NLS/BPH: Talking Book Topics, March and April 2006

The recorded cassette title Portrait (RC 59669) by Iain Pears was released in error and has been recalled. This title will be released under a new book number at a later date.

Changed CDAG information

Contact information for three members of the Collection Development Advisory Group committee has changed since the publication of the January-February 2006 issues of Braille Book Review and Talking Book Topics. The revised information is provided below.

National Federation of the Blind

Midland Reader-at-Large

Children's/Young Adult Librarian

Flash, December 2005, volume 2, issue 1

Talent Behind the Digital Talking-book Machine

Spotlight on Humanware's Design Team

When it comes to digital talking-book design, only the best will do. That is why the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, has recruited some of the best minds in accessible technology for the task. Among them is the team from industry leader HumanWare, which supports prime contractor Battelle on a range of activities.

HumanWare brings seventeen years of experience in accessible technology to the NLS digital project. An innovator in the field of talking books, the company has developed four versions of digital talking-book players in that time. This knowledge is helping NLS build the best digital talking-book machine for its patrons and librarians.

"With HumanWare's experience behind the digital talking-book project, we have a head start in building a device that will significantly enhance the way our patrons experience reading and access print information," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director.

HumanWare's responsibilities are twofold. They are designing the user interface and develop the software needed to operate the machine. They also coordinate the usability testing associated with this project.

Three industry veterans lead the HumanWare team. Gilles Pepin, president and CEO of HumanWare's Canadian subsidiary, provides technical direction and design consultation. Pepin holds a master's degree in electrical engineering with a specialization in digital speech coding and has thirty years of experience in speech technology. Alain Paré, deputy program manager for the NLS project, oversees all activities of HumanWare and its subcontractors, the National Federation of the Blind and the University of Wisconsin's Trace Center. Dominic Labbé leads a software development team of six in creating the framework needed to run the player. A software specialist for over ten years, Labbé manages software development for HumanWare's entire line of digital talking-book players.

Interfacing with Users

HumanWare is leading the effort to design the player's user interface, which includes selection of controls such as play, stop, and volume as well as navigation features. The user interface must be designed for easy usage by readers of varying age and skill levels. Features must interact harmoniously with each other to provide an enjoyable reading experience. To ensure this, interface designs are examined in a series of eight patron usability tests.

Three test rounds have been completed to date. The first identified requirements, including those of patrons, librarians, and repair personnel. Feedback from this test went toward the design of initial models. The next two rounds tested versions of the user interface on simple prototypes. The results were helpful in refining hardware and software design. HumanWare is currently supporting Battelle as they gear up for the fourth test, which will focus on the player's audio characteristics. The audio quality of the player is a high priority for engineers. They will assess all variables that affect audio quality, including speaker size and sound levels and the size, shape, and configuration of the player's shell.

The remaining usability studies will focus on testing stages of prototypes that each more closely resembles the final product. The final test will use prototypes incorporating the exact components—including the player shell, controls, and processor—that will be used in the final version.

"User testing has been very beneficial in showing how patrons interact with players and finding out which features do and do not work for them," noted Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director. "Each test has afforded some excellent insight into how we can refine the machine to better suit patron needs."

Paré agrees that these tests yield a "goldmine of information" that is critical to building a successful product. Rigorous, repeated testing is particularly valuable to the digital player because of the high standards and complex specifications it must meet. In fact, during the design of the NLS player, HumanWare will have gathered more usability feedback from end-users than it did for any other product it has developed.

"Our highest priority is satisfying users," adds Paré. "We're spending a lot of time and effort to make sure that happens. Ultimately, it's important to build a very reliable product that will stand the test of time."

Building Smart Software

The digital talking-book player will be a smart machine. The "brain" lies in its software. Building "brain cells" is where HumanWare's software development team comes in. In addition to the user interface design, HumanWare is charged with creating the player's software based on input from patrons and librarians.

The player's functions—including controls such as play, rewind, fast forward, volume, tone and speed adjustment—all will be implemented through computer software. HumanWare's challenge is to write software that will run rapidly and reliably on a portable player. Engineers also must develop software support systems for maintenance and upgrades to the player.

Like NLS, HumanWare is excited about the possibilities the new system holds for patrons. "Digital talking-book technology is a powerful system that will enhance patrons' access to information," says Pepin.

Flash, January 2006, volume 2, issue 2

Design of Basic Digital Talking-book Player Solidified

New year. New milestone.The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, recently completed the third in a series of eight planned usability tests of the digital talking-book (DTB) system. The study results confirmed the suitability of the overall design of the basic talking-book machine including the cartridge and insertion method. The approved design will undergo minor revisions and tests to fine tune the system.

"The test conclusions represent a major advancement in our digital transition," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "Extensive work has gone into developing and testing a basic player that is suitable for all users. We're pleased with the outcome and believe that our patrons will also appreciate it."

Primary goals of the study were to validate basic and advanced player designs and user interfaces as well as the cartridge design, insertion method, mailing container, and label. NLS also collected patron feedback on the user guide and key physical features of the player.

Seventy-one patrons of various ages and abilities participated in the assessment. Library personnel were also interviewed on how effectively the player and cartridge models met their needs.

For diverse input, the recent usability tests were spread across three cities—Cleveland, Ohio; Watertown, Massachusetts; and Madison, Wisconsin. The National Federation of the Blind managed tests at the Cleveland Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the Talking Book Library of the Perkins School for the Blind. Additional on-site studies were conducted at retirement centers in the Cleveland and Boston areas. The Trace Research and Development Center of the University of Wisconsin at Madison administered tests at its facilities and at nearby retirement communities.

Users performed common tasks on three working models of the player. Each model had versions that featured two different methods for inserting the cartridge. Primary controls such as play, stop, and rewind and secondary controls for speed and navigation were tested. Also examined were player size and appearance, power cord storage, retractable handle, and placement of the headphone jack.

Tests were structured for patrons with both basic and advanced reading skills and simulated environments in which they would first use a new player-receiving operating guidance from a user manual only or personal assistance from a friend or family member.

According to Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director, the assessments were extensive for a reason. "Users were asked to test many different aspects of the DTB system because the design is still being refined. Key decisions are being made as needed. The more patron and librarian input we receive, the more effective our solutions will be."

Functional Feedback

Patrons were comfortable with the basic player's modern design and its user interface—including the distinction between primary and secondary controls. However, many were challenged by some of the advanced player's navigation features.

Although patrons could operate both cartridge insertion methods, they indicated that the one featuring a slot in the center of the front edge was preferable. This model also allowed significantly smaller player size. Most appreciated the retractable handle, but some had difficulty finding and pulling it out. Power cord storage was found to be effective. Patrons approved of a simplified sleep button and suggested improving the accessibility of the cartridge mailing container.

The Verdict Is In

Based on patron and librarian feedback, engineers recommended ways to fine tune the DTB system. NLS evaluated this information and accepted the modified design of the basic player. However, additional refining and testing is needed before the machine will be fully suited to patron needs. NLS wishes to further reduce player size without hindering button size and spacing, cord storage, or audio quality and wants to improve the operation of the fast-forward and rewind functions. NLS did not approve the advanced player concept model, citing the need for further testing to refine its features and functions.

Another key outcome was NLS's selection of the center-insertion method for the cartridge. This option allows for cartridges to be inserted into the player much like a debit card would be inserted into an automated teller machine. Additionally, NLS approved the proposed cartridge design, shape, and label concepts. Labels will feature increased information in braille as well as title and author segments in thirty-six point type for maximum legibility.

"We're pleased that so much has been settled in the design," Moodie noted, "and we are confident we can quickly solve the few remaining issues."

A Look Ahead

DTB engineers will continue to be busy in 2006. Over the next few months, their primary focus will be implementing the latest refinements to both the basic and advanced players. The modified players will then undergo follow-up usability tests at the Connecticut and Virginia regional libraries with eligible NLS staff. Patrons will check refinements to player user interfaces and hardware, including the basic machine's fast-forward and rewind functions. When the two players' overall designs are settled, the design team will shift its focus to software development and testing.

Other aspects of the overall DTB program will also be addressed. Development will continue on the Web download project, a digital archive, and the DTB distribution system. "We made great gains in 2005 and we anticipate 2006 will be another productive year," concludes Cylke. "We're looking forward to the work ahead which will drive us even closer to completing the digital conversion project."

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones

Completed

Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

Books for Adults

Cassettes Nonfiction

Milestone	Start Date
Web-Magazine Pilot	1/12/2004
Digital data management system development	11/1/2004
Player and medium development	3/1/2005
Distribution system design and transition planning—Phase II	9/19/2005
Design DTB containers and labels	6/1/2005
Web-Book pilot	6/1/2005
Prepare DTBs for distribution	10/1/2005
Manufacture initial lot of DTB containers and labels	9/1/2006
Distribution system implementation	10/1/2006
Circulation systems implementation	10/1/2006
Media production	3/1/2007
Media duplication	5/1/2007
Full player production	9/1/2007

Lost Lighthouses: Stories and Images of America's Vanished Lighthouses RC 54636
by Tim Harrison and Ray Jones
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Tribute to 150 historic beacons, now defunct, that operated on America's Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Great Lakes shores. Presents "fascinating facts and firsthand accounts" of the development and demise of these lighthouses. 2000.

Everything You Need to Know about Getting a Job RC 55812
by Carlienne A. Frisch
read by John Fulks
1 cassette
Offers teens advice on preparing and looking for a job, contacting potential employers, creating a cover letter and resume, and interviewing. Includes a chapter for people with disabilities. For junior and senior high readers. 2000.

Finders Keepers: The Story of a Man Who Found $1 Million RC 57182
by Mark Bowden
read by Eric Synnestvedt
1 cassette
Fleshing out a series of magazine articles he wrote fifteen years earlier, the author recounts the 1981 story of unemployed dock worker and methamphetamine addict Joey Coyle, who found more than one million dollars that had fallen off the back of an armored truck. Some strong language. 2002.

Gardening through Your Golden Years RC 57787
by Jim Wilson
read by Eric Synnestvedt
1 cassette
Former cohost of PBS television show The Victory Garden and author of Landscaping with Wildflowers (RC 35814) shares wisdom gathered from "seasoned" gardeners on the benefits of continuing this hobby into old age. Includes tips to minimize fatigue and other ailments, describes labor-saving methods, and offers all kinds of advice. 2003.

Long Ago and Far Away: James Taylor, His Life and Music RC 57795
by Timothy White
read by John Lescault
3 cassettes
Editor of Billboard and author of Catch a Fire (RC 47518) chronicles the life of singer-songwriter James Taylor from his Scottish roots to the 1990s. Follows his musical career, including his debut album with Apple Records in 1968, as well as his marriages and troubling substance abuse. 2002.

Early Occult Memory Systems of the Lower Midwest RC 57862
by B.H. Fairchild
read by Peter Lavezzoli
1 cassette
Collection of prose poems from the American heartland. Author of The Art of the Lathe (RC 48111), Fairchild continues celebrating machine workers and the Kansas landscape. In "The Blue Buick: A Narrative," a college boy talks about the couple who bequeathed him their car. Some strong language. National Book Critics Circle Award. 2003.

Interesting Times: A Twentieth-Century Life RC 58739
by Eric Hobsbawm
read by David Cutler
4 cassettes
Autobiography of British Marxist historian born in 1917. Hobsbawm recalls his childhood in Vienna and Berlin, move to England in 1933, and ardent embrace of world communism at Cambridge University. Also describes his teaching career, love of jazz, and the political and intellectual climates of the many countries he visited. 2002.

The Skeptic: A Life of H.L. Mencken RC 58746
by Terry Teachout
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Critic and journalist reconstructs the life of Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956). Drawing on private autobiographical papers, Teachout portrays the passionate newspaperman and his scathing commentaries in the context of his own time. He candidly discusses Mencken's talents and shortcomings as a political and literary thinker. 2002.

Wisdom Sits in Places: Landscape and Language among the Western Apache RC 58782
by Keith H. Basso
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Anthropologist explores the meaning of geography and place names in the Apache culture. Offers insights based on his travels with horsemen in Arizona, prolonged talks with informants about the significance of place, and trained observations about the use of place names in ordinary conversation. Western States Book Award. 1996.

Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea RC 58914
by Robert K. Massie
read by Lou Harpenau
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian expands on his bestselling title Dreadnought: Britain, Germany, and the Coming of the Great War (RC 34109) to chronicle the WWI maritime engagements of the world's two largest navies. Extensive narrative analyzes mobilization, battles, ships, policies, and commanders of England and imperial Germany from 1914 to 1918. 2003.

Washington's Crossing: Pivotal Moments in American History RC 58946
by David Hackett Fischer
read by Robert Sams
5 cassettes
Details George Washington's December 1776 campaign to lead the Continental Army from Pennsylvania across the frozen Delaware River to New Jersey, where the army attacked a Hessian garrison at Trenton and a British brigade at Princeton. Examines the battle's strategic, operational, and tactical decisions and the significance of the victory to the Revolution. 2004.

Smart Women Finish Rich: Nine Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams: The Finish Rich Series RC 58949
by David Bach
read by Eric Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire (RC 57712) urges women, regardless of age or marital status, to secure their financial futures. Offers plans for investing, teaching kids about money, spending wisely, and aligning resources with personal values. Revised edition of the 1999 original includes success stories and Internet strategies. 2002.

The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace RC 59027
by Dennis Ross
read by Bill Wallace
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Chief Middle East peace negotiator for George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton chronicles the peace process from the 1980s to 2001. Drawing on his notes and journals, he analyzes the characters and strategies of key players and presents reasons for the eventual breakdown in diplomacy. Strong language. 2004.

The Comanche Code Talkers of World War II RC 59031
by William C. Meadows
read by Dennis Rooney
3 cassettes
Chronicle of the Comanche Code Talkers' European military service. Follows the group through recruitment, training, active duty, and postwar lives. Compares it with such other code-talking programs as those of the Navajo in WWII and the Oklahoma Choctaw in WWI. Discusses cultural factors and American military attitudes. 2002.

The Dark Heart of Italy RC 59040
by Tobias Jones
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
English author, who moved to Italy in 1999, explores the country's recent history and often overlooked political influences. Jones found topics of language, sports, visual culture, and Catholicism inexorably linked to contemporary politics, prompting him to probe the wide-ranging authority of controversial prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. 2003.

Mary, Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley RC 59046
by Alison Weir
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
5 cassettes
Author of Eleanor of Aquitaine (RC 51724) investigates the debate surrounding Mary's role in the 1567 murder of her scheming husband, Lord Darnley, whom she proclaimed King of Scots but denied the sovereign power he craved. Weir examines evidence of Mary's culpability, her religious policy, and key players in events leading up to Darnley's death. 2003.

Selections from the Canzoniere and Other Works RC 59054
by Petrarch
read by Frank Coffee
1 cassette
Modern English translation of two autobiographical prose pieces--"Letter to Posterity" and "The Ascent of Mount Ventoux"--by the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), known as Petrarch. Also includes selected love poems inspired by Laura, his unrequited passion. 1985 translation and introduction by Mark Musa. 1999.

Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement RC 59057
by Dennis Banks
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Autobiography by a founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Born in 1937, Banks chronicles his forced placement in a boarding school by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, later reconciliation with his Ojibwa family, and Air Force service. Relates AIM's activities including the 1973 protest at Wounded Knee. 2004.

