HCPL Happenings: February 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

New books we ordered February 24th

DVDs, Books on CD, and Music CD's ordered Feb. 24th

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
Belly
Incendiary
Jack and the beanstalk: the real story
Mr. 3000
The widow of Saint-Pierre
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Raise your voice
Spectacular!
Twitches too
When in Rome

Books on CD
Where the god of love hangs out by Bloom, Amy
A brief history of Montmaray by Cooper, Michelle
Whiplash by Coulter, Catherine
I still dream about you by Flagg, Fannie
Lowcountry summer by Frank, Dorothea Benton
Bloodroot by Greene, Amy
Blood ties by Hooper, Kay
Veil of night by Howard, Linda
I'd know you anywhere by Lippman, Laura
Painted ladies by Parker, Robert
Drive by Pink, Daniel
Wife of the gods by Quartey, Kwei
Hot rocks by Roberts, Nora

Music CDs
Joshua Bell: At home with friends
Jackie Ryan: Doozy
Flippen, Benton & The Smokey Valley Boys: An evening At WPAQ, 1984
Sheppard: Media Vita
Joe Locke: Mutual admiration society
Avril Lavigne: The best damn thing
Shania Twain
Shania Twain: Up!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Voice comparison now on Mango Languages

Mango Languages is excited to announce that they launched their new voice comparison feature on February 1.

Voice comparison helps you improve your speaking skills when learning a new language. It's completely integrated within each Mango Basic Lesson (currently not in the Complete version). All you need is a microphone and a passion for perfectly proper pronunciation!

This is how it works: after you complete a lesson slide, the voice compare button will appear. You can then record your voice and play it back to hear yourself speak. In addition, you can align a visual representation of your recording with the native speaker's version for comparison. You may adjust your pronunciation until it lines up with the native speaker - you'll be speaking like a native in no time!

Get started learning a new language now! A valid library card is required.

Friday, February 19, 2010

New books we ordered February 17th

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The dictionary of failed relationships : 26 tales of love gone wrong
Everyday food : fresh flavor fast : 250 easy, delicious recipes for any time of day
A secret affair by Balogh, Mary
Dangerously funny : the uncensored story of the Smothers Brothers comedy hour by Bianculli, David
Iconoclast : Abraham Flexner and a life in learning by Bonner, Thomas Neville
The clockwork angel by Clare, Cassandra
Roger Maris : baseball's reluctant hero by Clavin, Thomas
The language of life : DNA and the revolution in personalized medicine by Collins, Francis
The scorch trials by Dashner, James
IBS cookbook for dummies by Dean, Carolyn
The dark Divine by Despain, Bree
Frame-up : a novel by Dobbyn, John
The book of Murdock by Estleman, Loren
Between the bridge and the river by Ferguson, Craig
Letting go : a little bit at a time by Finley, Guy
Incarceron by Fisher, Catherine
The dogs of Rome : a Commissario Blume novel by Fitzgerald, Conor
John Milton : a hero for our time by Hawkes, David
A king is born by Hernandez, Treasure
Back in the hood by Hernandez, Treasure
River of mercy by Hoff, B. J.
I'm still standing : from captive U.S. soldier to free citizen--my journey home by Johnson, Shoshana
Surviving your doctors : why the medical system is dangerous to your health and how to get through it alive by Klein, Richard
The girl who played with fire (LT) by Larsson, Stieg
A thousand cuts by Lelic, Simon
Plain Jayne by Lodge, Hillary
Down where my love lives by Martin, Charles
The mountain between us by Martin, Charles
Roses (LT) by Meacham, Leila
The information officer : a novel by Mills, Mark
What I talk about when I talk about running : a memoir by Murakami, Haruki
Demon hunts by Murphy, C. E.
Hands of flame by Murphy, C. E.
Heart of stone by Murphy, C. E.
House of cards by Murphy, C. E.
Victim six by Olsen, Gregg
The last train from Hiroshima : the survivors look back by Pellegrino, Charles
Unmerited favor : your supernatural advantage for a successful life by Prince, Joseph
A secret identity by Roper, Gayle
A stranger's wish by Roper, Gayle
Making toast : a family story by Rosenblatt, Roger
A malignant house by Sampson, Fay
Katy's debate by Sawyer, Kim
Katy's new world by Sawyer, Kim
Bones of Faerie by Simner, Janni
Mercy killing by Solomita, Stephen
Water : the epic struggle for wealth, power, and civilization by Solomon, Steven
Perfume : the story of a murderer by Süskind, Patrick
The man who counted : a collection of mathematical adventures by Tahan, Malba
The hopeless romantic's handbook : a novel by Townley, Gemma
The wife by Undset, Sigrid
Voices of dragons by Vaughn, Carrie

