Dan Brown, bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code, is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with authors Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, whose 1982 book The Holy Blood, Holy Grail proposes a theory involving the bloodline of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. The two authors claim that Brown lifted their research for his novel. The Holy Blood, Holy Grail has subsequently become a bestseller. If Baigent and Leigh are successful, the release of forthcoming movie starring Tom Hanks and Sir Ian McKellan may be in jeopardy. The lawsuit opened today in London.
See the BBC article or Google News for more information.
Place a hold on The Holy Blood, Holy Grail or The Da Vinci Code.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
New Fiction
Check out the new fiction titles we have recently ordered. With books this new, sometimes the records are not yet in the catalog, or the status is "In Processing." If you are not able to place a hold through the online catalog, please call the Reference Desk at 610-655-6355. We would be happy to hear from you! Titles that are designated "New" may only be picked up at the Main branch on 5th and Franklin, the 3 branches, or the city bookmobile.
Click on the title to view the Amazon record and on "catalog" (if available) to place a hold.
Alchemist’s Daughter by Katherine McMahon - catalog
McMahon pens an unforgettable historical novel about a young woman's coming of age in 18th century England, a world of secrets and science, passion and betrayal, innocence and experience.
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi - catalog
In this sequel to "Old Man's War," the Ghost Brigades are the Special Forces of the Colonial Defense Forces, elite troops created from the DNA of the dead and turned into the perfect soldiers for the CDF's toughest operations.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - catalog
From two delightful imaginations comes a comic masterpiece in which the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride motorcycles, the hound of the devil chases sticks, and the end of the world is subject to Murphy's Law.
In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant - catalog
Set in Renaissance Italy, this follow-up to Dunant's "The Birth of Venus" recounts the fantastic escapades of Bucino Teodoldo, a wily dwarf, and his mistress, celebrated courtesan Fiammetta Bianchini, who escape to Venice where intrigue awaits.
5th Horseman by James Patterson - catalog
Alpine Recluse: An Emma Lord Mystery by Mary Daheim - catalog
Bump in the Night by J.D. Robb - catalog
Cell by Stephen King - catalog
False Impression by Jeffrey Archer - catalog
Gone: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman - catalog
Lost by Michael Robotham - catalog
Lovers and Players by Jackie Collins - catalog
Man in the Middle by Brian Haig - catalog
Old Wine Shades: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes - catalog
Sea Change by Robert B. Parker - catalog
Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult - catalog
Two Minute Rule by Robert Crais - catalog
Click on the title to view the Amazon record and on "catalog" (if available) to place a hold.
Alchemist’s Daughter by Katherine McMahon - catalog
McMahon pens an unforgettable historical novel about a young woman's coming of age in 18th century England, a world of secrets and science, passion and betrayal, innocence and experience.
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi - catalog
In this sequel to "Old Man's War," the Ghost Brigades are the Special Forces of the Colonial Defense Forces, elite troops created from the DNA of the dead and turned into the perfect soldiers for the CDF's toughest operations.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - catalog
From two delightful imaginations comes a comic masterpiece in which the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride motorcycles, the hound of the devil chases sticks, and the end of the world is subject to Murphy's Law.
In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant - catalog
Set in Renaissance Italy, this follow-up to Dunant's "The Birth of Venus" recounts the fantastic escapades of Bucino Teodoldo, a wily dwarf, and his mistress, celebrated courtesan Fiammetta Bianchini, who escape to Venice where intrigue awaits.
5th Horseman by James Patterson - catalog
Alpine Recluse: An Emma Lord Mystery by Mary Daheim - catalog
Bump in the Night by J.D. Robb - catalog
Cell by Stephen King - catalog
False Impression by Jeffrey Archer - catalog
Gone: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman - catalog
Lost by Michael Robotham - catalog
Lovers and Players by Jackie Collins - catalog
Man in the Middle by Brian Haig - catalog
Old Wine Shades: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes - catalog
Sea Change by Robert B. Parker - catalog
Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult - catalog
Two Minute Rule by Robert Crais - catalog
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Math Puzzles
Ten red socks and ten blue socks are all mixed up in a dresser drawer. The 20 socks are exactly alike except for their color. The room is in pitch darkness and you want two matching socks. What is the smallest number of socks you must take out of the drawer in order to be certain that you have a pair that match?
Can anyone guess the answer?
Here's an interesting question I got today from my brother.
