Suggested Reading December 24, 2018

Hi everyone, this is our second week of offering recommended titles selected from the New York Times 100 Most Notable Books of 2018 article.

As you’ll recall last week we focused on fiction eBooks, this week our notable titles are all fiction print books.

And for next week, the week that starts December 21, we’ll offer notable non-fiction titles as both eBooks and print books.

And on a holiday hours note, the library is closed on Monday, December 24, Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1.

The library will be regular hours all other days.

And regular library hours are:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

&

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

And now on to the selections from the New York Times most notable FICTION for 2018 IN THE PRINT BOOK FORMAT:

(Note: Click on the photo of the item you’d like to request, check out or know more about!)

Brown: Poems by Kevin Young:

 

Eternal Life: A Novel by Dara Horn:

 

Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer:

 

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi:

 

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez:

 

Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai:

 

House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea:

 

Immigrant, Montana by Amitava Kumar:

 

In Every Moment We Are Still Alive by Tom Malmquist:

 

Kites by Gary Romain:

 

Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart:

 

The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories by Denis Johnson:

 

Last Stories by William Trevor:

 

Macbeth by Jo Nesbo:

 

Mars Room: A Novel by Rachel Rushner:

 

Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors:

 

The Neighborhood by Mario Vargas Llosa:

 

The Odyssey by Homer, Translated by Emily Wilson:

 

Only To Sleep: A Philip Marlow Novel:

 

The Overstory by Richard Powers:

 

The Parking Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat:

 

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani:

 

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole:

 

Property: Stories Between Two Novellas by Lionel Shriver:

 

The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst:

 

There There by Tommy Orange:

 

Wade in the Water: Poems by Tracy K. Smith:

 

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje:

 

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan:

 

The Witch Elm by Tana French:

 

Your Duck Is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg:

Have a great week!

Linda, SSCL

References

100 Notable Books of 2018. New York Times. Online. Accessed December 17, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/19/books/review/100-notable-books.html

Online Catalog Links:

StarCat

The catalog of physical materials, i.e. print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc.

The Digital Catalog (OverDrive)

The catalog of e-books, downloadable audiobooks and a handful of streaming videos.

Freegal Music Service

This music service is free to library card holders and offers the option to download, and keep, three free songs per week and to stream three hours of commercial free music each day:

RBDigital

Digital magazines on demand and for free! Back issues are available and you can even choose to be notified by email when the new issue of your favorite magazine is available.

About Library Apps:

You can access digital library content on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. For mobile devices simply download the OverDrive, Libby, Freegal or RBDigital app from your app store to get started.

If you have questions call the library at: 607-936-3713 and one of our Digital Literacy Specialists will be happy to assist you.

Tech Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.

Suggested Listening December 21, 2018

Hi everyone, here are our lucky seven musical suggestions for the week; five streaming suggestions and two albums on CD.

(Click on the photo of the albums to stream them or, in the case of CDs, put them on hold.)

Recomended Freegal Streaming Albums:

Blue Monday (2018) by Eugene Brosnan (Genre: Folk, Acoustic, Modern Folk):

Eugene Brosnan grew up in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland and found a love of music as a child. At age 18 he left Ireland, guitar in hand, and spent time gigging around Europe fine tuning his musical skills. Blue Monday is his new album and it features the songs: I Like Talking to You, Monday is My Blue Day, Hannah is a Palindrome and Nobody’s Perfect.

Can’t Believe It’s Christmas (And Other Xmas Hits) (2016) by Gaspard Royant (Genre: Alternative, Vocal, Rock):

Gaspard Royant was born in 1979 in Thonon-les-Bains, in Eastern France. His musical style can be described as a modern light rock. This contemporary EP contains the following songs: I Can’t Believe It’s Christmas, Christmas Time Again, Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas and Happy Christmas (War Is Over).

Stolen Moments – Johannes Brahms, Solo Piano Works (2018) by Rikke Sandberg (Genre: Classical):

Rikke Sandberg is a popular classical pianist who hails from Denmark; Stolen Moments is her new LP. The album features the songs: Partita in D Minor, BWV 1004: Chaconne for Solo Violin (Arr. by Rikke Sandberg for Piano – Left Hand Only), Hungarian Song, Op. 21, No. 2 in D Major: III. Variation No. 2 in D Major, 7 Fantasien, Op. 116: II. Intermezzo – Andante and 8 Piano Pieces, Op. 76: II. Capriccio – Allegretto non troppo.

The Ties That Bind: The River Collection (2015) by Bruce Springsteen (Genre: Rock, Singer-Songwriter):

‘The Ties That Bind: The River Collection’ is a comprehensive look at Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The River’ era, one of the most pivotal periods of time in his career. The set contains 52 tracks on with a wealth of unreleased material and includes the original ‘The River’ double album as released in 1980. – from the record company

This is a terrific set to stream!

Songs in the collection include: The Ties That Bind, Sherry Darling, Cadillac Ranch, Drive All Night, Hungry Heart and Meet Me in the City.

Greatest Hits: Decade #1 (2014) by Carrie Underwood (Genre: Country):

A greatest hits collection by the popular country singer. Songs on the album include: Little Toy Guns, Inside Your Heaven, Don’t Forget To Remember Me, Before He Cheats, All-American Girl and Just A Dream.