A Death in Texas: A Story of Race, Murder, and a Small Town's Struggle for Redemption RC 59058
by Dina Temple-Raston
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
A journalist's multilayered factual account of Jasper, Texas, the town sent reeling by the murder of James Byrd Jr., who was dragged to death in 1998 by three white supremacists. Chronicles surrounding events and the hate crime's social and political aftermath that forced Jasper to reexamine race relations. 2002.

The Fifth Book of Peace RC 59091
by Maxine Hong Kingston
read by Yolande Bavan
4 cassettes
Award-winning author of The Woman Warrior (RC 50624) opens her four-part memoir by lamenting the destruction of a manuscript that burned up with her California home. She recreates that novel-in-progress here, gives a history of the lost Chinese Books of Peace, and reflects on her years running a writing workshop for veterans. 2003.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens: The Secrets about Money--That You Don't Learn in School! RC 59102
by Robert T. Kiyosaki
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
The author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad (RC 50090) and other books instructs teens on becoming financially intelligent by learning the language of money, understanding how economics works, and avoiding pitfalls on the way to monetary security. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Senator Mansfield: The Extraordinary Life of a Great American Statesman and Diplomat RC 59112
by Don Oberdorfer
read by Michael Scherer
4 cassettes
A Washington Post journalist's biography of Mike Mansfield, the longest serving U.S. Senate majority leader (1961-1977). Describes how Mans-field's longtime expertise in Asian affairs enabled him to offer constructive opposition to the Vietnam War, to serve twelve years as ambassador to Japan, and to initiate America's rapprochement with China for President Nixon. 2003.

Late Beethoven: Music, Thought, Imagination RC 59127
by Maynard Solomon
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Author of Beethoven (RC 25162) analyzes the composer's thought and music during his last fifteen years, when his world outlook, belief systems, and compositional style underwent deep transformations. Uses Beethoven's diaries and other writings to trace the diverse literary and mystical sources that stimulated his radical creative expansion. 2003.

Namath: A Biography RC 59128
by Mark Kriegel
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Former sports columnist chronicles "Broadway Joe" Namath's life from mill-town pool halls to the American gridiron. Details his achievements as Bear Bryant's protégé, Super Bowl-winning New York Jets quarterback, and actor, as well as his family life, womanizing reputation, and battles with alcohol and chronic pain. Strong language. 2004.

Search for the Golden Moon Bear: Science and Adventure in Southeast Asia RC 59135
by Sy Montgomery
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
Author of Journey of the Pink Dolphins (RC 51514) recounts accompanying biologist Gary Galbreath to Southeast Asia in pursuit of a mysterious blond bear, possibly a new bear species. They traverse mountain jungles, land-mined forests, and marketplaces to look for animals and gather hairs for DNA clues to the golden bear's evolution. 2002.

It's Not Easy Bein' Me: A Lifetime of No Respect but Plenty of Sex and Drugs RC 59139
by Rodney Dangerfield
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Self-deprecating funnyman's anecdotal autobiography. Describes his difficult upbringing from which he emerged an unlikely success, noting career highlights like the movie Caddyshack and opening his own club. Jokes throughout. Frequently references his use of drugs and alcohol. Foreword by comedian Jim Carrey. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

The Best American Poetry, 2004 RC 59148
edited by Lyn Hejinian
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Noted poet, essayist, and editor presents seventy-five poems she considers among the best published in 2003. Although the verses are arranged alphabetically, Hejinian sees "extraordinary resonances" between adjacent poems. Includes work by Bruce Andrews, Billy Collins, Rita Dove, Jane Hirshfield, and David Shapiro. 2004.

A Rumor of War RC 59157
by Philip Caputo
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Ex-Marine Corps lieutenant relates his harrowing, sixteen-month tour of duty in Vietnam. Describes his fellow soldiers' courage and corruption in "a story about war, about the things men do in war and the things war does to them." Includes twentieth-anniversary postscript. Violence and strong language. 1977.

The Complete Shade Gardener RC 59186
by George Schenk
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Discusses the creation of a shady retreat covering all the basics from determining the site and preparing the soil to fending off pests and selecting specific trees, shrubs, groundcovers, ferns, perennials, annuals, and edibles. Expanded 1991 update of 1984 edition, with a 2002 appendix. 2002.

Charting a Course to Wellness RC 59190
by Treena Kerr and Graham Kerr
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
Celebrity chef Graham Kerr and his wife, Treena, share their journey of life, love, and healthy eating since Treena's battle with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Includes more than four hundred recipes that contain fewer fats and carbohydrates and that list nutritional information and ADA exchanges. 2004.

Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib RC 59238
by Seymour M. Hersh
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Pulitzer prize-winning journalist investigates charges of malfeasance, duplicity, and human-rights abuse during the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq during George W. Bush's administration. Hersh probes the torture scandal at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad; intelligence failures before September 11, 2001; alleged Saudi corruption; and the shortcomings in war and reconstruction planning. Bestseller. 2004.

Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars RC 59270
by Chet Atkins and Michael Cochran
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
Autobiography written with longtime friends the Cochran brothers. The guitarist recalls his career, beginning with his early days in Tennessee and Georgia, by focusing on guitars he's had over the years. Describes the evolution of his guitars' construction and includes anecdotes about favorite instruments. Introduction by Jerry Reed. 2001.

The Experts' Guide to One Hundred Things Everyone Should Know How to Do RC 59279
compiled by Samantha Ettus
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Tips and pointers from specialists in their fields covering personal and professional situations. Provides advice on the best way to apply lipstick, tie a Windsor knot, handle job interviews, make conversation, give and receive compliments, do laundry, be a good houseguest, kiss, and plan and pack for a trip. 2004.

Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Stupid White Man RC 59289
by David T. Hardy and Jason Clarke
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Authors criticize documentary filmmaker Moore's flawed methodology, inaccuracies, and socially irresponsible left-wing pontificating. Traces the now-wealthy Moore's previous careers and exposes examples of fallacies, fabrications, and mythmaking in his books and films. Includes several articles from international sources. Bestseller. 2004.

Who Let the Dogs In? Incredible Political Animals I Have Known RC 59290
by Molly Ivins
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Texas syndicated columnist portrays national figures from the Reagan era through George "Dubya" Bush's first term. Selections, which previously appeared in Ivins's newspaper column or elsewhere, include irreverent commentary on Ross Perot, Dan Quayle, Newt Gingrich, John Ashcroft, Ann Richards, Phil Gramm, and Madonna. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Cathy Williams: From Slave to Female Buffalo Soldier RC 59297
by Phillip Thomas Tucker
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Post-Civil War Missouri. Account of buffalo soldier Cathy Williams, purportedly the first African American woman to disguise herself as a man in order to serve in the U.S. military. Prize-winning historian traces Williams's escape from slavery, civilian employment as Army laundress, 1866 enlistment, and ultimate independence as a businesswoman. 2002.

Teacher: Anne Sullivan Macy; a Tribute by the Foster-Child of Her Mind RC 59301
by Helen Keller
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Helen Keller pays homage to Anne Sullivan Macy, her teacher, companion, and friend. Keller explains her own desire to remedy the public's perceived lack of appreciation for the critical role played by the inventive, dedicated woman who helped her to communicate with the world. 1955.

John Maynard Keynes, Volume 3: Fighting for Freedom, 1937-1946 RC 59306
by Robert Skidelsky
read by John Horton
5 cassettes
Last installment, following John May-nard Keynes, Volume 1 (RC 24871) and Volume 2 (RC 39180), of the influential British economist's life and times. Focuses on the period between 1937 and 1946, when Keynes formulated plans for financing England's war effort. Skidelsky also explores the rivalry between Britain and and America for postwar superiority. 2000.

Herodotus RC 59311
by James Romm
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Classicist's scholarly interpretation of the life and work of the fifth-century-B.C. Greek storyteller known as the father of history. Analyzes text of Herodotus's Histories (RC 58293). Hesitates to label him a historian, arguing instead that the great work encompasses "fiction and nonfiction, myth and history, and . . . poetry and prose." 1998.

Seeking Enlightenment . . . Hat by Hat: A Skeptic's Path to Religion RC 59322
by Nevada Barr
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
A collection of spiritual thoughts and meditations by the bestselling author of the Anna Pigeon mystery series. Barr's essays on a variety of topics from forgiveness and humility to "getting into heaven" reflect her personal search for meaning after the devastating failure of her marriage--a journey from atheism to faith. 2003.

Your Best Life Now: Seven Steps to Living at Your Full Potential RC 59330
by Joel Osteen
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Christian minister's advice on finding personal fulfillment. Discusses seven steps to produce change: enlarge your vision, develop a healthy self-image, discover the power of your thoughts and words, let go of the past, find strength through adversity, live to give, and choose to be happy. Bestseller. 2004.

Voices of War: Stories of Service from the Home Front and the Front Lines RC 59334
edited by Tom Wiener
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Personal accounts of American soldiers and medical personnel active in World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the Persian Gulf conflicts. Extracts from interviews, letters, and diary entries collected by the Library of Congress Veterans History Project are grouped by themes: Answering the Call, Under Fire, Coming Home. 2004.

Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon: The Expert's Guide to Safe, Successful Surgery RC 59351
by Robert Kotler
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Experienced cosmetic surgeon provides a guide to selecting a skilled medical professional, negotiating fees, engaging in a consultation, and obtaining answers to common questions. Also gives advice on anesthesia, medicine, herbs, skin products, and after-care procedures. 2003.

Diabetes: The Ultimate Teen Guide; It Happened to Me RC 59361
by Katherine J. Moran
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
A nurse provides practical information to teens on living with diabetes. Discusses the disease, managing it, treatment options including the insulin pump, and related social issues such as driving, traveling, and drinking alcohol. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Fly like a Bumblebee: A Blind Magician Shares His Most Powerful Secrets RC 59368
by R.W. Klamm
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Magician describes living with congenital optic atrophy disorder. He reveals with wit and humor how his profession helped to build his self-confidence. He explains easy tricks that demonstrate the concept "the hand is quicker than the eye." 2004.

Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season RC 59376
by Stewart O'Nan and Stephen King
read by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
Two bestselling novelists follow their beloved underdog team the Red Sox through the 2004 season that culminated in a pennant win over hated rival the N.Y. Yankees and a subsequent World Series victory. The writers conversed by e-mail, with O'Nan offering play-by-play analysis and King commenting on personalities and performances. Strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (and Yourself) through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond RC 59377
by Marc Silver
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Crash course for men on the best ways to support a wife through the ordeal of breast cancer. Part medical guide and part practical advice on caring for and understanding cancer treatment and its effects. Includes candid discussion of emotional, physical, and sexual reactions and coping options. 2004.

Fight Fat after Forty: The Revolutionary Three-Pronged Approach That Will Break Your Stress-Fat Cycle and Make You Healthy, Fit, and Trim for Life RC 59378
by Pamela Peeke
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Clinician offers a scientifically proven program to help women combat age-induced physical and emotional changes that can lead to self-destructive eating behaviors when exacerbated by stress. Focuses on mental regrouping, diet, and exercise to develop a "stress-resilient" lifestyle. 2000.

The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West RC 59392
by Joel Achenbach
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Washington Post writer documents George Washington's plans to transform the Potomac River into a commercial artery linking the Atlantic to the Mississippi Valley. Chronicles his 1784 journey across the Appalachians to speculate on inland navigation and explains how his ambitions spawned the National Road, B&O Railroad, and C&O Canal. 2004.

The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul RC 59396
by Phil Jackson
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
NBA champion coach examines the Lakers' dramatic 2003-2004 season. Reveals the hopes he had for the team with players like Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, and Gary Payton. Describes the impact on team dynamics of Kobe Bryant's felony sexual assault charge. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney's Humor Category RC 59397
edited by Dave Eggers and Lee Epstein
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Anecdotes, plays, jokes, fake reviews, letters, and stories from the San Francisco periodical. Includes Greg Purcell's"The Ten Worst Films of All Time, as Reviewed by Ezra Pound over Italian Radio," Jim Stallard's spoof on the Supreme Court, "No Justice, No Foul," and many others. Strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Columbarium RC 59467
by Susan Stewart
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Nearly forty poems expressing the bond between the living and the dead in voices of parent to child, lover to beloved, and mortal to the gods. Verses explore universal human truths, classical and Biblical figures, and the natural elements air, fire, earth, and water. National Book Critics Circle Award. 2003.

I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and the Inside Story of the Mafia, the Teamsters, and the Last Ride of Jimmy Hoffa RC 59468
by Charles Brandt
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Former prosecutor profiles "The Irishman," the late mob enforcer who claimed he killed Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. Quotes Sheeran on his role in organized crime and on what transpired the night Hoffa disappeared. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2004.

Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes RC 59469
by Maya Angelou
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (RC 57200) shares favorite recipes from her southern childhood and penny-pinching days and from her more recent repertoire of elaborate feasts. Includes anecdotes and stories of dining at home and with her good friends. Bestseller. 2004.

When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? RC 59470
by George Carlin
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
More observations and opinions on social trends, politically correct language, media and corporate spin, clichés, and euphemisms by the comedian who wrote Napalm and Silly Putty(RC 52283) and Brain Droppings (RC 44750). Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

The Truth about the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do about It RC 59477
by Marcia Angell
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Physician and former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine asserts widespread corruption within the pharmaceutical industry. Documents the role of universities in research, alleges big companies' manipulation of the Food and Drug Administration, and decries failures of Congress to reform policy. Polk Award. 2004.

Magical Thinking: True Stories RC 59479
by Augusten Burroughs
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
The author of Running with Scissors (RC 54817) relates humorous anecdotes about his difficult childhood, advertising career, alcoholism, and quest for fulfillment as a writer and gay man. Burroughs recounts a relationship with an undertaker and his adventures with domestic help. Descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board RC 59485
by Bethany Hamilton
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Autobiography of a Hawaiian junior-champion surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack when she was thirteen. Describes her home life and Christian upbringing. Relates the experiences of consulting a blind psychologist about her disability, and relearning the sport. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

The Best American Spiritual Writing 2004 RC 59486
edited by Philip Zaleski
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Thirty-five prose and poetry selections. Rick Bass explores one's connection to place and environment in "A Texas Childhood." Pico Iyer discusses the role of grandparents in "Grandmothers." Philip Levine describes the impact of the past in the poem "The Lesson." Introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack Miles. 2004.

Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game RC 59506
by Red Auerbach and John Feinstein
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Sportswriter John Feinstein joins former Celtics coach Red Auerbach in relating reminiscences shared with friends over lunch in Washington, D.C. They recall basketball games, discuss the history of the National Basketball League, talk about themselves, and gossip. Some strong language. 2004.

The Power of a Praying Husband RC 59516
by Stormie Omartian
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Bestselling author presents advice, personal anecdotes of Christian men, prayers, and scriptural passages to help husbands implement meaningful changes in marriage. Topics include a wife's emotions, sexuality, ways of protecting a spouse, and the future. Companion to The Power of a Praying Wife (RC 59518). 2001.

My Anecdotal Life: A Memoir RC 59517
by Carl Reiner
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
In his "complete and official, abridged autobiography," Reiner follows his friends' advice to write down his funny stories. In his eighties, Reiner examines his life in the entertainment world, recalling work with people such as Mary Tyler Moore, Sid Caesar, Dinah Shore, and Zero Mostel. Strong language. 2003.

