Musings...

Adventure #1

2011-05-30T20:39:00.000-04:00

This summer I've decided to take the kids somewhere each weekend instead of loading them up for a long car trip (the radio can't be loud enough to drown them out arguing in the backseat.) After a couple weeks, they have started calling the little activities "adventures." Several weeks ago we went to the Allentown auto museum, America on Wheels, to see the special Disney Pixar Cars2 display. I have a feeling another "adventure" will have to consist of going to see the new movie when it opens in June. Here's the photos:

Pippi & Toby

Summer is here...Vacation!

2011-05-28T21:28:00.000-04:00

Monkey doing some filing

Monkey online

Monkey checks for new mail

Monkey makes copies

Everybody should take a little vacation this summer. Monkey took a trip to the library!

Happy National Library Week!

2011-04-13T19:51:00.002-04:00

Don't you think it's time you did something nice for your favorite librarian? If you don't have a favorite, just pick me! My fellow librarians and I came up with some good suggestions we wish would be discounted in honor of this celebratory week:
-Offer us a discount on cardigans, preferably argyles
-Stylists, can you offer a price reduction on a shampoo, blow out and bun? And just tuck a pencil in if you don't have hairpins
-We're looking for deals on the chains we use to keep track of our glasses-they always manage to get lost
-Do you do shoe repair? We need our pointy shoes fixed.
Ok, these might be a bit far-fetched, but how about just paying that quarter library fine you've owed for the past 6 months?

Headlines

2011-04-12T19:51:00.001-04:00

Headlines can make or break a magazine cover. How often have you picked up a magazine just because of an attention-grabbing headline (we've all been lured.) Some recent headlines that have caught my eye:
- Save on groceries: A plate full of plants (The Herb Companion) Sounds appetizing
- Ticks suck! (DirtRag)
- NYT paywall subscription instructions- no more complex than affordable healthcare act (Adweek)
-Never get a blood transfusion in these countries (Bottom line/personal) It seems like if you need one, you need one immediately
-Look Sexy! Makeup that flirts for you (Cosmo) Yes because I'm too lazy to do it myself
-Blimps are back! (Popular Science) Oh please no-Next they'll offer flight service from the top of the Empire State Building

Waiting for Superman

2011-04-06T20:37:00.000-04:00

After watching this documentary over the weekend, I felt it just added to the bleak state of current affairs. Waiting for Superman shows why America's schools are failing and why we are falling behind other developed nations in educating our youth. This was fraught with meaning for me as I am contemplating moving from one school district to another. It made me think my second grader doesn't have a chance no matter where she goes to school. Even the so called "better" districts may not be offering a great education, just in nicer surroundings than the inner city schools. The point I think everyone who watches Waiting for Superman will take away from it is that failure to lay the educational foundation for students has lasting results for the future. To parody a song phrase 'the future is not looking so bright, so take off the shades.'

A good egg...

2011-04-05T21:26:00.001-04:00

is the title of an article in May's Prevention magazine. This is a completely reworked format. The logo even has softer edges! It is a fresh look for a jam packed advice and awareness publication. Find out what all the labels mean on that carton of eggs you are buying. The article describes three types of egg production farms focusing on the hens housing, feed, and freedom to enjoy the outdoors. To see a video of one of the farms go to prevention.com/organic-chicken-farm. It also gives the facts about Salmonella and what the chance is that it will be in one of your eggs. Easter is coming, so do your healthy egg research now. There is something of interest to all in Prevention. Look for Sheryl Crow on the cover and pick it up!

Reality TV- just unrealistic

2011-04-04T21:18:00.000-04:00

Is there really a need for reality TV anymore? I actually canceled my cable service months ago and I haven't missed it. I catch up on news online and still do watch TV (only CNN though) at the gym or at my Dad's house. The news is all just bad lately. The whole first section of the Sunday New York Times this weekend was just depressing. Then I came across an article in the Arts & Leisure section, 'Have I got a show for you...' which contained true or false summaries about reality shows being considered for spring programming lineups. Do we really need to watch any of these? With the current junk programming, I was ready to believe all of them were being considered- no matter how absurd they seemed. It appears couch potatoes will be tuning into shows with titles like 'Extreme Couponing' (TLC) which sounds like typical American consumers buying what they don't need just because they clipped a coupon. Or how about 'Moonshiners' (Discovery) documenting techniques for making hooch in Appalachia. Why not one on meth? That seems to be a bigger problem in that region. Would you watch 'Pregnant in heels' (Bravo) focusing on the pseudo-problems of overly wealthy pregnant women in NYC? Give me a break, please! I won't be getting cable service anytime soon if this is an indication of what viewing choices I would have.

April's Reader's Digest

2011-03-31T19:45:00.000-04:00

I think I like Reader's Digest because of its size. It's great to tuck inside even a small purse and while some of it is still a bit mature for my taste, other sections are interesting and funny- ok, well there was this one joke that I had to read several times and I still didn't get it. Maybe Reader's Digest is too mature for me!
April's issue had a lot of trivia-type items, which I love. In a little section they called Mind the Gap, they highlighted some of the items that make up this year's (for the class of 2014) Mindset List compiled by Beloit College. I suppose you have to be slightly mature to enjoy this- I know I did. Check out the Mindset List online and chuckle over gems like #50: Toothpaste tubes have always stood up on their caps.

Watch for more news in April. I'm not fooling!

Dangers of acetaminophen

2011-03-30T20:17:00.002-04:00

April's Harvard women's health watch warns of the dangers of both over-the-counter and prescribed acetaminophen. The toxicity of this common pain reliever should not be underestimated as overdose can cause liver failure. Closely monitor intake of acetaminophen by following this article's advice:
- Don't take 2 over-the-counter medicines that both contain acetaminophen.
- Don't take more than the label recommends or your doctor prescribes.
- Don't take more than the recommended dosage in any 24 hour period.
- Don't mix with alcohol.
Stay safe and read all medication labels carefully. For more advice sign up on the website for the free weekly HEALTHbeat e-newsletter from the Harvard Medical School.

People remembers Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-29T20:16:00.000-04:00

The April 11th issue of People remembers Elizabeth Taylor in a multi-page photo spread and brief biography of her accomplishments. It almost runs like the 12 Days of Christmas song:
12- age she starred in National Velvet
10- length in years of her longest marriage
8- marriages
7- husbands
5- Academy Award nominations
4- children
2- violet eyes
1- Taylor-Burton diamond (69.42 carats)

Definitely more than 15 minutes of fame... if only we could all live this glamorously.

More magazine

2011-03-28T21:07:00.001-04:00

It's nice to know maybe I'm not as old as I think, because many of the features in More magazine just don't really appeal to me. Too bad for More because I don't think I'll be renewing my subscription. The subtitle of the magazine is 'For women of style and substance.' I thought that fit me, but maybe not. I did find a couple things of interest in April's issue to share:
-women ages 55 to 64 are less likely to house clean daily (I'm not really close to that age bracket yet, but it's nice to know there is something to look forward to at that age)
-The back page feature called 'Big names, big brains' tells where 10 female stars went to college (some ivy league schools) and the degrees they earned (none went to Drexel though)
-A lengthy but very interesting article, A country of women, on older women living in Chernobyl's radioactive wasteland. Is it coincidental that there were butchered animals in two of the photos? A very eerie symbolism.

Why to drink organic milk

2011-03-27T13:26:00.003-04:00

April's Health magazine features a guide on '11 Things it's best to buy organic' and milk is one of them. I have to say since trying organic milk, I will never go back to regular milk. I think the organic tastes just like the milk I used to drink as a kid. The flavor is richer and it goes down smoother. And it doesn't have to be whole milk either. Organic comes in 2%, 1%, and skim (I usually buy the 2%) and all of them are just as good for drinking straight as in a nice cup of tea. The main reason Health gives in favor of organic milk:
Organic milk is free of the hormone rBST, given to dairy cows which increases their milk production. Studies show it may not be good for humans, though, leading to increased health risks.
Why take the risk? Organic milk tastes better and it's truly worth the extra cost.

In my office...

2011-03-26T23:16:00.001-04:00

April's Marie Claire has an article 'What does your desk say about you?' Of course, everyone makes some kind of personality statement with what's in their office. I thought I'd share a virtual trip to my office with you and take a look at some things I like with me when I'm working.
Yes, I do have my diploma (which Marie Claire says shows your boss they've hired a winner- I sure hope so!). Actually it was just sitting on the floor at my apartment, where I'll never have as much room as in my office, so it's actually a space saver.
My coffee mug (vital)- I use a San Diego Wild Animal Park mug, mainly because I had two at home which I got when my daughter and I camped there. (Marie Claire says don't go for a too cutesy design)
Box of tissues- Marie Claire says it makes you look compassionate. Mine also double as napkins because I love to eat at my desk.
Moccasins- sometimes my feet hurt...MC says it shows you're "motivated and concerned about your well-being." Ok, I just don't want achy feet.
Fingerless gloves- Mine are grey wool with red skulls (there's my personality coming through!)
US Holocaust Museum calendar- My fave charity...they send me one every year with my membership.
A soft shawl- A gift from the lady who retired from my job. I think of her fondly every time I use it.
Sea salt grinder & pepper mill- Sorry about the sodium, but I need my veggies seasoned.
Two small plush bears- A white one & a brown one which were gifts from a wonderful friend and library volunteer.
My Lenox heart shaped candy dish- Always filled with peppermint LifeSavers...I'm addicted.
My bulletin board- Surprisingly for a librarian no cat pics. I have a couple pics of my kids and monkeys (no, they are not one and the same!). Also an article on how to behave in front of a gorilla, just in case one should happen through my office.
All in all, I think I'm pretty organized, but then I do have a lot of room to spread out. Maybe I could further de-clutter my apartment by taking more stuff to work!

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire- 100 years later

2011-03-25T20:25:00.001-04:00

In Sunday's NYT there was an article about remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist fire where over 140 workers (mostly female immigrants) died because of poor working conditions and slack fire inspection laws. The 100 year anniversary is March 25th and will be remembered by events organized by Ruth Sergel, founder of the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition. The event was a catalyst for womens' involvement in worker's unions, building code improvements and worker's rights. The NYTCityRoom blog has several feature entries this week on the history and remembrance of this tragedy that changed American labor and the Times Topic page has archive highlights. A fascinating book on the subject is “Triangle: The Fire That Changed America,” a 2003 history by David Von Drehle.

The Panda's in for Spring

2011-03-23T20:50:00.001-04:00

Panda trend - black and white

Harper's Bazaar published its fashion issue in March. Aside from the great subscriber cover (the newstand cover just had Kim Kardashian) the editor's choice section showcased some Spring trends I will and won't be following- that is of course if the snow ever stops! Easy to follow trends include animal skin patterned goods (when has snakeskin ever been out?), black and white (ditto), lace (love it-so feminine), and neutrals (I am definitely seeing a pair of nude platform heels in my future to wear with summer dresses). Trends which will be difficult for me personally to follow are: Chartreuse & other neon brights (we did this in the 80's- not going there again!) and Reds (just not my best color). The issue also has some great photos of Kate Middleton in Issa- I'd personally like to see Kate in an Issa wedding dress on April 29th, but we will just have to wait and see!

Get your protein...

2011-03-22T20:15:00.001-04:00

An article titled Staying strong: How exercise & diet can help preserve your muscles in the April 2011 Nutrition Action Healthletter says as the body ages it needs more protein and immediately after strength training is the best time to consume protein to build up protein in the muscles. How much does the RDA recommend and what are good sources of protein, you might ask? The RDA is .36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. So if I am 110 pounds (really I am) I should eat 39.6 grams of protein per day. But remember, protein does not have to come from meat alone. Vary your protein sources with options like these:

Edamame - yummy!

A favorite of mine- edamame (1/2 c. has 8g)
Nuts- 1/4 c. has 6g
Peas- surprisingly have 4g of protein per 1/2 c.
A cup of milk has 8g
An egg contains 6g
Would you rather indulge while getting your RDA of protein? The Nutrition Action Healthletter suggests:
A Kashi TLC chewy granola bar (the dark mocha almond is very good) has 6g of protein
If you like Starbucks, a Nonfat Caffe Latte grande is full of a whopping 13g of protein.
Have fun getting your protein!

