Happy Holidays!

We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!  The library will be closed December 22-25 and December 29-January 1.  We will also close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Decembr 26 and Thursday, December 27.  We look forward to seeing you in 2013!

     Are you feeling like the Grinch has stolen your Christmas spirit?  The hustle and bustle of the holidays has turned into a real grind?  I have the cure for you!  I read the most charming book entitled Being Santa Claus by Sal Lizard.  Sal is a professional Santa Claus and in this book he reveals what he learned about the true meaning of Christmas.

     Sal was in his twenties when his beard and hair turned completely white and his figure began to resemble that bowlful of jelly we all know and love.  Today, he appears everywhere from malls and parades to schools and hospitals, and from his custom-made red velvet suits to the mistletoe hanging from the rearview mirror of his signature Santamobile, Sal is Santa Claus three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

     In his book, he takes us on a one-of-a-kind journey from embracing his calling and the humorous missteps along the way to earning his stripes and becoming a wise and seasoned veteran Santa.  He shares stories that are heartwarming, occasionally heartbreaking, and sometimes downright hilarious, and he reflects on the valuable lessons he’s learned from both children and adults.

Holiday Homemade

I enjoy browsing the library's wide assortment of holiday books, especially those that involve creating "handmade gifts" for family and friends.  I have found one of the best ornament creation books in our library's Juvenile collection!  The book is titled, More Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make by Kathy Ross (J 745.599 R824m), and is full of 29 beautiful ornaments that primary-grade children can make with just a little assistance from adults. The projects range from very simple (a plastic lid covered in glue and sprinkled with sequins and glitter) to more complex, and the book's projects will satisfy a variety of skill levels.  The best part is that the materials in the book will be easy to find at any basic craft store.  I believe one of the best experiences in life is sitting down with a child and joining in the spirit of creativity with them!  The library has many other equally wonderful ornament creation books in its juvenile collection, and we invite you to travel down to the first floor and find a book that interests you. 

Rabid for Dogs...

Are you the owner of one or more pampered pooches?  Do you believe in Halloween costumes, doggie daycare or other luxury items for your favorite canine companion?  If so, then Pamela Redmond Satran's, Rabid:  Are You Crazy About Your Dog or Just Crazy is the perfect book for you! This book is a humorous look at the United States' dog-centered society, and will help the reader laugh at his/her own behavior and the insane antics of all sorts of dog people.  The book covers 11 chapters of strange and bizarre things that people do to and with their dogs--from beauty and fashion to dogs in movies, celebrity dog IQ and what to do with your dog when he/she passes away.  My favorite part of the book is (I'm not kidding) doggie weddings!!! The pictures are cute and the book is very entertaining, but it also gives the reader a view of the often "over-the-top" emotional insanity of dog lovers.  Pamela Satran is the author of the New York Times bestselling humor book How Not to Act Old and coauthor of eight baby name books including the bestselling Beyond Jennifer & Jason.  Satran is also a columnist for Glamour and contributes frequently to the "Daily Beast," the "New York Times" and "More."  Discover more inrormation about Pamela Satran by visiting her website and pamelaredmondsatron.com.

Demon Hunting in the Deep South

It was news to me, but apparently, there is a small town in Alabama (named Hannah)  that is rife with demons and half human/half demon hybrids.  Really---would I make this up? Lexi George's new novel, Demon Hunting in the Deep South is a great paranormal romance romp!  Evie Douglass is the star of this series, of which this book is the second.  Evie is thrust into the mystery-solving business when her childhood nemesis Meredith (aka, the "Death Star") is brutally murdered and she turns out to be the police's number one suspect.  Meredith and her cronies have tormented Evie her entire life and, unfortunately, Meredith is not much nicer as a ghost!  Her best friend, Addy, owner of Hannah's popular florist shop,  is blissfully in love with gorgeous demon hunter Brand, who has an equally gorgeous brother named Ansgar.  Evie is wary of anyone who thinks her plus-size self is beautiful, but this does not deter Ansgar from his pursuit of her.  Evie is troubled by fuzzy recollections of past events---is Ansgar and her friends keeping things hidden abour her past?  Ansgar, Evie, Addy and Brand all team up to figure out who Meredith's killer is and clear Evie's name--while they all fight the demons and demonoids running wild in Hannah, Alabama.  I read this book without realizing I should have started with the first one Demon Hunting in Dixie.  I wasn't too confused, but the plot in the second book does build on a few things that occurred in the first book so I think that they should probably be read in order.  This book is a hilarious, typically southern, bawdy ride and is a great choice for anyone in the mood for a funny romance with a touch of supernatural thrills.  Visit Lexi George at www.LexiGeorge.com!

Thank You for Your Support

Our library, like many others across the state of Mississippi and the U.S., has experienced some rough economic setbacks the last few years.  Our staff struggles daily to provide you, our patrons, with the materials and quality of service that you expect from us, while operating on a diminished budget.  We want to thank you today (and every day) for joining us in this struggle and not losing your confidence in our ability to help you find the answers to the questions you have.  We enjoy providing you with the "perfect book" to settle on the couch with during a chilly afternoon, the "latest" DVD for your family's viewing pleasure, a Playaway View to occupy your youngest child during a trip to the grocery store, or an emergency print out of your resume for a crucial job interview.  Thank you for your support this year---and we also give a HUGE thank you to our Library Board of Trustees for their tireless support of our library and our mission.  We wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you next week in the library!