The Power of a Praying Wife RC 59518
by Stormie Omartian
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Bestselling Christian author suggests ways a woman's prayer can strengthen marriage and help husbands cope with work, finances, sexuality, health, fatherhood, and faith. Includes prayers, "power tools," and real-life examples of marital growth, renewal, and restoration. Companion to The Power of a Praying Husband (RC 59516). 1997.

Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy RC 59522
by Lindsay Moran
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Former CIA employee details her brief career, claiming that training, sexism, and boring field work led her to resign and seek a more rewarding life. Includes anecdotes about lying to friends for five years for "cover," spying in Macedonia, and failing to find love. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Yellow Wolf: His Own Story RC 59531
by Lucullus Virgil McWhorter
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
Indian warrior's account of the Nez Perce War (1877) as told to his friend, the author, between 1908 and 1935. Describes Yellow Wolf's youth, the battle of Big Hole, the savagery of whites, the surrender at Bear's Paw Battlefield, and his life as a fugitive. 1940.

The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports RC 59558
by Brian Kilmeade
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Sportscaster interviews some seventy well-known people about the benefits of athletics. Henry Kissinger remembers his Jewish soccer team in Nazi Germany, actor Tony Danza recalls his boxing career, and acquaintances of September 11, 2001, heroes reflect on their early sports experiences. Foreword by Jim Brown. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Witness for the Prosecution of Scott Peterson RC 59559
by Amber Frey
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Frey recounts her brief relationship with Peterson during the time his pregnant wife disappeared. Frey relates contacting Modesto, California, police in December 2002 and later testifying against Peterson when he was tried for murder. She attributes faith in God for sustaining her throughout the ordeal. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Fifty Years of Great Writing: Sports Illustrated 1954-2004 RC 59562
edited by Rob Fleder
read by Bruce Huntey
5 cassettes
More than fifty articles dealing with athletes and championship events from five decades of Sports Illustrated. Authors including Roger Kahn, Dan Jenkins, Garrison Keillor, Jimmy Breslin, George Plimpton, John Steinbeck, and William Faulkner ponder football, cycling, baseball, golf, boxing, and racing. Bestseller. 2004.

The Worlds of Galileo: The Inside Story of NASA's Mission to Jupiter RC 59581
by Michael Hanlon
read by Dan Willems
2 cassettes
Behind-the-scenes look at the American spacecraft Galileo, its engineering and design team, and its prolonged interplanetary journey beginning October 18, 1989. Details the probe's two dozen orbits of Jupiter and data it transmitted concerning the moon Europa's ice and Io's volcanoes. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2001.

I Believe In . . . : Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Young People Speak about Their Faith RC 59584
by Pearl Gaskins
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Ninety-five teens and young adults in the Chicago area offer their opinions on religion and its role in their daily lives. They examine ethical and moral issues in relation to their personal beliefs and discuss their evolving spiritual feelings. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

The Tiger's Child RC 59596
by Torey Hayden
read by Megan Burnett
2 cassettes
Special-education teacher continues her narrative of Sheila, the abused but highly gifted girl whose experiences she documented in One Child (RC 16782). This chronicle picks up seven years later as Hayden seeks out the now-thirteen-year-old Sheila to renew their bond and record events of the intervening time. Strong language. 1995.

'Night, Mother: A Play RC 59604
by Marsha Norman
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Intending to commit suicide within hours, middle-aged Jessie draws her mother into a taut conversation that begins with the practicalities of household management but shifts to take in issues of failed relationships, chronic illness, love, and the meaning of life. Pulitzer Prize. 1983.

Conspiracy of Fools: A True Story RC 59683
by Kurt Eichenwald
read by Robertson Dean
6 cassettes
New York Times journalist's blow-by-blow account of the Enron Corporation's collapse. Details corrupt business practices and complex financial manipulations that undermined the profitable firm. Portrays the characters associated with the scandal, from executives who betrayed their stockholders to political figures. Strong language. 2005.

French Women Don't Get Fat RC 59698
by Mireille Guiliano
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Guide to the "French paradox" of staying trim while eating for pleasure. A four-part program includes inventorying your current diet, adjusting to balanced portions and nutritional diversity, reintegrating favorite foods in proper measure, and maintenance. Discusses grocery shopping, food preparation, simple exercise, and secrets of Frenchwomen. Includes recipes. Bestseller. 2005.

Your Credit Score: How to Fix, Improve, and Protect the Three-Digit Number That Shapes Your Financial Future RC 59748
by Liz Pulliam Weston
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Award-winning personal finance columnist's guide to understanding and controlling the individual credit score lenders use to evaluate your loan applications. Describes what it is and the way it is determined. Discusses related topics: FICO scores, credit reports, and the impact of debt, bankruptcy, divorce, unemployment, and identity theft. 2005.

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction RC 59836
by Kim Knott
read by Yolande Bavan
1 cassette
An overview of Hinduism, a religion practiced by millions worldwide, and an analysis of contemporary challenges. Discusses ethical and political issues; religious texts; the roles of brahmins, gurus, and storytellers in the transmission of divine truths; and the place of women and "untouchables" in society. 1998.

Birth and Rebirth on an Alaskan Island: The Life of an Alutiiq Healer RC 59843
by Joanne B. Mulcahy
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
Midwife Mary Peterson, an Alutiiq elder, recalls her life in the remote village of Akhiok on Kodiak Island. Her history encompasses the evolution of women's healing roles, the bonds of the extended family, and the social upheaval in her traditional community brought about by alcohol abuse. 2001.

The Odes of Horace RC 59845
by Horace
read by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
More than one hundred short poems by the influential Roman poet who celebrated the commonplace during the reign of the Emperor Augustus. Subjects include birthdays, virtue, wishes, safe journeys, and success in love and politics. Translated into idiomatic American English by scholar David Ferry. Poems are in English and Latin. 1997.

Rebel for the Hell of It: The Life of Tupac Shakur RC 59848
by Armond White
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
Journalist chronicles the life of rapper Tupac Shakur (1971-1996), from his childhood to his unsolved murder in Las Vegas. Describes Shakur's musical legacy, his brief acting career, and his legal entanglements. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1997.

A Perfect Husband RC 59994
by Aphrodite Jones
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Crime profiler follows the 2003 North Carolina trial of fifty-eight-year-old novelist Michael Peterson, accused of murdering his wife. The prosecutors successfully tie Peterson to a previous death and reveal crucial flaws in the supposedly happy marriage, including sexual deviance and money problems. Violence and some strong language. 2004.

Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End RC 59997
by Deepak Chopra
read by Shishir Kurup
2 cassettes
The author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (RC 40751) invites everyone to bring the vision of peace to the forefront of our collective and individual consciousness. Offers a seven-step program every individual can follow to become a peacemaker. 2005.

The Book Nobody Read: Chasing the Revolutions of Nicolaus Copernicus RC 60012
by Owen Gingerich
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Astrophysicist documents his quest to see every surviving first and second edition of De revolutionibus by Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), who theorized a heliocentric solar system. Gingerich's journey illuminates historic tensions between science and the Church and the impact of Copernicus's text, once branded "the book nobody read." 2004.

Language in Danger: The Loss of Linguistic Diversity and the Threat to Our Future RC 60014
by Andrew Dalby
read by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
Linguistic historian addresses the rapid disappearance of the world's native tongues as national languages, including English, are increasingly adopted by minority peoples. Drawing on historical examples, Dalby laments these vernacular losses and stresses the need for a "multiplicity of languages" to preserve the knowledge and cultural traditions embodied within them. 2003.

History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-nine Firsts in Recorded History RC 60016
by Samuel Noah Kramer
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
Collection of essays discussing a cross section of spiritual and cultural achievements of the Sumerians, the ancient Mesopotamian civilization that developed the first known cities circa 3000 B.C. From surviving clay tablet inscriptions, foremost Sumerologist Kramer describes humanity's "firsts" in the fields of politics, education, philosophy, law, science, and more. 1956.

A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa RC 60018
by Howard W. French
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
African American New York Times reporter examines contemporary African problems he views as legacies of colonization: the AIDS epidemic, genocide, exploitation of natural resources, and the development of tyrannies with tacit Western support. Describes his experiences investigating the lives of Africans in Nigeria, Liberia, and Mali. Violence. 2004.

Adults: Cassettes Fiction

The Farewell Symphony RC 56518
by Edmund White
read by Bruce Nelson
4 cassettes
1994. When his partner of five years dies of AIDS in this sequel to the auto-biographical novel The Beautiful Room Is Empty (RC 56517), the narrator reminisces about past lovers and visits to New York, Paris, and Rome that span three decades of the gay movement. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1997.

Secret Father RC 56910
by James Carroll
read by Michael Kramer
3 cassettes
Germany, 1961. Three American teenagers--Michael, Rick, and Kit--venture into East Berlin, where they are detained by the secret police. Michael's father and Rick's German mother rush to rescue them. But Rick has information that will endanger everyone. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.

Distant Shores RC 56933
by Kristin Hannah
read by Susan McInerney
3 cassettes
During their twenty-four years of marriage, Elizabeth Shore has devoted her life to Jack and their two daughters while ignoring her dream of painting. When Jack is offered a high profile sportscaster job in New York, Elizabeth begins to question her own priorities. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2002.

Eye of the Cricket: A Lew Griffin Novel RC 56950
by James Sallis
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
New Orleans. African American novelist and professor Lew Griffin is alerted to an emergency room patient clutching one of his books--a copy Lew had given to his long-lost son, David. As Lew struggles to find a connection, his detective skills help him search for a missing teenager. Some strong language. 1997.

The Long-Legged Fly: A Lew Griffin Novel RC 57684
by James Sallis
read by Chuck Young
1 cassette
Debut novel featuring New Orleans African American private detective Lew Griffin. Lew was somewhat successful in missing persons cases he was working on in 1964, 1970, 1984, and 1990. But troubled by his past, Griffin's biggest challenge yet may be to find himself. Strong language and some violence. 1992.

Moth: A Lew Griffin Novel RC 57992
by James Sallis
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
With his life under control, Lew Griffin is no longer a New Orleans detective, but a writer and a teacher. After the death of his friend LaVerne, Lew is drawn back to his former business. He searches the streets for LaVerne's daughter, Alouette, a habitual drug user. Strong language and some violence. 1993.

The Seven Sisters RC 57995
by Margaret Drabble
read by Gillian Green
2 cassettes
Recently divorced and estranged from her daughters, Candida rebuilds her life in London. She joins a health club, makes friends, and writes in her diary. An unexpected inheritance and a vacation in Italy help her gain insight into her life. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

A Woman Betrayed RC 58106
by Barbara Delinsky
read by Susan McInerney
3 cassettes
Life for Laura Frye, a thirty-eight-year-old restaurateur, is turned upside down when her husband, Jeff, disappears, and the IRS wants him for tax fraud. With her assets frozen, Laura looks for help from Jeff's older brother--who is her former lover. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1991.

A Firing Offense RC 58158
by George P. Pelecanos
read by Conrad Feininger
2 cassettes
Thirty-year-old Nick Stefanos is the advertising director for a Washington, D.C., chain of electronics stores. When he agrees to investigate the disappearance of former stockboy Jimmy Broda for the teen's grandfather, Nick enters a world of drugs and crime. Violence and strong language. 1992.

Ghost of a Flea: A Lew Griffin Novel RC 58443
by James Sallis
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
New Orleans African American private investigator Lew Griffin is alone--his romantic relationship is crumbling; his son, David, has again disappeared; and his detective friend has been shot interrupting a robbery. Worse yet, Lew hasn't written any-thing in years. These events force him to reexamine his life and priorities. Strong language. 2001.

The Wall RC 58497
by Marlen Haushofer
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
A solitary woman chronicles her experiences trapped in the forest behind an invisible, impenetrable wall--the result of a "catastrophe" that seems to have snuffed out the rest of humanity. With her unorthodox animal family, she struggles to survive and cope with her losses and fears. Originally published in German. Some violence. 1962.

The Pursuit of Alice Thrift RC 58839
by Elinor Lipman
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
Surgical intern Alice Thrift is a socially inept workaholic who finds herself attracted to Ray Russo, a traveling salesman of dubious sincerity. Alice's roommate, Leo Frawley, pronounces Ray a "slimeball." Nevertheless, the unceremonious courtship progresses, culminating in surprises and heartache for Alice. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Changing Planes RC 58853
by Ursula K. Le Guin
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
In sixteen interrelated stories Sita Dulip of Cincinnati, bored by sitting in airports, discovers she can journey to other planes of existence while waiting for her flight. She visits a realm where people rarely speak past childhood, and Christmas Island, where Christmas Eve lasts all year. Some strong language. 2003.

The Wolf and the Buffalo: Texas Traditions RC 58986
by Elmer Kelton
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
West Texas, post-Civil War. Released from slavery, Gideon Ledbetter joins the U.S. Cavalry. He clashes with Gray Horse, a Comanche warrior struggling to preserve his tribe's culture against the encroaching settlers. Some strong language. 1980.

Reunion RC 59024
by Michael B. Oren
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Survivors from B Company, 133rd Infantry Battalion's brutal Nazi onslaught reunite in 1994 at the Ardennes Forest battle site in Belgium. Recalling the six-day engagement, the veterans confront their quests for closure and redemption, the war's lingering aspects, and a fifty-year-old mystery. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.

Shem Creek: A Lowcountry Tale RC 59026
by Dorothea Benton Frank
read by Connie Crawford
2 cassettes
Fed up with New Jersey and a local ex-husband, Linda Breland and two teenage daughters head to her ancestral South Carolina home to be near her sister Mimi. The future looks bright when restaurant owner Brad Jackson hires Linda. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

The Deadwood Trail: Trail Drive Series, Book 13 RC 59042
by Ralph Compton
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
Dakota Territory, 1870s. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills has in-undated the area with beef-hungry miners. Rival Montana and Wyoming outfits composed of cowboys, Indians, and high-spirited womenfolk drive their cattle through Sioux country, despite a treaty, to the boomtown where a deadly surprise awaits. 1999.

Painted Ponies RC 59043
by Alan LeMay
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
In 1878, Slide Morgan learns that Abner Cade, brother of the man he killed in self-defense, has placed a price on his head. Morgan hides out among the Cheyenne Indians until their rebellion against the whites ends. He then resumes his feud with the Cades. 1927.

The Price of Murder: A Sir John Fielding Mystery RC 59048
by Bruce Alexander
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
London, 1774. Blind magistrate Sir John Fielding and assistant Jeremy investigate the death of a young girl pulled from the Thames River. They search for the mother, who had sold her daughter into slavery, but their quest soon involves another murder, a disappearance, and a trip to the races. 2003.

McNally's Bluff: An Archy McNally Novel by Vincent Lardo RC 59050
by Vincent Lardo
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Private detective Archy McNally investigates the bizarre murder of former carnival impresario Matthew Hayes's wife at their Palm Beach estate. McNally also assists his father with a contested will and becomes involved with state trooper Georgia O'Hara. Some strong language. 2004.

Fire Flight RC 59093
by John J. Nance
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Retired airtanker pilot Clark Maxwell takes to the skies to help fight wild-fires raging in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. After a deadly plane crash and a series of mysterious incidents, Maxwell suspects foul play and launches an investigation of the aging DC-6 fleet's owner. Some strong language. 2003.

