Friday, May 29, 2009

NPR's Three Books

I thought I would share a selection from NPR's "Three Books" series. The theme is "Three Books To Make You Feel Like A Kid Again," all of which have been selected by Augusten Burroughs. Click here to listen to the segment and read Augusten's entire post.


The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank - We have this book in our collection. I remember my best friend reading this book in eigth grade and she was absolutely drawn in an absorbed, so much that she wouldn't even giggle with me in class.

Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has since become a world classic—a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit. In 1942, with Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the "Secret Annex" of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death. In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.



Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote - We have this book in our collection as well. I haven't heard of this book before now, but it sounds pretty good.

Published when Truman Capote was only twenty-three years old, Other Voices, Other Rooms is a literary touchstone of the mid-twentieth century. In this semiautobiographical coming-of-age novel, thirteen-year-old Joel Knox, after losing his mother, is sent from New Orleans to live with the father who abandoned him at birth. But when Joel arrives at Skully's Landing, the decaying mansion in rural Alabama, his father is nowhere to be found. Instead, Joel meets his morose stepmother, Amy, eccentric cousin Randolph, and a defiant little girl named Idabel, who soon offers Joel the love and approval he seeks.

The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg - This one we don't have, but if it sounds like something you would want to read, let us know and we can try to get it in for you. It sounds like this character does something that all of us, to some extent, dream of doing.

Uncomfortable with the fit of her life, now that she's in the middle of it, Nan gets into her car and just goes—driving across the country on back roads, following the moon; and stopping to talk to people. Through conversations with women, men, with her husband through letters, and with herself through her diary, Nan confronts topics long overdue for her attention. She writes to her husband and says things she's never admitted before; and she discovers how the fabric of her life can be reshaped into a more authentic creation.

For more information on NPR book selections, visit www.npr.org, and if there is something you find and would like to read but we don't have in the collection, just let us know and we can either try to add it to our collection or order it through the ILL program.

Synopsis information was found at www.barnesandnoble.com

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A Few Updates

Thought I would take a few minutes to update all of our readers on some of the library happenings.

Our summer reading program has begun! The first program is tomorrow morning and the theme for this year is "Be creative @ Your Library" so we have a bunch of fun filled and inspiring programs. The children participating in the summer reading program (1st through 12th grade) will be visiting the library every Wednesday morning, so if you are looking for a nice and peaceful reading environment, plan accordingly. Thursday mornings at 10:00 we will have an hour long storytime for 3-6 year olds who are too young to attend the summer reading program. Also, if you have kids in 1st - 12th grade but missed the deadline summer reading deadline, they are still welcome to attend the Wednesday morning program, so bring them on ever! The only thing they will miss out on is the pizza giftcards and read for a ride

With summer reading and all the kids being out of school we are entering our busiest time of the year, and the frequency of my posts will probably reflect this. I will, however, make sure that I am posting a couple of times each week, so keep checking back in, even if there isn't a new post every day. I promise to post as often as possible.

We have filled the open clerk position! Yay! Our new clerk is named Cindy, so be sure to stop on by and say hello. I will also have her introduce herself on the blog once she gets all settled in.

The adult summer reading program is slated to begin June 15, so be on the lookout for more information. I believe we will find a way to the blog into the program as well :-)

Our summer hours are beginning today and will run through Labor Day. We are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 6pm, Wednesday from 8am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and we are closed Sunday.

Wow, it looks like a lot is going on! Sounds like summer is here!

Bookworm

FICTION
LEFT TO DIE by Lisa Jackson: Montana detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli, hoping for a career-making case, get more than they bargained for when they are called upon to find a serial killer who orchestrates accidents, seduces the victims, and then leaves them to die in the woods.

JUST TAKE MY HEART by Mary Higgins Clark: Natalie Raines, one of Broadway's brightest stars, accidentally discovers who killed her former roommate and sets in motion a series of shocking events that puts more than one life in extreme peril.

