Beyond the Best Seller

2010-08-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

I need your help! We love to know what you have been reading during the summer! Last year we created a booklet of reader's reviews following our "Summer of Mystery". We would love to do the same thing for our "Summer Read 2010: WWII and the Holocaust. Did you read a book or see a movie that you enjoyed this summer relating to our theme? Did you absolutely love a book you would recommend to your friends and neighbors? Did you read something you disliked intensely? Let us know about your reading, positives and negatives. You can pick up a form at the Library or enter your review online at the Library website. By submitting a review you are eligible to win one of the weekly prizes.

Onto September, more books, lots of reading. Lisa Grunwald will be the Library's Literary Luncheon speaker on September 23rd. I highly recommend her latest novel, The Irrestible Henry House. Also, the September 1st Friends Lunch Bunch Book group will be discussing Lisa's novel, Whatever Makes You Happy! so I don't know about you but reading a good book always makes me happy.

2010-06-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost here....time to load up on poolside and backyard reading! You will find a wealth of new titles at the Library. I am recommending My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira. It is a lovely debut novel about an ambitious young woman in the time of the Civil War.
Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a charming novel with great characters and subtle humor. I loved it.
In Non Fiction pick up The Secret Life of the Grown Up Brain by Barbara Strauch. The author explains the good news about how our brains change as we age.
It is not too late to start a vegetable garden, and Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening Made Simple by Raymond Nones will show you how.

The Library has a busy Summer schedule of events for our Adult reading program, It Happened In..... The kick off is just around the corner on June 7. Look on our webpage to see the entire schedule, and make plans to attend some or all of the events. There will also be a separate blog set up for It Happened In....so look for that as well. You will be able to post book reviews and comments there.

2010-01-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

Upbeat Reading for the New Year!

Our January list of recommendations is available, and it is full of great reading.

In Fiction, we have selected a lot of funny books and books with happy endings for you, some you may have heard of and some that may be new to you.

In nonfiction, we have recommended books with positive messages covering topics like happiness, family/work balance, and more.

In the advice section we have some inspiring books about how to keep a positive outlook and good habits.

It was hard to decide what books and authors to recommend, so here is a list of recommended authors that didn't make the list. All of these write fiction that either has a happy ending or positive message (think "comfort reading"!):

Philip Gulley

Elinor Lipman

Susan Wiggs

Jan Karon

Debbie Macomber

Alexander McCall-Smith

Happy New Year of reading from New Canaan Library!

2009-11-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Endings!
We all love them, don't we? And yet we can't help but notice that so many books are depressing. Reading groups seem to love a good depressing read. Here at the Library we are challenging ourselves to come up with a list of recommendations that will all be upbeat reads with happy endings. I think this is a great idea, particularly for the New Year ahead: a way to start off on the right (literary) foot, so to speak.
So look forward to our usual Holiday list of recommendations in December. That list will reflect all that is new in holiday and winter fiction, with other good (non-holiday) books as well. Then await our upbeat list for January, our gift to you for the New Year. And please let us know if you have suggestions for us. You may post them here or tell anyone at the Reference desk. Thanks and Happy Reading!

2009-10-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

Fall reading at New Canaan Library

Our shelves, as usual, are brimming with good reading, and we have made a lot of great new recommendations this Fall. Here are some of my favorites:
Fiction: Something Missing By Matthew Dicks is a very charming, very funny novel about a burglar with OCD tendencies who takes only items that the homeowner will not miss. A Carrion Death by Michael Stanley is a mystery set in Botswana. Since many of us have become familiar with Botswana through Alexander McCall Smith's charming series, I thought it would be good to point out the Stanley book. It is the first in a series...we have the sequel as well. Blame by Michelle Huneven is a riveting story of an alcoholic and her redemption, beautifully written. On a lighter note, Murder at Longbourn is a mystery by Tracy Kiely that is set in modern times but has many nods to Jane Austen, including part of the title.
In nonfiction we recommend two somewhat related books for those of you thinking about your personal economy: The Mom and Pop Store by Robert Spector pays homage to small business owners in America and encourages us to support them. Related is Cheap: the high price of discount culture by Ellen Ruppel Shell. The author investigates the real cost of our obsession with discounts and how our quest for low prices may be hurting us overall.
Lucky Girl by Mei-Ling Hopgood is a memoir from an American girl who was adopted from Taiwan. She actually is contacted by her birth family and goes to meet them. There have been several books like this of late but Hopgood's is the most thoughtful and well done.
I am currently reading American Passage: the history of Ellis Island by Vincent J. Cannato (listening to it, actually, I have the book on CD and it's a long one!). I am learning a lot about the history of immigration to this country and how our laws were shaped over time. The book touches on the history and philosophy behind immigration law and public health issues.
In the self-help area we recommend Facebook Me! by David Awl, for those of you trying to get up to speed and reconnect with old pals, or just keep up with your kids. And lastly we like Rabbi Harold S. Kushner's latest little gem called Conquering Fear: living boldly in an uncertain world. He is a wise and practical man and an excellent writer. We hope that you enjoy his wisdom, and all our other recommendations.

2009-08-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

Mystery Fans! NPR's Morning Edition radio program has been running a special feature called Crime in the City, featuring mystery writers and the cities they write about. Today feature is Cara Black, who writes a series about murders in Paris. The series has featured several other beloved mystery writers. Check it out at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13795507

2009-07-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

"The Janes"!

Author Jane Cleland and Library Staff Member Jane Frazier get ready for

the Summer of Mystery.

Summer of Mystery

at the New Canaan Library

Hot fun with Summer Reading! The New Canaan Library is celebrating the mystery this summer. Readers are asked to write reviews of recommended books. It's time to uncover your secrets, your mysteries and your puzzles. It doesn't have to be a traditional murder mystery, it can be a "true crime account", or perhaps a medical mystery, maybe some historic never-solved mystery, or a scientific mystery..."what ever happened to The Lost Continent of Atlantis or the Bermuda Triangle". Check the Summer of Mystery Link on the website and find out what books your neighbors are reading. You can submit your review in one of three ways, either click on the adult summer reading link on the Library's website, http://www.newcanaanlibrary.org/, or email bookreviews@newcanaanlibrary.org or fill out a form available at the LIbrary.

We have had some wonderful authors of mysteries and thrillers at the Library this summer. Karen E. Olson kicked off our Summer of Mystery on July 7th with her newest novel, The Missing Ink, followed by Margo Berwin with Hothouse Flower and the NIne Planets of Desire, then Jane Cleland introduced us to Killer Keepsakes and today, Stephen Carter left everyone on the edge of their seat, "dying" to read, Jericho's Fall. Tomorrow evening, Thursday, July 23rd, Elizabeth Bettina will be discussing her book, It Happened in Italy, about Italian heroism during the Holocaust. We were also entertained and educated by Richard Wiese as he shared his experiences in Born to Explore and will conclude our summer author programs with New Canaan author Jeff Blumenfeld next Wednesday as her talks about his book, You want to go Where?

Then August arrives and we read and read and read! We also get ready for a Fall/Winter schedule of events that will keep readers at the Library. It's a "Mystery to Me" how we solve the riddles, but don't forget to enter our weekly raffle of Mystery Trivia. The question is posted in the Library and on the website each week.

