Site Map
Search the Catalog
Kids Zone
Find a Library
FAQ
Sign Up
Contact Us
Site Map
Search the Catalog
Kids Zone
Find a Library
FAQ
Sign Up
Contact Us
Home > Talking Book Topics > July and August 2007
The following information is reprinted from two issues of NLS Flash, a newsletter created to bring current information on NLS progress in digital technology to patrons, library staff, and other interested individuals.
With the launch of digital talking books and players less than a year away, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, is preparing the network of cooperating libraries for the transition. The Digital Transition Advisory Committee, established to advise NLS and to help communicate distribution plans to librarians and patrons, is playing an important role in the preparations. The group met for the first time on January 30–31 to discuss the draft transition plans and develop methods of informing the network agencies about them.
"NLS wishes to ensure network libraries have all the resources necessary for a successful digital conversion," says NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke. "The recent meeting provided an invaluable opportunity to inform committee members about current distribution plans, seek their advice, and address challenges libraries may face as they begin distributing players and circulating digital audiobooks."
The committee, which succeeds the Digital Long-Term Planning Group, examined a range of issues. Following presentations on the current transition budget, the digital transition time line, and the status of digital talking-book development, the committee considered how resource availability at the time of implementation might affect libraries. More specifically, the group discussed how individual library funding will impact book and player distribution, shelving options, title duplication, circulation system modifications, and digital-book copy allotment.
Due to technical and cost-related factors, NLS has altered its original plans for digital audiobook distribution. Instead of immediately implementing a hybrid model—mass producing popular titles while duplicating low-demand titles on an as-needed basis—NLS has determined to mass duplicate all digital-book titles. An efficient hybrid system is not yet feasible because effective duplication-on-demand technologies are as yet insufficiently refined, and diverse library circulation systems would be unprepared to sustain the disruptions duplication-on-demand implementation would be likely to entail. NLS plans to revisit hybrid-system development concepts once full mass-duplication implementation has been accomplished—approximately three to five years after the primary system has been launched and adjusted.
The committee also discussed copy allotment issues. The cost of flash-memory cartridges, which is likely to drop significantly during the next several years, will play a key role in determining the number of copies of individual titles available to libraries throughout the transition. After some discussion, the committee agreed that possible temporary copy allotment reductions could probably be offset through careful management of such variables as declining cartridge costs, cartridge recycling, the use of interlibrary loan, and perhaps some innovative short-term centralized storage strategies.
The NLS equipment control officer briefed the Digital Transition Advisory Committee on NLS policies concerning digital talking-book machine distribution. National readership levels will determine the number of players each regional library will receive. Regional libraries will decide how to allot players to subregional libraries.
As for player distribution to patrons, veterans and Ten-Squared Talking-Book Club members (those readers 100 years of age and older) will receive first consideration. Beyond these priorities, each network library must establish its own lending policies.
Other issues the committee addressed included the learning curve associated with operating new technology, the need to develop a tracking system to ensure the safe return of the digital devices, digital-book shelving requirements, future digital-book download capabilities, digital magazine format, distinguishing advanced from basic players, and demonstrating the new players at 2008 consumer conventions. The group agreed to revisit each topic in detail in the coming months.
In addition to discussing the challenges libraries may experience during implementation, the committee looked at effective ways by which network library staff could be kept up to date on transition developments. Because funding and technology-related factors will affect player distribution throughout the transition, it is especially important to keep libraries appraised of changes throughout the process. The committee proposed various communication efforts to facilitate the flow of information. These included online instruction and discussion sessions and a communication plan to supplement the Flash newsletter.
Communication with patrons was an important issue for the group. Members were particularly concerned with how to address misconceptions patrons may have regarding production and allocation of digital players—a process that will occur over a four-year period beginning in 2008. NLS agreed to the committee’s request to circulate the current digital transition time line among libraries and patrons. The committee further decided to share this information with patrons through local communication channels.
NLS Network Division chief and committee chair Carolyn Sung said that "the central goal is to get the new talking books and players into our patrons’ hands as efficiently as possible. Flexibility and open communication channels are fundamental to making that happen."
Finally, the committee considered how to inform patrons of digital title availability. After some discussion, the group agreed that the current method of announcing new cassette titles—through listings in the bimonthly patron publication Talking Book Topics—should be supplemented with a special notation to indicate the availability of the books in digital format.
At the end of the first Digital Transition Advisory Committee meeting, NLS was better equipped to move forward with two distribution-related projects. During the upcoming prelaunch test, patrons selected by eight regional libraries will test prototypes of the digital talking books and players. Also, NLS will examine digital copy allotment of older book titles. Both projects will ensure that distribution plans stay on course.
As February 17, 2007, was a historic day for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, as it produced its last cassette book machine (CBM). During a ceremony held on March 1, 2007, in Blue Earth, Minnesota, Telex Communications, Inc., presented NLS with the milestone C-1 player—the 1,248,113th unit manufactured by the company since 1983. This event marks the end of the analog machine’s successful era and signals NLS’s foray into the production and distribution phase of digital talking books (DBs) and players.
"Analog audiocassette and cassette-book machine technology has been the backbone of the NLS system, but it is outdated and nearing the end of its useful life," said Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "Our patrons have heightened expectations of service improvements, especially those who are tech savvy. Their expectations along with the impending obsolescence of key elements of analog technology warrant the conversion to a digital system."
The CBM has proven popular, reliable, and useful to generations of talking-book readers. Since 1969, 1.5 million CBMs have been manufactured and distributed to more than 25 million NLS patrons. These machines were designed to play audiocassettes recorded at 15/16 inches per second on 4-track tapes, allowing up to six hours of playback time per cassette. Throughout the machine’s existence, NLS has continuously enhanced the machine’s functionality. However, recent advances in digital technology promise to further improve the patron experience.
Despite the digital transition, NLS will continue to support the needs of cassette book readers. CBMs will remain in circulation throughout the transition period until digital titles and players are fully integrated.
“Though production of the CBM has ceased, NLS will continue to provide CBMs from our existing inventory and cassette audiobooks to our patrons during the transition to digital talking books and players,” said Michael Katzmann, chief, Materials Development Division. “The use of CBMs will decline rapidly with the introduction of the digital player; however, we expect some patrons to continue using CBMs beyond 2012.”
CBMs will be needed for patrons wishing to read audiobooks that have not been converted to digital. Additionally some people will prefer using familiar technology. To ensure ongoing availability of CBMs through 2011, the full transition period, NLS invested nearly $5.6 million in spare parts to repair CBMs as needed. NLS researched and analyzed the repairs made over the past several years to determine which parts would be needed to keep CBMs functioning through 2011. The spare parts purchased—mostly rubber parts and playback heads—will be used for routine repairs needed to keep the CBMs in working order.
In total, sixty-six different types of parts were purchased to repair up to 575,000 machines. These parts are expected to last as long as the current life cycle of the C-1 player, which is estimated at ten years. C-1 No. 1248113, the last CBM manufactured, is expected to be in service until the digital transition is complete.
With CBM manufacturing past, NLS is fully-focused on producing and distributing digital talking books and players. Flash-cartridge procurement has already started and will be followed by flash-cartridge production and duplication. In August, NLS expects to begin manufacturing the initial lot of DB containers and labels. This is the last step prior to full player procurement.
The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses.
For information on the NLS digital project contact:
Jean M. MossTo view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web visit: www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2006.html
The following announcements may be of interest to readers. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped reserves the right to publish announcements selectively, as space permits. Items mentioned, however, are not part of the NLS program, and their listing does not imply endorsement.
In April 2007, the monthly French-language publication Journal Français merged with the biweekly newspaper France-Amérique. Current subscribers to Journal Français will continue to receive the revamped publication, France-Amérique, every two weeks.
France-Amérique features French news analysis, trends, interviews, book and film reviews, travel advice, gastronomy, resources on French-language skills, and information on the French-American community in the United States.
The biography Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius (BR 16790, RC 63350), published by the National Braille Press, was selected as a winner at the May 2007 New England Book Show. The book, by C. Michael Mellor, won in the category General Trade, Illustrated. The book is among 160,000 new titles published by the United States every year.
The annual juried New England Book Show, which has been held in Boston since 1956, recognizes the year’s most outstanding works by New England publishers, printers, and graphic designers. Books are selected for their design, quality of materials, and workmanship.
NLS patrons may request Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius from their local libraries. To purchase the book, contact the National Braille Press at 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115-4302; visit its web site at www.nbp.org; or call 800-548-7323 or (617) 266-6160, extension 20
The Art of Setting Stones: And Other Writings from the
Japanese Garden RC 57696
by Marc Peter Keane
read by Larry Shapiro
1 cassette
Eight philosophical essays by an American-born landscape artist reveal the
beauty and meaning of traditional gardens in Kyoto, Japan. Keane describes
the elemental principles of art, Buddhism, science, and nature that reflect
the humanity and the greater purpose of these harmonious creations. 2002.
The Victorians RC 58822
by A.N. Wilson
read by Kimberly Schraf
6 cassettes
As he examines faith and doubt, progress and poverty, social upheavals, and
wars of colonial expansion, novelist and historian Wilson develops a comprehensive
portrait of nineteenth-century Britain. The author of Eminent Victorians (RC
32328) claims that "the Victorians are still with us, because the world
they created is still here, though changed." 2003.
Reclaiming D.H. Lawrence: Contemporary Writers Speak
Out RC
59658
by Gary Adelman
read by MaryBeth Wise
2 cassettes
English professor explores the opinion gap surrounding author D.H. Lawrence,
seen by scholarly critics as "a crude historical curiosity" and
by writers as "a great figure." Presents speculations on Lawrence’s
reputation by nearly one hundred novelists and poets, including John Updike,
A.S. Byatt, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Ford, and John Hollander. 2002.
Hey Ya! The Unauthorized Biography of OutKast RC
59691
by Chris Nickson
read by Dave Corey
1 cassette
Journalist details the performing career of the award-winning Atlanta rap group
OutKast, describing the team created in 1994 by Antwan "Big Boi" Patton
and Andre "Dre" Benjamin. Delves into the singers’ personal
lives, their business interests, and the evolution of their music. For senior
high and older readers. 2004.
Mr. Jefferson’s Lost Cause: Land, Farmers, Slavery, and the Louisiana
Purchase RC 60062
by Roger G. Kennedy
read by Don Hagen
4 cassettes
Smithsonian Institution historian argues that, because of the terms he accepted
in making the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson supported slaveholding
interests in westward expansion and set the stage for civil war. Describes
economic forces and ruinous farming methods that made plantation owners depend
on forced labor for prosperity. 2003.
The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid
Schooling in America RC 60734
by Jonathan Kozol
read by Robertson Dean
2 cassettes
Investigates the decline of inner city public schools and condemns political
policies that erode the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Uses anecdotes
to portray the resegregation of poor minority children and the establishment
of standards of learning that fail to improve education. 2005.
