In the News...

Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods...monster storms aren't just a present-day phenomenon. Read about one of Long Island's worst storms in R.A. Scotti's gripping true story Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938. This dramatic recreation of the hurricane that ripped apart Long Island and the New England coast, has been praised by critics and book groups alike. Scotti draws on archival footage, newspaper accounts, and the personal testimony of survivors. Or, you may want to read Hurricane!, by Joe McCarthy, an earlier book about this same storm that left 650 people dead and 1,754 injured.

Recent reports of tornadoes on Long Island are causing quite a stir. Those unfamiliar with this less frequent but devastatingly destructive event may want to learn the basics from Tornadoes by Michael Allaby. Part of the Dangerous Weather series, these books explain our weather in layman's terms with diagrams and photos.

Tornado Hunter: Getting Inside the Most Violent Storms on Earth by Stefan Bechtel with Tim Samaras tells us the remarkable story of storm chasers who spearhead daring missions to extract secrets from Earth's most violent weather. You'll see the first ever photos from inside a tornado and meet survivors with incredible tales.

Preparedness is the key to the Island's wild weather. Check at the Reference Desk for information from our Emergency Management vertical file, or get advice from one of our numerous books on the subject, such as The Homeowner's Hurricane Handbook by Bob Sterns.

Book Discussion: A Trip to the Stars

Wednesday, September 22
7 to 8:30 p.m.

Written by poet Nicholas Christopher, this unique coming-of-age tale and love story shows us what happens when we lose what matters most. In 1965, a young boy and his aunt become separated when the child is kidnapped by a wealthy uncle. Despite this unnerving event, mysterious ties continue to link the two over the next fifteen years that they are apart.

Spanning several continents, A Trip to the Stars is seeped in mystery, romance, and intellectual adventure. Sign up for the discussion and pick up a book at the Reference Desk.

Patron Picks

Thank you to everyone who participated in Riverhead Reads, our annual adult summer reading club. Here are some of the top-rated book picks from our patrons.

The Shack by William P. Young was one of the most requested books of 2007. Set deep in the Oregon wilderness, it tells the tale of the brutal murder of a family's youngest daughter and her father's attempt to reconcile it--with himself and with God. Multiple copies of this book are available, so if you have not already read it, now is the time!

For those who enjoy reading Pultizer Prize-winning authors, Geraldine Brooks is a must. Her latest title, People of the Book, is enthusiastically read by book groups and receives high praise from our patrons. The story of rare-book expert Hanna Heath takes us back in time as she discovers a series of tiny artifacts in a volume's ancient binding and pieces together the mystery of the book's origins.

Those who enjoy a lighter read may want to try out New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer whose sizzling modern-day western Fearless is sure to please romance readers. Set in the wide open spaces of Texas, it pits an undercover DEA agent against a fiercely independent female rancher.

Finally, The Summons is one of author John Grisham's more current legal thrillers. As a beloved and powerful judge lays dying, he issues a summons for both of his sons to return home. But the judge dies too soon for the meeting to take place, leaving behind a shocking secret.

Look for more Patron Picks on the September 2010 display.