Summer Reading Fish Portraits

This year's Summer Reading activity for the children's program includes a Fish Portrait, where the children are asked to draw themselves as a fish and describe what they would do all day long. The potraits are hanging along the west wall of the library, and we would love for you to come in and vote for your favorite fish. The winner will receive a prize at the end of the program.

The kids put a lot of effort into their pictures and they are all quite wonderful to look at, so stop in and take a peek!

Bookworm

Fiction

Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher: Tavi must thwart assassination attempts and court treachery in order to save Alera Imperia, the capital of the realm, from a mysterious attack from across the sea.

Changes by Jim Butcher: Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, discovers Susan's connection with professional wizard Harry Dresden and plans to use it to force Harry to embrace the darkness within himself in order to save himself, Susan, and their child and surrender to the Red Court.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave: A confrontation between a sixteen-year-old Nigerian orphan, called Little Bee, and a wealthy British couple on vacation has life-changing consequences for everyone involved.

Hangman's Root by Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles investigates when a prominent researcher is murdered and suspicion falls on her friend, the Cat Lady, a biologist and animal rights activist.

Innocent by Scott Turow: Appellate Court Judge Rusty Sabich is on trial for the murder of his wife, pitted against Tommy Molto, the prosecuting attorney whom Sabich faced years before in a similar trial.

Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult: To the outside world, they seem to have it all. Cassie Barrett, an anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they return to California, something alters the picture of their perfect marriage.

Subterranean by James Rollins: A hand-picked team of specialists encounter horror beyond imagination when they embark on an expedition to the center of the world.

Nonfiction
Whole Body Cleansing by Gaetano Morello: The book gives the proper way to cleanse and detoxify, this practical and comprehensive guide promotes an inside out approach that enables the body to detoxify safely, effectively, thoroughly, and consistently.

What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff: The book includes information on exercise, diet, pinpointing ovulation, lifestyle, workplace, and insurance changes you'll want to consider, and how to keep your relationship strong.

Personal Defense for Women by Gila Hayes: The book shows you how to build awareness to avoid confrontations and how to fight back when necessary.

Love Your Body, Love Your Life by Sarah Maria: This book provides the guidance, the hope, and the courage to let go of distorted perceptions that prevent you from loving your body.

Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington: Booker T. Washington, the son of a slave woman and a white man, recounts his rise from slavery to become the most influential black leader of his time in the U.S., and founder of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Based on the Book

Beverly Cleary will forever be a staple in juvenile literature, and the author of The Mouse and the Mortocycle has another of her fabulous series hitting the big screen this month. Ramona and Beezus is sure to draw the young crowds into the theatre, and is based on Cleary's classic Ramona books, many of which are available in our juvenile fiction section at eith JF CLE or JPB CLE.

Adult Summer Reading Trivia Question #4

#4 What was the name of the girl who was the original model for the Coppertone logo and how old was she when the ads came out?

What actress made her debut starring as the Coppertone Girl in TV commercials?

Since this is a triple wammy, you're name will be entered in the drawing for each correct answer.

To participate, simply email your answer to Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net or give us your answer at the desk. Don't forget to include your full name. For every correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize. I will post a question at least once every week, maybe more, so be sure to check in often.

Bookworm

Nonfiction

He Was My Chief by Christa Schroeder: Christa Schroeder, Adolf Hitler's personal secretary from 1933 until her arrest in 1945, reveals her observations on the actions and behaviors of the Führer and his inner circle, as well as Hitler's daily habits, his relationship with his family, his sense of humor, and more.

My Journey with Farrah by Alana Stewart: Presents a memoir of the author's friendship with Farrah Fawcett, covering their support of each other through life in Hollywood and various family issues, focusing on the three years spent dealing with Fawcett's debilitating disease.

Not Without Hope by Nick Schuyler: Nick Schuyler recounts the harrowing forty-three hours he spent stranded on an overturned boat with three friends during brutal storms in the Gulf of Mexico in early March 2009.

