Weekend Digital Catalog Suggested Reading, Viewing & Listening

Here is the list of suggested digital reading, viewing and listening titles for this weekend!

The Four Corners of the Sky by Michael Malone: (An e-book that is now available for everyone!); No holds for this title because it is the OverDrive Big Library Read title!): In small towns between the North Carolina Piedmont and the coast the best scenery is often in the sky. On flat sweeps of red clay and scrub pine the days move monotonously, safely, but above, in the blink of an eye, dangerous clouds can boil out of all four corners of the sky…The flat slow land starts to shiver and anything can happen.

In such a storm, on Annie Peregrine’s seventh birthday, her father gave her the airplane and minutes later drove out of her life. Thus begins an enchanting novel that bursts with energy from the first pages, and sweeps you off on a journey of unforgettable characters, hilarious encounters, and haunting secrets.

The Four Corners of the Sky is master storyteller Michael Malone’s new novel of love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of families. Malone brings characters to life as only he can, exploring the questions that defy easy answers: Is love a choice or a calling? Why do the ties of family bind so tightly? And is forgiveness a gift to others…or a gift we give ourselves?

Flora by Gale Godwin: The family members Helen depended on are gone. She lost her mother some years before, and her beloved grandmother has just passed away. And now her father has left town to work on a top secret military project at Oak Ridge during the final months of World War II. Helen is wise beyond her years, but a ten-year-old cannot be left on her own to fend for herself. Her father arranges a summer guardian, Flora, her late mother’s twenty-two year old first cousin who cries at the drop of a hat. A fiercely imaginative child, Helen is desperate to keep her house intact, with all its ghosts and stories. Flora is the good-hearted, modest cousin who wants to do her best for Helen. Their relationship and its fallout, played out against a backdrop of a lost America, will haunt Helen for the rest of her life.

Inferno by Dan Brown: In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Nicholas by Grace Burrowes: Nicholas Haddonfield has something to hide…After a wild youth, Nicholas Haddonfield, Viscount Reston, has promised his ailing father he’ll finally take a bride, though doing so will force Nick to make impossible choices and face old, painful wounds.

Leah Lindsey is glad to find refuge from her own desperate situation in a marriage of convenience with the gallant viscount. But soon convenience is not enough, and Leah can’t understand why Nick remains so distant. What is he hiding, and will he never allow her into his heart?

An extraordinary and passionate tale of courage tested and fears overcome. Once you enter the lush Regency world of award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes, you’ll never want to leave.

E-Books For Kids:

The Elephant Mountains by Scott Ely: An unprecedented series of hurricanes has swollen the Mississippi River to unheard-of levels and is threatening to put New Orleans and most of the low-lying areas of the South under water. Fifteen-year-old Stephen is spending the summer with his father near a small town north of Lake Pontchartrain when another powerful hurricane arrives and the levees on the Mississippi River completely fail. In the anarchy and chaos that results, Stephen’s father is killed, and the boy is left to fend for himself. Stephen soon encounters Angela, a college student whose parents have also been killed. Navigating the labyrinth of flooded fields and towns in an airboat, the two set out in search of Stephen’s mother and higher ground. Armed with both guns and the skills his survivalist father has taught him, and repeatedly confronted by those who will kill for food, water and weapons, Stephen struggles to maintain hope and his humanity in the face of violence and desperation.

The Enchanting World of Garden Irene McGeeny by Concetta Kennedy: Garden Irene McGeeny has a secret. One that she’s not supposed to tell anybody. It is that her family lives in an underground castle! She tries to keep her secret, but she mistakenly blurts it out during class—the rest of the students don’t believe her. Peter, who becomes an unlikely friend, tries to prove her wrong, which leads Garden to do the unthinkable: take him to her home! Realizing the trouble Garden would be in if her parents find out or if the rest of the kids at school know the truth, Garden and Peter try to keep the secret a secret. Will the rest of the kids find out? Will the truth of Garden’s home become known by all?

