Everyone knows you can get your hands on any number of great books at Howard County Library. This blog helps you find materials you may not have known about, but where can you go if you still need more direction? Obviously one place is the online catalog. But have you ever heard of NoveList*? As the name indicates, NoveList contains "stuff" about novels — a lot of stuff.

At the simplest level, NoveList lets you look up a book to find the author, or locate an author to see what he or she has written. But you ask, how does that differ from using the Library’s catalog? NoveList also helps you find plot summaries, cover art, and reviews of the books you want. These, too, can be found in the catalog, though.

Fortunately, there’s STILL a lot more. For starters, you can describe a book’s plot and NoveList will use this information to help you find it. Once found, NoveList will tell you if the book you located is part of a series. If it is, you can click on the series name to produce a chronological list of the series’ titles.

Many NoveList book entries about more prominent authors also have links to "Author Read-alikes," which is an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL feature. Click on an "Author Read-alikes" link and you are brought to an essay telling you something about the author and profiling similar writers (and their books). If you liked the first novelist, the odds are good that you’ll like the authors in a "Read-alikes" essay.

Finally, NoveList contains Book Discussion Guides for book clubs, lists of award winners, and "Recommended Reads" for people of different ages and interest. A companion database called NoveList K-8* offers similar coverage for books aimed at the younger set.

NoveList can be quite helpful in finding books for your own reading enjoyment. But it is absolutely indispensable in helping you select books for someone else. If your tastes run to books loaded with gladiators, artillery, or exploding depth charges and you’re asked to venture out of your comfort zone to get your wife a few romance novels on your next Library trip, start your search in NoveList. In circumstances like this, it can be a lifesaver.

*If accessing the database outside of Howard County Library, you will be prompted to enter your library barcode number.

Joe McHugh – Administration

Elizabeth McCracken’s memoir centers on a subject that might not appeal to every reader — the death of an infant in childbirth. Still, I was drawn to this book, in part because the story vibrates with life. She writes about her painful loss and subsequent grief with compassion and tenderness, yet her lost infant is remembered as a unique person who changed her life forever.

She has an extraordinary story to share — of her romance with the French countryside and her delight in her first pregnancy. She also tells of the incompetence she encounters in a French hospital; her slow, dazed comprehension of her child’s death; and her return to the US and the bonds that sustain her. An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination left me in awe of the way life rattles our cages, turns us upside down or inside out, and then suddenly blesses us with a soft landing.

Ginny Leslie – Miller Branch

Luke Dempsey’s A Supremely Bad Idea, the tale of “three mad birders and their quest to see it all,” is a grabber, a book with a first paragraph that completely drags you in to the writer’s world. Dempsey’s discussion of train-spotting and morris dancing establishes a framework for his introduction of bird watching. From there we’re on a slippery slope towards a fun read, particularly once we meet Dempsey’s bird-crazy traveling companions, Don and Donna Graffiti.

Throughout the book Dempsey emphasizes the generosity and extraordinary knowledge of his fellow birders. Whether from Robin Diaz in Florida; Ted Ollinger in Gig Harbor, Washington; or Barbara Kennett on South Padre Island in Texas, Dempsey and the Graffitis are the repeated beneficiaries of kindness and hospitality, based only on a shared interest and set of specialist knowledge. In many cases Dempsey sees or hears the bird he seeks because of the support provided by these local heroes. His community encounters contrast with several unfulfilling “strip mall” events that the trio experience in generic Anytown, U.S.A.

Dempsey’s book articulates an environmental agenda in a new and different way. His argument, while less scientific and more aesthetic, has no lesser impact. It is hard to disagree as he explains the migration and nesting patterns of the rare birds that he seeks, and points out that it would only take a minor change in habitat, feeding patterns, or temperature to permanently affect the behavior of these particular birds. As an example, Dempsey explains the migration patterns of the Cerulean Warbler, a bird whose habitat in western South America has been drastically reduced by deforestation for coffee cultivation.

The Warbler is not the only bird explored in depth. Dempsey’s detailed explanation of birds’ behavior makes it clear that with a little effort, a good birding guide, and perhaps a recording of the song, we, too, could have an encounter with a “life bird.” Employing wit, sparkle, and a clear affection for his subject, Luke Dempsey’s A Supremely Bad Idea encourages us to seek out nature that is happening all around us.

February and March are National Bird Feeding Months. Why not stock a feeder in your backyard, pull out the birding guide and binoculars, and see which of Luke Dempsey’s friends show up for dinner?

John Jewitt – Savage Branch

The Tudors is a Showtime television series that portrays life in Tudor England. Season one covers the rise of Anne Boleyn and the fall of Catherine of Aragon from both the throne and King Henry’s graces. Season two deals with Anne Boleyn’s waning popularity and King Henry’s budding interest in Jane Seymour. Although the romance of Henry and Anne are still central to the storyline, there are many side plots concerning court intrigue, with courtesans jockeying to remain in the King’s good graces.

