Tustin Library BookBite

2012 Reading List

2012-01-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here are the top 11 picks. Some titles have been rearranged due to availability. We should be receiving February's read sometime next week (The postmistress / Blake, Sarah). Thank you everyone for your good work!

FEB 27 - The postmistress / Blake, Sarah

MAR 19 - Nothing like it in the world : the men who built the transcontinental railroad, 1863-1869 /
Ambrose, Stephen E.

APR 16 - Unbroken : a World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption / Hillenbrand, Laura

MAY 21 - The gardens of Kyoto : a novel - Walbert, Kate

JUN 18 - Some danger involved : a novel / Thomas, Will

JUL 16 - Cutting for stone : a novel / Verghese, A. (Abraham)

AUG 20 - The elegance of the hedgehog / Barbery, Muriel

SEP 17 - The housekeeper and the professor / Ogawa, Yōko

OCT 15 - One thousand white women : the journals of May Dodd / Fergus, Jim

NOV 19 - Pearl Buck in China : journey to The good earth / Spurling, Hilary

DEC 17 - The art of racing in the rain : a novel / Stein, Garth

FYI for our mystery readers

2012-01-17T13:04:00.001-08:00

From: Lisa R

Sent: Tue 1/10/2012 11:31 AM
To: Nancy Pea
Subject: FYI for our mystery readers

Didn't know if you saw this, but some avid mystery sleuths might like this :). See you next Tuesday for the book club selection meeting -- Lisa

When Elizabeth George published her first mystery in 1988, she was a first-time novelist who wouldn't have had a single book signing but for a small kindness by fellow Orange County writer T. Jefferson Parker, who at the time had his second thriller on bookstore shelves.

There was no book tour planned, no public events, and that was just fine, says George, of the low-key arrival of "A Great Deliverance," the first in a long-running series of mysteries starring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley.

"I knew, or believed, that no one was going to come to a book signing for this unknown author," George says of her hesitation when a Santa Monica bookseller tracked her down to ask her to hold a signing at the shop. "So I was very reluctant, but then I said, 'Look, Jeff Parker has a new book out' -- this was 'Little Saigon' -- 'and if Jeff will do a book signing with me I will do one with him."

Parker, who'd first met George as she searched for a literary agent, agreed. The signing was held. A friendship strengthened. And now both of these best-selling authors are teaming up again for a pair of appearances to promote "Believing The Lie," George's 17th Inspector Lynley mystery, and "The Jaguar" Parker's fifth thriller with Deputy Charlie Hood.

They'll appear at the Aliso Creek Inn in Laguna Beach on Sunday, Jan. 15, in an event hosted by Laguna Beach Books. (A day earlier they will be at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, and Parker will appear solo in Corona Del Mar on Tuesday, Jan. 17.)

All of this, of course, seemed a good reason to ring up the two O.C. expats -- Parker now lives in Fallbrook in San Diego County, while George moved to Seattle and then nearby Whidbey Island a few years back -- to check in on new books and an old friendship.

'BELIEVING THE LIE'

In George's new book, Lynley is dispatched to the Cumbria and the Lake District in northern England to investigate what appears to be an accidental drowning but might possibly be something more sinister. He's joined by longtime friends Simon and Deborah St. James, and of course, his colleague Detective Sgt. Barbara Havers is involved in the story, too.

For inspiration, George went back almost 20 years to a real-world crime about which she didn't want to share all that much.

"I can't say too much about it because it would give away the plot," she says when asked about her inspiration for the new novel. "Many years ago, I was at a book fair in Sweden, and staying just down the hall from me was an individual who was promoting a book that was a true story that was very, very compelling.

"I immediately felt there were elements in this true story that would make a great novel, and it's taken me this long to write that book."

As is her usual practice, George traveled extensively in the region where she planned to set the book, trying to find and capture settings that would be relevant for the story.

"I will say it doesn't get any easier, because one of the things that's always been important to me as an artist is not to write the same book twice," she says of finding herself 17 books into the Lynley series. "So every time I try to take an approach that's different than whatever I did before. It might have to do with the organization of the book -- it always has to do with the subject matter -- and since I attempt to move the characters forward slowly through time, so that their lives continue to change, there's always that, too."

As with the inspiration for "Believing The Lie," George also only hinted at a few of the twists and turns her characters will experience this time out. A few years ago, upon killing off a popular character, some readers were outraged. This time there will also be a bit a jolt for longtime fans, George says.

"There is an 'Oh my God!' moment," she says. "And I will say it's a big 'Oh my God!' moment."

'THE JAGUAR'

Unlike many writers of mysteries and thrillers, Parker says he never set out to create a long-running series anchored by a heroic protagonist and a revolving cast of complementary characters.

"Writing a series character is more difficult for me than writing a series of standalone characters," he says of his Charlie Hood stories of which "The Jaguar" is the fifth of a planned six books. "I think most authors would say the opposite, but for me it's difficult. My hat goes off to any writer who can do that."

The new book is the third to be set amid the U.S.-Mexico drug wars, though this time Hood heads away from the border and south to the state of Veracruz.

"I wanted to set 'The Jaguar' in a place other than the dirty, dusty borders I've been prowling in the last couple of books," Parker says. "I wanted a feeling of heat and humidity and claustrophobia and atmosphere -- just a whole other side of the country, a tropical side."

