### Talking Book Topics July-August 2007 Volume 73, Number 4 National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped _Talking Book Topics_ is published bimonthly in large-print, cassette, and computer diskette formats and distributed free to blind and physically handicapped individuals who participate in the Library of Congress free reading program. It lists recorded books and magazines available through a network of cooperating libraries and covers news of developments and activities in library services. The annotated list in this issue is limited to titles recently added to the national collection, which contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, including classics, biographies, gothics, mysteries, and how-to and self-help guides. To learn more about the wide range of books in the national collection, readers may order catalogs and subject bibliographies from cooperating libraries. Librarians can check other resources for titles and answer requests for special materials. To order books, contact your local cooperating library. Correspondence regarding editorial matters should be sent to: Publications and Media Section, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542 Library of Congress, Washington 2007 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 60-46157 ISSN 0039-9183 Contents: In Brief Books for Adults Cassettes--Nonfiction Cassettes--Fiction Books for Children Cassettes--Nonfiction Cassettes--Fiction Foreign Language Books Spanish Talking Book Magazines ### In Brief 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. Flash, February–March 2007, volume 3, issue 3 Network libraries prepare for distribution of digital talking books and players 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 funding factor 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. Transition communication 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. Moving ahead 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. Members of the Digital Transition Advisory Committee Consumer groups - Chris Gray, American Council of the Blind - George Brummell, Blinded Veterans Association - David Andrews, National Federation of the Blind Network libraries - Lissa Shanahan, Indiana Regional Library, Midlands Conference - Jill Lewis, Maryland Regional Library, Northern Conference - Ruth Hemphill, Tennessee Regional Library, Southern Conference - Bessie Oakes, Utah Regional Library, Western Conference - Karen Keninger, Iowa Regional Library, Consortium of User Libraries State libraries - Irene Padilla, Maryland State Department of Education Division of Library Development and Services - Robert Maier, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners - Michael York, New Hampshire State Library - Doris Ott, North Dakota State Library - Peggy Rudd, Texas State Library and Archives Commission - Donna Jones Morris, Utah State Library Division Flash, April 2007, volume 3, issue 4 Library of Congress marks the end of an era and embarks on another Last analog cassette player produced, ushering in a digital era 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. Spare parts purchase 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. Moving forward 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. Digital Talking Book (DB) Milestones Completed - Defined and prioritized DB features - Coordinated development and publication of Specifications for the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86) - Simulated DB player using a personal computer - Developed computer-based, life-cycle cost analysis (LCC) model for the NLS system and for candidate digital systems - Developed computer software for DB production and presentation - Developed software to test conformance of players and DBs with the ANSI/NISO standard - User survey - Player transition study - Distribution flash cartridge study - Player and flash-cartridge design contract awarded - Distribution-system design contract awarded - Distribution-system design contract Phase I and II - Preliminary design review - Player and flash cartridge developed - Designed DB containers and labels - Web-Magazine pilot concluded - Web-Book pilot launched - Digital data-management system designed Start 1/12/04–Finish 10/1/08 The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses. - Distribution system implementation (10/1/06) - Flash cartridge production (3/1/07) - Flash cartridge duplication (5/1/07) - Manufacture initial lot of DB containers and labels (8/1/07) - Full player production (9/1/07) For information on the NLS digital project, contact: Jean M. Moss Digital Projects Coordinator jemo@loc.gov Fax: (202) 707-1690 To view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web, visit: http://www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/businessplan2006.html Newsstand 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. Journal Français merges with France-Amérique 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. Biography of Louis Braille wins book award 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. ### _Books for Adults_ Books listed in this issue of _Talking Book Topics_ were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection.Cassette books are labeled with the code RC and play at 15/16 ips. To order books, contact your cooperating library. _Note:_ For the information of the reader, a notice may appear immediately following the book description to indicate occurrences of strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent occurrence, as in "some strong language." ### Cassettes Nonfiction 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. RC 57696 ## 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. RC 58822 ## Reclaiming D.H. Lawrence: Contemporary Writers Speak Out RC 59658 by Gary Adelman read by Mary Beth 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. RC 59658 ## 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. RC 59691 ## 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. RC 60062 ## The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schoolingin 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. RC 60734 ## 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. RC 60917 ## 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. RC 60918 ## 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. RC 60947 ## 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. RC 61227 ## 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. RC 61244 ## 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. RC 61288 ## 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. RC 61407 ## 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. RC 61414 ## 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. RC 61529 ## 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. RC 61531 ## 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. RC 61589 ## 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. RC 61596 ## 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. RC 61642 ## 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. RC 61643 ## 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. RC 61644 ## 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. RC 61658 ## 