Bi Monthly Catalog Corner for March April 2004

 

 

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In Brief

Alliance with Mystic Seaport extended

The alliance between Mystic Seaport, Connecticut's famed seventy-four-year-old Museum of America and the Sea, and NLS and its network of cooperating libraries has been extended for a third year. The initiative, which began in January 2002, sought to advance accessibility and expand outreach for museum visitors who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled. Among the key elements in the initiative is the free library pass program available to NLS patrons. The pass entitles two adults and their children or grandchildren under eighteen free admission to Mystic Seaport on the day of the week specified on the pass. The pass is valid year round. NLS patrons in Connecticut should contact the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Rocky Hill, Connecticut; and patrons in Massachusetts should contact the Braille and Talking Book Library in Watertown, Massachusetts, to arrange for their pass. Residents of all other states should contact NLS directly. E-mail <eore@loc.gov>, including your name, address, telephone number, and the date and day of the week you wish to visit the Seaport. You may also request a pass by mail from: Mystic Pass Coordinator, Publications and Media Section, NLS/BPH, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542. Postal service to NLS in Washington is undependable, so write at least six weeks in advance.

Perkins Panda teaches literacy skills

Perkins School for the Blind has announced the upcoming launch of the Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program-a unique compilation of materials that teach fundamental early literacy skills to children who are blind or visually impaired and help parents to become involved in their child's development.

Perkins Panda is the central character in a set of three storybooks in uncontracted braille with high-contrast illustrations and tactile elements. The books are complemented by activity guides and cassettes featuring songs and stories written and performed by children's entertainer Odds Bodkins. A stuffed plush panda-with a backpack for carrying program materials, including a tape player if desired-is one of several available options.

The program has been designed for children from birth to eight years of age and the parents, families, and professionals who care for them; it is also intended for older children with multiple disabilities and for adults with visual impairments to use with sighted children.

The Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program is expected to be available in late April 2004. To learn more, visit the Perkins School web site <www.Perkins.org> and follow the link to "publications." To join the mailing list, place an order, or ask questions, call 800-972-7671 or e-mail <Perkins.Panda@Perkins.org>.

NLS narrators featured on web site

In response to many requests, NLS has created a web site <www.loc.gov/nls/narrators/> where patrons can learn more about narrators of talking books in the NLS program.

Narrators determine individually whether to provide information. So far, several narrators affiliated with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and with the NLS Recording Studio have supplied information, including audio samples of noncopyrighted material. As more narrators provide data, it will be made available.

Books for Adults

Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection.
Cassette books, labeled with the code RC, play at 15/16 ips. To order books, fill out the order form and send it to your cooperating library.
Note: For the information of the reader, a notice may appear immediately following the book description to indicate occurrences of strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent occurrence, as in "some strong language."

Cassettes Nonfiction

The Traveling Woman: Great Tips for Safe and Healthy Trips      RC 53794
by Catherine Comer and Lavon Swaim
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Describes how women can plan, book, pack for, and enjoy business or pleasure trips with efficiency and safety as top priorities. Offers tips on researching a destination, staying healthy while traveling, and planning for any emergency. 2001.

Evolution's Workshop: God and Science on the Galápagos Islands      RC 54422
by Edward J. Larson
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Summer for the Gods (RC 45497) traces the history of Ecuador's islands, from Darwin's visit in 1835 to modern-day ecotourism. Discusses the Galápagos' significance in the scientific theory of evolution, alternative creationist accounts, the environmental protection movement, and the international struggle over on-site research. 2001.

The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living      RC 54552
by Joseph M. Marshall
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Twelve traditional tales and allegories told by Lakota elders to impart tribal wisdom on ethics and character. Each story illustrates a virtue such as humility, respect, sacrifice, and honesty. In "The Story of the Thunders" a jealous first wife tells how foolishness can lead to wisdom. 2001.

One Hundred Thirty Questions Children Ask about War and Terrorists      RC 54751
by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop
read by Don Nelson
1 cassette
Christian authors respond to children's questions prompted by the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Presents Bible-based answers to reassure children and allay their fears while explaining world events. 2002.

Romancing the Folk: Public Memory and American Roots Music      RC 55093
by Benjamin Filene
read by Bill Quinn
3 cassettes
Traces the history of the preservation, collection, and production of American roots music. Describes the pioneering efforts of John Lomax to record the songs of black men in southern prisons in 1933 and the influences of folk music artists such as Lead Belly, Muddy Waters, and Bob Dylan. 2000.

Running with the Giants: What Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know about Life and Leadership RC 55101
by John C. Maxwell
read by Frank Coffee
1 cassette
Presents lessons suitable for the twenty-first century from ten characters of the biblical Old Testament. Includes the stories of Noah, Moses, Rebekah, Abraham, David, and a servant girl to illustrate noble words and actions. Includes discussion guides. 2002.

Hidden Disneyland and Beyond: Including Disney's California Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags California, Knott's Berry Farm, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park RC 55125
by Lisa Oppenheimer
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
A family-oriented vacation guide with itineraries for traditional attractions and recommendations for "hidden" locales, restaurants, and hotels that might be overlooked by visitors. Includes the author's offbeat favorites. 2002.

Letters from My Friend, Teilhard de Chardin, 1948-1955: Including Letters Written during His Final Years in America      RC 55214
by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Correspondence from the French theologian and philosopher to his friend and confidant, Father Pierre Leroy. Written after the publication of Teilhard's major work The Phenomenon of Man (RC 20115), these letters present his vision of human spiritual evolution in its most developed form. 1976.

Kitchen Privileges: A Memoir      RC 55276
by Mary Higgins Clark
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Mystery writer pens her autobiography describing events that led to her successful career. Depicts her love-filled Irish upbringing in the Bronx during the depression, a happy marriage that ended in tragedy, and the 1975 surprise success of her first mystery, Where Are the Children? (RC 38396). Some strong language. 2002.

The New Covenant, Commonly Called the New Testament: The Four Gospels and Apocalypse RC 55320
translated by Willis Barnstone
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
Modern English translation restoring the text to its Judaic origins. The award-winning poet/translator's introduction and afterword explain his intentions and comment on the art of translation, on the politics of Roman anti-Semitism in Jesus' time, and on the book's use of Hebrew names for Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and others. 2002.

Emma's War      RC 55323
by Deborah Scroggins
read by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
Chronicle of Emma McCune, who became involved in the plight of refugees when she made her first trip to Sudan in 1987. Her own story, from British aid worker to Nuer warlord's wife, is interwoven with the history of Sudan's civil war. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

Living with Vision Problems: The Sourcebook for Blindness and Vision Impairment      RC 55327
by Jill Sardegna and others
read by Richard Hauenstein
4 cassettes
Brief discussion of vision problems: causes, prevention, treatment, and coping techniques. Substantial A-to-Z section of concise entries on medical terminology, health and social concerns, adaptive devices, and many other relevant topics. Includes appendixes for further resources. 2002.

Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World      RC 55337
by Margaret MacMillan
read by Bruce Huntey
5 cassettes
Analyzes the failure of the Versailles Peace Conference after World War I. Focuses on the nationalistic goals of American president Woodrow Wilson, French premier Georges Clemenceau, and British prime minister David Lloyd George--the author's great-grandfather--as they reorganized the defeated empires and created the League of Nations. Foreword by Richard Holbrooke. Bestseller 2001.

Rich Dad's Prophecy: Why the Biggest Stock Market Crash in History Is Still Coming...and How You Can Prepare Yourself and Profit from It!      RC 55338
by Robert T. Kiyosaki
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
The author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad (RC 50090) continues his investment advice, aiming at a generation of baby boomers who are just beginning to retire. He warns them not to rely on the government or the stock market for adequate retirement funds. Bestseller 2002.

The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy      RC 55376
by Bryan Magee
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Examines the influence of philosophy on Wagner's operas. Explores Wagner's intellectual and emotional development and how his study of various philosophers, including Kant, Nietzsche, and Schopenhauer, affected his creative activity. 2000.

The Fall of Berlin 1945      RC 55380
by Antony Beevor
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
The author of Stalingrad (RC 53544) uses Allied archives and Soviet files to trace the Red Army's inexorable approach to Berlin through eastern Prussia, starting at Christmas 1944 and culminating with the April 1945 capture of the German capital. Chronicles rape and pillaging by invading troops as they sought revenge. Violence. 2002.

