This site offers news and discussion mostly about books, with a sprinkling of information on personal technology and digital literacy.
Hi everyone, January is coming!
And along with the new year, will be a new season of Books Sandwiched In, hosted by The Friends of the Library, SSCL and held at the First Congregational Church (171 West Pulteney Street) in Corning.
Here is an informal version of the schedule:
Professional/formal copies of the schedule may be picked up at the library.
Have a great weekend,
Linda Reimer, SSCL
For additional information visit the Read In program description on our website
https://ssclibrary.org/event/library-read-in-in-support-of-libraries/
Have a great day,
Linda Reimer, SSCL
Hi everyone, here are our five suggested reads of the week!
Weekly Suggested Reading Five postings are usually published on Wednesdays, unless Monday is a holiday and then they are published later in the week.
And the next Suggested Reading posting will be published on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
–
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
Giant turtles, impossible ships, and tidal rivers ridden by a Drowned girl in search of a family in the latest in the bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning Wayward Children series from Seanan McGuire.
Nadya had three mothers: the one who bore her, the country that poisoned her, and the one who adopted her.
Nadya never considered herself less than whole, not until her adoptive parents fitted her with a prosthetic arm against her will, seeking to replace the one she’d been missing from birth.
It was cumbersome; it was uncomfortable; it was wrong.
It wasn’t her.
Frustrated and unable to express why, Nadya began to wander, until the day she fell through a door into Belyrreka, the Land Beneath the Lake—and found herself in a world of water, filled with child-eating amphibians, majestic giant turtles, and impossible ships that sailed as happily beneath the surface as on top. In Belyyreka, she found herself understood for who she was: a Drowned Girl, who had made her way to her real home, accepted by the river and its people.
But even in Belyyreka, there are dangers, and trials, and Nadya would soon find herself fighting to keep hold of everything she had come to treasure.
–
Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields
From generational icon Brooke Shields comes an intimate and empowering exploration of aging that flips the script on the idea of what it means for a woman to grow older
Brooke Shields has spent a lifetime in the public eye. Growing up as a child actor and model, her every feature was scrutinized, her every decision judged. Today Brooke faces a different kind of scrutiny: that of being a “woman of a certain age.”
And yet, for Brooke, the passage of time has brought freedom. At fifty-nine, she feels more comfortable in her skin, more empowered and confident than she did decades ago in those famous Calvin Kleins. Now, in Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, she’s changing the narrative about women and aging.
This is an era, insists Brooke, when women are reclaiming agency and power, not receding into the shadows. These are the years when we get to decide how we want to live—when we get to write our own stories.
With remarkable candor, Brooke bares all, painting a vibrant and optimistic picture of being a woman in the prime of her life, while dismantling the myths that have, for too long, dimmed that perception. Sharing her own life experiences with humor and humility, and weaving together research and reporting, Brooke takes aim at the systemic factors that contribute to age-related bias.
By turns inspiring, moving, and galvanizing, Brooke’s honesty and vulnerability will resonate with women everywhere, and spark a new conversation about the power and promise of midlife.
–
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Following the mysterious disappearance of his wife, a struggling London novelist journeys to a remote Scottish island to try to get his mojo back–but all, of course, is not what it seems. Grady Green hits the pinnacle of his publishing career on the same night that his life goes off the rails–first his book lands on the New York Times bestseller list, and then his wife, Abby, goes missing on her way home. A year later, Grady is a mere shadow of his former self: out of money and out of ideas. So, when his agent, Abby’s godmother, suggests that he spend some time on the Isle of Amberly, in a log cabin left to her by one of her writers, it seems as good a plan as any. With free housing for himself and his dog and a beautiful, distraction-free environment, maybe he can finally complete the next novel. But from the very beginning, Grady’s experiences with Amberly seem weird, if not downright ominous: As a visitor, he’s not allowed to bring his car onto the island; the local businesses are only open for a few hours at a time; and there are no birds. At all. Not to mention the skeletal hand he finds buried under the floorboards of the cabin, the creepy harmonica music in the woods, and the occasional sighting of a woman in a red coat who’s a dead ringer for Abby. As Grady falls deeper and deeper into insomnia and alcoholism, he begins to realize his being on the island is no accident–and that should make him very afraid. Through occasional chapters from before Abby’s disappearance, told from her point of view, we learn that Grady is not necessarily a reliable narrator, and the book’s slow unfolding of dread, mystery, and then truth is both creative and well-paced. Every chapter heading is an oxymoron, like the title, reminding us of the contradictions at the heart of every story. “Nasty little fellows…always get their comeuppance,” a movie character once said. Deeply satisfying. – Kirkus Review
–
The Big Empty by Robert Crais
Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, race to find a terrifying, unidentified killer in this twisting, unpredictable thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.
Traci Beller was thirteen when her father disappeared in the sleepy town of Rancha, not far from Los Angeles. The evidence says Tommy Beller abandoned his family, but Traci never believed it. Now, ten years later, Traci is a high-profile influencer with millions of followers and the money to hire the best detective she can find: Elvis Cole.
Elvis heads to Rancha where an ex-con named Sadie Givens and her daughter, Anya, might have a line on the missing man. But when Elvis finds himself shadowed by a gang of vicious criminals, the missing persons cold case becomes far more sinister.
