Bi Monthly Catalog Corner for March April 2005
The following material is reprinted
from NLS Flash, January 2005, volume 1, issue 3, a newsletter
developed to bring current information on NLS progress in digital technology to
patrons, library staff, and other interested individuals.
Wouldn't it be nice to sample a
digital talking book (DTB) on your computer before checking it out to read? And
nicer still to download the entire book for use right away? The National
Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress,
thinks so. For this reason, NLS is exploring ways to make resources
downloadable and available to patrons.
"We plan to build an NLS
online library of digital talking books," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS
director. "Offering downloadable audiobooks that reflect our collection
will enable us to serve our patrons in a new way."
NLS first began providing
downloadable content six years ago, making braille books and magazines
available in electronic form through Web-Braille. "Braille files are
smaller than audio files and hosting them was a feasible option for our current
system," says Judy Dixon, NLS consumer relations officer.
Patrons can sign up for free
access to the Web-Braille files. They can search the NLS online catalog or scan
the current issue of Braille Book Review for links to the latest
titles. Web-Braille files may be read online or downloaded for embossing or
reading with a refreshable braille display.
"We were able to use an
existing archive of digital braille titles to create the original online
braille library for NLS patrons," says Dixon. "Since then, it's been
a real team effort. We've added music scores, and six of our network libraries
have contributed hundreds of titles to the cause."
It's been a great success. Nearly
4,000 patrons use Web-Braille to access 7,200 book titles and more than 600
musical scores that range from popular songs to the classical masters. Harpers,
Rolling Stone, Martha Stewart Living and twenty-six
other magazines are available for download, as are this year's major league
baseball schedules and four other sports schedules.
One year ago, NLS launched a
Web-Magazine pilot with three audio magazines: U.S. News and World Report,
Smart Computing, and selected issues of People.
Nearly fifty technically adept patrons are testing the system.
Patrons may select magazines by
title and issue date. Then they may download the entire magazine or just select
articles. The audio magazine files are compressed to accelerate the download
process. Readers can then navigate the magazine by article, section, and, in
some cases, by subsection. The magazines can be read right on the computer or
transferred to a commercially available player that is capable of playing
digital talking books.
Here's an example of how the
magazines are prepared for the NLS web site. Every Monday, an NLS producer
acquires a copy of U.S. News and World Report. It is narrated and
produced in DTB format on Tuesday and posted on the site by Wednesday.
In December 2004, NLS joined the
Unabridged project for a one-year pilot to test the usability of downloadable
books. At its launch, Unabridged provided a collection of 250 narrated
audiobooks. However, plans are to have 400 by the end of 2005. Blind and
sighted members of NLS staff are evaluating the use and process of downloadable
digital audiobooks, to better understand the needs and wants of patrons, as
well as to explore the possibilities related to content protection and
distribution. Participation in the NLS portion of the Unabridged project is, at
this time, available exclusively to NLS staff.
NLS staff as well as patrons in
the states participating in the pilot project can download audiobooks to PCs
using a Windows Media audio-based content and delivery system from OverDrive,
Inc., a digital content solutions provider for publishers and retailers.
Participating network libraries
include the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center, the Colorado Talking Book
Library, the Delaware Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the
Talking Book Program of the New Hampshire State Library, and the Oregon State
Library, Talking Book and Braille Services.
NLS is also pursuing a venture
with the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) to test their NetLibrary product
as a means of accessing downloadable audiobooks. As with the Unabridged
project, use will be limited to NLS staff.
"The NetLibrary pilot is
another example of how NLS is testing web delivery options for capacity and
usability," says Neil Bernstein, NLS information technology specialist. NetLibrary
currently houses 405 audiobook titles-including 78 language sets.
In discussion with vendors now,
NLS is searching for a partner with a proven track record of delivering
audiobooks over the Internet. "The final offering will build on the knowledge
gained from Web-Braille, Web-Magazines, and the other internal pilot
projects," says Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director.
NLS is building downloadable
offerings through the analog-to-digital conversion project, which involves
converting existing audiocassette books to digital format, as well as producing
new titles.
When ready, the NLS download
system will provide a large and diverse collection of titles that will allow a
cross section of users access to downloadable digital books. NLS plans include
a digital collection of 20,000 book titles, and a wide selection of magazines
by 2008.
"NLS recognizes the
importance of quality technical support and is committed to providing it,"
says Jean M. Moss, NLS digital projects coordinator. "Now that the plan
for downloadable audiobooks and magazines is in motion, we are pursuing an
aggressive schedule to test and develop the best online products for our
patrons."
Please note: Participants for NLS pilot programs have
already been identified. Public participation will be available after testing
is completed.
NLS is seeking information from
all aspects of these projects to guide its development process. What is to be
determined?
Some examples are:
NLS also wishes to understand the
demographics of the participants.
And how will patrons read the
books once downloaded?
In addition, NLS will obtain
information on the accessibility and usability of the different download
systems.
The following ongoing projects,
set to conclude by 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses.
For information on the NLS
digital project, contact Jean M. Moss, Digital Projects Coordinator.
E-mail: jemo@loc.gov; fax: (202)
707-1690.
For the NLS Strategic Business Plan
online: www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2003.html
Free subscriptions to Reader's
Digest in braille, Reader's Digest on cassette, and Newsweek
on cassette are available from the American Printing House for the Blind by
calling 1-800-223-1839.
Black Dahlia Avenger: A
Genius for Murder RC 56255
by Steve Hodel
read by Ray Hagen
4 cassettes
Retired LAPD detective describes how he pieced together evidence that led him
to conclude that his own father--a sophisticated Hollywood doctor who died in
1999--was a sadistic serial killer who committed the notorious, long-unsolved
1947 murder and mutilation of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. Some
strong language. Bestseller 2003.
More than a Label: Why
What You Wear or Who You're with Doesn't Define Who You Are
RC 56368
by Aisha Muharrar
read by Coleen Delany
1 cassette
Recent high school graduate surveys more than 1,000 teens to examine how school
cliques, designer labels, and other social dividers create problems. Suggests
ways for teenagers to overcome negative unspoken rules in school and to accept
people as individuals. For senior high readers. 2002.
Regarding the Pain of
Others RC 56527
by Susan Sontag
read by Susan McInerney
1 cassette
American intellectual discusses the role of photographs in conveying human
suffering and wartime atrocities. She evaluates other writers' opinions on this
topic and comments on modern day media coverage of horrific events. 2003.
Horseshoes, Cowsocks, and
Duckfeet: More Commentary by NPR's Cowboy Poet and Former Large Animal
Veterinarian RC 56531
by Baxter Black
read by Michael Kramer
2 cassettes
A collection of "mostly humorous, occasionally political, and accidentally
informative" musings by a popular National Public Radio commentator. Black
remarks on everything from cowboy vocabulary and the love of a good cattle dog
to Afghanistan and the war on terrorism. 2002.
The Shaman's Coat: A
Native History of Siberia RC 56629
by Anna Reid
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Historian and former Kiev correspondent for the Economist
traverses Siberia to study its native tribes' history, ancient traditions, and
daily survival. Reconstructs tribal plights beginning with Russia's first
attempt at colonization in 1585. Holds that intolerant, oppressive Russian rule
mirrors the experiences of other indigenous peoples. 2002.
Thriving with Heart
Disease: A Unique Program for You and Your Family; Live Happier, Healthier,
Longer RC 56642
by Wayne M. Sotile
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Cardiac psychologist's guide to dealing with the emotional repercussions of a
heart attack or hypertension. Sotile identifies four stages of heart
illness--surviving the crisis, creating a coping strategy, handling the
homecoming blues, and learning to live with heart disease--and also discusses
living well with heart failure or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
2003.
Setting the World Ablaze:
Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and the American Revolution
RC 56654
by John Ferling
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Drawing on primary sources and focusing on the Revolutionary War years, Ferling
compares the lives of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
Places them among the most important leaders of the struggle for American
independence and discusses their transformation from colonial elites into
democratic reformers. 2000.
My Staggerford Journal
RC 56669
by Jon Hassler
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Daily journal kept by the author while writing Staggerford (RC 56651),
his 1977 novel of small-town life in America. Hassler gives insight into the
creative process, plot development, and the evolution of such characters as Miles
Pruitt, the Bonewoman, and Miss Agatha McGee. 1999.
Ten Things I Learned from
Bill Porter RC 56677
by Shelly Brady
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
The story of a Portland, Oregon, door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy,
whose "indomitable optimism" enabled him to succeed in business and
life. Porter's tale unfolds as his assistant elaborates on the lessons she
learned from this remarkable man, who played Porter in a television movie.
Foreword by actor William H. Macy. 2002.
The Complete Poems of
Emily Dickinson RC 56797
by Emily Dickinson
read by Kimberly Schraf
5 cassettes
Original texts of all 1,775 poems by New England recluse Emily Dickinson
(1830-1886). Largely unpublished in her lifetime, they are presented in roughly
chronological order. 1890.
Beyond Valor: World War
II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat
RC 56806
by Patrick K. O'Donnell
read by Terence Aselford
3 cassettes
More than one hundred personal accounts from World War II veterans, most of
them nonprofessional soldiers. The story of the elite units and a broad view of
the war's western front emerge from their recollections, along with the theme
of the lasting bonds forged in the heat of battle. 2001.
Wheels for the World:
Henry Ford, His Company, and a Century of Progress, 1903-2003
RC 56812
by Douglas Brinkley
read by Robert Sams
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Award-winning biographer draws on archival materials and oral histories to
chronicle the life of automaker Henry Ford (1863-1947) and the history of his
Ford Motor Company. Brinkley examines the industrialist's multifaceted
personality, his labor and business philosophies, and his enduring legacy.
2003.
Companions in Courage:
Triumphant Tales of Heroic Athletes RC 56833
by Pat LaFontaine
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Collection of inspirational stories of athletes who have overcome incredible
obstacles to become successful. LaFontaine encourages readers to realize that
individuals, even though unable to always control what happens to them, do have
a choice in how they respond. For junior and senior high and older readers.
2000.
Change One: The
Breakthrough Twelve-Week Eating Plan; Lose Weight Simply, Safely, and Forever
RC 56838
by John Hastings
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Weight reduction plan developed by Reader's Digest to help
"Americans regain control of what they eat." The twelve-week regimen
calls for changing one daily habit at a time, starting with breakfast. Includes
suggestions for snacks, dining out, stress relief, exercise, meal planning, and
recipes. 2003.
Rodale's Garden Answers:
Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs; At-a-Glance Solutions for Every Gardening
Problem RC 56839
edited by Fern Marshall Bradley
read by Coleen Delany
4 cassettes
An all-organic quick reference guide for gardeners who want to "read a
little so they can garden a lot." Provides concise information on the
causes and symptoms of common problems for a wide range of vegetables, fruits,
and herbs. Also covers getting started and gives regional/seasonal tips. 1995.
On My Own: The Ultimate
How-To Guide for Young Adults; a Manual for Excelling in Your Independent Life
RC 56840
by Sally Taylor
read by Barbara Pinolini
4 cassettes
A guide for people leaving home to live independently for the first time.
Includes advice on jobs, budgeting, health care issues, substance abuse,
relationships, and other social skills. Also provides information on how to
become a good citizen. For senior high and older readers. 2002.
The Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous RC
56864
by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Discusses the disease of compulsive eating and a solution in the form of a
twelve-step program of recovery. Also includes an introduction to the twelve
traditions used in providing group and individual support. 1990.
Dude, Where's My Country?
RC 56935
by Michael Moore
read by D. David Morin
2 cassettes
Author of Stupid White Men (RC 53775) continues his criticism of
the United States and the Bush administration. Questions the war on terrorism
and laments the erosion of domestic civil liberties while supporting Oprah
Winfrey for president. Strong language. Bestseller 2003.
Friends Hold All Things
in Common: Tradition, Intellectual Property, and the Adages of Erasmus RC 57056
by Kathy Eden
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Columbia University humanities professor reflects on the concept of
intellectual property, based on adages of the Renaissance scholar Erasmus. Eden
contemplates notions of friendship and common property, explores the early
history of private property, and provides excerpts from ancient philosophers,
such as Pythagoras, Plato, and Augustine. 2001.
Rocky Marciano: The Rock
of His Times RC 57063
by Russell Sullivan
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
The life and times of boxer Rocky Marciano (1923-1969), the only heavyweight
champ to retire undefeated. Describes the Italian American athlete from
Massachusetts within the cultural context of 1950s America. Analyzes Rocky's
"womanizing, association with gangsters, and a strange fixation on
money." 2002.
The Modern American
Presidency RC 57105
by Lewis L. Gould
read by Dan Toohey
2 cassettes
A historian's examination of the American presidency's emergence in the
twentieth century. Analyzes factors that changed the powerful office, among
them large bureaucracies, continuous campaigning, and the media. 2003.
Reflections: Life after
the White House RC 57178
by Barbara Bush
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
In her sequel to Barbara Bush: A Memoir (RC 38873), Mrs. Bush
chronicles the eight years between the presidencies of her husband and son. She
recalls official functions, charities and hobbies, extensive travel, world
VIPs, and life with her five children and fourteen grandchildren. Includes
several recipes. Bestseller 2003.
Cuba Confidential: Love
and Vengeance in Miami and Havana RC 57202
by Ann Louise Bardach
read by Colleen Delany
4 cassettes
Award-winning journalist examines four decades of U.S. policies toward Cuba.
Investigates anti-Castro sentiments in Florida's exile community, political
corruption, blood feuds, and the Elián Gonzáles affair in 2000. Speculates
about the possibility of a future civil war on the island. Some strong
language. 2002.
All the Shah's Men: An
American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror
RC 57208
by Stephen Kinzer
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Chronicles the August 1953 CIA-led coup in Iran that overthrew the democratic
government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Describes the events that led
to the takeover and the "catastrophic effects" that eventually
resulted in the 1979 overthrow of the Shah by Islamic radicals. 2003.
By the Sword: A History
of Gladiators, Musketeers, Samurai, Swashbucklers, and Olympic Champions RC
57237
by Richard Cohen
read by Bruce Huntey
4 cassettes
British Olympic fencer details the history of sword fighting from ancient
Egyptian times to the twenty-first century. Includes anecdotes about noted
warriors, politicians, and actors who wielded the sword; ponders the sociology
of dueling--including cheating; and details the art of blade making. Some
violence. 2002.
Athénaïs: The Life of
Louis XIV's Mistress, the Real Queen of France
RC 57243
by Lisa Hilton
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Biography of Athénaïs de Montespan (1640-1707), the longtime mistress of Louis
XIV. Discusses her early life, her prominent role as the Sun King's paramour,
their children, her influence on the culture of the French court, and the
bizarre Affair of the Poisons which led to her downfall. 2002.
Lincoln's Virtues: An
Ethical Biography RC 57259
by William Lee Miller
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Ethics scholar presents an unconventional portrait of America's self-educated
sixteenth president. Discusses Lincoln's frontier origins and his acceptance by
the cultural and intellectual elite. Probes the source of Lincoln's moral
convictions, emphasizing his lifelong rejection of majority thinking, his
antislavery stance, and his ability to translate morality into policy. 2002.
Seeing in the Dark: How
Backyard Stargazers Are Probing Deep Space and Guarding Earth from
Interplanetary Peril RC 57262
by Timothy Ferris
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Science writer, inspired by a lifetime of stargazing, chronicles the
professional-level contributions of amateur astronomers. Emphasizes their vital
role in watching the skies for Near Earth Objects, and explains how advances in
technology have made astronomy an accessible hobby. Includes charts, observation
guides, and tips for the novice. 2002.
Deadly Innocence
RC 57265
by Scott Burnside and Alan Cairns
read by Ray Foushee
4 cassettes
Reconstructs the Canadian "crime of the century" in which Paul and
Karla Bernardo--a seemingly normal newlywed couple--abduct, rape, torture, and
kill teenage girls, including Karla's own sister. Paul also turns out to be the
serial "Scarborough Rapist" who haunted Ontario for years. Explicit
descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 1995.