A Winter Solstice Reunion (1998) by Various Artists  (Genre: New Age, Acoustic, Holiday):

Songs in the collection include: Babe Is Born/Enter The Stable Gently by Liz Story, Snowfall Lullaby by Barbara Higbie, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Alex de Grassi, Year’s End by Michael Manring, 20 Below by Paul McCandless and Christmas Wish by Tuck & Patti

Recommended CDs:

Eight Classic Albums by Bud Powell (Genre: Jazz, Bebop):

Born in 1924, Bud Powell was a great Jazz pianist who had tragic health issues, and died young, after a racially motivated beating he suffered in the 1940s. His piano playing style moved away from the left hand striding that was popular during the Big Band era and instead emphasized chord playing with the left hand – expanding the style of Jazz piano playing and was founding player of the then new Jazz style – Bebop.

This set features all the songs on the following albums: “Bud Powell Trio” (1951), “The Amazing Bud Powell” (1951), “The Amazing Bud Powell Volume 2” (1953), “Bud Powell Trio Volume 2” (1953), “The Amazing Bud Powell Volume 3” (1957) “Time Waits- The Amazing Bud Powell Volume 4” (1958), “Blues in the Closet” (1958), and “The Scene Changes- The Amazing Bud Powell Volume 5” (1959).

Heavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-1967 (2018) by Bob Seger & Bob Seger and the Last Heard (Genre: Rock, Classic Rock):

An early collection of music from a young, and then unknown, Midwest rocker named Bob Seger!
Songs in this collection include: Heavy Music, Pt. 1, East Side Story, Persecution Smith, Sock It To Me Santa and Florida Time.

Videos of the Week:

Monday is My Blue Day by Eugene Brosnan:

(C’mon Baby) It’s Christmas Time! by Gaspard Royant:

Partita in D Minor, BWV 1004: Chaconne for Solo Violin (Arr. by Rikke Sandberg for Piano – Left…) by Rikke Sandberg:

The River (live) by Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band:

Something In The Water by Carrie Underwood:

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Alex de Grassi:

Bonus Videos:

As today is the first day of the old festival Yule, as well as the shortest day of the year, I’m going to include a few Yule log videos! (And yes I am a huge fan of Yule Logs!)

My first pick is just a plain and simple video of logs burning for 10 hours – no music at all – but perfect for sitting in front of with a good book!

Fireplace – Full HD – 10 hours crackling logs for Christmas:

And here’s a Yule Log that features soothing holiday music:

Instrumental Christmas Music with Fireplace 24/7 – Merry Christmas!

A more traditional Yule Log with holiday music:

Classic Christmas Yule Log Fireplace in 4k HD Feat. over 2 Hours Of Holiday Music!:

And a slightly fuzzy, but if you’re a certain age – nostalgic, Yule Log – from WPIX:

Original WPIX Yule Log 2hr version:

Joys of Christmas by Chris Rea (If you like bluesy guitar…):

All The Gifts I Need by J. D. McPherson:

Ugly Sweater Blues by J D McPherson: 

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

REFERENCES:

Biography. Eugene Bronson. Accessed December 21, 2018, https://www.eugenebrosnan.com/Biography.28.0.html

Delicious History of the Yule Log ‘Tis the season for rich food traditions, including that of the Christmas Yule log. Written by STEPHANIE BUTLER. Published December 21, 2012, History Channel, https://www.history.com/news/the-delicious-history-of-the-yule-log

First day of winter 2018: 6 facts about the winter solstice (12/21/18) By Len Melisurgo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | Posted December 21, 2018 at 05:20 AM | Updated December 21, 2018 at 09:54 AM, https://www.nj.com/expo/news/erry-2018/12/b2f67acc2c7386/first-day-of-winter-2018-6-fac.html

History of Christmas – History Channel, https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas

Magical History Of Yule, The Pagan Winter Solstice Celebration “After the longest night, we sing up the dawn.” Huffington Post | 12/20/2016 01:57 pm ET Updated Dec 22, 2016, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/winter-solstice-pagan-yule_us_585970abe4b03904470af4c5

RIKKE SANDBERG Homepage, https://www.rikkesandberg.com/frontpage/

A Roots And Rockabilly Holiday Concert With JD McPherson And His Band (44:14) | December 11, 2018 | Heard on Fresh Air, https://www.npr.org/2018/12/11/675628082/a-roots-and-rockabilly-holiday-concert-with-jd-mcpherson-and-his-band

Winter Solstice 2018: 10 Facts About the Shortest Day of the Year Written by JANE ROSE | DECEMBER 20, 2018, http://mentalfloss.com/article/72659/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-winter-solstice

About Freegal: 

Freegal is a free streaming music service available for free to library card holders of all Southern Tier Library System member libraries. STLS member libraries include all the public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegany counties — including our own Southeast Steuben County Library.

You can download the Freegal music app to your mobile device or access the desktop version of the site by clicking on the following link:

The Freegal service offers library card holders the option to download, and keep, three free songs per week and to stream three hours of commercial free music each day.

New York Times Bestsellers Of The Week – December 23, 2018

Hi everyone, here are the top New York Times fiction and non-fiction bestsellers for the week ending December 23, 2018.

(Click on the book covers to read a summary of each plot and to request the books of your choice.)