DVDs, Books on CD, and Music CD's ordered Feb. 17th

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
Biker boyz
The bravos
Buffalo soldiers
Conagher
The covenant
He said, she said
Identity theft
Lone rider
an of the west
Ned Kelly
Once upon a time in the West
Quick and the dead
The quiet Earth
The shadow riders
Spaceballs
St. Valentine's Day massacre
These thousand hills
Tom Horn
Wagon master
Bite the bullet
Deadly companions
It's complicated
The last outlaw
Leap year
The long ride home
Mandingo
Once upon a Texas train
Sally Hemings
Sitting Bull
Through The Shadowlands
US Marshal
West of the Pecos
Where the red fern grows
Winchester '73
The young Victoria
Silverado
Capitalism: a love story

Books on CD
Last light over Carolina by Monroe, Mary Alice

Music CDs
Uncle Kracker: Happy hour
Jack Elliot: A stranger here
The best of Sade
Pretty Ricky

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Extract More Yield from Your Savings

Investing tip of the month from Morningstar Investment Research Center by Rachel Haig.

If you're looking for somewhere to stash your cash for a relatively short period, you are probably familiar with the traditional vehicles: savings accounts, money market accounts, money market funds, and certificates of deposit. These vehicles have all been around for some time and have made their way into the general personal finance lexicon.

These are fairly straightforward and stable investments, so it makes sense that there is little in the way of new reflections on these different vehicles. However, like most investments, your short-term savings options look a bit different now than they did before the economy began its nosedive in the fall of 2008.

For one, it's much harder to find an attractive interest rate. Now, investors are lucky to eke out gains of over 1% from these investments--hard to swallow not simply because many investors were accustomed to returns over 3%, but also because these minuscule returns may find it increasingly difficult to keep pace with future inflation.

Second, one of the most-favored options in recent years now looks much riskier: the money market fund. Morningstar's Director of Fixed Income Research, Eric Jacobson, says the future of money market funds is uncertain after 2008 when an established fund famously "broke the buck" (its NAV fell below $1 per share).

Savings Account

This is your typical bank account.

Positives: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures bank deposits. Through Dec. 31, 2013, the FDIC temporarily guarantees higher amounts, up to $250,000 per depositor. After that date, the FDIC will insure its standard amount of $100,000 per depositor for all account categories except IRAs and other certain retirement accounts, which will remain at $250,000 per depositor. Savings accounts also have flexible withdrawal and check-writing privileges.

Negatives: This account is probably only paying you pennies.

Money Market Account

This is a savings account that pays money market rates. The yield will fluctuate depending on the direction of interest rates.

Positives: Money Market accounts offer higher rates than regular savings accounts, and they are still FDIC-insured.

Negatives: Rates are now only a fraction of what they once were. While you are still likely to do better here than in a traditional savings account, you shouldn't expect much in the way of extra cash. Initial deposits for these accounts are often high, starting at $5,000 or $10,000, especially for the accounts with higher interest rates. However, in recent years many institutions have lowered their initial deposit requirements, some to as low as $500, and a few do not have a minimum requirement at all. Money market accounts also restrict the number of checks you can write and withdrawals and transfers you can complete each month, making these accounts less liquid than regular savings accounts.

