Doomsday Volcanoes

Doomsday Volcanoes from NOVA

Summary: In April, 2010 the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano turned much of Europe into an ash-strewn no-fly zone, stranding millions of travelers. But was Eyjafjallajökull just the start? Now, an even more threatening Icelandic volcano, Katla, has begun to swell and grumble. Two more giants, Hekla and Laki, could erupt without warning. Iceland is a ticking time bomb: When it blows, the consequences could be global. As CGI takes us inside these geological monsters, we meet atmospheric scientists who are working to understand just how devastating an eruption could be—not just for air travel but for the global food supply and for Earth's climate. Could we be plunged into years of cold and famine? What can we do to prepare for the disaster to come? Angie's Comments: Another cool episode of NOVA. In this case, the focus is on volcanoes in Iceland. The episode explores how much ash, sulfur, and lava have been produced by the volcanoes in the past and the impact those eruptions had on people and the environment. There is less focus on how to prepare for a volcanic eruption. It was interesting to see the different volcanoes, especially going inside the empty lava chamber of an Icelandic volcano. This is a great DVD for anyone interested in volcanoes! Request this item

By Winter's Light

By Winter's Light by Stephanie Laurens

Summary: #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to romantic Scotland to usher in a new generation of Cynsters in an enchanting tale of mistletoe, magic and love. It's frosty December and six Cynster families come together at snowbound Casphairn Manor with members of their households to celebrate the season in true Cynster fashion—and where Cynsters gather, love is never far behind. The festive occasion brings together Daniel Crosbie, tutor to Lucifer Cynster's sons, and Claire Meadows, widow and governess to Gabriel Cynster's daughter. Daniel and Claire have met before and the embers of an unexpected passion smolder between them. However, Claire, once bitten, twice shy, believes a second marriage is not in her stars. Yet Daniel is determined. He's seen the kind of love the Cynsters share, and Claire is the lady with whom he dreams of sharing his life. Assisted by a bevy of Cynsters—innate matchmakers every one—Daniel strives to persuade Claire that trusting him with her hand and her heart is her right path to happiness. Claire is increasingly drawn to Daniel and despite her misgivings, their relationship deepens. But then catastrophe strikes, and by winter's light, she learns that love—true love—is worth any risk, any price. Angie's Comments: Another cute, Christmas-themed historical romance, great for historical romance readers. This is best suited for readers of the Cynster series by Stephanie Laurens. My favorite part about this book is that the love story focuses less on the nobility and more on the servants. The love story itself is only part of the book. It features a child being born, children growing up, and people willing to try love again.  Request this item

Village of Secrets: Defying the Nazis in Vichy France

Village of Secrets by Caroline Moorehead

Summary: From the author of the New York Times bestseller A Train in Winter comes the absorbing story of a French village that helped save thousands hunted by the Gestapo during World War II—told in full for the first time. Le Chambon-sur-Lignon is a small village of scattered houses high in the mountains of the Ardèche, one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of Eastern France. During the Second World War, the inhabitants of this tiny mountain village and its parishes saved thousands wanted by the Gestapo: resisters, freemasons, communists, OSS and SOE agents, and Jews. Many of those they protected were orphaned children and babies whose parents had been deported to concentration camps. With unprecedented access to newly opened archives in France, Britain, and Germany, and interviews with some of the villagers from the period who are still alive, Caroline Moorehead paints an inspiring portrait of courage and determination: of what was accomplished when a small group of people banded together to oppose their Nazi occupiers. A thrilling and atmospheric tale of silence and complicity, Village of Secrets reveals how every one of the inhabitants of Chambon remained silent in a country infamous for collaboration. Yet it is also a story about mythmaking, and the fallibility of memory. A major contribution to WWII history, illustrated with black-and-white photos, Village of Secrets sets the record straight about the events in Chambon, and pays tribute to a group of heroic individuals, most of them women, for whom saving others became more important than their own lives. Angie's Comments: Village of Secrets told a fascinating story about World War II and Vichy France. I had only vaguely heard about the efforts of people living on Plateau Vivarais-Lignon who had helped save people from the Nazis before reading this book. The book brought important issues to light, such as the collaboration of the Vichy government with the Nazis. I am glad I read the book, but the book itself can be confusing. There are many people discussed in the book, so after I was finished reading, I used the index to go back and refresh my memory about who was who. The afterword is interesting, as it discusses controversy about the story and the rescuers. In fact, according to Amazon.com reviews, there is controversy about Village of Secrets. This book is best for people interested in World War II and the history of Jewish people.  Request this item