FICTION:

Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly:

 

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks:

 

Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (A Targaryen History) by George R. R. Martin:

 

Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny:

 

Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci:

 

Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich:

 

Nine Perfect Strangers: A Novel by Liane Moriarty:

 

Oath of Office by Marc Cameron:

 

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts:

 

One Day in December: A Novel by Josie Silver:

 

The Reckoning: A Novel by John Grisham:

 

Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson:

 

Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel by Heather Morris:

 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens:

 

NON-FICTION:

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson:

 

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou:

 

Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond & Adam Horovitz:

 

Becoming by Michelle Obama:

 

Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking:

 

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover:

 

Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward:

 

Killing the SS: The Hunt for the Worst War Criminals in History by Bill O’Reilly:

 

Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin:

 

Point of It All: A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors by Charles Krauthammer:

 

Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution by Tucker Carlson:

Have a great day!

Linda, SSL

Suggested Reading December 17, 2018

Hi everyone, it is the time of year when all the best of the year lists come out – including the lists of best and notable books!

So for the last three Mondays of this year I’m going to share lists of notable titles compiled from the New York Times 100 Most Notable Books of 2018 article.

Here is the breakdown:

Monday, December 17: A selection of most notable (i.e. critically acclaimed) fiction eBooks

Monday, December 24: A selection of most notable fiction print books

&

Monday, December 31: A selection of most notable non-fiction eBooks & print books.

(Note: Click on the photo of the item you’d like to request, check out or know more about!)

And without further ado, here are selections from the New York Times most notable FICTION books for 2018 – in EBOOK format:

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones:

Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday:

Cherry by Nico Walker:

Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer:

Improvement by Joan Silber:

Macbeth by Jo Nesbo:

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh:

The Overstory by Richard Powers:

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani:

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole:

The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst:

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik:

There There by Tommy Orange:

Wade in the Water: Poems by written & read byTracy K. Smith:

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje:

The Witch Elm by Tana French:

BONUS SUGGESTIONS

(Notable titles available as downloadable audiobooks):

An American Marriage written by Tayari Jones & read by Sean Crisden:

Cherry: A Novel written by Nico Walker & read by Jeremy Bobb:

The Female Persuasion: A Novel written by Meg Wolitzer & read by Rebecca Lowman:

The House of Broken Angels written & read by Luis Alberto Urrea:

Severance written by Ling Ma & read by Nancy Wu:

There There: A Novel written by Tommy Orange & read by Darrell Dennis:

Wade in the Water: Poems & read by Tracky K. Smith:

Warlight: A Novel written by Michael Ondaatje & read by Steve West:

The Witch Elm: A Novel written by Tana French & read by Paul Nugent:

Have a great week!

Linda, SSCL

References

100 Notable Books of 2018. New York Times. Online. Accessed December 17, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/19/books/review/100-notable-books.html

Online Catalog Links:

StarCat

The catalog of physical materials, i.e. print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc.

The Digital Catalog (OverDrive)

The catalog of e-books, downloadable audiobooks and a handful of streaming videos.

Freegal Music Service

This music service is free to library card holders and offers the option to download, and keep, three free songs per week and to stream three hours of commercial free music each day:

RBDigital

Digital magazines on demand and for free! Back issues are available and you can even choose to be notified by email when the new issue of your favorite magazine is available.

About Library Apps:

You can access digital library content on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. For mobile devices simply download the OverDrive, Freegal or Zinio app from your app store to get started. If you have questions call the library at: 607-936-3713 and one of our Digital Literacy Specialists will be happy to assist you.

Tech Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.

Did You Know…Holiday Movies Available At The Library!

Continuing our Did You Know…We Have Holiday Books, Music & Movies available at the library postings for December, here is a list of holiday DVDs & streaming videos for your perusal.

(Click on the photos to read more about the movies and request them – through StarCat.)

DVDs:

12 Films of Christmas:

 

American Christmas Carol:

 

Bachelor Mother:

 

Carols From King’s College:

 

Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas, Live from Dublin:

 

Charlie Brown Christmas:

 

Christmas Carol (1984):

 

Christmas Carol (1951):

 

Christmas Carol (1999):

 

Christmas Classic Collection:

 

Christmas by Celtic Thunder:

 

Christmas Past: Vintage Holiday Films, 1901-1925:

 

 

Christmas Story:

 

Christmas Story 2:

 

Christmas Tale:

 

The Crossing:

 

Deck The Halls:

 

Die Hard (part of the Die Hard collection – Die Hard 1):

 

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch stole Christmas! (Boris Karloff version):

 

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch stole Christmas! (Jim Carrey version):

 

Ed Sullivan show. A Classic Christmas:

 

Ernest Saves Christmas:

 

Family Stone:

 

Finding Father Christmas:

 

Finding John Christmas:

 

First Silent Night:

 

Four Christmases:

 

Friday After Next:

 

Ghosts of Christmas Eve:

 

Holiday Collection: Movie 4 Pack:

 

Holiday Collector’s Set. Volume 3:

 

Holiday Inn:

 

Home Alone:

 

The Homecoming:

 

Ice Harvest:

 

It’s A Wonderful Life:

 

Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special:

 

Joyeux Noel = Merry Christmas:

 

Last of the Summer Wine. Christmas Specials, 1978-1982:

 

Lifetime Triple Holiday Feature:

 

Merry Friggin’ Christmas:

 

Miracle at Christmas: Ebbie’s Story:

 

Mon oncle Antoine:

 

Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol:

 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation:

 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2:

 

Nightmare Before Christmas:

 

The Nutcracker:

 

One Christmas:

 

Original Christmas Classics: 7 Holiday Favorites:

 

Saving Christmas:

 

Scrooge:

 

Scrooged:

 

Season For Miracles:

 

Shari Lewis Christmas:

 

Surviving Christmas:

 

Tuesday, After Christmas:

 

Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas:

 

Very Brady Christmas:

 

Very Harold & Kumar Christmas:

 

Very Mary Christmas:

 

White Christmas:

 

William Wegman’s Fay’s Twelve Days of Christmas:

 

Streaming Videos (Watch on a computer or through the Libby or OverDrive apps):

Abbott & Costello Christmas Show:

 

Apollo 8 Christmas: Christmas At The Moon:

 

Casper’s First Christmas:

 

Christmas Trade:

 

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Live:

Have a great day!

