Killer Thrillers!

This summer the National Public Radio (NPR) audience nominated their top 600 "killer thrillers" and we now have the list of the top 100! The newest display on the "cube" right inside the library door has the complete list of the winners. The titles that Stoxen Library owns have been pulled and are displayed. So check it out and see how many you have read!

Game night at the library

Check out the photos from Game Night at the Library. The photos are on the Library's Facebook page. Look for Stoxen Library - Dickinson State University!

And the winners are....

Thank you to all who participated in the Summer Reading and Film Challenges. We look forward to hearing any comments or questions you may have that could help improve our summer program. And without further ado:

The winner of the special drawing for reading books from 20 or more categories:

Rachel Ogubunka

The winner of the special drawing for viewing films from all 21 categories:

Carol Eacret-Simmons

Additional prize winners from both categories:

1. Lisa Dolechek
2. Susie Kapelovitz
3. Krystal Thomas
4. Cindy Thronburg
5. Joseph Jones
6. Susan Mellmer
7. Diane Melbye

The Poker Bride: the First Chinese in the West

This book is about the gold rush years in California and the Chinese immigrants that were so much a part of that time in history. There is much about Chinatown in San Francisco, the sex trade and the laws of the "hatchet men" (the Chinese version of the mob). Some of the book is about Polly, a Chinese concubine smuggled to San Francisco, who eventually is "lost" in a poker game and marries Charlie Bemis. I will admit that I was disappointed in how little of the book is actually about Polly...with its title I expected the book to be almost entirely about her and it isn't. Doesn't make it a bad book...just a deceiving title in my mind.

Why I picked it up: I will admit I found the title to be intriguing...deceiving, but intriguing!

Why I finished it: It was an interesting book and I did want to find out more about Polly and her life story.

I'd give it to: Anyone interested in history...especial the Gold Rush days.

call # E184.C5C67 2010

The Poker Bride: The First Chinese in the West by Christopher Corbett c2010.

Horrors of Andersonville: Life & Death Inside a Civil War Prison

Andersonville existed only for the last 14 months of the Civil War and conditions there were horrific! The prison was designed to house 10,000 prisoners, but held 32,000 at one point! Food was scarce and medical supplies practically nonexistent. Almost 1/3 of the prisoners died. At the end of the war, the prison's commandant, Captain Henry Wirz, was tried and hanged.

Why I picked it up: I have read few things about the Civil War and this looked interesting...but awful at the same time!

Why I finished it: I wanted to see who survived and how some of the issues would be resolved. Even though the events described were almost unbelievable, I was astounded at the human spirit's determination to survive.

I'd give it to: Anyone interested in the Civil War.

call # - E612.A5G685 2010

The Horrors of Andersonville: Life and Death Inside a Civil War Prison by Catherine Gourley c2010.

Final Display for the Reading Challenge

We have assembled the final displays showcasing books from two genres on the Reading Challenge list. For the next couple of weeks you will be able to browse displays of Fables & Folklore and Travel.

The Film Display features Staff picks.

Please note the deadline for turning in your reading and viewing logs has been extended to Wednesday August 18th. Anyone who turns in their logs will receive a complimentary beverage card for Common Grounds as well as the opportunity to have your picture taken for a personalize READ poster. We will be drawing for prizes on Friday August 20th.