200 Suggestions for Reading

Ever want a suggestion on something good to read?  Author and librarian Gina Sheridan offers you 200 titles to choose from in her new book, Check These Out.

The book is divided into fifteen chapters that break down the types of books.  There are even chapters on audio books and young adult fiction.  Each chapter gives you a selection of books with the author, when it was written and a brief description along with why the author enjoyed it.  The audio book chapter even tells you whose voice is reading the book.

So next time you feel stumped on what you'd like to read next, pick up this book for some great ideas.

Tax Assistance for Senior and Low Income Taxpayers Available from AARP

AARP will be back again beginning in February this year to offer tax assistance for senior and low income taxpayers.

The schedule is every Wednesday as follows:

February 3, 10, 17 & 24

March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30

April 6 & 13

On each of the scheduled days, the doors will open to begin tax assistance at 9 am. First come, first served - no appointments. Once the number of people that can be helped by the end of preparation time is reached, the doors will shut. AARP membership is not required for this assistance.

Documents and Helpful Information that you will need to provide:

• A copy of your 2014 Income Tax Return
• All income documents for 2015 (W2 - 1099 - Retirement - Pensions - Social Security - Unemployment - etc). NEW FOR THIS TAX YEAR - forms 1095-A, -B or -C on Health Coverage
• 2015 Mortgage statement showing interest and property taxes paid
• All Social Security Cards (Taxpayers & Dependents)
• Driver’s license or other valid picture ID.

Newest from Author Ann Cleeves

     The newest addition to the Vera Stanhope series of murder mysteries by Ann Cleeves is called Harbour Street.
     The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in full swing in Newcastle. Detective Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jessie find themselves swept along in a raucous crowd and onto the Metro, but, when the train has to be stopped due to poor weather conditions, Jessie notices that one lady hasn't disembarked. Her name is Margaret Krukowski and she has been fatally stabbed.
     Joe's gov'ner, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope arrives on the scene to take charge of the case. She stands on the platform at the station and surveys the surroundings. She can feel in her bones that this is going to be a complex and unusual case. Truth be told, Vera is glad for the distraction from all of the holiday revelry.
     A few days later, another woman from Margaret Krukowski's neighborhood is murdered and Vera knows that to solve both cases, she is going to have to figure out why Margaret was so worried in the weeks leading up to her death. She knows there is a link somewhere, but the residents of Harbour Street are reluctant to speak to the police. They are hell-bent on closing ranks to keep outsiders from intruding into their lives. Retracing Margaret's final movements may be the only way to piece together what deep dark secrets the neighbors on this street are keeping. At what point, though, do silent witnesses become complicit in the crime itself?
     This riveting British police procedural uses sharp prose and an eye for forensic detail to tell the age old story of how keeping secrets can be deadly.  

Remember, if you enjoy the Vera Stanhope character, the library also has several seasons of the television drama Vera starring Brenda Blethyn as the detective inspector herself.
   

New Series to Read in the Children's Department!

We have added several new series to our Children's Easy Reader collection.  Here are a few :

First, we have a set of six books on Farm Animals.  Three are by Kathryn Clay : Farm Dogs, Goats, and Chickens.  The other three are by Sheri Doyle : Cows, Horses, and Pigs.

The next series is on Backyard Birds.  The four book set contains Cardinals, Goldfinches, House Sparrows, and Robins.  All are written by Lisa Amstutz.

A four book series on owls by Melissa Hill is also new.  The titles are Barn Owls, Burrowing Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Snowy Owls.

Finally, for train lovers, we have a set called All Aboard written by Nikki Bruno Clapper.  The set contains these four titles : City Trains, Freight Trains, High-Speed Trains, and Passenger Trains.




These and many more are waiting for you - come check out our selection today!

A New Hobby for the New Year!

    Thinking of taking up a new hobby for 2016? Why not try an oldie, but a goodie--Crochet! We have two new crochet books that may interest you.

     First, is the "Beginner's Guide to Crochet: 20 Crochet Projects for Beginners" by Sarah Shrimpton. This book is a comprehensive guide that contains all the basic crochet stitches and techniques to get you started. Each stitch is explained in clear detail with easy-to-follow diagrams and projects that utilize the skill you are trying to master. Later patterns in the book combine several techniques and stitches to help you develop skill and accomplish more complicated designs. You'll learn to make everything from a simple dishcloth to the granny blanket, from an amigurumi teddy bear to other 'extreme' crochet creations. The twenty projects in this book are designed to step you up gradually and help you be more confident in crafting your crochet creation.

     The second book that is available is "Great New Ways with Granny Squares" from Search Press and written by Rosa P. This book is divided into the four seasons with each season encompassing several projects under each heading. The beginning of the book provides a basic course in crochet, as well as many beautiful color photos of the author's designs. Each project is starred as quick and easy, easy, average, requires some practice, and more challenging/requires more time. The twenty projects include a bracelet, pencil case, and phone case, as well as the traditional shawl, throw, and tablecloth. All of these designs begin with...you guessed it, the granny squares!

     Try one of these or any of the other crochet, knitting, and other fibercraft books that we have available here at the library. Even if you don't stick with it, you can at least say you gave it a shot! Happy Crafting!

Start the New Year with a Smile!

The irrepressible Dick Van Dyke turns 90 with style and gives his own advice about growing older in his new autobiography, 'Keep Moving'.

