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NLS: Talking Book Topics

September and October 2007

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, May 2007, volume 3, issue 5

Library of Congress finalizes digital system design and prepares for production

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, has recently completed two reviews: one for engineering design and the other for critical design. Both are essential steps toward finalizing the digital talking-book system’s technical specifications. During these important development phases, NLS examined technical specifications for the digital player, book, and mailing containers to ensure they operate properly and meet all required specifications. The system passed inspection and NLS has advanced to the manufacturing stage.

"We’re pleased to have completed the engineering and critical design reviews," said Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "These assessments confirm that our designs for the key components of the digital system are functional and can be built with confidence. With these milestones behind us, we will move forward to produce and test preproduction prototypes."

Engineering the perfect design

The engineering design review, conducted in early April, followed patron testing of functional prototypes and subsequent refinements to the digital player. Michael Katzmann, chief of the Materials Development Division, led the review and was joined by a team that included NLS engineer Peter Woo, contractor Don Pieper, and representatives from both Battelle and HumanWare.

During the engineering design review, all technical and mechanical specifications of the player, cartridge, and containers were examined to ensure that each function performed optimally. The team checked and finalized a range of elements, including the player’s battery and electromagnetic compatibility. NLS tested the battery to confirm that the device would retain power even if electricity falls below normal levels. NLS was also interested in how long the battery stored power and whether the battery would recharge itself properly under low power. Engineers were pleased with the battery’s performance and approved its specifications.

The Federal Communication Commission’s standards for electromagnetic compatibility are among the many specifications the digital player must meet. Specifically, the machine’s emissions and functionality cannot be disrupted by outside electrical interference, such as AM or FM radio emissions. The player’s electrostatic discharge is another important issue. The machine must resist sparks and outside static charges and be able to reset itself should it encounter static. NLS engaged an independent lab to test the player’s electromagnetic compatibility. The tests revealed that the machine does meet FCC standards.

Critical design review

With the engineering design issues settled, NLS moved on to the next stage of the preproduction process, critical design review. Conducted in late April, the review provided an opportunity for all parties involved in design and development of the digital system to conduct a full audit of every aspect of the machine and cartridge design.

"The critical design review is essentially a top-to-bottom review of the design so far to ensure it meets NLS expectations and standards. It really helps us hone the design and resolve any software and mechanical problems that could potentially disrupt manufacturing," noted Katzmann.

The critical design review confirmed that all designs are operational and ready for production. NLS can now provide manufacturers with a technical data package that will guide them in building the player.

Moving forward

NLS will soon open a bidding process to identify a contractor to manufacture digital players. Once a contractor is identified, Battelle will transfer all design plans as well as provide 250 preproduction prototypes for distribution to selected individuals and agencies for additional testing. Following this testing, the manufacturer will produce 5,000 machines for field testing.

Flash, June 2007, volume 3, issue 6

Digital talking-book transition provides opportunity to reassess collection building for Library of Congress patrons

As the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, progresses towards the transition to digital talking books, the Collection Development Section is taking the opportunity to reassess the collections and revisit the principles that have guided book acquisition for the past seventy-five years. Although the collection development policy may be revised, the standard of service will remain constant, with NLS dedicated to providing the best possible resources for its patrons.

Each year, the NLS Collection Development Advisory Group, convenes to assess the state of the collections and to consider opportunities for improvement. At the conclusion of the May 23–25, 2007 meeting, the group presented NLS with recommendations to strengthen its collections and also commended the organization for its ongoing commitment to enhancing its patrons’ reading experience.

"As we proceed with the digital transition, the Collection Development Section will continue to host this annual meeting to ensure that our collections remain current and relevant to our patrons. It's a great forum for discussing ways to improve, expand, and diversify our offerings," says NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke.

NLS has always responded to patrons’ comments and suggestions, and the Collection Development Advisory Group was instituted in 1977 to provide a formal annual method for obtaining advice from around the country. The group consists of four network librarians, four readers-at-large, a children and young adults librarian, and a representative from each of three consumer organizations—the American Council of the Blind, the Blinded Veterans Association, and the National Federation of the Blind. The advisory group advocates for the preferences and concerns of patrons.

The three-day meeting began with an introductory orientation to educate the group about current issues in book selection and production and to provide a general overview of NLS operations. Following a day and a half of discussions of patron concerns, the committee members presented their findings to the NLS director and staff in an open forum.

A job well done

The committee commended NLS for several aspects of its service, including its ongoing progress with the digital initiative and its effectiveness in communicating information about this project to its constituents. Members further commended NLS staff for preserving classic titles—both fiction and nonfiction—as they move through the digitization process. The group was impressed by the program’s ongoing commitment to providing adult reading materials, books for juvenile reading programs, and continuing to complete series in genre fiction.

Moving forward

The committee commended NLS for several aspects of its service, including its ongoing progress with the digital initiative and its effectiveness in communicating information about this project to its constituents. Members further commended NLS staff for preserving classic titles—both fiction and nonfiction—as they move through the digitization process. The group was impressed by the program’s ongoing commitment to providing adult reading materials, books for juvenile reading programs, and continuing to complete series in genre fiction.

Collection recommendations

Spanish-speaking readers are an important audience to the program, and NLS plans to produce more books to reach this growing constituency. The committee recommended that NLS continue to produce Spanish-language books, but with a changed emphasis from literary fiction to nonfiction works about self-help, personal investment, citizenship, and family activities. NLS strongly agrees with this recommendation and plans to broaden the Spanish-language collection.

The committee recommended that NLS develop an ongoing survey in print, audio, and braille formats to assess readers’ current needs and preferences. NLS concedes that more information will be needed, particularly in light of the digital audiobook market. NLS staff want to know how the proliferation of audio materials from both commercial and public-sector sources may affect patrons’ reading decisions, and in what ways, if any, the expanding options should impact NLS collection-building policies.

The committee also suggested that NLS increase the use of tactile graphics in braille books, especially in children’s titles. Thanks to the technological advances in braille production methods, NLS will be able to include more tactile graphics—such as maps, depictions of animals, stars, and planets, and other objects that lend themselves to tactile representation—in braille books.

In response to the committee’s recommendation to expand the diversity of the collection by using alternative bestseller lists as part of the title-selection process, NLS plans to consult lists from more diverse publications, such as Essence magazine, in order to offer titles that are consistent with the backgrounds of its patrons.

Children’s books also offer an opportunity for extending the program’s reach. The committee recommended that the NLS Kids Zone web page inform users about the availability of children’s bibliographies from cooperating regional libraries. Additionally, the committee recommended that the NLS children’s librarian develop additional bibliographies for Kids Zone. NLS considers bibliographies to be useful to young readers and is currently moving forward with plans to broaden the Kids Zone.

"The 2007 Collection Development Advisory Group meeting was a model of civility, good judgment, and constructive criticism that was greatly appreciated," says Edmund O’Reilly, acting head of the Collection Development Section. "The group’s suggestions will be carefully considered and will guide us in our efforts to reexamine our collection-building precepts. The participants identified a number of interesting possibilities for the future, and we’ve already begun implementing some of their recommendations."

In preparation for the digital launch, NLS has selected 20,000 retrospective titles to be produced for four years. Many of the titles will be available when NLS initiates the service in 2008.

Members of the 2007 Collection Development Advisory Group

Consumer organization representatives
Readers-at-large
Librarians

Digital Talking Book (DB) Milestones

Completed
Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

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: www.loc.gov/nls/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.

Dealing with Vision Loss book available

Dealing with Vision Loss, a book by Fred Olver for people coping with diminished sight, offers information on how to manage life issues such as transportation, finances, independence, and entertainment. The book is available for purchase in large print, audiocassette, and digital download. For more information visit www.dealingwithvisionloss.com or e-mail the author at goodfolks@charter.net. To purchase a book by phone call 1-888-280-7715.

Access the Internet via telephone

Customers of the company InternetSpeech use the patented netEcho technology to access Internet web sites and e-mail by phone. Users are able to browse web sites, send e-mail, search specific words, and buy items on the Internet. InternetSpeech offers several monthly service plans that range in price from $14 to $74 per month, after an initial set-up fee of $20 to $26. For more information call 877-312-4638 or 408-532-8460 or visit www.internetspeech.com.

Descriptive-video movies for sale

AudioVision sells movies described for listening by vision-restricted individuals. Titles are available in DVD, VHS, or audio-only CD formats. More than five hundred titles are available for purchase. Content ranges from comedies and thrillers from the 1930s and 1940s to recent art house and suspense releases. DVDs are sold for $29.95, VHS tapes for $24.95, and CDs for $14.95. Libraries that sign a minimum purchase agreement with AudioVision receive a 20 percent discount on retail prices. To purchase movies, visit www.audiovisioncanada.com or call 1-866-297-7623.

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Books for Adults

Cassettes Nonfiction

A Life of Privilege, Mostly    RC 59690
by Gardner Botsford
read by Gary Roan
2 cassettes
Former editor of the New Yorker recounts a privileged youth graced with house servants and glittering society that included Harpo Marx, Alexander Woollcott, and Averell Harriman. Recalls his fearful World War II service, the glory days of New York publishing and its luminaries, and a tragic domestic life. 2003.

Cary Grant: A Biography    RC 60049
by Marc Eliot
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
Highlights the thirty-four-year film career of one of Hollywood’s mid-twentieth-century leading male actors. Traces Grant’s (1904–1986) family life and sexual ambivalence, evaluates his career including a monumental break with the studio system, and describes lengthy psychotherapy that included LSD treatments. Some strong language. 2004.

The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language    RC 60358
by Melvyn Bragg
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Award-winning author and host of a British television program traces the development of English, from a guttural fifth-century Germanic dialect to the language spoken all over the modern world. Describes how English borrowed from Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, and other languages. 2003.

Chocolate: A Bittersweet Saga of Dark and Light    RC 60895
by Mort Rosenblum
read by Kimberly Schraf
3 cassettes
Food writer exploring the world of chocolate production travels the globe to interview growers, manufacturers, and consumers. Discusses the history, legends, and professional expertise required to process this "elixir of the gods." Covers the origins of cacao beans and the modern $60-billion industry. 2005.

The Old Ball Game: How John McGraw, Christy Mathewson, and the New York Giants Created Modern Baseball    RC 60949
by Frank Deford
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
NPR commentator and Sports Illustrated writer portrays two legendary personalities from baseball’s infancy and details their role in making the sport America’s favorite pastime. Chronicles pitcher Mathewson’s and manager McGraw’s success in taking the New York Giants from last place to 1905 World Series victors in just three years. 2005.

The Buddha in Your Mirror: Practical Buddhism and the Search for Self    RC 61168
by Woody Hochswender,
read by Don Hagen
1 cassette
Introduction to this East Asian religion by followers of Nichiren Buddhism. Contends that everyone can become a Buddha, or enlightened one, by understanding life’s profound truths. Explains basic Buddhist principles and describes ways, including chanting, to access one’s "Buddha nature" and apply it to overcome obstacles and attain happiness. 2001.

A History of the World in Six Glasses    RC 61242
by Tom Standage
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
Author of The Victorian Internet (RC 47958) explores the historical impact of six beverages. Documents the role of beer in Mesopotamia and Egypt, wine in Greece and Rome, spirits in colonial times, coffee in the Age of Reason, tea in Britain, and Coca-Cola in America. 2005.

Phenomenon: Everything You Need to Know about the Paranormal    RC 61243
by Sylvia Browne
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
Psychic and bestselling author offers an A-to-Z compendium of words commonly used in the world of the paranormal. Provides examples and explanations for everything from affirmations, alchemy, amulets, angels, and astral travel to Zarathushtra and zombies. Bestseller. 2005.

A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveler    RC 61339
by Frances Mayes
read by Cassandra Campbell
3 cassettes
Author of Under the Tuscan Sun (RC 44847) and her husband explore Spain, Portugal, southern Italy, Sicily, Morocco, Greece, Crete, Scotland, Turkey, and places in between. Discusses each country’s cultural, historical, and literary highlights and savors the local cuisine. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan     RC 61405
by Hugh Thomas
read by Robert Blumenfeld
5 cassettes
The author of Slave Trade (RC 46140) chronicles the conquest of the Caribbean islands and Mexico in the first two generations after Columbus. Portrays the culture of sixteenth-century Spain and the lives of adventurers, conquistadors, kings, governors, missionaries, and others. 2003.

Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped    RC 61430
by Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
read by Don Hagen
1 cassette
Describes service standards that apply to Library of Congress network libraries for blind and physically handicapped individuals. Offers guidelines for direct patron contact, lending, outreach, and production of web sites and reading materials. Also addresses consultants, volunteers, administration, budgeting, policies and procedures, reports, and research and development. 2005.

Night Draws Near: Iraq’s People in the Shadow of America’s War     RC 61450
by Anthony Shadid
read by Don Feldheim
4 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning Arab American journalist reports on the experiences of ordinary Iraqis in Baghdad through interviews conducted between 1998 and 2004. Describes the effects on the citizenry of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, the fall of Saddam Hussein, and American occupation. Violence and strong language. 2005.

Knightfall: Knight Ridder and How the Erosion of Newspaper Journalism Is Putting Democracy at Risk    RC 61483
by Davis Merritt
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Retired reporter examines the trend of media outlets to dismiss public service obligations in favor of entertaining the public and profit. Analyzes the 1974 merger of Knight Newspapers and Ridder Publications, Inc., as an example of journalistic decline and discusses consequent broader societal implications. 2005.

Godtalk: Travels in Spiritual America    RC 61623
by Brad Gooch
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
An English professor explores different forms of worship and spirituality in America. His experiences include meeting with Trappists in Kentucky, devoted readers of the Urantia Book in Chicago, Christian gays in Dallas, Muslims in New York City, and Hindu Deepak Chopra in California. Describes the appeal of spirituality in a "post-denominational" age. 2002.

Poet of the Appetites: The Lives and Loves of M.F.K. Fisher    RC 61668
by Joan Reardon
read by Faith Potts
4 cassettes
This biography of the popular food writer and bon vivant M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992) reveals that she often embellished the truth for stylistic effect. While probing the contradictions between Fisher’s public and private lives, Reardon discusses the prolific author’s marriages, lovers, child-rearing practices, and pleasure in writing about meals. 2004.