Down the Susquehanna to
the Chesapeake RC 57274
by Jack Brubaker
read by Tom Burch
3 cassettes
Traces the course of the Susquehanna River from its sources in New York and
Pennsylvania through Maryland to the Chesapeake--the nation's largest bay. Each
chapter highlights a key section of the vast watershed, its historic, cultural,
and environmental significance, and the changes that have taken place over the
years. 2002.
Getting Your Book
Published for Dummies® RC 57279
by Sarah Parsons Zackheim
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
Describes the publishing industry and emphasizes what budding authors need to
know in order to have a book produced. Includes advice on dealing with
negotiations, proposals, advances, options, rights, marketing, agents, and
self-publishing on the Web. Foreword by Nelson DeMille. 2000.
Eating in the Dark:
America's Experiment with Genetically Engineered Food
RC 57284
by Kathleen Hart
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Discusses the marketing of genetically modified food products with neither
public disclosure nor sufficient government testing. Suggests that regulatory
agencies tacitly support biotechnology industries and deny the American public
any choice. Contrasts American acceptance of genetically engineered food with
European and Japanese refusal. 2002.
The Fever Trail: In
Search of the Cure for Malaria RC 57286
by Mark Honigsbaum
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Chronicles the perilous expeditions of three nineteenth-century British
explorers searching for South America's elusive cinchona tree--the source of
quinine used to cure malaria. Honigsbaum reconstructs their quests to find and
smuggle the medicinal bark to English colonies. Also discusses
twentieth-century efforts to vaccinate against emerging drug-resistant malaria
strains. 2001.
Nobody's Fool: The Lives
of Danny Kaye RC 57287
by Martin Gottfried
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Portrait of entertainer Danny Kaye, born David Daniel Kaminski in 1913.
Gottfried reconstructs Kaye's early life and later career as an energetic but
emotionally distant singer, dancer, actor, and comedian. He provides an
unflattering glimpse into Kaye's personal life, including his troubled marriage
and extramarital affairs. Some descriptions of sex. 1994.
The Harlem Reader: A
Celebration of New York's Most Famous Neighborhood, from the Renaissance Years
to the Twenty-first Century RC 57319
edited by Herb Boyd
read by Robin Miles
2 cassettes
Anthology of essays, articles, short stories, and poetry reflects the diversity
and creativity of this unique urban community. Selections represent some of the
most significant social, political, and cultural African American voices of the
twentieth century including Malcolm X, Sidney Poitier, Langston Hughes, Maya
Angelou, and others. 2003.
Middletown, America: One
Town's Passage from Trauma to Hope RC 57327
by Gail Sheehy
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Journalist records the post-9/11 thoughts, feelings, and actions of fifty
residents, especially four widowed moms, of Middletown, New Jersey, a community
suffering more deaths from the Twin Towers' destruction than any other outside
NYC. Sheehy's interviews, conducted over a two-year period, reveal the
survivors' trauma, anger, call to activism, and gradual revival of hope. 2003.
The Meaning of the Dead
Sea Scrolls: Their Significance for Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus,
and Christianity RC 57338
by James VanderKam and Peter Flint
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
A comprehensive introduction to the ancient manuscripts found between 1947 and
1956 in caves along the shore of the Dead Sea. Explores the discovery and
dating of the parchments, their relationship to religious scripture, the
controversies surrounding their existence, and the message of nonbiblical
scrolls. 2002.
Windows XP for Dummies
RC 57340
by Andy Rathbone
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Covers the essentials for novices to become familiar with basic computer parts
as well as the Windows XP operating system. Includes how to run programs, move
and delete files, connect to the Internet, and use such applications as e-mail,
web browsers, and multimedia players. 2001.
Hegemony or Survival:
America's Quest for Global Dominance RC 57354
by Noam Chomsky
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Author of Deterring Democracy (RC 34598) dissects the U.S.
"imperial grand strategy," which he asserts has intensified since the
September 11, 2001, attacks. Chomsky traces American desire for supremacy to
the early days of WWII, analyzes the George W. Bush administration's aggressive
foreign policies, and warns of dire consequences. Bestseller 2003.
Living to Tell the Tale
RC 57362
by Gabriel García Márquez
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
The Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author of novels such as One Hundred Years
of Solitude (RC 25181) and Love in the Time of Cholera (RC 26981)
presents a memoir--first of a projected trilogy--of his poverty-filled early
years including the beginning of his writing career, his love affairs, and
politics. Bestseller 2002.
Sailing the Wine-Dark
Sea: Why the Greeks Matter RC 57372
by Thomas Cahill
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
The author of Desire of the Everlasting Hills (RC 50633) continues
his survey of civilizations by tracing the fifth-century-B.C. Greek rise to
ascendency in democracy, philosophy, poetry, drama, music, architecture and the
arts, and warfare. Strong language. 2003.
Intelligence in War:
Knowledge of the Enemy from Napoleon to Al-Qaeda
RC 57376
by John Keegan
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Author of The First World War (RC 48770) examines the role of
intelligence in military conflicts. Using land and sea battles from the late
1700s through World War II as case studies, Keegan concludes that foreknowledge
of enemy activities, although useful, is "no protection against
disaster" and that "only force ultimately counts." 2003.
The Stone Cold Truth
RC 57379
by Steve Austin
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
The autobiography of professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
He describes rising through the ranks of the World Championship Wrestling
Federation, his dispute with the owner leading to his departure, joining the
World Wrestling Entertainment Corporation, and working with agents. Discusses
his three marriages, and more. Some strong language. Bestseller 2003.
True Notebooks
RC 57380
by Mark Salzman
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
Collection of writings by juvenile inmates, compiled by their detention-center
teacher, a former victim of violent juvenile crime. Salzman develops an understanding
of his students in the justice system and helps them explore their
vulnerabilities, fears, and hopes through writing. Strong language, some
descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller 2003.
Queen Anne
RC 57389
by Edward Gregg
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Biography of Britain's Queen Anne (1665-1714). Presents public and private
aspects of her life, portraying her as both ruler and private individual.
Examines her reign, dominated at home by political factions vying to succeed her
and abroad by a struggle against France's Louis XIV. 2001.
Sunk without a Sound: The
Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde
RC 57394
by Brad Dimock
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
White-water guide retraces the ill-fated 1928 honeymoon voyage of a couple who
traveled down the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River in a sweep scow--only to
disappear. Relates their family histories and the subsequent unsuccessful
search for them. 2001.
The Pity of It All: A
History of Jews in Germany, 1743-1933 RC 57405
by Amos Elon
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Israeli historian and journalist depicts two centuries of Jewish participation
in and identification with German culture. Elon traces Jewish assimilation into
German society and explores individual contributions to the German intellectual
community, beginning with philosopher Moses Mendelssohn's arrival in Berlin in
1743 and ending with the rise of Nazism. 2002.
Lessons I Learned in the
Dark RC 57411
by Jennifer Rothschild
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Christian inspirational speaker and singer, who lost her eyesight in high
school due to retinitis pigmentosa, emphasizes the importance of spiritual
beliefs in overcoming personal problems. Rothschild describes her first and
greatest lesson, learned from God: "Even when it is not well with our
circumstances, it can be well with our souls." 2002.
Scientific Conversations:
Interviews on Science from the New York Times RC 57419
by Claudia Dreifus
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Thirty-eight scientists--from astronomers and geologists to immunologists and
developmental biologists--answer a journalist's questions about their special
fields of work and personal involvement. Includes Stephen Jay Gould, Freeman
Dyson, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, John McPhee, and Sir Roger Penrose. 2001.
The President's House: A
First Daughter Shares the History and Secrets of the World's Most Famous Home
RC 57439
by Margaret Truman
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
The daughter of president Harry Truman describes the history and architectural
features of the White House and shares tidbits about its former occupants.
Includes anecdotes about past commanders in chief and their families, pets,
servants, and distinguished guests. 2003.
A Shortcut through Time:
The Path to the Quantum Computer RC 57444
by George Johnson
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Award-winning New York Times science writer explores the
possibilities of quantum computation. Johnson compares present-day desktop and
supercomputers based on binary logic to possible future computers relying on
principles of molecular physics, which would be exponentially faster. Provides
an overview of the basic concepts and evolution of quantum mechanics. 2003.
Down by the River: Drugs,
Money, Murder, and Family RC 57446
by Charles Bowden
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Journalist reconstructs the 1995 murder of Lionel Bruno Jordan in El Paso,
Texas, and the subsequent search for the truth by his DEA-agent brother. The
trail leads to hypocrisy and corruption as Bowden implicates Mexico and the
United States as willing partners in the drug trade. Violence and some strong
language. 2002.
Beyond the River: The
Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad
RC 57447
by Ann Hagedorn
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Portrait of Presbyterian minister John Rankin (1793-1886) and his fellow
abolitionists who ran the Underground Railroad of Ripley, Ohio--a town known to
Kentucky slaveholders across the river as a haven for runaway slaves. Hagedorn
chronicles their heroic efforts to liberate slaves and discusses the
abolitionist movement. 2002.
Beyond Courage: The Nine
Principles of Heroism RC 57453
by Chris Benguhe
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Benguhe presents the personal characteristics that he feels underlie heroism:
integrity, duty, self-respect, faith, devotion, altruism, compassion,
listening, and forgiveness. He explains each trait with a definition, a
"how-to" example, and a true account of a hero demonstrating that
principle in action. 2003.
Leavenworth Train: A
Fugitive's Search for Justice in the Vanishing West
RC 57459
by Joe Jackson
read by Alec Volz
4 cassettes
Portrait of Frank Grigware, who was convicted of train robbery and sent to the
U.S. penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1909. Using prison records, FBI
files, and periodicals, Jackson reconstructs Grigware's story: his unjust
sentence, escape, adventurous flight across the American frontier, and arrival
in Canada, where he began a new life. Some violence. 2001.
In the Next Galaxy
RC 57465
by Ruth Stone
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Eighth collection from the award-winning Virginia native, born in 1915. In
nearly one hundred poems, Stone provides an unsentimental personal glimpse of
her life--from coping with her husband's suicide and the realities of her own
aging to everyday observations of the world around her. Some strong language.
National Book Award. 2002.
When Smoke Ran like
Water: Tales of Environmental Deception and the Battle against Pollution RC
57467
by Devra Davis
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Motivated by pollution-related deaths in her Pennsylvania hometown, a senior
advisor to the World Health Organization analyzes the struggle for
accountability and regulation of environmental polluters. Davis investigates
the statistical link between toxic substances and health problems and exposes
how industrial polluters deceive the public by manipulating scientists and
government agencies. 2002.
Taking Flight: Inventing
the Aerial Age from Antiquity through the First World War
RC 57486
by Richard P. Hallion
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Comprehensive survey by former air force historian of the evolution of flight.
Hallion highlights aviation milestones and the individuals behind them--from
second-century Chinese kites to European Renaissance-era wing designs and later
balloon and glider experiments. Covers the Wright brothers' historic 1903
flight and provides an analysis of World War I aerial technology. 2003.
Looking for Spinoza: Joy,
Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain RC 57512
by Antonio Damasio
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A leading neurologist, the author of The Feeling of What Happens (RC
53230), explores the relationship between perceptions, the nervous
system, brain chemistry, and feeling states. In affirming the priority of
behaviors over associated feelings, he discovers an intellectual kinship with
the seventeenth-century Dutch philosopher Spinoza. 2003.
Treasured Poems That Touch
the Heart: Cherished Poems and Favorite Poets RC
57537
compiled by Mary Sanford Laurence
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Anthology of familiar poems grouped by themes such as youth, life, romance,
friendship, character, prayer, nature, sorrow, growing old, and reflections.
Includes writings by the Brownings, Donne, Frost, Shakespeare, and Wordsworth.
1996.
Christmas at the New Yorker: Stories, Poems, Humor, and Art
RC 57538
by New Yorker
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Anthology of holiday writing featured in the New Yorker magazine
from 1925 to 2002. Seasonal poetry and prose highlight themes like the spirit
of giving, family, Santa Claus, and Christmas carols. Contributing authors
include James Thurber, H.L. Mencken, Alice Munro, E.B. White, and foreword
author John Updike. 2003.
Judgment Ridge: The True
Story behind the Dartmouth Murders RC 57543
by Mitchell Zuckoff and Dick Lehr
read by Dan Toohey
3 cassettes
Boston Globe reporters examine the 2001 murder of a professor
couple from Dartmouth College by two Vermont teenagers. Explores the rural
environment's social conditions and investigates the mind-set of the killers,
Jim Parker and Robert Tulloch. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.
This Far by Faith:
Stories from the African American Religious Experience
RC 57544
by Juan Williams and Quinton Dixie
read by Dan Toohey
2 cassettes
This companion to the PBS television series chronicles African American
religious history, both Christian and non-Christian, from slavery to the
twentieth century. Explores the evolution of faith as a source of strength,
influence of the church on the civil rights movement, and leaders it has
produced, including the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. 2003.
Hope Dies Last: Keeping
the Faith in Difficult Times RC 57545
by Studs Terkel
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Oral interviews with fifty-four people, varying in age and profession, focusing
especially on their hopes to achieve a better life for themselves and mankind.
Terkel presents these vignettes, which discuss such subjects as politics,
economics, and civil rights, to support his thesis that hope is necessary to
trigger activism leading to change. 2003.
Rocket Man: Robert H.
Goddard and the Birth of the Space Age RC 57549
by David A. Clary
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Biography of Massachusetts-born physicist known as the American father of
modern rocketry. This balanced portrait of Goddard (1882-1945) not only
considers his contributions to space-flight technology, major among them the
liquid-fueled rocket, but also his contradictory nature and the rise and fall
of his image in the twentieth century. 2003.
The Grandparent Guide:
The Definitive Guide to Coping with the Challenges of Modern Grandparenting RC
57550
by Arthur Kornhaber
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
Medical doctor who is also a child and family therapist offers advice on the
role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren, as well as changes
in that role as people live longer. His topics include baby-sitting, mentoring,
spiritual guidance, favoritism, spoiling, adoption, divorce, substance abuse,
"cybergrandparenting," legal issues, and legacies. 2002.
Me and My Dad: A Baseball
Memoir RC 57553
by Paul O'Neill
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Autobiography by former New York Yankee Paul O'Neill saluting his late father,
Charles "Chick" O'Neill, as childhood idol, lifelong teacher, coach,
and best friend. The Ohio native recalls his family, career, and bond with his
father, who viewed baseball as "a way of life, a set of rules and
philosophies, challenges and opportunities." 2003.
Wings of Madness: Alberto
Santos-Dumont and the Invention of Flight RC
57554
by Paul Hoffman
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Author of The Man Who Loved Only Numbers (RC 48056) examines the
life and work of Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932), the Brazilian-born
aeronautical pioneer whose dirigibles captivated Paris. Hoffman highlights
Santos-Dumont's aerial accomplishments, role in the race for manned flight, and
despair at the destructive power of militarized aircraft during World War I.
2003.
Terror in the Name of
God: Why Religious Militants Kill RC 57555
by Jessica Stern
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Terrorism expert explores the phenomenon of violence perpetrated in the name of
religion--Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. Drawing on conversations with
government officials, religious leaders, and terrorist operatives, Stern
identifies motivations and grievances leading individuals to join holy-war
groups. She also examines the structure of their organizations and suggests
some counterstrategies. 2003.
How the Cows Turned Mad
RC 57563
by Maxime Schwartz
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Molecular biologist chronicles the origins of "mad cow" disease, its
forms and manifestations, genetic links, manner of transmission, the hunt for
its cause, major discoveries, and public health concerns surrounding the
epidemic. Covers related afflictions targeting the central nervous system.
2003.
Brinkley's Beat: People,
Places, and Events That Shaped My Time RC 57571
by David Brinkley
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Posthumously published memoir by well-known TV reporter and anchor comprising
anecdotal reflections on his life and career. Covers his many interests
including World War II, civil rights, world affairs, political personalities
and conventions, and American foreign policy. Includes his wry observations on
his world and his work. 2003.