A Taste of Terror in November

Little Star is by John Ajvide Lindqvist who wrote“Let the Right One In.” This was made into the movie “Let Me In” and is about a little girl vampire. His new work is on a different subject. A man finds a baby in the woods, left for dead. He brings the baby home, and he and his wife raise the girl in their basement. When a shocking and catastrophic incident occurs, the couple’s son, Jerry, whisks the girl away to Stockholm to start a new life. There, he enters her in a nation-wide singing competition. Another young girl who’s never fit in sees the performance on TV, and a spark is struck that will ignite the most terrifying duo In modern fiction.    

You loved him when you were a kid, now the guy that gave you Goosebumps is writing for adults. His first adult novel is Red Rain by R.L. Stine and it taps into some grown-up fears. Lea Sutter finds herself on a small island off the coast of South Caroline, the wrong place at the wrong time. A merciless, unanticipated hurricane cuts a path of destruction through the island and Lea barely escapes with her life. In the storm’s aftermath, she discovers two orphaned boys—twins. Filled with a desire to do something to help, to make something good of all she witnessed, Lea impulsively decides to adopt them. The boys, Samuel and Daniel, seem amiable and immensely grateful; Lea’s family back on Long Island—husband Mark, a child psychologist, and their two children, Ira and Elena—aren’t so pleased. But even they can’t anticipate the twins’ true nature—or predict that, within a few weeks’ time, Mark will wind up implicated in two brutal murders, with the police narrowing in.
          

Delve into the Secret Life of Duran Duran

I am a big Duran Duran fan, and have been follwing their careers and attending their concerts since they first arrived on the music scene in the early 1980's. The book I have been eagerly anticipating, In the Pleasure Groove:  Love, Death & Duran Duran by John Taylor, has finally been published and released in the United States and has arrived at the library!  The book's author is the bassist for Duran Duran, who has undergone his own metamorphosis. Shy Taylor, born Nigel John, wasn't an obvious choice for pop stardom and being lusted after by frenzied groups of girls.  When Duran Duran formed in 1978, they were an immediate success and all five members were thrust into the limelight.  In this frank memoir, John Taylor recalls the highs of life with Duran Duran--including hanging out with icons like Bowie, Warhol and James Bond, dating Vogue models and driving fast cars--as well as glorious nights playing with the band and the self-destructive behaviors that brought him to the edge before he turned his life around.  This memoir is told with humor, honesty and wisdom and is packed with exclusive pictures.  I especially enjoy that the book is up-to-date and ends with a chapter about the last leg of their recent tour, in April 2011.  For more information on John Taylor, connect with him online at www.facebook.com/thisistherealJT or www.twitter.com/thisistherealJT or with Duran Duran at www.facebook.com/duranduran or www.duranduran.com  If you want to talk about the band, or share your own concert experiences, come visit me in my office and we will swap stories :)  

Happy Halloween from WCVPL!

The Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library would like to wish you all a safe and happy halloween!  Bring your costumed kids to the library this evening and check out a DVD or books for your pleasure, while they trick-or-treat the Circulation and Reference Desks!  We have plenty of books to help you find the perfect halloween costume, treat, or tale.  Remember to ask a staff member for help if you are unable to find what you need.

Jane Vows Vengeance

Do you love Jane Austen?  How about vampires?  If so, try reading the third installment in the "Jane Austen Vampire Series" written by Michael Thomas Ford.  The newest book, Jane Vows Vengeance is a great story whose main action takes place in Europe.  In the series, author Jane Austen is a vampire who owns a book store in sleepy, upstate New York.  Jane is a struggling author (the irony is that her books sell well at her book store) who is engaged to her fiance', Walter---who has no clue she is a vampire.  She and Walter are trying to plan their wedding but things keep happening that interrupt the ceremony.  Walter and Jane finally decided to visit Europe on a tour of architectural wonders, inviting their friends Lucy and Ben and Walter's witchy mom along to particpate in a wedding ceremony in London.  From an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery to a wedding interrupted by the ghosts of the Princes in the Tower to a shocking revelation about Walter's mom, this book is pure mayhem.  Jane is also on a search for Crispin's needle---a legendary device supposed to restore a vampire's human soul.  If she finds Crispin's needle, will she use it to restore her own humanity and live happily ever after with Walter? This series is entertaining and Ford's characterization of Jane Austen is delightfully refreshing.  I look forward to reading more books in this series!  For more information on the books, check out the web at www.janesbitesback.com.

 

Read About Someone Famous!

Today is the birthday of NFL quarterback Brett Favre (1969), singer Tanya Tucker (1958), tennis champ Martina Navratilova (1956), and author James Clavell (1924).  The library has books by or about all of these folks, such as Sho-Gun by James Clavell;   Favre:  For the Record by Brett Favre, Nickel Dreams:  My Life by Tanya Tucker, and The Shape of Your Life:  My 6-step Diet and Fitness Plan for Achieving Your Pesonal Best Whatever Your Age by Martina Navratilova.  If these books do not inspire you, we have plenty of other biographies to choose from!  If you are interested in browsing our selections, visit the area labeled "Biographies" in the libraries Non-Fiction section.  Books in this collection are shelved by the subject's last name.  If the Biography is 6 months old or less, try also looking in the New Non-Fiction section for an interesting story.  The library also has a great Juvenile Biography section downstairs in the Children's Library for any curious young minds who'd like to read about the life of a famous person!  Remember, if you can't find what you are looking for, please ask a library staff member for help.

