A long time ago, there was a prophecy, uttered in Latin. A tongue unknown to the speaker. This prophecy spoken in 4 B.C. by a Britain woman during childbirth would direct the lives of not only her family, but the Roman Empire itself, and the rest of Western Civilization. Join author Stephen Baxter has he takes you on a journey through history in Emperor, Conqueror, Navigator, and Weaver.

reading the world

Of the 33 first novels nominated for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (see blog), some have already won major awards, some have been blogged, some became media darlings, some bewitched us, and some chilled and thrilled us.

Here are a few would challenge us, move us and perhaps even grow us a little:

A Girl Made of Dust is written by a woman who experienced firsthand the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the 1980s. It captures both a country and a childhood plagued by a conflict that even at its darkest and most threatening, carries the promise of healing and retribution.

The White King by György Dragomán (translated from the Hungarian by Paul Olchváry). Eleven-year-old Djata's life in the totalitarian state is changed forever when two men lead his father away one day. However brutal, Djata's world is tempered by the hilarious absurdity of the situations, by his enduring faith in his father's return, and by moments of unexpected beauty, hope, and kindness. Startling and heartbreaking, recommended for fans of Mark Haddon, David Mitchell, and Marjane Satrapi.

How the Soldier Repairs the Gramaphone by Saša Stanišić ( translated from the German by Anthea Bell). Fleeing the violence and destruction of his native Bosnia with his family for safety in Germany, Aleksandar Krsmanoviæ remains haunted by the past and his memories of Asija, the mysterious girl he had tried to save and whose fate he is desperate to discover.

A first-time novelist at 76, Bernard du Boucheron caused a literary sensation in France with The Voyage of the Short Serpent, - a tale (translated from the French by Hester Velmans) of a bishop's attempted reclamation of a medieval Scandinavian colony in Iceland. The bishop sets off in the company of the captain and crew of the Short Serpent.

Andrea Davis Pinkney tells the story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott with the poetic rhythm of blues. Readers experience how it must have felt to walk instead of ride for almost a year. Swirling brush strokes, by Brian Pinkney emphasize the turmoil of the times.

The classic children's story by L. Frank Baum gets the “Marvel treatment” in this delightful graphic novel adaptation that is in its 6th week on the New York Times Best Seller List for Hardcover Graphic Books. Eric Shanower, the writer and artist of the Age of Bronze series, and artist Skottie Young worked together on this amazing comic that is faithful to the original book, which is a bit different from the 1939 film. No ruby slippers here – Dorothy inherits silver shoes when her house falls on the Wicked Witch of the East.

One of the best things about this series is the really fantastic artwork – Oz was re-imagined by the artists, but in a way that maintains the spirit of the original story. I really loved the new look of the Wicked Witch of the West, the ultra green spookiness of the Emerald City and the highly emotional Tin Man – who looks a little more like the Tin Man of Baum’s books. A must-have for Oz fans. The first issue of The Marvelous Land of Oz - a sequel that follows the second book in the Oz series, has just been released.

Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox is coming out in movie theaters November 25th. It tells the story of a clever fox who outwits his farmer neighbors to steal their chickens. George Clooney and Meryl Streep are the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Fox and the cast also includes Bill Murray, Willem Defoe, and Owen Wilson.

While you're waiting for the movie to hit theaters, why not check out the film version of one of Dahl's other books, such as the classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from 1971, starring Gene Wilder, or the newer Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from 2005, starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton. The library also has the movie versions of Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, which was also directed by Tim Burton, The Witches, which features the voice of Anjelica Huston, and Matilda, which stars Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. All Dahl's books and the movies based on them have a creepy side to them that is great if you are wishing Halloween hadn't come and gone so quickly!

You can learn more about Roald Dahl on his website.

mongol rider

Christina Dodwell is a remarkable adventurer/traveler who also happens to be a very good writer. Her adventurous lifestyle began by chance in 1975 when she and a friend on holiday in North Africa were left abandoned and on foot by their fellow travelers. Instead of making it to the nearest airport they went on a voyage of 1,000 miles on rivers in equatorial Africa in a dugout canoe.

After her African adventure, Dodwell decided to go solo through the highlands, jungles and along the Sepik River of Papua New Guinea. Part of her journey (only 1,000 miles or so!) was on horseback where she encountered Stone-Age tribes, crocodile hunters, tribal wars and swamp-forests. In Papua New Guinea is her book about this incredible trek.

Her next adventure, detailed in A Traveller in China, began in Kashgar, an ancient hub on the Silk Road in northwestern China. She canoed in Lake Karakol, followed Marco Polo’s route to Beijing, canoed the Yellow River and was one of the first westerners to witness the Dragon Boat Race on Lake Erhai.

If that hasn’t whet your appetite for armchair adventure, check your pulse and two other books authored by Dodwell: A Traveller on Horseback and Travels with Pegasus: a Microlight Journey across West Africa

P Swayze

We have the new audiobook The Time of my Life written by Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi. Patrick Swayze died this past September, at age 57, twenty months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His book is a reflection on love, life, and his fight with cancer. What is really great about this book is that it is written from the heart. Patrick tells us much more about his life than just being diagnosed with cancer. He describes his childhood in Texas, his personal struggles, his rise to fame, and his wife who has stood by his side through it all. It is an inspirational story and a love story all rolled into one, and he wears his heart on his sleeve when he recounts his life for us.

Join Carrie Elizabeth Morris for an unusual and entertaining shadow puppet experience for the whole family this Friday evening at 7:00 pm at the Downtown Library. Weather Channels incorporates video, shadows, narration and fun for Kindergarten and up! Carrie will invite the audience for a behind-the-screen demo of how she weaves her spell.