Happy New Year!

In observance of the New Year, the library will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31st.

We will reopen with normal hours on Saturday, January 2nd.

Have a Happy and Safe New Years!

Merry Christmas!

We will be closing today at 3:00 and will open again at with regular hours at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 26th.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Bookworm

This picture comes from my all time favorite Christmas book aptly titled Santa Claus, which I have been reading every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. The library will be open up through Christmas Eve, so be sure to stop in and pick up a little something to read over the Holidays. Here is a quick list of some of the new books we have in our collection:

Fiction
Green by Ted Dekker
The Shroud by Harold Robbinson
The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan
Ford County Stories by John Grisham
Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb
I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

Nonfiction
Game Plan for Life by John Wooden
Inside the Kingdom by John Lacey
Making Homemade Lampwork Beads and Glass Jewelry by Hava Ronat
Glass Beads by Louise Mehaffey
All the Wild Horses by Dayton Hyde
Beyond Basic Knitting
Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West by Marcia Meredith Hensley

It's Christmas Cookie Time!

This weekend is sure to a flurry of baking and preparations for many people, myself included, so I thought I would post some links for various baking recipes. We also have a large collection of cookbooks available for checkout, so stop on in and find some new recipes to try this year. If you have a good recipe you would like to pass along, you can share by using the comment feature found at the bottom of the post.

Books in our collection:

Cookies For Kids (JUV 641.8 BET)

1001 Cookie Recipes (641.8 GIL)

The Allergy Cookie Jar (641.5 RUD)

Baking Artisan Bread (641.8 HIT)

Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook (641.8 CRO)

The simple Art of Perfect Baking (641.8 BRA)

www.allrecipes.com: AllRecipes is a wonderful website for finding recipes, complete with user reviews and alterations. Here are a few:

Molasses Sugar Cookies http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Molasses-Sugar-Cookies/Detail.aspx

Gingerbread Men (Molasses Free) http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gingerbread-Men/Detail.aspx

Pebber Nodder (Danish Christmas Cookies) http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pebber-Nodder-Danish-Christmas-Cookies/Detail.aspx

Cranberry Orange Loaf http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Orange-Loaf/Detail.aspx

Cranberry Eggnog Scones http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Eggnog-Cornbread-Scones/Detail.aspx

Bookworm

Take a cue from Santa and stop in and check out our new Christmas books!

Fiction
The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans: When James Kier read the newspaper he found his own obituary in the newspaper, he had no idea what the article was about to set in motion.

A Christmas Promise by Anne Perry: Gracie Phipps and Minnie Maude, having enlisted the help of shop owner Mr. Balthasar, search for Minnie's uncle Alf's donkey and cart, which disappeared after the man was murdered and is believed to hold a golden box, which Mr. Balthasar warns may contain evil.

Home for Christmas by Andrew M. Greeley: Captain Kane, having been a victim in a suicide bombing in Iraq and visited by God during a near-death experience, realizes he was meant to be with his childhood sweetheart and travels home to apologize to her for enlisting in the Army and not giving their love a chance.

Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart: Bailey Ruth Raeburn, a spirit on assignment from Wiggins and Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, investigates the murder of a wealthy woman in Oklahoma, just before she was to sign her will over to a young boy, a move that shocked the rest of the family.

Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham: Melody Tarleton encounters a man clad in Revolutionary War clothing who claims he is a Patriot soldier sentenced to death by the British; but her friend Mark is skeptical.

A Creed Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller: Widowed rancher Lincoln Creed, advertising for a governess to his young daughter Gracie, takes in Juliana Mitchell, the displaced teacher at the local Indian school, as well as four of her students, and finds the heart he thought was closed forever opening again to love.

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern: Lou Suffern is inspired by the holiday spirit to help Gabe, a homeless man huddled outside his office, but Lou begins to question his good deed when Gabe starts meddling in his affairs, unaware the kind soul is trying to help Lou understand what truly matters and the precious gift of time.

A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor: A wealthy and depressed man on his way to Hawaii for the holidays winds up stranded by a blizzard in North Dakota after stopping to visit his ailing uncle, and as he bides his time in the darkened silence after a power outage, he realizes happiness may hinge on a simpler life.

A Blue & Gray Christmas by Joan Medlicott: The ladies of Covington discover a cache of Civil War-era letters and diaries that inspire them to plan a very special Christmas surprise for two families changed by war.

A Wish for Christmas by Thomas Kincaide: David struggles to cope with changes along with the mental and physical traumas he brought home to Cape Light after serving in Iraq; and meanwhile, Lillian Warwick, an independent elderly woman, heals her own heart while caring for an old friend in need, Dr. Ezra Elliot.

Three Wise Cats: a Christmas Story by Harold M. Konstantelos: The old Siamese, Ptolemy, sends three young cats to journey in his place and follow the unusual star and fulfill the prophecy -- "the three finding the one". The fourth traveler is a rat, Asmodeus, who can hear of no glorious thing without wanting to spoil it. After many miles together they were where the star stopped over a humble stable.

A Quilter's Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini: The Elm Creek Quilters come together the day after Thanksgiving to work on quilt blocks and projects that represent their thankfulness and gratitude and share stories of love, family, and friends.

Wishin' & Hopin': A Christmas Story by Wally Lamb: Fifth Grader Felix Funicello experiences several memorable days prior to Christmas in Three Rivers, Connecticut in 1964.

Nonfiction
Simply handmade: 365 Easy Projects For Every Occasion: 365 projects and ideas to celebrate every major holiday and special occasion throughout the year. Projects ranked by level of difficulty, including: Good Ideas, Make in Minutes, and Step-by-Step.

Creative and Thoughtful Gift Giving: Easy Ideas for Making Gifts Special: Special yet simple ways to present gifts in style with suggestions for men, women, and kids, for all occasions, from simple bags to elegant packages to add the personal touch

Based on the Book

I remember the first time I was ever read The Polar Express. The school librarian read it to our class for Christmas and I fell in love with the wonderful illustrations as well as the story. I very badly wanted the Polar Express to show up at my house and take me to the North Pole.

