Steampunk

If you like the idea of a mahogany and brass computer more powerful than a supercomputer, or maybe buzzing off to work in a zeppelin rather than a car, then you might want to check out steampunk.  It has a long history, with roots going back more than a century.  It really took off in 1990 [...]

James Patterson, where are you?!

I discovered James Patterson in 1993 when I read Along Came a Spider and fell in love with Alex Cross and his family. I couldn’t wait for the next Patterson book to come out. His books were quick reads, had short chapters, and held my interest until the end…perfect for my busy life. For some [...]

What makes a classic: Inglourious Basterds’ opening scene

Every generation thinks a classic is something different, depending on their values. But apart from that, what makes an audience think a film is something really special? It has to grab them early, and make them forget everything but the movie. They have to both love the hero and grow to hate the villain. The [...]

Beach reading

When you’re on vacation, what do you like to read? I like a really engrossing read on vacation, usually a thriller or science fiction. Maybe it’s because I have more time to focus on it. Do you prefer something lighter? Are you drawn to a particular kind of book when you have a break?

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on DVD

I checked out the first season of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency from the library even though I haven’t read the book, and really enjoyed it. Then I looked online to see when they would be filming the second season, and found out there may not be one. HBO is up in the air [...]

Steamy

Want to steam up those nights with a great book? Start with Brenda Jackson’s Westmorland series. I picked up one, but didn’t know there was a series until I got well into it. There are actually 18 books in all, starting with Delaney’s Desert Sheikh. Hampton Public didn’t own them all but was kind enough [...]

Sailing for Dummies

What do you do when you want to learn about something but are afraid to reveal your ignorance? In my case, I wanted to learn the basics of sailing but was SUCH a novice (had been on a sailboat exactly twice in my life) that, rather than getting on a boat or taking a class, [...]

Why’d they pick it? Which is better? The book/movie debate

Have you ever wondered why a certain book is selected to be made into a movie? Take, for instance, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote. This is a rather risqué short story that was written in 1958. The controversial subjects mentioned in the book are some of the same issues being debated in 2010. The [...]

Spartan Gold, by Clive Cussler

I’ve just finished listening to Spartan Gold on CD. If you are a history buff, you will love this book. If you’re not, you might not be as happy with it. The main characters are the treasure-hunting husband and wife team, Sam & Remi Fargo. It combines mystery, MacGyver-style adventure, and history. It was great [...]

Women’s Book Club at the Phoebus Branch

The Phoebus Branch Library inaugurated their Women’s Book Club recently with a discussion of the novel Push by Sapphire. Many topics were discussed, including socioeconomic patterns, race relations and the repercussions of abnormal family life. Everyone in attendance reported different and highly emotional reactions to the novel’s themes, leading to a rewarding learning experience for [...]