The Men Who Stare at Goats RC
60917
by Jon Ronson
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
Filmmaker chronicles the evolution of a secret military intelligence unit,
based in Fort Bragg, whose soldiers were trained in mental, spiritual, and
psychic components of conflict. Reveals their paranormal initiatives and unorthodox
techniques—such as trying to kill goats by staring at them—from
1979 to postwar Iraq. Strong language. 2004.
The Little Monster: Growing Up with ADHD RC
60918
by Robert Jergen
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Professor who didn’t learn he had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) until he was twenty-four describes growing up with an undiagnosed disability.
Anecdotally relates his social and academic struggles. Celebrates having ADHD
and outlines coping strategies that have made him successful. Some strong language.
2004.
The Great Hurricane: 1938 RC
60947
by Cherie Burns
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Account of the hurricane that ravaged coastal regions of Long Island, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, and Massachusetts in September 1938, killing hundreds and causing
millions of dollars in damage. Draws on archival sources and survivor testimony
to trace the storm’s path and reconstruct the harrowing experiences of
its victims. 2005.
Fantastic: The Life of Arnold Schwarzenegger RC
61227
by Laurence Leamer
read by Richard Davidson
4 cassettes
The author of The Kennedy Men (RC 54584) and The Kennedy Women (RC 40698) chronicles
Schwarzenegger’s rise from immigrant athlete to action hero and governor
of California. Describes the bodybuilding culture and Hollywood scene. Comments
on Schwarzenegger’s business acumen, relationships, and marriage to Kennedy
family heiress Maria Shriver. 2005.
The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time RC
61244
by Jeffrey D. Sachs
read by Dan Bloom
4 cassettes
Special adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General offers an integrated
plan for ending extreme poverty by the year 2025 through improved health care,
education, and infrastructure in developing nations. Analyzes global economics
and wealth distribution. Details his work in Bolivia, Poland, Russia, China,
India, and Kenya. Foreword by Bono. 2005.
Universal Father: A Life of Pope John Paul II RC
61288
by Garry O’Connor
read by Alexander Strain
3 cassettes
British biographer chronicles the life of Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II
(1920–2005), examining the inner man. Assesses Wojtyla’s early
life in Poland between wars, his interest in the theater, his acting during
the Nazi occupation, and his ascent in the Catholic hierarchy. 2005.
Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire RC
61407
by Niall Ferguson
read by Peter Johnson
4 cassettes
Historian and author of The House of Rothschild (RC 51082) examines the origins
and nature of U.S. imperialism. Interprets the September 11, 2001, attacks
and subsequent invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan in a historical context. Endorses
a contemporary liberal American empire for the good of the world. 2004.
Right Turns: Unconventional Lessons from a Controversial
Life RC 61414
by Michael Medved
read by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes
Radio talk-show host, film critic, author, and Orthodox Jew comments on his
transition from liberal activist to conservative media commentator. Medved
traces his ancestors’ struggles for success in America and explains the
contradictions in his life through the diverse experiences he shares with other
baby boomers. 2004.
Wounded in the House of a Friend RC
61529
by Sonia Sanchez
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
African American woman’s poetry explores betrayal, addiction, war, and
sexual violence. Some poems highlight feminist, political, and cultural issues,
while others commemorate artists and activists. Also includes haiku. Strong
language, some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 1995.
Martha Washington: An American Life RC
61531
by Patricia Brady
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Biography of widow Martha "Patsy" Dandridge Custis (1731–1802)
who married Virginia planter George Washington in 1759 when both were in their
late twenties. The author uses primary sources to explore Martha’s influence
on her husband, her involvement during the Revolutionary War, and her role
in developing the presidency. 2005.
Hawthorne: A Life RC 61589
by Brenda Wineapple
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864), author of The Scarlet Letter
(RC 48457), explores his upbringing in a puritanical and lonely household in
Salem, Massachusetts. Discusses how his failings in government work led to
and influenced his writing, as did his views on slavery and New England society.
2003.
Dreamer of Dune: The Biography of Frank Herbert RC
61596
by Brian Herbert
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Son’s memoir of the author of the popular Dune science fiction series.
Intertwines accounts of the son’s life with that of his father to shed
light on the people, places, and experiences that played integral roles in
the Dune novels. 2003.
Alec Guinness: The Authorised Biography RC
61642
by Piers Paul Read
read by Steven Carpenter
4 cassettes
Author traces the life of his friend, British actor Sir Alec Guinness (1914–2000),
based on Guinness’s diaries. Chronicles his unhappy childhood, long marriage,
and conversion to Catholicism. Also discusses Sir Alec’s stage and screen
career, which began in 1933 with an acting scholarship. Strong language. 2003.
One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer RC
61643
by Nathaniel Fick
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Former Marine Corps captain Nathaniel Fick describes how, as a Dartmouth graduate,
he joined the military, trained for reconnaissance, and saw action in Afghanistan
and Iraq. Highlights battles, civilian hostility after the invasion, the unintended
consequences of combat, and his disappointment with superiors. Violence and
some strong language. 2005.
The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic
in History RC 61644
by John M. Barry
read by Gregory Gorton
4 cassettes
Traces the medical and social history of the 1918 influenza epidemic that erupted
during World War I. Discusses the conditions, both biological (swiftly mutating
flu virus passing between animals and humans) and political (troop movements
between continents), under which the disease thrived and its effect on world
populations. Keck Award. 2004.
Where God Was Born: A Journey by Land to the Roots of
Religion RC 61658
by Bruce Feiler
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
The author of Walking the Bible (RC 52171) journeys to Israel, Iraq, and Iran
with Israeli archaeologist Avner Goren. Feiler reinterprets accounts of Joshua’s
conquest of the Promised Land, David and Goliath, the capture of Jericho, and
the prophets while contemplating religious intolerance. 2005.
Unguarded: My Forty Years Surviving in the NBA RC
61666
by Lenny Wilkens
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Autobiography of Basketball Hall of Fame member inducted as player and coach.
Recounts his Brooklyn childhood with an African American father and an Irish
Catholic mother. Describes attending college on a basketball scholarship, participating
in the 1960 NBA draft, and coaching the Seattle Supersonics to the 1979 NBA
championship. 2000.
Where There’s a Will RC
61675
by John Mortimer
read by David Cutler
1 cassette
Thoughts on the good life by the English lawyer, writer, and creator of the
Rumpole mystery series. Drawing from literature and his own experiences, Mortimer
ponders the pleasures of drink and eating out, the tyranny of political correctness,
the pang of missed opportunities, the pursuit of happiness, and more. Some
strong language. 2003.
The Burial at Thebes: A Version of Sophocles’ Antigone RC
61676
by Seamus Heaney
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Nobel Prize winner follows his translation of Beowulf (RC 49742) with a version
of this Greek tragedy. Creon, king of Thebes, declares his dead nephew Polyneices
a traitor and denies him burial. Polyneices’ sister Antigone, defying
Creon’s edict, performs a symbolic rite for which she is condemned to
death. 2004.
Black like Me RC 61703
by John Howard Griffin
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes (Reissue)
White novelist’s account of his six-week experiment in 1959 to learn
firsthand what it was like to be a black man in the Deep South. After deliberately
darkening his skin with chemicals, Griffin records his revealing and sometimes
terrifying experiences with racism, inequality, and segregation. Strong language.
1960.
Cuttin’ Up: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops RC
61709
by Craig Marberry
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
Journalist crisscrossed the countryto collect these anecdotes and quotes from
barbershops, the "nation’s earliest black businesses." Barbers
(including Oprah Winfrey’s dad) and customers reminisce about barbershop
camaraderie, African American history, women, and current events. 2005.
Rogue Regime: Kim Jong Il and the Looming Threat of North
Korea RC 61711
by Jasper Becker
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
Author of Hungry Ghosts: Mao’s Secret Famine (RC 46134) chronicles the
Kim dynasty’s rise. Assesses the devastating effects on North Korea of
dictator Kim Jong Il’s leadership since 1974, and global threats posed
by the country’s political instability and nuclear arsenal. Urges world
action against human rights violations. 2005.
The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning
Poets RC 61714
by Ted Kooser
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
U.S. poet laureate and author of Braided Creek (RC 59814) draws on more than
forty years experience in this guide to writing and revising poetry. Shares
his creative philosophy and offers insights and examples on rhyming and prose,
metaphors and similes, rules—and when to break them—and the writer-reader
relationship. 2005.
The Year of Magical Thinking RC
61740
by Joan Didion
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
Writer reflects on her emotional response to the unexpected death of her husband,
John Gregory Dunne, after a visit to their comatose daughter. Discusses the
shock of suddenly facing a crisis, the memory of their time together as a family,
and the meaning of marriage. National Book Award. Bestseller. 2005.
Matters of the Heart RC 61746
by Juanita Bynum
read by Melissa Maxwell
2 cassettes
Author relates her personal spiritual journey of reconciling her heart with
God and finding true enlightenment, harnessing her excessive ambitions, and
controlling her frustrations. Uses passages from the Bible to suggest ways
of breaking old habits and establishing a daily prayer practice. 2002.
Black Kettle: The Cheyenne Chief Who Sought Peace but
Found War RC 61754
by Thom Hatch
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
Biography of the nineteenth-century chief who worked to secure survival of
the Cheyenne nation. Portrays Black Kettle in the social, political, and historical
context of America’s western expansion. Describes the battles and betrayals
leading to his death in 1868 when Lieutenant Colonel Custer attacked Black
Kettle’s village. Spur Award. 2004.
The Death of a President: November 20–November 25, 1963 RC
61781
by William Manchester
read by Bill Wallace
7 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)
Biographer’s account of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,
who was killed on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Reconstructs events
surrounding the shooting, investigates material and circumstantial evidence,
and compares witness statements. Differs from the Warren Commission’s
criminal inquiry by focusing on the presidency. 1967.
A Widow’s Walk RC 61783
by Marian Fontana
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Playwright and comedienne chronicles her first year of coping with losing her
firefighter husband, Dave, in the World Trade Center attacks. Now president
of the 9/11 Widows and Victims’ Families Association, she describes the
aftermath of the tragedy and life as a single mother. Strong language. 2005.
Two Lives RC 61809
by Vikram Seth
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Author of A Suitable Boy (RC 35921) writes about his great-uncle, an Indian
dentist, and the uncle’s German Jewish wife. Portrays the couple’s
meeting in Berlin before World War II, their wartime losses and migrations,
postwar marriage, and his own years living with them in England in the 1970s.
2005.
The Setting of the Pearl: Vienna under Hitler RC
61815
by Thomas Weyr
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
The author, who was a child in Vienna during World War II, chronicles the destruction
of the city’s culture after Austria joined Nazi Germany in 1938. Uses
archives, interviews, and his own memories to describe the removal of the Jewish
population and the demise of the capital’s vibrancy. Violence. 2005.
Them: A Memoir of Parents RC
61816
by Francine du Plessix Gray
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
Memoir about the author’s mother and stepfather, Russian émigrés
who fled occupied Paris for New York City in 1941. Portrays Tatiana du Plessix
Liberman’s rise as a famous hat designer and Alexander Liberman’s
ascent at Condé Nast Publications. Describes the publishing and fashion
scenes and her parents’ glamorous lives. 2005.
