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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our library hours will be as follows for Thanksgiving :

Monday, November 23 & Tuesday, November 24 - Normal hours - 9 am to 7 pm
Wednesday, November 25 - 9 am until Noon
Thursday, November 26 - CLOSED - Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27 & Saturday, November 28 - CLOSED

We will reopen on Monday, November 30 at 9 am.

Remember - our selections of eBooks and digital magazines are available even when we're closed.  We hope all of our patrons have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Miscellaneous Non-Fiction for Your Consideration

The library orders and receives more books than we, here at the library, can read and fit onto this blog or into my weekly newspaper column. So, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of the less glamorous, but all-together informative non-fiction that we have recently acquired.

The 11:45 Call: An Expository Bible Study of the Book of Jude is by Joel F. Blakely and Brenda Klutz Blakely. The book of Jude is God's last attempt to give humanity His instructions on how to be delivered from destruction and what will happen if we don't listen. The book of Jude zeros in on the instructions that Jesus left his disciples to beware, to be ready, walk in faith and truth, and to testify to the work that God has done in our lives.

Next, we have 5@55: The 5 Essential Documents You Need by Age 55 written by Judith D. Grimaldi, Esq. and Joanne Seminara, Esq. with Pierre A. Lehu. This small, but informative book is for everyone; not just those 55 years old and older. You never know when you may need a will or an advanced health care directive. Illness, disability, and death may strike at any time; yet most people don't have the necessary legal documents in place to safeguard our loved ones and our assets. This book covers the five most important documents you should have: a Will, a Health Care Proxy, a Living Will, a Power of Attorney, and a Digital Diary (which gives authorization for your representative to access your computer and online accounts). These documents will help ensure that your assets go to the right people, your wishes about your medical care will be respected, and that the people you trust will be in charge of your affairs. This is not a difficult book to understand. The authors wrote it for the average layperson to understand, so why not check it out today?

Finally, have you ever thought about writing your memoirs, but have been at a loss at where to begin? Well, perhaps you should check-out Turning Memories into Memoirs: A Handbook for Writing Lifestories by Denis Ledoux. The author leads you through writing your personal or family history step-by-step. He offers practical advice and tips for helping you remember the salient details of the stories you are trying to tell. You will learn proven story writing techniques and strategies to write stories that others will enjoy and you will gain the skills necessary to help you gain access to your life's deeper, inner meaning.


These, and other informative books are readily available here at the library. Come in and check them out!

Origami Day!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 is Origami Day.  Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, taking a flat piece of paper and turning it into another form without cutting or pasting.   One of the best known models is the Paper Crane, which has become a symbol for peace.

We have several books in our collection for patrons that are interested in origami.

In 10-Fold Origami by Peter Engel, readers can learn how to create 26 wide-ranging origami models,  The book includes easy to follow diagrams and full color illustrations. (736  E57t)

Origami Sourcebook by Jay Ansill has projects for all levels from the beginning folder to the more experienced.  The wide range of models go from dragons and wizards to paper flower arrangements and napkin rings. (736 A619os)

Origami Boxes : for Gifts, Treasures and Trifles by Alexandra Dirk teaches how to make a range of unique containers that can be made in endless variations by simply altering the color or pattern of paper used to create them. (736.982 D599o)

These and many other crafting books are available for your use in our Nonfiction section (both Adult and Juvenile).  

Going "Off the Beaten Path"

     A lot of people enjoy traveling in the fall. I can't really blame them--the weather is cooler, you can usually find a harvest festival or two, and gas tends to be less expensive. If you're tired of the same ol' restaurants, museums, and festivals; why not check out the "Off the Beaten Path" series of travel books? These guides to the out-of-the-way and unique places in each state may inspire you to go somewhere just a bit different. They also offer tidbits and trivia about each state. Our newest additions to this series are: Kentucky, Mississippi, and Montana.