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. RC 61666 ## 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. RC 61675 ## 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. RC 61676 ## 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. RC 61703 ## 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. RC 61709 ## 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. RC 61711 ## 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. RC 61714 ## 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. RC 61740 ## 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. RC 61746 ## 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. RC 61754 ## 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. RC 61781 ## 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. RC 61783 ## 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. RC 61809 ## 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. RC 61815 ## 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. RC 61816 ## 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. RC 61826 ## 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. RC 61832 ## 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. RC 61834 ## 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. RC 61836 ## 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. RC 61890 ## 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. RC 61901 ## 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. RC 61903 ## 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. RC 61909 ## 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. RC 61923 ## 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. RC 61926 ## 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. RC 61949 ## 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. RC 61952 ## 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. RC 61967 ## 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. RC 61972 ## 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. RC 61987 ## 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. RC 61988 ## 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. RC 62006 ## 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. RC 62030 ## 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. RC 62090 ## 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. RC 62101 ## 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. RC 62106 ## 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. RC 62108 ## 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. RC 62118 ## 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. RC 62133 ## 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. RC 62210 ## 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. RC 62213 ## 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. RC 62216 ## 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. RC 62222 ## 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. RC 62223 ## 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. RC 62225 ## 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. RC 62229 ## 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. RC 62233 ## 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. RC 62255 ## 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. RC 62290 ## 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. RC 62292 ## 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. RC 62296 ## 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. RC 62305 ## 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. RC 62329 ## 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. RC 62404 ## 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. RC 62405 ## 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. RC 62439 ## 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. RC 62448 ## 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. RC 62638 ## 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. RC 62639 ## 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. RC 62640 ## 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. RC 62668 ## 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. RC 62682 ## 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. RC 63332 ## ### Cassettes Fiction 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. RC 59995 ## Skyscraper RC 60882 by Faith Baldwin read by Mary Beth 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. RC 60882 ## 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. RC 60892 ## 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. RC 60937 ## 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. RC 61246 ## 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. RC 61378 ## 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. RC 61417 ## 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. RC 61418 ## 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. RC 61471 ## 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. RC 61473 ## 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. RC 61477 ## 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. RC 61484 ## 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. RC 61485 ## 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. RC 61486 ## 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. RC 61491 ## 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. RC 61536 ## 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. RC 61549 ## 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. RC 61558 ## 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. RC 61566 ## 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. RC 61572 ## 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. RC 61592 ## 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. RC 61600 ## 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. RC 61621 ## 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. RC 61633 ## 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. RC 61647 ## 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. RC 61663 ## 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. RC 61665 ## 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. RC 61667 ## 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. RC 61670 ## 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. RC 61706 ## 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. RC 61707 ## 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. RC 61721 ## 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. RC 61739 ## 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. RC 61741 ## 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. RC 61742 ## 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. RC 61747 ## 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. RC 61750 ## 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. RC 61753 ## 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. RC 61758 ## 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. RC 61767 ## 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. RC 61771 ## 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. RC 61776 ## 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. RC 61793 ## 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. RC 61794 ## 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. RC 