The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver (2008)
This book is vintage Lincoln Rhyme. In this thriller, Deaver graphically portrays murder(s) via computers. The concept really blows the reader away. We are all vulnerable in cyberspace. As the plot twists and turns, the romantic team of Lincoln and Amelia face the ultimate amoral mastermind. This reader was breathless and involved until the last word of the last page.

Visit the author’s website for an excerpt and interview. Watch a video on Amazon.com.

The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil (2005)
The Singularity is Near is a book about future technology and how it will affect mankind. The author is a well-known inventor and futurist. The “Singularity” refers to a time when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, like a supercomputer. Kurzweil believes that time is coming very soon. Advances in several fields — computer technology, genetics, robotics, biomedicine and nanotechnology — will all advance and merge to become the next evolutionary step of mankind.  Kurzweil sees the elimination of all disease and pollution, and believes our lifespans will increase dramatically. He believes these advances will happen in our lifetime. His ideas are interesting and even frightening at times. The book was technical and difficult to read at times, but well-organized and very thought-provoking.

Visit the author’s website for more about the book and other resources. Learn more about technological singularity. Preview the book before you come to the library. Check out the site dedicated to the Singularity Summit at Stanford University. Watch this YouTube video on the concept of Singularity.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan (2008)    
The story takes place during the 1940s on a farm in the Mississippi Delta. Laura, the wife, was city raised and moved to a farm by her husband Henry. She names it Mudbound. Laura finds life hard to adjust to with no electricity, indoor plumbing, medical care for her girls and living with a mean spirited, racist father-in-law.

Two young WWII veterans arrive back home. One is white, Henry’s brother Jamie, the other black, the tenant farmer’s son Ronsel. Both men are plagued with nightmares from the war. Both men find it hard to bow to Mississippi rules and the rampant racism that abounds. Both men meet tragedy.

Check out the NPR feature on this debut novel. Find an excerpt, reviews, and discussion questions at Book Browse.

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (2008)
Twenty-six year old Josey still lives with her mother in the family mansion in the mountains of North Carolina. Acting as her mother’s cook, caregiver, and chauffeur, Josey has no life of her own until she wakes up one morning and finds local waitress Della Lee hiding in her closet. Through Della Lee, Josey meets and befriends Chloe, becomes involved in Chloe’s romantic problems and goes on a date with the man of her dreams. A charming romance with a touch of magical realism and maybe a touch of just plain magic.

Visit the author’s website for an excerpt, deleted scenes, tidbits, discussion questions, and a preview of all of the candy mentioned in the book.

Rocket Boys: A Memoir by Homer Hickam, Jr. (1998)
As a teenager, in October 1957 Hickam watched Sputnik travel across the night sky from his backyard in Coalwood, West Virginia. That night he decided he would learn how to build rockets and join the U.S. space race. Joined by like minded friends, the “rocket boys” launched not only homemade rockets, but dreams that took them beyond their tight knit community of Coalwood.

For more on Sputnik, visit The New York Times website created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sputnik. The site has the original 1957 articles from the newspaper, in addition to an interview with NASA’s chief historian.

Homer Hickam’s website has more about the book, including why he wrote it. You can also discover more about Coalwood and the original Rocket Boys. Check out BookReporter.com for a review, excerpt, and discussion questions.

October Sky is the movie (starring Jake Gyllenhaal) based on Rocket Boys.