Good Reads @ JCPL

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

2011-12-16T13:49:00.002-06:00

“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!

2011-12-03T15:10:00.002-06:00

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!

Kick Start Your Autumn Break With These New Fiction Titles at JCPL!

2011-11-20T12:19:00.001-06:00

Remember the story problems that we did as kids in school? Here is a story problem: If today is November 9 and there are 30 days in November and thirty one days in December and Christmas falls on December 25, how many days are left until Christmas? I never was a whiz at math, but if I cheat and look at the calendar, I can tell you that there are 46 days until Christmas, and if I divide the 46 days into weeks, it’s still OVER 6 weeks until Santa makes his appearance. Department stores and TV ads are already playing Jingle Bells and “decking the halls.” Halloween is barely out of the woods and Christmas is already making an appearance. Have I slept through the fall months? Have I already missed my most favorite of all holidays; Thanksgiving?! Gee whiz, is it fair to shortchange Turkey Day and the fall season and jump straight into winter? Time to take a break and kick back and enjoy these cool, blustery days and snuggle into the nest that will soon enough be hard to find time for, and read, read, read! Here are a few new fiction titles from your friends at JCPL that will kick start your autumn break!

Dewey Andreas is searching for peace, and hopes to find it in rural Australia. Unfortunately, the powers that he once fought against are out for revenge, and now they’ve found him, forcing him to fight for his life. On the other side of the globe in Pakistan, a radical cleric has gained power, starting an all out war with India that quickly escalates out of control. With the threat of nuclear response a high probability, the need for a cease fire is more important than ever, and there is only one man who can lead a team that can pull off the impossible task; Dewey Andreas. But can he get out of Australia alive? Find out in “Coup d’Etat” by Ben Coes.

Amelia Wilkes and Anthony Winter are high school seniors, desperately in love. Amelia’s father, Harlan, however, will not allow his daughter to date. Her mother, Kim, though, is more open minded and keeps the couple’s secret. When Harlan discovers the couple’s passion for one another via intimate pictures on Amelia’s computer, his fury turns to a lust for revenge against the young man, and Harlan turns him into local law enforcement, creating a public case that takes disturbing twists and turns in “Exposure” by Therese Fowler.

When a hostage situation arises in a television studio, former investigative journalist, Tom Pegg finds himself embroiled in the mess when the kidnapper chooses him as a go-between. Events turn chaotic and the drama reaches a fever pitch when two very different people are thrown together by the crisis, resulting in gripping and page-turning suspense in “The Blue Light Project” by Timothy Taylor.

With streets named Nutcracker Court and Sugar Plum Lane, Fairbrook is the perfect town for Christmas glitz. But the holiday season isn’t what it’s cracked up to be for all of Fairbrook’s residents, including single mom, Carly Westbrook, who is struggling to make ends meet and still provide a nice Christmas for her boys, and Grant Barrows, a formerly wealthy businessman struggling to come to grips with his shrinking bank account. Still, the local ladies group holds out hope that a Christmas miracle may come to pass in “Christmas on Nutcracker Court” by Judy Duarte.

If there are 24 hours in a day and 46 days until Christmas, that adds up to 1,104 hours. Taking time out to relax and escape into the characters and plot of a good book checked out from the Jasper County Public Library might just fit into that schedule. If you do the math, you’ll discover that I’m 100% correct!

"Teachable Moments" Are Within Each and Every Book You Read!

2011-11-01T12:18:00.002-05:00

Life is full of “teachable moments.” “You learn something new every day” is my mantra. If you’re an avid reader, you know this phrase to be true. Even if what you normally read is fiction, there’s always a grain of truth and a lesson or two in each story. In a previous article, I had described a book written by Lisa Genova entitled, “Left Neglected,” using the blurb from the front of the book to explain the story. After writing it up, I decided to check the book out from the Jasper County Public Library and read it myself, and found it to be one “teachable moment” after another. The story revolves around Sarah Nickerson, a “yuppie” who has it all; a high powered job as the vice president of a human resources firm, three children, involved in sports and other recreational activities, a wonderful, supportive husband, who is also an overachiever in his chosen career, and a beautiful home in a well-to-do Boston suburb, as well as a house in Vermont. Having it all, however, comes at a price, and Sarah finds that out one rainy day while multitasking on her way to a meeting, texting and driving at 70 miles per hour straight into a line of traffic that has come to a complete stop. Totaling her car and waking up in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, Sarah is shocked to find that the left side of everything, including her body, has literally disappeared off of her radar. She is suffering from “Left Neglect,” a syndrome that entails much physical therapy to restore the left half of everything, including things we take for granted every day; the food on the left half of her plate, anyone seated to the left of her, even the left half of her own face is devoid of makeup after she’s sure she’s covered all ground during her usual makeup routine. During her therapy and recovery, her husband, Bob, needs help with their three children and calls in Sarah’s mother. Sarah has unresolved issues with her mother, feeling neglected herself during her childhood after her only brother, Nate, drowned in a friend’s pool at a young age, leaving her mother so depressed and guilt ridden that she couldn’t bring herself to care for her remaining child and husband. Sarah’s recovery is slow, and the author does a fabulously hilarious job of describing in detail one comical misadventure after another as Sarah accepts her Left Neglect, along with the help of her mother, healing both her body and psyche as she comes to fully understand her mother’s longstanding depression and her own shortcomings as well.

After reading the book, I looked up “Left Neglect” and discovered that it is a real medical condition, brought on by stroke, or other injury to the brain. Want to learn more? Check out these other new fiction titles from JCPL.

John and Laura Foster are aboard a steamship headed straight for a hurricane on the Atlantic coast, and are faced with the terrifying possibility of being separated when the women and children on the ship are evacuated to another ship. “Deepest Waters” by Dan Walsh is set in a pre-Civil war era, and is based on the true-life sinking of the SS Central America, carrying a payload of gold. This character-driven novel is full of historical events as well as drama and adventure, containing subplots along with the main storyline.

Professional home stager, Sandy Sullivan, is quite an expert at taking a cluttered space in a home and turning it into a cozy and attractive living area, ripe for selling. Sandy’s career as a home stager is the easy part of her life; one she can change with a dash of paint and proper placement of furniture. Her personal life, however, is sorely lacking the same pizzazz as her work life. Living in a suburb of Boston along with a “back burner” husband and a grown son who has turned their basement into a “bat cave,” Sandy takes a job in Atlanta staging a boutique recently acquired by her best friend’s boyfriend. In “Best Staged Plans” by Claire Cook, you’ll recognize the characters to be believable enough to be your own next door neighbors, and the storyline full of not only fun twists and turns, but great tips and tricks for fixing up any humble abode.

Maybe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but by reading these or any other of the new, fiction titles on the shelves of your local Jasper County Public Library, you’ll be sure to experience a “Confucius” moment; “You cannot open a book without learning something.”

What Does Your Future Hold? New Fiction at JCPL, of Course!

2011-10-14T09:11:00.001-05:00

If you would have told me a few years ago that I would be driving a mini-van someday, I would have told you that you’re wrong. No way would I drive a “bus.” My vehicles have always been compact; after all, I’m only 4’11” tall. So now, in my driveway, sits a red van, and every time I walk through my living room and see that “bus” out in my driveway, I wonder who is visiting, because, mentally, I still have not adjusted to the large capacity vehicle that is sitting where my little Toyota should be. I tote around 4 grandkids quite frequently, and buckling them into safety seats was getting way too cramped, hence the decision to buy a van. According to Carter, the character in the book I’m currently reading, buying a van is an inevitable consequence of getting older; everyone is doing it. In the story, he arrives at a party, driving a van, and when the hostess spies his new ride, she asks, “What is that?” “That,” Carter replies, is your future. You laugh now, but no one can escape the minivan. It’s like wrinkles and nursing homes.” Ouch…I had to learn from a character in “Finny” by Justin Kramon just how OLD I am. “Finny,” by the way, is one of the best, character driven novels I’ve read in awhile. At the beginning of the book, the main character, Finny Short, is fourteen years old, and a defiant teenager she is. Her parents are so exasperated with her antics that they send her to boarding school, where Finny must slightly readjust to her new surroundings. Her precociousness prevails, however, and Finny moves into adulthood after much mischief in a remarkable adventure, with no shortage of charm as she recklessly seeks happiness and true love.

This new title on the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library is one you won’t want to miss; and for the upcoming cooler weather, don’t miss these new titles either!

When John and Irene got married, they were each certain of one thing; this would never work. When their daughter, Sadie, came along, the pair of them at least had one thing in common. Sadie was the center of their lives, and each of them held their daughter in their hearts as only parents can treasure their child. When John and Irene divorced, Sadie stayed the one common denominator in their lives, even though they lived across the country from each other. At eighteen, Sadie was like most teenagers, and began testing her strength and freedom, but when she dared to strike out on her own, going behind her parent’s backs to meet the boy of her dreams, Sadie found herself in deep trouble. John and Irene were then forced to meet once again, but this time under circumstances that neither of them ever expected in “Once Upon a Time, There Was You” by Elizabeth Berg.

Realizing that her days of lucid thinking are numbered because of early onset dementia, Ann Biddle desperately tries to resolve issues and hurts that have plagued her for decades, with the tragic death of her young daughter being the most difficult cross to bear. Blessed with Ellie, the eight year old granddaughter that she dearly loves, Ann finds common ground with her daughter in law, struggling to help the young mother unwind her tightly wound protectiveness toward Ellie in “The Bird House” by Kelly Simmons.

Taking an online test called, “What kind of car are you,” I discovered that beneath it all, I am really a VW Beetle, stuck in a red van’s body. What kind of car are you, and what does your future hold? Only one answer comes to mind for that question; that is a trip to JCPL, where the only thing you can really count on for your near future is lots of great, new fiction!

Ageless, Timeless Fiction at JCPL!

2011-09-29T17:06:00.001-05:00

I’m not one of those women who hate to admit their age. I don’t advertise it, but if I it happens to come up in conversation, I’ll admit how old I am. I have, however, been known to be wrong about how old I really am. An honest mistake, so to speak. One year, as my birthday got closer, a friend of ours was visiting, and the fact that my birthday was a month away was mentioned. When asked how old my upcoming birthday would make me, I answered, “I’ll be thirty eight.” Several beats went by, and finally, my friend said, “I could be wrong, but haven’t you been thirty eight for an awfully long time now?” Hmmm…Maybe the age thing is more of an issue than I thought. When it comes to that subject, I guess I’m sort of on the same page with India Bishop, a thirty eight (really forty three) year old woman who has literally reinvented herself and then falls for a wealthy older man named Marcus Croft. The only thing missing from her life now is a baby, and when her attempts at pregnancy fail, she turns to technology, her life intersecting with the lives of Jules Strauss and Annie Barrow, leading readers into the hearts of women’s lives in unforgettable and tender ways in “Then Came You” by Jennifer Weiner.

I could describe this book as “not old” at the Jasper County Public Library. In fact, it’s NEW, and so are the following titles! Read on!

Banished from New York to the balmy seaside resort of Port Fontaine, Florida due to political fallout, forensic pathologist, Dr. Edward Jenner hopes that the change of scenery will do him good. Jenner’s hopes are dashed, however, when he finds himself embroiled in another death investigation, this one hitting close to home, because the corpse belongs to his former mentor, Dr. Martin Roburn. Putting the pieces together gets a little dicey when four more corpses turn up, seemingly tied to the murder of Roburn and an up and coming drug trade, common in the sleepy little town in “A Hard Death,” the sequel to “Precious Blood” by Jonathan Hayes.

With prominent canines, an uncommon affinity for plants like blood-wart and Dracula orchid, Vlad Servan dresses entirely in black and hails from Romania. Could it be that this friend of Abby Knight’s fiancé is truly a vampire? When a local woman’s corpse is found drained of blood, the search for a killer is on. With Vlad as suspect #1, Abby and her fiancé, Marco, must race against time to prove him innocent in “Night of the Living Dandelion: A Flower Shop Mystery” by Kate Collins.

Retired American schoolteacher, Dorothy Martin has chosen to live out her retirement enjoying the English countryside. Invited to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night at the fully restored Branston Abbey, a major storm blows through, dimming the festive nature of the party. When a tree blows over, revealing a human skeleton tangled within its roots, intrigue follows in “A Dark and Stormy Night” by Jeanne M. Dams.

These “not old” books from JCPL would be great ways to celebrate, say, your 38th birthday. Mark Twain had it right when he quipped, “There is no cure for the common birthday.” Not your 38th birthday? Mine, either, but I still plan to make a trip to JCPL, where the new fiction on the shelves are as ageless as we all are, because, after all, age is just a number, and you can never have enough to read, no matter how old you are!

You'll "Go Bananas" Over These New Non-Fiction Titles!

2011-09-13T18:04:00.003-05:00

In the English language there are lots of ways to get your point across. Newspaper articles often recount escapades of people, just like you and me. Upon reading those stories, you might be inclined to say we’ve “gone bananas,” “lost our marbles,” “didn’t have both oars in the water,” were “loony tunes,” “totally bizarre,” or, as the famous candy bar commercial claimed in the 1970’s, “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t.”

Funny that someone would use this popular jingle as a title for her memoir. In “Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut: Essays and Observations,” Jill Kargman offers funny, insightful slices of life that entertain readers, tackling issues big and small with wit and laugh out loud humor. In this collection, she shares her experiences of life, love, hate, kids, work, school, and adventures in New York City from a wickedly funny perspective.

This new non-fiction title from the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library uses zany humor to keep you turning pages. Read on for more, great, new titles!

Living, as the author puts it, “a ridiculously good life” is what Nick Vujicic imparts with his new book, “Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life.” Vujicic, born without limbs but for a tiny foot, has learned to be a shining light of help and hope for others, inspiring family and friends by overcoming his disabilities and sharing his faith with others, living independently and becoming a model for anyone who is struggling for true happiness in life.

After a blistering hot summer, fall is making an appearance. If the cooler weather brings more of an appetite for “comfort food” to you and your family, check out “Semi-Homemade Comfort Food” by Sandra Lee. You’ll rejoice in this money saving, easy, breezy cookbook that is perfect for seasoned cooks and novices alike, featuring over 125 delicious recipes for everything from casseroles to side dishes and soups to desserts. Easy to prepare and pocketbook friendly recipes make this cookbook a winner!

The abortion debate has brought about more than a little controversy over the years, and with that debate, violence has escalated throughout history, particularly on the sites of many women’s health care clinics. On May 31, 2009, Scott Roeder took the law into his own hands and fatally wounded abortion provider, Dr. George Tiller. “The Wichita Divide: The Murder of Dr. George Tiller” by Stephen Singular presents the portrait of a violent act that was borne out of the war against late term abortions, a war that has been raging for decades where the key battleground is Kansas, home to Brown vs. Board of Education and some of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War.

Social networking is not just for the younger population. Believe it or not, people over 55 are the fastest growing user group on Facebook and becoming Twitter bugs, as well. Seniors (and I use that term loosely, being of the over 50 age group myself) can jump on the social networking bandwagon quickly and easily after reading “Facebook and Twitter for Seniors for Dummies” by Marsha Collier. This easy to use guide explains step by step how to use these forums in a user friendly style, supplying everything seniors need to function on Facebook with confidence.

So, “go bonkers,” “go gaga,” “go crazy” or “go bananas” if you need to, but, by all means, while you’re on the way, go to JCPL, where all of the new titles on the shelves will be “the WAY to go!”

A Perfect Plethora of Printed Books, Presented by JCPL

2011-08-25T19:26:00.002-05:00

I hate making mistakes, and what I hate even more is having to admit to making them. “Nobody is perfect,” “To err is human,” and to quote the famous Benjamin Franklin, “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” Everyone has bad days, and makes boo boos from time to time. This correction in the Arizona Republican verifies that: “The Jumble puzzle which appeared on page D1 of Thursday’s edition actually was the puzzle scheduled to appear today. The Jumble originally scheduled to appear Thursday, as well as the answers to Wednesday’s puzzle are on page E1 today. The answers to the puzzle published today appeared Thursday and the answers to the puzzle published Thursday will appear Saturday.” Published puzzles seem to be puzzling even to the publishers of the printed puzzles, don’t you think? Maybe the puzzle publisher who printed the puzzles could have used a guardian angel to help them avoid such puzzlement. Don’t you wonder sometimes what a guardian angel would have to say if they recorded their thoughts in a journal every day? “The Guardian Angel’s Journal” by Carolyn Jess-Cooke tells the tale of a Margot Delacroix, a woman who has returned to earth as a guardian angel named Ruth. Sent back to life as her very own guardian angel, Ruth follows herself throughout her life, from birth through a troubled childhood, and all of the events of her adult life, as sort of a second chance to re-experience the biggest mistakes that led to her deepest regrets, eventually learning to love herself as unconditionally as she should have the first time around.

This new fiction title is just one in a long line of books, new to the Jasper County Public Library. Read on for more!

If you love Robin Cook, Michael Palmer and Patricia Cornwell and the pageturning medical drama that they bring to their novels, “Public Anatomy” by A. Scott Pearson, with its intriguing characters and high octane medical drama will be just what the doctor ordered. In this medical thriller, you’ll meet Doctor Eli Branch, a surgeon with a hand injury who is approached by two FBI agents investigating the subsequent deaths of two people who have undergone routine, but robotic, surgeries. Plot twist after plot twist lead Branch on a kaleidoscope of adventures as he seeks the truth, enlisting the help of forensic pathologist, Meg Daily in this thought-provoking novel.

Case closed turns out NOT to be the case for Nina Reilly in “Dreams of the Dead” by Perri O’Shaughnessy. The setting is South Lake Tahoe, California and the characters range from adventurers to criminals to lawyers. When disaster walks into a Lake Tahoe Ski Resort in the form of Jim Strong, a sociopath who Nina defended two years before against murder charges, Nina must expose the secrets of someone very close to her to prove that the dead cannot destroy the living. Written with a breakneck pace and plenty of twists and turns, this novel outlines human drama, establishing its right at the top of legal thriller genre.

Crime solving, 1970’s style, laced with a plucky police detective named Monika Paniatowski, offers readers pageturning police procedural drama when a murder case is reopened after the deathbed confession of the convicted killer of a thirteen year old girl becomes a declaration of his innocence for the crime. The last confession of accused rapist and killer, Fred Howard, is one that declares his innocence to the Priest performing the last rites for the convicted killer just before his death. Enter Detective Chief Inspector Tom Hall and Chief Constable George Baxter, along with Monika, the complex details begin to unravel as cobwebs of clue after clue build to a satisfying conclusion.

Are you puzzled? Well, from my “experience,” being puzzled is not so bad if you have a good distraction, so postpone your puzzle on purpose and pore over the plethora of pristine printed books in the Jasper County Public Library within your proximity; you’ll be pleased, we promise!

Come Into JCPL to Get Your New Fiction Before It's Going, Going, Gone!

2011-08-06T12:47:00.003-05:00

Going, going, gone; that is the rule of thumb for our electricity this summer. The louder the thunder gets, the better the chances that the electricity will be "gone with the wind." I've got it down to a science by now. Candles and flashlights ready to pick up the slack for the lights we won't have for hours to come, and NIPSCO on speed dial, right up there with friends and family. A trusty oil lamp sits nearby, ready to light my way and maybe even help me to finish the book I'm reading. I'd just gotten to the good part; almost to the end of the story when the lights went out. It was one of those books that draws you in, with characters so real that you cheer them on in some parts, and try to talk them out of something they are about to do in others. "Night Road" by Krisin Hannah is the story of one family's struggle to find a new way to be "normal" after tragedy strikes. In it, you'll meet Jude and Miles Farraday, the parents of Mia and Zach, twins who have been inseparable from the time they were born. Zach is the "golden child" with looks, personality and popularity, while Mia is a beautiful but unique girl whose tastes in clothes are anything but trendy. When Mia meets Lexi, the new girl in school, they form a fast friendship and Lexi grows to love the Farraday family until she makes a mistake that changes all of their lives forever. "Night Road" is the first in a long line of new fiction just waiting to be checked out from the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library. Read on for more!

Living in an upscale apartment on the Upper West side, Emily and Sandy Portman are a busy, happily married couple who seem to have it all. When Sandy dies in a tragic accident one night, however, reality hits Emily squarely in the face, and she discovers that her whole marriage and life with Sandy was a sham. Before the funeral is even over, Emily finds that she is on the verge of being evicted from her home, and one after another, more unwelcome surprises await her. When a scruffy dog named Einstein enters her life, Emily finds his presence oddly comforting. But is Einstein's determination and good nature enough to help Emily move on in her future? Find out in "Emily and Einstein" by Linda Francis Lee.

The absence of the men in their lives and the constant fear that their husbands will be the next casualty of war is the focus of "You Know When the Men Are Gone" by Siobhan Fallon. This collection of stories begins with "You Know When the Men Are Gone," in which a war bride from Serbia decides that she just can't cope with the loneliness of being a military wife and finds her own way out. The collection continues with "Inside the Break," featuring a military wife who is confronted with the possibility that her husband is being unfaithful to her with a female soldier. "Remission" is the story of a cancer patient awaiting the results of a crucial test who becomes devastated by the behavior of her teenage daughter, depicting the sensitive nature of the relationship between military parents and their children. Each story in this collection is woven tightly together with the next, zeroing in on military families living in Fort Hood Texas, connecting each through the special bond shared by only those familiar with the military way of life.

