Wilder Rumors - by Molly MacRae  (mystery) Lewis Wilder has recently moved to the small town of Nolichucky, Tennessee to be the curator of the Nolichucky Jack History Museum.  As the new guy in town who tends to keep to himself, Wilder is a bit of a mystery to local residents who have nothing better to do with their time than to speculate on their new neighbor.  About the same time Wilder arrives in town, there is a series of break-ins by "the Fox," a thief who steals antiques from homes and leaves behind a detailed list describing all the items taken.  Naturally, Wilder's background and education make him the prime suspect.  Added to the mix is the question of the anonymous donation of $200 mailed to the museum each month.  When Lewis makes an impulsive out-of-town visit to his Aunt Katherine, the Fox and murder follow in his wake and Wilder is now headed for even more trouble.  Even his childhood friend Meade, now a sheriff, may not be able to prov e his innocence.  Fans of cozy, small-town mysteries will enjoy this debut novel.
		The Watchman - by Robert Crais (mystery) Readers of the Elvis Cole series will welcome this thriller that focuses on Joe Pike, Cole's enigmatic and elusive partner.  Repaying a past debt, Pike agrees to act as bodyguard to Larkin Connor Barkley, a young rich L.A. heiress.  Her involvement in a car accident put her in the wrong place at the wrong time.  She has seen something that has placed her in danger and several attempts on her life have followed.  She and Pike go underground to evade her killers, who seem to be connected to a South American drug cartel and a known terrorist.  Meanwhile, still recovering from a shotgun blast, Cole agrees to do the digging and leaves Pike to do the shooting - he has already killed five of Larkin's pursuers.  They are trying to trace the real source of the danger.  Their investigation leads them to question the validity of the federal agents on the case and then the trial takes a nasty turn, implicating Larkin' s father.  This shock leads to her kidnapping and gives Pike just two hours to save her.  Readers who appreciate a character like Joe Pike will also enjoy the Jack Reacher thrillers written by Lee Child.
		The Royal Treatment - by MaryJanice Davidson (fiction) Imagine an alternate universe in which Russia didn't sell Alaska to the United States and it eventually becomes its own country with its own royal family.  These royals, however, are fairly down-to-earth and King Alexander is particularly fond of traveling about incognito, even though everyone recognizes him.  On one such outing, Alexander meets Christina, a recently fired cook on a cruise ship, and brings her to his Juneau palace.  There she meets Crown Prince David, who is more interested in his penguins than the monarchy, as well as the other royal siblings.  With David and Christina, it's a case of opposites attract, but a major crisis will test their mettle.  Fans of Davidson's Undead series featuring vampire Queen Betsy will enjoy the fast-paced, humorous dialog in this quirky tale.  The trilogy continues with The Royal Pain and The Royal Mess.

Please note: The accuracy of the information below is valid at the time the newsletter was distributed. Please always contact the Readers Advisory Desk for the most up-to-date information on any of these programs.

Printz Award Author John Green (ages 13 and up)
Monday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
Youth Services Classroom
John Green, author of "Looking for Alaska" and "An Abundance of Katherines," is known for his humor and appeal to young adults.  Hear about his experiences as a Printz Award-winning author.  Books will be available for sale and autographing after the presentation.  Register by calling (847) 923-3191 or sending an email to Amy Alessio at aalessio@stdl.org.

Making History Work for the Present
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 7- 8:30 p.m.
Adult Classroom
Author George N. Kulles, author of Shards of the Assassin and The Curse of the Imperial Paperweights, presents his take on using history to develop entertaining and exciting books.

Author Anne Ylvisaker (ages 9 through adult)
Thursday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.
Rasmussen North
Popular author Anne Ylvisaker returns to STDL as her new book, Little Klein, arrives.  Learn about the 1940s and about life as an author.  Books will be available for sale and autographing after the presentation.  Register by calling (847) 923-3191 or sending an email to Amy Alessio at aalessio@stdl.org.

Dann & Raymond’s Movie Club
Thursday, Oct. 4, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
AV Department
Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire and award-winning author Raymond Benson present the second installment in their series of film discussions.  This month:  In the Library, No One Can Hear You Scream – Don’t Reveal the Ending Because I Know What you Did – gimmicks and schlock (1940s-1960s) and the Modern Age of Horror (1970s to present).