State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration RC 61826
by James Risen
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
New York Times reporter recounts anecdotes, often from anonymous sources, concerning
CIA efforts to thwart terrorists since September 11, 2001. Discusses the National
Security Agency’s domestic wiretapping program, the search for weapons
of mass destruction, and the return of Afghanistan’s opium trade. Posits
that the CIA mission failed. Bestseller. 2006.
Still Life with Brook Trout RC
61832
by John Gierach
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Columnist for Fly Rod and Reel travels from Wyoming to Labrador, indulging
in his favorite sport of fly-fishing. He tells of his adventures and reminisces
about drought, environmentalists, water politics, and dam building. 2005.
Vicksburg Is the Key: The Struggle for the Mississippi
River RC 61834
by William L. Shea and Terrence J. Winschel
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Details the Civil War struggle for the control of the Mississippi River that
culminated in the Union siege of the city of Vicksburg in 1863. Describes Ulysses
S. Grant’s long campaign by land and sea. 2003.
Fighting for America: Black Soldiers—The Unsung Heroes of World War
II RC 61836
by Christopher Paul Moore
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Author chronicles the contributions of African American WWII service members,
interweaving his own family history as the son of black veterans. Describes
achievements of units such as the 761st Tank Battalion and the Tuskegee Airmen.
Profiles soldiers who fought two battles—one abroad and one at home for
racial equality. 2005.
Sinatra: The Life RC 61890
by Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan
read by Peter Ganim
5 cassettes
Author of Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe (RC 22984) provides a
birth-to-death biography of singer/actor Frank Sinatra (1915–1998). Summers
documents Sinatra’s childhood, career, marriages, struggles with alcohol,
complex relationships with women, and Mafia connections. Strong language. 2005.
Spike Lee: That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It RC
61901
by Spike Lee
read by Bill Quinn
3 cassettes
Oral history of African American filmmaker Spike Lee’s rise to fame from
his 1986 movie She’s Gotta Have It to the 2004 She Hate Me, produced
by Lee’s own company. Interviews Lee’s colleagues, friends, and
family and discusses controversial social issues, including stereotyping, racism,
and sexuality. Strong language. 2005.
T.D. Jakes: America’s New Preacher RC
61903
by Shayne Lee
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes
Sociologist examines the rise of African American preacher Thomas Dexter Jakes—CEO,
television host, and author of God’s Leading Lady (RC
54897)—from
his humble beginnings in West Virginia. Attributes Jakes’s success to
his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative marketing techniques that resonate
with post-modernists and an expanding mass-media Christian faith industry.
2005.
Speedbumps: Flooring It through Hollywood RC
61909
by Teri Garr
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Comic actress Teri Garr describes her youth in Hollywood and her ambition to
become a movie star. Discusses a long career that began with dancing, her dedication
to acting, and the 1983 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis that forced Teri to
refocus her life and priorities. Some strong language. 2005.
Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal and the Making of a Great Nation RC
61923
by Peter L. Bernstein
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Economist describes the personality clashes and technological feats that resulted
in the 1825 completion of the Erie Canal linking the eastern seaboard to the
Midwest. Highlights the work of surveyors, engineers, and laborers using eyewitness
accounts. Emphasizes the subsequent economic, social, and political impact
on young America. 2005.
Centauri Dreams: Imagining and Planning Interstellar
Exploration RC 61926
by Paul Gilster
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Digital Literacy (RC 45205) author evaluates the feasibility of using space
travel technology to reach Alpha Centauri, the sun’s closest neighbor.
Discusses theories and various ongoing projects that experiment with antimatter,
solar sails, ion drives, and nuclear fission and fusion drives, as well as
major communication and propulsion challenges. 2004.
Sleeping with Custer and the 7th Cavalry: An Embedded Reporter in Iraq RC
61949
by Walter C. Rodgers
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
CNN foreign correspondent, embedded for three weeks in 2003 with a U.S. army
reconnaissance unit in Iraq, describes the training provided to journalists,
the drive to Baghdad, and the fighting he witnessed. Also relates a 2004 visit
during which he reported on the country’s conditions. Violence and strong
language. 2005.
Self-Made Man: One Woman’s Journey into Manhood and Back Again RC
61952
by Norah Vincent
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Gay former L.A. Times columnist chronicles her eighteen-month stint disguised
as a man. Describes joining a male bowling league, attending a men’s
retreat, and visiting strip clubs. Explores gender identity, the pressures
of masculinity, and the guilt caused by her deception. Strong language and
some explicit descriptions of sex. 2006.
Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope RC
61967
by Fred Watson
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Presents the four-hundred-year history of the telescope and the scientists
responsible for its development from a simple spyglass to sophisticated modern
engineering marvels. Covers Galileo, Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, William
Herschel, George Ellery Hale, and Edwin Hubble. 2004.
NASCAR for Dummies RC 61972
by Mark Martin
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A champion race car driver describes the sport of stock car racing including
the rules, strategies, series, tracks, and famous drivers. Explains NASCAR
sponsorship and promotion, vehicle design and technology, team composition,
and safety measures. Gives tips on how to enjoy the spectacle. 2005.
Machete Season: The Killers in Rwanda Speak RC
61987
by Jean Hatzfeld
read by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
French journalist presents his interviews with ten Hutu men who participated
in the slaughter of some eight hundred thousand of their Tutsi compatriots
during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In their own words the men recall their crimes
and speak about ethnic tensions and prospects for redemption and reconciliation.
Violence. 2003.
Raid on the Sun: Inside Israel’s Secret Campaign That Denied Saddam
the Bomb RC 61988
by Rodger W. Claire
read by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
Account of Israel’s 1981 air raid on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear complex
near Baghdad. Reconstructs the planning and execution of a precise bombing
strike designed to eliminate a French-built reactor before it could go “hot.” Based
on military records and interviews with Israeli officials and the mission’s
eight pilots. 2004.
The Lost Boys of Sudan: An American Story of the Refugee
Experience RC 62006
by Mark Bixler
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
Journalist documents four African youths’ first two years in the United
States (2001–2003) and their adaptation to an entirely unfamiliar cultural
environment. Describes their reaction to American conveniences and daily life
and their dealings with government services, interactions with private citizens,
and desire for education. 2005.
Dave Barry’s Money Secrets: Like, Why Is There a Giant Eyeball on the
Dollar? RC 62030
by Dave Barry
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist and author of Boogers Are My Beat (RC
58286) addresses economics and personal finance. Comments on real estate, corporate
ethics, and health care. Offers advice on prospering in the stock market (using
time travel), minimizing taxes (by cheating), and arguing with your spouse
about money. 2006.
Enough: Staying Human in an Engineered Age RC
62090
by Bill McKibben
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Author of The End of Nature (RC 30866) examines the
possibility that advancements in genetic engineering, robotics, and nanotechnology
could redefine what it means to be human. McKibben discusses the social implications
of altering the human body and debates the benefits and consequences of a "posthuman
world." 2003.
Polio and Its Aftermath: The Paralysis of Culture RC
62101
by Marc Shell
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Nuanced account of polio’s cultural impact by a Harvard professor and
polio survivor. Examines the disease’s historical significance, effects
on victims, and artistic depictions. Contends the mid-twentieth-century development
of the Salk vaccine cut short a medical investigation and consequently left
the world unprepared for future outbreaks. 2005.
Blend It! One Hundred Fifty Sensational Recipes to Make in Your Blender RC
62106
by Good Housekeeping
read by Barbara Caruso
1 cassette
Simple, time-saving recipes requiring little cleanup. Includes directions for
making frappes, smoothies, soups, pancakes, waffles, popovers, frozen cocktails,
sauces, dips, salad dressings, and more. Discusses blender basics like purchase,
operation, and safety as well as ways to obtain consistent texture. 2003.
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife RC
62108
by Mary Roach
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Author of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers (RC 58302) examines historical
and contemporary attempts to determine the existence of life after death. Roach
avoids the philosophical debate, instead exploring primarily scientific endeavors
to monitor out-of-body experiences, weigh souls, and communicate with the dead.
2005.
Suddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later Life RC
62118
by Judith Viorst
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
A "decade" book of witty and wise poems about being sixty in the
vein of Forever Fifty and Other Negotiations (RC 31346). Judith Viorst rhymes
her reactions to second marriages, grandchildren, and mortality. 2000.
John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth RC
62133
by Elizabeth Partridge
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
Portrait of legendary singer-songwriter John Lennon from his 1940 birth in
Great Britain to his murder forty years later in New York City. Explores his
career, alcohol and drug addiction, two marriages, and relationship with fellow
Beatles band members. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2005.
The Clergy Sexual Abuse Crisis: Reform and Renewal in
the Catholic Community RC 62210
by Paul R. Dokecki
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A psychologist’s multilevel analysis of the Catholic priest pedophilia
scandal. Discusses cases in Boston and Nashville, examining the actions of
specific clergy and Church officials. Proposes a community-based reform plan
calling for greater transparency, more inclusive governance, and an expanded
role for lay Church members. 2004.
John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patriot RC
62213
by Harlow Giles Unger
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Biography of the wealthy Boston merchant who, as president of the Continental
Congress, became the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Uses first-hand
accounts to reconstruct the life of Hancock and the fervor of revolutionary
New England. Relates his philanthropy and postwar career as governor of Massachusetts.
2000.
The Third Woman: The Secret Passion That Inspired The End of the Affair RC
62216
by William Cash
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Describes the love affair of British author Graham Greene and his longtime
mistress Catherine Walston—the American wife of a wealthy nobleman. Uses
their correspondence to compare their lives to the characters in Greene’s
novel The End of the Affair (RC 52415). 2000.
John Winthrop, Oliver Cromwell, and the Land of Promise RC
62222
by Marc Aronson
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Relates the clash of strongly held religious views during the seventeenth century
that produced civil war in England and slaughter of the Pequot people, banishment
of Quakers, and hanging of witches in the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Sequel to Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado (RC 51920). For junior
and senior high readers. 2004.
The Beliefnet Guide to Islam RC
62223
by Hesham A. Hassaballa and Kabir Helminski
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Two Muslims present an introduction to the Islamic religion. Covers its main
beliefs represented by the Five Pillars, its founder Muhammad, and its holy
text, the Qur’an. Also explains the meaning of jihad and discusses gender
issues. 2006.
She Got Up off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from
Mooreland, Indiana RC
62225
by Haven Kimmel
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Following A Girl Named Zippy (RC 54946), Kimmel continues her saga of growing
up in Indiana in the 1970s. Recounts her mother’s decision to go to college
and become a teacher to help the family’s finances, and how that decision
caused marital problems for her parents. 2006.
The Last Voyage of Columbus: Being the Epic Tale of the
Great Captain’s
Fourth Expedition, Including Accounts of Swordfight, Mutiny, Shipwreck, Gold,
War, Hurricane, and Discovery RC 62229
by Martin Dugard
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Recounts how fifteenth-century explorer Christopher Columbus was stripped of
the governorship of Hispaniola, jailed, and returned to Spain, where King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabella authorized another expedition. Describes the ensuing voyage
through the Caribbean from 1502 to 1504. 2005.
