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.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Dog Days of Summer Call for Good Reading Material!
No matter where you go, chances are you'll have to do some waiting. Waiting to be called for your appointment at the doctor or dentist's office; waiting in line at the grocery, drug, or department store; wait, wait, wait. Standing in line just about anywhere I go, I can almost count on the person ahead of me needing a price check, or having a problem of some sort that's going to require LOTS of time to remedy; but my wait pales in comparison to the headline that reads, "Two sisters reunited after 18 years at checkout counter." And I thought MY wait was long! Another headline states the obvious with, "If strike isn't settled quickly, it may last awhile." Sometimes animals make headlines, and in this case, a cow on a rampage makes news with, "Enraged cow injures farmer with ax;" and while we know that some animals eat their young, humans aren't supposed to (although sometimes we wonder if we should consider it), but the headline, "Kids make nutritious snacks" makes you second guess the choices of some folks. Speaking of choices, check out these new fiction titles, and just WAIT until you read on for some really good entertainment for the "dog days of summer!"
As the country's brightest doctors race to find the cure for infections that kill thousands each year, photojournalist, Claire Shipley, is following the story, dear to her heart, because her young daughter died from a sudden illness that possibly could have been cured by this new drug called penicillin. As doctors close in on their research for the miracle drug that will change history, a researcher at the institute dies suddenly, and Claire finds herself entrenched in a battle to find the killer before it's too late in "A Fierce Radiance" by Lauren Belfer.
When Eric Shaw takes on the job of making a documentary about Alyssa Bradford's 95 year old father in law, Campbell Bradford, he travels to the older man's hometown, where its charming history turns into an eerie mystery in "So Cold the River," an intensely frightening novel by Michael Koryta that centers around an old hotel that has been restored and the dark history and long forgotten evil surrounding it.
The year is 1704, and young Elizabeth is sent to Versailles, Louisiana in search of a husband. When she is paired with the charismatic and ruthlessly ambitious soldier, Jean-Claude, she is surprised to find herself not only attracted to him, but falling in love with him as well. Auguste, as well, must manage to find happiness in a new world when he is abandoned, and then befriended by Elizabeth's husband, Jean-Claude. When both Elizabeth and Auguste are ultimately betrayed by Jean-Claude, they find themselves drawn together in unexpected ways in "Savage Lands" by Claire Clark.
Growing up as the product of professional parents in Glasgow, Scotland, Kit Philipson had every advantage. While his mother lay dying, she confessed to Kit that he is adopted, and soon after, vague memories of Kit's early life begin to plague him, sending him searching through old newspaper files that reveal Kit's true identity and the actual facts of the abduction that led him to become part of the Philipson family in "A Stranger in the Family" by Robert Barnard.
You've probably heard it said that "good things come to those who wait," but Abraham Lincoln summed it up with, "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle." There you go; don't let the good titles be left behind; just get in your car and head to your local branch of JCPL, where every new title is an experience worth its WEIGHT in gold!
As the country's brightest doctors race to find the cure for infections that kill thousands each year, photojournalist, Claire Shipley, is following the story, dear to her heart, because her young daughter died from a sudden illness that possibly could have been cured by this new drug called penicillin. As doctors close in on their research for the miracle drug that will change history, a researcher at the institute dies suddenly, and Claire finds herself entrenched in a battle to find the killer before it's too late in "A Fierce Radiance" by Lauren Belfer.
When Eric Shaw takes on the job of making a documentary about Alyssa Bradford's 95 year old father in law, Campbell Bradford, he travels to the older man's hometown, where its charming history turns into an eerie mystery in "So Cold the River," an intensely frightening novel by Michael Koryta that centers around an old hotel that has been restored and the dark history and long forgotten evil surrounding it.
The year is 1704, and young Elizabeth is sent to Versailles, Louisiana in search of a husband. When she is paired with the charismatic and ruthlessly ambitious soldier, Jean-Claude, she is surprised to find herself not only attracted to him, but falling in love with him as well. Auguste, as well, must manage to find happiness in a new world when he is abandoned, and then befriended by Elizabeth's husband, Jean-Claude. When both Elizabeth and Auguste are ultimately betrayed by Jean-Claude, they find themselves drawn together in unexpected ways in "Savage Lands" by Claire Clark.