Linda, SSCL

Suggested Listening – December 14, 2018

Hi everyone, here are our lucky seven musical suggestions for the week; five streaming suggestions and two albums on CD.

Click on the photo of the albums to stream them or, in the case of CDs, put them on hold.

Streaming Titles:

More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series Vol. 14 (Deluxe Edition) (2018) by Bob Dylan (Genre: Rock, Folk):

Limited edition set Includes every surviving take from Blood On The Tracks, including the complete New York sessions. Features alternate versions of Tangled Up In Blue, Simple Twist Of Fate and Shelter From The Storm Over 70 previously unreleased recordings Bonus hardcover book features original handwritten lyrics, photographs and more The latest chapter in the highly acclaimed Bootleg Series makes available the pivotal studio recordings made by Bob Dylan during six extraordinary sessions in 1974 that resulted in the artist’s 1975 masterpiece, Blood On The Tracks. The set includes the complete New York sessions in chronological order including outtakes, false starts and studio banter. The album’s producers have worked from best sources available, in most cases utilizing the original multi-track session tapes. The only recordings remaining from the Minneapolis sessions are the multi-track masters of the five performances included on the finished Blood On The Tracks album.

It’s A Holiday Soul Party (2015) by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (Genre: Soul, R&B, Blues, Rock):

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings are here to help music fans get into the holiday spirit. The band offers up a succinct soulful soundtrack to this holiday season with their new album Its A Holiday Soul Party, out October 30th. Kicking off with 8 Days (Of Hanukkah) –the bands ode to The Festival of Lights–the 11-song set of original and classic holiday songs is the group’s first holiday record and follows their Grammy-nominated 2014 album, Give The People What They Want.

There’s no other band today that plays with the rhythm, feeling, or explosive power of the Dap-Kings. Since releasing their first album in 2002, the group has toured the world countless times, garnering a legion of loyal fans, and a slew of tremendously successful TV appearances. Sharon, the Queen of modern-day Soul, has collaborated with some of musics biggest names, including David Byrne and Michael Bublé. Be sure to add this soon to be classic to your Holiday checklist, shopping list, et al.

The Essential Van Morrison (2015) by Van Morrison (Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Pop, Folk):

37-track, cross-label career-spanning anthology. All the hits & key album tracks, from Them through to later collaborations with the Chieftains & Cliff Richard

’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) (2018) by Elvis Presley:

’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) is the definitive chronicle of the now legendary NBC-TV show, Elvis. After years of making formulaic movies, Elvis was finally unleashed to perform live again on an intimate stage with his original sidemen, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana. Playing “That’s All Right”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and many of his great hits, the sheer rawness and excitement of the performances attracted unanimous critical acclaim. Greil Marcus in his book Mystery Train said, “If ever there was music that could bleed, this was it.” The closing song “If I Can Dream” encapsulates every emotion that Elvis and the entire production crew felt during the making of the special. NBC-TV’s Elvis is as raw and inspirational today as it was in 1968. This 50th Anniversary Edition includes all the known audio recordings from RCA’s vault and all the videotaped performances are here for the first time on Blu-ray. For millions of fans, including a young Bruce Springsteen, the Elvis ’68 Comeback Special was a life-changing event. “I remember I waited for weeks for the ’68 Special,” Springsteen recollected recently. “I knew it was coming. I can remember exactly where our TV was set up in the dining room, the exact place I was sitting. I mean, it’s one of those things that’s imprinted on my memory forever.” CAREER-DEFINING ’68 COMEBACK – * 7-Disc definitive box set chronicles the pivotal NBC-TV ’68 special called Elvis and takes you behind the scenes in audio and remastered 4:3 Blu-ray video. * Contains ALL KNOWN recordings/rehearsals from the RCA vaults and from original NBC-TV videotapes.

Greatest Hits (2018) by Train:

Train’s Greatest Hits album celebrates 20 years of their music, pulling together 16 fan-favorites like “Drops of Jupiter,” “Calling All Angels,” and “Hey Soul Sister” plus a special cover of one of front man Pat Monahan’s favorite songs, George Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” featuring world renowned saxophonist Kenny G. Train’s self-titled debut album, released by Columbia in 1998 was the start of their now accomplished career – the tumbling wordplay of “Meet Virginia” gave them their first unlikely radio hit and 2001’s Drops Of Jupiter broke them to multi-platinum status thanks to the double GRAMMY award-winning title song that spent 10 months in the Top 40, and earned the Best Rock Song GRAMMY Award. The group won another GRAMMY award in 2011 for their global hit “Hey Soul Sister,” the #1 best-selling smash and most downloaded single of 2010, from their multi-platinum album Save Me, San Francisco. Next was 2012’s California 37, which launched the double-platinum hit “Drive By” reaching the Top 10 in over a dozen countries. They’ve sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, more than 30 million tracks, with multiple platinum/gold citations. Train has also won 3 GRAMMY awards, 2 Billboard Music Awards and dozens of other honors.

