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Listening & Viewing Recommendations
Best of the Best 2008 Audie Award Nominees: Selected Titles
General Fiction
Exile Richard North Patterson A Jewish defense lawyer takes on the case of his former lover, who is charged with conspiracy and murder in connection with the first suicide bombing on American soil.
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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Maggie O'Farrell A woman locked in an Edinburgh insane asylum for 60 years is released into the care of a great-niece who never knew of her aunt's existence.
Literary Fiction
Lush language perfectly delivered transports the listener to the sound, sights, and smells of India where, high in the Himalayan Mountains , lives the Judge, his granddaughter, and their cook.
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Tree of Smoke Denis Johnson The story of a CIA officer assigned to Vietnam just before the Tet Offensive, when American dreams were turned to nightmare.
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A detective story of sorts, wrapped in sharp social commentary that envisions an alternate post-Holocaust history in which Alaska is designated as the new Jewish homeland.
Mystery
Transcending the crime genre, this novel is stunning in its ability to convey a sense of place – New Orleans – where p.i . Dave Robicheaux investigates the murder of a looter in the post-Katrina chaos.
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As a U.S. marshal investigates a spy ring in 1945 Detroit , he encounters a wildly diverse cast of characters that includes a cross-dressing assassin and falls victim to the charms of lovely, bottle-blonde Honey Deal.
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Another winner from the long-time master of cop fiction and a virtuouso performance from reader Adam Grupper , who brings to life a huge cast of cops, bad guys, and various lowlifes, all with ties to the chronically understaffed LA police station
Thrillers & Suspense
Daddy's Girl Lisa Scottoline A law professor accompanies her colleague on a teching assignment at a prison. When a riot erupts, she finds herself the unwilling recipient of a cryptic message that leads to her being charged with murder.
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The Judas Strain James Rollins The Sigma Force team is called in when a deadly 13 th century plague reemerges and threatens the world's population.
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Israeli intelligence agent Gabriel Allon , who works as and art restorer, is called into action when the daughter of America 's ambassador to England is the victim of a terrorist kidnapping.
Romance
A down-on-her luck artist and a superstar quarterback become traveling companions on a road trip from Colorado to Tennessee and do their best to suppress their irresistible attraction to each other.
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Sugar Daddy Lisa Kleypas A Texas girl who has struggled to create a life for her sister and herself is torn between her childhood sweetheart and her wealthy employer.
Humor
I Am America (And So Can You!) Stephen Colbert The popular television pundit reads his own work, a zany spoof of politics and American life that includes an array of characters from the oldest man in the world to God himself.
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Reader Johnny Heller, whose other gig is standup comedy, is the perfect vehicle for this small, very funny book that illustrates the truth of major philosophical concepts through jokes.
Nonfiction
In what the late author considered his best work, Halberstam shines light on an era – the Korean War – that has often gone unexamined by contemporary historians. He includes analyses of all the major political players as well as the stories of soldiers on the front lines
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Einstein Walter Isaacson A biography that focuses more on the man than on the scientist, this book brings Albert Einstein's life and intellect to the forefront and is the first to examine personal correspondence never before released.
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Beginning with the very few facts known about Shakespeare's life, Bryson sets them in the context of what is known about life in the late Elizabethan age; he also touches on the perennial controversy over authorship with his trademark wit.
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COMING IN JULY
A young woman decides to leave behind her life of memories, dreams, and a broken heart for a soul-searching trip across America , and learns of her own loneliness through the lives of others.
Starring: Norah Jones, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, David Strathairn
“…a ravishling , triple triumph.” -- New York Press
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An assassination attempt on the President of the United States is viewed by eight different people in eight separate locations, and as the pieces of the puzzle are put together, shocking truths begin to surface.
Starring: Matthew Fox, William Hurt, Dennis Quaid , Sigourney Weaver, Forest Whitaker
“…something remarkable…” -- New York Times
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A group of friends find themselves in the most brutal struggle they will ever face when a trip to an archaeological dig in the Mexican jungle turns up something deadly among the ruins. Includes alternate ending, commentary, deleted scenes, and more.