Growing up as the product of professional parents in Glasgow, Scotland, Kit Philipson had every advantage. While his mother lay dying, she confessed to Kit that he is adopted, and soon after, vague memories of Kit's early life begin to plague him, sending him searching through old newspaper files that reveal Kit's true identity and the actual facts of the abduction that led him to become part of the Philipson family in "A Stranger in the Family" by Robert Barnard.
You've probably heard it said that "good things come to those who wait," but Abraham Lincoln summed it up with, "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle." There you go; don't let the good titles be left behind; just get in your car and head to your local branch of JCPL, where every new title is an experience worth its WEIGHT in gold!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Let JCPL Be Your Lucky Charm This August!
Reading the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris, I am getting an education, learning the ins and outs of vampire life, werewolf drama and also getting the inside scoop about the lives of shape shifters. One of the most educational parts of reading this series, however, is that Sookie Stackhouse, the main character in the series, has a best friend who supplies her with a Word of the Day calendar each year, and occasionally, one of the words applies to the plot in the story. One morning, while taking breakfast orders from my three grandchildren, my two year old granddaughter requested "Chucky Arms." Hmmm...that wasn't part of the educational Word of the Day, and Sookie doesn't have kids, so the Vampire series would be no help in solving this mystery. Opening up the cabinet, I began to peruse the various foodstuffs that could translate to "Chucky Arms," and after a careful inspection, the light bulb above my head lit up and I asked her, "Do you want Lucky Charms?" BINGO! Mystery solved! And so, the breakfast mystery is solved, and our stomachs are full, so read on for some refreshing food for your mind and check out these new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library!
The Darling Dahlias is a Depression era, garden-club group of ladies from Darling, Alabama who welcome members from all walks of life. The ladylike behavior of the Darling Dahlias is challenged, however, when a set of sterling silver is found buried under the town's famous Cucumber Tree, and two members of the group claim ownership. The town and ladies club are further shaken by the discovery of the body of an unidentified young woman outside of town, and the mystery deepens in "The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree" by Susan Albert Wittig.
Seven year old Lavinia was orphaned on her journey to America from Ireland, and arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation, working in the plantation's kitchen under the tutelage of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter. As time goes on, Lavinia is accepted into the fold of the family in the Big House, but finds herself straddling two very different worlds in "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom.
The birth of a new baby daughter should be a happy occasion, but in a remote Indiana village where only sons are favored, the birth of a daughter is a tragedy. In "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowder, Kavita and her husband struggle with the decision to give their newborn daughter, Asha, away. The decision to give the baby up haunts both parents, even after the birth of their son, but placing her in an orphanage is the only way to save her life. Meanwhile, across the globe, American doctor, Somer, and her husband, Krishnon, desperately want a child, but cannot have one of their own, and when they see a photo of baby Asha, decide to adopt the child. "Secret Daughter" weaves the lives and cultures of two families together, exploring the issues of culture and belonging, dramatically comparing the lives and cultures of two families who have the common goal of wanting only to be happy.
When nine year old Rose Edelstein bites into the lemon-chocolate cake prepared by her mother for her birthday, she discovers a magical gift; she can actually taste the emotions of her mother with every bite she takes. The gift, however, is not welcome when Rose discovers that the mother she has always seen as happy and cheerful is truly unhappy, desperate and full of despair. "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" by Aimee Bender brings to light the enormous burden of knowing too much and loving those closest to you anyway.
Sookie's Word of the Day in "Dead to the World," the fourth in the Southern Vampire Series, was "farrago," which the dictionary defines as "a jumble," and Sookie describes as "a confused mess." I'm not sure how I would use it in a sentence, but it could be a good replacement word for what's on the menu at our house for breakfast; Chucky Arms.