The movie is just as visually stimulating, and both are available for checkout here at the library along with other Christmas classics for both children and adults. So stop on in and find something to help get you in the Christmas spirit.

Bookworm

Fiction
There Goes the Bride by M.C Beaton: Agatha Raisin becomes the prime suspect when she attends her ex-husband's wedding and the bride, Felicity Bross-Tilkinton, is shot just before the ceremony.

Southern Lights by Danielle Steel: Assistant District Attorney Alexa Hamilton reluctantly sends her seventeen-year-old daughter Savannah, to live with her ex-husband and his family in Charleston after she received death threats against Savannah's life for prosecuting serial killer Luke Quentin.

True Blue by David Baldacci: "Mace" Perry was a D.C. cop until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. After two years in prison her goal is to win back her badge. In order to do that she must solve the crime she didn't commit.

The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell: Dr. Kay Scarpetta offers to give her services pro bono to New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of unexpected and unsettling events.

Abandoned by Cody McFadyen: The wedding of FBI Agent Smoky Barrett is interrupted when a women staggers down the aisle. She is incoherent, emaciated, head shaved, and wearing only a night gown. She has been missing for eight years and Barrett begins to fit together the pieces of a psychopath, who doesn't take murder personally and never makes a mistake.

Grave Secrets by Charlaine Harris: Sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. Memories of their horrible childhood resurface, their father is out of jail and looking for family and they discover what happened to their missing sister many years before.

Angel Time by Anne Rice: Contract killer Toby O'Dare encounters a seraph who offers him the chance to save lives instead of destroying them, taking him back in time to thirteenth-century England, where he begins a dangerous quest for salvation.

Nonfiction

How to Raise the Perfect Dog by Cesar Millan: Cesar Milan offers advice on raising dogs, discussing housebreaking, nutrition, vaccinations, obedience, exercise, and more.

Kinly's Celebrity Pet Files by Kinky Friedman: Collects more than forty stories in which Kinky Friedman discusses his celebrity friends and their pets, and includes photographs.

How to be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood by William J. Mann: Chronicles Elizabeth Taylor's career in Hollywood, describing how her larger-than-life personality was created, discussing her highly publicized marriages, exploring her lasting impact on the film industry, and revealing little known facts about her relationships, rivalries, and personal life.

Reinventing the Body, Ressurecting the Soul by Deepak Chopra: Describes how to enhance our awareness and transform our health more dynamically and powerfully than had once been thought possible.

Seldom Seen by Patrick Dobson: In May 1995 Patrick Dobson left his home and a steady job in Kansas City, Missouri, he made his way to Helena, Montana, letting chance encounters guide him to a deeper sense of whom he was and where he was going. His chronicle of this journey charts his experiences with the people of the small towns, the outposts, and the Great Plains that make up America.

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell: American Navy SEAL and team leader Marcus Luttrell tells his story of the loss of his teammates in July 2005 along the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border to al-Qaida insurgents.

Andy Rooney: 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit by Andrew A. Rooney: Brings together the best of Rooney's work in an unforgettable celebration of one of America's funniest men -- from his beginnings as a correspondent, to script writing, to "60 Minutes", he has made a career out of his unquenchable curiosity.

Finally Back with the November Trivia Winner!

Well, I am finally back in and posting - I was unexpectedly out of the office on Monday and was unable to post Tuesday. So without further ado, the November Trivia contest winner is . . .

Mark Dykes!

He has won a copy of Chuck Palahniuk's book Choke and a Subway coupon. The prize will be available for pickup tomorrow.

I won't be posting any trivia for the month of December, as I plan on focusing some more time and energy into our facebook page, which can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-NE/Alliance-Public-Library/178291658476?v=wall so head on over and become a fan!

I will still be posting on the blog throughout the month, hopefully daily, so check back in frequently!

December Brown Bag Program

Jody Mischnick reviews

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

by Barbara Robinson

This Friday, December 4th

12:00 noon

in the Alliance Learning Center

Community Rooms
This free program is provided courtesy of The Friends of the Library. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Based on the Book

If you listen to NPR, you may have already heard about this week's based on the book. The film Precious by Lee Daniels has been creating quite a buzz. It is based on the book Push by author and poet Sapphire and is about an obese and illiterate black teenage girl who is pregnant for the second time with her father's child and is badly abused by her mother. Though the topic of the story is grim, the book is written in wonderfully crafted prose. I read the book a few years back, having picked it up in the poetry section of one of my favorite used books stores, A Novel Idea in Lincoln. I loved it so much, I gave it to a friend for Christmas.

Click here to read an article about Precious from The New York Times
Click here to read an article on Sapphire with an excerpt from the novel from NPR

And here's the trailer:

November Trivia Contest

Today is Mark Twain's Birthday. He would be 174 years old. Of course, we have numerous books by Mark Twain available for checkout.

Question #4

Samuel Clemens, who wrote under the pen name of Mark Twain, had another name under which he wrote. What was his other pen name?

To participate, simply email your answer and name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize.

This is the last trivia contest of the month. You can still answer the other questions. Simply email your answers to me by midnight tonight. I will be on vacation through the rest of the week, so the winner will be announced next Monday. Good luck!

(Even though I will be gone, I have a number of posts lined up, so be sure to check back throughout the week!)

November Trivia Contest

Happy Thanksgiving from the Alliance Public Library Staff!

The Library will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Question #4

In what year did Thanksgiving become a national holiday?

To participate, simply email your answer and name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize.

Thanksgiving Time is Here!

