August Trivia Contest

Our new trivia contest will run throughout the month of August, during which time I will post at least one trivia question each week. To participate, simply email your answer to tkeenan@cityofalliance.net. For each correct answer, your name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

Question #1:

Today is the Anniversary of the last entry in Anne Frank's diary, dated August 1, 1944. In the entry, she asks for the meaning of a word. What is that word?

We have her diary available at the library, and it will be held behind the circulation desk until Saturday, July 8th, in case you need to come in and do a little bit of research :-) We also have the movie available for checkout.

Happy Birthday J.K. Rowling!

Today is the birthday of J.K. Rowling - author of the Harry Potter books - and boy am I glad she was put on this earth; otherwise, we wouldn't have the magical world of Harry Potter.

In honor of her birthday, I thought I would put together a few Harry Potter related links.

http://www.mugglenet.com/ - from what I understand, this is the place for Harry Potter Fans to congregate. They literally have everything you could dream of related to Harry Potter. Here's a few games from the site:

Magical Memory Game

Harry Potter Hangman

Quiditch Word Search

Dumbledore Jigsaw Puzzle

Click here to watch J.K. Rowling read "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" from her book The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Click here to visit J.K. Rowling's official site, where you can catch up on news, view a scrapbook and delve a little deeper into the author's mind.

We have all of Rowling's work available for check out, many of which are also available on audio for your listening pleasure. We also have a few of the movies, which were so generously donated.

The Final Adult Summer Reading Trivia Question!

First off, I would like to thank all of you who have participated in our Adult Summer Reading Trivia! I hope you have enjoyed answering the questions and will still check in with the blog when you can. Also, if you have any ideas, suggestions or recommendations on how we can make the blog even better, feel free to let me know. Your feedback and ideas are surely welcome.

Also, we have decided to continue on with our online trivia contests. So stay tuned for more trivia fun on various topics.

And finally . . . the last trivia question! (Be sure to email your answer to Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net and bring your slips in to the circulation by 5:00 on Friday)

Question #12
Which Poet recited at President Kennedy's inaguration?

Patron Recommendations

Our wonderful patrons often recommend material that they have enjoyed, and I thought that I would share a few of those with you. If you would like to recommend a book, audio book, DVD or useful website, simply email me at luv2read15@yahoo.com, call 762-1387 or stop on by the circulation desk.


This great modern classic depicts life in China at a time before the vast political and social upheavals transformed an essentially agrarian country into a world power. Nobel Prize-winner Pearl S. Buck traces the whole cycle of life—its terrors, its passions, its ambitions, and its rewards. Call numbers FIC BUC & YA BUC



This popular travel series follows guide Rick Steves' on his european travels. A number of episodes are available for checkout. He has an extensive website as well, which compliments the show nicely, at http://www.ricksteves.com/
Call numbers DVD 914



Since it was first published, more than seven million people have been touched by the magic of The Christmas Box, a holiday classic that is as beloved in our time as A Christmas Carol was in Dickens's. When Richard Paul Evans wrote The Christmas Box, he intended it as a private expression of love for his two young daughters, Jenna and Allyson. Though he often told them that he loved them, he didn't feel that they could ever really understand the depth of his feelings until they had experienced the joy of rearing their own children, and by that time their relationship would have changed forever. In writing The Christmas Box, he hoped that at some time in the future they would read the book and know of their father's love. (The person who recommended this book also recommended that it be read with a box of tissues close at hand.) Call Number FIC EVA

An epic on an intimate scale, Memoirs of a Geisha takes the reader behind the rice-paper screens of the geisha house to a vanished floating world of beauty and cruelty, from a poor fishing village in 1929 to the decadence of 1940s Kyoto, through the chaos of World War II to the towers of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where the gray-eyed geisha Sayuri unfolds the remarkable story of her life. Call Numbers FIC GOL & AB FIC GOL

Bookworm

FICTION
Delia's Crossing by V. C. Andrews: Delia Yebarra, having lost her mother and father in a truck accident, struggles to find a place to call home goes to live with her wealthy aunt, who treats her like a servant, and her cousins, Edward, who is nice, and Sophia, who is jealous of Delia's beauty.

Strangers by Anita Brookner: Paul Sturgis sets off for a holiday in Venice, where he meets Mrs. Vicky Gardner. Upon his return to England, a former girlfriend, Sarah, reenters Paul’s life. These two women reroute Paul’s introspections and spark a transformation within him.

Knock Out by Catherine Coulter: Sheriff Ethan Merriweather goes looking for a missing little girl and soon realizes that Autumn has brought him a huge problem -- a relentless madman who has the ability to control others simply by looking at them, the madman is after Autumn and her mom.

Brimstone by Robert B. Parker: Freelance gunslingers Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, having found Allie French working in a brothel and relocated to Brimstone, find work as deputy sheriffs, but have trouble keeping peace in the town due to an unsolved string of murders and frequent disagreements between the local saloon owner and preacher.

Fugative by Phillip Margolin: Attorney Amanda Jaffe must find a way to keep her client alive long enough to defend him after she accepts a large retainer to represent Charlie Marsh, a petty crook who fled the U.S. twelve years earlier.

