New Books

Les Miserables (Penguin Readers, Level 6)

by Victor Hugo

Hugo's classic tale set against the backdrop of political upheaval in 19th-century France retains its timeless appeal in this notably condensed rendition of the struggles of former convict Jean Valjean. While the abridgment inevitably cuts many of the intricate subplots and minor characters who enrich Hugo's vast tome, this suspenseful central plot tracing Valjean's endeavor to emerge from desperate circumstances while being pursued by the duty-obsessed Inspector Javert remains intact and comprehensible to listeners. The principal characters retain their epic proportions, and the major themes of redemption through good works and the importance of authentic charity are undiminished. (From Library Journal)

Lord Jim (Oxford Bookworms Library, Level 4)
by Joseph Conrad

A hundred years ago a seaman's life was full of danger, but Jim, the first mate on board the Patna, is not afraid of danger. He is young, strong, confident of his bravery. He dreams of great adventures - and the chance to show the world what a hero he is.

But the sea is no place for dreamers. When the chance comes, on a calm moonlit night in the Indian Ocean, Jim fails the test, and his world falls to pieces around him. He disappears into the jungles of south-east Asia, searching for a way to prove himself, once and for all... (From Publisher)

Henry VIII and His Six Wives (Oxford Bookworms Library, Level 2)
by Janet Hardy-Gould

There were six of them - three Katherines, two Annes, and a Jane. One of them was the King's wife for twenty-four years, another for only a year and a half. One died, two were divorced, and two were beheaded. It was a dangerous, uncertain life.
After the King's death in 1547, his sixth wife finds a box of old letters - one from each of the first five wives. They are sad, angry, frightened letters. They tell the story of what it was like to be the wife of Henry VIII of England. (From Publisher)
 

Book of the Month

The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O'Neill

by Ron Suskind

The package of tax proposals, led by the 50 percent cut in the individual tax on dividends, had been all but buried before the midterm elections; it came up infrequently and always in the past tense - what George W. Bush wanted to do but couldn't afford. But after the Republicans won the midterms, O'Neill could sense a change in the White House, a smugness, a sureness. Now Cheney brought up the tax proposals again, how they would provide stimulus...

O'Neill jumped in, arguing sharply how the government was " moving toward a fiscal crisis" and "what rising deficits would mean to our economic soundness". Cheney cut him off. "Reagan proved deficits don't matter" Cheney said. O'Neill shook his head, hardly believing that Cheney - whom he and Greenspan had known since Dick was a kid - could say such a thing. He was speechless. Cheney moved to fill the void. "We won the midterms," he said. "This is our due." (From the Publisher)