"Nothing But Trouble," by Rachel Gibson. Release date: April 27. Gibson writes fun, smart and steamy contemporary romances. Her first two romance novels, "Simply Irresistible" and "Truly Madly Yours," were named among the Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year by Romance Writers of America. And in 2002, "True Confessions" was awarded the RITA® for the Best Single Title Contemporary Romance of the Year. I think these are three of the best books I have ever read. Gibson writes great female characters and her alpha males are to die for. Several books, including "Simply Irresistible," are set in the world of hockey and/or in the Pacific Northwest. So far I've been unable to discover much about the storyline for "Nothing But Trouble," but Gibson could write a book about chicken ranchers and I'd still read it.

"Storm Prey," by John Sandford. Release date: May 18. This will be the 20th in Sandford series about Minneapolis cop/high-ranking criminal investigator Lucas Davenport. I am a huge Sandford fan; the last time he released a Lucas Davenport book, I finished it, and then re-read in order the 18 books that had preceded it. (OK, I may be slightly obsessed.) This book, according to amazon.com, begins on a bitterly cold Minnesota morning when three big men burst through the door of a hospital pharmacy, duct-tape the hands, feet, mouth, and eyes of two pharmacy workers, and clean the place out. But then things go bad, one of the workers dies, and the robbers hustle out to their truck-and find themselves for just one second face-to-face with a blond woman in the garage: Weather Karkinnen, surgeon, and Davenport's wife. What happens when the bad guys decide they must eliminate the witness? In addition to his "Prey" (Lucas Davenport) novels, Sandford has written nine other books, most recently the Virgil Flowers novel "Rough Country," also set in Minnesota.

"61 Hours," by Lee Child. Release date: May 18. OK, this will be a conundrum -- which one do I read first, Sandford or Child, because both books are scheduled to come out on May 18. Child's books are about an ex-military man, Jack Reacher, whose basically has been traveling aimlessly since he left the service. Amazon.com says "61 Hours" begins with a tour bus crash in a savage snowstorm -- in South Dakota no less -- and lands Jack Reacher in the middle of a deadly confrontation in Bolton, S.D., (Note: There is no Bolton, S.D., but there is a Colton. Coincidence?). A woman is standing up for justice in a small town threatened by sinister forces and if she’s going to live long enough to testify, she’ll need help, because a killer is coming to Bolton, "a coldly proficient assassin who never misses." The book blurb continues: "Reacher’s original plan was to keep on moving. (Note: That's always his plan, but he always seems to get waylaid, and there's usually a woman involved.) But the next 61 hours will change everything. The secrets are deadlier and his enemies are stronger than he could have guessed — but so is the woman whose life he’ll risk his own to save."

Readers, please note: All of these authors write books for adults, with adult themes, language, explicit sexuality and violence. If this is not your thing, there are plenty of other great authors out there.

Knowing these books will soon be on the shelves of my favorite bookstore just gives me one more reason to anticipate spring.

Tobin is arts & entertainment reporter at the Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks N.D.

The story was about Jeanette and Michael Tristani and their 12-year-old twins, who moved from Miami to Hazelton, N.D., because Hazelton promised free land and other benefits to newcomers who would settle there. They were looking for a crime-free simpler life. Now they want to return to Miami. Michael has to commute to Bismarck (45 minutes) to work. Jeanette lost her job in Linton, N.D., when a call center closed. They tried starting a bistro in Hazelton but say they were harassed by another business owner.

"It's been quite an experience, 50-50 at best," Michael Tristani said in the story. "It hasn't been easy. No one really wants new people here."

I am old enough to know there are always two sides to every story. But I've also lived most of my life in North Dakota and South Dakota in small, medium and (for the Dakotas) large communities. And I can believe the Tristanis had a hard time fitting in.

Most of us are aware of how our rural communities are fading. Like the buffalo, the farmers, ranchers and small towns of the Plains seem to be next in line to disappear from the countryside. So far, beyond pheasant hunting and wind farms, no one seems to have an idea of what's going to happen next out there.