The Lovers by John Connolly: Charlie Parker, forced to give up his private investigator's license, takes a job in a bar and begins to examine his own past and the events surrounding his father's suicide.

Matters of the Heart by Danielle Steel: Photographer Hope Dunne accepts an assignment to photograph author Finn O'Neill, and shortly after meeting him, she falls in love and is whisked away to his estate where she begins to question things he has told her about his past and starts to think that he may not be the man she thought he was.

NON FICTION
Liberty and Tyranny by Mark R. Levin: Presents a series of essays that argue for politically conservative perspectives with regard to liberty and topics such as health care, global warming, immigration, and the economy.

Medical Myths That Can Kill You by Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D.: Dr. Nancy Snyderman offers clear, practical, scientifically proven advice to help people lead a happier, healthier life, while addressing common medical myths that can put people at risk.

The Brain edited by Kenneth Partridge: A series of articles that cover the structure, functions, and historic approaches to study; mapping the mind: advances in Brain-Imaging Technology; brain development from infancy to adulthood; how the brain processes languages; the brain and aging; and efforts to understand human consciousness.

The American History Cookbook by Mark H. Zanger: Traces the history of American cooking through commentary and recipes, featuring fifty chronologically arranged chapters on historical themes and topics, covering a period that ranges from 1200 through the 1970s, each with step-by-step instructions for three or more recipes.

Heydrich: The Face of Evil by Mario R. Dederichs: Reinhard Heydrich, a leading figure within the Nazi Party, he was responsible more than Himmler for the planning and execution of the Holocaust.

The Depression Cure by Dr. Stephen S. Ilardi, PhD.: In many respects, modern Americans should be among the happiest people in the history of the world. Ominously, the rate of depression has been on the rise for decades. What has changed?

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton: Recounts events during which, immediately after the attacks of September 11, 2001, a small group of U.S. Special Forces soldiers entered Afghanistan on horseback to capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and were ambushed in a battle in which they were outnumbered forty to one.

Based on the Book

The Time Traveler's Wife is the story of Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

The novel depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's marriage and their passionate love for each other, as the story unfolds from both points of view. Clare and Henry attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals — steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

The film releases August 15th, so be sure to stop in and check out the book before seeing the film!

Digital Sheet Music Online Library

For those of you who are musically inclined, a wonderful library of sheet music is available online.

Collections include an archive of popular American music, historical music, African American sheet music and more! Accessible through the UCLA digital library, their site links to many other wonderful collections.

I found this wonderful resource via the Nebraska Library Commission's Delicious bookmarks, which are worth taking a look at.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #11
What Nebraskan was recently chosen as the U.S. Poet Laureate?

Bookworm

Fiction
Summerhill Secrets by Beverly Lewis: Merry Hanson, living amongst the Amish in rural, Pennsylvania, relies on her Christian faith to guide her through such challenging situations as the childhood death of her twin sister, the disappearance of a friend's mother, boy troubles, a skating accident, and her Amish friend's newfound interest in the modern world.

Dear to Me by Wanda E. Brunstetter: Melinda Andrews loves two things deeply her Amish friend Gabe Swartz and the wild animals she helps to heal. When an Englishman tells Melinda she has a special gift with "critters," she dreams of becoming a vet.

Summer Lovin' by Carly Phillips: Zoe Costos is a security specialist with an eccentric family who runs a spa. The family is about to adopt Sam and then Ryan, who claims to be a relative shows up. Ryan is determined to protect Sam and find out the truth about his missing sister. Zoe is the perfect one to help him.

First Murder in Advent by Sharon Wildwind: Three stateside veterans of Vietnam take refuge at a convent and are caught in a curious battle with Catholic nuns on one side and a military think tank on the other. Will they manage to protect each other, find the killer, and save themselves from their guilty consciences?

Relentless by Dean Koontz: Cubby Greenwich is a novelist and is a lucky man. When his novel gets one bad review from a critic, he knows he should ignore it, but doesn't. After he meets the critic who doesn't take criticism, Cubby finds himself in a desperate struggle with a sociopath.

Trouble by Jesse Kellerman: Jonah Stem stumbles across a murder in progress and rushes to protect the young woman being stabbed, inadvertently killing her attacker in the process and placing himself in the midst of a media frenzy that teaches him heroism isn't all it's cracked up to be.

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella: Lawyer Samantha Sweeting stumbles into a new way of life when a costly error at work has her fleeing to the countryside where she is mistakenly hired as a housekeeper--despite a complete lack of domestic skills--and finds love with the handsome gardener.

Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy: Cooking school colleagues Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlet open their catering company, Scarlet Feather, to rave reviews, and are determined to make a success of the business despite the disapproval and interference of certain family members and friends.

Medusa by Clive Cussler: An undersea lab disappears, a bathysphere is attacked by an underwater vehicle and left helpless and only Austin's heroic measures save them. Austin suspects a connection and puts the NUMA team on the case and doesn't know what he's gotten them into. They are not only trying to save their own lives, but millions of others.

