Monday, June 11, 2012

NEW ARRIVALS - JUNE 2012

ADULT FICTION

 "Are You My Mother? A Comic Drama" by Alison Bechdel - "a thrilling tale of filial sleuthery, about her mother: voracious reader, music lover, passionate amateur actor. Also a woman, unhappily married to a closeted gay man, whose artistic aspirations simmered under the surface of Bechdel's childhood . . . and who stopped touching or kissing her daughter good night, forever, when she was seven. Poignantly, hilariously, Bechdel embarks on a quest for answers concerning the mother-daughter gulf." -- Amazon.com

"The Beginner's Goodbye" by  Anne Tyler - "A beautiful, subtle exploration of loss and recovery, pierced throughout with Anne Tyler's humor, wisdom, and always penetrating look at human foibles." -- inside front cover

"Bring Up the Bodies: A Novel " by Hilary Mantel - "The sequel to Hilary Mantel's international bestseller and Man Booker Prize winner Wolf Hall explores one of the most mystifying and frightening episodes in English history: the downfall of Anne Boleyn."-- inside front cover

"Calico Joe" by John Grisham -"A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball." -- inside front cover

"A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 5)" by George Martin - "In the aftermath of a colossal battle, Daenerys Targaryen rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way east—with new allies who may not be the ragtag band they seem. And in the frozen north, Jon Snow confronts creatures from beyond the Wall of ice and stone, and powerful foes from within the Night’s Watch. In a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics lead a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, to the greatest dance of all." -- Amazon.com

"Fifty Shades of Grey" by E. L. James - "Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever." -- back cover

"Home" by Toni Morrison -"A deeply moving novel about an apparently defeated man finding his manhood - and his home." -- inside front cover

"Kill Shot" by Vince Flynn -"In Flynn's newest page-turner, the stakes are higher than they've ever been as Mitch Rapp embarks on the journey that will turn him into America's most deadly asset. The nonstop action in this shockingly realistic political thriller will keep your pulse pounding till the very end." -- inside back cover

"Sacre Bleu: A Comedy of Art" by Christopher Moore -"A delectable confection of intrigue, passion, and art history -- with cancan girls, baguettes, and fine French cognac thrown in for good measure -- Sacre Bleu is another masterpiece of wit and wonder from the one, the only, Christopher Moore." -- inside front cover

"Submission" by Amy Waldman - "In this deeply humane novel, the breadth of Amy Waldman’s cast of characters is matched by her startling ability to conjure their perspectives. A striking portrait of a fractured city striving to make itself whole, The Submission is a piercing and resonant novel by an important new talent." -- Amazon.com

MYSTERY

"11th Hour" by James Patterson -"11th Hour is the most shocking, most emotional, and most thrilling Women's Murder Club novel ever." -- inside front cover

"Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch" by Nancy Atherton - "Along with the previous entries in this charming series, this cozy book is just the thing when looking for a gentle read. The world seems a gentler place while reading Atherton." -- Deadly Pleasures

"Deadlocked: Stookie Stackhouse No. 5" by Charlaine Harris -"Mixes humorous southern-fried fantasy with biting satirical commentary." -- Publisher's Weekly

"Elegy for Eddie" by Jacqueline Winspear -"With an affecting story line and graceful prose, Winspear has again created a powerful and complex novel, one that will linger in memory as a testament to her talent and humanity" -- Jay Stafford, Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Guilty Wives" by James Patterson and David Ellis -"In the morning's harsh light, Abbie awakens on a yacht, surrounded by police. Something awful has happened--something impossible, unthinkable. Abbie, Winnie, Serena, and Bryah are arrested and accused of the foulest crime imaginable. And now the vacation of a lifetime becomes the fight of a lifetime--for survival. GUILTY WIVES is the ultimate indulgence, the kind of nonstop joy-ride of excess, friendship, betrayal, and danger that only James Patterson can create." -- inside front cover

"The Innocent" by David Baldacci - "America has enemies--ruthless people that the police, the FBI, even the military can't stop. That's when the U.S. government calls on Will Robie, a stone cold hitman who never questions orders and always nails his target.
But Will Robie may have just made the first--and last--mistake of his career . . ." -- inside front cover