     The Bluegrass State of Kentucky has tons of natural wonders as well as man-made entertainment. Into horse racing? Visit Lexington which has the Kentucky Horse Park where you can see all kinds of horses; from thoroughbreds to rare breeds. If your sensibilities lean more toward the artistic; why not visit the park's International Museum of the Horse? It boasts fascinating exhibits from around the globe. Or you can visit the second oldest harness-racing track in the United States--the Red Mile Harness Track--and watch a race or two. Not really into horse-racing? Kentucky has more than 1,500 miles of marked hiking trails. A little more adventurous? Spelunk a lighted cave at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Kentucky. You can view the world's largest know collection of ventriloquist figures at Vent Haven in Fort Mitchell. Why not go to Benton and check out the festivities leading up to Tater Day--the first Monday in April--which celebrates the glory of the sweet potato? You can cheer for your favorite kilt-sporting competitors at the Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans in Glascow. (Kentucky, that is!)

     Did you know that, based on income tax returns documenting charitable donations, Mississippians are the most generous citizens in the United States? This is just one of the bits of Magnolia State trivia you'll pick up when you check out "Off the Beaten Path: Mississippi." Gaze at the multi-million-dollar collection of antique, rare, and celebrity vehicles on display at the Tupelo Automobile Museum. You can also "ooh" and "ahh" at the colorful balloons that fill the sky over Natchez during the annual Great Mississippi River Balloon Race in October. Visiting Biloxi? Swing by the Hurricane Katrina Memorial which stands watch over Biloxi's Town Green off US 90. The memorial stands 12 feet tall which is approximately the same height reached by the water at the Town Green during Katrina's storm surge. Take some time and follow The Mississippi Blues Trail--"a series of historical markers that combine words and images to tell the story of the blues, America's only original music." Mississippi also boasts a great many natural wonders. Black Creek, the state's only National Wild and Scenic River flows through three counties in southern Mississippi. Why not rent a canoe or camp along its banks? Or you could get in your car and hop on the Natchez Trace Parkway which runs from Natchez through Jackson and up through Tupelo in the northeastern part of the state.

     Montana is known as the Treasure State; and it's no wonder. It boasts wide open spaces and towering mountains along with beautiful wildlife. Did you know that there are five varieties of falcons that call Montana home: the prairie falcon, peregrine falcon, kestrel, merlin, and the gyrfalcon. Why not visit the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge which is located a mile south of the town of Medicine Lake? The northern portion of Yellowstone National Park is located in Montana. You can take a three-hour excursion on the Charlie Russell Chew Choo dinner train that departs from the Kingston Junction depot or you can marvel at Bill Holt's incredible collection of celebrity cowboy boots in Lolo. Stay at the magnificent Toad Hall Manor and attend the annual Evel Knievel Days in Butte. Bozeman has the American Computer Museum and the Museum of the Rockies. It also hosts the Sweet Pea Festival in early August and the Bridger Raptor Festival in early October.

These three travel books and more are available for check-out from the library. Enjoy!

Halloween is here!

We've reached the end of October and what better way to enjoy it than a few stories to go with the season?

Here are a few suggestions :

Easy Reader

• A Ghost in the Toy Box by Fay Robinson
• The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories by David LaRochelle
• Pup and Hound Scare a Ghost by Susan Hood
• Spooky and the Ghost Cat by Natalie Savage Carlson
• Whooo's Haunting the Teeny Tiny Ghost? by Kay Winters

Juvenile

• The Berenstain Bears and the Galloping Ghost by Stan Berenstain
• Cowboy Ghost by Robert Newton Peck
• Jeffrey's Ghost and the Fifth-Grade Dragon by David Adler
• Never Hit a Ghost, With a Baseball Bat by Eth Clifford
• The Tightwad's Curse and Other Pleasantly Chilling Stories by Margret Rettich

Young Adult

• Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
• The Ghosts of Kerfol by Deborah Noyes
• Lights Out by R.L. Stine
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• The Revenant by Sonia Gensler

Adult

• A Catered Halloween by Isis Crawford
• Death of a Neighborhood Witch by Laura Levine
• The Ghost and the Dead Deb by Alice Kimberly
• The Sin Eater by Sarah Rayne
• Vampires, Bones and Treacle Scones by Kaitlyn Dunnett

Horror and Fantasy Titles for Halloween

     It’s almost Halloween and I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some Spooky Reads! There are many different types of scary stories. Some are horror, some are fantasy or science fiction; and others are combinations of all of these. These kinds of stories may be terrifying, weird, or even funny. I’ve tried to list a sampling of books that would appeal to different readers, so, please enjoy!