The Bourne Deception by Eric Van Lustbader: Jason Bourne takes on a new identity after he survives an assassination attempt, which causes him to wonder what his life could become without any attachment to the name Bourne.

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman: Three sisters deal with tragedy after the oldest, Elv, who was sexually abused by a stranger as a child, succumbs to drug addiction and a mental breakdown, the middle sister, Meg, falls ill, and the youngest, Claire, tries to cope with her feelings of guilt over what happened to Elv.

Skeleton Justice by Dr. Michael Baden: Dr. Jake Rosen, deputy chief medical examiner, and Manny Manfreda, lawyer, take on the case of a bizarre serial killer who extracts a vial of blood from his victims. The attacks become more vicious and deadly as they look for a connection between the victims.

The German Woman by Paul Griner: Claus Murphy, an exiled American with German roots who makes propaganda films by day and spies for England at night, meets Kate, the English widow of a German surgeon; but as their relationship deepens, Claus must decide where his loyalties lie.

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro: When a vampiric virus infecting New York begins to spread, Eph Goodweather--with help from Setrakian and a motley group of fighters--tries to find a way to stop the contagion, rescue the city, and save his wife and son.

Frank McCourt Passes On

August 19, 1931 ~ July 19, 2009

Frank McCourt was an Irish American writer who was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish immigrants. After a trying childhood, he spent a good portion of his life teaching creative writing. His first novel, Angela's Ashes, won McCourt the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, the ABBY Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Click here to read an interview with the author.

Below is a list of the books we have in our collection written by Mr. McCourt

Angela and the Baby Jesus

Angela's Ashes: a memoir

Teacher Man: a memoir

'Tis: a memoir

Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #10
What was J. Edgar Hoover's occupation during college?

Based on the Book

So I went to Harry Potter last night (and yes, it was awesome) and during the previews they played the trailer for the Where the Wild Things Are movie. It looks to be a good and releases in October! Maurice Sendak is one of our favorite children's authors here at the library. If you have kids or grandkids or an inner child, stop by and read a few. They are imaginative and endearing. A few of the titles include In the Night Kitchen, Where the Wild Things Are and Outside Over There.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #9

What letter was worn by sinners of the flesh in Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel?

Nebraska Memories

Nebraska Memories is a digitalized collection of historical and cultural heritage media made available to the public through the internet. It is a collaboration of institutions across the state, and is intended to make the material freely available to researchers.With over 3,500 items in the database, a rich variety of material is available with additional files being added each month.

To learn more about Nebraska Memories, or to begin your research, visit the website at http://www.memories.ne.gov/

Nebraska Memories is sponsored by The Nebraska Library Commission.

New but not "New"

Here are some more books new to our catalog that didn't make it to the "New" cart:

Peony by Pearl S. Buck
This is the story of a culture within a culture. The conflict between the two cultures comes out as a love affair develops between two young people. Peony is classic Pearl Buck showing not only the conflict of the new and old ways but the difficulty in a society where there was no discrimination against the Jews. Pearl Buck won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.







The Complete Book of Cross Stitch Designs by Linda Schaffer
A classic of stitchwork, The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs showcases 500 designs—from traditional favorites to originals found nowhere else. There are soft and lacy patterns; some that mimic knitting, weaving, or patchwork; and others that use large openwork and popcorn stitches. And every stitch design features a photo, reader-friendly instructions, and a diagram showing each stitch and its placement—so it’s easy to understand the entire design at a glance. The guide also includes a pictorial index, which displays the complete pattern, and directions for all basic crochet stitches. Both beginners and experienced crocheters alike will turn to this invaluable reference for years to come. (Please note that we own the "classic" edition, so the cover looks different.)




Guts by Gary Paulsen
In Guts, Gary tells the real stories behind the Brian books, the stories of the adventures that inspired him to write Brian Robeson's story: working as an emergency volunteer; the death that inspired the pilot's death in Hatchet; plane crashes he has seen and near-misses of his own. He describes how he made his own bows and arrows, and takes readers on his first hunting trips, showing the wonder and solace of nature along with his hilarious mishaps and mistakes. He shares special memories, such as the night he attracted every mosquito in the county, or how he met the moose with a sense of humor, and the moose who made it personal. There's a handy chapter on "Eating Eyeballs and Guts or Starving: The Fine Art of Wilderness Nutrition." Recipes included. Readers may wonder how Gary Paulsen survived to write all of his books -- well, it took guts.



Black Hills by Nora Roberts
A summer at his grandparents' South Dakota ranch is not eleven-year-old Cooper Sullivan's idea of a good time. But things are a bit more bearable now that he's discovered the neighbor girl, Lil Chance, and her homemade batting cage. Each year, with Coop's annual summer visit, their friendship deepens from innocent games to stolen kisses, but there is one shared experience that will forever haunt them: the terrifying discovery of a hiker's body.

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #8
Which poet served as a nurse during the Civil War?

Fiction
Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh: Young Stephen Huxtable, the Earl of Merton, becomes entangled in a romantic affair with Cassandra Belmont, a beautiful widow who has been accused of murdering her husband, but taking Cassandra as his wife would risk his reputation.