Crafting with Your Computer
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Rasmussen North
Learn to use your computer, scanner, digital camera and inkjet printer for some great crafting projects.  Join STDL staff members Claire Obrecht, Kathy Morgan and Susan Gibberman for a demonstration of several craft projects using the award-winning software program PrintMaster Platinum 17.  The major emphasis of this program will be on photographic projects.  Registration is required.  To register for this program, please call the Adult Information Desk at (847) 923-3347.

The Business of Writing
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7-8 p.m.
Adult Classroom
Must writers form corporations?   Are attorneys really necessary?    What about using an accountant?  Most writers think of themselves as artists, not business owners.  But if you write with the intent to sell, or if you are generating income from your written work, you are an entrepreneur and answers to these questions are important.  Whatever you write, this workshop is for you.  Join author Linda Mickey as she examines the business side of writing.  Registration is required.  To register for this program, please call the Adult Information Desk at (847) 923-3347.

Dann & Raymond's Movie Club
Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
AV Department
Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire and award-winning author Raymond Benson present the third installment in their series of film discussions.  This month:  Hail to the Screen - Presidents, Politics and Elections at the Movies.

Author Kathleen Ernst (ages 7-14)
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
Rasmussen South
Hear author Kathleen Ernst speak about her experiences as an award-winning author of American Girl History Mysteries and young adult fiction.  She will show the audience how she brings history to life.  Books will be available for sale and autographing after the presentation.  Register by calling (847) 923-3191 or sending an email to Amy Alessio at aalessio@stdl.org.

Writing What's in Your Heart
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7-9 p.m.
Rasmussen North
Many new authors make the mistake of writing to current trends or what they think publishers want.  Frank Joseph, author of the award-winning To Love Mercy, will discuss writing the book you truly love and how that will captrue the publishers' attention.  To register for this program, please call the Adult Information Desk at (847) 923-3347.

Adult Winter Reading Program 2008 - Warm Up with A Cool Book
Sign-ups begin Dec. 1.
Don't worry about the temperature or road conditions this winter - instead, curl up with a great book!  Sign up for our winter reading program and our staff will give you lists of titles to warm you through the cold winter months.  Sign up at the Central Library Readers’ Advisory Desk or at the branch libraries. For more information, call our Readers' Advisory Desk at (847) 923-3189.

Dann & Raymond’s Movie Club
Thursday, December 6, 7:30-9:30 pm
AV Department
Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire and award-winning author Raymond Benson present the fourth installment in their series of film discussions.  This month:  Ho, Ho, Ho, Pass the Popcorn! – a Stockingful of Holiday Movies.

Daniel Silva has been proclaimed "among the best of the younger American spy novelists," and has been ranked alongside best-selling authors Graham Greene and John Le Carre.  His books have "more twists and turns than a bowl of rigatoni" and are known for "starting with a bang and escalating from there."

Like many authors, Silva began as a journalist.  While pursuing his masters degree in international relations, he took a temporary job with United Press International (UPI) to help cover the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.  He joined UPI full-time, first working in San Francisco and later on the foreign desk in Washington DC, and eventually as Middle East correspondent in Cairo and the Persian Gulf.  While on assignment covering the Iran-Iraq war in 1987, he met NBC correspondent Jamie Gangel and they married that same year.  Silva returned to Washington and worked for CNN.

Silva burst onto the publishing scene in 1997, with his debut novel The Unlikely Spy, a roller-coast thriller set during the Allied invasion of France during World War II.  The book was immediately hailed as "compelling, breathtaking and briskly suspenseful."  Silva was compared to Ken Follett and Frederick Forsyth.  The success of this book allowed him to quit his job at CNN and write full-time.  His next two novels, The Mark of the Assassin (1998) and The Marching Season (1999) introduced Silva's most memorable characters:  CIA officer Michael Osborne and international hit man Jean-Paul Delaroche.  Both books became instant New York Times bestsellers.

Silva's fourth novel, The Kill Artist (2000) introduced readers to art restorer and sometimes Israeli secret agent Gabriel Allon.  Allon has been hailed as one of the most memorable and compelling characters in contemporary fiction.  Although Silva had not intended the character to continue on in further adventures, The Kill Artist was followed by The English Assassin (2002), The Confessor (2003), A Death in Vienna (2004), Prince of Fire (2005), and The Messenger (2006).  Each novel has been more successful than the last.