Horatio's Drive:
America's First Road Trip RC 57572
by Dayton Duncan
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Account of the first cross-country automobile trip in the United States. In
1903 Horatio Jackson, a thirty-one-year-old Vermont doctor, bet fifty dollars
that he could drive from San Francisco to New York despite only 150 miles of
paved roadway in the entire nation. Introduction by Ken Burns, maker of a
companion PBS documentary. 2003.
Do You Love Football?
Winning with Heart, Passion, and Not Much Sleep
RC 57574
by Jon Gruden
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Autobiographical account by the youngest head coach of a Super Bowl winner. A
former non-star college quarterback, Gruden details his professional coaching
career with five NFL teams, progressing from an assistant's position with the
San Francisco 49ers to the chief architect leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to
football's ultimate prize in 2003. 2003.
My Prison without Bars
RC 57590
by Pete Rose
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Autobiography by former Cincinnati Reds baseball star banned from the sport in
1989 after gambling allegations. Rose describes his rise to fame as a
record-breaking hitter and team manager, five-month prison stay for tax
evasion, and 2002 bid for reinstatement to baseball by admitting he bet on his
team. Strong language. Bestseller 2004.
The Price of Loyalty:
George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O'Neill
RC 57591
by Ron Suskind
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Pulitzer prize-winning journalist uses documents from the Secretary of the Treasury
under president George W. Bush to illustrate the inner workings of the White
House. The maverick millionaire O'Neill, former CEO of Alcoa, details his brief
two-year stint in the cabinet. Bestseller 2004.
One Hundred Years of
Hunting: The Ultimate Tribute to Our Hunting Heritage
RC 57592
edited by Voyageur Press
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
A collection of eighteen hunting tales by notable historical persons and
outdoor writers celebrating an American sporting activity over most of the past
century. Includes Grover Cleveland's "Quail Shooting" (1906), Ernest
Hemingway's "Remembering Shooting-Flying: A Key West Letter" (1935),
and Jimmy Carter's "Learning to Hunt" (1988). 1999.
The Progress Paradox: How
Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse RC
57594
by Gregg Easterbrook
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Journalist examines the increased prevalence of melancholy, pessimism, and
discontent in Western culture despite ever-higher standards of living.
Easterbrook presents sociological theories to explain how aspects of
contemporary life breed negativity. Urges a return to positive thinking for the
sake of self and society. 2003.
Blood for Dignity: The
Story of the First Integrated Combat Unit in the U.S. Army
RC 57597
by David P. Colley
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Chronicles the experiences of the first African American platoon integrated
with white units since the Revolutionary War. Drawing on interviews with WWII
veterans, Colley describes the division's three months of European combat in
1945, examines frontline race relations, and discusses the broader implications
of military integration for American society. 2003.
Barry Bonds: Baseball's
Superman RC 57602
by Steven Travers
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Sports columnist and former professional baseball player examines the life and
character of San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds, a four-time winner of the Most
Valuable Player award who broke the single-season home run record in 2001.
Travers chronicles Bonds's life and sometimes controversial but illustrious
career. Foreword by actor Charlie Sheen. 2002.
Food, Inc.: Mendel to
Monsanto; the Promises and Perils of the Biotech Harvest
RC 57607
by Peter Pringle
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Journalist traces the development of genetically modified foods and the debate
surrounding biotech farming. Addresses both potential benefits, such as
alleviating world hunger, and possible hazards. Also raises concerns over
delayed government regulation and the lack of information available to
consumers. 2003.
There's a Flying Squirrel
in My Coffee: Overcoming Cancer with the Help of My Pet
RC 57617
by Bill Goss
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Retired naval lieutenant commander, business consultant, and motivational
speaker presents an inspirational account of his triumph over a rare but deadly
form of skin cancer. Goss reflects on his illness, his love for his family, and
his adventures with an orphaned flying squirrel named Rocky, who helped him
recover. 2002.
The Lord Is My Shepherd:
Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm RC
57619
by Harold S. Kushner
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Rabbi Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People (RC 48900),
reflects on the solace in the words of the Twenty-Third Psalm and their meaning
after the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. Kushner's nonsectarian
discussion examines each stanza of the psalm as it relates to life and loss.
2003.
From Love Field: Our
Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy RC
57621
by Nellie Connally and Mickey Herskowitz
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Widow of former Texas governor John Connally recalls the fateful Dallas ride in
the presidential limousine on November 22, 1963, when JFK was fatally shot and
the governor severely wounded. Nellie Connally describes the chaos of the
scene, her husband's long recovery, and the assassination's effect on her and
her three children. 2003.
Multiple Sclerosis Q
& A: Reassuring Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
RC 57623
by Beth Ann Hill
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
Introduction to multiple sclerosis (MS) by a patient, addressing the most
common concerns. Topics include symptoms, tests, diagnosis, and treatments.
Covers family issues and lifestyle changes and offers positive assurances and
available resources. 2003.
Without Pity: Ann Rule's
Most Dangerous Killers RC 57641
by Ann Rule
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Veteran crime journalist Rule gathers twelve cases from investigating
detectives, victims, grieving survivors, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.
Examines the motive and exceptional nature of each crime, including the killing
of two hikers in "The Tumbledown Shack" and murder for hire in
"Murder and the Proper Housewife." Violence. Bestseller 2003.
Franklin and Winston: An
Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship RC 57644
by Jon Meacham
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Chronicles the vital friendship between British prime minister Winston
Churchill and U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1939 and 1945. The
author, managing editor at Newsweek, uses archives and
reminiscences of staffers to document the leaders' personal relationship as the
two planned the defeat Germany and Japan. Bestseller 2003.
Tour of Duty: John Kerry
and the Vietnam War RC 57645
by Douglas Brinkley
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes
Account of Massachusetts senator's decorated naval career by history professor
and author of Wheels for the World (RC 56812). Drawing on
interviews and Kerry's own wartime correspondence and journals, Brinkley
describes Kerry's schooling, military training, tour of duty in Vietnam, and
participation in antiwar protests. Some strong language. Bestseller 2004.
Diabetes A to Z: What You
Need to Know about Diabetes, Simply Put RC 57648
by American Diabetes Association
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Revised and updated edition explains diabetes-related issues in clear, simple
terms. Topics for coping with the illness are arranged alphabetically and cover
diet and exercise, blood glucose monitoring, possible complications, health
care, employment rights, and more. 2003.
Independent Living: A
Viable Option for Long-Term Care RC 57655
by Andrew I. Batavia
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Late founder of the Journal of Disability Policy Studies assesses
three models of available long-term care: institutional care, home-based
support, and personal assistance services. Details strategies for implementing
the "independent living model" and addresses consumer-related issues
such as financing and quality assurance. 2003.
The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty RC 57656
by Caroline Alexander
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Drawing on diaries, correspondence, news items, and other primary source
material, Alexander casts a new light on events surrounding the mutineers'
seizure of the Bounty in 1789. Alexander examines the actions and
motivations of the central characters, as well as Tahitian seductions and
political intrigues, concluding that Captain Bligh was unjustly maligned. 2003.
Thomas Jefferson: An
Intimate History RC 57671
by Fawn M. Brodie
read by Bill Wallace
5 cassettes (Reissue)
History professor researches Thomas Jefferson using primary sources and resents
not only his public but also his inner life. Documents his long association
with his slave mistress, Sally Hemings, the half-sister of his late wife,
Martha. 1974.
Deliver Us from Evil:
Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism
RC 57701
by Sean Hannity
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Fox news host, author of Let Freedom Ring (RC 54932), addresses
"the reality of evil in the world." Posits the importance of acting
against it and holds that democratic liberals' advocacy of accommodation
jeopardizes U.S. national security. Bestseller 2004.
The Privilege of Youth: A
Teenager's Story of Longing for Acceptance and Friendship
RC 57704
by Dave Pelzer
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Bestselling author of A Man Named Dave (RC 49257) and A
Child Called "It" (RC 45004) continues his memoir of childhood
abuse and recovery. In this installment, Pelzer revisits his adolescence,
describing both torment by bullies and the thrill of making friends. Some
violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2004.
The Proper Care and
Feeding of Husbands RC 57705
by Laura C. Schlessinger
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Radio talk-show psychologist and author of Ten Stupid Things Women Do to
Mess Up Their Lives (RC 38864) illustrates marital enjoyment, using
real-life examples. Enumerates her fundamental concepts and techniques to keep
a mate content. Bestseller 2004.
The Automatic
Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich
RC 57712
by David Bach
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Financial expert's simple, commonsense approach to accumulating wealth over
one's working life. Advises people to forget budgeting and instead "pay
themselves first" by setting aside a certain percentage of their salary
for direct deposit into a retirement account. Stresses the importance of
automating personal finances to obviate day-to-day decisions. Bestseller 2004.
The Couple
RC 57717
by Mark Rudman
read by John Lescault
1 cassette
Rider (RC 56813) author depicts eros, romance, and memory in
fourteen verses and prose poems. From popular culture, history, and mythology,
Rudman explores such pairs as schoolmates, Perseus and Andromeda, and Mary Ure
and Robert Shaw. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.
We Survived: Fourteen
Histories of the Hidden and Hunted in Nazi Germany
RC 57732
by Eric H. Boehm
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Compilation by a World War II veteran of firsthand accounts from some
individuals who resisted Nazi injustice in the 1930s and 1940s. Depicts
underground movements of lawbreakers, fugitives, prisoners, and deserters who
risked their lives for freedom on the "inner front." 1949.
Urban Tribes: A
Generation Redefines Friendship, Family, and Commitment
RC 57735
by Ethan Watters
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Author defines "urban tribes" as communities of individuals bound
together by common interests, friendship, and circumstances. Describes these
networks, which usually comprise unmarried professionals who turn to the group
for the kinds of support traditionally supplied by families. Includes
interviews with members of various tribes across the United States. 2003.
Making Family Websites:
Fun and Easy Ways to Share Memories RC 57845
by Jenni Bidner
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Easy-to-follow instructions for creating an interactive online scrapbook for
exchanging family news, displaying photos, and organizing events. Explains how
web sites work and provides information on securing a site name, using computer
software, improving photo quality, designing and personalizing a virtual
gallery, and uploading a finished product onto the Internet. 2003.
The Ornament of the
World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in
Medieval Spain RC 57848
by María Rosa Menocal
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Yale professor portrays the flourishing culture and economy that existed in
Andalusia in the Middle Ages when the Muslim Umayyad dynasty encouraged
religious tolerance of the area's Jews and Christians. Discusses aesthetic
achievements and cross-cultural triumphs such as the Alhambra and the poetry of
Judah Halevi. 2002.
From Time Immemorial: The
Origins of the Arab-Jewish Conflict over Palestine
RC 57849
by Joan Peters
read by Suzanne Toren
5 cassettes
Former White House Mideast consultant draws on primary documents, official
archives, and firsthand interviews to examine historical factors underlying the
twentieth-century conflict between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East.
Scholarly analysis of widely held misconceptions concerning Arab refugees as
well as the roles of tradition and migration. 1984.
In the Beginning:
Creation Stories from around the World RC 57850
retold by Virginia Hamilton
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
Twenty-five myths from around the globe describe the creation of the world.
Includes "First Man, First Woman" from the Bible, "Bursting from
the Hen's Egg" from China, and "An Endless Sea of Mud" from
Africa. For junior and senior high readers. 1988.
Yasir Arafat: A Political
Biography RC 57851
by Barry Rubin and Judith Colp Rubin
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
Journalists portray the man who became leader of the Palestinian nationalist
movement in 1959 when he founded Fatah. Using interviews and archival
materials, they analyze his upbringing, his early military experiences, and the
development of his reputation as a revolutionary and survivor, focusing on the
elusive man himself. Includes chronology, glossary, and bibliography. 2003.
The World I Live In
RC 57951
by Helen Keller
read by Judith Gantly
1 cassette
New edition of a short collection of personal essays Helen Keller wrote in 1908
when she was twenty-eight. Follows The Story of My Life (RC 55883).
This reflective work is separated into three categories: the senses, especially
touch; imagination, thinking, and language; and dream analysis. Introduction by
Roger Shattuck. 2003.
The Peloponnesian War
RC 57952
by Donald Kagan
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Classical historian chronicles the thirty-year war between Athens and Sparta
that ended a remarkable time of prosperity in Greece during the fifth century
B.C. Kagan draws on the work of contemporary participant Thucydides and other
ancient sources in detailing the rivalries, strategies, and main players in the
conflict. 2003.
Dr. Sears' LEAN Kids: A Total Health Program for Children
Ages Six through Twelve RC 57956
by William Sears and Peter Sears
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Renowned pediatrician William Sears offers a twelve-week plan for parents to
help children reach their optimal health. Comprehensive guide addresses four
keys to a child's well-being: L: lifestyle; E: exercise; A: attitude; and N:
nutrition. Provides strategies for helping kids develop positive health habits,
including wise eating decisions. 2003.
Escape from Slavery: The
True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity and My Journey to Freedom in America
RC 57965
by Francis Bok
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes
A Christian Dinka relates his capture in 1986 at age seven and enslavement by
northern Sudanese Arabs before breaking free. Bok describes herding goats and
cattle for a cruel master, finally escaping on the third try, obtaining UN
refugee status, moving to the United States in 1999, and becoming an
antislavery activist. 2003.
The Anatomy of Hope: How
People Prevail in the Face of Illness RC 57969
by Jerome Groopman
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Physician and New Yorker staff writer draws on thirty years of
medical experience and his own struggles with a debilitating back injury to
explore the "biology of hope." Presenting intimate portraits of
former patients, Groopman investigates, in the mind-body connection, scientific
evidence of emotions' contributions to recovery. 2004.
Secret Soldiers: The Story
of World War II's Heroic Army of Deception RC
57974
by Philip Gerard
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Details unorthodox missions of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops, an eclectic
group including artists, actors, and engineers whose overall purpose was
battlefield deception. Gerard describes how inflatable tanks, special effects,
camouflage, and radio misinformation were used to fool the German army and
minimize Allied casualties. Some violence. 2002.
Alzheimer's Early Stages:
First Steps for Families, Friends, and Caregivers
RC 57980
by Daniel Kuhn
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Education director of the Mather Institute of Aging addresses medical aspects
of Alzheimer's disease including risk factors, early symptoms, treatment, and
prevention. Also covers care, safety, finances, and end-of-life concerns.
Emphasizes the importance of support groups and other assistance for families.
1999.
The Radical Lives of
Helen Keller RC 57987
by Kim E. Nielsen
read by Judith Gantly
2 cassettes
Feminist professor analyzes the political and social views of Helen Keller.
Describes Keller's support of the Socialist Party of America in 1909, women's
suffrage and birth control, and radical labor unions. But, according to the
author, "the disability politics she adopted were frequently conservative,
consistently patronizing, and occasionally repugnant." 2004.
Climbing Higher
RC 57988
by Montel Williams
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Emmy-winning talk show host relates his personal experiences in confronting the
physical and emotional challenges of living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Williams describes the diagnosis and manifestations of his disease; reviews
different medications for managing pain; and includes opinions and predictions of
seven doctors regarding MS research. Strong language. 2004.
The Power of Intention:
Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way RC
58050
by Wayne W. Dyer
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Self-development speaker/author presents a step-by-step guide for connecting to
the universal, omnipresent energy he describes as intention, the source of
creativity. Outlines ways to access the spirit and raise energy levels, realize
desires, expand reality, and achieve tranquility. 2004.
My Life: Abridged Edition
RC 58101
by Bill Clinton
read by Bill Clinton
2 cassettes
Abridged autobiography of William Jefferson Clinton, forty-second American
president. 2004.
Handbook for Boys
RC 54621
by Walter Dean Myers
read by Chuck Young
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Jimmy Lynch, on probation for assault, is mentored by three
senior citizens in a Harlem barbershop. Over time Jimmy absorbs their advice on
choices and responsibility. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.
The Gospel of Judas
RC 55217
by Simon Mawer
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Biblical scholar Father Leo Newman travels to Jerusalem to translate a newly
discovered scroll believed to be a fifth gospel written by the apostle Judas.