Abandon

2011-03-21T20:15:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Publishers Weekly for sending me an advanced reader's copy of Meg Cabot's new YA novel Abandon. This is the first in the Abandon Trilogy with book 2 tentatively titled Underworld. In Abandon, Cabot conjures a vision of the gateway to the afterlife complete with a handsome gatekeeper. I liked the way Cabot blended myth and history into the novel's location and traditions bringing a bit of reality to the fantasy. Abandon is a clean fantasy that YA readers will enjoy in a Twilight sort of way while the novel is entertaining enough to be an absorbing, quick read for busy adults who need a literary escape. Publication date is April 24, 2011 and it can be pre-ordered at Amazon.

Read the complete synopsis online at PW.

Great past covers

2011-03-20T00:18:00.001-04:00

Short and sweet today...Take a look at this link from the American Society of Magazine Editors top 40 covers from 1965 to 2005...I've chosen my favorite of the list to display here.

National Geographic June 1985

Wait a minute Mr. Postman

2011-03-18T21:56:00.000-04:00

Email, texting, evites, online bill paying...Sure it saves us money on communications (44 cents at last count), but it's killing the US Postal Service. And we wonder why the price of a stamp keeps going up. They have lost $8.5 billion in 2010 alone and mail volume decreased by 17% from 2006-2009. A proposed solution is explained in April's issue of Popular Science. The chief counsel at the Postal Regulatory Commission has suggested an innovative concept to boost revenue for the USPS, however it doesn't involve paper communications.

The proposal is for installing monitors on mail trucks that could gather data and sell it to private companies. Likely information could be air pollution measurements, traffic conditions, ozone levels, or reporting Wi-fi coverage areas or dead zones for cellular service. (And you thought you were paranoid about the postman reading your mail!)

The concept is not quite original though. Some Greyhound buses already have sensors which track atmospheric weather information for the National Weather Service.

It appears the USPS, which has been in place since 1775 (another invention courtesy of Ben Franklin) will need to evolve to meet the current needs of our digital society.

Buying the right shoes

2011-03-17T20:45:00.002-04:00

Those who know me may think this is another story about where each pair of 5 inch heels in my closet came from, but what is even more important is your workout shoes. I recently had to buy yet another pair of sneakers. With the number of miles I'm doing every week they seem to lose their support quickly. I was overwhelmed by the selection, so much so that I bought two pair. March's Runner's World has some great tips for picking shoes you & your feet will love.
*Have your feet measured each time you go to buy shoes - your foot size can change
*Wear your workout socks so you can be sure of the fit
*Shop late in the day when your feet are their largest - this is good if you're buying those 5 inch heels also!
Check the Runner's World online shoe finder (on the homepage) to give you some ideas before you hit the store.

What is a magalogue?

2011-03-16T20:46:00.001-04:00

According to WWD (March 14) it is what is being released this week by Frederick's of Hollywood. Billed as a combination catalog and magazine creating the Frederick's lifestyle brand, the publication is planning to go monthly in fall with 16-36 page issues. FOH has gone beyond lingerie to "biker chic and shoes." Get your name on the email list. I'm interested to see how this will turn out and if it will be a new publication trend.

The new Frederick's of Hollywood manifesto

Baby bellies...

2011-03-15T20:28:00.000-04:00

can be hard to get rid of, but would you ever consider going under the knife? In Redbook this month the question posed is Would you get a "mommy tuck"? In this Redbook poll, 69% of readers said yes (if money was no object; prices for the procedure range from 5-8K), however that number dropped to 29% once women were given an in-depth look at the procedure. The graphic really shows it all. After the initial incision, the ab muscles actually are stitched back together - OUCH! And it wraps up by cutting away excess skin and stitching around your belly button to close it all up again. Read the complete article online at Redbook . I now know why I don't watch those surgical tv shows. I think I'd take crunches anyday. If you hate the idea of crunches try some of these yoga moves for great abs from the Women's Health twitter feed.

What's that green stuff at the back of the fridge?

2011-03-14T20:09:00.001-04:00

Dec/Jan 2011 cover image

If it's not a bunch of kale or an avocado, you might want to "use it or lose it" says an article in the April/May issue of Natural Health. First we might need to backtrack to the article on the Cheapskate's guide to a greener home where tip #37 tells us to Stop wasting food. Buy only what you are going to eat in the next few days - after all it's not Old West where you might not get back into town until after the spring thaw. Now back to what to do with those items that got lost in the back of the fridge..."Spoiler alert" says foods will have the best flavor by the "best by" date. "Use by" dates give you a couple of days leeway, while "expiration date" is the last day food should be eaten. "Sell by" is the last day the store can sell the item - I usually stay clear of these unless I am going to be using it immediately. But remember, if you didn't buy the item to eat, then why is it sitting in your fridge? I suggest pushing the point and keep a running tally on a magnetic notepad on your fridge. Everytime you throw away spoiled food write down how much you paid for it and subsequently wasted...I'll bet in no time at all, it will be close to the price of a meal.

I think I read Cosmo because I like dry humor...

2011-03-13T19:37:00.008-04:00

The content is really totally irrelevant since I haven't had a date in years (really). I thought the March issue could cure that, though. I stupidly still have faith that I'll meet someone (totally unrealistic). The headline on the cover "We found your future boyfriend! 23 Great places to meet men" sounded promising. Maybe I could educate myself on where these elusive creatures (men) spent their time. It was the first article I read and quickly learned that I will be forever single...Some Cosmopolitan advice I will not be following:
*Hanging out at luxury car dealerships to chat up men looking at cars they can't afford (avoid the men who got off the bus to look at Mercedes)
*Eating at hospital cafeterias in hopes of meeting a good-looking doctor (all the good doctors are women anyway - everyone knows that)
*Going to a guitar shop because you're sure to score with a musician (I'm gagging)
*Signing up as my male alter ego on Groupon so I see where guys are shopping (yes, we all want a man who is in pursuit of a sale)
I think I'll get back to my game of Solitaire now.

Are you a cheater?

2011-03-12T21:54:00.001-05:00

On your workout, that is. Are you really concentrating on the correct posture? Is your back flat? The April issue of Women's Health has a list of Shape-Up Shortcuts that lets you know exactly when and where you can cheat without defeating the purpose of your workout.

March 2011 cover

*Resting a few extra beats longer before your next set - Totally ok...good sometimes I just need a minute especially during obliques crunches...ouch!

*Skipping cooldown - WH says it's fine to let your heart rate come down just from normal activity...I really never saw the point in neck rolls anyway.

*Shaving off the last couple reps - It's a no-no...Push through and stress your muscles - it makes those body changes you're looking for.

Also in the issue - some popular moves which will get your arms ready for sleeveless by summer! For more tips follow WH on twitter.

An apple a day...

2011-03-11T22:38:00.001-05:00

Did you know there were, at one time, over 15,000 varieties of apples grown in North America? Apples seem to be going the way of glaciers, African gorillas, & John Galliano's career. That's right, certain varieties of apples are becoming extinct. At this time there are only about 3,000 varieties of apples grown in the US. That's still a lot of choices, however in the March/April issue of E: The Environmental Magazine there is an article featuring Big Horse Creek Farm in western NC that grows some rare apples and they do it organically too! They have some interesting names: Bunker Hill, Limbertwig, Ben Davis, Gravenstein, Newtown Pippin, and Westfield Seek-no-further. Cheers to the apple growers that are striving to preserve the all American Apple Pie!

Best You

2011-03-10T20:04:00.000-05:00

Originally intended to be a series of newstand only bookazines (those one topic mini-books that are impulse buys at the checkout counters), Reader's Digest Best You has instead taken the form of a free online newsletter. Sign up and you'll be emailed one short tip or fact every day that contains a link to the Best You website which has more online articles. The main categories are Look great, Get healthy, Eat well, & Embrace life. Each is like its own little blog with links to more in-depth information. Each week Best You Asks... a question of its readers and responses are revealed each Friday. Interaction is encouraged by buttons to share on Facebook, twitter, via email and RSS feeds. I've found it has some short things that are good for reading on your Smartphone during those off moments and I haven't been bombarded with more than one email a day. Good tips, nice format, but not too cutting-edge. Sign up for free and judge for yourself.

Mental Floss...

2011-03-09T20:30:00.002-05:00

bills itself as "Where knowledge junkies get their fix." The writers for this magazine must have fun in their office. The contents are a Jeopardy! lovers' dream (and you know how I love Jeopardy!). All sorts of crazy facts are partnered with funny cartoons and photos with more facts running along the bottom of the pages. It's trivia mixed with David Letterman-like top 10 lists. I love the knowledge quiz in the back where, according to the scoring key, it really doesn't matter how many you get right or wrong. Check the website for short "Lunchtime Quizzes." The article in the January/February 2011 issue "Masterpiece #81: Shirley Jackson's The Lottery" takes a look at the writer's inspiration for a classic short story we all read in high school and another interesting article looks at cow vs. camel milk. I would call Mental Floss a good choice for light reading. Laugh a little!

New Newsweek

2011-03-08T20:23:00.001-05:00

Another new redesign-Newsweek now has a female editor and the March 14th issue is focused on women. From Hillary Clinton on the front cover to the feature on the 150 Women who shake the world, it celebrates International Women's Day, which is today, March 8th. In the editor's introduction to the new format, Tina Brown offers this insight on weekly news magazines, which I found to ring very true. In response to the thinking that weekly news magazines are outdated in today's deluge of daily news, she says weeklies are "filling the gaps" and help readers comprehend details other news sources may have glossed over. An article can offer background that a 30 second newsclip can not. As with other forms of digital information, news coverage also needs the backing of journalistic pieces such as those found in Newsweek and the previously mentioned The Week.
You can get yourself a subscription to Newsweek by making a pledge to NPR station WHYY and you'll be supporting two great sources of current events coverage and making yourself news savvy.

Spring Cleaning

2011-03-07T20:10:00.001-05:00

I've been spring cleaning for a few weeks now. I'm trying to organize what I do use and reduce the amount of things that just no longer serve a logical function. A lot of the April magazine issues arriving have tips to help with spring cleaning. In the April issue of Ladies Home Journal I found some great ideas (see the de-cluttering article here which names digitizing websites) for reducing the volume of stuff I own. It recommends digitizing documents and recipes (I clip a lot, but it doesn't mean I use them). I am definitely going to check out converting photos onto DVDs. This is a great idea, as I really hate the shoeboxes of photos hanging around in my closets that for sentimental reasons I can't bring myself to throw away. I'm imagining all the extra space I'm going to claim in my closets and storage chests. And the less stuff I'll have to move when I have to move closer to work to avoid spending my whole paycheck on gas!

The New New York Times Magazine

2011-03-06T19:21:00.001-05:00

No, the title of this post is not an error. This weeks' New York Times Magazine has been reworked and very appealingly updated. The cover has changed by enlarging the Old English type script logo and adding feature article blurbs with their corresponding page numbers across the top. The table of contents has been progressively revamped and the editors must have saved some of their most interesting articles for this unveiling. Look, a new photo essay layout, is a welcome addition while the crossword holds its revered space in the back. I'm also going to be following the blog of the New York Times Magazine called the 6th Floor, which I'm sure will prove as engrossing as the print issue. My only wish is that the Times offer an individual subscription to the magazine. After all, my second favorite part of the Sunday Times, the Book Review, offers an individual subscription, so I can read it before Sunday. How about the magazine?

Iditarod!

2011-03-05T11:15:00.001-05:00

Lance Mackey after his 2008 win

The race is on from the ceremonial starting point in Anchorage to Nome. This year 62 mushers and their teams will try to be the first to Nome on the 1000+ mile course. Since 2011 is an odd-numbered year the southern route will be run. After the ceremonial start on Saturday, the restart (and real race) begins on Sunday in Willow Lake. This point is has been moved further north in recent years because of warming temperatures (can you say global warming??). Called the Last Great Race on Earth, mushers and their teams of 12-16 dogs will endure the harsh elements on their 8+ days to the finish (current temp in Wasilla, Alaska 14 degrees.) Progress of the race and current standings are available on the Official Site of the Iditarod. This year Lance Mackey will be trying to win his 5th straight Iditarod. Sports Illustrated (March 7th issue) had a great article on his training techniques and a fabulous photo of his kennels. Each of his 120 dogs has their own wooden dog house and it looks like a miniature snow covered village. I had immediately thought about how expensive it would be to feed all those dogs, but the article explained that a dog food company does sponsor him and provides food.
The March 2011 issue of Alaska, 'the magazine of life on the last frontier' has a very informative article on the breeding of both long distance and sprint dogs and the careful selection that is involved in choosing a winning team. And, of course, the photos in Alaska are stunning.
I'll be enjoying the race from the comfort of my couch. I think I might even wrap up in a Snuggie. Just looking at all that snow makes me cold.