Starring: Joe Anderson, Shawn Ashmore , Jena Malone
“A surprisingly effective little horror nightmare.” -- Boston Globe
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A decorated Iraq war hero returns home to Texas and tries to resume the life and love he left behind, only to be ordered back to active duty in Iraq against his will. Includes commentary, featurettes , making-of documentary, deleted scenes, and more.
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon- Levitt , Ryan Phillippe
“…forceful, effective, and alive, with the raw, mixed-up emotions produced by an endless war.” -- New Yorker
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A small-time crook takes on a bank heist and finds himself the target of ruthless mobsters, the police, government officials at the highest level, and even the royal family.
Starring: Saffron Burrows, Jason Statham
“The most entertaining heist movie I've seen in years. A terrific film!” -- Richard Roeper
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A young photographer and his girlfriend discover mysterious shadows in their photographs after a tragic accident. They soon learn that you can never escape the past as a ghost continuously haunts them.
Starring: John Hensley, Joshua Jackson
“Surprisingly effective supernatural tale…” -- TV Guide
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A rebellious street dancer, Andie , teams up with a hot modern dancer, Chase, to compete in the biggest, toughest street dance-off ever.
Features music from Flo Rida , Missy Elliott, T-Pain, Enrique Iglesias , Cassie, Trey Songz , Cherish, and Plies.
“…foot stomping fun.” -- The San Francisco Chronicle
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A group of MIT college students, along with their professor, use their skills and talents to learn how to count cards in order to win big at the blackjack tables in Las Vegas . Based on a true story.
Starring: Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne , Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess “…a slickly polished package that should appeal to anyone who's ever dreamed of beating the odds.” -- Variety
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An Egyptian orchestra arrives in Israel to play an important cultural event only to find themselves in the wrong town, where they learn about themselves and each other as they spend the night interacting with the locals.
“It's a small, profoundly satisfying movie that keeps echoing long after it's over.” -- Boston Globe 2007 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard - Jury Coup De Coeur Award
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Recorded at New York 's Beacon Theatre during the fall of 2006, featuring performances by the Rolling Stones with special guests Christina Aguilera, Jack White, and Buddy Guy. Includes four performances not seen in theaters and a featurette .
Directed by Martin Scorsese “May be the most intimate documentary ever made about a live rock ‘n' roll concert. Certainly it has the best coverage of the performances onstage.” -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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Set in the courtyard of a house in Bamako , Mali , the intimate story of an African couple on the verge of breaking up is told alongside very public political proceedings. A unique opportunity for the world to become familiar with contemporary Africa .
“*****.” – Time Out New York “…electrifying…Recommended.” – Video Librarian Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2006; Best French Language Film Lumiere Award, France
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Rebel. Hero. Lover. Legend. Che has inspired generation after generation as the young idealist and revolutionary who fought for the poor and oppressed. A story about Che's fearless life helping to lead a bloody socialist revolt that would shock the world
Starring: Sonia Braga , Eduardo Noriega
“He remains the potent symbol of rebellion and the alluring zeal of revolution.” – Time Magazine
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Firsthand accounts from Vietnam veterans are woven together with archival footage and photographs to reveal the details of covert operations, military strategy, and the emotional toll of war.
Part of the National Geographic series.
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Pascal, a French boy, befriends a red balloon that follows him everywhere. A touching allegory of the magic powers of love and friendship.
Newly restored on DVD. Part of the Criterion - Fiction series.
Academy Award Best Original Screenplay; Golden Palm Award Cannes Film Festival; BAFTA Special Award
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Three original A & E productions based on the stories by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Scarlet Pimpernel: Mademoiselle Guillotine, The Scarlet Pimpernel: the kidnapped king.
Starring: Richard E. Grant, Elizabeth McGovern
Part of the A&E: Original Movie series.
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Story of a coal miner's rise to become a professional rugby star. Includes commentary, interviews, documentary, booklet, and more.
