Book Club In A Bag!

Attention Reading Groups!

Welcome to the Merrick Library's Book Club in A Bag Program. Each bag contains 10 copies of a title, discussion information, discussion leader tips, and a book sign up sheet to help the leader keep track of the books. The Reference Department has been very busy gathering multiple copies of several titles for your discussion groups. You will be able to check them out as one complete kit. Also included will be everything you need to lead your group; author biographies, discussion questions, critical material and more! All of the work has already been done for you. All you need are some interested readers, some snacks, great conversation, and you are good to go! Please call the Reference Desk for more information. (516) 377-6112 x112 or x113.

Book Signing.

Mike Lupica

Tuesday, September 6th, 2012, 7pm @ Book Review in Huntington

Author Mike Lupica will speak and sign his new children's book, True Legend.

#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica makes his return to the basketball court!

There's a reason teammates call him "True." Because for basketball phenom Drew Robinson, there is nothing more true than his talent on the court. It's the kind that comes along once in a generation and is loaded with perks--and with problems.

Before long, True buys in to his own hype, much to the chagrin of his mother, who wants to keep her boy's head grounded--and suddenly trouble has a way of finding him. That is, until a washed-up former playground legend steps back onto the court and takes True under his wing.

In this age of street agents promising riches to kids barely out of elementary school and college programs being taken down because of recruiting violations, True Legend is a resonant and inspiring novel in the Lupica tradition.

People Magazine's Book Picks

PEOPLE Magazine

August 27, 2012 PEOPLE Book Picks

You Are the Love of My Life by Susan Richards Shreve

Hoping for a fresh start, Lucy Painter moves back to a small Washington neighborhood as the Watergate scandal hits and wrestles with her own secrets, including the identity of the father of her children.

Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick
In a small 1940s Virginia town, mysterious stranger Charlie Beale meets Sylvan Glass, the teen bride of the town's richest man, and Sam Haislett, the 5-year-old son of owner of the butcher shop where Charlie gets a job, and soon the interaction between the three of them alters the town forever. By the #1 best-selling author of A Reliable Wife.

Guilty by Degrees by Marcia Clark
A follow-up to the best-selling Guilt by Association finds Los Angeles District Attorney Rachel Knight teaming up with Detective Bailey Keller to investigate the murder of a homeless man whose death is shockingly connected to the brutal death of an LAPD police officer.

Summer Reading @ The Merrick Library

Looking for some non-fiction this summer...

Bossypants, by Tina Fey

This hilarious memoir delightfully covers Tina Fey, from her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon. Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots, by Deborah Feldman

Unorthodox is a captivating story, tracing the author's upbringing in the Hasidic community of Satmar in Brooklyn's Williamsburg.  Feldman describes the strict rules that governed every aspect of her life, denial of a traditional education and arranged marriage at 17 to a stranger before the birth of her son led to her plan to escape her cloistered world.

I Feel Bad About My Neck, Nora Ephron

This collection of witty essays by Nora Ephron offers a hilarious look at the ups and downs of being a woman of a certain age, discussing the tribulations of maintenance and trying to stop the clock, menopause, empty nests, her experiences of being a White House intern during the JFK years and more.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg

A young woman walks into a laboratory. Over the past two years, she has transformed almost every aspect of her life. She has quit smoking, run a marathon, and been promoted at work. The patterns inside her brain, neurologists discover, have fundamentally changed. Marketers at Procter & Gamble study videos of people making their beds. They are desperately trying to figure out how to sell a new product called Febreze, on track to be one of the biggest flops in company history. Suddenly, one of them detects a nearly imperceptible pattern—and with a slight shift in advertising, Febreze goes on to earn a billion dollars a year. Duhigg shares this and many other stories showing how those achieved success by focusing on the patterns that shape their lives. They succeeded by transforming habits. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. Habits aren't destiny. As Charles Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

Elle Magazines Trust Us Books Picks! September 2012

ELLE Magazine


September 2012 Trust Us Books

My Berlin Kitchen by Luisa Weiss

The award-winning blogger for The Wednesday Chef discusses her ambivalence-marked youth spent shifting between her father's home in Boston and her Italian mother's home in Berlin and her decision to pursue a culinary vocation in Germany, where she fell in love and foraged for local foods.

 The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers

 In the midst of a bloody battle in the Iraq War, two     soldiers, bound together since basic training, do everything to protect each other from both outside enemies and the internal struggles that come from constant danger.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

When her notorious, hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled and agoraphobic mother goes missing, teenage Bee begins a trip that takes her to the ends of the earth to find her in this new novel from the author of This One is Mine.