The Week

2011-03-04T23:14:00.001-05:00

If you are going to read a news magazine every week, I highly recommend The Week. It was first published in 2001 and carries the tagline 'All you need to know about everything that matters.' It is sort of like a condensed version of the Sunday New York Times and covers all areas from politics to the arts. In short articles, compiled from global newspapers, magazines and online media, it gives the concise version of current events. I especially like the World at a Glance feature which has short paragraphs of international news plus points the locations out on a map. I was a heavy CNN watcher, but when I decided to go cable-free in my home, I found The Week among other news sources to catch me up on the smaller CNN stories I might not have caught during my workout time at the gym. Do I go to the gym to workout or watch CNN? Well, it's really convenient to do both simultaneously. I'm not sure which I look forward to more. In any regard, try The Week. In about an hour of reading it cover to cover you'll be able to confidently discuss current events and the state of the world.

Thursday's tidbits

2011-03-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

I didn't have much time to read today as I spent my lunch hour with a lovely friend. But, like Charlie Sheen's rants on his Vatican warlock powers, I always have something to share - hopefully something more intelligent.
You might not realize it, but there were over 800 new magazines published in 2010. Some of those will have a few issues and never get off the ground. Others may grow in circulation to become mainstream. Check out Mr. Magazine's blog for other odd facts.

Distressing news from the January/February issue of Information Outlook:
The US is home to less than 5% of the world's population, however it houses 25% of the world's prisoners.
Another from Information Outlook:

The US leads the world in leading researchers on climate change with 9,211, so why can't we do anything about it?

I think the answer to the two questions above may be tied to the fact that Charlie Sheen now has over a million followers on twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/charliesheen

A matter of economics

2011-03-02T20:50:00.002-05:00

If you've never seen the Robb Report Exceptional Properties magazine, it's worth seeing how the other half might live. The images of luxury homes for sale are unreal (not to mention the prices)! It seems unbelievable that any one needs (or wants?) 20,000 square feet of living space-and some of these offering are obviously meant to be second homes! It's a real curiosity as well as a bit nauseating to imagine.
On a more realistic note, Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living newsletter contained a reader letter about how paying just $10 more per month on a student loan for 14 months reduced the payback period by 10 months. $10 a month is much more feasible for us normal folks who don't live in a $20 million dollar home. I'll never have an 'exceptional property' but I see a shorter repayment period in my future-that's always good news.

March Magazines

2011-03-01T21:50:00.001-05:00

I haven't been written for a while. I hadn't realized that it has been more than a month. I've been so busy, but am resolving to blog regularly, no matter how short the posts might be. At my new job as a periodicals librarian (which I am so thrilled to have), I'm being exposed to a lot of different magazines, journals, newsletters, and email updates. I find something of interest every day, so of course I thought I'd share.
Two tidbits I drew a correlation between today were relatively frightening (considering the news on CNN lately). The first came in a Trends Journal email alert titled Trends Journal Predicted Global Anti-Gov't Protests: What's Next? which discusses the impact of social media on global politics and seems to predict dire consequences. See the Top Trends of 2011 (from the Trends Research Institute). I am told that studying trends is really a key strategy for media this year. Early this year I was able to sit in on a webinar by The Futures Company (formerly Yankelovich) which discussed the importance of trends in media. I would like to hope the Trends Journal prediction is not going to come to pass. However, in the March 1st issue of Bottom Line/Personal, I found an article titled How to survive a nuclear bomb (including decontamination methods). The Bottom Line web site claims they have over 1 million readers (who may be in a frenzy of panic as I type). How long before these types of articles show up in Woman's Day or worse, Newsweek?
I'm glad I read a bit of everything. Everyone should so they can evaluate and form their own opinions. There is an overwhelming plethora of information. Each reader needs to decide for themselves what to believe. I hope this 'trend' is purely hype, but what do you believe?

Is this a scary new trend beginning? Or just media hype to sell print?

Happy MLK Day

2011-01-17T22:01:00.000-05:00

My new job is great...I actually got a paid holiday today. Too bad the inclement weather will be arriving overnight! I just finished watching Bowling for Columbine, which I'm sure I should have seen a long time ago. Michael Moore is brilliant. I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of his ruthless questioning. It amazes me the facts he throws out that really show how little sense some of our society has. I especially liked his figures on how many murders with firearms were committed in different nations. Even my 7 year old said, "The US has 5 digits." Really pathetic - and she can't even count that well. This is a must-see documentary.
The other DVD I watched this long weekend was The Ghost Writer. I liked the plot, but some of the twists were difficult to follow, and the ending still has me perplexed. I can't figure out what it all meant. I will be calling on the film expert for a thorough explanation on this one.

I also sped through a book I've had around for months and just hadn't gotten to read yet. The Sanctuary by Raymond Khoury was a page-turning, edge-of-your-seat novel. I also really love how I can speed through a novel so quickly compared to the non-fiction I normally read. The Sanctuary takes place in exotic locales like Beirut and Damascus and has the added intrigue of a mysterious symbol: the ouroboros.
More on the ouroboros in a later post.

So much for my resolution to blog more. Getting to bed early, like now, is top priority.

Busy holidays...

2011-01-09T20:08:00.002-05:00

The holidays are over for another year...time to start shopping for next year. I made both some great and some awful cookies this year, tried a gingerbread house for the first time (the kids ate the roof) and got some great gifts and treats. The winner of the best gift of this year was my dad's girlfriend, Debbie, who really put some thought into my gifts. I received the book Great Disasters in History (Parragon, 2007), with compelling chapters on plagues & epidemics, famine & drought, and disasters at sea. Ah, she knows me so well. I am working my way through reading a chapter here and there to savor the whole. I did some reading over the holidays, but not as much as I'd hoped (even though I didn't buy the kids any electronic toys that make noise). It took me longer than I thought it would to finish Keith Richards' Life. It was not as interesting (in the trashy rock star way) as I thought it would be, but it did showcase what a talented musician he is. I even went so far as to set Start me up as my ringtone. More engaging was December 8, 1980: The day John Lennon died by Keith Elliot Greenberg. I really didn't know much about the event previously and this timeline account of the final day of his life was moving. There was a full page peace ad in the Sunday NYT last weekend signed from John & Yoko; just an interesting sidenote.

As I am settling into my new position (and amazing office!) I've become even busier than usual, however I am going to make a concerted effort to work blogging into my schedule. There's my new year's resolution.

Grey Gardens

2010-12-19T01:43:00.002-05:00

Adam introduced me to another of his 'film picks' last week and I have to say it was the best one yet. We saw the documentary Grey Gardens made in 1975 by the Maysles brothers. It is a look into the lives of mother and daughter Edith Bouvier Beale and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, relations of Jackie O, who were living in a squalid estate in East Hampton. It was a vouyeristic look into the lives of this once prominent society family, much like some of the books I have recently reviewed (see Wendy Burden's Dead End Gene Pool and Ivana Lowell's Why not say what happened?) Grey Gardens could be equated with the worst episode of Hoarders (complete with cat urine). It is truly enlightening to see how others live behind closed doors. I went on to watch the movie version starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, which very closely resembled the documentary. I don't know which version I enjoyed more. Upon further research I found this blog has amazing photos and background information.
People are fascinating creatures and it's always interesting to get a glimpse into other's lives. A much tamer look can be found in the January 2011 issue of Marie Claire, which profiles international womens' lifestyles including how much they spend on shoes! The article by Lea Goldman 'What it costs to be me' is on page 82. A look into my life is certainly not as interesting as the women in the article. My weekender for this weekend would be: $6.00 for 2 loads of laundry and $12.00 for dinner with my daughter's Girl Scout troop on Saturday night. Ok, maybe I'm not quite shattering the librarian stereotype!

Fragments of Marilyn Monroe

2010-12-07T10:48:00.002-05:00

Fragments: Poems, intimate notes, letters by Marilyn Monroe is a new book composed of snippets of the star's writings. I loved all the photos between chapters which show her reading. It seems uncharacteristic of the public persona of Marilyn Monroe, but she enjoyed leisure reading and expressing her thoughts on paper. I was highly impressed by some of the titles that were found in her 400+ volume private collection (I suppose if we believe they were all read by her - I mean, sure, War & Peace may be on my bookshelf, but it doesn't mean I've read it). A great deal of intelligence and critical thinking is shown by her introspective letters, poems, and organized lists, but like the 'Jekyll & Hyde' personality Monroe herself claimed to possess, these fragments also reveal her delicate emotional state and self-doubts. The great aspect of the book's format is that the reader can see the documents in their original format, but read their text (typed on the opposing page) without having to decipher Monroe's script and scribbles. This is a look past outward appearances to the real heart of Marilyn Monroe.

The Passage

2010-12-06T14:56:00.000-05:00

You know the feeling when you are halfway into a book and you're not really sure you want to invest any more time in reading the rest? That was how I felt about Justin Cronin's The Passage. This book sounded great in the pre-pub summaries, and there is a really neat accompanying website Enter the Passage. This epic (over 700 pages) was exciting in the beginning, but quickly turned monotonous. The reason it is so long is that Cronin tells this futuristic tale of viral beings in excruciating detail; at times with no need to do so. The list of characters is also long, with detail and introspective views into their lives so that the reader really feels connected, but then characters are taken with the virus and the reader has to make friends with a new cast of characters. I believe I was about 450 pages into The Passage when I decided I really didn't care what happened next, I just really wanted to know how it would end. I read the 300 odd pages between this point and the end without much enthusiasm, only to find the ending to be unfulfilling and I realized I could have skipped to the last sentences to figure it all out. This was also extremely heavy (another strike in my book - I prefer my workout time to be separate from my reading time). I know there were several nights that I was pulling for the extra blanket at the bottom of the bed only to find it weighed down by The Passage. I struggled with this book, both physically and emotionally. My opinion: Wait for the movie.

A Motley life...

2010-11-29T15:52:00.002-05:00

Tattoos & Tequila book jacket

I haven't yet read the acclaimed autobiography Life by Keith Richards, but am interested in doing so. Instead this weekend I quickly breezed through the years of hard rock, partying, and drama that is Vince Neil's life. His story, written with the assistance of Mike Sager (I personally think he must have done more than assist), is titled Tattoos & Tequila. The lengthy subtitle sums up almost everything between the covers, 'To hell and back with one of rock's most notorious frontmen'. As with other celebrity biographies that speak of addictions, the events described by Neil are at times comical and stupid and at other times, just plain sad. Sad in the way that no one's life should be so controlled by substance abuse that quality of life becomes non-existent and so little care or responsibility is taken for one's actions. I've previously read The Dirt, Neil Strauss' biography of Motley Crue, and although the unruly behavioral episodes described are of the same ilk, the stories in The Dirt were far more enjoyable. But then I suppose it was difficult for Neil to recall with specificity the many blackout periods during his years of fame. Of interest to any Motley Crue fans who remember when their music was good (and you have to be over 30 to remember that).

Modern Ruins

2010-11-27T11:04:00.001-05:00

I first saw Shaun O'Boyle's photographs of Modern Ruins: Portraits of place in the Mid-Atlantic region while visiting the booth of the Penn State University Press at the PALA annual conference in Lancaster last month. After a brief look, I thought this collection highlighting the Mid-Atlantic regions 'architectural sacrifice zones' (as termed by Geoff Manaugh in the introduction) would be of interest to PCL patrons. The book is divided into four sections of buildings: institutions (featuring psychiatric hospitals), steel (with photos of Bethlehem Steel's facilities), coal (an industry introduced as the foundations of 'hardy and industrious Pennsylvanians'), and arsenal (with stunning images of Bannerman's Island, near Cold Spring, NY). This collection takes the reader to the present state of the past and is relevant to those who appreciate black and white photography, local history, and the progression of deindustrialization of the region. I highly recommend browsing this new acquisition.

Work off that Turkey!

2010-11-24T09:45:00.002-05:00

Do you have a plan on how to make it through the holidays without putting on weight? PCL has a great selection of DVDs to keep you active when the weather outside turns frightful. Here's my take on several I've tried:

Ultimate Tae Bo - this is a long, intense workout that will have you dripping with sweat, and in great appreciation of Blanks and the crowd who works out with him on this DVD. I can't keep up with the speed, but this one is fun and you know you're burning calories.
Yoga Meltdown with Jillian Michaels - Did you think yoga was relaxing? I didn't think so of this Jillian Michaels version. Watch out for some of these moves. I did more than one face plant during this workout. I'm not writing off this one (or yoga in general) off yet, though.
Fashion your body with Pilates - I really like this workout, but even after months of Pilates, I can't make the moves look as easy and smooth as on this program.
Leslie Sansone's walk and kick - This is a bit easier than some of Leslie's other walking-at-home routines, but I was expecting more aggressive kicks tae bo style. This is great if you're just getting started in an exercise routine. I love Leslie's workouts for raising the heartrate and getting the body in motion.
Dancing with the stars cardio dance - This DVD looks so fun...however it was laughable as I tried to do these steps. Despite good directions from the dance instructors, I am hopelessly uncoordinated. Consequently I cannot Cha Cha or Samba (sigh). But I have learned how to untie my shoelaces by stepping on my own feet.

