The Civic Center Library has compiled new pathfinder! It provides an annotated guide to reference books, websites, and other resources that contain statistics on population, health, crime, business, and dozens of other topics. For more library resources and subject guides, please visit the Civic Center's resource page .

News from the Book Place
1608 Grant Avenue, Novato
415-209-0212

Summer Blowout Sale
Make your plans now to be at the Book Place for their Summer Blowout Sale August 5 through 12. Save 50% off already-low prices on everything in the store, including Better Books! Stock up on summer vacation reading or build your stash for the coming months. The sale winds down with a bag sale the last two days, August 11 and 12. We're making room for recent donations!!

Hours:

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10-4
Wednesday: 12-4
Friday: 10-7
Sunday: 12-4
Closed Monday

The Book Place is operated by the Friends of the Marin County Free Library, a nonprofit volunteer organization devoted to raising funds for the libraries. You can help by volunteering at the store (call Nancy Montgomery, 883-5628), by becoming a member of the Friends (call Ginny Schultz, 883-5488) and by donating books and buying books at The Book Place.

For more information about the Friends and The Book Place, visit our website: http://marinlibraryfriends.marin.org.

At the Branches

HOURS and LOCATIONS
Marin County Free Library branches are located throughout East and West Marin. Open days and hours of operation vary by branch. With 11 locations to choose from as well as 24/7 access on our website to reference assistance, the online catalog, databases, and eBooks you'll never be far from the information you need.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET CLASSES
The Marin County Free Library offers classes and one-to-one tutoring in computer basics, the Internet, e-mail, the Library’s online resources, Microsoft Word, Excel, and more. Please check our website for times, locations, and registration information.

BOOKCLUBS
Marin County Free Library branches host a wide variety of monthly reading groups. Club members meet each month for a lively discussion about a particular book or theme. Please check our bookclub listing for locations, times, selections, and contact information.

STORYTIMES
The Marin County Free Library offers storytimes at each of the branches for children in various age groups. Please check our Storytimes page for times and ages.

BOOKMOBILE
The Marin County Free Library Bookmobile visits geographically isolated communities throughout the County. Most stops are made twice within a four-week period each month. Copies of the Bookmobile schedule are available at all County Library branches and on the Bookmobile’s webpage.

BRANCH EVENTS
The Marin County Free Library hosts a wide variety of cultural and educational branches responsive to the needs in our communities. In addition to special events for adults, teens, and kids, the Library hosts regular book clubs, storytimes, bilingual and Spanish language events. For further information about specific Library Events and Classes please visit our branch event webpage or our online calendar for a complete listing.

Place your request early and be one of the first to check out these new releases.
Annotations adapted from publishers' advance materials and the MARINet catalog.

	Crisis by Robin Cook Dr. Robin Cook, the inventor of the medical thriller--and bestselling author of "Coma, Abduction, Invasion, Marker," and many other chilling novels--now shows readers a healer's dark side, in the terrifying story of a doctor who plunges into a web of corruption and lies.
	The Reluctant Mr. Darwin by David Quammen An intimate portrait of the reclusive English biologist and the making of his theory of evolution.
	Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston The marriage of a seemingly perfect couple dissolves into a complicated dance of affairs, lovers, and admirers.
	Ricochet by Sandra Brown From the author of Chill Factor, tight plotting, a hot love story with some nice twists and a credible ending help make this a stand-out thriller.
	Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen Megan, host of the country's highest ranking talk show--before she uttered profanity on air--and her social worker sister Bridget share smart mouths, a fractured childhood, and a powerful connection that even the worst tragedy can't rupture.
	The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth Typical of Forsyth's work, this is a tense story of technology vs. evil, starting slowly yet building to an exciting climax that makes the read well worth it.
	The Ice Man by Philip Carlo Confessions of a Mafia contract killer - true crime from The Night Stalker author.
	Coronado: Stories by Dennis Lehane Lehane (Mystic River) hints in the first of these five richly vernacular stories and one play that "a small town is a hard place to keep a secret."
	The Foreigner's Gift: the Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq by Fouad Ajami Ajami applies his political commentary, his deep historical view, his mastery of the Arabic language and Arabic sources, and his prose to every aspect of his subject, wresting a coherent and textured picture from the media storm of fragmented information.
	Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks Fifty years from now, the world is a very different place. Thousands live in highly fortified strongholds, and demons have taken over. The Knights of the Word are on a quest to rescue a group of young people who hold the hope of the world.

Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.

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New Audio Books

The following audio book titles have recently been added to our collection. A complete list of the MARINet libraries' audio CD & cassette holdings is available online via a quick search.

	Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs [CD Format] From the bestselling author of "Running with Scissors" comes his most provocative collection of true stories yet. Readers should be forewarned and read the label: hilarious, troubling, and shocking results might occur.
	Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich [CD and Cassette Formats] In Trenton, New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum is trying to track down a female stalker. Will the ticking clock stop at the stroke of twelve, or will a stranger in the wind find a way to stop Stephanie Plum ... forever?
	The Judgment of Paris: The revolutionary decade that gave the world impression by Ross King [CD Format] Out of the fascinating story of "the two poles of art" of the time, Ernest Meissonier and Édouard Manet, and illuminated by their legendary supporters and critics, King recalls a seminal period when Paris was the artistic center of the world, and a revolutionary art movement had the power to electrify and divide a nation.
	Mayflower: A story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrick [CD and Cassette Formats] Convinced that God is leading them to the New World, a flock of devout Pilgrims bravely cross the Atlantic. But after violent storms carry them far north of Hudson's River, they fight icy New England winds to build crude shelters. When half die of starvation and cold that winter, the weakened survivors have little hope of facing the specter of Indian attack.
	Black Swan Green by David Mitchell [CD Format] A novel of boyhood on the cusp of adulthood and the old on the cusp of the new, tracking a single year of 13-year-old Jason Taylor's life in Worcestershire in a dying Cold War England, 1982.

Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.

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Music CD Collections

Sit back with someone special on a long summer night and enjoy the soothing sounds of these amazing female vocalists - contemporary highlights from our collection of jazz music available on CD. A complete list of the MARINet Libraries' music CD, cassette, & record holdings is available online via a quick search.

	Come Away with Me by Norah Jones Blending intimations of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, Norah's voice is mature beyond her years. This, her 2003 breakthrough album, is the cornerstone of modern blues and soulful music.
	Dreaming Wide Awake by Lizz Wright From the deep-in-the-pocket, earthy soul of “Hit The Ground” (co-written with Jesse Harris and Toshi Reagon), to the buoyant Fender Rhodes groove of “Trouble,” or the hazy, aching title track, each of Wright's original compositions casts an unforgettable spell. -- Verve Music Group
	The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Krall The 2004 album from this Grammy winning, multi-platinum selling, jazz vocalist debuted at #4 with 6 songs co-written by Krall and Elvis Costello.
	Ask a Woman who Knows by Natalie Cole Featured in the PBS broadcast, Great Performances, Natalie's latest musical treasure trove finds her equally at home within a big band setting, lush symphonic arrangements, and an intimate quintet. -- PBS.org
	Show Me by Kate McGarry A true stylist with a fresh perspective…dares to combine a reverence for the jazz form with a decidedly alternative approach. -- Billboard
	The Dana Owens Album by Queen Latifah Ms. Latifah shows a new found level of maturity with this host of jazz classics and R&B favorites. Sultry and seductive, Latifah's vocals slide over the warm, organ-drenched instrumentals.
	Double Standards by Lea DeLaria DeLaria is a confident vocalist & interpretative singer with a warm tone and spirited sense of rhythm, here applying a jazz approach with impressive scat solos to a unique selection of rock classics.

Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.

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New DVDs and Videos

The following DVD/video titles have recently been added to our collection. Complete lists of the MARINet libraries' DVD and video holdings are available online via a quick search.

	Mrs. Henderson Presents [DVD Format] Dame Judy Dench portrays a recent widow determined make a success of her failing theatre. Casting artistic nudes in a non-stop review, she offers light relief to soldiers in the face of London's bombing.
	The Matador [DVD Format] Pierce Bronsan stars as a freelance assassin loosing his touch, whose chance encounter with a businessman in a Mexico City bar results in an unusual pairing.
	Proof [DVD Format] A devoted daughter, played by Gwenyth Paltrow, comes to terms with the death of her father through an intriguing equation. Anthony Hopkins fulfills the role of Paltrow's father, a brilliant mathematician whose genius is crippled by mental insanity.
	Must Love Dogs [DVD Format] Sarah Nolan is divorced, demoralized and dateless - until her sister posts her profile online. Now she has a lot of dates, mainly with weirdos, weepers, lechers and jocks, but may be passing up a real chance for love that lies in front of her eyes.
	The Producers [DVD Format] A musical motion picture from 2005 starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Will Farrell, and Uma Thurman. Max Bialystock is a theatrical producer who sweet-talks rich old women to get them to invest in his Broadway plays. Then he meets Leo Bloom, who innocently realizes that if Max were to get a lot of money to invest in play which was a guaranteed flop, that they would be rich.

Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.

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Kid's Corner

Our children's collection is constantly expanding with new DVD/video titles such as these. A complete list of children's DVD and video holdings is available online.

	Bee Season [DVD Format] Eliza demonstrates such an amazing gift for spelling any word given to her that her father Saul insists on coaching her himself. As Eliza's success continues, Saul's newfound devotion grows...causing huge changes for the entire family.
	The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion, the witch and the wardrobe [DVD and VHS Format] Classic tale of an old wardrobe that magically transports three children to the world of Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures.
	Dreamer [DVD Format] Inspired by a true story of Kentucky horse trainer, his daughter, and a championship filly with a broken leg. Taking on the injured horse turns out to be a much-needed salve to the nearly broken family, including Ben's wife and father.
	Nanny McPhee [DVD and VHS Format] Starring Emma Thompson, Nanny McPhee proves she has the ability to work wonders, wielding her magic stick to change the fate of window Brown and his bratty brood.
	Glory Road [DVD Format] Don Haskins, a future Hall of Fame coach of tiny Texas Western University, bucks convention by simply starting the best players he can find: history's first all-African American lineup

Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.

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Other recommendations for reading, viewing, and listening

Looking for fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, local authors, audio books, or DVDs? Check out some of our most popular recommendations for adults, teens, and kids.

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E-Connect staff:

E-Connect is an online publication distributed monthly by the Marin County Free Library.
Alysanne Taylor, Administrative Services Associate, editor.

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Past Issues

For past issues of the newsletter, click here.