Marine One by James W. Huston: After the President of the United States is killed in a helicopter crash, Mike Nolan, a Marine Corps reserve helicopter pilot and civilian trial attorney, is hired to defend the European manufacturing company in a court, but his only hope to win is to discover what really caused the crash.

Nightwalkers by P. T. Deutermann: Cam Richter finds himself caught up in mischievous pranks around his land. Then the pranks turn hostile and he realizes he's a target of a killer who holds him responsible for something he didn't do. As he tries to find out why someone wants him dead, he begins to uncover the secrets of the plantation.

Winterkill by C.J. Box: In a violent Wyoming blizzard, game warden Joe Pickett finds an arrow-riddled corpse stuck to a tree. The investigation, run by federal agents with conflicting agendas and strong rivalries, leads to a group of survivalists called the Sovereign Citizens.

Razor Sharp by Fern Michaels: The Ladies of Pinewood are about to come to Lizzie's aid after she takes on a high-profile case involving some "ladies of the night" and some wealthy, arrogant customers. Even the higher courts will prove no match of seven fearless friends determined to ensure that real justice is served, Sisterhood style.

Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger: Ariadne Evans swore her sleuthing days were over after her very own knitting shop became a crime scene a few months back. But she hadn't anticipated that the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival would become the site of another murder -- with hers truly as a prime suspect.

The Last Gunfighter Hell Town by William Johnstone: Buckskin, Nevada, was once a boom town then died a peaceful death. But when a fresh vein of silver is struck, Morgan lets himself get pinned with a tin badge at the worst possible time.

Non Fiction
In The Mind's Eye by Elizabeth Dodd: A collection of essays in which Elizabeth Dodd examines the natural and human history of various sites in the American Southwest, southern France, and the Pacific Northwest.

Becoming Attached by Robert Karen: The book offers fresh insight into some of the most fundamental issues of emotional life, a voyage of discovery in children’s emotional development and its pertinence to adult life, and personal discovery.

Walking Your Blues Away by Thom Hartmann: A new approach to using walking to heal emotional trauma and bring forth optimal mental functioning.

American Lion by Jon Meacham: Details the life of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, and focuses on his political actions and choices that shaped the White House and inspired the later presidents--including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and others.

The Last Princess by Matthew Dennison: A comprehensive biography of Beatrice, the youngest daughter of England's Queen Victoria, that chronicles her life, devotion to her mother, marriage, and family.

Paul Newman: A Life by Shawn Levy: Looks at the life of Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman, discussing his youth in Cleveland, Ohio, his early acting struggles, his artistic battles, long-lasting marriage to Joanne Woodward, late-life decision to become a race car driver, and charitable work.

Eat This, Not That for Kids by David Zinczenko: Provides nutritional facts for thousands of foods from fast-food restaurants to vending machine choices that children usually enjoy; and suggests healthier alternatives.

Harrry Potter is almost here!

And boy am I excited! We have 2 copies of the book available for checkout, and you still have time to read (or reread) it before the movie comes out.)

Click here for an interview with Emma Watson on the movie.

New but not "New"

The following are books newly dded to our collection that did not make it onto the "New" cart:


The Essential 55: an award-winning educator's rules for discovering the successful student in every child by Ron Clark
The runaway bestseller that's a must-have for every parent and teacher.
How many authors would travel coast to coast on a bus to get their book into as many hands as possible? Not many. But that's just what Ron Clark, author of The Essential 55, did to keep his book and message in the public eye. And it worked. The book sat tenaciously on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks. Ron Clark was featured on the Today show, and in the Chicago Tribune, Good Housekeeping, and the New York Daily News -- not to mention the calls we've received from teachers and parents who want to get their hands on Ron's guidelines for teaching children. Call number 371.102 CLA


The Book Borrower by Alice Mattison
In deceptively quiet, guileless prose, she has described the mind numbing routine of child-care and the fraught, complex relations of men and women. Only Margaret Atwood has written as knowingly about the frienship between women. Emotionally wrenching, beautifully realized work. Call number FIC MAT







The One-Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud
Do you feel that if you could get rid of some of the chaos in your work life, you could take your performance to a greater level? Do you stay late at the office many nights, or check your BlackBerry when you don't? Do you have difficulty dealing with cantankerous bosses or passive-aggressive coworkers? If you've answered yes, your performance is suffering and your work life has taken over your personal life. In The One-Life Solution, bestselling author Dr. Henry Cloud examines the workplace. Through engaging real-world examples, Dr. Cloud shows us how to construct and enforce better boundaries against the technological devices, bullying bosses, and distracting coworkers who invade our time and space. Call number 650.1 CLO


The Works of Edgar Allan Poe
This beautifully bound volume includes over 70 stories and 40 poems, including his famous works The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart & The Raven. Call number FIC POE





The Pictorial Encyclopedia of Japanese Culture: the sould and heritage of Japan
This book is visual rich as well as informative. It provides a comprehensive look at the Japanese culture. Call number 390.0952 PIC

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #7

What was the original title of The Long Hot Summer?

Lots of New VHS!