And so, like George, he headed into the field, traveling with his family to Veracruz to soak up the sights and sounds ("The Jaguar" is a particularly music-infused story) of that oldest of New World cities.

"It's like the proverbial window being thrown open in your mind," Parker says of researching and incorporating new terrain into this book. "And it was fun to go down there with a fresh reporter's eye."

The drugs-and-gun-fuelled violence that has ravaged Mexico in recent years is heartbreaking, and there's always the risk of veering toward a feeling of hopelessness, he says.

"That just kind of goes against my nature," Parker says of giving into despair. "So through Charlie Hood I try to give some credence to the idea that optimism and grit and loyalty to a code of conduct is enough to at least carry a person into battle.

"And the only answer to hopelessness is hope, and the only answer to death is art. The book is about making art, and how only art will save you in some circumstances.

"I truly believe that," Parker says. "And that's what I keep striving to accomplish -- to not only entertain, but to make some small statement that hope can work."

OLD FRIENDS

George says she met Parker through a common friend, Steve Mitchell, who worked at the Daily Pilot newspaper in Costa Mesa, where Parker had been a reporter before leaving to write books fulltime. Mitchell had read George's early unpublished manuscripts, liked them, and told her she needed to meet Parker.

"At that point, I'd written my third attempt at a British novel, which I felt was a pretty good one," says George, who before her writing career taught high school English in Orange County. "I was looking for a literary agent, and (Mitchell) felt that Jeff might give me an introduction to his. And Jeff said, sure, he would do that if he could take a look at the book."

George says she drove her manuscript over to Parker's place in Laguna Beach, and soon heard back that he'd be happy to recommend her to his agent -- who hated it, she says, laughing.

"Jeff was very cute, he said, 'Ah, don't worry about it, she hated mine too,'" George says. "He's such a prince."

Parker says he was impressed with George even before he read that manuscript, which despite his agent's opinion eventually appeared as George's debut.

"My early impressions of Susan (George uses her middle name Elizabeth as her pen name) were she's very bright and very funny and self-effacing," he says. "I liked that about her a lot. I remember thinking that she seemed like a pretty assured person and a person with her feet on the ground. And when I read her first book I thought, 'Oh, wow, she's really settled into this.'"

Though they write in different flavors of their genre -- George's books are classic British mysteries, Parker's typically feature Gary Cooper-esque men of honor -- they're mutual admirers of each other's work.

"I think there's a tremendous sense of place to Jeff's books," George says. "I used to tell him he was the only writer who could make Orange County feel like an interesting place.

"And there's always a wonderful vulnerability that he brings to his characters, and a real sense of honesty on the part of his characters that kind of sings through all of his work," she says.

"The very center of (her) strength as a novel writer is her characters and I think people really like the characters that she's invented," Parker says of George's work. "Susan's a crafty plotter -- she tells a good mystery -- and she's great at surprising you and holding back things and bringing you along in a state of suspense, which we all appreciate.

"It's really good to fall into the hands of a writer like Susan."

Their current book tours will interrupt only slightly their works in progress.

For Parker, that includes wrapping up the sixth and final Charlie Hood book, continuing talks with Hollywood over development of his "LA Outlaws" and "The Fallen," and then starting on a new standalone novel.

"I want to write about our country as seen through the eyes of a small town like Fallbrook where I live," he says. "I want to talk about the way our country has changed from 9/11 to now."

George is equally busy.

"What I have going on right now is the 18th Lynley novel and the second novel in a young adult series I'm working on," she says. "The first (young adult book) is coming out this September. It takes place on Whidbey Island where I live, and has an element of mystery to it.

"It's part of a series that if I hope will be eight novels, that will take follow the time in high school here on Whidbey of a young girl who is mysteriously dropped on the island by her mom."

Contact the writer: 714-796-7787 or plarsen@ocregister.com

Tustin Library BookBite Meet in January 2012

2011-12-27T11:32:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,

Congratulations for finishing up 2011. The January meeting will be on Tuesday January17, 7:00PM in the Computer Lab (the library is closed Monday 16).

The January meeting is when we select our titles for the rest of the year. We meet in the computer lab, listen to your suggestions, then vote.

For those of you interested in submitting a title, you will have a couple minutes to tell us about the book or let me or someone else share the book. You will need to check our catalog to be sure we have enough copies or email me so I can check.

Please email all titles beforehand so I will have the list and links ready that evening for the big screen.

Thank you, see you in a few weeks.

Nancy Pe'a Adult Services Librarian  OC Public Libraries Tustin Library 345 East Main Street Tustin, CA  92780 714-544-7725

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

2011-11-23T12:56:00.000-08:00

What wikipedia has to say about Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta's Dance by Rebecca Skloot (Johns Hopkins Magazine

Reader's Guide (Broadway Paperbacks)

Author's webpage (Rebecca Skloot)

Write a review

Discussion was great, as usual. Many found the science writing okay, however, there was more interest in the family story. We touched on the unfairness in non-compensation for the family from both medical companies and author, consequences of the times, lifestyes, and education or lack of it. Admiration for the author expressed for her courage to collect information the past 10 years.

Water For Elephants Book Reviews for submission

2011-07-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

OC Public Libraries (includes your Tustin Library) has activated its book review link that allows readers to submit their evaluations of titles read. If interested, click here.

See you all Monday!