The Alliance Public Library Thanksgiving Hours are as follows:

Wednesday: 8am to 6pm

Thursday & Friday: Closed

Saturday: 10am to 5pm

Sunday: 1pm to 4pm

Bookworm

Fiction

Jumper Cable by Piers Anthony: Arachnid Jumper assumes human form and relies on the help of a troupe of beautiful damsels in order to save the magical land of Xanath.

The Gates by John Connolly: Samuel Johnson and his dachshund Boswell decide to begin their trick-or-treating three days before Halloween, but when he arrives upon the Abernathy's house, Samuel discovers they have conjured up Satan and Samuel must use science, faith, and love to defeat the evil and save the world.

Tragic Magic by Laura Childs: Carmela, owner of a scrapbook shop, and her best friend, have a big project. Melody Mayfeldt is converting an old mansion into a haunted house for those who flock in for a creepy fix. She needs Carmela's crafty touch to make it come to life in time for the upcoming horror convention.

The Ghost King by R.A. Salvatore: Young Thuro turns to the mountain warrior Culain for help when he is chosen to travel to the land of the Mist and retrieve the Sword of Power that can defeat the armies of the ruthless Witch Queen.

Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn: Six days after a series of explosions devastated Washington, D.C., killing 185 people. It was an act of violence that called for extreme measures on the part of operative Mitch Rapp and his team member, Mike Nash.

The House of Reckoning by John Saul: Sarah Crane, coping with the untimely death of her mother, ends up in foster care after her alcoholic father is jailed for killing a man in a bar fight and injuring her in a car accident, and is befriended by a schizophrenic boy and an art teacher who help Sarah hone her psychic abilities.

Blood Game by Iris Johansen: When a senator's daughter is found murdered and her body drained of blood, Eve enters the world of a psychotic serial murderer -- and he might know something about her missing daughter, Bonnie.

Nonfiction

In the Words of Our Enemies by Jed Babbin: Years before September 11, our enemy warned us--and we weren't listening. We are being warned today--by enemies like Iran, North Korea, and radicals and terrorists across the globe--but we are still not listening.

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan: A collection of short stories by Uwem Akpan that celebrate the resilience and wisdom of children in third world countries.

True Compass by Edward M. Kennedy: Edward M. Kennedy tells his personal story, discussing his legendary family, political career, cancer diagnosis, faith, and more.

American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood by Marc Eliot: Filled with remarkable insights into Eastwood's personal life and public work, American Rebel is highly entertaining and the most complete biography of one of Hollywood's truly respected and beloved stars–an actor who, despite being the Man with No Name, has left his indelible mark on the world of motion pictures.

The Love Revolution by Joyce Meyer: Joyce Meyer examines what would happen if everyone decided to refuse to live only for themselves, and instead, used their actions to display love.

Crude Oil: the Violent Twilight of Oil by Peter Maass: Provides an account of the often negative consequences of the world's addiction to oil for oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kuwait, Iraq, Ecuador, Afghanistan, and others.

Understanding and Preventing Suicide by Kristine Bertini: Discusses how suicidal tendencies and thought patterns develop, and how biology, environment, and culture predispose some people to see only one way out of their problems, with anecdotes that illustrate what to look for, explanations of treatment, and provides various support resources.

Based on the Book

When I went to see Where The Wild Things Are, I became overly excited when I saw a preview for Wes Anderson's new stop-motion animation film The Fantastic Mr. Fox, especaillay when I discovered it is based on a Roald Dahl book. I am a huge fan of stop-motion and Roald Dahl, and when I found the two have been melded into what looks to be a beautiful and meticulously made film, I nearly wet myself. Wes Anderson is the creator of the movies The Royal Tannenbaums (wonderful film) and A Life Aquatic. Dahl is one of my favorite juvenile authors, and I have never read a book by him that I did not like. We have the book here at the library, so be sure to stop by and check it out if you or your children plan on seeing the movie.

Here are a few videos I found concerning the film, including the theatrical trailer:

What Should I Read Next?

So you loved the Twiligt series, you've read them all, and you are excited to go see the movie this weekend. But what books do you read next? If you are looking for something similar to New Moon, here are a few, all of which are available for checkout. Click on the link to read a summary of the book at barnesandnoble.com:

If you want to read more books on vampires:

Blood and Gold (The Vampire Chronicles) by Anne Rice

Betrayed: a House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

Blood Noir by Laurel Hamilton

Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts

From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse Series/True Blood HBO Series inspiration) by Charlaine Harris

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

If you would like some good old fashioned romance, vampires or no vampires:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Wuthering Heights by EmilyBronte (Bella's favorite book)

Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Alexander's Bridge by Willa Cather (good book!)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Far from the Maddening Crowd by Thomas Hardy

November Trivia Contest

Happy Birthday Margaret Atwood! Margaret Atwood is one of Canada's leading poets and novelists, winning many prizes for her numerous literary works. She is best known for her novels, which include Alias Grace, Cat's Eye and The Robber Bride. I am a big fan of her collections of short essays and stories, such as The Tent, which is available for checkout, along with her other works, at FIC ATW. Her novel Oryx & Crake is also on my to read list. If you have never read her work, I strongly encourage you to stop in and give her a try.

Question #3

Which book written by Margaret Atwood won the Booker Prize of Fiction?

To participate, simply email your answer and name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each
correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize.

Fiction
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson: Hacker Lisbeth Salander assists Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist, with the investigation of Harriet Vanger's disappearance decades earlier, and the two uncover a dark world of secrets about a Swedish family as well as a surprising connection between themselves.

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon: Jamie Fraser and his wife Claire know that the Americans will win the Revolutionary War, but neither knows the cost of victory, or whether they will survive the dangers of war.

To Dream Anew by Tracie Peterson: A family moves in near the Diamond V ranch intend on forcing Dianne and Cole Selby off their land in order to establish a new empire in Montana.

A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve: British newlyweds Margaret and Patrick decide to spend a year living in Kenya, where photojournalist Margaret begins to realize how little she knows about her husband, but when the couple is invited on a climbing expedition to Mount Kenya, tragedy strikes and scars their marriage forever.