"The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection" by Alexander McCall Smith -"In this latest episode in the beloved, best-selling series, the kindest and best detective in Botswana faces a tricky situation when her personal and professional lives become entangled." -- inside front cover

"The Wind through the Keyhole" by Stephen King - "The Wind Through the Willows is sure to facsinate avid fans of the Dark Tower epic. But this novel also stands on its own for all readers, and enchanting and haunting journey to Roland's world and testimony to the power of Stephen King's storytelling magic." -- inside front cover

ADULT NON-FICTION

"Back to the Land: The Enduring Dream of Self-Sufficiency in Modern America" by Dona Brown -"What a splendid account of a movement that's usually caricatured. It taught me a lot about the state of Vermont, but also about the political and committed history of back-to-the-landers across American history. Forget your stereotype of the rugged individualist: this story turns out to be a lot more interesting than that!" -- Bill McKibbens, author of Eaarth" Making a Life on a Tough New Planet

"Bringing up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting" by Pamela Druckerman -"I couldn't put Bringing up Bebe down! It's smart, funny and fascinating, insightful, provocative, and genuinely eye-opening. I love Pamela Druckerman's honesty, rueful humor, and her premise that parents of all cultures should be able to learn from one another." -- Amy Chua, Yale Law Professor and author of Battle Hymn of the Republic

"Damn Good Advice (For People With Talent!): How to Unleash Your Creative Potential" by George Lois -"a look into the mind of one of America's most legendary creative thinkers, George Lois. Offering indispensable lessons, practical advice, facts, anecdotes and inspiration, this book is a timeless creative bible for all those looking to succeed in life, business and creativity. These are key lessons derived from the incomparable life of 'Master Communicator' George Lois, the original Mad Man of Madison Avenue.

Organised into inspirational, bite-sized pointers, each page offers fresh insight into the sources of success, from identifying your heroes to identifying yourself. The ideas, images and illustrations presented in this book are fresh, witty and in-your-face. Whether it's communicating your point in nanosecond, creating an explosive portfolio or making your presence felt, no one is better placed than George Lois to teach you the process of creativity."-- Amazon.com

"Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power" by Rachel Maddow -"Drift never makes the case war might be necessary. America would be weakened dramatically if we had underreacted to 9/11. However, Rachel Maddow makes valid arguments that our country has been drifting toward questionable wars, draining our resources, without sufficient input and time. People who like Rachel will love the book. People who don't will get angry, but aggressive debate is good for America. Drift is a book worth reading." -- Roger Ailes, chairman and CEO, FOX News

"Northeast Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow and Eat the Best Edibles for Northeast Gardens (Fruit & Vegetable Gardening Guides)" by Charlie Nardozzi - "The variety of terrains, soils, and circumstances where you can garden in the Northeast is remarkable. From the rocky crags of coastal Maine to the mountains of the Adirondacks, the Northeast has a varied topography that makes gardening exciting, sometimes challenging, but also very rewarding. Whether you’re an urban gardener in Boston or cultivating your garden in the wide-open spaces of Vermont, you’ll be sure to find Northeast Fruit & Vegetable Gardening an invaluable resource. It’s the next best thing to having a master gardener as your neighbor.
So let’s get growing in the Northeast! Northeast Fruit & Vegetable Gardening tells you everything you need to know to be successful.

"Where the River Rose: Stories of a Vermont Town's Flood Recovery and Rebirth" edited by David Goodman -"On August 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont with unprecedented fury. Around the state, some 3,500 homes suffered damage, and more than 1400 households were displaced either temporarily or permanently.