Since DVD technology has taken over, we have been receiving more and more VHS donations, many which are finding their way into our collection. Nearly 30 new titles have been added to our catalog this week alone, including the following titles:

Armageddon

Batman Forever

Hot Shots

The Hunt for Red October

Romancing the Stone & Jewel of the Nile

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

The Pink Panther & Return of the Pink Panther

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

The Sixth Sense and many more!

Be sure to stop in and check out our ever growing movie collection. Movies are checked out for one week and 3 can be taken home at a time. Best of all - it's FREE!

Bookworm

Alexandria by Lindsey Davis: In the first century A.D. in Rome, Marcus Didius Falco works as a private "informer" often for the emperor. When he takes a vacation to Alexandria Egypt, he soon finds himself in the midst of a case involving the Head Librarian of the world-famous library found dead behind locked doors.

Shadows Still Remain by Peter De Jonce: New York Police Department detective Darlene O'Hara risks losing her job when she refuses to believe that the prime suspect in the murder of a college student is guilty and sets out to find the real killer.

The Branch and the Scaffold by Loren D. Estleman: A fictional account of the life of Judge Isaac Parker, telling how he earned the title of "Hanging Judge of the Border" for his severe judgments during his tenure as the sole law in the territory around Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Return of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone: The town of Bury, Idaho was raw and untamed and not for the faint-hearted, but Smoke Jensen was neither. Nor were the outlaws he was after -- the ones who had killed his wife and boy.

The Valentine Legacy by Catherine Coulter: Jessie Warfield and James Wyndham are an unlikely romantic duo in the riding set. James is being pressured to marry her and Jessie is being pressured to leave. She runs away but ends up at James' cousins and is transformed into a stylish and beautiful maiden.

The King James Conspiracy by Phillip DePoy: In 1605, at Cambridge University, one of the translators working on the new Bible is savagely murdered by unknown hands. Help comes from people who are not who they claim to be -- Brother Timon has a secret past and blood on his hands. He is an agent for the forces working to stop the translation itself.

Flinx Transcendent by Alan Dean Foster: Flinx races against time and various obstacles to save the Human Commonwealth from certain destruction, and must face the AAnn, come to terms with the truth about his father, locate an ancient sentient weapons platform, and outwit assassins.

The Increment by David Ignatius: Harry Pappas, chief of Persia House for the CIA, receives intel about the Iranian bomb program from an Iranian scientist, but when the scientist's life is in jeopardy, and the United States government is little help, Pappas is forced to betray America and enlist the aid of a British spy team known as "The Increment."

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly: Forced out of the "Los Angeles Times" amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, and uses his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career.

Whispers of the Dead by Simon Beckett: Forensic anthropologist David Hunter travels from London to a field laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee, and after he is called to a crime scene in a remote mountain cabin, Hunter begins to search for a serial killer who is knowledgeable about forensics.

Wicked Prey by John Sanford: Lucas Davenport grows increasingly concerned about various potential threats as the Republican convention in St. Paul approaches, and Randy Whitcomb, a pimp and petty thief with a grudge regarding a stray bullet that left him in a wheelchair, plans a way to get revenge by targeting Davenport's fourteen-year-old adopted daughter.

An Honorable German by Charles McCain: Max Brekendorf, a young German
German naval officer, commands a U-Boat in the beginning of World War II, but as the war progresses, Max worries about his fiancée, Mareth, who faces danger while living in Berlin, and Max must make a choice between his own morality and his loyalty to the Reich.

Cemetary Dance by Douglas Preston: FBI special agent Aloysius Pendergast and Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta think they have an open and shut murder case when they receive footage of the killer leaving the victim's apartment, but things are not so clear when they learn the suspect actually died two weeks before the crime.

Gone Tommorrow by Lee Child: Jack Reacher survives a suicide bombing that claimed the life of Susan Mark, and with the help of a female police officer, Reacher looks for answers about Susan Mark's life, and follows a trail that leads him to Washington, California, and Afghanistan.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #6
Which Nebraska author wanted to be a medical doctor?

Based on the Book

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

Here's the trailer of the movie and an interview with the actresses. Be sure to stop in and check out the book before seeing the movie!

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful 4th of July from the staff here at the Alliance Public Library! The library will be closed Friday,

Saturday and Sunday.

Take a moment this weekend to reflect over the vision our founding fathers had for the United States of America by clicking here to read The Declaration of Independence.

The History of Independece Day

We have a wonderful DVD available for checkout titled Independence Day: The History of the 4th of July and it can be found in our DVD collection under the call number DVD 394.2634 IND

Hurry in and check it out! It would be a nice way to wind down your 4th of July celebration (after the barbecue and fireworks, of course.)

I tried to find a clip to share with you here, but was unsuccessful; however, if you click here, you'll be directed to a nice selection of Fourth of July related videos on the History Channel website.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #5

Which author was selected for One Book, One Nebraska 2009?

Fiction

No Warriors, No Glory by Harold Coyle: Nathan Dixon, a midcareer U.S. Army officer, discovers just how different the army that he dedicated his life to will look in the future when he is assigned the task of investigating a friendly-fire incident involving a rogue un-manned ground combat vehicle or UGV.