And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer: Arthur Dent, having survived a number of grueling ordeals, returns to Earth only to encounter a variety of unemployed gods, an irritating computer, a love struck green alien, and an enormous hunk of cheese.

Frost Bitten by Kelley Armstrong: Elena Michaels, the world's only female werewolf, investigates a series of brutal slayings in the Alaskan wilderness with her mate, Clayton Danvers, and when they stumble across a creature that resembles the legendary Wendigo, they each find themselves facing ghosts from their pasts.

The Phoenix Transformed by Mercedes Lackey: Harrier, a Knight-Mage, and Tiercel, a High Mage, continue to fight alongside desert tribe leader Shaiara against the evil power of Ahairan that was conjured by Bisochim, a Wildmage with whom the heroes join forces.

A Separate Country by Robert Hicks: After the Civil War, John Bell Hood, a general from the Confederate army who was responsible for the deaths of thousands, tries to begin life anew with his wife, Anna Marie, but an outbreak of yellow fever could destroy everything he has worked for.

Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates: In two related narratives Krista Diehl and Aaron Kruller describe their emotions and opinions about the murder of Aaron's mother, Zoe, each blaming the other person's father for the killing and eventually coming to terms with their obsession over the case and one another..

Rough Country by John Sandford: Virgil Flowers, an investigator with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, is pulled from a fishing tournament to take the case of a murder at a nearby resort for women only, and his queries reveal a second murder the year before, and the very real possibility of a third about to happen.

Blood's a Rover by James Ellroy: The unsolved heist of an armored car in Los Angeles in 1964 has far-reaching repercussions that ripple out to involve J. Edgar Hoover, Howard Hughes, the FBI, and the Mob.

13 ½ by Nevada Barr: Polly Deschamps, a literature professor with two daughters and her own home in New Orleans, meets architect Marshall Marchand, a bachelor who she soon marries before realizing that he may be connected to the "Butcher Boy" multiple homicide of 1971.

The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber: Cassie's Christmas wish is for a husband and children and decides to hire a professional matchmaker to help her dreams come true, but Simon Dodson demands Cassie complete three tasks before he introduces her to her perfect mate.

Traitor's Gate by Kate Elliott: The Guardians who have not yet been corrupted by their malevolent peer’s place their hope in the eagle reeves and Captain Anji's militia, and when Joss is chosen to command the surviving reeves against the horde, a new and unforeseen threat emerges.

Based on the Book

Well, I guess it's a no brainer that I will be featuring New Moon on based on the book today, since the much anticipated Twilight sequel is hitting theatres this Friday. As I was cataloging the new magazines this morning, I found an article that chronicles the success of the Twilight Series and the making of the movies. It was interesting to discover that the first Twilight movie had a $37 million budget, which is relatively small. I think it was before the whole "Twilight Mania" had settled in, though, and I have a feeling that the budget for the sequel was quite a bit larger. So, stop on in and check out the book before hitting the theatre this weekend. If you've already read it, check the book out again to brush up on all the little details :-)

Click here to read Time Magazine's article It's Twilight in America

Here's a Time 10 Questions interview with Stehpanie Meyers



And here's the trailer:

The wonders of LibraryThing!

LibraryThing is a wonderful online resource that allows users to catalog and create a virtual library of your own collections. It also includes features such as "to read" and "currently reading" collections, which is a great way to keep track of the books you have read/want to read . You can recommend books, review books and connect with other readers through the LibraryThing online community.

Up to this point, I had been using the service http://www.bookmovement.com/ to keep track of the books I have read and want to read over the past year; however, the site is more bookclub oriented and doesn't quite have the organizational features that http://www.bookthing.com/ provides, so I am switching over. The service is free - all you have to do is sign up for an account, so give it go and let me know what you think.

My profile can be found here - though it is so new that I only have a few books cataloged. If you create an account and would like to share your library with others, simply email me the link and I will post it for all to enjoy.

Happy Cataloging!

"The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every beating heart . . . should swell into a mighty chord of reverence, gratitude and rededication on this solemn occasion."

~ Abraham Lincoln

The staff at the Alliance Public Library would like to take this opportunity to thank all veterens who have served in the past, are serving in the present and will serve in the future for their couragous sacrifices.

Thank you.

Based on the Book

Although I am a firm believer in Christmas time starting after Thanksgiving, I am going to go ahead and post a Christmas novel this week, since the new movie is playing at our theatre. So if you haven't guessed yet, the book of the week is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

I've never read the book, but my father did try to read it to me when I was quite little, around five or six. It didn't work out so well due to my miniature attention span at that age, and I have yet to squeeze it in to my holiday schedule. We have a large number of Christmas Carol versions in our library, from children's cassettes and videos to juvenile adaptations. Of course we have the original, by Charles Dickens, in both audio and book form.

The new movie looks wonderfully well done. I have a firm rule, much to the dismay of our 9 year old, about no Christmas movies before Thanksgiving, but I may just have to break the rule this year. Here is the trailer:

Bookworm

Fiction

Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman: Two Bel Air lovers murdered in the most intimate of circumstances propel psychologist Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis on a twisted path towards the depraved evil found among the super rich.

Intervention by Terri Blackstock: Barbara Covington, having staged an intervention as her last attempt to help her drug-addicted eighteen-year-old daughter, finds her life going from bad to worse when the interventionist is found dead and her daughter goes missing.

Blindman's Bluff by Faye Kellerman: Los Angeles homicide detective Peter Decker, investigating the murders of a billionaire developer and his family members, suspects the killings are an inside job, and finds the case becoming personal when his wife becomes involved and her life is put in danger.

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larson: Mikael Blomkvist is publishing the story of his career, exposing the extensive sex trafficking operation between Sweden and Eastern Europe, but when two investigative journalists are killed the night before the story runs and Lisbeth Salander is implicated, Mikael vows to clear the girl's name and find the true killer.