Waterbury, population 5,000, took one of the hardest blows of any town in Vermont... When the River Rose tells the inspiring story of how Waterbury confronted disaster and found hope amid the ruins. The stories included in this collection are emblematic of the strength, resilience and generosity that Vermonters have shown in response to this calamity. At times poignant, funny, and uplifting, the people of Waterbury tell in their own words how neighbors helped neighbors to recover - together." -- Amazon.com

BIOGRAPHY

"Cronkite" by David Brinkley - "Walter Cronkite exemplified the glorious age of trusted journalism, and rightfully so. In this deeply researched and brilliantly analytic biography, Douglas Brinkley captures Cronkite's essence. He treats him not as an icon but as a real human with passions, loves and occasional enmities. It's a fascinating and valuable tale." -- Walter Isaacson

"The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson" by Robert Caro -"Combining the best techniques of investigative reporting with majestic storytelling ability, Caro has created a vivid, revelatory institutional history...he seems to have perfectly captured and understood Johnson's capacity for greatness." -- Jill Abramson, New York Times

"Philip Hoff: How Red Turned Blue in the Green Mountain State" by Samuel Hand - "This is the story of one of the most exciting and important periods in Vermont history, and of the man most responsible for shaping it." -- inside front cover

AUDIO 

"Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly
"Misty of Chincoteaque" by Marguerite Henry

DVD's

Adult

"Albert Nobbs"
"The Devil Inside"
"Gasland"
"The Grey"
"One for the Money"
"Red Tails"
"This Means War"
"True Blood: The Complete 4th Season"
"The Vow"

 Juvenile

"Dr. Seuss - The Lorax"

MUSIC

"Songs for Japan"

JUVENILE FICTION

"Bluefish" by Pat Schmatz - "With a cast of utterly believable characters, Pat Schmatz has crafted a story rich in moments of trust and connection, told with humor, heartbreak, and fearless honesty." -- inside front cover

"The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale"  by Carmen Deedy - "Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his hard life dodging fishwives brooms and carriage wheels and trade his damp alley for the warmth of the Cheshire Cheese Inn. When he learns that the innkeeper is looking for a new mouser, Skilley comes up with an audacious scheme to install himself in the famous tavern. Once established in the inn, Skilley strikes a bargain with Pip, the intelligent mouse-resident, and his fellow mice. Skilley protects the mice and the mice in turn give to Skilley the delectable Cheshire cheese of the inn. Thus begins a most unlikely alliance and friendship. The cat and mouse design a plan to restore Maldwyn wounded raven and faithful guard in the service of Queen Victoria to his rightful place in The Tower, but first they must contend with a tyrannical cook, a mouse-despising barmaid, and an evil tomcat named Pinch. Will the famous author suffering from serious writer s block who visits the Cheshire Cheese pub each day be able to help?" -- Amazon.com


"The Flint Heart" by Katherine Paterson -"This luminous fantasy...is a tale that promises to capture the hearts of readers with an enchantment all its own." -- inside front cover

"The Great Wall of Lucy Wu" by Wendy Wan Long Shang -"Wendy Wan-LongShang's debut novel is a heartwarming and hilarious lesson in the way life often reveals silver linings in the most unexpected clouds." -- inside front cover

"The Missing Piece" by Shel Silverstein -"What it (the missing piece) finds on its search for the missing piece is simply and touchingly told in this fable that gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment." -- Amazon.com

"The Silver Bowl" by Diane Stanley -"Unwanted at home, Molly goes to work for the king of Westria as a humble scullery maid. She arrives at the castle with no education, no manners, and a very disturbing secret: She sees visions, and those visions always come true.

One day, while she's working in the king's great hall, young Prince Alaric passes by. Molly finds him unbearably handsome—but also unbearably rude. But what does it really matter? She'll probably never see him again.

In time Molly is promoted to polishing silver and is given a priceless royal treasure to work on: the king's great ceremonial hand basin. But there's something odd about it. The silver warms to her touch, a voice commands her to watch and listen, and then the visions appear. They tell the story of a dreaded curse that has stalked the royal family for years. There have already been deaths; soon there will be more.

