Borrow a Pre-Loaded Nook Simple Touch

Our Nook eReaders are pre-loaded with the hottest titles. Merrick Library card holders can check them out for 14 days. The titles currently on our Nooks are:

The Innocent, by David Baldacci

Once We Were Brothers, by Ronald Balson

Sandcastle Girls, by Chris Bohjalian

Gold, by Chris Cleave

The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins

Panther, by Nelson DeMille

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

Heading Out of Wonderful, by Robert Goolrick

Calico Joe, by John Grisham

Summerland, by Erin Hilderbrand

Fifty Shades Trilogy, by E.L. James

Defending Jacob, by William Landay

11th Hour, by James Patterson

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, by Anna Quindlen

Shoemaker's Wife, by Adriana Trigiani

Unnatural Acts, by Stuart Woods

E-Books

Are E-Books Destroying Traditional Publishing? The Story's Not That Simple, from NPR.org

The shift toward e-books may be disrupting the economics of modern book publishing, but publishers have also benefited from e-book sales. Read more about e-book sales at the Washington Post.com

Just Out...

Check out this month's New York Times reviews of  Newly Released Books. 

NPR's 2012 Best Mysteries

In 2012's Best Mysteries, Mean Girls Rule

       

Mean girls and their ingenious female creators top NPR's Maureen Corrigan's 2012 top mysteries and thrillers list this year.

Out December 24:

 

"The Well Digger's Daughter" - from France - the plans of a Provence widower for his daughter are sharply interrupted by World War One - directed by and starring Daniel Auteuil ("Cache," La Doublure")

 

"The Words" - did a young writer really think no one would discover he stole another man's work? - stars Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Dennis Quaid (TV's "Vegas")

Out December 21:

 

"Arbitrage" - the race is on to see if a hedge-fund giant can settle his affairs before frauds become known - stars Richard Gere (Golden Globe nominee for Best Actor in a Drama) with Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth

 

"Killer Joe" - behind that Southern charm beats the heart of a hitman - pay up or pay the price! - stars Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch ("Milk," "Taking Woodstock") and Gina Gershon

 

"Premium Rush" - what is in that makes a corrupt cop chase a bike messenger throughout a city? - stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("50/50", "Hesher") and Michael Shannon

 

Resident Evil: Retribution" - Milla Jovovich returns as Alice, key opponent of the Umbrella Corporation and its undead allies.

 

On December 11 the nominations for the 19th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards were announced in Los Angeles. The following series in Merrick Library's Television DVD collection were among the nominees:

 

Boardwalk Empire - Best Drama Ensemble; Best Actor in a Drama (Steve Buscemi)

 

Breaking Bad - Best Drama Ensemble; Best Actor in a Drama (Bryan Cranston)

 

Downton Abbey - Best Drama Ensemble; Best Actress in a Drama (Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith)

 

The Hatfields and McCoys - Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries (Kevin Costner, Bill Paxton)

 

Homeland - Best Drama Ensemble; Best Actor in a Drama (Damian Lewis); Best Actress in a Drama (Claire Danes)

 

Mad Men - Best Drama Ensemble; Best Actor in a Drama (Jon Hamm)

 

Nurse Jackie - Best Comedy Ensemble; Best Actress in a Comedy (Edie Falco)

 

In addition, the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (also in Merrick's DVD collection) was given SAG nominations for Best Cast in a Motion Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Maggie Smith).

 

The SAG Awards will be simulcast live on both TNT and TBS Sunday, January 27. A highlight will be the presentation of a Life Achievement Award to Dick Van Dyke.

New DVDS 

"Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days" - Greg Heffley has to stay out of trouble or face military school, a task made nearly impossible by a canine! - based on the best selling book series by Jeff Kinney and starring Zachary Gordon and Steve Zahn ("Sunshine Cleaning")

 

"Liberal Arts" - what is stronger: an alma mater with a chance at love attached or the real world? - directed by and starring Josh Radnor with Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene") and Allison Janney (TV's "The West Wing")

 

"Sleepwalk With Me" - picture a frustrated stand-up comic taking unconscious journeys - directed by and starring Mike Birbiglia with Lauren Ambrose ("The Other Woman") and James Rebhorn ("The Box")

 

"Total Recall" - remake of the 1990 science-fiction classic based on the Philip K. Dick tale "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" - stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Bryan Cranston (Golden Globe nominee for TV's "Breaking Bad")

 