In Other Words: A Language Lover’s Guide to the Most Intriguing Words around the World    RC 61717
by Christopher J. Moore
read by Dennis Rooney
1 cassette
Linguist looks at "untranslatable" words from numerous languages around the globe. Moore examines European, Nordic, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, ancient and classical, indigenous, and Creole and pidgin languages and explains what each selected word means and how it is used. 2004.

The Beliefnet Guide to Evangelical Christianity    RC 61718
by Wendy Murray Zoba
read by Peter Ganim
1 cassette
Guide to the beliefs and practices of evangelicals. Author describes adherents as those who have had a "born-again" experience, have a "personal" relationship with Jesus, believe the Bible is historically reliable, and feel obliged to share their faith with others. Includes introduction by evangelical Philip Yancey. 2005.

Queenan Country: A Reluctant Anglophile’s Pilgrimage to the Mother Country     RC 61724
by Joe Queenan
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
New York Times columnist and author of Balsamic Dreams (RC 53282) recounts his 2002 solo journey to his wife’s native England. Queenan contends his account is "not a travel book" but rather "an affectionate jeremiad" of the land and its people, who he admits have "always baffled" him. 2004.

The Biggest Loser: The Weight-Loss Program to Transform Your Body, Health, and Life—Adapted from NBC’s Hit Show!    RC 61738
by Maggie Greenwood-Robinson
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Outlines the lifestyle modification program that was adopted for the Biggest Loser television series. Trainers and show contestants offer tips for losing weight through diet and exercise changes. Includes recipes, meal plans, exercise instructions, and motivational strategies, including organizing your own Biggest Loser weight-loss competition. Bestseller. 2005.

Rebel-in-Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush    RC 61743
by Fred Barnes
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
Fox television news analyst interviewed President George W. Bush and his top officials to report on the ways the Bush administration is using radical conservatism to effect change in the United States. Covers foreign policy and faith-based initiatives. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

The 8:55 to Baghdad    RC 61748
by Andrew Eames
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
British journalist recounts his travels by train in 2002 from London to Baghdad, which replicated Agatha Christie’s journey in 1928. Eames interweaves the account of his own adventures in the tumultuous Middle East with Christie’s life story, providing background on the culture and history of the places en route. 2004.

Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War    RC 61749
by Evan Wright
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
A journalist embedded with a marine reconnaissance platoon during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 explains how this generation of soldiers differs from its predecessors. Describes cases of collateral damage and the deaths of comrades as American troops entered Baghdad. Violence and strong language. 2004.

This Common Ground: Seasons on an Organic Farm    RC 61755
by Scott Chaskey
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Poet and educator describes one year at a community-supported agriculture project on New York’s Long Island. Season by season, Chaskey describes the daily toils of planting, cultivating, and harvesting while reflecting on land stewardship, challenges facing small farms, and the connection between earth and the human family. 2005.

Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed    RC 61757
by Jonathan Aitken
read by Don Feldheim
4 cassettes
Former British member of Parliament uses archives and personal papers to chronicle the life of American politician-turned-evangelist Charles Colson. Traces Colson’s childhood, involvement as President Nixon’s counsel during the Watergate scandal, imprisonment, born-again conversion, and decades-long prison ministry. Highlights Colson’s work helping others to help themselves. Some strong language. 2005.

Maude (1883–1993): She Grew Up with the Country    RC 61761
by Mardo Williams
read by Lindsay Ellison
3 cassettes
A son’s recollection of his mother Maude (1883–1993) chronicles the times and events of her 110-year lifetime. Maude went from using oil lamps to microwave ovens, from riding in horse-drawn buggies to driving an automobile. She also lived through two World Wars. 1996.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything across Italy, India, and Indonesia    RC 61789
by Elizabeth Gilbert
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
Successful young author, recently divorced, seeks distraction and solace during a year of travel. She describes finding culinary pleasure in civilized Italy, ascetic meditation on an ashram in India, and a love affair in Bali. 2005.

Democracy in America    RC 61828
by Alexis de Tocqueville
read by Ted Stoddard
7 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)
Classic treatise by a French aristocrat comprehensively examines the underpinnings of American democratic institutions—including the rights and powers provided by the Constitution, forms of governments, and concepts of freedom and equality. Also analyzes the influence of democratic values on intellectual movements, customs, and political society. 2000 translation by Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop. 1835.

Chopper: Firsthand Accounts of Helicopter Warfare, World War II to Iraq    RC 61833
by Robert F. Dorr
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Aviation expert uses narratives by pilots and crews to depict the history of U.S. helicopters in warfare from World War II to the war on terrorism. Discusses the machines’ critical role in the Vietnam conflict. Illustrates their technical evolution from Sikorskys in Burma to Super Cobras in Iraq. 2005.

Tom Paine and Revolutionary America    RC 61835
by Eric Foner
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Biography of eighteenth-century writer describes the political, intellectual, and social world he inhabited. Traces Paine’s career during the American and French revolutions and his imprisonment by the Jacobins. Highlights major works including Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason. Includes Foner’s 2005 preface. 1976.

Stepin Fetchit: The Life and Times of Lincoln Perry    RC 61843
by Mel Watkins
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Biography of Lincoln Perry (1902–1985), Hollywood’s first successful black movie star. Traces his career from minstrel shows to comic roles in talking pictures that made him a millionaire. Describes post-World War II disapproval of Perry’s characterizations of African Americans that ended his popularity. Strong language. 2005.

The Age of Anxiety: McCarthyism to Terrorism    RC 61844
by Haynes Johnson
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of The Best of Times: America in the Clinton Years (RC 53438) chronicles the rise and fall of Senator Joseph McCarthy, whose 1950s anticommunist crusades fueled public paranoia and led to government restrictions. Compares McCarthyism to George W. Bush’s war on terrorism. 2005.

Home Buying for Dummies    RC 61874
by Eric Tyson and Ray Brown
read by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
Real estate and personal finance experts’ updated guide to purchasing a condominium or single-family home. Provides in-depth but straightforward information on determining a price range, understanding credit scores, assessing home values, inspecting a property, selecting a mortgage, working with agents, brokers, lenders, and lawyers, and negotiating a deal. 2006.

On Michael Jackson    RC 61902
by Margo Jefferson
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
Pulitzer Prize-winning critic for the New York Times pens an essay analyzing the complexity of pop musician Michael Jackson. Traces Jackson’s curious transformations over time from child prodigy to accused criminal and studies the people and events that influenced him. Strong language. 2006.

Driven from Within    RC 61922
by Michael Jordan
read by Mark Delgado
1 cassette
Michael Jordan explains through snapshots, vignettes, stories, and shoe designs the motivations that helped him become a famous basketball player and entrepreneur. Discusses his childhood, athletic career, and business philosophy. 2005.

Oak: The Frame of Civilization    RC 61943
by William Bryant Logan
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Certified arborist evaluates the role of the oak tree in human life and progress. Logan describes the oak’s value in providing acorns for food, galls to make ink, and wood for building houses, ships, coffins, and wine barrels. Explains how the tree contributed to the prosperity of humankind. 2005.

Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles    RC 61957
by Raymond Arroyo
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Biography of Mother Angelica (born in 1923), a cloistered nun, television host, and creator of the world’s largest religious broadcasting organization, Eternal Word Television Network. Describes her impoverished Ohio upbringing, experiences guiding her faith, and the fiery entrepreneurial spirit that helped her overcome corporate and ecclesiastic challenges to success. 2005.

At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965–68    RC 61997
by Taylor Branch
read by Ralph Lowenstein
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Pulitzer Prize-winning author continues his chronicle of the civil rights movement in America. Covers events beginning with the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, through Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968. Follows Pillar of Fire (RC 45816) and Parting the Waters (RC 29759). Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

Beyond Band of Brothers    RC 61999
by Dick Winters
read by Jonathan Davis
3 cassettes
Memoirs of the leader and men of Easy Company, profiled in Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers (RC 40283) book and HBO series. The major describes the WWII battles fought to liberate Europe and the spirit of camaraderie and friendship within his infantry regiment. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

The Book of Imaginary Beings    RC 62013
by Jorge Luis Borges
read by Robert Blumenfeld
1 cassette
A compendium of descriptions for 116 fantastical creatures that cites their origins from world mythology and literature. Describes the familiar elves, gnomes, and unicorns and the lesser-known Lamia, T’ao-T’ieh, and Ouroboros. A 2005 translation of Borges’s Spanish version. 1967.

Jim Cramer’s Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World    RC 62042
by James J. Cramer
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Market pundit and radio talk show host shares trading and investment secrets that he claims "brokers don’t want you to know." Explains how to analyze the market and create a diversified portfolio that allows for some high-risk speculation. Encourages selling and urges investors to research stocks and companies. Bestseller. 2005.

Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds    RC 62048
by Scott Weidensaul
read by Dan Bloom
4 cassettes
Describes the drama of bird migration in the western hemisphere—the problems and the future outlook. Also discusses researchers, amateur birders, land managers, and others who study the birds’ travel patterns and work to protect their sanctuaries. Covers southward journeys from Alaska, wintering grounds, nesting season, and northward flights. 1999.

Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster    RC 62065
by Michael Eric Dyson
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Humanities professor analyzes the effects of hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005. Contends that delays of aid to impoverished African Americans exposes a race- and class-based culture. Alleges FEMA ineptitude. Questions the federal government’s role in relief failures and in perpetuating social inequities. Strong language. 2006.

The New Basic Black: Home Training for Modern Times    RC 62084
by Karen Grigsby Bates and Karen Elyse Hudson
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Etiquette book written for African Americans offers advice on proper and polite behavior in family, school, work, and community settings. Provides guidelines on how to plan social events, take pride in one’s heritage, and cope with racial incidents. 2006.

How to Say It When You Don’t Know What to Say: The Right Words for Difficult Times    RC 62123
by Robbie Miller Kaplan
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Verbal, nonverbal, and written communication strategies to help comfort others. Provides a variety of sample scenarios surrounding divorce, mental illness, legal problems, violent crimes, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, disabilities, illness, and death. Offers tips on what to wear and do and what emotions to anticipate. Includes resources. 2004.

Theresa Youssef’s Vegetable Gardening for Beginners    RC 62130
by Theresa Youssef and Wasfi Youssef
read by Yolande Bavan
2 cassettes
Basic gardening guide covers soil preparation, crop selection, organic and container methods, and pest control. Provides instructions for growing eighteen vegetables and four herbs—onions, lettuce, spinach, peas, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli, beets, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, squash, corn, beans, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, parsley, mint, basil, and catnip—grouped according to hardiness. 2000.

September in the Rain: The Life of Nelson Riddle    RC 62135
by Peter J. Levinson
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
Biography of composer/arranger who began his career with the dance bands of the 1940s, including a stint with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra. Describes Riddle’s personal and professional life, his success in rekindling fellow New Jerseyite Frank Sinatra’s career, and his work with Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. 2005.

A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906    RC 62162
by Simon Winchester
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Geologist and author of Krakatoa (RC 55879) recounts the April 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires that devastated the San Francisco area. Chronicles the natural disaster in historical, political, and social context, detailing Earth’s geologic background and the science of tectonic plate theory. 2005.

Believing God    RC 62187
by Beth Moore
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Bible teacher urges Christians to examine their belief systems and develop an active faith as a lifestyle. Provides examples from scripture and her own life to show how faith in God can help close the gap between theology and reality and allow one to fulfill a successful Christian life. 2004.

The Life of Herbert Hoover: Master of Emergencies, 1917–1918    RC 62191
by George H. Nash
read by Robert Sams
6 cassettes
Following The Life of Herbert Hoover: The Humanitarian (RC 29631), this third volume in an ongoing biography of the thirty-first president concentrates on Hoover’s role as U.S. food administrator during World War I, when government regulation prevented widespread starvation at home and abroad. 1996.

First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat into a Cultural Phenomenon    RC 62211
by Darren Rovell
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Sports business reporter chronicles the development of the athletic drink Gatorade, as a product and a company, from the 1960s when the beverage was invented for the University of Florida Gators. Examines marketing strategies and sponsorship deals behind Gatorade’s success and relates its iconic status in popular culture. 2006.

First In: An Insider’s Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan    RC 62212
by Gary C. Schroen
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
First-person account from experienced CIA operative who, after the 2001 terrorists attacks, led a team to join Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance against the Taliban. Provides background on both U.S. and Soviet Union involvement there. Describes tribal councils, a classic cavalry charge, and the after-math of war. 2005.

Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II    RC 62215
by Lou Potter
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Traces African Americans’ role in the military, focusing on the black 761st Tank Battalion that spearheaded Patton’s Third Army into Europe in 1944. First-hand accounts describe intense fighting in six nations and the liberation of two concentration camps. Violence and strong language. 1992.

Growing Up in Slavery: Stories of Young Slaves as Told by Themselves    RC 62230
edited by Yuval Taylor
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Personal accounts of ten former slaves, including Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs, recalling their childhood and teen years. Descriptions of cruelty, misery, and fear mingle with their memories of learning to read, playing games, and falling in love. Violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2005.

Breaking the Color Barrier: The U.S. Naval Academy’s First Black Midshipmen and the Struggle for Racial Equality    RC 62231
by Robert J. Schneller Jr.
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Naval historian examines racial discrimination at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis from the post-Civil War Reconstruction era to the graduation of the first African American in 1949. Discusses the political and social climate during this period and the treatment of black midshipmen at the academy. 2005.

A River and Its City: The Nature of Landscape in New Orleans    RC 62235
by Ari Kelman
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Professor explains the environmental history of New Orleans covering fires, floods, hurricanes, and epidemics. Describes the city’s value as a port, its social tragedies, and the power of geography. Discusses the struggle to control the Mississippi River through levees and channeling. Includes a post-Hurricane Katrina preface that advocates rebuilding. 2006.

Ariel: The Restored Edition    RC 62239
by Sylvia Plath
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
Sylvia Plath’s last manuscript before committing suicide in 1963 is restored to her preferred selection and arrangement of poems by her daughter Frieda Hughes. Hughes’s foreword discusses the confessional voice in this poetry and her parents’ complex marriage. 2004.

Jesus Land: A Memoir    RC 62245
by Julia Scheeres
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Blonde-haired Julia fondly recalls David, her adoptive black brother, and recounts their experiences surviving family violence and a stay at a Christian reform school in the Dominican Republic. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. Alex Award. 2005.

