Recent and Recommended Books July 2010

Over the past twenty years, we have recorded over 1,000 books by Massachusetts authors, about local personalities, celebrities, regional histories, biographies, lore for children and adults, and the ever-popular sports books about the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. The studio has been making more titles available for your reading interest.

Previously, all of those titles were on cassette, but now we are working hard to convert those titles into the new digital talking book format. We are pleased to offer you an opportunity to order from the first thirty titles we have converted to the new digital cartridge format. Locally produced digital talking book titles have a DBM prefix and an item number following.

Fiction

Consumed in Freedom's Flame: A Novel of Ireland's Struggle for Freedom 1916-1921 by Cathal Liam (DBM 1073)
Resistance to England's centuries-long oppression of Ireland erupted in Dublin's Easter Rising of 1916, and continued for five years more. Young Aran Roe O'Neill joins the rebels, fighting bravely beside such luminaries as Michael Collins and Patrick Pearse, and becoming a part of the romance, heroism, and tragedy of the Irish war for independence. Some violence.

Deadly Nightshade by Cynthia Riggs (DBM 1041)
Ninety-two-year-old poet Victoria Trumbull witnesses a body being dumped in the harbor of her native island, Martha’s Vineyard. Victoria's granddaughter, Elizabeth, and her boss, the harbormaster Domingo, retrieve the body. The three investigate islanders and wealthy visitors alike, but can't prevent another murder. Some violence and some strong language

Inauspicious Times by Appadurai Muttulingham (DBM 1059)
Indian author Muttulingam explores life's tragedies and little jokes in this collection of stories about the human experience. An immigrant father in New England faces the growing separation from his daughter. Maimoon, a Somali woman, accepts being sold into a loveless marriage. An immigrant laborer in Canada resourcefully seeks ways to save money. Subtle, often funny stories to savor.

The Poison Apples by Lily Archer (DBM 1097)
Three unhappy new girls at a posh boarding school have one important thing in common: an itch to get back at their evil step-mothers. In this wickedly funny novel, friendship just may turn out to be more happily-ever-after than family.

The Siamese Silver Pendant by Claudette L. Kiely (DBM 1078)
1955, Walden, New Hampshire. Clarissa Lapointe's life seems simple, and full of fun--picnics, sports, music, and people watching. Then, one hot summer night, she and a man meet. Instantly, they become convinced that they are soul mates, and their lives change dramatically. Forty years later, Clarissa writes the story for her soul mate to read before his death.

The Sisterhood by Michael Palmer (DBM 945)
Patients are dying in Boston Doctors Hospital. A doctor risks his career and his life to reveal why. A beautiful nurse holds the answer. Contains some strong language, some descriptions of sex and violence.

The Widow's War by Sally Gunning (DBM 990)
Cape Cod, 1761. After her husband is lost at sea, Lyddie Berry finds herself a dependent of her miserly son-in-law Nathan Clarke. Inspired by the words of attorney and woman's suffrage supporter James Otis, Lyddie challenges the terms of the will--and society--and attempts to live on her own.

Yellow: Stories by Don Lee (DBM 870)
Interconnected stories provide a portrait of the fictional town of Rosarita Bay, California, and its Asian-American community. The author is editor of the literary journal "Ploughshares." Two stories in this collection won an O.Henry Award and a Pushcart Prize.

Non-Fiction

Beating Time: A Musician's Memoir by Harry Ellis Dickson (DBM 1037)
Heartwarming anecdotes about family and friends abound in this memoir of Dickson's journey from child prodigy to award-winning leader in the Boston music community. Dickson served as Boston Symphony Orchestra's first violinist for five decades, was a conductor of the Boston Pops for 40 years, and founded the Symphony's youth concert series. A raconteur, he collected wonderful stories along the way; and he shares many of them here.

Boston Italians by Stephen Puleo (DBM 1047)
Puleo draws on memoirs, newspapers, and his own family's story to construct a moving history of Italians in Boston's North End community. He accurately and vividly covers the arrival of the first immigrants, the impact of the Depression, experiences in World War II, and the emergence of present-day Italian-Americans.

Candy Freak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America by Steve Almond (DBM 1046)
Yummmm. The author shares his love of candy, and takes readers along as he tours the country, hunting down today's remaining independent candy-producers. This is a tribute to them, and to the joy of Goo Goo Clusters, Pop-a-Licks, and more. Contains some strong language.

Clean to the Touch: Housekeeping for Young People with Visual Impairments by Kathy Bull (DBM 1112)
With a down-to-earth tone, clear directions, and easy-to follow techniques, this pragmatic handbook invites young people with visual impairments to master the basics of daily housekeeping. The overriding emphasis is on the need for a systematic plan for organizing each and every part of a housekeeping task and for consistency in measuring its successful completion.

First Aid/CPR/AED for the Workplace: Participant's Workbook by the American National Red Cross (DBM 1036)
This workbook is written for use by participants in the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Program. It outlines a wide range of emergency care procedures current at the time of the book's publication.

First Aid/CPR/AED Skill Cards for Adults and Children by the American National Red Cross (DBM 1121)
These skills cards are written for use by participants in the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Programs for adults and children. They highlight emergency care procedures current at the time of their publication.