Heroes of History: A Brief History of Civilization from Ancient Times to the Dawn of the Modern Age RC 55383
by Will Durant
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
This abbreviated version of Will Durant's classic The Story of Civilization--an eleven-volume work spanning 110 centuries--examines the societies of ancient China, India, Greece, and Rome. The Renaissance and the Reformation are covered in depth. Jesus, Marcus Aurelius, Francis Bacon, and Shakespeare are among the figures Durant identifies as history's heroes. 2001.

Independent Living for Physically Disabled People      RC 55422
by Nancy M. Crewe and Irving Kenneth Zola
read by Morgan Duncan
3 cassettes
Essays for consumers and rehabilitation professionals in the independent living movement--whose goal is assisting people with disabilities to live as they choose in their communities. Presents history, models, services, technology, and future prospects as well as dilemmas clients face. 1983.

Joy of Cooking Christmas Cookies      RC 55427
by Irma S. Rombauer and others
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Collection of over seventy-five recipes for various types of cookies including bar, drop, rolled, filled, hand shaped, and molded. Also shares recipes for icings and glazes and holiday drinks such as eggnog, hot cocoa, espresso, and mulled cider. 1996.

Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War      RC 55434
by T.J. Stiles
read by Robert Sams
5 cassettes
The life and times of pro-Confederate guerrilla and outlaw Jesse James (1847-1882) in the context of factionally divided Missouri during the Civil War. James joined "Bloody Bill" Anderson's squad of bushwhackers at sixteen and continued his terrorist activities with the Younger brothers during Reconstruction. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex but Were Afraid to Ask      RC 55443
by David Reuben
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Updated edition of the classic text about human sexuality. Physician answers questions regarding anatomy, sexual intercourse, homosexuality, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, menopause, and sex in later life. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Katharine Graham's Washington      RC 55458
edited by Katharine Graham
read by Mitzi Friedlander
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Anthology of articles collected by Washington Post publisher Graham to reflect her "sense of Washington: its flavor, its history . . . its great characters, its great events." Twelve sections, each with an introduction by Graham, cover such areas as social Washington, wartime Washington, president-watching, Washington women, and how Washington works. Bestseller 2002.

The Worldwide Church of the Handicapped and Other Stories      RC 55459
by Marie Sheppard Williams
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Williams, a social worker for twenty-five years, recounts fifteen interrelated incidents that provide an irreverent glimpse into the lives of clients and dedicated coworkers at a rehabilitation center for blind people. Imparts tales of personal intimacies, cruelties of fate, collective crises, and the worlds of "us" and "them." 1996.

A President in the Family: Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings, and Thomas Woodson      RC 55461
by Byron W. Woodson
read by John Polk
3 cassettes
A descendant of Thomas Woodson, oldest son of African American slave Sally Hemings, relates family oral history passed down through generations supporting their claim to lineal descent from Thomas Jefferson. Provides an account of the family's accomplishments and offers documentation to rebut some historians' denials of the Jefferson-Hemings liaison. 2001.

Taking Science to the Moon: Lunar Experiments and the Apollo Program      RC 55465
by Donald A. Beattie
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Insider's view of how NASA staffers banded with scientists to expand the research activities of the moon landing, an unprecedented undertaking. Discusses the behind-the-scenes maneuvering leading to Project Apollo's scientific achievements, which enriched knowledge not only of the Moon but of the planet Earth. 2001.

Walking on Eggs: The Astonishing Discovery of Thousands of Dinosaur Eggs in the Badlands of Patagonia      RC 55467
by Luis M. Chiappe and Lowell Dingus
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Two American paleontologists describe their expeditions to Argentina in 1997 and their discovery of unhatched fossilized dinosaur eggs in a nesting site more than seventy million years old. They reconstruct the sauropods' environment, history, and behavior and discuss scientific riddles surrounding a prehistoric natural catastrophe. 2001.

Up and Running: The Jami Goldman Story      RC 55469
by Jami Goldman and Andrea Cagan
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
A record-setting sprinter and inspirational speaker, Goldman recounts the ordeal that left her a double below-the-knee amputee at nineteen and how she transformed adversity into challenge. Further describes the emotionally devastating trial in her suit against the state of Arizona and the steadfast support of her family, friends, and husband, Beau. 2001.

Mammoth: The Resurrection of an Ice Age Giant      RC 55471
by Richard Stone
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Portrays the daring individuals penetrating Arctic Siberia in search of frozen carcasses of the woolly mammoth. Discusses the scientific goals of procuring DNA, explaining physiological issues, and ultimately attempting to clone this long-extinct creature. Follows two teams, describing their journeys, interactions with the Dolgan people, and work methods. 2001.

Inheriting the Revolution: The First Generation of Americans      RC 55473
by Joyce Appleby
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Historian of early America examines the political, economic, religious, and cultural transformations brought about by the generation born between 1776 and 1800. Describes ordinary citizens' contributions to the creation of a national identity. Assesses the effects of individual aspiration and free enterprise. Explores the divisions engendered by slavery and race issues. 2000.

Martin Luther: An Introduction to His Life and Work      RC 55475
by Bernhard Lohse
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
After a brief biography of the religious reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) in the context of his era, the author examines Luther's writings and his theology. He also discusses the history of the interpretation of Luther. 1980.

Pickled, Potted, and Canned: How the Art and Science of Food Preserving Changed the World RC 55479
by Sue Shephard
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Interweaves a chronicle of the development of preserved, portable food with a discussion of how it enabled people to evolve from hunter-gatherers to become explorers, settlers, and world traders. Uses facts and anecdotes to explain the connection between society's evolution and techniques for drying, smoking, pickling, potting, canning, freezing, and dehydrating. 2000.

Coping with Vision Loss: Maximizing What You Can See and Do      RC 55481
by Bill G. Chapman
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Describes the function of the human eye, major causes of vision loss, coping techniques and equipment, educational aids, and professional sources for assistance when dealing with vision loss. 2001.

Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters      RC 55484
by Robert Gordon
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Life and career of bluesman Muddy Waters (1915-1983) from the Mississippi Delta. First recorded in 1941 by Alan Lomax from the Library of Congress, Waters soon moved to Chicago and began to record for the Chess brothers, creating the electrified blues that revolutionized American music. Foreword by Keith Richards. Some strong language. 2002.

Look Away! A History of the Confederate States of America      RC 55488
by William C. Davis
read by Tom Burch
4 cassettes
A social, political, and economic history of the South during the Civil War based on primary sources. Describes the hardships that accompanied the conflict and the deterioration of law and order. Assesses President Jefferson Davis's difficulties in governing and the transformation of Southern society. Some strong language. 2002.

Halfway Home: My Life 'til Now      RC 55490
by Ronan Tynan
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Autobiography by a member of the Irish Tenors. Born in 1960 with a congenital leg deformity that led to a double amputation while Ronan was in college, he nevertheless became an accomplished horseman, a Paralympic gold medal winner, and a medical doctor before beginning his singing career. 2002.

The Demon in the Freezer: A True Story      RC 55492
by Richard Preston
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Describes in gruesome detail the very real potential of the smallpox virus as a terrorist weapon. Analyzes the 2001 biological anthrax attack in the United States and the near-successful attempt to wipe out smallpox throughout the world. 2002.

James Arness: An Autobiography      RC 55498
by James Arness
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Autobiography of the actor best known for his role in the TV series Gunsmoke. Describes his Minnesota childhood with his brother, actor Peter Graves; his WWII tour of duty, which earned him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star; and his theatrical career. 2001.

Selkirk's Island: The True and Strange Adventures of the Real Robinson Crusoe      RC 55499
by Diana Souhami
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Portrait of the man who inspired Defoe's Robinson Crusoe--Alexander Selkirk, from Fife, in Scotland, who was marooned on an uninhabited island west of Chile in 1704. Describes his four years of solitary survival, his primitive state at rescue, and his subsequent career. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Whitbread/Biography. 2001.

Dialogues and Letters      RC 55500
by Seneca
read by Richard Hauenstein
1 cassette
Selected writings from the work of Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca (ca. 4 B.C.-A.D. 65). Includes his dialogues "On the Shortness of Life" and "On Tranquility of Mind," which state stoic ideals. Translated by Rhodes scholar and classics professor C.D.N. Costa. 1997.

Where Rivers Change Direction      RC 55501
by Mark Spragg
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Spragg recalls his adolescence in a series of vignettes about the family's Wyoming ranch, where he learned about trust, love, self-reliance, and death. In "A Boy's Work," he describes being sent by his father to shoot an injured horse for bear bait when he was fifteen. Some strong language. 1999.