"Trouble with the Curve" - a legendary baseball scout refuses to ask for help from his lawyer daughter when he faces a crisis - stars Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, John Goodman and Justin Timberlake

On December 13 the nominees for the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced in Los Angeles. The following movies in Merrick Library's DVD collection were among the nominees:

Act of Valor - Best Original Song ("For You")

Bernie - Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Jack Black)

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Best Picture Musical or Comedy; Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Judi Dench)

 

Brave - Best Animated Feature Film

Deep Blue Sea - Best Actress in a Drama (Rachel Weisz)

Hope Springs - Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Meryl Streep)

The Hunger Games - Best Original Song ("Safe and Sound")

Moonrise Kingdom - Best Picture Musical or Comedy

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Best Picture Musical or Comedy; Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Ewan McGregor); Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Emily Blunt)

In addition, the following series in Merrick's Television DVD section were also among the nominees:

Breaking Bad - Best TV Drama; Best Actor in a Drama (Bryan Cranston)

Boardwalk Empire - Best TV Drama; Best Actor in a Drama (Steve Buscemi)

Downton Abbey - Best TV Drama; Best Actress in a Drama (Michelle Dockery); Best Supporting Actress in a Drama (Maggie Smith)

The Hatfields and McCoys - Best TV Movie or Miniseries; Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries (Kevin Costner)

Homeland - Best TV Drama; Best Actor in a Drama (Damian Lewis); Best Actress in a Drama (Claire Danes), Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (Mandy Patinkin)

Mad Men - Best Actor in a Drama (Jon Hamm)

The Golden Globes will be presented on Sunday, January 13 over the NBC network. For the first time, two women will cohost the ceremony: Tina Fey (TV's "30 Rock") and Amy Poehler (TV's "Parks and Recreation").

The New York Times 10 Best Books for 2012   (click on this link)

On December 5th in Nashville  the nominations for the 55th Grammy Awards were presented in a concert format. The following albums in Merrick library's music CD collection were among the nominees:

Babel - Mumford and Sons - Album of the Year

Blunderbuss - Jack White - Album of the Year

Channel Orange - Frank Ocean - Album of the Year, Record of the Year ("Thinkin Bout You")

El Camino - The Black Keys - Album of the Year, Record of the Year ("Lonely Boy)"

Making Mirrors - Gotye - Record of the Year ("Somebody That I Used to Know")

Red - Taylor Swift - Record of the Year ("We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together")

Some Nights - Fun - Album of the Year, Record and Song of the Year ("We Are Young")

Stronger - Kelly Clarkson - Song of the Year ("Stronger")

The Grammys will be presented February 10 in Los Angeles on CBS.

New DVDs: 

 

"The Bourne Legacy" - Jason was not the only product of "The Program" - get ready for Aaron Cross! - based on characters created by Robert Ludlum and starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton ("Moonrise Kingdom")

 

"Ice Age: Continental Drift" - the further animated adventures of Manny, Scrat, Sid and Diego as they deal with an errant iceberg and pirates! - features the voices of Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, Jennifer Lopez and Ray Romano

 

"Ted" - you would think a stuffed bear come to life would stay the same with the passing years - think again! - stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane (creator of TV's "Family Guy")

New Audiobooks!

Private London, by James Patterson and Mark Pearson
For Hannah Shapiro, a beautiful young American student, this particular nightmare began eight years ago in Los Angeles, when Jack Morgan, owner of Private--the world's most exclusive detective agency--saved her from a horrific death. She has fled her country, but can't flee her past. The terror has followed her to London, and now it is down to former Royal Military Police Sergeant Dan Carter, head of Private London, to save her all over again. 


Where'd You go Bernadette, by Maria Semple
When her notorious, hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled and agoraphobic mother goes missing, teenage daughter 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.



Two Graves, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
After his wife is brazenly abducted before his eyes, Special Agent Pendergast furiously pursues the kidnappers, but things go terribly, tragically wrong.  Then a string of bazarre murders erupts across several Manhattan hotels - perpetrated by a boy who seems to have an almost psychic ability to elude capture. A reluctant Pendergast is asked to help and soon discovers that the killings are a message from his wife's kidnappers. Filled anew with vengeful fury, Pendergast sets out to track down and destroy those responsible. His journey takes him deep into the trackless forests of South america, where he ultimately finds himself face to face with an old evil - rather than having been eradicated - is stirring anew...and with potentially world-altering consequences.