The Ark of Dun Ruah, Book 1 by Maria Burke: Reached #1 on the Irish Children’s Fiction Bestseller list!’Where are you going in such a hurry?’ Kerry asked Pod, the blue Owl. He flitted nervously around her shoulders. ‘the eagles are after me,’ he panted. ‘they’re coming around the corner. this time they’ll get me. I’m done for…’The quiet life of Kilbeggin is shattered when a horde of Giant Eagles descend on it. They are bent on an evil mission. Brother and sister Simon and Kerry Macken are hurled into an adventure almost beyond their control. No one believes their friend Pod, the blue Owl, when he claims that the eagles are trying to abduct him. Simon witnesses a vicious eagle attack on a mysterious stranger in a grey cloak. And it’s clear that this man has some kind of supernatural power over the eagles.On board the legendary ship, the Ark of Dun Ruah, Pod comes face to face with the deadly force of evil, this threat comes form a remote monastic island. Does the man in the grey cloak really have power over the eagles? How can he hold back a tyrannical eagle King and his army of brainwashed hit men?Giant Eagles are far from being extinct, they have the power to carry grown men to their deaths. What chance does a grumpy old owl and his friends have against them?…Author:Maria Burke lives in Cork with her husband and eleven year old son. She is a writer, radio presenter and artist. She worked as a primary school teacher for some years and her love of story telling started there. This is Maria’s first novel and the first in the “Ark of Dun Ruah series”. The next book is “Protectors of the Flame”.

Suggested Album:

All The Best by Tina Turner:

Digital Audio Download Includes:

1. Open Arms (Tina Turner)

2. Nutbush City Limits (Ike And Tina Turner)

3. What You Get Is What You See (Tina Turner)

4. Missing You (Tina Turner)

5. The Best (Tina Turner)

6. River Deep Mountain High (Ike And Tina Turner)

7. When The Heartache Is Over (Tina Turner)

8. Let’s Stay Together (Album Version) (Tina Turner)

9. I Don’t Wanna Fight (Single Edit) (Tina Turner)

10. Whatever You Need (Tina Turner)

11. I Can’t Stand The Rain (Tina Turner)

12. Goldeneye (Tina Turner)

13. I Don’t Wanna Lose You (Tina Turner)

14. Great Spirits (Tina Turner)

15. Proud Mary (Tina Turner)

16. Addicted To Love (Live at Camden Palace, London) (1994 Digital Remaster) (Tina Turner)

17. In Your Wildest Dreams (Tina Turner)

18. Private Dancer (Single Edit) (Tina Turner)

19. Why Must We Wait Until Tonight (7” Edit) (Tina Turner)

20. Typical Male (Tina Turner)

21. Tonight (1999 Digital Remaster) (David Bowie With Tina Turner)

22. Complicated Disaster (Tina Turner)

23. On Silent Wings (Single Edit) (Tina Turner)

24. Something Special (Tina Turner)

25. We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) (Tina Turner)

26. It’s Only Love (Bryan Adams with Tina Turner)

27. Cose Della Vita (Eros Ramazzotti With Tina Turner)

28. Steamy Windows (Tina Turner)

29. Paradise Is Here (Tina Turner)

30. What’s Love Got To Do With It (Tina Turner)

31. Better Be Good To Me (Tina Turner)

32. Two People (Tina Turner)

33. Something Beautiful Remains (Tina Turner)

Suggested Audio Books:

Cherished by Maya Banks: Two all-new novellas that cross the boundaries of desire. Exiled by Maya Banks—Enticed to the island paradise where an enigmatic prince is living in exile, beautiful, virginal Talia is introduced to a world of forbidden pleasure where the prince’s every whim is fulfilled and her fantasies are rendered in exquisite detail. But when the prince is summoned back to fulfill his duty to his struggling country, reality is thrust upon Talia all too soon. She returns home, heartbroken, convinced she was a passing fancy for an idle ruler and his most trusted men. Until the day they arrive on her doorstep, determined to have her back where she belongs. Sway by Lauren Dane—Levi Warner is an established, older man—wealthy, powerful, and above all, respectable. Then Levi meets Daisy, an uninhibited 24-year-old dance instructor and artist, not exactly the kind of woman Levi is accustomed to. But the young, free spirit, brings out something in him he only experienced in fantasies. When their scorching affair turns into something unexpectedly deeper, Levi finds himself torn between preserving his reputation, and exploring a wilder and much more satisfying kind of life.

Misled, Carnal Thirst Series, Book1 by Sylvia Day: Special Task Force agent Derek Atkinson has a craving for luscious vampire Sable Taylor. But Sable is a bounty hunter, which makes him direct competition in the capture of wanted criminals. Despite the obvious attraction between them, she won’t give him a chance and after two years, he’s tired of waiting for her to come around. So he’s got a plan to give them both what they want… each other.

Sable’s on a dangerous mission. She’s not who Derek thinks she is, so a relationship just isn’t possible. But like most master vampires, Derek’s wily and used to having his way. When he traps her on his ship, she decides to indulge. Two straight days of mind-blowing sex should be enough, but it isn’t, not for either of them. Her heart is involved now, but Sable can’t let Derek get too close. If he finds out what she’s doing, he’ll never forgive her.