Take a Dance with a Creole Belle

Creole Belle is James Lee Burke's newest novel in his Dave Robicheaux series.  Dave and his sidekick and sometimes-partner, Clete Purcel, are back together again trying to solve crimes and stay out of trouble.  Dave (a deputy sheriff) and Clete (a private investigator) are both recovering from injuries sustained in the last book, while investigating the disappearance of cajun chanteuse Tee Jolie Milton and her sister Blue.  When Tee Jolie's body washes up on the shore of a bayou, partially frozen in a block of ice, David and Clete try to unravel the twisted threads that make up life in small town Louisiana.  Tee Jolie and Blue's disappearances are tangled up in the fight for big oil and the oil spills in Louisiana, and the tycoons that control the oil.  Clete, as usual, gets involved with a woman that is not good for him and in a surprise twist, meets a relative, while Dave struggles with visions that may or may not be real.  The best part of this book is also one of the saddest, because the reader can see Clete's downward spiral and is powerless to stop it.  I enjoy James Lee Burke's books because I love his descriptions of Louisiana and life among its citizens in New Iberia and New Orleans.  I also like that there is plenty of information about Alafair Burke, (James' real life adopted daughter) and their interactions, in this novel.  For more information on James Lee Burke, check out his website at http://www.jamesleeburke.com/

Mexican Recipes in Your Slow Cooker

I'm a huge fan of my slow cooker---I cook with it at least twice a week at my house!  I enjoy being able to come home to a meal that has cooked safely all day, without me having to lift many fingers to fix it.  The library has many slow cooker recipe books available, but we just received a very intriguing new one-The Mexican Slow Cooker by Deborah Schneider. I must admit, at first glance, the recipes in this book look a little complicated.  Basically, the slow cooker is used in these recipes to perform the "gentle cooking" of the recipe with the cook having to perform "prep work" and "finishing touches."  The slow cooker cornbread recipe looks delicious as well as the Enchiladas Suizas and Mole.  Also included are great recipes to make tasty-looking tortillas that you can fill with one of the meat recipes included in this cookbook.  I believe this recipe book is better suited for the more advanced cook, and there are plenty of authentice recipes to choose from!  

A Beginner's Guide to Endings...

I stumbled across a very entertaining movie that I had to watch!  It is a quirky comedy with some very memorable characters and is hilarious.  A Beginner's Guide to Endings stars Harvey Keitel as Duke White, a man who has not been a good example of a father to his five sons (from three different moms).  After Duke learns that a foolish action of his youth has endangered the lives of his three eldest sons, he sets about trying to kill himself.  Thinking that they only have a few weeks to live, the three eldest boys create their own "bucket lists" and set out to accomplish all of the risky things they have wanted to do, before they die.  The result is a zany, madcap adventure full of twists, turns and unlikely circumstances.  All five boys characters' are wonderfully acted and Harvey Keitel is the perfect grizzled, remorseful dad.  This movie is rated R (for language and some sexual references) and won the Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Cinematographer and Screenplay at the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2011.  Funny and sensitive, this movie will make you think twice about living every one of your days to its fullest capacity.

Meet author Harris Dickson Shortle on September 18!

     Join us on Tuesday, September 18 from 12:00-1:30 pm in the library auditorium for a book reading and signing with Vicksburg native, Harris Dickson Shortle.  The program will be a Brown Bag Luncheon where attendees are  encouraged to bring their lunch to the program and drinks and dessert will be provided by the library. Harris Dickson Shortle, known as Dickson, is the author of Duplicate and The Duke of Zardano both published in 2009 by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, Mustang, Oklahoma.  Both books reflect a diversity of approach and innovative techniques of expressions in two distinctively different historical genres.

     Shortles’s story-telling is a product developed as the result of the influence of his grandfather, Harris Dickson, attorney, jurist and raconteur of note who published 13 novels and received an appreciative bicentennial award from The Saturday Evening Post for his 100 contributions. He was published by Collier’s, Redbook and other magazines during his career also.  Dickson’s novel creations followed his long-standing career as a construction project engineer, project manager and general contractor.  His work experiences and interactions with people during his career , granted him a “feel” for the humanisms of the stories he tells so realistically.

     Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and reared in Mississippi and Louisiana, Dickson’s background is spiced not only by the influence of his grandfather, but also by his father who was a civil engineer from Detroit, Michigan and by the grace of his mother who was an English major at the University of Mississippi.  Harris Dickson Shortle was a cum laude graduate of the Sewanee Military Academy at Sewanee, Tennessee, a member of the class of 1960 at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York and a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.  Dickson and his wife, Dllona recently moved back to Vicksburg from Upper Arlington, Ohio. Their only daughter is Harra Dickson Shortle Windsor who with her husband, the Reverend Doctor Van Windsor and their sons, Dickson and Walter live in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Being Flynn

I just watched a very moving film that was powerful, honest and entertaining.  Being Flynn stars Robert DeNiro and Paul Dano and is a portrait of a young man and aspiring author, Nick Flynn (Paul Dano) who is struggling to find his place in life at the same time as his dad, Jonathan Flynn (Robert DeNiro), a taxi driver who imagines himself to be a great writer.  Nick is unsure of his life's calling until he meets a girl in a bar who suggests he apply for a job at Harbor House, a local men's homeless shelter.  Nick takes the job because he needs the money, but soon he grows to understand that his life has meaning and purpose when he helps others less fortunate than himself.  Nick has not had a relationship with his father, until Jonathan calls him out of the blue and asks Nick to help him move out of his apartment.  Through a set of odd circumstances, Nick and Jonathan meet again and the exploration of their burgeoning relationship is the heart of this tough but tender story.  The film is rated R, and is not a gentle movie, but the acting is wonderfull and the story is moving.  Check it out and let us know what you think!

Try Your Hand at "Chic"

I know we are all feeling the weight of summer--so what better way to escape the heat and be productive than sewing some new accessories!

Chic on a Shoestring by Mary Jane Baxter offers simple to sew vintage-style accessories.  This book is your entrée into the world of high fashion that will inspire you to create your own covetable clothes and accessories.  Learn to transform ornate trim and vintage buttons into spectacular brooches, craft a favorite silk scarf into a chic top, or rework flea market shoes into fashionable showstoppers.