Open Heart, by Elie Wiesel
In this unforgettable book, the award-winning writer, during his recovery after a life-threatening heart surgery, reflects on his many losses and accomplishments, and on all that remained to be done, sharing his aspirations for his writings and his hope that he made the world a better place.

The Winter 2012-2013 Newsletter Has Arrived!

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New DVDs

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" - a six-year old child of the bayou looks for stability when her father falls ill and her home is about to be washed away - muli-award winner at the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals  

"Butter" - comedy about a woman who will go to any lengths to insure her family is still associated with the best in carving (insert name of movie here) - stars Jennifer Garner, Hugh Jackman, Olivia Wilde and Ty Burrell (TV's "Modern Family)

"The Dark Knight Rises" - Bruce Wayne/Batman returns after eight years to find a radically changed Gotham City and himself as the hunted - stars Christian Bale,

Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine

"Hope Springs" - coming back together emotionally and passionately: is it possible for Kay and Arnold after 30 years of marriage? - stars Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell

"The Odd Life of Timothy Green" - Disney invites you to imagine a childless couple who obtain a remarkable son by wishing - stars Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton

"Titanic: Blood and Steel" - miniseries from Ireland (recently shown on Encore)  chronicling the construction of what was then the largest ocean liner in the world and its impact on all classes of society - all-star international cast including Neve Campbell, Chris Noth (TV's "The Good Wife") and Derek Jacobi ("The King's Speech")

New Audiobooks!

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot, by Bill O'Reilly
Killing Kennedy chronicles both the heroism and the deceit of Camelot. The events leading up to the most notorious crime of the twentieth century are almost as shocking as the assassination itself. In January 1961, as the Cold War escalates, John F. Kennedy struggles to contain the growth of Communism while he learns the hardships, solitude, and temptations of what it means to be president of the United States. Along the way he acquires a number of formidable enemies, among them Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, and Allen Dulles, director of the Central Intelligence Agency. When his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, cracks down on organized crime, the list of those who have it in for the President grows. Then, in the midst of a 1963 campaign trip to Texas, Kennedy is gunned down, and the nation begins its slide into the cataclysmic division of the Vietnam War and its culture-changing aftermath.

The Black Box, by Michael Connelly
In a case that spans 20 years, Harry Bosch links the bullet from a recent crime to a file from 1992, the killing of a young female photographer during the L.A. riots. Harry originally investigated the murder, but it was then handed off to the Riot Crimes Task Force and never solved. Now Bosch's ballistics match indicates that her death was not random violence, but something more personal, and connected to a deeper intrigue. Like an investigator combing through the wreckage after a plane crash, Bosch searches for the 'black box,' the one piece of evidence that will pull the case together.

Flash and Bones, by Kathy Reichs
A body is found in a barrel of asphalt next to Lowes Motor Speedway near Charlotte just as 200,000 fans are pouring into town for race week. The next day, a NASCAR crew member shares with Tempe a devastating story. Twelve years earlier his sister, Cyndi Gamble, then a high school senior who wanted to be a professional racecar driver, disappeared along with her boyfriend, Cale Lovette. Lovette kept company with a group of right wing extremists known as the Patriot Posse. Is the body Cyndi's? Or Cale's? At the time of their disappearance, the FBI joined the investigation, but the search was quickly terminated. As Tempe is considering multiple theories, including an FBI cover-up, a surprising, secret substance is found with the body, leaving Tempe to wonder what exactly the government was up to...

Notorious Nineteen, by Janet Evanovich
Tracking down a con man who has disappeared from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy, Stephanie Plum calls on Joe Morelli for help when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital.




Sutton, by J.R. Moehringer
Long Island Reads 2013 Choice
A fictionalized account of Willie Sutton, one of the most notorious criminals in American history, traces his life, his doomed romance with his first love, and his surprise pardon on Christmas Eve in 1969.



Phantom, by Jo Nesbo
When Harry left Oslo again for Hong Kong - fleeing the traumas of life as a cop-he thought he was there for good. But then the unthinkable happened.  The son of the woman he loved, lost, and still loves is arrested for murder: Oleg, the boy Harry helped to raise but couldn't help deserting when he fled.  Harry has come back to prove Oleg is not a killer. Barred from rejoining the police force, he sets out on a solitary, increasingly dangerous investigation that takes him deep into the world of the most virulent drug to ever hit the streets of Oslo (and the careers of some of the city's highest officials), and into the maze of his own past, where he will find the wrenching truth that finally matters to Oleg, and to himself.