Santa Claus is a magical character known to children far and wide. Adults, too, feel the magic of Christmas because of the inspiring story of Old Saint Nick and the memories of their own childhoods. "The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus" by Tim Slover brings the story of Santa Claus to an adult level, weaving various popular Christmas tales together, entertaining the reader with a marvelous, magical novel about the Santa Claus that we all know and love and the magic that he brings to the holiday season for all of us.

Thinking of Christmas in these dog days of summer may cool you off a bit. Just think of it as "Christmas in July, JCPL style," so hitch up the sleigh, make a list, check it twice and visit your local branch of JCPL before all of these new books are "going, going, gone!"

Leaping Lizards! Check Out These New Non-fiction Titles From JCPL!

2011-07-21T08:11:00.002-05:00

One of the biggest music hits of the 1970’s was a song by Jim Stafford called, “I Don’t Like Spiders and Snakes.” If I had written the lyrics, they would have included lizards. Creepy crawly creatures just aren’t my thing; they belong in the wild, like way OUT in the wild; the wild that is nowhere near my house. One wayward lizard mistakenly thought it was a good idea to hole up in my house, and with 3 cats and a dog with a sense of smell rivaling a blue ribbon winning bloodhound, this little creature did not stand a chance of fading into the woodwork. The only thing about relying on animals to exterminate the unwanted reptile (or whatever species a lizard is) is that they enjoy the thrill of the hunt more than actually catching the thing. I know how to get rid of a mouse that’s illegally entered my humble abode, but, besides a broom and some great timing, how can you send a lizard packing? Leaping Lizards! I may be stuck with the creature until it grew to Jurassic Park proportions! I should get in touch with the reptile smugglers in “Stolen World: A Tale of Reptiles, Smugglers, and Skullduggery” by Jennie Erin Smith; they’ll know what to do, because that is their specialty. These devious, dangerous and creepily charming humans deal strictly in the reptile business, illegally smuggling them into and out of the country, making trades with zoo keepers and collectors who pay top dollar for them, breaking the moral codes that make environmentalists and the law abiding animal lovers cringe.

This is not the only new non-fiction title that will keep you entertained and enlightened on some off the beaten path subjects. Read on!

“Australians: Origins to Eureka” by Thomas Keneally is volume 1 in a series of books that sheds light on the “land down under,” describing in detail the formation of the continent as it separated from the supercontinent of Pangaea 140 million years ago. Written by Booker-Prize winning novelist and non-fiction writer, Thomas Keneally, this first volume collectively informs the reader on Aborigines, transplanted convicts, settlers, soldiers and miners who all played a part in the early settlement of a new and harsh land.

When her olfactory nerve was damaged by the use of a common nasal spray that is used to combat the common cold, Bonnie Blodgett lost her sense of smell. Strangely enough, the loss of smell began with a stage called “phantosmia,” a constant stench of, as she puts it, “every disgusting thing you can think of tossed into a blender and pureed.” “Remembering Smell” by Bonnie Blodgett is a memoir recounting the author’s journey into the world of smell, and the unfortunate events that led her into the workings of the human body and its extraordinary power to heal itself.

Roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Golden Girls,” and other popular TV programs made Betty White an icon for TV viewers everywhere. Now 89 years old, Betty White is widely recognized for not only her television roles, but for her lifelong work for animal welfare. A force of nature and determined to continue in her celebrity successes as she still goes strong after seven decades in show business, Betty White shares anecdotes , wisdom and humor in “If You Ask Me: And of Course You Didn’t.”

I’ll bet you’re wondering how the lizard story turned out, aren’t you? Let’s just say that in one fell swoop, we “threw the book” at the little creature and he no longer has to worry about where he is going to live.

New Non-Fiction From Your Local Branch of JCPL Will Be Memorable!

2011-07-07T19:58:00.003-05:00

Getting married is generally one of the most memorable occasions in your life. The birth of babies is next on the list for most folks. My niece got married last year, and had a baby just this past month, and as I related the news of the baby's birth to my 5 year old granddaughter, I tried to help her understand who my niece is by reminding her that she was the flower girl in her wedding last year, and that the little boy who stood up as ring bearer was my grand-nephew. After a bit of thought, she said that yes, she did remember the wedding, and she did remember little Clayton, who stood up in the wedding with her. Her recollection of her part in the wedding, however, went something like, "Oh yeah...wasn't Clayton the one I married that day? And you know what? I don't think I've seen him since!" Just goes to show that a five year old's memory of a special occasion is a far cry from the memory of someone my age. Speaking of age, as America grows older, it still focuses on its youth, but are we really "over the hill" at a certain age, or has our life just begun? "Lastingness: The Art of Old Age" delves into the idea of permanence, experience and duration, discussing the life-long habits of those who have thrived in old age, relinquishing the thought that younger is better. After all, in contest after contest, the elders of the tribe reign as the preferred, and are honored for their experience, training and life long achievements.

This title is just one in a long line of non-fiction books that are new to the Jasper County Public Libraries in Rensselaer, DeMotte and Wheatfield. Read on for more!

Living legend, Steven Tyler says, "I've been mythicized, Mick-icized, eulogized and fooligized," and that's just the beginning of his long list of "brain-jangling" tell all in "Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?" In his own voice, Tyler recounts his rock 'n roll days as lead singer of Aerosmith, playfully and poetically weaving the money, notoriety, motels, hotels, romance and rehab of his past into this meaningful memoir.

At one time or another in our lives, we all feel as though we could use or we would NEED a miracle to change or improve our circumstances. In "Make Miracles in Forty Days: Turning What You Have Into What you Want," author Melanie Beattie shares her own stories of overcoming obstacles and facing tragedy, offering help in the form of gratitude, surrender, and connecting with our essential power by implementing a six-week action plan that will jump-start the transformation to better mental balance. In this Miracle Workshop guide, twenty five year veteran, Beattie, provides us with the tools to acknowledge the pain we're feeling and progress over a forty day period to feeling more in control, less confused and more vitally alive than ever.

At the age of 53, John Kralik found himself at a crossroads in his life. Everything seemed to be slipping out of control and his personal and professional life were both in danger of failing. On New Year's Day of that year, a walk in the hills brought John to the realization that something had to change, and he began to change his thought process and beliefs by focusing on being grateful for what he had instead of dwelling on what he didn't have. "365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life" by John Kralik is the inspiring story of the day after day journey of one man who found "thank you" to be the word that changed his life forever.

Asking a five year old a question or to recall a story can be an eye-opening experience. But whether you're five or fifty, a trip to your local branch of JCPL can be an eye-opener too, and when you check out books from Rensselaer, DeMotte, or Wheatfield, we want to make sure that you enjoy your visit enough to come back again so that we won't be saying, "We haven't seen you since!"

JCPL Invites Dads to Sit Back & Relax With These New Fiction Titles!

2011-06-13T10:08:00.003-05:00

Fathers come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. In the old days of black and white TV, there were no blue collar worker dads. There were only dads dressed in suits, like Robert Young in Father Knows Best and Ward Cleaver in Leave it to Beaver. Those dads had wisdom seeping out of their pores, thanks to the clever script writers that kept them on the air. Ward Cleaver always knew just what to do when "The Beaver" got himself into a jam, or when Eddie Haskell tried to pull a fast one, or when Theodore (The Beave) had a run-in with one of his BFFs, Whitey or Larry Mondello. Words of wisdom come from all dads, and as they get older, the words of wisdom coined are priceless. In my family, we call them "dad-isms" or "grandpa-isms." One such "grandpa-ism" voices how we all feel when ordinary words are not enough to convey how we really feel; "Too bad, so sad" carries lots of weight, as does "You can't fit 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag." Both pearls of wisdom let you know you've either gone too far or are about to. A salute, then, to the dads of America, and the wisdom they impart to all of us on a daily basis. The Jasper County Public Library has just the thing for dads to relax with this Father's Day. Read on for some great, new fiction!

In World War II Germany, the Compound of Scribes is a multi-lingual group of intellects who have been selected to go underground and write letters to concentration camp detainees who have probably passed on to the netherworld. Meant to assuage the dead, the practice of this letter writing becomes dangerous when a letter from genius philosopher, Martin Heidegger to his friend, Asher Englehardt, is to be answered, setting in motion a chain of events that threatens the Auschwitz Compound in "Heidegger's Glasses: A Novel" by Thaisa Frank.

Luz Avila, abandoned by her mother and raised by her grandmother, finds herself facing many regrets when her beloved Abuela dies before making a trip to Mexico to see the monarch butterflies in their migration. In an effort to set things right, Luz drives from Milwaukee to Mexico, following the path of the butterflies in their migration and meeting one extraordinary woman after another, including the mother who abandoned her many years before in "The Butterfly's Daughter" by Mary Alice Monroe.

When the economic crisis in the United States of America goes from bad to worse and a recession threatens to cripple the nation, newly elected President Kenneth Phoenix must order a series of tax cuts, eliminate the positions of high profile cabinet members, and reduce government spending drastically. When bands of militiamen begin attacking various government agencies, Lieutenant-General Patrick McLanahan takes to the skies to fight the insurgency in "A Time for Patriots" by Dale Brown.

Death, betrayal, and the darkest magic have followed the alliance of rebels as led by tarboy, Pazel Pathkendle, and warrior, Thasha Isiq during their crossing into the southern empire of Bali Adro. Upon landfall, a battle ensues between the rebel forces and centuries-old sorcerer, Arunis; a battle that can bring only death to those who fail in "The River of Shadows," the gripping sequel to Robert V.S. Redick's "The Red Wolf Conspiracy" and "The Ruling Sea."

The life of the legendary Doc Holliday is recounted in "Doc" by Mary Doria Russell. Arriving in Tombstone in 1881, Doc Holliday is a legendary gambler and gunman, but the author begins with Doc's birth in 1851, when his mother, Alice, mourning the death of her firstborn daughter, goes to extreme lengths to keep her baby boy, born with a cleft palate, alive. Feeding him through an eyedropper for the first eight weeks of his life, John Henry Holliday was raised to be an intelligent, thoughtful gentleman who would earn the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery before the age of twenty-one.

So, for all of you Ward Cleaver's, Bill Cosby's, Robert Young's and other dads, the Jasper County Public Library has Father's Day wrapped up with gifts you can give yourself, because, dads of America, for all you do, these books are for you!

Do you Have Your Ears On? Check Out These New Fiction Titles at JCPL!

2011-05-19T18:39:00.003-05:00

In the prehistoric days before cell phones came to be the #1 mode of communication, CB radios were all the rage. When learning to use a CB, the firt thing you had to do was come up with a "handle," or a nickname for other CB users to call you. Then, once you became familiar with other users, they got to be your "good buddy." Good Buddies liked to travel in convoys, so the leader of the pack was always at the "front door," and those bringing up the rear were at the "back door." When something important came up or you just wanted to get in your two-cents worth, all you had to do was yell, "Breaker, breaker, do you have your ears on?" If you have your ears on right now, you should "put the pedal to the metal" or "put the hammer down," grab your favorite "seat cover," start up the "four wheeler" in your garage and head straight for the Jasper County Public Library, where you'll be saying "ten four" to all the great, new fiction on the shelves. Check these out!

Working as an independent reporter, Annika Bengtzon is busy investigating stories with a terrorist theme when a fellow journalist dies in a hit and run accident. Suspicious that what happened to her colleague was no accident, Annika traces the slaying back to a Swedish military base, where the man behind the brutal crime plots to kill again in "Red Wolf" by Liza Marklund.

In "The Illumination" by Kevin Brockmeier, pain and loss make themselves evident in each character as their mortal wounds reveal themselves as a visible light after a mysterious event called The Illumination changes the characteristics of physical and emotional pain, revealing the depth of the human heart and mind.

The year is 1880, the town, Georgetown, Colorado. Seventeen year old Nealie Bent is the new girl in town, and marries Charlie Dumas. As the story unfolds, three generations of females that begin with Nealie go on to live their lives, experiencing love, loss, happiness and tragedy in "The Bride's House" by Sandra Dallas.

A skiing holiday nearly ends the lives of Zoe and Jake when a freak avalanche buries them, but they manage to dig themselves out only to discover that they are all alone in the Pyrenean resort town. When they exit their hotel and travel to the next town, they not only find themselves alone, but traveling in circles as well. When Zoe begins to hear bits and pieces of speech and catch glimpses of other figures around them, the pair find themselves caught up in strange, supernatural circumstances in "The Silent Land" by Graham Joyce.

The small, peaceful fishing community of Fjallbacka, Sweden is forever changed when a young boy discovers the remains of two holiday-makers who disappeared twenty years before, along with a fresh victim. When a second young girl goes missing, it is up to Patrik Hedstrom to unravel the mystery and focus on the true suspect as secrets are revealed in "Preacher" by Camilla Lackberg.

Breaker, breaker, do you have your ears on? If that's a big "ten four" "good buddy," put the "hammer down," don't let those big "eighteen wheelers" or "Smokey the Bear" slow you down, and find the "front door" of your local branch of JCPL, make that your "twenty," grab some of these new fiction titles, and say, "I'm gone!"

Directional Dyslexics Need Good Books Too!

2011-05-04T18:35:00.002-05:00

The letters "DD" universally stand for "designated driver." It could also stand for "Directional Dyslexic," and I know this because I am one. Famous for losing my way, I have been known to take the scenic route as though I have all the time in the world, and that goes for finding my car in a parking lot, too. I recently purchased a new vehicle, and am still getting used to finding it when I shop. Most everything on it is power, including the doors and back hatch, so my keychain comes complete with keyless entry that is supposed to make things like grocery shopping easier, and it would, if I could ever find my vehicle in the parking lot. Coming out of the grocery store, I headed for a red van, pushing buttons all the way, trying to get the doors to open and be ready to load the groceries. Mumbling under my breath that the thing never works when you want it to, I happened to turn around and see that the van parked in the opposite lane was obeying the command of my keyless entry; probably because it WAS my van, and not the one I was facing at the time.

Could I use a book to "take me away?" You bet...and here are some new fiction titles that will do just that!

A twisted killer with a perverted sense of style is on the loose in "Fever to the Bone" by Val McDermid. Youth and innocence are the objects of his desire and it is up to investigator, Tony Hill to end the ruthless campaign of murder and brutality before more young lives are lost.

The death of Tim Overleigh's ex-wife threatens to send him over the edge. To combat his grief, he makes the life-altering decision to give up his career in the world of extreme sports and joins a team of mountain climbers in Nepal. The spiritual awakening of the mountain ascent is short lived for Overleigh, however, and turns deadly for he and the entire team of climbers when, one by one, they become the victims of murder in "The Ascent" by Ronald Malfi.

Music has marked each milestone in Zoe Baxter's life, and after suffering a series of personal tragedies, Zoe begins a career as a music therapist. As an unexpected romance buds for Zoe, she begins questioning the relationships she has with those closest to her as they voice their disapproval for the new love in her life in "Sing You Home" by Jodi Picoult.

Taking a break from her college studies, Ingrid Holburne meets and marries art dealer Gil Grey. Ingrid's cousin, Ralph, and her friend, Julia, however, do not see reason for celebration of the couple's happy news. When the tragedy of September 11 takes Ingrid's life, Ralph and Julia are sticken with grief, and find themselves retracing her steps of that day only to encounter one mystery and web of deceit after another in "The Legacy" by Kirsten Tranter.

We can all identify with the "Excedrin headache" commercial or the "Calgon Take Me Away" ad with the woman overwhelmed by screaming kids, barking dogs, and a ringing doorbell. Excedrin and Calgon are just the beginning for directional dyslexics like me, because pointing me in the direction of my local branch of JCPL is the best way to "get away from it all" that I can think of!

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

2011-04-21T16:44:00.002-05:00

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!

Yippee Skippy; New Fiction at JCPL!

2011-04-07T15:15:00.004-05:00

Raccoons are smart animals. They can scout out a meal or a snack with very little effort. A recent news story in the Post Tribune recounted the tale of one raccoon that came pretty close to living his life out in the dark recesses of a peanut butter jar. The peanut butter must have been good to the last drop; in an effort ot get every last scrap of peanut butter, the raccoon put his head in the jar and promptly got it stuck. Resourceful to the very end, the raccoon sat on a post with the jar on his head until some kindhearted passerby stopped and relieved him of his temporary head-gear. He has been affectionately nick-named "Skippy" by the locals, and is presumably living happily ever after. Not to be outdone by a raccoon, in "Skippy Dies" by Paul Murray, Daniel "Skippy" Juster falls in love with Frisbee-playing siren, Lori, a girl who is just about as unattainable for Skippy as the hope of getting an empty jar of peanut butter off of the head of a hungry raccoon. Lots of crazy things have been done in the name of love, and Skippy Juster's situation is no exception. He's heading for a showdown; a fatal doughnut race which will leave only one man standing, and that one man will be the lone survivor. "Skippy Dies" is just one in a long line of new fiction titles available at the Jasper County Public Library. Read on!

In the days just prior to the Civil War, two women from very different backgrounds embark on a journey, risking everything for the sake of freedom. Hannelore Blessing is a plantation mistress who befriends Livie, a slave girl. The two women learn the meaning of trust, love, and friendship as, aided by Hannah's suitor, Colt, they move ever closer to the secret of the Underground Railroad and the freedom, but also the unimaginable danger, that lurks along the way in "Promise Bridge" by Eileen Clymer Schwab.

Former homicide detective, Mike Wire, has had enough of the violence of the big city and finds refuge on a Montana ranch. Trouble seems to follow him, however, and peace is hard to find in the badlands, where, beneath the calm surface, lie the bones of a dinosaur family; bones that are very valuable and much sought after in "The Dinosaur Hunter" by Homer Hickam.

After serving five years in prison for shooting, but not killing, her husband, Sunny has been released. Jackson is an anthropology professor who only wants to return to Africa, but meets Sunny and is mesmerized by her instantly. As the two begin a relationship, Jackson finds himself entranced by Sunny's past involvement with a snake-handling church, and follows her to the Church of the Burning Bush with Signs Following to do fieldwork. "Snakewoman of Little Egypt" by Robert Hellenga is the vivid portrait of intimacy between Sunny and Jackson as they dance between the "safe harbor" of their lives and the "wider sea of courage, risk, and adventure," that is the inspiration for this melancholy but uplifting story.

Little Guadalajara is a trailer park inhabited by illegal laborers. The park manager has been hired by a financial syndicate with intentions of developing the property, but a teenage girl living in Little Guadalajara stands in the way of their plans. The residents there believe that she has a gift, and when she is the only witness to a murder, she runs for her life, and the only person who can possibly save her from certain death is Doc Ford in "Night Vision" by Randy Wayne White.

That raccoon with a jar of peanut butter stuck on his head inspired some good Samaritan to stop and do the good deed of saving him. To that and to the great, new fiction titles on the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library, I say, "Yippee Skippy!"

How Hard Can it Be to Find Good Fiction? Check it Out!

2011-03-23T17:53:00.003-05:00

How far will you go to "get away from it all?" National Geographic's "How hard can it be?" campaign goes to the extreme by piling on the hot air balloons and lifting a 16'x16' house from the ground, taking the house up, up and away to a destination unknown. Answering the question, "How hard can it be?" can be tricky. In theory, and with a little imagination, (and the help of scientists and other experienced professionals), adventures such as this one undertaken by National Geographic may be a cinch. With a little help from your friends at JCPL, you can answer the "how hard can it be" question easily...with a stack of new fiction titles, just waiting to be checked out for your next great escape! Check out these new books!

When Frank Mackey was nineteen, he and his girlfriend, Rosie Daly, planned to meet at Faithful Place. From there, they were going to run away to London to start their life together. Rosie, however, never showed up for their rendezvous, and Frank never heard from her again. Twenty years later, working as an undercover cop in Dublin, Frank gets a call from his sister, informing him that Rosie's suitcase has turned up, leading Frank on a journey into his past in "Faithful Place," Book 3 of the Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox series by Tana French.

Researching deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, Diana Bishop dredges up bewitching information in an old manuscript. Descended from a long line of witches and sorcery, Diana takes a few notes from the manuscript and returns it to the stacks, but has unwittingly scratched the surface of the underworld in the process, drawing forth a horde of centuries old witches and vampires and a coveted treasure in "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness.

Deep in the recesses of Pakistan, Sonia Laghari and eight others have been captured by terrorists. Using her psychology background and her religious training, Sonia delves into the kidnappers' psyches to estabish a connection, while her son, Theo, uses military strategies to unhinge the group. Can the agenda of this deadly group of armed terrorists be changed? Find out as Sonia and her son race against time to save each captor in "The Good Son" by Michael Gruber.

Isolated and set in an uninhabited section of the Spanish sierra, the Our Lady of Mercy Convent stands alone with its six women, cut off from the world that they have chosen to leave behind. When an abandoned baby is left on the doorstep of the convent, Mother Superior Maria Ines must face the fact that their quiet, uneventful world has been forever changed, and that her own past must be confronted in "The Convent" by Panos Karnezis.

