Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of the powerful businessman. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening -- until a band of gun-wielding terrorists takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different continents become compatriots, intimate friends, and lovers.

For more information contact Leslie West at lwest@bham.lib.al.us or 205-332-6620.

Reserve Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It is available in large print, book-on-CD, and downloadable audiobook.