Elvis calls his ex-Marine friend, Joe Pike, for help, and they follow Tommy Beller’s trail into the depths of a monstrous, hidden evil. The case flips on its head, victims become predators, predators become prey, and the question becomes: Can Elvis Cole save them all from this nightmare?
Reader’s Note: The Big Empty is the twentieth book in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series. If you’d like to start reading from the beginning, check out book one: The Monkey’s Raincoat.
–
Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow
Turow’s latest wraps up the story of Rusty Sabich, Sandy Stern’s unjustly accused client in Presumed Guilty, Turow’s first novel, published in 1987, and in Innocent (2010). Here he transports readers to retired judge Rusty’s quiet life in Mirror Lake with his fiancée, Bea. Rusty and Bea have agreed to supervise her adopted son Aaron’s probation and are proud that he’s maturing into a responsible young man. Unfortunately, Aaron can’t kick his volatile relationship with Mae Potter, the magnetic but self-destructive daughter of a prominent local family. Both families are alarmed when Aaron and Mae drop off the radar; then Aaron finally returns alone. He claims they had a fight while camping and that he hitchhiked home and doesn’t know where Mae is. Mae’s body is soon found, and her autopsy reveals that she was strangled. When Aaron is arrested, Rusty agrees to defend him even though it places his future with Bea on the line. He’ll be fighting uphill. Aaron is Black, has a record, and the population in that section of the state is overwhelmingly white. The trial that follows is a master class in legal suspense as Turow weaves together the devastation of Aaron and Mae’s families, simmering racial prejudice, and the impact of small-town politics within a framework of deliciously tense courtroom dynamics. This is manna for legal-thriller fans.
HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Given the hit Apple TV+ adaptation of Presumed Innocent, readers will be avid for this conclusion to the trilogy. – Starred Booklist Review
–
Happy reading!
Linda Reimer, SSCL
–
Note: Book summaries are from the respective publishers unless otherwise specified.
–
Information on the three library catalogs
The Digital Catalog: https://stls.overdrive.com/
The Digital Catalog, is an online catalog containing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines. You can use your library card and checkout content on a PC; you can also use the companion app, Libby, to access titles on your mobile devices; so you can enjoy eBooks and eAudiobooks on the go!
All card holders of all Southern Tier Library System member libraries can check out items from the Digital Catalog.
–
Hoopla Catalog: https://www.hoopladigital.com/
The Hoopla Catalog features on demand checkouts of eBooks, eAudiobooks, comic books, albums, movies and TV shows. Patron check out limit is 10 items per month.
Hoopla is a Southeast Steuben County Library service available to all Southeast Steuben County Library card holders.
The Hoopla companion app, also called Hoopla is available for mobile devices, smart TVs & media streaming players.
–
StarCat: The catalog of physical/traditional library materials: https://starcat.stls.org
Card holders of all Southern Tier Library System member libraries can access StarCat to search for and request materials available at libraries through out the Southern Tier Library System.
–
Have questions about how to access Internet based content (i.e. eBooks, eAudios)? Feel free to drop by the Reference Desk or call the library and we will assist you! The library’s telephone number is: 607-936-3713.
–
Tech & Book Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.
All titles can be requested/checked out through the library.
If you’d like to go the traditional route to request a title on this list and drop by the library, or give us a call – please do!
Our telephone number is: 607-936-3713
–
New York Times Bestseller lists are shared via blog post on Sundays. And the next NYT blog post will be posted on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
–
THE BESTSELLERS
FICTION
1. JAMES by Percival Everett: A reimagining of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” shines a different light on Mark Twain’s classic, revealing new facets of the character of Jim.
2. FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros: Violet Sorrengail is urged by the commanding general, who also is her mother, to become a candidate for the elite dragon riders.
3. THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah: In 1965, a nursing student follows her brother to serve during the Vietnam War and returns to a divided America.
4. WICKED by Gregory Maguire: A misunderstood girl named Elphaba is declared a witch; the basis of the musical and the film.
5. THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden: Troubles surface when a woman looking to make a fresh start takes a job in the home of the Winchesters.
6. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas: After killing a wolf in the woods, Feyre is taken from her home and placed inside the world of the Fae.
7. THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore: When a 13-year-old girl disappears from an Adirondack summer camp in 1975, secrets kept by the Van Laar family emerge.
8. WIND AND TRUTH by Brandon Sanderson: The fifth book in the Stormlight Archive series. The fate of the Cosmere is imperiled as the fighting and chaos reach an apex.
9. IT STARTS WITH US by Colleen Hoover: In the sequel to “It Ends With Us,” Lily deals with her jealous ex-husband as she reconnects with her first boyfriend.
10. IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover: A battered wife raised in a violent home attempts to halt the cycle of abuse; the basis of the film.
11. IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros: The second book in the Empyrean series. Violet Sorrengail’s next round of training under the new vice commandant might require her to betray the man she loves.
12. VERITY by Colleen Hoover: Lowen Ashleigh is hired by the husband of an injured writer to complete her popular series and uncovers a horrifying truth.
13. QUICKSILVER by Callie Hart: Saeris is transported to a dangerous land of ice and snow, where she must contend with a Fae warrior who has suspect agendas.
14. THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon: In Maine, 1789, a midwife seeks to uncover the true cause of the death of a man discovered entombed in the Kennebec River.
15. COUNTING MIRACLES by Nicholas Sparks: A man in search of the father he never knew encounters a single mom and rumors circulate of the nearby appearance of a white deer.
–
NON-FICTION
1. THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES by Amy Tan: Essays and drawings by the author of “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Bonesetter’s Daughter,” which depict a search for peace through birding.
2. CHER: THE MEMOIR, PART ONE by Cher: In the first part of her memoir, the multiple award-winning pop culture icon traces her childhood and forays into the world of entertainment.
3. FRAMED by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey: Our criminal justice system viewed through the struggles of 10 wrongfully convicted people to achieve exoneration.
4. BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS by Ina Garten: A memoir by the cookbook author and Food Network host known as the Barefoot Contessa.
5. MELANIA by Melania Trump: The former and future first lady describes her work as a fashion model, marriage to Donald Trump and time in the White House.
6. THE SERVICEBERRY by Robin Wall Kimmerer: The author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” illuminates how the gift economy in the natural world works and draws lessons for our economy; with illustrations by John Burgoyne.
7. REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell: Through a series of stories, Gladwell explicates the causes of various kinds of epidemics.
8. THE ANXIOUS GENERATION by Jonathan Haidt: A co-author of “The Coddling of the American Mind” looks at the mental health impacts that a phone-based life has on children.
9. THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY by Sharon McMahon: A former high school government and law teacher profiles lesser-known Americans who made an impact.
10. GREENLIGHTS by Matthew McConaughey: The Academy Award-winning actor shares snippets from the diaries he kept over the last 35 years.
11. THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE by Bessel van der Kolk: How trauma affects the body and mind, and innovative treatments for recovery.
12. FROM HERE TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough: Presley’s memoir, completed by her daughter, explores her relationships and challenges.
13. CONFRONTING THE PRESIDENTS by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard: The conservative commentator evaluates the legacies of American presidents.
14. THE DEMON OF UNREST by Erik Larson: The author of “The Splendid and the Vile” portrays the months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the beginning of the Civil War.
15. NEXUS by Yuval Noah Harari: The author of “Sapiens” delves into how societies and political systems have used information and gives a warning about artificial intelligence.
–
Have a great day!
Linda
–
THE CATALOGS:
Catalog 1: StarCat
StarCat is the catalog of physical materials including print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc. StarCat is available to all patrons of all public libraries in the Southern Tier Library System*
Starcat can be found online at: https://starcat.stls.org/
–
Catalog 2: The Digital Catalog
The Digital Catalog (and its companion app Libby) offers all Southern Tier Library System member library patrons access to eBooks, eAudiobooks & eMagazines via a lending model known in Library-ese as “one copy/one user;” that library speak means that eBooks & eAudiobooks found in The Digital Catalog/Libby are like print books found on library shelves, only one patron can check out a copy of a title at a time.
Exception: Magazines found in the digital catalog are available via a different lending model known as simultaneous access. And that fancy library speak means that magazines are available for all patrons to check out at the same time, i.e. if you and all your family and friends wish to read the latest digital edition of Newsweek, all of you can check out the e version of the magazine and read it at the same time.
The Digital Catalog/Libby checkout limit is 5 titles a time.
The Digital Catalog is found online at: https://stls.overdrive.com/
–
Catalog 3: Hoopla
The Hoopla Digital Catalog (and its companion app, also called Hoopla) offers Southeast Steuben County Library patrons access to a second digital catalog with an on-demand lending model. In library speak, this lending model, like The Digital Catalog/Libby’s magazine lending model, is known as “simultaneous access.” The difference is, the Hoopla catalog offers access to more formats: eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, digital albums, TV shows & movies – and all items, in all those formats, are available for patrons to checkout immediately. The Hoopla check out limit is ten titles per month.
Hoopla Formats: All Hoopla content can be accessed on a computer or mobile device, and TV shows and movies can be accessed on computers, mobile devices, smart TVs and media streaming players, i.e. Roku or Apple TV.
The Hoopla Catalog is found online at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/
–
*The Southern Tier Library System includes the public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler & Allegheny counties.
All titles can be requested/checked out through the library.
If you’d like to go the traditional route to request a title on this list and drop by the library, or give us a call – please do!
Our telephone number is: 607-936-3713
–
New York Times Bestseller lists are shared via blog post on Sundays.
And due to the library being closed for the Thanksgiving holiday and rug cleaning from Thursday, November 28 – Saturday, November 30, the next NYT blog post will be posted on Sunday, December 8, 2024
–
THE BESTSELLERS
FICTION
1. WICKED by Gregory Maguire: A misunderstood girl named Elphaba is declared a witch; the basis of the musical and the film.
2. THE HOUSE OF CROSS by James Patterson: The 33rd book in the Alex Cross series. Three candidates to the Supreme Court are violently attacked.
3. FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros: Violet Sorrengail is urged by the commanding general, who also is her mother, to become a candidate for the elite dragon riders.
4. THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah: In 1965, a nursing student follows her brother to serve during the Vietnam War and returns to a divided America.
