Friday, January 16, 2015

Dystopian fiction: a popular subgenre of science fiction

Dystopian fiction is typically concerned with futuristic societies that purport to be "perfect" but which, in reality, are negative, repressive, and generally unhealthy places. Dystopian is the opposite of utopian which refers to a society where everything runs smoothly and freely.

Dystopian novels have gotten very popular over the last several decades counting books like The Giver, Divergent, Ender's Game and the Hunger Games trilogy among the successes. If you would like to read some current titles in this genre, here are some to try:

Golden Son by Pierce Brown


The Bees by Laline Paull

Dark Eden by Chris Beckett

A History of the Future by James Howard Kunstler

Spark: A Novel by John Twelve Hawks

Monday, December 29, 2014

Wishing and hoping for snow?....how about a little snow with your fiction?

Snow can evoke mystery and memory. Snow brings to mind images and thoughts of events past and perhaps even dreamed of. Fiction with snow as its atmospheric backdrop puts us in the mood to curl up on a cozy chair and read!

Here are some books that incorporate snow into the story:

Angels in the Snow: A Novella by Melody Carlson, 2002


As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway, 2005

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, 2005 (6th in the Outlander series)

Dashing Through the Snow by Hary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, 2008

Last Snow by Eric Van Lustbader, 2010 (2nd in Jack McClure series)

 Light on Snow: A Novel by Anita Shreve, 2004





Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Holiday Traditions -- Christmas Movies

As with other holiday traditions, many of us have our favorite Christmas season movies that we like to see each year. Occasionally a new classic is created, but more often than not, we turn to those reliable "comfort" movies to watch with family and friends.

Here are some holiday favorites available at our libraries:

White Christmas starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye

How the Grinch Stole Christmas narrated by Boris Karloff

It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed
Scrooge starring Albert Finney

A Christmas Story starring Peter Billingsley and Darren McGavin



Monday, November 24, 2014

Keeping up with the latest good reading material in large print

We have a varied, well-stocked large print collection for our patrons who like to read books with print sizes a little larger than that of regular print. We purchase the latest and greatest books in this format, so if you cannot find what you are looking for, please let us know.

Here is a sampling of some of our recent additions to the collection:

Gray Mountain by John Grisham
The Lost Key by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison
Paris Match by Stuart Woods
The Perfect Witness by Iris Johansen
The Stories We Tell by Patti Callahan Henry





Saturday, November 8, 2014

A look at the American Revolution and the old South

Grasping the history of early America takes time and study. As this early history relates specifically to our state of South Carolina, I've selected several books here to get you started on understanding our collective early past. These resources encompass different aspects of that past so that you are able to get a fuller picture of the way things were. 

Partisans & Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution by Walter Edgar

A History of the Old South by Clement Eaton

An American Revolution in Indian Country: Crisis and Diversity in Native American Communities by Colin G. Calloway

The Loyalists: The Story of Those Americans Who Fought Against Independence by Donald Barr Chidsey

An Outline History of the American Revolution by Colonel R. Ernest Dupuy and Colonel Trevor N. Dupuy





Friday, October 24, 2014

Information about legal questions of all kinds

Before contacting a lawyer or becoming involved in a formal process, many people want to do some background research on their particular situations first. You might only need a form to use or perhaps you want to check the statutes in our state. Whatever your reasons may be, we offer a variety of references to assist you in becoming familiar with different aspects of the law for a variety of issues. Have a look at some of our newest additions, and if you don't see something you need, look in our catalog for more options.

Librarians are also always available for consultation in finding just the right resource, so please do call on us!

Neighbor law : fences, trees, boundaries & noise / Emily Doskow and Cora Jordan


Nolo's deposition handbook / Paul Bergman, Albert Moore


Nolo's encyclopedia of everyday law : answers to your most frequently asked legal questions / Shae Irving, J.D. & the editors of Nolo

Nolo's IEP guide : learning disabilities / Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel

Criminal law : a desk reference / Paul Bergman



Monday, October 13, 2014

Near-death experiences: are they real?

In recent years, it seems there have been quite a few personal accounts published of people dying--or almost dying, and then returning to life. Can these be true glimpses into heaven? Read about them and see what you think. Could it be possible?
Glimpsing Heaven: The Stories and Science of Life After Death by Judy Bachrach, 2014
Proof of Heaven : A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander, 2012
To Heaven and Back : A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again; A True Story by Mary C. Neal, MD, 2012
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven : A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life Beyond This World by Kevin & Alex Malarkey, 2010