Ann Patchett

"Many of us have vivid recollections of childhood visits to the public library: the unmistakable, slightly musty scent, the excitement of checking out a stack of newly-discovered books. Today's libraries also function as de facto community centers, and offer free access to the Internet, job-hunting assistance, or a warm place to take shelter along with the endless possibilities that spark your imagination the moment you open the cover of a book. There...

Roxanne Coss becomes trapped in a hostage situation when she's invited to perform at a lavish party for a wealthy industrialist in South America. As a lengthy standoff ensues, hostages and captors form unexpected bonds as they overcome their differences to find their shared humanity.