Listen to our new Playaways...

Did you know that Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library offers Playaways?  These are pocket-sized mp3 players that come preloaded with a specific book.  Use them with your current headphones or earbuds - batteries are included.  They're perfect for bibliophiles on the go!  Check out one of these new Playaways from various genres:
  • Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan - While living at River's Edge where she is learning to cope with her darker impulses, immortal Nastasya's ties to dark magic get in her way once again and she is pulled back into her former destructive lifestyle.
  • Getting Off: A Novel of Sex and Violence by Lawrence Block - After a woman begins killing her one-night stands right after sex, she thinks of all the men she bedded before her killing spree, who got away alive--and begins to murder them, too, one by one.
  • The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini - As the wedding day of Sarah McClure's daughter Caroline approaches, Sarah is determined that the blocks in her daughter's quilt will display a vivid pastiche of love in all its varieties.




Pastoral Wisconsin in 'A Life of Bright Ideas'

Looking for domestic fiction set in idyllic 1970s Wisconsin?  Try A Life of Bright Ideas, the newly-published sequel to A Book of Bright Ideas.  In the story, Button opens a sewing business while Winnalee is targeted for her hippie activism and Winnalee's sister reveals a friendship-testing secret.  For a slightly creepier take on life in Wisconsin, try The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, a retelling of "Hamlet" that was selected for Oprah's book club in 2008.

'Cosmopolis' trailer available

Nearly a decade after its publication in 2003, Hollywood is working on a film adaptation of Jon DeLillo's Cosmopolis (film trailer now available here).  In the story, a brilliant billionaire asset manager, en route via white stretch limo to the local haircutter, finds his trip interrupted by a presidential motorcade, music idol's funeral, movie set, and violent political demonstration, and receives a number of important visitors in the fields of security, technology, currency, finance, and theory.  Twilight star Robert Pattinson plays the role of the much-interrupted billionaire.  The movie will most likely be coming to the theaters in the US in fall 2012.

Wild-West romance in 'Lucky Penny'

Fans of Catherine Anderson have probably already discovered Lucky Penny, the newest book in her "Coulter Family" historical/Western romances.  In this story, impoverished Brianna O'Keefe accepts work with a Colorado rancher in order to support her orphaned niece. To guard herself from unwanted attention, she resorts to a harmless little lie : that she's married to a Denver gold miner named David Paxton. When her boss forces her to write her "husband," hoping he'll take Briana off his hands, she can only pray that there is no real David Paxton who can expose her.  Put it on hold at your Community Library today!

And the 'Edgar' mystery book winner is...


The winner of the 2012 Edgar Award for outstanding mystery fiction will be announced tomorrow, April 26, at the Mystery Writers of America conference.  Avid readers of great mysteries can hardly wait!  In the meantime, here are the 5 nominees:
  • The Ranger by Ace Atkins - Returning to what has become his violently corrupt hometown in Mississippi after a tour in Afghanistan, Army Ranger Quinn Colson investigates his uncle's alleged suicide and uncovers shocking personal secrets.
  • Gone by Mo Hayder - Investigating a serial carjacker whose actual targets are young children in back seats, Jack Caffery teams up once again with police diver Sergeant Flea Marley, whose life is endangered by a discovery in an abandoned, half-submerged tunnel.
  • The Devotion of Suspect X - A clever mathematics teacher orchestrates a cover-up after a confrontation between a violent man and his terror-stricken ex-wife results in the man's accidental death.
  • 1222 by Anne Holt - Follows the experiences of travelers in Norway whose train is derailed 1,222 meters above sea level. They are stranded by a blizzard in a decrepit hotel where one of their number begins killing off the rest.
  • Field Gray by Philip Kerr - In a historical suspense novel, chain-smoking, hard-drinking Bernie Gunther moves from riot-torn Berlin in 1931 to Adenauer's Germany in 1954--with a stop at a Russian prisoner-of-war camp along the way.
Happy reading from Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library!

Books on sisters


Readers and book clubs - looking for books about sisters and sisterhood? In the new book, The Gilly Salt Sisters, two sisters on Cape Cod fight over an eligibile bachelor.  In another work of domestic fiction, The Bird Sisters, two elderly sisters tend to injured birds and reminisce about the past.  For a higher-octane pick, try the suspenseful thriller Come and Find Me, in which a female computer expert must end her self-imposed exile in order to rescue her kidnapped sister.  Meanwhile, those who like their sister stories with an Asian flavor can try Catherine Chung's Forgotten Country or Lisa See's Shanghai Girls.  Stop by Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library for more great book suggestions on this (and other) topics.