Sequel to Shanghai Girls, DREAMS OF JOY, Book Tour and Event Information - Irvine

2011-05-20T09:21:00.001-07:00

FYI ... Thanks Tom!

From: Lisa See's Mailing List [writersee@aol.com]
Sent: 5/20/2011 8:47:29 AM
Subject: Book Tour and Event Information for Dreams of Joy

DREAMS OF JOY, the sequel to SHANGHAI GIRLS, will come out on May 31. I'm about to start one of my marathon book tours. I'm doing 43 events in 15 states! (And that's not including the tour I'll be doing in Canada. I don't have the details for those events yet, so please look for them on my web site.) I'm so excited about DREAMS OF JOY. I loved getting to follow Joy and Pearl into China. I loved all the surprises—some good, some bad—that they encounter. So scroll down, find an event near you, and then please come out to say hi and cheer me on.

You know I'm not terribly computer savvy, so forgive me if you receive more than one of these. If you want to be removed from my mailing list, please let me know. And of course, write and tell me what you think of the new book. You know I'll write back!

Happy Reading!
Lisa

Saturday, May 21 – Irvine, CA
11:30 A.M.
Lunch speaker
"Family Matters "
WOMAN SAGE
Doubetree Guest Suites Anaheim Resort
2085 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92802
Tickets: $55 per person
For registration information: www.Womansage.org

Tuesday, May 31 – Cerritos, CA
7:00 PM
Talk and signing
CERRITOS LIBRARY
18025 Bloomfield Avenue
Cerritos, CA 90703
For information: (562) 916-1350 or library.ci.cerritos.ca.us

Wednesday, June 1 – Century City, CA
7:30 PM
In Conversation with Nina Revoyer
WRITERS BLOC
MGM Theatre
10250 Constellation Blvd
Los Angeles CA
*Tickets are $20, not including book.
For information: writersblocpresents.com
For reservations: reservations@writersblocpresents.com

I just attended a talk at the Cerritos Library with Lisa See. This was the kickoff event to her tour -- 45 events in 15 states and cities in Canada. The sequel to "Shanghai Girls" is called "Dreams of Joy" and was just released today.

It turns out that "Snowflower and the Secret Fan " is being released in theaters July 15. I saw a trailer for it tonight and it looks really interesting. She said there are really two parts to that movie. The first part stays very true to the book. In fact, she says it's like the screen writers just lifted pages from the book without doing a re-write. The second half is a modern story that is founded in the storyline of the book. She says she was pretty please with it. She says she really "cut to the bone" with this book. She was able to delve really deep with this because everyone (family, friends, the publisher, etc.) said the book was never going to sell many copies. As a matter of fact, she said she started off as an "acclaimed writer" (meaning she writes good books but nobody reads). She only printed 5,000 copies of this book, but it started getting buzz and they had to print more copies. As a result! of that and the success of "Shanghai Girls", they went back and took her first two mystery novels and re-printed them with new jacket covers. She joked that if they had used these as the original jacket covers the books might have sold more. She went back and re-read those two books because she didn't really remember the characters that well, but she said in any of her books she can open up to a certain page and a memory of what was happening in her life will jump out at her (i.e. her son got into an argument with the teacher and a note was sent home and there was a family discussion about it and her husband was upset with her over something she said about it, etc.).

She mentioned her novels are not autobiographical, but the emotions she feels and puts into the books are right out of her own life. She says there are certain lines in the books that are quotes from people in her own life. She also says her books are primarily about relationships.

She does all of her own research because she feels that is half the fun in writing the books and you never know what you're going to find that will strike you as interesting and will want to include that in the book.

When she wrote "Shanghai Girls" she was originally not planning on writing a sequel. She was happy with the ending and so was the publisher. What was old became new again and what was the ending became a new beginning. However, people at her book signings kept asking her if there was going to be a sequel. When she pitched her three ideas for her next book, her publisher said they sounded good and she would write them eventually, but they wanted her to write the sequel first. She said was an obedient Chinese daughter and did the research and wrote it, but was very reluctant at first. She said if she had known she was going to write a sequel, she would have changed some things about "Shanghai Girls". So, while she's not planning on writing a sequel to "Dreams of Joy", she has strategically placed some things in the book just in case.

Her books were originally written in the past tense, but as she would come to the close of her day (1,000 words written), she would somehow end up writing the end of the day's work in the present tense. So after the first 3 chapters were done, she decided that this was becoming a pattern and went back and re-wrote it in the first person, present tense. She said she thinks this was how Pearl (the main character in "Shanghai Girls") was talking to her. It was Pearl's English through Chinese language structure because in Chinese, there is no such thing as verb tenses. All verbs are written in the present tense with only time markers to indicate tense. Example: I go to the store. I go to the store yesterday. I go to the store next week.

She is currently working on her next novel which is a Chinese version of "The Cotton Club". She has started doing the research and writing notes for the book unless the publisher suddenly shelves it and asks her to work on a sequel to "Dreams of Joy".

She said "On Gold Mountain" is a very special book because it was about her family. Since most of them are now gone, she can open up the book and be with her family and that's quite an amazing thing.

It would be great if you would pass this along to everyone else.

