Michael Connelly fan?

Get a peek at the book trailer for his new Harry Bosch thriller, The Drop.  Then simply click here to put in your request for a copy.

Science fiction writer Anne McCaffrey

Best selling science fiction novelist, Anne McCaffrey, died November 21, at the age of 85.

She is best known for her popular series, Dragonriders of Pern.  The most recent book in the series, Dragon's Time, was cowritten with her son.

New York Times Notable Books

The 100 top notable books of the year from the NY Times, this list is always a nice way to start your holiday shopping and also to check out what you may have missed out reading this year.

Around the World Adult Summer Reading Program at the Vogelson Branch: June 25-August 6

Travel to “novel” destinations through the library—select a book from our lists or choose your own. Enter our weekly drawing by filling out a raffle form at the library or online. Prizes are awarded weekly. All entrants are eligible for the grand prize drawing Saturday August 6. 

Register for the Adult Summer Reading Program - click on the tab for "Adult Voorhees," click on "Sign Me Up" and follow the instructions to create an account.

View the Adult Summer Reading Booklists

Attend an "Around the World" program.

World Drumming - June 25 This program is full.

Introduction to Scrapbooking – July 19, 6-8:30 p.m.

The Character of the Japanese Garden  - July 23, 2-3

Bollywood Dance Workshop – August 6, 2-3

USA Today Summer Reads

From great new books in 11 different categories to books heading to the movies this summer, USA Today's Summer Read site is bound to have something to entertain you at the beach or the backyard.

 

 

Lilian Jackson Braun

Best selling mystery novelist, Lilian Jackson Braun, died Saturday at the age of 97. She doesn't need an introduction to her many fans. If you're looking for a nice leisurely mystery to fend off the heat, give her "Cat Who" mysteries a try.

She began the series in 1966 with The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, but you don't have to start at the beginning.  Check our catalog for more of her titles.

Or you could try other authors that have a similar style.  Rita Mae Brown's series also feature animals and M.C. Beaton is good for small town life with eccentric characters.  This article from our Novelist database features Braun read-a-likes.

Summer reading - a head start

Memorial Day has past so it's prime season for those summer "best" reading lists. 

Here's your chance to recommend what you think people should try on the Jersey Shore this year.  The Philadelphia Inquirer is looking for suggestions for the best beach books of 2011.  The list will include reader favorites to be published in the paper. 

To get you in the summer reading frame of mind, start with NPR's 2011 Summer Reading site. 

Award winning mysteries

The Mystery Writers of America have announced the winners of their prestigious Edgar Awards.  

Steve Hamilton took home the prize of Best Novel for The Lock Artist, featuring an 18-year-old boy rendered mute by a childhood trauma, who has a natural ability to crack safes.

Best First Novel went to Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva, set in Providence, Rhode Island.

And Robert Goddard's tale of an art heist in World War II England, Long Time Coming, took the Best Paperback Original award.

All of the Edgar nominees comprise a great list of sure-fire winners for mystery readers.

 

And the winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is...

Jennifer Egan's A Visit from the Goon Squad. The book also won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named as a best book of 2010 by Publisher's Weekly, The New York Times, and Time magazine among others.  

The library has both the audio and print version of the book.  Request the book today and find out what everyone is raving about!

Print: http://iii.camden.lib.nj.us/record=b1856456~S8

Audio: http://iii.camden.lib.nj.us/record=b1870390~S8

Synopsis: Bennie Salazar, an aging former punk rocker and record executive, and Sasha, the passionate, troubled young woman he employs confront their pasts in this powerful story about how rebellion ages, influence corrupts, habits turn to addictions, lifelong friendships fluctuate and turn, and how art and music have the power to redeem.

Shakespeare Fiction

Shakespeare's birthday is usually observed on April 23rd.  While it's sometimes difficult to find time to read one of his plays, you can still celebrate by reading other books based on his classic plots.

Here's a list of titles that are either modern re-tellings of Shakespeare's classics or novels featuring and/or inspired by characters he created.

• Fool by Christopher Moore
• Juliet by Anne Fortier
• The story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
• Much ado about murder by Simon Hawke
• The book of air and shadows by Michael Gruber
• The weird sisters by Eleanor Brown
• The tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips

(Thanks to the NYPL for this great list idea.)