It was on this day in 1935 that Thomas Wolfe’s novel Of Time and the River (books by this author) (1935) was published. The manuscript for it was once as lengthy as Proust’s In Remembrance of Things Past; it was an epic tale composed of multiple volumes. His publisher at Scribner’s, Maxwell Perkins, convinced him that it should be edited down to one volume. Wolfe dedicated that completed novel, Of Time and the River (1935), to Maxwell Perkins.

From Garrison Keillor and The Writer’s Almanac.

National Library, museums damaged in Chilean earthquake
The National Library of Chile in Santiago has closed to the public after suffering damage in the February 27 earthquake. A crack in the dome, cracks in the walls that run from the first to the fourth floors, and cracks in the ceilings in several sections are being assessed by structural engineers. Other damaged buildings include the National Archives, the Recoleta Dominica (housing offices of the Library, Archives, and Museums headquarters), the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Historical Museum, and the Museum of Education Gabriela Mistral….
El Mercurio (Santiago), Feb. 28, Mar. 2

New BOCD’s

The First Rule by Robert Crais

The organized criminal gangs of the former Soviet Union are bound by what they call the thieves’ code. The first rule is this: A thief must forsake his mother, father, brothers, and sisters. He must have no family-no wife, no children-because only other criminals are his family. If any of the rules are broken, it is punishable by death.

The Valley of The Horses by Jean M. Auel

Sharing a hidden valley with a herd of steppe horses, Ayla finds a unique friendship with animals as vulnerable as herself and ingeniously discovers the complex skills needed to survive-skills no Clan member was ever able to master. But none of her experiences prepares her for the emotional turmoil she feels when she rescues a young man-the first of the Others she has seen-from almost certain death.

Worst Case by James Patterson

Best Case: Survival The son of one of New York’s wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can’t save him because this kidnapper isn’t demanding money.

Worst Case: Death Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. As another student disappears, another powerful family uses their leverage and connections to turn up the heat to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, which sends its top Abduction specialist, Agent Emily Parker.

This Case: Detective Michael Bennett is On It Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI’s intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet-one that could bring cataclysmic ruin to every inch of New York City.

(taken from covers)

New Books on CD

Spark by Chris Downie

From the experts who created SparkPeople.com, which was recently ranked the most active diet and fitness Website in the U.S., come The Spark, a groundbreaking book that focuses on what you can do instead of what you can’t do. Take part in a visionary approach to weight loss that has a proven track record of ten million pounds lost!

The Adventures of Harry Nile Vol. 1, 2 & 3 by Jim French

On New Years Day of 1976, listeners were introduced for the first time to a former Chicago cop turned hard-luck private detective names Harry Nile, the brainchild of mystery fan Jim French, who created the character for a one-time only broadcast. But audience wanted more, and so began over 25 years of episodes featuring Phil Harper as Harry, later to be joined by Pat French as his admiring and quirky associate, Murphy.

New Playaways

Bone Vault by Linda Fairstein

Things seem to be running smoothly for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have joined forces with the Museum of Natural History to present a new exhibit and are throwing a reception to celebrate. But on the night of the gala the body of a researcher from the Met turns up in an ancient sarcophagus in place of its princess mummy. Alexandra Cooper calls in her troops to investigate the crime, the but killer’s secret lies in the dark depths of the museums’ underworld.

Another Thing to Fall by Laura Lippman

A Hollywood based TV production company filming a new miniseries in Baltimore in hitting a steady stream of unexpected snags. With unions grumbling and less than favorable press, the staff also finds itself beset by vandalism and a growing number of accidents on set. Worried for the safety of his cast, Flip Tumulty hires Tess to keep an eye on the show’s saucy 20-year-old starlet, Selene.  When Tess discovers photos of Selene-all taken by the same stalker-Tess goes on high alert. Then a murderer strikes, and Tess must reassess the situation to avert disaster.

16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

You don’t know me yet, but in a few hours that’s going to change. You see, I’m inviting you to my home and my town of Cedar cove because I want you to meet my family, friends, and neighbors Come and hear their stories-maybe even their secrets! I have to admit that my own secrets are pretty open. My marriage failed some years ago, and I have a rather…difficult relationship with my daughter Justine. Then there’s my mother, Charlotte who has plenty of opinions and is always willing to share them.

