All About Animals

     This week's selection includes three very different non-fiction books. One is a memoir of a young woman who seeks to train the vicious goshawk as a way to cope with her father's death and to pay tribute to him at the same time. The second book is for those who would like to know how to quell your dogs behavior problems. The third book--while technically not about an animal--is a gardening book for those who would like to attract bees and other pollinators to their gardens.

     H is for Hawk is by Helen Macdonald. When her father died suddenly on a London street, Helen was inconsolable. In her grief, she decided to train one of the most aggressive members of the falcon family, the goshawk. As an experienced falconer, Helen knew their fierce and feral nature and was determined to adopt and train Mabel as a means to coping with her grief. She turned to author T.H. White's book The Goshawk for advice and inspiration. This achingly beautiful account of bereavement and the magnetic pull of such an extraordinary creature, H is for Hawk also offers a parallel examination of a legendary writer's eccentric falconry.

     The Dog Behavior Problem Solver by Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, offer step-by-step positive training techniques to help dog owners correct more than twenty problem behaviors. Dog owners will get professional advice to help you understand your dog and why he behaves the way he does. You'll learn techniques for positive, reward-based methods, like clicker training, to teach foundation behaviors as you build the basic bond upon which all dog training is based. The author offers detailed step-by-step solutions for specific problems like aggression, barking, begging, separation anxiety, and shyness. You will also find case studies based on real dogs and how positive training helped them to overcome their behavioral obstacles.

     Finally, we have The Bee-Friendly Garden by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn. The authors provide everything you will need to create a breathtakingly hued, vibrant, healthy garden that helps both the threatened honeybee and native bees alike. The size of you available space is not an issue. Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or country, just a few simple changes to your garden can help fight the effects of colony collapse disorder and the worldwide decline of the bee population that threatens the global food chain. This is a book for every gardener who wants to change the world by creating a welcoming environment for nature's pollinators.

Two Recent Show Business Biographies

We have added the biographies of two very different show business personalities to our New Adult Nonfiction collection.

The first is A Girl's Got to Breathe about theatre and movie actress, Teresa Wright (1918-2005).  Though her name may not be well known today, she was the only actress to ever be nominated for her first three films (The Little Foxes, The Pride of the Yankees, and Mrs. Miniver), winning the award on her third nomination.  She also continues to garner critical acclaim for her work in the films Shadow of a Doubt and The Best Years of Our Lives.

However,  it was the real-life drama of breaking her contract with Samuel Goldwyn that put her mark on history and changed the way that stars were treated in Hollywood.   Author Donald Spoto was appointed as her official biographer by her family and heirs.  Given exclusive access to her letters and papers, he brings to life the woman who once said "I never wanted to be a star. I only wanted to be an actress."

Sweet Dreams are Made of This is the memoir of Dave Stewart's four decade long career in the music industry.  Musician, songwriter and album producer, he covers his years starting with growing up in Northern England, his move to London and fateful meeting with a young waitress named Annie Lennox, his collaborations with other artists from Tom Petty to Mick Jagger, and his more recent ventures, such as the show Songbird, a competition-style show for aspiring songwriters.

With plenty of stories about his friends and collaborators, this is a partial story of a life that is very much still in progress.




These and other new biographies can be located in our Adult New Nonfiction section.

Want to Add a Little Heat to Your Summer?

     Summer is the perfect time to pick up a steamy paperback romance and relax with a tall glass of iced tea. Whether you like old fashioned "clean" romance like Jane Austen or if you go for the steamy, modern-day fare, you can find it here at the library. This week--in that spirit--I thought I would feature some of our new paperback romances, but with a supernatural twist.

     First, we have one of the newest Otherworld Novels by Yasmine Galenorn called "Darkness Raging." This series follows the D'Artigo sisters--Camille the good witch; Delilah the werecat and Death Maiden; and Menolly the vampire married to a werepuma. These cunning half-human, half-Fae sisters used to work for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency, but as of late they have been battling the forces of darkness amassing to break free of the Sub Realms to make their way onto the streets of Seattle. When Menolly's wife, Nerissa, is kidnapped by the enemy, she will lead her army of vampires to the depths of the Subterranean Realms and she is wholly prepared to destroy anyone who gets in her way.

     Next, there is "Dead Heat: An Alpha and Omega Novel" by Patricia Briggs. Charles Cornick and Anna Latham are mated werewolves who have been very busy lately. Charles is enforcer for his father, but with a lull in business, the two lovebirds decide to take a pleasure trip to Arizona. Unfortunately for them, they stumble upon a sinister plot by a dangerous fae being. It seems the fae have decided to escalate their cold war with the human race. They have been secretly replacing human children with fae-blooded clones and Charles and Anna know they will be squarely in the cross fire. Will these two ever get a break?