2009-04-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

Spring in New Canaan: The daffodils are up, the forsythia's in bloom, and the April edition of Beyond the Best Seller List is available! So much good reading out there...sometimes it's hard to decide which titles to recommend. But the list is out and here are some suggestions:
Fiction: Mystery readers can catch up with Charlie Moon in James D. Doss's series. This latest installment is titled Snake Dreams. Charlie is a Native American rancher and sleuth. If you like your mysteries laced with humor this is a series to take a look at.
Jan Brogan has a new book featuring investigative reporter Hallie Ahern. This one is titled Teaser and it has Hallie investigating chat room predators.
The Manual of Detection by Jedidiah Berry is one of the most unusual mysteries I have ever read. It is a Kafkaesque tale of longtime clerk in a detective agency who is mysteriously promoted to detective-and then things become even more surreal.
On a lighter note, The Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams is a funny look at new motherhood, featuring a bewildered new mom who tries to keep up with the fashionable and waiflike other moms. It's a funny peek at the pressures put on women.
Those looking for a great longer read, City of Thieves by David Benioff will fill the bill. This is a novel based on the author's grandfather's tales of WWII in Russia.
For non-fiction, we are pleased to recommend: Africa: altered states, ordinary miracles by Richard Dowden. This book explains so much about the complex continent in a very readable style. The author does a fantastic job of telling the background about each country, and how it got to it's present state.
Are your kids learning more keyboarding and less penmanship at school? Kitty Burns Florey has written Script and Scribble: the rise and fall of handwriting, to tell the history of handwriting. Who remembers the Palmer Method?
Local interest: Philip Johnson: The Constancy of Change edited by Emmanuel Petit is a volume of eminent voices in architecture who write about Johnson's designs and intellect, along with admiration for his Glass House compound right here in New Canaan.
For How to's we are pleased to recommend Cooking Know How: how to be a better cook with hundreds of easy techniques, step-by-step photos and ideas for 500 great meals by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough. It's a technique book, and a pretty big one at that , but it is full of useful information for the home cook. Even better than the book: the authors are coming to the Library on April 22. Be in the Lamb Room at 7:30PM for their presentation.
Keep reading, and keep telling us what treasures you found on our shelves!

2009-03-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

The March issue of Beyond the Best Seller List is out and I am pleased to recommend so many good books!
Fiction: Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan is a story of a family in crisis. O'Nan is such a great writer...and we are ever so pleased to say he will be here with us tomorrow in the Lamb Room, talking about his book.
Mystery readers often liked to get hooked on a new series. The Organ Grinder by Maan Myers is seventh in a series called the Dutchman Historical Mysteries. They are set in 1899 New York City. Maan Meyers is actually a pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Annette and Martin Meyers.
On March 25 we are hosting a mystery writers event, with panelists Jane Cleland, Meredith Cole, and Rosemary Harris. We recommend Big Dirt Nap by Harris and Posed for Murder by Cole. I am currently reading and enjoying Posed for Murder. Jane Cleland's Killer Keepsakes isn't out yet, but we will have it in April.
On the Non-Fiction side, I highly recommend Enough by John Bogle. The author, a financial legend himself, having founded the Vanguard Group of Mutual Funds, explores the greed infecting our business world. Read it and think about what constitutes "Enough" for you in your work and financial life.
The Journal of Helene Berr is the actual diary of a young Sorbonne student who lived in Nazi-occupied Paris. It was a best seller in France, and now is translated for us. Fans of Nemirovsky's Suite Francais will want to read Berr's journal.
In the advice arena we recommend: Germ Proof Your Kids by Harley A. Robart. The author explains how to keep children healthy without going overboard with antibacterials.
Any men out there looking to upgrade their style? Pick up The Handbook of Style from the editors of Esquire. It explains the latest in suits, ties, and grooming, and it's a neat little book: the cover looks like a suit and the title is actually a cloth label.
We hope you enjoy the variety that we recommend. Please let us know what you are reading.

2009-02-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

Some of the Connecticut Authors listed on the Library's Beyond the Best Seller list will be visiting and discussing their books at the New Canaan Library. Stewart O'Nan, author of The Circus Fire will share his new book Songs of the Missing with readers on Wednesday, March 4th at noon when the Friends of the New Canaan Library's Lunch Bunch Book Group presents an Authors on Stage event.

We are very excited to have Frank Delaney, Connecticut author of Ireland, Tipperary and Shannon, Sunday, March 15th, at 4:00 pm, celebrating St. Patrick's Day, a wee bit early at the Library.

Then on Wednesday, March 25th, at 12:00 noon, Connecticut Mystery Writer, Rosemary Harris, author of Pushing Up Daisies and The Big Dirt Nap will join colleagues Jane Cleland, Killer Keepsakes and Meredith Cole, Posed For Murder for Under the Writer's Veil as part of Author's on Stage at the Library.

Connecticut is a great place to write and a great place to write about.

2009-02-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

Our February issue of Beyond The Best Seller List has a special theme! We decided to focus on the state of Connecticut, and we make recommendations for fiction set in Connecticut as well as nonfiction titles about our state.
Putting the list together was an interesting process, and I learned a little history as I went through the process. Probably my favorite book on the list is The Merritt Parkway by Bruce Radde. It tells the story of the road from conception in the 20's to completion in the 40's , with an interesting analysis of the history of the region and the place of the automobile in American culture.
We honor the people of our state by recommending biographies of famous residents Mark Twain and Charles Ives, and honor unsung heroes with Connecticut Speaks for Itself, a compilation of personal testimonies of hardworking people and immigrants tales. Local architecture is celebrated in the book The Harvard Five in New Canaan. Stewart O'Nan's The Circus Fire tells the sad story of a fire in Hartford in 1944 that killed 169 and injured many more.
On the Advice, How-to and Miscellaneous list I recommend Pat and Lester Brook's Food Lover's Guide to Connecticut. These two local authors have put together a great book of where to eat and shop locally.
On the Fiction side of the list there is a lot of good fiction, some new and some old. Mysteries by Rosemary Harris (Pushing Up Daisies) and Laurien Berensen (Dog Eat Dog) are recent books that are set in Fairfield County. Rick Moody's The Ice Storm is set right here in New Canaan. Mary-Ann Tirone Smith's novel Masters of Illusion is a fictional take on the aforementioned circus fire in Hartford.
As with all issues of Beyond the Best Seller, the kids aren't left out: take home N is for Nutmeg for your younger kids. Older (grade 4-6) would enjoy The Forbidden Schoolhouse of Prudence Crandall. What a story: Crandall stirred up a controversy when she opened a school for young African American girls in the 1800's in Canterbury CT.
We hope that our patrons will enjoy these Nutmeg State recommendations. If these pique your interest we have plenty more books about and set in our state. Just ask a Librarian!

2009-01-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

Our first list of recommendations for 2009 is out, and we recommend:

Fiction: The Legal Limit by Martin Clark is a legal thriller with themes of family loyalty and doing the right thing. Fans of Janet Evanovich will enjoy Maggie Barbieri's books. Think of them as madcap but in a more toned- down way. We are recommending Murder 101, which is the first in a series. We have the two sequels as well, but start with Murder 101.