PCs: The Missing Manual    RC 62256
by Andy Rathbone
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
Author of Windows XP for Dummies (RC 57340) offers a guide to basic functions of an IBM-compatible personal computer operating on Microsoft Windows. Covers installing printers and scanners, using digital cameras and music players, burning CDs, upgrading hard drives, getting online, preventing theft, troubleshooting, and more. 2006.

Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life    RC 62268
by Bill Richardson
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Autobiography of a Democratic politician from New Mexico who has served as a congressional representative, ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy, and governor of his state. Describes his childhood in Mexico City, U.S. government service, negotiations with warring nations, and vision for America. 2005.

How We Compete: What Companies around the World Are Doing to Make It in Today’s Global Economy    RC 62272
by Suzanne Berger
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
Analysis of international business strategies based on a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study of five hundred companies in North America, Asia, and Europe. Surveys organizational, operational, and manufacturing processes of businesses from various industries—textiles, automobiles, technology, and others. Concludes that cheap labor and outsourcing may not ensure success. 2005.

Love and Hate in Jamestown: John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Heart of a New Nation    RC 62286
by David A. Price
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
An account of the first American settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Using letters, chronicles, and papers of the Virginia Company, presents John Smith’s and Pocahontas’s pivotal roles in America’s birth and describes the colonists’ struggle to survive amid starvation, infighting, harsh climate, and hostile Indians. 2003.

Life Is Not a Fairy Tale    RC 62297
by Fantasia
read by Melissa Maxwell
2 cassettes
Autobiography of the winner of the 2004 American Idol television singing competition. Fantasia describes her hardscrabble life as an African American single mother in North Carolina. Highlights the contest that led to her career and attributes her success to God and her musical family. 2005.

What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens: Discovering Yourself, Defining Your Future    RC 62321
by Richard Nelson Bolles and Carol Christen
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Career guide helps adolescents assess personal abilities, interests, and long-term goals and land their dream job. Offers tips on employment searches and interviews. Examines the option of continuing education after high school or not. Includes resources and profiles of successful young adults. For senior high and older readers. 2006.

Surviving the Roller Coaster: A Teen’s Guide to Coping with Moods    RC 62375
by Jean Ford
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Addresses the physical and emotional aspects of mood swings in adolescence. Analyzes common feelings such as fear, jealousy, anger, and sadness and gives advice on controlling them and seeking help. For senior high readers. 2005.

A Gift of Love: Reflections for the Tender Heart    RC 62394
by Charles Stanley
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Collection of brief devotional passages, prayers, and scripture verses by pastor and author of The Source of My Strength (RC 39969). Encourages readers to embrace God’s unconditional love and accept Jesus as savior to find salvation in life and cope with everyday challenges. 2001.

The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sports: A Hip Handbook for Women Who Don’t Know a Slam Dunk from a Grand Slam    RC 62410
by Liz Hartman Musiker
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
An orientation to the sports of basketball, football, baseball, hockey, golf, boxing, and auto racing. Summarizes the rules, leading athletes, and vocabulary so women can discuss sports with men and understand spectator events. For senior high and older readers. 2005.

The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt    RC 62417
by William Nothdurft
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Relates the 2000 Egyptian expedition by American scientists on the trail of long-forgotten, early-twentieth-century German explorer Ernst Freiherr Stromer von Reichenbach. Uses Stromer’s monographs to reconstruct his findings and tragic outcome. Describes the team’s furthering of Stromer’s research with the discovery of a monumental dinosaur specimen. 2002.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World    RC 62418
by Jack Weatherford
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Permitted to access restricted Mongol writings and Genghis Khan’s homeland and burial site, anthropologist Weatherford reassesses the thirteenth-century conqueror’s impact on world civilization. Analyzes his personality, rise to power, military campaigns, and descendants and claims that the Mongol empire’s legacy of law, innovations, and free trade sparked European enlightenment. 2004.

The Real Revolution: The Global Story of American Independence    RC 62424
by Marc Aronson
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Examines global events that led to the American Revolution, including the Seven Years’ War and the rise and demise of the East India Company. Cites slavery, tea, taxes, and liberty as contributing factors in the mindset transition of British colonists to independent Americans. For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

Holding Back the Sea: The Struggle on the Gulf Coast to Save America    RC 62427
by Christopher Hallowell
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Professor examines the plight of coastal Louisiana wetlands. Attributes their decline to sea-level rise, erosion, dredging, and the levee system and discusses how special-interest groups have hampered preservation efforts. The account, first published in 2001, predicts the inevitability and consequences of hurricanes and includes a post-Hurricane Katrina introduction. 2005.

A G-Man’s Life: The FBI, Being "Deep Throat," and the Struggle for Honor in Washington    RC 62429
by Mark Felt and John O’Connor
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
The author, the FBI’s second in command after the death of J. Edgar Hoover, draws from his memoirs, correspondence, and memos to reconstruct his long career with the agency. With the help of his lawyer John O’Connor, Felt describes his work, role in the Watergate affair, and personal tragedies. 2006.

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero    RC 62447
by David Maraniss
read by Jonathan Davis
3 cassettes
Biography of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ right fielder Roberto Clemente (1934–1972), one of the major leagues’ first Latino players. Details Clemente’s upbringing in Puerto Rico, his arrival to the majors, and the prejudice he endured. Discusses his charitable works and his death on a disaster relief flight. Strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

Giada’s Family Dinners    RC 62449
by Giada De Laurentiis
read by Barbara Caruso
1 cassette
Host of television’s Everyday Italian presents a collection of down-home dinner recipes that can be prepared for many or just a few. She includes soups and sandwiches; salads and sides; meals to grill; and family-style entrées, pasta, and desserts. Offers suggested menus for various family events. 2006.

Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America    RC 62462
by José Andrés
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Award-winning Spanish chef shares dozens of recipes for a traditional cuisine characterized by small portions that can serve as either appetizers or entrees. Dishes are organized by ingredients, such as olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, rice, cheese, eggs, seafood, chicken, and pork. Includes wine tips, serving suggestions, and modern variations. 2005.

What Motivates Suicide Bombers?    RC 62466
edited by Lauri S. Friedman
read by Ken Kliban
1 cassette
Twelve essays by people with diverse political views analyze the thinking of terrorists who commit suicide to attack their enemies. Examines the role of the Islamic religion, politics, nationalism, anti-Semitism, and other social causes. Discusses how children and women are recruited for war. For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

Smoking 101: An Overview for Teens    RC 62470
by Margaret O. Hyde and John F. Setaro
read by Judith Ann Gantly
1 cassette
A science writer and a doctor explain the nature of the tobacco industry and its impact on society. Authors discuss the physiology and the health consequences of smoking, the addictive qualities of nicotine, and ways to quit. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2006.

I’m Too Young to Be Seventy and Other Delusions    RC 62480
by Judith Viorst
read by Barbara Caruso
1 cassette
Judith Viorst writes poems about the joys and dilemmas of being seventy years old but forever young at heart. Sequel to Suddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later Life (RC 62118). 2005.

Look Great, Feel Great: Twelve Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now    RC 62579
by Joyce Meyer
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Radio and television host and full-time minister offers her guide to attaining spiritual and physical health to boost self-esteem and better carry out God’s work. Describes twelve aspects she deems as crucial to well-being, including eating right, exercising, drinking plenty of water, reducing stress, and trusting in God. Bestseller. 2006.

Lies at the Altar: The Truth about Great Marriages    RC 62637
by Robin L. Smith
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Psychologist uses examples from her practice to illustrate that truthfulness is the primary ingredient in a successful marriage. Proposes that couples uncover what each person wants and determine not to settle for something else. Includes topics to discuss before saying "I do" and ideas for wedding vows. Bestseller. 2006.

A Piece of Cake: A Memoir    RC 62657
by Cupcake Brown
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
African American attorney chronicles her abusive childhood and years of prostitution and drug use. Describes how she turned her life around through faith in God and the support of her friends and family. Discusses the process of recovery. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2006.

Family Man: The Biography of Dr. James Dobson    RC 62675
by Dale Buss
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Authorized biography of Christian evangelical leader, who is a child psychologist and the founder of the Focus on the Family ministry. Traces the counseling work that compelled Dobson to write Dare to Discipline (RC 23722) in 1970, create a radio talk show, and lead the Christian right wing. 2005.

Crime Beat: A Decade of Covering Cops and Killers    RC 62770
by Michael Connelly
read by Len Cariou
2 cassettes
Collection of articles drawn from the author’s early experience as a crime reporter in the 1980s and 1990s. The accounts, most of which were published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Los Angeles Times, portray both the police officers and the criminals who would later inspire Connelly’s novels. Commercial audiobook. 2004.

The Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy: The Untold Story of How Democratic Operatives, Eccentric Billionaires, Liberal Activists, and Assorted Celebrities Tried to Bring Down a President—and Why They’ll Try Even Harder Next Time     RC 62831
by Byron York
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Journalist argues that Republican-dominated politics and George W. Bush’s foreign policy galvanized the liberal movement. Discusses organizations, financial tactics, and activists like director Michael Moore, comedian Al Franken, and billionaire George Soros. York details the Democrats’ multimedia fundraising and voter outreach campaigns, predicting that they will strengthen before 2008. 2005.

Thunderstruck    RC 63094
by Erik Larson
read by Bob Balaban
3 cassettes
Edwardian England. Chronicles the 1910 manhunt for Dr. H.H. Crippen, who murdered his wife and fled in disguise by ocean liner to Canada with his lover. Describes how Guglielmo Marconi’s 1895 invention of wireless communication enabled Scotland Yard to pursue the killer and enthrall the world. Bestseller. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Culture Warrior    RC 63097
by Bill O’Reilly
read by Bill O’Reilly
2 cassettes
Emmy Award-winning television commentator continues his analysis of the American culture wars begun in The O’Reilly Factor (RC 51053). Divides the population into traditionalists and secular progressives. Examines their opposing positions on the war on terror, pornography, and the place of religion in the United States. Some strong language. Bestseller. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Life after Death: The Burden of Proof    RC 63100
by Deepak Chopra
read by Shishir Kurup
2 cassettes
Doctor and author of How to Know God (RC 52605) explores scientific discoveries and ancient religious traditions to address the subject of the afterlife. Posits that life and death are not separated by an impassable wall and that a person can shape what happens after death. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers    RC 63105
by Elizabeth Edwards
read by Bernadette Dunne
3 cassettes
The lawyer wife of former Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards describes the ordeal of discovering she had breast cancer just days before the 2004 election. She recounts receiving an outpouring of support that reaffirmed her long-standing belief in the power of community, which she gained during earlier crises. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream    RC 63126
by Barack Obama
read by Barack Obama
2 cassettes
Democratic senator from Illinois and author of Dreams from My Father (RC 43877) details his ideas to improve the country. Discusses American values, the U.S. Constitution, religion, globalization, race, and other subjects of interest to voters. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir    RC 63131
by Bill Bryson
read by Bill Bryson
2 cassettes
Travel humorist reminisces about growing up in 1950s middle America. Recalls the simple pleasures of family life and teen culture under the shadow of the Cold War. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Back to Top

Cassettes Fiction

Princess in Training: The Princess Diaries, Volume 6    RC 59681
by Meg Cabot
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
New York high school sophomore Mia records in her diary her struggles with geometry, the demands of being a college student’s girlfriend, running for student council president, and a potential ecological disaster in her kingdom of Genovia. For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

Someone to Love Me    RC 60233
by Francis Ray
read by Tracy Mickens-Hundley
2 cassettes
African American realtor Michelle Grant recognizes her new client, computer mogul Brad Jamison, as the compassionate man who rescued her years before. Their passions ignite, but a property deal involving Michelle’s wheelchair-bound brother threatens to spoil everything. Also includes the short story "Maybe This Time." Explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Waiting for Nick    RC 60395
by Nora Roberts
read by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
Twenty-four-year-old Frederica Kimball moves to Manhattan to begin a new life, preferably with composer Nick LeBeck, her childhood crush. All she has to do is persuade Nick to let her be his lyricist. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1997.

Until I Find You    RC 60513
by John Irving
read by Arthur Morey
6 cassettes
Actor/screenwriter Jack Burns searches for his long-missing father, a church organist when married to his tattoo artist mother. Now in his thirties, Jack contemplates his childhood sexual abuse, his mother’s quest for a husband, and his own dysfunctional relationships with women. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2005.

Forty-seven    RC 60645
by Walter Mosley
read by Chuck Young
1 cassette
Georgia, 1832. Number Forty-seven is the name of a fourteen-year-old slave boy belonging to a brutal master. He meets mysterious Tall John, who introduces him to a magical science and teaches him the meaning of freedom. Some violence and some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

Not Quite Dead Enough: A Nero Wolfe Mystery    RC 60885
by Rex Stout
read by Conrad Feininger
1 cassette
Two related mysteries. In the title piece, army major Archie Goodwin returns to New York under orders to enlist help from former colleague private detective Nero Wolfe. Archie also takes on a neighborhood murder. In "Booby Trap," Nero agrees to render service and investigates a national-security matter. 1992 introduction. 1942.

The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard    RC 60889
by Elmore Leonard
read by Michael Kramer
4 cassettes
Collected stories of a suspense writer who began his career writing pulp westerns for magazines. Thirty works span Leonard’s career from "Trail of the Apache" (1951) to "Hurrah for Captain Early!" (1994). Some violence and some strong language. 2004.

The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again    RC 60898
by Nancy Thayer
read by Susan McInerney
3 cassettes
Marilyn, Faye, Alice, and Shirley, original members of The Hot Flash Club (RC 59327), engineer the creation of a new foursome. Polly, Julia, Beth, and Carolyn, who met at Shirley’s Hot Spot Spa, understand one another’s problems with meddlesome in-laws. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

The Red Hat Club Rides Again    RC 60901
by Haywood Smith
read by Celeste Lawson
3 cassettes
Middle-aged friends Teeny, Linda, Diane, and Georgia fly to Las Vegas to check their drug-addicted friend into rehab. They meet to share their trials and triumphs together: a pregnancy scare, a plastic surgery cruise, and a surprise celebration. Sequel to The Red Hat Club (RC 60263). Some strong language. 2005.