Books on the Big Screen

COSMOPOLIS

A limo-chauffeured billionaire in pursuit of a haircut on the other side of Manhattan is delayed by various happenings.

Based On: Cosmopolis: A Novel by Don DeLillo

Release Date: 17 August 2012

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Robert Pattinson, Paul Giamatti

New DVDs

"Love Never Dies"

"Breaking Bad" Season 3

"Chimpanzie"

Summer Reading @ The Merrick Library

Some more cool reads for hot days…

 The Shoemaker’s Wife, by Adriana Trigiani

This irresistible love story is an intricately woven tapestry of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny.  We follow the star-crossed lovers Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who, after their first meeting in the Italian Alps, find their destinies inexplicably entwined as they build their lives in America.

 

Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter

You won’t want to miss this romantic and enjoyable novel! The story follows a young Italian innkeeper and his almost-love affair with a beautiful American starlet. He is drawn into a glittering world filled with unforgettable characters.

 

Another Piece of My Heart, by Jane Green

From the New York Times bestselling author of Jemima J, and The Beach House, comes Jane Green's most emotional and powerful novel yet: a story that explores the complications of a woman marrying into a ready-made family, and the true meaning of motherhood.

The Innocents, by Francesca Segal

In a small, tight-knit Jewish suburb of London, one young man’s pre-wedding panic illuminates the universal conflict between responsibility and passion.  This is a lively and entertaining debut by Segal.

Merrick Library Best Sellers Club

Join the Library's Best Sellers Club and you will automatically be placed on the reserve list for the latest fiction by your favorite authors! Simply complete the form online @ http://tinyurl.com/mklbestsellerclub and select the authors you enjoy.  Paper forms may be picked up and submitted at the Reference Desk.

September Book Discussion.

The Merrick Library Monthy Book Discussion will be September 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm.

"Jerusalem Maiden" by Talia Carner (Copies will be available at the Circulation Desk)

Sacrificing her dreams of becoming an artist after tragedy strikes her family, Ester Karminsky, a young untra-Orthodox woman in Jerusalem at the Ottoman Empire's rule, devotes herself to becoming an obedient "Jerusalem Maiden" until an internal struggle causes her to question her destiny.

We will be Skyping with Talia Carner @ 2:30 pm.

Ms. Carner will be joining us via Skype to discuss her book and answer questions! 

 

Book Club In A Bag!

Welcome to the Merrick Library's Book Club in A Bag Program. Each bag contains 10 copies of a title, discussion information, discussion leader tips, and a book sign up sheet to help the leader keep track of the books. The Reference Department has been very busy gathering multiple copies of several titles for your discussion groups. You will be able to check them out as one complete kit. Also included will be everything you need to lead your group; author biographies, discussion questions, critical material and more! All of the work has already been done for you. All you need are some interested readers, some snacks, great conversation, and you are good to go! Please call the Reference Desk for more information. (516) 377-6112 x112 or x113.

Book Signing

Dr. Harris R. Cohen

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012, 7pm @ Book Revue in Huntington

Author Dr. Harris R. Cohen will discuss and sign his new book, Lessons Learned: How to Negotiate the Life You Want to Live.

“Imagine that you are in an airport walking through an endless maze of hallways before finally reaching your gate, where you will sit for hours waiting for your plane. As you are walking, a bookshop catches your eye, and you drop in. There are hundreds of different books from which to choose. What is it that draws you to a particular book?”

—Dr. Harris R. Cohen

Introduction to Lessons Learned

Whatever has drawn you to this book is a strong indication that its content could be very important to you. This may be a rare opportunity to learn how you can achieve your goals: whether they are physical, mental, or spiritual. Once you understand the process of how and why you make everyday decisions, you are able to better understand and negotiate with yourself. This allows you to pursue an enlightened, more natural path toward all that you desire. Reading this book can change the course of your life—so take a chance and start right now!

New Audiobooks

Sweet Talk, by Julie Garwood
In the new contemporary romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, a detective and a lawyer are falling in love— and making a federal case out of it.




Judgment Call, by J.A. Jance
Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady's personal and professional worlds collide when her daughter, Jenny, stumbles upon the dead body of her high school principal, and the search for justice leads to her own door, forcing her to face the possibility that her perfect daughter may not be what she seems.