PURGATORY RIDGE
by William Kent Krueger: When an explosion kills the night watchman at a lumber mill near the Anishinaabe tribe lands, it's obvious where suspicion will fall. Former Sherriff Cork O'Connor agrees to help investigate but has mixed feelings because he is part Anishinaabe and his wife is a lawyer for the tribe.

FATALLY FLAKY by Diane Mott Davidson: Colorado caterer Goldy Schulz, planning a wedding reception for a spoiled bride who has decided to change the location to the Gold Gulch Spa, investigates the death of a family friend who died in a suspicious car accident and uncovers a link between the man's death and research being conducted at the spa.

DARE TO DIE by Carolyn Hart: The Darlings are unprepared when the arrival of a mysterious young woman shocks their sea island and stirs up more than just gossip. Things take a turn for the worse when Annie befriends Iris and invites her to attend a party where Death shows up too.

TURN COAT by Jim Butcher: Harry Dresden, a professional wizard who consults with the police on cases involving the supernatural, is not always in good standing with the magical ruling body, the White Council, so he takes a big risk when he agrees to help Morgan, a veteran Warden with the Council who has been accused of treason and needs a place to hide while trying to clear his name.

WORMWOOD by Susan Wittig Albert: China takes a needed vacation in a Shaker community. The restored modern version of the village is plagued with misfortune and strife -- possibly from sabotage. After a shocking death, China will plunge into the archives of another time to connect the sins of the past with a modern-day murder.

NON FICTION
THE CHINA STUDY by Colin T. Campbell: Presents the results of a monumental study of diet and death rates from cancer in more than 2,400 Chinese countries and explains the study's significance and what it reveals about the implications of poor nutrition.

THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson: Greg Mortenson recounts the experiences he had while trying to help impoverished villages in Pakistan's Karakoram Himalaya build schools for their children.

AIN’T NO RAG by Charlie Daniels: Charlie Daniels is very patriotic and expresses thoughts about liberalism, Hollywood, anti-war crowds and the political correctness faze.

ENGAGING THE MUSLIM WORLD by Juan Cole: A leading American expert on the Islamic world seeks to dispel many of the persistent myths about Islam and the Middle East. Cole convincingly demonstrates why one should not confuse Muslim activism with hidebound fundamentalism.

A PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST
by Joseph C. Lemay: An autobiography of Joseph C. LaMay, an Alliance, Nebraska citizen. Also includes his artwork and his ancestors' history.

THE CATTLE HEALTH HANDBOOK by Heather Smith Thomas:
Preventative care, disease treatments & emergency procedures for promoting the well-being of your beef or dairy herd, includes discussions on bacterial, viral and protozoal diseases, weather-related problems, parasites, nutrition and much more.

BASIC BASKET MAKING: A complete guide to tools and materials; covers basic techniques from weaving spokes to making a basket base; illustrated steps with full color photographs.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Hurry! Summer Reading Sign Up Ends Tomorrow!

If you haven't signed your child up for summer reading yet, you still have time! We will be signing children up today until we close at 8:00 and then again tomorrow from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Hopefully, those of you who have children in school received the following letter from Stephanie, our Children and Youth Librarian:

With another school year quickly coming to a close it is time once again to start thinking about summer reading. This year at Alliance Public Library our theme is “Be Creative @ Your Library”, and we are looking forward to six weeks of fun, great prizes and excellent shows at the library!

This year’s program is open to all area students entering 1st through 12th grade. The program begins on Wednesday, May 20th, and ends on Wednesday July 1st. Pizza Hut will once again be donating our weekly pizza prizes for students who make their reading goal. Bruce Lundy and his staff always go above and beyond in supporting this program!

