Friday, May 28, 2004

Get Googlized!

Google, one of the world's most popular search engines, continues to add services and improvements to their website. First, folks can get a sneak peek at MoreGoogle, a new and improved version of their search engine, complete with site previews and "open in a new window" commands.

Likewise, Google has also being trying to enter the world of "free email" with beta testing of their "gmail" system. Though all the free beta accounts have been taken, Google is hoping to unveil their email server (complete with 1 gigabyte of storage) in the near future.

New York Times Best Seller Lists

Several new books cracked the NYT Best Seller lists this week, both in fiction and in non-fiction.

Fiction:

The Narrows by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch, the former Los Angeles police detective, and the FBI agent Rachel Walling must contend with the serial killer known as the Poet.

Memorial Day
by Vince Flynn

A counterterrorism expert rushes to prevent an attack on American soil.

The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky

Having survived a deadly boating accident off the coast of Maine, a wife and mother begins to question her priorities.

The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick

In early 19th-century England, the Earl of St. Merryn hires a woman to post as his fiancee.

Non-Fiction:

Rewriting History by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

A former advisor to former President Bill Clinton "deconstructs" Hillary Clinton's autobiography Living History.

The Politics of Truth
by Joseph Wilson

A memoir by the American diplomat whose wife's covert status as a CIA operative was disclosed by officials in the Bush adminstration.

Secrets of the Code by Dan Burstein

Essays by a variety of experts - theologians, art historians, scientists - on themes relating to The Da Vinci Code.

Grace and Power by Sally Bedell Smith

A potrait of John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in the White House.

Monday, May 24, 2004

Storytimes

Don't forget! Registration for summer storytimes begin tomorrow, May 25th at 9:00am. Call in to reserve a storytime spot - it's first come, first served!

Friday, May 21, 2004

New Movies

Need a movie for the weekend? Check out these new releases at APL! All are in DVD format unless otherwise noted...

Master and Command: The Far Side of the World (VHS and DVD)

The Last Samurai (VHS and DVD)

The Cooler

Girl With a Pearl Earring

Big Fish

Calendar Girls

Underworld

Love Actually (VHS and DVD)

Helen of Troy

West Side Story

Ancient Evidence - Mysteries of the Old Testament, The Apostles, and Jesus


All entertainment rentals are 50 cents for a three day rental. Educational rentals are free and circulate for one week.

D-Day Remembrance

With the 60th anniversary of D-Day approaching, this website offers a great collection of links to photographs, oral histories, maps, war graves and cemeteries, and other information about the Allied landing.

On June 1st at 7:00pm, retired history teacher Jerry King will give a presentation at APL about the Allied invasion of Normandy and its impact on history. You won't want to miss this moving presentation on one of our nation's most historic events.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

The Da Vinci Code Author Speaks

Dan Brown, author of the phenomenal bestseller The Da Vinci Code, recently spoke about some of the ideas he left out of the book. The book's exploration of secret societies, the Holy Grail and the life of Christ has already caused quite an uproar among readers everywhere.

Have you read The Da Vinci Code? Are you eager to discuss it with other APL patrons? Then mark your calendars! On May 25th at 7:00pm at APL, LITerally Speaking (the library's adult book discussion group) will be talking about The Da Vinci Code. Stop by for cookies, coffee and conversation!

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Punctuation Princess

Lynne Truss, author of Eats, Shoots and Leaves, has written a runaway bestseller in Britain, and now this title has shot up the New York Times Bestseller list, landing at number two this week.

As a companion to the release, there is an official website, complete with a punctuation game!

Stop by Adult Services if you'd like to check out the book or be placed in the hold list.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Books to Movies

This past weekend two movies based on books opened in theatres.

Troy, starring Brad Pitt, is inspired by Homer's Illiad.

Ella Enchanted, starring Anne Hathaway of The Princess Diaries, also opened and is based on the book Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

Coming soon, several other movies are opening based on books.

The third Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, opens on June 4. It's based on the popular book by J.K. Rowling.

A remake of The Stepford Wives open in theaters on June 11. It's based on the book by Ira Levin.

Garfield: The Movie opens on June 11 and features the voices of Bill Murray and Debra Messing, among others. The movie is based on the popular comic strip drawn by Indiana author Jim Davis.

Egads! Gnooks!

Want to find the website that has sent the Adult Services Department into fits of amazement?

http://gnooks.com/

The "Map of Literature" and the "Gnod's Suggestions" sections are particularly cool. Find a new author, or revisit a favorite, today!

Today Show Book Club Selection

The Today Show recently selected The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer as the choice for April.

Max Tivoli has an unusual malady: born with the appearance of an elderly man, he appears progressively younger and younger as he ages. Max's dilemma is illustrated by his relationship with Alice Levy, his first and only love. Clearly, romance isn't an easy proposition; when they first meet, he's more of a grandfatherly figure to her, and complications arise when Alice's mother grows attached to this enigmatic man. Only at the midpoint of Max's life does he approach anything resembling normalcy, with a brief marriage to Alice and the fathering of a child, but that happiness obviously cannot last.

For more information, or to locate this title, stop by the Adult Information Desk.

Upcoming Concert

Kenny Chesney will roll into Roberts Stadium on Thursday, May 20th, where he will be perform in front of a sellout crowd. Chesney is touring to support his latest album, When The Sun Goes Down, which has already spawned a hit single, There Goes My Life. Want to get up to speed on this breakout country star? Check out APL's array of CDs by Kenny:

When the Sun Goes Down
All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan
Pickin' on Kenny Chesney
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
Greatest Hits
Everywhere We Go
I Will Stand
Me and You
All I Need to Know


For help locating these items, or to place a hold on an item currently checked out, just visit one of the Information Desks.

Summer Reading Program

APL's Summer Reading Program, Camp Out With a Good Book, will kick off on June 1st! Be sure to stop by APL to register, pick up your bookmarks and a tasty registration treat!

We'll see you at Camp Read-A-Lot on June 1st!

Memorial Day

The Alexandrian Public Library will be closed Monday, May 31st in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, June 1st.

New CDs

New music CDs received this week by APL:

Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - Soundtrack

Pure Moods - Celestial Celebrations

Keith Urban - Golden Road

Josh Turner - Long Black Train

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