My Losing Season      RC 55514
by Pat Conroy
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Author of The Prince of Tides (RC 25248) describes his basketball team's mediocre season during his senior year at The Citadel in 1966-1967. Despite an antagonistic coach, Conroy loved being a point guard. He recalls his team's many losses, but remembers the bonds formed among his teammates. Strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Hawk: Occupation, Skateboarder      RC 55551
by Tony Hawk
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
Autobiography of a skateboarding champion who retired and later became an announcer for ESPN. Hawk, born in 1968, recalls his youth spent perfecting his skills as his dad started the National Skateboard Association. Reminisces about his feats and particular events. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2000.

Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo      RC 55556
by Hayden Herrera
read by Gabriella Cavallero
4 cassettes
Portrait of the twentieth-century Mexican artist often identified with the surrealists. Discusses the bus accident that brought her chronic pain from age eighteen until her death at forty-seven. Covers her tempestuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera and Explores the relationship between her paintings and her physical and mental anguish. Some strong language. 1983.

Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution      RC 55557
by Francis Fukuyama
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Examination of the potential threat to humanity from developments in the field of genetic science. While discussing the ethical implications for a democratic society, proposes political control of this emerging technology to regulate human experimentation. 2002.

The Essential Gandhi: His Life, Work, and Ideas; an Anthology      RC 55559
edited by Louis Fischer
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Selections from the writings of the Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). Reveals his innermost thoughts about his family and the principles that governed his life. Discusses such topics as civil disobedience, nonviolence, liberty, and the untouchables in India's caste system. 1962.

Soros: The Life and Times of a Messianic Billionaire      RC 55560
by Michael T. Kaufman
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Biography of a twentieth-century financier who thrives on philanthropy. Covers George Soros's European upbringing, his fiscal Midas touch, and his preference for privacy. Discusses his global network of Open Society foundations to influence politics and improve living conditions. Soros did not authorize this biography but cooperated fully with the author. 2002.

Murder in Hollywood      RC 55572
by Gary C. King
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Details the sordid life of con artist Bonny Lee Bakley; the volatile personality of her husband, actor Robert Blake; and the police investigation into her murder. Some violence. 2001.

Hit to Kill: The New Battle over Shielding America from Missile Attack      RC 55586
by Bradley Graham
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Graham chronicles the contentious debate over developing a national missile defense system. Explores the political and technological barriers that have impeded progress. Analyzes the powerbrokers and world events that have influenced the debate, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, the North Korean missile launch, and the ABM Treaty. 2001.

Great Waters: An Atlantic Passage      RC 55587
by Deborah Cramer
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Explores the history and future of the Atlantic Ocean, drawing on observations from a scientific sailing expedition and ten years of oceanographic study. Examines shoreline and deep-sea life to describe one of Earth's last frontiers. Also discusses the environmental damage wreaked by humanity. 2001.

Now You're Cooking for Company: Everything a Beginner Needs to Know to Have People Over RC 55617
by Elaine Corn
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
In this companion to Now You're Cooking (RC 40663), Corn offers step-by-step instructions for entertaining three or thirty guests. Provides tips on house cleaning, timing of the meal, necessary equipment, and food preparation. Includes recipes and "Let's Talk" hints on ingredients and cooking methods. 1996.

Food to Die For: Secrets from Kay Scarpetta's Kitchen      RC 55620
by Patricia Cornwell and Marlene Brown
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
The author of the mystery series featuring medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta offers recipes from the books that the character prepares at home or enjoys at restaurants. Includes Italian dishes passed down from her family as well as simple American ones. Relevant passages from the books accompany each recipe. 2001.

Patriot Sage: George Washington and the American Political Tradition      RC 55625
edited by Gary L. Gregg and Matthew Spalding
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Twelve essays commemorate the life and legacy of George Washington and the role he played in shaping the American nation. The authors, including Forrest McDonald, William B. Allen, and Mark Thistlethwaite, suggest ways in which Washington's life, thought, and character are relevant today. Foreword by William J. Bennett. 1999.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment      RC 55646
by Eckhart Tolle
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Using a question-and-answer format, Tolle seeks to show that people carry within them a "seed of enlightenment" that can help them find their true wealth--the "radiant joy of Being and the peace that comes with it." Bestseller 1999.

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?      RC 55648
by Rick Warren
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Christian minister provides a guide to a forty-day spiritual journey to help readers discover the answer to one of life's most important questions: What on earth am I here for? Uses biblical references and describes the benefits of changing one's perspective. Bestseller 2002.

American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles      RC 55664
by Thomas Keneally
read by David Toney
3 cassettes
Biography of New York politician Dan Sickles (1819-1914), whose reputation was stained by his introduction of the infamous madame Fanny White to Queen Victoria, the murder of his wife's unarmed lover in 1859, and his controversial charge at Gettysburg in 1863, among other indiscretions. 2002.

Breakdown: How America's Intelligence Failures Led to September 11      RC 55667
by Bill Gertz
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Investigative reporter for the Washington Times and author of The China Threat (RC 55297) and Betrayal (RC 48196) utilizes government documents to analyze the U.S. intelligence community's inability to predict and prevent the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Scrutinizes problems within the FBI, the CIA, and other agencies. 2002.

The Good, the Bad, and the Difference: How to Tell Right from Wrong in Everyday Situations RC 55670
by Randy Cohen
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
Author of the "Ethicist" feature from the New York Times Magazine weighs in on moral dilemmas encountered in everyday situations. Should a woman inform a friend of her husband's infidelity? Is it ethical to bring outside food into a movie theater? This collection of columns includes occasional follow-ups from advice recipients. 2002.

The Bear in the Attic      RC 55676
by Patrick F. McManus
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Thirty-six humorous sketches about adventures and mishaps while hunting, fishing, and camping in the great outdoors. In the title piece, McManus entertains his granddaughter by recalling some childhood hijinks with a bear named Pooky who hibernated in his attic. 2002.

Riding the Bus with My Sister: A True Life Journey      RC 55678
by Rachel Simon
read by MaryBeth Wise
2 cassettes
Chronicles author's experiences with her mentally retarded but independent sister Beth. Riding buses every day, Beth is part of a mobile community of drivers and passengers. Her indomitable spirit in the face of misunderstanding and prejudice forces Simon to reexamine their childhood and her own narrow adult life. 2002.

StressRelief for Disasters Great and Small: What to Expect and What to Do from Day One to Year One and Beyond      RC 55685
by Georgia Witkin
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
A contributor to Fox news and the author of The Female Stress Syndrome Survival Guide (RC 51828) and other books offers solutions for coping with natural disasters and personal traumas. Also suggests methods for helping children. 2002.

Listening in the Silence, Seeing in the Dark: Reconstructing Life after Brain Injury      RC 55686
by Ruthann Knechel Johansen
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
A mother recounts the rehabilitation of her fifteen-year-old son after his brain and central nervous system were severely injured in a car accident in 1985. She describes the long process of personal reconstruction after traumatic brain injury and the repercussions within the family. 2002.

The Perfect Store: Inside eBay      RC 55691
by Adam Cohen
read by John Hammock
3 cassettes
History of the successful dot-com enterprise eBay. Describes Pierre Omidyar's four year "whirlwind Internet career, from starting AuctionWeb as a hobby to retiring with his billions." Explains Omidyar's economic philosophy and marketing strategy and explores the community of sellers and buyers who deal on eBay. 2002.

Square Peg: Confessions of a Citizen Senator      RC 55692
by Orrin Hatch
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Republican U.S. senator from Utah recounts his political experiences, beginning in 1976. Hatch discusses his role in the 1991 Clarence Thomas hearings, his stance against abortion, and the stem-cell research controversy. Also explores what it takes to run for president and explains why he withdrew from the 2000 race. 2002.

The History of Terrorism      RC 55694
by Robert Taylor
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Examines the political agendas, religious beliefs, and strategies of groups that use violence to generate fear to gain their objectives. Considers anticolonial, separatist, revolutionary, and holy wars throughout history. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Into the Rising Sun: In Their Own Words, World War II's Pacific Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat RC 55697
by Patrick K. O'Donnell
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Veterans' firsthand accounts of action in the Pacific theater during World War II. Paratroopers, Marine Raiders, Marauders, and Rangers recount their brutal experiences in major campaigns in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, the Philippines, Burma, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language      RC 55716
by John H. McWhorter
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
Professor of linguistics theorizes that the six thousand languages and variants spoken in the modern world evolved from a single original ancestor. Draws on linguistic theory, geography, history, and pop culture to explore the processes by which sounds, sentence patterns, and word meanings change in the unending development of language. 2001.