You don't have to tie thousands of hot air balloons to your house for a great getaway. The best getaway can be found right around the corner at your local branch of JCPL, where the great escape is shelved within the stacks of great, new fiction! After all, when choosing books, with a little help from your friends at JCPL, how hard can it be?

New Non-Fiction at JCPL: It's All Good!

2011-03-04T15:27:00.002-06:00

Never one to dress any way but casually, the fashion police would have a field day with me. Blue jeans, sweatshirts, and whatever footwear is readily available is the outfit of the day. My three year old granddaughter, however, knows how to dress in style. Her ensembles consist of whatever strikes her fancy, and may include several sets of clothes, layered upon each other all at once, topping the outfit with her favorite Minnie Mouse costume. She changes it up on some days, though, and dresses as Tinkerbell, complete with wings on her back, accessorizing her wardrobe with plenty of bling-bling. I wonder what Carson Kressley or Clinton Kelly would have to say about her wardrobe choices? From muffin tops to suntan colored hosiery to visible panty lines, every fashion faux pas has crossed the paths of these "fashion police," and in "Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make," Clinton Kelly talks straight about style, offering detailed critiques for the most common 100 slip ups that women make in the fashion department. This famous host of TLC's "What Not to Wear" examines wardrobe, hairstyle, posture, and accessories, presenting easy and practical suggestions for creating stunning outfits for women of every age.

I'd like to list 100 of the most wonderful, new non-fiction titles on the shelves of JCPL in this article, but to save space, I chose a few I thought you'd really like. Read on!

Searching for greener pastures annually is what migration is all about for a variety of birds and animals, but migration is one of the deadliest phases of life for both bird and beast. "Great Migrations: Epic Animal Journeys" by Karen Kostyal follows the National Geographic film documentary, "Great Migrations" as different species race against time, battling freezing temperatures, scorching heat, and the threat of predators in their long distance travels, desperately crossing thousands of miles despite the dangers that await them.

Do you have a spare hour to settle your finances? According to Ellie Kay, sixty minutes is all it takes to revolutionize your financial situation. If you are looking for long-term economic recovery and stability, "The 60-Minute Money Workout" by Ellie Kay offers feasible and fun alternatives to being debt-free, covering topics such as saving for college, having and enjoying a debt-free vacation, paying cash for your cars, giving and living generously, finding financial peace with your spouse, and being content with your current financial circumstances.

You say "Achoo!" and we automatically say, "gezondheid" or "bless you!" The commercial for a popular cold medicine shows a woman TV producer's alternate personality whispering to her, "You can't do anything about a cold." What exactly is a cold? Some colds come on with a vengeance, leaving the sufferer feeling like they've been hit by a truck, and still others are nothing more than a sniffle or an annoyance for a few days. In "Achoo! The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold" by Jennifer Ackerman, we learn what a cold is, how it works and whether it's possible to really "fight one off." This ode to the common cold also dispels myths about the common cold, and offers advice for treating the symptoms as the search for a cure continues.

When it comes to wardrobe choices of any kind, my motto is "let freedom ring" and "variety is the spice of life." Never apologize for your taste in clothing, and more importantly, your reading tastes, because, as the saying goes, "It's all good!"

No Need to Be Rich and Famous; I Just Want a Good Book!

2011-02-15T13:29:00.002-06:00

American Express has made their organization a memorable one throughout the years by using the slogan, "American Express: Don't leave home without it." My three year old granddaughter lives up to that phrase, but not with American Express. Getting ready to travel anywhere with her must always include an entourage of her favorite toys, and in the words of Woody on Toy Story, there must be NO TOY LEFT BEHIND! To those of us doing the assembling of necessary items to take children on a road trip, these toys are the last items on our minds. But to a three year old whose obsessions range from Angelina Ballerina to Mickey and Minnie Mouse, this entourage of her inanimate associates can't be ignored. I understand; I have few obsessions more important than always having a book somewhere nearby, and taking a book almost everywhere I go is almost as important to me as Angelina Ballerina is to a three year old. Read on and see for yourself what you can learn from a good book from the Jasper County Public Library!

From playing games to downloading music to troubleshooting, "How to Do Everything iPod, iPhone & iTunes" by Guy Hart-Davis is an updated and easy to use guide that offers great tips on managing your device, and includes instructions on a wide variety of subjects, some of which include installing applications for playing games, creating video files, connecting to wireless networks, setting up email accounts, surfing the Web, and much, much more!

Extreme situations can occur at any time during a vacation or outing, and avoiding incidents that can become life threatening is the first step to learning successful survival skills. Rich Johnson, one of the country's best known experts on wilderness survival, offers advice for every outdoorsman in "Rich Johnson's Guide to Wilderness Survival: How to Avoid Trouble and Live Through Trouble You Can't Avoid." Johnson, an experienced and avid outdoorsman, is an Army Special Forces veteran who lived in a remote area of Utah for a year, living off the land and taking cover in primitive places, and in this book shares survival skills and techniques during emergency situations that may save your life.

Stranded in the middle of the frigid waters of the Bering Sea, the fishing trawler, "Alaska Ranger" sent out a Mayday call to the Coast Guard for help. By 4:30 am on March 23, 2008, most of the forty seven crew members were in the water, wearing inflated survival suits, but were freezing to death in the icy waters, battered by twenty foot swells. In "Deadliest Sea: The Untold Story Behind the Greatest Rescue in the Coast Guard History" by Kalee Thompson, it is man versus nature, and what was expected to be a routine rescue mission turns into a race against time to save the men and women that were on board "Alaska Ranger."

Feelings of anger, depression, and frustration all combine to become what we call "stress." Stress in today's society is a much relevant subject, and relates to all of us in one way or another. In "The Myth of Stress: Where Stress Really Comes From," author Andrew Bernstein teaches readers how to combat thoughts and feelings that lead to stress with the seven-step ActivInsight Program, a form of cognitive therapy that banishes stress, letting the air out of thoughts that induce those bad feelings.

Rock stars have groupies; other famous people have "peeps," and still others in the limelight have paparazzi following them. Being among the "not so rich and famous" has its appeal, but still carries the need for an entourage. Be it Angelina Ballerina or a new book from JCPL, I understand; we all have our obsessions.

Hazards to Your Health Don't Include Reading!

2011-01-27T20:12:00.004-06:00

I read. I read a lot. I read everywhere I go and with just about everything I do. Even if I am not "hands free," I try to find a way to read. I read newspapers, but not always the main articles. Sometimes the small and obscure ones that nobody else notices catch my eye, because they're usually short, sweet, and to the point. Catching up on the news on the Internet, I came across an article entitled, "Why You Shouldn't Text and Walk." I've heard and agree that texting while driving is a bad idea, but apparently, being too wrapped up in your text messages is bad for your health while walking as well. Just ask the woman who ended up falling into a fountain in the mall because she couldn't take her eyes off of her phone long enough to see the man-made pond in front of her. Lesson learned: from now on all of the reading that I do will be done while I'm stationary, as I have no desire to take an unintentional dip in ANY pond, man-made or otherwise. While you're pondering the possibilities of where you'll read your next book, text, newspaper or magazine, keep reading this article to get a few ideas on WHAT to read.

A loner and a misfit, high school freshman, Xing Xu is one of the only Asian students at his all white school. Bullied by the other students because he is different, Xing ducks into the school music room, where the teacher assumes Xing is auditioning for the school musical. Meanwhile, high school sports star, Justin Dorsey is found murdered, and when two other students go missing, Xing is targeted as a suspect in "Crossing" by Andrew Xia Fukuda.

Detective Benny Griessel's main goal is just to stay sober. After stepping on the toes of too many higher-ups, Benny knows his chances of ever getting a promotion are next to nil, so he puts his energies into mentoring a new generation of crime fighters in South Africa. When an American backpacker disappears, Griessel and his colleagues have a mere thirteen hours to save the girl in "Thirteen Hours" by Deon Meyer.

After her father passes away, Bijou Roy leaves Washington D.C. to travel to her father's native India, intending to scatter his remains in the river that runs through his native city. Meeting Naveen, the son of her father's closest friend, leads Bijou to discover the intimate details of her father's life and the family history that holds the key to replacing her deep sorrow with hope in "Bijou Roy" by Ronica Dhar.

Darius Jones has it all; a lucrative basketball career, a lovely wife and a son he adores, but when a drunk driver slams into his car, his wife becomes comatose with only a 50 percent chance of survival. "Darius Jones" by Mary B. Morrison continues the drama in the lives of characters made famous in her Soul Mates Dissipate series.

Dark secrets threaten to blanket the glossy facade of the perfect life in a suburban community where a murder had been committed twelve years earlier. Librarian, Betsy Treading was tried and convicted and later exonerated for murdering her neighbor, Linda Sue. Released from prison, Betsy returns to her old neighborhood, delving into the details of the murder in an attempt to uncover the identity of the real killer in "Neighborhood Watch" by Cammie McGovern.

The master of horror returns with a quartet of stories that will curl your hair in "Full Dark, No Stars" by the one and only Stephen King. From "1922," a tale of murder and madness to "Big Driver," the story of a woman seeking justice after being victimized to "Fair Extension," the shortest and funniest of the tales to "A Good Marriage," one with a horrifying discovery, these tales will generate the chills that even the dead of winter cannot.

Where you read doesn't really matter. It's WHAT you read that does, and at the Jasper County Public Library, we have enough new fiction on the shelves to make your trip worthwhile; just make sure that when you do check out books, you wait until you're stationary to start reading them.

Living in a State of "Winter Denial?" Check Out a Book From JCPL!

2011-01-07T17:12:00.002-06:00

Bundled up in my warmest winter gear, I resemble an Eskimo, and probably will until about early May. Some other folks, however, seem to be in denial that the winter season has actually arrived. Dressed in shorts, T-shirts and even tank tops, I see them out and about; not even flinching in the winter cold. Maybe these brave people are part of the Polar Bear Club; you know the ones; they take an annual dip in Lake Michigan, no matter what the temperature is outside. You've heard of "The Bucket List;" that list of things that you want to do sometime in this lifetime before bidding it farewell. Well, I can tell you one thing that will NOT be on my bucket list, and that's wearing shorts, a tank top, or any other obviously summer clothing in 20 degree or colder weather, as well as taking a dip in Lake Michigan anytime before the official swimming season begins. Some things that may be on my Bucket List, however, include good reading material; and here are some great non-fiction title to add to that list!

Job searching techniques are what "200 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships" by Michael Farr is all about. This book offers a route to job seekers for career entry that allows you to earn a paycheck while participating in worksite training and classroom learning, and includes more than 60 best jobs, along with detailed, commonsense advice for the best job-searching results.

Every day interactions that we have with our children are part of the learning process for them. In "Mind in the Making" by Ellen Galinsky, the author identifies seven life skills that help children to reach their full potential for learning. Each chapter is devoted to explaining a life skill that will help parents and their children to tap into and grasp different kinds of knowledge that will foster and promote self-motivation, providing a valuable place to start in the learning process.

Slice of life essays make for hilarious reading in "How Did You Get This Number" by Sloane Crosley. This collection offers a humorous and witty glimpse into everyday situations that, paragraph for paragraph and chapter for chapter, will make the reader laugh out loud and experience Crosley's adventures from a fresh and funny perspective.

It's the New Year, and lots of folks have made resolutions to eat healthier and get in shape. "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body" by Daniel G. Amen is a user-friendly book that offers a blueprint for changing your way of thinking, therefore, changing the state of your body. The key to having the body that you want is first having a healthy brain, and that fact is based on medical research as well as two decades of clinical research done by Dr. Amen and his associates. Fifteen practical and easy to implement solutions that include nutrition, positive thinking, and natural supplements, will help you to reach your ideal weight, smoothe your skin, sharpen your memory and avoid depression, among other things that offer a powerful argument in favor of the mind-body connection.

Create the colorful, all season, flower garden that you've always wanted with "The Ever Blooming Flower Garden: A Blueprint for Continuous Color" by Lee Schneller. This easy to use manual consists of a five step system that includes a flower catalog, plant planning chart, easy care options and straightforward, no nonsense growing information, as well as color photographs of each specimen and the month of the season that it will produce the most vivid color.

Living in a state of denial about the chill in the air may be the way to go for some folks; I, however, live in the state of Indiana, where the fashion forecast for the next couple of months calls for nothing without sleeves or warm, thick winter gear. If you want to "think spring," go to your local branch of JCPL, where you can mentally sow the garden of your dreams by checking out books that will plant the seed of spring in your mind, keeping you cozy till it arrives, once and for all!

Skip the Long Winter's Nap; Read a Good Book!

2010-12-21T16:58:00.002-06:00

The story of Rip Van Winkle is a short one, but a classic. As the story goes, Rip Van Winkle decided to take a short nap one day and woke up twenty years later to a whole new world. Imagine how much catching up you'd have to do if you fell asleep twenty years ago and were just waking up now. You'd go to watch TV, see a skinny, flat screen, and wonder where the rest of the TV set went. Conversation would be sort of confusing, too. If someone mentioned the "'Net," "phish," and "spam" all in one sentence, you'd pack a lunch and find the nearest fishing hole. If asked about what Antivirus works for you, or how to Debug your system, your answer would probably be penicillin. You'd wonder, too, how, or even WHY, you'd want to "surf the 'Web," when a web is really just a tangled mess of silk that spiders call their home. Taking a "long winter's nap" right now might sound good to you, but there are so many great, new fiction titles on the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library that you won't want to take the chance of oversleeping and missing these wonderful "texts." Read on!

The "what-ifs" of life sometimes haunt us all, especially when times get really tough. Annabelle and her husband, Grant, have been married for nearly three decades, and in that time, they raised two wonderful children and made many great memories as a family. Grant has stood by Annabelle's side, even in the early, tumultuous years of their marriage when Annabelle stepped out of the boundaries of their marriage, betraying her husband's faith with another man. Now, all these years later, Annabelle finds herself wondering if Grant is really the man for her, or if her true soul mate is the other man in "The Stuff That Never Happened" by Maddie Dawson.

Jill Murray has built a life for herself and her ten year old daughter, and because of past experience, has established a "no boys allowed" rule for herself. Meeting free-spirited, entrepreneur, Billy, Jill's "no boys allowed" rule begins to falter, and to make matters worse, her ex-husband has reentered her life, proving to Jill that he can't even run away reliably in "Seven Year Switch" by Claire Cook.

Faced with a terminal illness, Jenny Lucas journeys back to a place she swore she'd never revisit; her hometown in North Carolina and the family she left behind. Coming face to face with her distant father, her oxygen-toting grandmother, and David, the father of her five year old daughter, is a dose of reality for Jenny, but demonstrates how the power of love and family can heal old hurts, and open new doors in "Crossing Oceans" by Gina Holmes.

Scraping by and living paycheck to paycheck, Tina Finn's life takes a drastic turn when her mother passes away, leaving her a huge, luxury apartment and an inheritance that could solve all of her money troubles. Things are looking up for Tina, that is, until her two half-brothers, who have been left out of the inheritance surface, making Jenny stand up for what is rightfully hers in "Twelve Rooms With a View" by Theresa Rebeck.

When it comes to taking a long winter's nap, you'll want to "Wake up Little Suzy," "Sleep With One Eye Open," and you "Won't Want to Miss a Thing," because with these and other new fiction titles from JCPL, you'll be "Talking in Your Sleep" and singing the "No Sleep Blues!"

Give Yourself the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season!

2010-12-05T07:55:00.003-06:00

What's on your gift list this holiday season? I don't have a long list, but I'm wondering if Santa could find it in his heart to drop a new clothes dryer down the chimney for me this year, along with some new socks. Nothing is really wrong with the old dryer, it still dries clothes okay, but it's getting really expensive to use because it only takes socks as payment. I know this, because every time I throw a load of clothes in the dryer, at least one or two socks out of a pair disappear into oblivion, never to be seen or heard from again. I have 3 grandchildren with wish lists too. Because I take my job playing Santa pretty seriously, I have pretty much fulfilled those lists, and just have stocking stuffers left to buy. They love gum, and finding gum in their stockings would be a great treat for them, although I fear they'll use it as adhesive for their hair, in which case, it may be wise to include a jar of peanut butter in each stocking as well, because peanut butter is known to be a great gum-buster for hair that sticks together. How do I know this? Why, because Wikipedia says so, and Wikipedia is only one way to find great tidbits of information. The Jasper County Public Library has LOADS of great, new nonfiction titles to help you find the answers to your everyday dilemmas. Check out these new titles!

If forgetting names and being on the lookout for your missing keys is a daily thing for you, you can put your mind at rest. "The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain" by Barbara Strauch offers reassuring evidence that the middle aged brain is in good shape, indeed. Through high tech brain scans and other psychological testing, Strauch finds that mental faculties such as cognitive expertise, problem solving skills and wisdom are at their peak at middle age. I don't know about you, but I could use this dose of optimism about my middle aged brain!

Take a step back in time before franchise restaurants and chain motels took up space along our country's highways and byways and explore historic Route 66 in all its glory by checking out "Route 66 Backroads: Your Guide to Scenic Side Trips" by Jim Hinckley. This book offers Route 66 lovers the "scenic route" featuring side trips through the 8 states, taking you off the beaten path of the Interstate and into the ultimate, scenic, cross country journey from Chicago to L.A., complete with color photographs that will make you want to jump into the car and take a road trip.

From beginner's techniques to more advanced treatments, "Simply Reflexology" by Sonia Jones explores this ancient practice, guiding the reader through the process of discovering the areas of the feet and hands that correspond to the body's system and tissues, offering detailed, step by step instructions for specialized treatments and additional insight.

Battling subzero temperatures and the threat of avalanches, hundred foot cliffs, and other dangers of the far north, Hugh Rowland delivers adventure supreme in "On Thin Ice: Breakdowns, Whiteouts, and Survival on the World's Deadliest Roads." Based on the hit reality TV series Ice Road Truckers, this inside look at one of the world's most dangerous jobs chronicles the infamous, treacherous journey of Rowland as he battles the odds, year after year.

What's on your Christmas list this year? How about a detour from the hustle and bustle, standing in line, and general brain-numbing shopping trips in your inevitable future? Take a trip, instead to the quiet sanctuary that is JCPL, and give yourself the gift of a relaxing, good book!

Non-Fiction Lovers, Take Heart!

2010-11-15T14:44:00.003-06:00

Working out; I never gave the term so much thought as I did the other day when I went to the local health club for some exercise. I decided to keep it moderate; I didn't want to overwork muscles that hadn't seen the light of day for a really long time. Huffing and puffing on one machine after another, I began to look around the gym. School was out that day, and if I ever felt "mature," that clearly was the day that it hit home. "Cardio" takes on a whole new meaning when you're positive that the very thing that's supposed to be so good for you is for sure going to do you in. Is there a doctor in the house? No? Well, then, in that case, let's take a "breather" and read about some real health care issues in "Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life and Everything In Between" by Theresa Brown. "At my job, people die," writes Theresa Brown. Brown is a former English professor at Tufts University, and chronicles her first year an an R.N. as she works in the oncology unit, offering day to day accounts of the struggles she faces in tending to her patient's needs, and the constant battle that nurses endure to preserve the dignity of their patients. This new non-fiction title is an informative look at health care from a nurse's point of view. This and other new, non-fiction titles found on the shelves of JCPL may be just the "breather" you need. Read on!

Get an inside glimpse of the political and economic climate during the historical battle of Little Bighorn in "The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of Little Bighorn" by Nathaniel Philbrick. The year was 1876 and General Custer was up against a formidable opponent in his Indian enemies and their fearless leader, Sitting Bull. As events unfolded during that historical battle, Custer's defeat and ultimate demise were totally unexpected. This well researched narrative chronicles, in vivid detail, one of the worst defeats in American history, enhanced with 32 pages of black and white photos, as well as color photos and maps.

Families who enjoy the magical wonder of the holiday season can make more memories with "Family Fun Homemade Holiday: 150 Crafts, Recipes, Gifts, and Parties" by Deanna F. Cook, a book full of fabulous games, crafts, activities, and decorations, as well as party plans that will create a special atmosphere for those upcoming parties.

"The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual" by Tony Pavord offers guidance for all horse and pony owners, written from many years of experience that will unravel the confusion that can result when equine medical problems arise. From preventative treatment to unique cross referencing that will aid in providing the proper care in case of illness or injury, this complete medical guide is a well organized wealth of information that will prove an invaluable resource for all horse and pony owners.

Whether in the car, in the workplace or just out in public, women are, many times, an easy target for would-be assailants. Knowing how to defend yourself in the event of an attack so that you're not the next victim of a violent crime can be found in "Personal Defense for Women: Practical Advice for Self-Protection." Written by Gila Hayes, a 10 year veteran of the Seattle Police Deparment, this common sense guide explores self-defense, avoiding conflict, and safe, responsible use of deterrents, such as pepper spray, Tasers, handguns and other firearms.

Getting in shape is the mature thing to do. But, I ask you, with so many shapes to choose from, which one is the best to be considered "in shape?" After all, round is a shape, isn't it?