Derek, however, refuses to let go. Now he’s getting shot at and asking questions she shouldn’t answer. Sable has to reveal the truth… Derek’s love has been misled.

Suggested Videos:

Easy Piano:  Covers all the basics a beginner needs to know! Have you ever wished you could play the piano, but didn’t know where to start? Easy Piano is the answer. Just follow along with the step-by-step personal lessons, and you’ll be playing tunes for your friends in no time. Easy-to-use lesson menus. Expert demonstrations. Demonstration of correct technique by an expert. Lessons & tunes at basic & advanced levels. Learn by ear or use guide to reading music. Pieces & chords to practice. Step-by-step video lessons. Easy-to-follow, close-up views of both hands. Interactive menu selection.

Easy Yoga: Discover a timeless path to physical and spiritual health, fitness and wellness! For centuries, people all over the world have practiced a system of mind and body exercise called Yoga. This interactive video presents the ancient practice of Yoga as a modern way of thinking and living that brings order and balance to busy lives. Our trained yoga expert will take you through a series of positions that can build your body’s strength and flexibility, while bringing you toward inner peace and harmony. Just relax and follow along! Learn international styles. Learn exercises for body & soul. Video demonstrations of many popular yogic postures. Shows full sequences for individual postures. Learn breathing & meditation techniques, standing & seated postures, back bends, stretches …and more!

The STLS Digital Catalog may be found on the library’s homepage of SSCLIBRARY.ORG

Or via the following link:

http://stls.lib.overdrive.com/FE5904CF-8A91-4688-A592-7A046C7988D3/10/536/en/Default.htm

And if you have an app device look for the OverDrive Media Console app in your app store – it is the app that will allow you to check out free library e-books and audio books.

Digital Catalog music and video titles must currently be downloaded to a Windows computer to enjoy.

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

As usual –

P.S. And don’t forget if you just bought, or received as a gift a new tablet, e-reader, PC or other tech item and would like to know more about how to use it — you can make an appointment at the library for a free On-On-One tech session and a member of our tech team will show you the digital ropes! Call the Reference Desk at: 607-936-3713 to make an appointment! Did I mention it is a free service the library offers? It is!

 

News From Google’s Developer’s Conference & iTunes Gets An Update

News From Google’s Developer’s Conference: Google is hosting its annual developer’s conference this week and PC Magazine has a slide show of what it describes as “The 10 most exciting things Google announced at I/O.” Those new and exciting things include hands free Google search, a new subscription music service (like Pandora) called “All Access,” the ability to send people money by Gmail and an updated Google Hangout app (it has more of the proverbial bells and whistles).

Here’s a link to the PC Magazine article and slideshow:

http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/311550/the-10-most-exciting-things-google-announced-at-i-o

And the New York Times offers an article today that relays the fact that more apps are now available for the Internet connecting Google Glass glasses. The new apps are: CNN, Elle, Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and Evernote. Here’s a link to the Times’ article which is titled “New Apps Arrive on Google Glass:”

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/new-apps-arrive-on-google-glass/?ref=technology

iTunes Gets An Update: Apple rolled out an iTunes update today – not a major revamp of the software like the one we saw last fall but instead an update with incremental improvements including a new and jazzy mini player and a fix for the multi-disc album issue – and by that I simply mean that if, for example, you import your two disc version of Billy Joel’s Great Hits into iTunes by putting the disc themselves into your computer – iTunes will no longer treat each disc as a separate disc but instead will put all the songs together where they belong – under the album title. Here’s a link to a Digital Trends article on the iTunes upgraded titled “iTunes 11.3 Arrives With New Miniplayer And Improved Multi-Disc Support:”

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/itunes-11-03-arrives-with-new-miniplayer-and-improved-multi-disc-support/

Have a great day!

Linda R.

P.S. And don’t forget if you just bought, or received as a gift a new tablet, e-reader, PC or other tech item and would like to know more about how to use it — you can make an appointment at the library for a free On-On-One tech session and a member of our tech team will show you the digital ropes! Call the Reference Desk at: 607-936-3713 to make an appointment! Did I mention it is a free service the library offers? It is! 

References

Albanesius, Chloe. (2013, May 16). The 10 Most Exciting Things Google Announced at I/O. PC Magazine. Online.

Miller, Claire Cain. (2013, May 16). New Apps Arrive on Google Glass. New York Times. Online. 

E-Book News Parts 1 & 2 & Print A 3D Star Wars Stormtrooper Action Figure That Looks Like You!