61795 ## 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. RC 61799 ## 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. RC 61813 ## 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. RC 61817 ## 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. RC 61821 ## 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. RC 61824 ## 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. RC 61825 ## 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. RC 61830 ## 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. RC 61839 ## 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. RC 61840 ## 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. RC 61845 ## 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. RC 61846 ## 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. RC 61850 ## 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. RC 61857 ## 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. RC 61859 ## 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. RC 61864 ## 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. RC 61868 ## 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. RC 61869 ## 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. RC 61872 ## 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. RC 61899 ## 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. RC 61900 ## 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. RC 61911 ## 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. RC 61912 ## 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. RC 61913 ## 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. RC 61917 ## 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. RC 61919 ## 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. RC 61920 ## 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 upbringing is challenged by the people and situations he encounters during his employment. For senior high readers. 2005. RC 61927 ## 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. RC 61928 ## 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. RC 61930 ## 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. RC 61934 ## 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. RC 61938 ## 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. RC 61946 ## 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. RC 61955 ## 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. RC 61959 ## 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. RC 61966 ## 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. RC 61970 ## 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. RC 62007 ## 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. RC 62022 ## 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. RC 62035 ## 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. RC 62037 ## 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. RC 62077 ## 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. RC 62078 ## 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. RC 62079 ## 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. RC 62082 ## 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. RC 62088 ## 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. RC 62094 ## 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. RC 62096 ## 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. RC 62100 ## 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. RC 62105 ## 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. RC 62107 ## 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. RC 62110 ## 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. RC 62117 ## 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. RC 62126 ## 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. RC 62129 ## 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. RC 62131 ## 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. RC 62146 ## 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. RC 62149 ## 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. RC 62168 ## 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. RC 62177 ## 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. RC 62180 ## 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. RC 62209 ## 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. RC 62217 ## 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. RC 62228 ## 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. RC 62244 ## 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. RC 62258 ## 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. RC 62259 ## 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. RC 62260 ## 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. RC 62261 ## 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. RC 62289 ## 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. RC 62291 ## 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. RC 62302 ## 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. RC 62306 ## 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. RC 62334 ## 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. RC 62335 ## 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. RC 62336 ## 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. RC 62337 ## 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. RC 62406 ## 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. RC 62407 ## 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. RC 62408 ## 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. RC 62409 ## 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. RC 62411 ## 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. RC 62413 ## 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. RC 62420 ## 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. RC 62421 ## 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. RC 62423 ## The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee RC 62430 by Thomas Fleming read by David Hartley-Margolin 3 cassettes 1865. Assistant Secretary of War Charles Dana spearheads Confederate general Robert E. Lee's trial for treason. Covering the proceedings, reporter Jeremiah O'Brien is torn between his loyalty to Dana, his love for southern spy Sophia Carroll, and his growing respect for Lee. Some strong language. 2006. RC 62430 ## A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life RC 62432 by Dana Reinhardt read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Sixteen-year-old Simone, happy in her adoptive family, reluctantly accepts her parents' advice and agrees to her birth mother's request to meet. Simone revises her views on religion, love, relationships, and herself on learning of Rivka's Jewish heritage and losing battle with cancer. For senior high readers. 2006. RC 62432 ## Mort: A Novel of Discworld RC 62443 by Terry Pratchett read by Kristin Allison 2 cassettes Hoping to marry off his daughter, Death hires sixteen-year- old Mort as his new apprentice. But Mort fails his first assignment and saves a princess from assassination. Mort knows he's in the wrong business but needs to right history before he can quit. For senior high and older readers. 