Library offers computer books

The Crawfordsville District Public Library has a helpful collection of books about computers. Two new offerings are now available. Brian Christian tells what talking with computers teaches us about what it means to be alive in "The Most Human Human." "iPads for Seniors for Dummies" and "Laptops For Seniors for Dummies" both by Nancy Muir look useful too.

"The Shape of Inner Space" by Shing-Tung Yau explains string theory and the geometry of the universe's hidden dimensions. "The Black Hole War" by Leonard Susskind tells about his battle with Stephen Hawking to make the world safe for quantum mechanics. "Alone Together" by Sherry Turkle discusses why we expect more from technology and less from each other (because technology drains us of human purposes). Then, "Dance of the Photons from Einstein to Quantum Teleportation" comes from Anton Zeilinger who tells about his life work in a lively style, relying on simple cartoons, anecdotes and a sense of humor, rather than abstruse mathematics, to convey his recent findings. The latest DK book is "Starfinder" the complete beginner's guide to exploring the night sky (the book's cover is clever and fascinating in itself). "Super Structures" the science of bridges, buildings, dams and other feats of engineering features photos of famous examples around the world.

Three books about food lure us. "The One-Block Feast" is an adventure in food from yard to table by Margo True and the staff of Sunset magazine with 100 recipes made from ingredients in your yard. There are garden plans for all four seasons too. "The Skinny on Losing Weight without Being Hungry" comes from Louis Aronne.

"Sugar Changed with World" is Marc Aronson's title for his story of "magic, spice, slavery, freedom and science." "Are You Ready!" by Bob Harper, trainer and fitness expert on NBC's The Biggest Loser, shows how to take charge, lose weight, get in shape and change our lives forever. He shows many exercises and stretches that look fairly easy. Peter Gleick offers "Bottled & Sold," the story behind our obsession with bottled water. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" delivers James Carroll's research about how that ancient city ignited our modern world. "Francis West's "The Wrong War" explains grit, strategy and the way out of Afghanistan.

Here are the latest novels on the shelves. Jeff Shaara's "The Final Storm" opens a new front in his gripping chronicle of World War II as soldiers, sailors and Marines sacrifice all for one final push toward decisive victory in the fierce maelstrom of the Pacific Theater. John Sandford's "Buried Prey" is a mystery in which an entire block on the edge of the Minneapolis loop is being torn down for development, when an unpleasant surprise is unearthed: the bodies of two girls, wrapped in plastic, underneath an old house. Another mystery, "The Complaints" by Ian Rankin, reveals a detective division whose sole occupation is to investigate accusations against fellow police officers. A case comes up linking a promising young police officer with a child-abuse ring.

CHRONIC INSOMNIA: Market Spotlight: House of Mystery # 290!

For starters, the hook isn't bad, as these things go.  Bennett becomes a vampire, and decides to bring his lover Mary Seward into the undead fold.  No point in eternal life if you're just going to watch everyone you love die on you, right?  The hitch is that much like Jagermeister, vampire blood is not a liquid just anyone can handle properly.  Sometimes it turns you evil. So there's your story, and it will be scripted by Josh Fialkov, who's really quite good.  After reading Echoes, I can certainly see why DC would tap Fialkov for a dark project with some emotional punch.  He's got that shit down cold, and I'm reasonably excited about the series.  I think if DC has the good sense to keep these stories out of their inevitable Duskiest Mid-Morning crossover, we should be just fine.  But sometimes the brass can't help themselves but to meddle in a writer's kitchen with that crap.  Ask Grant Morrison and Batman, Inc. about that. Long story longer, I see this as an underrated series with a potential cult following, and interest in I, Vampire should result in a spike on the first appearance of Bennett in HOM # 290.  Maybe.  As always, the market, she is a fickle temptress.  Wagner's critically acclaimed run on Madame Xanadu didn't really set Ms. Xanadu's house on fire, so these things don't always pan out.

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