No hula for me...

Island Girl Cardio hula - This is a fabulous concept and looks so easy. I suppose it would be if I had any coordination. I'm not ready for the islands.
Invitation to Dance: Line dancing - This was so much fun. Even though I could only coordinate about half the moves, this was the only dance DVD I thought I might have an iota of potential with. I'll be working with this one over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Keep your routines interesting and varied and stick with it through the holidays...you'll be able to have another slice of apple pie or a few more sugar cookies without gaining a pound (who really cares about turkey anyway?).

Why not say what happened?

2010-11-23T09:59:00.001-05:00

Ivana Lowell's memoir Why not say what happened? reminded me of another I have read lately (See my blog entry on Wendy Burden's Dead end gene pool). The elements in both titles are similar: an heiress from an eccentric family, old money, no strong adult figures, boarding schools, trans-Atlantic moves, etc. Lowell's memoir suggests the Guinness family curse may have preordained the family to alcoholism (more likely the Guinness ale) and personal tragedy. Lowell relates her tale of childhood in drafty English manor houses, dinners with the Queen Mother, childhood abuse, and her stepfather's (the poet Robert Lowell) sudden death. The Guardian claims it is poorly written, but I found it intensely engaging and couldn't help but reading on to see what would happen next. Although many of Lowell's life experiences are beyond the average reader's experiences, this memoir is a fly-on-the-wall look at how the other half lives has always been and I feel this genre continues to be popular with readers.
If this sounds like something you'd like to read, you might also like:
Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden
Fierce by Kelly Osbourne
Uncharted Territori by Tori Spelling

November Happenings

2010-11-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

Readers, please forgive the lack of November posts. It has turned into a busy month. Let me give you an update of what has been happening around the library.

History Day research is getting serious. Reference staff have been making a lot of referrals to the History Day wiki. The wiki has both primary and secondary online sources as well as an explanation of the differences between.
The PCL Reader's Advisory has been expanded to include Juvenile & Young Adult Series titles. I also reorganized the Adult Series page to find items easier. Keep watching for more authors, titles, and reading lists to be added.
Have you noticed the new travel guide titles? PCL has purchased guides for some new areas from a wider range of publishers including Cadogan, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, National Geographic, and Eyewitness Travel.

New volumes have been added to the reference collection including Britannica's Dynamic Earth 3 volume series, the Princeton Field Guide to dinosaurs and the 6 volume Magill's Medical Guide. Watch for the arrival of the 12 volume forth edition of Masterplots & the 2011 World Book Encyclopedia being published in December.

Did you know?... According to US Dept. of Agriculture statistics, an estimated 9 million turkeys were raised in Pennsylvania in 2009. This places PA 8th in the nation and this accounts for about 3.6 of the total turkeys raised in the US.

What is a sacrifice zone?

2010-11-11T14:32:00.001-05:00

The term 'sacrifice zone' was used during the Cold War to identify areas contaminated by radioactive pollutants in the course of manufacturing nuclear weapons. Author Steve Lerner has re purposed the term and applied it to low-income and minority neighborhoods located near heavy industrial pollution sites in Sacrifice zones: The front lines of toxic chemical exposure in the United States. Each chapter describes a zone affected by polluted air, water, or soil. These areas are found nationwide but have several similarities. Each neighborhood contains poor or ethnic communities and in these communities grass-roots organizations are being formed by residents to hold accountable the industries responsible for the pollution. The statistics provided by the author are alarming, with many industrial sites releasing massive amounts of chemicals into residential areas. The material in this book was gathered from interviews with the residents of these areas and offers a balance between personal stories and hard statistics. The effects of living in sacrifice zones runs the gamut from skin irritations, ash and soot deposits, noxious odors, difficulty breathing, cancer clusters, and even death. Some of the chapters seem a bit redundant, however each is important for the sake of all those living (and dying) in the sacrifice zones.

How much?

2010-11-08T14:45:00.001-05:00

Steve Dublanica, the brutally honest writer of Waiter Rant, answers the question 'how much should I tip?' in his new book Keep the change. Dublanica starts out seriously exploring where tipping began, the origin of the name, and discussing just how much employees rely on tips as part of their income. The following chapters are a narrative of his first-person interviews with workers in various professions (and they are very varied - some legal, some not), their straight talk on tips, and appropriate amounts for each service provided. He takes a comic approach to gathering his data and the tax write-offs he claimed for researching this book must have garnered a few chuckles. His wit and storytelling ability make this a quick, enjoyable light non-fiction book. The insight gained by the reader in directly hearing from tipped employees is invaluable. Never will I look at tips I leave in the same way. Although as someone who has worked for tips in the past (I waitressed my way through one degree), I always feel I overcompensate when leaving gratuities (even though I usually can't afford it). This look at tipping is especially relevant as the holiday season is approaching and an extra gratuity to service workers is a nice way to remember their attention throughout the year (or insure good service next year). Take a tip from me: Read Keep the change.

Mad Crafting

2010-11-04T19:38:00.000-04:00

The new Amy Sedaris book Simple Times: Crafts for poor people is absolutely hilarious. Know someone who's been bad this year? There are instructions for making gifts cheaply...how about a Green Stamp tissue box cover? or a rusty nail windchime? Personally I am expecting a lot of toothpaste box bookmarks this year! On the other hand, do you know anyone that's been good this year? Great gift idea = Simple Times. Outrageous, entertaining, and lol funny! Great conversation starter at family gatherings!

Amy Sedaris talks about Simple Times

What's new cupcake?

2010-11-03T12:33:00.000-04:00

I've been baking again - this time for my son's 4th birthday. I turned to What's new cupcake? (by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson) for my latest birthday treat creation. Some might remember I whipped up waves, fish, and twinkie sharks for my daughter's summer birthday [from the author's earlier book Hello cupcake! See blog photos]. My son loves cars and this Indy car was easy to make. Well, easier than the melted icing dipped Twinkie sharks. The only alterations I made to the book directions were not using the pretzel stick to anchor the driver's head (I just placed it directly on the frosting), and I changed the car number to 0 4 to match my son's age. There are super cute ideas for the upcoming holidays in these books as well. Check them out!

Sourland

2010-10-26T14:47:00.000-04:00

Joyce Carol Oates is the type of writer I remember studying in high school. The readings often ended suddenly and left an open interpretation to the end of the story. Sourland contains those types of stories. The dialogue and actions rise toward an apex and then like a balloon suddenly popped, deflate to nothing left for the reader. Nonetheless, like other Oates work, Sourland is intense and the stories interlink through similar character actions and feelings. As for the nature of the stories, I found it difficult to relate to the common theme of widows as dysfunctional, weak women. In Oates' tellings these women are aimless without their mates, unable to be self-sufficient or decisive enough to ask for help. These women without the presence of a strong male constant in their lives, revert to a childlike state of helplessness and confusion. Carefully written like Oates' other work, each word seems chosen for the impact and effect it relates to the reader. Be pulled into these sixteen short stories.

From the Ashes

2010-10-20T11:20:00.001-04:00

On February 20, 2003, a fire in The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island killed 100 people. Sparks from a live band's pyrotechnics display ignited the highly flammable and toxic insulating foam that had been applied to the walls and ceiling of the club. Within several minutes the entire building was consumed. Gina Russo, a survivor of that night, writes an emotional, if occasionally repetitive memoir, From the ashes. The summary of the events of the fire and the code violations that allowed for its rapid spread were descriptive and detailed, as were the medical procedures Russo endured, and the legal and criminal aspects of the tragedy. In the more personal and emotional part of the story, Russo writes about her loss, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and depression that somehow was laced with optimism. I think this segment of the retelling cast a slight doubt in the credibility of the author to accurately recall events. The topic interested me as a historical disaster, however the copious spelling and grammatical errors throughout the text made me wonder if maybe I should look into moonlighting as a proofreader? This is a self published book which has received a lot of promotion in the Northeast. Too bad for the writing...this was a story worth telling...this could have been a good seller.

Sanitarium childhood

2010-10-19T10:49:00.002-04:00

Gloria Paris spent most of her youth (from age 5 to 14) in sanitariums in upstate New York battling spinal tuberculosis. In her book, A child of sanitariums: A memoir of tuberculosis survival and lifelong disability, she recalls the treatment of her disease (full body casts, traction, fusing of bones) and the social and cultural implications of growing up in an institution instead of with her family. She looks back on her hospital 'family' and details her adult pilgrimages to her childhood care facilities. There is no lack of scientific fact in her writings regarding the disease or its impact on the country. After Paris was discharged, she finished high school and college, earning a degree in microbiology. Her first position was studying the microscopic tubercle bacilli at the hospital on Samson Air Force Base led her directly to the bacteria which had infected her body and caused bone deformity which would render her disabled. Despite her disability, Paris leads a full life which includes raising awareness for disability rights and fundraising and advocating for minority groups. Paris still resides in her hometown in upstate New York.
A few important points to take from this work:
*Tuberculosis is not only a disease of the past.
*Tuberculosis is treatable with a lengthy course of antibiotics.
*According to CDC statistics, there were over 12,000 cases of TB in the US.

Centers for Disease Control information on Tuberculosis

Teen Read Week...My favorite YA titles

2010-10-18T18:56:00.000-04:00

One of the most interesting courses I took during library school (in fact, I took it twice, both at the undergrad & grad levels) was Library Services for Young Adults. Not only is the material written in this category entertaining, but the stories are concise enough (usually) that they can be finished in a single sitting (if you read for a couple hours at a time, like I do). The theme for this year's Teen Read Week is Books with Beat. I've interpreted that loosely (to include heartbeat, pulse, fetal heartbeat, etc.) and compiled my short list of great YA fiction.
Newes from the Dead (Mary Hooper)- Based on a documented event in 1650's London, Anne Green is hanged, but comes back to life, beating the odds.
November Blues (Sharon Draper)- November, about to be a teenage mother, falls in love with her baby's heartbeat.
Twilight (Stephenie Meyer) - What vampire can resist a throbbing pulse?
Are you in the house alone? (Richard Peck) - an older novel, but one that is sure to have adrenaline beating through your veins
The house of the scorpion (Nancy Farmer) - I can't quite tie this one into 'beat' but I highly recommend this futuristic sci-fi novel...a bit longer than the novels recommended above.

Also see the PCL website Teens page for library events celebrating Teen Read Week.

By the full moon's light

2010-10-16T23:59:00.006-04:00

In the spirit of Halloween (personally my favorite holiday) I watched The Wolfman last night. I wonder if anyone else noticed these strange coincidences...
Isn't it odd that Anthony Hopkins is a reclusive widower and has his dead son's girlfriend as a house guest, now suddenly attracted to his surviving son? Legends of the fall?
And the unfortunate stag tied on the moor as bait for the werewolf? It actually met a kinder fate than the goat which was to be T-rex's dinner in Jurassic Park.
How about the final werewolf fight sequence in the burning house where the wolves collide in mid-air attack? New Moon?
I think this would've been a good flick, if I hadn't been having flashes of deja vu through it all. See it for yourself and give me your opinion...

Art History

2010-10-12T10:48:00.003-04:00

History can be a dry subject, however the new volume How to read world history in art takes a different approach to those famous dates that are so easily forgotten. Beginning in 1792 BC with the code of Hammurabi and spanning through the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, significant events in history are paired with illustrations of renown artworks commemorating or memorializing the events. The text analyzes the artwork, while the artwork complements the text. Insets give timeline chronicles of the events and take a look at the global context of the affairs. This work has lovely illustrations, is easy to read, can be read in parts or as a whole, and gives the reader a greater sense of comprehension through association. Written by Flavio Febbraro & Burkhard Schwetje and published by Abrams.

Chills close to home...