Thanks,
Tom

She mentioned that her grandfather was married 5 times and had a new baby at age 69. He was depressed until he read a porno novel and then decided to write one of his own. He said he always wanted to write the great American novel but, like most men, got distracted by women and booze. By the time he died he wrote 15 hard core pornographic novels. Her mother was a Ph.D. in English and became an expert witness testifying in pornography cases. One side would say pornography was crude and immoral and her mother would say that a certain word dates back to Shakespearean times and was used in his works so it really isn't. haha

Tustin Library Calligraphy classes

2011-05-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Bookbite,

You might be interested in the following adult program series we have for Local History & Calligraphy workshop. Click on flyers above for clearer image. (Of course, they're free).

Nancy Pe'a Adult Services Librarian  OC Public Libraries Tustin Library 345 East Main Street Tustin, CA  92780 714-544-7725

And after last night's book discussion ...

2011-03-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

I received good reports from last night's discussion of Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible. Here is something to add to your thoughts ...

compliments of the Aunt of Sharon J.

Great Gatsby Mansion Doomed to Demoltion

2011-03-10T16:18:00.000-08:00

FYI ... Remember the Great Gatsby? Check out the mansion that was ... (thanks Germaine)

The dilapidated and weathered estate that inspired author F. Scott Fitzgerald will be demolished and cut up into several smaller residences, marking the end of a gilded era. NBC’s Peter Alexander reports from Sands Point , N.Y. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41986054#41986054

Nancy Pe'a Adult Services Librarian  OC Public Libraries Tustin Library 345 East Main Street Tustin, CA  92780 714-544-7725

2011 BookBite Schedule

2011-02-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

Titles will be discussed at the listed times below.

FEB 9 - Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

MAR 21 - Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

APR 18 - Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

MAY 16 - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

JUN 20 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

JUL 18 - Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

AUG 15 - A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

SEP 19 - The Madonnas of Lenningrad by Debra Dean

OCT 17 - The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado

NOV 21 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

DEC 19 - The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard

2011 Reading Schedule

2011-01-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

Titles will be discussed at the listed times below.

FEBRUARY 9 - Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

MARCH 21 - Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

APRIL 18 - Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

MAY 16 - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

JUNE 20 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

JULY 18 - Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

AUGUST 15 - A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

SEPTEMBER 19 - The Madonnas of Lenningrad by Debra Dean

OCTOBER 17 - The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado

NOVEMBER 21 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

DECEMBER 19 - The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard

Voted Titles

2011-01-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

BookBite has voted. See below for the 2011 reading list. Our February meeting date has been changed to accomodate President's Day (2/21) and Valentine's Day (2/14). I am waiting room reservation confirmation for Monday February 7. Because we met one week early in January, we still have 4 weeks to explore Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop.

FEBRUARY - Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather 10 votes

MARCH - Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 8 votes

APRIL - Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker 7 votes

MAY - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson 13 votes

JUNE - The Help by Kathryn Stockett 12 votes

JULY - Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen 12 votes

AUGUST - A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway 11 votes

SEPTEMBER - The Madonnas of Lenningrad by Debra Dean 11 votes

OCTOBER - The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado 9 votes

NOVEMBER - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks 7 votes

DECEMBER - The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard 10 votes

Other titles suggested that might be of interest to you:

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri 7

Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas 6

Suspicion of Innocence by Barbara Parker 6

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 6

The Ten things 6

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 5

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen 5

Net of Jewels by Gilchrist 4

Now they call me infidel by Nonie Darwish 4

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos 4

Lost Symbol by Dan Brown 3

Luncheon of the Boating Party 3

Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt 2

Circus with Elephants by Maryls Wills 1

Madame will you talk by Mary Stewart 1

Sarah's Key by Tatian de Rosnay 1

Scout, Atticus, Boo 0

Re: Tustin Library BookBite - January meeting 2011

2010-12-21T14:51:00.001-08:00

I'm posting suggested reading as I receive them from you. These are titles we will vote for on January 10th for our 2011 reads.

Thanks!

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

Tustin Library BookBite - January meeting 2011

2010-12-21T14:03:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,

We had our last 2010 meeting last evening with Susan Vreeland's Girl in Hyacinth Blue. Thank you everyone for participating in both discussion and the delicious potluck.

We have a change in dates for January as our usual 3rd Monday is actually a holiday and our library will be closed for Martin Luther King Day (Jan 17). Instead, we will meet in Tustin's Computer Lab on Monday January 10 at 7:00PM. This is the meeting where every member will have an opportunity to suggest a title for our 2011 season. Please come prepared with a title and a quick rundown on the book's highlights. We will select eleven titles with the most votes.

In addition, the group will have a different leader to faciliate discussion. We will assume the person who chose the selected read will take the responsibility unless otherwise arranged.

Also, due to the mix in picks (non-fiction / fiction), members have expressed an interest in splitting the group so that there is a fiction-only club or offer an alternative fiction with the non-fiction selection and group may split during those times.

If you have your titles in mind, please email it to me so that I will have the list ready for our January meeting when we vote. See you January 10.

Monday January 10, 7:00PM (computer lab)
Bring a title to suggest
If your book is selected, be prepared to facilitate discussion (unless otherwise arranged)

p.s. did anyone pick up a sterling silver serving fork with a hammer type handle from the potluck? If so, please drop it by the Tustin Library in care of Nancy.

Thanks!

