The summer's best mysteries

Maureen Corrigan, book critic for NPR's Fresh Air, lecturer at Georgetown University and reviewer and columnist for The Washington Post's Book World, has come out with her list of the summer's five best crime and mystery novels:

Awakening, by S.J. Bolton

Black Noir: Mystery, Crime, and Suspense Fiction by African-American Writers

The Scarecrow, by Michael Connelly

The Shanghai Moon, by S.J. Rozan

The Way Home, by George Pelecanos

Writer Ellen Hart visits library this Saturday

Bestselling author Ellen Hart, creator of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway mystery series, will be at the library this Saturday at 10:00 am to discuss her books. The program, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and open to the public.

New DVDs

Just arrived at the library :

Milk (Rotten Tomatoes rating 94%)






House of Flying Daggers (Rotten Tomatoes rating 88%)






Absolutely Fabulous (the complete series)

Boat Green

Now that the summer boating season will soon be upon us, it's a great time to read Boat Green: 50 Steps Boaters Can Take to Save Our Waters. It's full of useful information, based on research and practical experience, for boaters looking to minimize their impact on waterways..

Stephen King's summer reading picks...

...are not what you'd expect. Read his blurbs on the books in his Entertainment Weekly column, and then check out the books:
Shatter, by Michael Robotham
Quicksilver, by Neal Stephenson
The Tourist, by Olen Steinhauer
Little Dorrit, by Charles Dickens
Drood, by Dan Simmons
Dog on It, by Spencer Quinn
Handle with Care, by Jodi Picoult

Commencement speeches

It's the time of year for graduation speeches. If you have to give one and are looking for ideas, or if you'd like to read some great commencement speeches, check out Graduation day: the best of America's commencement speeches. You'll find speeches that are funny, speeches that are inspiring and speeches that are poignant, with speakers ranging from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Hank Aaron to Ben & Jerry.

Think you know what makes you happy?

You may be wrong and Daniel Gilbert explains why in the fascinating and highly entertaining book Stumbling on Happiness. Author Steven Levitt (Freakonomics) says Gilbert's book "will shatter your most deeply held convictions about how your own mind works. Ceaselessly entertaining, Gilbert is the perfect guide to some of the most interesting psychological research ever performed. Think you know what makes you happy? You won't know for sure until you have read this book."

Columbine

April 20 of this year marked the 10th anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School. Journalist Dave Cullen has recently published an account of the events of that day, Columbine, which has drawn wide critical acclaim. Publishers Weekly says "In this remarkable account of the Columbine High School shooting, Cullen not only dispels several of the prevailing myths about the event but tackles the hardest question of all: why did it happen? Drawing on extensive interviews, police reports and his own reporting, Cullen meticulously pieces together what happened when 18-year-old Eric Harris and 17-year-old Dylan Klebold killed 13 people before turning their guns on themselves. Readers will come away from Cullen's unflinching account with a deeper understanding of what drove these boys to kill, even if the answers aren't easy to stomach."

50 summer memoirs

Memoirs are a very popular type of book right now. Just in time for summer, Library Journal has put out a list: 50 Summer Memoirs for the Beach, Backwoods, or Flu Bunker. It includes books for every taste. Check out the list and then check out the books from our library!

Fancy Nancy party a smashing success!

Over 70 people attended the library's completely full Fancy Nancy party this past Saturday. There were crafts, a fashion show, stories and ice cream. A great time was had by all, as you can tell by the photos!

USA Today summer book calendar

Read previews of likely summer bestsellers and see when they will hit bookstores (and libraries!) in the very handy USA Today summer book calendar. You can search by title, author or date. A great way to see what's arriving soon so that you can get your request in early to the library!

New from Iowa!

Jeffrey Zaslow, who co-wrote the runaway bestseller The Last Lecture, has written a new book, The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and Friendship. People Magazine gave it 3.5 stars (out of 4) and Kirkus Reviews says it's "an in-depth look at the enduring bond of friendship among a tightly knit group of middle-class Midwestern women born in the early 1960s. A heartwarming account, ripe for discussion in women's book clubs and women's studies classes." Check it out!

Nebula Award

Ursula K. Le Guin has won the 2008 Nebula Award, voted on by active members of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, for her book Powers. It's the third book in her series Annals of the Western Shore and the third time she has won the award. Come check it out!

Fancy Nancy Party this Saturday!

Calling all fancy girls - you are cordially invited to a soiree on Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 am to celebrate Fancy Nancy! Remember to dress in your fanciest clothes. Tiaras welcome! There will be refreshments, a fashion show and crafts! Registration required. The party is full but we are still accepting signups for the waiting list. Call 385-3645 if you have any questions.

Edgar Awards announced

Each spring the Mystery Writers of America present the Edgar Awards, considered among the most prestigious awards for mystery writers. This years winners include:

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box (Best Novel)





Paper Towns by John Green (Best Young Adult)



China Lake by Meg Gardiner (Best Paperback Original)

Check them out!