Staff Recommendations – May 2004

INDEXES TO PAST STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: BY TITLE | BY REVIEWER
TV SERIES/SPECIALS ON DVD | AGATHA CHRISTIE | LGBTQ+ | STAR TREK | STAR WARS

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These recommendations were posted May 2004

I’m Just Here For the Food!
by Alton Brown (641.5 Bro)

Alton Brown doesn’t claim to be a chef — only a food scientist. In this book, he brings a sarcastic sense of humor and the sensibilities of a scientist to the cooking processes involved in food preparation. Enlightening and entertaining at the same time!

( official Alton Brown Web site )

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

The Horatio Hornblower Saga
by C.S. Forester (Forester)

Any of the books in the Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester are well worth reading, particularly if you enjoy British naval history or adventure. For more information about this saga, take a look at the book The Hornblower Companion (1964). For additional Naval Adventure fiction, check our Anchors Aweigh! on-line booklist.

See more books like this on our Anchors Aweigh booklist

Recommended by Kim J.
Bennett Martin Public Library

The Southern Vampires series
by Charlaine Harris (Harris)

The novels in Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampires series are an engaging mix of SF/fantasy, mystery, thriller and erotic romantic suspense. Cashing in on the current popularity of vampire fiction, these novels explore an alternate contemporary world in which the availability of synthetic blood has allowed the previously shunned vampire culture to go mainstream. With a sassy, strong-willed female protaganist (with some paranormal secrets of her own), these novels have a strong sense of place, simple dialogue, and intriguing characterizations. The books in the series are: Dead Until Dark (2001); Living Dead in Dallas (2002); Club Dead (2003); Dead to the World (2004); Dead as a Doornail (2005); Definitely Dead (2006); and All Together Dead (2004).

( official Charlaine Harris Web site )

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl
by Kate McCafferty (McCafferty)

A young Irish girl is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Caribbean.

Recommended by Rayma S.
Bennett Martin Public Library

What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist — The Facts of Daily Life in 19th Century England
by Daniel Pool (942.08 Poo)

This book should be required reading before delving in Austen, Dickens, Trollope, Hardy or other 19th century British authors. It explains the aspects of everyday life in that period that the authors took for granted but that are unfamiliar to us today. Interested in Jane Austen-related novels? Check out our In Want of More Jane Austen? booklist!

Recommended by Peter J.
Virtual Services Department

The Dragons of Springplace
by Robert Reed (Reed)

Lincoln, Nebraska science fiction author Robert Reed is perhaps better known for his 130+ short stories than he is for his 10 novels. The Dragons of Springplace [1999], is his first collection of short stories, and includes two Hugo-nominated works and one Nebula-nominated work. Reed tells very personal tales that stretch the imagination or take standard “types” of stories and go where you don’t expect them to. He is considered by many critics to be one of the best genre short story writers currently working.

See more books like this on our Robert Reed booklist

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

Moving Out: A Nebraska Woman’s Life
by Polly Spence (B Sp275)

It’s true to life; it’s moving; it’s perceptive. And it’s interesting and fun!

Recommended by Bob B.
Bennett Martin Public Library

The Seven Daughters of Eve
by Bryan Sykes (599.935 Syk)

This book has one of the clearest explanations of DNA I’ve ever read. It tracks the theory of mitochondrial DNA passing undiluted from mother to daughter. Among Europeans and North American caucasians, the author finds seven DNA sequences from which most human beings are descended. The writing in this science book is clear and easy to understand.

( publisher’s official Seven Daughters of Eve page )

Recommended by Cindy C.
Technical Processes Department

Deadeye Dick
by Kurt Vonnegut (Vonnegut)

Hysterical fiction at its finest!

( official Kurt Vonnegut Web site )

Recommended by Matt N.
Bennett Martin Public Library

The Horatio Hornblower Saga
on Video/DVD by C.S. Forester (DVD Forester)

Originally adapted for British television, and then shown in the U.S. on the Arts & Entertainment cable network, these tele-films are absolutely excellent translations to the screen of Forester’s novels. These A&E network adaptations (starring Ioan Gruffudd and Robert Lindsay) have so far come in three parts — Hornblower (four 2-hour films in 1998/99 available in DVD format); Horatio Hornblower: The Adventure Continues (two 2-hour films in 2001 available in DVD format); and Horatio Hornblower: The New Adventures (two 2-hour films in 2003 available currently in DVD format).

( Wikipedia page for the Horatio Hornblower TV series )

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

last updated March 2020
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