5. JAMES by Percival Everett: A reimagining of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” shines a different light on Mark Twain’s classic, revealing new facets of the character of Jim.
6. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas: After killing a wolf in the woods, Feyre is taken from her home and placed inside the world of the Fae.
7. NOW OR NEVER by Janet Evanovich: The 31st book in the Stephanie Plum series. Caught between two fiancés and not knowing what to do, Plum gets back to business as a bounty hunter.
8. THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden: Troubles surface when a woman looking to make a fresh start takes a job in the home of the Winchesters.
9. TO DIE FOR by David Baldacci: The third book in the 6:20 Man series. Devine digs into the deaths of an orphan’s parents and uncovers a large conspiracy.
10. COUNTING MIRACLES by Nicholas Sparks: A man in search of the father he never knew encounters a single mom and rumors circulate of the nearby appearance of a white deer.
11. VERITY by Colleen Hoover: Lowen Ashleigh is hired by the husband of an injured writer to complete her popular series and uncovers a horrifying truth.
12. THE MIRROR by Nora Roberts: The second book in the Lost Bride series. In a haunted mansion, Sonya receives a vision of a bride murdered on her wedding day.
13. THE BOYFRIEND by Freida McFadden: A series of recent deaths causes Sydney Shaw to become suspicious of the handsome doctor she started dating.
14. THE PERFECT MARRIAGE by Jeneva Rose: A criminal defense attorney vows to defend her husband after he is accused of murdering his mistress.
15. IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros: The second book in the Empyrean series. Violet Sorrengail’s next round of training under the new vice commandant might require her to betray the man she loves.
–
NON-FICTION
1. CHER: THE MEMOIR, PART ONE by Cher: In the first part of her memoir, the multiple award-winning pop culture icon traces her childhood and forays into the world of entertainment.
2. FRAMED by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey: Our criminal justice system viewed through the struggles of 10 wrongfully convicted people to achieve exoneration.
3. MELANIA by Melania Trump: The former and future first lady describes her work as a fashion model, marriage to Donald Trump and time in the White House.
4. THE SERVICEBERRY by Robin Wall Kimmerer: The author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” illuminates how the gift economy in the natural world works and draws lessons for our economy; with illustrations by John Burgoyne.
5. BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS by Ina Garten: A memoir by the cookbook author and Food Network host known as the Barefoot Contessa.
6. THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES by Amy Tan: Essays and drawings by the author of “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Bonesetter’s Daughter,” which depict a search for peace through birding.
7. CONFRONTING THE PRESIDENTS by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard: The conservative commentator evaluates the legacies of American presidents.
8. REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell: Through a series of stories, Gladwell explicates the causes of various kinds of epidemics.
9. THE DEMON OF UNREST by Erik Larson: The author of “The Splendid and the Vile” portrays the months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the beginning of the Civil War.
10. FROM HERE TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough: Presley’s memoir, completed by her daughter, explores her relationships and challenges.
11. THE ANXIOUS GENERATION by Jonathan Haidt: A co-author of “The Coddling of the American Mind” looks at the mental health impacts that a phone-based life has on children.
12. ON TYRANNY by Timothy Snyder: Twenty lessons from the 20th century about the course of tyranny.
13. OUTLIVE by Peter Attia with Bill Gifford: A look at recent scientific research on aging and longevity.
14. THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE by Bessel van der Kolk: How trauma affects the body and mind, and innovative treatments for recovery.
15. HILLBILLY ELEGY by JD Vance: The vice president-elect, in a memoir written shortly after graduating from Yale Law School, looks at the struggles of the white working class through the story of his own childhood.
–
Have a great Sunday!
Linda
–
THE CATALOGS:
Catalog 1: StarCat
StarCat is the catalog of physical materials including print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc. StarCat is available to all patrons of all public libraries in the Southern Tier Library System*
Starcat can be found online at: https://starcat.stls.org/
–
Catalog 2: The Digital Catalog
The Digital Catalog (and its companion app Libby) offers all Southern Tier Library System member library patrons access to eBooks, eAudiobooks & eMagazines via a lending model known in Library-ese as “one copy/one user;” that library speak means that eBooks & eAudiobooks found in The Digital Catalog/Libby are like print books found on library shelves, only one patron can check out a copy of a title at a time.
Exception: Magazines found in the digital catalog are available via a different lending model known as simultaneous access. And that fancy library speak means that magazines are available for all patrons to check out at the same time, i.e. if you and all your family and friends wish to read the latest digital edition of Newsweek, all of you can check out the e version of the magazine and read it at the same time.
The Digital Catalog/Libby checkout limit is 5 titles a time.
The Digital Catalog is found online at: https://stls.overdrive.com/
–
Catalog 3: Hoopla
The Hoopla Digital Catalog (and its companion app, also called Hoopla) offers Southeast Steuben County Library patrons access to a second digital catalog with an on-demand lending model. In library speak, this lending model, like The Digital Catalog/Libby’s magazine lending model, is known as “simultaneous access.” The difference is, the Hoopla catalog offers access to more formats: eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, digital albums, TV shows & movies – and all items, in all those formats, are available for patrons to checkout immediately. The Hoopla check out limit is ten titles per month.