Wish You Were Here: The Official Biography of Douglas
Adams RC 62233
by Nick Webb
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Writer and personal friend of Adams pens an account of the man who created
the Hitchhiker novels. Webb discusses Adams’s childhood, schooling, time
with the BBC, marriage to Jane, birth of daughter Polly, fascination with gadgets,
atheism, and creation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (RC 18339).
2003.
The New Sjogren’s Syndrome Handbook RC
62255
edited by Daniel J. Wallace
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Updated guide for people with this chronic autoimmune disease, who may also
have other health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or osteoporosis.
Provides information on Sjogren’s wide-ranging symptoms, including dry
eyes, and its causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and possible complications.
Physicians contribute sections on their particular specialty. Lists resources.
2005.
Left to Tell: Discovering God amidst the Rwandan Holocaust RC
62290
by Immaculée Ilibagiza
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Survivor of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, where Hutus slaughtered almost a million
Tutsis within three months, relates her happy Catholic childhood. Describes
the newfound love of God she discovered while hiding in terror from the machete-wielding
men who murdered many of her family members. Violence. Bestseller. 2006.
The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-up in History RC
62292
by Michael Baigent
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Religious historian Baigent, author of Holy Blood, Holy Grail (RC 17717), presents
the results of his research on the life of Jesus. Details the political and
religious climate of that time. Posits that the information culled from his
twenty-two-year study proves the Bible’s account of Jesus is inaccurate.
2006.
The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep,
Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me RC 62296
by Jon Katz
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Author recounts a season on his forty-two-acre upstate New York spread, where
he attempted to train three border collies—Orson, Homer, and Rose—to
herd sheep. Describes the challenges of farming and dog-training and relates
the ways his relationship with the canines helped him become a better person.
2004.
Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis: Advice from Twentysomethings
Who Have Been There and Survived RC 62305
by Alexandra Robbins
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Author addresses the problems of young adults in their twenties and thirties
who are struggling with issues of identity, relationships, careers, family,
and dreams. Offers anecdotes from others’ experiences and suggests finding
a mentor and support group. 2004.
A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons
of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. RC 62329
edited by Clayborne Carson and Peter Holloran
read by Martin Luther King Jr.
2 cassettes
Eleven of King’s sermons, including his earliest recorded homily, "Rediscovering
Lost Values," and the speech delivered at the National Cathedral in Washington,
D.C., just days before his assassination, "Remaining Awake during a Great
Revolution." Each sermon is introduced by well-known ministers such as
the Reverend Billy Graham and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 1998.
The Covenant with Black America RC
62404
compiled by Tavis Smiley
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Essays on issues facing African Americans, including criminal and environmental
justice, education, employment, health care, and housing. Provides a plan of
action for helping communities progress socially, politically, and economically.
Introduction by talk show host Tavis Smiley, author of How to Make Black America
Better (RC 53011). Bestseller. 2006.
Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting
Common Dog Problems RC 62405
by Cesar Millan
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Mexican-born dog-rehabilitator and star of television’s Dog Whisperer
with Cesar Millan explains using psychology to train one’s pet. Includes
anecdotes from his clients and his own pack of dogs. Describes how he teaches
owners to "speak" their dog’s language and encourages exercise,
discipline, and affection. Bestseller. 2006.
The Grizzly Maze: Timothy Treadwell’s Fatal Obsession with Alaskan Bears
RC 62439
by Nick Jans
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Wilderness writer examines the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, an avid
defender of grizzly bears. Describes the fatal mauling of Treadwell and his
girlfriend Amie Huguenard by grizzlies in Alaska’s Katmai National Park
in 2003. Discusses Treadwell’s background and his attraction to the dangers
of bear-watching. 2005.
The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America,
God, and World Affairs RC 62448
by Madeleine Albright
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
Critique of U.S. foreign policy by the former secretary of state and United
Nations ambassador. Asserts that religion controls international relations,
especially in the Middle East. Traces the history of religious conflicts among
nations and offers suggestions for improved international cooperation. Introduction
by former president Bill Clinton. Bestseller. 2006.
My Life in and out of the Rough: The Truth behind All
That Bull**** You Think You Know about Me RC 62638
by John Daly
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
Candid memoir by professional golfer from Arkansas who is a two-time majors
winner and PGA champion. Recounts his addictive lifestyle that included drinking,
gambling, overeating, and sex. Details his career from the 1987 Sunshine Tour
in South Africa to the 2005 tour season. Strong language. Bestseller. 2006.
Burnt Toast and Other Philosophies of Life RC
62639
by Teri Hatcher
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Golden Globe-winning actress and star of television’s Desperate Housewives
shares her experience of coping at forty with being a single mother and television
star. Describes her personal and professional ups and downs and overcoming
low self-esteem to succeed. Strong language. Bestseller. 2006.
American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a
Nation RC
62640
by Jon Meacham
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Newsweek managing editor examines U.S. national traditions and the intention
of the founding fathers when they created freedom of religion more than two
centuries ago. Contends that faith and freedom are inextricably linked—a
nation will thrive only by cherishing freedom and protecting faith. Bestseller.
2006.
America at the Crossroads: Democracy, Power, and the
Neoconservative Legacy RC 62668
by Francis Fukuyama
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Author of The End of History and the Last Man (RC 34935) analyzes the history
of neoconservatism and its role in American foreign policy since September
11, 2001. Criticizes the war in Iraq and proposes an alternative approach to
international relations that would promote democracy and multilateral development.
2006.
Forgiveness Is a Choice: A Step-by-Step Process for Resolving
Anger and Restoring Hope RC 62682
by Robert D. Enright
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Psychologist presents a four-phase plan for letting go of anger to find peace
in one’s life. Draws on anecdotal evidence and scientific studies to
show how forgiveness can improve physical and mental well-being and lead to
better relationships. Emphasizes that forgiveness does not necessarily entail
reconciliation with the offender. 2001.
The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town RC
63332
by John Grisham
read by Craig Wasson
3 cassettes
In 1982, a twenty-one-year-old cocktail waitress was raped and murdered in
Ada, Oklahoma. Five years later, a former Oakland A’s pitcher and his
friend were arrested for the crime, convicted, and sentenced. Grisham examines
the impact police misconduct, DNA analysis, and the death penalty had on the
case. Bestseller. 2006.
The Queen of the Big Time RC 59995
by Adriana Trigiani
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Roseto, Pennsylvania. Follows three generations of the Italian American Castelluca
family from 1924 to 1971. Nella falls in love with a handsome poet who unexpectedly
departs then returns on the eve of her wedding. Years later Nella’s niece
is crowned queen of an annual festival. Some descriptions of sex. 2004.
Skyscraper RC 60882
by Faith Baldwin
read by MaryBeth Wise
2 cassettes
Twenty-two-year-old Lynn Harding is a modern girl of the 1930s who works in
an office to support herself during the depression. Sharing an apartment and
enjoying New York’s entertainments, Lynn is no hurry to marry. When she
falls in love, she has tough choices to make. 1931.
The Will RC 60892
by Reed Arvin
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Attorney Henry Mathews returns home to Kansas to execute a prominent resident’s
will that inexplicably leaves a fortune to mentally unstable Raymond Boyd.
When a senator plots Ray’s elimination, Henry takes Ray’s case,
uncovering oil scandal and long-buried secrets. Strong language, some explicit
descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2000.
Loop Group RC 60937
by Larry McMurtry
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
Ditching her post-hysterectomy depression, three grown daughters, and an affair
with her married shrink, sixty-year-old Hollywood film dubber Maggie Clary
takes a road trip to Texas. Accompanied by best friend Connie and a revolver,
Maggie tangles with trouble along the way. Strong language and some explicit
descriptions of sex. 2004.
Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant, the Final Victory;
a Novel of the Civil War RC 61246
by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen
read by Nick Sullivan
4 cassettes
Sequel to Grant Comes East (RC 59834) and conclusion of alternative Civil War
history. Union troops have secured Washington, D.C., but the Army of the Potomac
is destroyed. Lincoln’s only hope remains General Grant, who maneuvers
for position while General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia reaches Maryland.
Some violence. 2005.
Blood Ties: A Father Dowling Mystery RC
61378
by Ralph McInerny
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
Twenty-two-year-old Martha Lynch seeks the identity of her birth mother while
her biological father, Nathaniel Fleck, simultaneously tries to learn the fate
of his child. Both Father Dowling and attorney Amos Cadbury know the truth
but have doubts about sharing it. Then someone murders Fleck. 2005.
Savage Garden: An Eve Diamond Novel RC
61417
by Denise Hamilton
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Los Angeles Times reporter Eve Diamond investigates the murder of Latin stage
actress Catarina Velosi, a friend of Eve’s lover, Silvio Aguilar. While
forced to mentor Felice Morgan, a rising African American star at the newspaper,
Eve interrogates several suspects. Violence, strong language, and some explicit
descriptions of sex. 2005.
At Risk RC 61418
by Stella Rimington
read by Lisette Lecat
3 cassettes
London. Agent Liz Carlyle of the Joint Counter-Terrorist group at MI5 learns
the Islamic Terror Syndicate has deployed an "invisible"—a
native operative who can move freely among populations—in the UK. With
an attack imminent, Liz races to identify targets and stop a killer. Some violence
and some strong language. 2004.
Topper RC 61471
by Thorne Smith
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Mild-mannered banker Cosmo Topper buys a second-hand car that is haunted by
the ghosts of its former owners, George and Marion Kerby. The rowdy couple,
determined to rescue Topper from his drab life, include him in their madcap
pranks and adventures. 1999 introduction by Carolyn See. 1926.
Prisoners of War RC 61473
by Steve Yarbrough
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Mississippi, 1943. Seventeen-year-old Dan Timms, who yearns to join the army,
works for his uncle with an African American friend peddling goods from a bus.
When an acquaintance returns from the front to guard German POWs, Dan sees
another side of war. Strong language and some violence. PEN/Faulkner Finalist.
2004.
Buy the Chief a Cadillac RC 61477
by Rick Steber
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
Pokey Pitsua is dismayed that the Klamath nation is accepting the U.S. government’s
paltry cash settlement for their million-acre timber-rich reservation. And
sure enough, the chief buys a Cadillac with his share of the money. Some strong
language. Spur Award. 2005.
Inamorata RC 61484
by Joseph Gangemi
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
1920s. Harvard graduate student Martin Finch is recruited to judge a Scientific
American contest promising $5,000 for proof of psychic phenomena. Finch travels
to Philadelphia to validate paranormal claims of married socialite Mina Crawley.
Finch begins to believe Mina and fall in love—then lands in jail. Some
strong language. 2004.
Topper Takes a Trip RC 61485
by Thorne Smith
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Mild-mannered banker Cosmo Topper and his wife are on vacation in the French
Riviera when the rambunctious apparitions from Topper (RC 61471), George and
Marion Kerby, reappear. Marion decides that Cosmo would be more fun as a ghost
and plots his murder. 1999 introduction by Carolyn See. 1932.