Meanwhile he is having an affair with a married woman, reminiscent of his
mother's past. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.
Child of My Heart
RC 55346
by Alice McDermott
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
Theresa, a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl, lives in East Hampton, Long Island,
and takes care of children and pets for wealthy families during the beach
season. She matures into a young woman the summer her sickly eight-year-old
cousin Daisy visits her from New York. Some strong language. 2002.
The Minority Report and Other Classic Stories
RC 55815
by Philip K. Dick
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Eighteen science fiction short stories, among them "The Minority
Report," in which police commissioner John Anderton invents a preventive
crime system to identify criminals before they commit offenses. When Anderton
is marked as the next aggressor, he must flee for his life. 1987.
The Dogs of Babel
RC 56295
by Carolyn Parkhurst
read by Erik Singer
2 cassettes
Linguist Paul Iverson grieves for his wife, Lexy, who died after mysteriously
falling from a tree. Lorelei, their dog, is the only witness. Paul attempts to
teach Lorelei to talk in order to determine whether the fall was an accident or
suicide, all the while reliving his memories of Lexy. Strong language.
Bestseller 2003.
Pool Boy
RC 56390
by Michael Simmons
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Spoiled California teen Brett must forego his wealthy lifestyle after his dad
goes to prison for insider trading and his family has to survive on reduced
income. Brett takes a job cleaning pools and learns to adjust to his new
circumstances. Some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.
The Burning Stone: Crown
of Stars, Volume 3 RC 56490
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Liath and her husband, Sanglant, fall from King Henry's grace for Liath's
sorcery. When the couple discovers they are born of enemy camps, Liath must
choose between destiny, her child, and the man she loves. Sequel to Prince
of Dogs (RC 56489). Violence and some descriptions of sex. 1999.
Six Easy Pieces: Easy
Rawlins Stories RC 56534
by Walter Mosley
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
Seven interconnected short stories featuring Easy Rawlins in 1960s Los Angeles.
Rawlins assists pals who are in trouble and encounters arson, murder, and
mayhem. He also searches for his friend Mouse, who he suspects may still be
alive. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.
As Above, So Below: A
Novel of Peter Bruegel RC 56621
by Rudy Rucker
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Fictional biography of the sixteenth-century Flemish painter. Depicts Bruegel's
personal life and artistic career, reflecting the political turmoil of Catholic
Spain's occupation of the Calvinist-inclined Netherlands. Some descriptions of
sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.
Great Dream of Heaven:
Stories RC 56661
by Sam Shepard
read by Constance Crawford
1 cassette
Eighteen short stories portraying unfulfilled, often desperate individuals
forced to recognize who they really are. In "The Remedy Man," a boy
observes the grim contest between a man and an ill-tempered stallion. In
"Blinking Eye," a woman transporting her mother's ashes to the
funeral stops to help an injured hawk. 2002.
The Battle
RC 56662
by Patrick Rambaud
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Fictionalized account of Napoleon's first major land defeat at the Battle of
Essling in May 1809. Marshal Masséna led his troops against the Austrians
outside of Vienna but was forced to retreat. In two days more than forty
thousand lay dead. The winner of two French literary awards. Violence. 2000.
The Outcry
RC 56670
by Henry James
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Early-twentieth-century satire on the rich. While wealthy American Breckenridge
Bender travels to England to buy heirlooms from cash-poor British aristocrats,
Lord Theign of Dedborough tries to marry off his daughter in order to pay
family debts. James's last novel. 1911.
The Amazing Interlude and The Street of Seven Stars RC 56783
by Mary Roberts Rinehart
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
In "The Amazing Interlude" Sara Lee Kennedy leaves her fiancé during
the First World War to join the Red Cross in Belgium. There she falls in love
with a shell-shocked soldier. In "The Street of Seven Stars" an
American musician living in Austria must choose between love and career. 2000.
Robot Dreams
RC 56820
by Isaac Asimov
read by Michael Russoto
3 cassettes
Twenty-one science fiction stories about robots and intelligent computers. In
the title story, roboticist Susan Calvin must ponder what possible dangers
could arise from humanoid machines that dream. In "The Last
Question," a supercomputer weighs the ultimate fate of the universe. 1986.
The Collected Stories of
Vernor Vinge RC 56827
by Vernor Vinge
read by Terence Aselford
4 cassettes
Contains almost all of this Hugo Award-winner's science fiction short stories
from his first, "Apartness" (1965), to "Fast Times at Fairmont
High" more than three decades later. Most speculate on social and
political effects of new technology. 2001.
New Stories from the
South: The Year's Best, 2003 RC 56863
edited by Shannon Ravenel
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Eighteenth annual collection of southern short stories, with a preface by Roy
Blount Jr. In "Rich People" by Lucy Corin, a young woman visiting
friends discovers paté in their refrigerator. In Steve Almond's "The Soul
Molecule," the narrator meets a former college friend who has a bullet in
his head. Some strong language. 2003.
Taming the Scotsman
RC 56897
by Kinley MacGregor
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Eleanor "Nora" Alexander seeks out Ewan MacAllister, a man her father
fears, as her means of escaping from Scotland and an arranged marriage. Ewan
agrees to take Nora to England and unexpectedly falls in love with the
troublesome young lady. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language.
2003.
Wild Magic: Fool's Gold,
Book 2 RC 56905
by Jude Fisher
read by MaryBeth Wise
4 cassettes
Following a disaster at the Allfair, the lands of Eyra and Istria are verging
on war as magic slowly awakens. Confronting their destinies are swordmaker
Katla Aransen and Rosa Eldi, who is ignorant of her true identity. Sequel to Sorcery
Rising (RC 54832). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence.
2003.
First Rider's Call: Green
Rider, Book 2 RC 56909
by Kristen Britain
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
After helping save King Zachary's throne, Green Rider Karigan G'ladheon wants
to resume her old life. However, with Riders dying out she is recalled to duty
by Lil Ambriodhe, dead for a millennium, who had founded the Riders. Sequel to Green
Rider (RC 56903). For senior high and older readers. 2003.
Reinhart in Love
RC 57045
by Thomas Berger
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Twenty-one-year-old overweight ex-corporal Carlo Reinhart leaves the army's
psycho ward and returns home, where he is confronted with the new terrors of
civilian life in postwar America. His parents, various moneymaking schemes, and
fumbling encounters with the opposite sex wreak havoc with his abraded
sensitivities. Sequel to Crazy in Berlin (RC 57041). Some
descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1962.
The Pursuit: The English
Garden, Book 4 RC 57061
by Lori Wick
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes
1813. Edward Steele's voyage home to Collingbourne from Africa is delayed when
he comes to the aid of two fellow passengers. Edward soon discovers one is a
woman on the run to protect her children. Sequel to The Visitor (RC
57052). 2003.
The Mangrove Coast
RC 57067
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russoto
2 cassettes
Marine biologist and former intelligence agent Doc Ford, of Sanibel Island,
Florida, is enlisted by a late friend's daughter to find her mother. Gail
Richardson has disappeared with her creepy psychotic lover. Doc traces the pair
to Panama and finds that Gail is a virtual prisoner. Violence and strong
language. 1998.
Enough Rope: Collected
Stories RC 57078
by Lawrence Block
read by Roy Avers
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Eighty-four short stories that span five decades of the mystery writer's work
and incorporate series characters from his novels including Chip Harrison,
Martin Ehrengraf, Matthew Scudder, Bernie Rhodenbarr, and J.P. Keller. Also
contains independent tales of suspense. Some violence and some strong language.
1999.
Golden Buddha
RC 57099
by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon, the state-of-the-art
vessel disguised as a freighter in Flood Tide (RC 45276), are
assigned to return control of Tibet to the Dalai Lama by making deals with the
Chinese and the Russians. The mission depends on locating an ancient golden
Buddha. Bestseller 2003.
Trading in Danger:
Vatta's War, Book 1 RC 57103
by Elizabeth Moon
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Kylara Vatta is expelled from a military academy for a seemingly small
indiscretion. To rebuild her self-confidence, her father sends her on a mission
to command the scrapyard-bound cargo ship Glennys Jones. As
captain, she expands the mission and finds herself in the middle of a space
war. Bestseller 2003.
Foul Matter
RC 57107
by Martha Grimes
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Bestselling novelist Paul Giverney agrees to sign with a new publisher if it
drops respected author Ned Isaly. Publishing house president Bobby Mackenzie
instead hires two hit men, Candy and Karl, to bump off Ned. But the assassins
have second thoughts after investigating whether their target deserves to die.
Strong language. 2003.
The Conspiracy Club
RC 57112
by Jonathan Kellerman
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Psychotherapist Jeremy Carrier's romance with nurse Jocelyn Banks is cut short
by her kidnapping and brutal murder. Considered a suspect, Jeremy is compelled
by another killing, an enigmatic colleague, and a series of anonymous clues to
find the culprit. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some
strong language. 2003.
Capital Crimes
RC 57122
by Stuart Woods
read by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Following The Run (RC 50093), former Georgia senator William Lee
is now the U.S. president while his wife, Kate, heads the CIA. When ex-agent
Ted Fay assassinates right-wing politicians, Lee names the FBI to handle the
investigation and orders his wife to help. Violence, strong language, and some
descriptions of sex. 2003.
The Ice Maiden
RC 57137
by Edna Buchanan
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Discovery of burglar's body reopens a fourteen-year-old rape and murder case. A
survivor, an ice sculptor, lives in seclusion. Miami News reporter
Britt Montero attempts to melt the Ice Maiden's chilly defenses before the
crook's accomplices finish what they started. Violence, some descriptions of
sex, and some strong language. 2002.
Legal Tender
RC 57153
by Lisa Scottoline
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
When Bennie Rosato's partner and ex-boyfriend, Mark Biscardi, is murdered after
announcing his plans to dissolve their Philadelphia law firm, police suspect
Bennie. Upon falling under suspicion for two more killings, Bennie becomes a
fugitive in a desperate race to prove her innocence. Strong language and some
descriptions of sex. 1996.
Shepherds Abiding: A
Mitford Christmas Story RC 57174
by Jan Karon
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
This sequel to In This Mountain (RC 54446) centers on Reverend
Kavanagh's restoration of an old créche. He transforms himself as he renews the
decrepit set and as he interacts with the community: Hope at the bookstore,
Andrew at the antiques shop, and the owners of the Main Street Grill.
Bestseller 2003.
Cry No More
RC 57175
by Linda Howard
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Milla Boone's son is a few months old when he is snatched from her arms by a
baby-smuggling ring. Ten years later Milla is still searching for him but now
has help from James Diaz, who has his own agenda. Explicit descriptions of sex
and some strong language. 2003.
Shotgun Wedding
RC 57176
by Maggie Osborne
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Annie Malloy is unwed, pregnant, and a "new modern woman" in an age
of intolerance. The talk of the town and shame of her family, she cannot marry
the outlaw father of her child. Instead she marries admirer Sheriff Jesse
Harden, and her secrets return to haunt her. 2003.
Trojan Odyssey
RC 57180
by Clive Cussler
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
After meeting their father for the first time in Valhalla Rising (RC
52893), twins Summer and Dirk work for marine agency NUMA investigating
a brown tide in the Caribbean, where they discover mysterious ancient relics.
Meanwhile Dirk Sr. rushes to save a floating resort from a deadly hurricane.
Some violence. Bestseller 2003.
Junior's Leg
RC 57211
by Ken Wells
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Thirty-year-old, alcoholic, one-legged Junior Guidry--the schoolhouse bully of Meely
LaBauve (RC 51539)--reluctantly agrees to help albino Iris Mary, on the
run from the Mafia, when she stumbles on his trailer in a Louisiana swamp. The
couple find both trouble and love. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong
language, and some violence. 2001.
Emily and the Scot
RC 57215
by Kathryn Smith
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes
Great Britain, 1819. Eighteen-year-old Lady Emily Fitzgerald flees the London
social scene to avoid marriage. At her half-brother's estate in Scotland she
meets Jamie MacLaughlin and reconsiders. For senior high readers. 2003.
Logan's Storm
RC 57217
by Ken Wells
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Logan, the father of Meely LaBauve (RC 51539), escapes the
clutches of the law in Louisiana and flees with Chilly Cox to Mississippi.
Joined by Catfish Annie, Logan heads for Florida to work on an alligator farm,
but a killer hurricane interferes. Some descriptions of sex and some violence.
2002.
The Bomb Vessel: A
Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 4 RC 57221
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
1801. In this sequel to A Brig of War (RC 57220), Captain
Drinkwater commands the Virago, an old ship sent to the Baltic as
a bomb vessel. He would like to turn her back into a fighting vessel. In the
process he takes aboard his fugitive brother, Edward. Some violence and some
strong language. 1984.
The Corvette: A Nathaniel
Drinkwater Novel, Book 5 RC 57222
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Promoted for his services during the Battle of Copenhagen, Drinkwater, from The
Bomb Vessel (RC 57221), is assigned to replace the wounded captain of
the Arctic whaling fleet's escort vessel. When a ship is lost during the whale
hunt, Drinkwater must confront treachery and danger. Strong language and some
violence. 1985.
Baltic Mission: A
Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 7 RC 57224
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to 1805 (RC 57223), Captain Drinkwater is ordered
to the Baltic Sea as Napoleon extends his grip on Europe. Commanding the Antigone,
Drinkwater deals with a discontented crew and a drunk lieutenant. Then an
intercepted message puts him on a course to again face his nemesis, Santhonax.
Strong language and some violence. 1988.
The Keys of the Kingdom
RC 57245
by A.J. Cronin
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Father Francis Chisholm, a Scottish priest, becomes a missionary in a remote
Chinese village in 1902, where he labors for thirty-six years. His story is
full of devotion, struggle, love, and adventure. 1941.
Cryptonomicon
RC 57249
by Neal Stephenson
read by Richard Hauenstein
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Epic tale of World War II, cryptography, and high-tech finance. Lawrence
Pritchard Waterhouse, mathematical genius and Allied codebreaker, joins other
individuals in clandestine encryption operations. Years later, those secrets
could liberate or destroy the cybertech revolution. Violence, strong language,
and some descriptions of sex. Locus Award. 1999.
Windy City Dying
RC 57253
by Eleanor Taylor Bland
read by MaryBeth Wise
2 cassettes
Chicago. After thirteen years, Adrian Quinn is out of prison and out for
revenge, targeting the loved ones of those who convicted him, including African
American detective Marti MacAlister. With the death toll rising, MacAlister
investigates, and troubled children she once counseled provide clues. Violence
and some strong language. 2002.
The Amethyst Heart
RC 57263
by Penelope J. Stokes
read by Terry Hayes Sales
3 cassettes
Ninety-three-year-old Miss Amethyst Noble lives in the Mississippi ancestral
home her grandfather built--a symbol of her family's heritage--and resists her
cash-poor son's plan to sell the property and move her out. Miss Amethyst
relates the history of Noble House to her difficult teenage
great-granddaughter, hoping to pass the legacy to her instead. 2000.
Prize Stories 2003: The
O. Henry Awards RC 57264
edited by Laura Furman
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes
Anthology of twenty pieces of North American short fiction that describe the
human condition--love, war, repression, and life-changing moments. Includes
Anthony Doerr's "The Shell Collector," Denis Johnson's "Train
Dreams," and selections by T. Coraghessan Boyle, Marjorie Kemper, and A.S.
Byatt. Some strong language. 2003.
Night Blooming: From the
Chronicles of Saint-Germain RC 57273
by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
read by Fred Major
4 cassettes
A.D. 796. Gynethe Mehaut, an albino woman, is believed to be possessed by
demons. When vampire Hiernom Rakoczy de Santus Germainius is ordered to
accompany Gynethe to a papal hearing in Rome, passion ignites between these two
night-dwellers. But in trying to save Gynethe, Rakoczy may damn her soul
forever. 2002.