How many of us have been stuck at an airport with no recourse after a cancelled flight? Well Jonathan Miles was in that spot himself and has penned a very funny novel called Dear American Airlines, which starts with a letter expressing his frustration with the airlines and then moves into a reflection on his life and relationships.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, a philosophical novel set in Paris, is translated from the French. It was a pretty big seller abroad and has received quiet praise in the US.

Nonfiction: Factory Girls: from village to city in changing China by Leslie T. Chang is a fascinating inside look at the lives of factory girls. These young women leave home villages and live in cities in dorms attached to their factories which are churning out sneakers and whatever else the world wants to buy. Both home cooks and biography readers will devour Amarcord: Marcella Remembers by Marcella Hazan. Ms. Hazan is the cookbook author who introduced real Italian cooking to Americans. Her story is fascinating both for the period details as well as the food and shopping discussions.

New Year's resolutions, anyone? If you have resolved to get your financial house in order The Smart Cookie's Guide to Making More Dough by the Smart Cookies and Jennifer Barrett will help you out. The Smart Cookies are women who started a money group to get control of their finances. If you have resolved to pull yourself together style-wise, Isaac Mizrahi is ready to help with his book How to Have Style. It's glitzy book but if you look beyond the high-fashion photos you'll see real people who made real changes.

Happy New Year of reading from your Library!

2008-12-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

As the December holidays approach many readers like to read books that reflect the season. For some, that means taking out a copy of Dickens's A Christmas Carol or curling up with your old copy of Moore's A Night Before Christmas. We have those at the Library as well as lots of current fiction with holiday themes. Many authors publish a bit of Christmas fiction every year, often in the form of short novellas or quick-to-read mysteries, perfect for you to fit in some reading time in a busy day. May we suggest: a new mystery by the mother-daughter team of Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, Dashing Through the Snow. Anne Perry checks in with A Christmas Grace, and we have several new works of holiday fiction for young adults , including Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances from popular authors John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.
A year doesn't go by without new Christmas cookbooks, and this year is no exception. There are several new cookbooks in our collection as well as many old favorites to help you plan your holiday baking.
The "green " theme has extended into the holiday nonfiction collection: we recommend that you check out Green Christmas by Jennifer Sander and A Greener Christmas by Sheherazade Goldsmith. Both will help you enjoy the holiday season while doing your part for the environment.
Pick up a copy of our New Holiday Reading list when you are in the Library, and happy holidays!

2008-12-02T07:26:00.000-08:00

The December list is out and there is lots to talk about on it! Sometimes you just can't get into a long novel, which may be the case this month as we prepare for the holidays ahead. This is when we should pick up some short stories. Anne Enright's new book Yesterday's Weather: Stories is a marvelous read. This book is a collection of tales about people in Ireland who are trying to make their way in a rapidly changing society. The Letters is a short novel told in letters by Luane Rice and Joseph Monninger. Two writers combined their talents to create one moving novel about an estranged husband and wife. The format alone will get you thinking about the beauty of real written communication, particularly in this age of email. Several of our patrons recommended this book to us...we love it when you do that !

Mysteries we recommend this month include The Black Tower by Louis Bayard and Too Close to Home by Linwood Barclay. The Black Tower is set in Paris in 1818 and features the world's first plainclothes detective. Completely different, Too Close to Home is a page turner about a murder in a small town and a boy who is the number one suspect.

Readers of Non-Fiction also have plenty to choose from, and some authors will be here this month, so you'll definitely want to check these out:

On December 5 we are hosting James Campbell, Charles Slack and Logan Ward together. They will speak about "Living the Adventure" . We have recommended Campbell's Final Frontiersmen, a riveting tale of one family's Alaskan adventure.

Ken Wells has written The Good Pirate of the Forgotten Bayous, and he will be here to talk to us all on December 16. His book is the story of the residents of Saint Bernard Parish during and after Katrina. Wells is an accomplished journalist who knows the territory, being a native of the Louisiana bayou country himself.

Leonard Bernstein: American Original by Burton Bernstein and Barbara Haws is a truly fabulous collection of essays and photos that explore the impact the man had on America and the world. If you are tired of gossipy biographies you'll enjoy this one.

Some of you may recall that in years past the December issue of Beyond the Best Seller List had a holiday theme. Stay tuned....there will be a separate list of holiday recommendations next week.

2008-11-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

November has brought with it a bit of cooler weather, and we have turned our clocks back to standard time. Afternoons are shorter and it gets dark well before dinner time. All this makes for more curl-up-with-a- book evening time! So here are our recommendations for your fall pleasure reading:
Fiction: The Mercy Rule by Perri Klass is a heartfelt novel about contemporary parenting. The author is a pediatrician and a noteworthy author of fiction and nonfiction works. For a humorous read, try Jim Harrison's The English Major. It features a 60-something divorced guy out on a cross country road trip. Fans of "Chick Lit" books will not be disappointed with Emily Giffin's latest, entitled Love the One You're With. Who knew that the playwright Anton Chekhov was also a short story writer? He actually was a prolific author of short fiction and published quite a bit of it in his lifetime. A new compilation features many of his stories of psychological suspense: A Night in the Cemetery and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense. Mystery fan? Check out Kate Atkinson's latest thriller set in England: When Will There Be Good News? If you prefer your mysteries with a bit of light entertainment, a la Janet Evanovich, read Bone Island Mambo by Tom Corcoran. His books are all funny and fast paced.
The nonfiction list of recommendations has something for everyone. There are so many books being written about living "greener" and helping the environment: green consuming, green housecleaning, etc. Lots of how-to's. But one that we found very interesting is Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It by Elizabeth Royte. The author explores the bottled water trend of the last decade. Interesting reading now that we are all more concerned about waste and recycling. Dry Storeroom No. 1 : the Secret Life of the Natural History Museum by Richard Fortey is a museum lover's dream come true: a look behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum in London: the collections, the space, the workers who put it all together. Are you raising a son or just want to understand today's youths? You'll want to read Guyland: the Perilous World Where Boys Become Men by Michael Kimmel. The author is a sociology professor who studied and interviewed males between the ages of adolescence and adulthood to find out what makes them tick.
We all seem to be eating out less and cooking more at home these days. Cooking With All Things Trader Joe's by Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati is loaded with recipes using TJ's ingredients. Combine their unique sauces with their other healthy fare and you've got a meal in no time.
We hope that you enjoy these recommendations and find other worthy books that aren't on the big bestseller lists. Let us know what you enjoy!

2008-09-29T12:48:00.001-07:00

Libraries are so full of people's stories, aren't they? And the best place to look for people's stories is the biography section of New Canaan Library. We have an impressive collection of titles, including biographies and autobiographies, and they range from pure history to tell-all tales.

In our next issue of Beyond the Best Seller we are going to recommend biographies, autobiographies, and those popular fictional tales of people's lives.

Biographical fiction is a way that writers tell a famous person's story but they do it with their own twist. It allows them to make a case for what they believe about the subject. So many of us read these fictional tales and they are so vivid to us, they become as real as a well-researched biography to us. And often they are quite well researched, really.

And what about our own stories? We will be making recommendations for those of you who want to begin writing your own memoir, or for those who are interested in making a scrapbook of their own life.

Look for the next edition of Beyond the Best Seller in early October. It will invite you to delve into someones life, either through fiction or nonfiction. The Library is so full of stories.....