Trail to Vicksburg RC 61486
by Lewis B. Patten
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
Two short westerns by multiple Spur Award winner. In the title piece, young
Texan Jeff Hueston yearns to join the Confederate army with his brothers but
instead must drive his family’s cattle herd to New Orleans—a city
recently occupied by Union troops. Also contains The Golden Magnet. 1997.
At First Sight RC 61491
by Nicholas Sparks
read by David Aaron Baker
2 cassettes
Divorced New York reporter Jeremy Marsh, from True Believer (RC 60188), relocates
to Boone Creek, North Carolina, to wed his pregnant lover, librarian Lexie.
Complications that occur before the wedding lead to doubts and misgivings as
Jeremy adjusts to small town life. Bestseller. 2005.
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate: An Isabel Dalhousie Mystery RC
61536
by Alexander McCall Smith
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Isabel Dalhousie, from The Sunday Philosophy Club (RC 58888), fills in for
her niece Cat at her Edinburgh, Scotland, gourmet food shop. Isabel meets people
who need her help, including a heart transplant patient haunted by his donor.
Then Cat returns from Italy, where she met a new man. 2005.
Robert Ludlum’s The Moscow Vector: A Covert-One Novel RC
61549
by Patrick Larkin
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
At an international conference on infectious diseases, Covert-One operative
Jon Smith contacts his Russian colleague Dr. Valentin Petrenko, who is concerned
about fatal illnesses in Moscow. When attackers kill Valentin, Jon uncovers
a biological weapon called HYDRA and a Russian takeover plot. Some violence
and some strong language. 2005.
Small Island RC 61558
by Andrea Levy
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
1948. Following the war, Jamaican Gilbert Joseph and his wife, Hortense, move
to England. They lodge with Queenie, whose racially prejudiced husband, Bernard,
eventually returns from overseas. The men have difficulty adjusting to England’s
size, which seems small after their wartime experiences. Some strong language.
Whitbread Award; Orange Prize. 2004.
Bury the Lead: An Andy Carpenter Novel RC
61566
by David Rosenfelt
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
New Jersey. Newspaper owner Vince Sanders retains millionaire defense attorney
Andy Carpenter when star reporter Daniel Cummings receives messages from a
serial killer. Then Daniel is arrested in connection with a gubernatorial candidate’s
strangulation. Andy takes the case and uncovers shocking secrets about his
new client. Some strong language. 2004.
Dead of Night: A Doc Ford Novel RC
61572
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Doc Ford is asked to check up on a friend’s biologist brother and finds
him dying from parasitic worms. As he investigates, Doc uncovers an eco-terrorist
plot to infect U.S. waterways with disease in order to obtain valuable land
cheaply. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.
Sudden Death: An Andy Carpenter Novel RC
61592
by David Rosenfelt
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
New York Giants running back Kenny Schilling is charged with killing Jets wide
receiver Tony Preston. Millionaire defense attorney Andy Carpenter takes Kenny’s
case, investigating Tony’s possible connections to drugs and earlier
murders. Meanwhile Andy’s PI girlfriend contemplates a job relocation.
Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.
Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin RC
61600
by Nancy Atherton
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Oxford, England. When Lori Shepherd volunteers at the local hospital, she befriends
terminally ill Elizabeth Beacham. Elizabeth’s final wish is for Lori
to find her estranged brother. The quest leads Lori, along with Elizabeth’s
neighbor Gabriel and Aunt Dimity, to Newcastle. 2005.
Colder than Ice RC 61621
by Maggie Shayne
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
For eighteen years, ex-ATF agent Joshua Kendall has believed that he accidentally
killed innocent Elizabeth Marcum in a raid on sadistic cult leader Mordecai
Young’s compound. But Elizabeth—and Mordecai—survived. Now
Josh is sent to protect her. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of
sex, and some violence. 2004.
The Constant Princess RC 61633
by Philippa Gregory
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
Teenaged Catalina, daughter of Spain’s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella,
marries Arthur, crown prince of England. Only months later Arthur lies dying
and Catalina, now called Katherine, promises him that she’ll wed his
brother Henry in order to achieve her destiny. Some descriptions of sex and
some violence. Bestseller. 2005.
The Golden Ball and Other Stories RC
61647
by Agatha Christie
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Fifteen short mysteries of bizarre romantic entanglements, supernatural visitations,
and classic murder written in the 1920s and 1930s. Includes "The Girl
in the Train," "The Rajah’s Emerald," "Swan Song," "The
Hound of Death," "The Gipsy," "The Strange Case of
Sir Arthur Carmichael," "The Call of Wings," and others.
1924.
Jericho’s Road: Texas Rangers, Book 6 RC
61663
by Elmer Kelton
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Texas Ranger Andy Pickard, of Texas Vendetta (RC 59514), is reassigned to the
border region, where a deadly feud rages between Texas cattle baron Jericho
Jackson and Mexican rancher Guadalupe Chavez. Andy and fellow ranger Farley
Brackett join Big Jim McCawley to end the bloodshed. 2004.
Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen; Thirty-five
Great Stories That Have Inspired Great Films RC 61665
edited by Stephanie Harrison
read by Michele Schaeffer
5 cassettes
Tales that were transformed into screenplays for memorable movies from 1932
to 2003. Includes Arthur C. Clarke’s "The Sentinel," the
basis for 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the stories behind Rear Window, Bringing
Up Baby, My Friend Flicka, and other films. Some descriptions of sex, some
violence, and some strong language. 2005.
The Ambler Warning RC 61667
by Robert Ludlum
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
Intelligence operative Hal Ambler has been wrongly confined to an island psychiatric
facility for patients posing security risks. Hal escapes with help from nurse
Laurel Holland and sets out to uncover who he is—and who he was—while
eluding unknown enemies. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some
violence. 2005.
The Pushcart Prize XXX: Best of the Small Presses, 2006 RC
61670
edited by Bill Henderson
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Sixty-one short stories, essays, and poems from literary magazines, online
and print journals, and small presses. Includes Rick Bass’s "Her
First Elk" and works by E.L. Doctorow, Edward Hirsch, Robert Olen Butler,
Frederick Busch, Carl Phillips, and others. Some descriptions of sex, some
violence, and some strong language. 2006.
The Rediscovery of Man: The Complete Short Science Fiction
of Cordwainer Smith RC 61706
by Cordwainer Smith
read by L.J. Ganser
6 cassettes
Thirty-three stories by Smith, né Paul Linebarger (1913–1966),
published between 1928 and 1993. Twenty-seven are from the Instrumentality
of Mankind saga and occur in a universe where humanity emerges from a dark
age of wars. Technology advances to include cyborg pilots and telepathic overlords.
Includes biographical and editor’s introductions. 1993.
The Swan House RC 61707
by Elizabeth Musser
read by Lindsay Ellison
3 cassettes
For sixteen-year-old Mary Swan Middleton, 1962 became a "year of death" when
a plane crash in Paris killed her mother and other Atlanta art patrons. With
the aid of the family maid, Ella Mae, and a dare from her classmates, Mary
Swan turns it into the "year of freedom." 2001.
Destination Unknown RC 61721
by Agatha Christie
read by Terry Donnelly
2 cassettes (Reissue)
The world’s most brilliant scientists are disappearing. The latest is
physicist Tom Betterton. In Morocco, British agent Jessop approaches Hilary
Craven for a reckless top-secret assignment. Hilary, abandoned by her husband
and still grieving her daughter’s death, agrees to impersonate Tom’s
recently deceased wife to help uncover a conspiracy. 1954.
Turning Angel RC 61739
by Greg Iles
read by Jim Zeiger
4 cassettes
Natchez, Mississippi, attorney Penn Cage, from The Quiet Game (RC 49340), seeks
to defend his childhood friend Dr. Drew Elliott from accusations of rape, murder,
and drug running after Elliott’s teenage girlfriend is killed. Strong
language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller. 2005.
Guns of Rio Conchos RC 61741
by Clair Huffaker
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
Texas, 1874. During a run-in with a Comanche war party, Riot Holiday takes
an arrow in the chest that leaves him six months to live. Recovering briefly,
Riot sets out to exact revenge—even if it means fighting the Mexican
army and the Comanche nation. Violence and some strong language. 1958.
Emma’s Gift RC 61742
by Leisha Kelly
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
1931. Julia and Samuel rely on their faith in God and their friendship with
Emma to sustain them. Then just before Christmas their beliefs are tested when
Wilametta Hammond, the mother of ten, dies and her husband loses the will to
live. Sequel to Julia’s Hope (RC 61447). 2003.
Lipshitz Six; or, Two Angry Blondes RC
61747
by T Cooper
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Russian Jew Esther Lipshitz loses track of her son at Ellis Island in 1907.
Settling in Texas, Esther becomes convinced that Charles Lindbergh is her lost
child. Ninety-five years later, Esther’s great-grandson T Cooper, a New
York DJ, must deal with the family legacy. Some strong language. 2005.
Crossroad Blues: A Nick Travers Mystery RC
61750
by Ace Atkins
read by John Haag
2 cassettes
New Orleans. Blues musician Nick Travers investigates the disappearance of
a colleague who’s researching the mysterious murder of jazz legend Robert
Johnson. Johnson vanished in 1938 in the Mississippi Delta. Travers interviews
old-timers and uncovers a plot to exploit Johnson’s music. Violence,
strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1998.
Let the Lion Eat Straw RC 61753
by Ebele Oseye
read by Constance Crawford
1 cassette
Young African American Abeba Williams moves from rural North Carolina to Brooklyn
to live with her mother, who dreams of a better life. Abeba begins to develop
a promising musical talent but soon becomes distracted by marriage and children.
Despite economic and social hardships, Abeba perseveres with dignity. 1979.
Every Man for Himself: Ten Short Stories about Being
a Guy RC 61758
edited by Nancy E. Mercado
read by Derald Breneman
1 cassette
Ten diverse short stories by well-known authors illustrate events that can
shape a boy into a man. In Walter Dean Myers’s "The Prom Prize," Fly
raffles himself off for a date. In "Shockers," Steve finds a mentor
in his girlfriend’s father. For senior high readers. 2005.
First Warning: Acorna’s Children, Book 1 RC
61767
by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Khorii, the daughter of Acorna (RC 45684), encounters a derelict spaceship
with a dead crew aboard—killed by a plague. Khorii is sent away to school
while her Linyaari parents try to control the disease, but Khorii discovers
she’s immune and can help. For senior high readers. 2005.
Drive to the East: Settling Accounts, Book 2 RC
61771
by Harry Turtledove
read by Jim Zeiger
5 cassettes
Following Return Engagement (RC 61503), the Confederacy under President Jake
Featherston has split the country in half. Rebellions break out in occupied
Canada and in Mormon Utah while blacks are detained in the South. Meanwhile
the Northern states attack British ships. Violence and strong language. 2005.