E-Book News Part 1: E-Book Sales Up 44% In 2012 Over 2011: According to the Association of American Publishers & the Book Industry Study Group’s annual report ebook sales rose to comprise 20% of all books sold in 2012. And to give you an idea of why this is a big deal consider that e-book sales rose 44% in 2012 over the 2011 figures and made publishers $3.042 billion dollars in 2012. So we are quickly moving towards the tipping point where more U.S. consumers will read ebooks instead of print books and thus U.S. Publishing companies will make more money on ebook sales than on print book sales.

Here’s a link to a short paidContent article on the subject titled “Ebooks made 20% of the U.S. consumer book industry in 2012, up from 15% in 2011;”

http://paidcontent.org/2013/05/15/ebooks-made-up-20-of-the-u-s-consumer-book-industry-in-2012-up-from-15-in-2011/

And a link to a New York Times article on the same subject titled “E-Book Sales a Boon to Publishers in 2012:”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/business/media/e-book-sales-a-boon-to-publishers-in-2012.html

E-Book News Part 2: Department of Justice Deems Apple “Ringmaster” In E-Book Anti-Trust Suit: The U.S. Department of Justice has deemed Apple the “Ringmaster” in lawsuit it brought against Apple and five of the six largest publishers in the United States that are collectively known as “The Big Six.” The five publishers Simon & Schuster, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Penguin all settled the DOJ suit last year leaving Apple as the lone company fighting against the Department of Justice suit. Apple is now asserting, in response to the DOJ judgment that Apple was the ringleader that came up with the plain to collude with the previously mentioned Big Five, that it fact it was the Big Five publishers that came up with the collusion plan to fix e-book prices via an Agency Model. The anti-trust suit will go to trial in June and the outcome may have a great impact on how much publisher charge for e-books – we’ll have to wait and see how the DOJ rules to find out.

Here’s a link to a New York Times article on the suit titled “U.S. Now Paints Apple as ‘Ringmaster’ in Its Lawsuit on E-Book Price-Fixing;”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/technology/us-now-paints-apple-as-ringmaster-in-its-lawsuit-on-e-book-price-fixing.html?_r=0

Print A 3D Star Wars Stormtrooper Action Figure That Looks Like You! Disney, which recently purchased the rights to the Star Wars franchise is hosting a series of events titled “Star Wars Weekends” in May & June and as part of the Star Wars celebration is giving fans a chance to put their faces on a 3-D printed Star Wars action figure. The Stormtrooper figures are called “Star Wars D-Tech Me” and cost $99.95 plus shipping and sales tax per figure. So for $100 you can turn yourself into a Star Wars action figure!

And if you think $99.95 is rather a high price to pay for a cool personalized 3-D Star Wars action figure – not to worry! The cost of 3-D Printers is coming down and Staples will even begin to sell a 3D Printer in June so within just a few years you’ll no doubt be able to “print” a personalized Star Wars action figure at a home, office or public library near you for a much cheaper price.

Here’s a link to the short Mashable article, titled Turn Yourself Into a 3D-Printed Star Wars Stormtrooper,  on the personalized Star Wars Stormtrooper:

http://mashable.com/2013/05/15/3d-printed-star-wars-stormtrooper/

And don’t forget if you just bought, or received as a gift a new tablet, e-reader, PC or other tech item and would like to know more about how to use it — you can make an appointment at the library for a free On-On-One tech session and a member of our tech team will show you the digital ropes! Call the Reference Desk at: 607-936-3713 to make an appointment! Did I mention it is a free service the library offers? It is!

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Bosman, Julie. (2013, May 15). E-Book Sales a Boon to Publishers in 2012. New York Times. Online.

Hutchings, Emma. (2013, May 15). Turn Yourself Into a 3D-Printed Star Wars Stormtrooper. Mashable. Onlne.

Owen, Laura Hazard. (2013, May 15). Ebooks made up 20% of the US consumer book industry in 2012 up from 15% in 2011. paidContent. Online.

Wyatt, Edward. & Wingfield, Nick. (2013, May 14). U.S. Now Paints Apple as ‘Ringmaster’ in Its Lawsuite on E-Book Price-Fixing. New York Times. Online.

Kindle Romance Podcasts & PBS MediaShift Begins Publishing E-Books

Kindle Romance Podcasts: Amazon is launching a weekly romance podcast series this week titled “Kindle Love Stories.” The Kindle podcast will feature reviews, interviews with authors and news on new and exciting trends in the romance book field.

