Evansville Courier and Press from Evansville, Indiana • D7

courierpress.com Sunday, December 4, 2016 7D I the time of year when newspa-pers and magazines list their of 2016, even almost a month left in the year. I presume to pick a list for anyone. Even Favorite column is idiosyncratic. These are books that I read and loved during 2016. They might not suit other readers.

But, here are some of my favorites. I reserve the right to change my mind since still time this year to pick other favorite books. The only nonfiction title on my list is a book perfect for an armchair traveler. Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton compiled Ob- based on the website of the same name. Called Guide to the Hidden it contains photos and entries about obscure exhibits and sites throughout the world.

Indiana has three sites men- tioned: The Rotary Jail Museum in Crawfordsville, the largest ball of paint in Alexandria and the Slocum Mechanical Puzzle collection in Bloom- ington. Readers familiar with Simon R. novels know urban fantasies set in contemporary settings that are slightly off. The first novel in his Ishmael Jones series, Dark Side of the is an otherworldly homage to Agatha country manor mysteries. slightly gruesome and a little off-kilter, but it has a per- fect Christmas setting with all the ex- pected characters, a man with a mil- itary title, a rejected suitor, the lord of the manor with his wife and ex-wife and his daughter.

not for fans of Christie unless the reader enjoys para- normal with elements of horror. Ruta young adult novel, to the is a moving historical novel that tells a little-known story of World War II. In 1945, as the Nazi world imploded, refugees from all over fled toward the sea, trying to escape the invading Russians. Sepetys tells the haunting, unforgettable story of a small group of teens caught between two armies. Sometimes Craig novellas are even better than his Longmire nov- els.

is a ghost story set in Wyoming. Sheriff Walt Longmire and his friend, Henry Standing Bear, are called to help a friend in the Wind River Canyon area. a highway patrol who hears a radio dispatch say- ing officer needs assistance. But, she swears the voice of an officer who died 30 years earlier in a fiery crash. While Walt is skeptical, Henry under- stands the tribal legends and traditions, and more willing to believe.

Louise debut novel, City Guide to Country brings characters, Vermont and music to life. opening sentence invites the reader into Olivia story. night I lit the Emerson Club on fire had been perfect for making me- book involves secrets and the long memories of small town residents. an atmospheric story that depicts Vermont in all its beauty. a satisfying account of a home- coming to a home she never had and the acceptance she always wanted.

Whether looking for books for yourself or gift ideas for friends or family members, the staff at the Ev- ansville Vanderburgh Public Library will be happy to make suggestions to help you check them out. Lesa Holstine is the collection devel- opment manager at the Evansville Van- derburgh Public Library. Several 2016 titles worth giving a read Lesa Holstine Check it Out PROVIDED Ruta young adult novel, to the is a moving historical novel that tells a little-known story of World War II. You had a little talk with one of your employees last week. Her client list has almost no action and few new prospects on it lately, and no good.

She blames the economy, says rough out there and while you know true, you suspect more to the issue: stagnated. With the new book Strangers by Kio Stark, get back her gift of gab. Every day, probably sometimes without thinking, you speak with some- one you know well. It might be someone semi-familiar; a neighbor, perhaps, or maybe it was just someone to whom you wished a good morning. Those kinds of interactions, those tiny bits of humanity offered, give Kio Stark a lot of joy.

In world, we often perceive strangers as suspicious; indeed, many people teach their kids accordingly. Stark says that we need to be careful, true, but may mean dif- ferent things at different times. She also points out that and unpleasant are not by definition danger- and that despite our natural pro- pensity to stereotype, are sur- rounded by individuals, not What makes this idea even more interesting is what experiments prove: we feel better when we interact in small ways with people we know. Listening to people makes them want to talk more and if they listen to your feelings, go even further. Talk- ing to strangers often helps you gain empathy, too.

But none of this means that you should go willy-nilly into the streets and start yakking. Some cultures frown on speaking with strangers, says Stark. In some places, in which you quietly, furtively acknowl- edge each presence, is as good as it gets. Conversely, there are many cultures that have never met a strang- er. The place to start, says Stark, is pick your most recep- tive to small talk when not rushed, so offer a compliment, ask for help, or ask a question of someone ran- dom.