Readers unite for "World Book Night"

What famous literary personage (supposedly) both came into and left this world on April 23?  If you guessed William Shakespeare, scholars mostly agree that you're right!  Organizers of World Book Night selected April 23 in part for its significance as the Bard's birthday (and death day).  Celebrate the second annual "World Book Night" by setting tonight aside for reading.  Turn off your TV, turn off your phone, and settle into a quiet spot with a good book, or read one aloud with your whole family!  And don't forget to encourage your friends to follow your example.  As always, Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library is your source for great reading material.

No Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2012


In the end, the Pulitzer Prize committee could not agree on a winner in the "Fiction" category for 2012.  Could this mean that the three nominees for this prestigious literary prize, which recognizes American-themed fiction by American authors, are all equally good?  Check them out from Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library and decide for yourself.
  • Train Dreams by Denis Johnson - Presents the story of early twentieth-century day laborer Robert Grainer, who endures the harrowing loss of his family while struggling for survival in the American West against a backdrop of radical historical changes.
  • Swamplandia! by Karen Russell - Twelve year old Ava must travel into the Underworld part of the smamp in order to save her family's dynasty of Bigtree alligator wresting.
  • The Pale King by David Foster Wallace - The character David Foster Wallace is introduced to the banal world of the IRS Regional Examination Center in Peoria, Illinois, and the host of strange people who work there, in a novel that was unfinished at the time of the author's death. 

Just announced: 2012 Orange Prize shortlist


The Orange Prize, an annual UK award honoring English-language fiction by female authors, has just announced this year's list of finalists.  Three American authors have made the cut: Madeline Miller for The Song of Achilles (a debut novel!), Cynthia Ozick for Foreign Bodies, and Ann Patchett for State of Wonder.  The other three finalists are Esi Edugyan's Half Blood Blues, Anne Enright's The Forgotten Waltz, and Georgina Harding's Painter of Silence, which is not yet available in the United States.  Check these books out from Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, and decide for yourself which of the finalists deserves to be the winner!

Controversial Holocaust humor in new novel 'Hope: A Tragedy'

In the intriguingly-titled novel Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander, Solomon Kugel relocates his family to an unremarkable rural town in New York in the hopes of starting over.  However, he must cope with his depressive mother, a local arsonist, and the discovery of a believed-dead historical specimen hiding in his attic.  Booklist describes the book as "riotous and downright sacrilegious satire [that] wildly exceeds expectations" but warns that its irreverent tone may be offensive to some readers.

Loveable Criminals in 'Kings of Midnight'

In the new novel Kings of Midnight, loveable criminal Crissa Stone is hoping for a final big score that will reunite her with her loved ones and allow her to live an honest life.  But when her partners in crime kill each other and an ex-mobster tries to claim a former associate's hidden millions, the situation gets complicated.  This story stands alone, but readers who fall in love with Crissa Stone should go back and read the award-winning 2011 book Cold Shot to the Heart, where she is first introduced.  For a lighter take on good-hearted rule-breakers, try Ally Carter's novel for young adults, Heist Society.

New Nonfiction: 'Will to Kill'

Fans of both true crime and murder mysteries might want to check out the new book The Will to Kill: Making Sense of Senseless Murder, which analyzes the circumstances in which people kill one another.  Looking at homicide statistics and trends, the authors thoroughly cover the topic of murder from hate crimes to domestic and workplace killings, and they examine criminals from juvenile first-time offenders to serial killers.  The book also looks at the criminal justice system's response to these crimes, a nice bonus for armchair sleuths (or would-be authors of police procedurals) who want to learn what really happens during a murder investigation and trial.

A boatload of 'Titanic' fiction


Few disasters have captured the public imagination like the sinking of the "Titanic," as evidenced by the scarcity of Titanic-themed books remaining on display at the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library.  With the 100-year anniversary upon us, there are probably more fictional passengers in the pages of these stories than real ones aboard the doomed ocean liner.  Read fictional takes on the "Titanic" in:
  • The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott - A spirited young maid on board the Titanic captures the attentions of two men, including a kindhearted sailor and an enigmatic Chicago millionaire, and barely escapes with her life.
  • The Company of the Dead by David Kowalski - A mysterious time-traveller appears aboard the "Titanic" on its doomed voyage, to save the ship.  But will saving the ship cause more problems than it solves?
  • Hearts Survive by Yvonne Lehman - In this work of Christian fiction, Lydia and Caroline both suffer tragic losses when the "unsinkable" ship goes down.  Decades later, Alan searches for his identity with Joanna, Caroline's granddaughter.
  • Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke - This character-driven Christian romance tells the story of a "Titanic" survivor's solemn vow to take care of his drowned best friend's sister.
  • Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn - In the early twentieth century, four sisters and their widowed mother travel aboard the Titanic, where scientist Nikola Tesla's inventions will either doom or save them all.