With more than forty unique and stylish ideas—including quick and easy no-sew projects—Chic on a Shoestring will inspire first-time and experienced crafters alike.

In looking through this book I found more fun and funky ideas than I have seen in a long time.  My favorites are the Tie Change Purse (made from an old tie), the Quick and Quirky Ribbon Corsage (this would be a great Mother’s Day badge for next year), and my all time favorite--Panty-hose Petals.  Yes, folks they made a very cute corsage from pantyhose.  It also has a section on rick-rack.  I remember my mother trimming many an outfit with rick-rack and it looked so spiffy.  It’s nice to seem someone else thinks it’s the bomb. 

Meet Author Curt Ayers on August 23!

     Author Curt Ayers will host a book signing on Thursday, August 23 from 12:00-1:30 PM in the library auditorium.  The event will be a Brown Bag Lunch, where attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch and drinks and dessert will be provided by the library.  Curt Ayers, writing at C. P. Tertius, will be discussing his book, Every Man Truly Lives Alone:  A Novel of Love, Loss and Recovery. 

     Ayer’s book is centered around the story of U.S. Army Captain Keith Miller, who survived the conflict and danger of the Vietnam War, various clandestine operations, a plane crash and being lost in the jungle.  None of these incidences could prepare him for what was in store for him after meeting the winsome, enigmatic Jey—a courageous, indentured Thai-Karen woman—and journeying with her across the exotic landscape and high seas of Southeast Asia.
     C. P. Tertius is a pseudonym for Curt Ayers, a former military office, corporate executive and university professor who is a semi-professional musician, blue-water sailor and adventure traveler.  Mr. Ayers has attained both civilian and military graduate and post-graduate diplomas and has been published   technically under an alias.  His travels have taken him around the globe several times with major stints in Latin America, Europe and Asia.  He has resided in South-East Asia for several years where he has witnessed the plight of the stateless refugees of whom he writes.  Ayers’ story is as much his story as it is the people he has met during his life’s journeys.

Never Tell...

Alafair Burke's latest novel, Never Tell stars my favorite heroine of hers, NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher.  Ellie and her partner Rogan are asked to investigate the death of 16 year old Julia Whitmore, a young lady who appeared to have everything.  The daughter of a famous music mogul and socialite mom, Julia attended the elite Casden school in Manhatten.  Julia's mom and dad are convinced that Julia's death is a suicide, so they pressure the NYPD to investigate her death as a homicide.  Although reluctant, Ellie and Rogan work to uncover a web of lies involving Casden, some homeless kids and family relationships to find out once and for all if Julia's death was indeed a suicide.  I enjoy Ellie Hatcher's character, because she is tough, strong, but doubts herself as a detective.  This novel is the fourth Ellie Hatcher novel, the first being Dead Connection.  Alafair Burke is a former prosecutor who now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan.  Check out her website at www.alafairburke.com for more information about the author!

In Love with Lavendar

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First let me say I am not a gardener. In fact, when I first moved into my house and was attempting to have a nice yard, a friend gave me a sign—“I tried but it died.” Truer words were never spoken. So, of course, since I lack a green thumb the two flowers I would most like to grow are peonies and lavender. I understand we don’t live in the correct temperate zone to grow either of these but that doesn’t stop me from longing for them. Recently I ran across a new book that has re-fired my desire for one of these.



The Lavender Lover’s Handbook by Sarah Berringer Bader offers the 100 most beautiful and fragrant varieties for growing, crafting, and cooking. With its intoxicating scent, wands of gorgeous purple flowers, lavender is one of the world’s most popular herbs. Lavender expert Sarah Bader introduces readers to 100 stunning varieties—from the continuous blooms of deep purple ‘Buena Vista’ to the incredible fragrance of ‘Grosso,’ the lavender often used in making perfume.


This is an essential resource for finding the best varieties with a complete checklist of the color, fragrance, size, and foliage of each plant-(And in the introduction it does offer not one but five different species of lavender that can be grown in hot, humid summers).


Whether you want to create a fabulous container garden, a dramatic border, or an exquisite herb garden, this rich primer gives easy, proven tips for growing, harvesting, drying, cooking, and crafting with this wonderful herb.


So armed with this knowledge I am going to try my hand at lavender. Check with me in a while to see how I’m doing.

Delve into the Life of Steve Guttenberg

We have the new autobiography of Steve Guttenberg entitled “The Guttenberg Bible.”  At first I was going to give this a mention in my weekly Sunday newspaper column but after flipping through the photo section in the book, I thought Steve deserved more of a mention.  In fact it wasn’t until I was looking at the photos I realized just how long a career he had and how very many big stars he had worked with.  And by now you might be wondering who is Steve Guttenberg.  Do the movies Diner, Boyd from Brazil, Police Academy, Cocoon, Short Circuit, Three Men and a Baby, and The Day After ring a bell?  He even starred in that terrible disco movie from the 80s, Can’t Stop the Music, which also starred Bruce Jenner, Valerie Perrine, and the Village People.      

     Guttenberg tells the unique story of his first decade in Hollywood, as he went from being a complete unknown to starring in some of the most successful blockbusters of all time. He spent his early days sneaking onto the Paramount lot and meeting more actors and casting agents than most aspiring actors ever would. Even before the hit Police Academy—which his manager said would be a flop—he had already worked with such luminaries as Lord Lawrence Olivier, Richard Widmark, and Gregory Peck. Later he shared the screen with actors such as Mickey Rourke and Sharon Stone long before they became household names.