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

DEC 20 Tustin Library Bookbite potluck/read

2010-11-16T20:39:00.001-08:00

Hello,

Thank you for a wonderful book discussion evening with potato eats (thanks Sharon!). Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland is the read for December 20. We are also having a potluck that evening and have already started the potluck list. Feel free to bring what you'd like and call/email me so I can post it on the list. This will be on the blog, too, at http://tustinlibrarybookbite.blogspot.com/

Tom - Vegetarian quiche

Lisa - CreamCheese mix & crackers

Ron - Drinks

Nancy - Katsu chicken

Marilyn - BBQ chicken

Marcia - Dessert

Library - paper goods & coffee
Maureen - Salad
Arlene C - Dessert
Arlene - Tamale Pie
Ellen - Tossed Salad
Nata - Pasta Dish
Sharon J - Salad & persimmon pudding w/ whipped cream

Thanks.

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

OC Public Libraries

Tustin Library

345 East Main Street

Tustin, CA 92780

Phone: 714-544-7725

Guernsey Literary Invitation @ Tustin Library

2010-11-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

Please join Ms. Juliet Ashton, Mr. Dawsey Adams, Mrs. Amelia Maugery, Isola Pribby, John Booker and other members in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, as we discuss this fine novel-in-letters written by Ms. Mary Ann Shaffer and completed posthumously by her niece, Ms. Annie Barrows.

We will meet for discussion and refreshments in the Community Room of the Tustin Public Library at 7:00 p.m. on Monday next, November 15, 2010.

We appreciate your kindly reading the book before joining the conversation; but do come to the discussion to hear about a book you will much enjoy reading at some future time.

Questions to Consider:

Who is the main character in the novel?

From whose point of view is the story told?

Was the format of letters written and responded to an effective treatment for this story?

The people of Guernsey were cut off from all communications with the world outside their island for five years. Can you imagine that situation taking place today?

When needed supplies finally arrived, they were often wrapped in sections of old newspapers. Each club member indicates favorite sections they were finally able to enjoy. What is your favorite part of the daily or Sunday papers?

Susan Scott and Sophie Strachan—what roles do they play in the story?

The author Charles Lamb is mentioned throughout the novel. What purpose do he and his writings serve in the story?

Consider a few quotes attributed to Lamb: “I love to lose myself in other men's minds.” “I'd like to grow very old as slowly as possible.” “We gain nothing by being with such as ourselves. We encourage one another in mediocrity. I am always longing to be with men more excellent than myself.” And finally, “What is reading, but silent conversation.”

Would you agree with Isola Pribby that “Men are more interesting in books than they are in real life”?

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

[Tustin Library BookBite] Change in 2010 Reading List

2010-06-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

There is a correction in the current 2010 Tustin BookBite Reading List. For Sept 20, we will be reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See instead of The Last Embrace by Denise Hamilton.

July 19 - World Lit by Fire by William Manchester

Aug 16 - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sept 20 - Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Oct 18 - Game Change by John Heilemann

Nov 15 - Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Dec 20 - Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan VreelandThank you

--
Posted By Nancy Pe'a, Librarian to Tustin Library BookBite at 6/21/2010 08:25:00 PM

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

Phone: 714-544-7725

TRUE mystery story behind The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

2010-04-07T15:02:00.001-07:00

Suddenly, everyone is reading Stieg Larsson's thrillers. But his own life was just as intriguing as his fiction. Was he murdered? Did his partner write the books?

Full Story:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263155/The-TRUE-mystery-story-girl-With-The-Dragon-Tattoo.html

03 April 2010
www.dailymail.co.uk

Meet Local Authors @ your Tustin Library

2010-03-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Meet local authors @ your Tustin Library

April Wednesdays @ 7:00 P.M.

All library programs are FREE

714-544-7725

Click on flyer to see more info

see: Tatjana Soli New York Times article

see: Amazon's reviews for Roger Gloss's Compared to What

see: Barnes & Nobles "What Love Looks Like" description

see: "About the Book" for Gumboots, Lesson Plans and Hot Rugby Nights

Tustin Library "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

2010-03-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

We have 15 copies just purchased by the Friends group and available for our Tustin Library BookBite group. If you will be attending the April 19 meeting, please pick up a copy at the Information Desk while supplies last.

From Publishers Weekly
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, directed by Niels Arden Oplev and starring Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, and Peter Haber. It's based on Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson's novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage, 978-0307473479, $7.99; RH Audio abridged CD, $29.95), which PW's starred review considered "at once a strikingly original thriller and a vivisection of Sweden's dirty not-so-little secrets."

See you April 19, 7:00 P.M.

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

Tustin Library

345 East Main Street

Tustin, CA 92780

We'll always have Paris @ Literary Orange

2010-03-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

. . .but you only have 4 days left to purchase tickets online

Literary Orange. April 10

Online registration ends MARCH 29

Tickets available at the door but the price goes up!

Hurry before we are sold out!

Cara Black, part of our “Mysteries: Around the World” panel, writes compelling, entertaining, and fun mysteries featuring her chic, vintage-clothed Parisian sleuth, Aimée Leduc.

I can't top this panel @ Literary Orange

2010-03-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

SAMURAI RABBITS IN FEUDAL JAPAN

Graphic Novelist Stan Sakai

One-on-One with ComicCon’s own Jill Patterson

At Literary Orange, UC Irvine Student Center, 4.10.10.

Tickets available online until MARCH 29

http://www.literaryorange.org/

Murder Comes Softly @ Literary Orange

2010-03-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Killer Capers.

Kate Carlisle, Cozy Mysteries Panel

Literary Orange, April 10.