The history of King Henry’s reign has all the makings of a good soap opera, which is one of the reasons I enjoy this series so much. A young woman tries to seduce a powerful man so that her family can inherit wealth and control. A King falls for his wife’s lady-in-waiting, but before he can follow his heart, he must divorce his wife, the Queen — a task with serious ramifications.

For those who enjoy this series, I also recommend Philippa Gregory’s novel The Other Boleyn Girl, a work of historical fiction. Mary Boleyn narrates her seduction of King Henry at the demand of her family in their quest for power. When the King loses interest in Mary, sister Anne Boleyn steps in to replace her. It is fascinating to read the same Tudor history as told from Mary’s point of view. Although Mary is mentioned in The Tudors, she has a minor role.

For those interested in The Other Boleyn Girl, there will be a discussion of the book and a showing of the movie on March 10, 6:30 pm at the Glenwood Branch. You may register online or by calling 410-313-5577.

Robert Bates – Glenwood Branch

For someone who looked so safe in her publicity stills, Shirley Jackson was anything but. An inspiration to Stephen King (whose photo DEFINITELY gives you a clue to his dark side), Jackson wrote stories that are creepy because you can’t sweep them under the bed, thinking they could never happen in real life.

Her infamous short story "The Lottery" eerily captures the brute force of a small town gone wrong, years before mob mentality became front page news. But as chilling and powerful as "The Lottery" is, it’s her lesser known tales that are my absolute favorites and (I think) her true gems.

Some of the stories are downright scary; besides "The Lottery," there’s the bizarre and chilling "The Intoxicated," where a teenage girl startles a grown man with her vision of the future. Others, including “Charles” — complete with a startling twist at the end — are surprisingly adorable and funny. And some are heartbreakingly sad, as is “The Daemon Lover” where a hopeful, deluded woman waits a LONG time for the fiance who never shows at her door.

Jackson was not particularly prolific, but what she did write (including posthumously released collections like Just An Ordinary Day) was (and still is) often downright delicious.

Angie Engles – Central Library

Manil Suri

Modern India provides the backdrop for Meera Sawhney’s story, which she recounts to her beloved son Ashvin in a compelling, haunted, and unforgettable voice. In The Age of Shiva, Manil Suri guides the reader from the India of 1955, only a few years post-partition, through 1980. Along the way we glean some insight into Indian politics (including the major influences of Nehru and Indira Ghandi on historical events), the Hindu-Muslim conflict, and the rise of Hindu nationalism. But most of all, we experience Meera’s life as she lives and perceives it, from the impetuous, foolish mistake she makes, at age 17, when she marries Dev Arora, her sister Roopa’s one-time beau, to her existential despair when Ashvin leaves her Bombay apartment to attend boarding school in faraway Sanawar.

Along the way, we meet all sorts of characters, including Paji, Meera’s meddlesome yet visionary father, who glimpses the future possibilities for his daughters if only they would acquiesce in seriously pursuing their education; Dev, Meera’s increasingly alcoholic husband who refuses to relinquish his dream of becoming a famous singer; Arya, Dev’s lecherous elder brother whose right-wing Hindu nationalist involvements threaten to engulf Ashvin; and Zaida, Meera’s Muslim friend and neighbor who takes charge when Meera hits the nadir of her life.

Suri deftly paints a multi-faceted and riveting world in The Age of Shiva, where the abstract notion of modernity rearing up against orthodoxy takes concrete form with the creation of these soulful, flawed characters as they live, love, and continue to trudge onward, or not.

We invite you to meet Manil Suri on February 28 at Evening in the Stacks: Along the Silk Road, where he’ll discuss his work and answer any questions you may have about The Age of Shiva or his first novel, The Death of Vishnu, reviewed here on our blog. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Read more about our annual gala fundraiser on our web site and on Highly Recommended.

Lisa Bankman – Administration Office

Debut novelist Jesmyn Ward presents a simple, yet thought-provoking and intimate look at a slice of contemporary rural life on the Mississippi Delta. Ward simultaneously presents a disturbing microcosm of alarming socioeconomic conditions in the United States.

Twins Joshua and Christophe have lived with their beloved grandmother since they were toddlers. While their mother drifts to Atlanta to seek employment, their father "Sandman" is an embarrassing presence in the local area. Although both recent high school graduates, it is evident that the twins are lacking a quality education. Joshua secures a menial labor job as a longshoreman; Christophe spends his days futilely searching for employment, while becoming involved in illegal drug trading. Absentee father "Sandman", a pitiful crack addict, arouses ambivalent feelings of anger, love, and bitterness in the twins. In spite of their disappointing relationships with both of their parents, Joshua and Christophe learn to depend on each other for support. The characters in Where the Line Bleeds reflect a fascinating blend of ethnic and racial backgrounds — French, African, Caucasian, Native American.