Killer.app
RC 57281
by Barbara D'Amato
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
A high-tech thriller. When her cyber-savvy sister, Sheryl Birch, winds up in a
coma after a mysterious accident, Chicago cop Susannah Figueroa investigates.
She suspects the mishap and certain murders may be linked to the secret
database Sheryl discovered while working at megacorporation SJR DataSystems.
Violence and some strong language. 1996.
Dead Aim
RC 57283
by Thomas Perry
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Relaxing at the beach, Santa Barbara multimillionaire Robert Mallon averts
tragedy by saving a beautiful woman from drowning herself. Days later when she
succeeds in ending her life, Mallon investigates the woman--only to become the
target of an assassin. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and
some strong language. 2002.
Blood of the Mountain
Man: The Mountain Man, Book 11 RC 57288
by William W. Johnstone
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Gunfighter Smoke Jensen inherits the Montana estate of his deceased sister
Janey, a prominent "businesswoman." Smoke rides north to the isolated
mining town and meets his young niece, Jenny, who's been harassed by men who
want her land. Smoke's wife Sally arrives in time to help Jenny learn to shoot.
1992.
The Hornet's Nest: A
Novel of the Revolutionary War RC 57352
by Jimmy Carter
read by Erik Sandvold
4 cassettes
Former president's first novel. Philadelphia Quakers Ethan and Epsey Pratt move
to North Carolina, where they homestead until political troubles brew between
the Regulators and the British. Relocating to Georgia in 1771 they develop
local friendships with both Indians and settlers. Ethan joins the militia
despite his religious beliefs. Bestseller 2003.
Wolves of the Calla: The
Dark Tower, Volume 5 RC 57355
by Stephen King
read by Fred Major
5 cassettes
Sequel to Wizard and Glass (RC 45159). Roland and his companions
continue their quest to the Dark Tower. In the village of Calla Bryn Sturgis,
they meet disgraced priest Father Callahan who asks for help against the
kidnapping wolves. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language.
Bestseller 2003.
Omega
RC 57357
by Jack McDevitt
read by Erin Jones
3 cassettes
A vast system of deadly energy (an omega cloud) sweeping toward Earth (but
still 900 years away) changes course and threatens another closer planet
inhabited by a fledgling humanoid society. Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins
coordinates Earth's urgent rescue mission while attempting to conceal it from
the aliens. Sequel to Chindi (RC 54848). 2003.
The Lady Chosen
RC 57359
by Stephanie Laurens
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
England, 1815. Tristan Wemyss, earl of Trentham and member of the fledgling
Bastion Club, must marry within the year to claim his inheritance. When a
burglar threatens his lovely neighbor, Leonora Carling, Tristan gladly offers
his services. Precedes A Gentleman's Honor (RC 57742). Explicit
descriptions of sex. 2003.
No Angel
RC 57360
by Penny Vincenzi
read by Gabriella Cavallero
5 cassettes
Heedless of the constraints on women at the turn of the century, Celia schemes
to have both a family and a job at her husband's London publishing firm. Her
successes mount while she deals with World War I, women's suffrage, and a new
love. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.
Love Me
RC 57363
by Garrison Keillor
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
When bestselling first-time novelist Larry Wyler is offered a job at the New
Yorker, he leaves Minnesota for New York City while his wife remains
behind. But Larry suffers writer's block and his second book bombs. Perhaps
writing an advice column back home is the answer. Some explicit descriptions of
sex. Bestseller 2003.
Balance of Power
RC 57366
by Richard North Patterson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
The wedding of U.S. president Kerry Kilcannon of Protect and Defend (RC
51353) and journalist Lara Costello leads to tragedy when Lara's sister
Joan and others are gunned down by Joan's abusive husband. Kilcannon's
subsequent efforts to eradicate gun violence pit him against Washington's
powerful gun lobby. Some violence. 2003.
Dragon's Kin
RC 57368
by Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Mining is the life of Camp Natalon but it also took young Kindan's family and
the watch-wher dragon that protected them. Kindan's newfound musical talent is
sidelined while he raises another watch-wher and, with the help of his friend
Nuella, assumes a new role in the community. 2003.
Letter from Home
RC 57369
by Carolyn Hart
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Gretchen Gilman receives a letter prompting a flood of memories from her
girlhood when a friend's mother was murdered. It's World War II, and Gretchen,
a thirteen-year-old cub reporter for the town paper, seeks the truth and loses
her innocence. Now, fifty years later, the truth finds her. 2003.
Monstrous Regiment: A
Novel of Discworld RC 57370
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Since Polly's brother, Paul, joined the Borogravian army she has run her
family's inn, but without a male heir she stands to lose it. So she enlists
disguised as "Oliver" and alongside a vampire, a zombie, and a troll
tries to find Paul while they fight a war. Some violence. 2003.
When a Texan Gambles
RC 57371
by Jodi Thomas
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Sarah Andrews is married to Sam Gatlin in a "wife lottery." Days
later when Sarah discovers Sam stabbed in the back, they must get out of town
fast. Together they embark on adventures involving violence and romantic
discovery. Sequel to The Texan's Wager (RC 57747). Some explicit
descriptions of sex. 2003.
The Amateur Marriage
RC 57373
by Anne Tyler
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
Baltimore residents Michael Anton and Pauline Barclay fall in love at first
sight at the start of World War II and marry impulsively. Remaining completely
incompatible despite increasing prosperity, they spend the next five decades
making themselves, and their three children, miserable. Bestseller 2004.
The Fortress of Solitude
RC 57374
by Jonathan Lethem
read by Gary Telles
5 cassettes
Brooklyn, 1970s. Dylan Ebdus, who is white, moves into a black neighborhood
where he becomes the victim of bullies. His only friend is neighbor Mingus
Rude, an African American his own age. Growing up over the next few decades the
two choose different lifestyles. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller
2003.
The Cat Who Talked Turkey
RC 57377
by Lilian Jackson Braun
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
A dead body found on his property slightly dims Moose County columnist Jim
"Qwill" Qwilleran's excitement over a new bookstore and a neighboring
town's upcoming bicentennial. After wild turkeys, rare for the area, suddenly
appear, Qwill looks to his clairvoyant cat, Koko, for answers. Bestseller 2004.
The Indian Lover
RC 57391
by Garth Murphy
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Easterner Bill Marshall travels to California--still owned by Mexico in the
1840s--to seek his fortune. He is persuaded by his Indian friend Pablo to marry
Falling Star, the daughter of a chief. Bill lives among her people and becomes
involved in their struggles. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.
The Bottoms
RC 57393
by Joe R. Lansdale
read by David Toney
2 cassettes
East Texas, 1930s. Young Harry Collins and his sister discover the body of a
brutally murdered African American woman in a riverbed. When their father, a
constable, investigates a string of killings, local racial tensions hinder him.
Strong language and some violence. Edgar Allan Poe Award. 2000.
The Bride of Willow Creek
RC 57398
by Maggie Osborne
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Angelina Bertoli, separated for ten years from prospector Sam Holland, hunts
him down for a divorce. To her surprise, he has children, one of whom needs
surgery. Financial difficulties force them together into the family life that
may be all they ever wanted. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 2001.
Utopia
RC 57401
by Lincoln Child
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
The robotic attractions at Nevada's high-tech Utopia theme park turn violent,
endangering the lives of visitors. Andrew Warne, designer of the computer
system that controls the robots, is summoned to help uncover the sinister truth
by the park manager--his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Boatwright. Some violence and
some strong language. 2002.
Girlfriends
RC 57406
by Anita Bunkley and others
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Three novellas describing the bonds between professional African American women
facing life's trials. In Sandra Kitt's "The Heart of the Matter,"
tragedy reunites Katherine and Danika after nearly fifteen years. Friendships
are also tested in Anita Bunkley's "At the End of the Day" and Eva
Rutland's "Choices." Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.
Pride of Kings
RC 57407
by Judith Tarr
read by Corrie James
4 cassettes
When England's King Richard embraces Christianity and refuses the crown of
pagan magic, the walls between realms fall in this twelfth-century medieval
fantasy. Meanwhile, his brother John--aided by an exotic half-spirit
youth--plots to mend the rift and take his throne. Explicit descriptions of sex
and some violence. 2001.
Naughty Marietta
RC 57409
by Nan Ryan
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Texas. Cole Heflin is about to be hanged when his life is saved by Maxwell
Lacey, a dying man who wants to see his granddaughter just one time. In return,
Cole is to travel to Colorado and bring back Marietta, an aspiring opera
singer. Unfortunately Cole is forced to kidnap her. Some explicit descriptions
of sex. 2003.
The Coldest Winter Ever
RC 57412
by Sister Souljah
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Gritty portrayal of the coming-of-age of Winter Santiaga, born in 1977 to a
fourteen-year-old mother and a drug-dealing father in Brooklyn's projects. The
family's lavish lifestyle falls apart when Winter's mother is shot and her
father is imprisoned, sending Winter to the streets. Strong language and some
explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.
To the Bone
RC 57413
by Neil McMahon
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
San Francisco emergency room doctor Carroll Monks fails to save actress Eden
Hale who had a breast augmentation operation hours earlier. Facing a
malpractice lawsuit, Monks makes inquiries and learns that other patients of
Hale's cosmetic-surgeon guru have ended up dead. Explicit descriptions of sex,
strong language, and some violence. 2003.
Lunch at the Piccadilly
RC 57416
by Clyde Edgerton
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Bachelor Carl Turnage visits his favorite aunt during her convalescence at a
North Carolina nursing home. But Aunt Lil and some friends there crave adventure
and find it when they steal a car. Meanwhile Carl joins a preacher's band at
the home and attempts romance with a social worker. Some strong language. 2003.
A Sudden Wild Magic
RC 57417
by Diana Wynne Jones
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
Planet Earth suffers a series of environmental catastrophes that are caused by
Arth, a parallel parasitic world. Hoping to prevent more problems, a group of
benevolent witches board a modified bus and head for Arth. They aim to disrupt
plans by infiltrating the celibate male society. Some descriptions of sex.
1992.
Face
RC 57424
by Benjamin Zephaniah
read by David Cutler
1 cassette
British teen Martin Turner is injured in a car accident that disfigures his
face. After convalescing, Martin returns to school and, with the help of his
parents and gymnastics teammates, accepts the changes in his life--including
benighted social attitudes about looking different. For junior and senior high
readers. 1999.
Got to Be Real: Four
Original Love Stories RC 57430
by E. Lynn Harris and others
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Short romances by four contemporary African American male authors. In
"Kenya and Amir," ladies' man Amir fights for the only woman he ever
loved. Also included is "Money Can't Buy Me Love" by E. Lynn Harris,
author of A Love of My Own (RC 54842). Explicit descriptions of
sex and strong language. 2000.
White Doves at Morning
RC 57442
by James Lee Burke
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
In 1861, Willie Burke, a young, hot-tempered Irishman, reluctantly joins the
Confederate army. Meanwhile his abolitionist friend, Abigail Dowling, continues
her dangerous struggle in Louisiana to free slaves--including beautiful Flower
Jamison, whom Willie secretly taught to read and write. Violence, strong
language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.
Deception on All Accounts
RC 57448
by Sara Sue Hoklotubbe
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Part-Cherokee Sadie Walela has reached a good point in her life. She now has a
farm, a rising position at a bank, and a new romance. All this changes when the
bank is robbed and a colleague murdered, and Sadie becomes a primary suspect.
Some violence. 2003.
Prelude: American Anthem,
Book 1 RC 57449
by B.J. Hoff
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Three immigrant families find evangelism and opportunity in
late-nineteenth-century America. Young Susanna Fallon, having come to New York
to care for her niece, distrusts her deceased sister's husband--a brilliant,
blind composer. A Scottish physician contemplates his practice, and a poor
Irish family journeys across the Atlantic. Followed by Cadence (RC 59179)
. 2002.
Rhapsody
RC 57450
by Felicia Mason
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
College sweethearts William Buster Dixon, an African American songwriter, and
Dr. Lenore Foxwood are reunited at the reading of a friend's will. To collect
her million-dollar inheritance, Lenore must spend one week living with Billy,
who broke her heart fifteen years earlier. Some explicit descriptions of sex
and some strong language. 1997.
Hotspur
RC 57451
by Rita Mae Brown
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
A body is found on land used by the Jefferson Hunt Club in Virginia. Jane
"Sister" Arnold, the hunt master from Outfoxed (RC 50586),
surreptitiously investigates the club's members when the corpse is identified
as a young flirt who disappeared with her boyfriend twenty-one years earlier.
Some strong language. 2002.
Don't Turn Your Back on
the Ocean: A Jeri Howard Mystery RC 57452
by Janet Dawson
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
While visiting her family in Monterey, California, Oakland private detective
Jeri Howard learns about pelican mutilations, ocean dumping, sabotage at her
mother's upscale restaurant, and a murder accusation leveled at her cousin
Bobby. Investigating, Jeri suspects these events are linked--and uncovers still
more crimes. Some violence and some strong language. 1994.
No Crystal Stair
RC 57455
by Eva Rutland
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Semiautobiographical novel about African American Ann Elizabeth Carter, who
grows up in a privileged Atlanta neighborhood and whose life changes when she
marries Californian Robert Metcalf, a lieutenant with the Tuskegee Airmen. They
face many challenges that include a world war and the civil rights movement.
Some strong language. 2000.
The Kite Runner
RC 57457
by Khaled Hosseini
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
An Afghan in California recalls a fateful 1975 day in Kabul that seared his
soul at age twelve--the day he won a kite tournament and abandoned a younger
companion to rape. That cowardice keeps haunting him during exile in America
until the opportunity for atonement arises--back in Taliban-controlled
Afghanistan. Violence and some strong language. 2003.
Death at the Spring Plant
Sale: A Gardening Mystery RC 57460
by Ann Ripley
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
At her friend Emily Holley's insistence, PBS television gardener and amateur
sleuth Louise Eldridge attends the spring plant sale of a Washington, D.C.,
area garden club. Louise had hoped to film some beautiful floral footage, but
instead ends up investigating the murder of the club's president. Some
violence. 2003.
The Christmas Garden
Affair: A Gardening Mystery RC 57461
by Ann Ripley
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
PBS television gardener and occasional crime-solver Louise Eldridge is losing
ratings to her sexy cable TV rival Bunny Bainfield. They finally meet at a
Christmas season gardening conference hosted by the incoming first lady. When
Bunny is murdered at the shindig, Louise becomes a suspect and decides to
investigate. Some strong language. 2002.
Gone Tomorrow: A Bill
Slider Mystery RC 57462
by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
In a London park near Shepherd's Bush, a groundskeeper finds a well-dressed
man's body--stabbed in the heart, sitting on a swing, carrying a stack of cash
but no identification. To investigate, Detective Inspector Bill Slider takes to
the streets while struggling with his assorted personal relationships. Some
violence and some strong language. 2001.
Cold Day in July
RC 57468
by Stella Cameron
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Marc Girard fears that a recently discovered body may be his estranged sister.
Returning to his sleepy Louisiana hometown, he persuades a former girlfriend,
Dr. Reb O'Brien, to help him investigate. They form a dangerous team, convinced
the death was not accidental. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence,
and some strong language. 2002.
Stone Cold: A Jesse Stone
Novel RC 57469
by Robert B. Parker
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
A pair of sadistic serial killers set their sights on small-town Massachusetts
police chief Jesse Stone. Jesse stalks his stalkers while he also deals with
three rapists, his own drinking, and his ex-wife. Strong language, some
descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.
Beyond the Gathering
Storm RC 57470
by Janette Oke
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Christine and Henry Delaney, adopted siblings and devoted Christians, remain close
when faced with matters of the heart. Henry, in the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, is overwhelmed by compassion for a widowed young mother. Christine has
feelings for her new boss's son. Sequel to When Hope Springs New (RC
26777). 2000.
The Altman Code
RC 57481
by Robert Ludlum and Gayle Lynds
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
When U.S. president Samuel Castilla learns that a Chinese freighter carrying
weapons-making chemicals is headed for Iraq, he wants proof before inciting an
international incident. Covert-One agent Jon Smith goes to work as Castilla
also copes with news that China holds a prisoner claiming to be his long-lost
father. Some violence. 2003.
