July 6, 2001 Staff summer-time reading suggestions Despite our best attempts, the library staff has been reading again, and this is what they like... Turning on the girls Benard, Cheryl, 1953- PS3552.E5363 .T8 2001 It's 2000something, the world has just been taken over by women, and things are wonderful, or at least they will be just as soon as the new rulers finish fixing things. Meanwhile, not all men are pleased with this kinder, gentler world. Harmony, a secret men's movement, is planning a violent uprising to put women back in their place. Lisa and Justin are recruited by security forces to infiltrate Harmony. Before long they find themselves in Zone Six - where the unreformable men reside - on the run, trying to save the world as they know it. Cheryl Benard's deftly comic novel gives us a chance to envision a world designed by women and to reflect on how such a world would differ from our own. - reviewed by the publisher The red tent Diamant, Anita PS3554.I227 R43 1997 Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that are about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood - the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers - Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah - the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that are to sustain her through a damaged youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate, immediate connection. - reviewed by the publisher Aftermath Sheffield, Charles PS3569.H39253 A69 1998 "With deep character development and excellent hard science intertwined, Sheffield's _Aftermath_ is a "can't put it down" experience ideal for the summer. When Alpha Centauri goes "supernova" {NOTE: this can't really happen as it is a binary system and for other reasons] earth's inhabitants who are only a mere 4 and 1/2 light years away experience many life altering effects. From a convicted serial killer to members of the Mars Expedition to the President and his aides, all face trials and tribulations only possible in the apocalyptic venue that results from this stellar disturbance." - reviewed by Marty Gordon A Walk in the Woods Bryson, Bill F106 .B92 1998 If you've ever thrown on a pair of boots and hiked a trail for a day, this is certainly the book for you! Travel writer, Bill Bryson, moves back to Vermont after years abroad. Soon after he develops the urge to tackle one the world's longest trails. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Maine to Georgia and covers over 2000 miles. Bill, and his friend Katz hike most of it over the course of a summer. Bill's accounts of Katz are hilarious, and I have to admit, I lost interest in this book after Katz had to leave for home. Katz is such an endearing flake, and its tough to believe Bill can complete the trail without him, but, like the day-to-day tedium of hiking "the AT", I will persevere. - reviewed by Andy Gulati Two new databases This time around we have one old database (with a new name) and one brand new online service. Choose from the links below and take a tour. ingenta (formerly Uncover) Table-of-contents service for over 17,000 periodicals. NOT considered a subject index. Covers many titles from 1988 to the present. BHA (Bibliography of the History of Art) Covering European and American art from late antiquity to the present, the Bibliography of the History of Art indexes and abstracts art-related books, conference proceedings and dissertations, exhibition and dealer's catalogs, and articles from more than 2,500 periodicals. Covers 1973 to the present. Previous What's New selections: 5-2-01 4-13-01 4-6-01 2-19-01 1-4-01