Christy's blog

Halloween is on the way!  Sink your fangs into these great vampire reads!

Vampire Chick Lit

• Bitten & Smitten by Michelle Rowen
• Undead & Unwed  by MaryJanice Davidson (1st in the Betsy Taylor Vampire Queen Series)
• You Suck, A Love Story by Christopher Moore

Vampire Lit with Mystery & Suspense

• Blood Price by Tanya Huff (1st in the Blood Books series)
• Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (1st in the Southern Vampire Mystery Series- this series is the basis for the new HBO show True Blood).
• Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin (1st in the Jaz Parks series)
• Vampyres of Hollywood by Adrienne Barbeau

Vampire Classics

• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
• Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Don't forget to check out our special Vampire triple feature.  Our Book Discussion group will meet to discuss Dracula by Bram Stoker on Tuesday 8/21.  On Saturday 10/25 we'll be showing Dracula starring Bela Lugosi as the sinisters Count Dracula and Nosferatu, the classic silent vampire film. 

This year marks the 7 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.  Commemorate the anniversary by checking out the following titles:

• Touching History by Lynn Spencer (973.931 SPE)
• Tower Stories: An Oral History of 9/11  by Damon DiMarco  (973.931 DIM)
• 9/11: A Tribute (OVS 973.931 NIN)
• 9/11 Commission Report (973.931 NIN)
• 9/11 Commission Rerport (DVD 973.931 NIN)
• Fahrenheit 9/11 (DVD 973.931 FAH) 
• Inside 9/11 (DVD 973.931 INS)

 After 14 years, Elizabeth Peters has brought back art historian turned sleuth Vicky Bliss for another adventure.  When King Tut's mummy goes missing, Vicki, her retired art thief boyfriend John, and zany boss Schmidt head to Egypt to clear John's name.  If you're a fan of Peters's Amelia Peabody series you'll enjoy Vicky Bliss as well.  While I'm still eagerly awaiting the next Amelia Peabody adventure, Vicky Bliss & friends are keeping me entertained in the meantime.  If you're new to the series, you'll want to read them in this order:

• Borrower of the Night
• Street of Five Moons
• Silhouette in Scarlet
• Trojan Gold
• Night Train to Memphis
• The Laughter of Dead Kings

Slightly gruesome fact: May 19 marks the anniversary of the beheading of Anne Boleyn. In tribute to Anne Boleyn and the court of Henry VIII, check out these titles relating to Tudor England.

Fiction:

• The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory
• The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
• Innocent Traitor by Allison Weir
• The Lady Elizabeth by Allison Weir
• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
• The Secret Bride- In the Court of Henry VIII by Diane Haeger

Non Fiction:

• Anne Boleyn by Norah Lofts (942.052 LOF)
• Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne By David Starkey (942.055 STA)
• Jane Boleyn by Julia Fox (B Boleyn Fox) 
• The Life of Thomas More by Peter Ackroyd (BIOG B More ACK)
• The Sisters of Henry VIII by Maria Perry (942.05 PER)
• The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser (942.052 FRA)

DVD

• The Six Wives of Henry VIII (BBC Documentary series)
• The Tudors (Note: Showtime TV Series- rated R)
• The Other Boleyn Girl (2008 feature film- coming soon!!)

 New to the Library's DVD collection is Deadliest Catch - cable TV's #1 Non Fiction show.  Watch the adventures of  these daring crab fisherman as they battle the frigid Bering Sea and compete against each other in the battle for crab riches.   While the cameradie between the fishermen- especially the competitive captains- is humorous, this interesting TV show gives you an appreciation of the risks that are made to bring Alaskan crab to the masses.

April is National Poetry Month!  Celebrate the art of poetry by reading the works of  poets past & present.  From Shakespeare to Whitman; epic poetry from the classical period to more modern works by Sylvia Plath or Ogden Nash, poetry has something to offer everyone.  For inspiration- check out our books by these great poets:

• Robert Frost- An American poet who received 4 Pulitzer Prizes for his work. 
• Edgar Lee Masters- Author of the poetry book Spoon River Anthology a collection of poems based on life along the Spoon River in Illinois.  
• Carl Sandburg- An Illinois poet who wrote a lot about Chicago.  Sandburg was awarded 2  Pulitzer Prizes during his lifetime.
• Shel Silverstein- This poet's wacky poems make poetry fun not only for kids, but kids at heart.
• Laura Van Prooyen- A local Brookfield poet whose first book of poems Inkblot & Alter was released last year.

 Walden Media, the producers of Bridge to Terabithia & The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe a few The Water Horse, present a wonderful new family film.  The Water Horse tells the story of young Angus McMurrow who discovers what he believes is an egg shaped rock in the shallow waters of Loch Ness.   When a mythical creature hatches from the egg the Angus strives to protect his new water horse at any cost.  This is not only a great family film, but it also captures the beauty of Scotland and offers an explanation for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.

Trying to make sense of the fluctuating American economy?  Check out a book from our financial & ecomonics section.  Concerned about your investments.  From the stock market to mutual funds and real estate, our books by knowledgeable experts can help you get started investing or make sense of the market today.  If you don't see the book you need ask at the Reference Desk.