New Books on CD

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande

The modern world has given us stupendous know-how. Yet avoidable failures continue to plague us in almost every realm of organized activity. And the reason is simple: The volume and complexity of knowledge today has exceeded our ability as individuals to properly deliver it to people-consistently, correctly, safely. Ataul Gawande makes a compelling argument that we can do better and finds a solution in the most humble of places: the lowly check-list. He explains how checklists have mad possible some of the most difficult things people do-from flying airplanes to building skyscrapers.

Anti Cancer A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD

When David Servan-Scheiber, a dedicated scientist and doctor, was diagnosed with brain cancer, his life changed. Confronting what medicine knows about the illness and the little-known workings of his body’s natural cancer-fighting capabilities, Servan=Schreiber found himself on a fifteen-year journey from disease and relapse into scientific exploration and, finally, to health.

Point Man by Steve Farrar

More men would die for their families, but will they live for them? Steve Farrar challenges men to take their God-given positions on the front lines of the battle, to fight for their family’s health and survival. Point Man is a trustworthy roadmap through parenthood, the season of marriage, personal temptation, and forging a life of faith the the midst of a corrupt culture.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

The Harts and the Golds have been neighbors for 18 years and are very close. So, when Chris and Emily’s friendship reaches the next level, nobody is surprised, Then one night, the hospital calls. Seventeen-year-old Emily is dead-shot in the head by a gun Chris took from his father’s cabinet. One bullet remains in the chamber, and Chris tells of his suicide pact with Emily. But the police have questions and soon Chris is on trial for murder.

Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom

Propelled by Bloom’s dazzling prose, unmistakable voice, and generous wit, Where the God of Love Hangs out take us to the margins and the centers of people’s lives, exploring the changes that love and loss create. A young woman is haunted by her roommate’s murder; a man and his daughter-in-law confess their sins in the unlikeliest of places. In one quartet of interlocking stories, two middle aged friend, married to others, find themselves surprisingly drawn to each other, risking all while never underestimating the cost. In another linked set of stories, we follow mother and son for thirty years as their small and uncertain family becomes an irresistible tribe.

Sizzle by Julie Garwood

Lyra Prescott, a Los Angelos film student, is closing in on graduation and facing important decisions about her future. If she accepts a job in her hometown, she may never be able to launch her dream career as a film editor. Playing into her decision are her two overprotective brothers, her social-climbing parents, and an eccentric grandmother. Unsure of her future, Lyra dives into her final school assignment: a documentary transformed into a real-life horror film.

Drive by Daniel Pink

Forget everything you thought you knew about how to motivate people-at work, at school, and at home. It’s wrong. As Daniel H. Pink explains in his new and paradigm-shattering book Drive: The Surprising truth about what motivate us, the secret to high performance and satisfaction in today’s world is the deeply human, need to direct our own lives, to learn and crate new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.

Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

At the end of her bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert fell in love with Felipe, a Brazilian born man of australian citizenship who had been living in Indonesia when they met. Resettling in America, the couple swore eternal fidelity to each other, but they also swore to never, ever under any circumstances, get married. (Both were survivors of pervious bad divorces. Enough said.) But providence intervened on day in the form of the U.S. government, which-after detaining Felipe at an American border crossing-gave the couple a choice: They could either get married or Felipe would never be allowed to enter the country again.

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris

Time Farnsworth is a handsome, healthy man, aging with the grace of a matinee idol.  His wife, Jane, still loves him, and for all its quiet trials, their marriage is still stronger than most. Despite long hours at the office, he remains passionate about his work, and his partnership at a prestigious Manhattan law firm means that the work he does in important. and even as his daughter, Becka, retreats behind her guitar, her dreadlocks, and her puppy fat, he offers her every one of a father’s honest lies about her being the most beautiful girl in the world. He loves his wife, his family, his work, his home. And then one day he stand up and walks out. And keeps walking,

(Taken from covers)

Gale Biography Resource Center features Olympic Athletes this month

Feeling Olympic Fever?

With the 2010 Winter Olympics well underway, we thought you might be interested in reading more about the athletes. Whether you are interested in the Olympians of today, like Apolo Ohno, or medal winners of the past like Mario Lemieux or Jean-Claude Killy, Biography Resource Center provides their stories. Throughout the 2010 Olympic Games, Biography Resource Center will be featuring daily biographies of Olympians.

Connect to Biography Resource Center

(repost from Gale Sizzle Blog)