Books listed in this issue of Braille Book Review were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection.
To order books, contact your cooperating library.
Note: For the information of the reader, a notice may appear immediately following the book description to indicate occurrences of strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent occurrence, as in "some strong language."
The Collected Stories of Louis Auchincloss BR 10420
by Louis Auchincloss
4 volumes
Collection of nineteen short stories written between 1949 and
1994. Himself a Wall Street lawyer, Auchincloss is of the world
of upscale New York City, and, like his major influences Edith
Wharton and Henry James, he examines the mores and strictures of
that society. His often-ironic approach provides insights into
seemingly insular characters with a strong code of manners and
ethics. Some strong language. 1994.
Mister Touch BR 10445
by Malcolm Bosse
5 volumes
A dark tale in which a virus has destroyed civilization, leaving
a decayed world of ill people and wild dogs. The Skulls, a group
of survivors, is lead by Mister Touch, a sleazy Wall Street
criminal, who is named for his blindness. He leads a caravan on
a dangerous epic journey to Arizona, where they hope to start a
new civilization. Strong language, violence, and explicit
descriptions of sex. 1991.
The Longest Winter BR 10467
by Julie Harris
3 volumes
John Robert Shaw, twenty-four, was attempting a long solo flight
when his biplane crashed on an Alaskan island in 1926. He was
nursed back to health by Kioki, an Eskimo woman. As years pass,
Shaw slowly adopts the ways of the Native Americans. Seventeen
years later, when the island is evacuated by soldiers, a
scarred, one-armed Shaw returns to see what is left of his life
in South Carolina. 1995.
Seasons of Love BR 10473
by June Masters Bacher
1 volume
In this sequel to Dreams beyond Tomorrow (BR 10472),
pioneer Rachel Lord mourns the death of her newborn daughter.
But she soon returns to teaching, realizing that "God was
pointing out a path of service that would ease her sorrow."
Meanwhile Rachel's husband prepares their grand new home, and
the neighbors learn that gold has been found near their Oregon
town. 1986.
The Edge of the Crazies BR 10474
by Jamie Harrison
3 volumes
Archaeologist Jules Clement has returned to his hometown of Blue
Deer, Montana, at the edge of the Crazy Mountains, where he
follows in his late father's footsteps as sheriff. He finally
has a case of substance when someone shoots screenwriter George
Blackwater through his office window. George survives, but when
his bitter wife becomes a target, she is less fortunate, which
eliminates her as Clement's main suspect. Strong language and
violence. 1995.
Thirteen Stories BR 10478
by Eudora Welty
2 volumes
A collection of short stories celebrating "the lyrical impulse"
by the award-winning southern storyteller. Although the settings
and moods are regional, Welty's theme of the changing mystery of
human relationships does not limit itself. In "The Wide Net" a
young, pregnant wife's pique sets off a community effort to drag
the river. A spoiled, conniving sister is to blame in "Why I
Live at the P.O." Contains two winners of the O. Henry Award.
1965.
The Value of Kindness BR 10486
by Ellyn Bache
2 volumes
A collection of sixteen short stories about ordinary women whose
middle-class lives are graced by kindnesses given or received.
In the title story, Cora finds a sense of importance through
anonymous gifts of her time and respect. This collection won the
Willa Cather Fiction Prize in 1992. Some descriptions of
sex. 1993.
Dream Spinner BR 10489
by Joanne Hoppe
2 volumes
When Mary Barrone's widowed father remarries, the new family
moves into an old Victorian house. For a high school project,
Mary decides to experiment with lucid dreaming--willing herself
to fly in her dreams. She succeeds, and night after night finds
herself flying around her house but during an earlier time in
history. She becomes involved with former residents of the house
and tries to alter history. For junior and senior high readers.
1992.
Much Ado about Prom Night BR 10493
by William D. McCants
1 volume
Becca Singleton left her high school paper to start a peer
counseling program for her classmates. It is successful but her
much-admired former editor keeps writing critical articles about
the program. To make matters worse, Becca's boyfriend cheats on
her, and her counseling is not helping her brother cope with
their parents' divorce. Meanwhile, Becca and her friends agonize
over the upcoming prom. For junior and senior high readers.
1995.
Pippa Passes BR 10494
by Rumer Godden
2 volumes
The romance of Venice captures the imagination of Pippa on her
first tour with the ballet company. At seventeen, she is a
beautiful ingenue and enjoys captivating a handsome gondolier.
She learns, however, that there is a darker side to
attractiveness in the same way that there is a gritty side to
Venice and to life itself. Some strong language and some
explicit descriptions of sex. 1994.
Ronicky Doone's Treasure BR 10498
by Max Brand
2 volumes
"Horse-breaker, mischief-maker, adventurer by instinct," Ronicky
Doone loves a good fight, especially when it's for an underdog.
As reward for helping Hugh Dawn and his daughter escape the
savage revenge of gang leader Jack Moon, Doone is invited to
share in the search for the gold Dawn is hunting. But first they
must get past the vicious Jack Moon. Some violence. 1922.
Rattlebone BR 10499
by Maxine Clair
2 volumes
Rattlebone is a mostly black community outside of Kansas City,
Kansas. Eleven interconnected stories tell of Rattlebone in the
1950s and feature Irene Wilson as she comes of age. Entries
focus on the troubled marriage of Irene's parents, the death of
a boy who has a crush on Irene, and Irene's falling for a boy
from an unusual settlement by the railroad tracks. 1994.