Blue Horizon
RC 57491
by Wilbur Smith
read by David Hartley-Margolin
6 cassettes
Southern Africa, eighteenth century. In this sequel to Monsoon (RC 49786),
cousins Jim and Mansur Courtney continue trading throughout the continent in
their fathers' footsteps. When Jim spies Louisa Leuven, a beautiful Dutch
convict aboard a slave ship, he sets out to rescue her. Some explicit
descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.
Chapel Noir
RC 57499
by Carole Nelson Douglas
read by Lisette Lecat
4 cassettes
Paris, 1889. Irene Adler and her sidekick Nell assist police when two
courtesans are murdered in an upscale brothel. The killings resemble Jack the
Ripper's gruesome crimes in London, investigated earlier by rival detective
Sherlock Holmes. He joins the Paris inquiry, continuing the war of wits from Irene's
Last Waltz (RC 42996). Some violence. 2001.
The High Price of a Good
Man RC 57505
by Debra Phillips
read by Lizan Mitchell
2 cassettes
Twenty-eight-year-old Queenisha Renae Sutton is a confident African American
refusing to let her quest for the perfect man interfere with life. Queenie's
search could end at a charity's date auction, where she buys herself one night
with celebrity look-alike Zeke Washington. Some explicit descriptions of sex
and some strong language. 2003.
Mary, Queen of France
RC 57508
by Jean Plaidy
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
In this sequel to The Thistle and the Rose (RC 53989), Mary Tudor
becomes Queen of France through an arrangement between her brother, Henry VIII,
and the King of France. To the chagrin of her matchmakers, the passions of this
spirited, beautiful, strong-willed woman rest elsewhere. 1964.
About Adam
RC 57515
by Stella Cameron
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
London, 1824. Princess Desirée returns to Mayfair Square determined to show
Adam Chillworth she is no longer a child, but the portrait artist again denies
her passion. As Desirée works to win Adam's love, enemies from his secretive
past resurface, endangering them both. Explicit descriptions of sex and some
violence. 2003.
Family Affairs
RC 57540
by Sandra Kitt
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
African American gallery owner Gayla dislikes the new exhibit, especially when
she recognizes its artist, ex-con Dak, a streetwise kid Gayla's mother raised
as her own. Despite having success and a loving boyfriend, Gayla is drawn into
an intense encounter with her past. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some
strong language. 1999.
How I Fell in Love and
Learned to Shoot Free Throws RC 57541
by Jon Ripslinger
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Seventeen-year-old Danny Henderson, a lousy basketball player, has a crush on
Angel McPherson, star of the girls' team in their high school. Angel helps
Danny with his game, but her embarrassment about her family life causes
problems in their relationship. Some strong language. For senior high readers.
2003.
Waxwings
RC 57546
by Jonathan Raban
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Seattle. By all outward appearances, Hungarian-born Englishman Tom
Janeway--professor, NPR commentator, husband, and father--has been living the
American dream for eight years. "Chick," an illegal alien recently
arrived from China, is just beginning to make his own way. When circumstances
bring the two immigrants together, they forge a friendship. Strong language.
2003.
Naked Lunch
RC 57547
by William S. Burroughs
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
Graphic, postmodern satire depicting a world of drug addicts, narcotics police,
ward psychologists, and sex through the altered perceptions of a delirious
junkie. New edition with some passages restored from Burroughs's original
manuscript published in 1959 but omitted in later editions. Explicit
descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. 2001.
Martinis and Mayhem
RC 57551
by Donald Bain
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
On a San Francisco publicity tour, mystery writer Jessica Fletcher visits a
women's prison and encounters inmate Kimberly Steffer, a children's book author
convicted of murdering her husband. After reading Kimberly's diary, Jessica
doubts her guilt. With help from Scotland Yard inspector George Sutherland, a
potential romantic interest, Jessica offers her sleuthing services. 1995.
The Earth, My Butt, and
Other Big Round Things RC 57557
by Carolyn Mackler
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Chubby fifteen-year-old Virginia of New York City is pressured by her family to
look better. With help from her best friend, her first boyfriend, and a
teacher, she overcomes her insecurities and asserts her personality. Some
descriptions of sex and some strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.
Cry, the Beloved Country
RC 57559
by Alan Paton
read by David Toney
2 cassettes (Reissue)
The classic story of Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo's search for his delinquent
son, Absalom, in 1940s Johannesburg, South Africa. Kumalo's experiences are set
against a background of a land and people struggling not only with overwhelming
racial injustice but also with disintegration of tribal culture and traditional
family bonds. 1948.
West of the Jordan
RC 57565
by Laila Halaby
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Four Palestine-born female cousins experience individual problems growing up.
Mawal stays in the Middle East following a traditional lifestyle. Soraya and
Khadija, emigrés in California, are torn between cultures. Hala lives in
Arizona but falls in love in Jordan. Strong language. For senior high and older
readers. 2003.
Mermaids on the Moon
RC 57566
by Elizabeth Stuckey-French
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
From a small town in Indiana, France goes to Mermaid Springs, Florida, in
search of her missing mother, Grendy, a synchronized swimmer. In the process,
France discovers truths about her family, her mother's colorful circle of
friends, and herself. 2002.
Everglades
RC 57575
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Sally Minster turns to her former lover, marine biologist Doc Ford, for help
after her real-estate developer husband, Geoff, disappears. Doc investigates
Geoff's shady dealings in the Florida Everglades with a religious cult guru,
whose schemes threaten Doc's friends and the area's ecology. Strong language,
some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.
A Palette for Murder
RC 57576
by Donald Bain
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Vacationing with friends in the idyllic Hamptons, mystery writer Jessica
Fletcher gives in to her secret passion and takes a painting class. The foray
turns deadly when a young nude model dies suddenly. Jessica investigates and
discovers a possible connection to the deaths of an artist and, more recently,
a reporter. 1996.
A Little Yuletide Murder
RC 57577
by Donald Bain
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is in Cabot Cove for the holidays when local
farmer Rory Brent, who plays Santa Claus, is found murdered. Rumor points to
Jake Walther as the main suspect. Jessica, concerned by the rush to judgment,
investigates the case in time for the upcoming Christmas festival. 1998.
The Lady and the Unicorn
RC 57587
by Tracy Chevalier
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Paris, 1490. Handsome, seductive painter Nicolas des Innocents is commissioned
to design tapestries by nobleman Jean Le Viste. As the intricate design of the
unicorn weaving develops, so does romance between Nicolas and Jean's daughter,
Claude. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2004.
Only by Your Touch
RC 57588
by Catherine Anderson
read by Sharon Murray
3 cassettes
Divorced from her abusive husband, Chloe Evans starts over with her son Jeremy
in Jack Pine, Oregon. She hesitates to get involved with reclusive veterinarian
and rumored murderer, Ben Longtree, who helps Jeremy's sick puppy. However, Ben
is not the man she should fear. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.
Absolute Friends
RC 57589
by John Le Carré
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes
Unassuming Bavarian tour guide Ted Mundy is actually a retired British double
agent. After September 11, 2001, old friend and former colleague Sasha contacts
him with a new mission: to stop an impending war in Iraq and become very rich
in the process. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller 2003.
Marrying Mom
RC 57595
by Olivia Goldsmith
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Fed up with Florida, saucy sixty-nine-year-old widow Phyllis Geronomous leaves
for New York to join her grown children. When Susan, Bruce, and Sharon find out
about her move, they concoct a plan to get her out of their hair by marrying
her off to a rich old man. 1996.
Law of the Mountain Man:
The Mountain Man, Book 5 RC 57600
by William W. Johnstone
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
With his wife and baby in Arizona, gunfighter Smoke Jensen feels the pull of
the High Lonesome wilderness and unknowingly rides into a fierce Idaho range
war. Forced to choose sides, Smoke agrees to help a family being bullied by Jud
Vale and his gang--but first he must learn what's behind the harassment. 1989.
Vineyard Deceit: A
Martha's Vineyard Mystery RC 57603
by Philip R. Craig
read by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
A Middle Eastern king and his entourage descend on the island to recover a
stolen national treasure of emeralds. While ex-Boston cop Jeff "J.W."
Jackson helps local police oversee the exchange, the jewels vanish, and so does
Jackson's lady friend, Zee. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language.
1992.
Sweet Hush
RC 57604
by Deborah Smith
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Widowed young mother Hush McGillen's hard work has made her family's famed
Georgia apple orchard prosper. Now her college student son brings home his new
girlfriend, the U.S. president's daughter, and her entourage--with
life-changing effects all around. Strong language, some explicit descriptions
of sex, and some violence. 2003.
The First Part Last
RC 57618
by Angela Johnson
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Bobby's carefree teenage life changes forever when he becomes
a father. After tragedy strikes, he must care for his adored baby daughter,
Feather, by himself. Despite mistakes, Bobby's courage and love enable him to
carry on with the aid of supportive adults and friends. Strong language. For
senior high readers. 2003.
Code of the Mountain Man:
The Mountain Man, Book 8 RC 57620
by William W. Johnstone
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
The outlaws that shot up the town of Big Rock, Colorado, and put a bullet in
Smoke Jensen's wife have made their last mistake. In the 1880s a man should
leave justice to the law, but that doesn't stop Smoke from tracking the largest
gang in the West. 1991.
New Spring: The Novel
RC 57628
by Robert Jordan
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Prequel to the Wheel of Time series. Sorceress initiate Moiraine journeys to
find the infant prophesied to face the Dark One in the Last Battle. Her path
crosses that of soldier Lan Mandragoran, who fights to avenge the desecrated
city whose throne he inherited. Some violence. Bestseller 2004.
3rd Degree
RC 57633
by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
read by Carolyn McCormick
2 cassettes
The Women's Murder Club, last seen in 2nd Chance (RC 54159), reconvenes
to stop domestic terrorist attacks in San Francisco. Detective Lindsay Boxer,
lawyer Jill Bernhardt, physician Claire Washburn, and reporter Cindy Thomas
assist Joe Molinari of Homeland Security, who falls for Lindsay. Violence and
strong language. Bestseller 2004.
The Early Stories,
1953-1975 RC 57642
by John Updike
read by Jim Zeiger
7 cassettes in 2 containers
More than one hundred short pieces originally published in the New Yorker
and other magazines. Includes the Olinger and Tarbox sagas as well as
"Pigeon Feathers," "The Family Meadow," and "The
Witnesses." Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex.
Bestseller 2003.
McNally's Dare: An Archy
McNally Novel by Vincent Lardo RC 57647
by Vincent Lardo
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Archy McNally delves into the private lives of the Palm Beach elite after the
death of a young caterer. His inquiry raises suspicions about the victim's
connections to a wealthy family and about a benefactor's true identity. 2003.
Blind Faith
RC 57649
by Christiane Heggan
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Philadelphia investigative reporter Kelly Robolo looks into the disappearance
of her best friend's husband, a vice president of Atlantic City's Chenonceau
casino. Kelly hopes to join forces with hunky cop Nick McBride, whose
father--also a worker at Chenonceau--met with foul play there. Some
descriptions of sex and some violence. 2001.
Help Me Please
RC 57650
by Barbara D'Amato
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Hours after the high-profile kidnapping of three-year-old Danni Gaston, a new
web site appears on the Internet featuring live, twenty-four-hour images of the
child being held in isolation. Chicago police detective Polly Kelly and the FBI
race to find Danni and apprehend the cyber-terrorists who took her. Strong
language. 1999.
The Best American Short
Stories, 2003: Selected from U.S. and Canadian Magazines
RC 57653
selected by Walter Mosley
read by Ken Kliban
4 cassettes
This collection features twenty stories exploring the extremes of human
emotion. In Anthony Doerr's "The Shell Collector," a blind naturalist
accidentally discovers the healing powers of a deadly snail. Also includes
"Rationing" by Mary Yukari Waters, "Baby Wilson" by E.L.
Doctorow, and works by Kevin Brockmeier, Edwidge Danticat, and others. 2003.
Something's Down There
RC 57654
by Mickey Spillane
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
Former government agent Mako Hooker, spending his retirement fishing, is
recalled to action when a sea creature nicknamed the "eater" attacks
boats and old war mines resurface. A film company headed by a former mobster
arrives to film the investigation. Some strong language. 2003.
Into the Inferno
RC 57658
by Earl Emerson
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Months after responding to a tractor trailer accident on the freeway,
firefighters are dying. Jim Swope knows that he has only one week to live, and
with the help of a victim's sister, he traces the illness to a chemical
warehouse. Violence and strong language. 2003.
Freedom Land
RC 57659
by Martin L. Marcus
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
Everglades and South Georgia, 1835. Living in a Seminole Territory sanctuary
called Freedom Land is a colony of escaped slaves known as Maroons. The U.S.
Army arrives to return them to their former owners and is met with armed
resistance by Chief Osceola and his allies. Violence, strong language, and some
explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.
Tai-Pan: A Novel of Hong
Kong RC 57660
by James Clavell
read by Erik Sandvold
7 cassettes in 2 containers(Reissue)
Epic set in 1841 Hong Kong after England's victory in the first Opium War.
Focuses on Dirk Struan--pirate, dope smuggler, and supreme ruler of the most
powerful trading company in the Orient. Some violence. 1966.
The Night Caller
RC 57662
by John Lutz
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Retired NYPD lieutenant "Coop" Cooper, whose cancer is in remission,
suspects a serial killing when his and his ex-wife's daughter is murdered.
Investigating similar deaths, Coop finds hope for justice, and perhaps love,
when he meets Cara, whose sister also died. Some explicit descriptions of sex,
some violence, and some strong language. 2001.
The Valley of Horses
RC 57663
by Jean M. Auel
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Ice Age heroine Ayla leaves her adoptive family and friends from The Clan
of the Cave Bear (RC 52680) and sets out on her own. She reaches the
Valley of Horses, where she rescues a young man from certain death and struggles
against her growing attraction to him. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1982.
Mrs. Kimble
RC 57665
by Jennifer Haigh
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Three women thought they had found the perfect man when they married Ken
Kimble. First wife Birdie met the minister in the 1960s. Thirty-nine-year-old
Joan stole him away in 1969, and much younger Dinah snagged him a decade later.
The Mrs. Kimbles eventually discover his lies. Descriptions of sex and some
strong language. 2003.
The Bishop Goes to the
University: A Blackie Ryan Mystery RC 57666
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Bishop Blackwood "Blackie" Ryan investigates the murder of a visiting
Russian Orthodox monk in the monk's office at a southside Chicago university. Suspects
include four other professors, but intelligence agents, foreign gangsters, and
even the Vatican may be involved. 2003.
Time and Chance
RC 57669
by Sharon Kay Penman
read by George Holmes
5 cassettes
England, 1156-1171. Following the events of When Christ and His Saints
Slept (RC 42212), King Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine,
share passion and beget many children, including sons Richard and John. Trouble
arises when Henry appoints his friend Thomas Becket to be Archbishop of Canterbury.
2002.
Snow Crash
RC 57673
by Neal Stephenson
read by L.J. Ganser
4 cassettes
Hiro Protagonist, swordsman and freelance hacker, delivers pizzas for a
Mafia-owned distributor until he loses his job. Broke and unemployed, Hiro
visits the virtual-reality realm known as the Metaverse. There he encounters
"snow crash," a computer virus and designer drug capable of
destroying systems and users. Strong language. 1992.
Gloriana's Torch
RC 57674
by Patricia Finney
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Britain, 1580s. Following Unicorn's Blood (RC 47381) English spy
David Becket returns to Spain for information and to rescue colleague Simon
Ames from the Inquisition. Ames's wife, Rebecca, and her African slave, Merula,
complicate matters by traveling with him. Some strong language. 2003.
Custard's Last Stand: A
Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes RC 57676
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Colonel Custard stays at Mennonite Magdalena Yoder's inn while planning to open
a five-star resort in town. When she discovers the colonel's plot, Magdalena
tries to prevent him from getting a zoning permit. As she protests at town
hall, the colonel is found murdered--forcing her to investigate. 2003.