The Shocking Secret of the Guest at the Wedding

The Shocking Secret of the Guest at the Wedding by Victoria Alexander

Summary: The bride and groom cordially request your presence for a wedding at Millworth Manor. . . Guests will include Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the finest families in England. Introductions shall be followed by light conversation, dancing, flirtation, arguing, reconciliation, and an impulsive kiss that both parties are quite certain they will never repeat.  Until they do.  A mutually beneficial fake engagement will be accompanied by all manner of very real complications, scandalous revelations, nefarious schemes, and one inescapable conclusion:  That true love--unlike the perfect wedding--is impossible to plan. . . Angie's Comments: For historical romance readers, The Shocking Secret of the Guest at the Wedding is another good read from Victoria Alexander. Jackson Quincy Graham Channing is told a secret kept by his mother for his entire life. The secret changes his life, and he is forced to evaluate who he is, what he wants from life, and what the connections will be with his family members. I loved the character of Jackson, who handles difficult situations well. The secondary characters are eccentric and charming. I wish the epilogue had been longer, but otherwise it was a fast-paced, fun read. Request this item

History of the World in Two Hours

History of the World in Two Hours DVD

Summary: This landmark television special cuts 13.7 billion years of history down to size. In just two hours, you will get the whole story of where you came from and how you got here. Find out why your original ancestor is an exploding star, how your handheld device hides a Stone Age secret, and why your fast-paced modern lifestyle grew from seeds planted more than 10,000 years ago. From the formation of the earth and the emergence of life, to the advance of man and the growth of civilization, the CGI-driven special History of the World in Two Hours is a rapid-fire view of history-an epic story that reveals surprising connections to our daily lives. Angie's Comments: This program on DVD that was created for the History channel is exactly what it says –the history of the world in two hours (since it isn’t on TV with ads interrupting, the show is only 88 minutes on DVD). The program is not very detailed, but such is the case when covering so much history in so little time. The history focuses mostly on how the stars and life on Earth has given humans the different elements and substances that we use today. The connections between natural history and human history are explored, which I found quite interesting. I recommend this DVD for viewers who are interested in chemistry, geology, and the influences of humans on the earth and vice versa. The program doesn’t get into a lot of detail, but it gives a great overview.  Request this item