Classic Horror Stories and Writers

• The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft (again, anything from Lovecraft)
• Bartlby the Scrivner by Herman Melville
• The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe (really, just about anything from Poe)
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Dracula by Bram Stoker                  

More Contemporary Horror Writers and Novels

•  The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
• The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
• Under the Dome by Stephen King
• Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
• The Haunted by Bentley Little
• Figures of Fear by Graham Masterton
• Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
• Perfect Nightmare by John Saul 

Urban Fantasy Series and Authors

• Vampire Huntress Legend by L. A. Banks
• Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor Series by MaryJanice Davidson
• The Otherworld Novels by Yasmine Galenorn
• Anita Blake Series by Laurel Hamilton
• Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris
• Dark Hunter Novels by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward
• Novels of Count Saint-Germain by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Zombie Fiction (Just for the Heck of It!)

• Death Warmed Over: Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. by Kevin J. Anderson
• I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Clause by Scott G. Brown
• Severed Souls by Terry Goodkind
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
• Zombie Island: a Shakespeare Undead Novel by Lori Handeland
• Apocalypse Cow by Michael Logan
• Strands of Sorrow by John Ringo

Inter-library Loan services are available to our patrons

Is there a book you've been wanting to read that isn't a part of our library's collection?  We can request that book for you from one of the many libraries associated with us.

To request a book, you must have a current library card with Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library that is in good standing.  Simply request a blue Materials Request card from either the Circulation Desk or the Reference Desk, then fill out the information and hand it back in.  As multiple books can have the same title, the name of the author is required to assure we will request the book that you want.

Please note that only physical books are available through this service (no audio books, CDs, DVDs or videos) and that not all titles might be available for loan. However, we have a very good history of being able to borrow books from other libraries for our patrons use.  It will take between one to six weeks to receive a book through the system if it is available.

When using our inter-library loan service, please keep the following in mind:

• Books that have been released within the previous six months cannot be requested through inter-library loan.  Most libraries keep new books in-house for the first six months to a year to allow their own patrons the opportunity to check them out first.
• Books borrowed from another library are sent by mail.  While most titles that are available will come within two weeks, it can take up to six weeks for a request to be fulfilled depending on availability of the item and distance.
• Books will have a wrapper on them that has the due date of the material on it.  These must remain on the books.  The due date will depend on the lending library's policy and will therefore vary by case. Inter-library loans cannot be extended past their due date.
• Inter-library books must be signed for and, when returned, taken to the Circulation Desk.  Never put an inter-library loan book in any of our drop boxes.

Can Ghosts Commit Murder?

