snobbery

I love trashy true crime novels. The kind of books for sale in the grocery store with titles like Death on the Highway: The Shocking True Story of Secrets, Murder, and Twisted Love or Lone Star Murder: The Shocking True Story of Love, Death, and Dark Secrets. You get the idea. These books usually have crime scene photos on the cover under raised glossy letters. In the middle of each book is a quarter-inch thick section of crime scene photos too shocking to put on the cover, plus, inevitably, the high school yearbook photo of the future killer, future victim, or both.

The master of the genre is Ann Rule. Her books almost always follow the same outline: Naive victim falls in love with someone who seems great on the surface, but inside is a seething mass of psychopathic tendencies. By the time the naive victim realizes what's going on, it's too late. The victim gets murdered in some horrific way, and even though everyone knows the killer was the psychopathic boyfriend or girlfriend, the police have to spend years building up a solid case. In the end, the killer goes to prison, where Ann Rule shows up to interview him or her. Voila! A bestseller is written.

I love these books without reservation. The more gruesome the murder, the more perverse the killer's tendencies, the stranger the evidence trail, the better. There's no shortage of these kinds of books; it's one of the most popular nonfiction genres in the US. But there's a problem: I feel bad reading them. I feel like everyone who sees me with my nose buried in Date Night Murder: A Grisly Tale of Secrets and Death knows that I'm just reading it for the titillating details. And they're right, I am. But I don't want to be judged for my reading choices! Sure, I'm reading trash now, I want to insist, but I majored in literature! I've read War and Peace, and I'm prepared to discuss it intelligently! I have a subscription to The New Yorker! I bought a copy of Jeffrey Eugenides' new book in hardcover! I'm so insecure about being judged that last time I rode on a plane I hid my trashy true crime novel inside a copy of Sky Mall.

Recently, though, I've found a solution. I didn't stop reading true crime, but I did stop feeling ashamed about it. Did I realize I'm a worthwhile person and I don't need to prove anything? Nope, I just found a way to hide my shameful habit. I've been checking out e-books from the Library's Overdrive service and reading them on my Kindle. On a Kindle, no one can tell what I'm reading. No one needs to know that I'm currently halfway through Die, Lover, Die: A True Story of Dark Secrets and Death. To the outside observer, I might as well be reading Little Women. Free from the prying eyes of the judgmental public, I've been able to read more true crime than ever! Right now Overdrive has about 20 true crime titles available for Kindle, and they're adding more all the time. Finally I can read all the shocking murder details I want without feeling like the world is looking down on me.

One of the things the move to digital books will change is the communal nature of reading in public. Reading is a solitary activity, but by reading in public you're broadcasting your choices and in some ways contributing to the conversation, even if you're not talking to anyone. I can glance at a book title and instantly feel like I know a little bit about the person reading it. This person likes mysteries, this person likes cooking, this person wants to know more about Steve Jobs. We lose some of that when we move to digital books. I might tell a stranger "I read that book, too," if I can see the cover. We might talk about it. We might become friends. But I've never asked a stranger what they're reading on their Kindle or Nook. If I can't see the cover, it seems like prying. Maybe by moving to digital formats we lose a little of our sense of community.

But at least no one is judging me for reading Murder at Midnight: The Shocking True Story of a Suburban Family's Descent into Lies, Dark Secrets, and Death.

You can find True Crime e-books on Overdrive here.

Note: None of the True Crime novels mentioned actually exist.

By Grace, Youth Services Manager at the Library Station.