Mindspeakers' Call: The
Ghatti's Tale, Book 2 RC 57677
by Gayle Greeno
read by Kristin Allison
4 cassettes
While the mindstealing Gleaners quietly build their powers, the Seekers work to
prevent war between Canderis and Marchmont. On a more personal mission, Khar--a
cat-like ghatti capable of mindspeech--salvages her bond with Seeker Doyce.
Sequel to Finders-Seekers (RC 40281). Some descriptions of sex and
some violence. For senior high and older readers. 1994.
McNally's Chance: An
Archy McNally Novel by Vincent Lardo RC 57679
by Vincent Lardo
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Archy McNally is hired by author Sabrina Wright to find her missing husband and
daughter. His search, unsuspected at first, leads him once again into the lives
of Palm Beach's wealthiest prestigious families and into Wright's carefully
spun web of deceit. 2001.
Key of Valor: Key
Trilogy, Book 3 RC 57681
by Nora Roberts
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Following friends Malory and Dana, hairdresser Zoe McCourt has one month to find
the third and final key to undo an ancient spell. Concerned, Bradley Vane vows
to protect Zoe and her son. Sequel to Key of Knowledge (RC 57678).
Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language.
Bestseller 2004.
Old School
RC 57703
by Tobias Wolff
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
A scholarship student recounts his final year at a private school of strong
literary, class, and honor traditions where growth and character are nurtured.
An annual writing contest, sponsored in conjunction with a visiting celebrity
author, is an academic highlight posing identity problems for the young man.
Some strong language. Bestseller 2003.
Our Lady of the Forest
RC 57721
by David Guterson
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
A sickly sixteen-year-old runaway living in a Washington state rain forest sees
visions of the Virgin Mary. As the news spreads, Ann Holmes becomes a disciple
of sorts while young priest Father Collins, unemployed logger Tom Cross and his
paralyzed son, and others seek redemption. Strong language and some
descriptions of sex. 2003.
A Death in Vienna
RC 57796
by Daniel Silva
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
A war-claims office bombing in Vienna prompts Israeli Mossad agent Gabriel
Allon, now an art restorer, to investigate neo-Nazi Vogel. Allon, last seen in The
Confessor (RC 55724), also discovers that on the death march from
Auschwitz his mother was tortured by camp supervisor Radek--now Ludwig Vogel.
Violence and strong language. Bestseller 2004.
Divided in Death
RC 57938
by J.D. Robb
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
New York City, 2059. Detective Eve Dallas investigates a double homicide when
her tycoon husband's trusted security specialist, Reva Ewing, is suspected of
murdering her artist spouse and his mistress. A suspicious computer virus and
more killings indicate a techno-terrorist attack. Explicit descriptions of sex,
violence, and strong language. Bestseller 2004.
Deception Point
RC 57939
by Dan Brown
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Just as NASA is targeted by presidential candidate Senator Sedgewick Sexton's
budget investigations, the agency makes an astonishing discovery in the arctic
ice. In verifying the news, White House intelligence liaison Rachel Sexton, the
senator's daughter, uncovers evidence of scientific trickery. Some violence and
some strong language. Bestseller 2001.
Exiles' Return: The
Ghatti's Tale, Book 3 RC 57941
by Gayle Greeno
read by Kristin Allison
4 cassettes
War is over, but unease grows between Canderis citizens and the mindreading
Resonants. To save his people, Resonant Jenret Wycherley departs on a mission,
leaving behind pregnant Doyce, who is researching the history of Seekers and
their ghatti Bondmates. Sequel to Mindspeakers' Call (RC 57677).
Some violence. For senior high and older readers. 1995.
The Wandering Hill: The
Berrybender Narratives, Book 2 RC 57942
by Larry McMurtry
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Continues an aristocratic English family's misadventures, begun in Sin
Killer (RC 54826), in the early 1830s American West. Abandoning their
steamboat stuck in the icy river, the Berrybender expedition members settle in
for the winter at the trading post of Pierre Boisdeffre. Some descriptions of
sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.
The Sherbrooke Twins
RC 57945
by Catherine Coulter
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
England, 1830. The saga of the Sherbrookes continues with the tale of twins
James and Jason. Having sown their wild oats, the brothers are ready to settle
down. Tragically, before romance can blossom, someone tries to kill their
father. Follows Pendragon (RC 54043). Some explicit descriptions
of sex. Bestseller 2004.
Monsieur Pamplemousse
Omnibus, Volume 2 RC 57946
by Michael Bond
read by Robert Blumenfeld
4 cassettes
Four novels featuring a French food critic, once a police inspector, and his
dog, Pommes Frites. In Monsieur Pamplemousse Takes the Cure he
heads for a spa to lose weight and discovers little old ladies dying off. Also
includes Monsieur Pamplemousse Aloft, Monsieur Pamplemousse
Investigates, and Monsieur Pamplemousse Rests His Case.
1987.
Resurrection Men: An
Inspector Rebus Novel RC 57947
by Ian Rankin
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
When insubordinate Edinburgh detective inspector John Rebus is sent to the
police college for retraining, he is also recruited to obtain evidence of
crimes by other troublemaking class members. The group researches a cold murder
case that becomes entwined with a current investigation embroiling the
suspected cops. Violence and strong language. 2002.
Evan Only Knows: A
Constable Evans Mystery RC 57948
by Rhys Bowen
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Constable Evan Evans and his fiancée, Bronwen, are visiting their families in
South Wales when a gang member who murdered Evans's father years before is
arrested for killing a young woman. When the accused pleads innocent, Evans
embarks on the unsavory business of freeing him. Some strong language. 2003.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary,
and Crime: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes
RC 57950
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Hollywood comes to Amish country with a film crew on location at Magdalena
Yoder's Pennsylvania Dutch inn. But on the first day of shooting, the movie's
assistant director is found dead in the barn--impaled by a pitchfork. The
police chief suspects Magdalena, who then decides to solve the crime herself.
1995.
A New Beginning: The
Journals of Corrie and Christopher, Book 2 RC
57955
by Michael Phillips
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
California, 1868. In this sequel to The Braxtons of Miracle Springs (RC
55852) newlyweds Corrie and Christopher shock their deeply religious
families by deciding to move back east. Meanwhile Corrie's brother Zack becomes
the new town sheriff. 1997.
Blue Skies
RC 57957
by Catherine Anderson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Carly Adams, born with lattice dystrophy, waited twenty-eight years to see.
Celebrating her new vision with a friend at a bar, she meets Hank Coulter.
Their brief encounter leaves her pregnant. Companion to Phantom Waltz (RC
53982). Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.
Reckless Abandon
RC 57959
by Stuart Woods
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Cop-turned-lawyer Stone Barrington and Orchid City, Florida, police chief Holly
Barker team up to capture a mass murderer who is safeguarded in the witness
protection program. Barrington and Barker discover they have a strong
attraction to each other and that the CIA is interested in the case. Strong
language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.
The Other Daughter
RC 57961
by Lisa Gardner
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
When twenty-nine-year-old Melanie Stokes, adopted at age nine by a Boston
doctor whose first daughter was murdered, learns her real father was a serial
killer, she resolves to find the connection between her birth parents and the
family she thought she knew. Violence, strong language, and some explicit
descriptions of sex. 1999.
High Country
RC 57964
by Nevada Barr
read by Lindsay Ellison
2 cassettes
Park ranger Anna Pigeon from Flashback (RC 55511) works undercover
as a waitress at Yosemite National Park after four young employees mysteriously
vanish. Frustrated with the investigation, Anna embarks on a rugged backcountry
trek, finding a crashed plane, a drug cache, and angry gunmen. Strong language
and some violence. 2004.
A New Leaf: A Cape Light
Novel, Book 4 RC 57967
by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
In this sequel to A Gathering Place (RC 57487), residents of a
close-knit New England community confront new challenges. Divorced single
mother Molly Willoughby is losing her faith in love--until the arrival of
widower Dr. Matthew Harding. Meanwhile, Reverend Ben Lewis helps policeman
Tucker Tulley deal with an unwelcome visitor. 2004.
The Princess and the
Pauper RC 57975
by Kate Brian
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
Sixteen-year-old Princess Carina of Vineland trades places with her look-alike,
poverty-stricken Julia Johnson of Los Angeles, so Carina can have some freedom
and attend a rock concert. But complications arise when it's time to end the
impersonation. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.
Truth or Dare
RC 57978
by Jayne Ann Krentz
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Arizona. Psychic interior designer Zoe of Light in Shadow (RC 55520)
and her second husband, private investigator Ethan Truax, are settling into
newlywed life when someone begins stalking Zoe and her friend Arcadia. Ethan
uncovers suspects from their collective pasts. Explicit descriptions of sex,
some violence, and some strong language. 2003.
Warrior Angel
RC 57982
by Robert Lipsyte
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
After winning the heavyweight championship in The Chief (RC 57983),
depressed boxer Sonny Bear loses interest in life. An unbalanced teen fan, who
calls himself the "warrior angel," helps him set his priorities and
continue his career. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.
The Chief
RC 57983
by Robert Lipsyte
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
In this sequel to The Brave (RC 37362), boxer Sonny Bear continues
his quest for victory with the encouragement of fledgling writer Martin
Witherspoon. Meanwhile, Hollywood agents attempt to exploit Sonny as a Native
American idol, and his uncle needs his help solving problems on the
reservation. For junior and senior high readers. 1993.
Death of a Village
RC 57984
by M.C. Beaton
read by Graeme Malcolm
1 cassette
Scottish constable Hamish Macbeth is avoiding a promotion, investigating local
crimes, and arguing with pretty reporter Elspeth Grant as he patrols the
seaside village of Stoyre. When it appears that the town is in the grip of a
strange religious revival, Macbeth moves there to learn more. 2003.
The Edge of Doom
RC 57985
by Amanda Cross
read by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
Professor Kate Fansler, having learned that elderly stranger Jay Smith is her
biological father, is especially shocked when he disappears soon after meeting
her. When Kate, her husband Reed, and her eldest brother, Laurence,
investigate, they discover illegal and murky incidents in Jay's past. Some
strong language. 2002.
The Burglar on the Prowl
RC 57989
by Lawrence Block
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
Bernie Rhodenbarr, New York bookseller and intrepid thief from The
Burglar in the Rye (RC 48926), is asked by a friend to rob a surgeon who
stole the friend's mistress. Bernie's attempted heists implicate him in a
triple homicide. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong
language. 2004.
Can You Keep a Secret?
RC 58052
by Sophie Kinsella
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
On a flight to London, Emma Corrigan shares her deepest secrets with a
seatmate. After landing safely, Emma expects life to return to normal--but then
she discovers the fellow traveler is none other than her "mega-boss,"
Jack Harper. He keeps finding reasons to cross Emma's path. Strong language.
Bestseller 2004.
These books were recently sent to
cooperating libraries. 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.
What's Cooking? The History
of American Food RC 54641
by Sylvia Whitman
read by Dave Corey
1 cassette
Discusses food and its packaging in the United States from colonial times to
the end of the twentieth century. Describes what Americans have eaten, where it
came from, and how it reflected events in American history. For grades 6-9.
2001.
The Pacific Coast
RC 55155
by Maria Mudd Ruth
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Examines the coastal ecology and habitats found along the Pacific coast of
North America from the arctic waters of Alaska to the tropical ones of Mexico.
Includes two science experiments. For grades 5-8. 2001.
Don't Slurp Your Soup! A
First Guide to Letter Writing, E-mail Etiquette, and Other Everyday Manners RC
56370
by Lynne Gibbs
read by Gracie Ragsdale Miller
1 cassette
Explains the everyday importance of good manners and the effect of politeness
on other people. Gives examples of etiquette for public and private situations:
in stores, at the table, at parties, in adult company, with friends, and in the
roles of good host and good sport. For grades 2-4. 2002.
How to Take the Grrrr Out
of Anger RC 56389
by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis
read by Peter Lavezzoli
1 cassette
Discusses how to deal with angry feelings in acceptable ways. Contains
practical advice on coping with stress, solving problems calmly, taming one's
temper, and being alert to tension build-up. Includes tips on handling bullies
and angry adults. For grades 4-7. 2003.
Zzz: The Most Interesting
Book You'll Ever Read about Sleep RC 56392
by Trudee Romanek
read by Cyn Delafield
1 cassette
Explains the human body's need for sleep and the brain's functions during that
time. Covers such topics as the body's clock, stages of sleep, and dreams.
Presents information on famous persons' sleeping habits, animal sleep, and the
loudest snore. Suggests experiments to determine needed hours of sleep. For
grades 4-7. 2002.
Stock Market Smart
RC 56396
by Eileen Nixon McGowan and Nancy Lagow Dumas
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Covers the basics of the stock market including different types of investments
and the risks involved. Explains how to start a portfolio, prevent fraud, and
track earnings or losses. For grades 5-8. 2002.
In a Backyard
RC 56397
by Jen Green
read by Dave Corey
1 cassette
Introduces some of the types of animals that live in backyards and gardens
throughout North America. Includes butterflies and ants, earthworms, birds and
bats, squirrels and moles, and snakes and frogs, among others. For grades 2-4.
2002.
Hold Up the Sky: And
Other Native American Tales from Texas and the Southern Plains
RC 57441
retold by Jane Louise Curry
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Twenty-six stories passed down through the generations from different tribes
who inhabited the southwestern plains of the United States. Includes brief
information about each of the fourteen Native American storytelling tribes
represented in this collection. For grades 4-7. 2003.
Inside the Alamo
RC 57612
by Jim Murphy
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
An overview of the struggle between the American settlers and Mexico's General
Santa Anna for control of Texas. Describes the 1836 siege of the Alamo and provides
biographical sketches of some of those involved in the battle, including Jim
Bowie and Davy Crockett. For grades 5-8. 2003.
Ready, Set, Grow! A
"What's Happening to My Body?" Book for Younger Girls
RC 57622
by Lynda Madaras
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
Written for girls in elementary school, this volume discusses the approach of
puberty including the physical and emotional changes that they can expect.
Includes nutrition and skin care advice. Companion to What's Happening to
My Body? Book for Girls (RC 51806). For grades 4-7. 2003.
Animal Helpers for the
Disabled RC 57627
by Deborah Kent
read by Patricia McDermott
1 cassette
Traces the history of guide and assistance dogs as well as other service
animals such as horses and monkeys. Describes the training that enables them to
help persons with physical disabilities. For grades 4-7. 2003.
Getting down to Business
RC 57713
by Lorraine Horsley
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
Introduction to money: how to earn, spend, save, and budget it. Recounts the
evolution from bartering to systems of paper currency and credit cards. Topics
range from allowances to the stock market. For grades 2-4. 2003.
The Life of Our Lord:
Written for His Children during the Years 1846-1849
RC 57718
by Charles Dickens
read by David Cutler
1 cassette
Victorian novelist retells the life of Jesus Christ, adapted from the Gospel of
St. Luke, for his children to enjoy every Christmas. 1999 introduction by his
great-great-grandson, Gerald Charles Dickens. For grades 3-6 and older readers.
1846.
I Face the Wind
RC 57724
by Vicki Cobb
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
Introduces the characteristics and actions of the wind through simple hands-on
activities that require adult assistance. For grades K-3. 2003.
Vote!
RC 57844
by Eileen Christelow
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Explains the election process in America by following the campaign of a
candidate for mayor. Discusses political parties, issues important to voters,
fund-raising, rallies, debates, polls, and even recounts, with commentary by
wisecracking dogs providing additional facts. Also includes the history of
voting rights. For grades 2-4 and older readers. 2003.
Makeup: Things to Make
and Do RC 57954
by Jennifer Traig
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Explains beauty and skin basics, makeup techniques and tools, and different
styles for teens. Provides recipes for making one's own lotions and creams. For
grades 6-9. 2003.
Mummies in the Morning:
Magic Tree House, Book 3 RC 52356
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
On this visit to the magic tree house, Jack and his younger sister, Annie,
travel to the land of pyramids--ancient Egypt. They help a royal mummy continue
her voyage to the next life. For grades 2-4. 1993.