     Sheriff Dan Rhodes has learned to put up with a lot from the folks of Blacklin County, Texas; not to mention the barrage of teasing and gossip he gets from his dispatcher, Hack, and his jailer, Lawton. Rhodes handles everything with a cool head and a good bit of compassion. Although, Rhodes is not what you would imagine when you think of a Texas sheriff. He doesn't wear a cowboy hat or boots; there isn't a six shooter strapped to his hip. In fact, he prefers the Kel-Tec he keeps in his ankle holster.
   Rhodes is a very logical and methodical investigator, so when Hack calls him in the middle of the night to back up Deputy Ruth Grady who is on a "shots fired" call at the local haunted house, Rhodes doesn't give it a second thought. After sloshing through the rain to the back of the house, he and Ruth find Neil Foshee, local meth dealer, face-down in one of the rooms. A cursory search doesn't turn up much else. The suspect list includes Neil's former girlfriend, Vicki, who happens to be friends with Rhodes's wife. There is also the nephew of Clearview's mayor, as well as Neil's partners in crime, his cousins Earl and Louie.
     Complicating his investigation is the fact that the house is said to be haunted. The former owner--a  man named Moore who also taught at the local high school--died in the house of a heart attack nearly forty years ago. (The house has remained empty since the owner's death; with only local drug dealers and vandals daring to venture inside.) By all accounts Moore was a bully of a teacher and he would use a BB gun to kill any animals that came onto his property.  Rhodes doesn't believe in ghosts, but his "friend" Seepy Benton, the community college math professor who fancies himself an unofficial investigator for the sheriff's department, does. Though Rhodes himself has had some creepy feelings of being watched while visiting the house, Rhodes is still a skeptic.
    Many folks--Hack and Lawton included--believe that the ghost has something to do with Neil's death. After the scene of Neil's death has been cleared, Benton wants Sheriff Rhodes to let them investigate the house. Knowing he won't have any peace until he lets the professor look around, Rhodes takes Benton and his partner through the house and they find a skeleton in a closet in the attic--a room Rhodes neglected to clear the night of the murder. Whoever the woman was--Benton can tell from the shape of the pelvic bones--Rhodes can see from the skull fracture that she must have been murdered or at least fallen and hit her head on something hard. But then, how did she get into the closet in the attic where she was found?
     On top of these two bodies, Rhodes has to deal with copper thieves, a runaway bull, a county commissioner who wants to arm the sheriff's department for WWIII, and the rest of the characters that occupy Blacklin County. What is a small town sheriff to do?

Banned Books Week - September 27 - October 3

As hard as it might be to believe, there are still attempts every year to have books pulled from library shelves for what some believe to be inappropriate materials for the rest of us to have access to.  The reasons are as varied as the books - issues with offensive language, mentions of gambling, mentions of alternative lifestyles, books dealing with evolution over creationism - the list goes on and on.

Join us during Banned Books Week and celebrate our freedom to read what we choose and make up our own minds about the subject matter contained within.  The following titles, available in our library in one or more formats, were among the top most challenged titles for 2014.

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (J and CJ)
• Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi (955.0542  S253p)
• And Tango Makes Three, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (E R)
• The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison (F, LT, and C)
• The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini F, LT, MP, and C)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (C)
• A Stolen Life, Jaycee Dugard (B Dugard and C B Dugard)

Season 11 of "New Tricks"

     As season 11 of this hit British cop series opens, the retired detectives of the Unsolved Crimes and Open Case Squad (UCOS) have a new boss. Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman) was offered a position with INTERPOL toward the end of season 10; and now, beautiful and young DCI Sasha Miller (Tamzin Outhwaite) has taken over as gov'ner of this motley crew of veteran detectives. Also missing is the eccentric, but brilliant Brian "Memory" Lane (Alun Armstrong), whose antics were always interesting to watch. Replacing Brian is the scientifically minded detective, Danny Griffin (Nicholas Lyndhurst), who has his own set of quirks. Joining Danny and Sasha are no-nonsense Scotsman Steve McAndrew (Denis Lawson), and (the solo holdout from the original team) Gerry "last man" Standing (Dennis Waterman). This unlikely powerhouse team use their considerable experience and classic skills to solve daunting cases; and it doesn't hurt that they also use a great deal of humor to offset the bleakness of their work. They find themselves tackling crimes involving antinuclear protesters, battle reenactors, an amateur sleuth, illegal immigrants, and state secrets from the Cold War era.

     I wasn't sure how I would like the replacement characters this season, but I have to admit that they have grown on me quite a bit. I also love that each episode isn't just about the case-of-the-week; there are also personal stories that allow a glimpse into each individual's family and past.

 *Warning: Spoilers* 

     Sasha has to work in the building with her lying, cheating, good-for-nothing ex-husband who also happens to be a command officer. Last season, we learn that Danny has a wheelchair-bound daughter named Holly. This season we learn why she is in a wheelchair and what happened to her mother. We also learn that Steve has reconnected with his son after ten years and that Steve's abusive father is dying. Gerry's family life is also a bit in chaos. His youngest daughter is about to marry a *gasp* solicitor (lawyer) and the angst that Gerry inflicts on his soon-to-be-son-in-law makes for a bit of fun. Sadly, it looks like the actor who plays Gerry, Dennis Waterman, will be leaving the show in season 12.