A haunted city, a forbidden masterpiece, and a deadly threat are all in a day's work in the life of brilliant bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright…

That's some serious chic lit

2010-03-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

Let's get serious for a minute.
You need to read a good book.

You really do.

Find the authors of these fine reads at Literary Orange.

Buy your tickets today!

"Part period piece, part family saga, The Cure is a particularly American story and an achingly beautiful one at that." -- Mary Morris, author of The River Queen

"Waters is a graceful, subtle writer, gifted at limning the intricate connections between women bound together by blood or marriage. This is a novel of extraordinary beauty."-- Booklist, starred review

"Though it might seem strange to praise a writer for the things she doesn't do, what really sets Meloy apart is her restraint. She is impressively concise, disciplined in length and scope. And she's balanced in her approach to character, neither blinded by love for her creations, nor abusive toward them. . . . She's such a talented and unpredictable writer that I'm officially joining her fan club; whatever she writes next, I'll gladly read it."

-Curtis Sittenfeld, The New York Times Book Review

Booklist, *Starred Review* Shaw’s piercingly insightful first novel depicts a woman in her thirties redefining her life. Shaw’s graceful prose and razor-sharp observations—at one point, Lacey observes her brother is “like a house burning down before our eyes”—make this absorbing debut a true standout. --Kristine Huntley

Marley and Me and Trixie and Dean @ Literary Orange

2010-03-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Dean is a dog lover?

Dean Koontz.
Keynote Speaker.

Literary Orange. 4.10.10.

Find out about Trixie and Dean at http://trixie.deankoontz.com/

Kermit was wrong

2010-03-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

It’s easy to be green

Let Chris Prelitz show you how!

Literary Orange is easy to sign up for:

It’s good for you!

"When I read Green Made Easy, it changed the way I look at the planet, and I hope it does the same for you. As we work our way through today’s economic challenges, Chris can also show you how going green is both good for our planet and good for your pocketbook. His book is packed with information that makes going green simple, inexpensive, and meaningful. Chris sprinkles ‘Green Bites’ throughout that are both inspiring and enjoyable.
"Remember, this comes from a man who receives a credit from his utility company every month instead of a bill!"
— Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Top ten reasons or stupid pet tricks? Literary Orange

2010-03-24T12:42:00.001-07:00

Merrill Markoe created "Stupid Pet Tricks” for the David Letterman show. She now writes what she calls “funny books about dogs.”

Is she the number one reason to attend Literary Orange?

From Publishers Weekly

These humorous essays are the literary equivalent of snack food: they're not always substantial but they're difficult to put down and quickly devoured.

Find out on April 10 at the UC Irvine Student Center

Tickets on sale until March 29 at www.literaryorange.org

From Outer Space to Inner Space @ Literary Orange 2010!

2010-03-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Can we get dark for a moment? Dark, urban fantasy? Dark as outer space? Find your inner and outer limits at Literary Orange .

OC Noir @ Literary Orange

2010-03-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

What lurks on the dark side of the Big Orange? Find out at Literary Orange, which will feature authors and the editor of Orange County Noir - April 10, at UC Irvine Student Center. Come and see what it’s all about. Tickets are $60.00! Spend the day with friends, enjoy good conversation, food, books, more.

Romancing the Orange @ Literary Orange

2010-03-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Are you a good witch or a Hexy Witch? Find out at our Romance panel.

Or maybe you like this:

Literary Orange, April 10, 2010, UC Irvine Student Center. Register now at http://www.literaryorange.org/

Literary Orange is good Karma

2010-03-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Burglary! Secrets! The OC!

Find out more at Literary Orange on April 10
at the UCI Student Center

From Publishers Weekly

When California crook Robert Rivers sets his sights on a diamond necklace worth $250,000 belonging to socialite Evelyn Evermore in Thomas's entertaining second caper novel (after Criminal Paradise), Rivers soon learns he's not the only one with designs on it. After a rival thug foils Rivers's first attempt to steal the necklace, Rivers and his rough-hewn partner, Reggie England, regroup and learn that Evermore has become a follower of Baba Raba, a charismatic guru based in sunny Venice, Calif. From posh hotels to flop houses, from ashram meetings to complicated burglaries, Rivers keeps his eye on the prize, but not without an appealing touch of knight errantry. Baba Raba, charlatan or not, has impressive powers as well as his own agenda. Rivers is a cunning and resourceful thief capable of blending into his surroundings like a chameleon or meeting force with force when necessary. He does both with charm, wit and surprising decency. (July) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Norman Ollestad's Crazy For The Storm: Memoir of Survival @ Literary Orange

2010-03-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Did you love this book? What are you waiting for? Meet Norman Ollestad at Literary Orange on our memoir panel.
Tickets available at http://www.literaryorange.org/.

From Publishers Weekly

In a spare, brisk prose, Ollestad tells the tragic story of the pivotal event of his life, an airplane crash into the side of a mountain that cost three lives, including his father's, in 1979. Only 11 years old at the time, he alone survived, using the athletic skills he learned in competitive downhill skiing, amid the twisted wreckage, the bodies and the bone-chilling cold of the blizzard atop the 8,600-foot mountain. Although the narrative core of the memoir remains the horrifying plane crackup into the San Gabriel Mountains, its warm, complex soul is conveyed by the loving relationship between the former FBI agent father and his son, affectionately called the Boy Wonder, during the golden childhood years spent in wild, freewheeling Malibu and Mexico in the late 1970s. Ollestad's unyielding concentration on the themes of courage, love and endurance seep into every character portrait, every scene, making this book an inspiring, fascinating read. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Heidi Durrow: The Girl Who Fell From the Sky @ Literary Orange!