Death of an Eagle RC 59095
by Kirby Jonas
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Mauled by a grizzly, sixteen-year-old José Olano has little chance of survival until Robert "Gray Eagle" McAllister, an embittered outlaw, happens by. McAllister nurses the Spanish boy back to health and teaches him the secrets of mountain men. Their friendship follows José into adulthood, when he is forced to choose between loyalty and justice. 1998.

From the Terrace RC 59100
by John O'Hara
read by Mark Ashby
8 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)
Pennsylvania banking tycoon Alfred Eaton's life reflects upper-class American manners and values in the first half of the twentieth century. Although he is outwardly successful, Eaton's private world is basically loveless. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1959.

Smoke Screen RC 59107
by Kyle Mills
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
As his industry faces a billion-dollar lawsuit, reluctant tobacco heir Trevor Barnett, their newest spokesman, makes an outrageous move to save his company and thus becomes the target of public outrage. Meanwhile, he works secretly with anti-smoking lobbyist Anne Kimball, the object of his affections. Strong language and some violence. 2003.

Sleep No More RC 59109
by Greg Iles
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
Natchez, Mississippi. Resigned to a passionless marriage, petroleum geologist John Waters pines over his once-obsessive love for Mallory Candler, murdered ten years ago. When an intriguing stranger sparks a familiar response, the inextricable but impossible link to the past could destroy him. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2002.

Mountains against the Sun: A Western Story RC 59110
by Perry Holmes
read by Eric Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Utah, 1875. Frank Allard learns that deputy Tom Yeager has been murdered. Frank's determination to avenge his only friend leads him to Winona Basin, where he encounters troubled Joyce Lenifee and danger. Some violence. 1997.

The Middle of the Night RC 59113
by Daniel Stolar
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In eight short stories, Stolar focuses on emotions described by William Faulkner as the "the human heart in conflict with itself." The varied tales use New England private clubs and Midwest suburbs as stages for scenes of parenting, love, nostalgia, grief, and regret, each with a unique resolution. Some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Solar Lottery RC 59130
by Philip K. Dick
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
2203. With the universe in social and economic disintegration, the supreme leader, the Quizmaster, is chosen by a random game. Recently dismissed biochemist Ted Benteley signs on to work with current Quizmaster Verrick. When Verrick is ousted, Benteley joins a plot to assassinate the successor. Some descriptions of sex. 1955.

The Far Country RC 59136
by Nevil Shute
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Twenty-four-year-old Jennifer Morton, a doctor's daughter, leaves England to visit relatives in Australia. She meets Czech lumberman Carl Zlinter, who was a surgeon in the German army during World War II. Soon they fall in love but face a heartbreaking separation when Jennifer must suddenly return home. 1952.

Welcome to Higby RC 59142
by Mark Dunn
read by Nick Sullivan
2 cassettes
Humorous vignettes staged over a Labor Day weekend in Higby, Mississippi. We meet Hank Grammar, who delivers gospel to the neighborhood pets; Reverend Oren Cullen, who is falling in love with massage therapist Desiree Parka; and Talitha Leigh, who is ensnared by a religious cult. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.

Timber Line RC 59151
by Max Brand
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
Collection of three stories by celebrated western author Max Brand features his first, "Above the Law," which appeared in 1918, and includes "One Man Posse" (1934). In "Timber Line" (1923), a newcomer taking refuge from a fierce winter storm is mistakenly identified as a vengeful outlaw. 1999.

Chinaman's Chance RC 59155
by Ross Thomas
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Artie Wu and Quincy Durant, two soldiers of fortune, are hired by a billionaire to find his missing sister-in-law. Their search uncovers crosses and double crosses among a dead congressman and a Mafia boss and his old college roommate, formerly of the CIA. Strong language. 1978.

The Unsung Hero RC 59156
by Suzanne Brockmann
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Injured U.S. Navy SEAL Tom Paoletti glimpses a terrorist while convalescing in his Massachusetts hometown. When his superiors dismiss the danger, Tom assembles a makeshift counterterrorism team of loyal officers, elderly veterans, misfit teenagers, and his child-hood crush Kelly Ashton. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2000.

The Cuban Prospect RC 59160
by Brian Shawver
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Dennis Birch, a washed-up, retired ballplayer turned scout, is asked to smuggle Cuban pitching prospect Ramon Diego Sagasta into America. The assignment gets larger than Birch anticipated when he confronts his own strengths, weaknesses, and cultural prejudices. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Every Secret Thing RC 59161
by Laura Lippman
read by Connie Crawford
2 cassettes
An attempt by eleven-year-old friends Alice Manning and Ronnie Fuller of Baltimore to "rescue" an apparently abandoned African American baby ends disastrously. After seven years in juvenile detention for kidnapping and murder, the two are released and become prime suspects when other children begin disappearing from the neighborhood. Strong language and some violence. 2003.

Colter's Wife RC 59164
by Joan Johnston
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Wyoming Territory, 1875. After her husband's death, Kinyan Holloway needs a man to help manage her ranch. Refusing a proposal from bully Ritter Gordon, she marries cowboy Benjamin Colter, widowed eight years earlier by Gordon's gang. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1986.

Irish Eyes: A Callahan Garrity Mystery RC 59203
by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Returning home from a St. Patrick's Day party, moonlighting homicide detective Bucky Deavers, former partner of Atlanta PI Callahan Garrity, is shot during an apparent liquor store holdup. Garrity investigates amid allegations that her longtime friend Bucky's second job may be linked to a series of robberies. Strong language. 2000.

The Two Swords: The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Book 3 RC 59240
by R.A. Salvatore
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Sequel to The Lone Drow (RC 58628) and conclusion of the trilogy again features the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden. As drow, trolls, and orcs advance throughout Nesmé and with Mithral Hall under siege, Drizzt must find allies or succumb with the civilized North. Some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

Saucer RC 59241
by Stephen Coonts
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Sahara Desert. When twenty-two-year-old collegian Rip Cantrell unearths a flying saucer, the United States dispatches a UFO investigation team including test pilot Charlotte "Charley" Pine. Rip and Charley hijack the spacecraft after the Libyan army and a demonic billionaire attempt to lay claim to it. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

A Lady of His Own: A Bastion Club Novel, Book 4 RC 59245
by Stephanie Laurens
read by Vanessa Maroney
4 cassettes
Charles St. Austell returns to his Cornwall estate in 1816 and discovers his first love, Lady Penelope, in a spy scandal. Penelope is secretly trying to clear her family's name of treason, but Charles has come to investigate the same case. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

Reforming a Rake: With This Ring RC 59253
by Suzanne Enoch
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Notorious London womanizer Lucien, Earl Balfour, needing a governess for his vexing young cousin, hires Miss Alexandra Gallant, whose reputation is nearly as tarnished as his own. While Alexandra gives lessons in propriety, Lucien (who also requires a wife) has another, far less respectable lesson in mind. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2000.

Stealing the Bride RC 59254
by Elizabeth Boyle
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
London, 1809. Tired of waiting for the marquis of Templeton to come to his senses and marry her, twenty-nine-year-old Lady Diana Fordham stages an elopement with a disreputable viscount. Templeton, a Foreign Office secret agent, is ordered to save her--exactly what Diana had intended. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

The Bishop at Sea: A Blackie Ryan Mystery RC 59260
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
The archbishop of Chicago's cousin, captain David "Speed" Cronin, commands a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier haunted by ancient Irish ghosts. The archbishop enlists bishop "Blackie" Ryan's aid. Motion sickness pills help Ryan deal with missing sailors and Irish mythology. Strong language. 1997.

Saucer: The Conquest RC 59261
by Stephen Coonts
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Pilot Charlotte "Charley" Pine discovers a dangerous antigravity beam during a French lunar space flight. Mean-while, thugs kidnap Rip Cantrell's uncle and force him to fly to the moon. Rip and Charley steal the spacecraft Saucer (RC 59241) from the Smithsonian to save his uncle and the world. Some violence. 2004.

One Hot Summer RC 59266
by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
On maternity leave, successful Cuban American lawyer Margarita Santos Silva struggles to choose between returning to work and staying home to raise her child. This decision, however, pales when compared to the one she must make after an old flame comes back into her life. Strong language. 2002.

A Spectacle of Corruption RC 59271
by David Liss
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
London, 1722. Jewish ex-prizefighter detective Benjamin Weaver from A Conspiracy of Paper (RC 51312), framed for murder, escapes from prison and attempts to prove his innocence. With the first general election between Tories and Whigs looming, his investigation uncovers political corruption. Some strong language. 2004.

Secrets of a Summer Night: The Wallflowers, Book 1 RC 59273
by Lisa Kleypas
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
Four Victorian young ladies band together to seek husbands for one another, despite their "unmarriageable" traits. Impoverished aristocrat Annabelle attracts rich commoner Simon, who only wants a mistress. Wealthy Evangeline and American sisters Daisy and Lillian conspire to manipulate the situation. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

A Matter of Scandal: With This Ring RC 59275
by Suzanne Enoch
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
When Greydon Brakenridge, duke of Wycliffe, discovers his uncle's estate is nearing financial ruin, he raises the rent on tenant Emma Grenville's finishing school. The young headmistress, however, is determined to outwit her arrogant new landlord. The confrontation leads to a wager--and romance. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2001.

Medusa: An Aurelio Zen Mystery RC 59277
by Michael Dibdin
read by Peter Gil
2 cassettes
Leonardo Ferrero's body is found in an abandoned tunnel thirty years after his death. Concluding that Ferrero's demise was not accidental, Rome detective Zen investigates the victim's past and uncovers a 1970s plot to overthrow the government by a clandestine group whose current members are intent on remaining secret. 2003.

The Pioneers: A Leatherstocking Tale RC 59281
by James Fenimore Cooper
read by Michael Scherer
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Northern New York frontier, 1823. Settlers in the foothills turn the wilderness into farmland and villages. Judge Temple and his daughter, Elizabeth, help to establish a new civilization, while the natives and frontiersmen are driven out. Old hunter Natty Bumppo, called Leatherstocking, observes the changing environment with regret. 1823.

The Hanged Man's Song: A Kidd Mystery RC 59283
by John Sandford
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Kidd and his partner in crime LuEllen, both of The Devil's Code (RC 51046), set out to recover a computer and find a killer after their hacker friend is murdered. His stolen laptop contained incriminating government secrets. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Devil's Cub RC 59285
by Georgette Heyer
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Having no intention of allowing Dominic, the arrogant marquis of Vidal, to ruin her sister Sophia's reputation, saucy Mary Challoner foils their meeting by impersonating Sophia. To Mary's surprise the nobleman kidnaps her and takes her to Paris, intent on marriage. 2003 foreword by Linda Howard. 1932.

The Codex RC 59287
by Douglas Preston
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
When Tom Broadbent and his brothers discover that their tomb-robbing father has taken his priceless collection of antiquities (including a Mayan codex) and gone into hiding, they search the globe for him. Others soon join the hunt. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004.

Light on Snow RC 59288
by Anita Shreve
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Twelve-year-old Nicky Dillon and her father find an abandoned infant on a snowy walk in the woods. When the baby's mother appears at their house a few days later, her presence forces the Dillons to deal with their grief over the loss of Nicky's mother and sister. Bestseller. 2004.

Powder and Patch RC 59295
by Georgette Heyer
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
Philip Jettan has loved Cleone Charteris since childhood. But now that she is a pampered and polished young lady, he fears Cleone will not love him. So Philip leaves for the courts of France to acquire the necessary social graces. But his transformation may cost him what he wants most. 1930.

Maigret and the Toy Village: An Inspector Maigret Mystery RC 59296
by Georges Simenon
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette (Reissue)
The planned community of Jeanneville Estate outside of Paris resembles a pretty toy village. When an old recluse called "Peg Leg" is murdered, chief superintendent Maigret finds it difficult to establish a motive. 1944.

Cutthroat Gulch RC 59299
by Richard S. Wheeler
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
When sheriff Blue Smith discovers a bullet-ridden body at his favorite fishing hole, he looks for the killer. Another murder closer to home makes clear that Blue and his family are targets. Just released after years in prison, his daughter's former sweetheart Jack Castle wants Blue to pay for sending him there. 2003.

The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi RC 59300
by Arthur Japin
read by Bill Quinn
3 cassettes
Two Ashanti princes are sent from their West African homes to Holland in 1837, ostensibly to be educated. In reality, they are to serve as human collateral in a deal to acquire slaves. Regarded as curiosities, the two cousins choose different courses of action. Fictionalized account of historical figures. 1997.

Bonjour Tristesse RC 59304
by Françoise Sagan
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette (Reissue)
Cécile begins her seventeenth summer happily in a villa on the Mediterranean, flirting with her handsome neighbor Cyril. The complications occur when her father, who already has his young mistress with them, invites Anne, a friend of his deceased wife, to visit. 1955.

Nowhere Man RC 59305
by Aleksandar Hemon
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Bosnian Jozef Pronek, featured in The Question of Bruno (RC 54925), reaches manhood in Sarajevo, studies in Kiev, and becomes stranded in 1990s Chicago. All the while he is shadowed by a mysterious observer who narrates portions of the story and intrudes on Pronek's life. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

A Question of Blood: A John Rebus Mystery RC 59310
by Ian Rankin
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Edinburgh detective inspector John Rebus of Resurrection Men (RC 57947) investigates the private school shooting of two teenage boys by loner Lee Herdman, a Special Air Service veteran. Meanwhile Rebus is suspected in the death of a colleague's alleged stalker. Violence and some strong language. 2003.

Under the Moons of Mars RC 59314
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
read by L.J. Ganser
4 cassettes
Omnibus volume containing A Princess of Mars, The Gods of Mars, and The Warlord of Mars, the first three novels in the Barsoom series about John Carter. They recount Carter's strange adventures during the ten years after he lost consciousness in an Arizona cave and was teleported to Mars. 2003.

The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus RC 59315
by Sophocles
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Plays from the fifth century B.C. In Oedipus the King, a young man is warned by an oracle that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus at Colonus describes how the people of Thebes seek the return of the aged exile. In Antigone, the new king of Thebes refuses to permit his nephew's burial. Antigone defies his edict and suffers the consequences. 1984.

Now May You Weep: A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery RC 59320
by Deborah Crombie
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
3 cassettes
Detective inspector Gemma James accompanies her friend Hazel to Scotland, where Hazel and her old flame, Donald Brodie, reunite. When Donald's murder puts Hazel under suspicion, Gemma summons her own lover and former partner, Duncan Kincaid, to help investigate. 2003.

Sylvester RC 59324
by Georgette Heyer
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Seeking a future wife who is well-born, intelligent, and attractive, Sylvester Rayne, duke of Salford, is encouraged to consider Phoebe Marlow. Practical Phoebe, however, regards Sylvester as arrogant and rude. But when unusual circumstances bring them together, they fall in love. 2004 foreword by Joan Wolf. 1957.