The Darling Dahlias is a Depression era, garden-club group of ladies from Darling, Alabama who welcome members from all walks of life. The ladylike behavior of the Darling Dahlias is challenged, however, when a set of sterling silver is found buried under the town's famous Cucumber Tree, and two members of the group claim ownership. The town and ladies club are further shaken by the discovery of the body of an unidentified young woman outside of town, and the mystery deepens in "The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree" by Susan Albert Wittig.
Seven year old Lavinia was orphaned on her journey to America from Ireland, and arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation, working in the plantation's kitchen under the tutelage of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter. As time goes on, Lavinia is accepted into the fold of the family in the Big House, but finds herself straddling two very different worlds in "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom.
The birth of a new baby daughter should be a happy occasion, but in a remote Indiana village where only sons are favored, the birth of a daughter is a tragedy. In "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowder, Kavita and her husband struggle with the decision to give their newborn daughter, Asha, away. The decision to give the baby up haunts both parents, even after the birth of their son, but placing her in an orphanage is the only way to save her life. Meanwhile, across the globe, American doctor, Somer, and her husband, Krishnon, desperately want a child, but cannot have one of their own, and when they see a photo of baby Asha, decide to adopt the child. "Secret Daughter" weaves the lives and cultures of two families together, exploring the issues of culture and belonging, dramatically comparing the lives and cultures of two families who have the common goal of wanting only to be happy.
When nine year old Rose Edelstein bites into the lemon-chocolate cake prepared by her mother for her birthday, she discovers a magical gift; she can actually taste the emotions of her mother with every bite she takes. The gift, however, is not welcome when Rose discovers that the mother she has always seen as happy and cheerful is truly unhappy, desperate and full of despair. "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" by Aimee Bender brings to light the enormous burden of knowing too much and loving those closest to you anyway.
Sookie's Word of the Day in "Dead to the World," the fourth in the Southern Vampire Series, was "farrago," which the dictionary defines as "a jumble," and Sookie describes as "a confused mess." I'm not sure how I would use it in a sentence, but it could be a good replacement word for what's on the menu at our house for breakfast; Chucky Arms.
Friday, July 16, 2010
You Might Be an Avid Reader if...
"You might be a redneck when you take a trip to the dump and bring back more than you took," is one redneck phrase that made comic, Jeff Foxworthy, famous. If I had to choose a topic to write about, I'd turn "redneck" into "menopause," and the phrases would go something like, "You might be in menopause when you spend more time rearranging the contents of your freezer than eating them, just to get a blast of cold air during a hot flash," or, "You might be in menopause when you discover that the local petting zoo's llama died, and you find yourself choking back tears, even though you didn't even know its name," or, "You might be in menopause when your body gives off enough heat during a hot flash to solve the world energy crisis." You get the picture. Similarly, you know you're at the Jasper County Public Library when you can check out the best new fiction titles around. Here are just a few of our newest to choose from.
It's been two years since Abbie Fox has seen her father, but a family crisis forces her to return to Nantucket, where her sisters, Lily and Emma, are struggling with losses of their own. As the summer wears on, each of the three sisters find themselves in unpredictable situations, undergoing personal transformations that may change their lives in "Beachcombers" by Nancy Thayer.
As a reporter for the Bergen County News, Chris Turley strives to live up to the legendary career of his father, Edward Turley, but never seems to make the grade. Everything changes for Chris, however, when an explosion rocks the building next door and Chris heroically saves five people from the burning building. Instant celebrity that he is, Chris receives an anonymous tip after the incident that leads him into a reporter's dream that quickly turns into a nightmare in "Down to the Wire" by David Rosenfelt.
You can't fool Mother Nature, and when Dr. Claus Rhumkorrf struggles with one experiment after another to replace failing human organs and tissue with that of animals, a process called xenotransplantation, he succeeds, only to regret it when his creation turns on him and society in general in "Ancestor" by Scott Sigler.
The dawn of a new day brings tragedy to the world of the Amish in "Pray for Silence." When the police are summoned to a small, quiet Amish family farm, they discover the horror of an entire family wiped out; brutally tortured and slain. With Kate Burkholder and Agent John Tomasetti investigating the case, one secret after another is revealed in this, the second book in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo.