Shadow of the Giant: Ender’s Saga RC
61776
by Orson Scott Card
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Bean, who faces death from gigantism, and Petra, his wife, search for their
missing children. Meanwhile Bean is given hope of surviving his disease if
he helps Hegemon Peter unite the world. Sequel to Shadow Puppets(RC 54802).
Some violence and some strong language. 2005.
The Blood-Dimmed Tide: A John Madden Mystery RC
61793
by Rennie Airth
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
England, 1932. Former Scotland Yard inspector and scarred war veteran John
Madden, from River of Darkness (RC 61517), lives in the countryside with his
family. When a young girl is brutally murdered, Madden joins the investigation
and soon suspects a serial killer is preying on children. 2004.
To Tame a Wolf RC 61794
by Susan Krinard
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Arizona, 1881. To help find her missing brother, André, young widow
Tally Bernard hires tracker Simeon Kavanagh, who hides his true werewolf identity.
When André is found, Sim accompanies the siblings back to their ranch,
where all their secrets are revealed. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.
The Hunt Ball: A Jane Arnold Mystery RC
61795
by Rita Mae Brown
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Seventy-two-year-old Jane Arnold from the Jefferson Hunt Club investigates
the murder of a teacher at a Virginia prep school Halloween party. The local
animals assist Jane and headmistress Charlotte Norton in the search for the
killer until the truth is revealed at the annual foxhunting ball. 2005.
The Heart of Justice RC 61799
by William J. Coughlin
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
New York judge Paul Murray is appointed to the federal bench thanks to his
heiress wife, Hope, who covertly used her connections with ruthless businessman
Jordan Crandell. When Jordan’s hostile takeover lands in Paul’s
courtroom, betrayal, blackmail, and secrets are exposed. Strong language and
some explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.
The Black Angel: A Charlie Parker Novel RC
61813
by John Connolly
read by Jim Zeiger
4 cassettes
Charlie Parker leaves his family in Maine to help his partner Louis find his
missing cousin Alice, a New York prostitute who is associated with an evil
man and an ancient relic. Their search leads them to an ossuary in the Czech
Republic. Violence and strong language. 2005.
The Next Mrs. Blackthorne: Bitter Creek Saga, Book 6 RC
61817
by Joan Johnston
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Jocelyn Montrose, engaged to Clay Blackthorne, deserts him for North Grayhawk,
thus hoping to save Clay’s land from a takeover by North. Meanwhile Clay’s
illegitimate daughter Kate reconciles her mother, Libby Grayhawk, with her
father. Sequel to The Rivals (RC 61133). Explicit descriptions of sex and some
strong language. 2005.
Black Cat: Gemini Series, Book 2 RC
61821
by V.C. Andrews
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Celeste continues to assume her deceased brother Noble’s identity. When
her mother remarries, the new husband and his belligerent daughter move into
the house. Family peace is shaken again when Celeste’s stepfather dies,
his daughter runs away and returns with a baby, and Celeste’s mother
dies. 2004.
Ramage and the Saracens: The Lord Ramage Novels, Book
17 RC 61824
by Dudley Pope
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Aboard Calypso in the Mediterranean, Captain Ramage receives orders to track
down and destroy Barbary coast pirates, called Saracens, who are kidnapping
slaves and terrorizing Sicilian fishing villages. Ramage also attempts to rescue
hundreds of the Saracens’ Italian prisoners. Sequel to Ramage at Trafalgar
(RC 61765). Some violence. 1988.
To Darkness and to Death: A Reverend Clare Fergusson
Mystery RC 61825
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
An heiress to a large estate in the Adirondacks is kidnapped just before the
land is sold to a conservancy. Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson and married
chief of police Russ Van Alstyne search for the girl while sorting out their
feelings for each other. Some strong language. 2005.
Freddy and Fredericka RC 61830
by Mark Helprin
read by David Cutler
4 cassettes
Parody of British royalty. The intellectual but boring Freddy, the Prince of
Wales, is sent incognito to America to redeem himself before assuming the throne.
There the prince and his beautiful wife Fredericka travel far and wide, experiencing
many adventures together while rekindling their relationship. Some strong language.
2005.
A Woman’s Innocence: Spies and Lovers Trilogy, Book 3 RC
61839
by Gayle Callen
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Yorkshire, 1844. Julia Reed’s love for adventure lands her in prison,
convicted of treason against England. Old friend and secret agent Sam Sherryngton,
who reluctantly turned her in, really believes that Julia is innocent. Sequel
to The Beauty and the Spy (RC 60287). Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.
Over Her Dead Body: A Bailey Weggins Mystery RC
61840
by Kate White
read by Barbara Pinolini
3 cassettes
Robby Hart, writer Bailey Weggins’s gay friend, hires Bailey as a celebrity
crime reporter after she loses her magazine job. When nasty editor Mona Hodges
is killed, Robby becomes the prime suspect. Bailey investigates the murder
and falls in love. Strong language and some violence. 2005.
Ursula, Under RC 61845
by Ingrid Hill
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Ursula, the beloved two-year-old daughter of an
interracial couple, falls into a mine shaft while the family is on a picnic.
Interspersed with accounts of the rescue operation are stories of the parents’ marriage
and ancestors, both Chinese and Finnish. Some strong language. 2004.
Master of the Cauldron: The Lord of the Isles, Book 6 RC
61846
by David Drake
read by Michael Scherer
4 cassettes
Kingdom of Isles regent Prince Garric and his companions arrive with the royal
fleet at Sandrakkan to renew allegiances. Old hostilities surface, however,
as Countess Balila plots to oust Garric in favor of her husband, Earl Wildulf.
Sequel to Goddess of the Ice Realm (RC 61570). Some violence. 2004.
Blind Traveler down a Dark River RC
61850
by Robert P. Bennett
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Brooklyn. Blind computer specialist Douglas Abledan uses GPS technology to
negotiate his surroundings. One day Douglas’s personal navigation device
malfunctions, causing him to witness the murder of CEO John Haggarty, whose
building materials corporation faces opposition from steelmakers and environmentalists.
Dismissed by police, Douglas tracks the killer. Some violence. 2004.
Dark Matter: Reading the Bones RC
61857
edited by Sheree R. Thomas
read by Gail Nelson
3 cassettes
Collection of speculative fiction and nonfiction by twenty-eight writers of
the African diaspora exploring "the languages of love and lore, oppression
and abuse, identity and community, revelations and new frontiers." Companion
to Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora
(RC 52151). Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong
language. 2004.
Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit: A Midnight Louie Mystery RC
61859
by Carole Nelson Douglas
read by J.P. Linton
3 cassettes
Las Vegas homicide lieutenant C.R. Molina’s thirteen-year-old daughter,
Mariah, is one of twenty-eight finalists on the new "Teen Queen" reality
television show. When a stalker threatens the contestants, freelance PR ace
Temple Barr goes undercover without backup—except, of course, for her
feline PI companion, Midnight Louie. 2005.
Fleshmarket Alley: A John Rebus Mystery RC
61864
by Ian Rankin
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Edinburgh Detective Inspector John Rebus investigates the murder of an illegal
immigrant seeking asylum. Meanwhile colleague Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke
looks into the case of missing eighteen-year-old Ishbel Jardine, whose disappearance
coincides with the release of her sister’s rapist from prison. Violence
and some strong language. 2004.
Rules of Engagement: A Sir John Fielding Mystery RC
61868
by Bruce Alexander
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
London, 1775. Blind magistrate Sir John Fielding, of The Price of Murder (RC
59048), and his clerk, Jeremy, investigate the fatal leap of anticolonist politician
Lord Lammermoor from Westminster Bridge. Clues suggest foul play as Sir John
uncovers a web of family intrigue and possible connections to animal magnetism.
2005.
Angels in the Gloom: A World War I Novel RC
61869
by Anne Perry
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Cambridge, England; 1916. After being wounded at Flanders, chaplain Joseph
Reavley returns home to recuperate. When someone murders scientist Theo Blaine,
Joseph searches the Scientific Establishment for the traitor, who may have
also betrayed his parents. Sequel to Shoulder the Sky (RC 59439). 2005.
Masterpieces in Miniature: The Detectives; Stories by
Agatha Christie RC 61872
by Agatha Christie
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
5 cassettes
Mystery stories by twentieth-century British author featuring detectives Miss
Jane Marple, Hercule Poirot, Parker Pyne, and Harley Quin. Includes "Death
on the Nile," "The Love Detectives," "Double Sin," and "The
Case of the Perfect Maid," among dozens of others. 2005.
Jason and Kyra RC 61899
by Dana Davidson
read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona
2 cassettes
In an affluent black Detroit neighborhood, popular basketball star Jason falls
in love with brainiac Kyra. Jason finds Kyra easy to talk to and appreciates
her stable home. Kyra discovers Jason isn’t a dumb jock. But Jason’s
ex-girlfriend wants him back. Some descriptions of sex. For senior high readers.
2004.
Babylon Sisters RC 61900
by Pearl Cleage
read by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
African American single mother Catherine Sanderson runs a service assisting
immigrant women in Atlanta. When her teenaged daughter demands to know her
father’s identity, Catherine hesitates even though she still loves the
man and he’s back in town. Meanwhile a new client has devious motives.
Some descriptions of sex. 2005.
The Writing on the Wall RC 61911
by Lynne Sharon Schwartz
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
New York City, September 2001. Librarian Renata witnesses the World Trade Center
terrorist attacks. After she and her boyfriend take in a victim’s child,
Renata confronts painful memories of the death of her twin, Claudia, and the
disappearance of Claudia’s baby. Strong language and some descriptions
of sex. 2005.
The Bounty Trail RC 61912
by Richard S. Wheeler
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Nevada. Charming down-and-out swindler Claudius Raines wanders into the once-booming
but now abandoned mining town of Pearlygates and introduces himself to the
owner and sole inhabitant, feisty divorcée MayBelle Haggerty. Together
they concoct a scheme to revive the town and restore their fortunes by starting
a gold rush. 2004.
A Grand Passion RC 61913
by Mary Mackey
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Prima ballerina Natasha Ladanova attains stardom at the Russian Imperial School
of Ballet and becomes a Grand Duke’s mistress even as she pines for dancer
Sergei Maximov. Fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution, Natasha joins a Parisian
company and renews her affair with Sergei. Explicit descriptions of sex and
strong language. 1986.
The Pale Horseman: The Saxon Stories, Book 2 RC
61917
by Bernard Cornwell
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Ninth century. Uhtred, a dispossessed Northumbrian noble raised by Danes, joins
the Saxons in battle though he despises King Alfred of Wessex. But when the
invading Danish army forces Alfred’s retreat, Uhtred pledges to help
save England. Sequel to The Last Kingdom (RC 59910). Violence and some strong
language. 2006.
The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession RC
61919
by Paulo Coelho
read by Alexander Strain
2 cassettes
A famous author is living the good life in Paris when his wife, a war correspondent,
disappears. Kidnapping and murder are possibilities, but she also may have
simply abandoned their unhappy marriage. Intrigued initially by his newfound
freedom, the writer eventually becomes obsessed with learning the truth. 2005.