The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright: Chronicles the events leading up to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, offering an in-depth look at the Al Qaeda terrorist group's planning of the attacks and the events that prompted them.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: Examines the experiences of the children and husband of Henrietta Lacks, who, twenty years after her death from cervical cancer in 1951, learned doctors and researchers took cells from her cervix without consent which were used to create the immortal cell line known as the HeLa cell; provides an overview of Henrietta's life; and explores issues of experimentation on African-Americans and bioethics.

Here's the Story by Maureen McCormick: Maureen McCormick, the actress who portrayed Marcia Brady on the popular television show "The Brady Bunch," shares the story of her life, discussing her off-screen insecurities, her struggles with drug addiction and depression, and her difficult relationship with her parents, and telling how she was finally able to find her true voice and reclaim her life as a performer, wife, and mother.

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman: Relates the story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, Christian zookeepers at the Warsaw Zoo, who helped save the lives of approximately three hundred Polish Jews during World War II by housing and feeding them on zoo grounds and teaching them how to "pass" as Aryan.

The Gun Digest Book of Personal Protection & Home Defense by Robert K. Campbell: Advice from a seasoned law-enforcement professional provides information on personal protection both inside and outside the home. It includes explanation of legal issues, selection of firearms and skill-building drills and exercises.

Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad: A memoir discussing the author's upbringing as a young sportsman and tragic experience in a plane crash with his father, father's girlfriend, and pilot at the age of eleven, covering his lone survival of the crash and harsh conditions.

Windows 7 Quick Steps by Marty Matthews: Color screenshots with streamlined explanations show you how to use all the new and improved features of Windows 7.

IPhone and IPod Touch Quick Steps by Dwight Spivey: Color photos and screenshots with clear instructions how you how to configure and sync you device, make calls and more to make the best use of the technology.

Buddy Holly Lives: his life and his music, the legend and legacy by Hal Leonard: A great souvenir songbook featuring 33 songs and photos.

The Complete Guide to Flaggs of the World by Brian Johnson Barker: This comprehensive inventory features the flags of more than 220 countries and territories—25 of them new, including The Isle of Man, Serbia, and Somaliland.

365 Ways to Get a Good Night's Sleep by Ronald L. Kotler: This book addresses the surprisingly complex issue of sleep in easy-to-tackle steps.

Adult Summer Reading Trivia Question #3

Today is the Summer Solstice, which marks the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

#3 What time today officially marked the beginning of summer?

To participate, simply email your answer to Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net or give us your answer at the desk. Don't forget to include your full name. For every correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize. I will post a question at least once every week, maybe more, so be sure to check in often.

Based on the Book

The Girl Who Played With Fire, based on the novel of the same name by Steig Larsson, releases in theatres in July. The novels in the series are widely popular (the third book in the series will be coming to the library soon), so if you haven't already read the book, be sure to do so before checking out the movie.

The electrifying follow-up to the phenomenal best seller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and this time it is Lisbeth Salander, the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker, who is the focus and fierce heart of the story.

Mikael Blomkvist—crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium—has decided to publish a story exposing an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.On the eve of publication, the two reporters responsible for the story are brutally murdered. But perhaps more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander.

The Moth Podcasts

The weather looks to be amazing this weekend! Perfect weather for taking a walk, working in the yard, taking the kids to the pool, fishing, going for a bike ride, swimming at the lake, playing croquet, going on a picnic, etc. etc. And after all that outdoor fun, a little R&R will be in order. Enter The Moth Short Story Podcasts.

The Moth is an organization based in New York that works to keep the art of storytelling alive and well, and they have been producing sold-out storytelling shows in New York for over a decade. The Podcasts have been produced from the best of these live shows. Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "New York's hottest and hippest literary ticket", The Moth is sure to please any fan of the oral tradition. (Podcasts can also be listened to using I-Tunes.)