Shep Knacker has plans for his nest egg. He thinks of this phase of his life as "The Afterlife," and when he sells his home repair business for a cool million bucks, he is ready to "get out of Dodge" and head for his dream retirement destination. His wife of twenty six years, Glynis, though has just returned from her doctor's appointment, and announces a medical condition that requires enough treatment that Shep's nest egg, as well as his plans for "The Afterlife" are irrevocably changed in "So Much for That" by Lionel Shriver.
If I had to choose one of the titles listed above to describe how I feel about menopause, it would have to be "So Much for That," and if you have to ask me why that is, "you might not be in menopause."
It's been two years since Abbie Fox has seen her father, but a family crisis forces her to return to Nantucket, where her sisters, Lily and Emma, are struggling with losses of their own. As the summer wears on, each of the three sisters find themselves in unpredictable situations, undergoing personal transformations that may change their lives in "Beachcombers" by Nancy Thayer.
As a reporter for the Bergen County News, Chris Turley strives to live up to the legendary career of his father, Edward Turley, but never seems to make the grade. Everything changes for Chris, however, when an explosion rocks the building next door and Chris heroically saves five people from the burning building. Instant celebrity that he is, Chris receives an anonymous tip after the incident that leads him into a reporter's dream that quickly turns into a nightmare in "Down to the Wire" by David Rosenfelt.
You can't fool Mother Nature, and when Dr. Claus Rhumkorrf struggles with one experiment after another to replace failing human organs and tissue with that of animals, a process called xenotransplantation, he succeeds, only to regret it when his creation turns on him and society in general in "Ancestor" by Scott Sigler.
The dawn of a new day brings tragedy to the world of the Amish in "Pray for Silence." When the police are summoned to a small, quiet Amish family farm, they discover the horror of an entire family wiped out; brutally tortured and slain. With Kate Burkholder and Agent John Tomasetti investigating the case, one secret after another is revealed in this, the second book in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo.
Shep Knacker has plans for his nest egg. He thinks of this phase of his life as "The Afterlife," and when he sells his home repair business for a cool million bucks, he is ready to "get out of Dodge" and head for his dream retirement destination. His wife of twenty six years, Glynis, though has just returned from her doctor's appointment, and announces a medical condition that requires enough treatment that Shep's nest egg, as well as his plans for "The Afterlife" are irrevocably changed in "So Much for That" by Lionel Shriver.
If I had to choose one of the titles listed above to describe how I feel about menopause, it would have to be "So Much for That," and if you have to ask me why that is, "you might not be in menopause."
Monday, June 28, 2010
New Books From JCPL to Brighten a Dark and Stormy Night!
It was a dark and stormy night...it really WAS, and the satallite had bitten the dust because of the bad weather, so I went in search of something to read. Scary stories are the best for nights like this one, and I thought the perfect book to raise goosebumps would be "Dead After Dark" by Charlaine Harris. Opening it up, I looked forward to the vampire-biting, bloodcurdling thrill I would get from the story, and as I read on, I found myself amused more than scared, but in a surprisingly good way. Sookie Stackhouse, Harris's main character, is a cocktail waitress surrounded by vampires; some who are good-natured in a vampirish way, and some who live up to their reputation as vicious blood-hounds. This book, the first in the "Southern Vampire" series, has me hooked enough to read the next in the series, and here are some other new fiction titles at the Jasper County Library that can entertain during the next dark and stormy night.
Despite the trials that every marriage faces at one time or another, Tim Farnsworth and his wife Jane still share a strong bond. Farnsworth loves his wife, his daughter, his house, even his kitchen, with the copper pots and pans hanging above the kitchen's island. Why, then, does he decide one day to just walk out, and away from all he holds dear? "The Unnamed" by Joshua Ferris explores the ties of marriage and family and the forces of nature that interfere with the best laid plans of Tim Farnsworth.