Recommended CDs:

Grace (2017) by Lizz Wright (Genre: Vocal, Jazz):

 

On Grace, lauded American singer Lizz Wright summons her Southern heritage and the spirit of the earth to usher us into a nurturing space that pulses and hums with the unspoken suggestion that grace is a cornerstone of our original state of being. Produced by acclaimed singer and songwriter Joe Henry, Grace is a stark reflection of Wright’s sense of place and belonging that’s deeply woven into the cultural fabric of America. Lizz offers one original, written for this record, plus inspiring interpretations of songs from Ray Charles, Allen Toussaint, k.d. lang, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Sister Rosetta Tharp & more.

His Band & The Street Choir (1970) by Van Morrison:

Following Moondance’s breakthrough success, His Band And The Street Choir arrived in November 1970. While Astral Weeks and Moondance contemplate the cosmos and love’s rich conundrums, Street Choir resonates with a purposefully loose ebullience on songs like the Top Ten hit “Domino,” “Blue Money,” and “Call Me Up In Dreamland.”

Videos:  

About The New: Bob Dylan – More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series Vol. 14 Deluxe Edition:

White Christmas by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings:

Domino by Van Morrison:

Into The Mystic by Van Morrison:

That’s All Right by Elvis:

Calling All Angels by Train:

Grace by Lizz Wright:

Call Me Up In Dreamland by Van Morrison:

Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg:

Wonderful Christmas Time:

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

New York Times Bestsellers Of The Week – December 16, 2018

Hi everyone, here are the top New York Times fiction and non-fiction bestsellers for the week ending December 16, 2018.

Click on the book covers to read a summary of each plot and to request the books of your choice.

FICTION:

Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly:

Elevation by Stephen King:

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks:

Fire And Blood by George R. R. Martin:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah:

Kingdom Of The Blind by Louise Penny:

Long Road To Mercy by David Baldacci:

Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich:

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty:

Past Tense by Lee Child:

The Reckoning by John Grisham:

Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson:

Tom Clancy: Oath Of Office by Marc Cameron:

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens:

NON-FICTION:

Astrophysics For People In A Hurry by Neil deGrasse:

The Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz:

Becoming by Michelle Obama:

Brief Answer To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking:

Educated by Tara Westover:

Fear by Bob Woodward:

Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance:

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson:

Killing The SS by Bill O’Reilly:

Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwin:

The Library Book by Susan Orlean:

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari:

Shade by Pete Souza:

Ship Of Fools by Tucker Carlson:

These titles are not yet available to circulate but should be soon. Ask the staff for details.

Someone To Trust by Mary Balogh

Trumps’ Enemies by Corey Lewansowski and David Bossie

Have a great day!

Linda, SSCL

Suggested Reading December 10, 2018

Hi everyone, here are our recommended titles for the week, five digital titles available through OverDrive and five print titles available through StarCat.

(Note: Click on the photo of the item you’d like to request or check out)

Digital Suggestions Of The Week:

Beastie Boys Book written by Michael Diamond & Adam Horovitz (Format: Downloadable Audiobook):

A current New York Times Bestseller!

A panoramic experience that tells the story of Beastie Boys, an audiobook as unique as the band itself.

Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip hop superstardom. Here is their story, told for the first time in the words of the band. Adam “ADROCK” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond offer revealing and very funny accounts of their transition from teenage punks to budding rappers. For more than thirty years, this band has had an inescapable and indelible influence on popular culture.

With a style as distinctive and eclectic as a Beastie Boys album, Beastie Boys Book upends the typical music memoir, featuring a collection of voices reminiscent of your favorite mixtape.
Photo Credit © 1987 Lynn Goldsmith

Audiobook Cast Includes:
Steve Buscemi
Ada Calhoun
Bobby Cannavale
Exene Cervenka
Roy Choi
Jarvis Cocker
Elvis Costello
Chuck D
Nadia Dajani
Michael Diamond
Snoop Dogg
Will Ferrell
Crosby Fitzgerald
Randy Gardner
Kim Gordon
Josh Hamilton
Adam Horovitz
LL Cool J
Spike Jonze
Pat Kiernan
Talib Kweli
Dave Macklovitch
Rachel Maddow
Tim Meadows
Bette Midler
Mix Master Mike
Nas
Yoshimi O
Rosie Perez
Amy Poehler
Kelly Reichardt
John C. Reilly
Ian Rogers
Maya Rudolph
Rev Run
Luc Sante
Kate Schellenbach
MC Serch
Chloe Sevigny
Jon Stewart
Ben Stiller
Wanda Sykes
Jeff Tweedy
Philippe Zdar

Advance praise for Beastie Boys Book

“This entertaining look at Beastie Boys history is as innovative and raucous as the band’s music.”—
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Beastie Boys fans will devour this book, as will anyone interested in the early days of hip-hop, the art/music/street life of New York City in the 1980s, and the alternative-nation zeitgeist of the ’90s.”—Kirkus Reviews

Day of the Dead: A Frieda Klein Novel by Nicci French (Format: eBook):

LOUISE PENNY says the Frieda Klein novels are “fabulous.”

JOSEPH FINDER says they’re “in the rich vein of Kate Atkinson.”

And TAMI HOAG calls them “truly unique.”

Now the final book in this extraordinary series is here. And it’s an ending you’ll never forget.

A decade ago, psychologist Frieda Klein was sucked into the orbit of Dean Reeve — a killer able to impersonate almost anyone, a man who can disappear without a trace, a psychopath obsessed with Frieda herself.