Money Market Fund

A money market fund is a mutual fund that invests primarily in low-risk, short-term investments such as Treasury bills, government securities, certificates of deposit, and other highly liquid, safe securities. Money market funds try to maintain a net asset value of $1 per share. Like money market accounts, money market funds' yields will fluctuate depending on the direction of interest rates.

Positives: Money market funds tend to offer higher rates of return than savings accounts and money market accounts and are typically considered very safe.

Negatives: Unlike money market accounts and savings accounts, money market funds are not FDIC-insured. Rates for money market funds, like those for money market accounts, have significantly shrunk recently. Additionally, money market funds are increasingly under scrutiny for presenting more risk than investors acknowledge since the Reserve Primary Money Market fund, one of the U.S.' oldest and largest money market funds, "broke the buck" in September 2008. Morningstar's Director of Personal Finance, Christine Benz, says such turmoil is unlikely to become widespread in money market funds, but investors should be aware that it is possible to lose money. Benz advises investors, "Your best bet is to stick with low-cost money market funds that don't need to stretch for yield from large, reputable shops that have the resources to fulfill their promise."

Certificates of Deposit

Commonly referred to as CDs, these represent a fixed-income debt security, usually issued by chartered banks. The minimum deposit is usually $1,000, and the maturity terms can vary from short-term to several years. Usually longer terms correspond with higher interest rates.

Positives: CDs frequently have higher interest rates than money market accounts and savings accounts, and they are FDIC insured. Furthermore, the rate is fixed, so you know the return you will receive ahead of time.

Negatives: The drawback is that CDs are by far the least liquid option. Once you deposit your money, it is locked in for the duration, and you will pay penalties if you withdraw it early. If you can imagine needing your money before the term of the CD, this is not the option for you. Benz also warns of another risk: "If you go the CD route, be mindful of the fact that many carry 'automatic renewal' features, meaning that your money will get rolled over into a new CD once the first CD matures. If your CD has such a feature and you're not paying attention, you could lock up money that you might need to get your hands on."

We don't blame you if you think none of these looks particularly appealing. Beyond giving up and accepting lackluster returns, your option is to consider upping your risk level to get some higher yields.

Alternatives If You're Thinking about Moving up the Risk Ladder

Short-Term Treasury and Government Funds

Treasury funds are the next step up from money market funds. These funds have very little risk, and accordingly, yields are still pretty low. This category was one of the few bright spots last year, but it has a year-to-date gain of only 3.0%.

Our Analyst Pick in the category is Vanguard Short-Term Federal (VSGBX). Its 0.21% expense ratio is low enough that management's close-to-the-vest strategy of leaning on government mortgage-backed securities and agency debt has produced topnotch long-term returns, with less risk than the competition.

Short-Term Bond and Muni Funds

If you want to go up another notch, look to short-term bond and municipal funds. Short-term bond portfolios invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade U.S. fixed-income issues and have durations from 1 to 3.5 years. Muni national short portfolios invest in bonds issued by various state and local governments. The income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes. These portfolios have durations of less than 4.5 years. Short-term bond and municipal funds offer similar risk/reward profiles (munis could be slightly riskier)--the main difference is the tax treatment.

These funds are fairly safe in the grand scheme of investment vehicles, but it is possible to lose money here. Over half the short-term bond category and 25% of the short-term national muni category lost money last year. The funds that stuck to plain-vanilla styles generally made out well. Most of these funds are now back in the black for the year to date.

We would advise staying away from ultrashort bond funds. Some blew up badly last year, and while we think most managers have learned their lesson, these funds have shown themselves to be overly risky. Long-term bond funds are also a less appealing option because their long durations make them more interest-rate sensitive than their short-term counterparts.

Short-Term Bond Fund Picks:

T. Rowe Price Short Term Bond PRWBX

After many short-term offerings were thrown way off kilter in 2008, this fund's dependability has become hard to ignore. The secret to the fund's success is simple: Manager Ted Wiese avoids the market's more-esoteric bonds and derivatives, keeps the fund well-diversified across individual sectors and issuers, and makes sure that the fund is compensated for the risks that it takes. Although the fund may take on more corporate credit risk than some rivals at times, Wiese's (and the firm's) shareholder-oriented mindset makes the chance of a nasty surprise infinitesimal. This fund is easy to own and easy to recommend.

Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index VBISX

This fund is designed to track the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year Government/Corporate Index, sticking to a mix of mostly government bonds and some investment-grade corporates. It doesn't carry much credit risk, boasts a solid long-term record, and charges an ultralow price tag. But here's a note of caution for the near term: While the fund's large Treasury stake gave it a boost in 2008's panic-stricken climate, that won't work in the fund's favor if Treasury rates start to climb off current lows. Over the long haul, though, this fund is solid.

Short-Term National muni Fund Picks:

Fidelity Short-Intermediate Municipal Income FSTFX

This fund benefits from Fidelity's deep municipal research capabilities and a relatively low price tag. We also like that the fund doesn't take on a lot of risk, as shareholders here expect a smooth ride. And manager Mark Sommer, who has been at the helm for more than five years, delivers just that.

T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate PRFSX

This fund is a solid all-around offering and has delivered steady results over the long term. Management takes few risks here, sticking mainly to high-quality bonds and avoiding large interest-rate bets. The fund's restrained approach, combined with its below-average expense ratio and solid returns, makes this a solid pick for conservative muni investors.

As always, there is a trade-off: if you seek higher returns, you will have to take on more risk. Benz emphasizes, "If an investment is offering a substantially higher yield than a money market account, fund, or CD, you can be sure it's taking on a good deal more risk, too."

Which Option Is Right for You?

The key is determining how much risk you can take on, and how important it is for you to be able to access your savings quickly. For emergency funds and other money that you will want immediate access to and do not want to risk losing, money market accounts and funds remain your top options. If you want to slightly up your yield and can handle not being able to access your money for a set period, consider a CD. For higher yields (and if your time horizon is a year or more), think about short-term government, bond, and muni funds. Finally, for all of these investments, it is important to consider fees when you are comparing yields to make sure you are really getting the best deal.

Morningstar Investment Research Center is great tool for new and veteran investors. It's chock full of unbiased analyst reports, tools for evaluating your portfolio, and lessons on how to invest. The best part is that it's free to all valid library cardholders! Begin now or learn more.

Friday, February 12, 2010

DVDs, Books on CD, and Music CD's ordered Feb. 10th

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
The letter
A letter to three wives
Tommy
Bedtime for Bonzo
Deep cover
DVD encyclopedia of gardening
DVD encyclopedia of roses
Firestarter
Man in the wilderness
More than a game
No greater love
Paulie
Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-doo
Alvin and the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk valentine
Escape from the tower
Join the adventurer's club
Barbie in a mermaid tale
Barbie presents Thumbelina
The garbage pail kids
Labyrinth
Last American virgin
Ponyo
Robot repairman
Scooby-doo! Pirates ahoy!

Books on CD
Bradley by Axelrod, Alan
Patton by Axelrod, Alan
Cro-magnon by Fagan, Brian
Fall of giants by Follett, Ken
MacArthur by Frank, Richard
The wolf in the parlor by Franklin, Jon
The battle for the Rhine by Neillands, Robin
The lightning thief by Riordan, Rick
The seduction of the crimson rose by Willig, Lauren
The temptation of the night jasmine by Willig, Lauren

Music CDs
Skillet: Awake
Third Day: Chronology
Brandon Heath: Don't get comfortable
Josh Turner: Haywire
Switchfoot: Hello hurricane
Kutless: It is well
Boys Like Girls: Love drunk
Needtobreathe: The outsiders
Chris Tomlin: See the morning