Stocks for the Long Run: The Definitive Guide to Financial Market Returns and Long-Term Investment Strategies      RC 55718
by Jeremy J. Siegel
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Professor of finance at the Wharton School of business analyzes market results since 1802 to provide investment strategies for the stock market. Discusses behavioral finance, index funds, the relation of world events to business cycles, international investment, and other topics. 2002.

Ethiopia, the Unknown Land: A Cultural and Historical Guide      RC 55719
by Stuart Munro-Hay
read by Robert Blumenfeld
4 cassettes
After summarizing Ethiopian history and the role of religion, the author presents an in-depth survey of major tourist attractions--including many sacred sites--on the standard fifteen-day "historical route." Covers Gondar, Harar, Lalibela, Aksum, Debra Damo, Yeha, and the Wuqro Region rock churches. 2002.

Last Dance, Last Chance: And Other True Cases      RC 55730
by Ann Rule
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Details five murderous criminals, including a Buffalo, New York, plastic surgeon who recklessly operated in his basement, causing the death of a young mother. Once released from jail, he poisoned his wife with a near-fatal dose of arsenic. Sequel to Empty Promises: And Other True Cases (RC 51901). Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2003.

Pigs at the Trough: How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption Are Undermining America      RC 55757
by Arianna Huffington
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Political commentator exposes an unethical alliance of CEOs, politicians, lobbyists, and investment bankers. Huffington details corporate scandals, like Enron's, that have manipulated employees, watchdog public interest groups, and the government. She demands tough reform beyond the Corporate Responsibility Act signed by President Bush in 2002. Bestseller 2003.

The Mailroom: Hollywood History from the Bottom Up      RC 55761
by David Rensin
read by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
Tales of successful Hollywood talent agents from the 1930s to the 1990s who began their careers literally at the bottom--in the mail room. The author interviews successful executives who explain what it takes to make it in a competitive business. Strong language. Bestseller 2003.

The Hard Questions: One Hundred Questions to Ask before You Say "I Do"      RC 55762
by Susan Piver
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Exercises for couples contemplating marriage to help gain a deeper understanding of each other and strengthen intimate bonds. Topics range from money and sex to having children and organizing a home. Bestseller 2000.

America under Attack: Primary Sources      RC 55826
edited by Tamara L. Roleff
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Uses eye witness reports, news articles, and speeches to examine the September 11, 2001, attack by Muslim extremists on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. Describes America's response, world reaction, and the subsequent war on terrorism. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Chemical and Biological Weapons in Our Times      RC 55829
by Herbert M. Levine
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Examines the history and development of chemical and biological weapons. Discusses their proliferation and association with terrorism, and efforts made to control their use. Topics include the 1995 sarin-gas attack in the Japanese subway system and Iraq's use of nerve gas. For junior and senior high readers. 2000.

Salt: A World History      RC 55857
by Mark Kurlansky
read by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
Author of Cod (RC 45502) explores the worldwide influence of the oldest and best preservative vital to animal and human survival. Discusses salt's impact on civilizations when it was a scarce and expensive commodity and its many uses beyond the culinary in the modern world. 2002.

The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror      RC 55867
by Bernard Lewis
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Princeton historian traces the roots of anti-Americanism in the Islamic world. Explores the conditions that led to terrorism in the West, including the Islamic Revolution in Iran, U.S. foreign policy, Soviet influence in the Middle East, and the role of Saudi Arabia in creating Muslim extremism. Bestseller 2003.

Boy Genius: Karl Rove, the Brains behind the Remarkable Political Triumph of George W. Bush RC 55868
by Lou Dubose and others
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Biography of George W. Bush's campaign advisor Karl Rove, who guided Bush first into the governorship of Texas and later into the presidency. Traces Rove's career as a political consultant, his transformation of Texas into a Republican stronghold, and his successes in the 2002 midterm elections. Some strong language. Bestseller 2003.

What Should I Do with My Life?      RC 55873
by Po Bronson
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Bronson presents about fifty accounts of individuals who "dared to be honest with themselves" and risk major change in this book that grew out of a transition point in his own life. Traveling across the United States, he collected material from ordinary people of all ages and professions. Bestseller 2002.

Hatred's Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia Supports the New Global Terrorism      RC 55888
by Dore Gold
read by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
Former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations discusses the hidden political agenda of Saudi Arabia. Concludes that the radical Islamic creed of Wahhabism has influenced Saudi rulers to support global terrorists, including Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. 2003.

Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy! Loving Your Kid without Losing Your Mind      RC 55891
by Michael J. Bradley
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Psychologist includes recent research on teen brain development with practical, sound advice for parents, who are still the biggest influence on their children. Suggests new skills for communicating with adolescents in a "value-damaged" culture and offers guidance for getting professional help. Some strong language. 2002.

The Tween Years: A Parent's Guide for Surviving Those Terrific, Turbulent, and Trying Times between Childhood and Adolescence      RC 55917
by Donna G. Corwin
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
Advice to parents on helping children cope with the physical, social, and psychological changes of late childhood (approximately ages ten through thirteen) as they head into their teens. 1999.

Wear and Tear: Stop the Pain and Put the Spring Back in Your Body      RC 55951
by Bob Arnot
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Doctor discusses painful joint problems associated with osteoarthritis that may occur late in life. Recommends nutritional supplements; pain medicines; gentle sports such as yoga, bicycling, swimming, and walking; proper footwear; and good nutrition. 2003.

Meyebela: My Bengali Girlhood      RC 55952
by Taslima Nasrin
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
Memoir of growing up female in a Muslim world by a multitalented feminist born in Bangladesh. Describes abusive behavior of her tyrannical physician father, religious obedience of her powerless mother, ill-treatment of female servants, and her own questioning of and rebellion against Islamic precepts. Some violence. 1998.

How to Prevent Food Poisoning: A Practical Guide to Safe Cooking, Eating, and Food Handling RC 55958
by Elizabeth Scott and Paul Sockett
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
Discusses the dangers of foodborne illnesses--including salmonella, E. coli, and mad cow disease--and methods of protection against them. Offers safe shopping and cooking techniques as well as restaurant dining tips. Includes the symptoms and treatment of food poisoning. 1998.

The Houseplant Encyclopedia      RC 55960
by Maggie Stuckey
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Explains how to grow over eighty kinds of indoor plants and includes techniques for watering, repotting, and cultivating. Offers tips for purchasing the right flora for each location in the house and suggests ideas for terrariums and dish gardens. 1993.

When I Was a Kid, This Was a Free Country      RC 55964
by G. Gordon Liddy
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Radio talk-show host, former FBI agent, and attorney Liddy reminisces about his childhood, lamenting the changes in society that have occurred over his lifetime. Also provides new insight into the Watergate scandal, for which he served prison time. Some strong language. 2002.

The Whole Foods Diabetic Cookbook      RC 55973
by Patricia Bertron and others
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
A collection of vegetarian recipes using whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Gives an overview of diabetes and explains how diet and exercise are important in controlling the disease. Includes a nutritional guide and tips on grocery shopping and menu planning. 2002.

Woodworker's Hand Tools: An Essential Guide      RC 55981
by Rick Peters
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
Peters offers practical information for choosing and using the right hand tool for various woodworking tasks, from measuring and cutting to shaping and assembling. Provides specific instructions for the care and use of tools. 2001.

The Trouser People: A Story of Burma--in the Shadow of the Empire      RC 55985
by Andrew Marshall
read by David Cutler
2 cassettes
Account by a British journalist of his forays into the subjugated nation of Myanmar. Basing his travels on the diaries of Sir James George Scott (1851-1935), he compares Scott's Victorian-era observations of the Burmese people's cultural and socioeconomic status with Myanmar's twentieth-century plight. 2002.

People of Vision: A History of the American Council of the Blind      RC 56115
by James J. Megivern and Marjorie L. Megivern
read by Mark Ashby
5 cassettes
Chronicle of the forty-year-old advocacy organization, American Council of the Blind (ACB), including its split with the National Federation of the Blind in 1961. The work, based on the private papers of founding member Durward McDaniel and conversations with other ACB members, also explores earlier activism on behalf of blind people. 2003.

Cassettes Fiction

Tales of H.P. Lovecraft: Major Works      RC 53283
by H.P. Lovecraft
read by Conrad Feininger
3 cassettes
Ten gothic tales by Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) of Providence, Rhode Island. In "The Rats in the Walls," a man succumbs to cannibalism. In "The Dunwich Horror," a father mates his daughter with a creature from another world. Selected and introduced by Joyce Carol Oates. Some strong language. 1997.

The Penguin Complete Father Brown      RC 53695
by G.K. Chesterton
read by Corrie James
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Omnibus edition containing five complete books, originally published between 1910 and 1935, in which forty-nine cases are investigated by the detective priest, Father Brown. 1963.

