LIBRARY NEWS

Many more large print books added to library’s collection

By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

Regular visitors to the library and loyal readers of this column have noticed recently that there are many more new large print books being added to the library’s collection. This bonanza is a result of two actions by library staff in response to patron demand.

First, as new books are purchased – especially those on the Publishers Weekly and New York Times bestseller lists – we check to see if any of the titles are available in large print. Because of budget constraints, we rarely can afford to purchase two copies of the same book. But on average now, we are purchasing about half our new titles in large print, and feedback from our patrons has been good.

Secondly, we’ve discovered a wonderful new source called “Large Print Overstocks” that lets us purchase large print books for the unbelievably low price of only $6 a copy. With this low-cost source, we’ve been able to add many more books like westerns, mysteries and crime stories that also appeal to men, plus a nice variety of Christian fiction as well. Previously most of the large print books in our collection were aimed primarily at women – romances and family-oriented stories, for example.

As of this month, we have 415 large print books at the library. This compares to 294 last May 31, a 41 percent jump in only seven months. We also have the large-print edition of Reader’s Digest magazine. And many people with sight problems enjoy the almost 2,000 audio books (1,460 on tape and 494 on CD) that currently are available at the library.

The free availability of so many large-print books for Archuleta County readers is obviously a great benefit to seniors and others with aging eyes. Our younger patrons also tell us they like them for reading while they are working out on Stairmasters or exercise bikes.

Remember also that Colorado Books for the Blind/Colorado Talking Books provides free services to the visually impaired. With a letter from your doctor, any resident will be given a tape recorder and free delivery and return of recorded books. The necessary forms are available at the library. Colorado Talking Books also provides free downloadable audio books at their web site www.cde.date.co.us/ctbl. There you also can order books on line.

For examples of some of the recent additions on our shelves, please see below – every one of these being large print books.

Large print Christian fiction

“The Lazarus Trap” by Christian Booksellers Association bestselling author David Bunn has been highly recommended by Christian Books Reviews.

Large print mystery series

“From Here to Paternity” is one of the books in the Jane Jeffry mystery series, this one set in a Colorado ski resort, by Jill Churchill. In “Walking the Dog by Walter Mosley,” Socrates Fortlow returns to the scene of life outside the law in modern day Los Angles. “Berried Alive” is a Manor House mystery by Kate Kingsbury set in World War II England. “Murder in the East Room” is the 12 th detective novel by Elliott Roosevelt featuring the detective skills of his mother, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. “Uniform Justice” is another of the mysteries by Donna Leon, a hugely popular writer in Europe. “All the Flowers Are Dying” is the 16 th Matthew Scudder suspense novel by Lawrence Block.

Large print single-book mysteries

“Snobbery with Violence” by Marion Chesney is an Edwardian murder mystery with some humor included. “Bury the Lead” by David Rosenfelt involves a newspaper reporter, a lawyer and a murderer. “The Road to Ruin” by Donald E. Westlake tells of a caper to rob a corrupt CEO who has a valuable vintage car collection.

Large print food mysteries

“Death is Semisweet” by Lou Jane Temple features a murder that takes place in a chocolate factory in Kansas City and includes some sinful chocolate recipes. “Death Dines In” offers 14 short stories edited by Claudia Bishop and Dean James, all involving food venues and many including recipes.

Large print romances

“Mine Till Midnight” is a historical romance by Lisa Kleypas that follows the lives of an impoverished family after they come into an unexpected inheritance. “Wizard’s Daughter” is a fantasy romance by Catherine Coulter about an abandoned child in 19 th century England.

Large print general fiction

“Hidden” by Paul Jaskunas tells of the shock and aftermath when an abused wife finds out her husband will be let out of jail because another man confessed to his crime. “Drummer in the Dark” by T. Davis Bunn explores the real reasons behind an anonymous campaign to smear a Florida Congressman. “New Miracles” by Sandra Dallas tells the story of a woman in Natchez, Mississippi in the 1930s who discovers surprising facts about her aunt’s life and death.

Large print thrillers

“The Jazz Bird” by Craig Holden, portraying the roller-coaster life of the Prohibition era, is set in Cincinnati in the Roaring ‘20s. “A Greater Glory” by James Scott Bell tells the story of a lawyer who takes up the cause of a society woman who fears her dark past will be exposed by a disreputable newspaper. “Hand of Evil” by J. A. Jance is a suspense novel set in Phoenix. “Jumper” by Richard Barth is about the creator of a masterpiece rollercoaster who suddenly seems surrounded by many rollercoaster accidents. “Bombshell” by Barbara and Max Allan Collins is an espionage thriller and comic mystery inspired by the visit to the U.S. in 1959 of Nikita Krushchev and his desire to meet Marilyn Monroe.

Thanks to our donors

We are very grateful to Donald Logan and Patricia Howard of Manchester, N.H. for their generous donation in honor of Bob and Carole Howard. For books and materials this week we thank Elizabeth Coleman, Lynn Constan, Marilou Dixon, John Gabel, Walter Golien, Kathy Hamilton, Ronald Jyleen, Allen Layton, Moonlight Books, Cindy Quigley and Janet Warden.

Quotable quote

“The writer shakes up the familiar scene, and as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it.” – Anais Nin, 20th century French-born author who became famous for her journals.

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