1987. RC 62443 ## The Debutante Divorcée RC 62446 by Plum Sykes read by Gabra Zackman 2 cassettes When Sylvie Mortimer's husband, Hunter, leaves on business during their honeymoon, Sylvie befriends fellow New Yorker Lauren Blount, an heiress celebrating her divorce. Sylvie joins Lauren's socialite circle but worries Hunter might be having an affair with his new employee Sophie, a notorious "husband huntress." Some strong language. Bestseller. 2006. RC 62446 ## Hours to Kill RC 62453 by Ursula Curtiss read by Catherine Byers 1 cassette Philip, who has jilted Margaret to marry her sister Cornelia, now asks Margaret to house-sit while they are away and to look after visiting eight-year-old Hilary. Hilary uncovers suspicious items among the landlady's personal effects that lead Margaret and detective Jerome to suspect that Cornelia is in danger. 1961. RC 62453 ## Blue Shoes and Happiness: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency RC 62491 by Alexander McCall Smith read by Mitzi Friedlander 2 cassettes The continuing adventures of Precious Ramotswe of Botswana's only ladies' detective agency. Mma Ramotswe investigates several cases including accusations of food theft from a college kitchen, aided by her assistant Grace Makutsi. Grace thinks her own fiancé is reconsidering their relationship after discovering she is a feminist. Bestseller. 2006. RC 62491 ## Spell of the Highlander: The Highlander Series, Book 7 RC 62492 by Karen Marie Moning read by Mitzi Friedlander 3 cassettes Archaeology student Jessi St. James summons druid Cian MacKeltar, who was trapped inside an ancient mirror. After saving her life, Cian needs Jessi's help to break the ninth-century spell that binds him. Sequel to The Immortal Highlander (RC 59747). Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2005. RC 62492 ## A Gift of Dragons RC 62647 by Anne McCaffrey read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Four stories of Pern written between 1973 and 2002. In "The Girl Who Heard Dragons," young Aramina's rare ability to communicate with dragons endangers her family. Also includes "Ever the Twain," "The Smallest Dragonboy," and "Runner of Pern," a romantic tale of a messenger named Tenna. 2002. RC 62647 ## The Days of Summer RC 62669 by Jill Barnett read by Kristin Allison 2 cassettes Los Angeles, 1957. Cale and Jud Banning are raised by their tycoon grandfather after their parents die in a car accident that also takes the life of singer Jimmy Peyton. In 1970, complications arise when the brothers both fall in love with Jimmy's daughter Laurel. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2006. RC 62669 ## The Ballad of Pinewood Lake RC 62670 by Jory Sherman read by Jim Zeiger 1 cassette Mediocre Los Angeles writer Johnny moves his unstable wife, Angela, and toddler son, Colin, to idyllic Pinewood Lake. But their lives soon begin to unravel as Angela succumbs to alcoholism. Despite Johnny's efforts to help, he cannot prevent tragedy. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001. RC 62670 ## The Godwulf Manuscript: A Spenser Novel RC 62678 by Robert B. Parker read by Jim Zeiger 2 cassettes (Reissue) A university president hires Boston PI Spenser to recover a fourteenth-century manuscript presumably stolen by a left- wing campus group. Spenser questions the group's secretary, Terry, but when her boyfriend is murdered, Terry's father hires Spenser to prove she's innocent. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1973. RC 62678 ## ### Books for Children Cassettes Nonfiction A Tree Is a Plant RC 57883 by Clyde Robert Bulla read by Ligaya Romero 1 cassette Follows an apple plant from seed to sprout to tree, explaining the functions of roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and blossoms that lead to fruit. Also describes the cycle of seasonal changes. Includes two simple science projects. For grades 2-4. 1960. RC 57883 ## Tanuki's Gift: A Japanese Tale RC 58219 retold by Tim Myers read by John Fulks 1 cassette One cold night a Buddhist priest takes in a furry badger- like tanuki, and the two become friends. The tanuki comes every winter for ten years. But when it looks for something to repay the priest and doesn't appear for a long time, they both learn a lesson. For grades K-3. 2003. RC 58219 ## What Makes the Seasons? RC 58220 by Megan Montague Cash read by John Fulks 1 cassette Easy rhyming text follows a little girl through the year describing how plants grow and respond to seasonal changes. For preschool-grade 2. 2003. RC 58220 ## A Look at Uranus RC 58231 by Salvatore Tocci read by Dave Corey 1 cassette Discusses the discovery of the planet Uranus. Highlights the Voyager 2 mission, includes a timeline of major developments in Uranus's exploration and study, and describes the planet's unusual tilt. Features contributing scientists and includes a glossary. For grades 5-8. 2003. RC 58231 ## The Revolutionary John Adams RC 60902 by Cheryl Harness read by Erik Synnestvedt 1 cassette A biography of John Adams, the second president of the United States. Describes his activities in the Second Continental Congress, his role in the American Revolution, and his respect for patriotic duty above all else. For grades 3-6. 2003. RC 60902 ## Newton at the Center: The Story of Science, Book 2 RC 61306 by Joy Hakim read by Margaret Strom 4 cassettes Discusses the scientists, arguments, and breakthroughs of the Scientific Revolution that occurred between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. Explains the development of ideas from the tradition of Greek philosophy to the scientific method of observation and experimentation, which spurred discoveries like Isaac Newton's theory of gravity. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 61306 ## D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths RC 61851 by Ingri D'Aulaire and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire read by Anne Flosnik 1 cassette Introduces the Norse legends of gods, goddesses, tricksters, and heroes. Contains tales of Thor, the thunder-god, mischievous Loki, and the leader Odin with his band of Valkyrie maidens, as well as elves, gnomes, weird monsters, and grim giants. For grades 4-7. 1967. RC 61851 ## Standing like a Stone Wall: The Life of General Thomas J. Jackson RC 61885 by James I. Robertson Jr. read by Nick Sullivan 2 cassettes Biography of Confederate general "Stonewall" Jackson (1824– 1863). Describes how Jackson's determination and faith transformed him from a poorly educated orphan to a West Point graduate. Recounts his Civil War victories and the unflinching courage that made him a military hero. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2001. RC 61885 ## Empire of Ancient Egypt RC 61896 by Wendy Christensen read by Yolande Bavan 2 cassettes A summary of the history of the ancient Egyptian empire and a description of its civilization. Examines the role of religion in politics, the social hierarchy, daily life, scientific knowledge, and the empire's decline. The epilog discusses the modern Arab Republic of Egypt. For grades 6- 9. 2005. RC 61896 ## Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made RC 61929 by Bill Slavin read by Alexander Strain 1 cassette Step-by-step explanations of processes that transform natural materials into sixty-nine things we eat, play with, wear, or use regularly. Includes baseballs, gum, chocolate, peanut butter, paper, blue jeans, running shoes, bricks, and kitty litter. Provides a brief history or little-known fact about many of the objects. For grades 4-7. 