Think Twice...Then Check Out a Good Book From JCPL!

2010-10-23T12:09:00.002-05:00

Comic strip author, Bill Watterson, is quoted as saying, "Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak. Probably so we can think twice." Thinking twice is a great idea, if you can remember to do it. Listening twice is an even better idea. Shopping with my 4 year old granddaughter the other day, the only thing on her mind was that she didn't want to have to walk through the store; she wanted to ride in style, like her 2 year old sister, in a cart provided by the store. Thinking I was using psychology with her, I asked, "Doesn't it make you feel like a big girl, walking alongside Mommy and me?" Exasperated by my psychobabble, she looked at me and said, "No, and that's why I'm so oppwessed! (translates to depressed in adult language) I just want to wide! (ride.) Being oppwessed is no fun, and reading can take the doldrums out of my day quicker than thinking OR talking. Here are some great, new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library; a sure cure for oppwession.

A seaside vacation that was meant to recapture her happy childhood unexpectedly triggers deeply disturbing and haunting memories that were, previous to now a well kept secret in "A Secret Kept" by Tatiana De Rosnay.

Perfect parents and neighbors, Patty and Walter Berglund, appear to do an about face and their lives become a mystery as one change after another in their habits force their friends and neighbors to do a double take in "Freedom," a book that explores the darker side of family life, by Jonathan Franzen.

Karena has always watched out for and taken care of her bipolar twin, Charles. As a teen, Charles began to refuse his medication and Karena found herself following her brother around, just to be sure he was safe. Obsessed with the unpredictability of the weather, Charles' greatest passion was chasing dangerous storms. After a deadly storm chase separated the twins from one another, Karena embarks on a dangerous journey to find him once again before he does damage to himself or someone else in "The Stormchasers" by Jenna Blum.

After forty years, Anne Marie Smeaton has returned to her hometown. A normal life is not easy to come by for Anne, however, as she bears the scars from a memory too awful to forget. At the age of eleven, Anne Marie killed a little boy, and feels the only way to escape the tragedy of that event is to confront it head on by telling her story to journalist, Joe Donovan. As old nightmares surface and Anne suffers from horrifying visions of the past, a teenager in her housing unit is murdered and Anne fears the worst in "Speak No Evil," Book 4 in the Joe Donovan series.

How about that; a cure for depression without side effects. However, if sleeplessness occurs, it'll only be because you can't put the book down once you start reading it, and if trouble concentrating or operating heavy machinery occur, it'll only be because you're so absorbed in your book that you can't think of anything else! Sort of makes you think twice, doesn't it?

Celebrate the end of Summer With Some New Books From JCPL!

2010-10-07T11:45:00.002-05:00

September means a lot of things to a lot of people. Labor Day is summer's last hurrah, and most of us celebrate this nationally known holiday by taking the day off and enjoying that last picnic of the year. There are, however, quite a few special remembrances for the month of September, some that I myself have never heard of. How many of us have been acquainted with the name Emma M. Nutt? When I first saw that September 1 was Emma M. Nutt Day, I was sure that maybe M & M's with peanuts were being celebrated, until I discovered that Emma M. Nutt was actually the first female telephone operator, and September 1 marks her anniversary. September is also Great American Low-Cholesterol, Lowfat Pizza Bake Month, and if you know a way to make pizza that is low cholestrol and low-fat and still tastes as yummy as the high cholesterol, high fat version, you'll probably make a million dollars by selling the recipe. Other commemorations for September include International Chocolate Day on the 13th, and the whole month of September is Subliminal Communications Month. I am, right now, subliminally communicating something special to everyone reading this article, but just in case my telepathic communicator is on the fritz, here are some great, new fiction titles just in at the Jasper County Public Library!

When Warren Ziller relocated his family and himself to California, the Geiger counter of happiness began to fall short, and the American dream that he counted on became a nightmare. The 0nce happy family began to separate, and to make matters worse, Warren's real estate investment failed, leaving the family in financial straits. Then, as fate would have it, tragedy strikes, and the Ziller family is forced to relocate once again, this time to a house in an abandoned development in the middle of the desert. Marooned and stuck with one another, this family must face their predicament together in "Model Home" by Eric Puchner.

Shoko is a Japanese woman married to an American GI. Their grown daughter, Sue, finds her American dream shattered when life as an American housewife sadly disappoints. When a trip to Japan planned by Shoko becomes impossible due to illness, Sue takes her place, and her travels reveal family secrets that change their lives in "How to Be An American Housewife" by Margaret Dilloway.

Drawn back to the past by an unexpected event, Lily Davis Woodward journeys back in time to the year 1945 when her new husband is sent to war and all she can think about is his return so that they can begin their new life as husband and wife. When the small town of Toccoa, Georgia celebrates the soldiers' return from war with a homecoming party, Lily meets Jake Russo, and finds herself torn between the one man who may be her soul mate and the true love of her life and the man to whom she has committed her life in "Fireworks Over Toccoa" by Jeffrey Stepakoff.

Hector Brennan, a handsome GI, was stationed in Korea during the Korean War when he met June Han, a girl orphaned by the fighting. Thirty years later, their lives cross paths again, and the unusual mission that they are both on brings them together, forcing the pair of them to come to terms with their wartime experiences and the secret that they both share in "The Surrendered" by Chang-Rai Lee.

During the month of September, you can do a lot of celebrating. You can celebrate the chickens in your life with National Chicken Month, or ahoy there, me hearty, you can "Talk Like a Pirate" on the 19th as you give your wife the royal treatment with bon bons on Wife Appreciation Day, also on the 19th. Whatever you choose to do, take the time to stop in your local branch of JCPL, where, aye! All you landlubbers will find some real treasures on the shelves!

Don't Dump the Dog and Other Great Nonfiction at JCPL

2010-09-15T08:56:00.002-05:00

Looking up at me with the most innocent expression ever, the evidence hanging out of his mouth gives him away. Spud the dog may be small, but he is mighty, and the messes he makes are even mightier. Remnants of what may have once been a soccer ball litter the living room floor, because Spud the dog has struck again. The arm cover to my couch is also a casualty of Spud the dog. Putting things up out of his reach can only accomplish so much, because he has discovered that with just a little perseverence, he can finagle his way into toy boxes, jump until he can reach countertops, and generally wreak havoc on anything that fits in his mouth. I must check my watch several times a day, wondering, "Is the pound still open!?"

Randy Grim emphatically believes that dogs are worth their weight in gold, and that any and all behavior problems that come from pooches of all types can be solved. In "Don't Dump the Dog: Outrageous Stories and Simple Solutions to Your Worst Behavior Problems," Grim provides dog owners with everything they need to turn things around with their dogs, offering solutions to even the worst habits that Man's Best Friend may have acquired. This dog friendly guide is full of humor, but is written with the experience of a veteran dog trainer who can help you to connect with the Bowser in your life. Read on for more, great, new nonfiction titles, designed to enrich your brain and make your life easier!

Stick with what you know...that's the advice given to writers; and as a general rule of thumb, it's good advice no matter what you attempt to do, and that includes making a living. Having a passion can be profitable, and "Crush it! Why NOW is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion" by Gary Vaynerchuk offers sound advice on how to convert what you're truly passionate about into cash, with step by step instructions on using Twitter, Facebook, and other online networking systems to become profitable, no matter what line of business you choose to make your living.

In her lifetime, Geneen Roth has gained and lost over a thousand pounds. From being seriously overweight to extremely underweight, Roth has been plagued most of her life with feelings of shame and self-hatred because of her body image and eating habits. Finally, she ended the struggle by trusting her body and realizing that our relationship with food is directly related to our feelings about love, fear and our core beliefs. In "Women, Food and God," Roth leads readers to the doorway to freedom, demystifying the weight loss puzzle by trusting your own belief system, bringing peace and ending the compulsions once and for all.

Investigative reporting at its best, "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" by Michael Lewis combines logic with the timely topic of today's financial crisis to give an overview of the head in the sand investment strategies that led the inflated egos running many of today's top financial institutions to make the colossal cash blunderes that required a government bailout. Covering a dizzying cast of characters, Lewis even covers "where are they now," updating readers on the various heroes and villains that were instrumental in some of the worst financial debacles of our time.

"In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving" by Leigh Anne Touhy is the astonishing tale of Leigh Anne and Sean Touhy, and their mission in life to raise their children to be cheerful givers. With their deep Christian faith and their commitment to make a difference, Leigh Anne invited a homeless young man into their lives, making him a part of their family, transforming his life by opening their hearts, and ultimately, their door, showing that the power of giving can teach unforgettable lessons to us all. This book is the inspiring story of one couple who truly believes that "Everyone has a blind side, but a loving heart always sees a path toward true charity." Based on the movie, "The Blind Side," this incredible, true story will touch your heart.

We've really debated as to what "mixed breed" might be Spud's parentage, and have decided that no matter what breed of dog he may be, Billy Goat must be somewhere in the mix. Anyway, Spud (a.k.a. "Scud," as in missile) the dog gets another chance because "Don't Dump the Dog" says so. He should be breathing a sigh of relief...but he's kind of busy right now, chomping on some unidentified household item.

Dog Days of Summer Call for Good Reading Material!

2010-08-21T19:31:00.002-05:00

No matter where you go, chances are you'll have to do some waiting. Waiting to be called for your appointment at the doctor or dentist's office; waiting in line at the grocery, drug, or department store; wait, wait, wait. Standing in line just about anywhere I go, I can almost count on the person ahead of me needing a price check, or having a problem of some sort that's going to require LOTS of time to remedy; but my wait pales in comparison to the headline that reads, "Two sisters reunited after 18 years at checkout counter." And I thought MY wait was long! Another headline states the obvious with, "If strike isn't settled quickly, it may last awhile." Sometimes animals make headlines, and in this case, a cow on a rampage makes news with, "Enraged cow injures farmer with ax;" and while we know that some animals eat their young, humans aren't supposed to (although sometimes we wonder if we should consider it), but the headline, "Kids make nutritious snacks" makes you second guess the choices of some folks. Speaking of choices, check out these new fiction titles, and just WAIT until you read on for some really good entertainment for the "dog days of summer!"

As the country's brightest doctors race to find the cure for infections that kill thousands each year, photojournalist, Claire Shipley, is following the story, dear to her heart, because her young daughter died from a sudden illness that possibly could have been cured by this new drug called penicillin. As doctors close in on their research for the miracle drug that will change history, a researcher at the institute dies suddenly, and Claire finds herself entrenched in a battle to find the killer before it's too late in "A Fierce Radiance" by Lauren Belfer.

When Eric Shaw takes on the job of making a documentary about Alyssa Bradford's 95 year old father in law, Campbell Bradford, he travels to the older man's hometown, where its charming history turns into an eerie mystery in "So Cold the River," an intensely frightening novel by Michael Koryta that centers around an old hotel that has been restored and the dark history and long forgotten evil surrounding it.

The year is 1704, and young Elizabeth is sent to Versailles, Louisiana in search of a husband. When she is paired with the charismatic and ruthlessly ambitious soldier, Jean-Claude, she is surprised to find herself not only attracted to him, but falling in love with him as well. Auguste, as well, must manage to find happiness in a new world when he is abandoned, and then befriended by Elizabeth's husband, Jean-Claude. When both Elizabeth and Auguste are ultimately betrayed by Jean-Claude, they find themselves drawn together in unexpected ways in "Savage Lands" by Claire Clark.

Growing up as the product of professional parents in Glasgow, Scotland, Kit Philipson had every advantage. While his mother lay dying, she confessed to Kit that he is adopted, and soon after, vague memories of Kit's early life begin to plague him, sending him searching through old newspaper files that reveal Kit's true identity and the actual facts of the abduction that led him to become part of the Philipson family in "A Stranger in the Family" by Robert Barnard.

You've probably heard it said that "good things come to those who wait," but Abraham Lincoln summed it up with, "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle." There you go; don't let the good titles be left behind; just get in your car and head to your local branch of JCPL, where every new title is an experience worth its WEIGHT in gold!

Let JCPL Be Your Lucky Charm This August!

2010-08-05T14:56:00.004-05:00

Reading the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris, I am getting an education, learning the ins and outs of vampire life, werewolf drama and also getting the inside scoop about the lives of shape shifters. One of the most educational parts of reading this series, however, is that Sookie Stackhouse, the main character in the series, has a best friend who supplies her with a Word of the Day calendar each year, and occasionally, one of the words applies to the plot in the story. One morning, while taking breakfast orders from my three grandchildren, my two year old granddaughter requested "Chucky Arms." Hmmm...that wasn't part of the educational Word of the Day, and Sookie doesn't have kids, so the Vampire series would be no help in solving this mystery. Opening up the cabinet, I began to peruse the various foodstuffs that could translate to "Chucky Arms," and after a careful inspection, the light bulb above my head lit up and I asked her, "Do you want Lucky Charms?" BINGO! Mystery solved! And so, the breakfast mystery is solved, and our stomachs are full, so read on for some refreshing food for your mind and check out these new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library!

The Darling Dahlias is a Depression era, garden-club group of ladies from Darling, Alabama who welcome members from all walks of life. The ladylike behavior of the Darling Dahlias is challenged, however, when a set of sterling silver is found buried under the town's famous Cucumber Tree, and two members of the group claim ownership. The town and ladies club are further shaken by the discovery of the body of an unidentified young woman outside of town, and the mystery deepens in "The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree" by Susan Albert Wittig.

Seven year old Lavinia was orphaned on her journey to America from Ireland, and arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation, working in the plantation's kitchen under the tutelage of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter. As time goes on, Lavinia is accepted into the fold of the family in the Big House, but finds herself straddling two very different worlds in "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom.

The birth of a new baby daughter should be a happy occasion, but in a remote Indiana village where only sons are favored, the birth of a daughter is a tragedy. In "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowder, Kavita and her husband struggle with the decision to give their newborn daughter, Asha, away. The decision to give the baby up haunts both parents, even after the birth of their son, but placing her in an orphanage is the only way to save her life. Meanwhile, across the globe, American doctor, Somer, and her husband, Krishnon, desperately want a child, but cannot have one of their own, and when they see a photo of baby Asha, decide to adopt the child. "Secret Daughter" weaves the lives and cultures of two families together, exploring the issues of culture and belonging, dramatically comparing the lives and cultures of two families who have the common goal of wanting only to be happy.

When nine year old Rose Edelstein bites into the lemon-chocolate cake prepared by her mother for her birthday, she discovers a magical gift; she can actually taste the emotions of her mother with every bite she takes. The gift, however, is not welcome when Rose discovers that the mother she has always seen as happy and cheerful is truly unhappy, desperate and full of despair. "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" by Aimee Bender brings to light the enormous burden of knowing too much and loving those closest to you anyway.

Sookie's Word of the Day in "Dead to the World," the fourth in the Southern Vampire Series, was "farrago," which the dictionary defines as "a jumble," and Sookie describes as "a confused mess." I'm not sure how I would use it in a sentence, but it could be a good replacement word for what's on the menu at our house for breakfast; Chucky Arms.

You Might Be an Avid Reader if...

2010-07-16T07:29:00.002-05:00

"You might be a redneck when you take a trip to the dump and bring back more than you took," is one redneck phrase that made comic, Jeff Foxworthy, famous. If I had to choose a topic to write about, I'd turn "redneck" into "menopause," and the phrases would go something like, "You might be in menopause when you spend more time rearranging the contents of your freezer than eating them, just to get a blast of cold air during a hot flash," or, "You might be in menopause when you discover that the local petting zoo's llama died, and you find yourself choking back tears, even though you didn't even know its name," or, "You might be in menopause when your body gives off enough heat during a hot flash to solve the world energy crisis." You get the picture. Similarly, you know you're at the Jasper County Public Library when you can check out the best new fiction titles around. Here are just a few of our newest to choose from.

It's been two years since Abbie Fox has seen her father, but a family crisis forces her to return to Nantucket, where her sisters, Lily and Emma, are struggling with losses of their own. As the summer wears on, each of the three sisters find themselves in unpredictable situations, undergoing personal transformations that may change their lives in "Beachcombers" by Nancy Thayer.

As a reporter for the Bergen County News, Chris Turley strives to live up to the legendary career of his father, Edward Turley, but never seems to make the grade. Everything changes for Chris, however, when an explosion rocks the building next door and Chris heroically saves five people from the burning building. Instant celebrity that he is, Chris receives an anonymous tip after the incident that leads him into a reporter's dream that quickly turns into a nightmare in "Down to the Wire" by David Rosenfelt.

You can't fool Mother Nature, and when Dr. Claus Rhumkorrf struggles with one experiment after another to replace failing human organs and tissue with that of animals, a process called xenotransplantation, he succeeds, only to regret it when his creation turns on him and society in general in "Ancestor" by Scott Sigler.

The dawn of a new day brings tragedy to the world of the Amish in "Pray for Silence." When the police are summoned to a small, quiet Amish family farm, they discover the horror of an entire family wiped out; brutally tortured and slain. With Kate Burkholder and Agent John Tomasetti investigating the case, one secret after another is revealed in this, the second book in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo.

Shep Knacker has plans for his nest egg. He thinks of this phase of his life as "The Afterlife," and when he sells his home repair business for a cool million bucks, he is ready to "get out of Dodge" and head for his dream retirement destination. His wife of twenty six years, Glynis, though has just returned from her doctor's appointment, and announces a medical condition that requires enough treatment that Shep's nest egg, as well as his plans for "The Afterlife" are irrevocably changed in "So Much for That" by Lionel Shriver.

If I had to choose one of the titles listed above to describe how I feel about menopause, it would have to be "So Much for That," and if you have to ask me why that is, "you might not be in menopause."

New Books From JCPL to Brighten a Dark and Stormy Night!

2010-06-28T12:50:00.002-05:00

It was a dark and stormy night...it really WAS, and the satallite had bitten the dust because of the bad weather, so I went in search of something to read. Scary stories are the best for nights like this one, and I thought the perfect book to raise goosebumps would be "Dead After Dark" by Charlaine Harris. Opening it up, I looked forward to the vampire-biting, bloodcurdling thrill I would get from the story, and as I read on, I found myself amused more than scared, but in a surprisingly good way. Sookie Stackhouse, Harris's main character, is a cocktail waitress surrounded by vampires; some who are good-natured in a vampirish way, and some who live up to their reputation as vicious blood-hounds. This book, the first in the "Southern Vampire" series, has me hooked enough to read the next in the series, and here are some other new fiction titles at the Jasper County Library that can entertain during the next dark and stormy night.

Despite the trials that every marriage faces at one time or another, Tim Farnsworth and his wife Jane still share a strong bond. Farnsworth loves his wife, his daughter, his house, even his kitchen, with the copper pots and pans hanging above the kitchen's island. Why, then, does he decide one day to just walk out, and away from all he holds dear? "The Unnamed" by Joshua Ferris explores the ties of marriage and family and the forces of nature that interfere with the best laid plans of Tim Farnsworth.

Mama threw Daddy out of the house, and after she did, she made her two daughters, Lulu and Merry, promise never to let him back into her home again. When Daddy came calling, ten year old Lulu relented and opened up the door to him, only to have him kill her mother and stab her little five year old sister, Merry. "The Murderer's Daughters" by Randy Susan Meyers is the story of two little girls, orphaned by the death and subsequent imprisonment of their father, who grow into women and continue to carry the scars of their past, carving their lives in the shadow of the tragedy that always hovers in the distance.

United States Senator, Ellen Fisher is a Democrat, now in her second term. Going head to head with the Vice President over national security, Ellen and her staff find themselves under attack, the ensuing barrage of threats endangering not only their careers, but their very lives in "Blind Trust," book number 2 in the Senator Ellen Fisher series by Barbara Boxer.

Jack and Joy Griffin have been married for thirty years, and for the most part, the plan that they made on their Cape Cod honeymoon thirty years before has been fulfilled. Now, Jack returns to the Cape, this time for the wedding of his daughter's best friend, Laura. Carrying his father's ashes around in the trunk of his car, and yet another urn makes its way on this trip. Coupled with the fact that Jack and Joy have brought along new dates to the event, "That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo offers a comical and surprising look at life during middle age.

It is, yet again, a dark and stormy night, and the satellite has made a repeat performance of going AWOL, so I think I'll pick up my old friend Sookie Stackhouse and see what's happening in the world of vampires these days.

What is Your Idea of Adventure?

2010-06-14T10:21:00.002-05:00

On a recent trip to the vet, a middle aged couple was wrapping up thier visit. With a large, Black Lab in tow on a leash trailing behind them, the husband and wife began to climb into their full size, extended cab pickup truck. Watching them from inside of the office, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw the front and back doors of the truck swing open with the woman climbing into the back seat, the man into the driver's seat, and the Black Lab into the front passenger seat of the truck. As they pulled out of the parking lot, that Black Lab sat proudly, facing forward, clearly enjoying his adventure. You'll find your own version of adventure by paging through these new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library. Check these out!