In the years since, Frieda has worked with — and sometimes against — the London police in solving their most baffling cases. But now she’s in hiding, driven to isolation by Reeve. When a series of murders announces his return, Frieda must emerge from the shadows to confront her nemesis. And it’s a showdown she might not survive.

This gripping cat-and-mouse thriller pits one of the most fascinating characters in contemporary fiction against an enemy like none other. Smart, sophisticated, and spellbinding, it’s a novel to leave you breathless.

The books in the series are:
1. Blue Monday
2. Tuesday’s Gone
3. Waiting for Wednesday
4. Thursday’s Children
5. Friday on my Mind
6. Dark Saturday
7. Sunday Silence

Hot Winter Nights, Made in Montana by Debbi Rawlins (Format: eBook):

Montana in December is cold. Still, struggling actress Lila Loveridge is committed to the independent movie they’re shooting—despite frigid temperatures, an empty wallet and a sneaking suspicion that her acting career has frozen in its tracks. Good thing there’s a Montana cowboy hot enough to keep her warm.

Rancher Clint Landers is one tall, lean and sizzling specimen, and before long, Lila is shivering with pleasure. Their chemistry is impossible to resist. But while every night is deliciously wicked, every day is a reminder that they can’t have a future together. Because in order for Lila to follow her dream, she’ll have to leave her sexy cowboy behind…

Winter at the Door: A Novel by Sarah Graves (Format: eBook):

Perfect for fans of Jenny Milchman, Linda Castillo, and Lisa Gardner—the first book in a suspenseful new crime thriller series featuring the tough but haunted police chief Lizzie Snow, a big-city cop with a mission, taking on a small town with a dark side.

Moving from Boston to remote Bearkill, Maine, isn’t homicide cop Lizzie Snow’s idea of a step up. But breaking away from tragedy and personal betrayal is at least a step in the right direction. Her dead sister’s fate still torments her, as does her long-missing niece’s disappearance. Lizzie hopes to find the mysteriously vanished child here, amid the coming ice and snow. But in the Great North Woods, something darker and more dangerous than punishing winter is also bound for Bearkill.

The town is a world apart in more than distance—full of people who see everything, say little, and know more than they’ll share with an outsider. The only exceptions are the handsome state cop who once badly broke Lizzie’s heart and desperately wants another chance—and Lizzie’s new boss, sheriff Cody Chevrier, who’s counting on her years of homicide experience to help him solve his most troubling case, before it’s too late.

A rash of freak accidents and suicides has left a string of dead men—all former local cops. Now the same cruel eyes that watched them die are on Lizzie—and so is the pressure to find out what sort of monster has his hooks in this town, what his ruthless game is, and just how brutally he’ll play to win. Whatever the truth is, its twisted roots lie in the desolate backwoods of Aroostook County: where the desperate disappear, the corrupt find shelter, and the innocent lose everything. It’s there that a cunning and utterly cold-blooded killer plans the fate of the helpless lives at his mercy—one of whom may be the lost child Lizzie will do anything to save. As a blizzard bears down, and Bearkill’s dark secrets claw their way to the surface, Lizzie gears up for a showdown that could leave the deep, driven snow stained blood red.

Winter Stroll written by Elin Hiderbrand read by Erin Bennett (format: Downloadable Audiobook):

The Quinn family celebrates their most dramatic Christmas yet in this enchanting sequel to Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling Winter Street. Christmas on Nantucket finds Winter Street Inn owner Kelley Quinn and his family busily preparing for the holiday season. Though the year has brought tragedy, the Quinns have much to celebrate: Kelley has reunited with his first wife, Margaret; Kevin and Isabelle have a new baby; and Ava is finally dating a nice guy. But when Kelley’s estranged wife, Mitzi, shows up on the island, along with Kevin’s devious ex-wife Norah and a dangerously irresistible old fling of Ava’s, the Inn is suddenly overrun with romantic feuds, not to mention guests. With jealousy, passion, and eggnog consumption at an all-time high, it’s going to take a whole lot more than a Christmas miracle to get the Quinns-and the Inn-through the holidays intact.

Print Suggestions Of The Week:

Of Blood And Bone by Nora Roberts:

They look like an everyday family living an ordinary life. But beyond the edges of this peaceful farm, unimaginable forces of light and dark have been unleashed. Fallon Swift, approaching her thirteenth birthday, barely knows the world that existed before — the city where her parents lived, now in ruins and reclaimed by nature since the Doom sickened and killed billions. Traveling anywhere is a danger, as vicious gangs of Raiders and fanatics called Purity Warriors search for their next victim. Those like Fallon, in possession of gifts, are hunted — and the time is coming when her true nature, her identity as The One, can no longer be hidden. In a mysterious shelter in the forest, her training is about to begin under the guidance of Mallick, whose skills have been honed over centuries. She will learn the old ways of healing; study and spar; encounter faeries and elves and shifters; and find powers within herself she never imagined. And when the time is right, she will take up the sword, and fight. For until she grows into the woman she was born to be, the world outside will never be whole again.

