New Arrivals

Here are some of the new DVDs and CD books received this week at the Chandler Libraries:

DVD

Extraordinary Measures

A father seeking a miracle cure joins forces with a reclusive medical researcher.

Invictus

Clint Eastwood's biopic about South Africa's post-apartheid rugby team.

Young Adult DVD

Ten9Eight

In America, a kid drops out of high school every 9 seconds. Imagine if they didn't.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

Collection 1 of an anime classic.

CD Book

Storm Prey, by John Sandford

The new volume featuring investigator Lucas Davenport.

61 Hours, by Lee Child

Jack Reacher is back in this showdown thriller.

Young Adult CD Book

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

Book 2 of The Hunger Games.

Look for the pink tape on our new-release DVDs and CD books, just like on our new books! Your library branch might have a display for these new releases, or you can scan the shelves for the pink tape to identify new arrivals.

Movie Review: The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones is a new DVD release, which brings to the screen Alice Sebold’s heart-wrenching novel of the same name. While the film does not follow the book precisely, director Peter Jackson (from Lord of the Rings fame) does keep the same tone and mystical quality that Sebold’s original novel possessed. The audience sees the main character, Susie Salmon, in a happy family setting growing up, and then flash-forwards to Susie at age 14. She then reveals to the audience that she has been murdered by someone she knows, and so begins The Lovely Bones. Jackson’s film version has a fairly reasonable plotline, with Oscar-nominated bad guy Stanley Tucci giving the creepiest performance of his life. The middle 90 minutes of movie seems to drag on, while Susie (or her spirit) is caught in limbo between Heaven and remaining on Earth to help her grieving family and seek revenge for her death. Susan Sarandon does an excellent job as the eccentric Grandmother who helps the devastated parents, but the comic relief Sarandon provides seems out of place in this mostly serious film. The Lovely Bones is rated PG-13 for some violent content, mature themes, and language. - Kathy (Sunset)

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Book Review: Staying True

Staying True is a poignant memoir of not only the former North Carolina Governor’s wife, but also of her ex-husband, Mark Sanford, and his exhilarating climb up the political ladder followed by his masterful fall. In short, concise chapters colored with spiritual overtones, the reader learns of the couple’s introduction to one another nineteen years ago, yet is shown foreboding signs of the events to unfold in the future. Ms. Sanford never bad-mouths her husband, relating his horrific mistakes with honesty and integrity. Always strong and remaining “true” for her four teenage sons, Sanford seems to finally understand how to be honest within her own self, as well. A quick read, Staying True is an excellent example of how someone can find a worthwhile certainty in an otherwise truly appalling life experience. - Kathy (Sunset)

Book Review: How We Decide

What do airline pilots who discover a disastrous mechanical problem midflight, NFL quarterbacks who have a split second to make a game-saving throw, and backgammon-playing computers have in common? They all must make decisions, quickly and accurately, often without much time to analyze their choices.

How We Decide is a fascinating look at how they do it, and how the human mind makes all sorts of decisions. From everyday choices about what to eat, to major investment decisions, to crisis situations where the wrong choice can mean lost lives, author Jonah Lehrer examines how the brain makes up its mind about what to do. How do people make rational choices, and what if they don't have enough time to weigh all the evidence? Is there such a thing as thinking too much about a decision? What is the role of emotions, and can they hinder or even help the decision-making process? Lehrer examines a great deal of current pyschological research, giving his book some heft and authority, but he never becomes dull or overwhelming. This engrossing book sheds light on one of our biggest mysteries: how our own minds work. - Michelle (Sunset)

Get ready for summer with beach reads

From Entertainment Weekly's summer roundup comes 18 Books We Can't Wait to Read This Summer. Request some of these highlights (click on the links, then "Place Hold" with your library card and PIN numbers) and get ready for summer!

This Body of Death, by Elizabeth George
Another thickly plotted mystery featuring Scotland Yard inspector Thomas Lynley.

Half Life, by Roopa Farooki
An Indian doctor is haunted by past loves.

Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwok
A girl and her mother, immigrants from China, succeed despite incredible odds.

The Last Stand, by Nathaniel Philbrick
The battle of Little Bighorn told by a noted historical novelist.

Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put On My Pajamas and Found Happiness, by Dominique Browning
How a magazine editor coped with sudden unemployment.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson
The conclusion to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, by Stephenie Meyer
A novella set in the world of Twilight.