Yann Martel Interview

We recently added the book Life of Pi by Yann Martel to our collection, which won the Mann Booker Prize in 2002. It is the story of a boy and a tiger stranded together at sea in a small boat, and the difficulties that arise from such a situation (which I'm sure are many). As I was processing the book, it sounded good, so I added it to my much-too-long list of books to read. Then today, I stumbled across an interview with the author while cataloging the July/August edition of Writer's Digest magazine, so I thought I would share it with you. He seems to be an author to watch, and I am going to recommend we purchase his new book, Beatrice and Virgil, which concerns the subject of the Holocaust.

Click here to read the interview.

It also appears that this writer has an interesting side project concerning reader advisory as well. Click here for more info.

Adult Summer Reading Trivia Question #2

#2 What was the original name for popsicles, and how old was the inventor? (This is a two part question, so for each correct answer your name will be entered into the drawing.)

Click here for links to 50+ popsicle recipes to help you beat the heat this summer in a tasty way!

To participate, simply email your answer to Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net or give us your answer at the desk. Don't forget to include your full name. For every correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize. I will post a question at least once every week, maybe more, so be sure to check in often.

Bookworm

Large Print Fiction

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.

Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy: A devastating fire on a tourist boat brings four strangers to a small Greek island village where they becomes friends, share their problems, and receive help from the wise Vonni, an Irish woman who came to the island thirty years earlier to follow her true love.

Mail-Order Bride by Debbie Macomber: Caroline Myers, having been left by her fiancé, agrees to accompany her aunts on a vacation to Alaska, and when she arrives, Caroline realizes the women have set her up to be the mail-order bride of Paul Trevor, which, at first, sounds like a horrible idea, until she meets the rugged Alaskan.

A Catered Birthday Party by Isis Crawford: Sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons, owners of A Little Taste of Heaven catering, are hired to cater a birthday party for Trudy, a dog, but the luncheon goes awry when Trudy's owner Annabel Colbert, a woman with a wealth of enemies, is poisoned at the party, leaving Bernie and Libby to find the killer.

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong: Sydney Webster moves to a small island after her husband's death leaves her destitute and homeless, and, as she finds a new direction in her life and opens her own knitting and yarn shop, she uncovers the truth about her past and learns to accept her future.

Ciao Bella by Gina Buonaguro: For Graziella, the quiet, cultured life she lived in Venice with her musician husband, Ugo, was everything she could have hoped for, but when Italy allied itself with Nazi Germany in 1940, her world changed forever.

Bar 20 by Clarence E. Mulford: Texan Hopalong Cassidy could fan a gun every bit as well as Billy the Kid. Not a soul in Texas could beat him, until he met Slim Travennes. No man could stand against him and live. Hoppy could stand or die. He had no other choice.

North to Texas by Noel Loomis: Texas Rancher Roy Talley's opportunity to build a fortune becomes a chance to avenge the murders of his brothers who were Union Sympathizers killed during the bloody Mueces Massacre.

The Savage Breed by Randy Denmon: A decade after they fought for Texas, Travis Ross and Chase McAlister plunge into the brutal madness of the Mexican American War. Amid the fighting and suffering, they discover how much has changed, how has remained the same, and that in the furious fight for survival they've made the most dangerous enemy of all.

Curing the Blues with a New Pair of Shoes by Dixie Cash: After someone steals the blue suede shoes on display at Hogg's Drive-in, which were there to honor Elvis Presley's birthday, Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins-Martin agree to help Salt Lick's sheriff nab the thief.

The Secret of Everything by Barbara O’Neal: Tessa Harlow leads hiking tours for adventurous vacationers. while researching for a possible future tour, she begins having nightmares.

Murder at Longborn by Tracy Kiely: Invited to join her Aunt Winnie for a How to Host a Murder Party on New Year's Eve at Winnie's new Cape Cod B and B, Elizabeth Parker must unearth old secrets and new motives in order to clear her beloved aunt of suspicion when the local wealthy miser ends up the unscripted victim.