     These stories and the chemistry between these characters have kept this popular series going for a long time now. I hope to see more of these characters' antics in the future. They really do prove that you CAN teach an old dog New Tricks!

Come Check Out Our Huge Selection of Large Print Titles!

Our library has a huge selection of Large Print titles for your reading pleasure - over fifteen thousand titles to choose from.  Biographies, romances, westerns, comedies, mysteries, action, thriller - both older favorites and brand new titles to enjoy.


We've already added thirty-seven new titles this month :

As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers

By Your Side by Candace Calvert

The Cavendon Women by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Daughter of the Regiment by Stephanie Grace Whitson

The Dead Play On by Heather Graham

Don't Go Home by Carolyn Hart

Eeny Meeny by M. J. Arlidge

Emma's Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Endangered by C. J. Box

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

A Faith of Her Own by Kathleen Fuller

The Fall by John Lescroart

The Favorite Son by Tiffany Warren

Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon

Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman

The First Wife by Erica Spindler

The Fixer by Joseph Finder

The Forever Bridge by T. Greenwood

Home of Our Hearts by Robin Jones Gunn

The Icing on the Corpse by Liz Mugavero

The Invention of Fire by Bruce Holsinger

Kickback by Ace Atkins

Mademoiselle Chanel by C. W. Gortner

One True Heart by Jodi Thomas

Playing with Fire by Deborah Mello

Pride V. Prejudice by Joan Hess

Puzzled Indemnity by Parnell Hall

The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell by William Klaber

Reservations for Two by Hillary Lodge

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott

A Stranger's Secret by Laurie Alice Eakes

The Ultimate Betrayal by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Vines of Entanglement by Lisa Carter

The Wedding Circle by Ashton Lee

Wilderness Rising by A. L. Shields

These and the rest of our newest Large Print titles can be found on the white shelves near the elevator on the top floor.  Happy reading!

Cats and Dogs

Here at the library, we love our pets! I grew up in the country and I have owned pets most of my life, so when two new pet books came across my desk, I just had to share.

     The first is a small book with a lot of good ideas for getting your cat to like you. "Yes," it says, "It is possible!" The book is called 97 Ways to Make a Cat Like You and it is written by Carol Kaufman. If you are in a one-sided relationship with your cat (let's be honest, most cat owners are) then this may be the book you need to check-out the next time you are in the library.These 97 inspired, sometimes silly, but absolutely fun-for-you-and-kitty tricks and games will endear you to your cat.

These tips and tricks are based on scientific understanding of cat behavior. For instance, tip #43 suggests you "rack 'em up" by putting pennies in a plastic Easter egg and let your cat have at it. You'll also learn the "Head Butt," the "Hide and Seek," and the useful "Cat Burrito." Almost all of these tips are simple, practical, and very inexpensive ways to play with and connect with your cat.

     The second book we have is called The Complete Dog Breed Book and it is published by DK books. This encyclopedia provides photographic profiles on more than 420 of the world's best-loved dogs. Each dog's profile gives vital statistics such as height range, weight range, average life span, coat colors, grooming needs, and trainability. There are also temperament ratings and descriptions of the breed's origin so that you can best choose the type of dog for you and your family. Do you want an alert watchdog who will be wary of strangers, but calm and dedicated to your household? Then, why not choose a Catahoula Leopard Dog? Want a small, but energetic dog that is also smart and responds well to obedience training? Well, look no further than the miniature schnauzer. This cheerful, friendly dog is good with the whole family.

     Granted, every dog has its individual personality and could use firm, consistent training to help with family socialization and every cat has its own idea about who rules the roost. But, the benefits of owning a pet have been well documented: lower blood pressure, more exercise, ease of depression symptoms, and greater self-esteem. Love your pets and remember; adoption is best, but always choose your pet on whether or not it will fit with your lifestyle and family dynamic, not on how it looks or its breed.

Three Very Different New Biographies

You might be hard pressed to find a more diverse three people than the ones in our most recent group of biographies.  Each of the ones mentioned here can be found in our New Non-Fiction shelves.