How We Learn

How We Learn by Benedict Carey

Summary In the tradition of The Power of Habit and Thinking, Fast and Slow comes a practical, playful, and endlessly fascinating guide to what we really know about learning and memory today—and how we can apply it to our own lives. From an early age, it is drilled into our heads: Restlessness, distraction, and ignorance are the enemies of success. We’re told that learning is all self-discipline, that we must confine ourselves to designated study areas, turn off the music, and maintain a strict ritual if we want to ace that test, memorize that presentation, or nail that piano recital. But what if almost everything we were told about learning is wrong? And what if there was a way to achieve more with less effort? In How We Learn, award-winning science reporter Benedict Carey sifts through decades of education research and landmark studies to uncover the truth about how our brains absorb and retain information. What he discovers is that, from the moment we are born, we are all learning quickly, efficiently, and automatically; but in our zeal to systematize the process we have ignored valuable, naturally enjoyable learning tools like forgetting, sleeping, and daydreaming. Is a dedicated desk in a quiet room really the best way to study? Can altering your routine improve your recall? Are there times when distraction is good? Is repetition necessary? Carey’s search for answers to these questions yields a wealth of strategies that make learning more a part of our everyday lives—and less of a chore. By road testing many of the counterintuitive techniques described in this book, Carey shows how we can flex the neural muscles that make deep learning possible. Along the way he reveals why teachers should give final exams on the first day of class, why it’s wise to interleave subjects and concepts when learning any new skill, and when it’s smarter to stay up late prepping for that presentation than to rise early for one last cram session. And if this requires some suspension of disbelief, that’s because the research defies what we’ve been told, throughout our lives, about how best to learn. The brain is not like a muscle, at least not in any straightforward sense. It is something else altogether, sensitive to mood, to timing, to circadian rhythms, as well as to location and environment. It doesn’t take orders well, to put it mildly. If the brain is a learning machine, then it is an eccentric one. In How We Learn, Benedict Carey shows us how to exploit its quirks to our advantage. Angie's Comments: Very practical book! If you are looking for information about studying better, How We Learn is a great resource. Benedict Carey does discuss the science behind learning, but he spends most of his time and effort on showing us how to study better. I wish I had this book in college. I discovered some of the study techniques on my own, but this book would have saved me a lot of time! I highly recommend this book to high school students, any parents who have or will have children in school, and to adult learners. If you don’t have much time, check out the Appendix: Eleven Essential Questions on page 223, which gives a brief summary of the book.  Request this item

The Scent of Death

The Scent of Death by Andrew Taylor

Summary:  From the No.1 bestselling author of THE AMERICAN BOY comes a new historical thriller set during the American War of Independence. ‘This is the story of a woman and a city. I saw the city first, shimmering from afar like the new Jerusalem in the setting sun. It was Sunday, 2nd August 1778.’ Edward Savill, a London clerk from the American Department, is assigned to New York to investigate the claims of dispossessed loyalists caught on the wrong side of the American War of Independence. Surrounded by its enemies, British Manhattan is a melting pot of soldiers, profiteers, double agents and a swelling tide of refugees seeking justice from the Crown. Savill lodges with the respected Wintour family: the old Judge, his ailing wife and their enigmatic daughter-in-law Arabella. The family lives in limbo, praying for the safe return of Jack Wintour, Arabella's husband, who is missing behind rebel lines. The discovery of a body in the notorious slums of Canvas Town thrusts Savill into a murder inquiry. But in the escalating violence of a desperate city, why does one death matter? Because the secret this killing hides could be the key to power for whoever uncovers it… Angie's Comments: The Scent of Death is a wonderful look at New York City in the late 1770s. I haven’t been to New York City, but now I want to go with this book in hand! The pace is slow, and the mystery takes off more in the second half. As a mystery, the book is good, if slow. As historical fiction, the book is fantastic. The issue of racism and slavery arises at many points in this novel. I recommend this book to historical fiction readers and anyone interested in New York City history. Request this item

The Siege

The Siege by Arturo Perez-Reverte

Summary:  For fans of Alan Furst and Carlos Ruiz Zafón comes a haunting and layered thriller filled with history, adventure, suspense, and an unforgettable love story—by the internationally bestselling author Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Cádiz, 1811: The Spanish port city has been surrounded by Napoleon’s army for a year. Their backs to the sea, its residents endure routine bombardments and live in constant fear of a French invasion. And now the bodies of random women have begun to turn up throughout the city—victims of a shadowy killer. Police Comisario Rogelio Tizón has been assigned the case. Known for his razor-sharp investigation skills—as well as his brutal interrogation methods—Tizón has seen everything. Or so he thought. His inquiry into the murders reveals a surprising pattern: Each victim has been found where a French bomb exploded. Logic tells him to pass it off as coincidence; his instinct tells him otherwise, and he begins to view Cádiz as a living chessboard, with himself and the killer the main players. In a city pushed to the brink, violence and desperation weave together the lives of a group of unlikely people: the Spanish taxidermist who doubles as a French spy; the young woman who uses her father’s mercantile business to run the enemy blockade; the rough-edged corsair who tries to resist her charms; and the brilliant academic furiously trying to perfect the French army’s artillery and bring Cádiz to its knees once and for all. And as Napoleon presses closer, Tizón must make his next move on the bomb-scarred chessboard before the killer claims another pawn. Combining fast-paced narrative with scrupulous historical accuracy, this smart, suspenseful tale of human resilience is Arturo Pérez-Reverte at the height of his talents. Angie's Comments: The Siege may be a large book with 594 pages, but I am happy that I took the time to read it. The story is haunting, and I wonder how the characters fared after the book ended.  The characters are fascinating, as each is good and bad, strong and weak. Pérez-Reverte did a fantastic job describing the city in the midst of war and the effect it had on the people of Cádiz and the soldiers laying siege to Cádiz. The mystery part is the weakest part of the novel. Recommended for readers of war stories and those interested in characters. Request this item

