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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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

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?