Told at the age of forty that he had severe arthritis and could expect to be using a walker or a wheelchair within seven years, Dick Van Dyke stood up in the examination room and started to dance.  And he hasn't stopped moving since.

It's a book full of show business memories, personal reflections and a very upbeat philosophy with the motto that there is no such thing as 'age appropriate'.

Begin 2016 with a laugh, a smile and, as Dick Van Dyke says, keep moving.

Happy New Year!

As 2015 comes to a close and we begin to think about the year to come, I would like to take a moment to thank all of our patrons and our visitors for their continued support of the public library. We are proud to serve our community and we hope you appreciate us just as much. Currently, we are adding to our digital resources so that searching for credible sources for your projects and papers is getting easier. If you want to know more, please don't hesitate to ask one of our Reference Librarians for help.

The library is vital to the community at large and, to the individual in need of our services, it is irreplaceable. So, whether you need help with recipes for your holiday meals or, perhaps, with helpful tips and ideas for keeping those New Year's Resolutions; remember that we have countless resources both online and in print. And, with Science Fair and African American History Month on the horizon, we would just like to remind you that we will gladly point you in the right direction.

May 2016 bring you the joy and success that you so richly deserve!

Merry Christmas!

    Our library hours are as follows during the holiday season :

    Monday, December 21 thru Wednesday,  December 23 - 9 AM to 5 PM
    Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 - CLOSED
    Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 - CLOSED
    Saturday, December 26 - CLOSED

    Monday, December 28 thru Wednesday, December 30 - 9 AM to 5 PM
    New Years Eve, Thursday, December 31 - CLOSED
    New Years Day, Friday, January 1 - CLOSED
    Saturday, January 2 - CLOSED

    We wish all of our patrons a safe and happy holiday season and new year.
 

Christmas Romances to Get You in the Spirit

     Sometimes we need a little push to get us in the holiday spirit. That is why I am featuring three of our newest holiday romance novels to kick your Christmas Spirit into high gear!

     First, we have Evergreen Springs by RaeAnne Thayne. Cole Barrett has a lot on his plate, so it's no wonder Christmas is the last thing on his mind at the moment. His ex-wife died in a tragic accident that has left his two children grieving for their mother. Cole is reclusive and he is in no mood for the peppy disposition of Dr. Devin Shaw. Devin has been studying the curative powers of Lake Haven's mineral waters and, unfortunately, the hot springs are located on Cole's property. Devin decides to strike a bargain with Cole: she'll give Cole's children a wonderful Christmas and Cole will allow her patients access to the springs. Will Devin's holiday magic be able to heal this hurting family?

    Next, we have Snowflake Bay by Donna Kauffman. In this charming story, Fiona McCrae has decided to leave her interior designer job and the fast-paced life of Manhattan and return to her home in tranquil Blueberry Cove. She barely has time to unpack before she gets roped into planning her older sister Hannah's Christmas wedding--less than seven weeks away! Amidst all of the hectic planning, Fiona learns that her first love, Ben Campbell, has moved back to the neighboring town of Snowflake Bay. As kids, Ben continually teased Fiona while pining after Hannah. Fiona never thought of Ben like a brother; and now that she has grown up, her feelings haven't changed. Will the romance of the occasion and the spirit of the season ignite a love between these two that will last for many Christmases to come?

     Finally, we have Do You Believe in Santa? by Sierra Donovan. When she was eight years old, Mandy Reese saw Santa Claus and, now that she is grown, she's not afraid to tell the customers at the year-round Christmas store where she works in Tall Pine, California. They love to hear about her encounter with Saint Nick, but when Jake Wyndham--hunky, charming, and oh-so-practical--comes to town scouting for hotels Mandy has a choice to make. Should she deny what she saw, or let Jake think she's "sugarplum crazy?" Jake has never met anyone quite like Mandy before, but meeting Santa? Really? He's not bah-humbugging on her, but he is definitely a skeptic. Jake realizes, however, that there are a lot of things that he had never experienced until he came to Tall Pine: snow in Autumn, mind-blowing kisses, and falling head-over-heels in love with someone he barely knows.

     These and other Christmas novels can be found at the library. Don't forget that we also have many decorating, cooking, and gift-making ideas here as well. Enjoy, and have a very Merry Christmas!

Food and Great Literature Combined!

Let's start this review off with a warning - this is not a book to read if you're hungry.

In Voracious, author Cara Nicoletti brings her blog Yummy Books to book form with recipes from and/or inspired by books.

The book is divided into three parts.  Part one is Childhood and features sixteen recipes including:

•  Breakfast Sausages from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series
• Currant Buns from Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden
• Pea and Bacon Soup from E.B. White's Charlotte's Web

Part two is Adolescence and College Years.  It contains seventeen recipes including a fava bean and liver recipe based on Thomas Harris' book The Silence of the Lambs - never fear though.  This recipe uses chicken livers.

Part three is Adulthood, containing seventeen recipes such as:

• Brown Butter Crepes from Gillian's Flynn's Gone Girl
• Red Flannel Hash from Pam Houston's short story The Best Girlfriend You Never Had
• Challah from Isaac Bashevis Singer's story Gimpel the Fool

At the end of the books, there is a listing of the authors and their books that inspired the various recipes.  A great book for those who would like a new way to sink their teeth into their favorite stories.