Here’s a link to a USA Today article, Breaking news! Amazon launches Kindle Love Stories podcast, focused on romance books, that offers a link to the podcast and more information on the subject:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/05/13/kindle-love-stories-podcast-amazon-laura-roppe-tracy-brogan/2154253/

And here’s a direct link to the Amazon Romance webpage which notes all the new and popular romance books you might like to read!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=lp_283155_nr_n_23?rh=n%3A283155%2Cn%3A%211000%2Cn%3A23&bbn=1000&ie=UTF8&qid=1368475623&rnid=1000

PBS MediaShift Begins Publishing E-Books: If you’re not familiar with it MediaShift is a site established by PBS in 2006, with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, that studies how citizen journalism, podcasts, social media, weblogs, online video, news aggregators and other digitally created and accessed media items are changing our lives and what we want and expect from online media.

And MediaShift, as an offshoot of PBS, has just launched a new e-book publishing service which will publish e-books and on demand print books based upon the subjects discussed and information found on the MediaShift website.

The first two titles in this new PBS/MediaShift publishing company are 1. “Your Guide to Cutting the Cord to Cable TV (Updated 2013 Edition)” By Mark Glaser, with essays by Dan Reimold and Seth Shapiro and 2. “How to Self-Publish Your Book” by Carla King; both titles obviously delve into tech related subjects. And as anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis knows – I am all for streaming video and cord cutting! Give me that Netflix subscription, iTunes and Amazon Instant Video and I am all set!

Here’s a link to a PBS/Media Shift page on the new publishing company:

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/e-books

A link to a related article from the paidContent website which offers more information on this new publishing service:

http://paidcontent.org/2013/05/13/pbs-mediashift-starts-publishing-ebooks-first-topics-cord-cutting-and-self-publishing/

And a link to the About page on the MediaShift website just in case you’d like to know more about MediaShift:

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/about

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

About. MediaShift. Online. Accessed May 13, 2013.

E-Books. MediaShift. Online. Accessed May 13, 2013.

Lamb, Joyce. (2013, May 13). Breaking news! Amazon launches Kindle Love Stories podcast. USA Today. Onlien.

Owen, Laura Hazard. (2013, May 13). Amazon Publishing launches Kindle Love Stories podcast, focused on romance books. paidContent. Online. http://paidcontent.org/2013/05/13/amazon-publishing-launches-kindle-love-stories-podcast-focused-on-romance-books/

Owen, Laura Hazard. (2013, May 13). PBS MediaShift starts publishing ebooks; first topics: cord-cutting and self-publishing. paidContent. Online.

Weekend Suggested Reading, Viewing & Listing: Titles from the STLS Digital Catalog

Fiction:

Bake Sale Murder, Lucy Stone Series, Book 13 by Leslie Meier: Ever since local developer Fred Stanton and his wife, Mimi, built five modular homes next door to Lucy Stone’s farmhouse, life just hasn’t been the same. With Mimi complaining about everything from the state of Lucy’s lawn to another neighbor’s lovable dog, quaint Tinker’s Cove, Maine, is now entangled in cul-de-sac politics and backstabbing. And when Mimi doesn’t show up for her shift at The Hat and Mitten Fund bake sale, the scent of burnt sugar leads Lucy to a shocking discovery: Mimi, face down on her kitchen floor—with a knife in her back.

While the police start their investigation, Lucy gets busy writing up the murder for the local Pennysaver—and following a few leads of her own. Lucy knows the women in her neighborhood didn’t like Mimi, but they certainly didn’t want her dead…right?

Dottie Flowers and the Skinner Gang by Sheila Gale: Dottie Flowers is a glamorous divorcee in her early sixties who runs a successful real estate business, wears designer clothes, and lusts after Harley-Davidson motor bikes. Her friend, Mabel Scattergood, is a rich widow who drives too fast, shops at discount clothing stores, and eats junk food. Even though they’re total opposites, they have one thing common: getting into trouble with the law.

In this series debut, bells ring and lights flash as Dottie wins the jackpot at a local casino. In the confusion that follows, George Fernandes, a sleaze she’d known in high school, is stabbed to death next to her machine. After being questioned by the police, Dottie and Mabel find themselves on a roller coaster adventure when they’re chased by two of George’s associates on a motor bike. They discover why they’re being followed when Dottie finds emerald jewelry in her coat pocket. It’s not only the pursuers who are after the emeralds: after Dottie’s beloved cat is kidnapped by the Skinner Gang in an attempt to force Dottie to hand over the emeralds, she decides to take action.

Romance enters the scene when Dottie meets a handsome jewelry appraiser who offers to help her by getting the emeralds copied. Despite his charms, Dottie has doubts about his motive. Are her instincts right? Will Enrique double cross her?