2010-10-11T19:45:00.001-04:00

For true crime readers, don't miss Predator. Author Steven Walker details the chilling crime spree of Timothy Krajcir, who was ultimately convicted for crimes committed since the 1970's by the introduction of DNA testing of evidence. This page-turner hits close to home and certainly made me check the locks. Krajcir actually lived in Laurys Station in the early 80's and was arrested at the Mountainville shopping center in South Allentown. He was then held for a time at Lehigh County Prison (where he attempted to escape by scaling the prison wall), before being sentenced to 5 years in Pennsylvania's largest maximum security correctional facility, Graterford.
Author Walker will be speaking at PCL about his research into these crimes and writing in the true crime genre - Monday, October 25th from 7 - 8PM. To reserve a seat for this event, contact Erin at 610-398-1361, ext. 13. PCL calendar entry: http://catalog.parklandlibrary.org/Parkland/calendar.asp?cal=45&detail=1708&date=10/25/2010
Steven Walker's website http://www.steven-walker.com/
Steven Walker titles available at PCL:
Blood Trail (2005)
Predator (2010)

Have you ever wondered...

2010-10-06T11:48:00.001-04:00

at what point pollution became a national concern? Earth day has already surpassed its 40th anniversary, but when was the topic introduced? When were checks put on manufacturing corporations to reduce their impact on the surrounding area? The Polluters: The making of our chemically altered environment by Benjamin Ross & Steven Amter explores the history of pollution in America. Water pollution was an area of congressional concern since 1890 and smoke from copper smelting spurred President Theodore Roosevelt to pursue federal regulation of factory emissions in 1907. The polluters traces the rise of American chemical plants and their toxic by-products invading the groundwater, air and human population. The major chemical corporations, Dupont and Dow among them, gained political influence and amassed profits and this in turn shaped the regulations that governed them. The polluters contains the reasons for and actions of regulation of pollutants that should be of interest to all Americans, especially those focused on environmental awareness and conservancy.
The toxic 100 list

Guillermo del Toro

2010-10-05T10:50:00.002-04:00

The name just rolls off the tongue. His stories will stay with you as well. I just finished the second book in the Strain Trilogy (co-authored with Chuck Hogan), The Fall. The Master and the vampire hunters (Setrakian, Eph, Fet, and Nora) are back, navigating the dark tunnels of the subway and fighting against what the government recognizes only as a virus. This book was as action packed as the first and left the reader with an ending that will be surely be expanded upon in the third book (set for publication in 2011). This is intense vampire fiction (no gore spared the reader) and even Bella couldn't charm this Master. If you like your vampires to just take a nip, this isn't the vampire series for you. However, if you like a mystery for the quest of vampiric origins, and don't mind if the good guys don't win every battle, check out The Strain and The Fall.

Films at PCL directed by Guillermo del Toro:

Hellboy

Hellboy II: The golden army

Pan's Labyrinth

Russian Ark

2010-10-04T19:15:00.001-04:00

Intrigued by the period costumes on the case and Roger Ebert's comment "One of the most astonishing films ever made", I sat down to watch the subtitled Russian Ark this weekend. My daughter gave up about 20 minutes into it (she said the subtitles moved too fast), but I hung on for the full 96 minutes. It wasn't the subtitles that gave me trouble. I really haven't seen a film I couldn't follow in quite a while, but this is one. Maybe it is my inadequate education in Russian history or poor appreciation for artistic films, but this one has me stumped. The next morning my daughter asked me how the movie ended...I just told her I watched the whole thing, but still don't know. Any comments?...This item has been checked out over 100 times...Someone must have an opinion...please share. Adam you're one for subtitled films - what's your thoughts?

Sources for movie picks:
1001 movies you must see before you die
Leonard Maltin's 2011 movie guide
VideoHound's golden movie retriever

Room

2010-09-30T13:19:00.000-04:00

Emma Donoghue's Room, a novel about a woman who becomes a mother while being held captive, has received a lot of recent press attention. Donoghue takes a dark topic and tells the story from 5-year-old Jack's point of view. Jack was born in the room and knows nothing outside of its soundproof walls. Despite the lack of space, freedom, and social interaction, Jack's Ma has created a world that revolves around her son.
While reading Room I felt anxious about what might happen to Ma & Jack next and exhausted even though all the activity was taking place in an 11 x 11 space. At no time does Donoghue's writing seem repetitive despite Ma & Jack performing the same activities within the same confines daily. The strongest impression this book left on me was one of cloying closeness, devoid of privacy or personal boundaries. Since I don't want to reveal any more of the plot, I will leave readers to draw their own conclusions and impressions by reading Room.

NYT Book Review (September 19, 2010)
Room book webpage http://www.roomthebook.com/ with a schematic diagram to bring the room into context and scale
Author Jennifer Weiner interviews Emma Donoghue - read interview text here

My favorite banned books...

2010-09-27T20:29:00.000-04:00

September 25th - October 3rd, the American Library Association celebrates Banned Book Week. Books throughout history have been banned for being: too political, sexually explicit, sacrilegious, and socially offensive. I personally think some of the challengers of these books were just plain sticks in the mud, to put it nicely. That's why libraries are such a nice idea...if you don't like a book for any reason, just return it...someone else might like it. Even non-fiction books have been contested...does this prove the truth is really stranger than fiction???

Some banned books that I think are awesome:
Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Hardy has always been a favorite of mine. My father (the English teacher) can't understand why. Tess is not exactly a lighthearted novel, but I feel I can relate to her troubles & blues and grey existence. Can't say that I've ever had treacle running down my back, but it usually is raining on my parade.
In cold blood - Capote's true crime that shocked in the 60's.
Fahrenheit 451 - I remember reading this in high school and still remember the smoldering storyline - Paper burns at 451 degrees..
The Scarlet Letter - too bad I can't think about this one without seeing Demi Moore as Hester Prynne.
Animal Farm - who doesn't like talking pigs? And only a pig would say All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

For more commentary on banned books, see the PCL Adult Services Blog.

The girl...

2010-09-22T09:45:00.001-04:00

I know there is a long wait list for the posthumous works of Stieg Larsson - The girl with the dragon tattoo, The girl who played with fire, and The girl who kicked the hornet's nest. I often don't like what everyone else is reading, so I didn't give these too much thought, although someone had told me they were graphic. I don't remember reading any reviews, although I do remember reading the New York Times Magazine (May 23, 2010) article on the familial squabbles over Larsson's body of work titled The afterlife of Stieg Larsson (is there a fourth in the series?). I got to view The girl with the dragon tattoo on DVD this weekend. The movie was riveting and I thought it was a well-plotted, complex mystery. This movie is subtitled, but I also found it enjoyable to listen to the crisp Swedish dialogue. I can't wait to see the next movie in the trilogy (DVD being released Oct 26th), so I have one of the rental copies of The girl who played with fire. I'm interested in how Larsson writes and if the movies are doing justice to his books. I highly recommend The girl with the dragon tattoo DVD and I'll let you know my opinion on The girl who played with fire. Please add your comments...I know many of you have read these already.
See reviews in the NYT:
The girl with the dragon tattoo (Sept. 14, 2008)
The girl who played with fire (July 17, 2009)
The girl who kicked the hornet's nest (May 30, 2010)

World Alzheimer's Day

2010-09-21T10:48:00.000-04:00

September 21st is World Alzheimer's Day, a time to raise awareness for a condition which causes degeneration of brain functions affecting memory, thinking, behavior, and emotions. It is estimated 30 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's and an even greater number of individuals who are nurturers and caregivers are impacted by this disease.

See this factsheet from Alzheimer's Disease International on the prevalence of this condition.
The Alzheimer's Association offers these brain health tips
For a comprehensive look at facts, current statistics, economic and social impacts of the disease and recommendations for further research and involvement see the World Alzheimer Report 2010 (56 page PDF document)

PCL resources on Alzheimer's Disease:
If you missed last evening's library program by author Fred Buse, check out his recent book, A Caregiver’s Tips: My Wife Had Alzheimer’s Disease
Speaking our minds: What it's like to have Alzheimer's
The last of his mind: A year in the shadow of Alzheimer's
The Alzheimer's project: Momentum in science
The 36-hour day: A family guide to caring for people with Alzheimer disease, other dementias, and memory loss in later life
Passages in caregiving: Turning chaos into confidence

Consumer tips on credit cards

2010-09-20T17:36:00.001-04:00

The skinny on credit cards: How to master the credit card game by Jim Randel goes a long way in making the path to getting out of credit card debt seem like a fun journey. This skinny book packed with facts and stick figures is a combination of graphic novel and tip sheet on personal finances. The recent credit card act effective in February 2010 is detailed on page 146, while page 148 advises which issues the law did not address. Randel gives advice on lowering your interest rates by calling credit card service centers, how to improve your FICO score (that is, the Fair Isaac Corporation), and how to get out of debt. Start learning what you can do now and start spending wisely this winter.

Helpful links referenced in this book:
http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ - Get your credit reports from the top three agencies once per year FREE. (Don't fall for online advertisements that offer a FREE credit score in exchange for purchasing a product.)
Sites to compare credit cards - http://www.creditcards.com/ http://www.cardratings.com/ http://www.bankrate.com/
Calculators for credit card pay off by interest rate and amount of debt - www.creditcardratings.com/creditcarddebtcalc www.bankrate.com/brm/calc/creditcardpay.asp

Hot X!

2010-09-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

I really do like algebra, so I had to check out Danica McKellar's new book Hot X: Algebra Exposed! In the introduction she writes about having the girl power to conquer x and not give up on life's tough problems. I think the style of this book is really appealing. It has the feel of a teenage girl's notebook with flower doodles, handwriting and script mixed throughout the printed text. Many algebraic concepts are covered in snips called reality math, by using examples that may be relevant to girls. I found the examples of percentage markdowns on dresses to be relevant and useful. Blurbs headed what are they called? give definitions of terms while step-by-step breaks the problem down and watch out alerts problem solvers to common errors. Hands-on readers might try using algebra while decorating for a party (the example shows how to to string lights diagonally across a pool in equal increments) or find the comparison between hair FOIL and multiplying polynomials using the FOIL method memorable. Don't miss the last chapter titled What you can learn at the mall using the quadratic formula. There are great tips in this book which will foster retention of math rules and facts. This book is fun, cool-intelligent, attention grabbing, and a great example of an innovative way of looking at math. Also see: Danica's Hot X webpage

I love cake...

2010-09-13T18:23:00.000-04:00

Chocolate is really my favorite, but anytime there is birthday cake, count me in for a piece. With the kids back to school and providing snacks for their activities, and scouting, and holiday parties, I suggest the new book What's new cupcake? or Tack & Richardson's first book Hello Cupcake! Both books offer detailed instructions for decorating themed cupcakes (a great alternative to cake, but with the same great taste!). The tempting color pictures look too perfect to actually be food. Visit The Hello Cupcake Blog.

I am sure some of the recipes are more difficult than others, but the one I tried for my daughter's birthday last month (Shark Pool, below) was surprisingly simple, although time-consuming. Be forewarned, it took me 6 hours to decorate these cupcakes. My son's birthday is next month and he asked for cupcakes...I've chosen a design from What's new cupcake? and will post pics of the completed project. Be on the lookout next month for a new baking book in PCL's collection Cake Pops (yes, they are lollipops made of cake).

Gina's shark cupcakes

Remembering 9/11

2010-09-10T14:21:00.000-04:00

September 11, 2001 is a difficult day for many to forget. Remembering the American tragedy which occured is an integral part of recent American history. These sources provide relevant insight of the events of that day nine years ago.

102 Minutes: The untold story of the fight to survive inside the Twin Towers - An account of the minutes between the first plane crash and the collapse of the north tower.

In the shadow of no towers - Art Spiegelman, who also created the Maus graphic novels, tells his personal story of September 11th in this graphic novel. His text and drawings capture the nervous tension and fear of the time.

Watching the world change: The stories behind the images of 9/11 - A fascinating look at the coverage of 9/11 by both the media and the public. The changing role of technology in media coverage is highlighted.

The 9/11 Commission report : Final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States

9/11 [DVD] - Jules and Gedeon Naudet documentary about a rookie New York City firefighter who is one of the first respondents on scene.

American ground : Unbuilding the World Trade Center - A look at the structures, how the towers collapsed, and the ruins which remained.

Never forget : An oral history of September 11, 2001 - Eyewittness testimony which is an important primary source for researching this event.

Report from Ground Zero - First person testimonials of firefighters, Port Authority personnel, & NYPD officers and the three month period of Ground Zero sitework following the attacks.