The meaning of the book’s title was not clear to me until a few days after I finished reading Where the Line Bleeds. Check out Ward’s novel for an engrossing read.

Elaine Johnson – Central Library

Thirteen Orphans by Jane Lindskold begins a new series by one of today’s leading fantasy authors. Lindskold excels at building magic seamlessly into her worlds and offering standard tropes in a novel (excuse the pun) manner. The story itself is fairly straightforward, but this book shines in the attention paid to details.

While traveling to see family friend Auntie Pearl during summer break, Brenda Morris learns two things — her family has an unusual history AND she’s heir to her dad’s magic. In Thirteen Orphans, the Chinese zodiac and mah-jong combine to form a system of magic. Brenda’s dad embodies the Rat and Auntie Pearl is the Tiger. All of the zodiac animal characters are fully realized, with personality quirks and other traits aligning them with their magical identity. The story follows Brenda as she discovers her heritage and decides to claim it as her own.

The original orphans were the advisors to a child emperor, the 13th orphan sent into exile from an alternative version of China called the Lands of Smoke and Sacrifice. Several generations have passed since then, and not all the current "orphans" are aware of their heritage. When someone begins to hunt the twelve and steals memories of their heritage, the Tiger and several other orphans come together to solve the mystery.

Lindskold definitely did her homework in devising this version of our world. The system of magic that relies on mah-jong tiles, with its suits, hands, dragons, and winds, fascinated me. The novel starts a little slow because the author has so much world-building to accomplish, but it’s hard to put down in the last 100 pages or so. I’m definitely looking forward to a sequel.

Kristen Blount – Administration

Have you ever seen searchlights in the sky and wondered what event was happening? In just under two weeks, we’ll have those lights outside of  the Library! I always love seeing them and knowing I’m going to that party! It’s time for Evening in the Stacks: Along the Silk Road.

The Library is holding its annual gala fundraiser at the East Columbia Branch on Saturday, February 28, from 7 – 11 pm. I’m always amazed to see how the branch is transformed into a destination. Last year we rolled out the red carpet and had an Oscars-related party. The previous year we cooled off in a jazz club, complete with a live band. This year, P.W. Feats, a terrific events planning company from Baltimore, is going to turn the Library into an oasis of silks and spices.

Even though Evening in the Stacks is a Library benefit, it’s still a big, noisy party! Entertainment for the Silk Road includes live music during the cocktail hour from Talisman, a world beat group, and belly dancing by Camila Karam. Following the band, a DJ will provide music for dancing the night away. Elkridge Furnace Inn is serving Indian-inspired fare at several buffet stations. The event also includes an open bar serving beer, wine, and pomegranate martinis (and softer drinks, of course).

The star of the event is Manil Suri, a mathematics professor at UMBC and a rising literary talent. He has published Death of Vishnu and Age of Shiva, both of which received much critical praise. Death of Vishnu was a finalist for the 2002 Pen-Faulkner award. Time magazine named him as a "Person to Watch" in 2000. Suri will speak for about an hour with a question and answer session, followed by a book signing. Books will be available for purchase.

A silent auction provides an event within the bigger event, benefiting Friends of Howard County Library. You can bid on an assortment of items, from getaway packages to interior decorating to jewelry and any number of wonderful things you never knew you needed. If you visit a Library branch this week, several items are also being auctioned at each location.

We cordially invite you to Evening in the Stacks: Along the Silk Road. You may buy tickets online or at any Library branch.

Hope to see you on the 28th!

Kristen Blount – Administration Office

Do you like to read biographies which have a positive outcome, yet are compelling enough to keep you guessing as to how that ending might occur?

Please join a new biography readers’ book group at our Central Library on Tuesday, February 24, at 2:00pm for a discussion of the book, A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League.

Author Ron Suskind won a Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing for a two-part series in the Wall Street Journal about Cedric Jennings, a student at Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. The book extends Cedric’s story from his high school career to his first two years at Brown University. It was chosen as the One Maryland One Book selection for 2008.

To describe Cedric’s life as "turbulent but triumphant" would be a vast understatement. Ostracized by his classmates for being an honor student and for staying after hours to get advanced help in science classes, he was sometimes threatened with physical harm. When selected to attend a summer institute for promising high school students at MIT, he tries fiercely to catch up to other students who have had AP courses and mentoring from professional scientists. After an MIT professor makes particularly scathing comments about Cedric’s lack of preparation, the young student, away from D.C. for the first time, still manages to endure, returning to his senior year to make alternative plans for college choices with the help of his family, their church, and certain faculty members.

I can recommend this book as a riveting story of achievement, not just in the academic realm, but as a triumph of the human spirit and the will to overcome.

Copies of the book are now available at the Fiction Desk of the Central Library for readers who would like to join us at the book discussion.

Jean Salkeld – Administration Office