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 The first is 'A Time for Truth' by Ted Cruz, who is currently campaigning to be the GOP candidate for the presidency.

The son of a Cuban immigrant whose father experienced brutality in the Cuban prison system, Cruz became a success story who not only made it into an Ivy League school, but became the 34th US Senator from Texas.

In this autobiography, he covers both the history of his parents as well as his own story from his birth in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to his current campaign.

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The second biography, 'Model Woman' by Robert Lacey, is about Eileen Ford who, along with her husband Jerry, created the Ford Modeling Agency - the largest and most successful modeling agency in the twentieth century with many of fashion's best known models on their roster : Suzy Parker, Naomi Campbell, Christie Brinkley, Jerry Hall, Christy Turlington and many others.

This biography on Eileen Ford draws on four years of interviews with Ford herself prior to her passing in 2014 as well as interviews with her associates.  He was also allowed exclusive access to agency documents and other memorabilia all of which he uses to flesh out the story of the modeling agency and the woman at its center.

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Finally, the third biography is 'Deal' by Bill Kreutzman with Benjy Eisen - a rock 'n roll memoir of one of the founding members and the drummer of the Grateful Dead.

This memoir covers the founding of the Grateful Dead and follows along the path of their thirty year/over 2,300 concert career.  Kreutzman not only gives an insider view to the band and the other groups that they interacted with over the years.  He also lets the reader in on what he felt and thought about the events and people making it a very personal account that any Grateful Dead fan should enjoy.

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These and many other biographies are waiting for you at our library.  Enjoy!

Want to Get a Head Start on Planning Next Year's Garden?

     This is the South, and I know a lot of people who have gardens. We grow a great many things down here and whether it's vegetables or flowers, herbs or trees and shrubs, we all want to know how to choose the right plants, how to check soil conditions, and, increasingly, how to do all of this without a bunch of chemicals. Well, the library has two new books that can help you with that particular conundrum.

     The first is Southern Gardening: An Environmentally Sensitive Approach by Florida Master Gardener Marie Harrison. The author gives you all her tips and tricks for creating a verdant landscape that any gardener would be proud to call their own. Harrison's comprehensive guide focuses on environmentally conscious yards by suggesting use of ground-cover as well as easy-care, adaptable trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. She tells you how to deal with exotic and invasive plants that threaten natural areas and native plants. She offers minimally damaging ways to deal with insect pests. Plus, she includes a month-by-month guide for planning your earth-friendly garden. (On a side note; I would like to thank the Green Hills Garden Club, Hester Flowers Garden Club, Openwood Garden Club, and the Morning Gardeners Garden Club for presenting this wonderful resource to the library!)
     The second title for environmentally friendly gardening is Roses Without Chemicals by Peter E. Kukielski. This book includes one hundred fifty disease-free varieties of roses that the author rates on its disease resistance, flowering, and fragrance.

Since roses have a reputation for being finicky plants that require chemicals and fertilizers to remain healthy, this book offers a refreshing look at recent breeding efforts that have produced disease resistant varieties that perform wonderfully in all types of conditions. Kukielski lets the reader know which varieties perform best in each region and gives tips for simple cultivation techniques that are sure to result in beautiful, easy-to-care-for roses that will fill your garden. Also included is a helpful resource guide and a list of other books to help you make the most of your garden.
     Gardeners will enjoy flipping through these books and may even be inspired to try something new in their next gardening project. Both contain full-color photographs that will make it easier to identify the plants they wish to use in the garden. These two books--along with many others found in the library--will help you make your garden lush and beautiful with minimal use of harmful and potentially dangerous chemicals.

New Additions to our Adult Non-Fiction

We've had several interesting books added to our New Adult Non-Fiction section.  Here is a selection of four of the ones available.



In The Book of Joan, Joan Rivers' daughter and co-star of 'Fashion Police' Melissa Rivers shares some of her memories and many stories about her mother,

Beginning and ending with speaking about her late mother's passing in September of last year, the book is a tribute, a memorial and an inside look at the private side of the public mother-daughter relationship that they shared.

A companion volume to the Fox News historical docudrama series, Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies looks behind the tall tales and fables that have been told over the years about many of the colorful characters from the westward expansion of America.