2008-09-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Patron to Patron Reviews are now available for you all to read! What a treat it was to have the summer reading program for adults this year. We asked you all to write reviews that we could share with other patrons. We received 113 reviews: 53 nonfiction and 60 fiction. What a breadth of genres were represented! It is so interesting for us to read what you all think about the books you read.
We have put together all the reviews in one publication, available in the Library. Do look for a copy when you visit.

2008-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Great recommendations for good reading on our September list, from our staff to you:

Fiction: Fans of legal thrillers will want to check out Martin Clark's The Legal Limit. It is a fictional account of a real murder case from the 80's, and the author is a circuit court judge.
Another thriller, Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain features serial killer Gretchen Lowell (first introduced in Heartsick) escaped from prison and on the loose.
In a gentler vein, Garden Angel by Mindy Friddle tells the tale of two women from different backgrounds forging a bond when trouble strikes them both. The House on Fortune Street by Margot Livesey is a novel about friendship and the role of luck in our lives.

Non-Fiction:
Have you had trouble with a home renovation? Your situation will pale when compared to David Giffel's in his book All the Way Home. This book is the very entertaining story of one family's home purchase and major renovation.
The prolific author Larry McMurtry has written Books: a memoir, a work of non-fiction about his life with books. He grew up without any, and became such a bibliophile that over the years he has amassed a large library of his own.
Fans of 60's music and those who remember the 60's will enjoy Janis Ian's autobiography Society's Child, named after the song that catapulted her to fame. Throughout her career ups and downs she met and worked with many icons of the music industry, and her book is scattered with stories about them as well.
Fall is coming and what better way to spend part of a day than exploring nearby trails?
AMC's Best Day Hikes CT is a four- season guide to hikes for CT residents. It may inspire you to lace up your boots and get outdoors!
Check out the entire list for more recommendations.....keep reading, and tell us what you've been reading, too! You may post comments here.

2008-07-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

We are having such fun with the Patron to Patron Reviews that we are extending our Summer Reading Program through August 18. So far 5 people have won the weekly drawings held on Mondays--they all now have forest green canvas bags with the New Canaan Library logo on them. Lots of books, dvds and audio books fit into the bags. There are 44 fiction reviews and 40 nonfiction reviews posted on the boards for all to read. Don't worry, we cut off your name and phone number for the drawing. And every person that enters at least 4 reviews will receive a coupon for $3.00 to spend at the next Book Sale or at the continuing Book Sales in the Library.
Join us.

2008-06-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading for Adults is in full swing! 25 Patron to Patron Book Reviews are posted on the board for all to read, and savor. There are all kinds of books that people are reading or listening too. Come and see if you can find a new author to read. Or contribute a review and be eligible for the weekly drawing on Monday mornings. So far we have 2 winners of the drawings for a green Library canvas bag. Got a bag, we have some other choices too. And those who give 4 reviews receive a coupon for $3 to spend at the ongoing Book Sales in the Library, or save it for the next big sale in the fall. Prizes donated by the Friends of New Canaan Library. Program runs thru August 1.

2008-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our June list is out, and we have a broad variety of books to recommend on all topics and in many genres. But the thing that I am most excited about now at the start of the summer is our summer reading program for adults. It has been a few year since we had an adult summer reading program and we thought it was time to have this. After all, why should the kids have all the fun of reading and reporting and getting prizes? We are calling this program "Patron to Patron" because we want you the reader to report to other patrons what books you have been reading and what you thought of them. Participation is easy and no sign-ups are required. When you are in the Library simply get a book review form--they will be available at the Information desk in mid-June, and we will take your reviews starting June 19. You fill out a short review form with you comments/opinion of a book. We post it (anonymously) and your name goes into a drawing for a prize. How simple is that ? We are pleased that the Friends of the library have donated these great canvas tote bags that we will be drawing names for weekly. Write more reviews, get more chances to win! And as a bonus, voracious readers who submit four reviews will be awarded a $3 off coupon for a Friends of the Library book sale.
Everyone is looking forward to your reviews this summer!

2008-05-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

New Recommendations for May:

We love some of the new titles on this month's list! The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney is an absorbing and beautifully written mystery set on the Canadian frontier.
Unknown Means by Elizabeth Becka is for the fans of a more fast-paced mystery. This book features a female forensic specialist investigating murders, in the vein of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series.
20th Century Ghosts is a compilation of short horror stories by Joe Hill. Hill is often compared to Steven King, so if you are a King fan, check out his book.
In non-fiction, we love Kao Kalia Yang's The Latehomecomer. Her book is a powerful memoir of growing up with her extended Hmong family, and it details their moves from Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand and then to America.
For those of you who are trying to eat well and show concern for the earth and animals, you may want to read The Compassionate Carnivore by Catherine Friend. The author is a farmer and she writes about the ways that we can all make better choices about the food we eat, without going vegetarian.
In the Advice section there is a title that will be of interest to parents of toddlers: Is It a Big Problem, or a Little Problem? by Amy Egan explores preschooler's social, emotional, and motor development and when intervention or action might be necessary. Also in the Advice section we are impressed with Diabetes Fit Food by Ellen Haas. These are really good recipes from top chefs who use fresh and natural ingredients.
For more recommendations, check out the entire Beyond the Best Seller List in the Library. And stay tuned for a summer reading program for adults!

2008-04-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

We are celebrating Spring here at the Library, and with it we have a nice lineup of books to suggest for the month of April and beyond. Fiction readers, there's a lot to choose from: We recommend Dark Tide by Andrew Gross. It's a page-turner of a thriller, and it is set locally, or somewhat locally.....in Greenwich and Stamford CT. We recommended this book on our list a week ago, and what do you know, now it is on the NY Times Bestseller List. The power of our suggestion? We'll never know. Gross spoke at the library last evening, and he proved to be a very entertaining and informing. We will soon have a DVD of last night's presentation, so if you like the book, check out the DVD as well.

The English American by Alison Larkin is a really poignant and yet very funny autobiographical novel about a young British woman who finds out that her birthparents are American. She seeks out her birthmother and then finds herself really caught between two cultures. If you are interested in issues of cultural identity and adoption or simply want an entertaining book pick this one up.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka has enchanted Library staff members are patrons alike. It is the story of an older widower who wants to marry a young woman, and his daughter's reaction to his choice.

If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory's novels about the Tudors, try this nonfiction recommendation: Elizabeth and Leicester: power, passion, and politics by Sarah Gristwood. It is a dual biography that explores the lifelong relationship between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

Sports and biography fans: The talented biographer Leigh Montville has published a new biography of Babe Ruth: The Big Bam: the Life and Times of Babe Ruth .

Lastly, a nod to Spring and the annual Spring Cleaning: Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck will teach you ways to keep your home clean without toxic chemicals. After your Spring cleaning is done, take some of these other recommendations and read them in your backyard or in Waveny Park. We didn't have such a tough winter but Spring is always welcome!

