Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Reading Public Library presents . . .

A Book Discussion





When: Thursday, August 16, 2007
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: City Espresso, 124 South 5th Street, Reading, PA

RSVP: The program is free, but pre-registration is requested.

To sign up, call 610-655-6355, or visit the Reference Desk
at Reading Public Library, 100 South Fifth St., Reading, PA.
Refreshments will be available for purchase from City Espresso
...
Remember...
...
an Adult Summer Reading program ticket for this title will be worth 2 chances for the prizes and attendance to this discussion will be worth another entry!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

ASRP Reviews

Images of America along the Route 100 Corridor Revisited by Patricia A. Stompf Blackwell
Interesting – Loved the old pictures and history of our local area

A Summer to Remember by Mary Balough
It’s entertaining, romantic and humorous in it’s portrayal of the “battle of the sexes.”

Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal by Ann Rule
Intriguing study of murder.

Lawman by Diana Palmer
Palmer has written over 100 books, and in all of her stories she follows the same formula. If you’ve read any of her books, you’ll recognize her style. Lawman is no different from any of her other stories… the names change, and the professions MIGHT change, but the settings remain similar as well as the conflicts. Why does she have such a following, you might ask? Maybe we all enjoy an occasional story that doesn’t require any special attention to detail and when it’s over, we close the cover and realize the it won’t be long before another “cookie cutter” romance will be published. If you enjoy watching movies or TV programs for the second, third, of fourth times, maybe Palmer is the author for you.

Double Take by Catherine Coulter
Coulter’s latest FBI thriller is packed with many of the same characters from her last book, Point Blank, and true to form, Coulter keeps the pages filled with suspense and slight touches of romance. FBI Special Agent Cheney Stone, (new to this story) interrupts the attempted murder of Julia Ransom along a San Francisco pier. Six months earlier, Julia’s husband, famous psychic August Ransom, was murdered, and the SF police are doggedly determined to pin the murder on Julia. However, this attempt on Julia’s life has all the earmarks of a “hit crime,” so Cheney brings in Coulter’s regulars, FBI Special Agents Savich and Sherlock for assistance.
At the same time these events are happening, Sheriff Dixon Noble from Virginia (also from Point Blank) is notified that his kidnapped and presumed dead wife has been sighted at a SF party married to a wealthy businessman. Watch what happens when all these FBI agents, police, hit men and doppelgangers converge on the streets of San Francisco. Someone should make a TV series around that title, huh?

Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman
She’s my favorite author and this book did not disappoint.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Neffenegger
Loved it! Quite unique idea – almost believable. Wonderful love story.

The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
Fast read. Love the history of the Navajo Indians and their beliefs. Great mystery.

Memories of My Melancholy Whore by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Sad how someone can be so lonely.

When French Women Cook: A Gastronomic Memoir by Madeleine Kamman
Well written beautiful memoirs of growing up and food before World War II. Tons of recipes after each chapter… some good such as walnut cupcakes… oh la la. Others not so yummy… head of fish mashed well with mayo… yuck!

Prayers for the Dead by Faye Kellerman
Somewhat educational on Jewish and Catholic beliefs

Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel – Why Everything You Know Is Wrong by John Stossel
Very informative. Lots of Facts to back up what the author says.

Monday, June 18, 2007


Thursday, June 14, 2007

2007 Adult Summer Reading Program

Listen to what your fellow library-goers are saying about what they are reading. There are so many books to choose from - in May the Main Library alone ordered approximately 119 new adult nonfiction books and 220 new adult fiction books. Whether you like Patterson, Turtledove, Evanovich, Oates or Picoult, there's something for everyone. And with prizes like Phillies tickets and merchandise, restaurant gift certificates, and tickets to Sovereign Center events; there's no reason not to pick up a stack of books and a stack of entry forms and start reading!



Murder at the Monk's Table by Carol Anne O'Marie
Good mystery! A very entertaining, easy, quick read.


You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
Really entertaining!


Cold Company by Sue Henry
Exciting adventure in wilds of Alaska.


Lisey's Story by Stephen King
Some parts predictable but a real tearjerker.


Velocity by Dean. R. Koontz
Thrilling and suspense filled.


Win-Win Ecology: How the Earth's Species Can Survive in the Midst of Human Enterprise by Michael L. Rosenzweig
Every little bit helps!


Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Wonderful multilayered story of bullying and school violence.


Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
Excellent study of character and the family as character.


Carousel by Belva Plain
Interesting Story about families, relationships and secrets. Heartbreaking but also heartwarming.


All about Evie by Beth Ciotta
Recently divorced Evie Parish is over 40, an unemployed actress and desperate for a regular paycheck. While in her agent's office, an acting positionbecomes available on a couples only cruise ship. There are some risks involved if she takes the job, and there's no script to follow. Her role... Sugar Dupont, an ex-Vegas showgirl on her honeymoon with her wealthy husband, Charles Dupont. Charles, a senior citizen with trimmed beard, wired framed round glasses, a belly like the Pillsbury doughboy and a voice like Sean Connery. Wonder what Charles looks like without the makeup? I think Evie's gonna love this acting gig!


Diary of a Serial Killer by Ed Gaffney
Ed Gaffney, husband of bestselling aither Suzanne Brockmann, pens his third novel in the mystery genre. Gaffney was a defense attorney before the writing bug bit him and his "lawyerese" shows on each page. The "diary" of this serial killer is gruesome; the plot contains many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final pages. I would have enjoyed a longer epilogue to calm my nerves. This is a godd story and style for the male reader.

Friday, May 18, 2007


Reading Public Library presents . . .





A Book Discussion
When: Thursday, June 21, 2007
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: City Espresso, 124 South 5th Street, Reading, PA

RSVP: The program is free, but pre-registration is requested.

To sign up, call 610-655-6355, or visit the Reference Desk
at Reading Public Library, 100 South Fifth St., Reading, PA.
Refreshments will be available for purchase from City Espresso

Monday, May 14, 2007

Online Librarian
Carl

IMDB
www.imdb.com
Founded: United Kingdom (Online 1993, Incorporated 1996, Bought by Amazon.com 1998)

What THIS SITE IS:
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is a free online database that collects information about movies, actors, TV shows, and video games. What began in the late 80’s as an online community’s attempt to list movies with the latest pretty actress soon blossomed into a legitimate database powerhouse. With 6.3 million individual film/TV credits this is the largest accumulation of data about films on planet earth. Don’t believe me? Check out IMDb’s Statistics Page.


Positives: Information is kept up to date and mistakes corrected; Coverage goes back to virtually the beginning of film (see the video); Search interface allows for various field types (titles, names, companies, etc.) as well as an advanced “power” search

Negatives: The navigation and display of information can be clumsy and confusing for the unfamiliar; Commercial ads (but hey it’s largely a free site this is to be expected)

Who SHOULD USE THIS SITE:
IMDb’s primary use is as database for movies, TV shows, and video games. Entertainment fans will delight in the cutting edge content and ranking schemes offered. Information professionals will rejoice in the search capacities and depth of information available.

Supplemental to IMDb’s capacities as a straight database it also offers current openings, reviews, links to video trailers and previews, movie & TV news, message board, showtime & ticket finder, rankings, links to purchase the item under review, optional personal account, and many other features.

Librarian Note: The multiple search fields and power search allow the information professional to quickly narrow down which film or movie and what edition the patron is interested in even with only partial information. The rankings and sorting features allow for further recommendations of genres, types, and specific related movies, shows, and video games. Also, by clicking on “movie connections” for any given film one can quickly ascertain sequels, prequels, or other related spin offs.

Interesting FEATURE:
One of the hardest tasks of any information professional is to make recommendations and this becomes even harder when one is not familiar with the particular item or type of item under consideration. When it comes to films one helpful tool is the recommendations available on IMDb.

These suggestions for similar films can be found by clicking on the “recommendations” link found under “Awards & Reviews” in the left hand toolbar for each entry in the IMDb. You can also directly access this through the Recommendation Center.


Bottom LINE:
This should be everyone’s first choice for finding movie information online. IMDb’s secondary draw is as a source of information for TV shows and video games and should not be overlooked. The database’s additional features (message boards, rankings, etc.) are just icing on an already rich cake.

Helpful LINKS:
Instruction/Tutorials/Features
Search Tips
IMDb Index
IMDb Browse
IMDb Section Browsers

Extras
Wikipedia Entry

Any QUESTIONS?
Please feel free to make a comment by clicking on the comments link below or if you prefer to reach me by email.