As tragedy after tragedy strikes the royal family, Molly can't help but wonder: Will the beautiful Alaric be next? Together with her friends Tobias and Winifred, Molly must protect the prince and destroy the curse. Could a less likely champion be found to save the kingdom of Westria?" -- inside front cover


"When Life Gives You OJ" by Erica Perl - "This is an utterly beguiling book...featuring an engaging almost-eleven-year-old who is looking for a dog to call her own and and annoying/endearing grandpa who has a really weird idea about how she might get one. It is also a richly featured examination of the complexities of young friendships and of a three-generation family's abiding love." -- Judith Viorst

JUVENILE NON-FICTION

"Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart" by Candace Fleming - " In alternating chapters, Candace Fleming masterfully moves between Amelia's life -- as a child, a woman, and a flier -- and the search for her missing plane. ...With stunning photographs, maps of Amelia's route, and handwritten documents throughout, the story of Amelia Earhart's disappearance feels every bit as dramatic and real as it did back in 1937." -- inside front cover

"Drawing from Memory" by Allen  Say -"Part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history, Drawing from Memory presents a complex look at the real-life relationship between a mentor and his student. It is a book that will inspire the artist in all of us."--inside front cover

"In the Sea" by David Elliott - "The briny deep is home to an enormous variety of fascinating creatures, from the dainty sea horse to the fearsome shark, from the spiny sea urchin to the majestic blue whale. In striking woodcut illustrations, diverse creatures glide through blue and green waters, while succinct, witty poetry examines their behavior and interactions. In this companion volume to On the Farm and In the Wild, David Elliott and Holly Meade explore the depths of the ocean in a collection of poems sure to thrill budding oceanographers and landlubbers alike." -- Amazon.com

"Maid of the North: Feminist Folk Tales from Around the World" by Ethel Johnston Phelps - "Ethel Johnston Phelps sought out these 21 folk and fairy tales featuring women as heroic, clever figures rather than the usual rolls of docile maiden in distress or villainous ogre causing distress. They are delightful tales from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including Scandinavian, American Indian, Japanese, Celtic, East Indian, and Russian." -- American Library Association, Booklist

BOARD BOOKS

"Dear Zoo: A Lift the Flap Book" by Rod Campbell
"Mealtime" by Elizabeth Verdick 

PICTURE BOOKS

"And There is Spring" by Julie Fogliano
"Another Brother" by Matthew Cordell 
"Baby Bear Sees Blue" by Ashley Wolff 
"Bailey" by Harry Bliss 
"Bus Called Heaven" by Bob Graham 
"Chirchir is Singing" by Kelly Cunnane 
"Chloe" by Peter McCarty
"Duckling Gets a Cookie" by Mo Willems 
"Eloise" by Kay Thompson
"Eloise in Paris" by Kay Thompson 
"Extra Yarn" by Mac Barnett
"Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" by Sherry Duskey Rinker
"Green" by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
"Into the Outdoors" by Jan Thomas
"Is Everyone Ready for Fun?" by Jan Thomas
"Ladybug Girl and Bingo" by David Soman
"Making a Friend" by Alison McGhee
"Mouse & Lion" by Rand Burkett
"Nothing Like a Puffin" by Sue Soltis
"One Cool Friend" by Toni Buzzeo
"Princess of Borscht" by Leda Schubert
"Red Sled" by Lita Judge
"Arthur's Eyes" by Marc Brown

YOUNG ADULT

"Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness - Award-winning author Patrick Ness creates an astonishingly powerful and breathtakingly exciting novel in which a boy on the brink of manhood must run from everything he knows -- and in which the road to adulthood has never been more dangerous."-- inside front cover

"Revolution" by Jennifer Donnelly - "After her little brother's murder and her mother's subsequent breakdown, high- school-senior Andi feels like a ghost. She is furious at her father...when he arranges for Andi to join him in Paris: ... In France though, Andi, a passionate musician, discovers a diary written during the French Revolution by a young woman with whom Andi develops an increasing fascination. Donnelly links past and present with distracting contrivances--culminating in time travel--that work against the novel's great strengths. But the ambitious story...will wholly capture patient readers with its sharply articulated, raw emotions and insights into science and art; ambition and love; history's ever-present influence; and music's immediate, astonishing power: 'It gets inside of you . . . and changes the beat of your heart.' Gillian Engberg. 496pg. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2010.