What
would happen if every human on planet Earth spontaneously disappeared?
How long would it take for Mother Nature to reclaim the landscape and
return to her primordial roots? That’s the theory that distinguished
journalist Alan Wiesman poses in his book The
World Without Us. The results of this theory are fascinating.
After a few short days without power, the Hudson River would start to
reclaim the subway of New York City. The Panama Canal, perhaps one of
man’s greatest technological achievements, would spill over to flood the
Isthmus of Panama after a mere 20 years without maintenance. Wiesman
engages the reader with discussions of just how quickly the earth would reclaim
man-made structures. However he also reports from areas where the natural
environment exists with little to no human influences like Poland’s ancient
Białowieźa Forest or the stark Korean Demilitarized Zone. This books’
subject matter is fantastically simple and yet exploring this topic is both
interesting and shocking. This engrossing piece of nonfiction not only
vividly describes the natural wonders of planet Earth but also the ephemeral
nature of humankind.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click Here to view in the catalog.
The Kings of Leon, brothers Nathan, Caleb, and Jared Followill and their
cousin Matthew have emerged with their latest effort Only by the Night as a worthy successor to U2’s brand of arena
ready, sing-along-with-a-lighter-in-the-air rock. Although their 3 earlier albums have a
comparatively more rowdy, indie vibe, Only
by the Night offers a unique blend of southern rock and blues. From the opening chords of the spooky
“Closer” to the one-two-three punch of the tracks “Sex on Fire”, “Use Somebody”
and “Manhattan” the crunching guitar riffs and heavy bass lines provide the
perfect vehicle to showcase lead singer Caleb Followill’s raspy, Tennessee
drawl. Expect this record to be on
heavy rotation throughout your mp3 or CD player. Whether you’re a fan of classic or indie
rock, this one album will simultaneously satisfy your musical sweet tooth.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
One of the most buzzed about TV shows of the last few years is
the wonderfully addicting drama LOST. The series ropes you in from the opening
moments and the 5 seasons that follow only prove that LOST is one of the most intelligent dramas on television
today. After an oceanic flight from
Sydney to Los Angeles crashes on a deserted island 1,000 miles off course, 48
survivors must learn to survive together.
Among the survivors include Jack, the islands resident doctor; Kate, the
on-the-run criminal; Sayid, an Iraqi interrogator; Sawyer, the con man; Charlie,
the one hit wonder, and the mystifying John Locke. Simple survival is their first priority, but
they soon realize that the island is not as it seems. There are mysterious hatches in the ground,
polar bears roaming the island’s jungles, a French distress call playing on a
loop for sixteen years, and the harrowing realization that the survivors are
not the only ones on the island. Through
a series of character centric flashbacks the viewer gets a glimpse into the
past (and in some cases, future) of these castaways and realize that it may be
more than sheer chance that brought them to together.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
Take five ego-fueled, underachieving, arrogant friends, a bar
they co-own and operate, add some alcohol and what do you get? It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This show is without a doubt one of the
funniest shows on television today. It’s
one of those comedies where you can watch a single episode over and over again
and produce belly-aching laughs every time.
Often described as Arrested
Development meets Seinfeld meets South Park, Its Always Sunny is in a comedic league of its own. The show centers around Charlie, Mac, Dennis,
Dennis’ sister Dee, and their father Frank who run Paddy’s Irish Pub in Philly.
With Its
Always Sunny no topic is too crass, too dark or too irreverent. With
episode titles like “The Gang finds a Dead Guy” or “The Gang goes Jihad”, you
know no topic is off-limits. This show
isn’t for the easily offended, but if you enjoy politically incorrect humor,
let your guard down and dive into the madness.
You won’t regret it!