West of the Tularosa by Louis L’Amour: A collection of three stories that have been restored according to how they first appeared in their initial serial publication in magazines.

The Dry Gulcher by Wayne D. Overholser: Justin Albright planned to stampede his huge Skull herd through Maroon Canyon into the rich grassland beyond just to see the handful of settlers trampled into their land. But Dan Matson and the brave valley ranchers weren't going to take that abuse lying down.

Based on the Book

The movie Chocolat, released in 2000 and featuring a role by the ever charming Johnny Depp, is based on the novel of the same name written by Joanne Harris, which is available for checkout at FIC HAR. We also have the DVD available to checkout at DVD FIC CHO.

Chocolat is an enchanting novel about a small, provencial French town turned upside down by the arrival of a bewitching chocolate confectioner, Vianne Rocher, and her spirited young daughter. Their presence in the village forces the residents to take a closer look at their own lives.

Isn't that neat!

With vacation season upon us, GasBuddy is a handy website that helps you find the best gas prices, no matter how familiar you are with the local area. Simply type in the zipcode and you will be given a list of gas stations, sorted by price and updated within the last 36 hours. This tool would definitely come in handy in those places where you may not be familiar with gas prices, like Denver, so be sure to bookmark the site on your mobile devices. Isn't that neat!

Ebooks to be added to our Overdrive collection!

In the very near future, we will be adding ebooks to our Overdrive collection, which is something I am very excited about! 21st century, here we come :-) They will be popular titles and can be transferred to some readers. If you have been considering an ereader, you may wish to find one that is compatible with the Overdrive format. Cick here for a list of compatible devices.

It also looks like Overdrive is working on an app to make titles available on a number of other mobile devices. For more info, click here.

To access our current Overdrive audio book collection, go to http://www.nebraska.lib.overdrive.com/

Adult Summer Reading Trivia Question #1

Following in the spirit of our theme this year, the first question in the trivia contest is:

#1 What percentage of the human brain is made up of water?

To participate, simply email your answer to Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net or give us your answer at the desk. Don't forget to include your full name. For every correct answer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize. I will post a question at least once every week, so be sure to check in often.

Good luck and let the trivia begin!

Bookworm

Fiction

Hush by Kate White: Lake Warren, in the middle of a custody battle with her estranged husband, has a one-night stand with her colleague, Dr. Keaton, and wakes to find he has been murdered, forcing her to lie to the police while trying to figure out the identity of the real killer.

The Killing Edge by Heather Graham: Chloe Marin receives a ghostly visit from a young swimsuit model that has disappeared and uses her experience as a psychologist and police consultant to help find the girl's killer and bring him to justice before he is able to strike again.

Stay a Little Longer by Dorothy Garlock: Rachel Watkins runs a boardinghouse, while raising her orphaned niece. Her older sister, Alice, lost her husband, Mason, in WWI, and then died the day Charlotte was born. Years later, Rachel is trying to save their home from a banker, keep her uncle in line, and fend off the advances of a boarder. Charlotte finds an ill hobo. Rachel brings him to the house, and is stunned when she finds out who he is.

The Treaberry Strangler by Laura Childs: Theodosia, a tea shop owner, discovers the body of Daria, who ran a coveted map shop, on the street at the close of the Dickensian evening, and Detective Tidwell suspects the killer mistook Daria for Theodosia.

Sixty Days and Counting by Kim Stanley Robinson: With the climate rapidly changing, newly elected President Phil Chase decides to focus his administration on the problem of global warming and appoints Charlie Quibler and Frank Vanderwal, who foiled a conspiracy to steal the election from Chase, to head the team of scientists working on a solution.

A Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher: The High Lord of Kalare launches a rebellion against the aging First Lord, Gaius Sextus, who must enlist the help of the High Lord of Aquitaine and Tavi of Calderon in order to defeat his enemies.