Windswept House: A Vatican Novel RC
61920
by Malachi Martin
read by Margaret Strom
7 cassettes in 2 containers
A satanic alliance conspires to infiltrate the papacy and establish a new world
order. American brothers Paul and Christian Gladstone, heirs to their family’s
fortune and Windswept House, become pawns in the struggle. Lawyer Paul succumbs
to greed while Christian, a priest, sides with the embattled pope. Some violence.
1996.
Full Service RC 61927
by Will Weaver
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
In the summer of 1965, teenager Paul Sutton, a northern Minnesota farm boy,
takes a job at a gas station in town. His strict religious upbringingis challenged
by the people and situations he encounters during his employment. For senior
high readers. 2005.
The Accidental RC 61928
by Ali Smith
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
England. Amber arrives uninvited at the Smarts’ summer rental, where
writer Eve and her adulterous second husband Michael live with Eve’s
twelve-year-old daughter and seventeen-year-old son. Amber changes the family
members’ perceptions of themselves and then gets the boot. Explicit descriptions
of sex and strong language. Whitbread Award finalist. 2005.
Child of God RC 61930
by Cormac McCarthy
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Falsely accused of rape, Lester Ballard is driven out of his home and then
allowed to roam free in the hills of Tennessee. He preys on the people in the
area, collecting their bodies in a cave. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence,
and strong language. 1973.
Paris Encore: Zion Covenant, Volume 8 RC
61934
by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene
read by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
1939. Battles rage in Europe, with England and France declaring war on Germany.
American journalist Josie Marlow, assigned to the Associated Press Paris desk,
sees impending danger for neutral Belgium and Holland. French colonel Andre
Chardon’s secret project could turn the tide. Sequel to London Refrain
(RC 61404). 1994.
The Last Templar RC 61938
by Raymond Khoury
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
During a showing of Vatican treasures at New York City’s Metropolitan
Museum of Art, horsemen dressed as Knights Templar attack and steal precious
artifacts including an encoder. FBI agent Sean Reilly and archaeologist Tess
Chaykin investigate while Catholic Church authorities worry about the consequences.
Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.
The Buried Pyramid RC 61946
by Jane Lindskold
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
Victorian archaeologist Sir Neville Hawthorne meets his young American ward,
Jenny Benet, in England. Soon they embark together for Egypt in search of the
tomb of Pharaoh Neferankhotep, known as Moses the Lawgiver, and experience
mystical and supernatural adventures during their desert journey. For senior
high and older readers. 2004.
Ramage and the Dido: The Lord Ramage Novels, Book 18 RC
61955
by Dudley Pope
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Captain Lord Ramage commissions and takes command of Her Majesty’s Ship
Dido, a massive seventy-four-gun ship of the line. Accompanied by Calypso’s
courageous crew, Ramage ventures to the West Indies and puts Dido’s weapons
to the test. Sequel to Ramage and the Saracens (RC 61824). Some violence. 1989.
Child of Darkness: Gemini Series, Book 3 RC
61959
by V.C. Andrews
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Seventeen-year-old Baby Celeste has lived in an orphanage but now is adopted
by wealthy Ami and Wade Emerson. It seems that Ami needs Celeste more than
Celeste needs Ami. Celeste soon learns the truth about her adoption and her
foster parents and finds herself in a frightening situation. Descriptions of
sex. 2005.
Raise the Red Lantern: Three Novellas RC
61966
by Su Tong
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Tales of family struggles involving concubines, poverty, and opium addiction,
set in rural China before the revolution. The title piece, which became a movie,
concerns the descent into madness of Lotus, a young college student who becomes
Fourth Mistress of a wealthy merchant. 1990.
The Brothers Bishop RC 61970
by Bart Yates
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Gay high school teacher Nathan’s summer is disrupted when his brother
shows up with a male lover and a married couple. Nathan’s life is further
complicated by a sexually confused student. The two siblings sort through their
abusive family’s past. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language,
and some violence. 2005.
The Genizah at the House of Shepher RC
62007
by Tamar Yellin
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
Shula, a British biblical scholar, returns to her grandparents’ house
in Jerusalem after a codex is found in their attic. Her great-grandfather Shalom
Shepher once traveled to Babylon in search of the lost tribes of Israel and
returned with the book that religious zealot Gideon now desires. 2005.
The Dwelling Place RC 62022
by Elizabeth Musser
read by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
Ellie Bartholomew and her mother Mary Swan have been estranged for many years
because Ellie blames her mother for the terrible accident that disfigured her.
But as Mary suffers through the pain of chemotherapy, both women begin a healing
process. Sequel to The Swan House (RC 61707). 2005.
A Coffin for Dimitrios RC 62035
by Eric Ambler
read by Jeremy Gage
2 cassettes (Reissue)
In Central Europe between the two world wars, mystery writer Charles Latimer
researches the life of Greek spy Dimitrios Makropoulos, who has been found
murdered in Istanbul. During his investigation, Latimer becomes unwittingly
involved in the shadowy world of espionage, drugs, assassination, and treachery.
Some violence. 1939.
The Book of Spies: An Anthology of Literary Espionage RC
62037
edited by Alan Furst
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Excerpts from great spy novels. Authors include Eric Ambler, Anthony Burgess,
Joseph Conrad, Maxim Gorky, Graham Greene, Baroness Orczy, and Rebecca West,
among others. 2003.
Light from Heaven: The Mitford Years, Book 6 RC
62077
by Jan Karon
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Father Tim and Cynthia are house-sitting on a farm outside of Mitford when
the bishop calls with instructions to jumpstart the revival of Holy Trinity,
a mountain church closed forty years ago. Unusual adventures await Father Tim.
Sequel to A New Song (RC 48430). Bestseller. 2005.
Knife of Dreams: The Wheel of Time, Book 11 RC
62078
by Robert Jordan
read by Roy Avers
6 cassettes
There are many signs of the impending Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don, in
this sequel to Crossroads of Twilight (RC 55506). Rand risks all for a truce
with the Seanchan. Mat protects Tuon from a deadly threat. Perrin bargains
with the Dark One to rescue Faile. Bestseller. 2005.
Consent to Kill: CIA Agent Mitch Rapp RC
62079
by Vince Flynn
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Saudi terrorists seek revenge after Mitch Rapp thwarts a plot to bomb the United
States with a nuclear device in Memorial Day (RC 58405). While contending with
a new intelligence director, former German and KGB spies, and potential assassins,
Rapp learns his wife is pregnant. Violence and strong language. Bestseller.
2005.
The Light of Day RC 62082
by Graham Swift
read by Alexander Strain
2 cassettes
Award-winning author of Last Orders (RC 44117) describes one day in the life
of George Webb, a London policeman turned private investigator. During the
day, Webb relives his checkered past and an all-consuming relationship with
former client Sarah Nash that culminated in disaster two years earlier. Strong
language and some violence. 2003.
A Dark and Deadly Deception: A Marti MacAlister Mystery RC
62088
by Eleanor Taylor Bland
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Homicide detective Marti MacAlister and her partner Vik Jessenovik investigate
the murder of a middle-aged black actress as well as a cold case involving
skeletal remains found in an old building. They know that the cases are linked,
but the locals aren’t talking. Some violence and some strong language.
2005.
Payback: Revenge of the Sisterhood, Book 2 RC
62094
by Fern Michaels
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Julia, a doctor, needs help getting even with her husband, a senator, who’s
given her AIDS. Truck driver Kathryn, personal shopper Alexis, psychic Isabelle,
nursery owner Yoko, heiress Myra, and her daughter Nikki conspire to obtain
justice for their friend Julia. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller.
2005.
The Secret Supper RC 62096
by Javier Sierra
read by Jeremy Gage
2 cassettes
1497. An anonymous informant known as the Soothsayer implicates painter Leonardo
da Vinci in a heretical conspiracy surrounding his latest masterpiece, The
Last Supper. Papal authorities in Rome dispatch Father Agostino Leyre to Milan
to find the Soothsayer, examine da Vinci’s mural, and confirm the accusations.
2004.
Theatre RC 62100
by W. Somerset Maugham
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
Julia Lambert, a talented, mature actress, unexpectedly falls in love with
Tom Fennell, a junior accountant. Tom interrupts her marriage, makes her a
target of gossip, and interferes with her acting career. Basis for the movie
Being Julia. Some strong language. 1937.
Fox’s Earth RC 62105
by Anne Rivers Siddons
read by Gabra Zackman
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Sparta, Georgia; early 1900s. Poor preacher’s daughter Ruth Yancey is
taken in by aristocrats to live in their mansion, Fox’s Earth. Ruth marries
into the family and resorts to manipulation, cruelty, and lies to bequeath
the estate to her female descendents. Some descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 1987.
Pretty Birds RC 62107
by Scott Simon
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Sarajevo, Bosnia; 1992. When the Serbs begin their campaign of ethnic cleansing,
seventeen-year-old Muslim Irena Zaric takes refuge with her family and beloved
parrot, Pretty Bird, in her grandmother’s apartment. As the Zarics struggle
to survive, Irena becomes a sniper. Violence, strong language, and some explicit
descriptions of sex. 2005.
Like a Knife RC 62110
by Annie Solomon
read by Richard Davidson
2 cassettes
Handyman Nick Raine works at teacher Rachel Goodman’s preschool wanting
to forget he’s the adopted child of arms dealer Rennie Spier. When Rennie
summons Nick to find his missing son, Nick tries to expose Rennie’s illegal
activity. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence.
2003.
Son of the Mob: Son of the Mob, Book 1 RC
62117
by Gordon Korman
read by Nick Sullivan
2 cassettes
Seventeen-year-old Vince Luca’s father is the head of the local crime
organization. Problems arise when Vince falls in love with Kendra Bightly,
an FBI agent’s daughter. And it’s Kendra’s father who’s
wiretapping Vince’s house. Some strong language. For junior and senior
high readers. 2002.
The Murder in the Tower RC 62126
by Jean Plaidy
read by Terry Donnelly
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Twelve-year-old Frances Howard is forced to marry the earl of Essex, who then
goes abroad. At the court of King James I, Frances determines to become the
mistress of royal favorite Robert Carr. When her husband returns, Frances continues
her evil schemes, which lead to murder. 1964.
False Profits: A Tucker Sinclair Mystery RC
62129
by Patricia Smiley
read by Lindsay Ellison
2 cassettes
Thirty-year-old L.A. financial consultant Tucker Sinclair discovers that she
was set up by neurologist Milton Polk to fleece clients. When Polk is murdered,
Tucker investigates and fights to clear her name—all while juggling visits
from her ex-husband and the attentions of detective Joe Deegan. Some strong
language. 2004.
The War Wagon RC 62131
by Clair Huffaker
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
Former gunslinger Jack Tawlin contemplates an offer from his brother, Jess,
to rob a coach transporting gold out of Deadwood. Jack agrees despite the protests
of Jess’s wife, who warns him that Jess may have more sinister motives
for wanting him along. Some violence and some strong language. 1957.