2005. RC 61929 ## The Ultimate Indoor Games Book: The Two Hundred Best Boredom Busters Ever! RC 61944 by Veronika Alice Gunter read by Bill Wallace 1 cassette Games to play by yourself or with others. Some require ordinary household objects—paper and pencil, a deck of cards, marbles, coins, dice, balls, or pillows. Others, such as brainteasers, races, or physical activities, require no equipment at all. For grades 3-6. 2005. RC 61944 ## Empire of Ancient Greece RC 62019 by Jean Kinney Williams read by Frank Coffee 2 cassettes Chronicles the history and legacy of classical Greece, where Athens developed democracy in the 400s BCE and cultural conditions encouraged architecture and literature to thrive. Discusses everyday life, from the farmers' olive crops to the Olympic games for the wealthy. For grades 6-9. 2005. RC 62019 ## Empire of the Mongols RC 62020 by Michael Burgan read by Frank Coffee 1 cassette Chronicles the empire formed by Chinggis (Genghis) Khan and his army in their sweep from Mongolia across China and Russia. Discusses the benefits of uniting the area. Explains thirteenth-century daily life, covering food, clothing, child-rearing customs, belief system, and military tactics. For grades 6-9. 2005. RC 62020 ## Portraits of African-American Heroes RC 62029 by Tonya Bolden read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona 1 cassette Profiles of twenty African Americans whose talents changed the artistic, political, and social fabric of the United States. Includes abolitionist Fredrick Douglass, Arctic explorer Matthew Henson, daredevil aviatrix Bessie Coleman, Supreme Court judge Thurgood Marshall, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and master trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, among others. For grades 4-7. 2003. RC 62029 ## A Smart Girl's Guide to Manners: The Secrets to Grace, Confidence, and Being Your Best RC 62113 by Nancy Holyoke read by Suzanne Toren 1 cassette Commonsense guidelines for getting along with other people. Quizzes, advice, and letters from girls inform the reader about ways to handle social situations: introductions, telephone conversations, host and guest duties, receiving gifts, table manners at home and out, public courtesy, and behavior at weddings and funerals. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 62113 ## A Little History of the World RC 62132 by E.H. Gombrich read by Gordon Gould 2 cassettes Spans the history of mankind from the Stone Age to the atomic era in forty short chapters. Highlights humanity's successes and failures from a European viewpoint with the intention of explaining without boring. The original edition was published in German in 1936. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2005. RC 62132 ## Bodies from the Ash RC 62184 by James M. Deem read by Alexander Strain 1 cassette Relates archaeologists' discovery of what happened when Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii in AD 79. Covers the sequence of volcanic events that caused the disappearance of the city, as well as the initial excavations, the unearthing of skeletal remains, and the modern status of the site. For grades 4-7. 2005. RC 62184 ## Grierson's Raid: A Daring Cavalry Strike through the Heart of the Confederacy RC 62186 by Tom Lalicki read by Robert Sams 1 cassette Civil War, 1863. Day-by-day account of Union Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson's sixteen-day raid with seventeen hundred men and their horses through central Mississippi. Their mission was to destroy railroads and military targets, diverting Confederate attention while Union troops moved on Vicksburg. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2004. RC 62186 ## Lightning RC 62426 by Brian Williams read by Bill Wallace 1 cassette Using a question-and-answer format, the author presents familiar and unusual facts about lightning, from its scientific causes to its effects, such as exploding cacti and melting rocks. Provides tips on what to do during a thunderstorm to avoid being struck by lightning. For grades 2-4. 2005. RC 62426 ## Tsunamis RC 62434 by Thomas K. Adamson read by Bill Wallace 1 cassette Describes the December 26, 2004, tsunami in South Asia. Explains the causes of large ocean waves called tsunamis, their speed and movement, and their impact on people and the environment. For grades 2-4. 2006. RC 62434 ## Cassettes Fiction The Puppeteer's Apprentice RC 57697 by D. Anne Love read by Carolyn Hecker 1 cassette A scullery maid called Mouse does kitchen chores in Lord Dunston's castle in medieval England until she gains the courage to follow her dreams and change her fortune. Watching a puppet play inspires her to become an apprentice to the puppeteer, who turns out to possess deadly secrets. For grades 4-7. 2003. RC 57697 ## Invasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid Six! RC 57878 by James Howe read by Peggy Gilleland 1 cassette In his journal, author Howie, a wirehaired dachshund, writes about writing and provides tips on how to create a story. He demonstrates his ideas in a fantasy tale involving aliens and his best friend, Delilah. For grades 3-6. 2002. RC 57878 ## Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet RC 57880 by James Howe read by Ligaya Romero 1 cassette Pinky wants a dog but the rest of the family decides on adopting a cat. When they bring a kitten home, Pinky is surprised that it likes him best. For grades K-3. 2001. RC 57880 ## I Am Not Going to School Today! RC 58218 by Robie H. Harris read by John Fulks 1 cassette A little boy wants to skip his very first day of school because he doesn't know the answers to any questions. But with the help of his favorite stuffed monkey who goes along, he has a happy time. For preschool-grade 2. 2003. RC 58218 ## The Journal of Brian Doyle: A Greenhorn on an Alaskan Whaling Ship; My Name Is America RC 59685 by Jim Murphy read by Peter Lavezzoli 1 cassette Brian Doyle's 1874 diary records his running away from home in San Francisco to join a whaling ship crew. His shipboard troubles include storms, hostile shipmates, and a stranding in the Arctic. For grades 5-8. 2004. RC 59685 ## Carnival at Candlelight: Magic Tree House, Book 33 RC 60398 by Mary Pope Osborne read by Gillian Green 1 cassette While on a mission to prove to Merlin that they can use magic wisely, Jack and Annie travel to seventeenth-century Venice, Italy, to save the city from disaster. For grades 2-4. 2005. RC 60398 ## Arthur and the Race to Read: A Marc Brown Chapter Book RC 60924 by Stephen Krensky read by Bruce Nelson 1 cassette When Arthur and his friends buddy up to train for a marathon that will raise money for their school's literacy drive, Fern just isn't interested in running. But she surprises them all on the day of the race. For grades 2-4. 2001. RC 60924 ## Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher: A Marc Brown Chapter Book RC 60934 by Stephen Krensky read by Bruce Nelson 1 cassette Arthur and his friends can't convince Binky to join his teammates in pre-game warm-ups. When Binky injures himself in a game while running the bases and has to sit on the bench awhile, his attitude about warming up changes. For grades 2-4. 