The truth behind many of the figures was sometimes brutal, but in many cases, the true stories are more interesting than the legends that have been retold over the years.





Oscar nominated actress/singer/comedian Madeline Kahn, who passed away in 1999, is remember and saluted in Madeline Kahn : Being the Music, A Life by William Madison.

Through interviews with her friends, family and colleagues, Madison covers both the highs and lows of her career and focuses on her love of music and the importance that it played in her life.

Filmmaker Judd Apatow (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, etc) is a self-confessed comedy nerd and has been since his youth when he took a dish-washing job in a comedy club so that he could watch the comedians for free.

In his new book, Sick in the Head, he shares some of the interviews he's done with some of the greatest comics of our times.  Starting back in 1983, he's spoken with comic legends like Mel Brooks and Steve Allen as well as newer comic stars such as Amy Schumer.  It's an entertaining as well as insightful look into some of the funniest brains in the business.


All of these books can be found in our New Adult Non-Fiction section along with many others.  Look over our selection - we have something for nearly everyone's reading preference.

Another Pair of DIY Books!

     People are always asking me for books on different hobbies. Who can blame them? Most people enjoy learning new skills or improving on the ones they already have. Sometimes people want to turn their hobbies into small businesses to bring in a little extra money. Well, the library is always a good place to browse when you want to do any of the preceding. We have books on hobbies, small business, and turning your hobbies into a small business.
     A popular idea for hobbyists is soapmaking. I often see handmade soaps at flea markets and craft fairs. In the days before commercial soaps, people made their own at home; usually from ashes and animal fat also known as tallow. There were also soaps made from olive oil and later coconut oil. These were usually expensive and, as such, were reserved for the wealthy. Nowadays, however, soapmaking is usually left to hobbyists or homesteaders and is therefore not a common skill. The library has recently acquired two books on making your own soaps for your own personal use or even as a small craft-based business idea.

     The first book is called, The Natural & Handmade Soap Book written by Sarah Harper. There are twenty soap recipes for bath time, kids, home, and gifts. The author shows you how to use two key techniques in making your own artisan soap--the traditional cold-process method and the faster melt-and-pour method. Included are recipes for soaps, shampoo bars, homemade laundry detergent, and even dishwasher soaps. These recipes include handy tips and tricks that will help you perfect your technique and allow you to find your own variations of ingredients for your projects. There is a comprehensive list of the tools needed for both techniques as well as an outline of how to be safe while pursuing your new hobby. Harper also includes some advanced techniques as well as a list of suppliers and other resources that may prove useful.
     The second book for the hobby soapmaker is The Complete Soapmaker: Tips, Techniques & Recipes for Luxurious Handmade Soaps by Norma Coney. This book walks you through every step of the process of soapmaking.

From finding and using the right equipment and ingredients to handling lye safely and making basic bars or fancy molded and marbled soaps, this book covers more than fifty hand-milled recipes that include herbs, fruits, and vegetables. There are also specialty soaps including translucent bars, gels, and shampoos. Coney includes tips on storing your soaps so that their fragrance will be preserved as well as how to gift-wrap and display any soaps you want to sell. She also includes convenient conversion charts for figuring out weights, volume and temperature.
     Why not try one of these or any of the other hobby books the library offers?!

An Unexpected and Horrific Family Secret Uncovered

How would you deal with the sudden discovery that your grandfather was a mass murderer?  One that would, had he lived to see you, have killed you as well?

That was the situation that author Jennifer Teege, a German-Nigerian woman, found herself in when she was 38 and happened to randomly choose a book from the shelf that would radically alter her perception of her family and the Holocaust.  A picture in the book that she recognized as her grandmother and mother led her to a stunning discovery - her grandfather was the Butcher of Plaszow - Amon Goeth, who was the vicious Nazi commandant portrayed in the movie Schindler's List.

That discovery led Teege on a search to unearth her family's history.  This book is about that search and her personal search to find peace with her heritage.  Nikola Sellmair, an award winning journalist, adds in another narrative using interviews with friends and family as well as giving historical context to what Teege discovers during her quest.