Listen to Our Stories: Words, Pictures, and Songs by Young People with Disabilities by Linda Hillyer, editor (DBM 1094)
An anthology of wonderfully touching and inspiring stories written by children and young adults with different disabilities. Adapted from the website www.listentoourstories.com. Contributors range in age from 5 to 21.

Massachusetts Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival by Larry Pletcher (DBM 1028)
Collected here are twenty-one true tales of catastrophes from Massachusetts history which have greatly tested people's courage and impacted the state. The Spanish Influenza, the Great Molasses Flood, the Coconut Grove Fire, the sinking of the Andrea Doria, and the Blizzard of '78 are included in this compendium of floods, shipwrecks, crashes, and other disastrous events.

The Power Chick's Guide to Boston: In Their Own Words by Geri Denterlein (DBM 1021)
Denterlein, a successful public relations consultant to executives, provides clear advice for young professional women on how to gain power in Boston's professional circles. Her thorough primer includes events to attend and places to dine, as well as quotes from numerous women who are high achievers in the city.

Roger Williams by Edwin S. Gaustad (DBM 1060)
When rebel Puritan clergyman Roger Williams arrived in New England, he introduced unpopular ideas which appalled leaders there. Religious freedom, separation of church and state, respect for Native Americans, and a free judiciary would prove to be concepts fundamental to American history later; however, in 1631, they were considered heretical goals. After five years of causing turmoil at the Plymouth and Salem settlements, Williams was banished for his views. Within months, he was setting up the much more liberal colony of Rhode Island to implement his ideals.

School-to-Work: Developing Transition Portfolios for Students with Significant Disabilities by Wendy Bridgeo (DBM 1119)
Offering a user-friendly approach along with practical suggestions, this instructional book is a vital tool for assisting professionals and parents of students with significant disabilities to help the student make a smooth transition from school to work.

The Tenacity of Unreasonable Beliefs: Fundamentalism and the Fear of Truth by Solomon Schimmel (DBM 1102)
In his passionate critique of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural fundamentalism, an Israeli scholar analyzes the motives, fears, and anxieties that induce fundamendalists to cling so tenaciously to their religious beliefs.

Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids Letters to President Obama by Jory John, editor (DBM 1088)
When Barack Obama was elected president, schoolchildren around the country took pen to paper and told him what was on their minds. Collected here are dozens of their letters, which include everything from warnings about Lincoln's ghost to concerns about the economy and global warming.

The Ultimate Board Member's Book: A 1-Hour Guide to Understanding and Fulfilling Your Role and Responsibilities by Kay Sprinkel Grace (DBM 1055)
In straight-forward, easy-to-read chapters, Grace covers the mysteries of non-profit boards - how boards work and how to be an effective board member. A useful handbook for anyone starting, serving on, or working with a nonprofit board.

User Friendly Emerson: Self Reliance in Simple Words by Bill Montague (DBM 1100)
Self-Reliance is among the most important American works of the 19th century, but modern readers often find it difficult to understand. This shortened version retains the essay's timeless wisdom but makes it more accessible for today.

Children's Books

Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly (DBM 1108)
Why did the Red Sox go 86 years between World Series victories? Was the team cursed for trading the great Babe Ruth to the Yankees? This spirited account surveys nine decades of rotten luck at Fenway Park and the glorious season of 2004 that changed everything. For grades 3-6.

Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad by Pamela Duncan Edwards (DBM 1080)
Many different animals help a young runaway slave escape those seeking to capture him and find his way to freedom. For Kindergarten-grade 3.

In Plain Sight by Carol Otis Hurst (DBM 1071)
Eleven-year-old Sarah blames her stern mother when her father leaves their Massachusetts home for the California gold rush. Sarah must care for the other children and run the household once her mother takes a factory job to support the family. Rescuing her brother from a raging barn fire, Sarah is badly burned. The family moves to her grandfather's house, so that her mother can care for her. Sarah learns to love and understand her mother. For grades 4-7.

Little House by Boston Bay by Melissa Wiley (DBM 1045)
It is 1814, the young men are off fighting in the War of 1812, and Charlotte Tucker and her family are living just outside of the busy city of Boston. Charlotte loves her home. Her father runs a forge, her mother runs the house, and Charlotte and her siblings help out. There are candles to make, corncobs to husk, samplers to sew, and many adventures to be had. For grades 4-7.

Morgy's Musical Summer by Maggie Lewis (DBM 1075)
Sequel to Morgy Coast to Coast (RCM 1054). Continuing his quest to learn to play the trumpet, Morgy goes to Outlook Music Camp in Maine for the summer. His friends Byron and Clara go, too. Will there be bears? There is a bully named Damian, but also swimming, canoeing, and fun games. Morgy has many adventures in his first summer at camp. For grades 3-6.

Torchlight by Carol Otis Hurst (DBM 1076)
1854 in Westfield, Massachusetts. The town's long-time Yankee residents feel threatened by the influx of Irish immigrants. Yankee Charlotte Hodge befriends one of them, Maggie Nolan. Tensions in town rise until the girls help to calm a violent mob. For grades 4-7.

What's so Great About? ... Helen Keller by Amie Jane Leavitt (DBM 1103)
The life story of Helen Keller, the renowned deafblind writer, advocate for the disabled, and tireless supporter of the Perkins School for the Blind is simply told for young readers. Grades 6 to 9.