2001. RC 60934 ## Nicky Deuce: Welcome to the Family RC 60938 by Steven R. Schirripa and Charles Fleming read by Bruce Nelson 1 cassette While his parents are on a cruise, preppy twelve-year-old Nicholas Borelli II spends his summer in Brooklyn with his Italian American grandmother and uncle. He discovers meatballs, stickball, and a new friend, Tommy Caporelli, who introduces him to petty crime and real gangsters. Includes recipe for Grandma's tomato sauce. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 60938 ## If I Ran the Circus RC 60939 by Dr. Seuss read by Michael Kramer 1 cassette (Reissue) In this story told in rhyme, a young boy, Morris McGurk, imagines the fantastic animals and incredible acts that he will have in his Circus McGurkus, the world's greatest show. For grades K-3. 1956. RC 60939 ## The Night Journey RC 61475 by Kathryn Lasky read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Thirteen-year-old Rachel looks forward to hearing her great-grandmother Nana Sashie tell stories about her childhood. It was a time when being Jewish in czarist Russia was so dangerous that young Sashie devised a plan to save her family. For grades 5-8. National Jewish Book Award. 1981. RC 61475 ## Tracker RC 61479 by Gary Paulsen read by Michael Kramer 1 cassette Thirteen-year-old John Borne looks forward to hunting deer for food as time to spend with his grandfather. But this year his grandfather is dying of cancer and John will hunt alone. As he tracks a doe through the woods, John ponders taking life and comprehending death. For grades 5-8. 1984. RC 61479 ## Dancing at the Odinochka RC 61669 by Kirkpatrick Hill read by Michele Schaeffer 1 cassette 1860s. Erinia Pavaloff lives contentedly with her family at the Nulato odinochka (Russian for "trading post") on the Yukon River, where visitors are welcomed by dancers. But changes take place when an American telegraph company moves in and after the United States purchases Alaska. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 61669 ## Stand Tall RC 61672 by Joan Bauer read by Erik Synnestvedt 1 cassette At six feet three and a half inches, Tree is the tallest seventh-grade boy but not the greatest basketball player. He copes with his parents' divorce by helping his grandfather, a Vietnam vet and recent amputee, and Sophie, a new girl at school. For grades 5-8. 2002. RC 61672 ## Grace Happens RC 61744 by Jan M. Czech read by Suzanne Toren 1 cassette The daughter of a movie star, fifteen-year-old Grace longs to escape celebrity life for an anonymous summer vacation at her mother's childhood home on Martha's Vineyard. Although her mother reluctantly promises to reveal the identity of Grace's father, impatient Grace begins her own search. For grades 6-9. 2005. RC 61744 ## Kai's Journey to Gold Mountain: An Angel Island Story RC 61745 by Katrina Saltonstall Currier read by Bill Quinn 1 cassette In 1934, twelve-year-old Kai travels alone from China to San Francisco, where his father lives. But because of strict American laws, Kai stays on Angel Island for five weeks before facing a board of examiners who will decide if he can join his father. For grades 3-6. 2005. RC 61745 ## From Slave to Soldier: Based on a True Civil War Story RC 61751 by Deborah Hopkinson read by Don Feldheim 1 cassette Tennessee during the Civil War. Young Johnny hates being a slave and chooses freedom by joining the Union Army. He proves his bravery by driving the mule team and supply wagon by himself at night to bring food to hungry soldiers. Short chapter book. For grades 2-4. 2005. RC 61751 ## Andy and the Lion: A Tale of Kindness Remembered; or, The Power of Gratitude RC 61829 by James Daugherty read by Alexander Strain 1 cassette Andy meets a lion on the way to school and wins his friendship for life by removing a thorn from his paw. A retelling of "Androcles and the Lion." For grades K-3. Caldecott Honor. 1938. RC 61829 ## Eyes of the Emperor RC 61849 by Graham Salisbury read by Mark Ashby 1 cassette Hawaii, 1941. Sixteen-year-old Eddy and his two buddies join the U.S. Army, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor their Japanese ancestry becomes a problem. They are commanded to serve as human targets for dogs training to hunt and kill enemy Japanese. Some violence. For grades 6- 9. 2005. RC 61849 ## Young Warriors: Stories of Strength RC 61916 edited by Tamora Pierce and Josepha Sherman read by Anne Flosnik 2 cassettes Fifteen different authors' tales of teenage warriors, ranging from the comic to the dramatic, from folkloric tradition to fantasy. In "Swords That Talk," a sixteen- year-old hero forgoes wealth and glory to avoid causing war. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2005. RC 61916 ## Bear Dancer: The Story of a Ute Girl RC 61964 by Thelma Hatch Wyss read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Colorado, 1860s. When Cheyenne warriors capture Elk Girl, sister of Ute chief Ouray, she becomes a slave to be bought and sold. Elk Girl is rescued by white soldiers—enemies of the Ute—and reunited with her brother, who seeks peace for his people. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 61964 ## A Room with a Zoo RC 62031 by Jules Feiffer read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona 1 cassette Julie wants a dog but her parents don't believe she will walk it. They settle on a kitten because it doesn't need to be walked, then add a hamster, a fish, a turtle, another cat, and a hermit crab. But Julie still longs for a dog. For grades 3-6. 2005. RC 62031 ## Shadow on the Stars: The Great Tree of Avalon, Book 2 RC 62081 by T.A. Barron read by Jill Fox 3 cassettes As the deathless warlord Rhita Gawr tries to gather enough power to destroy Avalon, young wizard Tamwyn—heir to the powers of his grandfather, Merlin—and his friends embark on separate quests to save their world. Sequel to Child of the Dark Prophecy (RC 59576). For grades 6-9. 2005. RC 62081 ## Skybreaker RC 62089 by Kenneth Oppel read by Robert Sams 2 cassettes Airship Academy student Matt Cruse possesses the coordinates of the Hyperion, a long-lost airship rumored to carry treasure. He and young heiress Kate de Vries team up with a gypsy and a daring captain to capture the ship. Sequel to Airborn (RC 59792). For grades 6-9. 2006. RC 62089 ## Heartbeat RC 62114 by Sharon Creech read by Suzanne Toren 1 cassette Twelve-year-old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life in a series of free-verse poems covering her two passions— drawing and running. During the year, her mother gives birth, her grandfather becomes forgetful, and her best friend and running partner, thirteen-year-old Max, becomes distant. For grades 5-8. 