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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Non-Fiction Lovers, Take Heart!

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?

These New Nonfiction Titles are Hot, Hot, Hot

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?

The Personal Touch Not a Lost Art at JCPL

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!

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

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.

Attention all Avid Readers!

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!

JCPL's New Nonfiction Keeps You in the Know

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?