Hoopla Formats: All Hoopla content can be accessed on a computer or mobile device, and TV shows and movies can be accessed on computers, mobile devices, smart TVs and media streaming players, i.e. Roku or Apple TV.
The Hoopla Catalog is found online at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/
–
*The Southern Tier Library System includes the public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler & Allegheny counties.
Hi everyone, welcome to our Suggested Listening posting for this week!
Suggested Listening postings are published on Fridays; and our next Suggested Listening posting will be posted on Friday, December 13, 2024.
–
And here are our recommended songs of the week!
–
Cold Weather Blues by Muddy Waters
From The Album: Folk Singer (1964)
–
The Dark Night of The Soul by Loreena McKennitt
From The Album: The Mask And Mirror Live (2024)
–
The Frost Is All Over by The Chieftains
From The Album: Voice Of Ages (2012)
–
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
From The Album: Highway 61’ Revisited (1965)
–
Kisses From The Falling Snow by David Arkenstone
From The Album: Winterlude (2023)
–
Like The Weather by 10,000 Maniacs
From The Album: In My Tribe (1987)
–
Shoot The Moon by Norah Jones
From The Album: Come Away With Me (2002)
–
Snowfall by Claude Thornhill
From The Album: Snowfall (2002)
–
Skating In Central Park by Modern Jazz Quartet
From The Album: The Complete Last Concert (1974)
–
Snowy Morning Blues by James P. Johnson
From The Album: Snowy Morning Blues (1991)
–
Sometimes In Winter by Blood, Sweat & Tears
From The Album: Blood, Sweat & Tears (1968)
–
Winter Lady by Leonard Cohen
From The Album: Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)
–
Winter Moon by Stan Getz
From The Album: Stan Getz With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida (1963)
–
Winter Song by Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles
From The Album: Snowfall EP (2017)
–
Hoopla Album of the Week:
The Winter Winds (2009) by P. E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble
And from the album:
The Winter Winds
–
Have a great weekend,
Linda Reimer, SSCL
–
Online Catalog Links:
StarCat
The catalog of physical materials, i.e. print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD, etc.
–
The Digital Catalog, web version of Libby
The catalog of e-books, downloadable audiobooks and a handful of streaming videos.
–
The Libby App
Libby is the companion app to the Digital Catalog and may be found in the Apple & Google app.
–
Hoopla
A catalog of instant check out items, including eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, comic books, TV shows and movies for patrons of the Southeast Steuben County Library.
–
Tech Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.
All titles can be requested/checked out through the library.
If you’d like to go the traditional route to request a title on this list and drop by the library, or give us a call – please do!
Our telephone number is: 607-936-3713
–
New York Times Bestseller lists are shared via blog post on Sundays. And the next NYT blog post will be posted on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
THE BESTSELLERS
FICTION
1. THE GREY WOLF by Louise Penny: The 19th book in the Chief Inspector Gamache series. Shifting alliances complicate the frenzied pursuit of a sinister threat.
2. IN TOO DEEP by Lee Child and Andrew Child: The 29th book in the Jack Reacher series. Reacher wakes up in a precarious position with no memory of how he got there.
3. THE BOYFRIEND by Freida McFadden: A series of recent deaths causes Sydney Shaw to become suspicious of the handsome doctor she started dating.
4. THE WAITING by Michael Connelly: The sixth book in the Ballard and Bosch series. Bosch’s daughter, Maddie, becomes a new volunteer on the cold case unit.
5. FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros: Violet Sorrengail is urged by the commanding general, who also is her mother, to become a candidate for the elite dragon riders.
6. THRONE OF SECRETS by Kerri Maniscalco: The second book in the Prince of Sin series. As danger grows, the Prince of Gluttony and a journalist turn to each other.
7. THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah: In 1965, a nursing student follows her brother to serve during the Vietnam War and returns to a divided America.
8. THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden: Troubles surface when a woman looking to make a fresh start takes a job in the home of the Winchesters.
9. THE BLUE HOUR by Paula Hawkins: After a discovery is made in a London art gallery, a woman living alone on an island that once was the home of a famous artist gets a visitor.
10. COUNTING MIRACLES by Nicholas Sparks: A man in search of the father he never knew encounters a single mom and rumors circulate of the nearby appearance of a white deer.
11. IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros: The second book in the Empyrean series. Violet Sorrengail’s next round of training might require her to betray the man she loves.
12. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas: After killing a wolf in the woods, Feyre is taken from her home and placed inside the world of the Fae.
13. THE STRIKER by Ana Huang: A former prima ballerina gets close to a controversial and well-known footballer whom she must train over the summer.
14. THE HOUSEMAID’S SECRET by Freida McFadden: The second book in the Housemaid series. The sound of crying and the appearance of blood portend misdeeds.
15. LIGHTS OUT by Navessa Allen: As Aly and Josh live out their dark fantasies, someone with sinister intentions impinges on them.
–
NON-FICTION
1. MELANIA by Melania Trump: The former first lady describes her work as a fashion model, marriage to Donald Trump and time in the White House.
2. FRAMED by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey: Our criminal justice system viewed through the struggles of 10 wrongfully convicted people to achieve exoneration.