2004. RC 62114 ## The Perilous Gard RC 62116 by Elizabeth Marie Pope read by Patricia Kilgarriff 2 cassettes (Reissue) In 1558 young Kate Sutton is exiled to a remote castle called Perilous Gard, where she becomes captive of an ancient fairy folk—the last practitioners of druidic magic. Kate struggles to prevent them from sacrificing Christopher Heron and to effect her own escape. For grades 5-8. Newbery Honor Book. 1974. RC 62116 ## Spirit Walker: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Book 2 RC 62128 by Michelle Paver read by Nick Sullivan 2 cassettes When a deadly illness sweeps through the Forest clans, twelve-year-old Torak, with help from Renn and Wolf, embarks on a journey to find a cure. His quest takes him beyond the sea to the islands of the Seal Clan. Sequel to Wolf Brother (RC 61419). For grades 5-8. 2006. RC 62128 ## The Blue Djinn of Babylon: Children of the Lamp, Book 2 RC 62165 by P.B. Kerr read by Corrie James 2 cassettes After attaining magical powers in The Akhenaten Adventure (RC 60307), twelve-year-old twins John and Philippa set out to recover and return a book of magic to Ayesha, the Blue Djinn of Babylon. The mission is only a ruse to capture Philippa, who John must somehow rescue. For grades 5-8. 2006. RC 62165 ## Henry Bear's Christmas RC 62185 by David McPhail read by Corrie James 1 cassette Convinced that he will win, Henry Bear spends all his money on the church's Christmas tree raffle tickets, ignoring Stanley's plea to buy a sad little tree. Things don't work out the way Henry planned, but he keeps his sense of humor. For grades K-3. 2003. RC 62185 ## The Light of the Oracle RC 62241 by Victoria Hanley read by Gabriella Cavallero 2 cassettes The Temple of the Oracle's master priest chooses Bryn, the dreamy, fifteen-year-old daughter of a humble stonecutter, to be a handmaiden. Bryn's gift for prophecy causes jealousy in Clea, who has a talent for curses. Companion to The Healer's Keep (RC 56150). For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2005. RC 62241 ## Under the Persimmon Tree RC 62301 by Suzanne Fisher Staples read by Yolande Bavan 2 cassettes Afghan War, 2001. Najmah, a young refugee from a war-torn village in northern Afghanistan, disguises herself as a boy for safety while traveling. Her life intersects with that of Nusrat, an American-Muslim teacher, when Najmah reaches a school in Peshawar, Pakistan. For grades 6-9. 2005. RC 62301 ## Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story RC 62307 by Laura Krauss Melmed read by Barbara Caruso 1 cassette Moishe the milkman is kind to everyone in his poor village of Wishniak. One winter he receives a magic frying pan that produces delicious Hanukkah latkes until his selfish wife meddles. For grades K-3. 2000. RC 62307 ## Groundhog Stays Up Late RC 62308 by Margery Cuyler read by Barbara Caruso 1 cassette Groundhog decides not to hibernate one winter, even though Bear, Squirrel, and Badger tell him he should. In January when Groundhog is cold, hungry, and lonely, he plays a trick on his friends. For grades K-3. 2005. RC 62308 ## The Lost Princess of Oz RC 62363 by L. Frank Baum read by Steven Carpenter 1 cassette Princess Ozma, the lovely girl ruler of Oz, disappears without a trace. Dorothy, Betsy, and Trot try to solve the mystery. Sequel to Rinkitink in Oz (RC 62364). For grades 4-7. 1917. RC 62363 ## Monkey: The Five Ancestors, Book 2 RC 62412 by Jeff Stone read by Erik Sandvold 1 cassette China, 1650. Follows the adventures of the youngest warrior monk, Malao, whose kung fu style mimics the monkey. While scurrying through the forest, Malao encounters bandits and is befriended by an albino macaque, the leader of a monkey troop. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 62412 ## Ruby Lu, Brave and True RC 62415 by Lenore Look read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Ruby Lu is almost eight and she likes lots of things—magic tricks, her baby brother Oscar, and visiting her grandparents in Chinatown. But she is worried about going to Chinese school and having relatives from China move into her home. For grades 2-4. 2004. RC 62415 ## Makeovers by Marcia RC 62437 by Claudia Mills read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Marcia is concerned about her recent weight gain and whether Alex will invite her to the school dance. Her service hours giving makeovers to residents at a nursing home show Marcia that inner beauty is what really matters. Sequel to Alex Ryan, Stop That! (RC 61976). For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 62437 ## Here Lies the Librarian RC 62441 by Richard Peck read by Kristin Allison 1 cassette Indiana, 1914. Fourteen-year-old tomboy Eleanor "Peewee" McGrath would rather repair a car in her brother's garage than read a book. But when Irene Ridpath arrives in her big car with three other librarians, Eleanor's ideas about her future change. For grades 5-8. 2006. RC 62441 ## The Wizard Test RC 62457 by Hilari Bell read by Catherine Byers 1 cassette At fourteen, Dayven is devastated upon passing the wizard test because wizards are considered to be disloyal deceivers who believe in nothing. But when Dayven understands wizard training, he discovers a new way of looking at the world that will change his values, friendships, and future. For grades 5-8. 2005. RC 62457 ## ### _Foreign Language Books_ The following cassette titles are available in the languages designated. _Spanish_ Alejandro Magno (Alexander the Great) RC 61023 por Félix Cordente Vaquero leído por Juan Ramírez 2 cassettes El historiador español traza la vida y los tiempos del joven rey de Macedonia que conquistó el mundo de la antigüedad. Basándose en las historias y leyendas, el autor presenta la biografía y la cronología de Alejandro que convertiéndose en el dominador del mundo, termina muriendo en plena juventud. (Spanish historian traces the life and times of the young Macedonian king who conquered the known world of antiquity. Drawing upon ancient histories, the author charts the chronology and biography of Alexander, who achieved world dominion only to die while still a young man.) 2005. RC 61023 ## Benedicto XVI, el Custodio de la Fe (Benedict XVI, Defender of the Faith) RC 61025 por Andrea Tornielli leído por Juan Ramírez 2 cassettes Un corresponsal sobre asuntos del Vaticano traza la vida y la obra del Papa Benedicto XVI. Recorre su infancia, preparación teológica, servicio pastoral, nominación como arzobispo, obra como alto oficial de la Iglesia, y últimamente, su elección como Papa. También explora la filosofía teológica del Papa y sus ideas sobre la misión y papel de la Iglesia. (A Vatican affairs correspondent traces the life and work of Pope Benedict XVI, covering his childhood, theological preparation, pastoral service, appointment as an archbishop, elevation within the Church, and his election as Pope. Also delves into his theology and ideas on the role of the Church.) 2005. RC 61025 ## La Cena Secreta (The Secret Supper) RC 61026 por Javier Sierra leído por Juan Ramírez 3 cassettes Milano, 1497. Una figura misteriosa, el Agorero, denuncia al pintor Leonardo da Vinci acusándole de herejía por las anomalías desconcertantes que aparecen en la pintura de La Ultima Cena. Fray Agustín Leyre, inquisitor dominico, es enviado a descubrir al Agorero, investigar a da Vinci y aprender la verdad. (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. RC 61026 ## Cinco Cerditos (Five Little Pigs) RC 61028 por Agatha Christie leído por Peter Pereyra 2 cassettes Inglaterra. Una joven mujer pide al detective Hercule Poirot que rehabilite el nombre de su difunta madre, condenada por el asesinato del famoso pintor Amyas Crale—el esposo de la madre y padre de la joven mujer. Ahora, Poirot se enfrenta con la dificultad de investigar a cinco sospechosos ante un crimen cometido ya hace dieciséis años. (England. A young woman hires pri-vate detective Hercule Poirot to ex-onerate her late mother of murder. The mother was convicted of killing her famous artist husband—the young woman's father—sixteen years earlier. Poirot investigates five possible suspects in what may have been the perfect crime.) 