The Read for a Ride program will also run this year in conjunction with our summer reading program. Read for a Ride is a partnership between the Alliance Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance Public Library in which students who meet all six weeks of their reading goals have a chance at winning a wristband for use on either Wednesday or Thursday night of the 2009 Heritage Days Carnival. Last year, 228 students met all their goals and each of them was awarded a wristband! Of course, none of this would be possible were it not for our local businesses and individuals who donate to this program and the awesome help I have in running it from Chamber Director Dixie Nelson! This is really a great incentive to get your kids out reading and, while the program is challenging, it is a reward in itself to see how proud they can be of a job well done and the pride they take in earning something for themselves.

Registration for this program will be held every Monday through Friday from 8:00-4:00 p.m. at the library. Your last day to register will be Wednesday, May 20th. Please take advantage of this great opportunity to get your kids out doing something positive this summer! I always like to close with this reminder. . .children that participate actively in reading through their summer breaks have statistically returned back to school in the fall at or above the reading level they ended with. So, what are you waiting for? Bring your child up to join us for a great summer of reading and fun @ your library!

Based on the Book

This week's Based on the book, Forrest Gump by Winston Groom, is a reader request who commented "I just finished reading the book, and while the movie captured the spirit of the story, that Alabama boy went through a lot more than what was put on the screen."

Now, I'm sure most of us are familiar with this character, who was portrayed so well by Tom Hanks in the 1994 Academy Award winning Spielberg film, and I would strongly encourage those who enjoy the movie to stop in and check out the book. And if you haven't seen the movie, well, you are really missing out. We have both the movie and the novel available for checkout.


Here's an interview with Tom Hanks on portraying Forrest Gump:


Friday, May 15, 2009

Read Around the Posies

Read Around the Posies
Read Around the Posies is an anuual fundraiser conducted by the Library Board. The planters will be displayed in the library May 16-22 with bids being accepted through noon on Saturday, May 22nd. Be sure to stop in and check out the gorgeous flower arrangements and pots!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Summer Reading Sign Up

Summer Reading Sign Up!
Register your children for summer reading now through May 20th
Monday-Thursday from 8:00am to 4:00pm
& Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Summer reading is open to all children entering 1st grade through 12th grade and will run from May 20th through July 1st.

Bookworm

I'm posting the bookworm a day late, as I was out sick yesterday with a short-lived-but-miserable bug. Needless to say, between my days off last week and being out yesterday, the work here has certainly been backing up. It feels like I have enough work to do to last me month!

So . . . without further ado . . . this week's Bookworm! (insert applause here)

Fiction
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh: Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers to marry the Viscount Lyngate to save her sister from a loveless union and the Viscount accepts while pursuing other problems. But, all of a sudden they can't keep their hands off each other and love can't be far behind.

Word of Honor by Terri Blackstock: Attorney Jill Clark, taken hostage by a suspect in the bombing of a post office, begins to believe the man's claims that he did not commit the crime, but her attempts to prove his innocence are hindered by his misplaced sense of loyalty that keeps him from naming the real killer.

Double Minds by Terri Blackstock: Christian singer and songwriter Parker James begins to question her safety, the industry in which she works, and her future when she begins investigating the murder of a young woman and uncovers corruption as well as evidence that makes it clear she was the intended victim.

Into the Blue by Robert Goddard: Harry Barnett, caretaker of a villa belonging to British government official Alan Dysart, has finally found happiness after a lifetime of failure, but when his friend, Heather Mallender, vanishes without a trace, he embarks upon an investigation that leads to tragedy and redemption.

Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice: Lily Malone hopes to make a new life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter, Rose, where she befriends Marisa Taylor and her daughter Jessica and helps them cope with an uncertain future and a dangerous past.

Fault Line by Barry Eisler: Alex Treven has sacrificed everything to achieve making partner in his high-tech law firm. But then the inventor of a technology Alex is banking on is murdered, the patent examiner who reviewed the innovation dies--and Alex himself narrowly escapes an attack in his own home.

Without Warning by John Birmingham: As American troops lay ready to invade Iraq from Kuwait, a gargantuan serge of energy destroys the majority of the continental United States which leads to U.S. soldiers fighting without command and control.

