Memphis Reads

According to usatoday.com, September 30, 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of Clan of the Cave Bear, a novel set in the prehistoric era, by Jean Auel. It is the first novel of the Earth’s Children series. Land of Painted Caves, the final novel, is scheduled for release in 2011.

Read the article for Auel's reflections on Ice Age people and her reaction to the 1986 film.

"Constant Reader," the wait is over. Stephen King’s epic Dark Tower series is set to become a feature film trilogy and television series. Director Ron Howard and writer Akiva Goldsman are names rumored to participate in this major project. The first Dark Tower novel, The Gunslinger, was published in 1982.

A brief description of Dark Tower from the L.A. Times blog, 24Frames:

"The Dark Tower has been wildly successful -- the novels alone have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. The story centers upon the sole survivor in a line of knightly gunslingers, Roland Deschain, who has been charged with finding a Dark Tower in order to save humanity."


Click here to read the article.
Dark Tower readers, are you excited or anxious about this deal?

Labels: News and Notes

Nonfiction/Memphis History

Wayne Dowdy reviews HAUNTED MEMPHIS by Laura Cunningham (History Press, 2009)

As Halloween approaches, have you ever wondered if ghosts and goblins have haunted the streets of Memphis? If so, then you need look no further than Haunted Memphis by Laura Cunningham. Taken from sources housed in the Memphis and Shelby County Room, Haunted Memphis tells such fascinating stories as the ghost Pink Lizzie, the strange occurrences at the historic Mallory-Neely House, the haunting of Libertyland, and a history of St. Paul’s Spiritual Temple, known to most Memphians as Voodoo Village.

Haunted Memphis does more than simply tell spine-tingling ghost stories, it also provides readers with a fun overview of the history of Memphis. So, for thrilling tales of the Bluff City’s past, be sure to pick up a copy of Haunted Memphis at your library today.

Wayne Dowdy, History Department

Labels: Memphis History, Nonfiction, Reviews by Wayne Dowdy

"We are faced with decisions everyday: what to eat, what to wear, etc. A series at the library hopes to take the guess work out of what to read.

What’s Your Flavor? is a four-part series at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library that explores different fiction titles and offers recommendations on what to read based on individual preferences."

This month's session:

Between the Covers: Romance Fiction @ Your Library

Thursday, September 23, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Presented by: Local romance author Patricia Potter

For more information, call 415-2742

Labels: Library Events and Programs, What's Your Flavor

Labels: Historical Fiction, Reviews by Sarah Frierson

The 2010 winners of the Hugo Awards have been announced.

About the Hugo Awards:
"The Hugo Awards, to give them their full title, are awards for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy. They were first awarded in 1953, and have been awarded every year since 1955. The awards are run by and voted on by fans." --from Hugo Award FAQ

There was a tie in the category for best novel.

Labels: Awards, News and Notes

Fiction/Literary

Kay Due reviews OUT STEALING HORSES by Per Petterson (Picador, 2005)

I don’t read many best sellers. I don’t know why – don’t want to follow the crowd – too ornery?? But after noticing a book on the New York Times best seller list for…..months……one does have to reconsider. That’s what happened with this book – Out Stealing Horses – and I’m truly sorry I waited for so long!

I think I really identify with the 67-year-old Norwegian who wants to slow down and get away from it all. Trond Sander retires after the death of his wife and begins to live a life of solitary self-sufficiency. There is a lyrical quality to his days – the passing of day into night, the change of seasons, and the physical labor necessary to get by without electricity. But his solitude is interrupted by a neighbor who brings back memories of his childhood – memories of both happiness and loss. This novel is a keeper. Read it!

Kay Due, Public Services

Labels: Literary Fiction, Reviews by Kay Due

Fiction/Paranormal Romance

The book is usually genuinely funny and light hearted, although there are a few moments that feel like bad stand-up comedy jokes. The main character is a strong and outspoken female who is very interested in fashion and shoes and although this reviewer is a male with no interest in fashion, I did not feel that it was overdone or detracted from the book itself.

If you are looking for something a little different when it comes to vampires, this is worth a look.

Parental advisory note: Although the majority of the book is safe for young teens, there are a few instances in which the book becomes quite graphic in its detail of some sexual encounters.

Jason Sharp, Humanities Department

Labels: Paranormal Romance, Reviews by Jason Sharp

Labels: News and Notes

Labor Day is Monday September 6. It is a holiday designated to honor the working citizens of this country. The first Labor Day ceremony was held in Philadelphia on December 28, 1869, by a labor union of tailors called the Knights of Labor. Many years later, the first Monday of September was set aside as a federal holiday.

All Memphis libraries are closed Monday, so we've selected a few books about workers you might enjoy reading at home.


For research about the history of labor in America, try:
Working Americans: 1880-1999 by Scott Derks

This five-volume reference collection chronicles the history and growth of working class families by decade. Each volume profiles the income and expenses of the average working family, as it details what they wore, choices for entertainment, and the products they purchased. Vintage photographs and advertisements transform this collection into more than a traditional reference book. Did you know a 14-carat man’s wedding ring cost $2.59 in 1912 or that a Simmons Beautyrest Mattress cost $39.50 in 1942?

More reading suggestions for Labor Day

If you think your current job is tough, try:
Dangerous Jobs: the World's Riskiest Ways to Make an Extra Buck by Abigail R. Gehring


If you want to read the book that inspired the 2006 film, Fast Food Nation, try:
Fast Food Nation: the Dark Side of the American Meal by Eric Schlosser



If you want an investigator’s experience in numerous jobs, try:
Punching In: the Unauthorized Adventure of a Front-line Employee by Alex Frankel



If you stumbled into a career you never dreamed of having, try:
Working Fire: Making of an Accidental Fireman by Zac Unger

Labels: News and Notes