The Enemy Of My Enemy by W. E. B. Griffin:

Special agent James Cronley Jr. finds that fighting both ex-Nazis and the Soviet NKGB can lead to strange bedfellows, in the dramatic new Clandestine Operations novel about the birth of the CIA and the Cold War. A month ago, Cronley managed to capture two notorious Nazi war criminals, but not without leaving some dead bodies and outraged Austrian police in his wake. He’s been lying low ever since, but that little vacation is about to end. Somebody–Odessa, the NKGB, the Hungarian Secret Police?–has broken the criminals out of jail, and he must track them down again. But there’s more to it than that. Evidence has surfaced that in the war’s last gasps, Heinrich Himmler had stashed away a fortune to build a secret religion, dedicated both to Himmler and to creating the Fourth Reich. That money is still out there in the hands of Odessa, and that infamous organization seems to have acquired a surprising–and troubling–ally. Cronley is fast finding out that the phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” can mean a lot of different things, and that it is not always clear which people he can trust and which are out to kill him.

The Labyrinth Index by Charles Stross:

The arrival of vast, alien, inhuman intelligences reshaped the landscape fo human affairs across the world, and the United Kingdom is no exception. Things have changed in Britain since the dread elder god Nyarlathotep ascended to the rank of Prime Minister. Mhari Murphy, recently elevated to the House of Lords and head of the Lords Select Committee on Sanguinary Affairs (think vampires), finds herself in direct consultation with the creeping chaos, who directs her to lead a team of disgraced Laundry personnel into the dark heart of America. It seems the Creeping Chaos is concerned about foreign relations. A thousand-mile-wild storm system has blanketed the midwest, and the President is nowhere to be found. In fact, for reasons unknown the people of America are forgetting that the executive branch ever existed. The government has been infiltrated by the shadowy Black Chamber, and the Pentagon and NASA have been refocused on the problem of summoning Cthulhu. Somewhere, the Secret Service battle to stay awake, to remind the President who he is, and to stay one step ahead of the vampiric dragnet that’s searching for him

The People’s Republic of Everything by Nick Mamatas:

Welcome to the People’s Republic of Everything―of course, you’ve been here for a long time already. Make yourself at home alongside a hitman who always tells the truth, no matter how reality has to twist itself to suit; electric matchstick girls who have teamed up with Friedrich Engels; a telepathic boy and his father’s homemade nuclear bomb; a very bad date that births an unforgettable meme; and a dog who simply won’t stop howling on social media.

The People’s Republic of Everything features a decade’s worth of crimes, fantasies, original fiction, and the author’s preferred text of the acclaimed short novel Under My Roof.

Raylan Goes To Detroit: A Novel by Peter Leonard:

After an altercation with his superiors in Harlan County, Kentucky, Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens is offered two choices. He can either retire or finish his career on the fugitive task force in the crime-ridden precincts of Detroit. Acting on a tip, Raylan and his new partner, deputy marshal Bobby Torres, arrest Jose Rindo, a destructive and violent criminal. Rindo is also being pursued by the FBI, who arrive shortly after he is in custody. Raylan bumps heads with a beautiful FBI agent named Nora Sanchez, who wants Rindo for the murder of one of their own. When Rindo escapes from the county jail and is arrested in Ohio, Raylan and FBI Special Agent Sanchez drive south to pick up the fugitive and bring him back to stand trial. Later, when Rindo escapes again, Raylan and Nora–still at odds–are reunited and follow the elusive fugitive’s trail across Arizona to El Centro, California, and into Mexico, where they have no jurisdiction or authority. How are they going to bring Rindo, a Mexican citizen, across the border without anyone knowing?

Have a great week!

Linda, SSCL

Online Catalog Links:

StarCat

The catalog of physical materials, i.e. print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc.

The Digital Catalog (OverDrive)

The catalog of e-books, downloadable audiobooks and a handful of streaming videos.

Freegal Music Service

This music service is free to library card holders and offers the option to download, and keep, three free songs per week and to stream three hours of commercial free music each day:

RBDigital

Digital magazines on demand and for free! Back issues are available and you can even choose to be notified by email when the new issue of your favorite magazine is available.

About Library Apps:

You can access digital library content on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. For mobile devices simply download the OverDrive, Freegal or Zinio app from your app store to get started. If you have questions call the library at: 607-936-3713 and one of our Digital Literacy Specialists will be happy to assist you.

Tech Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.

Did You Know…Holiday Music Available At The Library!

Continuing our Did You Know…We Have Holiday Books, Music & Movies available at the library postings for December, and as promised via yesterday’s posting, here is list of music that you can enjoy throughout the holiday season.

First up, compact discs which you can request and pick up at the library, followed by streaming music available through Freegal.

Music on CD:

The Bells Of Dublin by The Chieftains (Genre: Folk, Pop):

Barenaked For The Holidays by Barenaked Ladies (Genre: Pop/Rock):

Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi (Genre: Jazz, Soundtrack):

Christmas Attic by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Genre: Pop, Rock, Classical):

Christmas Classics by Various Artists – Rhino Records (Genre: Pop, Rock, R&B):

Christmas Festival by Boston Pops Orchestra (Orchestral, Traditional):

Christmas In Harvard Square by The Boys Of St. Paul’s Church (Cambridge, Mass.) (Genre: Classical):

Christmas In The Aire by Mannheim Steamroller (Genre: New Age, easy Listening):

Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 by Johann Sebastian Bach (Genre: Classical):

Christmas Portrait by Carpenters (Genre: Pop): 

Christmas Symphony by Mannheim Steamroller (Genre: Easy Listening, New Age): 

Christmas with the Everly Brothers and the Boys Town Choir by Everly Brothers (Vocal, 1950s Rock):

Christmas With You by Natalie Cole (Genre: Vocal, Pop):

The Best Of Cool Yule by Various Artists – Rhino Records (Genre: Pop, Rock, Comedy):