State of Fear RC 59336
by Michael Crichton
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Philanthropist and environmental sponsor George Morton suspects that ecoterrorists plan to create natural disasters to promote the theory of global warming. When Morton dies, his assistant Sarah Jones and attorney Peter Evans help scientist and FBI agent John Kenner stop the destruction. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

Mistress of the Pearl: The Pearl Saga, Book 3 RC 59344
by Eric Van Lustbader
read by Gary Tipton
5 cassettes
Riane is Dar Sala-at, the fabled savior destined to lead the Kundalan people against their V'ornn oppressors. She continues her quest for the mystical Pearl, believed to hold the key to Kundalan salvation. Sequel to The Veil of a Thousand Tears (RC 54827). Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Out of the Darkness: The Darkness Novels, Volume 6 RC 59350
by Harry Turtledove
read by Richard Hauenstein
5 cassettes
Conclusion of an alternative WWII history following Jaws of Darkness (RC 57820). As the Derlavaian War winds down, warring nations Algarve and Unkerlant mobilize forces for final battles. Soldiers, sorcerers, and civilians face their greatest challenges yet on the road to peace. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004.

Winged Escort RC 59359
by Douglas Reeman
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes (Reissue)
1943. Fighter pilot Tim Rowan of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is injured while serving on a makeshift escort carrier for an Allied convoy. After he recovers, he is sent to Australia where he falls in love with the rear admiral's wife. Some violence. 1975.

Vertical Coffin: A Shane Scully Novel RC 59365
by Stephen J. Cannell
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
LAPD sergeant Shane Scully from The Viking Funeral (RC 55203) stumbles into a shootout involving the sheriff's department, the ATF, and a gunman who just killed a deputy. Subsequent murders of police point to a turf battle between rival law enforcement agencies. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Time for the Stars RC 59371
by Robert A. Heinlein
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Telepathic teenaged twins Pat and Tom Bartlett make communication possible between Earth and spaceships exploring distant solar systems. Uncertain if they will meet again, Tom, who is forever young in space, relays his adventures to Pat, who remains--and ultimately ages--on Earth. For senior high and older readers. 1956.

Unity: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine RC 59375
by S.D. Perry
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
2376. Commander Vaughn and the starship Defiant crew return to Deep Space Nine after a harrowing voyage in the Gamma Quadrant. Chaos embroils them following the Bajoran First Minister's assassination, as Colonel Kira Nerys investigates a parasitic conspiracy threatening Bajor and the Federation. 2003.

Wormwood RC 59385
by G.P. Taylor
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Eighteenth-century London. As a deadly comet hurtles toward the city, Dr. Sabian Blake and his fourteen-year-old housemaid Agetta battle dark forces. Evil spirits seek the secrets of the universe in an ancient, powerful book of Blake's. Sequel to Shadowmancer (RC 58691). For junior and senior high readers. 2004.

Perfect for the Beach RC 59389
by Lori Foster and Mary Janice Davidson
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
Six romantic, guy-gets-girl (or vice versa) novellas. In "Some Like It Hot" a doctor falls for a member of his best friend's office staff. In "My Thief" a businessman finds a naked woman waiting inside his hotel room. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

The Prince of Beverly Hills: A Rick Barron Book RC 59391
by Stuart Woods
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
Beverly Hills cop Rick Barron saves movie star Clete Barrow from unwanted publicity after a deadly traffic accident. This good deed lands Barron a security position at Barrow's studio. The cop squires around actors and starlets and soon gets involved with gangster Bugsy Siegel. Violence and strong language. 2004.

Hour Game RC 59393
by David Baldacci
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
Former Virginia secret service agents, now private detectives, Michelle Maxwell and Sean King from Split Second(RC 56904) attempt to solve a burglary when they are solicited to investigate another case--a series of murders that strongly resemble other infamous crimes. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Life Expectancy RC 59394
by Dean Koontz
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
As Jimmy Tock is born, his dying grandfather foretells dire events in Jimmy's future. In the same hospital, a clown murders medical staff before escaping with his own newborn son. Years later the predictions come true when the clown's son abducts Jimmy. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: A Splinter Cell Adventure RC 59395
by David Michaels
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Two elite operatives involved in a National Security Agency top-secret intelligence-gathering initiative were assassinated within three months. The latest victim is a Mideast expert investigating arms dealings. Agent Sam Fisher travels to Iraq to uncover terrorist connections. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

Those Who Love: A Biographical Novel of Abigail and John Adams RC 59398
by Irving Stone
read by Anne Hancock
6 cassettes (Reissue)
Fictionalized account of the marriage between writer Abigail Smith (1744-1818) and Massachusetts lawyer John Adams (1735-1826), who became the second president of the United States. Blending old-fashioned romance and historical detail, the story chronicles the family's careers and wanderings, ending with the close of John's presidency in 1801. 1965.

Silver Bells: A Holiday Tale RC 59402
by Luanne Rice
read by Connie Crawford
1 cassette
Widowed Canadian farmer Christopher Byrne journeys to New York City every December to sell Christmas trees. Last year his teenaged son stayed on to pursue a photography career. Manhattan librarian Catherine Tierney buys her trees from Chris and looks out for the boy. Love is soon in the air. 2004.

The Midden RC 59404
by Tom Sharpe
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
2 cassettes
Dimwitted Timothy Bright throws his reputation and fortune down the tubes by insider trading. To make matters worse, a misadventure lands him at the Middenhall mansion with a chief constable, his wife, her lesbian lover, and Marjorie Midden. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1996.

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels: A Million Dollar Mystery RC 59417
by Mindy Starns Clark
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Eastern Shore, Maryland. Through her volunteer work, recently widowed PI Callie Webber prepares Shayna Greer for new employment. When the body of Shayna's boyfriend turns up in her trunk, Shayna becomes the prime murder suspect. Callie's investigation finds international implications and deadly deception. Some violence. 2003.

Blue Dahlia: In the Garden, Book 1 RC 59460
by Nora Roberts
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
Widow Stella Rothchild returns to Tennessee with her two sons to run a nursery business on Roz Harper's ancestral estate. Stella falls in love with landscape designer Logan Kitridge, but the ghost haunting the manor disapproves. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

A Kiss of Shadows RC 59461
by Laurell K. Hamilton
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Following several assassination attempts, faerie princess Meredith NicEssus hides in Los Angeles posing as an investigator specializing in supernatural crime. Suddenly outed and summoned back to the royal court, Meredith returns to discover the true intentions of her aunt, the Queen. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2000.

The Falls RC 59462
by Joyce Carol Oates
read by Kimberly Schraf
4 cassettes
Ariah is widowed on the first day of her honeymoon in Niagara Falls. Local lawyer Dirk Burnaby falls in love with Ariah and marries her. But when he later takes on the Love Canal lawsuit he becomes estranged from his family. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

The Watchmen RC 59463
by John Altman
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Psychiatrist Louis Finney is encouraged to use aggressive force to interrogate captured Al Qaeda spy Ali Zattout. Finney, however, harbors doubts about such methods and regrets his past government "experiments." Meanwhile a ghost-like assassin tries to penetrate Zattout's high-security cell, leaving carnage along the way. Violence and strong language. 2004.

The Gift RC 59472
by Nora Roberts
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Holiday stories of love and romance. In Home for Christmas a young man returns to his hometown after a ten-year absence. In All I Want for Christmas twin boys ask Santa for a mom. Includes three holiday recipes. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1986.

Hunting Fear: Fear Trilogy, Book 1 RC 59473
by Kay Hooper
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Lucas Jordan, a member of the FBI's Special Crimes Unit of psychics, investigates a serial killer operating in Golden, North Carolina. Carnival psychic Samantha Burke, Jordan's former lover, arrives to assist in the search but becomes the next target. Violence and strong language. 2004.

A Song I Knew by Heart RC 59481
by Bret Lott
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Widow Naomi moves from Massachusetts to her childhood South Carolina home after her only son dies in a car accident. His wife, Ruth, goes with her. As they grieve together, Naomi faces a secret shame from her past. Based on the biblical story of Ruth. 2004.

A Cry from the Dark RC 59482
by Robert Barnard
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
Esteemed and wealthy, eighty-year-old London novelist Bettina Whitelaw, immersed in writing her memoirs, senses that someone has secretly entered her apartment. While she visits Edinburgh, her flat is ransacked and the housesitter slain. Bettina's ghastly secrets come to light as the list of suspects expands. 2003.

The Line of Beauty RC 59483
by Alan Hollinghurst
read by Steve Douglas Craig
3 cassettes
1980s. After university, gay Nick Guest moves into the London mansion of his friend Toby, whose father is a conservative politician. Nick has relationships with a black clerk and later a Lebanese millionaire while enjoying a privileged lifestyle. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Booker Prize. 2004.

Night Fall RC 59489
by Nelson DeMille
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Antiterrorist agents John Corey and wife Kate Mayfield reopen the investigation of a Paris-bound jet's 1996 crash off the Long Island coast. They learn of an adulterous videotape made on the beach the night of the disaster and search for the couple. Violence and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

Godless RC 59496
by Pete Hautman
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Jason Bock and his oddball friends Shin, Magda, and Henry create their own religion to worship the town's water tower. But what started out as a joke takes on a power of its own. Some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. National Book Award. 2004.

Sapphire's Grave RC 59499
by Hilda Gurley-Highgate
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
In 1749 a Sierra Leone woman is sent into slavery in America. There, she gives birth to a daughter, Sapphire, who passes on her mother's defiance and survival instincts as a legacy to sustain generations of female descendants enduring poverty and oppression. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2000.

Little Earthquakes RC 59500
by Jennifer Weiner
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Four Philadelphia women bond through experiences with marriage and motherhood. Becky endures a terrible mother-in-law, Kelly struggles with an unemployed husband, Ayinde copes with a superstar athlete, and Lia hides a terrible secret. Together they help one another grow. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

Sisterchicks Do the Hula RC 59501
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
"Sisterchicks" Hope and Laurie, best friends as close as sisters, celebrate their fortieth birthdays together on a long-planned Hawaiian vacation. Away from families and unhindered by a little surprise stowaway, they prepare for the next season of their lives by reconnecting to their faith and to each other. 2003.

The Dew Breaker RC 59502
by Edwidge Danticat
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Now established in Brooklyn, a father reveals to his adult daughter the agonized past he led as a torturer, or "dew breaker," decades ago in Haiti. Nine interrelated short stories of this man and those whose lives he altered: victims, family, tenants, and colleagues. Some violence. 2004.

The Compleat Werewolf and Other Stories of Fantasy and Science Fiction RC 59504
by Anthony Boucher
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Ten tales of fantasy and science fiction originally published in the 1940s. In the title story a meek professor discovers that he is actually a werewolf. In "Mr. Lupescu" a boy becomes fascinated by his fairy godfather, who has a big red nose, red eyes, and little red wings. 1941.

Sleeping Beauty RC 59505
by Phillip Margolin
read by Faith Potts
2 cassettes
Portland, Oregon. Ashley Spencer's parents, her best friend, and school dean are murdered in separate incidents. Terror-stricken Ashley barely escapes and flees to Europe. Years later, on her return, she confronts still another nightmare. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2004.

The Game: A Mary Russell Novel RC 59509
by Laurie R. King
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
1924. Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell, visit India to investigate the disappearance of Kimball O'Hara, a spy for England and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's famed Kim. Traveling incognito, the couple encounter life-threatening dangers. 2004.

Waterfalls: The Glenbrooke Series, Book 6 RC 59510
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
On a trip to Glenbrooke, Oregon, twenty-four-year-old acquisitions editor Meredith Graham is smitten with her sister's former neighbor, actor Jacob Wilde. Soon the tables turn as they enter a business venture in which Meredith takes a leading role and their relationship gathers momentum and commitment. 1998.

For the Rest of My Life RC 59511
by Harry Kraus
read by Colleen Delany
3 cassettes
Doctor Claire McCall, from Could I Have This Dance? (RC 55961), takes care of her father, who is dying from Huntington's disease. Her Christian faith is tested even more after her patients are attacked by a serial rapist and her fiancé, John, becomes a suspect. 2003.

The Sacrifice: Abram's Daughters, Book 3 RC 59512
by Beverly Lewis
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Following The Betrayal (RC 56399) Amish Leah Ebersol of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is devastated when she hears through the grapevine that her beloved Jonas has married her sister Sadie in Ohio. Her neighbor Smithy Gid patiently courts Leah, but tragedy again strikes the family. 2004.

Claire and Present Danger: An Amanda Pepper Mystery RC 59513
by Gillian Roberts
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Philadelphia schoolteacher and part-time sleuth Amanda Pepper performs a background check on Emmie Cade, prospective daughter-in-law of weal-thy Claire Fairchild. Amanda, preparing to meet her own future in-laws, sympathizes with Emmie until the investigation uncovers many violent deaths among Emmie's friends and lovers. Then Claire dies. Some strong language. 2003.

Texas Vendetta: Texas Rangers, Book 5 RC 59514
by Elmer Kelton
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Ranger privates Andy Pickard and Farley Brackett deliver prisoner Jayce Landon to southeast Texas to stand trial for Ned Hopper's murder. The killing has reignited a longstanding feud between the two families, catching Andy and Farley dangerously in the middle. Sequel to Ranger's Trail (RC 56377). 2004.

The Cat Who Went Bananas RC 59520
by Lilian Jackson Braun
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
Pickax City eagerly awaits the theatre club's opening of a play in which Alden Wade, a newcomer in town, is the lead actor. But when a cast member is killed and Siamese cat Koko acts like he's lost his mind, local columnist Jim Qwilleran investigates Wade's past. Bestseller. 2004.

The Liberated Bride RC 59527
by A.B. Yehoshua
read by Robert Blumenfeld
4 cassettes
The politics of war and Israeli-Arab tensions provide the backdrop for a family unity theme. Haifa University professor Yochanan Rivlin, after attending his Arab research assistant's wedding, obsesses over the mystery of his son's divorce and examines his own relationships with his wife and children. 2001.

God Don't Like Ugly RC 59534
by Mary Monroe
read by Gail Nelson
3 cassettes
Annette Goode is a shy, overweight, sexually abused adolescent when beautiful, confident Rhoda Nelson befriends her in the 1960s. Annette, taken into Rhoda's eccentric family, confides in Rhoda about her abuse. Their friendship helps Annette to blossom and to overcome her attacker. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2000.

Trouble Man RC 59538
by Travis Hunter
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
Twenty-nine-year-old African American drug dealer Jermaine Banks is thinking about changing his lifestyle. His girlfriend is expecting his second child and his best friend has been murdered. When Jermaine's long-absent father appears, their meeting and ensuing personal crises transform everyone's lives. Some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Lord Valentine's Castle: Majipoor Cycle, Book 1 RC 59545
by Robert Silverberg
read by Nick Sullivan
4 cassettes (Reissue)
On planet Majipoor, Valentine, a young man ignorant of his destiny, joins a troupe of traveling jugglers. Later, with his purpose clear, he undertakes an epic journey to reclaim the throne as his world's rightful ruler. Some descriptions of sex. 1979.

Someone to Run With RC 59550
by David Grossman
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Jerusalem. Teenaged Assaf searches for the owner of a stray yellow labrador called Dinka. The dog leads Assaf to the missing Tamar, from whom he learns the reasons for her mysterious disappearance and lessons about adolescence and love. Some strong language. 2000.