Inn at Rose Harbor, by Debbie Macomber
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes a heartwarming new series based in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, where a charming cast of characters finds love, forgiveness, and renewal behind the doors of the cozy Rose Harbor Inn.


Spymasters: A Men at War Novel, by W.E.B. Griffin
Tapped by FDR to assist the Allies' threatened efforts to secure France and build an atomic bomb, OSS spy chief Wild Bill Donovan and top agent Dick Canidy coordinate a sabotage mission targeting Germany's aerial torpedo munitions while countering a mole who is leaking Manhattan Project secrets to the Soviets.


Kill You Twice, by Chelsea Cain

This is a sure bet for a vacation read! Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell, the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she has committed – is locked away in a psych ward. Archie is moving on with his life and throws himself into his latest case: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in a public park.  The man was gagged, skinned, and found hanging by his wrist from a tree.  It’s the work of a killer bold and clever enough to torture his victim for hours on a sunny summer morning and leave no trace. Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder.  At once terrifying and magnetic, this is Cain’s latest razor-sharp psychological thriller. 

Books on the Big Screen

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

10 August 2012 (USA)

An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.

Director: Tony Gilroy
Writers: Tony Gilroy (screenplay), Dan Gilroy (screenplay), and 2 more credits »
Stars:Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

We have added Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn as one of the selections available on our circulating Nooks -- reserve yours today!

Marriage can be a real killer.

One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.
(From the Publisher)

Summer Reading @ The Merrick Library

  Where We Belong, by Emily Giffin

This could be Giffin’s best yet! New York television producer Marion Caldwell’s carefully constructed life is thrown into turmoil by the appearance of an eighteen-year-old girl with ties to her past. Both Marion and the girl are swept up in a maelstrom of personal discovery that changes their perceptions about family. Another perfect summer read, you’ll loose yourself in this wonderful story.

150 Pounds, by Kate Rockland

Approaching their wildly successful blogs from opposite ends of the scale, undersized loner Alexis and plus-sized social butterfly Shoshana advocate significantly different lifestyle perspectives until both appear on a popular talk show that causes their lives to intersect in unexpected ways. This is a charming novel with an uplifting message.

Wallflower in Bloom, by Claire Cook

A winning and witty new novel about a woman who emerges from the shadow of her overbearing family and finds herself “dancing with the stars.”

A definite pleaser!

Hypnotist’s Love Story, by Liane Moriarty

This is a wonderfully fun, insightful novel about the crazy things we do for love. Pursuing what she hopes will be a positive relationship with new boyfriend Patrick, hypnotherapist Ellen learns that his ex-girlfriend is stalking him, a situation that Ellen finds professionally fascinating before discovering the woman's identity. A perfectly satisfying beach read! 

New Audiobooks!

 Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter

In this romantic and enjoyable novel, a young Italian innkeeper has an almost-love affair with a beautiful American starlet, which draws him into a glittering world filled with unforgettable characters

12:21, by Dustin Thomason

This riveting thriller is based on the 2012 apocalypse phenomenon. Shortly before December 21, 2012, a CDC expert encounters a confounding medical mystery, and a talented Mayan scholar comes into possession of a priceless codex with terrifying implications for modern civilization.

Last Victim, by Karen Robards
Investigating the murders of two vacationing families in Virginia Beach, FBI agents Ryan Sinclair and Buzz Crane suspect the work of a notorious serial killer and tap the skills of clinical expert Charlotte Stone, who is also the culprit's only known survivor

Goodbye for Now, by Laurie Frankel

Creating an algorithm to improve his Internet dating employer's match success rate only to be fired for being too effective, Sam Elliot, who used his innovation to meet the love of his life, develops a computer program that creates compelling human simulations that allow people to say final goodbyes to lost loved ones.

If you are looking for a light read for the beach, pool or backyard, here are some suggestions to enjoy.

Spring Fever, by Mary Kate Andrews 

If you’re looking for an enjoyable escape, this charming tale about love and second chances is for you. Preparing to move on four years after a divorce, Annajane realizes that she is not over her ex-husband when his wedding to another woman is abruptly cancelled, a situation that is further complicated by her engagement to another man.

Summer Breeze, by Nancy Thayer

Summer on Dragonfly Lake is ripe for romance, temptation, and self-discovery as the lives of three women unexpectedly intertwine.  Summer Breeze illustrates how the best of friends can offer comfort, infuriate, or even sometimes open one’s eyes to the astonishing possibilities of life lived in a different way.  This captivating novel displays a gifted writer at the height of her storytelling powers.