Thursday, February 11, 2010

New books we ordered February 10th

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult and Children. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Rodale's ultimate encyclopedia of organic gardening : the indispensable green resource for every gardener
Voodoo histories : the role of the conspiracy theory in shaping modern history by Aaronovitch, David
The African trilogy : things fall apart, no longer at ease, and arrow of God by Achebe, Chinua
Paganini's ghost by Adam, Paul
The culprit & the cure : why lifestyle is the culprit behind America's poor health and how transforming that lifestyle can be the cure by Aldana, Steven
After the ice : life, death, and geopolitics in the new Arctic by Anderson, Alun
Freefall by Anhalt, Ariela
Succulent container gardens : design eye-catching displays with 350 easy-care plants by Baldwin, Debra Extracurricular activities by Barbieri, Maggie
The fires of Vesuvius : Pompeii lost and found by Beard, Mary
Alice I have been : a novel by Benjamin, Melanie
Imagination in place : essays by Berry, Wendell
The postmistress by Blake, Sarah
The book of fires by Borodale, Jane
Discover the power within you : a guide to the unexplored depths within by Butterworth, Eric
Avalon High by Cabot, Meg
Hunter's moon / Hunter's Moon by Cabot, Meg
A long bright future : an action plan for a lifetime of happiness, health, and financial security by Carstensen, Laura
Lead me on by Dahl, Victoria
When things get dark : a Mongolian winter's tale by Davis, Matthew
Eyes like leaves by De Lint, Charles
Ice cream for freaks : a novel by DeJon
Fire underground : the ongoing tragedy of the Centralia mine fire by DeKok, David
Tempted by trouble by Dickey, Eric
How to ruin your boyfriend's reputation by Elkeles, Simone
On thin ice : the changing world of the polar bear by Ellis, Richard
Web of lies by Estep, Jennifer
Spider's bite : an elemental assassin book by Estep, Jennifer
Alone : a Valentino mystery by Estleman, Loren
Cro-Magnon : how the Ice Age gave birth to the first modern humans by Fagan, Brian
The ticking is the bomb : a memoir by Flynn, Nick
The cobra by Forsyth, Frederick
Crossfire by Francis, Dick
To hell on a fast horse : Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the epic chase to justice in the Old West by Gardner, Mark
Sacrifice by Gardner, TL
King of spades : a novel by Gayle, Kiniesha
The mindful path to self-compassion : freeing yourself from destructive thoughts and emotions by Germer, Christopher
The inheritors by Golding, William
Hourglass by Gray, Claudia
Jane's fame : how Jane Austen conquered the world by Harman, Claire
The next best thing by Higgins, Kristan
The red thread : a novel by Hood, Ann
Paul and me : fifty-three years of adventures and misadventures with my pal Paul Newman by Hotchner, A.
Veil of night by Howard, Linda
Freaks and revelations : a novel by Hurwin, Davida
Heaven by Johnson, Angela
The first part last by Johnson, Angela
Sweet, hereafter by Johnson, Angela
Captivate by Jones, Carrie
Small wars : a novel by Jones, Sadie
Village of the ghost bears : a novel by Jones, Stan
The seven levels of intimacy : the art of loving and the joy of being loved by Kelly, Matthew
The love dare, day by day : a year of devotions for couples by Kendrick, Stephen
The Templar salvation by Khoury, Raymond
Know the words of Jesus in 30 days by Lang, J. Stephen
The Churchills : a family portrait by Lee, Celia
The world is mine by LeFlore, Lyah
Have a new husband by Friday : how to change his attitude, behavior & communication in 5 days by Leman, Kevin
Happy : a memoir by Lemon, Alex
I'd know you anywhere by Lippman, Laura
1022 Evergreen Place by Macomber, Debbie
Radiant shadows by Marr, Melissa
One last wish by McDaniel, Lurlene
The Tudors : the complete story of England's most notorious dynasty by Meyer, G. J.
Still life : adventures in taxidermy by Milgrom, Melissa
Moon awakening by Monroe, Lucy
Moon craving : a children of the Moon novel by Monroe, Lucy
Mister Monday by Nix, Garth
Lord Sunday by Nix, Garth
Sir Thursday by Nix, Garth
Grim Tuesday by Nix, Garth
Lady Friday by Nix, Garth
Drowned Wednesday by Nix, Garth
Superior Saturday by Nix, Garth
The perennial care manual : a plant-by-plant guide, what to do & when to do it by Ondra, Nancy
How to teach physics to your dog by Orzel, Chad
Painted ladies by Parker, Robert
Faces of the gone by Parks, Brad
A Christmas odyssey by Perry, Anne
Yalta : the price of peace by Plokhy, Serhii
Indulgence in death by Robb, J. D.
Nemesis by Roth, Philip
Paul among the people : reinterpreting and reimagining the Apostle in his own time by Ruden, Sarah
Bad blood by Sandford, John
Staying true by Sanford, Jenny.
How to find a job on LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social networks by Schepp, Brad
The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook : a guide to healing, recovery, and growth by Schiraldi, Glenn
Hope in the age of anxiety by Scioli, Anthony
Little Vampire by Sfar, Joann
Mark Twain : man in white : the grand adventure of his final years by Shelden, Michael
Shadow Souls by Smith, L. J.
The anarchist : a novel by Smolens, John
After ever after by Sonnenblick, Jordan
Legacy (LT) by Steel, Danielle
Lament : the faerie queen's deception by Stiefvater, Maggie
Ballad : a gathering of faerie by Stiefvater, Maggie
Angels on assignment by Stone, Perry
Breaking the Jewish code by Stone, Perry
Nightmare along Pennslyvania Avenue by Stone, Perry
Hardwiring excellence : purpose worthwhile work making a difference by Studer, Quint
Eat that frog! : 21 great ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time by Tracy, Brian
Devious : an It Girl novel by Von Ziegesar, Cecily
Letters from the land of cancer by Wangerin, Walter
Strange days indeed : the 1970s: the golden days of paranoia by Wheen, Francis
Résumé magic : trade secrets of a professional résumé writer by Whitcomb, Susan
A disastrous history of the world : chronicles of war, earthquakes, plague, and flood by Withington, John
Knock 'em dead : the ultimate job search guide by Yate, Martin