WTC Dust

2010-09-09T16:59:00.001-04:00

Dust: The inside story of its role in the
September 11th aftermath by Paul J. Lioy

In the chaos immediately following the collapse of the towers, everyone was aware of the dust covering the area around Ground Zero. But what was the dust? Environmental scientist Paul J. Lioy samples and analyzes the composition of WTC dust in the days immediately following and in subsequent years. In Dust he details particle size and organic and inorganic make-up of the dust. EPA clean up of commercial and residential buildings is discussed as well as the health effects of ingestion of WTC dust. Some of the chemical analyses was too detailed for me to casually understand, although the overall topic of the book was interesting for its unique look at a part of 9/11 history.

Star Island = Fantasy Island

2010-09-07T11:30:00.000-04:00

Years back I read another Hiaasen book, Stormy weather, I believe. I found the plot a far-flung, ridiculous storyline. After reading a synopsis of Star Island, and seeing many patrons reserving his new novel, I decided to put my name on the hold list and give the work of this Miami Herald journalist another shot at capturing my interest. Star Island is not a novel that has won me over to the camp of Hiaasen. The novel did hold my attention in terms of entertainment value, however the plot was utter nonsense; a fantasy making me wonder just what type of hallucinogens inspired the myrid of characters and subplots. For those who may enjoy this hair-brained fictional work, I don't want to give away spoilers, but, come on, a weed-wacker as a prosthesis? What is this, Edward Scissorhands? Will I be caught again by a tempting plot summary of another Hiaasen book? I think I've learned my lesson.

Read Hiaasen's column in the Miami Herald on America's Newspapers database
Carl Hiaasen entries in the PCL catalog.

Nina Garcia's latest fashion advice

2010-09-03T13:48:00.001-04:00

Nina Garcia, Fashion Director at Marie Claire magazine and Project Runway judge, has a new book which dispenses as much good advice as her others. Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to wear for every occasion gives invaluable tips for the socially important moments in your life - job interviews, dates, dancing, wine tasting...the list goes on and on. Accompanied by the vivid illustrations of Ruben Toldeo, this is a book to read and take notes. Classic pieces in a woman's wardrobe are discussed, as well as the appropriate accessories and attitude to match the ensemble. The celebrity quotes on fashion and femininity are my favorite part of this book - Drew Barrymore is quoted as saying "Sometimes I bust out and do things so permanent. Like tattoos and marriage." Another success for Nina Garcia - the Look Book is indispensable for the well-dressed woman.

Other fashion writing from Nina Garcia:
The little black book of style
The one hundred: A guide to the pieces every stylish woman must own
The style strategy: The less-is-more approach to staying chic and shopping smart

Blood & Soap

2010-09-02T10:30:00.001-04:00

Odd short stories by Vietnamese-American Linh Dinh with titles such as Prisoner with a dictionary, A moving exhibition of reptiles, and Viet Cong University. The stories are amusing and funny in a tongue-in-cheek manner. This little volume can be tucked in your bag and are the perfect short stories when you have just a few minutes. A little gem that will leave you smiling.
Blood and Soap was chosen by the Village Voice as one of the Best Books of 2004.

I am Hutterite

2010-09-01T10:01:00.001-04:00

I admit I had never heard of the Hutterites (an Anabaptist religious order originating in Austria), their social communities, beliefs, or customs before reading I am Hutterite: The fascinating true story of a young woman's journey to reclaim her heritage. As they are detailed by the author, there is a resemblance to the Mennonite and Amish communities familiar nearby. Author Mary-Ann Kirkby tells about her happy childhood in Fairholme colony in Manitoba, Canada where the religious, moral, and social values ingrained from birth greatly influenced her life within the colony and in the outside 'English world'. Her parents decided to leave the colony when she was 10 and she was forced to reassess everything she had been taught. Her formative teen years were a time of soul-searching and learning about the outside world. The descriptive passages seem unreal as the author describes being 10 and amazed by her classmates' lunches. She had never eaten a sandwich or seen Saran Wrap. Dancing, radio, and meeting multicultural individuals are some of the activities she had never imagined being a part of her world. Although she praises the colonies for their peaceful, orderly, and fair lifestyles, the author now lives in the 'English' world and has a career in storytelling and journalism. This well written account takes a look at the rarely publicized Hutterite population, their old world ways, and their interactions with today's society. I found it riveting and difficult to put down.
More info:
Website of the book I am Hutterite
HutteriteBlog.com Setting the record straight!

Katrina - 5 years later

2010-08-31T08:10:00.003-04:00

Do you remember 5 years ago seeing the unbelievable footage on news channels of the whole city of New Orleans underwater? Hurricane Katrina, a category five storm, struck 5 years ago this week. For any readers who might not be old enough to remember, or those who want to take a look back on the event, here is a list of materials at PCL:
The great deluge/Douglas Brinkley - I highly recommend this extensive chronicle of the storm and it's brutality.
Breach of faith: Hurricane Katrina and the near death of a great American city
Come hell or high water: Hurricane Katrina and the color of disaster
Hurricane on the bayou/National Weather Channel
Sugarcane Academy: How a New Orleans teacher and his storm-struck students created a school to remember

The Road through Wonderland

2010-08-30T14:19:00.002-04:00

Dawn Schiller's The road through Wonderland is graphic, saddening, and frustrating. In this biography she describes her 5+ year relationship with the 1970's adult film star John Holmes. The five years were during Schiller's teen years from 15 onward, while Holmes was already in his 30's. That is not the only controversial issue in this book. Schiller escaped a fractured homelife into a relationship with both Holmes and his wife, living in their home as a member of the family. Her role as 'family' was not enough to protect her from the addiction, drug induced insanity, domestic violence, and police involvement all brought on by Holmes' controlling personality. It saddened me to think that what should have been formative and personal discovery years for Schiller were manipulated by the antagonist. I found many scenes frustrating as Schiller's youth and dependence on Holmes led her to continually make bad decisions, or to follow her boyfriend blindly. Schiller was tough and strong, and miraculously alive when she finally broke all ties with Holmes after he had a major drug-related arrest. She is presently involved in several national organizations advocating for women's rights and against domestic violence. Holmes died of AIDS in 1988. This biography will definitely hold your interest as you explore the private world of addiction.
More info: Dawn Schiller's website
The road through Wonderland book website

The September Issue

2010-08-19T23:59:00.004-04:00

I recently watched The September Issue which is focused around Vogue's Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. It gives an interesting fly-on-the-wall view into the world of high fashion. I'm a big fan of Project Runway (I love the contestants' creativity) and saw some of the same characteristics of the industry shown in this documentary. Vogue's thickest issue is September, a beginning to a new fashion year. This documentary shows the push and pull between Vogue executives, staffers, photographers, and designers in the scramble to put out the most cutting edge fashion resource. Cover celebrities and models so in the spotlight on the glossy pages do not even play minor roles in the production process. I found this highly entertaining, although everyone in The September Issue seemed so tall, I would have been likened to a small fry on the wall. Although the library does not have a subscription to Vogue, I will have a copy of the 2010 September issue at the reference desk for in-library use.

Breath

2010-08-18T11:34:00.002-04:00

Martha Mason tells her story in Breath: A lifetime of rhythm of an iron lung...Her life changed at eleven years old when polio struck her family in the late 1940s. The prior year she was collecting for the March of Dimes (read about the concepts and implementation of this charity organization in Polio: An American story) to help in attacking the disease that frequently struck children and for which there was no known cause or cure. In the span of a week in September, Martha and her brother Gaston both contracted polio. Gaston was gone within a few days; Martha was paralyzed from the neck down and needed the assistance of an iron lung to force her lungs to expand and contract. Doctors told both Martha and her parents she would not live a year, as her heart was too damaged to sustain her body. She went on to live over 60 years in the iron lung, a record for the 800 pound machine. Martha accomplished many goals despite her condition. With the assistance of her beloved mother, she graduated from high school and college (as valedictorian of each class), and achieved her dream of being a writer. Her parents were devoted to her, as Martha was to them, and this respect was shown in multiple examples throughout this recounting.
I felt, as I read this book, that I was within her collection of friends, visiting and gaining insight into her daily routines, tribulations, and joys, which is the prime reason I have referred to the author by her first name throughout this entry. Her outlook on life remained stoically optimistic throughout 60 years of changing caretakers, societal values, and technological innovations. It is of course difficult to imagine a life lived within a cylinder, but Martha shows she collected friends, "visited" many places, and sampled and debated literary delights in her created salon circle. An amazing woman tells a moving story, from which we can all learn.

Online resources:
NYT article on Martha Mason http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/us/10mason.html?_r=1
YouTube documentary produced by Gardner-Webb University Media Relations; May 2004 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiXFGc5ePVs&feature=related

Having been born too late to witness firsthand the polio epidemic, I read these PCL resources and learned a lot about the disease and its impact on American society:
In search of the polio vaccine [DVD] - a History Channel documentary
Polio: An American story by David Oshinsky

The Cove

2010-08-12T17:37:00.001-04:00

Everyone should see The Cove. I watched it last night and was inspired by the dedication and risks taken by activists to capture and publicize the story of dolphin slaughter on the mountainous coastline of Taiji, Japan. Their covertly shot video was graphically disturbing and left me very angered. Issues of toxic mercury levels in seafood, mis-labelling of retail seafood, cover-ups and denials by fishermen and city officials, and the brutal killing of mammals deemed as intelligent as humans were all tackled in this documentary. The film, which featured Oceanic Preservation Society activists was 2009 winner of the Audience Awards at Sundance and the Newport Beach film festival. Check The Cove website (the source of the PSA below) for more information.

Early Holiday Shopping

2010-08-11T11:06:00.002-04:00

I tend to be very organized (a good trait for a librarian) and always start my holiday shopping in the summer months. I've gotten some great deals since I started in July. When I say shopping, I don't actually mean physical shopping. I buy almost everything online. When you order six months early there's no worry about the gift not arriving in time or having to pay for express delivery. So make your list early and check out some of these deals I've snagged in the past 6 weeks.

Meritline.com - has different deals everyday. I recently paid .79 cents (including shipping!) for an animal themed computer keyboard cleaning brush. Sign up to have their deals sent directly to your inbox. An example of one of today's deals: 1-LED Rotating Mini Clip Lamp for .39 cents (and that includes shipping!)

Woot.com - one day, one deal - Each day beginning at midnight woot offers a single item until it is sold out. There is also shirt woot, kids woot, and wine woot.

National Geographic store online - Right now is offering 20% off on all books. Also check the DVDs on sale. I recently got several copies of March of the Penguins at $3.95. (If you haven't seen this documentary, buy it for yourself!)

bookcloseouts.com - Thinking of buying books as gifts? This site has some deeply discounted prices. They are running a special deal on a selection of children's books for .99 cents & summer fiction paperbacks for $1.99. One of their new arrivals is The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4) for $2.99 and another, The bookseller of Kabul is priced at $4.49. Their quantities are limited and selection changes daily as items are sold out, so buy it when you see it or it might be gone.

If you're buying for me, I'd like a nook from Barnes & Noble. eBooks from PCL's netLibrary can be downloaded for free! See my previous blog on netLibrary.

Happy bargin hunting!

The meth problem in small-town America

2010-08-10T10:51:00.001-04:00

I read two books on the topic of methamphetamine in the past few weeks. The first was the fictional Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell. (The movie Winter's Bone won Best Picture & Best Screenplay at Sundance.) Throughout a long bitter winter in the Ozarks, Ree Dolly, a teenage high school dropout, cares for her two younger brothers and mentally unstable mother amid a town of kin who are all involved with meth, both in business and personally. Strange characters drift through the story such as Ree's Uncle Teardrop, her newly married best friend, Gail, and distant female relations who physically attack Ree. All the while Ree is tracking her missing father whose life revolves around meth. I found the characters poverty stricken, hopeless, and hopelessly addicted to a lifestyle on a downward spiral. I wondered if there were small towns in America that were actually models for the story.

It turns out the next book I picked up enlightened me to small towns in America's heartland where meth has taken hold of the people, the economy, and is causing a way of life to vanish. Methland: the death and life of a small American town focuses on Oelwein, Iowa. Once home to a meat-packing plant that employed over 2000 residents at good wages, when the author visited first in 2005, he found Oelwein to be suffering from a decrease in family farms, high unemployment due to the closing of factories, and these factors effecting the atmosphere & economy of the whole town. Nick Reding, the author, visited Oelwein and other Midwest towns which had become victims of meth. Meth production went from small labs in rural settings to superlabs controlled by the international drug trafficking organizations back to small labs. Oelwein has turned its reputation around by fundraising to make needed town improvements and attracting good paying jobs back to the newly renovated industrial park and the once abandoned meat production plant. This book was a wake-up call to a problem which could become worse; the worse the economic outlook for the US seems. This book touched on the political and social consequences of one of America's most popular and readily accessible narcotic. Be sure to read both the epilogue and afterword which hypothesizes on the future of Oelwein and meth in the US. Check the webpage for Methland and see notable awards this book has been given and read further reviews on the impact of this work.
I highly recommend both works (along with Burning Bright by Ron Rash) for a comprehensive introduction to this current topic.