I Am Charlotte Simmons RC 59557
by Tom Wolfe
read by Jill Fox
6 cassettes
Naive Charlotte Simmons of rural North Carolina arrives at prestigious Dupont University on scholarship and is appalled to encounter a sex-crazed, jock-obsessed campus. Gradually she changes her values and embraces the lifestyle around her. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

By Order of the President RC 59560
by W.E.B. Griffin
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Seeking answers after an airplane hijacking in Angola, the U.S. president sends for Africa special forces major Charley Castillo, currently executive assistant to the secretary of homeland security. Castillo makes allies and enemies while uncovering the attackers' diabolical intentions. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

Gilead RC 59561
by Marilynne Robinson
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
1950s. Dying seventy-six-year-old John Ames a minister in Gilead, Iowa, writes a parting letter to his young son. John reflects on the tensions between his pacifist father and militant abolitionist grandfather (both preachers), the death of his first wife and child, the gospel, a friend's transgressions, and life's eternal mystery. Pulitzer Prize. Bestseller. 2004.

Liars and Thieves RC 59563
by Stephen Coonts
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
CIA agent Tommy Carmellini stumbles upon a massacre at a safe house. Three escape: Tommy, a beautiful translator, and Russian defector Mikhail Goncharov. Evading assassins and the FBI, Tommy locates Jake Grafton of America (RC 53012) for help. Strong language and some violence. 2004.

Burning Precinct Puerto Rico: A Luis Gonzalo Novel, Book 3 RC 59564
by Steven Torres
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
A deadly arson disrupts Luis Gonzalo's twenty-fifth anniversary as sheriff of Angustias, a small Puerto Rican town. When the gun-wielding culprits return to the crime scene Gonzalo suspects a connection between the killers, the drug trade, and Angustias's new mayor. Violence. 2004.

Jovah's Angel: Samaria, Book 2 RC 59565
by Sharon Shinn
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Following Archangel (RC 46536), genetically engineered angels still watch over the inhabitants of colony planet Samaria. When the archangel Delilah is injured and can no longer fly, Alleluia "Alleya" becomes her replacement. With the weather worsening, Alleluia turns to engineer Caleb for help. For senior high and older readers. 1997.

Preacher and the Mountain Caesar: The First Mountain Man, Book 6 RC 59567
by William W. Johnstone
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Mountain man Preacher encounters a strange army of fanatics calling themselves "citizens" of Nova Roma (New Rome) who intend to conquer the territory. They capture Preacher and his friend, Philadelphia Braddock, and make them train as gladiators. Sequel to Cheyenne Challenge (RC 59343). Violence and some descriptions of sex. 1995.

Currant Events: Xanth RC 59569
by Piers Anthony
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
When Clio, the Muse of History, starts to write the next Xanth novel she discovers it is already written, yet blurred and unreadable. According to Good Magician Humfrey, a red currant holds the answer. But first Clio must save the world's dragons. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

King of Foxes: Conclave of Shadows, Book 2 RC 59570
by Raymond E. Feist
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Swordsman Tal Hawkins, Conclave of Shadows agent and the last Orosini, seeks to avenge Duke Kaspar's obliteration of the Orosini people. Before Tal can approach Kaspar, he must first win the duke's confidence. Sequel to Talon of the Silver Hawk (RC 57087). Descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004.

To Tame a Highland Warrior: The Highlander Series, Book 2 RC 59571
by Karen Marie Moning
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Scotland, 1515. Gavrael McIllioch, a descendant of warriors with supernatural strength, conceals his identity from true love Jillian and murderous clansmen. Gavrael competes for Jillian's hand even as enemies plot his destruction. Sequel to Beyond the Highland Mist (RC 59185). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 1999.

Confessions of a Scoundrel RC 59573
by Karen Hawkins
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Brandon St. John is nominated by his brothers to rescue their younger sibling from the clutches of beautiful spitfire Lady Verena Westforth and to expose her secret. Despite her financial straits, Verena refuses Brandon's bribe but cannot deny her attraction to him. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Child of My Right Hand RC 59582
by Eric Goodman
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Jewish professors Jack and Genna Barish, fourteen-year-old daughter Lizzie, and seventeen-year-old openly gay son Simon move to a small, conservative midwestern town. When Simon is harassed by classmates, the family must confront its sexual orientation issues, past indiscretions, and rage. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2004.

A Tapestry of Hope: Lights of Lowell, Book 1 RC 59585
by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
1846. Jasmine Wainwright's sheltered life changes forever when Massachusetts textile man Bradley Houston comes to visit her father's Mississippi cotton plantation. When Bradley asks Jasmine to marry him, he has financial motives. Jasmine, not in love, must choose between obliging her family and following her heart. 2004.

Clear and Convincing Proof: A Barbara Holloway Mystery RC 59586
by Kate Wilhelm
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Erica Castle came to Eugene, Oregon, to sell her inherited house. She stays, volunteers at a rehab clinic, and falls in love with the physical therapist. When the therapist is a suspect in a murder at the clinic, attorney Barbara Holloway, who takes the case, believes there is a complex motive. 2003.

Haunted RC 59587
by Heather Graham
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
After several alleged ghost sightings, skeptical small-town sheriff Matt Stone allows beautiful psychic investigator Darcy Tremayne to explore his historic Virginia estate. Darcy and Matt overcome their antagonism, unravel an old mystery, and thwart impending danger. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.

Love by Design RC 59591
by Nora Roberts
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Two novels about love and surrender. In "Loving Jack" writer Jackie MacNamara from Lawless (RC 57074) convinces Nathan Powell that love begins at home. In "Best Laid Plans" architect Cody Johnson and engineer Abra Wilson discover romance after construction sabotage. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1989.

A Detective under Fire: A Harriet Martens Mystery RC 59594
by H.R.F. Keating
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
When a London newspaper article threatens to expose corruption in the prestigious Maximum Crimes Squad, the Inspector of Constabulary appoints detective superintendent Harriet Martens (a.k.a. the "Hard Detective") to head an ultra-sensitive inquiry. Office politics and an uncooperative crew hinder Harriet's investigation. 2002.

Black Creek Crossing RC 59595
by John Saul
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Massachusetts. Fifteen-year-old Angel Sullivan and her family move into a new home with a reputation. When Angel meets Seth Baker, a kindred spirit, they discover terror in the house. Together they unravel longstanding mysteries and tamper with a powerful evil that proves their undoing. Violence. 2004.

The Ultimate Gift RC 59601
by Jim Stovall
read by Richard Hauenstein
1 cassette
Upon his wealthy great-uncle's death, twenty-four-year-old Jason Stevens receives an unorthodox inheritance that leads him on a year-long journey of self-discovery. He learns the values of work, friendship, laughter, love, and more as part of the "ultimate gift." 2001.

Murder Walks the Plank: A Death on Demand Mystery RC 59608
by Carolyn Hart
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Bookstore owner Annie Darling and her husband, Max, from Engaged to Die (RC 55739) host a murder mystery cruise during which the town's favorite volunteer, Pamela Potts, inexplicably falls overboard and then dies. Convinced of foul play after the death of another guest, Annie and author Emma Clyde investigate. 2004.

The Case of the Lazy Lover: A Perry Mason Mystery RC 59609
by Erle Stanley Gardner
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Criminal attorney Perry Mason receives two retainer checks by mail--both are signed by Lola Allred, but one is forged. Unfortunately, Lola disappears, and her husband claims she has run away with his best friend, Robert Fleetwood. Perry tracks down Lola just as she is implicated in a murder. 1947.

The Shifting Tide: An Inspector William Monk Mystery RC 59621
by Anne Perry
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
London, 1870s. Detective William Monk is hired to find a stolen shipment of ivory and solve a murder. His investigative work and his wife's involvement in a charitable clinic for destitute prostitutes become linked when a shipowner's mistress contracts a mysterious illness that threatens the entire city. 2004.

Sarah: The Canaan Trilogy, Book 1 RC 59627
by Marek Halter
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Sarah, twelve-year-old daughter of a powerful lord in Ur, fleeing her wedding, briefly encounters nomad Abram. To avoid marriage, she drinks infertility herbs, which leave her barren. She becomes a priestess of Ishtar and later defects to follow Abram and his God. Some descriptions of sex. 2003.

To Die For RC 59633
by Linda Howard
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Fitness center owner Blair Mallory revokes the gym privileges of Nicole Goodwin, a troublesome member who began imitating Blair. Then Nicole is murdered. The ensuing investigation pairs Blair with her former flame police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth, who believes that Blair is in danger. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

My Seduction: The Rose Hunters, Book 1 RC 59634
by Connie Brockway
read by Gabriella Cavvallero
2 cassettes
York, 1801. Widow Kate Blackburn embarks on a mission to Castle Parnell to restore the standing of her recently impoverished family. Misadventure leads her to shadowy Kit MacNeill, whose pledge to her family haunts Kate, but whose safety and allure she cannot resist. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Lost in the Forest RC 59666
by Sue Miller
read by Blair Brown
2 cassettes
When her beloved stepfather dies in a car accident, young teenager Daisy, the middle child in a blended family, falls apart. The rest of her family struggles on, but Daisy is seduced by an older, married man and enters a dangerous adult world. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

Cast of Shadows RC 59672
by Kevin Guilfoile
read by Scott Brick
3 cassettes
In an effort to understand why his teenage daughter was murdered, Dr. Davis Moore clones her killer's DNA. When baby Justin Finn is born, Moore monitors his well-being for the next two decades. Meanwhile the real criminal remains at large. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2005.

Death of the Party: A Death on Demand Mystery RC 59677
by Carolyn G. Hart
read by Kate Reading
2 cassettes
South Carolina. When unpopular media magnate Jeremiah Addison is murdered on his private island, his sister-in-law hosts a party for the suspects and hires sleuth Max Darling to find the culprit. A mysterious houseman vanishes along with all the boats, leaving Max and wife Annie marooned with a killer. Some strong language. 2005.

The Turkish Gambit RC 59684
by Boris Akunin
read by Paul Michael
2 cassettes
Bulgarian front, 1877. During the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, Erast Fandorin investigates an espionage case. Lovely revolutionary Varya entreats Fandorin to clear her fiancé Yablokov, an army cryptographer, of spy charges. Companion to The Winter Queen (RC 58580). Some violence. 2005.

Prodigal Son: Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book 1 RC 59699
by Dean Koontz and Kevin J. Anderson
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
New Orleans. Detective Carson O'Connor and partner Michael Maddison track a killer who may be a renegade creation of billionaire genius Victor Helios (aka Frankenstein). The cops ally with Deucalion, another of Victor's prodigies, and discover there are two killers. Descriptions of sex, violence, and some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Snobs RC 59701
by Julian Fellowes
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Well-mannered Londoner Edith Lavery lands Charles, the decent but decidedly dull earl of Broughton. Edith grows tired of their marriage and her priggish but polite in-laws, so when a television company arrives to film a period drama, Edith dallies with the leading man. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

The Calhouns: Catherine, Amanda, and Lilah RC 59759
by Nora Roberts
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Bar Harbor, Maine; 1991. The Towers has been the Calhoun family home for generations, but a hotel chain wants to buy it. In these three novels, the Calhoun sisters are determined to prevent a takeover. In the process each finds the man of her dreams. Explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 1991.

The Haunted Air: A Repairman Jack Mystery RC 59760
by F. Paul Wilson
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Queens, New York. Repairman Jack of Legacies (RC 49286) protects a pair of phony psychics from menacing competitors and a murderous ghost. Assisted by his pregnant girlfriend, Gia, Jack faces scam séance artists, ritual killers, and the possibility of parenthood. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2002.

Cheat and Charmer RC 59761
by Elizabeth Frank
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Hollywood, 1950s. Former Communist Party member Dinah Lasker, wife of producer Jake Lasker, is subpoenaed to testify against film industry personalities. To protect her husband's career, Dinah betrays her sister and her friends. This painful decision has unexpected and far-reaching repercussions. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

October Song RC 59769
by Beverly Lewis
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Author revisits the characters she wrote about in her Lancaster County books, describing how couples settle into their new lives in Pennsylvania Amish country. Glimpses show Katie and Dan celebrating their first anniversary, Rachel and Philip embracing parenthood, and Lydia Cottrell being courted by Levi King. 2001.

Thin Moon and Cold Mist: Women of the West RC 59778
by Kathleen O'Neal Gear
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
1864. Confederate spy Robin Heatherton--her husband dead, her cover compromised--flees with her son to Colorado, where she works a gold-mining claim with Garrison Parker. Union major Thomas Corley blames Robin for his brother's death, however, and vows revenge. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.

Predator's Gold: The Hungry City Chronicles, Book 2 RC 59779
by Philip Reeve
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes
In the distant future, cities move about and consume small towns. Tom and Hester hope the ice city of Anchorage will reach the rumored haven of the Dead Continent, America, before the savage Huntsmen of Arkangel arrive. Sequel to Mortal Engines (RC 58198). For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Under the Wolf, Under the Dog RC 59790
by Adam Rapp
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Teenager Steve Nugent's journal describes his experiences in an institution for emotionally disturbed youth. While discussing his interactions with fellow patients, Steve recalls his mother's and brother's deaths, his father's aloofness, and his own self-destructive behavior. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. For senior high readers. 2004.

Alone RC 59791
by Lisa Gardner
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Boston. During an apparent hostage standoff, police sniper Bobby Dodge shoots Jim Gagnon, the rich son of a powerful judge, to keep Gagnon from harming his troubled wife, Catherine, and their son, Nathan. Judge Gagnon later sues Dodge for murder. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Helen Hath No Fury: An Amanda Pepper Mystery RC 59798
by Gillian Roberts
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Helen Coulter, a member of schoolteacher Amanda's book club, falls to her death from her Philadelphia mansion's rooftop garden. Despite the official claim of suicide, Amanda suspects foul play. Her investigation puts her own life at risk, even as she considers marriage with beau C.K. Mackenzie. 2000.

Cassandra French's Finishing School for Boys RC 59799
by Eric Garcia
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Twenty-nine-year-old Los Angeles attorney Cassandra French locks lousy suitors in her basement, teaching them to be better dates. Her training plans are complicated when one of her students, movie star Jason Kelly, accidentally electrocutes himself in her bathroom. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Love Overboard RC 59808
by Janet Evanovich
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Ivan Rasmussen captains a hundred-year-old schooner on six-day cruises along the Maine coast. Stephanie Lowe bought Ivan's old home, but it needs much work. So she jumps at the chance of working as a cook on his boat, creating humorous and romantic results. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 1989.

The Oregon Trail: Trail Drive Series, Book 9 RC 59823
by Ralph Compton
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
Independence, Missouri; 1843. After selling only half the herd, Lou Spencer, Waco Tilden, and some fellow Texans join a wagon train to drive the remaining cattle to Oregon. A brutish wagon boss and outlaws after a pioneer's hidden gold aggravate the dangerous journey. Some strong language. 1994.

The Arizona Clan RC 59829
by Zane Grey
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Cowboy Dodge Mercer finds work on an Arizona ranch owned by the Lilleys. The close-knit family contends with debt, the ill effects of moonshine, and the antics of thieving Buck Hath-away, who is pursuing young Nan Lilley. Dodge vows to help after he himself falls in love with Nan. 1958.

With Open Arms RC 59835
by Nora Roberts
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Two novels of heartwarming romance. In Song of the West, a cocky Wyoming cowboy attempts to convince a city girl to take a chance on love. In Her Mother's Keeper, Gwen Lacrosse returns home to Louisiana and promptly falls for her mom's handsome new boarder. Some descriptions of sex. 1982.

