_dining & entertain ment_

County Library | by Kathleen Duffy

Rumors abound that books aren't what they used to be — a really good book is as hard to find today as a needle in a haystack was to former generations. Authors cry that publishers are interested only in authors who have one or more published books under their belt and that it's next to impossible to break into print nowadays, creating a Catch-22 situation. But these are generalizations on their way to becoming stereotypes of the book industry There are GOOD novels out there and several of the books are by new authors or "midlist" nonfiction which does not generate a large cash flow. HOW TO find a good book nowadays? That can be tricky, but here are a few pointers: 1) avoid dumps (large cardboard book dis-

plays pushing the latest publishers PR project 2) stay away from formula fiction, 3) never bother with books advertised in subways or on bus bulletin boards. Some libraries and some librarians still provide a service known as "Reader's Advisory". (I specify some because libraries have tended to emphasize and hire "generalists" rather than specialists, bucking the trend of other professions which are emphasizing specialties). A "Reader's Advisor" is a librarian who recommends or helps a patron find a novel, short story collection etc. that fits the patron's criterion (such as who writes like John Le Carre? What other books feature women of medieval times?) or simply recommends some above average books that they themselves have read. THE FOLLOWING books are recommended as GOOD books: English Creek by Ivan Doig. Doig writes a coming of age story about a 14-year-tyd boy growing up in Montaria just prior to World War II. The real hero is the Big Sky country itself, from its hayfields to the grandeur of its towering mountains. Doig is among that group of talented writers whose books rarely appear on bestseller lists but who develop a loyal following of readers, especially in public libraries. Pearl, by Anne Leaton, is a unique novel about the daughter of famous outlaw Belle Starr. Leaton. the author of one previous novel and one story collection, has found her voice in this seemingly moribund western genre. The author spins a vibrant but ultimately melancholy tale of life lived under the cloud of violence breathing life into printed words. The Old Forest and Other Stories by Peter Taylor is set in the South during the 1930's and 1940's. The stories offer indelible impressions of people handcuffed to yet enthralled by a complex network of > custom and tradition. Peter Taylor has published six short-story collec- ' tions and one novel; all of his books have been critical • successes, but he remains , largely unknown to average readers. This latest volume is one of his ' best. • ELINOR LANGER , authored Josephine Herbst. a biography of a writer ' and radical activist in the « 1930's and after who af- ,

CASSETTES - RECORDS COMPACT DISCS GUITAR STRINGS & ACCESSORIES NEEDLES - BLANK TAPE - CASES SPECIAL ORDERS TAKEN AUDIO EQUIPMENT REPAIR - ALL MAKES - Since 1956 - tf) KPOWN ' RECORD SHOP Home of The ''Bakers Dozen" Coupon RIO MALL 886-1540 RIO GRANDE N.J.

I fords modern readers the l| J opportunity to become ac- * quainted with a remarkable woman. This book is already considered a publishing achievement. Josephine Herbst was both a talented novelist and a perceptive social critic whose work has been largely neglected for years. The second recommended biography is entitled The Chief: A Memoir of Fathers and Sons by Lance Morror. Lance Morrow's father was a journalist and assistant to Nelson Rockefeller, but what makes this memoir special is not the subject's famous connections. Rather, it is the author's ability to capture the subtle textures of the mysterious relationship between father and son. NON-FICTION readers will cherish In the Rainforest: Report from a Strange. Beautiful Imperiled World by Catherine Caulfield. Although Caulfield's survey of r tropical rainforests has a I definite ecological point to make, it is not the kind of strident tract that creates controversy. Instead, it is an evocative portrayal of the fertile v beauty and essential mystery that defines both the rainforests and the people who live in them. The Grizzly Bear by Thomas McNamee is the last of this week's recommendaitons. In this insightful, poetically wrought study of the day-to-day existence and behavior of a Yellowstone Park grizzly bear and her two cubs, McNamee shows that natural history need not be dry or without style.

ff=HUNAN=ff CHINESE RESTAURANT l -SPECIALIZING IN- Ml fS HUNAN MANDARIN SZECHWAN Hi ' SHANGHAI CANTONESE STYLE . | LUNCHEON* DINNER • CARRYOUT | i PLUS ALL YOU CAN EAT — LJ SUNDAY LUNCHEON BUFFET 1 $5.50 per person^O!) under 12 J Open 7 days a week - year round jJ p 1 1:30 a.m. - 1 1:00 p.m. 886-1209 886-0909 1 VILLAGE SHOPPES OF RIO GRANDE I l I It's worth the trip. tjjj H 10 WILDWOOD BLVD., RIO GRANDE 886-3696 g| P Open 24 Hours, T Days ||

!•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• t •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ... * * * # • • • • •• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••*. • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • a a • a ■ • ■ •••••••••••nn#•# *