An act of violence so horrific against 8 year old Michael literally leaves the little boy speechless. As he grows, he comes into his own, discovering that he can open any lock, anywhere, any time. This special talent makes Michael a hot commodity and in high demand. When a simple heist turns into a nightmare, Michael's life falls apart, and he decides to go back home to find the one true love of his life, and face the horrible past that took his voice in "The Lock Artist" by Steve Hamilton.

George Flynn is a seventeen year old, all around decent guy who has just relocated, along with his family, to DesMoines. Befriending the Schell sisters, George has found his niche in his new hometown. Emily is a free spirited, aspiring actress, and Katie is full of humor and wit despite her battle with multiple sclerosis. When tragedy strikes and upsets the delicate balance of their lives, George has to find a way to step up to the plate and help them through in "Weeping Underwater Looks a Lot Like Laughter" by Michael J. White.

Bandy Dorner has just returned home from Vietnam, and discovers that his life is in a shambles. His pregnant wife is leaving him for another man, and within minutes, a cop lies bloodied in the road and Bandy is headed for prison. Eighteen years later when he is released, Bandy returns to the family ranch and meets the teenage son that he never got a chance to know, and following close behind is Bandy's ex-wife, Iona. All three are changed, haunted by their past, but try to put together the pieces of their lives in "Then Came the Evening" by Brian Hart.

The real estate market is tough, but gets tougher for Jackie Swaitkowski when a client of his turns up dead. The mystery surrounding the untimey demise of his client leaves Jackie in search of clues, leading him on a dangerously rocky ride in "Short Squeeze" by Chris Knopf.

This article is dedicated to my Bo, a part Lab pooch with a heart as big as all outdoors who decided after a 12 year reign as captain of my heart that it was time to move on to explore his very own adventures over the rainbow. He would've loved to sit on the front seat of my car on our excursions, but was hard pressed to sit in the passenger seat of my little Toyota. Thanks for the memories, Bo. You were one of a kind.

Get By With a Little Help From Your Friends at JCPL!

2010-05-20T18:51:00.002-05:00

My friends and I have been together through thick and thin over a period of MANY years. We've seen just about everything and weathered many storms, as well as sharing just as many joys. Elbert Hubard said it best with, "A friend is someone who knows all about you, but likes you anyway." Something new happens, you call your friend. Something bad happens, you call your friend. Nothing at all happens, you still call your friend, just to touch base and see if anything good, bad, or nothing at all has happened with them. The scoop may be nothing at all, but there's still plenty to talk about. "Friends are the Bacon Bits in the salad bowl of life," are the words shared on a pizza place billboard. I love, Bacon Bits, don't you? If you love Bacon Bits as much as I do, you'll love to share these new fiction titles from JCPL with your friends!

For thirty five years, Frankie, Linda, Kath, Brett, and Ally have made it a habit to meet each Wednesday at a park near all of their homes. These five women come from all walks of life and on the surface, seem to have nothing in common. Brutally blunt Linda, timid Frankie, quiet Ally, Kentucky debutante Kath and ultra-intelligent Brett, however, share a bond that begins with literature and extends into every aspect of their lives in "The Wednesday Sisters" by Meg Waite Clayton.

Miranda thinks she has met the catch of the day when she meets Greg at a cocktail party. Gorgeous and funny, Greg is all Miranda could hope for, or is he? You could say that Greg is a phony, and you'd be right when you discover that he has just left his newly pregnant wife, who hasn't a clue what he's really up to in "Miranda's Big Mistake" by Jill Mansell.

Twelve year old Jillian Maxwell is the model child. With straight A's in school and college in her future, helpful with household chores, and obedient to a fault, Jillian seems perfect. But Jillian harbors a terrible secret; one that she's sure even her mother would blame her for if she were to find out, so she endures, hiding her pain and keeping it a secret. When the horrific details of her life begin to catch up with her, and her grades begin to slip and her personality begins to show signs of distress, fate steps in and her strength brings her to discover a powerful light within herself in "A Deep Dark Secret" by Kimberla Lawson Roby.

Kevin Curran has just about lost all hope that his youngest brother, Danny will shape up. With a life of crime and hard drug addiction ridding his past, Danny suddenly shows up on Kevin's doorstep, clean and sober. Offering Kevin a share in the Bloodroot Children's Hospital project he is working on brings Kevin in touch with an underworld of Mafia hit men and dangerous espionage in "Bloodroot" by Bill Loehfelm.

Without being sappy, I would like to salute my friendships with this Toni Morrison quote, "She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind." Yes, I love Bacon Bits, don't you?

Get Cookin' at JCPL With These New Nonfiction Titles!

2010-05-03T17:17:00.002-05:00

Leisure time is rare at my house. That's why, on a lazy Saturday morning, a big country breakfast with all the greasy trimmings sounded scrumptious; and it was, but the after effects left my kitchen looking like a tornado had just zipped through, leaving nothing but bacon and egg stained pots, pans, and dishes in its wake. There will be plenty of time to clean up later, right? After all, today is all about leisure. Then the phone rang...and the spell was broken, because company was on the way, and SOON. Using an old trick of my grandma's, I piled the dirty dishes up and put them in the oven, zipping through the kitchen like a tornado myself, making it look as though breakfast never took place. Out of sight, out of mind; that phrase fits perfectly into this scenario, because, as you may have guessed, when it came time to cook something for dinner, I decided on something simple. A frozen pizza would be perfect, that is, until I preheated the oven and a funny smell filled the house. Believe me when I tell you, there is nothing like re-visiting the morning's leisurely breakfast by cooking the cookware that cooked the meal. Oh well, it's all history now; and if you like history and learning the intimate details of other people's lives, read on, because you won't want to miss "The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers" by Thomas Fleming.

This new nonfiction title at JCPL is a detailed history of our past presidents and other famous men in history, and offers a peek into the personal lives of past politicians and the skeletons that live in their closets. Covering everything from Benjamin Franklin's abandoment of his wife to flirt with Parisian madams to Alexander Hamilton's adulterous affair to the women in their lives, this well researched, engrossing and entertaining look at our forefathers is not only a page-turner, but an eye-opener as well. Read on for more new nonfiction!

Arriving at his military base in Afghanistan, Navy Reservist Mark Feffer finds an unexpected guest. Cinnamon, a mixed breed puppy, has chosen the base as her new home. Deciding to keep her and take her home to America at the end of his tour, Mark finds a dog handler who promises to care for her. When Feffer discovers that Cinnamon was abandoned at the airport, he enlists the help of family and friends in an all out effort to find the missing pooch in "Saving Cinnamon" by Christine Sullivan. This heartwarming story of determination, compassion and hope will prove that love does conquer all, and is, in fact, the most powerful force on the planet.

Hopping in his chariot of choice, a black London cab, Stephen Fry journeys through the land he is the most fascinated with; America. From sea to shining sea, he discovers the huge diversity that makes our country great, zigzagging through each state and taking glimpses along the way of small town life and big city glitz and glamour, loving every second of the magnificent, eccentric, beautiful and strange America in "Stephen Fry in America" by Stephen Fry.

The legacy of Henrietta Lacks lives on through the magic and miracle of medical science. In 1951 at the age of 30, Henrietta was stricken with, and died from, an aggressive form of cancer. Without her knowledge or the consent of Henrietta or her family, a sample of the cancerous tissue was taken from Henrietta and used by science to experiment with the cells, giving scientists a building block for medical breakthroughs, one of which was the cure for polio. In "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," Rebecca Skloot gathers details of Henrietta's life and death, offering the truth to her family members through this haunting and moving story of one woman's contribution to the world of medicine.

A loving husband, two great kids, and a writing career should make for a happy enough life for Gretchen Rubin. She, however, has decided to take on the "happiness project," and by doing this, intends to increase her happiness quotient in every aspect of her life within a year's time. "The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun" by Gretchen Rubin is an inspirational guide full of wise tips and concrete advice for a more fulfulling, balanced life.

Here's what happened: Grandma had the best hiding place in the world for her dirty dishes, but Grandma also had a better memory than me. Just goes to show, when it comes to cooking 101, you can kiss the cook, cook with gas, cook your goose, or as W.C. Fields says, "I cook with wine, and sometimes I even add it to the food." All these are okay, but take my advice: Never, ever cook the cookware that you intend to cook with when you cook another meal. Do something safe instead, like read a good book from JCPL.

2010-04-13T18:54:00.002-05:00

There are lots of dangerous jobs out there. Police officers, firefighters, military personnel; all of these folks could be in physical peril on any given day. Protective gear helps; but when your chosen profession is babysitting, there is no protective gear. Your best source of protection is thinking fast on your feet, because, as cute as toddlers and little children are, their bodies are all elbows and knees, and they move at the speed of light, usually in an unexpected burst of energy. Take, for example, zipping up a toddler's coat. You're bent over, concentrating on the task at hand, and in a split second, your tongue is on fire becuase you didn't have protective gear around your open mouth, and, for whatever reason, the child decided to use that moment to test the springs on the bottoms of their feet and take a flying leap straight up into the air. Your tongue just got in the way of "friendly fire." It is an occupational hazard. Next time a coat needs to be zipped, or your mouth is in close proximity to a leaping three year old, your tongue should also be zipped up. At the end of the day, the best way to cure whatever ails you is to pick up a good book, and put your feet up. At the Jasper County Public Library, we have just the prescription you need in these new fiction titles.

In "The Brutal Telling" by Louise Penny, secrets are revealed and chaos reigns supreme in Three Pines when a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro. Could the beloved bistro owner, Olivier, be responsible in some way for the brutal murder? Frantically trying to outrun the clues as the investigation closes in, time is running out for Olivier and the little village of Three Pines must brace itself for the ugly truth, in this the fifth installment of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series.

In a time when the truth of one financial debacle after another finds its way into the headlines, best selling author, James Grippando has captured the essence of the destruction of financial institutions in his newest novel featuring thirty one year old Michael Cantella. Michael is a rising star at Wall Street's premier investment bank, Saxton Silvers. In an instant, however, his world is turned upside down when the love of his life, Ivy Layton, disappears on their honeymoon in the Bahamas. Four years later, after rebuilding his life, Michael logs onto his computer to check his investments only to find his assets liquidated, along with the message, "Just as planned," xoxo. Could the key to this financial debacle be the missing Ivy? Find out in "Money to Burn" by James Grippando.

As a self made "Master of the Universe," Adam March has it all; high powered job, beautiful wife, and a glamorous circle of friends. When a painful past comes calling, Adam's world begins to crumble, and he loses everything; his job, his wife, and the life he's worked so hard to build. Working in a soup kitchen to complete community service, Adam meets Chance, a pit bull bred to fight. As the lives of man and dog intersect, both discover the amazing power behind the man/dog relationship, saving one another in the most unexpected of ways in "One Good Dog" by Susan Wilson.

Meg Wynne Thompson is a self made beauty, and a most unpopular bride. When she turns up dead on her wedding day, the local manicurist, Penny Brannigan, vows to find the killer, and discovers that several people, some on the bride's guest list, were gunning for Meg. Will the trail go cold, or will Penny catch the killer? Find out in "The Cold Light of Mourning" by Elizabeth J. Duncan.

Physical peril; yes, danger lurks around the bend every day. Zipping up coats, changing diapers, and getting in close enough proximity to that little bundle of joy with an uncontrollable desire to take flight at the most unexpected of moments are all potentials for physical peril; and if you don't believe me, just ask my tongue.

New Nonfiction at JCPL Will Cure Whatever "Bugs" You!

2010-03-24T19:13:00.002-05:00

Out of the over 5,000 species of ladybugs in the world, I'm pretty sure that at least half of those are nesting somewhere in my house. They must've patiently and quietly hibernated all winter long, just waiting to make their "great escape," and are now literally crawling out of the woodwork. Seems that the magic number for the awakening of these spotted beetles is 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and with the spring-like temperatures this week, they're out in droves. One little known fact about these helpful garden creatures is that they can actually "play dead," and as I sweep, vacuum and corral them into the trash, I wonder if they'll come back to haunt me after I think I've permanently disposed of them. Their diet consists of other small insects, most of which can be found in the garden, but not in the HOUSE, and therein lies my confusion as to why these little critters have set up housekeeping within my four walls. One of the major problems that I have with these insects is their rancid odor, which is, believe it or not, a product of stress. Yes, ladybugs suffer from stress; another little known fact. But the big question is: Do they marry? If they do, being "ladybugs," they may benefit from reading, "Have a New Husband by Friday: How to Change His Attitude, Behavior, and Communication in 5 Days" by Kevin Leman. In this easy to follow, common sense guide, the author helps wives to interpret the behavior of their husbands, offering much needed advice for the frustrated, encouraging women from all walks of life with feedback on how to deal with the clueless husband who just needs a gentle nudge to become a better partner.

Read on for more informative, up to date, nonfiction titles from JCPL!

Anger can be a productive emotion when approached honestly and realistically. Sometimes the fuel from repressed anger can be counterproductive and unhealthy for us, and women in particular sometimes need a little guidance in dealing with angry feelings. From bad relationships to difficulties with parents, friends and partners, anger can linger, hurting, instead of helping the situation. "Every Woman's Guide to Managing Your Anger" by Gregory Jantz offers a compassionate look at anger control, helping readers to face the issues that burden them, thereby giving them the release they need to move beyond the anger that is controlling them and live the life they were meant to live.

We've all heard of shoplifting, robbery and theft; all of which can become obsessions for those who have the tendency to take something that doesn't belong to them. Fixations over owning the skulls of the highly talented and famous, however, is an obsession that is new to me, and one that only those who feel the need to rob the graves of others can understand. "Cranioklepty: Grave Robbing and the Search for Genius" by Colin Dickey offers a glimpse of grave robbers who target and steal the craniums of the famous individuals of our time; Beethovan, Swedish mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, artist Francisco Goya, and others, specifically to sell, study, or put them on public display. This bizarre tradition was triggered by the "Gall" system, created in the late 18th century by Franz Joseph Gall, whose theory that the bumps and dents of the skull would offer clues as to the genius or intelligence of the owner.

Speaking of intelligence, if ladybugs are intelligent enough to know how to ward off predators by releasing the rancid odor they're known for, then, I ask you, why are they not intelligent enough to know when they have worn out their welcome, as I bid them a not so fond adieu with the hopeful phrase, "Ladybug, ladybug, fly away HOME," adding, for extra emphasis, "to YOUR home, not mine!"

At JCPL, Some Books Are Just too Delicious To Pass Up

2010-03-06T10:18:00.002-06:00

How many times have you been offered something to eat and been told, "Oh it's so good! It tastes just like chicken!" How many types of food are there that can taste "just like chicken?" I'm suspicious! According to Dave Barry's "Guide to Guys," food is not the only thing that tastes just like chicken. In this hilarious look at "guy issues," Barry admits that in the mad panic to prepare for Hurricane Andrew, he was so intent on getting the supplies he needed that he could actually taste the plywood, and guess what? It tasted just like chicken! Even Hollywood, in thier quest to entertain, uses this analogy on the big screen. Example: In The Lion King when Timon eats a grub, it's yummy, just like chicken. You get the picture. We always like to use comparisons, whether the subject is food or something else, a visual picture brought on by comparisons to familiar things help our brains and taste buds to "get the picture."

At the Jasper County Public Library, when readers need to be entertained by a new fiction title or a new author, one of the first questions we ask is, "What was the last book that you read that you really enjoyed?" And from there, the search is on for a "readalike." Here is a short list of "readalikes" that may be just what you're looking for!

With her comical characters and the homey setting of urban Trenton, New Jersey as her home base, author, Janet Evanovich has won legions of fans and a following of avid readers over, letting the sassy dialogue in her wacky mystery series lead her to be at the very top of the list in the Humorous Mystery genre. If you enjoy the bantering that goes on between Stephanie Plum and her friends and family, as well as the "almost" romances between she and Joe Morelli and the ultra-suave Ranger, you'll love the Chicago based mysteries of Joe Konrath, each named after a cocktail. With smart, sassy and funny Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels as a Chicago Police Lieutenant leading the way, along with her eccentric partner, Herb Benedict, and a crazy cast of characters playing starring roles in "Bloody Mary," "Dirty Martini," "Fuzzy Navel," and "Cherry Bomb," this "crime stopper duo will be sure to keep you turning pages.

Legal issues and courtroom drama, along with the complex dynamics of family relationships, are the specialty of Jodi Picoult. Sprinkle in a dash of medical mystery, and you have the ingredients for a story that features ordinary people who find themselves facing extraordinary circumstances. With "My Sister's Keeper," "The Pact," and "Plain Truth" to her credit, Jodi Picoult hooks her readers emotionally by challenging them with the controversial issues that delve into the human psyche, unleashing the question, "What would I do if that happened to me?" In "The Rest of Her Life" by Laura Moriarty, you'll meet Kara, a high school senior whose spur of the moment decision changes everything for her, her family, and her community, and the struggles and legal issues that result from her one moment of carelessness. Other authors who are able to capture the essence of the human condition and resemble the writing style of Picoult are Luanne Rice, Sue Miller and Jacquelyn Mitchard.

If you're seeking a warmer climate (and these days, who isn't!), take a trip to sultry Florida, where author, Carl Hiassen, invents quirky characters who will appeal to your sense of humor with their madcap antics and daily foibles. Thrillers like "Basket Case," "Skin Tight," and "Tourist Season" contain serious plotlines, but in an upbeat and laugh out loud style. If you like Carl Hiassen, check out "The Naked Detective" by Laurence Shames. The bumbling gangsters and lyrical style, along with the Florida setting, will appeal to Hiassen fans. "Florida Roadkill" by Tom Dorsey also provides a hysterical ride through the sunshine state, offering an escalated pace of violence and demented humor along the way.

Let's see; how would I describe these books? Delectable, delicious, and nutritious; just like chicken!

Till Spring Has Sprung, Check Out Something To Read!

2010-02-17T10:14:00.002-06:00

Punxsutawney Phil has done it again; disappointed all of us who are anxiously waiting for the first signs of spring. How the little groundhog saw his shadow is a mystery to me, since the sun has done a disappearing act for most of the winter and doesn't seem in any hurry to materialize any time soon. Right about now, I'm envious of any animal that gets to hibernate through the winter months. What a wonderful idea; sleeping through till the weather warms up and the sun pokes through. Unfortunately, the human race can't take a cue from the bears or any other animal that curls up and takes a long winter's nap. In fact, according to Paul McKenna, more people are suffering from insomnia now than ever before. After a 20 year study, McKenna has developed a system for everyone who feels sleep deprived with "I Can Make You Sleep," a book and CD that shows how implementing an easy exercise routine and simple changes in thinking and behavior will significantly improve the quality of your sleep. After you reset your body's natural sleep mechanism by following the advice in this book, you'll have more energy to read, read, read, and check out the rest of these new nonfiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library!

In 1954, Clint Eastwood was a 24 year old newlywed, working ina California gas station, when he was "discovered" by director, Arthur Lubin. His big break came in 1959 when he got the part of Rowdy Yates in Rawhide. Thus began the show business career of actor, director, and producer, Clint Eastwood. "American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood" by Marc Eliot probes the actor's personal relationships, financial empire, and professional successes and failures, documenting the drama of Eastwood's life with well researched details.

Depression is an up and coming malady in our country today. Anxiety and negative feelings bring more people to seek medical help today than ever before, with the end result usually being prescription medication used for coping with the uncomfortable symptoms. "Depression is Contagious: How the Most Common Mood Disorder is Spreading Around the World and How to Stop It" by Michael Yapko offers a clear, fresh perspective on the cure for depression, citing depression as an ancient subject that can be approached and healed holistically and creatively through building relationships with family, friends, and communities, using social skills as an antidote for the challenges of everyday life.

Do you own a library card and a comfortable pair of shoes? If you do, you've got the first ingredients to ordinary happiness, something we're all in search of. "Seven Pleasures: Essays on Ordinary Happiness" by Willard Spiegalman is an affectionate essay collection that includes the top seven picks to achieve happiness. Not surprisingly, they are reading, walking, looking, dancing, swimming, and writing, all activities that cost almost nothing, and are accessible to everyone. Chapter for chapter, this book provides a relaxing, leisurely stroll through life's simple pleasures.

A leisurely stroll would be nice right about now, but because the forecast according to Punxsutawney Phil is for 6 more weeks of winter, I suppose it'll have to wait. Wouldn't it have been nicer if that little varmint hadn't seen his shadow? Then, we'd be saying goodbye to winter temps in just a month and a half instead of six weeks!

New Nonfiction at JCPL Will Make for Smooth Sailing!

2010-01-30T12:57:00.002-06:00

I am not a big fan of the water, but being newly married, I was a big fan of my new husband, so I let him talk me into a day-long journey in a canoe. "There will be rapids! And it's only a 6 hour long trip. Come on...everyone is going; it'll be fun!" Yes, everyone's going, even us, and that decision was definitely against my better judgment. I've learned that when that little voice gnaws at you, giving you a gut feeling about what your final answer should be that it would be in your best interest to listen. Anyway, off we went. At the very start of the trip, another couple, notorious for their hilarious antics, got into their canoe and tipped it over, right off the bat. Away down the river floated their supplies for the day, lunch and all, and out of the water they trudged, soaked to the skin. Seeing this reinforced my feeling that this trip was not a good idea, but what could we do? We were stuck, the bus that dropped us off for this day-long excursion had left. Our ship had sailed, so to speak.