Mama threw Daddy out of the house, and after she did, she made her two daughters, Lulu and Merry, promise never to let him back into her home again. When Daddy came calling, ten year old Lulu relented and opened up the door to him, only to have him kill her mother and stab her little five year old sister, Merry. "The Murderer's Daughters" by Randy Susan Meyers is the story of two little girls, orphaned by the death and subsequent imprisonment of their father, who grow into women and continue to carry the scars of their past, carving their lives in the shadow of the tragedy that always hovers in the distance.
United States Senator, Ellen Fisher is a Democrat, now in her second term. Going head to head with the Vice President over national security, Ellen and her staff find themselves under attack, the ensuing barrage of threats endangering not only their careers, but their very lives in "Blind Trust," book number 2 in the Senator Ellen Fisher series by Barbara Boxer.
Jack and Joy Griffin have been married for thirty years, and for the most part, the plan that they made on their Cape Cod honeymoon thirty years before has been fulfilled. Now, Jack returns to the Cape, this time for the wedding of his daughter's best friend, Laura. Carrying his father's ashes around in the trunk of his car, and yet another urn makes its way on this trip. Coupled with the fact that Jack and Joy have brought along new dates to the event, "That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo offers a comical and surprising look at life during middle age.
It is, yet again, a dark and stormy night, and the satellite has made a repeat performance of going AWOL, so I think I'll pick up my old friend Sookie Stackhouse and see what's happening in the world of vampires these days.
Despite the trials that every marriage faces at one time or another, Tim Farnsworth and his wife Jane still share a strong bond. Farnsworth loves his wife, his daughter, his house, even his kitchen, with the copper pots and pans hanging above the kitchen's island. Why, then, does he decide one day to just walk out, and away from all he holds dear? "The Unnamed" by Joshua Ferris explores the ties of marriage and family and the forces of nature that interfere with the best laid plans of Tim Farnsworth.
Mama threw Daddy out of the house, and after she did, she made her two daughters, Lulu and Merry, promise never to let him back into her home again. When Daddy came calling, ten year old Lulu relented and opened up the door to him, only to have him kill her mother and stab her little five year old sister, Merry. "The Murderer's Daughters" by Randy Susan Meyers is the story of two little girls, orphaned by the death and subsequent imprisonment of their father, who grow into women and continue to carry the scars of their past, carving their lives in the shadow of the tragedy that always hovers in the distance.
United States Senator, Ellen Fisher is a Democrat, now in her second term. Going head to head with the Vice President over national security, Ellen and her staff find themselves under attack, the ensuing barrage of threats endangering not only their careers, but their very lives in "Blind Trust," book number 2 in the Senator Ellen Fisher series by Barbara Boxer.
Jack and Joy Griffin have been married for thirty years, and for the most part, the plan that they made on their Cape Cod honeymoon thirty years before has been fulfilled. Now, Jack returns to the Cape, this time for the wedding of his daughter's best friend, Laura. Carrying his father's ashes around in the trunk of his car, and yet another urn makes its way on this trip. Coupled with the fact that Jack and Joy have brought along new dates to the event, "That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo offers a comical and surprising look at life during middle age.
It is, yet again, a dark and stormy night, and the satellite has made a repeat performance of going AWOL, so I think I'll pick up my old friend Sookie Stackhouse and see what's happening in the world of vampires these days.
Monday, June 14, 2010
What is Your Idea of Adventure?
On a recent trip to the vet, a middle aged couple was wrapping up thier visit. With a large, Black Lab in tow on a leash trailing behind them, the husband and wife began to climb into their full size, extended cab pickup truck. Watching them from inside of the office, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw the front and back doors of the truck swing open with the woman climbing into the back seat, the man into the driver's seat, and the Black Lab into the front passenger seat of the truck. As they pulled out of the parking lot, that Black Lab sat proudly, facing forward, clearly enjoying his adventure. You'll find your own version of adventure by paging through these new fiction titles from the Jasper County Public Library. Check these out!
An act of violence so horrific against 8 year old Michael literally leaves the little boy speechless. As he grows, he comes into his own, discovering that he can open any lock, anywhere, any time. This special talent makes Michael a hot commodity and in high demand. When a simple heist turns into a nightmare, Michael's life falls apart, and he decides to go back home to find the one true love of his life, and face the horrible past that took his voice in "The Lock Artist" by Steve Hamilton.