December: Piano Solos by George Winston (Genre: Piano, New Age): 

An English Christmas: Festival of Carols by The Choir of Westminster Cathedral et al. (Genre: Traditional Christmas, Classical, Vocal):

Great Songs Of Christmas by Mantovani (Genre: Easy Listening, Orchestral):

Hanukkah Lounge by Various Artists (Genre: Easy Listening):

Holiday Celebration with the New York Choral Society by Peter, Paul, and Mary (Genre: Pop, Folk):

If On A Winter’s Night by Sting (Genre: Pop, Rock):

In The Nutcracker Mood by The Glenn Miller Orchestra (Genre: Swing, Jazz): 

Last Month Of The Year by The Kingston Trio (Genre: Folk):

Must be Santa! : The Rounder Christmas Album (Genre: Classic Rock, Blues, R&B, Folk):

My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli (Genre: Classical, Vocal):

New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar soli Christmas album; Christmas with John Fahey. Vol. II by John Fahey (Genre: Guitar):

Now: That’s What I Call Christmas! By Various Artists (Genre: Pop, Rock, R&B):

On A Cold Winter’s Day: Early Christmas Music And Carols From The British Isles by Quadriga Consort (Genre: Traditional, Classical):

‘Tis the SeaSon by Jimmy Buffett (Genre: Pop, Rock, Party):

Very Special Christmas by Various Artists (Genre: Pop, Rock, R&B):

White Christmas by Bing Crosby (Genre: Vocal, Pop):

A Winter’s Solstice by Various Artists (Genre: New Age, Easy Listening):

Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan (Genre: Vocal, Pop):

Freegal  Music:

Streaming Playlists:

Holiday Songs (Genre: Pop, Rock, Country):

A Merry Modern Christmas by Various Artists (Genre: Pop, Rock, Country):

Most Wonderful Time To Boogie by Various Artists (Genre: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Country):

Streaming Albums:

Christmas Jazz & Holiday Blues by Various Artists (Genre: Jazz, Blues, Swing):

Happy Hanukkah by The Hanukkah Players (Genre: Easy Listening, Vocal):

Martinis & Mistletoe – Cool Tunes For Your Christmas Cocktail Party Yuletide Lounge Band (Genre: Easy Listening):

Speakeasy Christmas by Various Artists (Genre: Jazz, Thirties & Forties Pop, Swing):

Kwanzaa by Various Artists (Genre: Traditional, Vocal):

Night Flight by Street Sounds (Genre: Traditional, Vocal, Jazz):

Our list of recommended holiday DVDs will be posted in the next few days.

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

Suggested Listening December 7, 2018

Hi everyone, here are our lucky seven musical recommendations for the week.

Our lucky seven suggested listens include five streaming suggestions* and two recommended albums on CD.

(Click on the photo to stream, request or learn more about the album you’re interested in!)

Freegal Streaming Suggestions*

Bob Baldwin Presents Abbey Road and The Beatles (2018) by Bob Baldwin (Genre: Jazz, Smooth Jazz):

Lady Give Me Your Key: The Unissued 1967 Solo Acoustic Sessions by Tim Buckley (Genre: Folk):

The Very Best Of Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers by Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers (Genre: Pop):

No Zip Code (2018) by David Lee Murphy (Genre: Country):

Rev (2014) by Reverend Horton Heat (Genre: Rock):

Recommended CDs of the Week:

Classical Music For Reading (Genre: Classical, Easy Listening)

Rock This Town: Best of the Stray Cats by The Stray Cats (Genre: Rock, Rockabilly):

Videos of the Week:

And I Love Her by Bob Baldwin:

Silver Dagger by Joan Baez:

Complete Concert (From her 2018 Fare Thee Well Tour– Joan Baez (1 hour & 31 minutes):

Once I Was by Tim Buckley:

In The Mood by The Glenn Miller Orchestra:

Swing The Mood by Jive Bunny & The Mixmasters:

No Zip Code by David Lee Murphy:

Zombie Dumb by The Reverend Horton Heat:

Rock This Town by The Stray Cats:

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

*A library card is required to use the Freegal Music Service. If you live in the service area of the Southern Tier Library System, which consists of the public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Alleghany counties in New York State, you can get a library card for free at your nearest public library – including our own Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning, New York. The Freegal Music Service is free for all Southern Tier Library System member libraries library card holders to access.

References:

Artist Biography & Discography Information:

http://www.allmusic.com/

The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn (Billboard Books. New York. 2009.)

P.S. If you have any questions about how to download or stream free music through the Freegal Music service to a desktop or laptop computer or how to download and use the Freegal Music app let us know! Drop by the library or give us a call at: 607-936-3713

*You must have a library card at a Southern Tier Library System member library to enjoy the Freegal Music Service. Your card can be from any library in the system, and the system includes all public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler and Allegheny Counties and includes our own Southeast Steuben Count Library in Corning, New York!

Library cards are free if you live in our service area. And you can obtain a card by visiting the Circulation Desk and presenting staff with a form of ID that features your name and your current address.

Links to the desktop versions of the catalogs for the library system – apps for each are available in your app store:

Digital Library Catalogs:

Freegal offers streaming and downloadable music

OverDrive allows you to check out eBooks, downloadable audiobooks and handful of streaming videos

RB Digital is the place you go to check out magazines – on demand – and you never have to return them!

The Traditional Library Catalog:

You can search for and request books, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks on CD and other physical format items through StarCat – it is the modern day card catalog!