Get ready for adventure, thrills, and romance in Dottie Flowers and the Skinner Gang.

No Laughing Matter, Nick Madrid Series, Book 1 by Peter Guttridge: Tom Sharpe meets Raymond Chandler in No Laughing Matter, a humorous and brilliant debut that will keep readers on a knife’s edge of suspense until the bittersweet end.

When a naked woman flashes past Nick Madrid’s hotel window, it’s quite a surprise. For Nick’s room is on the 14th floor, and the hotel doesn’t have an outside elevator. The management is horrified when Cissie Parker lands in the swimming pool—not only is she killed, but she makes a real mess of the shallow end.

In Montreal for the Just For Laughs festival, Nick, a journalist who prefers practicing yoga to interviewing the stars, turns gumshoe to answer the question: did she fall or was she pushed? The trail leads first to the mean streets of Edinburgh and then to Los Angeles, where the truth lurks among the dark secrets of Hollywood.

Non-Fiction:

Blood Sisters: The Women Behind The War of the Roses by Sarah Gristwood: To contemporaries, the Wars of the Roses were known collectively as a “cousins’ war.” The series of dynastic conflicts that tore apart the ruling Plantagenet family in fifteenth-century England was truly a domestic drama, as fraught and intimate as any family feud before or since.

As acclaimed historian Sarah Gristwood reveals in Blood Sisters, while the events of this turbulent time are usually described in terms of the male leads who fought and died seeking the throne, a handful of powerful women would prove just as decisive as their kinfolks’ clashing armies. These mothers, wives, and daughters were locked in a web of loyalty and betrayal that would ultimately change the course of English history. In a captivating, multigenerational narrative, Gristwood traces the rise and rule of the seven most critical women in the wars: from Marguerite of Anjou, wife of the Lancastrian Henry VI, who steered the kingdom in her insane husband’s stead; to Cecily Neville, matriarch of the rival Yorkist clan, whose son Edward IV murdered his own brother to maintain power; to Margaret Beaufort, who gave up her own claim to the throne in favor of her son, a man who would become the first of a new line of Tudor kings.

A richly drawn, absorbing epic, Blood Sisters is a tale of hopeful births alongside bloody deaths, of romance as well as brutal pragmatism. It is a story of how women, and the power that women could wield, helped to end the Wars of the Roses, paving the way for the Tudor age—and the creation of modern England.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg: Thirty years after women became 50 percent of the college graduates in the United States, men still hold the vast majority of leadership positions in government and industry. This means that women’s voices are still not heard equally in the decisions that most affect our lives. In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg examines why women’s progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled, explains the root causes, and offers compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.

Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook and is ranked on Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2010, she gave an electrifying TEDTalk in which she described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk, which became a phenomenon and has been viewed more than two million times, encouraged women to “sit at the table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto.

In Lean In, Sandberg digs deeper into these issues, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to cut through the layers of ambiguity and bias surrounding the lives and choices of working women. She recounts her own decisions, mistakes, and daily struggles to make the right choices for herself, her career, and her family. She provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career, urging women to set boundaries and to abandon the myth of “having it all.” She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women in the workplace and at home.

Written with both humor and wisdom, Sandberg’s book is an inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth. Lean In is destined to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can.

Sum It Up: A Thousand and Ninety-Eight Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective by Pat Head Summitt: Pat Summitt, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history and bestselling author of Reach for the Summitt and Raise The Roof, tells for the first time her remarkable story of victory and resilience as well as facing down her greatest challenge: early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Pat Summitt was only 21 when she became head coach of the Tennessee Vols women’s basketball team. For 38 years, she has broken records, winning more games than any NCAA team in basketball history. She has coached an undefeated season, co-captained the first women’s Olympic team, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and has been named Sports Illustrated ‘Sportswoman of the Year’.

She owes her coaching success to her personal struggles and triumphs. She learned to be tough from her strict, demanding father. Motherhood taught her to balance that rigidity with communication and kindness. She is a role model for the many women she’s coached; 74 of her players have become coaches.

Pat’s life took a shocking turn in 2011, when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible brain condition that affects 5 million Americans. Despite her devastating diagnosis, she led the Vols to win their sixteenth SEC championship in March 2012. Pat continues to be a fighter, facing this new challenge the way she’s faced every other–with hard work, perseverance, and a sense of humor.