A Rose for the Crown RC 62146
by Anne Easter Smith
read by Rosalyn Landor
5 cassettes
Fifteenth-century England. Farmer’s daughter Kate Bywood marries well
twice before catching the eye of the future king, Richard III. Their passionate
love affair produces three children while Kate witnesses the spectacle of court
functions and Richard’s royal marriage. Some descriptions of sex, some
violence, and some strong language. 2006.
Lilah: A Forbidden Love, a People’s Destiny; the Canaan Trilogy, Book
3 RC 62149
by Marek Halter
read by Bernadette Dunne
2 cassettes
In Persia beautiful Lilah cannot marry her sweetheart Antinoes because he is
not of her faith. Lilah’s brother Ezra returns the Jewish people to Jerusalem
to rebuild the holy city but first casts out all the non-Jewish wives and children.
Horrified, Lilah joins them. Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some strong
language. 2004.
The Three Mrs. Parkers RC 62168
by Joan Medlicott
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Facing foreclosure on her family’s South Carolina homestead, middle-aged
widow Zoe Parker turns to her wealthy, estranged mother-in-law, Winifred. Winifred
moves in, as does Zoe’s grieving daughter, Katie. Facing unexpected challenges
and dangers, the three generations of Parker women resolve old grievances and
form new bonds. 2005.
The Summer before the Dark RC
62177
by Doris Lessing
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes (Reissue)
London housewife Kate Brown’s husband and grown children go away for
the summer, leaving her without responsibilities for the first time in ages.
Undertaking both physical and emotional journeys, Kate accepts a job as a translator
in Turkey, goes to Spain with a young lover, and forges new friendships. 1973.
Pretties RC 62180
by Scott Westerfeld
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Tally, from Uglies (RC 61639), has been turned into a pretty by the authorities
but is deliberately brain damaged in the process. Tally tests a new drug invented
by the renegade uglies to counteract the surgery. She escapes the city, only
to be recaptured. For senior high readers. 2005.
Honor! Wagons West: The Empire Trilogy, Volume 1 RC 62209
by Dana Fuller Ross
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Frontier brothers Clay and Jeff Holt travel to Washington, D.C., to claim a
land grant Clay earned on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Former president
Jefferson recruits them to investigate a landgrab that may have caused Meriwether
Lewis’s death. Follows the Frontier Trilogy. Some violence and some strong
language. 1998.
Goodnight Steve McQueen RC 62217
by Louise Wener
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
London. Danny (né Steve) McQueen, a twenty-nine-year-old video store
clerk and aspiring guitarist, receives an ultimatum from his girlfriend, Alison:
land a record deal in six months—or else. Danny’s band goes on
tour, but success could cost him his relationship. Strong language and some
explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.
The Banyan Tree RC 62228
by Christopher Nolan
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
Lonely Minnie O’Brien tends her farm in Ireland after the death of her
beloved husband. She reminisces about her life and marriage while her three
grown children struggle elsewhere with their own problems—a miserable
marriage, alcoholism, and unemployment. Some descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 1999.
The Snow White Bride: The Jewels of Kinfairlie, Book 3 RC 62244
by Claire Delacroix
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Scotland, 1421. Laird Alexander has tricked his sisters Madeline and Vivienne
into marriage. Now he needs a wife. So when his sisters meet Lady Eleanor,
a runaway noblewoman, they decide to choose her as a bride for Alexander. Some
explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.
Death Dance: An Alexandra Cooper Mystery RC 62258
by Linda Fairstein
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Assistant district attorney Alexandra Cooper joins crime scene investigators
Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace to solve the murder case of ballerina Natalya
Galinova at the Metropolitan Opera House. Suspects include her agent, a Broadway
investor, and several Lincoln Center employees. Strong language, some descriptions
of sex, and some violence. 2006.
Suspicion of Rage: A Gail Connor/Anthony Quintana Novel RC
62259
by Barbara Parker
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Married Florida attorneys Anthony Quintana and Gail Connor visit Cuba to see
Anthony’s sister and brother-in-law, Ramiro Vega, an army general targeted
by counterrevolutionaries. Anthony tries to convince him to defect and confronts
torn loyalties, a past love, a would-be assassin, and murder. Some violence
and some strong language. 2005.
Irish Cream: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel RC
62260
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Nuala and Dermot Coyne hire Day O’Sullivan, a convicted felon, to take
care of their two dogs. Nuala sees Day’s golden aura and knows he is
innocent. As she and Dermot try to discover the true culprit, Nuala unravels
a mystery in an old Irish diary. Some strong language. 2005.
Conan the Swordsman RC 62261
by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter
read by John Polk
1 cassette
Young Conan’s fantastic adventures as a thief, soldier, pirate, and mercenary.
Conan contends with sorcery, beautiful women, and the law in "Legions
of the Dead," "The Ivory Goddess," "Moon of Blood," and
more. Includes an introduction, a glossary of Hyborian names, and commentaries
on each story. Violence. 1978.
The Moon and Sixpence RC 62289
by W. Somerset Maugham
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Middle-aged London stockbroker Charles Strickland forsakes business and family
to pursue a painter’s life. Charles travels to Paris before eventually
settling in Tahiti, where he takes a mistress and devotes himself to art despite
poverty and a prolonged terminal illness. Inspired by the life of French impressionist
Paul Gauguin. 1919.
False Impression RC 62291
by Jeffrey Archer
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
3 cassettes
Art dealer Dr. Anna Petrescu works for fraudulent financier Bryce Fenston,
who collects Impressionist paintings. After the 2001 World Trade Center attack,
Anna takes the opportunity to disappear and look into Bryce’s latest
Van Gogh purchase. FBI agent Jack Delaney also investigates. Some violence
and some strong language. Bestseller. 2006.
The Dream Master RC 62302
by Roger Zelazny
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette (Reissue)
Psychotherapist and shaper Charles Render modifies people’s dreams as
part of their treatment. While training blind psychiatrist Eileen Shallot to
become a shaper, Charles enters her dreams to introduce her to sight. But when
he falls in love with her, her dreams become his torment. Nebula Award. 1966.
Manhunt RC 62306
by Janet Evanovich
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Twenty-nine-year-old corporate executive Alexandra Scott trades her upscale
New Jersey condo and glam career for a rustic log cabin and hardware store
in the Alaskan wilderness. Alex is determined to find a husband, and her wealthy
new neighbor, Michael Casey, seems attracted to her. Some descriptions of sex.
1989.
Creed of the Mountain Man RC 62334
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Gunslinger Smoke Jensen travels to Wyoming to obtain horses from the Nez Percé and
befriends cowboy Nate Champion, whom the ranchers association has accused of
rustling cattle. Caught up in their range war, Smoke takes a bullet to the
head and loses his memory. Violence and some strong language. 1999.
Ordeal of the Mountain Man RC
62335
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Gunfighter Smoke Jensen rides into Muddy Gap, Wyoming, where outlaws recently
murdered the sheriff. Mayor Lester Norton asks Smoke to help clear the town
of riffraff. Smoke agrees, but soon discovers one of his own men is part of
the gang. Meanwhile, Cheyenne warriors plot an attack. Some violence. 1996.
Valor of the Mountain Man RC 62336
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
About thirty murderous felons escape from Utah Territorial Prison and head
for Colorado, hijacking a train and holding the women passengers hostage. Sergeant
Bob Guthrie and Texan Jed McCulloch ask gunslinger Smoke Jensen and his wife,
Sally, to help them apprehend the prisoners. Violence and some strong language.
2001.
Triumph of the Mountain Man RC
62337
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Gunslinger Smoke Jensen receives a letter from his old friend Don Diego Alvarado
asking for help against wealthy robber baron Clifton Satterlee, who is viciously
seizing land around Taos, New Mexico. Smoke rides in to uncover Clifton’s
true intentions and end the violence. Violence and some strong language. 1997.
Dark Tort: A Culinary Mystery RC
62406
by Diane Mott Davidson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
A gastronomic adventure. Caterer Goldy Schulz discovers the body of her twenty-year-old
friend, paralegal Dusty Routt. Dusty’s mother mistrusts the police, so
Goldy investigates. Clues lead to an artist’s will, a dishonest bishop,
and a jealous wife. Includes recipes. Some violence and some strong language.
Bestseller. 2006.
Dark Harbor: A Stone Barrington Mystery RC
62407
by Stuart Woods
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Lawyer Stone Barrington’s cousin Dick dies in an apparent murder-suicide.
Stone and his ex-NYPD partner, Dino Bacchetti, investigate links to Dick’s
secret CIA work, his financially strapped brother—conspicuously excluded
from the will—and the possibility of other killers. Some explicit descriptions
of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Bestseller. 2006.
Wyrd Sisters: A Novel of Discworld RC
62408
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Lord Felmet orchestrates the murder of King Verence of Lancre and ascends the
throne. Granny Weatherwax and her fellow witches, having come into possession
of a royal youth, conspire to replace Felmet with the rightful—if reluctant—heir
and lay Verence’s ghost to rest. For senior high and older readers. 1980.
The Star Witch: Sisters of the Sun, Book 3 RC
62409
by Linda Winstead Jones
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Lucan travels to the imperial palace in search of the Star of Bacwyr. He meets
widow Isadora Fyne, who wears a ring he believes is the star, and tries to
seduce her, unaware she is a witch. Sequel to The Moon Witch (RC 62208). Explicit
descriptions of sex and some violence. 2006.
Forgiven: Firstborn, Book 2 RC
62411
by Karen Kingsbury
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Dayne Matthews, a movie star and an adoptee, goes on location in Bloomington,
Indiana, in hopes of locating his biological family. Dayne reconnects with
Christian youth theater director Katy Hart as she copes with a tragic accident
and awaits her stalker’s pending trial. Sequel to Fame (RC 61505). 2005.
Vengeance! Wagons West: The Empire Trilogy, Volume 2 RC
62413
by Dana Fuller Ross
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
The Holts fight for the future of their families and the emerging American
nation. Jeff seeks his fortune in Russian Alaska; Ned sails the Pacific; and
Clay continues to investigate a traitorous conspiracy. Sequel to Honor! (RC
62209). Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language.
1999.
Guards! Guards! A Discworld Novel RC
62420
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
In a grand scheme to take over Ankh-Morpork, a secret magical society summons
a terrifying dragon that is soon crowned king. Captain Vimes of the Night Watch
risks being charbroiled to dethrone the firebreather and restore order. For
senior high and older readers. 1989.
Third Girl from the Left RC 62421
by Martha Southgate
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Though Mildred Edwards remains tormented by the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma, race
riots, her daughter Angela escapes to L.A. in the early 1970s to act in blaxploitation
movies. Granddaughter Tamara films a mother-daughter reconciliation before
Mildred dies. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Black
Caucus Award. 2005.
Enter Jeeves: Fifteen Early Stories RC
62423
by P.G. Wodehouse
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
Collection of short stories featuring brainy butler Jeeves and his dim-witted,
aristocratic employer, Bertie Wooster. Includes the first eight Jeeves stories
and their prototype, the Reggie Pepper series. 1997.
The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee RC
62430
by Thomas Fleming
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3