The De-Textbook

The De-Textbook by Cracked

Summary: You are an idiot. Don't get defensive! It's not your fault. For decades your teachers, authority figures and textbooks have been lying to you. You do not have five senses. Your tongue doesn't have neatly segregated taste-bud zones. You don't know what the pyramids really looked like. You're even pooping wrong - Jesus, you're a wreck! But it's going to be okay. Because we're here to help. Packed with more sexy facts than the Encyclopedia Pornographica, the Cracked De-Textbook will teach you about the true stars of history, why you picture everything from Velociraptors to Ancient Rome incorrectly, and finally, at long last - how to pop a proper squat. This book was built from the ground up to systematically seek out, dismantle and destroy the many untruths that years of misguided education have left festering inside of you, and leave you a smarter person...whether you like it or not. The De-Textbook is a merciless, brutal learning machine. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are informed. Angie's Comments: The De-Textbook is filled with information that we think is true, but really is false. The book is full of jokes, as befits a book written by contributors to Cracked.com, a comedy website). Some of the jokes and topics are mature. Cracked presents the material in an easy and fun way, and they include just enough information without overwhelming you. Recommended for readers who enjoy reading Cracked.com or love learning new facts presented with many jokes.  Request this item

Cowboy Boots for Christmas

Cowboy Boots for Christmas by Carolyn Brown

Summary:  'Tis the season for... Feasting Frolicking And...Feuding? All he wants for Christmas is peace and quiet... After two tours in Afghanistan, retired Army sniper Finn O'Donnell believes his new ranch outside the sleepy little town of Burnt Boot, Texas, is the perfect place for an undisturbed holiday season. But before he can settle in, an old friend shows up looking for protection and a place where nobody knows her name. But that's going to take a miracle... Callie Brewster must relocate to protect her young nephew, Martin, and the only person she trusts is her old Army friend, Finn. Burnt Boot seems like the perfect place to be anonymous, but it turns out a small town with big drama is no place to hide... Angie's Comments: Cowboy Boots for Christmas is a fun, escapist, heartwarming read. Does it make much sense? No, but it is fun the entire way through. Finn starts the book living with his dog, but that all changes (a lot!) by the end. Great for readers who like families and animals.  Request this item

The Final Silence

The Final Silence by Stuart Neville

Summary: In Belfast, Northern Ireland, memories of the city’s troubled history haunt every street corner, but for one tortured soul, the incredible violence in his past is also his most cherished legacy.  Rea Carlisle—daughter of influential Stormont politician Graham Carlisle—has inherited a house from an uncle she never knew. It doesn’t take her long to clear out the dead man’s remaining possessions, but one of the upstairs rooms remains stubbornly locked. When Rea finally forces it open, she discovers a chair, a table, and a leather-bound book, its pages filled with a host of chilling mementos—locks of hair, fingernails: a catalog of victims. Horrified, Rea wants to go straight to the police, but her father intervenes. Graham Carlisle has worked too hard to have his brother’s twisted legacy ruin his promising political career. Thwarted by her father, Rea turns to the only person she can think of: disgraced police inspector Jack Lennon. Meanwhile, Lennon finds himself the lead suspect in a murder investigation led by one of the force’s toughest cops, DCI Serena Flanagan. His implication in the murder, coupled with the story Rea has brought to him, leaves Lennon more than slightly suspicious that the two are part of a grisly conspiracy. Angie's Comments: The Final Silence features Belfast police inspector Jack Lennon. This isn’t the first book in the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone novel. Things aren’t quite as they appear in the beginning of the book, and the twists are interesting. The mystery was not very suspenseful by the middle of the book, but I kept reading to see how it would turn out. I wasn’t disappointed!  Request this item

