Memphis Reads

A few news items you might have missed:

Publisher’s Weekly reports comedic actress, Betty White, has signed a two-book contract with Putnam Publishing. View the details here.

In 1995, Betty White published Here We Go Again: My Life in Television.

The final book of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series, Mockingjay is on it's way to our library shelves. The first two novels of the series are: The Hunger Games (2008) and Catching Fire (2009). Visit the author's website to learn more about this highly-acclaimed trilogy.

James Patterson tops the 2010 list of highest-paid authors, according to Forbes.com. View the full article

The 10 highest-paid authors, listed by ResourceShelf, are:
1. James Patterson, $70 million
2. Stephanie Meyer, $40 million
3. Stephen King, $34 Million
4. Danielle Steel, $32 million
5. Ken Follett, $20 million
6. Dean Koontz, $18 million
7. Janet Evanovich, $16 million
8. John Grisham, $15 million
9. Nicholas Sparks, $14 million
10. J.K. Rowling, $10 million

Labels: News and Notes

Beth reviews 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff (Moyer Bell Limited, 1970).

I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I’m not much for non-fiction. It just doesn’t draw me in the way fiction does—maybe because it is so close to life? I don’t know. But what I do know is that I fell in love with this non-fiction book when a customer called for it. After placing myself on the waiting list, I was thrilled to read it cover to cover!

84, Charing Cross Road is a collection of letters written between Helene Hanff and the staff at Marks & Company of London in the early 1950s through the end of the 60s. Thanks to these letters, we are able to see friendships and compassion form for those who never meet face-to-face.

Helene contacts the shop to fulfill her need for “good, clean copies” of books at a reasonable rate. Her letters, often sarcastic and witty, are at odds with the serious and proper English gentleman’s replies. Over the years she continues to purchase books by mail, but also sends gifts of food during the rationing in England after WWII. A friendship that spans decades ensues—covering children growing up, getting married, and friends passing away. Although Helene grows and changes throughout the years, she always has 84, Charing Cross Road.

Beth, Highland Branch

Labels: Correspondence, Reviews by Beth

Today is the 90th Anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment. The amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920.

From history.com:

"The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote, is ratified by Tennessee, giving it the two-thirds majority of state ratification necessary to make it the law of the land. The amendment was the culmination of more than 70 years of struggle by woman suffragists."

Read the rest of the article here.

For further reading we suggest:

The Perfect 36 : Tennessee Delivers Woman Suffrage by Carol Lynn Yellin

Search the library catalog for more books about the women's suffrage movement.

Labels: News and Notes

Author W. Ralph Eubanks talks to npr.org about his childhood memories of the local library bookmobile. Eubanks explains how bookmobile visits sparked his love for reading and inspired him to become a writer. Read the article.

Janet Evanovich is the author of sixteen novels featuring New Jersey's feisty bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. Evanovich is now joining the club of contemporary novelists with books adapted into feature films. One for the Money, which is based on the identically-titled first novel of the Stephanie Plum series, is currently in production. You can view the movie cast here. Does the cast fit the characters as you envisoned them?

Mystery fiction fans have probably read their share of books that portray murder clubs. In this article from usatoday.com, author Michael Capuzzo talks about his new book, The Murder Room, which profiles the Vidocq Society, a real-life crime-solving group. Read the article.

The 2010 winners of the American Book Awards have been announced. The winners are Dave Eggers for his memoir, Zeitoun, and Amiri Baraka for Digging: The Afro-American Soul of American Classical Music. Read the article.

Labels: News and Notes

Fiction/Suspense

Beth reviews ICE COLD: A RIZZOLI & ISLES NOVEL by Tess Gerritsen (Ballantine, 2010).

I truly enjoy a good mystery and this one was a shocker at the end! Even with me listening to Tess Gerritsen's “warning” on WYPL’s BookTalk that the end was not what I expected, I was still clueless!

For those not familiar with Rizzoli & Isles here is a brief description:
Rizzoli: Boston Homicide Detective Jane Rizzoli, mother to an infant and wife of FBI agent Gabriel Dean.