Torpedo Juice by Tim Dorsey: Serge Storms flees to the Florida Keys hoping to reinvent himself and start over, but Serge seems to bring a cloud of crime with him, no matter where he goes, and must try to clear his name and stay out of trouble with the police.

The Sign by Raymond Khoury: Scientists on an exploration at Antarctica witness a shimmering sphere of light in the sky enveloping the ship in a luminous blaze. A priest on a mountaintop in Egypt has a vision that repeatedly consumes him. Patrons in a bar see a glowing symbol on television. A brother's death may not be all it seemed. The world holds it's breath as Gracie and Matt chase down the story of a lifetime.

Beach Trip by Cathy Holton: As four college friends reunite in an attempt to relive the carefree days of their college years, their hidden stories are gradually revealed and they learn that they must confront their shared past and a secret that threatens their bond and their lives forever.

Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber: Lydia Goetz, owner of A Good Yarn on Seattle's Blossom Street, offers a class called Knit to Quit for people who need to quit something and start over, and finds herself dealing with a whole new set of people and problems, including a couple on the home front.

The Killing on Jubilee Terrace by Robert Barnard: Detective Inspector Charlie Peace investigates the accidental death of Vernon Watts, a cast member on the soap opera "Jubilee Terrace," who was beloved by audiences but not friendly with his colleagues, after an anonymous note suggests his death may have been murder.

The Last Child by John Hart: Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merriman searches the town after his twelve-year-old sister Alyssa disappears on her way home from the library one day, and Detective Clyde Hunt, lead cop on the case, watches over Johnny and his mother to keep them safe while the boy and his friend continue their hunt.

The Frightened Man by Kenneth Cameron: General Denton, an expatriate U.S. Civil War veteran and former frontier sheriff, teams up with social worker Janet Striker in 1900 London to investigate the brutal murder of prostitute Stella Minter and hunt down what might be the long-gone Jack the Ripper.

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg: Helen Ames grieves over the loss of her husband with her twenty-seven-year-old daughter Tessa, but she is shocked to learn that her seemingly loyal husband led a double life and spent most of their retirement savings.

One-Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling: Nora Peterson and Jenna Montgomery find their lives forever linked when a tragic accident on Christmas Eve leaves one grieving while the other rejoices at her daughter's second chance at life.

Yuletide Treasure by Jillian Hart: The book includes these two books: Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling and A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart.

Unbridled Dream by Stephanie Grace Whitson: Seventeen-year-old Irma Friedrich, having been given the role of Lady Belle in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, struggles to gain her mother's approval while she is courted by the troupe's superstar, Shep Sterling.

Killer Cruise by Laura Levine: Jaine Austen wins an all-expenses-paid vacation on a fancy cruise ship in exchange for teaching three writing classes, but when the smooth-talking British dancer Graham turns up dead from an ice pick to the chest, Jaine feels she must find the killer hiding among the passengers.

Cold Choices by Larry Bond: The USS Seawolf, a Navy submarine, is watching Russians as they train for battle in the Barents Sea. Russia's Severodvinsk harasses the Seawolf and eventually they collide. The Russian submarine is damaged and the Seawolf must convince the Russians they know where it is, keep the Russians alive and keep their own submarine afloat.

4th of July Library Hours

We will be closed Friday, July 3rd

and Saturday, July 4th

to celebrate our country's freedom

And here are a few fun holiday related activites:

4th of July Trivia

4th of July Crossword Puzzle

4th of July Coloring Pages

Summer Reading Reminder

We just can't believe that summer reading flew by so quickly this year! This week is the last week of the "official" program; however, we want to encourage you parents to keep sending the kids in throughout the next few months. The more they read this summer, the more prepared they'll be when returning to school this fall. And if they are here in the library and want a specific book that we don't have, or they really like a particular author and would like more of his books available for checkout, bring them up to the circulation desk and have them fill out a consider for purchase slip. Dena is really good about ordering books that are requested by the kids, and we want to do everything within our power to keep the kids interested in reading.

Now back to the reading program - there isn't a morning program this Wednesday. Intead, we'll be having the swim party at the pool at 7:00, at which time the kids who successfully completed all 6 programs can pick up their wrist bands.

Make sure that the logs are stamped by 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 1st!

The logs still need to be stamped by the 3:00 deadline in order to successfully complete the program and qualify for a wristband.

We will not be stamping logs at the pool party!

If there is any questions, give us a call at 762-1387.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #4
Which states did Mark Twain live in? (hint: there's 5 total)

Finger Lickin' Fifteen is here!

For those of you like Janet Evanovich, Finger Lickin' Fifteen has been processed and is ready to be checked out to all of you loyal fans. If you would like to read the book in the next few months, be sure to contact us and we'll place you on the hold list. Her new books are rarely on the shelf due to their popularity, but they are quick reads and the list moves along quite fast. Also, if we call you for a hold, be sure to come in a pick it up right away, as we'll only hold it for a few days.

If you haven't read Evanovich, be sure to check out her previous novels. I hear they are quite entertaining and they are highly recommended by a number of our regular patrons. The series starts with One For The Money and progress up to Finger Lickin' Fifteen. Click here for a complete listing of her novels.