Capital Offense by William Bernhardt: Attorney Ben Kincaid is approached with an odd request, defend Dennis Thomas for a murder he has not committed yet, but when Thomas's intended victim is shot down just hours after Thomas sees him, Ben is reluctant to believe his client is innocent, until he uncovers a shocking secret about the victim that changes everything.

Breaking the Rules by Barbara Taylor Bradford: A young woman flees after a terrifying encounter in search of a new life. She adopts the name M and starts a career that will lead her to being a star model. She meets an actor, Larry and they marry and they become the most desired couple on the international scene. But the psychopath vows to shatter M's world and she will do anything to protect her family.

Hot House Orchid by Stuart Woods: CIA agent Holly Barker, placed on vacation after failing a second time to catch terrorist and ex-CIA agent Teddy Fay, returns to Florida, where she once served as police chief, to find that James Bruno, her former commanding officer is now in her old job, and that a serial killer and rapist is at work in the area.

Nonfiction

Out of Captivity by Marc Gonsalves: An account of the civilian hostage crisis in which three contractors crashed in the Colombian jungle, were taken prisoner by the FARC, a terrorist organization, and held for over five years before ultimately achieving freedom.

The Blood of Lambs by Kamal Saleem: The true inside story of the making and mind-set of a Muslim terrorist. Though his ties with terrorism were severed more than twenty years ago, it was not until 9/11, when radical Muslims rained terror on American shores, that Kamal Saleem stepped out of the shadows and revealed his true identity.

Sustenance and Hope for Caregiver of Elderly Parents by Gloria G. Barsamian: The book offers a wealth of insights from experienced caregivers, extraordinary personal stories, and most importantly, reassurance and support.

National Geographic's The World and All That's In It: This book offers a sampling of the many and varied subjects addresses over the years, from our planet and the peoples who inhabit it, to the history of the world and our own nation.

A Brother's Journey by Richard B. Pelzer: The author describes his childhood filled with nightly beatings and unspeakable abuse by his mother and how he found the courage to survive.

Rebounding Rules by Rick Pitino: College basketball coach Rick Pitino discusses his return to coaching after experiencing deep personal and professional losses, and how he overcame adversity to become the only coach in history to lead three different schools to the Final Four.

The Big Sky Reader: A collection of writing from Montana's "Big Sky Journal," featuring stories of ranches and rodeos, saloons, rivers, fires, and other aspects of life in the American West.

November Trivia Contest

One of the most prominent symbols of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall was erected on August 13, 1961. One of the most guarded and treacherous borders in the world, those who tried to pass through were, more often than not, killed. Twenty years ago today, the Berlin Wall was opened, and those on opposite sides were once again free to visit with their family and friends.

A few books found in our collection about the Berlin wall are Writings on the Wall by Terry Tillman (943.1 TIL), The Berlin Wall VHS by A&E Television (VID 943.087 BER) and the fiction story Brandenburg Gate, set in the weeks before the fall of the wall, by Henry Porter (FIC POR).

Question #2
How many streets did the Berlin Wall cross?

To participate, simply email your answer and name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each

correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize.

November Trivia Contest

The tomb of King Tut, AKA Tutankhamen, was discovered by an English archeologist on November 4, 1922. We have a number materials concerning ancient Egypt available for checkout including What Life Was Like on the Banks of the Nile: Egypt 3050 - 3030 BC (932 WHA), Tutankhaman and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs (932 HAW) and Egypt: Land of the Pharoahs (932 EGY).

Question #1

What is believed to be King Tut's cause of death?

To participate in this month's trivia contest, simply email your answer and your name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net. For each correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a prize. The winner will be drawn at the end of the month.

Bookworm

Fiction

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown: A deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths...all under the watchful eye of Brown's most terrifying villain. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon follows an invitation into a long-lost world to save his mentor.

Black Friday by Alex Kava: College students who think they are just pulling some pranks are used to carry bombs into a busy mall. Maggie O’Dell is sent to investigate and discovers her brother was one of the students. Patrick is deciding whether to help Maggie or not. More shopping center bomb threats are on the horizon and Maggie has 24 hours to solve the mystery.

Wish You Well by David Baldacci: In 1940, tragedy forces Lou, her little brother Oz, and their invalid mother to leave New York and move the mountains of southwestern Virginia to live with their great-grandmother, Louisa Mae Cardinal, but a climatic courtroom battle could determine the fates of the entire family and all those who have been touched by them.

The Villa by Nora Roberts: Sophia Giambelli, a public relations executive for the family business, finds herself torn between personal attraction and professional rivalry when her mother announces a merger between Villa Giambelli and the MacMillan family's winery, forcing Sophia into close contact with Tyler MacMillan.

Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke: Hannah's bakery is busy with the Christmas season and Christmas wedding orders. Then one of the town's business men is found dead in his office and there are many who have a grudge against him.

The Last Oracle by James Rollins: Sigma Force leader Commander Gray Pierce uncovers a Russian project to bioengineer autistic children in hopes of creating a savant who can help them dominate the world and, in order to stop it, he must find the link between the dangerous plot and the Oracle of Delphi.

Between the Plums by Janet Evanovich: Collects three novels from Janet Evanovich, following Stephanie Plum, a New Jersey bounty hunter, as she hunts down an elusive toymaker known as Sandor Clausen, a relationship expert wanted for murder, and some stolen race horses.

Nonfiction
Resurrection: The Miracle Season that saved Notre Dame by Jim Dent: Dent interviewed Parseghian as well as many of the surviving players and researched the newspaper and national press coverage the team received during its Phoenix-like resurrection.

Why our Health Matters by Andrew Weil, M.D.: A landmark book that shows us exactly how we have let health and medicine become a crisis in our society and what we can all do to resolve it.