Isles: Forty-two year old Boston Medical Examiner Maura Isles who is in a forbidden relationship with Priest Daniel Brophy.

Isles heads to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a forensic conference and runs into an old college friend who invites her to join him, his daughter, and friends on a weekend ski outing before they all fly home. Isles, upset with Daniel, accepts and so begins a weekend she’ll never forget.

When their SUV stalls out on a snow-covered road in the mountains, they seek shelter in the only available place--Kingdom Come. Twelve identical houses with no electricity, running water, or “comforts of home,” but all stocked with provisions for the winter, sit empty. But, things are not right—pets are found dead, meals sit ready to eat on tables, and cars are parked in garages. Where are the people who lived here? Why do Maura and her friends feel watched?

The local police find a charred SUV in a ravine with bodies inside. An identification of one of the bodies is made—Maura Isles is dead. Jane, Maura’s friend, and Daniel, Maura’s lover, seek answers in Wyoming…if only there were easy answers. The investigation delves into the community of Kingdom Come, its leader and followers, and the towns around it. What secrets lie in the snow? What was Maura’s fate?

This book fills you with dread as you read, continually knowing that something is not right. If only you could put your finger on it—and every time you think you’ve got it, Tess Gerritsen throws another clue in your path, leading you away from the truth.

WARNING: Tess Gerritsen’s books are very graphic in nature due to the violence that unfolds during these novels. Not for the faint of heart!

Want to listen to Tess Gerritsen talk about her books, Ice Cold, and the TV show? Check out the WYPL Booktalk podcast.

Interested in the TV series on TNT aptly titled Rizzoli & Isles? Visit www.tnt.tv/series/rizzoliandisles.

Beth, Highland Branch

Labels: Reviews by Beth, Suspense

Labels: Books and Movies, Coming Attractions

Romance Writers of America have announced the 2010 winners of the RITA Awards.

A description of the award from the website:

"The purpose of the RITA® contest is to promote excellence in the romance genre by recognizing outstanding published romance novels and novellas.

The award itself is a golden statuette named after RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada, and has become the symbol for excellence in published romance fiction."


Click here to view all award recipients, including the winners of the Golden Heart, awarded to the best romance manuscripts.

A few of the winners are listed below.
Click on the titles to find available copies in the catalog.


The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
Winner for Best Inspirational Romance



Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
Winner for Best Historical Romance



What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
Winner for Best Regency Historical Romance



Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
Winner for Best Paranormal Romance



One Scream Away by Kate Brady
Winner for Best First Book

Labels: Awards, News and Notes, Romance

Darletha reviews THE LAST CHILD by John Hart (Minotaur Books, 2009)

I decided to read this book after it was awarded the Mystery Writers of America's 2010 Edgar Award for Best Novel. I wasn't familiar with Hart's novels, so reading this book gave me the chance to see why he is a two-time winner of the Edgar Award. (Hart won in 2008 for the novel Down River)

This story begins a year after the unsolved kidnapping of Johnny Merrimon's 13-year-old twin sister, Alyssa. This tragic event has torn Johnny's family apart. Johnny's father leaves home and his mother, Katherine, numbs her grief in a fog of addiction. Johnny searches for suspects on his own, which exposes him to the dark secrets of residents in his North Carolina town.

Detective Clyde Hunt was the lead investigator of Alyssa's kidnapping case. His obsession with the Merrimon case damaged his relationship with his family and tainted his reputation as an investigator. He knows Johnny and Katherine are in a bad situation and he is determined to make things right for them.

When Johnny makes a shocking discovery, he becomes more determined than ever to find Alyssa. With no faith left in authority, Johnny and his only friend venture into a dangerous world where a wanted fugitive is on the run and another young girl has disappeared. As the boys attempt to stay ahead of the police, they journey down a path that will change their lives forever.

This was an unforgettable, intense mystery. It goes beyond the typical crime-solving plot and depicts how a tragic event connects different people. For me, this story is all about Johnny. I thoroughly enjoyed following Johnny's transformation from an isolated, quiet boy into a self-empowered young man. I'm adding John Hart's novels to my very long list of books to read.

Darletha, South Branch

Labels: Mystery, Reviews by Darletha Matthews