'Titanic' reads, one century after the tragedy


It's been 100 years since the sinking of the unsinkable Titanic ocean liner on April 15, 1912.  Hollywood is celebrating by re-releasing the 1997 movie Titanic in 3D, and books also abound for those curious about the famous disaster.  Try Voyagers of the Titanic: Passengers, Sailors, Shipbuilders, Aristocrats, and the Worlds They Came From, or Titanic: The Last Night of a Small Town, or Titanic Tragedy: A New Look at the Lost Liner.  Check out these books, and more, from the display on the main floor of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library.

The Thirteenth Tribe

Here's a series opener that fans of intricately plotted action thrillers will not want to miss.  Jagger Baird, a troubled former soldier and head of security for an archaelogical dig on Mount Sinai, goes up against immortal warriors who kill those they consider sinners.  Publishers Weekly says that The Thirteenth Tribe is "a fast-moving, imaginative narrative that examines moral questions," adding that while not all readers "will get or care about the scriptural framework," all readers are "in for roller-coaster action."  Be warned - the cliffhanger ending will leave you eagerly awaiting the publication of the next book in the "Immortal Files" series.

12th in C.J. Box's "Joe Picket Series" - Force of Nature


 Fans of CJ Box rejoice - the 12th and newest book in his "Joe Pickett" series, Force of Nature, is finally available!  The book, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, tells the story of a former Special Forces agent who hides a dangerous secret.  If you're new to the series or just need a refresher, here is the complete "Joe Pickett" series in reading order:
  1. Open Season
  2. Savage Run
  3. Winterkill
  4. Trophy Hunt
  5. Out of Range
  6. In Plain Sight
  7. Free Fire
  8. Blood Trail
  9. Below Zero
  10. Nowhere to Run
  11. Cold Wind
  12. Force of Nature

Assassins in Love

The title says it all!  For a steamy tale featuring modern-day assassins, look no further than the new book Assassins in Love by Kris DeLake.  Can't get enough love stories featuring tough-as-nails femme fatales?  Also check out the Jennifer Estep "Elemental Assassins" series, starting with Spider's Bite.  Got any other suggestions?  Share them in the comments!

Teen book-into-movie alerts

Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games - many of this decade's most popular movies were first published as books for young readers.  Here are four more teen books being turned into feature films:
  • The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - Nineteen-year-old returning champion Sean Kendrick competes against Puck Connolly, the first girl ever to ride in the annual Scorpio Races, both trying to keep hold of their dangerous water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.
  • Earthseed by Pamela Sargent - Before Zoheret and her companions can populate a new planet, they must learn to conquer those same instincts that almost destroyed their ancestors on Earth over one hundred years ago.
  • Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - After a family tragedy, Jacob feels compelled to explore an abandoned orphanage on an island off the coast of Wales, discovering disturbing facts about the children who were kept there.  Illustrated with haunting vintage photography, this book will delight anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
  • City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - The first in the 4-book "Mortal Instruments" series.  Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizzare world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.
Want more details on the forthcoming movies?  Click here.

Animals, Economics, and Crime: New nonfiction at MMSCL

Looking for some quality nonfictional reads at Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library?  Try one of these five new releases, including two heartwarming animal stories, two perspectives on economics, and one true crime story.

New cozy wedding mysteries: 'Buried in Buttercream' & 'Till Death Do Us Purl'


Enjoy cozy mysteries?  Here are two new wedding-themed installments in cozy mystery series for bakers and knitters.  In Buried in Buttercream, plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid must put her impending nuptials on hold to solve the murder of her (admittedly annoying) wedding planner.  In Till Death Do Us Purl,  the Black Sheep Knitters are shocked when the groom dies days after the marriage ceremony, and they work to prove the accused bride's innocence.  New to the Savannah Reid series?  Start with Just Desserts. New to the Black Sheep Knitters series? Start with While My Pretty One Knits.  And remember, library members can sign up for free monthly e-newsletters for their favorite genres, including mysteries, here.

Dark humor in debut 'Losing Clementine'

Discover a talented new voice in fiction with Losing Clementine, a debut novel by Ashley Ream telling the story of a renowned artist's impending suicide.  This book, which Publishers Weekly describes as "spiked with dark humor," follows Clementine Pritchard as she gives herself 30 days to plan her own suicide.  In the process of tying up loose ends, Clementine discovers an unexpected family secret, taking readers on a relentlessly gripping journey.

Military Memoirs at MMSCL

American Sniper, Seal Team 6 - these are just two of the many highly-requested military memoirs available at Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library.  Speculating on the genre's popularity, this article from the New York Times explains that with the wars in the Middle East winding down, many are interested in reading about soldiers' firsthand experiences.  If you're one of the many people interested in tales of bravery and heroism, stop by your Community Library to check out a military memoir today!