A Diamond in the Dust      RC 53793
by Carla Joinson
read by Cyn Delafield
2 cassettes
Death from mine accidents is a constant fear in a 1900s Illinois coal mining town. When a family tragedy occurs, sixteen-year-old Katy must choose between her love for a young miner and her desire to search for a better life elsewhere. For junior and senior high readers. 2001.

In Enemy Hands: Honor Harrington, Volume 7      RC 53964
by David Weber
read by Madelyn Buzzard
4 cassettes
Promoted to commodore, Honor Harrington settles into her role as the first female feudal steadholder on Grayson. On a routine flight, her spaceship is captured by enemies, and she faces execution on prison planet Hell. Sequel to Honor among Enemies (RC 53963). Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1997.

Warleggan: A Novel of Cornwall, 1792-1793      RC 54184
by Winston Graham
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Ross and Demelza's marriage becomes stormy as Ross renews his relationship with his cousin's wife, Elizabeth, and Demelza becomes involved with a Scottish officer. The feud with the mine-owning Warleggan family also continues. Sequel to Jeremy Poldark (RC 54183). 1955.

Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey      RC 54289
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Tish, assigned to keep a journal, instructs her teacher not to read the family problems she confides there. But after being abandoned by her parents and left almost homeless, Tish allows Mrs. Dunphrey to help her and her younger brother sort out their lives. For senior high readers. 1996.

Shylock's Daughter      RC 54355
by Mirjam Pressler
read by MaryBeth Wise
2 cassettes
In sixteenth-century Venice, sixteen-year-old Jessica falls in love with Lorenzo, a young nobleman. Their situation is complicated by religious differences. Will Jessica betray her Jewish background and leave her father, Shylock, to marry the Christian Lorenzo? Inspired by Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice (RC 21495). For senior high readers. 2000.

Civil Blood: A Civil War Mystery      RC 54487
by Ann McMillan
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Richmond, Virginia; 1862. Confederate nurse Narcissa Powers and freedwoman Judah Daniel become alarmed about the spread of smallpox--especially after some boys steal clothing from the hospital. But it's the infected money that they should worry about. Sequel to Angel Trumpet (RC 54486). 2001.

The Ship Who Won      RC 54497
by Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Searching the galaxy for alien life, Carialle, whose brain controls spaceship SSS-900, and Keff, her human partner, discover a strange planet ruled by a race of magical wizards. Carialle and Keff also discover even more mysterious things about the new world. Sequel to The City Who Fought (RC 54496). 1994.

Strange Trades      RC 54570
by Paul Di Filippo
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Eleven surreal stories about earning a living examine moral and ethical issues of present and future occupations. In "Spondulix," a sandwich shop owner's coupons offer more than he expected. In "Kid Charlemagne," a bartender turns executioner. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.

Uncle Boris in the Yukon and Other Shaggy Dog Stories      RC 54616
by Daniel Pinkwater
read by Neil Berman
1 cassette
Anecdotes and tales--bizarre, outlandish, and poignant--about dogs and the lessons to be learned from them, related by a popular NPR commentator. Pinkwater has faced numerous training challenges, from the Pekingese presented to him in infancy by Uncle Boris to the malamutes acquired after his marriage. For senior high and older readers. 2001.

Memories of Summer      RC 54617
by Ruth White
read by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
In 1955 thirteen-year-old Lyric and her sixteen-year-old sister, Summer, move with their dad from rural Virginia to Michigan for job opportunities. Summer, always a little odd, soon deteriorates mentally and the family must decide her future. Includes discussion questions for reading groups. For senior high readers. 2000.

The Storm of Heaven: The Oath of Empire, Book 3      RC 54686
by Thomas Harlan
read by Fred Major
6 cassettes
The three-sided war pitting Rome against Persia against the desert tribes continues in this sequel to The Gate of Fire (RC 54685). Thyatis barely survives a desperate ploy against Prince Maxian, who realizes that he has been misled by his conjuring and now seeks to strengthen the oath. 2001.

Vertical Burn      RC 54747
by Earl Emerson
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Seattle firefighter John Finney is suspected of abandoning his partner in a burning building and setting fire to another. Finney and his coworker Diana Moore begin their own investigation to uncover who's setting him up. When a high-rise is the next target, their lives are endangered. Violence and strong language. 2002.

Living with a Secret: Why Me?      RC 54778
by Deborah Kent
read by Celeste Lawson
1 cassette
Fifteen-year-old Cassie Mullins takes a job as a counselor at a diabetic summer camp but keeps her own diabetes a secret. She resents her mother's concern for her and wants to be a "normal" teenager. Hiding her condition doesn't work. For junior and senior high readers. 2001.

Middle Age: A Romance      RC 54789
by Joyce Carol Oates
read by Laura Giannarelli
4 cassettes
When enigmatic sculptor Adam Berendt dies while rescuing a child from a capsized boat, residents of an affluent New York suburb undergo soul searching. Explores love, marriage, deception, family, and identity through the relationships of Berendt's friends. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2001.

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl      RC 54799
by Joyce Carol Oates
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
After sixteen-year-old Matt Donaghy is falsely accused of threatening to blow up his school, the police interrogate him and his peers isolate him. His main supporter is outsider and fellow junior Ursula Riggs. Together they weather the storm of social rejection. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2002.

The Veil of a Thousand Tears: The Pearl Saga, Book 2      RC 54827
by Eric Van Lustbader
read by Gary Tipton
5 cassettes
In this sequel to Ring of Five Dragons (RC 53463), Riane (called Dar Sala-at, redeemer and savior of Kundala) joins friends in conquest of daemons and in quest of the Pearl. They also search for the fabled Veil of a Thousand Tears to save Giyan from archdaemon Horolaggia. Some strong language. 2002.

Faking It      RC 54846
by Jennifer Crusie
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Davy Dempsey, from Welcome to Temptation (RC 50154), is trying to recover--by theft--some money owed him. He gets stuck in a closet with another burglar, Matilda Goodnight, who aims to steal back a painting with a shady history. Comedy and romance ensue. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

Her Highness, My Wife      RC 54847
by Victoria Alexander
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
England, 1819. Princess Tatiana of Avalonia needs her former lover, British Lord Matthew Weston, to impersonate her husband while she searches for her country's lost jewels. The two fall in love again and must choose between romance and duty. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

Sharpe's Fortress: Richard Sharpe and the Siege of Gawilghur, December 1803      RC 54861
by Bernard Cornwell
read by Chuck Benson
3 cassettes
India, 1803. Ensign Richard Sharpe is determined to become a good officer in the British army. Serving under Sir Arthur Wellesley, he uncovers a case of treason while his company lays siege to an Indian fortress. Some violence and some strong language. 1999.

Distant Dreams: Ribbons of Steel, Book 1      RC 54868
by Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson
read by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
Virginia, 1835. Fifteen-year-old tomboy Carolina Adams is fascinated by the new railroad trains and falls in love with her sister's fiancé, James Baldwin--who shares her enthusiasm. When he leaves to build a new rail line, Carolina puts their relationship in God's hands. Prequel to A Hope Beyond (RC 54869). For senior high and older readers. 1997.

A Hope Beyond: Ribbons of Steel, Book 2      RC 54869
by Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson
read by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
Maryland, 1836-1842. Carolina Adams becomes a tutor for a motherless girl in Baltimore, while her true love, James Baldwin, builds the railroad to Cumberland. Over time their commitment to God and to each other remains strong. Sequel to Distant Dreams (RC 54868). For senior high and older readers. 1997.

In Alien Hands: Quest for Tomorrow, Book 2      RC 54872
by William Shatner
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Continuing the action begun in Delta Search (RC 54871), rival aliens compete to obtain the secrets encoded in Jim Endicott's DNA. To escape, Jim becomes a mercenary on another planet. In an escalating war Jim plots to save humanity. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1997.

Jerusalem's Heart: Zion Legacy, Book 3      RC 54877
by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
This sequel to Thunder from Jerusalem (RC 54876) opens on May 23, 1948. The Zion Gate is now closed and supplies for the Haganah are dwindling. Although many have come together in faith to save the state of Israel, their spirits are failing--and leader Moshe Sachar is trapped in enemy territory. 2001.

Blessings      RC 54938
by Anna Quindlen
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
Skip Cuddy, caretaker of elderly Lydia Blessing's country estate, discovers a newborn baby abandoned on the doorstep and, naming her Faith, is encouraged by his employer to keep her. Faith rejuvenates the household, but her presence is soon public knowledge. Some strong language. 2002.