I’ve Got Your Number, by Sophie Kinsella

After she loses her engagement ring and her phone is stolen during a hotel fire drill, Poppy Wyatt, discovering an abandoned phone in a trash can, crashes into the life of the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, when she uses his phone to make her wedding preparations. What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. Charming, delightful and wildly funny!

Cottage at Glass Beach, by Heather Barbieri

A novel of love, life, and loss with a touch of fantasy! Heather Barbieri’s new book is a perfect beach read. Humiliated by her husband's infidelity, 40-year-old Nora Keane, married to the youngest attorney general in Massachusetts, takes refuge with her maternal aunt on Burke's Island off the coast of Maine where she finally finds the courage to take charge of her own life.

New Audiobooks!

Where We Belong, by Emily Giffin
Her carefully constructed life thrown into turmoil by the appearance of an eighteen-year-old girl with ties to her past, New York television producer Marian Caldwell is swept up in a maelstrom of personal discovery that changes both of their perceptions about family.




Close Your Eyes, by Iris Johansen
The FBI doesn't usually consult with music therapists to solve their cases. But Kendra Michael's astonishing powers of observation and analysis have made her a favorite of law enforcement agencies all across the country. Now the FBI needs Kendra's special brand of help, Kendra's ex is missing and may have run directly into the path of a serial killer. What began as a heinous murder investigation escalates into something even larger and more frightening: a multi-million dollar conspiracy to hide a secret that's worth killing for, again and again and again.

Backfire, by Catherine Coulter
When a San Francisco judge is shot at the same time a once-relentless federal prosecutor turns cautious, FBI agents Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich receive an ominous note from the culprit that blames them for the incident.




Spring Fever, by Mary Kay Andrews
Preparing to move on four years after a divorce, Annajane realizes that she is not over her ex-husband when his wedding to another woman is abruptly cancelled, a situation that is further complicated by her engagement to another man.




Friends Forever, by Danielle Steel
 In this moving novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel traces their unforgettable journey—full of tests and trials—as three boys and two girls discover the vital bonds that will last a lifetime.




Beyond Tomorrow, by Fern Michaels
Playboy Adam Noble is searching for the dream house – but has he found his dream woman? Real estate manager Carly Andrews's predictable life in Bar Harbor is turned upside down when the rich and charismatic Adam Noble breezes into her office and asks her to help him find the perfect property to settle down in.



Black List, by Brad Thor
When his name is added to a secret government list of individuals slated for assassination, counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath engages in a high-stakes game of survival while struggling to prevent a terrorist attack and learn who has framed him for treason.




Odd Apocalypse, by Dean Koontz
A return to the popular world of Odd Thomas, timed in advance of a much-anticipated film starring Koontz's beloved character, finds Odd confronting deadly adversaries in a decaying estate.




Dying to Be Me, by Anita Moorjani
In this truly inspirational memoir, Anita Moorjani relates how, after fighting cancer for almost four years, her body--overwhelmed by the malignant cells spreading throughout her system--began shutting down. As her organs failed, she entered into an extraordinary near-death experience where she realized her inherent worth. and the actual cause of her disease. Upon regaining consciousness, Anita found that her condition had improved so rapidly that she was able to be released from the hospital within weeks. without a trace of cancer in her body!

It's Emmy Time!

On July 19 the Primetime Emmy Award nominations were announced in Los Angeles. Four of the six series nominated for Best Drama are represented in the TV section of Merrick Library's DVD collection. The following are other nominations these programs received on July 19:

"Boardwalk Empire" (First Season in Merrick collection, Second Season to arrive in August)

Best Lead Actor: Steve Buscemi

"Downton Abbey" (Merrick collection has First and Second Seasons)

Best Lead Actor: Hugh Bonneville

Best Lead Actress: Michelle Dockery
Best Supporting Actor: Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle
Best Supporting Actress: Joanna Froggatt, Maggie Smith

You can read about the world of "Downton Abbey" in two books new to Merrick's non-fiction section:
Lady Almina and the Real Downtown Abbey - Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon
Below Stairs - Margaret Powell

"Game of Thrones" (Merrick collection has First Season)
Best Supporting Actor: Peter Dinklage

 Merrick Library has in paperback the novel "Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin.

"Mad Men" (Merrick collection has Seasons One through Four)
Best Lead Actor: Jon Hamm
Best Lead Actress: Elisabeth Moss
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Harris
Best Supporting Actress: Christina Hendricks
Best Guest Actor: Ben Feldman
Best Guest Actress: Julia Ormond