The Beekeeper's Ball

The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs

Summary: #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns to sun-drenched Bella Vista, where the land's bounty yields a rich harvest…and family secrets that have long been buried.  Isabel Johansen, a celebrated chef who grew up in the sleepy Sonoma town of Archangel, is transforming her childhood home into a destination cooking school—a unique place for other dreamers to come and learn the culinary arts. Bella Vista's rambling mission-style hacienda, with its working apple orchards, bountiful gardens and beehives, is the idyllic venue for Isabel's project…and the perfect place for her to forget the past. But Isabel's carefully ordered plans begin to go awry when swaggering, war-torn journalist Cormac O'Neill arrives to dig up old history. He's always been better at exposing the lives of others than showing his own closely guarded heart, but the pleasures of small-town life and the searing sensuality of Isabel's kitchen coax him into revealing a few truths of his own. The dreamy sweetness of summer is the perfect time of year for a grand family wedding and the enchanting Beekeeper's Ball, bringing emotions to a head in a story where the past and present collide to create an unexpected new future. From "one of the best observers of stories of the heart" (Salem Statesman-Journal), The Beekeeper's Ball is an exquisite and richly imagined novel of the secrets that keep us from finding our way, the ties binding us to family and home, and the indelible imprint love can make on the human heart. Angie's Comments: The Beekeeper’s Ball is a story about family. The love story between Isabel and Cormac is sweet, but the book isn’t entirely sweet. When Cormac interviews Isabel’s grandfather, readers are exposed to Isabel’s grandfather’s memories of living in the Netherlands during the German occupation in World War II. Secrets are exposed, but family ties are strengthened. Request this item

The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man

The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man by W. Bruce Cameron

Summary: Ruddy McCann, former college football star, has experienced a seismic drop in popularity; he is now Kalkaska, Michigan’s full-time repo man and part-time bar bouncer. His best friend is his low-energy Basset hound Jake, with whom he shares a simple life of stealing cars. Simple, that is, until Ruddy starts hearing a voice in his head. The voice introduces himself as Alan Lottner, a dead realtor. Ruddy isn’t sure if Alan is real, or if he’s losing his mind. To complicate matters, it turns out Katie, the girl he’s fallen for, is Alan’s daughter. When Alan demands Ruddy find his murderers, Ruddy decides a voice in your head seeking vengeance is best ignored.  When Alan also demands he clean up his act, and apartment, Ruddy tells him to back off, but where can a voice in your head go? With a sweet romance, a murder mystery, a lazy but loyal dog and a town full of cabin-fevered characters you can’t help but love, New York Times bestselling novelist W. Bruce Cameron’s The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man is yet another laugh-out-loud, keep-you-up-late, irresistible read.  Angie's Comments: I wasn’t sure about this book before I started reading it; the plot seemed quite odd. Once I started reading, I was hooked! The book is funny and has some interesting characters. Ruddy is a great guy who made (and makes) mistakes. I love how the murder mystery is handled by police. I am still in disbelief that W. Bruce Cameron could make such a great book out of such an odd plot! Request this item