3. WAR by Bob Woodward: The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist looks at our contentious time through battles in Ukraine and the Middle East and for the American presidency.
4. BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS by Ina Garten: A memoir by the cookbook author and Food Network host known as the Barefoot Contessa.
5. REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell: Through a series of stories, Gladwell explicates the causes of various kinds of epidemics.
6. FROM HERE TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough: Presley’s memoir, completed by her daughter, explores her relationships and challenges.
7. THE MESSAGE by Ta-Nehisi Coates: The author of “Between the World and Me” travels to three locations to uncover the dissonance between the realities on the ground and the narratives shaped about them.
8. THE ANXIOUS GENERATION by Jonathan Haidt: A co-author of “The Coddling of the American Mind” looks at the mental health impacts that a phone-based life has on children.
9. CONFRONTING THE PRESIDENTS by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard: The conservative commentator evaluates the legacies of American presidents.
10. PATRIOT by Alexei Navalny: A posthumously published memoir by the late Russian political opposition leader and political prisoner who began writing this after his near-fatal poisoning in 2020.
11. BROTHERS by Alex Van Halen: The drummer of the iconic rock band Van Halen shares stories about his partnership in life and music with his late brother Edward.
12. HILLBILLY ELEGY by J.D. Vance: The Yale Law School graduate and 2024 Republican vice presidential nominee looks at the struggles of the white working class through the story of his own childhood.
13. AMERICAN HEROES by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann with Tim Malloy: A collection of stories of soldiers who served in conflicts overseas.
14. THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE by Bessel van der Kolk: How trauma affects the body and mind, and innovative treatments for recovery.
15. NEXUS by Yuval Noah Harari: The author of “Sapiens” delves into how societies and political systems have used information and gives a warning about artificial intelligence.
–
Have a great Sunday!
Linda
–
THE CATALOGS:
Catalog 1: StarCat
StarCat is the catalog of physical materials including print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc. StarCat is available to all patrons of all public libraries in the Southern Tier Library System*
Starcat can be found online at: https://starcat.stls.org/
–
Catalog 2: The Digital Catalog
The Digital Catalog (and its companion app Libby) offers all Southern Tier Library System member library patrons access to eBooks, eAudiobooks & eMagazines via a lending model known in Library-ese as “one copy/one user;” that library speak means that eBooks & eAudiobooks found in The Digital Catalog/Libby are like print books found on library shelves, only one patron can check out a copy of a title at a time.
Exception: Magazines found in the digital catalog are available via a different lending model known as simultaneous access. And that fancy library speak means that magazines are available for all patrons to check out at the same time, i.e. if you and all your family and friends wish to read the latest digital edition of Newsweek, all of you can check out the e version of the magazine and read it at the same time.
The Digital Catalog/Libby checkout limit is 5 titles a time.
The Digital Catalog is found online at: https://stls.overdrive.com/
–
Catalog 3: Hoopla
The Hoopla Digital Catalog (and its companion app, also called Hoopla) offers Southeast Steuben County Library patrons access to a second digital catalog with an on-demand lending model. In library speak, this lending model, like The Digital Catalog/Libby’s magazine lending model, is known as “simultaneous access.” The difference is, the Hoopla catalog offers access to more formats: eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, digital albums, TV shows & movies – and all items, in all those formats, are available for patrons to checkout immediately. The Hoopla check out limit is ten titles per month.
Hoopla Formats: All Hoopla content can be accessed on a computer or mobile device, and TV shows and movies can be accessed on computers, mobile devices, smart TVs and media streaming players, i.e. Roku or Apple TV.
The Hoopla Catalog is found online at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/
–
*The Southern Tier Library System includes the public libraries in Steuben, Chemung, Yates, Schuyler & Allegheny counties.
Hi everyone, just a quick FYI email. A new library service is available today through Libby/The Digital Catalog to help you make sense of what news, found online, is factual and what stories are likely to be made-up, instead of credible news stories.
This new service is called Ground News and it offers you the tools to:
Compare 50,000 news sources in one convenient place
Get media bias and factuality ratings for news outlets
See how news stories are covered across the political spectrum
Balance your news diet with the My News Bias dashboard
And it is available in: English, Spanish, French
If you use the Libby app to check out library eBooks, eAudiobooks and magazines, you’ll see Ground News listed as a new offering when you open the app, if you’re using a smartphone, it should look like this:
And you just tap on the Ground News icon to access it.
–
And if you use The Digital Catalog (that’s the web browser accessed version of Libby); just click on the following link*:
https://stls.overdrive.com/extras/ground-news
The Ground News services looks like this via a web browser:
–
Have a great day everyone & as always, if you have questions about library materials or services, please ask the staff – we love questions in Library Land!
Linda
–
* The Digital Catalog is found online at https://stls.overdrive.com/ and it should shortly have the new Ground News services prominently displayed on the home page; which it does not at the moment – thus my sharing the direct link to Ground News.
Hi everyone, as it is the holiday season and everyone is so busy, this suggested listening posting will cover two weeks, from this Friday 12/20 through next 12/27, and will feature holiday music. The first Suggested Listening posting of 2020 will be up on Friday, January 3.
Also, in the next few days I’ll be putting out a Un-Holiday suggested listening posting for those that don’t celebrate the holidays, and those who might be just the tiniest bit tired of hearing Christmas music!