Guttenberg has lived through the addictive pull of show business and worldwide celebrity (you’re no one until you have a stalker, he learns.) With a clear-eyed appreciation for the one-of-a-kind experiences that the celebrity lifestyle has to offer, he knew that his family would keep him grounded throughout it all. And his self-awareness and sense of humor about the ups and downs of fame make this book one of the most candid Hollywood stories to date.

Eat What You Love!

Most people recently get really upset when they are diagnosed with diabetes.  However, it is not "the end of the world" when it comes to never eating the foods you like again!  While I am not a doctor, treating diabetes  is all about portion control, being aware of what you are eating, and getting enough exercise.  The library has many books on good diets for diabetics and we have recently received another excellent one.  Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes:  A Mindful Eating Program for Thriving with Prediabetes or Diabetes by Dr. Michelle May is a wonderful book that aims to help diabetics feel better and make sensible (but enjoyable) food choices.  Dr. May's dedication page sums up the whole premise of the book, "May these words unlock the prison of restrictive eating and open the door to mindful diabetes care."  Dr. May teaches the reader how to practice "mindful eating," which is, in a nutshell, teaching the diabetic to not follow rigid nutrition rules and strict exercise regimes but rather making them aware of their beliefs, thoughts, and physical states in order to enable long-term lifestyle changes.  This book is great for any person trying to maintain a healthy weight, because it really does teach practical tools that anyone can use.  The biggest plus in this book is that it teaches the reader to be more aware of what, when and how he/she eats so that he/she can increase his/her satisfaction from the whole experience of eating and ultimately eat less and healthier foods.  There are also chapters on strenth training and the types of food diabetics should eat, and a wonderful chapter on stretching and "mindful movement."  This is a very well-rounded book that would be perfect for the newly-diagnosed diabetic or anyone struggling with this disease. 

Third Grave Dead Ahead

How many of you think of something funny when you picture the grim reaper?  Not what you usually do is it?  Now is your chance to practice that smile!  I just finished the third book in Darynda Jones' Charlotte Davidson series' (Charley for short), Third Grave Dead Ahead.  Charley is a private investigator who is also the grim reaper.  Now, that SOUNDS horrible, but that's not really a bad thing!  Charley's job is to help lost souls pass through her and get to the "other side-"  this is helped by the fact that she shines brightly (like a beacon), but only to dead people!  Besides her side job as the grim reaper, Charley also has an investigator office that's located across the street from her apartment and on the top of her dad's bar.  Her dad is a retired police man and her Uncle Bob still works for the force.  The stories are set in Minnesota, so if you are a fan of that region, this is definitely one of the books you want to read!  The funiest part of this book is that Charley does not want to fall asleep because Reyes, the son of Satan, keeps infiltrating her dreams whenever she does. Charley spends most of this book (the action takes place over two weeks) drinking huge amounts of coffee and trying not to fall asleep while driving, solving the mystery of a doctor's missing wife and helping a local biker gang find the person(s) killing their pets.  This is a hilarious ride of a book---if you love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series then you are sure to fall in love with Charley Davidson.  It helps to read this series in order, so start with the first one in the series, First Grave on the Right. 

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

WCVPL Online Catalog

I just finished reading the newest installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and it was just as good as the rest of the books in the series!  Alexander McCall Smith's latest, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection is set in Botswana as is the other books in the series.  The novel showcases the same familiar characters, with the addition of at least one new one!  Besides developments in their personal lives (Mma Makutsi and her new husband Phuti Radiphuti are building their dream house and one of the apprentices at the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is in trouble with the law), Mma Ramotswe has been having dreams about a tall stanger who waits for her.  To top it off, Mma Potokwane, defender of Botswana's orphans, has been dismissed from her post as matron of the orphan farm!  Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have their hands full trying to "make everything right" and deal with a surpise visitor to the detective agency!  I enjoy how McCall Smith brings Botswana to life in this series and I feel as if Mma Ramotswe and the rest of the characters are family members to me.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries, learning about Botswana and its people, you will enjoy reading this series.  I suggest you start with the first book, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency,  as the events in the characters lives build on each other in each successive book.   

With the approach of hot summer days, we need something to do inside and take our minds off the heat.  We have some great new craft books that can be used with children.

Learn to Knook  is by the editors of Leisure Arts.  Knooking is the new knitting.  The exciting new Knook is a specialized crochet hook that creates true knitted fabric, while the attached cord completely prevents dropped stitches.  You’ll enjoy learning the basic technique from our clear instructions, which are written for both right-hand & left-hand stitching.  Photos illustrate each step to make learning a breeze.  Once you’re familiar with the Knook, you can make the three warm projects in this book—a scarf, a pair of cozy mitts, or a child’s colorful hat.  The Knook is great for beginners or anyone who would like to learn to knit the easy way.

Just Duct Tape It! is also by the editors of Leisure Arts.  Here’s a fantastic idea that’s really sticking around—creating with duct tape!  You’ll find it in dozens of colors and prints, but it’s not just another pretty tape.  Duct is still strong enough to hang tough, so why not make it into original handbags and wallets? You can fashion a bouquet of wild flowers or a bright bangle bracelet.  Headed to school?  Make magnetic wallpaper and matching accessories for the best-looking locker, ever.  Your friends will be amazed at your creative ways.

Stitched Whimsy by Heidi Boyd are playful projects in felt and fabric.  Making adorable hand-stitched things using the fabric you love has never been easier.  Renowned crafter Heidi Boyd has 20 adorable sewn, stitched, and felted projects, complete with clear instructions, helpful illustrations, and crisp patterns.  There is something for everyone who likes to create handmade items, whether you’re new to sewing or a long time stitcher:  Loads of projects featuring hot fabrics, tantalizing textures and embellishments that add just the right touch.