And then know how to extricate yourself because can be the most Cat got your tongue at work? Strangers can help make that cat, scat. Though this a business tome, strictly speaking, author Kio TED Talk book could just as well be called Art of Small or perhaps to Begin- ning with anecdotes that illustrate the joy in both, Stark shows readers how small connections, chosen carefully or occurring spontaneously, can foster personal growth and career enhance- ment. Yes, there could be some dis- comfort involved in what she advo- cates introverted readers may par- ticularly struggle here but the exer- cises included toward the end of her book may help ease future talkers out of their comfort zones. If you feel awkward in a strange situation, or if learning to be loqua- cious is one of your career goals, this book might be a good start. For prac- tice with cocktail chat or talking up a storm, Strangers offers unique advice and all there is to say.

Book review Strangers TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER SPECIAL TO THE COURIER PRESS PROVIDED Strangers author Kio Stark HARDCOVER FICTION 1. the by James Patterson (Little, Brown) 2. by John Grisham (Doubleday) 3. by Janet Evanovich (Bantam) 4. by by Nicholas Sparks (Grand Central Publishing) 5.

by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing) 6. by Lee Child (Delacorte) 7. Great by Jodi Picoult (Ballan- tine) 8. by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown) 9. Wrong Side of by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown) 10.

by Clive Cussler (G.P. Sons) HARDCOVER NONFICTION 1. by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson) 2. the Rising by (Henry Holt Company) 3. Magnolia by Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines (Thomas Nelson) 4.

for by Megyn Kelly (Harper) 5. by Bernie Sanders (St. Press) 6. for by Ina Garten (Clarson Potter) 7. World Records (Guinness World Records) 8.

You for Being by Thomas L. Friedman (FSG) 9. by J.D. Vance (Harper) 10. World Records (Guinness World Records) MASS MARKET PAPERBACKS 1.

by Janet Evanovich (Bantam) 2. Girl on the Train (movie by Paula Hawkins (Riverhead) 3. in by Debbie Macomber (Mira) 4. by Christine Feehan (Jove) 5. Bazaar of Bad by Stephen King (Pocket) 6.

by Lisa Gardner (Dutton) 7. Clancy: Commander in by Mark Greaney (Berkley) 8. by James Patterson (Vision) 9. by Danielle Steel (Dell) 10. by Michael Connelly (Vision) Weekly best-sellers SAN FRANCISCO Netflix sub- scribers can now binge on favorite shows and movies even when they have an internet connection.

The long-awaited offline option an- nounced Wednesday gives 87 million subscribers offline access to videos for the first time in the stream- ing decade-long history. Netflix is matching a downloading feature that one of its biggest rivals, Amazon.com, has been offering to its video subscribers for the past year. something that also has been available on popular video site, though a subscription is required in the U.S. and other countries where the site sells its premium service. The new feature puts Netflix a step ahead of two other rivals.

Offline op- tions available on inter- net-only package, HBO Now, or Hulu, although that service has publicly said it hopes to introduce a downloading feature. Netflix subscribers wishing to download a video on their smartphone or tablet need to update the app on their Apple or Android device. Not all of the selections in video library can be downloaded, al- though several of the most pop- ular shows, including Is The New of and are now available to watch offline. Downloadable movies include this Oscar winner for best film. Notably missing from the down- loadable menu are movies and TV shows made by Walt Disney Co.

Those still re- quire an internet connection to watch on Netflix. The Los Gatos, California, company is promising to continue to adding more ti- tles to its offline roster. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings had long resisted calls for an offline-viewing op- tion, much to the frustration of custom- ers who wanted flexibility to use their subscriptions to watch a show or movie when traveling on a train, plane or car where internet connections are spotty or completely unavailable. Earlier this year, Hastings finally in- dicated he might relent and introduce downloading. The change of heart coincided with expansion into more than 130 countries, including many areas with shoddy or expensive internet connec- tions that make the ability to watch video offline even more appealing.

Binge watching on Netflix no longer requires internet MICHAEL LIEDTKE ASSOCIATED PRESS.