Starring: Richard Harris
“…gritty drama. For all collections.” – Library Journal Part of the Criterion - Fiction series. 1963 Best Actor Richard Harris Cannes Film Festival; BAFTA Award Best British Actress Rachel Roberts
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A profile of the enigmatic lead singer of Joy Division, Ian Curtis, and the personal, professional, and romantic troubles that led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.
Starring: Samantha Morton, Sam Reilly “You don't watch this movie you live it.” -- Rolling Stone Label Europa Cinemas, Prix Regards Juene , and Golden Camera Awards 2007 Cannes Film Festival
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Blind since childhood, Sydney finally receives her sight back after a complicated surgery. When frightening images start haunting her, she is convinced that her anonymous eye donor has opened the door to a terrifying world only she can see.
“…effectively creepsome …” -- Variety
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In the 1976 ABA , a wild and crazy basketball league that rivaled the NBA, the Flint , Michigan Tropics are the worst team. When the ABA plans to merge with the NBA, to survive, the Tropics must do the seemingly impossible - win.
Starring: Will Arnett, Andre 3000 Benjamin, Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson
“The mid ‘70s era is hilariously conveyed…” -- USA Today “…Ferrell is a slam-dunk.” -- Rolling Stone
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This sweeping miniseries depicts the extraordinary life and times of one of America 's least understood, and most underestimated, founding fathers: the second President of the United States , John Adams.
Starring: Paul Giamatti , Laura Linney , David Morse, Sarah Polley , Rufus Sewell, Tom Wilkinson Home Box Office/2008/Television Drama Mini Series ***1/2 .. an incredible achievement…meticulous attention to detail. Highly recommended.” -- Video Librarian
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A lovable loser who unintentionally erases all the tapes in a video store devises a plan to satisfy the store's few loyal customers by re-creating every movie, including Ghostbusters; The Lion King; and Robocop.
Starring: Jack Black, Mia Farrow, Danny Glover, Mos Def “Twisted, loopy and wildly inventive fun.” – Maxim “Altogether wonderfull .” -- New York Times
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Two men who are dying from cancer escape their hospital together and spend the time they have left doing everything they ever wanted to do before they 'kick the bucket.'
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson
“Any filmgoer's Bucket List should be seeing these two legends playing off one another.” -- Richard Roeper
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David is a Jumper who can teleport himself anywhere in the world, which creates a fun and exciting life. Things turn deadly when David finds himself pursued by a secret organization sworn to kill Jumpers.
Directed by Doug Liman Starring: Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson , Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane “ Liman applies the same frenetic approach to action scenes that made “The Bourne Identity” such an engaging and exciting affair.” -- ReelViews
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Two sisters, driven by their family to win the heart of the king for wealth and power, develop a bitter rivalry - out of ambition and affection - that threatens to tear England apart.
Starring: Eric Bana , Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Jim Sturgess , Kristin Scott Thomas “A sexy, good-looking political bodice –ripper with an almost flawless cast at the top of its games.” -- Variety
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A young break-dancer, with no money or job, attracts the attention of a group of fundamentalists, who want to drag him into the dangerous and violent world of terrorism. Bonus features include introduction with director and interviews.
“…brilliantly conceived…illuminated by Abdelli's edgy, agonized performance…” -- Variety 2007 Tribeca Film Festival Best Actor Lofti Abdelli and Special Mention Best Screenplay
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Finn is in love with his ex and in deep with gangster Bigg Bunny. He gets a clue to the whereabouts of a fabulous fortune in the Caribbean ...and now all he has to do is get the gold, get the girl, and get going before Bigg Bunny gets him.
Starring: Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey , Donald Sutherland “ McConaughey and Hudson play off each other effortlessly…It's the type of movie chemistry that can only be captured, not scripted.” -- Baltimore Sun
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Making a desperate split-second decision, railroad engineer Tom Stark allows his train to crash into a car parked on the tracks. The young boy whose mother was killed in the accident soon develops an unusual bond with Tom.
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden “Marcia Gay Harden and Kevin Bacon are exceptional. Every emotion rings true.” -- Entertainment Tonight
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