Think Ahead With These New Non-Fiction Titles From JCPL!

“You’ll shoot your eye out!” Ralphie’s mother in “A Christmas Story” knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if he got that Red Ryder BB Gun that he wanted so badly for Christmas, he would definitely shoot his eye out.

Most mothers (and grandmothers) would see things that way, anticipating the dreaded consequence of one moment’s carelessness before it even happens. It’s not a “crystal ball” realization; it’s not a “gut feeling;” and it’s not even a skill, such as mothers have, with eyes in the back of their heads and all. You can call it experience, or you can call it wisdom, or you can call it expertise, or just chalk it up to intuition, but in “The Two Second Advantage: How We Succeed by Anticipating the Future” by Vivek Ranadive, it would be chalked up to “predictive technology,” or mastering the ability to predict what will happen BEFORE it happens. This powerfully written guide to “thinking ahead” is the result of fifteen years of scientific data that has separated the good from the great, and the finding is that the one distinguishing factor to greatness is the ability to anticipate events just seconds before they occur. For example, what made Wayne Gretzky the greatest hockey player of all time? The answer is that he had the ability to predict where the hockey puck was going to land just before it met its destination. Similarly, companies that use “predictive technology” to see snafus and operational problems before they occur are much more successful in their business than those that don’t.
Anticipating the future by checking out this new non-fiction title from your local branch of the Jasper County Public Library, as well as the others listed here, is a sure bet that you’re on the road to success. Check these out!

When a health scare prompts journalist, Jenkins McKay on a quest to find out what toxins he might be harboring in his body, his investigation led him to find out the truth about toxic chemicals that reach alarming levels; and they’re in ordinary things and familiar places. “What’s Gotten Into Us? Staying Healthy in a Toxic World” by Jenkins McKay will empower you as a consumer with the knowledge that you need to regain control over your life, making your environment, thus, your body, less toxic.

The role reversal that an adult child faces when taking care of an aging parent becomes a necessity is addressed in “A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents and Ourselves.” Remembering that caring for your parent is much worse on them than it is on you is the first key to a successful, insightful experience. This valuable guide offers important facts, including state laws and licensing requirements for financial, legal and other matters that affect the elderly. Qualifying for Medicare is also addressed, along with the options of assisted living and round the clock care verses nursing home care; all in all a very valuable resource for those facing the possibility of caring for aging parents.

The ever increasing divorce rate in this country is testament to the fact that many marriages just don’t fall into the “happily ever after” category. Failure to achieve marital bliss is a well-known fact, but we don’t hear much about the marriages that last. In “The Secret Lives of Wives: Women Who Share What It Takes to Stay Married” by Iris Krasnow, over 200 women whose marriages have lasted anywhere from 15-70 years were interviewed, and their secrets are revealed in this guide to “till death do us part.”

An expert at overcoming obstacles, both personal and professional, Bethany Frankel offers no-nonsense, tell it like it is advice for dealing with daily challenges in “A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life.” This book includes rules that set examples for learning the route to success by not doubting yourself and having an “I can” attitude, leading to a more fulfilled, healthier and downright amazing future for you.

Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” definitely had a “can do” attitude, and visited “A Place of Yes,” because in the end, he got his Red Ryder BB Gun, against his mother’s better judgment. Mother Knows Best, especially when it comes to keeping both eyes intact, because you won’t want to miss all of these great, new titles at JCPL!

Variety is the Spice of Life With all That JCPL Has to Offer In Reading Material!

Shopping around is a great way to unearth deals and bargains. The best bargain, by far this holiday season, is right in your hometown, and the deals right at your fingertips. Are you a traditional reader, who enjoys the feel of a book in your hand, or is your choice of reading material more along the lines of Nook, Kindle, or some other mobile device? Maybe you prefer to hear your favorite books read aloud as you drive or as you work; in that case, audio-books are the perfect choice for you.


Books come in all shapes, sizes and forms, and at the Jasper County Public Library, we understand your need for access to the hottest, most popular titles available, and we strive to provide the most current titles, no matter which genre you prefer.


Each branch of JCPL houses the newest titles of print materials in a separate space, so that you can shop quickly and see, at a glance, the most current books available. For those who prefer eBooks, JCPL now offers a new collection of titles through a service called, “Overdrive.” Through Overdrive, you can check out popular e-Book titles with your library card and enjoy them for a lending period of 7-14 days. Titles automatically expire at the end of the lending period, so there are no late fees. To get started with Overdrive, first go to the Indiana Digital Download Center site at iddc.lib.overdrive.com and download the software that you’ll need for your system, then you can browse the collection and download your favorite titles. There are hundreds of titles to choose from!


Audio-books are available in a myriad of titles, which may also be checked out for a three week lending period and renewed for another three weeks as well.


The weather outside may be cold, but the choices of materials at the Jasper County Public Library are hotter than ever. Stop in and check it out!