Also, Ms. Evanovich is also holding a "Name the Book Contest" on her website. The person who picks the winning name for book 16 will win an advanced, signed copy of book 16 and acknowledgement in the book. Click here for more info.

NebraskAccess Facelift!

NebraskAccess has recently undergone some reorganizing and has even been given a new home address at www.nebraskaccess.ne.gov. Many of the old features are still available with the addition of some new, including librarian recommended websites on topics ranging anywhere from board game rules to financial investing. I hope to go through these sites as time allows and share some of my finds with you, but until then, explore the new NebraskAccess and if there is anything you find particularly interesting or useful let me know. I'll share it here on the blog. You can email me at luv2read15@yahoo.com.

Bookworm

FICTION LARGE PRINT
Double Cross by James Patterson: Alex Cross rejoins the police to help track down a murderer who stages killings in public settings, and the odds against Cross surviving the case double when the Audience Killer is joined by Kyle Craig, a criminal carrying a grudge against the detective.

Land of my Heart Tracie Peterson: When Dianne Chadwick urges her family to move west to her uncle’s ranch in the Montana Territory; she has no idea that her new life in the rugged frontier will not be the idyllic adventure she expects.

Bond Ride for Vengeance by William W. Johnstone: After saving Sweet Apple, Texas, from disaster, Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves decide to stay and help the new marshal and maybe relax with the daughters of two feuding cattlemen.

The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini: Sylvia Compson, having uncovered letters in an antique desk written by slave Joanna, pieces together the story of the woman's life.

Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux: Jocelyn Minton, having formed a friendship with the elderly Miss Edi after her father remarried and she began to feel like an outsider in her own family, copes with the death of her confidante.

The Judas Strain by James Rollins: Aboard a cruise liner transformed into a makeshift hospital, Dr. Lisa Cummings and Monk Kokkalis, operatives of SIGMA Force, search for answers to a bizarre affliction.

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall: Hannah Lapp has been raised in a traditional Old Order Amish family, but when she falls in love with a Mennonite, she is forced to choose between her true love and her place in her family and community.

Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford: Elizabeth Deravenel, having been appointed executive of her family's business empire, finds herself in the middle of rumors, disloyal employees, and enemies trying to take her down.

A Man for Temperance by Gilbert Morris: Spinster Temperance Peabody, raised in a religious colony, discovers the community is decimated by a cholera outbreak, and she decides to take the surviving children back East.

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritson: Medical examiner Maura Isles and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli investigate when a murderer begins placing his victims in the Crispin Museum and a young archaeologist goes missing.

Rogue Forces by Dale Brown: The president, Joseph Gardner, pledged to start pulling U.S. forces out of Iraq on his first day in office.

Mr and Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels: Lily and Peter are college students and both supplement their tuition by donating to the fertility clinic. One day they meet and are attracted to each other, but don't meet again until nineteen years later.

Loitering with Intent by Stuart Woods: For Stone Barrington, Key West proves to be more dangerous than anticipated with drugs, fraud, and a mysterious death from the past may be linked to what had seemed an open-and-shut case.

Patience by Lori Copeland: Patience Smith's life takes an unexpected turn when she is kidnapped and taken into the Colorado mountains where she eventually is able to escape her abductors.

A New Leaf by Thomas Kincade: Single mom Molly Willoughby meets Dr. Matthew Harding, widower and newcomer to Cape Light, a small town in New England, but they are both reluctant to start a new relationship, and Reverend Ben guides Tucker Tulley when someone unexpected shows up on Tucker's doorstep.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize! (Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)


Question #3
Which state was Margaret Mitchell born in?

A List of Ten Great Children's Novels

Over my lunch break, I was perusing one of my favorite blogs (www.indiefixx.com) and was delighted to find a post with some suggestions for children's books. I am all for reading children's novels - they are just so relaxing and imaginative and the subject matter always seems a little lighter than some of the adult novels.

So if you would like to read the list, compiled by Renee Ann, an Australian Artist, simply click here and you'll be redirected. She also made up a lovely and free illustration of a stack of books that you can download!

Based on the Book

Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher was made into a movie, which I believe received rave reviews, in 1990. We have the novel available for checkout.

Suzanne Vale is funny and famous, a thirty-ish actress who has crash-landed in rehab, and navigated the humorous and harrowing byways of all of her addictions...even love. Tough yet fragile, she's hanging on -- and she's not sure why. There is her unsupporting cast of friends and lovers: Alex, an arrogantly handsome TV writer. Suzanne has a place in his heart...and maybe even in his new script. Jack, a producer and super-stud. His relationship with Suzanne is heavy on analysis and light on commitment. Lucy, her trusted gal pal. When the going gets rough, they charge away their blues on Rodeo Drive. Jesse, a novelist and the almost-too-good-to-be-true result of a "dating accident." His Niceness is boring Suzanne to death -- and driving her crazy with love.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize!(Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.)

Question #2
Which war did Edgar Allen Poe serve in?