The Cloud Atlas RC 59839
by Liam Callanan
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
Middle-aged priest Father Belk, a former bomb-disposal sergeant, sits on a deathwatch for a shaman and recalls WWII secrets involving Japanese germ-warfare hot-air balloons sent over Alaska. He flashes back to the love both he and his commanding officer had for a Russian Eskimo prostitute. Violence and strong language. 2004.

War Trash RC 59844
by Ha Jin
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
Novel in the form of a memoir by seventy-three-year-old Yu Yuan, who, as a young Chinese soldier captured by the Americans during the Korean War, was forced to become a prison-camp interpreter. He recalls perilous life-and-death power struggles between his fellow POWs' nationalist and communist factions. Violence and strong language. 2004.

God Still Don't Like Ugly RC 59849
by Mary Monroe
read by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
In this sequel to God Don't Like Ugly (RC 59534), a confident Annette Goode meets the father who abandoned her as a toddler. But she must confront her abusive childhood when she falls in love. She turns to old friends for help. Descriptions of sex and strong language. 2003.

How I Live Now RC 59908
by Meg Rosoff
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
In the near future, fifteen-year-old Daisy, an American, travels to England to visit relatives and falls in love with her cousin Edmond. After a world war breaks out, the family becomes separated. The two lovers are reunited years later. For senior high readers. Printz Award. 2004.

Kissed a Sad Goodbye: A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery RC 59958
by Deborah Crombie
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
3 cassettes
London, Isle of Dogs. Scotland Yard detectives Kincaid and James investigate the murder of Annabelle Hammond, the director of her family's tea company. As Hammond's private life emerges, the list of suspects lengthens. Some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Rage: An Alex Delaware Novel RC 60000
by Jonathan Kellerman
read by John Rubinstein
2 cassettes
Psychologist Alex Delaware, last seen in Therapy (RC 58111), has an appointment with a new client. But Rand Duchay, just out of prison for a child's murder, is himself killed before he arrives for his first session. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

Alibi RC 60008
by Joseph Kanon
read by Paul Michael
3 cassettes
Venice, post-World War II. Adam Miller, former war crimes investigator in Germany, joins his widowed socialite mother at her palazzo. Claudia, Adam's new lover, suspects his mother's fiancé of Nazi collaboration. Adam investigates and uncovers many secrets and a murder. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2005. RC 60008

Books for Children

Cassettes Nonfiction

Ponies RC 57583
by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso
read by Maxine Wasserman
1 cassette
Describes ponies and their behavior and offers advice on how to take care of them. Easy Reader. For grades K-3. 2003.

On the Ice with . . . Tara Lipinski RC 57856
by Glenn Stout
read by Graci Ragsdale Miller
1 cassette
Presents the life and sports career of Tara Lipinski from her early training in roller skating at age three, roller hockey at five, and ice skating at six. Describes Lipinski's experience competing for, and winning, the gold medal in figure skating at the 1998 Olympics. For grades 4-7. 1999.

Luis Alvarez and the Development of the Bubble Chamber RC 57870
by Amy Allison
read by Peter Lavezzoli
1 cassette
Examines the life of the scientist who was awarded the 1968 Nobel physics prize for developing the hydrogen bubble chamber, a tool for tracking atomic particles. Also describes earlier research by Alvarez, including his work helping to develop the atomic bomb in World War II. For grades 5-8. 2003.

Onboard the Space Shuttle RC 57877
by Ray Spangenburg and Kit Moser
read by Graci Ragsdale
1 cassette
Examines what life is like for crews working on U.S. space shuttles and on the Russian space station Mir. Describes the space program's development and early problems, major scientific accomplishments, the 1986 Challenger explosion, landmark missions, and the 2000 launch of the international space station. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2002.

Ten Holiday Jewish Children's Stories RC 58831
retold by Barbara Goldin
read by Barbara Rappaport
1 cassette
Highlights traditions that have grown out of Jewish holidays: Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu B'Shvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. Each story is accompanied by questions for discussion. For grades 2-4 and older readers. 2000.

A Bird's-Eye View of Life with ADD and ADHD: Advice from Young Survivors; a Reference Book for Children and Teenagers RC 58921
by Chris A. Zeigler Dendy and Alex Zeigler
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Factual information and practical advice on ADD and ADHD with profiles of twelve young people living with these conditions. Offers tips on organization, scheduling, and coping techniques including medication for managing everyday life. Appendices cover frequently asked questions and other relevant material. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2003.

Jack: The Early Years of John F. Kennedy RC 59399
by Ilene Cooper
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
A biography covering the boyhood years of Jack Kennedy, who later became the thirty-fifth president of the United States. Describes his growing up in a wealthy Catholic family as the second-oldest of nine children, his chronic health problems, school experience, and youthful pranks and escapades. For grades 5-8. 2003.

Think for Yourself: A Kid's Guide to Solving Life's Dilemmas and Other Sticky Problems RC 59408
by Cynthia MacGregor
read by Connie Crawford
1 cassette
Advice on handling difficult situations concerning manners and morals. Poses dilemmas involving friends, family, grownups, and school. Examines the idea behind the problem, provides possible solutions, and calls for action based on judgment. For grades 4-7. 2003.

Freckles: The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert; a True Story RC 59411
by Paul M. Howey
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
An account of a dog who kept her six pups alive in the Sonoran Desert until a deputy sheriff rescued them. Describes the challenges Freckles may have faced and discusses how she became a therapy dog. Includes adoption tips and a glossary of desert terms. For grades 3-6. 2003.

Wiggling Worms at Work RC 59466
by Wendy Pfeffer
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Explains how earthworms eat, crawl, burrow, and reproduce. Describes how they help plants grow. Includes activities. For grades K-3. 2004.

Where Are the Night Animals? RC 59590
by Mary Ann Fraser
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Describes the nighttime activities of various nocturnal animals including the opossum, brown bat, and tree frog. For preschool-grade 2. 1999.

Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks, and Clapping Jaws RC 59611
by Wendy Pfeffer
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Describes how dolphins communicate with each other in squeaks, whistles, and pops and compares their behavior to that of humans. For grades 2-4. 2003.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight RC 59782
retold by Michael Morpurgo
read by David Cutler
1 cassette
One Christmas in Camelot, when King Arthur's knights of the Round Table are feasting, a bright green giant bursts in and issues an unusual challenge. Sir Gawain, the king's nephew, courageously accepts. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Children: Cassettes Fiction

The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce: A Pilgrim Boy RC 57536
by Ann Rinaldi
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
An orphan boy becomes a servant indentured to Mr. Brewster for seven years in return for passage from England to the New World in 1620. Jasper writes down his experiences on board the Mayflower during the Atlantic crossing and the first year of the Plymouth Colony. For grades 5-8. 2000.

The Panda Puzzle: A to Z Mysteries, "P" RC 57693
by Ron Roy
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose investigate the kidnapping of the new baby panda from the local zoo. For grades 2-4. 2002. RC

The Young Man and the Sea RC 57859
by Rodman Philbrick
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Maine. Twelve-year-old Skiff is determined to earn enough money to fix his father's fishing boat but sets out to sea with only a harpoon. He catches a giant bluefin tuna that tries to kill him as the boat runs out of gas, lost in the fog. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Master of Disaster: Soccer 'Cats, Book 5 RC 57872
by Stephanie Peters
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
When team clown Jason learns that he will be taking the regular goalie's place in the next soccer game, he is determined to learn everything he can about goalkeeping. For grades 2-4. 2001.

Doing Time Online RC 57875
by Jan Siebold
read by Peter Lavezzoli
1 cassette
Twelve-year-old Mitch is sentenced to community service after his prank harms an elderly woman. To make amends he must chat online with a nursing home resident twice a week. Over time he bonds with Wootie Hayes, and the two become friends. For grades 4-7. 2002.

The Surfing Corpse RC 57876
by Paul Zindel
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
High school juniors P.C. Hawke and his friend Mackenzie Riggs are horrified when a classmate, Timmy Warner, plunges over a waterfall on a school trip. When Timmy's mother acts strangely at his funeral, the two teens investigate. For grades 4-7. 2001.

Heads Up: Matt Christopher Soccer 'Cats RC 58227
by Stephanie Peters
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
After a hit in the face that knocks her out and bloodies her nose, soccer halfback Amanda becomes afraid of the ball and is teased by some of her teammates. For grades 2-4. 2000.

Juliet Dove, Queen of Love: A Magic Shop Book RC 58841
by Bruce Coville
read by Nicola Daval
1 cassette
Shy twelve-year-old Juliet receives an amulet in Mr. Elives's magic shop that makes her irresistible to boys. She must solve a puzzle involving characters from Greek mythology to free herself from the spell. For grades 3-6. 2003.

The Cricket in Times Square RC 58857
by George Selden
read by Eric Synnestvedt
1 cassette (Reissue)
Lost in New York City, musical country cricket Chester befriends a cat, a streetwise mouse, and young Mario, whose father owns a newsstand in the Times Square subway station. While dreaming of home, Chester turns the stand into a concert hall to help the family business. For grades 3-6. Newbery Honor Book. 1960.

The Loner RC 59016
by Ester Wier
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
An underfed, uncared-for boy without family, friends, or even a name follows the crops as a migrant worker until a strong old woman takes him in and teaches him to be a sheepherder. For grades 6-9. Newbery Honor Book. 1963.

The Crunchy, Munchy Christmas Tree: A Harry and Emily Adventure RC 59153
by Karen Gray Ruelle
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
1 cassette
When a blizzard prevents Harry and Emily from taking the Christmas tree to their grandparents' house for the holidays, their parents arrange a special adventure. Beginning chapter book. For grades K-3. 2003.

The Ribbajack and Other Curious Yarns RC 59163
by Brian Jacques
read by Dan Bloom
1 cassette
Six short stories that feature a variety of monstrous creatures by the author of the Redwall series. In the title piece villainous eleven-year-old Archibald Smifft, abandoned at birth at a boarding school, terrorizes everyone and studies black magic. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Five Alien Elves: The Hamlet Chronicles RC 59211
by Gregory Maguire
read by Liz Solar
1 cassette
Five aliens from the planet Fixipuddle invade Hamlet, Vermont, on Christmas Eve. Thinking that Santa Claus, played by the mayor, is an evil dictator, the extraterrestrials plot to kidnap him. It is up to Miss Earth's class of rival Tattletales and Copycats to save Santa. For grades 3-6. 1998.

Easter Parade RC 59224
by Eloise Greenfield
read by Tracy Mickens-Hundley
1 cassette
Chicago, 1943. Young Leanna, her cousin Elizabeth in Washington, D.C., and their mothers prepare for Easter. They all worry about Elizabeth's father, a soldier fighting overseas. On Sunday the two families each walk to church in their finery. For grades 2-4 and older readers. 1998.

Mother's Day RC 59225
by Anne Rockwell
read by Tracy Mickens-Hundley
1 cassette
At school the students in Mrs. Madoff's class share how they will celebrate Mother's Day with their families. Later, each child makes a paper flower to take home to mother. For preschool-grade 2. 2004.

The Quilt RC 59227
by Gary Paulsen
read by Michael Kramer
1 cassette
With his father in the army and his mother working when World War II breaks out, a six-year-old boy is sent to live with his Norwegian grandmother in Minnesota. There the boy learns about his extended family. Companion to Alida's Song (RC 49237). For grades 5-8. 2004.

First Day in Grapes RC 59228
by L. King Pérez
read by Michael Kramer
1 cassette
Chico's migrant family moves once again to begin harvesting California grapes. The third grader's self-confidence and math skills help him cope with bullies on the first day in a new school. For grades 2-4. 2002. RC 59228

Junie B., First Grader: Boo . . . and I Mean It! RC 59229
by Barbara Park
read by Susan McInerney
1 cassette
It's almost Halloween, but Junie B. is afraid to go trick-or-treating because Paulie Allen Puffer told her that real monsters and witches come out that very night. With some help from a friend, Junie B. gets an idea for her own scary costume. For grades K-3. 2004.

The Ironwood Tree: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 4 RC 59233
by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette
Following their adventures in Lucinda's Secret (RC 58579), twins Jared and Simon Grace seek to rescue their kidnapped sister, Mallory, from some evil dwarfs who want to make her their queen. The boys face an impossible task when the Field Guide is discovered missing. For grades 2-4. 2004.

Looking for Bobowicz: A Hoboken Chicken Story RC 59252
by Daniel Pinkwater
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
When Ivan's bike is stolen his first day after moving to Hoboken, his new friends Loretta and Bruno help him hunt for it. They discover a phantom lurking about and a myth about a giant chicken last seen in The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (RC 49681). For grades 3-6. 2004.

Secret Identity: Shredderman, Book 1 RC 59278
by Wendelin Van Draanen
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, a.k.a. Byrd-the-Nerd, is tired of being picked on by the class bully, Bubba Bixby. A newspaper writing assignment allows Nolan to assume a secret identity--Shredderman--and seize the chance to anonymously expose Bubba's tormenting. For grades 3-6. 2004.

There's an Alien in My Backpack: I Was a Sixth Grade Alien RC 59282
by Bruce Coville
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
Tim and Pleskit, his best friend from another planet, meet Beebo, a mischievous two-foot-tall alien stranded on Earth who wants desperately to return to his own world. Because Beebo's presence could cause a diplomatic disaster, however, Pleskit can't ask his Fatherly One for help. For grades 3-6. 2000.

Among the Brave: The Shadow Children RC 59358
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Following Among the Barons (RC 57037) Trey and his fellow illegal third-born children seek help from Mr. Talbot until the Population Police arrive to arrest their mentor. When the government is overthrown and more kids are imprisoned, Trey must summon all his courage to rescue them. For grades 5-8. 2004.

The Several Lives of Orphan Jack RC 59370
by Sarah Ellis
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
The Opportunities School for Orphans and Foundlings sends Jack, who just turned twelve, to learn a trade. When the apprenticeship doesn't work out, Jack runs away. Wandering from place to place, he peddles the only things an enterprising young boy has: whims, ideas, notions, and fancies. For grades 3-6. 2003.

Hocus Focus RC 59381
by Sarah Willson
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Jack and Gina stop wearing their glasses to school after a classmate teases them, but a field trip that nearly ends in disaster makes them change their minds. Includes activities. For grades 2-4. 2004.

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister: Children of the Red King, Book 2 RC 59403
by Jenny Nimmo
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Bloor's Academy student Charlie has been endowed with the ability to hear what people in photographs are saying. This power connects him to his ancestor Henry, who disappeared in 1916 while playing marbles at the same school. Sequel to Midnight for Charlie Bone (RC 59154). For grades 5-8. 2003.

Punctuation Takes a Vacation RC 59407
by Robin Pulver
read by Dan Bloom
1 cassette
When all the punctuation marks in Mr. Wright's class decide to take a vacation, the students discover just how difficult life can be without them. For grades K-3. 2003.

Holy Smoke: A Bones and the Duchess Mystery RC 59410
by Alexandra Eden
read by Don Feldheim
1 cassette
When a neighborhood church burns down, the pastor hires former police officer Bones Fatzinger to find the culprit--with one condition: Bones will only get the job if he teams up with Verity (a.k.a. "the Duchess"), a clever twelve-year-old girl with Asperger's syndrome. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel RC 59419
by Kathleen Karr
read by Don Feldheim
1 cassette
1856. Ali the camel describes how he and other animals are sent from Egypt to serve in the United States Camel Corps in Texas and the Mojave Desert, where they are often brutally treated. After starting a family, Ali finally escapes. For grades 5-8. 2004.