Sacre' Bleu

The one word I can say about Christopher Moore's new novel, Sacre' Bleu is...phenomenal!  If you are a fan of Moore's work (Bite Me, Fool, Practical Demonkeeping) you are very familiar with his brand of biting, sarcastic, off-beat humor and just plain weird books.  I am always greatly amused by his stories and Sacre' Bleu does not disappoint.  Christopher Moore's latest intrigued me because it is set in France during the time that the Impressionist movement was in full swing and stars some of my favorite art characters.  I love Degas, Manet, Cezanne and other Impressionists so this book thrilled me because it stars many artists I'd have loved to have met.  Moore's book brings these artitsts to life, and you can picture them on the streets of Paris, drinking and carousing and trying to make a living by painting.  The premise of Sacre' Bleu is that there is a twisted, bent Colorman who wanders around Paris with his partner, a beautiful lady, trying to sell paint colors (and especially the very expensive ultramarine blue) to painters.  The Colorman has a special relationship with the sacre' bleu color and needs artists to buy the color and paint pictures with it in order for him to keep living.  The Colorman and his partner inspire artists to paint brilliant canvases by preying on their emotions, stopping time and inhabiting other people's bodies.  I don't want to give away too much of the story, but I promise you it is a tangled web of events right up until the very last pages. This book is beautiful, haunting and perfect for the art fan---especially if you enjoy imagining the lives of the great Impressionist painters!  Read this book, and then check out other Christopher Moore books---you won't be disappointed!  Interact with Christopher Moore by e-mail at theauthorguy@gmail.com, on Twitter@theauthorguy or on Facebook.com/theauthorguy. 

Sharks and Wolves

I have been attractedd to animal-themed movies lately, and two of the most fascinating ones I have watched are The Grey and Dark Tide.  The Grey is the story of a group of rough-and-tumble men flying home from their job in the frozen Alaskan wilderness.  Their plane crashes and they are suddenly forced to battle the wills of nature and a pack of wolves in order to make it home to their families. This movie is full of heart-pounding action and is not for the faint of heart!  Dark Tide is the story of Kate, a shark expert, who "free dives" with great white sharks outside of shark cages.  Kate's life is good until a fellow diver dies from a shark attack as she watches.  She loses her will to dive until a wealthy customer arrives, wanting to experience his own swim with sharks.  The sharks in this movie are celebrated for their beauty, majesty and ferociousness and the underwater scenes with the sharks are breathtaking.  Both of these movies show the stark beauty of nature and celebrate the power of animals.  Both moveis are rated PG-13 because of graphic/ disturbing animal attack scenes. 

Deadlocked

Deadlocked is the new novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series written by Misssissippi native Charlaine Harris. This novel is as full of action and character development as the other novels in the series. In this book, the Vampire Queen shows up to wreak havoc on Sookie and Eric's relationship, and the book opens up with the death of a half-were girl on Eric's front lawn, very soon after Eric has fed on her.  Sookie and Bill Compton, the official Area Five Investigator,commit to solving the mystery, figuring out what the Queen wants and dealing with the outlaw fairies in the area.  Meanwhile, many of Sookie's friends are having problems of their own with marriages, proposals and new babies.  Sam also has a few plans that involve the bar, Merlotte's, where Sookie works, and these plans involve Sookie too!  The story is another great installment in thhis series that promises to get better and better.  I do reccommend reading these books in order as the characters' actions build on the events of the previous books. Connect online with Charlaine Harris at www.charlaineharris.com or at facebook.com/CharlaineHarris

Hit the Park with Calico Joe

John Grisham's latest novel, Calico Joe is a tribute to the All-American game of baseball!  No matter how little of a fan you are, you will love this story. The book's action centers around the Mets and the Cubs and a brilliant rookie named Joe Castle. The book is told from the point of view of Paul Tracey, the son of callous, hard-throwing Mets pitcher Warren Tracey.  Paul, his sister Jill and their mom spend their lives trying to avoid the rants of Warren Tracey until Paul is captured by the allure of rookie Joe Castle in his brilliant opening run as a member of the Cubs team.  He is an amazing player on his way to a brilliant career until an incident with Warren Tracey ends his career forever. Later on in his life, Paul decides to encourage a truce between Warren and Joe---will he succeed or will they forever be embroiled in a feud? This book is a brilliant piece of storytelling---it's a very quick read and I hung onto every word, eager to get to the finale.  This book would be a perfect gift for that special man in your life, or any fan of baseball!!!  

Cheer on the "Mighty Macs!"

Every now and then I stumble across a wonderful movie that deserves to be watched over and over.  The Mighty Macs is a movie that everyone in your family will enjoy!  The movie explores the history of the women's basketball team at Immaculata College, who made it to the first Women's College Basketball National Championship in 1972.  Interestingly enough, Immaculata beat the Mississippi State team in the the semi-finals and they are featured a tiny bit in this movie too!  The movie is as much a history of the team as it is an exploration of the life of Immaculata's coach, Cathy Rush, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  The story is one of grit, determination and beating all the odds as Immaculata rises above obstacles to win recognition for themselves, their team, and the sport of women's basketball.  Humorous and uplifting, this movie is a sports story that deserves to be told.  The movie is rated G and includes deleted scenes, an ESPN segment on The Mighty Macs as well as a "making the movie" segment.   Check out this website http://www.immaculata.edu/mightymacsthemovie/history.php for more information on this stellar moment in the history of women's sports.

Dogs Versus Cats

First let me say that dogs are fine, but cats are better!  Something about that drooling, rub my belly, I’ll do anything to please you attitude, just comes off as well, fake.  Cats are aloof, intelligent, and as the bumper sticker says, “take a message and get back to you.”  However lately I have read two of the cutest book about dogs.  One is part of a series and if you haven’t read them, give them a try.  They are very charming.  The other is by an author who has written other books but this is her first one on dogs.

