Springfield Library Corner
November 28, 2002

ELEANOR'S CHOICE: FUN AND USEFUL WEBSITES FOR THIS WEEK

Aesop’s Fables at http://www.aesopfables.com/

American Railroad – Steam Locomotives at http://members.aol.com/vlcondon/index.htm

The Hair Archives at http://www.hairarchives.com/

Anthems and Flags of the Nations of the World at http://www.copcity.com/anthems/anthems.html

Directory of Services/Resources for Seniors – Delaware Valley at http://members.aol.com/dvgsoc/resource.htm

Geography IQ – Online World Atlas at http://www.geographyiq.com/index.htm

JOY'S PICKS

Family pets lead wonderful lives, but have you ever thought how it would be to become one? Melvin Burgess’s, “Lady: My Life as a Bitch,” is a humorous look at one seventeen year old who is transformed into a dog. Young adult readers will delight in this glimpse of canine life from a canine viewpoint.

“Step-Ball-Change” by Jeanne Ray is a lighthearted but true to life tale of interpersonal relationships. The characters are lovable and realistic. If you think sixty year olds sit in rocking chairs and watch the world go by you’re definitely in for a surprise! The principle character, Caroline McSwain, lives in a household that resembles a three ring circus!

What makes us happy? Edward M. Hallowell says to trust our instincts in “The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness.” The author presents a five-step plan based on connection, play, practice mastery, and recognition. Learn what really matters and how to make a difference in your children’s lives.

“Bachelor Girl” is Betsy Israel’s historical perspective on single women through the years. This book follows the evolution of solo females from nineteenth century spinsters to career minded CEOs of today. Down with stereotypes! Israel puts these solo women in the elevated social position they deserve.

The very wealthy live in a world all their own. Richard Conniff explores this phenomenon in “The Natural History of the Rich:a Field Guide.” This is an amusing and informative microscopic examination of this particular “species” of the human race. The socially elevated are definitely unique!

LIBRARIAN'S PICK OF THE WEEK

“The Last Defense” by Christopher Darden and Dick Lochte. Darden (who needs no introduction) and Lochte, “an acclaimed mystery writer,” team up in their third mystery, which features the duo of Mercer Early, a young African-American lawyer, and hard- drinking and -loving detective Lionel Mingus.

Early is up-and-coming at a prestigious law firm, and Mingus is part of Internal Affairs, which investigates cops. Early makes a whopper of a mistake when he helps a drug dealer beat the rap, and casts suspicion on a police detective. Now he turns to Mingus to get the goods on whoever killed the dealer and find out who is killing witnesses, including policemen. There’s more mystery than courtroom action here, but that’s all to the good, because Mingus is the more interesting character. Together, however, the team is terrific!

Also new and recommended: “Alice in Exile” by Piers Paul Read; “Second Sunrise” by David Thurlo; “Seek My Face” by John Updike; “A Long Way from Home” by Tom Brokaw; “Child of My Heart” by Alice McDermott; “Visions of Sugar Plums” by Janet Evanovich; “The Shadow of God” by Anthony Goodman; “Dead Guy’s Stuff” by Sharon Fiffer’; “Cape May Court House” by Lawrence Schiller; “A Fine Line” by William Tapply; “Chesapeake Blue” by Nora Roberts; “The Gypsy Man” by Robert Bausch; “The Christmas Train” by Robert Balducci and “The Winter Queen” by Jane Stevenson.”

For the kids: “Robots Among Us” by Christopher Baker; “Amelia Works It Out” by Marissa Moss; “The Beloved Dearly” by Doug Cooney; “A Stone in My Hand” by Cathryn Clinton; “Max and Jax in Second Grade” by Jerdine Nolen; “Smokejumpers” by Elaine Landau; “Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner and “Mr. Puteer & Tabby Catch the Cold” by Cynthia Rylant.

New on cassette: “A Time to Kill” by John Grisham; “Special Ops” by W.E.B. Griffin; “A Kiss Remembered” by Sandra Brown; “Tough Cookie” by Diane Mott Davidson; “Beach House” by James Patterson; “One More for the Road” by Ray Bradbury; “Mr. Perfect” by Linda Howard; “Midnight Voices” by John Saul; “Mortal Prey” by John Sandford; “The Millionaires” by Brad Meltzer; “Seldom Disappointed” by Tony Hillerman; “An Hour Before Daylight” by Jimmy Carter; and “Heartbreaker” by Julie Garwood.