Books for Children (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The inside story by Buckley, Michael
This plane by Collicutt, Paul
The second Mrs. Giaconda by Konigsburg, E. L.
The 39 clues #8 by Korman, Gordon
Marley steals the show by Le Ny, Jeanine
Simon Bloom, the gravity keeper by Reisman, Michael
Simon Bloom, the octopus effect by Reisman, Michael
The red pyramid by Riordan, Rick
Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro by Stilton, Geronimo
Thea Stilton and the ghost of the shipwreck by Stilton, Thea
Beyond the heather hills by Wiley, Melissa

Friday, February 05, 2010

DVDs, Books on CD, and Music CD's ordered Feb. 3rd

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
Adam
Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
The keeper
Local color
Charro!
In the loop
Precious
Sherlock Holmes
Sudden impact
Zombieland
Whip it

Books on CD
Secrets of Eden by Bohjalian, Christopher
The glass rainbow by Burke, James
City of glass by Clare, Cassandra
The rustlers of Pecos County by Grey, Zane
Bold West by Haycox, Ernest
Badger boy by Johnstone, William
Power of the Mountain Man by Johnstone, William
Moonshine madness by Johnstone, William
Preacher's fire by Johnstone, William
Ranger's Trail by Kelton, Elmer
Jericho's Road by Kelton, Elmer
Texas Vendetta by Kelton, Elmer
The way of the coyote by Kelton, Elmer
Take Four by Kingsbury, Karen
More brains than bullets by L'Amour, Louis
Grub line rider by L'Amour, Louis
There's always a trail by L'Amour, Louis
Trail mix by L'Amour, Louis
Return to sender by Michaels, Fern
Savor the moment by Roberts, Nora
Bold West by Short, Luke
An Irish country girl by Taylor, Patrick
An Amish gathering by Wiseman, Beth