George Flynn is a seventeen year old, all around decent guy who has just relocated, along with his family, to DesMoines. Befriending the Schell sisters, George has found his niche in his new hometown. Emily is a free spirited, aspiring actress, and Katie is full of humor and wit despite her battle with multiple sclerosis. When tragedy strikes and upsets the delicate balance of their lives, George has to find a way to step up to the plate and help them through in "Weeping Underwater Looks a Lot Like Laughter" by Michael J. White.
Bandy Dorner has just returned home from Vietnam, and discovers that his life is in a shambles. His pregnant wife is leaving him for another man, and within minutes, a cop lies bloodied in the road and Bandy is headed for prison. Eighteen years later when he is released, Bandy returns to the family ranch and meets the teenage son that he never got a chance to know, and following close behind is Bandy's ex-wife, Iona. All three are changed, haunted by their past, but try to put together the pieces of their lives in "Then Came the Evening" by Brian Hart.
The real estate market is tough, but gets tougher for Jackie Swaitkowski when a client of his turns up dead. The mystery surrounding the untimey demise of his client leaves Jackie in search of clues, leading him on a dangerously rocky ride in "Short Squeeze" by Chris Knopf.
This article is dedicated to my Bo, a part Lab pooch with a heart as big as all outdoors who decided after a 12 year reign as captain of my heart that it was time to move on to explore his very own adventures over the rainbow. He would've loved to sit on the front seat of my car on our excursions, but was hard pressed to sit in the passenger seat of my little Toyota. Thanks for the memories, Bo. You were one of a kind.
An act of violence so horrific against 8 year old Michael literally leaves the little boy speechless. As he grows, he comes into his own, discovering that he can open any lock, anywhere, any time. This special talent makes Michael a hot commodity and in high demand. When a simple heist turns into a nightmare, Michael's life falls apart, and he decides to go back home to find the one true love of his life, and face the horrible past that took his voice in "The Lock Artist" by Steve Hamilton.
George Flynn is a seventeen year old, all around decent guy who has just relocated, along with his family, to DesMoines. Befriending the Schell sisters, George has found his niche in his new hometown. Emily is a free spirited, aspiring actress, and Katie is full of humor and wit despite her battle with multiple sclerosis. When tragedy strikes and upsets the delicate balance of their lives, George has to find a way to step up to the plate and help them through in "Weeping Underwater Looks a Lot Like Laughter" by Michael J. White.
Bandy Dorner has just returned home from Vietnam, and discovers that his life is in a shambles. His pregnant wife is leaving him for another man, and within minutes, a cop lies bloodied in the road and Bandy is headed for prison. Eighteen years later when he is released, Bandy returns to the family ranch and meets the teenage son that he never got a chance to know, and following close behind is Bandy's ex-wife, Iona. All three are changed, haunted by their past, but try to put together the pieces of their lives in "Then Came the Evening" by Brian Hart.
The real estate market is tough, but gets tougher for Jackie Swaitkowski when a client of his turns up dead. The mystery surrounding the untimey demise of his client leaves Jackie in search of clues, leading him on a dangerously rocky ride in "Short Squeeze" by Chris Knopf.
This article is dedicated to my Bo, a part Lab pooch with a heart as big as all outdoors who decided after a 12 year reign as captain of my heart that it was time to move on to explore his very own adventures over the rainbow. He would've loved to sit on the front seat of my car on our excursions, but was hard pressed to sit in the passenger seat of my little Toyota. Thanks for the memories, Bo. You were one of a kind.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Get By With a Little Help From Your Friends at JCPL!
