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January 29, 2008
"Hey! Wait a minute! Where are the new health books??!!”
Good question Mr/Ms Patron!
We have moved our new health books (for those of you keeping Dewey score, they are numbered 610-618) into the stacks on the first floor where they are shelved in their proper order.
“But how will I be able to determine the latest editions?”
Another good question! We have marked them with a white sticker that says “New” in blue lettering above the call number so that they are easy to spot.
“Why have you done this?”
Well for several reasons, but the two most significant ones are we needed the space in the new book section. As you can see for yourself space is at a premium there. The other reason and probably the most important is to give you, our patrons a little privacy while you looked up the area that you felt you needed to learn about. And by putting the books in the stacks with their older counterparts, you can look and learn at your leisure, in relative privacy.
Please feel free to let us know how you feel about this change. We care greatly about what you think!
Posted by JenniferD at 02:54 PM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2008
World Traveler Visits Africa and The Middle East!
Tiny Lynn has been on a reading jag lately and highly endorses the following books.
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali is her story of what it means to be a Muslim woman in today’s world. This amazing memoir had Lynn turning the pages and Marianne loved it too. Ali takes the issues that directly affected her and millions of other Muslim women, such as arranged marriage, and female circumcision. Marianne says you may feel like you know the real story but until you read this you really don’t.
Because Lynn as previously stated is all about the exotic locale, The Places in Between, was another one she loved. Rory Stuart walked across Afghanistan in January 2002. With his dog Barbur by his side, he muses over the history, culture and people of a beleaguered nation. This is travel writing at its most personal.
Posted by JenniferD at 03:52 PM | Comments (2)
January 15, 2008
Who ever would have thought that an 82 year old woman with really bad fashion sense,
but GREAT jewelry would be the inspiration for two really wonderful books?
Queen Elizabeth II is the main character of Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader. When Her Majesty discovers the Book Mobile she at first only takes a book out of duty, but each book leads to another and another until she is obsessed like the rest of us with the next great read. This causes resentment and misunderstanding amongst her household and plots are hatched to lead her away from her new found love. Bennett presents a hilarious and at times touching portrait of a woman who through the solitary act of reading finds new ways to reach out to others.
Is there such a thing as an ordinary life? Or are all lives extraordinary in their own ways? Remembering the Bones by Francis Itani is the story of Canadian Georgie Danforth Whitley who was born on the same day as the Queen and has always believed that while the two of them lived in very different worlds the parallels and similarities between the two of them have given Georgie an inner voice in the persona of the Queen. When she is invited to the Queen’s 80th birthday lunch she sees it as a wonderful escape from her role as a care-giver to her 103 year old mother and her 50-ish daughter. But on her ride into the airport to catch her flight, her car careens off the road and into a ravine. As Georgie lies there waiting for rescue she pours over the hours of her life and ponders over the meaning of it all.
These are two wonderful books, with one common or rather, not so common thread.
Posted by JenniferD at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2008
Sometimes I get lucky….
And a book comes along that makes me grumpy when my train pulls into the station of my destination.
Understand that for it to happen with this particular author is an anomaly. Don’t get me wrong, I like her but I thought E.L. Doctrow was robbed of the Pulitzer for his book, entitled The March, over Geraldine Brooks’ March.
People of the Book is her latest offering and I think the best thing she has done. This is the story of an illuminated Hebrew manuscript and the lives that it has touched through 500 years of war, and anti-Semitism. Hanna Heath an Aussie Book Conservator is called to war torn Sarajevo to inspect the acclaimed Sarajevo Haggadah. Through various clues left in the book itself, such as a wine stain and an insect wing, Brooks weaves a tale of mankind trying to save things of beauty during times of great upheaval.
This has enormous appeal not only for history buff, but book lovers of all walks and stripes. I will be sad not only when the train pulls into the station but when I finish this one and have to say goodbye to these wonderful, richly drawn characters.
Posted by JenniferD at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2008
It’s that time of year!
And the Desketeers are no exception. We too have our very Top 10 of 2007. This wonderful and eclectic list is all full of items that you can obtain here at The Biblio!
Soul Catcher, Michael C. White (FIC WHITE) - This was Lois’s favorite read of the year. This is the story of Augustus Cain who is hired to track down runaway slave, Rosetta. Lois called this one “haunting”.
God of Animals, Aryn Kyle (FIC KYLE) - A coming of age story that will stick with you for a long time. Twelve year old Alice Winston lives on her father’s Colorado horse ranch. Her mother hasn’t left her bed in years, her sister just ran away with a rodeo cowboy. How will she navigate her adolescence? I loved this one.
Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies, Blake Snyder ( 808.23 SNYDER) – is what Scott is currently perusing. It is full of screen writer inside information.
The Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without, Mollie Katzen (Q641.651 KATZEN) – As much as we hated, loathed and scorned Jessica Seinfeld’s pathetic attempt at cooking, we cheered this one. In fact, we all bought multiple copies to keep and give to family and friends. Erica especially likes the Portobello Mushroom recipe.
Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: My Family’s Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World, Lucette Lagnado (305.8924 MATALON) – With the fall of King Farouk came the fall of Lagnado’s family. Tiny Lynn loved this one! She is all about the exotic locale.
Black Book(DVD BLACK) was Bab’s favorite film of the year. This foreign film tells the story of the Dutch Resistance in World War II. “Even though it was subtitled, it had me glued to the screen!”
My So Called Life (DVD MY) The groundbreaking series that finally showed an accurate portrayal of teen angst. Erica was jazzed to see this coming across the desk. “It reminds me of my childhood!”
Extras The Complete First Season and Extras The Complete Second Season (DVD EXTRAS) – I loved this way more than I should have. With amazing star cameos and hilarious dialogue, this series depicts the life of a struggling actor and his friends.
Entourage The Complete First, Second and Third Season (DVD ENTOURA) Everyone on staff is crazy for this one. The craziness of modern day Hollywood in all of its demented glory is here for the watching.
Paris Je T’Aime (DVD PARIS) – Honorary Desketeer Barbara M. loved this collection of 18 short films all honoring her favorite place on earth. No, not the Children’s Room, but Paris.
Posted by JenniferD at 12:39 PM | Comments (2)