Still many rural communities either can't or don't know how to make the changes they need to survive, or even what "survival" will look like. The "we've always done it this way" mindset, the suspicion of new ideas, the clannishness, are impediments. We've all heard stories like the one about a couple who grew up in a small rural town. They had moved away in their 20s, worked for years a metropolitan area, then returned to their little hometown when they retired. They bought a house and got involved in many community activities. One day an anonymous phone caller let them know: "We got along just fine before you came back here." And this was the town where they had been born, where they graduated from high school and married, and still -- to some people -- they were outsiders.

It is a sign of how we regard ourselves that we often look at newcomers and think: Why would you choose to live here? Like we can't believe that any person would actually want to call North Dakota home. Honestly, what does that say about us? Yes, there are downsides to living here. But name a place that doesn't have a downside. I have a sister who lives near Palm Springs, Calif. The weather is pretty much heaven, but I couldn't live there. The traffic is so awful, within a week I'd have a stroke from road rage. And, seriously, earthquakes? No thank you.

I think living in Grand Forks must be less of a challenge than living, say, in Hazelton, N.D. Grand Forks has more jobs, more businesses and shopping, a university, good schools, several libraries, more arts and entertainment possibilities. But I'm not sure my family and friends who live in small towns would agree. They like to remind me that they are living in good and caring communities, too, where they often are busier than they'd like to be. I remember a few years back, hearing a small town pastor, a relative newcomer to my tiny hometown, who gave a wonderful graduation speech about the richness and fulfillment he and his wife had found there. They didn't feel like they were missing anything. It was a great reminder to the graduates (and me) that it's attitude more than anything that's key to having a happy and successful life.

When I think of people and small towns that make the best of what they've got, I always think of Pekin, N.D., and the Nelson County Arts Council. Its executive director is Brenda Bjorlie, a woman with a southern accent, 100 plans and ideas for enhancing the arts in her corner of the world and a ton and a half of charm. She and the people of the Nelson County Arts Council sponsor art shows, juried competitions, touring exhibits, musical events and more, often in the town's old gymnasium/theater. On March 7, Pekin will host the Nelson County Arts Council Winter Art Auction, a fundraiser for the Stump Lake Fine Arts Youth Camp. They must have the best board and the best volunteers and the best community sponsors to do all the things they do.

Like most of the rural Midwest, Nelson County is losing population. But they are a long way from giving up. And if anyone asks what they have to offer, they can certainly point to all they've got going in the arts.

Tobin is arts & entertainment reporter for the Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, N.D.

I saw "Annie" last week and it's got an appeal for all ages. Ali Nicolai as Annie and the little girls who play the orphans were adorable and talented. Plus there are two very cute dogs taking turns playing Sandy. Having said that, I had forgotten how political this show is. I'm surprised the same people who were incensed by "Hair" last summer haven't noticed the political subtext in this one.

Tickets for "Annie" are $15 and $18 and you can get reservations by calling (701) 777-4090.

In the meantime, don't forget the other live theater coming up in Grand Forks and the Red River Valley in the next couple of weeks. For example:

Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at UND Chester Fritz Auditorium you can see “The Wedding Singer,” a musical based on the 1980s movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. For ticket info, go to http://www.cfa.und.edu/.

The Lake Region State College Playmakers will present "The Diary of Anne Frank" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at Robert Fawcett Auditorium at Lake Region State College, Devils Lake. This play is based on the true story of Anne Frank, 13, and her family, who hid from the Nazis in an attic for two years until they were found a few months before the end of the war. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Red River High School will present the comedy "Over the River and Through the Woods” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the RRHS Theatre, Grand Forks. Tickets are $6 and $3; call (701) 746-2411 for reservations.

Based on the Judy Blume book, “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” is coming to the Chester Fritz 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Ticket info: http://www.cfa.und.edu/

"Tragedy tomorrow! Comedy tonight!" North Dakota State University is presenting the musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 25-27, and Wednesday through Saturday, March 3-6, with a 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7, matinee at NDSU Askanase Auditorium, Fargo. Daniel Dutot of Grand Forks plays the boastful soldier Miles Gloriosus, to whom is promised the beautiful Philia, who also is the object of our young hero's desires. I haven't seen this show since the Zero Mostel movie version and I'm hoping to get to Fargo to see it again. For tickets, call (701) 231-7969.