Roots of Human Behvior by Viktor Reinhardt: A photographic documentation of behavior patterns that humans share with other mammals, sorted according to their motivations in three categories: socially positive, socially negative, and non-social.

Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law by Deborah M. Merrill: An intriguing exploration of one of the most potentially abrasive and conflict-riddled family relationships - mothers-in-law and daughters-in law - explaining what makes them friend or foe, and how the friendly among them achieve a positive relationship.

The Loren Eisely Reader: A collection of 15 essays and one poem intended to introduce the writing of Nebraska naturalist and philosopher to a new generation of readers. The essays deal with life's journey through discovery and with nature's surprises.

Girls of Tender Age by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith: Mary-Ann Tirone Smith chronicles her French-Italian family's struggle to survive in a housing project in Hartford, Connecticut, in the years following World War II.

Sabotage: America's Enemies Within the CIA by Rowan Scarborough: Using first-rate sources in all levels of national security--from field officers to high-ranking analysts to former intelligence heads--veteran journalist Scarborough reveals how CIA bureaucrats are undermining President Bush and the War on Terror through disinformation, incompetence, and outright sabotage.

October Trivia Contest Winner!

October's trivia winner is Jennifer Cole!

She has won a gift certificate to the 1910 Coffee House and Ahab's Wife or, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund. The prize can be picked up at the circulation desk :-)

This month's answers were:
1. Who is R.L. Stine's favorite actor? Jim Carrey
2. What percentage of the world's flowering plants live only in the Rainforest? 80%
3. What percentage of rainforest plants have been tested for medicinal use? 1%
4. Who was the first Alliance Public Library Librarian? Marie Basse
5. What was her monthly salary? $25
6. According to superstition, what does it mean when you see a spider on Halloween? It means that the spirit of a loved one is looking over you.

Thank you everyone for participating! I'll have the first November question posted in a few days.

October Trivia Contest #6

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Trivia Question # 6:
According to superstition, what does it mean when you see a spider on Halloween?

This is the last question of the month. To participate in this month's contest, simply email the answer with your name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize. You can still answer Questions 1-5 simply by emailing your answers to me by midnight on October 31st. I will announce the winner on Monday.

Thanks again to everyone who has been participating! Spread the word!

Halloween Based on the Book

Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller The Birds was actually based on Daphne Du Maurier's story "The Birds" which we have available in her collection Echoes from the Macabre (FIC DUM). We also have a number of Alfred Hitchcock collections at call number SC FIC ALF.

Here is the 1963 release of The Birds

Halloween Based on the Book

Ray Bradbury has writen a number of good Halloween books, including A Graveyeard for Lunatics (FIC BRA), From the Dust Returned (FIC BRA & AB FIC BRA) and The Halloween Tree (JPB BRA), all of which are available for checkout. I've read From The Dust Returned and it was pretty good - kind of reminded me of The Addams Family.

The Halloween Tree was turned into an animated Halloween Special narrated with excerpts from the book by Ray Bradbury himself. Here's the entire movie:

Halloween Based on the Book

I am out on vacation all week, so I have put together a week of Halloween themed based on the book. I am a sucker for any Halloween & Christmas movies and love to read books that get me in the right mood for holidays.

Today's pick is from one of my favorite juvenile authors, Roald Dahl. We have the book in our collection and it is ready to be checked out. His stories are great for kids and adults that want to reconnect with their inner child.

Here's the full movie, which was a Jim Henson production so you know it will be good!

Bookworm

Isn't this little bookworm costume amazing!

Fiction

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson: Detective Alex Cross recounts the story of his great-uncle Abraham, who, with the help of his beautiful daughter, introduces Washington, D.C., attorney Ben Corbett to the dark side of their small Southern town in the early 1900s, where Ben has been sent to investigate a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.

A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd: British World War I nurse Bess Crawford, recovering from an injury, takes the opportunity to honor a promise she made to dying patient Arthur Graham to deliver a message to his brother, and becomes involved in trying to help yet another brother.

Diamondhead by Patrick Robinson: Mack Bedford is kicked out of the Navy SEALs after gunning down a group of Iraqi insurgents who killed Mack's fellow officers with a dangerous weapon sold to them by French politician Henri Foche, so when Mack is asked to assassinate Foche, he sees it as both a chance for revenge and a means of paying for the expensive medical treatment his son needs.

Order in Chaos by Jack Whyte: King Phillip IV has sent his armies to arrest every Templar in France in a single morning. He also seizes all the Temple assets. Sir William St. Clair manages to flee with the legendary treasure to Scotland. Eventually he releases his men from their sacred vow and allows them to fight as Temple Knights one last time.

Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger: When a charter plane carrying Cork O'Connor's wife, Jo, goes missing in a snowstorm over the Wyoming Rockies, Cork must accept the terrible truth that his wife is gone forever. But is she?

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks: Ronnie Miller is resentful when her mother insists she and her brother spend the summer with their estranged father, and while things get off to a rocky start, Ronnie eventually makes friends and begins to better understand her dad and why he wanted her to visit.

A Quiet Belief in Angels by R. J. Ellory: Joseph Vaughan learns of the assault and murder of a classmate that he was close to. Joseph gathers a group of friends to form "The Guardians" to watch over the girls of Augusta Falls, but the murderer evades them. Fifty years later, Joseph must confront the nightmare that has overshadowed his entire life.

Non Fiction
How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy: Discusses how to present yourself no matter what the fashion or fad and gain respect for yourself and family, friends, and colleagues.

Whickers, Wit and Wisdom by Niki Anderson: Cats demonstrate traits that most people only hope for, which include special elements of Purr-rayer, The Tail End, Kitty Wit, and Bio-note.

Men in Black by Mark R. Levin: Examines several issues in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court maintaining that justices have subverted democracy in order to support their own liberal agenda, and sites such decisions as Roe v. Wade, segregation, separation of church and state, and more.