Pilates

2010-08-08T02:27:00.002-04:00

So, I had my first private Pilates class this week and I'm going back for more. I had viewed some videos and read up on the history of Pilates and the basic program, but I felt I needed someone to show me the correct body positioning and feedback on proper form. Susan at Pilates of the Lehigh Valley was awesome! The studio is really bright and I'm hoping to join a class there in the fall. It's said that in 10 Pilates sessions you will feel better...I already felt better the day after! If you're curious, check out these PCL resources or ask me for my opinion (we all know I have an opinion on nearly everything!)

DVDs
Fashion your body with Pilates
Peel off the pounds Pilates
Pilates conditioning for weight loss

Books
Pilates: Body in motion by Alycea Ungaro (recommended by Susan at Pilates of the LV)
The Pilates body: Ultimate at home guide by Brooke Siler
Standing pilates: Strengthen and tone your body wherever you are by Joan Breibart.
The Pilates powerhouse: The perfect method of body conditioning for strength, flexibility, and the shape you have always wanted in less than an hour a day by Mari Winsor
Pilates workbook: Illustrated step-by-step guide to matwork techniques by Michael King

Chain Reaction

2010-08-06T14:36:00.006-04:00

The Mummy (1999) Indiana State University Library (2010)

(after Evie knocks down the library shelves)

Curator Terrence Bey: Oh look at this! Sons of the pharaohs! Give me frogs! Flies, locusts! Anything but you. Compared to you the other plagues were a joy!

Evie: I'm so very sorry, it was an accident.

Curator Terrence Bey: An accident? My dear girl, when Rameses destroyed Syria, that was an accident, you are a catastrophe! Look at my library! Why do I put up with you?

Evie: Well, you put up with me because I can read and write in ancient Egyptian, decipher hieroglyphics and hieratics... and well (getting angry) I am the only person within five thousand miles who can properly code and catalogue this library, that's why!

Even The Mummy's Evie looks stunned, although she is one cool librarian. Thought it couldn't really happen? Well, it did! The Indiana State University Library's work crews accidentally toppled library shelves in a domino fashion spilling some 25,000 books which will need to be reshelved. Full article is here.

netLibrary

2010-08-05T19:12:00.002-04:00

Although I myself am not a big fan of audiobooks (I just can't seem to pay attention...my mind keeps wandering!), I was exploring the netLibrary pages while updating 'how-to-use' reference material.

A few key points of netLibrary:

offers eAudiobooks for download and eBooks for use on pcs or digital readers.
eAudiobooks can be downloaded to iPods, Zunes, Sandisk, and other MP3 players (see complete list)
eBooks are compatible with the nook reader (Barnes & Noble) and the Sony ereader (a few other digital readers as well)
New titles are added month (see a listing of August titles here).
The netLibrary collection has both fiction and non-fiction works.
netLibrary is available remotely using your library card number & PIN
netLibrary is accessible 24/7 and books are never overdue!
netLibrary is not free to PCL. It is a subscription database which is renewed on a yearly basis.

On a similar note, I have been debating on purchasing an ereader now that they are almost affordable (so, I won't eat for a while...at least I can read), but I haven't decided which kind to purchase. Since netLibrary would provide free books for checkout with my PCL card, the nook is looking good. The Kindle is running in second simply because I would then have to pay for material downloaded (except the ever-growing number of free classics available). Any opinions?

Angel Face Amanda Knox

2010-08-02T14:51:00.001-04:00

This weekend, I quickly read Angel Face: The true story of student killer Amanda Knox. She was the American studying in Perugia who was accused, tried, and convicted of murdering her British roommate. This book got mixed reviews from Amazon readers, and I was initally a bit undecided myself. It was easy to read and understand and that fact made me doubt the credibility. I did some background checking on the author, who writes for the Daily Beast. Delving further I found the Daily Beast was founded by Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. I found the Daily Beast news aggregator site pretty interesting with tidbits on all sorts of news: political, entertainment, and just plain odd. Another section, The Book Beast was equally interesting with opinions, reviews, and the scoop on hot titles. I found a great article on the best true crime books and added a couple to my reading list.
If you generally like the true crime genre, I would recommend this, if only for the reason that it does give a good overview of the crime, as far as the limits of evidence and statements from the trial allow. It was written without bias and used the 10,000 page legal dosier as a main source. I also liked that a note on the sources was given at the front of the book, although no footnotes were used within the text. This is readable, interesting, and for a fan of true crime, one that should be added to the suggested reading list.

National Salad Week

2010-07-29T16:42:00.002-04:00

I can't believe I almost forgot to mention National Salad Week, July 25 - 31. Don't worry, there are a few days left to enjoy a crisp, healthy salad.
Some PCL resources:
Chicken salads: 60 scrumptious recipes for an American classic
Quick toss salad meals
Soup makes the meal : 150 soul-satisfying recipes for soups, salads, and breads
Veggie meals: Rachael Ray's 30-minute meals
Cold pasta
Salad people and more real recipes : a new cookbook for preschoolers and up

For online recipes see:
Allrecipes.com
Salad recipe
Fruit salad recipes

Also check out Food Network Magazine. This title was recently added to PCL's magazines. All the recipes in the issue are indexed with color pictures of the dishes!
Enjoy a healthy salad!

How did you get this #?

2010-07-26T14:26:00.001-04:00

Sloane Crosley, author of I was told there'd be cake, has a new book that had me snickering in quite a few instances (and those who know me know I'd don't laugh lightly). How did you get this number (which depicts a guilty faced brown bear on the cover, see below) is a collection of 9 essays in which Crosley critically examines certain episodes of her life with witty humor and some catch phrases that I wish I was smart enough to think of first.

A few examples the insight in Crosley's essays:
On language barriers "...with the conviction that the longer one speaks Portuguese, the more apt your foreign subject is to understand it. It's the Portuguese version of screaming English in order to better communicate. Everyone knows that works." ...p. 24.
On an anorexic kleptomaniac roommate "None of my clothes would fit her without the aid of a staple gun."... p. 50.
On the safety of a night-light "...if they worked for me, would they not also work for the eight-eyed monster hiding in the closet?...She can see a night-light." ...p. 70.
See...Aren't these clever concepts? Don't you wish you had thought of some of these yourself?

'Light Pollution', her essay about the differences between the lower 48 & Alaska made me want to schedule my flight and check it out with my own eyes.

How did you get this number is a quick, light read that will leave you wishing there was more. PCL also has I was told there'd be cake in the collection if you want to explore Crosley's 2008 works.

And the heart says whatever...

2010-07-23T10:27:00.003-04:00

Emily Gould's latest literary work, And the heart says whatever, is comprised of 11 short stories about a single woman and finding direction in life. Set in New York City, the moods of the stories range amongst depression, irony, sarcasm, and humor. She entertainingly tells tales of boyfriends (many), jobs (also many), pet ownership, decorating minuscule apartments, and seeking the fitting persona to adopt upon her graduation from the New School. I thought the stories read like an extension of a creative writing class with carefully chosen descriptive wording although they were casual enough to convey that the writer is grounded in reality. I loved the thoughtful way these stories ended; not leaving the reader hanging, rather understanding how deeply the author analyzed the topic and story line and created writing that would convey strong sentiment while giving the reader a voyeuristic fishbowl view of her life. This slim book makes a great take-along beach read and the stories are short enough to read between naps in the sun. Emily Gould's blog site is http://www.emilymagazine.com/.

Book Sale starts soon!!

2010-07-22T15:33:00.002-04:00

The Friends of the Parkland Library is doing a wonderful job of organizing and pricing the thousands of items available at this year’s annual Book Sale. I got a sneak preview today of the mass of tables of books categorized into sections and priced with color coded stickers. There are some great finds and multiples of many popular fiction novels. Lots of these books are in such good condition, they could be put away as gifts (did I mention I always start my holiday shopping in July??) The reuse and recycling of these materials is great for our environment as well as our pocketbooks. There are even .50 cent superbargains!
Many Friends members are working to get everything ready for Friday’s Preview from 4 – 7 PM. As a reminder the sale this year is at the air-conditioned LCTI, only 5 miles north of the library (directions here). There are plenty of large signs marking the way to ample parking and the building entrance. Friends will still be accepting sale material donations until 7PM today and on Friday from 10AM – 7PM. They are also in need of plastic grocery bags if you have any to donate. Mark your calendar to support PCL by shopping the book sale and getting some great bargains. Book Sale Dates and Hours

July 24 - 31, 2010

Saturdays (July 24 & 31) 9am - 3pm

Sunday July 25 11am - 4pm

Monday - Friday 10am - 8pm

Further sale details can also be found on the PCL website.

Inside Gitmo

2010-07-19T18:48:00.001-04:00

President Obama has spoken since his inaguaration about closing the controversial detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba . Although it has been in the news lately, closing of Gitmo does not seem imminent by the end of the year even though the Supermax facility in Thompson, Illinois seems to be moving forward on planned changes being made to hold prisoners from Gitmo. Several library resources can shed light on this facility:

Inside Gitmo [DVD] – The prison on the Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has received media attention for its practices, especially since 9/11. This National Geographic documentary shows the lives of guards, prisoners, and civilian visitors to the prison.

Many works have been written on the same subject, some exposes, some biographical, and others mainly political. For a different view see

The Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Ill. is being considered as "a leading option" to house suspected terrorists currently held at Guantanamo Bay. See photos from the chicagotribune.com below:

The merits of Dewey...

2010-07-16T10:53:00.000-04:00

As a follow up to my musings on the pleasures of browsing, it seems a brief review of the Dewey Decimal system is in order. Most of us learned the Dewey decimal system back in elementary school during the most important class, library (this is what I tell my second grader). The Dewey system has been around since 1876, the invention of Melvil Dewey (quite a ladies’ man, I’ve heard!). The number ranges include a certain topic and tell you where to find the non-fiction books. At PCL the Dewey system only applies to non-fiction, reference, and juvenile non-fiction. PCL’s fiction books are grouped by author’s last name. Some libraries have their fiction works in the 800’s (literature). Sometimes a librarian can rattle off a specific number like 940.3515 for Holocaust or 709.32 for Egyptian art, but if you know these 10 basic groupings, you can enhance your browsing experience.

• 000 – Computer science, information & general works

• 100 – Philosophy and psychology

• 200 – Religion

• 300 – Social sciences

• 400 – Language

• 500 – Science (including mathematics)

• 600 – Technology

• 700 – Arts and recreation

• 800 – Literature

• 900 – History and geography

One of the best things about being a librarian is having the ability to locate the answer to a question even if you don’t know it off the top of your head. So many librarians pay tribute to the genius of Melvil Dewey by naming their cats after him. See Dewey: the small-town library cat who touched the world.

For happy library materials...

2010-07-13T17:25:00.001-04:00

I have spoken with a number of patrons in the past few weeks that were looking for an item they could not find. In a positive case In cold blood was found hanging out beside Capote’s fiction rather than in its home in the 364‘s of true crime.
Some less than favorable results:
*David Sedaris’ Naked has been added to the missing list…both library employees and volunteers who specifically search for items have not had any luck…I suppose I will be replacing this one at a cost of $15.00
*A reference book that has gone AWOL – Warning Symptoms. This was well used by reference staff to answer patron questions. Reference books are non circulating, so this one must have leaped off the shelf and walked right out the door! Since it is gone, I have replaced it with the Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms at a cost of $54.95.
*McBrien’s Lives of the Saints came back so heavily water damaged it was in no condition to circulate…this useful book has been replaced with The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Saints (on order) at a cost of $35.00. (Lives of the saints was no longer available in hardcover, so an exact replacement would have been impossible.)
*Because there are many other Rachael Ray cookbooks, her Guy Food recipes book will not be replaced. It had to be removed from the collection after someone tore out pages 39 & 40.
*Two non-fiction books on jewelry making were discovered to be missing – Jewelry: Fundamentals of metalsmithing and New directions in metal clay. Replacements for these items have not been selected yet. Of course I discovered them missing when a patron was interested in books on just that topic.
*A New England travel guide just landed on my desk. Some creature snacked on this, but the bite marks are not quite moose size. Now this was a 2008 edition, so it will not be replaced. I hope the older (2007) edition is available until the 2010 edition is published in this August.