2008-03-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

Our patrons love a good mystery, and the Library staff does, too. Even better is a chance to meet mystery writers! We have such an opportunity coming up here at the Library on Monday March 11. Three mystery authors will be joining us in the Lamb Room for lunch and book talks. So naturally on our March list we are recommending their new books! Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris features a budding landscape designer who turns sleuth to solve a mystery right here in Connecticut. Yesterday's Fatal by Jan Brogan is about a mysterious death that is ruled an accident, but an investigative reporter digs in to investigate. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache solving a perplexing murder in Quebec. We have multiple copies of all these books. Come in and take one home and sign up to attend the lunch and book talk on Monday the 11th.

Also on the Fiction list of recommendations, we have a new book by Jacqueline Mitchard: Still Summer. Three friends and one daughter set sail for a grand adventure but it turns into a survival story when the weather turns against them.

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day: Tipperary by Frank Delaney. The author tells the history of late 19th and early 20th century Ireland, though one man's experiences. We are thrilled that the author will be here on Sunday March 16.
Great nonfiction reading recommendations: Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thurbon is a fascinating record of travels that entertains and instructs. The author made his way via bus, truck, car, donkey cart, and camel. Great armchair travel reading for this time of year!

House Lust: America's obsession with our homes by Daniel McGinn is a must-read. Have you become absorbed in construction projects in your own home? Do you keep adding on and building bigger? Do you read the real estate ads even though you have no plan to move? If you do any of these things, you have house lust, according to the author. He does a nice job of dissecting how we got to this point...especially since we all grew up in smaller homes ourselves. Another home-related book is The Warmest Room in the House: how the kitchen became the heart of the twentieth-century home by Steve Gdula. The author traces the history of the kitchen in the American home. An entertaining read and a trip down memory lane as well.

Keep reading...and tell us what books you have enjoyed lately!

2008-02-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

For great midwinter reading, our February selections contain something for everyone. In Mystery Fiction we recommend The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan. This book features a crime writer who dabbles in thievery himself to supplement his income from writing. We have plenty of praise for Lawrence Goldstone's Anatomy of Deception. His book is a page-turning mystery with the history of medicine and surgery as the setting. Whether you have read the book or not, come see the author on February 7 at 7:30PM in the Library. Mr. Goldstone has spoken here before and has proved to be a very engaging speaker.

Fiction suggestions include The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett, set in the early 1900's in a tuberculosis sanatorium. Her book contains vivid details of the regime for TB patients and a look at tenement life in New York City.

Non fiction readers, if you are into golf you will enjoy Andrew Grieg's Preferred Lies. The author had a memory problem following surgery and he used golf to regain his grip. This book takes the reader on a trip through 18 Scottish courses as the author relearns golf and life.

Tahir Shah presents Morocco in The Caliph's House, much as Peter Mayle presented Provence in his books. Shah buys a crumbling house in Casablanca and learns about everyday life and society in Morocco.

For lighthearted entertainment. pick up The Best of Ogden Nash. This hefty volume of lighthearted poetry is edited by his daughter.

In the Advice section we recommend 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School. This is a good choice for high school seniors to take a look at before they go off to college. Among it's 97 suggestions there are things like cooking, planning a road trip, and learning one's blood type.

We hope that you enjoy the books on February's list, our Valentine to you! Let us know what you think.

2008-01-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! What a nice lineup of suggestions we have for our patrons. The January Beyond the BestSeller List is loaded with reading for winter nights and all the other times you want to get into a new book.
Mystery readers, we are happy to report that John Mortimer has a new Rumpole installment out for us: Rumpole Misbehaves. Doesn't he always?
Hidden Moon by James Church is a fascinating mystery set in North Korea. I am currently reading and enjoying the first book from this author featuring Inspector O..that one is titled The Corpse in the Koryo.
Other recommended fiction includes A Taxonomy of Barnacles by Galt Niederhoffer, a clever comedy about a well-off Manhattan family, with homage to King Lear, Darwin, and Austen. Throw Like a Girl are twelve masterful short stores from Jean Thompson that address secrets of womanhood, from youth to experience.
In non-fiction Red: the next generation of American writers-teenage girls on what fires up their lives today. will appeal to teenage girls as well as their parents. The Museum of the Missing: a history of art theft by Simon Houpt is a fascinating read. There are so many unsolved mysteries in the art world, and apparently, so many daring and clever thieves.
Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine is a rich collection of patterns and articles from top designers. Knitters who haven't subscribed for the last 25 years (I have!) will want to see this lovely volume.
An Introduction to Dyslexia for Parents and Professionals is a good practical guide that covers testing, remediation, and other problems that may affect your child's reading.

This is just a smattering of what we have to offer on the January list, so do pick up a copy and see what else we have recommended.
We are always open to your suggestions, as well! So let us know what you've been reading!

2007-12-19T07:13:00.000-08:00

It's a Mystery to me, how many mysteries there are out there to read!! For all of you mystery readers, I'm working on a program with a panel of Mystery writers. In the "Have You Read Category?", I have some authors I would like to suggest to readers and I hope you tell me who you read, like to read and what type of mysteries are your favorites. Old, new, whatever, if there's a murder, it's a go!

As Agatha Christie said, " Every murder is probably somebody's old friend". And so, we are always looking to meet up with old friends.

Have you read ? Check out the new titles!

Karen E. Olson, Sacred Cows, Secondhand Smoke and Dead of the Day

Louise Penny, A Fatal Grace, Still Life, and the soon to be released The Cruelest Month.

Laura Lippmann, Baltimore Noir, By a Spider's Thread, Every Secret Thing, In a Strange City, The Last Place, No Good Deeds and many more including the 2007 What the Dead Know.

Also, we are pleased to have J.A. Jance, author of many books including, Bark M for Murder, Breach of Duty, Day of the Dead, Dead Wrong, Desert Heat, Exit Wounds, Justice Denied, Long Time Gone, and Lying in Wait speaking at the Library on January 27th at 4:00 pm. Copies of her newest mystery, Hand of Evil will be available for purchase and a booksigning and reception will follow her talk.

Who is your favorite? What are you reading now?

All women authors this time, next time the men.

2007-12-04T06:42:00.000-08:00

We have seen the first snowfall in New Canaan and felt the chill of the coming winter. We know that the holidays are upon us...Hanukkah begins tonight, and then Christmas will be just around the corner. For our December Beyond the Best Seller List we have chosen holiday titles that will put you in a holiday spirit or perhaps provide you with a welcome time of respite from holiday happenings. The fiction list features new titles set in December or with holiday themes. If you have "had it" with holiday preparations you might want to pick up On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts. It is reminiscent of Grisham's "Skipping Christmas" but with a twist: this time the wives go on strike and the husbands have to step up to the plate if they want to celebrate the holidays. Christmas Stories: edited by Diana Secker Tesdell is a lovely anthology of classic Christmas tales. Dickens, Bowen, Cather, and Conan Doyle are featured in this volume.

On the nonfiction side we recommend Cross Country Skiing: building skills for fun and fitness by Steve Hindman. Think of the fun you can have in Waveny Park or at the Nature Center! Since it is time for donating and year-end tax planning we recommend two books relating to giving: Ron Jordan and Katelynn Quynn's Invest in Charity: a donor's guide to charitable giving will help you evaluate charities, and Who Really Cares by Arthur C. Brooks tells why giving to charity matters.

For December parties we recommend The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet to get you through that dreaded office party. If you are the one throwing the party, check out The Pastry Queen Christmas by Rebecca Rather. It is more than pastry, with recipes, meal plans, and advice for smooth entertaining.