Music CDs
Akon: Freedom
The very best of Sheryl Crow

New books we ordered February 3rd

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
More than words
Tales of the Madman Underground : (an historical romance 1973) by Barnes, John
Secrets of Eden (LT) by Bohjalian, Christopher
The bricklayer by Boyd, Noah
Digital SLR cameras & photography for dummies by Busch, David
Ghosts and lightning by Byrne, Trevor
Dating Jesus : a story of fundamentalism, feminism, and the American girl by Campbell, Susan
Twisted desires : a suspenseful murder mystery by Copas, Nelda
One true love (LT) by Copeland, Lori
Weddings can be murder by Craig, Christie
Divorced, desperate and delicious by Craig, Christie
Shut up and kiss me by Craig, Christie
Divorced, desperate, and dating by Craig, Christie
Bringing up girls : practical advice and encouragement for those shaping the next generation of women by Dobson, James
Walk (LT) by Evans, Richard Paul
The wisdom to know the difference : when to make a change-- and when to let go by Flanagan, Eileen
Oh my goddess! 1 by Fujishima, Kosuke
Oh my goddess! 2 by Fujishima, Kosuke
Oh my goddess! 3 by Fujishima, Kosuke
Oh my goddess! by Fujishima, Kosuke
Oh my goddess! 5 by Fujishima, Kosuke
Oh my goddess! 6 by Fujishima, Kosuke
Winterland by Glynn, Alan
Killing edge (LT) by Graham, Heather
Spring's renewal by Gray, Shelley
Until tomorrow by Gunn, Robin
As you wish by Gunn, Robin
Chelsea Chelsea bang bang by Handler, Chelsea
Charles and Emma : the Darwins' leap of faith by Heiligman, Deborah
Dirty white boys by Hunter, Stephen
Oprah : a biography by Kelley, Kitty
Flight from Monticello : Thomas Jefferson at war by Kranish, Michael
The brazen bride (LT) by Laurens, Stephanie
Nauti deceptions by Leigh, Lora
Orchard Valley Grooms : Valerie & Stephanie by Macomber, Debbie
Hannah's list (LT) by Macomber, Debbie
Sacagawea's Nickname : essays on the American West by McMurtry, Larry
Duane's depressed by McMurtry, Larry
Twilight: The Graphic Novel 1 by Meyer, Stephenie
Taming Charlotte by Miller, Linda
Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel : a biography by Morgan, Judith
Keys to the Demon Prison by Mull, Brandon
All of me by Murray, Anne
House rules (LT) by Picoult, Jodi
Never less than a lady (LT) by Putney, Mary Jo
Otto of the Silver Hand by Pyle, Howard
Doors open by Rankin, Ian
Punkzilla by Rapp, Adam
The Dybbuk by Rice, Anne
What Southern women know about faith : kitchen table stories and back porch comfort by Rich, Ronda
The search (LT) by Roberts, Nora
Hot rocks by Roberts, Nora
Storm prey (LT) by Sandford, John
A better country : preparing for heaven by Schaeffer, Daniel
The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks by Skloot, Rebecca
Wake up dead : a thriller by Smith, Roger
Accidental love by Soto, Gary
Saved by angels by Van Natta, Bruce
Falling by Wilhelm, Doug
Amazing Gracie by Woods, Sherryl
The Monstrumologist by Yancey, Richard

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Non-fiction readers - check out NoveList Plus

The Library has increased the depth of its Readers’ Advisory services through NoveList Plus. What’s Readers’ Advisory, you say? Readers’ Advisory is our way of helping you find the next great book to read. NoveList Plus is the place to go to find books in your favorite genre, or to find the next book from your beloved mystery series. Novelist Plus can guide you through almost 300,000 fiction and non-fiction titles. Have you read all the books that your favorite author has written? Are you in need of a new author to read? Do you have a book club and need help with book selection?

Check out what Novelist Plus has to offer…

• Read-alikes - find your favorite authors and those who write like them

• Book Discussion Guides – includes summary, information about the author, and questions (Includes Teens and Kids books)

• Recommended Reading Lists - organized according to genres such as biographies, historical fiction, fantasy, or mysteries (Lists for Teens and Kids as well)

• What We’re Reading - the source for what the experts and critics are reading

NoveList Plus is one-stop shopping to find all the books you want to read. All you need is your library card and password.

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