So what is the moral of the story here? This is a public library operated on state revenues, local taxes, and donations. Why would anyone want to abuse the privilege of borrowing materials at no cost? Even though PCL’s shelves are packed with books, don’t think staff aren’t going to miss a couple. And don’t think 'no one else would want to read this book anyway'; just as I claimed in a previous post - the library isn’t going to waste the tight book budgets we have on items no one uses – we just can’t afford to do that. Why is there no respect for library materials?

Here are a couple quick tips to keep your library materials happy and safe:

Don’t leave any AV materials in hot cars! Cases warp and cassette and videotapes (yes we still have materials in this format) can melt.
Protect your library materials from hungry or jealous pets.
Don’t let library books get wet.
Library books have stamps and markings. They know where they belong. If you have overdue materials in your possession please return them. Another borrower is waiting.
If materials are damaged, report it when you return. It can be easier to repair materials sooner than later.
The library will give you a pass should your library materials be skunked – it has happened. Do not use tomato juice on library materials.

See you and happy library books at the library!

Read my pins...

2010-07-12T18:36:00.002-04:00

In the June 2010 issue of Smithsonian magazine (one of PCL's recent additions), there is a brief Q&A with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about her book release Read my pins: Stories from a diplomat's toolbox. She used her growing collection of costume pins to express her opinions and attitudes toward global events. An exhibit of the jewelery opened last month at the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, DC. The June 2010 issue of Smithsonian is available for circulation at PCL. More of the interview can be found at Smithsonian.com/Albright. This book has been very popular since the library acquired it...you can be placed on hold for the book here.

Some benefits of browsing

2010-07-10T12:09:00.003-04:00

Judge a book by its cover – Check out the cover art
Discover one-hit wonder authors (Did you know To kill a mockingbird is the only novel Harper Lee every published?)
Find the right size book to fit in your summer purse
No hold lists

If you search only the recent book shelves at PCL or normally search the library catalog with only a specific item in mind, you might want to venture a bit further into the stacks. Surprises and treasures await! It seems a lot of patrons come in and want a bestseller which may have a long hold list. How about browsing to see what is here and available at the moment? Some items that caught my eye while quickly browsing the stacks:

Oxford book of sonnets (purse size)

East fifth bliss (interesting cover art)

In the tenth house (this highly decorative spine can’t be missed)

The lord of the rings: The art of the fellowship of the rings (beautiful artwork throughout)

The American circus (a catchy title on a subject anyone can relate to)

The unicorn hunt (eye catching book with an alluring title)

Mirabilis (again, I was drawn by the spinal artwork)

Every book is a treasure, but not every one may suit your literary tastes. The great thing about the library is you can return the book and it didn’t cost you anything! Take a chance and pick up a book out of your normal reading genre. Choose something strictly for the cover art. Better your chances of finding something you will enjoy reading by coming in and searching PCL’s stacks. When you find something you’ve liked, share it! Send an email to info@parklandlibrary.org or comment on the library blogs.

From page to film...

2010-07-09T15:09:00.002-04:00

For those of us who are both readers and movie lovers, there is often debate as to which format is better: book or movie and which of the two should be first if both are available. I have differing opinions based on the story in question. I would love to see some books I have read made into films. For other topics, sometimes I would rather see the film and skip the book. For me this is especially true of novels, simply because I don’t read that much fiction. I recently saw the Lovely Bones which was (I am told) fairly representative of Alice Sebold’s novel. The movie was well done; far too sad, but thought provoking and deep. I could have done without the fantasy depictions of the ‘in-between’ and I think I probably would have been impatient when reading those sections in the book. I would want to get back to the reality of solving the crime.

Another recent film, Shutter Island, was based on the book by Dennis Lehane. In this case I read the novel first and it was a riveting, suspenseful page turner. The movie was also suspenseful, but since I knew the conclusion beforehand, it was not as mysterious as it could have been to someone unaware of the story. It followed the book’s action very closely. However, when you read the book first, you have a chance to imagine how the setting and characters will appear. I pictured Shutter Island as a more rocky, barren piece of land and anticipated the hospital being more massive, like some abandoned state asylum. Viewing what another envisioned means you have to adjust the mental image developed while reading the novel. Both the book and the film Shutter Island were entertaining with a well-developed plot. Page or film first is really a matter of personal preference.

It’s always disappointing when you loved the book and the movie is not true to the novel’s events. I felt this way with Confessions of a Shopaholic. I loved the books (I would recommend Sophie Kinsella’s books for funny, girly fiction), but hated that the movie followed the story only in principle. On the other end of the spectrum, Bridget Jones’s Diary was a hilariously funny movie which could only have been better if Bridget’s daily tally of cigarettes, alcohol units, and weigh-in figures were included as in the book. Any comments on your favorites?

Some recent novels to movies:
Dan Brown – Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code

Stephenie Meyer – Twilight Series (you must have some opinions on these books to movies)
Harry Potter
Jodi Piccoult - My sister’s keeper (Another fiction writer I really enjoy reading. I certainly hope more of her books are made into films.)
Ian McEwan – Atonement
Richard Matheson – I am legend
Stephen King – The Mist (from a short novella; great film)
Khaled Hosseini – The kite runner (I hope to see A thousand splendid suns in movie format.)

For a list of movies made from books see http://movie-o.com/books/movie-books.php

Oppression and Possessions

2010-07-02T14:50:00.002-04:00

Love in a torn land: Joanna of Kurdistan: the true story of a freedom fighter's escape from Iraqi vengeance – This latest work by Jean Sasson (author of the Princess series) is a biography of a Kurdish freedom fighter within Iraq. Like Princess, the heroine is an a Middle Eastern woman who makes sacrifices for her ethical values. This Sasson work is more politically slanted than her prior works on oppressed women. The reader gleans a base understanding of Kurdish Iraqi history, politics, warfare, and geography. After description and detail of many years of Joanna’s life the ending seems anticlimactic with many issues still unresolved, like the ever evolving region of the Middle East. In all, an interesting book, but not quite on the riveting, page-turner levels of Sasson's other works. PCL also has:
Princess : a true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia
Growing up Bin Laden : Osama's wife and son take us inside their secret world (with Najwa bin Laden & Omar bin Laden)

Snoop – Sam Gosling, PhD

Subtitled What your stuff says about you, this book was not what I expected. Instead of straight evaluations of what certain behaviors, preferences, and personal possessions might say about the individual, this book examines these issues critically. It has a strong psychology slant with detailed analysis backing the reasons why stuff conveys what it does to observers looking into the fishbowl. Bias, judgment, and preconceptions are both proved and disproved depending on the stuff being examined. A lot of scholarly thought went into this manuscript, although the delivery of the message was not quite on the entertainment or reader interest level of a Malcolm Gladwell book.
I would suggest these two Gladwell books instead:
Outliers : the story of success
The tipping point : how little things can make a big difference

The dirt on Eclipse

2010-07-01T15:49:00.002-04:00

The WSJ said ticket sales for yesterday's opening of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse were $68.5 million. Adam was there at midnight where he said there was a huge crowd and 4 sold out screens, but there wasn't much of a crowd at the 5pm show that he (yes, for the second time) and I (first time) attended. So my overall conclusion for Eclipse is, in one word, anticlimactic. There did not seem to be any main conflict in Eclipse, but then I thought the third book of the Twilight series was also the least interesting. Our favorites are true to character - Bella is torn, puzzled, and despairing, Jacob is ripped, sans shirt in many scenes, and the eternally tortured Edward is protective…. For those who may have read the novella The short second life of Bree Tanner which was released just prior to Eclipse, it definitely provided more background on the lives of the newborns ( I was sorry we did not get a glimpse of the repellent Fred!) which is a point the movie really did not expound upon. The newborns played only a small part and Bree made a very short appearance; I don’t even think hers was a speaking part. I enjoyed the flashbacks of the previous lives of Rosalie and Jasper and the sarcasm and quick retorts were a spicy touch. For those fans who have read the books and seen the previous films, Breaking Dawn (in two parts; the first to be released November 2011) will be much anticipated, and Eclipse just a bridge between the second and fourth films.

The Lehigh Valley

2010-06-28T15:08:00.005-04:00

On my way to the library today, I followed one of the new Hybrid Electric LANTA buses down Route 309 and I was curious about how much cleaner these vehicles were to drive. LANTA’s facebook page says that three are on Valley roads daily and that hybrid electric buses get 20% better fuel economy and the use of electric results in a 61% reduction in pollutants. LANTA also promises a quieter ride. LANTA bus schedules for numerous routes are available at the library or on LANTA's website.

…Lehigh Valley International Airport is also going to purchase hybrid vehicles for use servicing planes and for use in the terminal with a grant received in May from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. I have always seen the Lehigh Valley as a very green place. Here’s to hoping the area industries will help to keep it that way.

Lehigh Valley Resources at PCL:
Lehigh Valley Magazine – current issue does not circulate. Other bimonthly issues are available from 2004 to the present and have a three week check out period. Issues from 2002 – 2003 are shelved in the Local History section.
Lehigh Valley Style – Issues from 2002 forward circulate except for the current issue.

Some DVD’s of interest from the Lehigh Valley living history series produced by PBS 39:
Hollywood on Hamilton: Remembering Hess's
Bethlehem Steel: The people who built America
Carousel of memories
Football legends of Pennsylvania
The Lehigh Lafayette legacy
Make a joyful noise: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem

…And don’t miss PCL’s Local History section for a stroll down memory lane.

Environmental Pollution

2010-06-24T16:44:00.005-04:00

Today I came across an important resource from the Political Economy Research Institute which names the top 100 toxic air polluters in the US. Incidentally BP is #25 on this list which spans a wide range of industries from paper manufacturers to electricity corporations. In the context of the BP spill, could another similar accident occur at one of these corporate facilities? The environment is still feeling the effects of past environmental disasters. How long will the Gulf cleanup take? How long until the marine life recovers? See some of these library materials to learn more.

Past global environmental disasters:
Chernobyl by David Erik Nelson
– If you prefer fiction, read Wolves eat dogs by Martin Cruz Smith, set in Pripyat, Ukraine .
Five past midnight in Bhopal - an account of the Union Carbide gas leak in India, December 3, 1984
-For a fictional account of the effects of this disaster on lives, Animal's people
Three Mile Island: A nuclear crisis in historical perspective

For research: Environmental issues: Essential primary sources and Encyclopedia of global warming and climate change

To gain awareness on environmental issues:
*READ coverage of the Gulf oil spill in the New Orleans’ Times-Picayune on the America's Newspapers database.
*Hot, flat, and crowded: Why we need a green revolution and how it can renew America
*Red sky at morning: America and the crisis of the global environment
*Dire predictions: Understanding global warming
*Eaarth: Making a life on a tough planet

Newsweek’s photo slideshow of Eco Disasters

Take the non-fiction challenge

2010-06-22T07:05:00.004-04:00

Everyone is now flocking to the library to pick up summer reading. Try to have a few alternate choices in mind in case the book you wanted is checked out. You can always get on the hold list, but how about trying a non-fiction book that is every bit as entertaining, action-packed, and suspenseful as fiction? You might also pick up some trivia which could come in useful if you like crosswords or practicing for Jeopardy! (like I do). I’m going to suggest one page-turner in each main Dewey category (plus biography). Take the non-fiction challenge: Read something on the list and give me your feedback here.

Collective biography (B9) – The dirt by Motley Crue

Biography (B) – High on arrival by Mackenzie Phillips

100’s - My secret: A PostSecret book

200’s – Don’t know much about mythology, another Kenneth Davis book packed with trivia.

300’s – Curtains: Adventures of an undertaker-in-training (Kim gave this one a thumbs-up)

400’s – Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's guide to better English in plain English

500’s – Wicked plants: the weed that killed Lincoln's mother and other botanical atrocities

600’s – The hot zone – Ebola, monkeys, and biological weapons will put you on the edge of your seat.

700’s – The art of Ancient Egypt by Gay Robins

800’s – Undateable : 311 things guys do that guarantee they won't be dating or having sex – This is just too funny; both the text and the pictures merit laughs. Check this promotional clip.

900’s – Paris Under Water: How the City of Light Survived the Great Flood of 1910

I'll be looking forward to your comments.

Those crazy lemurs!

2010-06-21T19:05:00.002-04:00

I thought this was a cute news story. I can just see these two being as funny as King Julien (see the Penguins of Madagascar below). And to think they wound up in the library!

DVD's just for fun

Penguins of Madagascar

Madagascar

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa