Library Notes
Lynn Denison
September 16, 2010
At Rowan Public Library many of our fiction books are labeled by genre in order to assist our patrons in their search for a certain type of book. For example, we have western, romance, thriller, fantasy, horror, mystery, and religious fiction labels. My tendency for the last several years has been to choose books in the thriller genre. A question I have often had is what classifies one book a thriller and another a mystery? In an online article on MysteryNet.com, Janet A. Smith writes, “The suspense thriller has been loosely defined as a story in which the audience is waiting for something significant to happen. The reader experiences a vicarious thrill by identifying with the hero and the danger he faces, becoming a participant in the chase. A mystery, on the other hand, is a novel of revelation, with action more mental than physical. A significant event, usually a murder, has just occurred, and the protagonist’s job is to discover who committed the crime, and why.” In a recent Newsweek article titled “Mysteries, Thriller, and the Verities of the Heart,” Jon Meacham states, “Mysteries and thrillers are not the same things, though they are literary siblings. Roughly put, I would say the distinction is that mysteries emphasize motive and psychology whereas thrillers rely more heavily on action and plot. Some mysteries are thrillers and some thrillers are mysteries, but not all mysteries are thrillers, nor are all thrillers mysteries.” Now that we are clear on that. . . .
Of course, in the thriller genre there are many popular categories. Some of the most well known, which are available at the library, are listed below.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre’ is the quintessential espionage thriller. Whiteout by Ken Follett is the classic thriller and tells the chilling story of what happens when biological weapons fall into the wrong hands. A top pick for a psychological suspense thriller is Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, which will not only scare you silly but will fool you as well. Presumed Innocent by Scott Turrow with its fascinating plot and legal insight remains at the top of the definitive legal thriller. For contemporary military thrillers it would be difficult to beat the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. You may want to begin with the first Reacher novel, The Killing Floor.
Thrillers have long been one of the most popular reading genres with dozens of them dominating the best seller lists each year. Why not choose one or two at the library and see if you, too, don’t find your heart racing and your imagination running overtime as you turn page after page?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 05, 2010
LIBRARY NOTES: THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION
PAUL BIRKHEAD – SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
I have always been fascinated by stories of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Perhaps it’s because I was born within walking distance of where their journey began in St. Charles, Missouri. A recent trip back to Missouri for me included a visit to nearby Hartford, Illinois where a monument to Lewis and Clark had just been dedicated. The Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower celebrates not only the two captains but also a view of the area where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet. When I returned to North Carolina, I still had Lewis and Clark on my mind, so I decided to see what information Rowan Public Library had on the expedition.
Undaunted Courage, a New York Times bestseller, is an excellent biography of Meriwether Lewis and a good introduction to the expedition that sought to map out the territory acquired by the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase. The late historian, Stephen Ambrose, combined extensive research and his talent for writing to create a work that is very informative and so utterly fascinating that it’s hard to put down.
Rowan Public Library also has on DVD, the PBS series Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery. The documentary, directed and produced by Ken Burns, originally aired in 1997 and is considered by many to be some of Burns’ best work. While not as lengthy as a typical Burns’ production (it clocks in at only four hours), it is full of fascinating facts, period illustrations, stunning video footage, and moving narratives read by a host of celebrities. The library has in its collection the book companion to the series which is also available for check-out.
Sacagawea of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, written by Ella Clark and Margot Edmonds, is a biography of the Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark out west. Most historians agree that the expedition might have been a complete failure were it not for the help of Sacagawea, the wife of a French trapper who was hired on as a guide. Sacagawea graciously served as an interpreter on several occasions, and she also proved invaluable in procuring horses and supplies from a tribe the group stumbled upon that just happened to include some of her own blood relatives.
On a lighter note, Westward Whoa: In the Wake of Lewis and Clark, is a story of two friends who head west in an inflatable raft and attempt to follow the same course as Lewis and Clark. Their tale of childish antics and misadventures will keep you laughing as you turn the pages, and you won’t believe what happens to them at the end of their quest.
Whether American history sparks your interest or you just like a good old-fashioned adventure story, anything having to do with the Lewis and Clark expedition will be sure to please. Stop by the Rowan Public Library and learn more about the journey that fostered the expansion of the American West.
PAUL BIRKHEAD – SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
I have always been fascinated by stories of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Perhaps it’s because I was born within walking distance of where their journey began in St. Charles, Missouri. A recent trip back to Missouri for me included a visit to nearby Hartford, Illinois where a monument to Lewis and Clark had just been dedicated. The Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower celebrates not only the two captains but also a view of the area where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet. When I returned to North Carolina, I still had Lewis and Clark on my mind, so I decided to see what information Rowan Public Library had on the expedition.
Undaunted Courage, a New York Times bestseller, is an excellent biography of Meriwether Lewis and a good introduction to the expedition that sought to map out the territory acquired by the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase. The late historian, Stephen Ambrose, combined extensive research and his talent for writing to create a work that is very informative and so utterly fascinating that it’s hard to put down.
Rowan Public Library also has on DVD, the PBS series Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery. The documentary, directed and produced by Ken Burns, originally aired in 1997 and is considered by many to be some of Burns’ best work. While not as lengthy as a typical Burns’ production (it clocks in at only four hours), it is full of fascinating facts, period illustrations, stunning video footage, and moving narratives read by a host of celebrities. The library has in its collection the book companion to the series which is also available for check-out.
Sacagawea of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, written by Ella Clark and Margot Edmonds, is a biography of the Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark out west. Most historians agree that the expedition might have been a complete failure were it not for the help of Sacagawea, the wife of a French trapper who was hired on as a guide. Sacagawea graciously served as an interpreter on several occasions, and she also proved invaluable in procuring horses and supplies from a tribe the group stumbled upon that just happened to include some of her own blood relatives.
On a lighter note, Westward Whoa: In the Wake of Lewis and Clark, is a story of two friends who head west in an inflatable raft and attempt to follow the same course as Lewis and Clark. Their tale of childish antics and misadventures will keep you laughing as you turn the pages, and you won’t believe what happens to them at the end of their quest.
Whether American history sparks your interest or you just like a good old-fashioned adventure story, anything having to do with the Lewis and Clark expedition will be sure to please. Stop by the Rowan Public Library and learn more about the journey that fostered the expansion of the American West.
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