Death of a Stranger: A William Monk Mystery      RC 54947
by Anne Perry
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
The night Victorian railroad magnate Nolan Baltimore is murdered, three prostitutes are brought to Hester Monk's clinic for emergency treatment. Later, Hester's detective husband, William, is hired by Katrina Harcus to investigate her fiancé, another railway executive. As the two cases gradually come together, Monk's long-term amnesia begins to fade. 2002.

The Murder Book      RC 55001
by Jonathan Kellerman
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Psychologist Alex Delaware assists his old friend Milo Sturgis, a gay homicide detective, in reopening an old murder case involving a Hollywood teen. They discover a cover-up that leads to the highest echelons of the city. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2002.

The Bishop in the West Wing: A Blackie Ryan Story      RC 55002
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Chicago bishop Blackie Ryan is dispatched to the White House to assist Irish Catholic president Jack McGurn fend off poltergeists. As Ryan investigates supernatural happenings, his real world suspects include the female vice president, the first daughters, a right-wing conservative, and other politicians. 2002.

The Grave Maurice: A Richard Jury Mystery      RC 55003
by Martha Grimes
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
Superintendent Richard Jury of Scotland Yard is hospitalized with wounds received in The Blue Last (RC 53302) when Melrose Plant intrigues him with an overheard conversation about missing horsewoman Nell Ryder--the teenaged daughter of Jury's surgeon. Under Jury's direction, Plant enters the sordid underground world of racing. Some strong language. 2002.

The Devil's Oasis      RC 55009
by Bartle Bull
read by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
Olivio Alavedo still provides a comfortable meeting place for his elite international clientele last seen in A Café on the Nile (RC 48612) as World War II encroaches on Cairo. Anton Rider, his estranged wife, and their son are all caught up in shifting alliances. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2001.

Ode to a Banker: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery Novel      RC 55011
by Lindsey Davis
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Rome, A.D. 74. Investigator Marcus Didius, an amateur poet, investigates the murder of a banker, who was also a publisher on the side. The sleuth meets a group of unscrupulous authors and investors, many of whom had reasons to kill the scroll merchant. Follows Two for the Lions (RC 50956). 2001.

Evil Angels among Them      RC 55013
by Kate Charles
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
Amateur sleuths Lucy Kingsley and her lover, solicitor David Middleton-Brown, help their old friend Steven Thorncroft save his career. Thorncroft, the new pastor in the sleepy English village of Walston, calls on the couple to investigate when trouble with his flock culminates in the murder of an elderly parishioner. 1995.

Horse Thief      RC 55027
by Robert Newton Peck
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Chickalookee, Florida; 1938. First, seventeen-year-old rodeo worker and orphan Tullis Yoder loses two fingers on his first bull ride. Then, when he learns that his only family--the thirteen horses he cares for--are going to be sold for dog food, he steals them--with help, of course. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

The Courage to Live: Why Me?      RC 55149
by Deborah Kent
read by Celeste Lawson
1 cassette
Chloe Peterson hasn't felt well in weeks, but she doesn't want to upset her family by complaining. Not until she is hospitalized and diagnosed with lupus does she begin to cope. Encouragement from a support group helps her along the way. For junior and senior high readers. 2001.

The Case of the Cautious Coquette      RC 55200
by Erle Stanley Gardner
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Perry Mason and Paul Drake are searching for a hit-and-run driver when they are given the name of divorcée Lucille Barton as a witness. But by becoming involved with Barton, Mason is accused of murder. 1949.

Sinister Heights      RC 55201
by Loren D. Estleman
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Detroit private eye Amos Walker is hired by Rayellen Stutch, the young, attractive widow of an automotive tycoon, to find her husband's illegitimate offspring, with whom Stutch says she wants to share her millions. A seemingly simple case fuels greed, murder, and kidnapping. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

Blue Bayou: Callahan Brothers Trilogy, Book 1      RC 55261
by JoAnn Ross
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Widowed Danielle Dupree returns to Blue Bayou, Louisiana, with her young son to start over. Former lover Jack Callahan, retired DEA agent, also relocates there. They rekindle their love, but keep secrets. Prequel to River Road (RC 55262). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Murder at Ford's Theatre      RC 55277
by Margaret Truman
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Washington, D.C., attorney Mackensie Smith is hired to defend a senator's son accused of murdering his father's congressional intern at Ford's Theatre. The theater is managed by the boy's divorced mother, Clarise Emerson. Mac and his wife, Annabel Reed-Smith, try to establish the boy's innocence. Some strong language. 2002.

Hornet Flight      RC 55279
by Ken Follett
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Denmark, 1941. Eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen discovers a secret Nazi radar installation on his island home. With the help of his brother's English fiancée, Hermia--a spy--and the Danish resistance movement, Harald attempts to cross the North Sea to warn the British. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

The Master Executioner      RC 55287
by Loren D. Estleman
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Idaho, 1897. Oscar Stone is a professional hangman traveling throughout the West practicing his craft. He prides himself on performing his task efficiently, causing condemned persons minimal pain. Then Stone learns a terrible truth from an encounter with his former wife. 2001.

Don't Cry for Yesterday: Why Me?      RC 55301
by Deborah Kent
read by Celeste Lawson
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Amber is excited to be going to a party with Eric, a football player. But on the way, Eric's reckless driving causes an accident, leaving Amber partially paralyzed. Now the aspiring singer endures rehabilitation and adjusting to life in a wheelchair. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

The Continental Risque: Revolution at Sea, Book 3      RC 55313
by James L. Nelson
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Following The Maddest Idea (RC 55312), Captain Isaac Biddlecomb and his crew of convicts join the newly created Continental Navy in 1776. They set sail to the Bahamas to capture a cache of arms from the British. But the unruly mates threaten mutiny. Violence and strong language. 1998.

Lords of the Ocean: Revolution at Sea, Book 4      RC 55314
by James L. Nelson
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Captain Isaac Biddlecomb transports troops during the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Next he has the responsibility of conveying Benjamin Franklin to France. With his crew Biddlecomb stays overseas to harass British ships in their own waters. Sequel to The Continental Risque (RC 55313). Violence and strong language. 1999.

Tom Clancy's Power Plays: Cutting Edge      RC 55331
by Jerome Preisler
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
Africa is the new frontier of telecommunications. Embroiled in a battle to control the fiber-optic cable being laid on the continent, Roger Gordian, head of UpLink International, faces off against his rival, Harlan DeVane. While Gordian struggles with logistics, DeVane plots to strike him where it hurts--his family. Violence. Bestseller 2002.

The Cat Who Brought Down the House      RC 55345
by Lilian Jackson Braun
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Elderly film star Thelma Thackeray turns the opera house into a film club when she returns to Moose County. She graciously allows newspaperman Jim Qwilleran to host a Kit Kat Revue there. His Siamese cat Koko ruins the show but solves a murder. 2003.

Night Watch      RC 55351
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Commander Samuel Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is magically transported back in time. There he assumes a new identity and helps his younger self organize the Watch. Together they must stop a murderer and prevent a revolution, then return Sam to the future. Some violence. 2002.

Some Kind of Wonderful      RC 55358
by Barbara Freethy
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
After his long-lost sister leaves her baby on his doorstep, reporter Matt Winters enlists his neighbor, beautiful Caitlyn Devereaux, to help. Caitlyn, the owner of a bridal shop, reluctantly agrees and falls in love with them both. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.

Conflict of Interest      RC 55362
by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Assistant district attorney Joanne Kuhlman of Ventura, California, has just recovered her missing children after two years. She is also working on a case of armed robbery and suspects that Ian Decker, who is developmentally impaired, has been set up by his accomplices. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress      RC 55365
by Sijie Dai
read by Frank Coffee
1 cassette
Two privileged teenaged boys are sent to a remote village for reeducation during China's Cultural Revolution. When they procure a supply of French books, they read novels to a pretty but uneducated seamstress, with surprising results. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Maigret and the Wine Merchant      RC 55366
by Georges Simenon
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
French chief inspector Maigret investigates the murder of a wealthy wine merchant outside a house of ill repute. But no one seems to care that Oscar Chabut is dead. 1970.

Evans to Betsy: A Constable Evans Mystery      RC 55367
by Rhys Bowen
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Constable Evan Evans is investigating the disappearance of a university student when barmaid Betsy Edwards takes a job at a New Age center near Llanfair, Wales. When the American director of the institute also vanishes, Evans connects the two crimes. 2002.