Getting back to this posting, this week I’m going highlight one holiday podcast and albums and playlists from the Freegal Music Service which, for now, is available for free to all library card holders of all Southern Tier Library System member libraries including ours!
The Freegal Music Service allows you to stream and download music and has been very popular with a small group of patrons. However, the eBooks and downloadable audiobooks available through OverDrive & Libby are much, much more popular so Freegl will be discontinued late in the spring of 2020 – so listen for free while you can!
And just a reminder, you can play Freegal music on a PC or Mac and also, via the Freegal Music app, on your smartphone or tablet.
And to access any of the recommended music titles simply click or tap on the album or playlist photo.
–
The Recommended Podcast:
The podcast I’m recommending is Richard Taylor’s Roots Rock Radio 2019 Christmas Special Edition podcast.
I’ll admit I love roots rock, AKA traditional rock or classic rock!
And if you like roots rock music too – then this is the podcast for you!
You can access the free podcast, which features new roots rock music from around the country, and comes out several times a year, by going to the Richard Taylor’s Roots Rock Radio website located at https://rrradio.com/ or, by subscribing to the podcast through the podcast app on your smartphone or tablet.
The link for the Christmas podcast is right on the RR Radio homepage and, again, the website address for the podcast is:
And once Richard Taylor has finished his introduction you get to listen to two hours of commercial free, new indie roots rock music!
I haven’t listened to all the songs yet but the songs I’ve listen to so far are full of humorous cheer!
The songs include All I Want For Christmas Is A Carburetor and Down In Christmas Prison (where you wind up if you are naughty instead of nice!)
And on to the Freegal Streamable Music!
Classical & Traditional Holiday Albums & Playlists:
Classical Christmas by Various Artists
Traditional Christmas music by the Rias Chamber Chorus & Rias Sinfonietta & Virtuosi Saxoniae
–
Classical Christmas by Festive Harp
Festive Harp plays thirty Christmas favorites including Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, Silver Bells, Oh, Christmas Tree and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
–
English Folk Carols by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band,Sneak’s Noyse
English folk carols including the songs The Sans Day Carol, Oh, Christmas Now Is Drawing Near at Hand, Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child, English Dance & The Boar’s Head.
–
Country Holiday Albums & Playlists:
Brad Paisley Christmas by Brad Paisley
Brad sings Winter Wonderland, Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Penguin, James Penguin and other holiday favorites.
–
Christmas 16 Biggest Hits by Various Artists
Christmas classics by classic country artists including Gene Autry, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson.
–
Country Christmas Playlist
A 78 song Christmas playlist by country artists old and new including Patty Loveless, Alabama, Sara Evans, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Chet Atkins & Kenny Chesney.
–
Jazz, Swing Holiday & World Music Albums & Playlists:
The Classic Big Band Christmas Album Various Artists
A terrific collection by Christmas music by vintage big band artists including Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, Eddy Duchin, Isham Jones, Sammy Kaye & Woody Herman
–
Ella At Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald
Ella sings songs of holiday cheer with grace and gusto! Songs include: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? and Good Morning Blues.
–
Christmas With Louis Armstrong & Friends by Louis Armstrong & Various Artists
The various artists in this World War II era collection include Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, The Andrew Sisters, Perry Como, Vera Lynn, Judy Garland, Glenn Miller, Les Brown & Lena Horne.
–
A Jazzy Wonderland Various Artists
This 14 song Christmas set features modern jazz artists including Harry Connick Jr., Nancy Wilson, Grover Washington, Marlon Jordan, Wynton Marsalis & Keith Whalum.
–
Solstice Live by Paul Winter Consort
Timely songs from the PWC include Fanfare, Tomorrow Is My Dancing Day, Fog On The Hill, Shaman and Buena Nueva.
–
Pop, Rock & R&B Rock Holiday Albums & Playlists:
Christmas a Go-Go by Various Artists
The eclectic collection of songs features classic rock artists and a few comedians! Artists/comedians include Soupy Sales, Joe Pesci, The Ramones, The Kinks, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Rufus Thomas & The Electric Prunes.
–
Classic Christmas, Vol. 2 by Various Artist
This album features the type of easy listening music I heard at my grandparents house when I was a kid. I wasn’t fond of it then – but boy is it relaxing now! Artists include Frankie Laine, 101 Strings, June Christy, Stan Kenton, Dana Serenaders, Lionel Hampton & Mel Blanc.
–
The Classic Christmas Album by Elvis Presley
This “classic” Christmas album features music from Elvis’s Classic Christmas album and two duets, which were made in recent years, I’ll Be Home For Christmas with Carrie Underwood & Blue Christmas with Martina McBride.
–
A Christmas Gift for You (1963) by Phil Spector & Various Artists
Phil Spector’s early Wall of Sound artists Darlene Love, The Ronettes, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans & The Crystals offer a cozy collection of early sixties pop-Christmas music.
–
Christmas Goes Gospel: ‘Tis the Season by Various Artists
A Gospel collection featuring Hezekiah Walker, CeCe Winans, Vicki Winans, Jonathan Butler, The Temptations and Take 6.