Happy Holiday reading from your Library!

2007-11-06T06:53:00.000-08:00

Civil War fiction has certainly been popular lately. Today is the day that Donald Mc Caig's much-anticipated book Rhett Butler's People is being released. That one is likely to be on the bestseller lists. But what hasn't made it that is worth reading? That is the question we are always asking here. In October we came up with an entire list devoted to the subject of the Civil War. Lots of great history books that explore topics like the role of women in the War, and advances in medicine during the War. On the Fiction side we recommend Soul Catcher by Michael C. White. This book has proven to be a hit with staff and patrons alike. Civil War buffs shouldn't forget the classic Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. If you read it in school you might still want to revisit it. As always, kids aren't left out of our Beyond the Bestseller List. Our Children's Room staff found some great books for children that will entertain and teach them some important history as well.
Our November recommendations are a mixed bag. Like You'd Understand, Anyway by Jim Shepard is an impressive collection of well-crafted short stories. The Monk Downstairs by Tim Farrington is a charming tale with quirky, real-life characters. For nonfiction we recommend I'll Drink to That by Rudolph Chelminski. He has written a lively treatise on Georges Duboeuf and Beaujolais. The author will be speaking at the library on November 16. Fans of Beaujolais Noveau will know that this is the night after the release of the 2007 Noveau.
We always like to hear recommendations from patrons. If you loved a book and want to spread the word about it, let us know!

2007-09-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

September's list of recommended books include some fabulous new titles. In fiction we are recommending Laura Moriarty's The Rest of Her Life, a powerful and original novel about a family that has to cope after a terrible tragedy. Fans of Jodi Picoult will enjoy it.

If Today Be Sweet by Thrity Umrigar is the poignant tale of an Indian woman living in Cleveland Ohio. This novel transcends culture and will appeal to a wide variety of readers.

Mystery fans, take a look at Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. It is a charming mystery about a flock of sheep who try to solve the mystery of their shepherd's death. This book was a big bestseller overseas, but not in the U.S. We think it is original, funny, and smart.

In Non-fiction, Museum by Danny Danziger is a fascinating look at the inner workings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The author interviews employees, trustees, and curators about their lives and their work. They all love art and they all love the Met itself, and that comes across in each interview. I love the Met, too, and I can't wait to go visit after reading this book. I think I will look at the people and the art with a fresh eye.

Chasing Kangaroos is a blend of science and travel writing. Tim Flannery (author of The Weather Makers) traces the development of the marsupial, and along the way tells entertaining tales of desert and rainforest journeys. This book will appeal to those readers interested in conservation and environmental issues.

The College Hook by Pam Proctor is recommended for those of you who are in the college application process. Ms. Proctor, a consultant, reveals secrets that will help students increase their chance of acceptance at the school of their choice. We are pleased that Ms. Proctor will be speaking at the Library on September 19.

Please call 594-5003 if you would like to come to hear Pam Proctor on the 19th...and check our website for a full list of Authors on Stage.

If you have recommendations for books that you have read "Beyond the Best Seller List" let us know!

2007-08-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Michael White Kicks Off Authors on Stage for Fall at Library

I am really pleased. Michael C. White's new novel, Soul Catcher is being released on August 28th and he is going to be here at the New Canaan Library on Thursday, September 6th at 7:30 in the Adrian Lamb Room. Soul Catcher is an important fall novel. It provides a look at a very dark period in American history, capturing the pre-Civil War era and the nation's trauma over the issue of slavery. It is the kind of book, you just can't forget. Micahel White became fascinated by the topic after reading Russell Bank's novel, Cloudsplitter in which "slave catchers" are mentioned. Based on the life of abolitionist John Brown, Cloudsplitter, a book that was written after incredible research is a haunting tale that tackles the topic of race in American history and explores the roots of the abolitionist movement.

There are so many books written about the Civil War, the period leading up to the war and the time following the war. Another new title due out on November 6, 2007 is Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig. You know who this is about! This book was fully authorized by the Margaret Mitchell estate and tells about the story we all know and love, at least I love it! The story of Rhett Butler's life, the war, and of course Scarlett through the eyes of Rhett. I can't wait. I may re-read Gone With the Wind, it's been awhile. Some other Civil War era novels are; Jacob's Ladder: a story of Virginia during the War also by Donald McCaig, In the Fall by Jeffrey Lent, On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon by Kaye Gibbons, The March by E.L. Doctorow, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks, Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb, Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and The Year of Jubilo and The Judas Field by Howard Bahr. Do you have a favorite Civil War novel? Tell me about it!

2007-08-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

I have books piled up that I want to read and I'm sure that every reader out there feels the same. What did you do about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Have you read it yet? Are you savoring the story? I've just finished reading Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian. It was a great read, especially for Great Gatsby fans. I also finally picked up Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh. I had enjoyed her second novel, Baker Towers but had somehow missed her first book. It was very good.

The books have been selected for the Friends of the New Canaan Library Brown Bag Book Talk for the fall. On September 26, Melissa Fay Greene, author of There is No You Without Me will be joining us for lunch at 12:00 in the Adrian Lamb Room of the Library. Her book describes the inspiring and true story of an Ethiopian woman whose husband and child had died and who then found redemption in caring for the children of AIDS victims. The program is free of charge, but reservations are required by calling the Reference Desk at 594-5003 or e-mailing clahey@newcanaanlibrary.org. In October, Librarian Phebe Kirkham will lead the discussion on Special Topics In Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. This books is about a group of eccentric but smart teenagers who gather around a private school film studies teacher during their senior year when dead bodies begin to turn up. This is just the beginning of a jam-packed monthly schedule of book discussions.

Tell us what you've read this summer, what you recommend and what you heartily disliked.

2007-06-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Where will your summer reading take you?

At the New Canaan Library we love to recommend summer reading for adults. This summer we have two ways that we can help you find great summer reads: one is through our series "The Well-Read Traveler" and the other is a new set of brochures called "Read...Read Again".

The Well Read Traveler suggests books appropriate to your summer destinations. You can start reading before you go, and put yourself in the mindset of your destination just through reading some great fiction, mystery, or suggested non-fiction. Destinations that we have lists for are: London, Paris, Italy, China, India, Tropical Island Destinations, Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, Florida, Vermont, and the American Southwest.

Look for the Well Read Traveler Series, because the right book will enhance the journey! And of course if we don't have your destination covered (it's a big world out there!) ask a Librarian. We will be glad to make reading recommendations that are right for wherever your summer reading wants to go!

Read...Read Again is a series of brochures that will encourage you to revisit the classic literature of the past. After all, some books deserve a second look!

We have lists for Classic Mystery and Detective Fiction, Nineteenth Century Literature, Early Twentieth Century Literature, and Postwar Fiction.

Some of the titles listed may be familiar to you, and others may be new to you. We encourage you to go Beyond the Best Seller List by revisiting these books that have withstood the test of time.

Every few years I reread Jane Austen and F.Scott Fitzgerald classics. While I was compiling the Read ...Read Again lists I remembered reading Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio in college. I plan to reread that one this summer.

So wherever your travels...and travel reading...takes you this summer, use your Library and get the best of summer reading from us!