The Pepins and Their Problems RC 59420
by Polly Horvath
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
The unusual Pepin family confronts numerous problems, such as owning a cow that creates lemonade rather than milk and having to cope with a competitive neighbor. The reader is invited to help solve the dilemmas. For grades 3-6. 2004.

The Double-Digit Club RC 59421
by Marion Dane Bauer
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
Nine-year-old Sarah usually loves summer vacation. But when her best friend turns ten and joins the Double-Digit Club ahead of her, Sarah is lonely and heartbroken. Sarah enjoys spending time with an elderly blind neighbor until a mistake of Sarah's threatens that relationship, too. For grades 3-6. 2004.

Day of the Dragon: Matt Christopher; The Extreme Team, Book 2 RC 59465
by Stephanie Peters
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Clumsy at skateboarding, Mark practices kung fu to increase his athletic ability. He learns about martial arts and Chinese culture, and when his friends plan to dress up as a Chinese dragon for Halloween, Mark discourages them. For grades 2-4. 2004.

A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32 RC 59476
by Joan W. Blos
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette (Reissue)
Thirteen-year-old Catherine Hall, a New Hampshire farm girl, keeps a journal of everyday events such as quilting, berrying, and sugaring. She talks about her new stepmother from faraway Boston and reflects on her own daring to help a runaway slave. For grades 5-8 and older readers. Newbery Medal. 1979.

Trouble Is My Beeswax: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye RC 59494
by Bruce Hale
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
When a teacher, Mr. Ratnose, accuses student Shirley Chameleon of cheating on a test, she pleads with detective Chet Gecko to clear her name. This request leads Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, to investigate a cheating ring in their elementary school. For grades 3-6. 2003.

Indigo's Star RC 59536
by Hilary McKay
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
England. After a long illness, twelve-year-old Indigo returns to school filled with dread. Encouraged by his younger sister Rose, Indigo sticks up for an American boy who has replaced him as the primary target of school bullies. Sequel to Saffy's Angel (RC 56168). For grades 4-7. 2003.

Travel Team RC 59588
by Mike Lupica
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
When twelve-year-old Danny Walker is cut from seventh-grade basketball for being too small, he and his dad, once a professional player, form their own team. But his father is injured in a car accident, so Danny takes over coaching for the big game. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Boys in Control RC 59589
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
read by John Polk
1 cassette
Once again the Hatford brothers and the Malloy sisters find themselves pitted against each other. Embarrassing pictures of the boys turn up in the girls' basement, and the boys try to figure out how to get them back. Sequel to The Girls Take Over (RC 57456). For grades 3-6. 2003.

The Ghost of Cutler Creek RC 59597
by Cynthia DeFelice
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Allie from The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs (RC 54219) is again contacted by a spirit--but it's canine! It leads Allie and friend Dub to investigate L.J., the new sixth-grade boy. After the dog from Allie's pet-sitting job goes missing, she suspects L.J.'s father is kidnapping puppies. For grades 4-7. 2004.

The Boys Return RC 59740
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
read by John Polk
1 cassette
The Benson boys return to Buckman for spring vacation. They and the Hatford boys plot to scare the Malloy girls by concocting a prank involving a nonexistent ghost. Sequel to A Spy among the Girls (RC 51329). For grades 3-6. 2001.

Nickel: The Baby Buffalo Who Thought He Was a Dog RC 59842
by Nancy Savage
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
An orphaned bison calf is rescued by a Colorado ranch caretaker. Nickel becomes attached to the family dog, and his canine-like behavior soon attracts tourists to the area. Based on a true story. For grades 2-4. 1999.

The City of Ember RC 59907
by Jeanne DuPrau
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
A city planned to survive for two hundred years, now in year 241, suffers shortages--and a secret message-bearing box is missing. Independent-thinking twelve-year-olds Doon and Lina exchange obligatory jobs and make a discovery that could change their known world. For grades 5-8. 2003.

The Report Card RC 59927
by Andrew Clements
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
More than anything else, Nora Rowley wants to be a normal fifth grader, so she conceals her high intelligence. Her great plan to prove that grades are not important gets out of control when her best friend, Stephen, becomes involved. For grades 4-7. 2004.

The Artemis Fowl Files RC 59937
by Eoin Colfer
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Two original short stories, interviews with characters, and other writings that unlock secrets of the Artemis Fowl books, which feature a twelve-year-old evil genius and his dealings with fairies and other magical beings. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Kathleen: The Celtic Knot; Girls of Many Lands RC 59946
by Siobhán Parkinson
read by Anne Flosnik
1 cassette
1937. Twelve-year-old Kathleen Murphy and her large family live in a tenement in Dublin where her father scrambles for work. A nun at Kathleen's school recognizes her musical talent and encourages her to take Irish dance lessons. For grades 6-9. 2003.

Judy Moody RC 59948
by Megan McDonald
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
On the first day of school, Judy Moody wakes up in a bad mood. But her third-grade teacher Mr. Todd makes the day fun. And Judy loves the first class assignment--to create a "me" collage about what is important to her. For grades 2-4. 2000.

Earthborn: Ormingat Trilogy, Book 2 RC 59957
by Sylvia Waugh
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Twelve-year-old Nesta learns that her parents are alien researchers from the planet Ormingat and that they must leave Earth in seven days or risk discovery. Nesta is determined, however, to stay in England. Sequel to Space Race (RC 59831). For grades 4-7. 2002.

Isabel: Taking Wing; Girls of Many Lands RC 59993
by Annie Dalton
read by Anne Flosnik
1 cassette
1592. Isabel, a twelve-year-old disobedient Londoner, is banished to live with her widowed aunt in the country. Aunt de Vere, an herbalist, teaches Isabel curing skills that she uses to save her sister. She also encourages Isabel's interest in the theater. For grades 6-9. 2002.

Judy Moody Predicts the Future RC 60275
by Megan McDonald
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
On her seventh bowl of cereal, Judy Moody pours out the mystery prize--a mood ring--perfect for her. The ring puts her in a predicting mood, so she eagerly foretells the future at home and at school. Sometimes she's even right. For grades 2-4. 2003.

Foreign Language Books

Spanish

Una Vida con Propósito ¿Para Qué Estoy Aquí en la Tierra? (The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?) RC 58965
por Rick Warren
leído por Juan Ramirez
3 cassettes
Un ministro cristiano ofrece una guía para emprender una odisea espiritual de cuarenta días por la cual se descubrirá la respuesta de una de las preguntas más importantes de la vida: ¿Por qué estoy aquí en la tierra? Incorporando versos bíblicos, explica las ventajas de cambiarse de perspectiva. (Christian minister provides a guide to a forty-day spiritual journey to help readers discover the answer to one of life's most important questions: What on earth am I here for? Uses biblical references and describes the benefits of changing one's perspective.) 2003.

¡Vivan los Reyes Magos! (Hurray for Three Kings Day!) RC 58967
por Lori Marie Carlson
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Anita y sus hermanos mayores Tito y Tomás participan en la celebración tradicional del Día de los Reyes, o la Epifanía. Se unen a la procesión del barrio en honor de los Reyes Magos quien llevaban regalos al Niño. Para grados K a 3. (Anita and her older brothers Tito and Tomás enjoy the traditional celebration of el Día de los Reyes, or Epiphany. They reenact the long walk of the three wise men who bring gifts to the baby Jesus. For grades K-3.) 1999.

Memoria de Mis Putas Tristes (Remembrance of My Sad Whores) RC 58968
por Gabriel García Márquez
leído por Luis Omana
1 cassette
Al cumplir los noventa años, un soltero quiere festejarse con una jovencita virgen de un prostíbulo. Pero el anciano no hace más que quedar observándo a la joven mientras duerme. Y se acuerda de su propria vida inútil, de sus anteriores encuentros sin amor y de su carrera de periodista. Y acaba enamorándose locamente de la jovencita. Contiene lenguaje injurioso. (A con-firmed bachelor requests a teenaged virgin from a brothel owner to celebrate his ninetieth birthday but winds up watching her sleep. As he reflects on past loveless encounters and his years as a journalist, he falls desperately in love with the young girl. Some strong language.) 2004.

¡No Bajes al Sótano! Escalofríos (Stay Out of the Basement: Goosebumps) RC 58969
por R.L. Stine
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Margaret y Charlie se preocupan más y más por su padre, un botanista que ha sembrado unas plantas muy raras en el sótano. Se preocupan aún más cuando su padre adquiere algunas características proprias de su plantas. Para grados 4 a 7 y lectores mayores. (Margaret and Charlie Brewer are becoming more and more concerned about their father, a botanist who has grown strange plants in the cellar--especially when he begins to take on some of the characteristics of his plants. For grades 4-7 and older readers.) 1995.

Sangre de Monstruo: Escalofríos (Monster Blood: Goosebumps) RC 58971
por R.L. Stine
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Durante su estadía con su peculiar tía, Evan visita una extraña juguetería y compra un lata de sangre verde de monstruo. Al jugar con esta sustancia pegajosa, descubre que empieza a crecer . . . y crecer. Para grados 4 a 7 y lectores mayores. (While staying with his weird aunt, Evan visits a strange toy store and buys a can of green monster blood. While playing with it, he finds it has a tendency to grow . . . and grow. For grades 4-7 and older readers.) 1995.

Papá Rico, Papá Pobre: Lo que Enseñan los Ricos a sus Hijos sobre el Dinero--Que los Pobres y la Clase Media No Hacen! (Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!) RC 58972
por Robert T. Kiyosaki
leído por Luis Omana
2 cassettes
El autor cuenta que su padre, aunque hombre letrado, nunca era rico, mientras el padre de su amigo, sin educación superior, se hizo millonario. Así explica la importancia de aprender sobre el dinero y tomar la acción efectiva para hacerse rico, arrelgando que su dinero trabaje para usted en vez de trabajar usted para el dinero. (Investor describes how he learned about money from his PhD father, who could never retain wealth, and also from his friend's father, who was a millionaire with an eighth-grade education. Explains how to make your money work for you by mastering financial literacy and taking charge.) 1997.

Rosario Tijeras RC 58974
por Jorge Franco
leído por Luis Alfonso Omana
2 cassettes
Novela ambientada en el mundo bajo de Medellín, Colombia, durante los años 1980. Una bella prostituta intenta escaparse de la misería a través de la violencia, y se convierte en asesina aslariada de los narcotraficantes. Al mismo tiempo se enamora de dos hombres privilegiados que aspiran a dominarla. Violencia y lenguaje injurioso. (Me-dellín, Colombia; 1980s. A beautiful young prostitute escapes the misery and terror of her world by embracing violence. She becomes the paid assassin of powerful drug lords, but at the same time finds herself romantically involved with two men who love her. Violence and strong language.) 1999.

Pronto: El Principio del Fin; la Clandestinidad Religiosa, Libro 1 (Soon: The Beginning of the End; Underground Zealot Series, Book 1) RC 58976
por Jerry Jenkins
leído por Juan Ramirez
3 cassettes
Después de la muerte de millones de personas durante la Tercera Guerra Mundial, la naciones del mundo acuerdan declarar ilegal la religión para asegurar la paz en la tierra. Paúl Stepola, agente de la Organización Nacional de la Paz, desempeña un papel vital en exponer y destruir a los fanáticos de la clandestinidad religiosa, pero su cacería lo lleva a revelaciones sorprendentes. (After millions die in World War III, the world plans to ensure peace by banning religion. Paul Stepola, agent of the National Peacekeeping Organization, is determined to track down and stamp out the religious zealots who have gone underground. But then he experiences surprising revelations.) 2004.

¡Sonríe y Muérete! Escalofrios (Say Cheese and Die! Goosebumps) RC 58977
por R.L. Stine
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Buscando diversión, Greg y sus amigos entran en una casa abandonada donde encuentran una cámara vieja. Empiezan a sacar fotos. Pero las fotos salen muy raras, porque revelan las cosas como aparecen en el próximo futuro. Para grados 4 a 7 y lectores mayores. (Greg and his friends, bored and looking for something to do, wander into an empty mansion. There they find an old camera and start taking pictures. There is just one problem: the photos show things before they happen. For grades 4-7 and older readers.) 1996.

El Milagro de la Primera Flor de Nochebuena: Un Cuento Mexicano sobre la Navidad (The Miracle of the First Poinsettia: A Mexican Christmas Story) RC 58978
por Joanne Oppenheim
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Juanita, una niña mexicana, no tiene nada para regalarle al Niño Jesús durante la Navidad. Pero al entrar en la iglesia con un manojo de hierbas silvestres, estas se transforman milagrosamente en hermosas flores rojas--el perfecto regalo para el Niño Jesús. Para grados 2 a 4. (Juanita, a young Mexican girl, has nothing to offer the Christ child for Christmas. But when she enters the church carrying a handful of weeds, they miraculously transform into the perfect gift: beautiful red flowers. For grades 2-4.) 2003.

Se Venden Gorras: La Historia de un Vendedor Ambulante, Unos Monos, y Sus Travesuras (Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business) RC 58980
por Esphyr Slobodkina
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Mientras un vendedor ambulante duerme bajo un árbol, unos monos llevan su mercancía de gorras. Los monos son muy listos pero el vendedor es aún más ingenioso al recoger las gorras. Para grados K a 3. (Monkeys steal a peddler's caps while he sleeps beneath their tree. Although the monkeys are clever, the peddler finally outsmarts them in monkey business. For grades K-3.) 1940.

El Canto del Agua (Song of the Water Saints) RC 58982
por Nelly Rosario
leído por María Pino
2 cassettes
Una historia de los sueños y las luchas de tres generaciones de mujeres dominicanas empezando a principios del siglo veinte. Graciela es una mujer aventurera pero pobre y frustrada por la vida. Su hija Mercedes acude a la religión y al fin emigra a Nueva York con su nieta, Leila. Le toca a Leila a encontrar la verdadera libertad, aunque queda atrapada entre dos culturas. Contiene descripciones de índole sexual. (The dreams and struggles of three generations of Dominican women. Adventurous Graciela, born into poverty in early-twentieth-century Santo Domingo, feels disappointed by life. Her religious daughter Mercedes eventually emigrates to New York, and her great-granddaughter, Leila, is liberated but trapped between cultures. Some descriptions of sex.) 2002.

NLS: Talking Book Topics

March and April 2006

In Brief

Book recall: RC 59669

Changed CDAG information

National Federation of the Blind

Midland Reader-at-Large

Children's/Young Adult Librarian

Flash, December 2005, volume 2, issue 1

Talent Behind the Digital Talking-book Machine

Spotlight on Humanware's Design Team

Interfacing with Users

Building Smart Software

Flash, January 2006, volume 2, issue 2

Design of Basic Digital Talking-book Player Solidified

Functional Feedback

The Verdict Is In

A Look Ahead

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones

Completed

Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

Books for Adults

Cassettes Nonfiction

Adults: Cassettes Fiction

Books for Children

Cassettes Nonfiction

Children: Cassettes Fiction

Foreign Language Books

Spanish