Puppet    RC 60904
by Joy Fielding
read by Kate Kiley
3 cassettes
Toronto. Florida attorney Amanda Travis’s ex-husband Ben Myers calls to inform her that her mother has shot a man. Amanda reluctantly returns to Canada and confronts her estranged, unstable mom as well as the dead man’s widow and uncovers family secrets. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Trouble in Tombstone    RC 60945
by Richard S. Wheeler
read by Michael Kramer
2 cassettes
Arizona Territory, 1880s. Working undercover for Wells Fargo while policing Tombstone, deputy sheriff Wyatt Earp and his brothers find trouble when they blur the line between lawmen and lawbreakers. Before it’s over, Wyatt will lose more than his reputation. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004.

And Four to Go: A Nero Wolfe Mystery    RC 60946
by Rex Stout
read by Conrad Feininger
1 cassette
Four short mysteries featuring orchid-growing New York private detective Nero Wolfe. Includes "Murder Is No Joke" and seasonal tales "Easter Parade," "Fourth of July Picnic," and "Christmas Party," in which Wolfe’s assistant Archie Goodwin suspects a sadistic Santa is behind a not-so-festive poisoning. 1992 introduction by Jane Haddam. 1956.

Isolation Ward    RC 61338
by Joshua Spanogle
read by Scott Brick
3 cassettes
Dr. Nathaniel McCormick from the Centers for Disease Control investigates the deaths of three handicapped women at the same Baltimore hospital. But someone doesn’t want the doctor to track a dangerous virus. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror: Eighteenth Annual Collection    RC 61360
edited by Ellen Datlow,
read by Kristin Allison
6 cassettes
Some forty works of fiction and poetry published in 2004 by Peter Straub, Alice Hoffman, Chuck Palahniuk, and others. Editors’ yearly overview of the genre includes sections on comics and graphic novels, anime and manga, music, and the media. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004.

Fire along the Sky: The Wilderness Series, Book 4    RC 61408
by Sara Donati
read by Kristin Allison
4 cassettes
New York, 1812. As the Bonner family saga continues, war looms. Hannah returns home to find her half-brother Daniel eager to fight. Widowed Scottish cousin Jennet arrives, and Lily pursues independence in Montreal. Sequel to Lake in the Clouds (RC 57904). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004.

Marker    RC 61422
by Robin Cook
read by Lindsay Ellison
3 cassettes
New York medical examiners Laurie Montgomery and Jack Stapleton, from Vector (RC 47835), become suspicious when patients from the same hospital die after minor surgeries. Laurie also discovers she may carry the gene for breast cancer. Their search for a serial killer unveils a nationwide conspiracy. 2005.

The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, Volume 16    RC 61446
edited by Stephen Jones
read by Lindsay Ellison
5 cassettes
Twenty-one tales of horror and the supernatural from 2004. Includes Ramsey Campbell’s "Breaking Up," Neil Gaiman’s "The Problem of Susan," and works by Michael Shea, Glen Hirshberg, Kim Newman, and others. Provides an overview of the genre and useful addresses. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

First Degree: An Andy Carpenter Novel    RC 61599
by David Rosenfelt
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Police arrest small-time dealer Oscar Garcia for the murder of corrupt cop Alex Dorsey. Millionaire defense attorney Andy Carpenter takes the case despite protests from his lover and chief investigator, Laurie—Alex’s former colleague. When Laurie herself is charged, Andy fights to save her. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Texas Hell Country: The Trailsman    RC 61674
by Jon Sharpe
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Texas, 1859. Trailsman Skye Fargo is visiting his friend Tom Baker when raiders attack, killing Tom and his son and kidnapping Tom’s wife, Greta. Accompanied by Greta’s younger sister, Kristina, Skye sets out to save Greta and exact revenge. Violence, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some strong language. 1988.

Pawleys Island: A Lowcountry Tale    RC 61752
by Dorothea Benton Frank
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Huey Valentine and Abigail Thurmond are very content on Pawleys Island. Artist Rebecca Simms shatters their complacency when she arrives seeking a retreat from her chaotic life. Abigail, a lawyer, comes to Rebecca’s aid, and in the process finds her own peace. 2005.

Trial by Fire: A Joseph Antonelli Novel    RC 61759
by D.W. Buffa
read by John Haag
2 cassettes
San Francisco attorney Joseph Antonelli appears on a talk show with professor Julian Sinclair and assistant DA Daphne McMillan. When Daphne is found dead in Julian’s home, Joseph defends Julian—and loses. With Julian in jail, Joseph sets out to prove Daphne’s husband is the real culprit. Some strong language. 2005.

One Last Look: A Clare Westbrook Novel    RC 61854
by Linda Lael Miller
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Following Never Look Back (RC 59011) attorney Clare Westbrook, now pregnant, relocates with detective Tony Sonterra to rural Arizona. While Tony tracks down a desert gang of smugglers, Clare investigates the disappearance of a child whose mother has been murdered. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2006.

The Body in the Snowdrift: A Faith Fairchild Mystery    RC 61863
by Katherine Hall Page
read by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
Caterer Faith Fairchild and her extended family gather at a ski resort in Vermont to celebrate her father-in-law’s seventieth birthday. But after Faith finds the body of a local lawyer, the chef disappears, and another corpse turns up on the slopes, the clan starts bickering. Includes recipes. 2005.

Evan Blessed: A Constable Evans Mystery    RC 61865
by Rhys Bowen
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Evan Evans and his fiancée, Bronwen, are preparing for their wedding when a young woman goes missing on a hike. First police discover a bunker complete with chains and handcuffs off the mountain trail, then someone begins sending Evan musical clues. Next, Bronwen disappears. 2005.

Hunter Killer    RC 61867
by Patrick Robinson
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
Crown Prince Nasir plots to destroy Saudi Arabia’s oil industry and seize power. French Colonel Jacques Gamoudi, a.k.a. the Hunter, helps Nasir command the rebellion. Meanwhile, former U.S. national security advisor Arnold Morgan, of Scimitar SL-2 (RC 59039), tries to thwart the coup. Some violence and some strong language. 2005.

The Secret Sister    RC 61914
by Elizabeth Lowell
read by Victoria Gordon
2 cassettes
Manhattan fashion writer Christy McKenna visits Colorado after receiving an urgent call from her estranged supermodel sister, Jo-Jo. When Jo-Jo vanishes, Christy allies with ex-con archaeologist Aaron Cain—who could ultimately be a friend, a lover, or a threat. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1993.

Blood of Angels    RC 61915
by Reed Arvin
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Nashville assistant district attorney Thomas Dennehy prosecutes Sudanese immigrant Moses Bol for killing a dancer. Things become complicated when anti-death-penalty activist Fiona Towns claims to be Moses’s alibi, a former convict vows revenge, and Thomas’s colleague is murdered. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

The Assassin’s Touch: A Sano Ichiro Mystery, Book 10    RC 61918
by Laura Joh Rowland
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Japan, 1695. Investigator Sano Ichiro is promoted to the position of shogun’s second in command. Although civil war has been averted, top political officials are mysteriously dying. Ichiro tracks down a martial arts assassin who uses the touch of death to kill. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Queen of Dreams    RC 61931
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Berkeley, California. Rakhi Gupta, artist and divorced mother, strives to maintain her independence by managing a tea shop. After reading her deceased mother’s dream journals, Rakhi hopes to find a connection to her mother, a woman from India who interpreted dreams for strangers but distanced herself from her own family. 2004.

Divine Evil    RC 61932
by Nora Roberts
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Sculptor Clare Kimball returns to her Maryland home to confront her father’s mysterious suicide, while Sheriff Cameron Rafferty investigates grave robbing, cattle mutilation, and murder. Clare and Cameron together uncover links between her father’s death, the disturbing incidents, and satanism. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 1992.

Hemlock at Vespers: Fifteen Sister Fidelma Mysteries, Book 1    RC 61958
by Peter Tremayne
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Fifteen short stories featuring a seventh-century Irish nun of the Celtic Church who is also a trained lawyer. In "Murder in Repose," Sister Fidelma investigates a priest accused of murdering a girl. In "Tarnished Halo," a religious brother is killed. 2000.

The Breakdown Lane    RC 61962
by Jacquelyn Mitchard
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Wisconsin advice columnist Julieanne’s husband leaves her and their two teenagers and toddler after twenty years of marriage. Soon afterward, Julieanne is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Gabe, her learning disabled son, helps her cope. Both Gabe and his sister attempt to reunite their parents. Strong language. 2005.

A Sudden Country    RC 61971
by Karen Fisher
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
1847. Frontiersman James MacLaren loses his three children to sickness and his wife to another man. James joins a wagon train as a guide and has an affair with Lucy Mitchell that threatens to destroy her marriage. Violence, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some strong language. PEN/Faulkner Award. 2005.

The Tree Bride    RC 61981
by Bharati Mukherjee
read by Yolande Bavan
2 cassettes
Despite a firebombing, pregnancy, and her ex-husband, Tara Chatterjee investigates the life of her great-great-aunt, who at age five was married to a tree after her child groom’s death. Tara uncovers her ancestor’s role in India’s independence and links to her own attacker. Sequel to Desirable Daughters (RC 56464). 2004.

The Lion’s Paw    RC 61989
by D.R. Sherman
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Pxui, a young Bushman in Africa’s Kalahari desert, befriends a captive lion. Pxui tries to save the lion and finds himself caught in a deadly conflict with nature and an obsessed white safari hunter. For senior high readers. 1974.

The Hunt Club    RC 61996
by John Lescroart
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
San Francisco Child Protective Services caseworker Wyatt Hunt quits over politics and, at attorney Dismas Hardy’s urging, opens a detective agency. Homicide inspector Devin Juhle, a childhood friend, enlists Hunt’s help tracking the killers of federal judge George Palmer and his mistress. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

The Love of a Cowboy: Callister, Idaho, Book 1    RC 62044
by Anna Jeffrey
read by Constance Crawford
3 cassettes
Twenty-nine-year-old Dallas PR executive Dahlia Montgomery visits a friend in Callister, Idaho, for a summer surveying job. She begins a passionate affair with Luke McRae, a rancher fighting for custody of his children, but knows she must eventually return home. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

Katie’s Dream    RC 62046
by Leisha Kelly
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
1932. Returning from a Fourth of July celebration, Samuel and Julia Wortham are surprised to see Sam’s ex-con brother with a child he claims is Samuel’s daughter. Katie wants a home with them, but Julia struggles to believe Samuel’s declaration of faithfulness. Sequel to Emma’s Gift (RC 61742). 2004.

The Gutter and the Grave    RC 62049
by Ed McBain
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Bowery bum Matt Cordell was once a successful private investigator but turned to alcohol after discovering his wife’s infidelity. When former neighbor Johnny Bridges asks him to investigate thefts from his business, Cordell uncovers murder and a femme fatale in the form of singer Laraine Marsh. Some strong language. 1958.

Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits    RC 62055
by Laila Lalami
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
Four desperate Moroccans try to enter Spain illegally by boat. Murad, an educated man, and Halima, an abused wife with three children, are caught and sent back to poverty. Religious student Faten succeeds but becomes a prostitute, while Aziz escapes only to endure menial jobs. Some strong language. 2005.

Brothel Bullets: The Trailsman    RC 62085
by Jon Sharpe
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
Arizona Territory, 1860. Skye Fargo, the Trailsman, rescues teenage sisters Katy and Althea Hatchfeld from outlaws who are kidnapping women to sell them into prostitution. Skye tracks the culprits and begins to suspect a madam is behind the operation. Explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1989.

It Happened One Autumn: The Wallflowers, Book 2    RC 62086
by Lisa Kleypas
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
1843. American Lillian Bowman accompanies her father, Thomas, to London, to negotiate a business deal with Marcus, Lord Westcliff. Lillian purchases a magical perfume hoping to attract a suitor. The fragrance works—Marcus soon desires not only Thomas’s company but Lillian herself. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Let It Be Love    RC 62087
by Victoria Alexander
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
England, 1853. Orphan Fiona Fairchild needs a husband in order to receive her inheritance and shocks Jonathon Effington, Lord Helmsley, by proposing marriage. Assuming a hoax, Jonathon accepts but reneges after realizing Fiona is serious. He instead comes up with a money-making scheme. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

The Bishop in the Old Neighborhood: A Blackie Ryan Mystery    RC 62091
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Chicago. Bishop Blackie Ryan investigates three murders in St. Lucy’s parish, which is headed by Father Mikal Wolodyjowski. Blackie discovers a connection between the current crimes, the 1944 deaths of six college students, and Father Mikal. Some strong language. 2005.

Cat in an Indigo Mood: A Midnight Louie Mystery    RC 62098
by Carole Nelson Douglas
read by J.P. Linton
3 cassettes
Feline Midnight Louie searches for a lost cat whose mistress is murdered, while Louie’s owner, Temple Barr, and homicide detective Carmen Molina track a serial killer. Magician Max Kinsella and former priest Matt Devine find clues that tie the two cases together. 1999.

Missing Mom    RC 62115
by Joyce Carol Oates
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Thirty-one-year-old reporter Nikki, the black sheep of the Eaton family who rejects their middle-class lifestyle, is uncharacteristically affected when her widowed mother is murdered. During the following year Nikki reassesses her life and slowly adopts many of the values of her parents and older sister. Some strong language. 2005.

Hot Pursuit    RC 62124
by Christina Skye
read by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
San Francisco. As mystery writer Taylor O’Toole stalks a suspicious scientist, undercover Navy SEAL Jack Broussard tracks Taylor in connection with a missing Navy bioweapons expert. When danger finds Taylor, Jack is assigned to protect her. Companion to My Spy (RC 61884). Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Lost    RC 62125
by Michael Robotham
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Detective Vincent Ruiz, from Suspect (RC 59810), has amnesia when police find him wounded in the Thames River. He enlists psychologist Joe O’Loughlin’s help to regain his memory and learn why he’s been investigating the case of a girl kidnapped three years ago. Violence and strong language. 2006.

River’s Edge: Cape Refuge, Book 3    RC 62161
by Terri Blackstock
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
The wife of Cape Refuge, Georgia, mayoral candidate Ben Jackson is murdered. Among police chief Matthew Cade’s suspects are Ben’s opponent, a fertility doctor, and a psychic. Journalist Blair Owens’s investigation uncovers scandalous secrets, but her methods could jeopardize her relationship with Matthew. Sequel to Southern Storm (RC 55881). 2004.