The Cat-Nappers: A Jeeves and Bertie Story      RC 55373
by P.G. Wodehouse
read by Graeme Malcolm
1 cassette (Reissue)
Aunt Dahlia recruits Bertie Wooster and his unflappable manservant, Jeeves, to kidnap the feline companion of a thoroughbred racehorse against which she has bet heavily. The horse apparently performs well only when its cherished stablemate is near at hand. 1974.

Mark of Murder      RC 55382
by Dell Shannon
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
While L.A. police lieutenant Luis Mendoza is on vacation in Bermuda, sergeant Arthur Hackett investigates a serial killer. Mendoza, returning home after Hackett nearly becomes the latest victim, uncovers a blackmail scheme. Some violence and some strong language. 1964.

A Game of Spies      RC 55395
by John Altman
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Nazi Germany, 1940. Eva Bernhardt is a sleeper spy recruited--and seduced--by British operative William Hobbs. Uncovering information about Germany's planned invasion of France, Eva races to her rendezvous site. Gestapo agent Hagen, from A Gathering of Spies (RC 52794), gives chase. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

To Ruin a Queen: An Ursula Blanchard Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Court      RC 55400
by Fiona Buckley
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Wales, 1564. Ursula Blanchard, a spy for Queen Elizabeth I, leaves her second husband in France upon learning that her daughter, Meg, has been kidnapped in England. Following the trail to Vetch Castle in Wales, she uncovers a treasonous plot against the crown. Some violence and some strong language. 2000.

Play It Again, Spam: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes      RC 55401
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder copes with a tornado and abandonment by her new husband. When one of her guests, a member of a veteran's group, disappears, the investigation falls on Magdalena. The police chief is too busy planning to marry her sister. 1999.

A Spy for the Redeemer: An Owen Archer Mystery      RC 55441
by Candace Robb
read by David Cutler
2 cassettes
British isles, fourteenth century. Captain Owen Archer is visiting his native Wales when he is ordered by the archdeacon to investigate the murder of a stonecutter and becomes involved in the rebel movement. Meanwhile home in York, his wife, Lucie Wilton, copes with patients and elderly relatives. Violence. 1999.

The Best American Short Stories, 2002: Selected from U.S. and Canadian Magazines      RC 55449
selected by Sue Miller
read by Kimberly Schraf
4 cassettes
This year's collection includes twenty distinctive stories written in the realist tradition. In "Along the Frontage Road" by Michael Chabon, a father's outing with his four-year-old son to choose a Halloween pumpkin becomes a poignant experience. Other authors include E.L. Doctorow, Jill McCorkle, Leonard Michaels, Arthur Miller, and Alice Munro. 2002.

Hermit's Peak: A Kevin Kerney Novel      RC 55453
by Michael McGarrity
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
New Mexico state policeman Kevin Kerney is inspecting the land he has just inherited when he discovers a skeleton. As he investigates, additional murders occur near his ranch. Meanwhile, his former lover, Lieutenant Colonel Sara Brannon, returns from duty in Korea. Violence and strong language. 1999.

P.G. County      RC 55460
by Connie Briscoe
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Satire of women seeking social success in a Washington, D.C., African American suburb. Recovering alcoholic Barbara deals with her philandering husband, while high-ranking civil servant Jolene is blinded by greed, Lee searches for her father, and Candice discovers a shocking family secret. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2002.

The Darts of Cupid and Other Stories      RC 55462
by Edith Templeton
read by Terry Hayes Sales
2 cassettes
Seven stories conveying the subtleties of desire. The title piece, set in World War II England, concerns a young British wife, separated from her husband, working for a married American officer in a mutual attraction that's apparent to everyone. However, he already has a mistress. Some strong language. 2002.

Her      RC 55464
by Laura Zigman
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Thirty-four-year-old Elise meets Donald on a plane to Washington, D.C., where they both moved to change careers. They fall in love and are planning a wedding when Donald's beautiful and manipulative ex-fiancée, Adrienne, also moves to town. Elise becomes increasingly jealous and obsessed--but with good reason. Some strong language. 2002.

No Bugles, No Glory      RC 55466
by Fred Grove
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Sergeant Benton Wall is one of four Union soldiers from North Texas who volunteers to penetrate Confederate territory, outmaneuver the Seminoles, and hold up a guarded train transporting silver. A desperate plan to pretend to be Rebels could mean death for all of them. Some strong language. 1959.

The Silent Lady      RC 55468
by Catherine Cookson
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
In 1955 Irene Baindor, missing wife of a London peer, arrives at the law office of Alexander Armstrong, who has searched for her for twenty-six years. Dirty and mute, she is nearly turned away until Armstrong recognizes her. He learns her husband is not as he appears. 2001.

Magnolia Creek      RC 55470
by Jill Marie Landis
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Kentucky, 1860s. Struck by her natural beauty and folk healing skills, Dr. Dru Talbot marries Sara Collier just before leaving for war. When he is presumed dead, Sara finds solace with another, bearing an illegitimate child. Then Dru returns. Can he forgive Sara's transgressions? Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2002.

Complete Novels: Red Harvest, The Dain Curse, The Maltese Falcon, The Glass Key, The Thin Man RC 55472
by Dashiell Hammett
read by Fred Major
6 cassettes
Five classic mysteries, originally published between 1929 and 1934, featuring hard-boiled detectives. Stories include The Thin Man, which introduces the husband-and-wife team of Nick and Nora Charles, and The Maltese Falcon with Sam Spade. Some violence and some strong language. 1934.

Kat Scratch Fever      RC 55474
by Karen Kijewski
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Private detective Kat Colorado is hired to investigate a lawyer who later commits suicide. She continues on the case and uncovers a blackmail scheme that benefits a charity for handicapped children. But someone is skimming from the organization. Violence and strong language. 1997.

Judgment Night      RC 55476
by C.L. Moore
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Juille, the beautiful amazon princess of the planet Ericon and heiress to the ruling power of the galaxy, meets and falls in love with alien warrior Egide. Egide returns her love, but he has vowed to obliterate her people from the galaxy. 1943.

Reap the Whirlwind: The Battle of the Rosebud, June 1876; the Plainsmen, Book 9      RC 55478
by Terry C. Johnston
read by John Polk
3 cassettes
In this sequel to Blood Song (RC 41370), the U.S. Army begins a campaign to contain the Sioux, whose leader is the tactical genius Crazy Horse. Seamus Donegan, scouting for the northern column, enters a crucial battle along the Rosebud River. Violence, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some strong language. 1994.

Murder on the Iditarod Trail: An Alaska Mystery      RC 55480
by Sue Henry
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Critical injuries are rare during the Iditarod dogsled race, but on "day two" musher George Koptak is found dead. While Alaska state trooper Alex Jensen is investigating, he learns that another contestant has died. Now Jensen turns to contestant Jessie Arnold for help. Violence and strong language. 1991.

Stalking the Angel      RC 55482
by Robert Crais
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Los Angeles sleuth Elvis Cole is hired by a ruthless hotel magnate to find the missing Hagakure, a priceless Japanese manuscript. Elvis and his partner, Joe Pike, are drawn into a dangerous game of sexual obsession, Mafia intrigue, and murder. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 1989.

Queenmaker: A Novel of King David's Queen      RC 55483
by India Edghill
read by Erin Jones
3 cassettes
Soon after Michal, daughter of King Saul, marries David, the future king of Israel, Saul plots to kill him. David escapes, leaving Michal to marry another. Years later King David demands her return, and thus begins Queen Michal's reign. She befriends Bathsheba and readies Solomon, Bathsheba's son, for the throne. 1999.

Desperate Measures      RC 55485
by Kate Wilhelm
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Oregon attorney Barbara Holloway defends congenitally deformed Alex Feldman--a young cartoonist accused of killing a neighbor. Barbara's father, Frank, defends school principal Hilde Franz, who Barbara suggests is the real murderer. When Hilde is also murdered, Frank joins Barbara's investigation. Strong language and some violence. 2001.

Blood Test      RC 55486
by Jonathan Kellerman
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
California psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware handles the case of five-year-old cancer patient Woody Swope, whose parents reject treatment and remove him from the hospital. Dr. Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis trace the family to a holistic cult commune that harbors secrets. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 1986.

Corps of Discovery: A Novel Based on the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806      RC 55487
by Jeffrey W. Tenney
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
A dramatic retelling of the adventures and hardships of the enlisted men, hunters, and Native Americans, including Sacagawea, who explored the far reaches of the Louisiana Purchase, across the Northwest Territory to the Pacific Ocean. Some strong language. Medicine Pipe Bearer Award. 2001.