2007-03-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

Food lovers, (and aren't we all? ) rejoice! Our April issue of Beyond the Best Seller List, just off the press today, has a culinary theme. Some of our selections are new, some are classic, and all are enjoyable.

On the fiction side of the list, we have fabulous novels featuring chefs and food. Monique Truong's The Book of Salt is a lovely novel about Gertrude Stein's cook, set in Paris in the 1920's and 30's. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel is a sensual love story, complete with recipes.

What is it about mystery writers and cooks? There seem to be a lot of mystery writers who have taken up the culinary theme. Our favorite authors in this genre are Diane Mott Davidson and Katherine Hall Page. If you read one, you'll be hooked, and you will have a whole new series to read, as both authors are prolific.

As with all our Beyond the Best Seller lists, we haven't left out the kids.....Eat Your Peas is a picture book about the time-honored tradition of finish-you-vegetables-before -dessert. And older kids may want to read Chew on This by Eric Schlosser. It's an expose of the fast food industry, and it will teach them more than they wanted to know.

On the nonfiction side of the list, we have recommended lots of books about food and cooking, but don't expect a list of cookbooks. Instead we have chosen books about our food, food sources, how it gets to our markets, and some books by and about professional chefs.

On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee is a fascinating book about the intersection of science and culinary art. Ever wonder what really happens when you caramelize something? Harold McGee can explain it in wonderful prose. This book, although scientific, can be good armchair reading.

And no, we haven't totally forgotten about cookbooks. We do recommend one: The Silver Spoon from Phaidon Press. It is Italy's equivalent of our Joy of Cooking. A hefty tome, but chock full of great traditional recipes. This book starts out with this statement: "Eating is a serious matter". We agree, and we hope you do, too!

Enjoy your culinary trip Beyond the Best Seller, and please let us know what you think!

2007-03-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Try someone new! Read a first time author! Last year there were several interesting first time authors. It's definitely one way to go Beyond the Best Seller. Jennifer Gilmore's Golden Country is an interesting tale about two Jewish immigrant families set in the early 1900's America. And what about, Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessi. Yes, first of all, it is a novel and it received rave reviews when it was first released. Finally, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield bodes well for the return of the gothic tale. Remember if you like a first-time author, then you have a lot to look forward to -- all of their books to come.

2007-03-16T09:46:00.001-07:00

The Library has a new periodical for readers and book groups. It's called Bookmarks and the subtitle is For Everyone Who Hasn't Read Everything. The most recent issue is the Spring Reading Special and the new books guide covers Literary Fiction, Crime, Science Fiction, General Nonfiction, Biography and History. A real reader's delight. I'm very excited about some of the features; paperback selections, Best Books of 2006 and a unique profile of readers together in the Book Group area. Some wonderful selections of books new and old are also included. The magazine will be displayed near the Library Beyond the Bestseller area across from the Circulation Desk in a rack with other materials which help in selecting a good book to read.

I'd love to hear what you are reading. Please feel free to recommend good books to other readers.

2007-03-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a tales of escape, romance, and mystery...try The Gypsy Madonna by Santa Montefiore. If you are looking for a book that spans locales that stretch from Manhattan to the hills of Bordeaux and spans decades telling a story in flashbacks to 1940's France following the German Occupation...try The Gypsy Madonna. Author Santa Montefiore will be speaking at the New Canaan Library on Monday, April 16th at 7:30 pm. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and she will be signing during the reception following her talk. She has been compared to Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy. Her books are just being released in the U.S. after enjoying great popularity in the UK. Other titles by Santa Montefiore are, The Butterfly Box, The Forget-Me-Not Sonata, Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree, The Swallow and the Hummingbird and Last Voyage of the Valentina.

2007-03-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

In the February 12th, 2007 issue of Publisher's Weekly, Judith Rosen has written a piece about bookselling in Connecticut. Although the third smallest state in the U.S., Connecticut has an amazing appetite for books and wields much influence on the nation's book market. Connecticut is also home to an increasing number of authors and writers which we celebrate at our Libraries continuously.

The Hartford Public Library hosts the Connecticut Center for the Book which was "created in 1997 to celebrate books and to act as a catalyst and a source of ideas for the community of the book - artists, writers, readers, librarians, publishers and printers. "

2007-03-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

It's almost Spring break time, and time to go Beyond the Bestseller List with some great travel reading!

It's that time of year for many of us, especially those with children who live by the school calendar. If you are planning a trip you will definitely want to check out the Library's Well Read Traveler series of brochures. They won't point you to guidebooks, although we have plenty of those in our collection. The Well Read Traveler is meant to guide you to fiction and non-fiction about your travel destination.

We have brochures for many popular destinations. March travelers, are you off to Florida, a Caribbean island, the American Southwest, or (Brr!) Vermont, or even Cape Cod? Stop in and pick up a Well Read Traveler's guide to those regions, and you'll find books that will put you in your destination even before you get to the airport.

For those that might be traveling farther afield, we have Well Read Travelers for Paris, London, Italy, and China as well.

If your destination isn't listed here, ask at the Reference desk and we will be happy to make recommendations for your trip. The right book will enhance the journey!

Not going away? Armchair travelers are welcome as well!

2007-01-30T08:14:00.000-08:00

Ardent Readers! Don't you wonder what books your favorite writers were inspired by? Roxanne Coady and Joy Johannessen have edited a book of 71 lively favorite-book essays by famous writers: The Book That Changed My Life: 71 remarkable writers celebrate the books that matter most to them . The book, which we recommend on our February 1 Beyond the Bestseller List, is a testimonial to the transformative power of books. Read it for inspiration and you will surely come away with titles to add to your own reading list.

Personal stories crop up in different titles on our non-fiction list. Adam Gopnik, author of Paris to the Moon, takes on life in New York City with children, pre and post 9/11, in his latest book, Through the Children's Gate. He writes eloquently about living with kids in the city.
Novelist Robert Stone has written his first work of nonfiction. Prime Green: Remembering the Sixties is his personal recollections of that decade.
With loving and sometimes painful insight, Charlotte Moore writes about her family and the reality of living with autism in George and Sam: two boys, one family, and autism.

Ready for a light read? Richard Yancey's The Highly Effective Detective is a very funny new mystery. I am glad to know that this is the first in a planned series featuring a lovable but bumbling detective.
Another compelling work of fiction is After This by Alice McDermott. Her book is a vivid portrait of a working-class Catholic family living on Long Island in the middle of the twentieth century.

With winter weather is finally here in the Northeast, I can think of nothing better than to curl up with a good book. I hope you'll agree,and find something that sparks your interest on the Beyond the BestSeller List.

2007-01-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Our January selections for Beyond the Bestseller List are an eclectic bunch, with something to please all of our patrons.

Humor fans, check out Secondhand Smoke by Karen E. Olson. It is a funny and fast-paced mystery set in New Haven, CT. This is Ms. Olson's second book featuring reporter Annie Seymour, and I hope we see more from her in the future.

Parting Shot is another mystery we recommend. A news reporter covers the story of sniper attacks while dealing with his failing marriage. The author, Jonathan Stone, is a New Canaan resident.

In non-fiction, Every Mother is a Daughter is a gem of a book written by a pair of gifted writers who just happen to be mother and daughter.