In the Ruins: Crown of Stars, Volume 6    RC 62166
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
4 cassettes
After the great cataclysm, the late King Henry’s illegitimate son, Prince Sanglant, assumes the throne but faces opposition from Queen Adelheid, who is determined to regain control of the empire. Meanwhile, Sanglant’s sorceress wife, Liath, seeks forbidden magic. Sequel to The Gathering Storm (RC 56492). Some violence. 2005.

Worlds Enough and Time: Five Tales of Speculative Fiction    RC 62167
by Dan Simmons
read by Mark Delgado
2 cassettes
Five novellas by Hugo Award winner. In "On K2 with Kanakaredes," a mountain ascent reveals the true natures of four climbers—one of whom isn’t human. Also includes "The End of Gravity," the Hyperion Universe story "Orphans of the Helix," and others. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2002.

The Nerd Who Loved Me    RC 62170
by Vicki Lewis Thompson
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Las Vegas. Casino accountant Harry Ambrewster is babysitting showgirl Lainie Terrell’s four-year-old son, Dexter, when Dexter’s estranged alcoholic father, Joey, resurfaces. Lainie and Harry take Harry’s matchmaking mother’s advice and, pretending to be married, hide from Joey in Sedona. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

Silver May Tarnish: Witch World    RC 62171
by Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Orphaned by Alizon invaders, young Lorcan sets out across his war-torn land and is captured by bandits. Meive, a gifted beekeeper who survived her own family’s massacre, rescues Lorcan. Together they begin to rebuild her homeland, but there can be no peace until Lorcan defeats his nemesis. Violence. 2005.

Promise Me Tomorrow: Montford Heirs, Book 2    RC 62172
by Candace Camp
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
With only vague memories of a loving family, Mary Chilton leaves her orphanage and poses as Mrs. Marianne Cotterwood. Mary finagles her way into high society and meets Lord Lambeth, who is fascinated by her mysterious persona and feels compelled to unravel her past. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2000.

Train from Marietta    RC 62175
by Dorothy Garlock
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Texas, 1933. A nefarious businessman abducts nurse Kate Tyler as she is traveling to San Francisco. Kate’s wealthy father hires rancher Tate Castle to get her back, and the two fall in love despite their differences. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2006.

Six Bits a Day    RC 62176
by Elmer Kelton
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Western Texas, 1880s. Brothers Hewey and Walter Calloway hire on at C.C. Tarpley’s ranch for six bits a day. Walter meets a girl, but to keep him from settling down Hewey volunteers them for a cattle drive. Meanwhile a fugitive outlaw stalks Hewey and a range feud ignites. 2005.

Cotton    RC 62179
by Christopher Wilson
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Lee Cotton, a white-skinned African American boy born in 1950s Mississippi, experiences various gender and racial identities. He encounters the KKK, becomes a woman when an accident necessitates a sex change, and eventually undergoes a darkening of his skin. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

Christmas Holiday    RC 62181
by W. Somerset Maugham
read by Alexander Strain
2 cassettes
Charley Mason, a pleasant young Englishman from a respectable family, goes to Paris for the Christmas holiday. He reevaluates his comfortable position after an embittered journalist introduces Charley to Lydia, a slender Russian prostitute whose misfortunes disclose the underside of life. Some strong language. 1939.

The Desert of Wheat    RC 62182
by Zane Grey
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
1917. As World War I begins, Kurt Dorn’s German heritage becomes a problem. Though his Washington ranch supplies grain for American soldiers, a labor union sabotages his harvest. Dorn wants to serve his preferred country, the United States, but he also wants revenge. 1919.

Sour Puss: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery    RC 62188
by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Former postmistress "Harry" Haristeen remarries her ex-husband, veterinarian Fair, and tries her hand at growing grapes for Virginia’s winemaking industry. When an expert vintner is murdered, the couple investigates—along with corgi Tee Tucker and cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter. Some violence and some strong language. 2006.

Played    RC 62189
by Dana Davidson
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
In order to join a fraternity at his Detroit high school, Ian must make Kylie want him. Ian is surprised when he is the one who falls in love, while Kylie tries to suppress her suspicions and enjoy their relationship. Some descriptions of sex. For senior high readers. 2005.

A Way from Home    RC 62192
by Nancy Clark
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
Alden and Becky Lowe, from The Hills at Home (RC 58022), and their daughter live in a castle in Prague, where Alden works at the Ministry of Finances and Becky advises female entrepreneurs. Increasingly disillusioned, Becky abandons her family and heads to Libya to reunite with a former love. 2005.

Labyrinth    RC 62203
by Kate Mosse
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
France, 2005. Alice Tanner finds two skeletons and a labyrinth-engraved ring at an archaeological site. As Alice avoids enemies lured by the discovery, her thirteenth-century Cathar Christian counterpart, Alaïs, safeguards from Crusaders three books containing secrets of the Holy Grail. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. Bestseller. 2005.

The Rose Red Bride: The Jewels of Kinfairlie, Book 2    RC 62205
by Claire Delacroix
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Scotland, 1421. With Madeline married, Laird Alexander must find a husband for another sister, Vivienne. When Nicholas Sinclair expresses interest, Alexander is delighted and plans a tryst for the couple. But then Nicholas’s brother Erik arrives and kidnaps Vivienne. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

I Am the Messenger    RC 62236
by Markus Zusak
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
After nineteen-year-old Australian cabdriver Ed Kennedy captures a bank robber, he receives playing cards by mail—aces inscribed with mysterious directions. Ed helps the people indicated and wonders who sent the messages. Strong language and some violence. For senior high readers. Printz Honor Book. 2002.

Summer Breeze: The Coulter Family, Book 7    RC 62240
by Catherine Anderson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Colorado, 1880s. Rachel Hollister isolates herself after her parents and siblings are murdered during a picnic. Five years later terror returns when her foreman, Darby, is shot near the same area. Neighbor Joseph Paxton offers his help and falls in love with Rachel. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2006.

Rage of the Mountain Man    RC 62262
by William W. Johnstone
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Gunslinger Smoke Jensen and his wife, Sally, journey to New England to visit Sally’s parents. Land-hungry city slickers kidnap Sally, looking to eliminate Smoke and take his Colorado spread. Smoke rescues Sally before heading west for a showdown with a gang of hired guns. Violence and some strong language. 1994.

Summer Garden Murder: A Gardening Mystery    RC 62263
by Ann Ripley
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Gardening television host Louise Eldridge helped convict her neighbor Peter Hoffman of murder. Released from the mental hospital, Peter shows up at a party and threatens Louise. When he disappears, the police suspect Louise of foul play. Then she discovers a body in her garden. Some strong language. 2005.

Six-Gun Scholar: The Trailsman    RC 62267
by Jon Sharpe
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
Texas, 1860. Skye Fargo escorts schoolteacher Deirdre Fisher from San Antonio to her new post in Bandera. Mayor Nathan Montgomery plans a school, but woodcutter Thad Harker will do anything to stop him—and Skye wants to know why. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.

Anybody Out There?    RC 62269
by Marian Keyes
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
After a taxi injures her in New York, Anna Walsh, from Watermelon (RC 47300), returns to Dublin, Ireland, to recuperate. She observes her wacky family’s escapades but gets nervous when her husband doesn’t answer her e-mails. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2006.

No Time to Die: A Mali Anderson Mystery    RC 62271
by Grace F. Edwards
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Harlem. When ex-NYPD cop Mali Anderson’s friend Claudine is found strangled, Mali immediately suspects the abusive ex-husband James, despite a lack of evidence. Then James’s ex-girlfriend is also murdered, and someone tries to kill Mali in a hit-and-run attack. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1999.

Sprig Muslin    RC 62273
by Georgette Heyer
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Sir Gareth Ludlow decides to marry many years after his first fiancée’s death. His plans for an engagement take an unexpected turn when he meets saucy young runaway, Amanda Smith, whom he wants to prevent from roaming the countryside unescorted. Foreword by Linda Lael Miller. 1956.

The Queen of the South    RC 62274
by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
An unnamed ex-reporter narrates the enigmatic life of Mexican Teresa Mendoza, on the run from hit men. Her experiences unfolding through fictional interviews and flashbacks, she evolves into a notorious drug smuggler. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

The Safe-Keeper’s Secret: The Safe-Keepers, Book 1    RC 62276
by Sharon Shinn
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
In the village of Tambleham, the Safe-Keeper Damiana gives birth to a daughter the same night that a foundling, rumored to be the king’s illegitimate son, is delivered to her door. The secrets of the children’s parentage are preserved until they are teenagers. For junior and senior high readers. 2004.

Silver Slaughter: Canyon O’Grady Novel    RC 62282
by Jon Sharpe
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Territory of Kansas, 1859. President Buchanan commissions Canyon O’Grady to stop the raids on government shipments of silver. O’Grady has to contend with a crooked road agent, Indians, and two tempting women as he carries out his mission. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1989.

The Preacher’s Daughter: Annie’s People, Book 1    RC 62283
by Beverly Lewis
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Twenty-year-old Annie Zook of Paradise, Pennsylvania, is torn between accepting her family’s Amish lifestyle or dedicating her life to her art—a sin in her community. When her Englisher pen pal Louisa Stratford comes to visit, Annie learns about the outside world and discovers a nonbeliever is interested in her. 2005.

The King of Attolia    RC 62284
by Megan Whalen Turner
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Eugenides, still known as the Thief (RC 47183) of Eddis, faces palace intrigue and assassins while striving to prove himself to the people of Attolia and their queen, his new bride. Sequel to The Queen of Attolia (RC 51067). For junior and senior high readers. 2006.

Much Ado about You: The Essex Sisters, Book 1    RC 62298
by Eloisa James
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
England, 1816. Left orphaned, the four Scottish Essex sisters are packed off to their guardian, the hapless duke of Holbrook. Tess, the eldest, must marry to assist her siblings and is torn between the earl of Mayne and the rich, but titleless, Lucius Felton. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Misfortune’s Daughters    RC 62300
by Joan Collins
read by Gabra Zackman
3 cassettes
Shipping heiresses Atlanta and Venetia Stephanopolis dabble in drugs and men after their mother’s mysterious death. Their father’s announcement that he’ll leave his estate to whoever first bears a son spurs a fierce rivalry and discloses a family legacy of betrayal and lies. Descriptions of sex and strong language. 2005.

Catch    RC 62303
by Will Leitch
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
The summer before college, Tim Temples works at the local plant in his small town. He falls in love with an older girl, observes his high school friends settle into their lives, and watches his big brother return from school defeated. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2005.

The Girl    RC 62304
by Catherine Cookson
read by Terry Donnelly
3 cassettes (Reissue)
1850. Her dying mother brings eight-year-old Hannah Boyle to the village of Elmholm and leaves with her legitimate father, Matthew Thornton. In the Thornton household, Hannah endures the extreme cruelty of Matthew’s bitter wife. As a woman, Hannah overcomes these trials to find her heart’s desire. 1977.

Great Galloping Catfish! (and Other Slightly Improbable Stories): Being an Account of a Year or So Spent at Ruination Farm and Some Strange Adventures Which Befell and Otherwise Happened to Me There    RC 62311
by John Dashney
read by Frank Coffee
1 cassette
Grandpappy, the fourth cousin a few times removed of Baron Karl Von Munchausen (1720–1797), carries on the family storytelling tradition with five tales of flying snakes, a hunting rabbit, monsters, a racing hippo, and a debacle at the county fair. 2004.

Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today    RC 62313
edited by Lori Marie Carlson
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
Ten stories about Indians from various tribes. In "How to Get to the Planet Venus" by Joy Harjo, two teenage girls are caught drunk at an Indian boarding school. Other authors include Sherman Alexie, Louise Erdrich, and Joseph Bruchac. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2005.

The Heritage of the Desert    RC 62314
by Zane Grey
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Mormon August Naab saves Jack Hare’s life and brings him home, where Jack falls in love with half-Navajo, half-Spanish Mescal. Others desire her too, including a ruthless cattle rustler and August’s son, who wants her as a second wife. When Mescal flees to avoid marriage, Jack looks for her. 1910.

First Impressions    RC 62317
by Jude Deveraux
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
As a middle-aged woman, Eden Palmer returns to Farrington Manor in Arundel, North Carolina, where she once found love and security and which she has now inherited. But her homecoming is marred by an FBI agent on an unusual mission. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

Talk Nerdy to Me    RC 62319
by Vicki Lewis Thompson
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Engineer Charlie Shepherd discovers that Eve Dupree, the model who moved in next door, is an aspiring inventor. Eve enlists Charlie’s help in developing her fuel-efficient hovercraft. When someone tries to steal the prototype, Charlie’s wacky family members set out to catch the culprit. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2006.

Power of the Mountain Man    RC 62338
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Gunslinger Smoke Jensen receives a cryptic letter summoning him to San Francisco, where he learns that his old friend Francie, a madam, was killed. Smoke’s search for answers leads to labor organizers, Chinese tongs, and the city’s wealthiest and most influential mining magnates. Violence and some strong language. 1996.

Guns of the Mountain Man    RC 62339
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Colorado. Smoke Jensen’s ranch hand Calvin Woods is wounded in a standoff with Bible-toting bandit Lazarus Cain and his gang, who were looking to pilfer Smoke’s cattle. Smoke calls in old friends Joey Wells, Al Martine, and Louis Carbone to help exact revenge. Violence and some strong language. 1999.

Wrath of the Mountain Man    RC 62340
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
When Smoke Jensen’s ranch hand Pearlie is bitten by a rattler, Smoke takes him to a doctor in a town ruled by corrupt sheriff Buck Tolliver, who unbeknownst to Smoke holds a grudge against the gunslinger. Buck frames Pearlie for murder to trap Smoke. Violence and some strong language. 2004.

Battle of the Mountain Man    RC 62341
by William W. Johnstone
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Gunfighter Smoke Jensen heads to New Mexico Territory to purchase cattle from rancher John Chisum. A deadly range war over beef contracts brews between Chisum and rustler Jessie Evans, whose Mexican hired guns have no intention of letting Smoke leave peacefully. Some violence and some strong language. 1998.