The Valdez Horses      RC 55489
by Lee Hoffman
read by Alec Volz
1 cassette
When a boy on horseback asks Jamie Wagner for work, Jamie regales him with the story of his own youth working with horseman Chino Valdez. Jamie recalls Chino's skill in breeding and training horses and his ruthless revenge when spurned by his business partner's daughter. Some strong language. Spur Award. 1967.

Red Water      RC 55491
by Judith Freeman
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
When Mormon leader John D. Lee is executed in Utah in 1877 for his role in the Mountain Meadows Massacre twenty years earlier, he leaves behind nineteen widows. Three of them remember the hardships of a violent frontier, the dead man, and the rigors of their faith. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

The Crossroad      RC 55493
by Beverly Lewis
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Journalist Philip Bradley, back in New York City and in love, searches for a cure for Mennonite widow Rachel Yoder's hysterical blindness. But Rachel puts her faith in God, not doctors. Sequel to The Postcard (RC 54201). 1999.

Breakout      RC 55495
by Richard Stark
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Parker and his colleagues are sent to the state pen after a pharmaceutical heist goes bad. He escapes from the prison with two other inmates, with help from the outside. The team immediately attempts a jewelry theft--but this escapade also turns sour. Strong language and some violence. 2002.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency      RC 55503
by Alexander McCall Smith
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Mma "Precious" Ramotswe opens a detective agency in Botswana when she inherits her father's cattle. People consult her about straying husbands, fraudulent business associates, and missing children. Along the way she learns their life stories and tales of Africa. Bestseller 1998.

Crossroads of Twilight: The Wheel of Time, Book 10      RC 55506
by Robert Jordan
read by Roy Avers
5 cassettes
Mat flees the Seanchan with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons while Perrin risks everything to save his wife from the Shaido. Cities are besieged and alliances are questioned as the battle between Light and Shadow looms. Sequel to Winter's Heart (RC 51203). Some violence. 2003.

Dangerous      RC 55507
by Nora Roberts
read by Barbara Pinolini
4 cassettes
Three stories in which someone gives his or her heart to a presumed murderer. In Storm Warning photographer Autumn Gallegher runs into her former lover, Lucas McLean, while visiting her Aunt Tabby's mountain inn. When a murder occurs, Autumn suspects Lucas. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. Bestseller 2002.

By the Light of the Moon      RC 55510
by Dean Koontz
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
One night in an Arizona motel, a crazed doctor forcibly injects twenty-something strangers Dylan O'Conner and Jillian Jackson with a psychotropic substance. Together with Dylan's autistic brother, they flee would-be assassins and discover new powers as the drug's extrasensory effects take hold. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

Flashback      RC 55511
by Nevada Barr
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Park ranger Anna Pigeon is temporarily assigned to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, where Lincoln assassination conspirator Dr. Samuel Mudd had been imprisoned and, concurrently, a relative of Anna's had been stationed. A box of nineteenth-century letters provides clues to past and present crimes. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Golden Fool: The Tawny Man, Book 2      RC 55513
by Robin Hobb
read by Jack Fox
5 cassettes
Continues the tale of FitzChivalry Farseer begun in Fool's Errand (RC 54033). Mourning the loss of his wolf bondmate, Nighteyes, he returns to Buckkeep Castle in the guise of Tom Badgerlock, servant to Lord Golden. Fitz tries to keep up with court intrigue. 2003.

Rosamund      RC 55518
by Bertrice Small
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
Rosamund Bolton inherited Friarsgate Manor at age three and was widowed twice by age thirteen. Now her second husband's will thwarts her greedy uncle's plan to possess Friarsgate and leads her to Henry VIII's private chambers. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

The Last Jihad      RC 55521
by Joel C. Rosenberg
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
When Iraq launches simultaneous terror attacks against Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the West, the wounded American president enlists a former employee, Wall Street guru Jon Bennett, to help broker a peace settlement. But the threat of a desperate nuclear offensive by the rogue state looms. Violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

High Country Bride: McKettrick Cowboys Trilogy, Book 1      RC 55523
by Linda Lael Miller
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Arizona territory, 1884. Old Angus McKettrick decides that the first of his three sons to marry and produce an heir will inherit his ranch. Rafe McKettrick promptly sends away for a mail-order bride. When Emmeline Harding arrives, sparks fly, but she has secrets. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Exile's Honor: A Novel of Valdemar      RC 55524
by Mercedes Lackey
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Karse army captain Alberich escapes the fires of a witch-hunt and flees to Valdemar, a land he was bred to despise. There he trains as a herald, accepting the empathic tendencies he has always concealed. But when the kingdoms go to war, Alberich's loyalties are tested. Some violence. 2002.

Tappan's Burro and Other Stories      RC 55562
by Zane Grey
read by Chuck Benson
1 cassette
Five short westerns. In the title story, Tappan, a gold prospector, is chased into Death Valley by a gang of claim jumpers. Fortunately he has his plucky burro with him. Also includes The Great Slave, Yaqui, Tigre, and The Rubber Hunter. 1923.

An American Summer      RC 55568
by Frank Deford
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Summer, 1954; Baltimore. Fourteen-year-old Christy meets a wealthy and beautiful twenty-three-year-old neighbor named Kathryn. She has been paralyzed and confined to an iron lung due to polio, yet helps Christy master his swimming technique and cope with growing up. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Full Court Press      RC 55569
by Mike Lupica
read by Robin Miles
2 cassettes
Delilah "Dee" Gerard, a former basketball star in Europe, is persuaded by scout Eddie Holtz to come out of retirement to become the first woman to play for the NBA's New York Knights. But she struggles on and off the court, teammates ignore her, and old demons plague her. Strong language. 2001.

Blind Sighted      RC 55570
by Peter Moore
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Eleventh-grader Kirk Tobak is moody and bored with school, his alcoholic mother, and druggie friends. His job reading for an independent young blind woman, with whom he discusses his problems, gives Kirk new insights. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

Oxygen      RC 55574
by Andrew Miller
read by Steven Crossley
2 cassettes
Brothers Alec and Larry reunite at their terminally ill mother's home in the English countryside. Alec is translating a play, Oxygene, by a gay Hungarian living in Paris. The work, about people trapped in a mine, metaphorically captures the plight of Miller's four characters. Some strong language. Booker Prize Finalist. 2001.

The House of Seven Mabels: A Jane Jeffry Mystery      RC 55577
by Jill Churchill
read by Barbara Caruso
1 cassette
Jane Jeffry and her neighbor Shelley Nowack agree to decorate a Victorian bed-and-breakfast for former classmate Bitsy Burnside--now a wealthy, divorced feminist. Bitsy has hired an all-woman work crew, including contractor Sandra Anderson. When Sandra is murdered on the site, Jane investigates. Some strong language. 2002.

December Six      RC 55578
by Martin Cruz Smith
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
Harry Niles, an American con man and nightclub owner born in Japan and raised by Baptist missionaries, is considered a spy by the Japanese in 1941. He has a chance to escape, but is reluctant to leave his mistress behind. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

Short and Tall Tales: Moose County Legends Collected by James Mackintosh Qwilleran      RC 55588
by Lilian Jackson Braun
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
Twenty-seven short stories centered around the history of Moose County, popularized in the "Cat Who..." mystery series. The tales are relayed by fictional newspaper editor James Qwilleran, who collects reminiscences and tidbits about the first settlers of the isolated countryside. 2002.

Rumpole Rests His Case      RC 55589
by John Mortimer
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
Collection of short stories featuring the British barrister in seven more cases. In the title piece, Rumpole collapses during a trial. Though his wife, Hilda, "She Who Must Be Obeyed," insists that he retire, he defends a wounded burglar he meets in the hospital ward. Some strong language. 2001.

Cat in a Midnight Choir: A Midnight Louis Mystery      RC 55590
by Carole Nelson Douglas
read by J.P. Linton
3 cassettes
Temple Barr's lover, Max Kinsella, and detective C.R. Molina's ex-lover, Rafi Nadir, are the main suspects in the murder of a young stripper. Temple's roommate, black cat Midnight Louis, investigates the humans, including a group of rogue magicians who dabble in black magic. Some strong language. 2002.

Vineyard Enigma: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery      RC 55618
by Philip R. Craig
read by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Retired policeman J.W. Jackson helps Abraham Mahsimba of Zimbabwe search for stolen African artifacts believed hidden on Martha's Vineyard. In the end, four people die for the treasures. Jackson's wife, Zee, becomes infatuated with Mahsimba during the investigation. Some strong language. 2002.

Wings of Fire      RC 55619
by Dale Brown
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Retired general Patrick McLanahan, last seen in Warrior Class (RC 53032), assists an assassinated Egyptian president's Ame