November 11 is Veterans Day, a day set aside for remembering and honoring the sacrifices and contributions of our soldiers, sailors and airmen. November 11 is particularly memorable because it commemorates the Armistice which ended World War I, one of the bloodiest conflicts in hisory. To get an appreciation of the background to Veterans Day read the excellent book by Joseph E. Persico, Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour which provides a comprehensive overview of the major campaigns of ‘The Great War’, as well as a poignant portrait of the last bloody hours which preceded the official end of the war at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

Its been about a month since the latest Robert Jordan novel Knife of Dreams came out, and over a decade since Rand al'Thor arrived on the scene of fantasy literature. The Wheel of Time series spawned not only a cult following, but also a news network and a neverending plotline. I'm a fantasy reader myself and I loved them.. until about book 7, when I came to the realization that Jordan, like Chris Carter of the X-files, was not in control of his story. Spoilers(not explicit) after the break.

Communications consultant and motivational speaker Carol Dunitz's most recent book, Louder Than Thunder: A Business Parable, focuses on the importance of listening for managers and leaders, but is also relevant to all kinds of interpersonal communication. The author will present her ideas on communication at the Library's next "Sunday Edition" program on Sunday, November 13 at the Downtown Library at 2:00 p.m. Dunitz, who has degrees in English, Speech and Theater, has been active in advertising, public relations and speech writing. Her presentations are lively entertainments complete with costumes and music. More information about the author and the book can be found at the following web site.

The Giller Prize is dedicated to celebrating the best in Canadian fiction each year.

Cirtics called The Time In Between - ”Luminous, haunting, profound,... A beautifully composed, unflinching and harrowing story. Perhaps the best fiction yet to confront and comprehend the legacy of Vietnam.” (Kirkus starred review)

David Bergen is the author of three highly acclaimed novels: A Year of Lesser, a New York Times Notable Book; See the Child; and, most recently, The Case of Lena S., winner of the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award, and a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. He lives in Winnipeg.

The winners of the 2005 National Book Award will be announced on November 16, 2005.
There are five finalists in the "Young People's Literature" category.

Penderwicks by Jean Birdsall
Where I Want to Be by Adele Griffin
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch
Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

John Fowles, celebrated British author, died Saturday, November 5, 2005, in Lyme Regis, England. Fowles had been in poor health for several years.

A prolific writer of fiction, non-fiction, and essays, Fowles is best known for several provocative novels that left his readers guessing at the end. The Collector (1963), The Magus (1966), and the The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1969) were all made into movies that captured the attention of both critics and moviegoers.

A self-proclaimed curmudgeon, Fowles was displeased with his parents, his leadership role at his prep school, all world leaders, and the Royal Marines, not to mention intrusive fans wanting to discuss his work with him.

Fowles, whose last book was Wormholes, was 79.

With all the new releases by favorite authors this fall, The Da Vinci Code is “falling” on the list, this week to #12. The publisher is now contemplating when to release the paperback version. It will be interesting to watch those sale numbers. Is there anyone who has not read the book?

At #1 is At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks: a continuation of the inspiring love story from True Believer.

At #6 is The Ambler Warning by Robert Ludlum: with a nod to the great spy novelist Eric Ambler, this latest thriller by Ludlum involves a former agent escaping from government custody in order to establish his true identity.

On track and field day Ziggy knows he won't win a blue ribbon for running or jumping. He wishes there was a ribbon for what he loves most, drawing. Ziggy finds that doing what you love is the key to success. Claudia Mills writes this simple book with a winning message for young children. The brightly colored illustrations capture the innocence of childhood.

It is hard to believe that I stayed up all night with a teen novel, a vampire one at that. Twilight (film rights to MTV) took hold almost immediately and I was furiously turning pages (498 of them) – riveted, spooked and delightedly hooked. The basic storyline is one of a pair of 17 year-old star-crossed lovers, except for one fabulous twist – Bella is a potential meal for Edward, who is a vampire.
I don’t want to give too much away here but you could read up on the reviews. When you have the book in hand, plan on an all-nighter. And don’t go looking for other novels by Stephanie Meyer, this is her first! Let's hope she is working on the next one.

Renee Montagne talks to James Geary about his book "World in a Phrase" on the NPR program, Morning Edition, Tuesday 11-1-05. Geary has collected aphorisms from throughout history. It's a great idea. Pithy statements are so enjoyable. When Geary isn't writing books, he is the Europe editor for Time magazine.

One of many treasures in the book is the following;
"You ought to be thankful, a whole heaping lot,
For the places and people you're lucky you're not."
Dr. Seuss (1904-1991)