2010-03-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

Interested in this book, an Amazon Best Book for February, 2010? Attend Literary Orange and meet author Heidi Durrow. Tickets available for $60 at http://www.literaryorange.org/

From Publishers Weekly
Durrow's debut draws from her own upbringing as the brown-skinned, blue-eyed daughter of a Danish woman and a black G.I. to create Rachel Morse, a young girl with an identical heritage growing up in the early 1980s. After a devastating family tragedy in Chicago with Rachel the only survivor, she goes to live with the paternal grandmother she's never met, in a decidedly black neighborhood in Portland, Ore. Suddenly, at 11, Rachel is in a world that demands her to be either white or black. As she struggles with her grief and the haunting, yet-to-be-revealed truth of the tragedy, her appearance and intelligence place her under constant scrutiny. Laronne, Rachel's deceased mother's employer, and Brick, a young boy who witnessed the tragedy and because of his personal misfortunes is drawn into Rachel's world, help piece together the puzzle of Rachel's family. Taut prose, a controversial conclusion and the thoughtful reflection on racism and racial identity resonate without treading into political or even overtly specific agenda waters, as the story succeeds as both a modern coming-of-age and relevant social commentary.

4th Annual Literary Orange 2010

2010-03-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

OC Public Libraries and UCI Libraries proudly present ... Literary Orange 2010 , Orange County's premier literary event, on Saturday, April 10, 8:30 - 5 pm, at the UCI Student Center ... Best-selling authors Dean Koontz and Karen Joy Fowler are keynote speakers. For more information, visit http://www.literaryorange.org/

2010 Schedule

2010-01-25T20:38:00.000-08:00

Feb 22 Blink / Malcolm Gladwell

Mar 15 The Old Man and the Sea / Ernest Hemingway

April 19 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo/ Stieg Larsson

May 17 The Zookeeper's Wife / Diane Ackerman

Jun 21 The Haj / Leon Uris

Jul 19 A World Lit Only by Fire / William Manchester

Aug 16 The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sep 20 Shanghai Girls / Lisa See

Oct 18 Game Change / John Heilemann

Nov 15 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society / Mary Ann Shaffer

Dec 20 Girl in Hyacinth Blue / Susan Vreeland

BookBite 2010

2010-01-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

2010 planning is Monday January 25, in the Professional Training Room (the big community room in the lobby). We will be submitting our titles and votes for 11 titles. 7:00 PM. See you there.

We meet every 3rd Mondays except for Jan & Feb due to holidays. Please see dates below:

February 22

March 15

April 19

May 17

June 21

July 19

August 16

Sept 20

Oct 18

Nov 15

Dec 20

December BookBite & Potluck

2009-11-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

Hello folks,
This month's read is "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Droidge. I've already placed all the requests I can for this title and when I receive them, I display them immediately on the shelf beneath the bookbite sign.

For those interested in participating in the potluck, please click here.

Tonight's Book Bites!

2009-11-16T15:17:00.001-08:00

Hi All!

Nancy is out of town and is not going to be there tonight. She asked me to kind of fill in and help moderate, but a situation has come up at work that I have to meet with a student tonight and can't make it. I want to let everyone know so you aren't scratching your heads wondering what's happening.

Have a great discussion and I hope to see you all next month.

Tom

Men of Mystery ...

2009-10-21T13:31:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone,

If you plan on going to the Men of Mystery luncheon and would like to carpool, click the link below and place your name on the list so other's may see (unfortunately, this is only available to those I've emailed, so you might want to pass it along to others).

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASbYFzVZ7Tt6ZG41dHJxel8yNDRmczdyeGRoZg&hl=en

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

OC Libraries, Tustin

714-544-7725

Atlas Shrugged, Fall 2009

2009-10-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Ayn Rand Institute returns for a 3-part series on Atlas Shrugged. Join us on September 16 for a video of a Thomas Bowden lecture, "Ayn Rand: A Life in Writing." Then return for a midpoint discussion on October 21, and the finale program on December 2 - both with Dr. Onkar Ghate.

Limited seating. Register at 714-544-7725 or click here to reserve your seat.

All Library programs are FREE!

.

Goodreads.com

2009-09-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Goodreads is a great way to track your reading and to read what others have said about the book. Just click here and sign in.

Thanks Arlene for letting us know.

Tustin's next reads Sept - Dec

2009-06-25T20:34:00.001-07:00

Our next set of reads for this 2009 last quarter is listed below; I’ve added a classic read for Nov. 16. We will meet in the NEW library; no August read.

Sept 21 - The Reader / Bernhard Schlink (2008)

Oct 19 Hot, Flat, Crowded / Thomas Friedman (2008)

Nov 16 Screwtape letters by C.S. Lewis (1960)

Dec 21 Brain that changes itself / Norman Doidge (2007)

Nancy Pe'a

Adult Services Librarian

OC Libraries, Tustin

714-544-7725

Update on Meeting locations

2009-05-13T15:40:00.001-07:00

Hello Book Bite members,

The new Tustin Library is still in its construction stage and as you will see, the building is almost complete. Unfortunately, we do not have a definite opening date. Until further notice, we'll continue to meet at the Senior Center Board Room.