We seem to be having a home building boom here in town. One book we have recommended that has proven to be popular is What Not to Build. This book takes a look at architectural options for the facade of new houses. Written by two designers and an architect, it will help home builders and buyers apply good design principles.

Happy new year of reading from your library!

2006-11-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

The holidays are upon us! Our December Beyond the Best Seller List is loaded with holiday treats.

In Fiction, Elizabeth Berg retells the biblical story of Mary and Joseph beginning with their courtship in Nazareth, in The Handmaid and the Carpenter. Country music singer and novelist Kinky Friedman has created a holiday fable about an autistic boy and a very special pig named Valerie in The Christmas Pig .

In Non-fiction, we have you covered mind, body, and soul: for the mind, Winter Blues by Norman E. Rosenthal will help you cure the seasonal blues. For the body, we've got cookbooks! Betty Crocker's Christmas Cookbook has been updated with lots of new recipes, and the Diva of Do-Ahead ( Diane Phillips) has a holiday entertaining book. Now, for the soul: Garry Wills takes a fresh look at the Life of Jesus in What Jesus Meant. And Jeffrey Goldberg's Prisoners: a Muslim and a Jew across the Middle East Divide reminds us that decent men of goodwill can bridge even the widest gulf.

Lastly, we are recommending Emily Posts's Etiquette to help you be your absolute best at all those holiday shindigs.

Happy Holidays from your Library!

2006-11-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

Our Fall Beyond the Bestseller lists are brimming with great reading. The October list featured a beautiful work of fiction, "The Syringa Tree" by newcomer Pamela Gien. It is a gripping first novel about apartheid. Also in fiction we recommend "The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel". Fans of short stories: this is a collection of masterful short stories from a gifted writer. In non-fiction, check out "Cross Country" by Robert Sullivan. The author tells of his many experiences driving across the US with his family, along with lots of insight about American history and culture.
Our November list found us focusing on politics and the elections. Books old and new are featured. We were reminded, in the process of selecting books, of classics like Alan Drury's "Advise and Consent" and Joel McGinnis's "The Selling of the President 1968". Powerful reading that still resonates today.
Post your comments, if you wish-and stay tuned for more great reading recommendations!

2006-09-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

"Book News"

If you plan to be anywhere near Washington D.C. on September 30th, the Library of Congress & Laura Bush invite you to the National Book Festival. The Festival will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on the National Mall between 7th and 14th Streets. 70 well-known authors and poets will discuss their works in various pavilions divided by Children's authors, Mysteries and Thrillers, Teens & Children, History & Biography, Fiction & Fantasy, Home & Family and Poetry. Festival attendees can have books signed by their favorite authors. Some of the particpating authors include best-selling novelist Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, historians Taylor Branch and Doris Kearns Goodwin; Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bob Woodward, novelists Geraldine Brooks and Julia Glass; Teen and Children's authors, Andrew Clements, Louis Sachar, Richard Peck and many more. You can find more information on the LIbrary of Congress website, www.loc.gov.

September is here and we are back with our brand-new Beyond the Best Seller List. End of the Story by Peter Abrahams is an interesting selection. It's a psychological thriller about a writer whose life turns upside down after taking a job teaching writing at a prison. Sounds interesting. Another interesting new novel is Golden Country by Jennifer Gilmore. And, of course, I am reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, preparing to discuss it on Wednesday, September 27th at 7:30 in the Library's Plaut Conference Room as the kick-off for this year's "Reader's Choice" book discussion group. I would love to hear other reader's opinions of this novel.

Keep reading and of course don't forget to go "Beyond the Best Seller".

2006-09-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

BIG WEEK AT THE LIBRARY!!!

Wow! We kicked off our Fall Authors on Stage series and Jed Rubenfeld was great. His book The Interpretation of Murder is intriquing. Just the setting, New York in 1909 draws the reader in and his story keeps you reading. People have been signing up for Tuesday morning, September 12th at 10:00 am when Philippa Gregory will join us -- she's a delight. Last year she converted dozens to become Historical Fiction readers. It's really going to be a week like we've never had before. An author a day, from Tuesday through Friday. And books, books, books. Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, one of Connecticut's own will be sharing not only her life but her moving story about the death of a classmate during her childhood in Hartford on Wednesday, September 13th at 12:00 noon and our generous Friends of the Library will be providing lunch. But since, I don't want to repeat myself and I do want to chat about books, our Reader's Choice Discussion group which will be held on a Wednesday (usually the last) each month at 7:30 pm in the Library will begin with The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards on September 27th. Since I am leading the discussion, I would love to hear your comments.
Reading has always been a comfort and a joy to me but lately I've found excitement in listening to audiobooks. This way, I have a book that I'm reading and a book that I'm listening to -- twice the fun and it definitely makes driving in traffic a pleasure. I've been known to sit in my garage just to finish either a tape or cd.
It's tough work going Beyond the Best Seller. Or as the title of Sara Nelson's memoir reminds us, So Many Books, So Little Time. Read her book and you will finish with a list of books you absolutely need to read.

2006-08-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

Some must-see authors will be visiting New Canaan this Fall. On Wednesday, yes next Wednesday, Jed Rubenfeld will be here at the Library in our first Fall Authors on Stage event at 7:30 in the Lamb Room. But wait, until you see the Lamb Room...during the summer months we've been painting and carpeting (some flooding early in July made this a priority for the Library) and will be ready to present our new Adrian Lamb Room in September. Early in the spring all of the A-V equipment was upgraded in order to improve visual presentation and sound in the auditorium. This was funded by a generous gift of the Friends of the Library. Now the room is ready for action and we have some exciting programs. On September 12th at 10:00 am, Philippa Gregory is returning to the Library. She spoke last September to a full-house and was gracious enought to make another stop in New Canaan. What a week! Mary-Ann Tirone Smith will be joining us at our kick-off for the Friend's Brown-Bag Book Talk on Wednesday, September 13th at 12:00 noon. An Italian feast will be provided for lunch by the Friends of the Library. Our Library events are free and open to as many as we can fit but remember it helps to sign-up. If we run out of room, those who sign-up have priority. Just call (203) 594-5003
or e-mail clahey@newcanaanlibrary.org.

But back to our BIG WEEK in September. Then we have Brian Morton who has a new novel, Breakable You which has just been released. He's written

The Dylanist, Starting out in the Evening and A Window Across the River. Next, I am so pleased that we have Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Edward P. Jones here for his new book, All Aunt Hagar's Children on Friday, September 15th at 11:00 am. . Book Groups avidly read his book, The Known World. On Monday, September 18th at 7:00 pm Stuart Hauser author of Out of the Woods: Tales of Resilient Teens will be joining us. Parents of teens should be especially interested in his talk.

And this is only the beginning....remember that when you go Beyond the Best Seller.

2006-08-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

The summer is really the best time to go Beyond the Best Seller. We've tried to find things this summer that are a little different. The Beyond the Best Seller List for Kids has some fun choices, old standards like, " Mr. Popper's Penguins and The Hobbit alongside Wright 3 by Blue Balliett. We also did a first, our Beyond the Best Seller List for Films which lists some staff favorites. And for historical fiction buffs we now have a Historical Fiction & Mystery Beyond the Best Seller List. I think what we'd really like is to hear what you like, what are you reading today and what you would to read tomorrow.