Silva's works have been translated into more than 25 languages and have been published around the world.  He and his family reside in Washington and, according to his web site, "when not writing he can usually be found roaming the stacks of the Georgetown University library, where he does much of the research for his books."
 

Check out his web site at:  www.danielsilvabooks.com.

His works:

The Unlikely Spy (1997)
The Mark of the Assassin (1998)
The Marching Season (1999)
 

Silva's Gabriel Allon series:

The Kill Artist  (2000)
The English Assassin  (2002)
The Confessor  (2003)
A Death in Vienna  (2004)
Prince of Fire  (2005)
The Messenger  (2006)
The Secret Servant  (2007)
 

For the most part, writing is a solitary profession.  But it is also, like many other businesses, relational.  As a beginning author, you need to make the acquaintance of editors, agents and other literary professionals.  Once you are published, you need to work on relations with your fans and other potential readers.  And you can't do this chained to your keyboard.  Writers conferences allow authors (both beginning and experienced) to foster these kinds of relationships, learn more about the craft of writing, and meet other writers.

Attending writers conferences is an investment - an investment of your time, your energy and, yes, your money.  Conferences are held all over the world and, perhaps, you might consider combining your next vacation and a conference.  The Shaw Guides website lists over 6,000 learning vacation & creative career programs worldwide, and includes links to various writing conferences (http://writing.shawguides.com).  Gee, the Maui Writers Conference, sounds good.... 

There are literally hundreds of reasons why you should make this investment of time, energy and money, but let's just talk about just a few:

Writers want to meet editors and editors want to meet writers.  Many editors and agents take time out their busy schedules to attend writers conferences because they are looking for a new author or an idea that will make money.  This is your opportunity to meet them face-to-face rather than sending your manuscript out anonymously.  And, the stories you hear about someone finding an agent or editor at these conferences are true!  Jean Auel and Anne Rice were "discovered" at conferences.

MAIN DISPLAYS

MINI DISPLAYS

The following is a list of upcoming films based on novels, books and plays, now playing or coming soon to a movie theater near you:

Playing or opening this quarter:

The Heartbreak Kid – based on the short story A Change of Plan
by Bruce Jay Friedman
Sleuth – based on the play by Anthony Shaffer
Reservation Road – novel by John Burnham Schwartz
Gone Baby Gone – novel by Dennis Lehane
Wristcutters : A Love Story – based on the short story Kneller's Happy Campers by Etgar Keret
The Kite Runner – novel by Khaled Hosseini
Martian Child – novel by David Gerrold
No Country for Old Men - novel by Cormac McCarthy
Beowulf - based on the epic poem by Anonymous
Love in the Time of Cholera - novel by Gabriel García Márquez
The Mist - novel by Stephen King
The Golden Compass - novel by Philip Pullman
Attonement – novel by Ian McEwan
I am Legend - novel by Richard Matheson
Youth Without Youth - based on the novella by Mircea Eliade
Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) - novel by Jean-Dominique Bauby

And, coming in January:

P.S. I Love You - novel by Cecelia Ahern
There Will be Blood - novel by Upton Sinclair
The Waterhorse - novel by Dick King-Smith
One Missed Call - novel by Yashushi Akimoto
 

Keyboard trivia:

"Stewardesses" is the longest word that can be typed using only the fingers of the left hand (actually, there are longer words, but they are not used in everyday conversation); "lollipop" is the longest word you can type with only fingers of the right hand.

"Typewriter" is the longest word that can be made using letters on only one row of the keyboard.

The only last names of U.S. Presidents that can be typed entirely with the left hand are "Taft" and "Carter."  The only last name of a U.S. President that can be typed entirely with the right hand is "Polk."

The only name of a state that can be typed with the right hand is "Ohio." The only name of a state that can be typed with the left hand is "Texas."  The only name of a state capital that can be typed with one hand is "Honolulu."

The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.

The sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.

The standard for the modern day keyboard was developed in the 1870s, although variations on the typewriter had been around since 1741 (with Henry Mill's patent for a machine designed to make impressions on paper).  This keyboard is often referred to as a "QWERTY" keyboard, named for the letters in the upper left-hand corner.  In 1930, August Dvorak and William Dealy designed what they considered to be a more efficient key arrangement, placing letters commonly found in the English language in the middle row.  However, by this time, the QWERTY layout had become standard and their new version was not adopted.

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island."

--  Walt Disney,
Animator, Film/TV producer/director, entrepreneur, philanthropist, 1901-1966