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!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Skip the Long Winter's Nap; Read a Good Book!
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!"
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!"
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Give Yourself the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season!
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!
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!
Monday, November 15, 2010
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?
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?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Think Twice...Then Check Out a Good Book From JCPL!
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?
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?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Celebrate the end of Summer With Some New Books From JCPL!
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!
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!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Don't Dump the Dog and Other Great Nonfiction at JCPL
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.
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.
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