Where the Fur Flies

Tigers are awesome! This may be why we use them in our literature and advertising as in Detroit Tigers, the Flying Tigers, Pooh Bear & Tigger, Tony the Tiger, and even the Tigers of Tammany. This year, 2010, the Chinese New Year will honor the "Year of the Tiger."

The tiger is a member of the Felidae family. They are the largest of the four "big cats." Check out our materials for a better understanding of this majestic creature. Even in fiction writings, their grandeur is apparent.

Tiger by Stephen Mills. What does a tiger do in its spare time? Learn their behavior, social structure, breeding patterns, family life, eating, and communication habits. Also addressed is the religious significance of tigers, conservation efforts, and where to observe them in the wild.

Life in the Valley of Death: The Fight to Save Tigers in a Land of Guns, Gold, and Greed by Alan Rabinowitz. "This book is not your typical chronicle of rescuing wildlife. Rather it's a clear-eyed rendering of conservation's unruly, dangerous, and chaotic side." (Audubon) If you have read Rabinowitz's Jaguar: Struggle and Triumph in the Jungles of Belize, you will enjoy this story of his crusade to save the tiger. This is also a preferred book on the Riverhead Reads book list for winter 2010.

The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and Their Culture by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. From the author of The Hidden Life of Dogs, Thomas will have cat lovers purring. Though you may not always agree with her, she will provide insights into how all cats, big or little, are similar. The most enthralling subject in this book proves to be the tiger. A delightful book for those who don't mind her sometimes wild observations.

Tigers in Red Weather: A Quest for the Last Wild Tigers by Ruth Padel. Take a journey with Padel in her memoirs to various parts of the eastern hemisphere to spot tigers. Learn how and why the number of these beautiful animals are diminishing. Padel still manages to give us hope by providing a list of tiger-focused charities for concerned readers.

And for those who want to enjoy the tiger in motion, try India: Kingdom of the Tiger by IMAX cinema. Journey to India and come face to face with the Bengal tiger. Enjoy this stunning clarity of the tiger at work on DVD.

Another DVD, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, though not about the lives of tigers & dragons, takes the name of two powerful creatures. Set in 19th century China, two master warriors come face to face as if they were a tiger and dragon. Action packed!

Riverhead Reads

Sign up now at the Reference Desk for the Adult Winter Reading Club 2010. Read or listen to any book for a chance to win prizes in weekly raffle drawings. Get extra chances to win by reading a book from our preferred reading list. This winter's theme is Riverhead Reads: Making a Difference Globally & in Your Community. Check out the newest display with the presents on the top shelf for a sampling of these books. Here are a few....

The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz is the inspiring story of a woman who left a career in international banking to embark on a quest to understand and tackle global poverty. It all started on a trip to Africa where the author saw a boy wearing a cherished blue wool sweater she had donated to Goodwill eleven years earlier.

For those who want to know how to get involved,Volunteerism edited by Frank McGuckin is an excellent resource. A series of essays and articles lays bare the issues surrounding the topic and introduces private and the national service agencies, including AmeriCorps. While providing thought- provoking critiques about the failure of some efforts, the book also sheds light on the rewards of volunteering.
Animal Investigators: How the World's First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species by Laurel A. Neme, Ph.D. shares behind-the-scenes cases and describes the scientific methods through which the lab safeguards endangered species that are being poached for their body parts. Filled with suspense, this book unfolds like a crime novel.

For readers in the mood for more serious biographies of remarkable people who made a difference, try Failure is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony in her Own Words by Lynn Sherr. Raised as a Quaker with a strong sense of social responsibility, Anthony was a key figure in the women's suffrage movement--but her legacy goes far beyond the vote.

Blue Ribbon Book Stop

For those in a hurry for the holidays, grab a book from our newest display "Short & Sweet: Reading on the Run." These notable short story collections will be on display through December 21, 2009.

Delhi Noir edited by Hirsh Sawhney is part of the Akashic Noir award-winning series that launched in 2004. Each book is comprised of all new stories set in a distinct city and featuring dark tales. The legendary city of Delhi proves fertile ground for tales from the city's underside. The books contributors are as diverse as their stories--from Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs; Punjabis, Biharis, Bengalis, and Keralites.

Close Range: Wyoming Stories is by Annie Proulx, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Shipping News. Set in a landscape both brutal and magnificant, Proulx's collection features stories of cowboys, rodeo riders, and ranches. It includes the tale of Brokeback Mountain from which the award-winning movie was made.

Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen by Stephanie Harrison highlights 35 great stories that have inspired great films. All About Eve, Rear Window, and 2001: A Space Odyssey are much-loved movies that began their lives as short stories. Adaptations gathers together stories that have been the basis for films, many from giants in American literature.

There are many award-winning and unique collections on display, including for specific genres such as science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Check out this display for some quick and satisfying reads.