     "Runaway Vampire" is an Argeneau Novel by Lynsay Sands. Dante Notte is an immortal vampire hot on the trail of the people who kidnapped his twin. Unfortunately, Mary Winslow has just run over Dante with her RV while escaping the exact same bad guys. His broken ribs and punctured lung are nothing compared to the intense electric feeling he gets whenever her gets near Mary. He knows that this smart, stubborn woman is supposed to be his life mate. Mary feels the same irresistible connection to Dante as well, but trusting her feelings will mean putting her life in the hands of an immortal being who is the very definition of a perfect stranger.

     Finally, we have "White Tiger: a Shifters Unbound Novel" by Jennifer Ashley. For the past twenty years, Kendrick--a white tiger Shifter--has been the guardian of a group of shape shifters who are living in secret and constantly in fear of being found out and consigned to Shiftertowns. When Kendricks group is found out and forced to flee, he becomes more desperate than ever to protect them. Addison Price is a lonely waitress at a diner in the middle of nowhere, but she has noticed a great many unusual strangers drifting through. None have been as imposing or enigmatic as the fugitive who wields a broadsword with the ease and skill of a master. When he risks his life to save her, Addison's fear turns to empathy and finally to desire. As she learns more about Kendrick and his cubs, the more she wants to help them, no matter the cost.

The Summer Library Reading Program is Now Underway!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!  That is the theme of this year's Summer Library Reading Program.
Registration began on May 31st and will continue through Friday, June 17.

Each week has a different focus, all related to the let's get active theme :

• Sportstacular
• Out of the Ordinary
• Games Around the World
• Fueling Your Engine
• Science of Sports
• Motion Commotion

Children participating set their own goals for summer reading fun and those that meet their goals can participate in the Closing Celebration on Thursday, July 14, which will feature magician Dorian LaChance!

To sign up or for more information, contact our Children's Librarian, Marie Cunningham.

Cookbooks Galore!

     It's that time again! We've gotten a brand new crop of cookbooks with which you can hone your culinary skills. This selection contains healthy and satisfying recipes that can tame the hungriest appetite.

     First, we have Jamie Deen's Good Food by Jamie Deen (of course) and his son, Jack. These classic recipes have been cooked and passed down for generations. There are chapters on soups, vegetables, sandwiches, desserts, and more. If you flip the book over, you get a special section called, Rooster's Cafe where Jamie's son, Jack, shares kid-friendly recipes that he loves. There are also family stories and tips for stocking your pantry and spice rack. Jamie and Jack's goal for this book is getting families cooking and eating healthful meals together. And, with recipes like Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, Broccoli and Bacon Twice-Baked Potatoes, Lemon Shortbread Cookies, and Candied Orange Peel, who could resist trying these simple, delicious recipes with their own children?

     Next, we have Prevention RD's Everyday Healthy Cooking: 100 Light and Delicious Recipes to Promote Energy, Weight Loss, and Well-Being by Nicole Morrissey who is a registered dietitian and diabetes educator. This book was designed with the health conscious in mind. Morrissey has been posting light and healthy recipes on her blog since 2009. These recipes are well-balanced and delicious and each one includes complete nutritional facts and serving suggestions. She also includes information on adjusting portion sizes as well as converting recipes for gluten-free, vegan, and diabetic friends. Why not try the Zucchini-Sausage Pizza, Watermelon Slush, Baked Falafel, or the Coconut Shrimp and Chickpea Curry? What have you got to lose except pounds and bad eating habits?

     Along the same lines as the previous book is The Diabetes Comfort Food Diet by Laura Cipullo, RD, CDE and the editors of Prevention. With recipes like Guilt-Free Spinach-Artichoke Dip, Grilled Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa, Beef Stroganoff, and Creamy Pumpkin Mousse, who can resist these "healthified" versions of comfort food classics? This eating plan is approved by the folks at Prevention magazine and is designed to give you the tools you'll need to manage--and even reverse--your insulin resistance while enjoying those foods you absolutely love.

     Finally, we have Dinner Pies: from Shepherd's Pies and Pot Pies to Turnovers, Quiches, Hand Pies, and More by Ken Haedrich. The author's breezy style takes you through these 100 creative (and delicious) recipes that could be used as a tasty main course for your weeknight supper for family or that get together with friends this weekend. Haedrich gives his best tips and tricks for perfect crusts so that cooks of all skill levels will enjoy these savory recipes. There are recipes for Bacon & Tomato Mini Tarts; Cabbage & Brie Torta; Broccoli, Mushroom, & Ham Quiche; Classic Beef Pot Pie; and my all-time favorite Natchitoches Meat Pies!

Why not check out one of these new cookbooks today?

Bon Appetit!