On Second Thought, Books From JCPL Are Just What I Need!

We all have "second thoughts." Some examples of second thoughts for me are thinking that I might dig in and get some real spring cleaning done, and when I get close to starting that project, I have second thoughts and decide to have a cup of coffee and a doughnut instead. Other times I second guess my first decision are mainly when I go to a restaurant. Because there are so many choices on the menu, I have a decision making dilemma on my hands when it comes time to order. Would I like to have that double decker hamburger for lunch, or should I stick to something healthy and nutritious, like maybe a soup or salad? Then there is always the possibility of just skipping the main dish and going straight for the desserts, which poses yet another dilemma, and that is, would it be wise to opt for the cherry cheesecake or should I splurge and have a nice slice of that chocolate cake that looks so awesome? My "gut" tells me to go for the chocolate, but my more sensible side opts for the cheesecake, because, after all, it's sure to be healthier, since it contains so many of the necessary components of the food pyramid.

If you're like me, and find yourself sweating every decision you make, "On Second Thought: Outsmarting Your Mind's Hard-Wired Habits" by Wray Herbert is for you! Because our lives are literally full of millions of choices, some trivial and some life-altering important, our brains help us to differentiate between the right and wrong choices we make every day. Things get a little dicey, however, when we rely on our "gut" reactions, which may sway us into making poor decisions, and some that can be downright perilous. This book explores the workings of the mind and how to know when to trust the instant response that may come naturally and when to question it and alter our perceptions to make more sensible and rational decisions. For more great, new, non-fiction choices at JCPL, read on!

Leaving their families behind in Ohio and Wisconsin, Bobbi Montgomery and Alice Honeywell set out on a cross country journey 3600 miles long powered by their bicycles and their sense of adventure. Defying the aches and pains, these two friends saw the countryside in all its glory, discovering challenges and a deeper bond of friendship along the way. "Across America by Bicycle" by Alice Honeywell and Bobbi Montgomery offers a glimpse of America through the encounters of these two retirees.

Artfully separating fact from fiction, "Wicked River: The Mississippi When it Last Ran Wild" by Lee Sandlin is action packed with history, people, and their fates as they live along the banks of the Mississippi River. This elegant story includes the days of the river before manmade concrete lined the banks, and comes complete with topographical maps and temperature charts that give the true picture of the mighty, majestic Mississippi.

How we see and how our eyes see are two different things. Our perception of what is before our eyes is enhanced by our brain, our experiences, and our memories. What our eyes see are details of what is before us. In "The Mind's Eye" by Oliver W. Sacks, the author shares his knowledge of neurological issues that affect the eyes by presenting case histories as experienced by patients in his neurological practice at Columbia University Medical Center. This exploration of the human condition when devastating events hinder normal vision is told from the compassionate viewpoint of a physician who has not only seen the results of vision loss in his patients, but has also experienced a devastating loss of vision himself.

In my mind's eye I see cherry cheesecake on the food pyramid, and lots and lots of books to choose from at my local branch of the Jasper County Public Library. Put the two together, and it's one of the easiest and best decisions I've ever made!