Mon May 18, 7:00 PM (Senior Center) Kingmakers / Brain Haig

Mon Jun 15, 7:00 PM (Senior Center) Unless / Carol Shields

Mon Jul 20, 7:00 PM (Senior Center) Team of Rivals / Doris Goodwin

Thanks,
Nancy
714-544-7725

2009 BookBite Schedule

2009-01-21T18:07:00.000-08:00

2009 BookBite Schedule

Tue Feb 17, 7:00 PM (Senior Center)
Women of the Silk / Gail Tsukiyama

Mon Mar 16, 7:00PM (Senior Center)
Collectors / David Baldacci

Mon Apr 20, 7:00 PM (Senior Center)
Astrid & Veronika / Linda Olsson

Mon May 18, 7:00 PM (TBA)
Kingmakers / Brain Haig

Mon Jun 15, 7:00 PM (Library)
Unless / Carol Shields

Mon Jul 20, 7:00 PM (Library)
Team of Rivals / Doris Goodwin

2009 BookBite Meetings

2008-12-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful potluck at Sharon's, I'm sorry I was not able to stay for the discussion, however, thank you all for such a delicious dinner, Sharon for hosting, and for a wonderful book group.

Our 2009 book discussion meetings will take place in the Boardroom at the Tustin Area Senior Center for the first few months, and then later in the new library.

Our dates to meet are as follows:

Tue Jan 20, 7:00PM - we will be picking titles in this meeting, please be prepared to share a quick overview of the book and why you feel it is worthy of reading and discussion

Tue Feb 17, 7:00PM

Mon Mar 16, 7:00PM

Mon Apr 20, 7:00PM

January and February dates are on Tuesdays due to the Monday holidays (Martin Luther King & Presidents Day).

Thanks to City Hall, they generously gave us the use of this room without charge.

Our last 2008 meeting / potluck

2008-11-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hello bookbite members,

Our last meeting will be on Monday December 15 @ 7P.M. featuring Megan Crane's Everyone Else's Girl. We will not be meeting at the library, but at a nearby home for potluck where you'll be bringing a small side-dish for 2-3 persons. Please call Nancy the Librarian @ 714-544-7725 for directions.

Please respond to this post listing what you will bring so others can know what they can bring.

Thanks.

Who's facilitating Monday Oct 20?

2008-10-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

I will be on vacation during this month's book discussion meeting (Oct 20) and need some one to facilitate the discussions. For two of the books, I handed out 2 sheets of questions that can be used to help guide the discussions. Anyone interested, please let me know.

thanks.

You're invited!

2008-10-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Guest author Gustavo Arrelano will be speaking Wednesday October 15, @7:00PM here at Tustin Library. Even though it was planned for Teens, it is open for everyone.

Loving Frank

2008-09-06T11:04:00.001-07:00

Check out Wikipedia's bio on Frank Lloyd Wright:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright

.

Just in case ...

2008-08-27T16:51:00.001-07:00

In looking to our future reads, our titles may not be as deep as we'd like and expect them to be as some of you have expressed this in your recent visit to the library.

What I am going to do is provide a couple titles to go along with our October read (Tell No One/ Harlan Coben). If we do not agree with Coben's book, we can rely on the following classic reads listed below.

Click on the title links below to find out more about the titles and you may be able to download a free copy to read on your computer, otherwise, I will try and have a copy for you at our next meeting. You may also check the library database for an available e-audiobook version at www.ocpl.org (you will need your library card and PIN to download).

The Awakening / Kate Chopin

Barn Burning (short story) / William Faulkner

New Meeting Dates!

2008-08-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

We will be changing our meeting dates to 3rd Mondays. Please see below for current schedule:

Wednesday Sept. 10 - Loving Frank / Nancy Horan

(Click here to write a review)

Monday Oct. 20 - Tell No One / Harlan Coben

(Click here to write a review)

Monday Nov. 17 - Year of Magical Thinking / Joan Didion

(Click here to write a review)

Monday Dec. 15 - Everyone Else's Girl / Megan Crane

(Click here to write a review)

2008 July 9 - Freakonomics / Steven Levitt

2008-04-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

Reviews

2008 June 11 - Memory Keepers Daughter / Kim Edwards

2008-04-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Reviews

Write a review for My Antonia

2008-04-11T14:29:00.001-07:00

Write a review for My Antonia. It will be posted in the online catalog of OC Public Libraries. Leaving your name is optional - on the other hand, you can tell all your friends that you've been published:)

Click here to write a review for My Antonia

Lisa Scottoline submissions...

2008-04-10T16:33:00.000-07:00

FYI: I'll be taking photos in May's meeting.

"If you would like a chance to win a visit from Lisa and enjoy an extravagant dinner, on her, as well as be invited to Lisa's Annual big Book Club party held each year at her home, be sure to put LADY KILLER on your book club's reading list in time to make the June 1, 2008 deadline for picture submissions. All you need to do is take a picture of your book club all holding their copy of LADY KILLER, and send it to Lisa Scottoline, ...."

2008 May 14 - Love Walked In / Marisa De Los Santos

2008-04-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

Reviews

Just in as of May 4, 2008, I have 6 uncataloged copies waiting at the info desk. First come, first serve.

Thanks,

nancy