Bookworm

FICTION
Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon by Nancy Atherton: Lori Shepard investigates whether sabotage is responsible for the series of odd accidents befalling Calvin Malvern, who is acting as King Wilfred at the village of Finch's annual faire.

The 8th Confession by James Patterson: As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge.

First Family by David Baldacci: First lady Jane Cox insists on hiring private detectives Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to help when her twelve-year-old niece is abducted and the child's mother killed following a birthday party at Camp David, and while the investigators have no trouble identifying the assailant, they cannot figure out the motive for his obsession with the first family.

The Immortality Factor by Ben Bova: When biotech lab director Arthur Marshak discovers a way to grow replacement organs and limbs within a patient's own body, the uproar from religious extremists, conservative politicians and media coverage threatens to derail the project. Marshak decides to let a science court rule on the validity of human organ regeneration.

Triple Cross by Mark T. Sullivan: Former U.S. Special Agent Mickey Hennessey, head of security for the Jefferson Club, a private resort for the world's wealthiest people, is the only one of his team to make it out alive when the Third Position Army, a highly trained, heavily-armed paramilitary force, breaches the security system on New Year's Eve, taking everyone hostage--including Mickey's children--and he vows to do whatever it takes to free them.

Give Me Back My Legions by Harry Turtledove: Roman politician Publius Quinctilius Varus is assigned three legions and sent to the Roman frontier east of the Rhine to subdue the barbarous German tribes, not realizing there is a traitor in the ranks who is trying to learn everything he can about the Roman arts of war and policy in an effort to help Germany survive.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith: Mma Makutsi discovers that her old rival Violet Sephotho, at the Botswana Secretarial College, has set her sights on Mma’s fiancé, Phuti Radiphuti. The proprietor of a local football team has enlisted the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency to help explain its dreadful losing streak. The owner of the team is convinced he as a traitor in his midst.

Her Kind of Hero by Diana Palmer: Contains two romance novels, including "The Last Mercenary," in which Micah Steele travels far and wide to rescue Callie Kirby, a woman from his past who has been kidnapped by his sworn enemy and with whom he is still in love; and "Matt Caldwell, Texas Tycoon," in which Jacobsville's most-sought-after bachelor Matt Caldwell finds himself falling for his new employee, the innocent and mysterious Leslie Murray.

Intent to Kill by James Grippando: Ryan James, a former minor-league baseball player turned sports radio host, receives an anonymous tip about the unsolved hit-and-run accident that killed his wife three years prior live on the air, but the information points to a powerful New England family, and puts Ryan, his wife's brother "Babes," and the case's prosecutor in danger.

Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard: After Jack Foley is released from prison, he devises a scheme to steal Cundo Rey's fortune, but his plan requires the help of Rey's common-law wife, Dawn Navarro.

CD’S FICTION
Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark: While Natalie and her roommate, Jamie Evans, were both struggling young actresses, Jamie had been involved with a mysterious married man to whom she referred only by nickname. Natalie comes face to face with him years later and inadvertently addresses him by the nickname Jamie had used. A few days later, Natalie is found in her home dying from a gunshot wound.

First Family by James Baldacci: First lady Jane Cox insists on hiring private detectives Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to help when her twelve-year-old niece is abducted and the child's mother killed following a birthday party at Camp David, and while the investigators have no trouble identifying the assailant, they cannot figure out the motive for his obsession with the first family.

Wicked Prey by John Sanford: Lucas Davenport grows increasingly concerned about various potential threats as the Republican convention in St. Paul approaches, and Randy Whitcomb, a pimp and petty thief with a grudge regarding a stray bullet that left him in a wheelchair, plans a way to get revenge by targeting Davenport's fourteen-year-old adopted daughter.

Adult Summer Reading Classic Lit Trivia

As part of our adult summer reading fun, I will be posting 2 trivia questions each week. To participate please email Ronda at rlarson@cityofalliance.net with the trivia question number as the subject and be sure to include your full name in the email so we know who you are. The person who correctly answers the most questions at the end of the program will win a prize!(Before participating, please sign up for the summer reading program at the circulation desk in the library.

Question # 1: Who wrote The Grapes of Wrath (please include middle name)?

CINDY'S PICKS

Do you long for far away adventure, but are afraid to leave the country? Do you want to be entertained without thinking, "Is that possible?" Would you like some light reading that does not make you think too hard? Then I have two words for you, Clive Cussler. Clive Cussler's non-fiction books are mostly divded into three series, The Dirk Pitt Adventures, The Numa Files, and The Oregon Files. I would recommend starting with the Dirk Pitt Adventures, as this series will lay the ground work for the next two. As Dirk Pitt ages thoughout this series, you may want to start with the earlier books first. http://www.cusslermen.com/books.htm

Enjoy,
Cindy

Based on the Book

Today marks one month until Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince hits theaters - and boy am I excited! If you are a Harry Potter fan, be sure to stop in and pick up the book so you can reread it before the movie comes out. If you haven't read Harry Potter (and if you like fantasy/mystery/excellent storytelling and writing) for heaven's sake come in and start the series. They are so good that you just might be able to get through the Half Blood Prince (which is the 6th book) in time.

Click here to watch the trailer.