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Staff Recommendations – November 2005

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INDEXES TO PAST STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: BY TITLE | BY REVIEWER
TV SERIES/SPECIALS ON DVD | AGATHA CHRISTIE | LGBTQ+ | STAR TREK | STAR WARS

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November 2005 Recommendations

closecaseClose Case
by Alafair Burke

This new young writer is the daughter of famed mystery author James Lee Burke. Her first three novels are very readable.

( official Close Case page on the official Alafair Burke Web site )

Recommended by Mary C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

coldmountainCold Mountain
by Charles Frazier

A metaphoric journey taking place during the U.S. Civil War. Adapted into a 2003 movie, starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger.

( Discussion Questions for Cold Mountain ]

Recommended by Rayma S.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Rated by — Anonymous
Visitor to the BookGuide site

onetwothreeOne, Two, Three…Infinity: Facts and Speculation of Science
by George Gamow (500 G14o)

The wonder of numbers, understandably written, yet exploring all the amazing aspects. Did you know that if you put one grain of wheat on the first square of a checkerboard, and two on the second, and four on the third, eight on the fourth, etc., that the number required for the 64th square is more than the total wheat grown in a thousand years in the entire world?

( George Gamow page on Wikipedia ) | ( The George Gamow Memorial Lecture Series from the University of Colorado at Boulder ) | ( The Legacy of George Gamow Web site from George Washington University )

Recommended by Bob B.
Bennett Martin Public Library

pianogirlPiano Girl: Lessons in Life, Love and the Perfect Blue Hawaiian
by Robin Meloy Goldsby (Music 786.2 Gol)

An entertaining memoir of a woman who has created a career as a lounge pianist, making music for people who don’t listen. She includes information on the music business within her story.

( official Piano Girl page on the official Robin Meloy Goldsby Web site )

Recommended by Carolyn D.
Polley Music Library — Bennett Martin Public Library

busyslowcookerBusy People’s Slow-Cooker Cookbook
by Dawn Hall (641.588 Hal)

Provides lots of new ideas for cooking entrees instead of “…top with Cream of Something soup and cook on low for 8-10 hours”. Learn to cook the veggie side in a foil pouch on top of the entree. These are not off-the-wall ingredients and meals but foods you and your family will really eat. Includes chicken, beef, and pork recipes as well as Mexican, vegetarian, and recipes for every meal. Put together an entire yummy, nutritious meal in 10 min or less without slaving over it.

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Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library

christiecaperThe Christie Caper
by Carolyn G. Hart

A marvelous contemporary whodunit, featuring a sleuth who’s a mystery bookstore owner. This one should also appeal to Agatha Christie fans, since it’s set at a Christie convention! This is the seventh volume in the extremely popular “Death on Demand” mystery series.

( The Death on Demand page on the official Carolyn G. Hart Web site )

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Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

lesmiserablesLes Miserables
by Victor Hugo

If only the musical had been true to the book! This book is one of the greatest novels ever written!

(This novel is available in several different editions in the library collection. Use TITLE SEARCH under “Les Miserables” in our online catalog.)

( Victor Hugo page on Wikipedia )

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Recommended by Kim J.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Rated by — Anonymous
Visitor to the BookGuide site

sailfishandthesacredmtThe Sailfish and the Sacred Mountain
by Will Johnson (204.41 Joh)

Author Will Johnson writes about the spiritual adventure he shares with his 13 year old son as they journey to the sacred mountain Kailas, in Tibet. This trip provides a profound coming of age experience for his son as well as a deep spiritual journey for the author.

( The Institute for Embodiment Training, founded by author Will Johnson )

Recommended by Patty L.
Walt Branch Library

merryhallMerry Hall
by Beverley Nichols (635.9 N51m)

Beverley Nichols was one of Britain’s wunderkind of the early 20th century. He wrote plays, novels, essays, and was part of the London smart set. His lasting contributions in the written word have been, of all things, gardening books. These books are whimsical in nature and great fun to read. The Merry Hall trilogy, which includes Merry Hall, Laughter on the Stairs, and Sunlight on the Lawn are the best of the bunch. Although Nichols died in 1983 these books are still in print. Nichols himself felt that his gardening books were not the best of his writings, but obviously the public has felt differently about this. He did write a scathing diatribe against his father, disguised as an autobiography, but some claim that there are a number of fabrications in this account. Personally, I would go for the gardening books and enjoy.

( detailed Beverley Nichols Web site )

Recommended by Cindy C.
Technical Processes Department

winterwheatWinter Wheat
by Mildred Walker

Good weekend read!

( official Winter Wheat page on the University of Nebraska Press Web site ) | ( Mildred Walker entry on Wikipedia )

Recommended by Andrea S.
Anderson and Bethany Branch Libraries

Screening Room

formatvhsallstarswingAll Star Swing Festival
by (various) (Video 781.65 All)

Truly an all-star gathering, featuring the last-ever performance of the original Benny Goodman Quartet, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond playing “Take Five” and Duke Ellington and Count Basie facing each other on matching grand pianos. The sound and video are not great, but the performances are terrific!

(Note: This item was a VHS-format item, which no longer exists in the library collection. Here is a link to an unauthorized version on YouTube.)

Recommended by Scott S.
Bennett Martin Public Library

last updated April 2022
* Please Note: The presence of a link on this site does not constitute an endorsement by Lincoln City Libraries.


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