The Hostage: A Presidential Agent Novel    RC 62349
by W.E.B. Griffin
read by Mark Ashby
4 cassettes
Homeland Security agent Charley Castillo, from By Order of the President (RC 59560), is dispatched to Argentina when terrorists murder a diplomat and kidnap his wife. The terrorists are after the wife’s brother, who is involved in the United Nations food-for-Iraqi-oil scandal. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Autumn Bridge    RC 62351
by Takashi Matsuoka
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Japan, 1867. American missionary Emily Gibson discovers scrolls, written in 1311 by Lady Shizuka, that contain the secret history of the prophetic Okumichi clan. Emily translates the manuscripts while struggling with her love for the samurai leader Lord Genji. Sequel to Cloud of Sparrows (RC 58031). Violence. 2004.

The Christmas Hope: Christmas Hope, Book 3    RC 62354
by Donna VanLiere
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Social worker Patricia Addison and her husband, Mark, have given up on Christmas and their marriage since their son’s death. But this year is different when Patti takes in five-year-old Emily. Patti and Mark rediscover love, faith, and holiday joy. Sequel to The Christmas Blessing (RC 58707). 2005.

Stalking the Puzzle Lady: A Puzzle Lady Mystery    RC 62355
by Parnell Hall
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Cora Felton, crossword puzzle front woman for her niece Sherry Carter, is on a public relations tour promoting a cereal she hates while being stalked by a former high school classmate. The aunt-niece duo investigate when an actress on the tour is murdered. Some violence and some strong language. 2005.

The Gunslinger: The Dark Tower, Volume 1    RC 62356
by Stephen King
read by Mark Delgado
2 cassettes
Revised and expanded edition of the 1982 first volume of the Dark Tower series, in which the gunslinger travels through time seeking vengeance for the death of his father and the dishonoring of his mother. Introduction and foreword by the author. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2003.

Hair of the Dog: A Melanie Travis Mystery    RC 62360
by Laurien Berenson
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Amateur sleuth Melanie Travis attends her Aunt Peg’s backyard barbeque, as does disreputable poodle handler Barry Turk. Barry is shot dead the next day. His girlfriend Alicia, the main suspect, asks Melanie for help. Other suspects include a rival dog owner—and pregnant Alicia’s show-judge husband. 1997.

A Detective at Death’s Door: A Harriet Martens Mystery    RC 62367
by H.R.F. Keating
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens is saved from near-fatal aconitine poisoning by her fast-acting husband, John, who recognized the symptoms from an Agatha Christie novel. Harriet recuperates while her colleagues at the Greater Birchester Police investigate. Subsequent murders compel the ailing Harriet to return to work. 2004.

Nerd Gone Wild: A Nerd Romance    RC 62379
by Vicki Lewis Thompson
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Ally Jarrett inherits her grandmother’s millions and a personal assistant, Mitchell Carruthers, whose nerdy persona conceals his bodyguard identity. When Ally goes to photograph Alaskan wildlife, Mitchell follows, ostensibly on estate business but really to protect Ally from a sleazy uncle who wants her fortune. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Freshwater Road    RC 62419
by Denise Nicholas
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
Celeste Tyree, an African American middle-class college student from Detroit, travels to Mississippi in 1964 to help register voters. The naive teenager learns about oppression, activism, and family secrets during her time down South. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. ALA Black Caucus Award. 2005.

And Be a Villain: A Nero Wolfe Mystery    RC 62435
by Rex Stout
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Someone slips cyanide to horse racing tipster Cyril Orchard during an on-air appearance with Madeline Fraser’s radio talk show. Detective Nero Wolfe agrees to make his $20,000 fee contingent on his solving the murder—a crime heard by millions but witnessed by none. Includes 1994 introduction by Maan Meyers. 1948.

The Tenth Circle    RC 62445
by Jodi Picoult
read by Peter Ganim
3 cassettes
Bethel, Maine. When comic-book artist Daniel Stone’s beloved fourteen-year-old daughter, Trixie, is raped, he draws on rage from his violent childhood in Alaska to defend his family. But then he discovers his wife’s affair, and Trixie runs away. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

A Dirty Job    RC 62451
by Christopher Moore
read by Lewis Grenville
3 cassettes
San Francisco secondhand dealer Charlie Asher becomes Death’s helper after witnessing the Grim Reaper claim his wife, Rachel. Charlie balances duties of single father and soul collector as he prepares to battle forces of darkness for both Rachel’s soul and all of humanity. Strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

Map of Bones: A Sigma Force Novel    RC 62452
by James Rollins
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
Germany. Gunmen open fire during midnight mass at Cologne Cathedral and steal the remains of the three Wise Men. Rome police lieutenant Rachel Verona and Grayson Pierce of the U.S. covert Sigma Force link the massacre and theft to an ancient alchemist cult. Violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Necklace of Kisses    RC 62458
by Francesca Lia Block
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
Forty-year-old Weetzie Bat experiences a midlife crisis and leaves her boring boyfriend Max. She moves into a pink hotel in Los Angeles where her high school prom was held. There she meets mythical creatures including a mermaid and a faun and undertakes a voyage of self-discovery. 2005.

Liza of Lambeth    RC 62465
by Somerset Maugham
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
1 cassette
1890s, South London. Trying to escape a life of poverty and drudgery, young Liza finds herself in the arms of Jim, a married father. Liza falls in love but faces the harsh consequences of defying the rules of Vere Street. First novel by French-born author William Somerset Maugham (1874–1965). 1897.

Young Man with a Horn    RC 62469
by Dorothy Baker
read by J.P. Linton
2 cassettes (Reissue)
In Los Angeles, young jazz musician Rick Martin develops his trumpeting talents under the tutelage of African American bandleader Jeff Williams. Rick joins a band and eventually moves to New York. Music becomes his all-consuming passion, until he meets beautiful Amy North and succumbs to self-destructive tendencies. 1938.

The Quick and the Dead    RC 62475
by Louis L’Amour
read by Richard Davidson
1 cassette (Reissue)
Con Vallian encounters Duncan McKaskel and his family heading west and saves Duncan from outlaws. He soon finds himself guiding Duncan, Duncan’s beautiful wife, Susanna, and their son, Tom, across the prairie, and fighting off rustlers, Huron Indians, and a lion along the way. 1973.

The Seductive Impostor: Puffin Harbor, Book 1    RC 62477
by Janet Chapman
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Architect Rachel Foster and her late father designed the seaside mansion Sub Rosa for art smuggler Thaddeus Lakeman. When Thad’s heir Keenan Oakes asks Rachel to help him move in, Rachel exploits the opportunity to search for hidden treasure. Explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004.

Fire Sale: A V.I. Warshawski Mystery    RC 62495
by Sara Paretsky
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Private detective V.I. Warshawski volunteers to coach girls’ basketball at her former South Chicago high school. To help the impoverished team, V.I. seeks funding from discount behemoth By-Smart and discovers that the owner’s grandson is romantically linked with one of her players. Meanwhile a neighborhood factory is bombed. 2005.

The Taming of the Dru: Emily Williams, Book 4    RC 62524
by Katie Maxwell
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
During her last few weeks in London before returning to Seattle, seventeen-year-old Emily has a summer job at a museum and awaits the visit of her best friend, Dru. But when Emily’s love interest, Fang, returns from New Zealand, he has a new girlfriend. For senior high readers. 2004.

The Cold Moon: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel    RC 62636
by Jeffery Deaver
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Quadriplegic New York criminalist Lincoln Rhyme and detective Amelia Sachs search for a sadistic serial killer called the Watchmaker who leaves clocks beside his victims. Amelia is also involved in proving a businessman’s suicide is actually a homicide and finds herself targeted for murder. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

Absurdistan    RC 62641
by Gary Shteyngart
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Adventures of Misha Vainberg, the obese, thirty-year-old son of an assassinated Russian Jewish gangster, who is denied re-entry into the United States. Misha visits Absurdistan, a former Soviet satellite, to obtain a forged passport. But a phony civil war breaks out. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.

Pyramids: A Novel of Discworld    RC 62642
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Teenager Teppic leaves Ankh-Morpork’s assassin school to claim the throne of his deceased father’s desert kingdom, Djelibeybi. As new pharaoh, Teppic must first build his father’s pyramid tomb. He then undertakes administrative tasks that reveal deceit, betrayal, and a headstrong handmaiden. For senior high and older readers. 1989.

Mystic and Rider: The Twelve Houses, Book 1    RC 62644
by Sharon Shinn
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
King Baryn dispatches the fire mystic woman Senneth to assess the civil unrest in the land of Gillengaria. Accompanied by shapeshifters and riders—unlikely allies—Senneth encounters a fanatical cult seeking to purge the kingdom of all magic users. Senneth and the rider Tayse’s growing attraction complicates the group’s mission. 2005.

Half Broken Things    RC 62646
by Morag Joss
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Her agency slates house-sitter Jean Wade for retirement. Her last assignment is at an isolated English country house, where Jean plays lady of the manor and forms a makeshift family with a forlorn thief and a pregnant girl. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2004.

Changelings: The Twins of Petaybee, Book 1    RC 62653
by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Young Ronan and Murel Shongili, twin brother and sister who have inherited shape-shifting abilities from their father, Sean, explore the sentient planet Petaybee as seals. Fearing the twins’ discovery by exploitive scientists, their parents send them to a space station—but danger awaits. Meanwhile, Sean disappears on an underwater expedition. 2006.

Justice! Wagons West: The Empire Trilogy, Volume 3    RC 62655
by Dana Fuller Ross
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Frontiersman Clay Holt tracks the French nobleman behind a land-grabbing scheme in the western territories. Clay’s brother Jeff finds himself a prisoner of Alaskan Indians, while Holt cousin Ned seeks adventure on the high seas. Sequel to Vengeance! (RC 62413). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 1999.

Second Sight: An Arcane Society Novel    RC 62661
by Amanda Quick
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Victorian England. Venetia Milton visits Gabriel Jones’s estate to photograph relics of the Arcane Society, a secret organization founded by Gabriel’s alchemist ancestor. Gabriel is reported dead but surfaces later to protect Venetia and catch a murderous thief who is after his family’s secrets. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2006.

Night Train to Rigel    RC 62671
by Timothy Zahn
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
2084. A dying messenger hands Frank Compton a ticket for a seat on the Quadrail—an interstellar transportation system run by the Spiders—destined for an Earth colony in the Rigel star system. Once he’s aboard, the Spiders recruit Frank to stop transgalactic weapons smugglers who could be plotting an attack. 2005.

Susannah’s Garden    RC 62680
by Debbie Macomber
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
After her father’s death, Susannah returns to her childhood home to help her mother. While there she searches for an old boyfriend, reestablishes friendships, deals with her own daughter who is in love, and makes many discoveries that will change her life forever. Some strong language. 2006.

Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar    RC 62683
edited by Mercedes Lackey
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Thirteen stories of Mercedes Lackey’s magical realm Valdemar. In Mickey Zucker Reichert’s "A Herald’s Rescue," a stable boy journeys with a horselike Companion to save an injured Herald—or so he believes. Includes Nancy Asire’s "The Cat Who Came to Dinner," Judith Tarr’s "Rebirth," and Lackey’s novella "Sun in Glory." 2003.

The Book of the Dead: A Pendergast Mystery    RC 62768
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
read by Scott Brick
3 cassettes
FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, from Dance of Death (RC 60742), languishes in prison for murders committed by his psychotic brother, Diogenes. Meanwhile, New York’s natural history museum unseals an Egyptian tomb, precipitating more killings. Aloysius escapes to confront his brother in a deadly showdown. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Fortunate Son    RC 62769
by Walter Mosley
read by Lorraine Toussaint
2 cassettes
Los Angeles. Stepbrothers Tommy and Eric are separated when their makeshift family disintegrates. Sickly African American Tommy ends up on the streets dealing drugs while white doctor’s son Eric lives a prosperous but empty life. Years later, tragedy reunites them. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Judge and Jury    RC 62772
by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
read by Joe Mantegna
2 cassettes
FBI agent Nick Pellisante finally arrests Mafia godfather Dominic Cavello for murder, but hired killer Richard Nordeshenko blows up the jury to create a mistrial. Surviving juror Andie DeGrasse and Pellisante work together to nail Cavallo any way they can. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Lost and Found    RC 62773
by Carolyn Parkhurst
read by Blair Brown
2 cassettes
Seven two-person teams travel the globe to win one million dollars on Lost and Found, an unscrupulously run reality television show. Contestants include a mother and daughter, Christians who were homosexuals, and former child stars. As pressure mounts, their true personalities emerge. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven    RC 62789
by Fannie Flagg
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Elmwood Springs, Missouri. After octogenarian Elner Shimfissle falls off her ladder and dies, the townsfolk reminisce about her. When Elner meets her late sister Ida in heaven, Ida is still fuming over her bad-hair day at her funeral—then a miracle happens. Includes recipes. Bestseller. 2006.

There Will Never Be Another You    RC 62792
by Carolyn See
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
Los Angeles dermatologist Philip Fuchs divides his energies among his work, widowed mother, disgruntled wife, and unruly children until he joins an elite counter-bioterrorism team, created after the 2001 terrorist attacks. The assignment is ultimately overshadowed by his domestic affairs. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2006.

Band of Brothers: A Richard Bolitho Novel, Volume 27    RC 62825
by Alexander Kent
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
1774. Having passed an examination on his way to becoming a lieutenant, British midshipman Richard Bolitho helps deliver the topsail schooner Hotspur to the Channel Islands. En route the crew encounters wreckage of another ship that was presumably attacked by smugglers. The Hotspur changes course to pursue the culprits. 2005.

Star Wars: Dark Lord; the Rise of Darth Vader    RC 62826
by James Luceno
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Jedi Roan Shryne, Bol Chatak, and Olee Starstone attack an Outer Rim separatist stronghold unaware that Palpatine has seduced Anakin Sky-walker to the dark side and ordered the assassination of all Jedi. The three Jedi elude capture by clone troopers and regroup to face a new threat—Darth Vader. 2005.