This is an intriguing memoir and shows how profoundly the past can affect the present.  It might even lead readers to wonder how well they know their own family's background.

New Cookbooks for Those with Special Dietary Needs

     The library gets quite a few cookbooks every year and I must admit that I can't wait for them to arrive! Many of our patrons--myself included--love to try new recipes and we genuinely love to cook. Unfortunately, if you are like me, then there are some foods that just don't sit well on your stomach. What do you do when there are certain foods you absolutely can't (or won't) eat? Well, we have all sorts of cookbooks for people who have special dietary needs. Most recently we have acquired three new titles that have recipes to hit the spot with those who are vegetarian or those who have food allergies.

     The first book is the Idiot's Guide: Gluten-Free Eating by Elizabeth King Humphrey and Jeanette Hurt. It seems everywhere you turn these days someone is talking about going "gluten-free," but what does that really mean? If you are looking for the answer to that question (and many more), then this is the book to begin your journey. You will learn the difference between celiac disease, gluten allergy, and gluten intolerance. Included are tips for spotting glutenous foods at the market, at restaurants, and when traveling. The authors offer guidance on how to feed gluten-sensitive children--even picky eaters--as well as meal plans to help the whole family thrive on a gluten-free diet. Although this book doesn't have any color photographs of its more than ninety recipes, readers will enjoy them nonetheless. Personally, I have always had good luck with the books from Idiot's Guides, they are always informative and, for those who are just learning about a new subject, they are quite easy to follow and understand. Also included are lists of glossary of terms, product and shopping websites, delivery websites, communities, smartphone apps, support organizations, and other instructional sites. You will also find the shopping list and and food log pages helpful when you are just starting your gluten-free lifestyle.

     The next title in this group is from Good Housekeeping; it's called Vegetarian: Meatless Recipes Everyone Will Love. Before you get to the recipes, there is a short introduction about what a vegetarian diet is, which foods are featured, and tips to help busy people make the most of their time and dollars. With more than sixty recipes--each with a full color photo--this book is arranged into six informative chapters. You can choose from classic vegetarian dishes like Vegetarian Chile, Ratatouille Rigatoni, or Eggplant Parmesan. Perhaps you prefer a hearty bowl of soup or stew. Choose from recipes for Hot and Sour Soup, Chunky Vegetable Chowder, or a classic French Onion Soup. For those who crave the lighter fair that a salad offers, then why not choose one of the Main-Dish Salad recipes? Try the White Bean Panzanella Salad or the Toasted Ravioli Salad. Maybe you're pressed for time. Then you may want to try one of the Quick Dinners or One Dish Meals. Mouth-watering dishes like Broccoli Pesto Spaghetti, Fast Fried Rice, Vegetable Phyllo Pizza, and Cauliflower Mac and Cheese are contained in the last two chapters. Because these recipes come from Good Housekeeping, you know the recipes are fine tuned for flavor and ease of cooking.

     The final book I'll talk about is Cooking Allergy-Free by Jenna Short. This book of one hundred fifty recipes was developed for those who have food allergies. Each recipe is labeled wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, etc., so that you will know which of these recipes will satisfy the sensitive tummies in your family. The author also offers simple substitutions to convert each recipe for an individual's food allergy. She also denotes whether a recipe is vegetarian or vegan. All of the recipes contained here are kosher. You will find dishes such as Kale and Barley Soup, Rosemary Skillet Chicken with Mushrooms and Potatoes, Edamame Sliders, and Blueberry Lemon Crumble Pie. The author also includes an entire chapter devoted to giving you the essential information about grocery shopping, stocking your pantry, and tricks for setting up your kitchen to be allergen-friendly. She also offers menu suggestions to make it quick to plan weeknight dinners or even a party!
     All three of these books (and many more) are available for check-out from the library. They can be found in the non-fiction section around the 641.563 call number. For non-fiction books, you may check out four of the same subject at one time and keep them for three weeks. If no one has requested any of your books, then you are more than welcome to renew them by coming in to the Circulation Desk or call us at (601) 636-6411. Bon Appetit!