“tick, tick... BOOM!,” a musical about a struggling young composer's dream to write a successful rock musical, will run at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday thrugh Saturday, March 2-6, at UND Burtness Theatre, Grand Forks. Tickets will be $10 and $8; call the box office at (701) 777-2587. The music in "tick, tick...BOOM!" is by the late Jonathan Larson, the famous composer of the Broadway hit musical "Rent," but the show was written by a couple of Larson’s friends after his tragic death in 1996. I am looking forward to seeing this show for the first time, but may I say it has the dumbest title I have heard in a long time.

Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre will open “St. Bette’s,” written by Grand Forks playwright Kathy Coudle-King, at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday March 4-6, March 11-13 and March 18-20, with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees on March 7 and 14. The story is of a home for unwed mothers back in the day when women in that condition routinely hid themselves away (or were hidden away by their families) and will be presented at Fire Hall Theatre, Grand Forks. Tickets will be $15 and $18. For reservations or into, call (701) 777-4090 or go to ggfct.org.

Central High School will present the musical “Anything Goes” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday March 4-6 and 2 p.m. March 7 at Central High School auditorium, Grand Forks. Tickets will be $8 and $4. Call (701) 787-4075 for reservations.

Tobin is arts & entertainment reporter for the Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, N.D.

Today, the Oscar nominations were announced. I'm still not feeling this 10-nominees-for-Best-Picture award thing, are you? Anyway, here they are. Any big surprises? Any big snubs? Any disappointments? Talk amongst yourselves and feel free to comment.

Best motion picture of the year: "Avatar,” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers; “The Blind Side,” Nominees to be determined; “District 9,” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers; "An Education,” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers; “The Hurt Locker,” Nominees to be determined; “Inglourious Basterds,” Lawrence Bender, Producer; "Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers; “A Serious Man,” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers; "Up,” Jonas Rivera, Producer; "Up in the Air,” Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers.

Performance by an actor in a leading role: Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart”; George Clooney in "Up in the Air"; Colin Firth in "A Single Man"; Morgan Freeman in "Invictus"; Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker"

Performance by an actor in a supporting role: Matt Damon in "Invictus"; Woody Harrelson in "The Messenger"; Christopher Plummer in "The Last Station"; Stanley Tucci in "The Lovely Bones"; Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds"

Performance by an actress in a leading role: Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side"; Helen Mirren in "The Last Station"; Carey Mulligan in "An Education"; Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire"; Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia"

Performance by an actress in a supporting role: Penélope Cruz in "Nine"; Vera Farmiga in "Up in the Air"; Maggie Gyllenhaal in "Crazy Heart"; Anna Kendrick in "Up in the Air"; Mo’Nique in "Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Best animated feature film of the year: "Coraline,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” "The Princess and the Frog,” “The Secret of Kells,” “Up”

Achievement in art direction: "Avatar,” “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” “Nine,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “The Young Victoria”

Achievement in cinematography: "Avatar,” “HarryHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” The White Ribbon"

Achievement in costume design: “Bright Star,” “Coco before Chanel,” “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” “Nine,” “The Young Victoria”

Achievement in directing: "Avatar,” James Cameron; “The Hurt Locker,” Kathryn Bigelow, “Inglourious Basterds,” Quentin Tarantino; “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” Lee Daniels; “Up in the Air,” Jason Reitman

Best documentary feature: "Burma VJ,” “The Cove,” “Food, Inc,” “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” “Which Way Home"

Best documentary short subject: "China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province,” “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner,” “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant,” “Music by Prudence,” “Rabbit à la Berlin"

Achievement in film editing: "Avatar,” “District 9,” “The Hurt Locker, “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Best foreign language film of the year: “Ajami,” “El Secreto de Sus Ojos,” “The Milk of Sorrow,” “Un Prophète,” "The White Ribbon"
Achievement in makeup: "Il Divo,” “Star Trek,” “The Young Victoria”

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score): “Avatar,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “Up”