Albums:

Jazz Profile: Duke Ellington                                                                                                            Digital Audio Download Includes:

1. Satin Doll (Duke Ellington)

2. Stardust (Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra)

3. One O’Clock Jump (Duke Ellington)

4. Stormy Weather (Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra)

5. Take The “A” Train (Live) (Duke Ellington And His Orchestra)

6. 4:30 Blues (Live) (Duke Ellington)

7. In Triplicate (Live) (Duke Ellington)

8. Chile Bowl (Duke Ellington)

9. Janet (Duke Ellington)

10. Happy Reunion (Live) (1994 Digital Remaster) (Duke Ellington)

11. Caravan (1986 Digital Remaster) (Duke Ellington)

12. Wig Wise (1986 Digital Remaster) (Duke Ellington)

Psychedelic Rock Blues, Volume 1 -Practice-Tracks:                                                                                                         Digital Audio Download Includes:

1. Tune Up (Practice-Tracks)

2. All Night Blues in E (In the style of Led Zeppelin) (Practice-Tracks)

3. Strange Blues in D (In the style of Cream) (Practice-Tracks)

4. Wicked Blues in E (In the style of Jimi Hendrix) (Practice-Tracks)

5. Broke Blues in A (In the style of The Bluesbreakers) (Practice-Tracks)

6. Hip City Blues in D (In the style of Tower of Power) (Practice-Tracks)

7. Backyard Blues in E (In the style of The Yardbirds) (Practice-Tracks)

8. Straw Hat Blues in G (In the style of Taj Mahal) (Practice-Tracks)

9. 4 Finger Blues in D (In the style of The Grateful Dead) (Practice-Tracks)

10. Roadside Blues in D (In the style of The Doors) (Practice-Tracks)

11. Blues King Blues in A (In the style of Albert King) (Practice-Tracks)

Videos:

The Art Of Acoustic Blues Guitar: Early Roots with Woody Mann: Teaches the song forms and techniques of early American folk and blues guitar styles. Acclaimed blues performer and educator, Woody Mann, teaches five blues songs based on the playing of such originators as Charley Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Scrapper Blackwell, and Tommy Johnson. Written for the near beginner to intermediate student, each song illustrates the techniques and approaches of these innovators in a clear and easy to understand arrangement of a classic theme in Open G, Open D, and standard tuning. Woody teaches techniques including rhythmic fingerpicking, left-hand dumping, brushing and percussive right-hand techniques, and syncopating a melody. Included is a Technique and Variations section where Woody further explores the subtleties of dynamics and phrasing and shows how to create variations within a tune. Early Roots offers the student the tools needed to understand and play the music of the early masters – the roots of today’s acoustic fingerstyle guitar music. Each song chapter includes introduction, performance, explanation and slow performance with split screen. Songs include: Delta Blues For Patton, Jackson Moan, Blue Daze, Shuffle Blues In G, and Bullfrog Groan.

Easy Guitar: Let Easy Guitar get you started on your musical career! Even with zero experience, you’ll be playing & singing House of the Rising Sun and more at the end of your studio sessions. Whether you want to jam in a band, or just chill with your friends, Easy Guitar will teach you the skills you need to play like the pros. Get maximum support as you work on your guitar techniques. A personal tutor shows you how to play it right, whether acoustic or electric. The demos give you easy-to-follow, clear, close-up views to make sure you’re learning the correct way to form chords, pick, and strum. Plus, written insets let you learn by ear and learn to read music at the same time. From stringing and alternate tunings to effects and amps, you can quickly go from beginner to intermediate level.

The STLS Digital Catalog may be found on the library’s homepage of SSCLIBRARY.ORG

Or via the following link:

http://stls.lib.overdrive.com/FE5904CF-8A91-4688-A592-7A046C7988D3/10/536/en/Default.htm

And if you have an app device look for the OverDrive Media Console app in your app store – it is the app that will allow you to check out free library e-books and audio books.

Digital Catalog music and video titles must currently be downloaded to a Windows computer to enjoy.

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

 

Microsoft Reportedly Negotiating To Buy B&N’s Nook E-Book Division, Amazon Is Working On A 3D Cell Phone! & The PBS App Comes To Roku

Microsoft Reportedly Negotiating To Buy B&N’s Nook E-Book Division: Microsoft, which previously invested more than $605 million dollars in the Nook division, has reportedly offered Barnes & Noble one billion dollars to purchase the Nook division which would include both the Nook e-readers and tablets and the Nook e-books. And those few facts are interesting to begin with; however, what I find even more interesting is that it is also being reported that if the deal goes through Microsoft will can the Nook series of e-readers and tablets and make the Nook e-books available on Microsoft tablets, smartphones and computers. So if you’re thinking of buying a new e-reader or tablet – you may want to wait or think about buying an e-reader or tablet!*