My friends and I have been together through thick and thin over a period of MANY years. We've seen just about everything and weathered many storms, as well as sharing just as many joys. Elbert Hubard said it best with, "A friend is someone who knows all about you, but likes you anyway." Something new happens, you call your friend. Something bad happens, you call your friend. Nothing at all happens, you still call your friend, just to touch base and see if anything good, bad, or nothing at all has happened with them. The scoop may be nothing at all, but there's still plenty to talk about. "Friends are the Bacon Bits in the salad bowl of life," are the words shared on a pizza place billboard. I love, Bacon Bits, don't you? If you love Bacon Bits as much as I do, you'll love to share these new fiction titles from JCPL with your friends!
For thirty five years, Frankie, Linda, Kath, Brett, and Ally have made it a habit to meet each Wednesday at a park near all of their homes. These five women come from all walks of life and on the surface, seem to have nothing in common. Brutally blunt Linda, timid Frankie, quiet Ally, Kentucky debutante Kath and ultra-intelligent Brett, however, share a bond that begins with literature and extends into every aspect of their lives in "The Wednesday Sisters" by Meg Waite Clayton.
Miranda thinks she has met the catch of the day when she meets Greg at a cocktail party. Gorgeous and funny, Greg is all Miranda could hope for, or is he? You could say that Greg is a phony, and you'd be right when you discover that he has just left his newly pregnant wife, who hasn't a clue what he's really up to in "Miranda's Big Mistake" by Jill Mansell.
Twelve year old Jillian Maxwell is the model child. With straight A's in school and college in her future, helpful with household chores, and obedient to a fault, Jillian seems perfect. But Jillian harbors a terrible secret; one that she's sure even her mother would blame her for if she were to find out, so she endures, hiding her pain and keeping it a secret. When the horrific details of her life begin to catch up with her, and her grades begin to slip and her personality begins to show signs of distress, fate steps in and her strength brings her to discover a powerful light within herself in "A Deep Dark Secret" by Kimberla Lawson Roby.
Kevin Curran has just about lost all hope that his youngest brother, Danny will shape up. With a life of crime and hard drug addiction ridding his past, Danny suddenly shows up on Kevin's doorstep, clean and sober. Offering Kevin a share in the Bloodroot Children's Hospital project he is working on brings Kevin in touch with an underworld of Mafia hit men and dangerous espionage in "Bloodroot" by Bill Loehfelm.
Without being sappy, I would like to salute my friendships with this Toni Morrison quote, "She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind." Yes, I love Bacon Bits, don't you?
For thirty five years, Frankie, Linda, Kath, Brett, and Ally have made it a habit to meet each Wednesday at a park near all of their homes. These five women come from all walks of life and on the surface, seem to have nothing in common. Brutally blunt Linda, timid Frankie, quiet Ally, Kentucky debutante Kath and ultra-intelligent Brett, however, share a bond that begins with literature and extends into every aspect of their lives in "The Wednesday Sisters" by Meg Waite Clayton.
Miranda thinks she has met the catch of the day when she meets Greg at a cocktail party. Gorgeous and funny, Greg is all Miranda could hope for, or is he? You could say that Greg is a phony, and you'd be right when you discover that he has just left his newly pregnant wife, who hasn't a clue what he's really up to in "Miranda's Big Mistake" by Jill Mansell.
Twelve year old Jillian Maxwell is the model child. With straight A's in school and college in her future, helpful with household chores, and obedient to a fault, Jillian seems perfect. But Jillian harbors a terrible secret; one that she's sure even her mother would blame her for if she were to find out, so she endures, hiding her pain and keeping it a secret. When the horrific details of her life begin to catch up with her, and her grades begin to slip and her personality begins to show signs of distress, fate steps in and her strength brings her to discover a powerful light within herself in "A Deep Dark Secret" by Kimberla Lawson Roby.
Kevin Curran has just about lost all hope that his youngest brother, Danny will shape up. With a life of crime and hard drug addiction ridding his past, Danny suddenly shows up on Kevin's doorstep, clean and sober. Offering Kevin a share in the Bloodroot Children's Hospital project he is working on brings Kevin in touch with an underworld of Mafia hit men and dangerous espionage in "Bloodroot" by Bill Loehfelm.
Without being sappy, I would like to salute my friendships with this Toni Morrison quote, "She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind." Yes, I love Bacon Bits, don't you?
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