–
Christmas Jazz & Blues by Various Artists
This blues and jazz collection features Lightnin’ Hopkins, The Swing Cats, Ray Charles, Oscar McLollie, Freddy King, Bib John Greer, Ronnie Aldrich and Otis Redding.
–
Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano
Everyone has heard the title track from this album, Feliz Navidad, and indeed it has become a perennial classic in the years since its 1970 release. And here, for your enjoyment is the entire album!
–
The Glory of Christmas by 101 Strings
Classic instrumental Christmas music by the masters of 1950s and 1960s easy listening music.
–
The Golden Age of Light Music: Christmas Celebrations by Various Artists
Christmas music by Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra, Percy Faith & His Orchestra, The Melachrino Orchestra, Angela Morley & Her Orchestra, The Boston Pops and Mantovani & His Orchestra.
–
Jermaine Dupri Presents Twelve Soulful Nights Of Christmas by Various Artists
Featuring Kenny Lattimore, Xscape, K-Ci & JoJo, Alicia Keys, Voices of Soul, Chaka Khan & Faith Evans.
–
Kwanzaa by Various Artists
Artists include Miriam Makeba, Nathan Mdledle, Mahalia Jackson, Teddy Greaves, Paul Robeson & Bob Marley.
–
The Magic Of Hanukkah by The Magic Of Hanukkah band
Songs in the collection include The Latke Song, Candle Blessings (Chanukah Blessings), My Dreidel (I Have A Little Dreidel), Al HaNisim & Hanerot Halalu.
–
Rock This Christmas by The John Lindberg Trio
A collection of roots rock Christmas music including the songs A Good Thing Coming, Rudolph, Christmas Honeymoon, I Want Your Love For Christmas and Stuck With The Sleigh.
–
Videos Of The Week:
Christmas Oratorio, Sinfornia In G Major by Virtuosi Saxoniae
–
Sonata Natalis In C Major by Virtuosi Saxoniae
–
Christmas Carols by Kings College Cambridge
–
The Christmas Song by Festive Harp
–
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Festive Harp
–
Oh, Christmas Now Is Drawing Near At Hand / We’ve Been Awhile a-Wandering / The Waits by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band,Sneak’s Noyse
–
On Christmas Night by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band, Sneak’s Noyse
–
Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday by Brad Paisley
–
Winter Wonderland by Brad Paisley
–
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry
–
Santa Claus is Coming To Town by Merle Haggard
–
Bells Are Ringing by Mary Chapin Carpenter
–
Winter Weather by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra with Peggy Lee
–
Let It Snow by Woody Herman & His Orchestra
–
Highland Heaven by The Paul Winter Consort
–
Tomorrow Is My Dancing Day by The Paul Winter Consort
–
Christmas Songs by Ella Fitzgerald
–
Christmas In New Orleans by Louis Armstrong
–
White Christmas by Bing Crosby
–
Blue Christmas by Grover Washington Jr.
–
Winter Wonderland by Wynton Marsalis
–
Santa Drives A Hot Rod by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
–
Santa Claus Is Surfin’ To Town by Soupy Sales
–
We Wish You A Merry Christmas by 101 Strings
–
Merry Christmas Baby by Elvis
–
Blue Christmas by Elvis
–
Frosty the Snowman by The Ronettes
–
Here Comes Santa Claus by Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans
–
Doo Wop Christmas by Kem
–
Carol Of The Bells by Mary Mary
–
Deck The Halls by The Mexicali Brass
–
Christmas Tears by Freddie King
–
A Five Pound Box Of Money by Pearl Bailey
–
Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
–
Jingle Bells by Jose Feliciano
–
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by 101 Strings
–
The Twelve Days Of Christmas by 101 Strings
–
We Three Kings by Percy Faith & His Orchestra
–
Good King Wenceslas by George Melachrino & His Orchestra
–
In Love at Christmas by K-Ci & JoJo
–
The Little Drummer Girl by Alicia Keys
–
Afro Blue by Cal Tjader
–
Swahili Song by Teddy Greaves
–
The Latke Song by The Magic of Hannukkah
–
S’veevone (S’vivon, Sov Sov Sov) by The Magic of Hanukkah
–
Christmas Honeymoon by The John Lindberg Trio
–
A Good Thing Coming by The John Lindberg Trio
–
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
–
The Joys of Christmas by Chris Rea
–
Twisted Christmas by The Bob Rivers Comedy Troup
–
Ten Hours Of Crackling Logs (Fireplace w no music)
–
Instrumental Christmas Music with Fireplace 24/7
–
Yulesville by Edward “Kookie” Burns
–
Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney & Wings
–
Have a great weekend & holiday season!
Linda Reimer, SSCL
–
REFERENCES:
Print References
The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn
Online References
Africa Speaks Review written by Thom Jurek, AllMusic, https://www.allmusic.com/album/africa-speaks-mw0003268513
AllMusic: https://www.allmusic.com/
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.
ABOUT LIBRARY APPS: Libby & RBDigital:
You can access digital library content on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. For mobile devices simply download the Libby and/or the RBDigital app, to check out eBooks, downloadable audiobooks and on-demand magazines, from your app store to get started. If you have questions call the library at 607-936-3713 and one of our tech coaches will be happy to assist you.
Tech Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.
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.
Tech & Book Talk at SSCL 