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
Imagine that it was possible to get a momentary glimpse of your future. Do you think you change the future you saw or are you destined to live the life you glimpsed? Robert J. Sawyer's novel Flashforward explores those questions and many more. Physicists Lloyd Simcoe and Theo Procopides are conducting a high tech experiment in hopes of capturing an elusive nuclear particle. As soon the experiment starts, the whole world's consciousness jumps ahead by 21 years and everyone on earth is treated to a 2 minute glimpse into their future. Lloyd's flash forward reveals him with a woman who is not his fiancé, and he begins to question his upcoming nuptials. Theo does not have a vision during the blackout, and through an intense investigation he discovers that his future is to be murdered. Theo tries intently to solve his own murder and alter the course of his morbid fate. Flashforward is an engaging cautionary science fiction thriller with a great commentary on free will versus destiny. Most people have fantasized about knowing the future, but this novel will make you realize what a double edged sword knowing it can be.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
In the small town of Odessa, nestled in the heart of West Texas, high school football is a way of life. Every Friday night people from far and wide descend upon the stadium of their national pastime. The story of Friday Night Lights is not just a story of athletic prowess or football glory, and although those themes are present, the heart of the narrative is about the town Odessa itself and its relationship with life, race, and of course football in the late 1980's. The hopes and dreams of a community rest on the adolescent shoulders of its star football players. Some players live for the second they can put on the Panthers uniform and run out on the field, while others struggle with the high-pressure environment in such a little town. Odessa is a small town with its spirit crushed by the downturn of the oil industry and a feeling of general disparity hovers over its residents. But on Friday nights, whether they be rich or poor, black, white, or Hispanic, they are bound together under the lights of Ratliff Stadium where the Permian Panthers not only play for football glory, but for the hopes, dreams and aspirations of an entire community.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
To the outside world Dexter Morgan is everything an upstanding member of society should be. He's a highly respected lab technician for the Miami Dade Police Department. He's polite, handsome, supportive, and knows just the right things to say. But appearances can be deceiving. This seemingly normal young man is harboring what he likes to call his "Dark Passenger" who drives him to commit the occasional dismemberment. But Dexter's not just a bloodthirsty brute, he only kills the dredge of society-those who prey on the innocent. Dexter is fully aware of his monstrous side; however he is extremely likeable even when he's stalking a potential victim. Armed with a sarcastic (and often times self-deprecating) wit, Dexter rids Miami of one criminal after another. Until the victims of another serial killer show up. Resembling an uncanny resemblance to his own murders, these victims fascinate Dexter. As he becomes involved in the case through his police officer sister Deborah, he realizes that this killer isn't just copying his technique but inviting Dexter into a macabre game of cat and mouse. Despite the sometimes shocking subject matter, the reader cannot help but to root for Dexter as he discovers both the human and monster in him. The story, as told through inner voice of Dexter, the story is wickedly funny, fast paced, gritty and highly original.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
There are certain moments in American history which define a generation. One such moment occurred in January 1986, as much of America watched live as the space shuttle Challenger launched from Florida. A mere 73 seconds after liftoff, the unthinkable happened and the shuttle exploded in front of a stunned nation. The Time it Takes to Fall chronicles the coming-of-age story of young Dolores Gray juxtaposed against the backdrop of the trials and tribulations of the NASA space program in the 1980's. The story begins in 1984 and 11 year old Dolores dreams of becoming an astronaut like her idol, Judith Resnik. She's a faithful follower of each launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center where her father works as booster technician. When her father is laid off, however, her family quietly disintegrates. Now forced with increasing responsibilities at home, her life quickly spirals out of control. Coupled with the loss of her first love and the Challenger Disaster, Dolores struggles to find her identity in this new, disillusioned world.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.
29,0208 feet, 8,848 meters. The highest spot on the planet. The Nepelese call her Sagarmatha, the Tibetans call her Chomolungma but most of the world knows her by the name of Everest. On May 10, 1996 Jon Krakauer, a columnist for Outside Magazine straddled the summit of Everest, snapped a few photos to document his accomplishment and began his descent towards his camp. When Krakauer turned his back on the top of the world, he had no idea that a murderous, freak storm was about to bear down on more than 30 climbers attempting to summit that fateful afternoon. Linked by an intense desire to conquer the most daunting of mountains, members of Everest expeditions pay thousands of dollars for months of being exposed, frozen, and injured on an unforgiving slab of rock and ice. The author introduces the reader to an interesting cast of fellow adventurists as they started their perilous climb from Kathmandu upwards to the summit of Everest. Krakauer takes the reader along for the ride step-by-step, over deep crevasses, exposed slabs of rock and into aptly named Death Zone of 26,000 feet and above. A thrilling read.
Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view book in the Catalog.