H.R.H.    RC 63096
by Danielle Steel
read by Jay O. Sanders
2 cassettes
After college graduation, Princess Christianna’s royal father allows her to volunteer anonymously at an international relief camp in Africa. Christianna falls in love with Parker Williams, a physician working with Doctors Without Borders, but violence invades their haven. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. Bestseller. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

A Spot of Bother    RC 63098
by Mark Haddon
read by Simon Vance
2 cassettes
Retiree George Hall, believing he has cancer, survives his family’s dysfunction by ignoring his wife’s affair, their gay son’s disapproval of his sister Katie’s choice for a second husband, and Katie’s questionable motives for marrying again. Meanwhile George deteriorates. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Moral Disorder: Stories    RC 63104
by Margaret Atwood
read by Susan Denaker
2 cassettes
Short stories chronicle the lives of a Canadian woman and those around her, from childhood to old age. In rural and urban locales, the protagonist deals with sibling rivalry, teachers, friends and enemies, lovers, husbands, and aging parents. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

The Interpretation of Murder    RC 63107
by Jed Rubenfeld
read by Kirby Heyborne
3 cassettes
New York City, 1909. A serial killer is targeting the city’s wealthiest heiresses. Dr. Stratham Younger enlists the help of his idol Sigmund Freud after Nora Acton survives an attack but develops hysteria. The two analysts try to unlock her memories while they investigate the crimes. Some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Taken    RC 63108
by Barbara Freethy
read by Bernadette Dunne
2 cassettes
Her groom abandons San Francisco artist Kayla on their wedding night, while engineer Nick Granville returns from Africa to find his money stolen. Kayla and Nick join forces to find con man Evan Chadwick. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Sharp Objects    RC 63109
by Gillian Flynn
read by Ann Marie Lee
2 cassettes
Chicago reporter Camille Preaker, recently treated for psychological problems, arrives in her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the murders of two preteen girls. Camille sees her mother and thirteen-year-old half-sister for the first time in years. But events from the past overwhelm her. Some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

The Handmaid and the Carpenter    RC 63114
by Elizabeth Berg
read by Elizabeth Berg
1 cassette
In this interpretation of the nativity story, Mary and Joseph alternately relate the tale of their teenage romance and betrothal. When Mary becomes mysteriously pregnant before their marriage, Joseph initially repudiates her. Follows the gospel version. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Capital Crimes    RC 63128
by Jonathan Kellerman and Faye Kellerman
read by various narrators
2 cassettes
Two short novellas, "Thy Sister’s Keeper" and "Music City Breakdown," written by a husband-and-wife author team include familiar characters like Alex Delaware, Peter Decker, and Rina Lazarus. Some violence and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2006.

Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea    RC 63343
by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
Millionaire Randolph Weed organizes a holiday charity cruise. Invited guests include a writers group, lottery winners Alvirah and Willy Meehan, and private detective Regan Reilly and her husband Jack. Weed’s nephew Eric also smuggles aboard two wanted felons who plan to escape once they reach the Caribbean. Bestseller. 2006.

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Books for Children

Cassettes Nonfiction

Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin    RC 57882
by John Bankston
read by John Fulks
1 cassette
Biography of Canadian doctor Frederick Banting (1891–1941), whose medical research led to the use of insulin as a treatment for diabetes. Relates how Banting received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1923 and shared the award money with his closest research associate. For grades 4-7. 2002.

Rabble Rousers: Twenty Women Who Made a Difference    RC 58211
by Cheryl Harness
read by Peggy Gilleland
1 cassette
Brief biographies of twenty American women "who dared to try to change the world" from colonial times to the twentieth century. Includes abolitionist Sojourner Truth, women’s suffrage champion Susan B. Anthony, and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, among others. For grades 3-6. 2003.

A Look at Neptune    RC 58229
by John Tabak
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Describes the discovery of Neptune, the third most massive planet in the solar system. Highlights the Voyager spacecraft mission and includes a timeline of major developments in Neptune’s exploration and study. Features contributing scientists and includes a glossary. For grades 5-8. 2003.

On the Waters of the USA: Ships and Boats in American Life    RC 58233
by Martin W. Sandler
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Explores the evolving role of boats and ships in America, from Native American birch bark canoes to twenty-first-century container ships and supertankers. For grades 4-7. 2003.

Riding the Rails in the USA: Trains in American Life    RC 58236
by Martin W. Sandler
read by Rick Wiseman
1 cassette
Explores the influence of trains in America beginning in 1825 as they allowed large numbers of settlers to move westward. Also describes how railways helped pioneers obtain needed supplies, moved farmers’ goods to market, and later provided transportation for commuters. For grades 4-7. 2004.

Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth     RC 60900
by James Cross Giblin
read by Don Hagen
2 cassettes
A dual biography of brothers and fellow actors Edwin Booth, who supported the Union, and John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Lincoln in 1865. Discusses their similarities, their political differences, and the profound effect John’s murderous act had on the rest of Edwin’s life. For grades 5-8. 2005.

Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp    RC 60916
retold by Philip Pullman
read by John Lescault
1 cassette
Embellished version of the traditional tale of Aladdin, a poor tailor’s son who becomes a wealthy prince with the help of a magic lamp he finds in an enchanted cave. By the author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, including Golden Compass (RC 44343). For grades 3-6. 2005.

Horse Therapists    RC 61394
by Judith Janda Presnall
read by Dave Corey
1 cassette
Discusses the use of horseback riding as therapy for people who are physically or emotionally disabled. For grades 3-6. 2002.

Perseus    RC 61493
retold by Geraldine McCaughrean
read by Don Hagen
1 cassette
Retelling of a Greek myth. Perseus sets out on a quest to kill the snake-haired Medusa, one of three Gorgons who turns men to stone. Perseus encounters Pegasus and many monsters on his journey but also falls in love with Andromeda, a maiden in distress. For grades 4-7. 2003.

Empires of Medieval West Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhay    RC 61895
by David C. Conrad
read by Ken Kliban
1 cassette
Explores the history, people, places, and ideas of these three African kingdoms that grew into empires. Discusses the vital roles of salt and Islam in these areas and connections between the past and present traditions. For grades 6-9. 2005.

Empire of the Inca    RC 61897
by Barbara A. Somervill
read by Jonathan Davis
1 cassette
After a summary of the history of the Inca empire, which flourished in the Andes mountains before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the author discusses its social and political structure. Describes the stone construction of homes and walls, ancient system of roads, and religious practices. For grades 6-9. 2005.

Wonders and Miracles: A Passover Companion    RC 61925
by Eric A. Kimmel
read by Corrie James
1 cassette
Presents the steps performed in a traditional Passover Seder. Contains poetry, prayers, songs, and stories that celebrate the historical significance of this holiday to Jews all around the world. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2004.

The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales from around the World    RC 62058
retold by Naomi Adler
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
Nine traditional folktales from India, China, Australia, Germany, Thailand, Africa, Canada, and Brazil. The Cherokee story "Grandmother Spider" explains how animals in the northern lands brought light from the other side of the world to their dark space. For grades 2-4. 1996.

Science Experiments with Sound and Music    RC 62257
by Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Simple, safe experiments—using mostly everyday materials found at home—that explain where sound comes from, how it works, and how it affects people. Covers vibration, the Doppler effect, decibels, and musical scales among other topics. For grades 4-7. 2000.

Day of the Dead: A Latino Celebration of Family and Life    RC 62277
by Carol Gnojewski
read by Jacinda Bronaugh
1 cassette
Describes the customs and traditions of this Mexican family holiday, observed from October 31 to November 2, that celebrates the stages of life. Traces the holiday’s history from ancient Aztec beliefs to the Spanish conquest and modern times. Discusses offerings and skeleton symbols. For grades 2-4. 2005.

How to Be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (or Just in Your Class)     RC 62280
by Jay Leno
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
After a biographical introduction, television star Jay Leno combines advice on becoming a comedian with a large supply of jokes, puns, and wisecracks. An example is "What time do ducks wake up? At the quack of dawn." For grades 3-6. 2005.

The Greatest Cookies Ever: Dozens of Delicious, Chewy, Chunky, Fun, and Foolproof Recipes    RC 62309
by Rose Dunnington
read by Barbara Caruso
1 cassette
Recipes for seventy-five different cookies. "Wild and Crazy Cookies!" takes basic sugar dough and adds fancy variations. "Chewy, Chunky, Yummy Cookies" features favorites like chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal-raisin. Discusses kitchen orientation and safety. For grades 4-7. 2005.

Life in a Kelp Forest    RC 62378
by Mary Jo Rhodes and David Hall
read by Alexander Strain
1 cassette
Explains kelp forests and the food and shelter they provide to large and small creatures such as crabs, sea anemones, sea stars, and jellyfish. For grades 2-4. 2005.

Salad People and More Real Recipes: A New Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up     RC 62384
by Mollie Katzen
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
A beginner’s cookbook of twenty easy-to-assemble dishes for young chefs, with set-up instructions for the adult helper. Covers safety tips and cooking hints for food projects like Tiny Tacos, Crunchy Fruity Granola, Polka Dot Rice, and Egg Salad. For preschool-grade 2 and older readers. 2005.

Other People’s Words: What Plagiarism Is and How to Avoid It    RC 62392
by Barbara Francis
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Explains why it is dishonest to present someone else’s work as your own. Discusses the temptation to copy material from the Internet and the best ways to avoid plagiarism. Includes examples of people who plagiarized and the consequences they faced. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2005.

Children of the Great Depression    RC 62399
by Russell Freedman
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Discusses the hardships of American children during the Great Depression (1930s–early 1940s). Uses first-person accounts to describe the harsh conditions children endured—such as living in shacks and boxcars and quitting school to work in the fields—when their fathers could not earn money to support their families. For grades 5-8. 2005.

Onward: A Photobiography of African-American Polar Explorer Matthew Henson     RC 62433
by Dolores Johnson
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
Biography of Matthew Henson (1866–1955), the adventuresome son of sharecroppers, who traveled with Admiral Robert E. Peary to Nicaragua in 1887 and to the North Pole in 1909. Discusses Henson’s rise from manservant to trusted expeditionary, the effect on his family life, and delayed professional recognition. For grades 5-8. 2006.

The Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage    RC 62487
by Walter Dean Myers and Bill Miles
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
Introduces the 369th regiment known as the Harlem Hellfighters with a brief history of African American soldiers. Discusses how these patriots dealt with racial prejudice. Focuses on the valor of the Hellfighters who engaged the French Army in World War I. For grades 5-8. 2006.

Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship    RC 62663
by Isabella Hatkoff and Paula Kahumbu
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Describes how a baby hippopotamus, Owen, was stranded alone on the Kenyan coast after the tsunami in 2004. Discusses the rescue effort to deliver Owen to Haller Park, an animal sanctuary, where he met Mzee, a solitary, 130-year-old tortoise, who became a substitute mother. For grades K-3. 2006.

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Cassettes Fiction

The Unwilling Umpire: A to Z Mysteries, "U"    RC 57881
by Ron Roy
read by Russ Weinstein
1 cassette
When the umpire at a baseball game fundraiser is accused of stealing a collection of autographed baseballs, friends Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose try to prove his innocence. With the help of the Internet they nab the real crook. For grades 2-4. 2004.

The Ninth Nugget: A to Z Mysteries, "N"    RC 58212
by Ron Roy
read by John Fulks
1 cassette
When Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose visit a dude ranch in Montana, they soon have another mystery to solve—who broke into the ranch’s safe and stole a large gold nugget that Josh had found in a creek. For grades 2-4. 2001.

Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm    RC 58213
by Herman Parish
read by Ligaya Romero
1 cassette
Amelia Bedelia causes chaos in the library when she decides to help the librarian. She even takes the book-mobile to the bookstore to buy a book. For grades K-3. 2003.

Elisa Michaels, Bigger and Better    RC 58215
by Johanna Hurwitz
read by Ligaya Romero
1 cassette
Six stories about seven-year-old Elisa who helps baby-sit her little brother and encourages him to outgrow his pacifier. She flies to visit her grandmother in Florida and goes to the library. For grades 2-4. 2003.

Froggy’s Day with Dad    RC 59455
by Jonathan London
read by John Fulks
1 cassette
Froggy and his dad celebrate Father’s Day with a game of miniature golf and other adventures. For preschool-grade 2. 2004.

The Journal of C.J. Jackson: A Dust Bowl Migrant; My Name Is America    RC 60051
by William Durbin
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Thirteen-year-old C.J. records in a journal the conditions of the Dust Bowl that cause the Jackson family to move west from their Oklahoma farm. In California they endure the harsh life of migrant workers. For grades 4-7. 2002.

The Ice Cream Mystery: A Boxcar Children Mystery    RC 60053
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny determine to find out who is sabotaging the Greenfield Ice Cream Barn. They search for suspects while they put up posters, invent new flavors, and ride in the ice cream wagon pulled by Butterscotch, the horse. For grades 3-6. 2003.

The Black Widow Spider Mystery: Boxcar Children Mysteries    RC 60058
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny volunteer to help the new couple down the street unpack. The slightly unusual Blackwells have decorated their front gate with spiders and filled their house with mysterious boxes. The children are convinced the neighbors are hiding something. For grades 3-6. 2003.

Chief Sunrise, John McGraw, and Me    RC 60399
by Timothy Tocher
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
In 1919, scruffy fifteen-year-old Hank runs away from his mean father, hops a freight train, and meets Chief Sunrise, immortal baseball pitcher in the making. The two head for the New York Giants spring training camp to get to know John McGraw, the team manager. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Arthur and the Recess Rookie: A Marc Brown Chapter Book    RC 60935
by Stephen Krensky
read by Bruce Nelson
1 cassette
Arthur challenges Francine to a game of kickball to prove to her that a person does not have to be a great athlete to be important to the team. For grades 2-4. 2001.

Arthur and the Best Coach Ever: A Marc Brown Chapter Book    RC 60936
by Stephen Krensky
read by Bruce Nelson
1 cassette
Arthur’s soccer team gets a new coach who provides them with brand-new uniforms and lots of ice cream. It takes the players a while to realize that the man doesn’t know how to coach soccer. For grades 2-4. 2001.

The Legend of Buddy Bush    RC 61076
by Shelia P. Moses
read by Tracy Mickens-Hundley
1 cassette
North Carolina; summer, 1947. Twelve-year-old Pattie Mae dreams of moving to Harlem where African Americans can live more freely than in the South—especially after her Uncle Buddy is arrested for attempted rape of a white woman. Some strong language. For grades 6-9. Coretta Scott King Honor Book. 2004.

Arthur and the Goalie Ghost: A Marc Brown Chapter Book    RC 61315
by Stephen Krensky
read by Bruce Nelson
1 cassette
Arthur, his hockey teammates, and the ghost of the greatest goalie of all time help out when Buster worries that he’ll never be as good a goalie as his hero was. For grades 2-4. 2001.