Here’s a link to a Forbes editorial on the subject, authored by one of their tech columnists Jeremy Greenfield, titled Microsoft To Buy Nook? What It Could Mean:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremygreenfield/2013/05/09/commentary-microsoft-to-buy-nook-what-it-could-mean/

Amazon Is Working On A 3D Cell Phone! If you’re of an age that recalls going to see the very first Star Wars film in 1977, which was by-the-way – years before our current high tech revolution really kicked off, then you’ll probably recall the scene that features Luke and Obi-Wan Kenobi try and get R2D2 to reply the SOS message Princess Leia recorded – and presto a 3D image of Princess Leia appeared and Luke and Obi-Wan discovered she was in trouble! That 3D message was cool and that type of technology will soon be coming to an Amazon smartphone near you! Amazon isn’t commenting on this news but according to a Wall Street Journal article it is so!

And, naturally, here is a link to that Wall Street Journal article which is titled Amazon Is Developing Smartphone With 3-D Screen and subtitled New Gadgets, Including Audio-Only Device, Is Bid to Expand Beyond Kindle Fire:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324744104578473081373377170.html

And if you have a Roku Player, as I do! You’ll want to check out the newly introduced PBS app – a chance to now watch all that PBS content you couldn’t stream directly through Roku before! Cool stuff!

And here’s a link to an engadet article on the subject titled Roku can now tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street with new PBS channels:

Have a great evening!

Linda R.

*The Google Nexus is an outstanding 7” tablet that you can read e-books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-book sellers upon – it cost $199 and in fact I’d recommend it over a Kindle or Nook in that price range because it is a fully fledged tablet and doesn’t lock you into the Amazon or B&N ecosystem. If you’d like to sit down and try out a Google Nexus 7 tablet – stop by the library – we have one here!

References

Bensinger, Greg. (2013, May 9). Amazon Is Developing Smartphone With 3-D Screen. Wall Street Journal. Online.

Gilbert, Ben. (2013, May 8). Roku can now tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street with new PBS channels. Engadget. Online.

Greenfield, Jeremy. (2013, May 9). Commentary: Microsoft To Buy Nook? What It Could Mean? Forbes. Online.

Restoring The Windows 8 Start Menu & Cool Vocabulary Building Apps

Restoring The Windows 8 Start Menu: The Wall Street Journal All Things D personal technology guru Walt Mossberg offers a video review of two app this week that will install the al Windows Start Menu on your Windows 8 PC! The apps are called Start8 (which costs $5) and Pokki (which is free). The Start8 app restores the Windows 7 Start Menu and its traditional functionality. Pokki also gives restores the Start Menu but additionally offers you an apps panel, accessed when you open the Start Menu, and access to the Pokki App Store. So basically Start8 will give you the traditional Start Menu experience and Pokki will give you an updated Start Menu experience.

Here’s the link to the video review titled Two Products for People Who Miss the Old Windows:

http://allthingsd.com/20130507/two-products-for-people-who-miss-the-old-windows/

Cool Vocabulary Building Apps: USA Today offers an article that highlights three vocabulary building apps. The first is titled Kids’ Vocab for kids ages 7-12, it costs $4.99 and it incorporates vocabulary building into several word games that allow kids to study the vocabulary words and earn points as their vocabulary skills improve and they gain game levels.

The second app is called The Opposites it costs $1.99, it is also intended for kids ages 7-12 and it offers a role playing game of sorts where two teens are seen talking and the words they say appear in bubbles above their heads – players must then match the words, which when correctly matched will turn green and disappear, to gain continue game play.

And the third app is called SAT Slam and costs $3.99 – this is the highest end app in that it is intended for high school age students who are studying to take their SATs and it features actors reading funny poems and explaining word meanings – the topics are well, topical and silly.

To quote from the article “For example, to learn the word “abase” an actor reads “To embarrass or humble to make one a disgrace.” And  “Barry Bonds was blushing when he couldn’t steal a base. This poetic definition is then followed up with the mnemonic: “A baseball player was abased when he couldn’t steal a base.” Teens next hear a funny throw-away comment about how hard can it be to steal a base? — all you need to do is toss the thing in the back of your truck.”

Here’s a link to the article which is titled Three cool apps make learning words fun:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/gudmundsen/2013/05/05/kids-apps-learning-words/2121611/

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Gudmundsen, Jinny. (2013, May 5). Three cool apps make learning words fun. USA Today. Online.

Mossberg, Walt. (2013, May 7). Two Products for People Who Miss the Old Windows. All Things D. Online. Accessed May 8, 2013.