Fashion Faux Paw by Judi McCoy stars professional dog walker Ellie Engleman and is the sixth title in this series.  When Ellie is hired for a Fashion Week event—caring for the dogs who will model outfits that match human models’—she’s more than ready to escape her world of pet-a-porter for the glitz and glamour of the fashion world.  But the glitter rubs right off when a designer drops dead of anaphylactic shock, her EpiPen useless after someone tampers with it.  The victims’ peanut allergy was as well-known as her dress designs.  With a little psychic help from the designer’s miniature Schnauzer, Ellie and her canine sidekicks are determined to sort through a coterie of backstabbing rivals and bitter enemies to find out who wanted the designer out of the competition—permanently.

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick is a hilarious and heartwarming story about bad dogs and the women who love them.   Lara Madigan has a gift:  She can help you find your soul mate—your canine soul mate, that is.  As a dog trainer with a soft spot for strays, she’s found perfect homes for sulky Shih Tzus, broken-down Border collies, and diabolical Dalmatians.  But while she’ll always make room for one more rescue mutt, she’s not sure she’s ready to commit to another human being—especially after her long-term boyfriend drops the bomb:  He’s not a dog person.  Horrified and temporarily homeless, Lara and her furry pack move in with her mother, a wealthy fashionista who forbids even a single drop of drool.  As word gets around the exclusive gated community, Lara is overwhelmed with demands for her services.  A model wants personal training for her overweight “flabrador”; an aging socialite preps her pedigreed puppy for dog show domination.  If Lara can survive the breakup, the outrageous requests of her high-maintenance clientele, and her dogs’ systematic destruction of her mother’s McMansion, she might finally find the rescue dog who rescues her in return—by leading her straight to the guy who could be her perfect match.

Spruce Up Your Home with Fabric!

While completing a reference question for a patron yesterday, I stumbled across a wonderful book in the "746.6" Dewey Decimal Classifcation!  For all of you non-librarians, this classification number is one of my favoirtes because it's where we file all of our wonderful craft books...and I will never have time to examine all of them!  The book that caught my eye was Susie Stokoe's Fabric Decorating Step-by-Step Project Book.  This book was published in the United Kingdom, and is a beautifully illustrated book.  The volume contains 95 ideas for printing, stenciling, painting and dyeing items that will look beautiful in your home.  This book is perfect for the homewowner who is looking to "re-do" his/her home with little money, by simply creating functional art items.  The book is divided into six "fabric decorating technique" chapters, plus a section on supplies and templates for many of the projects included in the book. The projects range from easy to difficult and each includes a detailed list of directions complete with photographs of each step.  One of my favorite projects is the fish-stencilled Shower Curtain on pg. 53! This is a great book for anyone who wants to try their hand a creating a unique fabric item for their home. 

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mrs. Murphy's Mysteries!

If you are a fan of Rita Mae Brown, I am sure you have eagerly anticipated the next installment in her "Mrs. Murphy" mystery series which are co-written by her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown! The Big Cat Nap is the Brown's latest collaboration and it is as charming and fun a read as the rest of the series.  Since this story is the twentieth one in the series, the action, plot, characters and story are well developed and fun!  These cozies star Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen and her pet dog TeeTucker (corgi), Mrs. Murphy (tiger cat) and Pewter (overweight gray cat), her husband, Fair, DVM, and a host of their friends in Crozet, Virginia.  Harry was the postmistress of Crozet until she quit to take up farming on her family's land and has had some success growing ginseng, hay, grapes and sunflowers.  All is well in Harry's world until several of her friends have vehicular mishaps and Harry discovers a murdered mechanic in a local repair shop. Despite numerous warnings from her animals and friends, Harry decides to conduct her own investigation when other mechanics start dying and ends up involved in her own deadly chase!  A self-professed "motorhead," Harry enjoys discovering things about cars, and her love of vehicles is reflected in this book. If you are "put off" by animal characters in books, don't be afraid of this series--the animals do talk to each other and interact with humans, but only in ways that are normal behavior for cats and dogs.  Rita Mae Brown lives in Afton, Virginia and is the author of this series as well as the Sister Jane, a new canine mystery series and several other novels.  She is also an emmy-nominated screenwriter and poet and can be reached at www.ritamaebrown.com.   

The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet

The library has received a great new diabetes book, The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet! The idea behind this book is that beating diabetes, or improving your blood sugar, involves the basic concept of eating less and moving more.  Now, we all know that is a great theory, but actually putting that into practice is tough! The weight-loss experts at the Mayo Clinic have put together a great combination of diet tips, recipes, good and bad habits, the food pyramid and other ideas to help you lose weight and keep it off. The book is well written and the tips are easy to follow. This book is geared toward all types of diabetics, newly diagnosed or not, and will provide great inspiration for all readers.

Love in a Nutshell

I absolutely adore the humor and effervescent writing of Janet Evanovich!  Her latest book, Love in a Nutshell, is a collaboration between herself and Dorien Kelly.  The story is a light-hearted romance with a bit of a mystery thrown in to make the plot more entertaining.  The story is set in Keene's Harbor, Michigan, where Kate Appleton escapes to her parents'summer home after her husband leaves her and she is fired from her job as a magazine editor.  Kate is desperate to find a job in order to earn much-needed cash to renovate the summer home into a bed-and-breakfast business, but the only job she can find is with Matt Culhane at his local brewery.  Someone is sabotaging Matt's business and he hires Kate to discover the culprit.  The only problem is, Kate begins to have feelings for her employer---will they get in the way of solving the mystery?  This is a great story filled with romantic suspense, small-town antics, secret sabotage and lots and lots of beer.  I especially enjoyed reading all about how beer is made and the "secrets" behind a small-town brewery.  This is a very quick and fun read!