Arthur and the Pen-Pal Playoff: A Marc Brown Chapter Book    RC 61316
by Stephen Krensky
read by Bruce Nelson
1 cassette
After bragging to his pen pal about his basketball skills, Arthur realizes that he has to make good on his boasts when the friend comes to visit. For grades 2-4. 2001.

Valentine’s Day    RC 61431
by Anne Rockwell
read by Kate Kiley
1 cassette
The children in Mrs. Madoff’s class make valentines to send to a special friend in Japan. On Valentine’s Day the students receive a big envelope from Japan and exchange class valentines with one another. For preschool-grade 2. 2001.

Thanksgiving Day    RC 61432
by Anne Rockwell
read by Kate Kiley
1 cassette
After their teacher, Mrs. Madoff, reads a story about the first Thanksgiving, the class acts out the story in a play. For preschool-grade 2. 1999.

Broken Song    RC 61760
by Kathryn Lasky
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
During Hanukkah in 1897, the family of quiet, violin-playing Reuven Bloom is murdered in their Russian village and the fifteen-year-old flees with his baby sister. While fighting against the Russian army, Reuven helps another family to escape, that of Sashie from The Night Journey (RC 61475). For grades 5-8. 2005.

The Sword That Cut the Burning Grass: A Samurai Mystery    RC 61812
by Dorothy Hoobler and Thomas Hoobler
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
Eighteenth-century Japan. With the help of a servant girl and an imperious old man, fourteen-year-old apprentice samurai Seikei sets out to rescue young emperor Yasuhito from kidnappers and to save the sacred sword from falling into the wrong hands. Sequel to In Darkness, Death (RC 58269). Some violence. For grades 6-9. 2005.

The King in the Window    RC 61831
by Adam Gopnik
read by Victoria Gordon
2 cassettes
Twelve-year-old Oliver, an American living in Paris, looks out the window while wearing a traditional Epiphany crown only to see an eighteenth-century boy staring back. Proclaimed king of the window, Oliver answers the call to battle against the dreaded Master of Mirrors. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2005.

Mark of the Bear Claw    RC 61945
by Janie Lynn Panagopoulos
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
Fort Detroit area, 1763. Makow, an Odawa boy, and his grandfather Lame Beaver travel by canoe to their family’s homeland. Makow becomes angry and runs away when he learns the meaning of his name. Rumors of rebellion lead Makow to a group of Odawa youths. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1    RC 62051
by Kate DiCamillo
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
Mr. and Mrs. Watson’s pig, Mercy, lives in their house. One night Mercy snuggles into the Watson’s bed, and the bed begins to fall into a hole in the floor. Then in her own way, Mercy finds help. Beginning chapter book. For grades K-3. 2005.

Lady of Ch’iao Kuo: Warrior of the South    RC 62052
by Laurence Yep
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Southern China, A.D. 531. Teenaged Princess Redbird keeps a diary describing her role as a liaison between her own people, the Hsien tribe, and the local Chinese colonists in times of both peace and war. Contains a historical note on the ruler. For grades 5-8. 2001.

High Rhulain: Redwall Abbey    RC 62080
by Brian Jacques
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Young ottermaid Tiria Wildlough fulfills her destiny by traveling from Redwall Abbey to the Green Isle. There she joins forces with an outlaw otter clan leader in the fight against the wildcat chieftain Riggu Felis. Her success heralds the arrival of the prophesied High Rhulain. For grades 5-8. 2005.

Hachiko Waits    RC 62103
by Lesléa Newman
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Japan. At three o’clock every day for ten years, the faithful dog Hachiko waits at the train station for his master, Professor Ueno, even after the professor dies. Hachiko’s legendary loyalty and devotion are honored by a statue at Shibuya Station. Based on a true event. For grades 3-6. 2004.

Waters Luminous and Deep: Shorter Fictions    RC 62163
by Meredith Ann Pierce
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Eight fantasy tales featuring strong heroines and water in one of its forms: seawater, freshwater, ice, or snow. In "Icerose," two friends set out on a quest to free their frozen land from the power of the Icewitch. For grades 6-9. 2004.

Peter and the Starcatchers    RC 62169
by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
In this prequel to Peter Pan (RC 59430), Peter and four other orphan boys set sail from England on the Never Land. Peter and his mysterious new shipboard friend, Molly, fight off pirates and thieves to protect a special trunk in her keeping. For grades 4-7. 2004.

The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming: The Brotherhood of the Conch, Book 2    RC 62275
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
Twelve-year-old Anand responds to his mentor Master Healer Abhaydatta’s need for help, embarking on another adventure. He crosses modern India and travels back to the Bengal of Muslim nawabs, encountering sorcerers, spoiled princes, noble warriors, and evil jinns. Sequel to The Conch Bearer (RC 59926). For grades 5-8. 2005.

Crooked River    RC 62281
by Shelley Pearsall
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Ohio frontier, 1812. Thirteen-year-old Rebecca Carver’s father holds captive in the family cabin a Chippewa Indian accused of murder. Considering their settlement’s widespread prejudice, Rebecca worries that even with lawyer Peter Kelley to defend him, an innocent man may be convicted and hanged. For grades 5-8. 2005.

Enemy Spy: Shredderman, Book 4    RC 62285
by Wendelin Van Draanen
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
As the search for Shredderman’s identity intensifies, Nolan stumbles across a possible spy-ring operation. Nolan’s involvement in the case puts his superhero secret in jeopardy. For grades 3-6. 2005.

Dragonwings: Golden Mountain Chronicles, 1903    RC 62295
by Laurence Yep
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Eight-year-old Moon Shadow sails from China in 1903 to join his father in San Francisco, in the Land of the Golden Mountain. The two endure poverty and ridicule while making the father’s dream of a flying machine come true. For grades 6-9. Newbery Honor Book. 1975.

Annie and the Old One    RC 62374
by Miska Miles
read by Jacinda Bronaugh
1 cassette
Annie, a young Navajo girl, is upset thinking her grandmother could die. When her grandmother announces that she will return to the earth when the rug on the loom is finished, Annie tries to stop the weaving. For grades 3-6. Newbery Honor. 1971.

What Erika Wants    RC 62459
by Bruce Clements
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Fourteen-year-old Erika feels stressed out by her parents’ custody battle, her crush on a cute boy, tryouts for the lead in the school play, and a friend who shoplifts. The bright spot is her court-appointed lawyer, Jean, who really cares about what is best for Erika. For grades 6-9. 2005.

The Little Gentleman    RC 62476
by Philippa Pearce
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
1 cassette
When Bet (short for Elizabeth) becomes acquainted with a mole—the little gentleman—the lonely girl enjoys hearing the story of his long, bewitched life. Becoming attached to his company, Bet faces a dilemma about helping the mole end his enchantment and return to his true self. For grades 4-7. 2004.

Orange You Glad It’s Halloween, Amber Brown?    RC 62494
by Paula Danziger
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
At school Amber and her classmates celebrate Halloween by dressing pumpkins as favorite book characters and having a party. At home Amber’s family has a special supper and Amber puts on her costume to go trick-or-treating. Beginning reader. For grades K-3. 2005.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa    RC 62685
by Erica Silverman
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Cowgirl Kate and her chocolate-colored horse, Cocoa, who is always hungry, share a story, surprise each other, count cows, and help each other fall asleep. Easy chapter book. For grades K-3. Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor. 2005.

Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything    RC 62801
by Lenore Look
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
More adventures of Ruby Lu, Brave and True (RC 62415). Ruby is happy that her aunt, uncle, and deaf cousin Flying Duck came from China to live with her family because now Ruby can be Flying Duck’s Smile Buddy at school. But Ruby’s friend Emma isn’t so happy. For grades 2-4. 2006.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners    RC 62865
by Erica Silverman
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Cowgirl Kate’s horse Cocoa wants to wear cowboy boots, not horseshoes, and play hide-and-seek by his rules. Cocoa also helps Cowgirl Kate practice roping and shows her, in his own way, that they are partners. Easy chapter book. For grades K-3. 2006.

Caddy Ever After    RC 62869
by Hilary McKay
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
Casson siblings Rose, Indigo, Saffy, and Caddy present individual accounts of events leading up to Caddy’s wedding, including a helium balloon stalking and a Ghost Club accident. Rose, upset that the groom is not darling Michael, intervenes. Sequel to Permanent Rose (RC 61209). For grades 4-7. 2006.

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Foreign Language Books

Spanish

La Profecía de Babilonia (Babylon Rising)    RC 61027
por Tim LaHaye y Greg Dinallo
leído por Juan Ramírez
3 cassettes
El arqueólogo Michael Murphy acude al misterio Matusalén quien le da las claves para descubrir un valioso y poderoso artefacto bíblico. Pero hay otros que buscan el mismo artefacto por parte de una organización oscura llamada los Siete. Cueste lo que cueste, los Siete están resueltos a encontrar el artefacto y ejecutar su poder para su propios fines malvados. (Field archaeologist Michael Murphy is summoned by Methuselah, who provides him the clues for obtaining a menacing yet valuable and powerful biblical artifact. It is also sought by others, directed by the Seven, who will stop at nothing to unearth the object and implement its powers.) 2003.

El Jurado (The Runaway Jury)    RC 61036
por John Grisham
leído por María Pino
4 cassettes
Los grandes magnates de la industria del tabaco disponen de millones de dólares y del mejor especialista en jurados para defenderse contra los reclamos de los grupos antitabacaleros. Pero ahora aparece un hombre en Misisipí que sabe más sobre la manipulación del jurado. Lenguaje injurioso. (Using jury consultants with elaborate and illegal research techniques, the tobacco companies have managed to win each lawsuit brought against them. Now, in Mississippi, a man has purposely placed himself on the jury of the latest tobacco trial. Strong language.) 2004.

La Biblia para Dummies (The Bible for Dummies)    RC 61038
por Jeffrey Geoghegan y Michael Homan
leído por María Pino
4 cassettes
Guía del más conocido y más vendido libro del mundo. Explica de qué se trata la Biblia, traza su origen e historia, y examina su vasta influencia cultural. También describe las distintas versiones de la Biblia y su relación con el judaismo, cristianismo e islamismo. (Discusses the Bible’s purpose, its origins and history, and its worldwide cultural influence. Also points out the various versions of the Bible and their importance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.) 2003.

Tutankamon (Tutankhamen)    RC 61040
por Olga Alvarez Herrero
leído por María Pino
2 cassettes
Historia del faraón de Egipto que murió en plena juventud y cuya fama principal proviene del descubrimiento archeológico de su tumba prácticamente intacta en 1922. La historia incluye los esfuerzos de preservar los valiosos tesoros y artefactos de la tumba de Tutankamon que ofrecen una penetrante vista de la vida de Egipto antiguo. (Traces what is known about the short-lived Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen, information principally derived from the 1922 archaeological discovery of his undisturbed tomb. Describes efforts to preserve the burial site’s priceless treasures and artifacts, which reveal a penetrating portrait of life in ancient Egypt.) 2004.

Vacaciones en Saint-Tropez (Sunset in St. Tropez)    RC 61043
por Danielle Steel
leído por María Pino
2 cassettes
Tres parejas de amigos de Nueva York, compuestas por Diana y Eric, Pascale y John, y Anne y Robert, intentan tomar sus vacaciones juntos en Francia. Pero Anne muere antes del viaje, y Robert crea una gran agitación cuando invita a su nueva novia, una actriz, a formar parte del grupo. (Three New York couples—Diana and Eric Morrison, Pascale and John Donnally, and Anne and Robert Smith—decide to vacation in France one summer. But Anne dies before the trip, so Robert causes turmoil when he invites his new girlfriend, an actress, to join them.) 2003.

Un Mal Principio: Una Serie de Catastróficas Desdichas, Primer Libro (The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1)    RC 61045
por Lemony Snicket
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Los niños Baudelaire—Violet, de catorce años; Klaus, de doce años; y Sunny, una criaja—son inteligentes y encantadores, pero podría decir que tienen un imán para las catástrofes. Sus padres mueren, sufren de un complot para despojarles de su fortuna y tienen que ir a vivir con el Conde Olaf, un pariente repulsivo. Para grados 4 a 7. (The Baudelaire siblings—Violet, fourteen; Klaus, twelve; and Sunny, a teething toddler—are charming and clever, but "magnets for misfortune." In short order, they are orphaned, denied access to their inheritance until Violet comes of age, and sent to live with a repulsive relative, Count Olaf. For grades 4-7.) 2001.

Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus)    RC 61046
redactado por Francisco Luis Cardona Castro
leído por Peter Gil
1 cassette
Biografía del gran marinero y explorador cuyo viaje por el océano Atlántico en 1492 dió al descubrimiento del Nuevo Mundo y forjó una nueva época en la historia humana, pero cuyo origen, vida y motivaciones personales permanecen misterios aún quinientos años más tarde. (Biography of the sailor and explorer whose great voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 led to the discovery of the New World and the opening of a new epoch in human history, but whose personal life, origins, and motivations remain enigmas some five hundred years later.) 2003.

Hernán Cortés    RC 61047
redactado por Francisco Luis Cardona Castro
leído por Peter Gil
1 cassette
Birafía del conquistador español que, siguiendo los pasos de Colón, llegó al Nuevo Mundo en 1504, conquistó los Aztecas de México en 1520, e hízose gobernador de Nueva España en 1522, así abriendo el nuevo continente para la colonización española. (Biography of the Spanish conquistador who, following in the steps of Columbus, arrived in the New World in 1504, defeated the Aztecs of Mexico in 1520, and became the governor of New Spain in 1522, thereby opening up the continent to Spanish colonization.) 2003.

Abraham Lincoln    RC 61049
redactado por Francisco Luis Cardona Castro
leído por Peter Gil
1 cassette
Biografía del decimosexto presidente de los Estados Unidos, celebrado por la emancipación de los esclavos y por la preservación de la unión de los Estados Unidos durante la Guerra de Secesión. Relata la vida personal y carrera política de Lincoln así como los eventos de su asesinato en 1865. (Biography of the sixteenth president of the United States, most celebrated for freeing the slaves and keeping the Union together during the Civil War. Relates the personal life and political career of Lincoln and the events surrounding his assassination in 1865.) 2005.

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Posted on 2011-01-10