"Hey I have a question for you. I'm helping to organize some stuff for Engineer's Week next week. I'm supposed to come up with some brainteaser engineering-related questions to mail out over the week. Winners will be drawn from the correct answers. One of the problems last year was that everyone Googled the question and found the answers online somewhere. Do you have any actual books that would have questions along those lines that people couldn't just look up on the net?"
Mathematical Recreations as the subject brings up plenty of titles.
Martin Gardner is a rather prolific author of math oriented puzzles and theory. Take a look at his Wikipedia entry. He sounds like a pretty interesting guy. For more math fun, The Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems is here at the library available to borrow right now!
Can anyone guess the answer?
Here's an interesting question I got today from my brother.
"Hey I have a question for you. I'm helping to organize some stuff for Engineer's Week next week. I'm supposed to come up with some brainteaser engineering-related questions to mail out over the week. Winners will be drawn from the correct answers. One of the problems last year was that everyone Googled the question and found the answers online somewhere. Do you have any actual books that would have questions along those lines that people couldn't just look up on the net?"
Mathematical Recreations as the subject brings up plenty of titles.
Martin Gardner is a rather prolific author of math oriented puzzles and theory. Take a look at his Wikipedia entry. He sounds like a pretty interesting guy. For more math fun, The Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems is here at the library available to borrow right now!
Monday, February 13, 2006
XX Winter Olympics
Italian Nordic skiing legend Stefania Belmondo lights the cauldron as the Games are officially opened by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the President of Italy.Official Torch Relay Website
The NBC coverage focuses on the U.S. Olympic team, which is helpful when quickly searching for favorite U.S. athletes; but of you want more international coverage, take a look at the Official Website of the Olympic Movement. I particularly like the history and heroes of each discipline as well as a description of the equipment and a glossary of relevant terminology.
This is also the International Olympic Committee's website, found under Organisation. "The IOC guarantees the promotion of Olympism and the smooth running of the Games in accordance with the Olympic Charter. Discover in detail the structures, missions and financing of this prominent institution."
NPR coverage includes a blog of the biggest stories written by NPR correspondents in Italy.
Yahoo News has a nice slideshow of the competitors in action.
Torino or Turin? If the Italians call their city Torino, well, it is their city. National Geographic offers an article on the decision.
Search our catalog for additional reading on the Olympics.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Long Term Care Educational Workshop
Topics:
When:
Thursday, February 16, 2006
6:30 - 7:30
Where:
City Espresso
124 South Fifth Street, Reading
The program is free, but preregistration is requested.
To sign up, please call 610.655.6355 or visit the reference desk at the Reading Public Library, 100 South Fifth Street, Reading.
- Maintaining finanacial independence and dignity at home
- Options to consider for adult children as caregivers
- Long term care costs, risks, and choices
- Options and limitations of Medicare and Medicaid
- Advantages of long term care insurance
When:
Thursday, February 16, 2006
6:30 - 7:30
Where:
City Espresso
124 South Fifth Street, Reading
The program is free, but preregistration is requested.
To sign up, please call 610.655.6355 or visit the reference desk at the Reading Public Library, 100 South Fifth Street, Reading.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Metacritic.com - We Deal with Criticism
Recently, I was made aware of this incredibly interesting and useful website by someone from one of my listservs. Metacritic is the Consumer Reports of the entertainment industry. It provides access to articles and critical reviews about the various forms of entertainment - film, video, music, books, games, and television. The creators of the site have developed a rating system thay call a Metascore to summarize the critical reviews of the books, movies, albums, etc. The reviews are weighted depending on the reputation of the individual critic. Here is the complete explanation of the calculation of the metascores.
"Metacritic's mission is to help you make an informed decision about how to spend your money on entertainment." I enjoy providing myself with the best possible entertainment at the lowest possible price. Of course, the library provides all these things for free.
Browse through the list of Metacritic's Best of 2005 in the book category. Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go at #18 jumped out at me; that was my personal favorite from last year. I also had to add a few more titles to my own To Read List (Turow's Ordinary Heroes, the #1 fiction title Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala, and the Orientalist by Tom Reiss.) This is one site that I will be visiting often.
"Metacritic's mission is to help you make an informed decision about how to spend your money on entertainment." I enjoy providing myself with the best possible entertainment at the lowest possible price. Of course, the library provides all these things for free.
Browse through the list of Metacritic's Best of 2005 in the book category. Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go at #18 jumped out at me; that was my personal favorite from last year. I also had to add a few more titles to my own To Read List (Turow's Ordinary Heroes, the #1 fiction title Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala, and the Orientalist by Tom Reiss.) This is one site that I will be visiting often.
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