1941. RC 61028 ## Peligros (Dangerous) RC 61029 por Nora Roberts leído por María Pino 2 cassettes Dos novelas en que los protagonistas se enamoran de mujeres que pueden ser asesinas. En Una Vida Juntos Roman DeWinter investiga un crimen y sospecha de la encantadora Charity Ford. En Un Negocio Arriesgado Jonas Sharpe investiga el asesinato de su hermano y cree que la hermosa Liz Palmer sabe algo. Algunas descripciones de violencia y de índole sexual. (Two novels about men falling in love with possible killers. In Una Vida Juntos, Roman DeWinter investigates murder and suspects the charming Charity Ford. In Un Negocio Arriesgado, Jonas Sharpe believes beautiful Liz Palmer knows about his brother's death. Some descriptions of sex and some violence.) 1989. RC 61029 ## Vida de un Piojo Llamado Matías (Life of Matthias, a Flea) RC 61030 por Fernando Aramburu leído por María Pino 1 cassette La vida según Matías, un piojo, no es facil, siempre que tiene que hacer frente a las inundaciones jabonosas, las friegas de la mano grande, las invasiones de los peines, o las huracanes de un secador. Nacido en la nuca de un humano, Matías, aprende pronto que su mundo diminuto tiene pelos. (According to Matthias, a flea, life is not easy, what with shampoo floods, scratching fingers, comb invasions, and dryer hurricanes. Born on the scruff of a human's neck, Matthias learns to tread carefully. After all, the world is a hairy place.) 2004. RC 61030 ## Feng Shui para el Éxito y la Felicidad (Feng Shui for Success and Happiness) RC 61031 por Richard Webster leído por Juan Ramírez 1 cassette Explica el antiguo arte chino de vivir en armonía con la tierra. Enseña cómo activar la energía del ch'i para mejorar el medio ambiente y lograr mayor felicidad y abundancia. Incluye consejos para realizar cambios simples en el hogar y la vida para aprovecharse de los poderes del feng shui. (Explains the Chinese art of living in harmony with the earth. Describes activating the energies of the chi to improve one's environment and gain success and happiness in life. Discusses the application of feng shui in ordering personal lives and structuring living spaces.) 2000. RC 61031 ## Bestiario (Bestiary) RC 61033 por Julio Cortázar leído por Peter Pereyra 1 cassette Presentan los ocho cuentos primeros del surealista autor argentino que pintan objectos y hechos cotidianos que pasan de repente a la dimensión de la pesadilla. En "Bestiario" Inés va a veranear al campo en la casa señorial de sus familiares, donde hay, por casualidad, un tigre que anda a sus anchas. (Eight of the Argentinean author's earliest surrealist stories, in which normal objects and events take on sudden nightmarish qualities. In the title story, Inés is spending the summer at her cousins' country estate, where a wild jaguar seems to have the run of the place.) 1951. RC 61033 ## Las Francesas No Engordan (French Women Don't Get Fat) RC 61034 por Mireille Guiliano leído por María Pino 2 cassettes Las francesas comen por placer pero no engordan. ¿Por qué? La autora francesa presenta un programa de dieta de cuatro partes. Formando listas de dieta, haciendo ajustes para balance y diversidad, reintegrando comidas favoritas en cantidades apropriadas, y manteniendo el régimen de dieta figuran entre los secretos de las francesas. Incluye recetas y consejos para la compra de comidas, la preparación de comidas, el ejercicio sencillo y otros secretos para no engordar. (Guide to the "French paradox" of staying trim while eating for pleasure. A four-part program includes inventorying your current diet, adjusting to balanced portions and nutritional diversity, re- integrating favorite foods in proper measure, and maintenance. Discusses grocery shopping, food preparation, simple exercise, and Frenchwomen's secrets. Includes recipes.) 2005. RC 61034 ## Sesenta y Dos: Modelo para Armar (Sixty-two: A Model Kit) RC 61035 por Julio Cortázar leído por María Pino 2 cassettes Derivado del capítulo 62 de la novela surreal Rayuela (RC 20742), este libro presenta un desarraigo continuo de las vidas de un grupo de personajes urbanos. Y al lector le corresponde la tarea de unir pieza tras pieza de la acción hasta conjuntar su proprio modelo para la vida urbana. (Derived from chapter sixty-two of the author's surreal novel Rayuela (RC 20742), this spin-off novel presents disjointed scenes from the lives of various urban characters, charging the reader with piecing to-gether the action into a model for urban living.) 1968. RC 61035 ## ### Talking Book Magazines Cassette For a free subscription to these magazines, contact your cooperating library. American Heritage (8 issues) Analog Science Fiction and Fact (11 issues) Asimov's Science Fiction (11 issues) The Atlantic Monthly (11 issues; combined issue July-August) Das Beste aus Reader's Digest (German; 12 issues) Bon Appétit (monthly) Buenhogar (Spanish; monthly) Choice Magazine Listening (on loan from cooperating libraries, bimonthly) Consumer Reports (monthly) Contemporary Sound Track: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country (bimonthly) Cricket (for children, on one cassette with National Geographic Kids, monthly) Diabetes Forecast (monthly) Discover (monthly) Ebony (monthly) Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (11 issues) Foreign Affairs (6 issues) Good Housekeeping (monthly plus special issues) Health and Nutrition Newsletters (includes Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing, The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter--Health after Fifty, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, and Nutrition Action Healthletter, monthly) Horticulture (6 issues) Journal Français (French; monthly) Magazine of the Month (monthly) Money (monthly plus special issues) The Musical Mainstream (quarterly) The Nation (47 issues) National Geographic (monthly) National Geographic Kids (for children and teens, on one cassette with Cricket, monthly) National Review (25 issues) The New York Times Book Review (weekly) Odyssey (9 issues September–May) Outdoor Life (10 issues; combined issues June-July, December-January) People Weekly (weekly plus special issues) QST (monthly) Quarterly Music Magazine (quarterly) Selecciones del Reader's Digest (Spanish; monthly) Sélections du Reader's Digest (French; monthly) Smart Computing (monthly) Sound & Vision (10 issues) Spider: The Magazine for Children (monthly) Sports Illustrated (weekly plus special issues) Sports Illustrated for Kids (monthly) Talking Book Topics (bimonthly, also contains selections from NLS News irregularly) Travel & Leisure (monthly) True West (monthly) U.S. News and World Report (weekly) The Writer (12 issues) Young Adult Magazine of the Month (monthly) ###