This just goes to show that my husband and I had a lot in common with "Two Coots in a Canoe" by David Morine, the story of two old friends who set out on a river adventure, discovering through the journey that they each had very different perspectives and expectations about their journey and destination. Two men, one canoe, one river, and two very different outlooks make this book a voyage in discovery, documenting and describing the experience of canoeing down the length of the Connecticut River and the comical adventures that seal their fate.

And if non-fiction books really "float your boat," check out these other new titles from the Jasper County Public Library!

Friends and entrepreneurs, Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards, saw the value in creating simple craft items and began their business by producing a line of products and organizing an annual antiques fair. It is there that their story begins, and "The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much" continues the tale of this dynamic female duo, as they share their recipes, which are also simple and contain everyday ingredients that you don't have to move heaven and earth to find. Their book also includes craft projects that are easy for the average crafter to do. This great guide, written by Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards, will be useful for anyone wishing to try new things, but at the same time, keep it simple.

When you go to school, you must ask for a permission slip to go to the restroom or wander the hallowed halls of your school for any variety of reasons. When you grow up, the only real permission slips that you get are imaginary ones that you write for yourself. Some of us who multi-task and don't know how to say "no" at times, need to write ourselves an imaginary permission slip that says, "I tried, and I can't handle this." "Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break" is written by Sherri Shepherd, and in it, this co-host from The View offers a loosely structured self-help/memoir that is funny, shooting straight from the shoulder about her own experiences and how she came to learn that giving herself permission to bow out when things don't work out is the best way to handle sticky situations.

I know about sticky situations. One in particular involved a 6 hour canoe trip that turned into a 12 hour adventure (sort of like Gilligan's 3 hour tour on the SS Minnow) that I could have easily gotten out of had I known about "writing myself a permission slip" to skip it and bow out of the trip "down the lazy river" BEFORE that ship sailed.

JCPL's Story...A New Inventory!

2010-01-14T10:16:00.002-06:00

It was the middle of December, and all through the house, every square inch was covered in wrapping paper, probably even the mouse. With scissors a flying and tape on the floor, the presents were scattered across the whole floor. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a hungry husband who made it abundantly clear, he wanted his lunch; the presents could wait; and the outcome of Christmas would be left up to fate. With his hands in his pockets, he just hung around, certain that soon some food would be found. He cared not a lick if the children were happy, lunch must be served, and it better be snappy; and Santa, bent over the gifts in a flurry, felt overwhelmingly the need to hurry, and not only that, the thought also occurred, how is it that Santa's a MAN, and not really a girl?

My point hopefully made, I will continue this story, offering to every avid reader out there a new inventory. Fiction, that is, to be found on the shelves, at your friendly branch of JCPL. Check out these new titles!

Completing a five year prison sentence, Angelica Barnes has finally been released, and is trying to acclimate herself back into society. As a convicted felon, Angelica finds fitting back into society to be more than a little difficult, and attempts to reinvent herself with a move to New York. A better life eludes her, however, when Angelica must fall back on her past life to make ends meet, while, in the shadows, a secret enemy waits in the wings to have Angelica back in his grasp in "Deja vu" by Suzette Perkins.

Writing about her nightly escapades in a London newspaper, Grace Rutherford is the "it" girl of her era. Her glitzy, glamorous life opens the door to romance for Grace, and she begins a passionate affair with American author, Dexter O'Connell. Also drawn to her charismatic neighbor, John Cramer, Grace finds herself wedged between the two men, who are bitter enemies; enemies whose secrets and lies weave a web of deceit in "The Jewel Box" by Anna Davis.

Stem cell research is at once a blessing and a curse, depending on at which end of the spectrum your loyalties lie. To brothers, Arthur Marshak nad Jessie Marshak, the scientific breakthrough of stem cell research holds different truths. Arthur Marshak believes that his work in stem cell research is a gift to humanity; Jessie Marshak believes it to be a curse. The common ground that must bridge the gap standing between these two brothers is the powerful love they share for the same woman, and the knowledge that they must come to some agreement on the issue that stands between them for the sake of millions in "The Immortality Factor" by Ben Bova.

When Dr. Thomas Parks arrives in Washington, his goal is to practice trauma medicine with a fellow physician who is practiced in his field of medicine. When a tragic accident nearly ends his life, the young doctor Parks spends long hours convalescing, discovering that the distinguished doctor who invited his fellowship is not at all what he seems in "Race for Dying" by Steven F. Havill.

I spoke not a word, fixing lunch on the fly, while the presents just sat there; my supplies all awry. Bending back over to complete my gift-fest, I wondered which Santa suit would fit me best. And then I exclaimed ere I drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all Mrs. Santa's tonight!"

These New Nonfiction Titles are Hot, Hot, Hot

2009-12-22T15:12:00.002-06:00

The phrases range from "Old age is not for sissies" to "Motherhood is not for sissies." As many "women of a certain age" will tell you, menopause also fits into the "not for sissies" category. Besides never being able to remember where you put things and why you walked into a room (this is labeled by experts as "trouble concentrating"), there are other joyful symptoms, not the least of these being hot flashes. I used to think hot flashes would actually be quite nice, seeing as how I am normally a cold natured person, but personal experience is telling me otherwise. If being put in a microwave oven on a high setting until you reach your boiling point is "quite nice," then I've hit the jackpot. Hot flashes are what sell fans and air conditioners that have settings rivaling ice age proportions. "The dead of winter" holds a certain appeal when a hot flash hits, because it's way cheaper to go outside when your body temperature goes haywire than to wait for the air conditioning to get up to speed. The Chinese, however, see the middle age years of a woman's life as a "Second Spring." In "Second Spring: Dr. Mao's Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age," the menopause years and beyond are met with special herbs, tonics, exercise and supplements that allow women to rejuvenate their bodies, minds and spirits in ways that traditional hormone replacement therapy and other medications cannot. Dr. Mao, where have you been all my life?

This new nonfiction title is just waiting to be checked out from the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library, along with these other new nonfiction titles.

Taking on a series of life-altering challenges leads A.J. Jacobs on one adventure after another in "The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life As An Experiment." This hilarious book finds the author going to the Academy Awards disguised as a movie star, reasoning that by doing this he can better understand the warping effects of fame and fortune. Another adventure leads Jacobs on a quest to commit to the use of cutting edge science in an all out effort to use only rational thinking, thus making the best possible decisions from what to buy at the grocery store to how to talk to his kids. Complete and utter honesty ushers in another of Jacobs' escapades, encouraging readers to "remove the filter between the brain and mouth" in a "radical honesty movement."

Meatless meals need not be bland when you check out "Vegan Lunch Box Around the World" by Jennifer McCann. Balanced international and American menus that include 100 recipes from across the globe offer meat, egg, and dairy-free fruit and veggie recipes that will please even the pickiest of eaters and offer a variety of palate pleasing vegan lunches to pack.

Gender stereotypes have been a subject of angst and debate for centuries. The difference between the male and female psyche have been examined by neuroscientist, Lisa Eliot, and after years of exhaustive research, Eliot zeroes in on the precise differences between boys and girls, erasing some of the myths and stereotypes that have followed the sexes over the years in "Pink Brain, Blue Brain" by Lisa Eliot.

When it comes to books, you may prefer to stick to Hot Topics, or you may run Hot 'n Cold about what you read. You may just like to read them for some Hot Fun in the Summertime, but if I were you, I'd get 'em while They're Red Hot. In any case, I have to wonder if you agree with my Pink Brain when I ask, is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Here's the "Skinny" on New Fiction at JCPL

2009-12-03T16:14:00.002-06:00

It started with hot coffee at McDonald's, now we are a "warning weary'" society. Danger lurks where you would least expect, on products far and wide, and here is proof. A warning found on shampoo for dogs reads, "Caution: The contents of this bottle should not be fed to fish." Doing your hair may also be hazardous to your health when you consider these warnings: "Do not use while sleeping," found on a hairdryer, and "Warning: This product can burn eyes," found on a curling iron. Pretty much the scariest of these warns, "Do not use for drying pets," found in a microwave oven manual! While shopping recently, I discovered one consumer product that does not come with a warning label that actually should, and if you've ever tried on a pair of "skinny jeans," you'll identify with me here. I was just excited to find some jeans in my size, and didn't pay attention to whether they were boot cut, classic cut, flares, high rise, low rise, or any other style. Once I got them past my ankles in the dressing room, I knew I was in trouble, and thought I'd have to call out the National Guard to get the things off! A second set of skin couldn't have fit any tighter, and I seriously thought I'd either have to end up purchasing the things and wear them home or call "9-1-1, what's your emergency!"

That's the "skinny" on skinny jeans. Now here's the "skinny" on what's new in adult fiction at the Jasper County Public Library.

A loss that occurred fifteen years earlier has put a wedge between Emily and her physician husband, Simon. On his way to discovering a major breakthrough in the management of chronic pain, Simon is oblivious to the deep divide that is growing ever wider between he and Emily. When an old lover of Emily's resurfaces, the pair is faced with the realization that their marriage is on the brink in "Remedies" by Kate Ledger.

Not the typical English gentlewoman, Bess Crawford is independent and understands the importance of duty, responsibility and honor. The year is 1916, and as World War I begins, Bess volunteers in the nursing corps. There, she meets the young and severely wounded Lieutenant Arthur Graham, whose dying wish is for Bess to deliver a message to his brother. Fulfilling the duty of this last request, however, thrusts Bess into a maelstrom of mystery, endangering her very own life in "A Duty to the Dead" by Charles Todd.

The sudden disappearance of his daughter, Sydney, leads Tim Blake on a wild goose chase. Thinking that he knew his daughter as well as any parent could, Tim finds he must face the fact that his beloved daughter has not only disappeared without a trace, but that she led a double life as well. Retracing her steps, Tim tries to piece together the secrets of his daughter's darker side in "Fear the Worst" by Linwood Barclay.

Financially secure and living a luxurious life with his wife, Dana, and daughter, Marissa, Dr. Adam Bloom has it all. Everything changes in an instant, however, when Adam wakes up one night to discover two armed intruders have broken into his home. Able to gun down one of the intruders while the other one escapes, Adam and his family no longer feel secure in their own home. Recovering from the break-in takes time, and in the midst of healing from the violation of their property, Marissa meets young Xan, a talented artist with whom she quickly falls in love. As strange things begin to happen in the Bloom household, however, Adam knows his first instincts about Xan were right in "Panic Attack" b y Jason Starr.

Panic attacks come in all sizes and shapes, and for lots of different reasons. Try on a pair of skinny jeans for size, and you'll know what I mean.

Let JCPL Point You In the Right Direction!

2009-11-20T16:31:00.002-06:00

Only a directional dyslexic could end up lost in the space of a lunch hour. Geographically challenged as I am, I decided to take the scenic route on my lunch hour one day when I worked in Rensselaer instead of my home library in DeMotte. Multiple turns, however, don't agree with me, and I somehow found myself lost. Everyone who knows me well and takes their chances traveling with me instinctively checks the gas tank to be sure that when we end up in Timbuktu, we'll at least have the means for escape. Seems I'm not alone. "You Are Here: Why We Can Find Our Way to the Moon, But Get Lost in the Mall," written by behavioral neuroscientist, Colin Ellard, opens by highlighting the animal instincts that light the way for our feathered and furry friends, going on to describe experiments that reveal how hopelessly disconnected the human race has become from our surroundings, resulting in advances such as GPS, Google maps and other modern conveniences and tools designed to keep us on course.

You won't need a tracking device to find this new nonfiction title on the shelves of JCPL, or any of the others listed here, for that matter. Read on!

Food and restaurant icon, Ruth Reichl, reminisces about her mother, exploring the mystery of the mother-daughter relationship as she recounts her mother's kitchen misadventures in "Not Becoming My Mother: And Other Things She Taught Me." Reichl's mother, Miriam, but called Mim, had a highly eccentric and sometimes even reckless way of cooking. With at least one incident of mass food poisoning to her credit, Mim's kitchen adventures will go down in history in this ironically funny memoir.

A request to write the eulogy of an 82 year old rabbi from Mitch Albom's hometown takes Albom on a journey of faith, exploring issues and questions that are probably on the minds of many readers as they struggle through the tough times of today's fast paced society. "Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom is the true story of the author's involvement in the lives of two men of God, each of whom serve their Maker and congregations in completely different settings, but who share an uncommon unity as their two worlds combine to bring hope, endurance and faith to people who are seeking to find peace in whatever setting or situation they find themselves in.

Here's to the sweet life: Let them eat cake! "Let Me Eat Cake: A Celebration of Flour, Sugar, Butter, Eggs, Vanilla and a Pinch of Salt" by Leslie Miller delves into the moist underbelly of the cake world, tracing the history and evolution of our most beloved comfort food; cake. Through her travels and interviews with famous chefs, as well as visits to bakeries and wedding cake boutiques, the author samples some of the best cakes ever made, learning along the way to celebrate the pure pleasure and taste explosion of the ingredients that combine to create the most joyful dessert of all time.

Overcoming desperate situations with the intervention of miraculous twists of fate are defined as miracles by many who have had such experiences. "Christmas Miracles" by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson is a collection of stories that transcend the ordinary, chronicling special moments that can renew the joy of everyday living just because they were so unexpected and so extremely incredible, encouraging the reader with its simple message of hope.

If you need help with navigating while traveling, consulting a loggerhead turtle, who understands the importance of magnetic fields, or a goose that can cut a path and migrate without losing its way, may be a good idea. I would love to be of assistance, and I would, if only you could point me in the right direction!

Books are Like American Express: Don't Leave Home Without Them!

2009-11-04T14:02:00.003-06:00

Vacation destination: Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Using Mapquest to cut the quickest path to the cabin we had rented in the mountains, we set out on our excursion, making our way into the heart of Tennessee, where the Mapquest directions began to get a little dicey, because each road turned into another. Reading one street sign after another, I marveled at the originality of the names. When we passed a sign that read, "Stinky Creek Road," my first thought was, "Oh boy; I hope that doesn't turn into the Little Valley Road we're in search of!" Luckily, it did not, but the more we drove the more Twilight Zone-y things got. Watching street signs like it was my job, I read each one out loud. "Shiloh," I said as we passed a road that cut to the right. The next was "Old Shiloh," and after that, "Shiloh Church," and the next, "Little Shiloh." By now, I'm getting the picture, and decided to read something other than street signs!

To me, books are like American Express; I never leave home without them. Opening "Love Mercy" by Earlene Fowler, I was instantly transported to Morro Bay, California, where the main character, Love Mercy Johnson, is living her life, running her restaurant, The Buttercream. Estranged from her three granddaughters and giving up hope of ever seeing any of them again, Love's predictable life gets turned upside down when her eighteen year old granddaughter, Rett, hitches her way across the country in search of her grandma, hoping to make a connection with her. As the story unfolds, both women, each grieving in her own way for the losses she has experienced, forge a bond, realizing the possibility of reestablishing their lost family ties.

Looking for more "vacation destination" titles to read? Check out the new adult fiction from the Jasper County Public Library listed here!

Sharing a nursery business and twelve years of marriage, Charlie and Laura Rider are settled and happy in their daily lives. Crossing their paths is Jenna Faroli, the host of the most popular radio show in town. Forming a bond with Jenna via email correspondence, Charlie allows Laura to hone her writing skills, crafting colorful stories through the emails sent to Jenna, transforming each woman's views of themselves, and blurring Charlie's feelings enough to complicate things in "Laura Rider's Masterpiece" by Jane Hamilton.

Vampires are more popular to the fiction genre than ever, their immortal lives spilling over tenaciously into the mainstream, and the Dark-Hunter Novels by Sherrilyn Kenyon are no exception. Tormented and inventive hero, Kyrian of Thrace, journeys through the night, happily stalking his prey, until he becomes the victim, finding himself handcuffed to Amanda, a smart, sexy woman who, unlike other women, wants nothing to do with the attraction he finds himself feeling toward her. "Night Pleasures" by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the fourth book in the Dark-Hunter Series, a story that rattles the toughest of the vampire breed, Kyrian of Thrace, an immortal hero who finds himself more than just a little disturbed by a human who may turn out to be his worst nightmare.

Haunted by years of past trouble, rebellion and bad behavior, Chris Flynn finally gets it right, and settles into the routine of a daily job at his father's company. Things are looking up for Chris, with stability and his mistakes firmly in the past, he forms what he hopes to be a lasting bond with a woman he respects and admires. When the temptation of his past behavior comes knocking, threatening his new-found peace and the hope of redemption, Chris must look to his father and most trusted friends to pull him back from the brink of is own destruction in "The Way Home" by George Pelecanos.

The way home from Little Valley Road took me in the reverse, passing Little Shiloh Road, Shiloh Church Road, Old Shiloh Road, and finally, just plain Shiloh Road. When we passed Stinky Creek Road, I knew we were headed in the right direction. Now that we're home, and I'm through reading "Love Mercy," all roads lead to JCPL, where the next great story is set to "transport" me to a brand new destination!

Even Dinosaurs Like to Read!

2009-10-14T10:35:00.002-05:00

Art Linkletter used to host a program called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things." That was back, oh say, in the day of the dinosaur. That must be why I remember it; because I AM a dinosaur. That is the uncontested observation of my three year old granddaughter, who, I am sure, tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. With her, it came out the blue, but earlier in the week, I had an appointment with a dermatologist, who, probably unwittingly, basically told me the very same thing. I had a spot on my back that had begun to plague me with worry. Too many news stories about greenhouse gasses and holes in the ozone persuaded me to have it checked out, not to mention the episodes of Grey's Anatomy that led poor Izzy to be the cliffhanger at the end of the season last spring. As I sat in the examining room, a very young, very pretty, blond woman came in, took one look at the spot in question and called it a medical term that, she explained in English, meant, "old age spot." Relieved, but sort of reeling from what I now perceived as "old age syndrome," I was in such a tizzy I almost left without the library book I had brought with me for company. It's a new title, "Castaways," by Elin Hilderbrand, and its cast of characters kept me occupied during my life or death verdict. Here are more, great new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library that may make or break your next moment of truth!

Shock is an understatement for the way that Isabel Raines feels when her perfect world is shattered by one truth after another in the wake of her husband's untimely disappearance. "Die for You" by Lisa Unger finds Isabel bound by one lie after another as the web of deceit left behind by her husband leads her and the police on a chase for the stranger who was able to dupe her and everyone around him for five years.

Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for Pat Conroy's newest novel, "South of Broad." Narrated by Leopold Bloom King, this saga spans two decades, from the turbulent 1960's to the AIDS crisis of the '80's, revealing the struggles encountered by Leo's family after his older brother commits suicide, and the friendships that strengthen Leo through his college years and into his adulthood.

With their once affluent family on the verge of bankruptcy, May and Pearl, two sophisticated sisters from Shanghai, travel to LA in the hopes of marrying "Gold Mountain Men." But the harsh reality that is their new life greets them when they arrive at Angel's Island only to discover that a clash of cultures awaits them in "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See.

Hairdressers know that their touch is not only healing to a person's hair, but sometimes, to their very soul, and that on any given day, they may be the only person to physically touch that other person. "The Crowning Glory of Call Lily Ponder" by Rebecca Wells reveals the compassion and healing power that comes from the art of "fixing hair," and features Calla Lily, a main character whose own soul is touched by the power that soothes others. This stand-alone novel, brought to you by the author of "The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood," is a tale of family, friendship, loss, and the sweetness of new love.

There's a lot of hype out there about "real age." You can spend time taking a test to find out your "real age," or you can just ask a three year old, who will give you the unvarnished version of the truth; you are a dinosaur. But, there is one thing that even my three year old granddaughter does not know, and that is that her grandma is a special breed of dinosaur; a decorated dinoaur; a dinosaur with spots.

Settle in With a Good Book From JCPL This Fall!

2009-10-01T16:43:00.002-05:00

The world of medicine is a wonderful thing, especially at this time of the year, when germs breed at the speed of light. Picking up some cold medicine the other day, I brought it home, and after several attempts to open the bottle, felt as if I should be arrested for breaking and entering. Peeling away one shrink wrapped safety label after another was a feat in itself, and when I finally reached the actual bottle of medicine and had it in my grasp, I encountered the dreaded "child proof" cap, which, in all actuality, should be renamed "people proof." The instructions read, "push down while turning." Pushing with all my might, and trying to turn at the same time, I thought I must be doing something wrong, because the cap stayed stubbornly still. There were even arrows, pointing me in the right direction. "Righty tighty, lefty loosey," I coached myself. Just when I thought I'd have to resort to an extreme bottle makeover to reach the medicine inside, the cap popped loose, and lo and behold, relief was on the way.

With the right medicine and a good book to read, recovering from a cold or whatever ails you is just the right prescription. Here, you'll find a "fiction prescription" from JCPL that's just what the doctor ordered!