Hero at Large by Janet Evanovich: Ken Callahan stops to help single mom Chris Nelson with her car not realizing his life is about to take a drastic change, with broken bones, a bruised heart, a Zamboni, and a meddlesome Aunt Edna all in the mix.

Nonfiction

Shattered Dreams by Irene Spenser: Irene Spencer provides an account of her experiences after following what she believed was God's leading to marry her brother-in-law Verlan LeBaron at the age of sixteen, becoming his second wife, and discusses their life after a government raid on their fundamentalist, polygamous Mormon village, forced them to flee to Mexico where they lived in squalor until she was able to take her children and make an escape to the outside world.

American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson: Craig Ferguson delivers a moving and achingly funny memoir of living the American dream as he journeys from the mean streets of Glasgow, Scotland, to the comedic promised land of Hollywood.

The Secret Halocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister: Contains transcripts of documents and diaries kept by Nonna Bannister, a woman born into a wealthy family in the Ukraine whose life changed dramatically when the Nazis invaded Russia during World War II and she was transported to Germany to work as a slave laborer.

It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump by John O’Hurley: Actor John O'Hurley shares anecdotes about dogs and the life lessons that have come from his experiences of owning canines as pets.

The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin: A guide on how to start a craft business, with tips and guidelines from do-it-yourself insiders on basic business practices, marketing, making connections online through blogs and social media, craft fairs and selling online, and other related topics.

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah: Ishmael Beah describes his experiences after he was driven from his home by war in Sierra Leone and picked up by the government army at the age of thirteen, serving as a soldier for three years before being removed from fighting by UNICEF and eventually moving to the United States.

The Liberators by Michael Hirsh: Draws on interviews with more than 150 soldiers to recount the experiences and impressions of the Americans who liberated the Nazi death camps at the end of World War II, describing the atrocities they witnessed and the lasting impact the experience had on their lives.

Based on the Book

The new Twilight saga movie comes to theatres at the end of this month, so there is still plenty of time to read or re-read the book before the big screen debut. If you have not read any of the Twilight books, you should be able to see the first two movies and then jump into Eclipse pretty easily. We have two book copies and one audio CD in our collection.

The new Stephanie Meyer book is here!

Centered around the life of a newborn vampire, Bree, who appeared briefly in the Eclipse novel, this new addition to the Stephanie Meyer bibliography is sure to be another page turner! We have added two print copies and the audio book to our collection. Contact us to have your name placed on the hold list.

Currently Reading

I am currently reading the book Nation by Terry Pratchett, and it is very enjoyable. Definately one I would recommend! I think it would be a good book club pick, as there is a lot going on that can fuel discussion.

Set in Victorian times, it is the story of a young Islander named Mau who, as he returns from his "quest for manhood", is caught in a giant tidal wave. He survives, but his village does not. His unlikely counterpart is a girl from English Society who is also a lone survivor and has been shipwrecked on Mau's island. The very foundation of their existence, their values, beliefs and rule systems, are brought into question. For instance, the Victorian girl invites Mau to tea after their first meeting, as proper english protocol requires; however, she is worried that they need a chaperone as it would be "unseemly" for the two to meet alone, and given the circumstances, she decides that Captain Roberts, even though he is dead, will have to do.

While the idea of meeting for proper tea with the dead captain as a chaperone after surviving a horrific catasrophe seems absurd and a little humorous, Pratchett continually creates realistic characters and situations throughout the book that help draw the reader into the story. But I won't give away any more details, incase any of you decide you would like to read it :-)

Click here for to find more information concerning Nation by Terry Pratchett, including a Podcast with the author, an excerpt, discussion guides and more!

If you are currently reading a book and would like to share, or if you would like to make a recommendation to our readers and patrons, simply leave a comment on this post or email me at tkeenan@cityofallince.net and I will post it here for you. Any suggestions are appreciated and encouraged!