Thief of Dreams
RC 56386
by Todd Strasser
read by Rick Wiseman
1 cassette
Eighth grade nerd Martin Hunter is neglected by his workaholic parents, who
hire a therapist and a nanny for him. When his parents go to China for a month
and his uncle Lawrence moves in, Martin discovers that Lawrence leads a secret
life of crime. For grades 6-9. 2003.
Grasslands
RC 56393
by Debra Seely
read by Peter Lavezzoli
1 cassette
Thomas Hunter has always wanted to live out west. When he moves from Virginia
to Kansas in the 1880s to be with his father and new stepfamily, hard farm work
awaits him before he meets any cowboys. For grades 5-8. 2002.
Stanley Yelnats' Survival
Guide to Camp Green Lake RC 56532
by Louis Sachar
read by Bruce Nelson
1 cassette
Stanley offers advice on how to withstand a stint at a juvenile correction
center like the one he was sentenced to in Holes (RC 47444).
Covers such dangers as scorpions, tarantulas, and rattlesnakes. Also includes
survival quizzes to test decision-making skills. For grades 5-8. 2003.
A Mango-Shaped Space
RC 56666
by Wendy Mass
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Eighth-grader Mia has been keeping a secret--even from her best friend,
Jenna--ever since third grade, when she realized that not everyone sees a color
for each name, number, and sound. Problems at school and her cat's death lead
Mia to discoveries about herself and synesthesia. For grades 5-8. 2003.
Loamhedge
RC 57097
by Brian Jacques
read by Brian Conn
3 cassettes
A group of adventurers from Redwall looking for the ancient abbey of Loamhedge
seek a cure for haremaid Martha's paralysis. Meanwhile a band of vermin led by
a rat named Raga Bol lay seige to Redwall in order to steal a magic scimitar.
For grades 5-8. 2003.
Inkheart
RC 57116
by Cornelia Funke
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Twelve-year-old Meggie lives with her father, Mo, a bookbinder. She discovers a
terrible secret: nine years ago when Mo read aloud from a book the characters
appeared in real life while her mother disappeared into the story. Mo's magic
causes still more problems to solve. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2003.
Eragon: Inheritance, Book
1 RC 57232
by Christopher Paolini
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Fifteen-year-old Eragon bonds with the baby dragon, Saphira, that hatches from
a mysterious blue stone. They train in magic and martial arts and, refusing to
serve the evil king, sally forth to encounter warriors, dwarves, and others
battling the empire. Some violence. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2003.
Colibrí
RC 57425
by Ann Cameron
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Tzunun, a twelve-year-old Mayan girl kidnapped at age four by a man she calls
"Uncle," wanders the Guatemalan countryside with him being pressured
to beg, lie, and steal. Dependent and afraid to escape, Tzunun contemplates her
individuality and morality with the encouragement of a fortune-teller. Some
violence. For grades 6-9. 2003.
Dawn Rider
RC 57464
by Jan Hudson
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
1730s. A young Blackfoot woman tames the first horse her tribe acquires.
Forbidden to continue riding, Kit Fox nevertheless races for help when her clan
is attacked. Companion to Sweetgrass (RC 31532). For grades 5-8.
1990.
Horsemen of Terror: Left
Behind--The Kids, Book 23 RC 57484
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
In this sequel to Escape from New Babylon (RC 57483), Judd's life
changes forever as he is forced to endure a test from God all alone. At the schoolhouse,
Vicki's worst fears are realized as the Global Community sets in motion a plan
to trap believers. For grades 5-8. 2002.
The Bromeliad Trilogy: Truckers, Diggers, and Wings RC 57495
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
Three stories about four-inch-high people called nomes who discover their true
origin. In Truckers, they live in a department store until forced,
in Diggers, to inhabit a rural quarry. In Wings,
their leader learns they are from outer space and searches for the vehicle
waiting to take them home. For grades 5-8. 1998.
Jingle Boy
RC 57539
by Kieran Scott
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Sixteen-year-old Paul Nicholas and his family go all out to celebrate
Christmas. Then Paul loses his first girlfriend, his father is nearly
electrocuted, and his mother is fired. So Paul becomes a Scrooge and joins the
"Anti-Christmas Underground," until Santa changes his mind. For
grades 6-9. 2003.
Turkey Monster
Thanksgiving RC 57552
by Anne Warren Smith
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
Fourth grader Katie accidentally invites her teacher over for Thanksgiving
dinner, even though Katie, her three-year-old brother, and their dad usually
only watch football in their pajamas and eat pizza. The motherless household's
cooking is a disaster but everyone still has fun. For grades 3-6. 2003.
Brundibar
RC 57567
retold by Tony Kushner
read by Faith Potts
1 cassette
Aninku and Pepicek need milk for their sick mother. Brundibar sings for money
in the village square but won't let the brother and sister earn a few coins,
too. It takes the collective effort of many people to overcome the bully and
help the children. Adapted from a 1938 concentration-camp opera. For grades
4-7. 2003.
The Dulcimer Boy
RC 57569
by Tor Seidler
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
New England, early twentieth century. Orphaned twins Jules and William are left
as babies on their abusive aunt and uncle Carbuncle's doorstep. William teaches
himself to play an inherited silver-stringed dulcimer while Jules is forced
into drudgery. With help the two rediscover their past and escape. For grades
4-7. 1979.
The True Story of
Christmas RC 57570
by Anne Fine
read by David Cutler
1 cassette
British schoolboy Ralph William Mountfield is sent to his room on Christmas
Day. But Ralph may be glad to stay out of the way as hoards of eccentric
relatives arrive, like Great-granny with her acerbic wit, soppy cousin Titania,
and "destructo twins" Sylvia and Sylvester. For grades 4-7. 2003.
Shakespeare's Spy
RC 57593
by Gary Blackwood
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
London, 1602. Apprentice actor Widge from Shakespeare's Scribe (RC 53579)
falls in love with the playwright's daughter while attempting to write his own
script. Widge also goes undercover to find out who is stealing scripts from the
theater. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2003.
The Malted Falcon: From
the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye
RC 57596
by Bruce Hale
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Lizard detective Chet Gecko and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, are
hired to find a missing winning ticket for free dessert and also to retrieve a
valentine. But will Chet's sweet tooth prevent him from doing his job? For
grades 3-6. 2003.
Begging for Change
RC 57601
by Sharon G. Flake
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Teenaged Raspberry Hill, from Money Hungry (RC 54516), wishes for
a change in fortune. Her homeless, drug-addicted father shows up at the
hospital after Raspberry's mother is attacked. Then Raspberry steals money from
Zora, her best friend, and worries that she's inherited her father's lying,
stealing ways. For grades 6-9. 2003.
Sparks
RC 57608
by Graham McNamee
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
When Todd moves from a special needs class to the regular fifth grade, he
endures teasing classmates and a doubting teacher while he misses his former
best friend from Special Needs, Eva. An imaginative project earns him his first
high grade. For grades 3-6. 2002.
Mosque
RC 57716
by David Macaulay
read by Corrie James
1 cassette
The author of Cathedral (RC 42501) tells how a sixteenth-century
Ottoman admiral hires an architect to build, near Istanbul, a large mosque, its
associated religious college, a soup kitchen, and public baths, as well as the
admiral's own tomb. For grades 5-8. 2003.
The Journal of Scott
Pendleton Collins: A World War II Soldier RC
57729
by Walter Dean Myers
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
Europe, 1944. American teenage soldier Scott Collins describes the Omaha Beach
invasion, in which many men in his company are killed. Writing home, he details
his experiences as he fights across France, receives a promotion, and suffers a
wound. For grades 4-7. 1999.
This Gum for Hire: From
the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye
RC 57733
by Bruce Hale
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
To save his own skin, lizard private eye Chet Gecko sets out to solve the
mystery of Emerson Hicky Elementary School's disappearing football players. For
grades 3-6. 2002.
Stravaganza II: City of
Stars RC 57962
by Mary Hoffman
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
Fifteen-year-old Georgia buys a figurine of a winged horse, which transports
her from present-day London to sixteenth-century Italy. There she finds
adventure and intrigue and perfects her equestrian skills. Companion to Stravaganza:
City of Masks (RC 55902). For grades 6-9. 2003.
I've Already Forgotten
Your Name, Philip Hall! RC 57986
by Bette Greene
read by Gail Nelson
1 cassette
Beth Lambert of Pocahontas, Arkansas, returns home after visiting her
grandmother and dreams up an imaginary new boy to make her friend Philip
jealous. But her lie almost backfires, and she has additional trouble with her
girlfriends. Sequel to Get Out of Here, Philip Hall (RC 24865).
For grades 5-8. 2004.
The following cassette titles are
available in the languages designated.
Los Malditos (The Bad
Men) RC 56956
por Ralph Barby
leído por Peter Gil
1 cassette
Después de rescatar a la maestra Becky Peyton de un secuestrador, Miguel
Ramírez llega al pueblo de Eagle Pass en busca de su hermano a quien no ha
visto hace mucho tiempo. Los dos hermanos necesitan empleo y se unen a una
banda cuyo jefe es Ciryl Adams. Esto resulta ser un error mortal para todo el
mundo. (After saving schoolteacher Becky Peyton from a kidnapper, Miguel
Ramírez looks up his long lost brother in Eagle Pass. They need work and hire
on with a band headed by Cyril Adams. Unfortunately, this turns out to be a
deadly mistake for everyone.) 1987.
Los Cazadores de Mamuts
(The Mammoth Hunters) RC 56960
por Jean M. Auel
leído por María Pino
6 cassettes
Rechazada por el clan que la crió, Ayla, a los dieciocho años y acompañado por
su amante Jondalar, se encuentra con el clan Mamutoi que son cazadores de
mamuts. Tercer libro de la serie Los Hijos de la Tierra que tiene lugar en la
Europa de la época glacial. Descripciones explícitas del sexo. [Rejected by the
clan that reared her, Ayla takes her chances with the mammoth-hunting Mamutoi,
attended by her lover, Jondalar. Third volume of the Earth's Children saga set
in Ice Age Europe. Sequel to Valle de los Caballos (RC 54971).
Explicit descriptions of sex.] 1985.
El Club Social de las
Chicas Temerarias (Dirty Girls Social Club) RC
56963
por Alisa Valdés-Rodríguez
leído por María Pino
3 cassettes
Seis amigas latinas formaron el club social de las chicas temerarias durante
sus días en la Universidad de Boston. Ahora Lauren, Elizabeth, Sara, Rebecca,
Usnavys, y Amber--mujeres de genios muy diferentes--se encuentran dos veces al
año para comer juntas, chismear y comprar notas en el complicado camino de la
vida y el amor. Algunas descripciones de índole sexual. (Since graduating from
Boston University, "las sucias"--Lauren, Elizabeth, Sara, Rebecca,
Usnavys, and Amber--get together twice a year. The Latina women, as varied as
the culture they represent, meet in a restaurant to share their perspectives on
relationships, complications, and triumphs in their lives. Some explicit
descriptions of sex.) 2003.
Cruzando al Más Allá: Las
Historias atrás de las Historias (Crossing Over: The Stories behind the
Stories) RC 56965
por John Edward
leído por Juan Ramírez
3 cassettes
El celebre psíquico médium y anfitrión de televisión habla de sus experiencias
comunicándose con las personas muertas--o sea "las personas que han
cruzado al más allá." Presenta las historias de varias personas que
encuentran paz y conocimiento comunicándose espiritualmente con seres queridos
del otro lado. Lenguaje injurioso. (Reminiscences of the psychic medium and
television show host. Edward discusses how to communicate with those who have
died and passed on to an afterlife, or "crossed over." Recounts
incidents of encountering spirits that help the living. Some strong language.)
2001.
Cartas a los Espíritus de
los Muertos (Letters to the Souls of the Dead)
RC 56967
por Ralph Barby
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Jordi Arnot y los otros empleados de un resorte mediterráneo van encontrando
muñecas plásticas hinchables para erótomanos que aparecen simulando que habían
sido asesinados. Aún más extraño es el siniestro mago Hugo Zattoni que sabe
comunicarse con los espíritus de los muertos por el baile sensual de su hermosa
hija. (Jordi Arnot and the other employees of a Mediterranean resort come
across some strange things. Someone is leaving inflatable plastic sex dolls
around the place in positions that parody murder. And then there is the
sinister magician Hugo Zattoni who communicates with spirits of the dead
through his daughter.) 1983.
Maullidos en la Noche
(Night Screams) RC 56969
por Ralph Barby
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Después de un accidente automobilístico por una carretera aislada y neblinosa
del campo alsaciano de Francia, Maurcie Oyat busca ayuda en una mansión oscura
y lugubre. Aquí encuentra gatos salvajes enjaulados, y conoce al dueño de
éstes--una mujer hermosa que igual a los gatos exhibe siniestros
característicos felinos. (After being involved in a car accident along a
lonely, mist-shrouded country road in France, Maurice Oyat looks for help in a
dark, forbidding mansion. There he discovers several savage-looking caged cats
and their owner, a beautiful woman who herself possesses sinister feline
characteristics.) 1977.
Los Hijos del Inmortal
(Children of the Immortal) RC 56970
por Ralph Barby
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Ronald Hoover, el propietario despótico de Golden Fat, el planeta mas rico de
la galaxia, emplea a Joc Seny, el aventurero del espacio, para que emprenda una
misión peligrosa entre las estrellas. Joc Seny y la tripulación del cosmonave
Tralla Nova viajan en busca del antídoto que salvará al hijo predilecto de
Ronald Hoover que sufre de la picadura envenenosa de una araña bicéfala.
(Ronald Hoover, despotic ruler and owner of Golden Fat, the richest planet in
the galaxy, hires space adventurer Joc Seny to search the stars for an antidote
to save his son and heir from the bite of a poisonous two-headed spider.) 1983.
La Gaviota Canibal (The
Cannibal Seagull) RC 56972
por Ralph Barby
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
En el palacete privado que se llama La Gaviota, la duquesa Giacomonova celebra
banquetes extraños en los cuales huespedes que llevan antefaces devoran pasteles
cocinados en la forma de víctimas sacrificiales. Y los pasteles parecen humanos
en todos los detalles. Aunque no tiene pruebas, el inspector Fournier está
convencido que la duquesa manda rituales aún más atroces que un canibalismo
simulado. (Duchess Giacomonova throws strange parties in the Seagull Palace
where masked guests devour a cake prepared in the shape of a lifelike
sacrificial victim. Although he can't prove it, Inspector Fournier is convinced
the duchess is involved in rituals more sinister than parodied cannibalism.)
1989.
Un Pájaro Llamado Leonard
(A Crow Named Leonard) RC 56973
por Ralph Barby
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Vie, una au-pair francesa, se preocupa más y más por los niños Chandler después
de la muerte de su madre. Míster Chandler es rico pero cínico y canalla,
mientras su hijo cree que su difunta madre es bruja y que su verdadero padre es
un gran pajarraco que se llama Leonard. (French au pair Vie becomes
increasingly concerned over the Chandler children after the death of their
mother. Mr. Chandler is rich but an uncaring, cynical cad. His young son
believes his dead mother is a witch and his real father is a huge crow named
Leonard.) 1989.
La Zorra (The Vixen)
RC 56975
por Ralph Barby
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
La Zorra es una mujer cincuentona de belleza salvaje pero de genio violento y
carente de escrúpulos. Ella y su camada de hijos maleantes bajan por el río
Missouri perpetrando asesinos y deleitos. Pero cuando llegan al pueblo de
Topeka, la Zorra y su banda tienen que contarse con la ley y justicia a manos
del comisario Marcel Hatman. (The Vixen is a rough-and-tumble, fiftyish woman
with a well-preserved, savage beauty but an unscrupulous and violent nature.
She and her brood of cutthroat sons travel down the Missouri River leaving
murder and mayhem in their wake. One man, Topeka marshal Marcel Hatman, is
determined to stop them.) 1987.