Molly Marx leads an enviable, but complicated life. With a husband who has a tendency toward a roving eye, a twin sister that is more competitor than comrade, a controlling mother in law, and a cast of other well-meaning friends and relatives, Molly cherishes most facets of her life, that is, until it ends abruptly, leaving all who knew her to untangle the mystery behind her sudden demise while she looks on from a place called, "The Duration" in "The Late, Lamented Molly Marx" by Sally Koslow.

Three sisters, each with their own unique qualities, find themselves at the center of jealousy, betrayal and tested loyalties in "True Colors" by Kristin Hannah. In this fast paced, compelling novel, you'll meet the Grey sisters, Winona, an overweight bookworm seeking the approval of her stern father, Aurora, the middle child and peacemaker in the family, and Vivi Ann, the youngest of the three for whom everything seems to come easily. When a shocking crime rocks the small town in which they live, nearly shattering the Grey family, secrets are revealed, putting each sister to the test, pitting one against the other in ways they never would have imagined.

In 1950's Enniscorthy, Ireland, jobs were desperately scarce. When a job offer from America was presented to Ellis Lacey, she left her family and country to head for the unfamiliar territory of Brooklyn, New York. Feeling isolated and terribly alone, Ellis slowly begins to adjust to her new life, forming bonds and establishing a routine when she must make a return trip to Enniscorthy for a family emergency, leaving behind her new love and going toward the possibilities that await her across the ocean in "Brooklyn" by Com Toibin.

Iranian scientist, Dr. Ali, is an informant for the CIA, relaying to them the latest secrets of the Iranian nuclear program. Intercepting the encrypted codes is Harry Pappas, who must decide if the codes are authentic. When Dr. Ali gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse with someone hot on his trail, Pappas enlists the help of a British spy team called the Increments, a team whose operatives are licensed to kill. "The Increments" by David Ignatius is a thriller with a hard edge, highlighting betrayal and espionage with boundless energy.

Boundless energy...that's hard to come by when you have a cold, and when you have to try to open a bottle that's sealed up tighter than Fort Knox just to get relief, you might as well settle in, grab your Kleenex, make a nest, and find relief in a good book from your friends at JCPL!

"Find Yourself" With a Good Book From JCPL!

2009-09-09T09:48:00.003-05:00

I have never painted anything in my life, with the exception of walls and paint by number sets. Picking up a paintbrush and using my imagination to create something out of nothing are not in my MO. That's why when I brought home a ceramic piece, crafted by my mother in law years before she passed on, I really didn't intend to paint it myself. But, being the do-it-yourselfer that I am, I decided to give it my best shot. Dragging out the paints and brushes, my kitchen table became a study in art as I began to get creative early one afternoon. By 11:00 pm that night, I was bleary eyed and getting clumsy, but decided to do just one more thing before packing it in for the night. That was a bad idea; just ask my cat. Timing is everthing, and as I spilled the brown paint I had just opened back up, my 25 pound orange cat got caught in the crossfire, and in just seconds, his striped, orange coat became a brown blob. Running for cover with me close behind, the hissing and biting ensued as I did the best I could to relieve his hair from permanently splotchy, blotchy brown, back to his original color. My day of self-discovery ended in a mass of brown towels and one really mad cat, which brought me to realize that I should have followed my first instict; do not try to be creative when I already know I don't have a creative bone in my body. I should have stuck to my real bedtime ritual, and that is to open a good book until sleep takes over.

That's my story, and here are some new fiction titles from JCPL, just waiting to be part of your daily ritual!

Grief and denial turns to shock for the friends and family of Greg and Tess MacAvoy when their anniversary sail turns tragic and the pair is found dead. Along with 3 other couples, Greg and Tess were part of a group lovingly called, "The Castaways." "The Castaways" by Elin Hilderbrand is a masterfully woven tale, intense in character driven plot, bringing to life the loyalty, devotion, and love of closely knit friends who also have skeletons in their closets and secrets to be revealed.

The silence of autopsy patients speaks volumes to forensic psychiatrist, Jo Beckett, as she unravels the mysteries behind cadavers while performing psychological autopsies, determining the cause of death for each subject. When Jo is asked to perform a psychological autopsy on a living person who has lost his memory, she has to read between the lines, stringing clues together only to discover that her patient's amnesia must be reversed before disaster strikes San Francisco in "The Memory Collector," Book 2 of the Jo Beckett Series by Meg Gardiner.

As Jericho Ainsley lay dying, the former head of the CIA and Wall Street tycoon summons former lover, Beck DeForde to his bedside. "Jericho's Fall" by Stephen L. Carter features Beck DeForde as an unforgettable heroine, plunging her into the intricately woven plot and battle of wits between foreign governments and powerful corporations with an edge of the seat suspense that delves into the morality of our government offices and the possible meltdown of America's financial system.

Searching for peace from a too-eventful career as a detective, Cam Richter buys a seven hundred acre plantation in North Carolina, but the pretty plantation has its price, and the cost may be Cam's life as the history of the house comes back to haunt him in "Nightwalkers" by Peter T. Deutermann.

Clearly, creativity also has its price. Cost of paints to cover a ceramic piece; $10, cost for brushes; $5, an 11 pm voyage through the house in hot pursuit of an orange cat who is about to color my world and everything in it brown; priceless.

The Personal Touch Not a Lost Art at JCPL

2009-08-25T19:52:00.003-05:00

Running to answer the telephone, tripping over toys, cats, and dogs along the way, I hurriedly pressed the "talk" button before the answering machine kicked in, only to hear, on the other line, an automated voice ask me if I could please hang on for the next available representative. Not only did I get roped into answering a telemarketer's call, but I was placed on HOLD for someone who had called ME! Everyone who tries to make a simple telephone call these days knows the drill; the automated recording that gives the inevitable message, "Please listen carefully, as our menu has changed." Several minutes later, if you're like me, you're so confused about which number choice pertains to your particular situation and how to go about finding someone who can answer your question that you have to dial again, just to hear the menu a second time to figure out what you have to do to get results. Is it just me, or is customer service a thing of the past?

"Your Call is (Not That) Important to Us: Customer Service and What it Reveals About Our World and Our Lives" by Emily Yellin is an eye-opening account of the role that customer service plays in today's companies, chronicling the author's meetings with sales reps from around the country, the corporate decision makers, and the distress of customers as they relate their infuriating experiences with her during her travels. This is just one of the new nonfiction titles on the shelves of the Jasper County Public Library. Read on for more great titles!

There are design flaws in everything if you look hard enough, and that goes for the human race as well. With our busy days and multi-tasking ways, mistakes are part and parcel of everyday life. "Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average" by Joseph T. Hallinan is the complete synopsis of the author's quest to understand the imperfections that we all have, and the science of human error that allows us to err in judgment, thereby making mistakes. Real life stories make this a valuable resource of the way our minds work, and the reasons behind the mistakes that make us vow to "do better next time."

Is there life beyond our five senses? "Unbelievable: Investigations Into Ghosts, Poltergeists, Telepathy, and Other Unseen Phenomena" by Stacy Horn delves into the paranormal, as a group of scientists from Duke University investigate bizarre occurences, such as reports of clairvoyance, ghosts, poltergeists, and other strange happenings, bridging the gap between science and the mysteries of the paranormal.

The solar system of the 21st Century is explored in "Where Did Pluto Go?" by Paul Sutherland. This guide to the solar system will take you on a journey through the planets, detailing every aspect of the universe and giving full descriptions of the "bright planets," Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, as well as offering information about asteroids, meteors, shooting stars, and more with this easy to understand guide.

"Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide" by Caroline Adams Miller offers science based advice for setting goals, making lists, and sticking to them. Complete with exercises and quizzes that help to identify your own individual needs, this book will open your eyes to a self-discovery that you never knew existed, inspiring you to set the goals that you must to live a more productive and happy life.

Is customer service a thing of the past? British writer and journalist, Nelson Boswell states, "Here is a simple rule: Always give to people more than what they expect to get." The personal touch; a human voice on the other end of the phone line; no menu choices; just GREAT choices when it comes to books, magazines, and audio-visual materials; that's what you'll find when you call or visit any branch of JCPL, because your call IS important to us!

Live the Life of Riley; Check Out a New Book From JCPL!

2009-08-03T17:53:00.003-05:00

Where in the world do we, as Americans, come up with some of the phrases that we do? Maybe you don't "know beans" about this question, and need to "pull strings" and "go gaga" to find the answer. Or maybe you're too "bushed" to care or would rather "beat around the bush" before you "nip it in the bud." If someone else "beats you to the punch" in discovering the answer, would it "rub you the wrong way?" Boy, that would sure feel like a "double cross," but it would sure be a "red letter day" if you "spilled the beans" yourself, then you could "read the riot act" to your opponent, "lock, stock and barrel."

After all of your hard work, you can kick back, relax, and "live the life of Riley" by checking out a book from the Jasper County Public Library. These new fiction titles are sure to put you "on cloud nine."

Bound together by a kinship that only twins can understand, Marion and Shiva Stone are orphans who grow up sharing common interests, from their fascination with medicine to their love for the same woman. Fresh out of medical school, Marion decides that his passion for the same woman that his brother loves has put a wedge between him and his twin, and flees his homeland. Finding solace in a New York City hospital internship, Marion's past catches up with him, nearly destroying his life, leaving him no choice but to place his trust in the brother who betrayed him in "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese.

Instilling the love of music in others is a passion for Barbara Hall. Playing the violin herself, Barbara knows that her own musical skills will never amount to anything but mediocre, but when she begins teaching Hallie, she recognizes the girl's talent for music as the real thing. Barbara's drive for Hallie to be the best backfires on her, however, and she makes a terrible mistake, leaving the teacher to reevaluate her past, present, and future in "The Music Teacher" by Barbara Hall.

Not every fairy tale ends happily ever after, and that becomes evident to Julie Hanrahan after her whirlwind courtship and subsequent marriage to Dr. Thomas Larkin when she uncovers unthinkable truths about her new husband in "Die Before I Wake" by Laurie Breton.

Dreaming of a life outside of her father's apothecary where she prepares herbs and remedies, Lilly is haunted by memories of her mother who mysteriously disappeared years before. A trip to London offers Lilly new pleasures and an introduction to the world of fashionable society, as well as the truth about what really happened to her mother in "The Apothecary's Daughter" by Julie Klassen.

Arriving in Summerville, Ohio with her Newfoundland, Bowser, Abby goes to work in her newly owned coffee shop, courtesy of her deceased grandmother. Trouble finds Abby, however, in the shape of an exasperating college professor. Enter Daisy, a web code writer with a hyperactive Jack Russell as a sidekick, and Shar, an ancient history professor with a neurotic dachshund named Wolfie, and the three women pair up to dig in and find out what on earth is happening in the small Southern Ohio town before an ancient goddess stages an apocalyptic takeover in "Dogs and Goddesses" by Jennifer Crusie.

That brings us to the "dog days of summer," which call for something "of a different climate" to read, and in order to "get on the stick" and "find your niche" as the summer comes to an end, just stop in any branch of JCPL, where the new fiction on the shelves will make you want to "check us out!"

"Do-able" Fiction Titles From JCPL

2009-07-15T16:55:00.003-05:00

Unless you've been living on another planet entirely, you know that the past month has been a bad one for celebrities. Leaving behind the legacies of their talents and their star quality, all of these celebrities have, at one time or another in our lives, left an imprint. Michael Jackson gave us a different spin on music and dancing, moonwalking his was to stardom, Karl Malden, also a native of Indiana, was cast in many dramatic roles throughout his career, and Farrah Fawcett, as we all know, left us the legacy of great hair. Thinking of that, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and have a look at my high school yearbook. I was a child of the '70's...and as I paged through my past, it came to me that many of us who take this trip back in time must be asking ourselves, "What was I thinking?!" That was the day of the "unisex" hairstyle; the pre-Farrah style that had NO style, parted straight down the center and hanging limply around the curves of our faces, actually leaving very little face to see the light of day. You had to look closely at the photographs and read the names of the kids pictured, just to make out who was male and who was female, because the boys sported the same do's as the girls; do's that would, these days, be considered, "don'ts."

Thankfully, time marches on, and with that, we have found simpler, more fashionable ways of doing things. The Jasper County Public Library has kept up with the times, and here are a few fiction titles that you'll find "do-able."

In the aftermath of discovering that her husband had become a casualty of the Iraq War, Abby Fitzgerald is confronted with truths about her husband and the complex life that he led, leaving her shell-shocked in "One September Morning" by Rosalind Noonan.

Sixteen years old and diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, Will Heller boards an uptown B train in New York City. Convinced that the world is being changed by the climbing temperatures brought on by Greenhouse Gasses, Will believes that he can reverse the heating up of the planet by cooling down his own body. "Lowboy" by John Wray takes the reader on a journey through the tunnels of the city as Will searches for Emily Wallace in his own psychotically haunted attempt to save the planet.

Set in the coastal area of New England, "The Geometry of Sisters" by Luanne Rice introduces the reader to Maggie Shaw, a woman torn by the tragic disappearance of her husband and oldest daughter. Taking a teaching position at Newport Academy, Maggie, along with her fourteen year old daughter, Beck, struggle to adjust to their new lives, but the age old rift between her own sister and herself haunts Maggie, and similarly, Beck can't forget her own sister, Carrie.

The old Victorian house that Ivy and her husband, David, purchased is full of unwanted items that need to be cleaned out. When they decide to hold a yard sale for their unwanted items, a woman who turns out to be a classmate of David's appears, wanting to see the inside of their home. "Never Tell a Lie" by Hallie Ephron, Ph.D is a thriller that you won't be able to put down, full of secrets, betrayals, and lies that spin a fantastic web of deceit, making everyone who reads it ask the compelling question, "How well do you really know someone?"

The year is 1944, and Johnny Wrigley is a newly minted marine headed for overseas. Baseball is his true passion, and the dream of one day playing in the major leagues is what he holds onto while away. "Oh Johnny" by Jim Lehrer is a coming of age story about a talented athlete who never gives up on his dreams.

Everyone, at one time or another, has to ask themselves, "What was I thinking?" It's just a right of passage as we go through life. Checking out reading material that suits you does not have to fall into the "What was I thinking" category, however, and that is because the Jasper County Public Library offers such great choices that you can never go wrong!

Make a New Book From JCPL Your All Time Favorite!

2009-07-02T19:02:00.002-05:00

My favorite book of all time is " The Thorn Birds" by Colleen McCullough. This family saga, set in the Australian Outback, spans three generations of the Cleary family, their trials, tribulations, tragedies, loves and losses. The main focus of the story is the forbidden romance between Meggie Cleary and the family's parish priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart. When Meggie marries Luke' O'Neill out of desperation to get her mind off of Father Ralph, you suspect that things are going to go downhill for her in a hurry, but as an innocent bystander, and not the one who penned the story, you are powerless to stop the unfolding events.

"The Thorn Birds" is a classic story, and one that will live on as a favorite for many who pick it up. Read on for a list of new adult fiction that may become a favorite to you sometime in your near future.

"All the Colors of Darkness" by Peter Robinson features Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Annie Cabbott as they investigate a double murder, unveiling nightmarish motives and one enormous surprise after another, unhinging the reader with shocking details and plot twists and turns that make for page-turning suspense.

With the planet on the verge of eco-disaster, a series of strange events begin to unfold when a mysterious sign appears everywhere that natural disasters, terrorist activities, or sites of conflict are occurring. Is this a sign of resolution in the world, or could it be a portent of catastrophic events to come? Only one man understands the mysterious meaning behind the symbol in the sky. Will he be able to save mankind with his knowledge, or could it all be a hoax? Find out in "The Sign" by Raymond Khoury.

The "Spellman Series" continues with side-splitting antics and hilarious character develpment in "Revenge of the Spellmans" by Lisa Lutz. In this latest installment, Private Investigator, Izzy Spellman, is on court-ordered therapy after getting too close to the previous subject of her investigation. Not quite mentally on board yet for another case, Izzy decides that tailing the wife of a suspicious husband should require no real mental muscle and takes on the case. The simple case becomes more and more complicated and vexing wtih each day of boring surveillance, and more questions than answers begin to pop up, bringing Izzy to the conclusion that her mental health must be taking a turn for the worse. Add to that her confused feelings for Detective Harry Stone, and the result is Spellmania at its best.

Committed to ridding the world of its depraved human members, Arlan is enlisted by another member of the Kahill clan's kill team to assist in uncovering the mastermind of the Buried Alive Killer case. Agreeing to meet with the key informant, Macy Smith, Arlan is taken by surprise when he becomes enamored with the blonde, petite, and beautiful lady who holds a deeper connection to the Buried Alive Killer than anyone could have imagined in "Undying" by V.K. Forrest.

Some stories are just more memorable than others. What is your favorite book of all time? If you don't have an answer, it's definitely time to visit your local branch of JCPL, where the most memorable title for you is just waiting to be checked out!

Make these Great, New Fiction Tltles Part of Your Summer "To Do" List

2009-06-12T15:23:00.002-05:00

Anyone who is old enough to remember the Ray Rayner Show is old enough to remember that one of the trademarks of that children's show was Ray Rayner's jumpsuit, filled with papers that were his own personal "to do" lists. You knew the show was over when all of the papers on Ray Rayner's coveralls were gone. Are you a list maker, or do you throw caution to the wind?

Here, you'll find a list; but this list is one you won't want to ignore, because in it, you'll find the key to summer relaxation...a new fiction title from the Jasper County Public Library. Here are just a few of the new books you'll find among "lists" of many others!

There are always three sides to every story. In "Above the Law" by Tim Green, nothing is as it appears when an illegal Mexican immigrant is shot to death on a ranch outside Dallas, Texas. The shooter is a well respected young Senator who tearfully and convincingly claims that the shooting was a tragic hunting accident. When the victim's sister-in-law comes forward telling a different tale, Casey Jordan, an attorney from the local legal aid clinic, takes on the case, determined to uncover the truth. But, the real truth is that the popular Senator is a wily and vindictive opponent, and will stop at nothing to save himself.

When you win the lottery on the very worst day of your life, it's time to go into hiding. That's exactly what Lucy Parker does in "Good Luck" by Whitney Gaskell. With a cheating boyfriend, a failed career, and now a media circus at her heels, all that Lucy Parker wants to do is become invisible. Escaping to Palm Beach to stay with an old college friend, Lucy does her best to put her notoriety behind her, but no matter how discreet she tries to be, her past catches up to her, and just when she's ready to give up and cash it all in, fate intervenes, giving Lucy a glimpse of what she's really worth.

Seeing things from the perspective of a four legged canine is what "Nose Down, Eyes Up" by Merrill Markoe is all about. Narrated by one of four dogs owned by Gil, this hilarious romp of a book is the story of "Jimmy" the dog, and how he shares his knowledge of people with all the other dogs in the neighborhood. Gil, Jimmy's owner, finds his pet's lectures to be ingenious, and comes up with the idea to take Jimmy's show on the road and merchandise his advice on the Internet. This, combined with Jimmy's realization that he is adopted and that Gil is not even the same species as him, brings the canine-human existence under scrutiny, while at the same time, leaves no doubt of the bonds that are forged as humans and "man's best friend" co-exist.

Thanksgiving dinner is ready and Eve feels abundantly blessed as she shares the perfect holiday feast with her family. When a phone call interrupts their peaceful meal, Eve's husband, Jonathan, retreats to their bedroom to take the call. Irritated by his lack of hospitality, Eve walks in on what looks like a very intimate conversation with her husband and a woman that she later learns is named Laney. Jon swears that there's nothing physical between he and Laney, but can a man and a woman be "just friends?" Find out in "Love and Other Natural Disasters" by Holly Shumas.

If you have a paper trail following you everywhere you go, you're in good company. As long as that paper trail is inevitable, you may as well add one more stop to your list, and that is a trip to JCPL, where you'll be glad with all of the new fiction on the shelves that the list goes on and on!

From Dog-Rearing to Miracles, JCPL Has Everything You Need in New Nonfiction!

2009-05-27T19:46:00.003-05:00

President Obama has made good on one campaign promise so far. He has fulfilled the dream of his little girls by purchasing a pet. A Portuguese Water Dog named Bo is the lucky Whitehouse canine. The President has nothing on my family, however, as we also have a dog named Bo. Our Bo is far from the furry, non-allergenic White House pooch, though. Our Bo has more hair than any living creature needs, and has more stamina than the description of the Portuguese Water Dog breed, which is "lively and needs lots of exercise." Our version of Bo could be described as "lively" if you consider acting as a wrecking ball to everything within his reach "lively," knocking things over with a tail that doesn't know it's own strength, and digging his way to China in every soft spot he can find outdoors.

I could have used Ali Canova's "Agility Training for You and Your Dog: From Backyard Fun to High Performance Training" when Bo came along. This new nonfiction title at the Jasper County Public Library offers a step by step approach for agility training methods that will improve and maintain your pooch's fitness, as well as behavior, providing fun for you and your pet. It also comes complete with diagrams, course illustrations, and color photographs. Read on for more great, new nonfiction titles!

In "In Lincoln's Hand: His Original Manuscripts," leading Lincoln scholars, Harold Holzer and Joshua Shenk feature President Lincoln from a fresh and intimate perspective by offering an unprecedented look at the late President's handwritten letters, speeches, and childhood notebooks, bringing a new perspective to our thoughts on a man who so profoundly affected American history.