Isn't that neat!

www.jobspice.com

Job Spice is an online tool that helps you quickly build a resume and save it as a PDF file for easy emailing, which is a wonderful way to tout your computer skills to your potential new employer! It boasts that most resumes are completed within fifteen minutes, and there is no need to create any online accounts. All you do is click on "Create a Resume", choose your sections, and fill out the corresponding fields. It offers a number of design options which are sure to help attract attention and pull your resume to the top of the stacks. Isn't that neat!

Bookworm

Fiction

Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline: Bennie Rosato finds herself buried alive at the hands of her evil twin Alice, but Alice, who has assumed Bennie's identity, underestimates Bennie's determination to stay alive and seek revenge.

Tough to Tame by Diana Palmer: Cappie Drake is alarmed at her boss, veterinarian Bently Rydel's gruff nature and frequent ranting, but with time comes understanding and it is not long before understanding turns to love.

Wild Ride by Jennifer Crusie: Mary Alice Brannigan encounters a host of demons and other supernatural creatures when she is commissioned to restore the decaying Dreamland Amusement Park.

Without Mercy by Lisa Jackson: Julia "Jules" Farentino, disturbed by nightmares since the murder of her father, applies for a teaching job, where her half-sister Shaylee had been sent after running into problems with the law, but when Jules arrives, a series of murders and strange occurrences make her wonder if she is in danger.

The 5th Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly: In their race to rebuild the final pieces of the Machine and save the world, soldier Jack West Jr. and his team discover an ancient inscription containing a rhyme about five mysterious warriors who possess knowledge that is vital for unlocking the secrets of the machine and its powerful pillars.

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker: Brad Raines is trying to solve a serial killer case in which a bridal veil is left at each crime scene. He enlists the help of Paradise, a young woman who can experience the final moments of a person's life when touching their dead body; he wonders if he can prevent the next murder.

Deception by Jonathon Kellerman: Homicide detective Milo Sturgis turns to his friend, psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware, for help when he is assigned to investigate the murder of Elise Freeman, a teacher, who left behind a DVD detailing the abuse she suffered at the hands of three sadistic colleagues.

Large Print Fiction

Chosen to Die by Lisa Jackson: Detective Regan Pescoli has worked the -Star Crossed Killer- case for months, never imagining she'd be captured by the madman she's been hunting. Regan knows exactly what he's capable of and avoiding the same fate will take every drop of her courage.

The 9th Judgement by James Patterson: Detective Lindsay Boxer has only the cryptic message written in lipstick on a car windshield as evidence from the brutal shooting of a mother and her child as they were returning to their car in a mall parking garage, and things become complicated when an empty safe is discovered along with the body of an popular actor.

The Lone Texan by Jodi Thomas: Sage McMurray returns to Texas where she is taken hostage in a robbery. She's furious and terrified especially when they plan to auction her to the highest bidder. Drummond Roak has offered twice the highest bid. Although he makes his living as a gunfighter, he has always loved Sage and hopes to prove his worth.

Casting Off by Nicole R. Dickson: Rebecca Moray goes to a tiny island to research a book on knitting and to escape her secrets. Her daughter, Rowan, accompanies her and befriends Sean, an old fisherman with secrets of his own. When current storms threaten to resurrect old ones, they find themselves on a collision course.

The September Society by Charles Finch: Students disappear and die at Oxford and detective Charles Lenox discovers bizarre clues, including a murdered cat and a card cryptically referring to "The September Society."

Heir of the Dog by Judi McCoy: Ellie Engleman is a professional dog walker and along with her terrier mix Rudy, finds the corpse of a harmless homeless man in Central Park and becomes the prime suspect for murder. It turns out she is the sole beneficiary of the victim's in heritance.

A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents by Liza Palmer: Grace Hawkes has not spoken to her family since her mother's sudden death. Her father abandoned her two brothers, a sister and herself long before that. Now he has had a stroke and the family is adamant that she come home. Tensions run high a Grace reconnects with her family and they all band together in defense of the second Mrs. Hawkes' deceptions.