Nonfiction
Equal Women Reshape American Law
by Fred Strebeigh: Discusses the history of the advancement of equality rights for women, especially in the legal profession.

Artificial Intelligence by Blay Whitby: Readers encounter everything from the nanotechnology used to make insect-like robots, to the computers that perform surgery and, reminiscent of films like Terminator, computers that can learn by teaching themselves.

Day by Day by Christine Frisbee: When serious illness strikes a child, the blow hits all family members with horrifying ferocity. Often, while the adults are feeling from that devastating impact, the purity of the feelings and spirit of a young sibling can provide strength which sustains all.


Greening Your Home by Clayton Bennett: Greening Your Home provides helpful information that will help you select sustainable green options that match your specific needs for every system in your house.

Frontier Teachers by Chris Enss: Frontier Teachers tells the stories of a dozen courageous, intrepid women who faced down rooms full of children on the open prairies and in the mining towns of the Old West to bring them educational opportunities.

Black & Decker: The Complete Guide to a Green Home: The first home remodeling book to recognize both the broadening appeal of green practices and the fact that working within those guidelines can be done without extraordinary methods or premium prices.

The Birth of the New NFL by Larry Felser: The book examines the history on the field, as well as off the field between warring owners and cities.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Based on the Book

This week's Based on the Book feature is James and the Giant Peach by Ronald Dahl, which was made in to a movie by Disney in 1996. It is the story of a young man named James who lives with his two atrocious and verbally abusive aunts. With a bit of magic, James is swept away across the ocean on a giant peach accompanied by a cast of interesting insects.


Ronald Dahl has written numerous books for the young reader, most of which involve magic and zany characters, and include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches and The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant).

His books are wonderful reading for both the young, old and in between. We have James and the Giant Peach both in print and also on VHS.

Here is the original movie trailer:

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Vacation Time!

I am taking a vacation from the Library, so I won't be posting any new comments to the blog until Monday, as I have the next five days off - yippee! No major plans, I am just going to hang around and do whatever I feel like :-)

See you next week!

Tiffany

Nonfiction Library Bestsellers

Library Journal's Bestseller list is compiled from data on books borrowed and requested (placed on hold) at public libraries throughout the United States. It includes statistics from urban, suburban and rural libraries. The entire list with ISBN and pricing can be found in the April 15, 2009 edition of Library Journal or on their website by clicking here.

(* = books in our collection)

*1. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell

*2. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

*3. Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron and Brett Wittler

*4. Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama

*5. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Groban

6. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

*7. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the America Dream by Barack Obama

*8. Eat This Not That! Thousands of Simple Food Swaps That Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds or More! by David Zinczenko & Matt Goulding

9. Against Medical Advice: A True Story by James Patterson and Hal Friedman

10. Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets by Jon & Kate Gosselin

*11. Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How it Can Renew America by Thomas Friedman

12. The Yankee Years by Toe Torre and Tom Verducci

*13. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

*14. Flat Belly Diet by Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass

*15. A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity by Boll O'Reilly

Friday, May 1, 2009

Library Bestsellers

Library Journal's Bestseller list is compiled from data on books borrowed and requested (placed on hold) at public libraries throughout the United States. It includes statistics from urban, suburban and rural libraries. The entire list with ISBN and pricing can be found in the April 15, 2009 edition of Library Journal or on their website by clicking here. We have all of the books listed available for checkout.

1. Run For Your Life by James Patterson
2. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
3. Cross Country by James Patterson
4. The Associate by John Grisham
5. Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell
6. Mounting Fears by Stuart Woods
7. Divine Justice by David Baldacci
8. The Shack by William P. Young
9. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
10. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
11. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Marie Ann Shaffer & Annie Burrows
12. Sail by James Patterson & Howard Roughan
13. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
14. Heart and Soul by Meave Binchey
15. The Appeal by John Grisham