Get an inside look at Madonna in "Madonna Confessions" by Guy Oseary. This 224 page book, written by Madonna's manager, showcases one of the most famous women in the world with color photographs of Madonna's live performances and the highlights of her career, as well as including previously undisclosed information about the queen of Pop.

Recognizing the gifts of everyday life doesn't always come easily when you find yourself or a loved one battling an incurable or debilitating illness. With heartwarming humor, wit and the wisdom of a man who has gone the distance to be a beacon of light to others, Michael J. Fox shares his personal philosophy on beating the odds and staving off depression in "Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist."

Is your mind open to the possibility that miracles exist in this day and age? Do you sometimes need the inspiration that can only come from the feeling that there is a higher power, or the possibility of divine intervention? "God Stories: Inspiring Encounters With the Divine" by Jennifer Skiff is a collection of stories of the extraordinary experiences of people who have felt the power of God's presence in their lives. This book will make you look back at some of your own experiences and wonder; have you been touched by a miracle?

The Jasper County Public Library's mission statement promises to "inform, enrich, and empower our diverse community." Stop in your local branch of JCPL, check out a new nonfiction title or two and you'll find that it's true; a promise is a promise.

Avoid Brain Strain With These New Fiction Titles From JCPL!

2009-04-28T14:12:00.003-05:00

Recently, while working with my 5 year old grandson by holding up flash cards with common, everyday words assigned by the teacher, I discovered something. The English language is not very consistent. Surprised? Really, if you don't just "know" some of the words, phonetics won't get you too far. Take the word "was." Not recognizing it on sight, I tried to help. "Sound it out. What sound comes first?" We got through the "w," but then came the "a," which, in theory, should be the short "a" sound, as in cat. Not so. And if it's confusing to us, imagine the dilemma that comes up for other countries trying to communicate in English.

Some examples of sentences gone wrong include this one outside of a Hong Kong tailor shop as they invite, "Ladies may have a fit upstairs." In Japan, a detour sign read, "Stop: Drive sideways." The awkward English is not limited to other countries, however. In the U.S., a general store window advertises, "Why go elsewhere and be cheated when you can come right here?" This Tennessee highway sign warns drivers, "Take notice. When this sign is under water, this road is impassable." Huh?

Don't let these convoluted sentences strain your brain! Read on for some new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library that will cure that "brain strain."

As a crowd gathers outside of the Panama Hotel, boarded up for decades and under new ownership, the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internmnet camps during World War II surface, and among these items is a Japanese parasol. Henry Lee watches as someone opens the parasol, and this small act takes him back to his school days, snubbed by his American classmates, but befriended by Keiko, a young Japanese-American girl with whom Henry forms a fast bond of friendship. "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford is a story of hope, love, and the extraordinary committment of an unforgettable duo who have learned to forge ahead because they possess the power of forgiveness.

Milena Shabnov flees the home she loves to come to America, finding that the mining town she is living in is barbaric and the working conditions inhumane. Greed, brutal treatment of women, and a company with little regard for the safety and wellbeing of its workers is a way of life, but Jack Buchanan, a worker at the mine, knows no other life. When miners begin to disappear, Milena, gifted with "the sight," feels the despair and restless spirits all around her, trusting no one, especially Jack Buchanan, a man haunted by his own past in "Jasper Mountain" by Kathy Steffen.

The magic of food comes alive for eight students who gather weekly in Lillian's restaurant to learn a new recipe, but as the group begins to connect on a different level, their secrets are revealed. One by one, each student is transformed by what they learn in the class, not only of what they create in the kitchen, but the companionship that they find in one another in "The School of Essential Ingredients" by Erica Bauermeister.

It is 1962 Mississippi and twenty two year old Skeeter has just graduated from Ole Miss. When she meets up with Aibileen, a black maid, and her best friend, short and stocky Minny, the three women form a bond as a clandestine project brings them together in "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, a story full of hope, humor, and the bonds of mothers, daughters, caregivers, and women everywhere who want to make a difference.

More thoughts to ponder: If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what other language can you recite at a play, but play at a recital; and who can figure out how noses can run, but feet can smell?
For more "awkward English," check out "The Play of Words: Fun and Games for Language Lovers" and "The Revenge of Anguished English: More Accidental Assaults on Our Language," by by Richard Lederer, both available at JCPL. Still confused? Me too; coz it's all Greek to me!

Attention all Avid Readers!

2009-04-06T10:27:00.002-05:00

Truly avid readers will almost always have something nearby that they can browse through. Whether it's a newspaper, a current book or magazine, or even the back of a cereal box at the breakfast table doesn't matter; everything is fair game to an avid reader. One morning, for lack of anything better to look at while I ate my morning doughnut, I picked up a Menard's ad that came with the Sunday paper. While browsing its pages, I noticed that at the bottom of each page, there is, in small print, a short sentence that I guess would constitute "words of wisdom." For example, at the bottom of page 7 you'll find, "Laws are not invented; they grow out of circumstances." Another, on page 6 says, "Silence is not always tact and it is tact that is golden, not silence." (whoever coined this one does NOT have children or grandchildren!) I just wonder how many folks look at that paper on a regular basis and never realize that the pages include anything more than advertisements for windows, doors, tools or other household necessities.

While reading tidbits of wisdom from the Menard's ad was a fun way to learn something new, checking out some new nonfiction from the Jasper County Public Library may be just the step up that you need to learn something more! Check out these new titles.

If you're lucky enough to be making money at all these days, you're doing well; and being able to not only make money, but to also find creative ways to invest, save, and eliminate debt are awesome in today's financial world. "The Smart Cookies' Guide to Making More Dough" by Smart Cookies features five young women who formed a money club and developed strategies for turning their own sinking finances around. This recipe for success is a how-to guide for everyone who is looking for a fun and simple way to effectively manage their money.

Federal Agent, Jay Dobyns, chronicles the amazing feat of infiltrating Hells' Angels in "No Angel," the incredible, but true account of his harrowing journey into the world of society's most notorious group of bikers, as he leads a double life in his quest to become "fully patched" into the ranks of the Angels. This highly charged, adreneline rush of a true crime book will have you "white knuckling" your chair, as you see the author lose himself in this group of rebels, coming a hairsbreadth away from sacrificing his wife, children and very life when he realizes that the success of infiltrating this band of bikers has come with a hefty price.

World renowned psychic, Sylvia Browne, lays to rest the question of where our beloved pets end up after they leave us. Bereft pet owners will be comforted by "All Pets Go to Heaven" as Sylvia Browne describes the uniqueness of animals, their quirks, habits and emotions, providing heartwarming tales of the never ending loyalty and heroic deeds that show us how pets are true companions on both sides of life.

If you're shopping for tools, household gadgets, siding or other necessities, or even looking for "words to live by" to get you through the day, don't hesitate to refer to a Menard's ad. But if you want to really kick back, relax and forget about the yard or house for even a short time, stop in any branch of JCPL and "step up" your game with a new non-fiction title that will keep you riveted from beginning to end!

New Fiction to Ring in Spring at JCPL

2009-03-19T19:36:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite magazines is Reader's Digest. Within the folds of its pages, you can laugh, learn and every once in awhile, enjoy "sniglets." These imaginary words are fun, and are always good to bring about that "aha!" moment; the moment that strikes a chord and you identify with the meaning behind the word. For example, this winter introduced the folks of northwest Indiana to the "chorecast." A "chorecast" is just a forecast with a twist; one that lets you know that along with whatever Mother Nature is sending our way, there will be shoveling involved. If you were lucky enough to get out of the house this winter, you may have encountered an "acceligator," someone who, while yakking on a cell phone, is also tailgating you. Reaching your destination, you'll want to be on the lookout for a "pickparker," someone who brazenly steals the parking space that you are about to pull into.

If you've had enough of the chorecast, been followed by one too many acceligators, or have been aggravated by a pickparker, stop in your local branch of JCPL and check out a new fiction title that will take your mind off your troubles.

After the state shuts him down for practicing detection without a license, Teddy gives up the idea of investigating altogether. But when a man that Teddy had just befriended the day before turns up dead in front of his office, Teddy suspects foul play and his investigative skills kick into high gear. Add to that two unexpected visitors from the pound, and "The Highly Effective Detective Goes to the Dogs" by Richard Yancey becomes a humorous romp of twists, and turns into the hot pusuit of a comically colorful murder investigation.

Entrepreneur and billionaire, James Sands, is riding high on the tide of success in the world of business, but is losing ground in his personal life and marriage to wife, Anne. Delving even deeper into a business deal that will give him control over all of the public water in the Pacific Northwest, Sands finds his empire crumbling when he discovers that his business partner has been murdered in "The Army of the Republic" by Stuart Archer Cohen, a novel of political intrigue.

Taking on the problems of the world, Claire Danner Crispin readily agrees to co-chair the Nantucket Children Summer Gala, and realizes only too late that she has been duped into hosting the event because of her connections to rock star, Max West. One catastrophe leads to another, and Claire comes to the conclusion that it's time to establish some boundaries in her life in "A Summer Affair" by Elin Hilderbrand.

Time to "op-up" (push your glasses back up on the bridge of your nose), and find your "nagivator" (spouse or partner who enjoys being a backseat driver) and come to the Jasper County Library, where you can stock up on good books right before the budding bushes, flowers and trees bring on a fit of one sneeze after another, better known in the world of sniglets as a "sneezure."

New Fiction Titles Offer an Adventure in Choice Reading Material!

2009-03-01T08:15:00.003-06:00

A recent episode of the Bonnie Hunt Show featured George Lopez as a guest. As Bonnie interviewed George about his family life, the topic turned to kids, and the many conveniences and choices that are available to them today. As the conversation continued, it led to how things were when WE were kids. Our choices were limited to fried bologna to eat and Kool Aid to drink, with only two flavors to choose from, and they were both red.

Things have changed, I'll admit. A trip to the grocery store can be a visit to the state of confusion because of all the choices. Even choosing toothpaste feels like a test. Whiter teeth and fresher breath can be mine if I only choose the right one. Therein lies the confusion; do I want the added bonus of tartar control, extra whitening, fluoride, or do I have sensitive teeth that require extra ingredients? Soup is a study in confusion for me as well. They all boast the word "healthy." I bought a can of potato soup called, "Healthy Potato Soup." I bought it because I didn't want the unhealthy version of potato soup.

Take a break from the mind boggling parade of choices by visiting your local branch of JCPL, where the new adult fiction titles on the shelves can make your book shopping experience an adventure in choices that you'll actually enjoy!

In "Just Breathe" by Susan Wiggs, Sarah Moon works out the issues of her own life through the characters that she has created in her cartoon comic strip. While her personal life and marriage are falling apart, Sarah goes on hiatus to the small town in California where she grew up, reconnecting with her emotionally distant father and coming to terms with the loss of her marriage as she begins her life again, all the while, keeping her alter ego comic strip hero, Shirl, close at hand.

What starts out looking like a tragic drowning accident for Christina Haynes, the daughter of a popular U.S. Senator, ultimately turns into a murder investigation with well respected African American attorney, Rayne Martin, held as the chief suspect. "Undertow" by Sydney Bauer builds lies, deceit, and threats, one on top of another, taking unexpected twists and turns into the mysterious world of politics, creating page-turning suspense until the shocking finale.

Illicit love affairs with the wife and stepdaughter of his boss leave Cason Statler unemployed from his job at a prestigious Houston newspaper. Never a person to consider the possibility of staying politically correct, Cason struggles to find his place in the world. Latching on to a story about a young college student who mysteriously went missing six months before may be just the jump start that Cason's career needs in "Leather Maiden" by Joe R. Lansdale.

In th blink of an eye, the lives of the Churchill family are irrevocably changed when Kara Churchill, a high school student driving home one spring afternoon, goes through a crosswalk, striking and fatally injuring another young student. "The Rest of Her Life" by Laura Moriarty resonates with the deeply drawn lines that connect mothers and daughters, illuminating those relationships with real emotion and depth of feeling.

Eeny, meenie, miny, mo; that was the technically scientific method that we used as children to make choices, and when deluged with too much information, it sometimes still works for me today. But when you shop for a book at JCPL, you won't have to resort to any extreme approach. All you have to do is ask a staff member the magic question: Have you read anything good lately that you can recommend?

JCPL Has Romance Titles You'll Love!

2009-02-14T14:09:00.004-06:00

Love is in the air; and in February, love and romance conjure visions of flowers, candy, and hearts. Love songs abound, and poets run amuck with words to express the sheer elation and devastation of LOVE! Authors do their best to dissect the whole phenomenon of love. A great example is John Gray's "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus," which was not only a great guide to understanding the opposite sex, but also wonderful fodder for many a comedian and talk show host. The late George Carlin summed up his take on the idea with, "Men are from earth; women are from earth. Deal with it!"

At the Jasper County Public Library, we bring love and romance to the table with a variety of authors, plots, and settings designed to appeal to the romantic in you. Check these out!

For contemporary romance at its best, check out a book by Susan Wiggs. Most of her books highlight women's issues, focusing on her protagonist's struggles to attain balance in a world that can be a roller coaster ride. Intelligent and sometimes funny dialogue, along with a leisurely but irresistibly enticing pace, take the reader on a woman's journey into self discovery, with a dynamic subplot of romance that gives her characters a realistic quality that you come to care about as you read. Two of my favorite titles by Wiggs are "Home Before Dark," featuring Jessie Ryder, a woman who has discovered that she is losing her eyesight and wants to reconnect with her daughter before her world goes dark and "Summer at Willow Lake," the first installment of the Lakeshore Chronicles, featuring Olivia Bellamy, as she and her former friend, Connor, reconnect during a project they are both working on at her family's New York resort.

Other authors of contemporary romance include Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, Danielle Steel, and Jennifer Crusie.

If you prefer to be on the edge of your seat as you enjoy your ride with romance, check out books by Sandra Brown, Suzanne Brockmann, Lisa Scottoline, and Iris Johansen. Mastering the romantic suspense genre with expertise, these authors manage to keep their readers turning pages, combining mystery and romance to a thrilling conclusion. "Long After Midnight" by Iris Johansen introduces us to Kate Denby, a young scientist in search of a cure for diseases, specifically zeroing in on a medicine that will keep the human body from rejecting donated organs. But when an explosion rocks Kate's world and kills two people in her life, she realizes that she was the intended target and must save herself and her 9 year old son from certain death.

What is love? Here are Woody Allen's thoughts on the matter: "To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering, one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore, to love is to suffer, not to love is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy then is to suffer. But suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be unhappy one must love, or love to suffer from too much happiness. I hope you're getting this down."

So, I say, why suffer? Celebrate love in the best way possible; by curling up in your favorite easy chair and losing yourself in a great book from JCPL!

Get a Good Book at JCPL ASAP

2009-02-01T18:36:00.002-06:00

We are a short order society. The quicker, the better. And getting in touch with one another is easier and quicker than ever these days as well. Speed dial and texting get you in touch, ASAP. Whether in the AM, the PM, CST, EST, or PST, we can reach each other 24/7. A little TLC in your communication may make you BFF, or even make you LOL.

FYI, however, keep in mind that you need ID for everything these days. If you go to the ATM, you need a PIN on payday, and to that I say, TGIF! Getting home, you'll want to settle in, grab a PBJ or a BLT, pour an OJ and watch TV. Or, maybe you'd rather read? No need for a PI's help in that area. Just go to JCPL, where TEAM is the buzz-word. We'll help you find some great new fiction, PDQ! Check out these new titles!

"The Importance of Being Married" by Gemma Townley is the first in the Wild trilogy. Creatively written, the main character in this series is Jessica Wild, a young woman who befriends Grace, a sweet old lady in a nursing home. With each visit, Jessica's nonexistent love life blossoms into a fabricated, tangled web of deceit, as Jessica leads Grace to believe that she is engaged, and then married, to her glamorous boss, Anthony Milton. When Grace passes away, she leaves her fortune to Jessica; not Jessica Wild, but Jessica Milton. Oh the tangled webs we weave, Jessica! Will Jessica be able to snag her boss and make him her husband? And is it worth the fortune that awaits her?

Abbie Grace Coleman and Doss Michaels come from two very different backgrounds. Despite their different upbringings, they marry and believe that they are one another's true soul mates. When Abbie falls ill, she makes a list of 10 things she wants to accomplish before she dies. With Doss at her side, the pair embark on a journey that takes them down the St. Mary's River in "Where the River Ends" by Charles Martin.

A twenty year absence finds Randall Wilkes back in Pilgrim's Rest, Tennessee, where he accepts a low profile position from once governor, Sonny McMahon. But when Sonny's mother is brutally murdered, Randall must put his past investigative skills to the test and draw on his knowledge of his old stomping grounds in "Damnation Falls" by Edward Wright.

Ebb, Nebraska is a quaint farming town. More than 100 days without rain have the residents of this small town seeking miracles, and they believe the answer to their prayers lies in Vernon Moore, a traveling salesman and occasional miracle worker. But the town millionaire, Clem Tucker, has a proposal for Vernon that defies the town in "The Widows of Eden" by George Shaffner.

If you would like to RSVP to anything in this column, just contact any branch of JCPL, and we'll fill you in with info, YTD. You don't need a UPC to check out books, which all have an ISBN. At JCPL, we strive for good PR, which means that we'll BBL with more titles, which are TBA. TIA, and we'll TTYL.

JCPL's New Nonfiction Keeps You in the Know

2009-01-16T14:03:00.003-06:00

What do you know? This ordinarily casual question was taken to new heights by former Secretary of State, Donald Rumsfeld, with this quote: "There are known knowns. There are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we do not know we don't know."

Are you dazed and confused yet? Don't be! Just read on for the latest and greatest in nonfiction at JCPL, and you'll really be "in the know."

If you had to guess what the number one cause of mortality in women is, what would you say? Possibly breast cancer, or something relating to women, right? Would you believe that the answer is actually heart disease? "Women's Heart: An Owner's Guide" by John A. Elefteriades, M.D. gives lifesaving guidance on the cardiovascular health of women, and how to best monitor heart health.

In "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey" by Jenny McCarthy, the author uses raw honesty and humor to share her experiences as she delves into the world of autism, searching for answers as her son, Evan, is ultimately diagnosed with the disorder.

"Thousand Mile Song" by David Rothenberg brings us in touch with the mystery of whales, and the sonic sound of their undersea world, entertaining the reader with his observations as he studies the natural habitats of these mysterious mammals. Traveling from Russia to Canada to Hawaii, this philosopher and musician uncovers profound intelligence in the ocean's depths.

The loving relationship of Bart and Jenn Corbin turns out be more than meets the eye when Jenn commits suicide, shattering the facade of their happy home. "Too Late to Say Goodbye" by Ann Rule is true crime at its best, relating the events of Jenn's death and the subsequent investigation that uncovered Bart as a phony who lived a double life, ultimately leading him to be charged with Jenn's murder.

What do you know? No doubt, you know what you know with no question, and knowing that, you know that no matter what, no one is in the know more than you. There's only one more thing you need to know, and that's that to know JCPL is to know that nothing is really unknown. Do you know what I mean?

2008-12-23T08:49:00.004-06:00

Authors who know how to string sentences together to hook their readers in the first 50 pages of a book are doing their job. If you are an avid reader, you probably have a rule of thumb about how long you'll read before deciding whether to move on to another book, or keep reading.

Here are a few new titles that you may get "hooked" on right away. Read on!

Do you believe in good luck charms? In Nicholas Sparks' new book, "The Lucky One," you'll meet Logan Thibault, a man whose luck changes in a big way after he discovers a picture of a smiling woman that he never met, but carries it around as a talisman anyway. Typical of Nicholas Sparks, this book takes twists and turns that keep the reader in suspense and turning pages till the very end.

True love and real life are on a collision course in "Love the One You're With" by Emily Giffin. Witty storytelling by this author introduces us to Ellen and Andy, a newlywed couple living an idyllic life until an old boyfriend enters the picture to stir things up. Will this perfect marriage survive the bump in the road experienced by this couple?

Enduring personal tragedy and money troubles makes Nan, a known crazy woman living in Nantucket, even more determined to live her life as she pleases. Facing yet another financial dilemma, Nan decides to rent out rooms in her rambling house, and in the process, meets other folks who are struggling with issues in their own lives in "The Beach House" by Jane Green.

Buried under the Antarctic ice, a pristine body of water is discovered. But when a breakout of Mad Cow Disease erupts in France, Dr. Noah Haldane searches for clues that will lead him to those pristine waters, uncovering the find of a century in "Cold Plague" by Daniel Kalla.

Will you get hooked in the first 50 pages of these books? Come to the Jasper County Public Library and you'll be sure to get "reeled in" by your very own "catch of the day!"

A Word From the Book Lady

2008-12-18T10:43:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Let me introduce myself, and give you an overview what you'll be seeing here.

Each month I'll be sharing some book reviews with you, and hopefully giving you some ideas of what the library has to offer in fiction and non-fiction. Titles that you may enjoy, subjects that will "take you away" for the great escape of reading.

I am looking forward to getting started, and invite everyone to feel free to offer suggestions about your interests.