Farm Team BR 10506
by Will Weaver
2 volumes
The high school baseball coach has hopes for Billy Baggs, but
Billy's farm chores take priority over ball. Then Billy's father
is sent to jail, and Billy knows his baseball days are over. But
Billy's mother has an idea: Why not start a team that holds
games Friday nights after chores? The odd assortment of players,
including Billy's dog, are soon good enough to challenge the
town team. Some strong language. For junior and senior high
readers. 1995.
Under My Skin: A Hannah Wolfe Mystery BR 10507
by Sarah Dunant
2 volumes
London private investigator Hannah Wolfe is hired when someone
begins sabotaging Castle Dean, a women's health spa. Hannah soon
identifies the staff member who put maggots in the yogurt and
pulled other pranks to ruin business. But whoever paid the
saboteur has also targeted the spa owner's plastic-surgeon
husband and is still at large. Some strong language, some
violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.
Faces in the Moon BR 10522
by Betty Louise Bell
1 volume
"I was raised on the voices of women. Indian women." So begins
the story of Lucie, who has returned to Oklahoma as her mother
is dying. Memories of three generations of women talking around
the oilcloth-covered table fill Lucie, reminding her of changes
in the Indian culture over time. Stories told over and over
shine down on her, just as her grandmother had promised to watch
down from the moon after she died. 1994.
Pandora's Clock BR 10529
by John J. Nance
4 volumes
After American 747 flight 66 leaves Germany, a passenger has a
heart attack. Pilot James Holland is shocked when London refuses
to let him make an emergency landing. The passenger was exposed
to a mysterious virus and no country (not even the United
States) wants to handle a possible epidemic. Doctor Sanders of
the CIA is Holland's only real ally, but Sanders must convince
the pilot of that in time to save him. Strong language and
violence. Bestseller 1995.
Balboa Firefly BR 10531
by Jack Trolley
2 volumes
Six months ago, San Diego police sergeant Tommy Donahoo received
an anonymous note warning that the airport, which has caused
property values to plummet in the Balboa Park area, must be
relocated. The note was written by desperate realtor Joseph
Foley, who has multiple personalities and plans to shoot a plane
out of the sky. What Foley and Donahoo don't realize is that
someone else is hatching a similar plan. Strong language and
violence. 1994.
Walking the Dog and Other Stories BR 10533
by Bernard MacLaverty
2 volumes
Nine short stories that explore unsettling aspects of Irish
life. In the title story, a man is kidnapped by the IRA while
walking his dog and is disgustedly released. In both
"Compensations" and "Just Visiting," the main characters must
deal with the impending death of a loved one. Strong language.
1994.
The Book of Hrabal BR 10536
by Peter Esterhazy
2 volumes
Esterhazy looks at the changes taking place in countries once
behind the iron curtain through the eyes of a writer, his wife,
and two angels. Anna is pregnant with her fourth child and wants
to have an abortion. Her husband, who is writing a book about
Czech author Bohumil Hrabal, objects. So does God, who sends two
angels to keep an eye on Anna to make sure she does not have the
abortion. Some strong language. 1993.
When She Hollers BR 10540
by Cynthia Voigt
1 volume
One morning Tish warns her stepfather, Tonnie, that she is
carrying a knife at all times. Her mother ignores the
conversation. As Tish walks to school with the knife tucked in
her boot, she thinks about Miranda, the classmate who hanged
herself last week. Tish knows she and Miranda shared the same
problem, but Tish doesn't want to die. Some strong language. For
high school and older readers. 1994.
Blood Dance BR 10545
by James William Brown
2 volumes
On an isolated Greek island, the village is steeped in tradition
and gossip of the past and present. Amalia is a young,
strong-willed woman who wants desperately to escape the island's
hold, but the ties are powerful. The story is told several times
by different people, and each telling has its own link to the
past. The author is American, but lived in Greece for ten years.
Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 1993.
Bone by Bone: Stories BR 10549
by Gary Krist
2 volumes
Collection of thirteen short stories whose characters are
middle-class Americans. In the title story, a woman cuts herself
off from the outside world and retreats into insanity. In
"Baggage," a young man reflects on his insensitivity in leaving
his girlfriend, who uses a wheelchair. "Eclipse" relates a
divorced father's outing with his sons to watch a solar eclipse.
Some strong language. 1994.
Alphabetical Africa BR 10553
by Walter Abish
1 volume
A unique telling of a mystery tale. Alex, Allen, and Alva arrive
in Antibes in the first chapter, which consists only of words
beginning with the letter "a." Each chapter progresses a letter,
until the story reaches Zambia and Zanzibar. Each subsequent
chapter deletes a letter until "Africa another alphabet." In the
process, a murder mystery punctuated with kinky sex is solved.
Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. 1974.
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes BR 10559
by Arthur Conan Doyle
3 volumes
Originally published in 1927, this was Doyle's last collection
of stories featuring Sherlock Holmes. The twelve cases include
"The Illustrious Client," "The Veiled Lodger," and "Thor
Bridge." Includes an introduction by editor W.W. Robson and
Doyle's chronology. 1993.
Next section of Braille Book Review | Previous section of Braille Book Review | Braille Book Review Home Page
Go to the NLS Home Page