"Do-able" Fiction Titles From JCPL

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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

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."