Meet the Duchess of Windsor

I first became interested in the Duchess of Windsor when I read a book about her jewels that were being auctioned.  I had heard the tale of Edward VIII who gave up the throne of England for “the woman he loved,” but did not know much about the woman herself.  I wound up reading two biographies of her and was fascinated.  Now I have a new biography to read.  It is entitled That Woman: the Life of Wallis Simpson Duchess of Windsor by Anne Sebba.  “That woman,” as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hated figure for ensnaring a British King and destabilizing the monarchy.  Born in 1896 in Baltimore, Bessie Wallis Warfield endured an impoverished and comparatively obscure childhood that inflamed a burning desire to rise above her circumstances.  Neither beautiful nor brilliant, she nevertheless became one of the most talked-about women of her generation, and inspired such deep love and adoration in Edward VIII that he gave up a throne and an empire for her.  Wallis lived by her wits, while both her apparent and alleged moral transgressions added to her aura and dazzle.  Accused of Fascists sympathies, having Nazi lovers, and learning bizarre sexual techniques in China, she was the subject of widespread gossip and fascination. In death, the Duchess became a style icon and a symbol of empowerment, a woman whose unequivocal aim was to win the game of life.

Celebrate National Library Week With Us!

National Library Week 2012 is April 8 - April 14, 2012!  Visit the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library this week and explore one of the many programs the library has available for you!  From learning about Cyber-Bullying to sharing cookies and punch with library staff, this is a great time to come visit us and see what the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library has to offer.

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty

Joshilyn Jackson has written another wonderful mother/ daughter drama in her new novel, A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty.  The author of Gods in Alabama, the novel is both bittersweet and elegant as it explores the life of "Big," who had her daughter Liza when she was fifteen and Mosey, her granddaughter, who Liza had when she was fifteen.  They all live in a small town and are looked down upon because of their young births, and Big works hard to make a life for all of them.  Liza is a flirtatious play girl until she suddenly has a stroke and Big is forced to care for her as well as Mosey.  The book is a tense mystery, when a baby's bones are dug up from under the willow tree and the whole town begins guessing whose baby it was.  Mosey and her friends decide themselves to try to solve the mystery so they can figure out who their family members really are.  The book is told in alternate chapters by Mosey, Liza and Big and this makes an interesting read.  The challenging part is that Liza is unable to speak, so she is stuck trying to figure out how to communicate what she knows, to her mom and daughter.  It's a fascinating story and an example of great writing!  If you love Jodi Picoult, try also reading Joshilyn Jackson--you won't be disappointed!

Fabulous Slow Cooker Meals

I have been using my slow cooker a lot lately, because it's an easy way to cook great meals while being away at work and it does not heat up the house as much as using the oven.  The library has many wonderful slow cooker recipe books, and one of the latest ones we've received is wonderful!  The Everything Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook by Rachel Rappaport contains 300 recipes fit for any cooking occasion.  I really enjoy this cookbook because it has a lot of "foundation" recipes that can be used as the basis for other recipes (such as roasted vegetable stock, poached chicken, roasted garlic and carmelized onions.)  The recipe book opens with a great chapter on how to cook healthy meals in the slow cooker, and includes a section on how to adapt your favorite meals for the challenges of the slow cooker.  The recipes in this book are diverse---from appetizers and snacks, dips, chili, meat and vegetable main dishes, to desserts and recipes for a couple or a crowd.  The book ends with two appendices discussing slow-cooking tips and how to make your favorite recipes lower in fat. This book is great for anyone who is an "old hand" at using their slow cooker or a beginner.   If you like this book, try alos Dana Carpender's 300 Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes. 

Red Mist

Red Mist is the latest book by Patricia Cornwell in the series featuring Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta.  Kay Scarpetta is a tough, no-nonsense, brilliant forensic doctor who is the director of the new Cambridge Forensic Center in Massachusettes.  With her connection to the Department of Defense, Scarpetta has urgent reasons to learn more about a string of grisly killings that she feels are somehow linked to her former deputy chief, Jack Fielding's, murder six months ago.  Most of the stories' action takes place in Savannah, GA, where Scarpetta visits in order to meet with a convicted sex offender at the Georgia Prison for Women.  Kay Scarpetta senses there is a connection to Fielding's death, the murder of a Savannah family years ago and several deaths at the GPFW.  The action is tense and the book is filled with cutting-edge technology.  Fans of Patricia Cornwell will especially love this book as it's an excellent installment in the Kay Scarpetta series of novels. 

St. Patrick's Day Murder

This Saturday, March 17, 2012, the United States will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day, which

began as a Catholic feast day to celebrate the life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.  Observed by the Irish for 1000 years, it is now a holiday celebrated around the world.  If you are wondering how to celebrate your own St. Patrick's day, try reading a St. Patrick's Day mystery! Leslie Meier's St. Patrick's Day Murder takes place in the town of Tinker's Cove, Maine, when the body of barkeep Old Dan Malone is found floating in the town's icy harbor.  This forces Lucy Stone, the Pennysaver newspaper's intrepid reporter, to solve this murder before the town's St. Patrick's Day celebrations begin.  Isis Crawford's A Catered St. Patrick's Day  is centered around Bernie and Libby Simmons, the owners of "A Little Taste of Heaven."  When Mike Sweeney is found floating in a vat of green beer, and the nephew of of one of their best customers is accused of the crime, the Simmons' set out to find the real killer.  Both of these mysteries are cozies, and are centered around food.  They are both great books to curl up with and celebrate the joy of St. Patrick's Day!