Happy 200th Anniversary, Pride and Prejudice!

January marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice.  Austen has always had her fans but her novels seem to be increasing in popularity in the last few decades and for good reason.  At its heart, Pride and Prejudice is a profound story about the nature of individual identity, the implication of gender roles, the issues of nature vs. nurture, and the disparity of appearance vs. reality.  All of these themes are relatable to modern day life making it the perfect time to read this classic for the first time or fall in love with it all over again!

Out this week: New Stuart Woods

Stuart Woods celebrates a big literary milestone with the release of his 50th book this week.  In Collateral Damage, the 25th installment in the Stone Barrington series, finds Stone back in New York after a productive trip to Bel-Air.  While he is ready to return to the world of fine dining and luxury, a surprise visit from his friend and sometimes lover, assistant CIA Director Holly Barker, draws Stone into a dangerous game of murder and vengeance.  This exciting blend of action, sophisticated gadgets, and last minute heroics does not disappoint!

Short Stories To Look Forward To in 2013

It's never to early to plan your reading list.  Check out these highly anticipated short story collections that will be released in the new year.  Don't forget, you can place your holds now!

Tenth of December by George Saunders: A short story collection that is being called "hilarious, wise, and surreal", which is definitely lighter that Saunders' previous effort, In Persuasion Nation.

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell: A new collection of short stories by the talented young author of Swamplandia! featuring citrus munching vampires and other surreal characters.

Remembering Norman Schwarzkopf

General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led the Allied forces during the Persian Gulf war, died yesterday at the age of 78.  In his refreshingly candid autobiography, It Doesn't Take A Hero, Schwarzkopf reviewed his life and his career including events and adventures that molded him into the distinguished and admired man he was.  Sometime blunt and full of soldier's wit, this book is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about one of America's unsung military heroes.

Beauty in Ruins: The Folly of The World

On a stormy night in 1421, the North Sea delivers a devastating blow to Holland in the form of the St. Elizabeth Flood.  This deluge of water was of epic proportions as it drowned out hundreds of towns, thousands of people, and forever altered the geography.  However, disaster can be profitable for the right type of individual.  In the wake of the flood in sail three conspirators, a deranged thug at the edge of madness, a ruthless conman at the cusp of fortune, and a half-feral girl between them.  Part fantasy and part historical fiction, Jesse Burlington's The Folly of the World  is full of dark humor, gritty details, and loopy characters.