The Monogram Murders

The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah

Summary: Since the publication of her first novel in 1920, more than two billion copies of Agatha Christie's books have been sold around the globe. Now, for the first time ever, the guardians of her legacy have approved a brand-new novel featuring Dame Agatha's most beloved creation, Hercule Poirot. Internationally bestselling author Sophie Hannah breathes new life into the incomparable detective. In this thrilling tale, Poirot plunges into a mystery set in 1920s London—a diabolically clever puzzle that will test his brilliant skills and baffle and delight longtime Christie fans and new generations of readers discovering him for the first time. Authorized by Christie's family, and featuring the most iconic detective of all time, this instant Christie classic is sure to be celebrated by mystery lovers the world over. Angie's Comments: I have read most of Agatha Christie’s books, including the books featuring Hercule Poirot. Sophie Hannah’s Hercule Poirot is not Agatha Christie’s Poirot, which is to be expected. They are different authors with different interpretations of the same characters. If you pick up this book expecting to read Agatha Christie, you will be disappointed. You should only pick up this book if you expect to read an interpretation of Agatha Christie for the present time. I enjoyed the writing style. The mystery was interesting and when you thought you had the truth, then Hannah threw in some more twists and turns happened. The denouement at the end lasted for longer than it ought to have. This book is recommended for those who enjoy mysteries. Request this item

Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow

Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow by Dr. Jan Pol

Summary: The star of The Incredible Dr. Pol shares his amusing, and often poignant, tales from his four decades as a vet in rural Michigan. Dr. Jan Pol is not your typical veterinarian. Born and raised the in Netherlands on a dairy farm, he is the star of Nat Geo Wild’s hit show The Incredible Dr. Pol and has been treating animals in rural Michigan since the 1970s. Dr. Pol’s more than 20,000 patients have ranged from white mice to 2600-pound horses and everything in between. From the time he was twelve years old and helped deliver a litter of piglets on his family’s farm to the incredible moments captured on his hit TV show, Dr. Pol has amassed a wealth of stories of what it’s like caring for this menagerie of animals. He shares his own story of growing up surrounded by animals, training to be a vet in the Netherlands, and moving to Michigan to open his first practice in a pre fab house. He has established himself as an empathetic yet no-nonsense vet who isn’t afraid to make the difficult decisions in order to do what’s best for his patients—and their hard-working owners. A sick pet can bring heartache, but a sick cow or horse could threaten the very livelihood of a farmer whose modest profits are dependent on healthy livestock. Reminiscent of the classic books of James Herriot, Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow is a charming, fascinating, and funny memoir that will delight animal lovers everywhere. Angie's Comments: I haven’t watch Dr. Pol’s show, but I like reading about animals and veterinarians. I enjoyed his stories about animals (and their owners). The first several chapters flowed well, but then the other chapters seemed less focused. However, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. For animal owners who might be facing the death of their animal, Chapter Six “A Life-and-Death Business” is a thoughtful read. I am amazed at what veterinarians in the past and present have been able to do with animals. This book is not recommended for people who don’t like reading about death, manure, and body parts. It is recommended for anyone else! Request this item

Make Up

Make Up by Michelle Phan

Summary: Michelle Phan has believed in makeup since the first time she was allowed to try eyeliner. When she looked in the mirror and saw a transformed version of herself looking back, she fell in love with the sense of confidence that makeup could give her.  Ever since she posted her first makeup tutorial on YouTube, she has dedicated herself to inspire millions by using makeup as a tool for transformation and self expression.  Now, Michelle has compiled all of her best wisdom into Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success--Online and Off. From creating a gorgeous smoky eye to understanding contouring to developing an online persona, Michelle has advice to help you transform every facet of your life. Make Up is packed with Michelle’s trademark beauty and style tutorials,  stories and pictures from her own life, and advice on the topics she is asked about most, including etiquette, career, entrepreneurship, and creativity. From the everyday (such as how to get glowing skin) to the big picture (such as how to turn your passion into a profession), Make Up is a practical and empowering resource to help anyone put their best face forward. Angie's Comments: Make Up is more than just about makeup. The first two chapters are about Michelle Phan’s life, which made for some interesting reading. Other chapters include “Digital Dos and Don’ts” and “Modern Manners Made Easy”. Of course, there is a chapter about entrepreneurship, which is what Michelle does. This book looks at everything about people: makeup, style, manners, and career. The makeup tips are basic and great for those who aren’t very familiar with makeup (me included!). This would be a great book for teenagers and even tweens, as it gives solid advice and a role model in Michelle. Request this item