Encyclopedia of American Farm Implements and Antiques by C.H. Wendel: Presents over twenty-five hundred illustrations of American fame implements and antiques along with names, equipment makers, and locations on items including combines and cultivators, milking machines and corn planters, reapers and threshers, and much more.

The Last Prarie: A Sandhills Journal by Stephen R. Jones: Contains twenty essays in which naturalist and author Stephen Jones meditates upon life in the Nebraska Sandhills, the largest remaining relic of the American prairies.

The Year Everything Change 1959 by Fred Kaplan: Chronicles the vital events that took place around the world in 1959 and explains how those events changed cultures, governments, human knowledge and development, and virtually every aspect of life.

Nurture Shock: New Thinking about Children by Bo Bronson: Reveals what decades of studies teach us about the complexities of raising, happy, healthy, self-motivated kids.

Halloween Based on the Book

Edgar Allan Poe has long been considered a classic horror writer, and many of his works are available for checkout. Some of his more famous works have crept over into cinema, including The Tell Tale Heart and The Black Cat. My personal favorite is The Simpson's rendition of The Raven, which I was unable to find :-( I did however find The Tell Tale Heart with Vincent Price.

So if your too old to go Trick-or-Treating this year, why not curl up with a bit of Poe?

Halloween Storytime

Join us at Storytime for Halloween stories and ghoulish fun!

Tuesday, October 27th at 6:30pm

and Thursday, October 29th at 10:00am

for a Halloween Party!

October Trivia #4 & Anniversary Pics

Here are just a few of the pictures we took at the Alliance Public Library 100 year Anniversary Celebration:

^The Friends of the Library weekly volunteers ^

^ Alison Gould (APL Board Teen Reoresentative), Rosa Lee Hoff (APL Board President), Georgina Red Fern (Dena's mom) and Melba Dickenson (APL Board Member)

APL Staff L-R: Jan (Technical Librarian), Stephanie (Children and Youth Librarian) and Ronda (Adult Services Librarian)

I'll try to set up a flickr account over the next few weeks with all of our other pictures in it :-)

Question #4 & #5

Who was the first Alliance Public Library Librarian?

What was her monthly salary?

To participate in this month's contest, simply email the answer with your name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

Teen Read Week 2009!

This week is Teen Read Week, so if you're a teen, or you know a teen, or you like young adult fiction, come on by and check out a book! We have a wonderful teen section, something that wasn't really around when I was a teen, and there are so many new authors who are writing specifically for the young adult age group. I've read a number of young adult books and like them because they are the happy medium between juvenile fiction and adult fiction.

A few of my recent reads that I enjoyed include: Wildwood Dancing, The Hunger Games & Catching Fire, Life as We Knew It and, of course, the ever famous Twilight series.

Do you have a fovarite Young Adult book? If so, leave a comment and let us know the title.

And here are some additional links concerning Teen Read Week:
Young Adult Library Services Associate (YALSA) Blog
Young Adult Book Lists and Awards
2009 Best Books for Young Adults
2009 Top Ten Books for Young Adults (We have a number of these available for checkout.)
2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
http://www.teenreads.com/

Bookworm

FICTION
Star wars: Fate of the Jedi by Troy Denning: Luke Skywalker continues his desperate mission to uncover the truth behind Jacen's fall to the dark downfall and his only path to the truth maybe into the labyrinth of black holes where the Mind Walkers dwell.

A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks: Ben Holiday is monarch of enchanted Landover. His daughter, Mistaya, is in a girls' prep school and gets suspended. Ben is determined that his daughter must learn responsibility and declares her grounded until she refurbishes the royal library. When she runs away she begins an odyssey.

Outlaw's Bride by Lori Copeland: Johnny McAllister was being a model prisoner on a rehabilitation program so he could be released early and continue his plan to find and kill the man who had wiped out his family 16 years earlier. But, he hadn't counted on the beautiful Ragan and the generous folks of Barren Flats.

A Dream to Call My Own by Tracie Peterson: Lacy Gallatin, the youngest, is determined to find her father's murderer, but her quest is compromised when she develops a romantic attachment to Dave Shepard, the deputy sheriff for Gallatin Crossing, Montana, who is helping her solve the mystery.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga: Balram Halwai is educated in the art of corruption when he is hired as the driver for the wealthiest man in his village in India, by witnessing his employers bribe and barter through his rear view mirror.

Dragons of the Dwarven Depths by Margaret Weis: After slaying the Dragon Highlord Verminaard and saving the refugees from Pax, Tanis and Flint are sent to search for the long-lost dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin seeking winter shelter for the refugees. There, Flint faces a test in which he must make a choice that may decide the future of Krynn.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory: While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become central figures in a mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the missing princes in the Tower of London whose fate is still unknown.

Non Fiction
Liars Too by Roger Welsch: Another two and a half years of laughter from the Nebraska Farmer's Liar's Corner.

Your Guide to Nebraskaspeak by Paul Fell: Cartoon drawing depicting pronunciations of towns in Nebraska.

How the States Got Their Shape by Mark Stein: Explores the history behind each of the fifty United States and why their border lines are where they are.

Ddiary of a Husker by David Kolowski: Is an account of the five years (1998-2002) Kolowski spent as a walk-on offensive lineman for the University of Nebraska football team. His book, based on the daily journal he kept during his Husker football career, is a behind the scenes look into the world of Cornhusker football.

Out of Attica by William Kloefkorn: New poems by the Nebraska State Poet, widely acclaimed for his poetry dealing with the land and people of the Great Plains.

Train Time in Nebraska: The Post Card Era by Michael M. Bartels: A look back at the golden era of the railroad station and train travel in Nebraska depicted on post cards between 1900 and 1915 with more than 100 historic post card images and captions.

Excuses Begone! by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer: Discusses how to alter self-defeating thought patterns that prevent the achievement of high levels of success, health, and happiness by examining one's beliefs from a new perspective in order to see the truth behind excuses and proceed toward a plan for a positive paradigm shift.

Based on the Book

Since Halloween is almost upon us, I thought I would feature Bram Stoker's Dracula for today's post. The story of Dracula has been made into many movies over the years and the novel is available for checkout at FIC STO. Stop on in and check it out to get yourself in the mood for Halloween.

And as a little bonus, here is the entire 1932 release of Dracula.


P.S. I went to Where the Wild Things Are on Friday night and it was so good I am probably going to go again sometime this week :-) Maurice Sendak actually helped produce it, which I didn't realize, so it kept the same feel as the book. The costumes and sets were absoultey amazing!

100th Anniversary Celebration

Last night we had our 100th Anniversary Celebration, as well as celebrated 10 years in our current building. The commissioned painting was revealed and it is amazing! We are looking forward to having it permanently hung in the building!

Click here to be redirected to KCOW's website for pictures of the commissioned 100 Year Anniverary painting by local artist Robert Peltz and audio of the entire program.

I will post some pictures either later today or Monday, so be sure to check back.

100th Anniversary Celebration Tonight!

The Alliance Public Library is Celebrating 100 years of service to the community

tonight at 5:00 pm

Join us for refreshments, a program and the unveiling of the 100th Anniversary commemorative painting.

October Trivia Contest #2

October 12-18 is World Rainforest Week

We have a number of items available for checkout concerning the rainforest. The Planet Earth DVDs are available for checkout, and it has a wonderful section on jungles, available at DVD 591.7. We also have a few books available for checkout concerning rainforests and their ecosystems. Click here for ideas on how to celebrate World Rainforest Week and click here to watch the film Green, which tells a story through the eyes of a female Orangutan whose habitat is threatened by corporate deforestation.

Question #2 & #3
What percentage of the world's flowering plants live only in the rainforest?
What percentage of rainforest plants have been tested for medicinal use?

To participate in this month's contest, simply email the answer with your name to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net and for each correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

Bookworm

Fiction
The Doomsday Key by James Rollins: Commander Gray Pierce and his Sigma Force operatives investigate the murders of three individuals in different countries whose bodies were marked with a Druidic pagan cross and connect the crimes to an ancient artifact which can threaten the existence of mankind if it falls into the wrong hands.

Hitler's War by Harry Turtledove: What if Neville Chamberlain had not ceded part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler? This alternative history explores the possibility of a totally different World War II.

The Still of the Night by Kristen Heitzmann: Morgan Spencer has a gift for identifying problems and finding solutions in both business and his friends' personal lives, but he can't seem to set his own life straight, until a young woman enters his life with news that will either set him free or ruin his life.

The Return by Ben Bova: Astronaut Keith Stoner, having spent more than a century exploring space, returns to Earth and joins forces with an engineer in an attempt to save humanity from destroying itself through the use of nuclear weapons, but their efforts are hindered by an ultraconservative religious group which is focused on saving America from godlessness.

A Cousin's Promis by Wanda Brunstetter: Crippled in a horrific accident, Wayne Lambright feels unable to care for himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride, so he does everything he can to rekindle feelings between her and ex-boyfriend Jake Beechy, but Loraine's heart is torn.

Rules of Vengence by Christopher Reich: “Doctors Without Borders” physician Jonathan Ransom is working under an assumed name in a remote corner of Africa while his wife, Emma, desperate to escape the wrath of Division, the secret American intelligence agency she betrayed, has vanished into the netherworld of international espionage.

Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl: Seventeen-year-old Katie, a Senate page, disappears while walking her dog and reporter Cassidy Shaw, federal prosecutor Allison Pierce, and FBI agent Nicole Hedges take on the case; but clues from Katie's Web diary reveals a secret relationship with an older man who might turn out to be a U.S. Senator.

Sand Sharks by Margaret Maron: Judge Deborah Knott is ready for a vacation and conference at the beach where she can unwind and visit with friends and colleagues. When one of the less admired colleagues is found strangled, she is unwilling to stand by while the murderer draws near. Everyone becomes a suspect.

The Traffickers by W.E.B. Griffin: Homicide sergeant Matthew Payne is used to murder, but there's been an awful lot of it in Philadelphia. The murders appear to not be related, but he can't shake the hunch that there's something more to it and the hunch leads him to the Texas-Mexico border and a Texas Ranger who is tracking a nasty murderer with Mexican cartel connections.

Intervention by Robin Cook: I it has been more than thirty years since medical examiner Jack Stapleton’s college graduation and almost as long since he’d been in touch with former classmates Shawn Doherty and Kevin Murray. Kevin turns to his old friend Jack to help protect an explosive secret—one with the power to change lives forever.

Smash Cut by Sandra Brown: Defense lawyer Derek Mitchell is hired to defend Creighton Wheeler, the nephew of recently murdered CEO Paul Wheeler, before an accusation has been made, but Julie Rutledge, Paul's mistress who was present at his death, is determined to prove Creighton's guilt and possibly ruin Derek's career in the process.

The Dame by R.A. Salvatore: Progress is made and the kingdoms of Honce could be brought together maybe to unite. But the laird began a fight for supremacy and Bransen learns that some things truly matter on his quest to put right over wrong, a quest for the truth of Honce and of himself.

The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert: After Paul-Muad'Dib walks off into the desert and is presumed dead, his mother, Jessica, returns to Dune to assist sixteen-year-old regent Alia, who is trying to counteract the propaganda spread by Bronso of Ix but does not know that Paul had charged him with the task when they were boyhood friends.

Rhino Ranch by Larry McMurtry: After a heart attack, Duane Moore returns to Texas, where he encounters and is charmed by K. K. Slater, an heiress who has opened a ranch for endangered black rhinoceros, but the return of Honor Carmichael hinders Duane's romantic endeavors.