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song): "Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog,” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman; "Down in New Orleans" from "The Princess and the Frog,” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman; “Loin de Paname” from "Paris 36,” Lyric by Frank Thomas; “Take It All" from "Nine,” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart,” Music and Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best animated short film: “French Roast,” “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty,” “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte),” “Logorama,” “A Matter of Loaf and Death,” “The Door,” “Instead of Abracadabra,” Kavi,” “Miracle Fish,” The New Tenants”

Achievement in sound editing: "Avatar,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Star Trek,” “Up”

Achievement in sound mixing: "Avatar,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Star Trek,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”

Achievement in visual effects: “Avatar,” “District 9,” “Star Trek”

Adapted screenplay: “District 9,”Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell; “An Education,” Nick Hornby: “In the Loop,” Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche; “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” Geoffrey Fletcher; “Up in the Air,” Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Original screenplay: "The Hurt Locker,” Mark Boal; “Inglourious Basterds,” Quentin Tarantino; “The Messenger,” Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman; “A Serious Man,” Joel Coen & Ethan Coen; “Up,” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

For more on the Oscars, check out the official Web site at oscar.go.com/. The Oscars will be presented Sunday, March 7, and broadcast live on ABC (Channel 8 on Grand Forks cable).

Tobin is arts & entertainment reporter for the Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks N.D.

Apple's big announcement about its new iPad, a tablet-sized electronic device that apparently is the next big thing and will "revolutionize" our lives, has left me ... sighing. I won't deny that its potential is enormous. I'll never say never to using one. But I will confess to having a really bad case of technology fatique.

I am 54 years old. Not that old, I like to think, at least not compared with the 111-year-old Canadian lady on the front page of the Herald today. When I was attending South Dakota State University journalism school (1973-1977), the college print lab was still full of "hot type" Linotype machines, which worked much the same way as the first printing press invented in the mid 1400s by Johann Gutenberg.

I remember when the IBM Selectric typewriter was a big deal and the first time I saw a "cold type" Compugraphic typesetter at my first newspaper job in 1977 in Fessenden, N.D. The first time I used a computer was as a reporter for The Associated Press in Sioux Falls, S.D., in about 1981. It had no "windows," just a couple of screens you could flip back and forth, and lines of code you had to memorize if you wanted to send your stories out on the wire.

By the time I got to the Omaha AP four years later, the Teletype machines that had endlessly hammered out the incoming AP wire stories on rolls of rough paper in the back of every newsroom were obselete. Our primitive computer terminals were hooked up to a room full of huge, boxy, blinking hardware that looked like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. We had no way of receiving stories electronically, so we took dictation over the phone or retyped stories from the newspaper so we could put them on the wire.

I've lived through the advent of fax machines, voice mail, cell phones, digital cameras, the Internet, iPods, Web sites, e-mail, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, texting and Pen Drives. When someone hands me a Pen Drive, I still have to fumble around and think for a minute: OK, what do I do with this again? But a lot of it is wonderful. What did we ever do before Google? I use it at least 20 times a day to look up things, like when Gutenberg invented the printing press and how to spell Gutenberg.

And now the iPad. I am already way behind on my technology savvy skills. For instance, I can't buy a new TV because I can't figure out how to hook it up. What ever happened to the days when you plugged a TV into the wall, adjusted the antenna, and Voila! you could watch "Bonanza"? Sure, it was black and white and we only got two channels, maybe three on a good day. But today I get more than 70 channels and most nights there's STILL nothing worth watching. And if I hook up premium cable, the DVD player no longer works.

My son-in-law has a universal remote on their big-sceen HD or whatever-the-heck it is that does everything including turn the lights on and off. I have yet to figure out how to use it to turn the TV on and off. My daughter says -- "Don't worry, Mom, I don't know how everything on it works either." Somehow, this is not comforting. I'm not stupid. I just can't keep up anymore and I'm falling further and further behind. That's not a good feeling for me. I don't like feeling awkward and clumsy and out of it -- it's like being back in the seventh grade again.

So until someone figures out how this can all make sense to people like me who love the media but really aren't interested in figuring out "apps" or following Beyonce on Twitter, for information and entertainment, I'll still be relying heavily on the paper I read with my morning coffee.

Tobin is arts & entertainment reporter at the Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, N.D.