Less than a week until New Years!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and we've looking forward to the start of 2019.

Don't forget that we are still under holiday hours (Closed today,  open 9-5 Thursday and Friday,  closed Saturday thru Tuesday)  until Wednesday, January 2.  We will return to our normal operating hours at that time.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

More Christmas Reads

Debbie Macomber takes her readers to Alaska in Alaskan Holiday. "Before beginning her dream job as sous chef in one of Seattle’s hottest new restaurants, Josie Avery takes a summer position cooking at a lakeside lodge in the remote Alaskan town of Ponder. Josie falls for the rustic charms of the local community—including Jack Corcoran, the crotchety keeper of Ponder’s famed sourdough starter, and, in particular, the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a famed master swordsmith. Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she’ll be returning to reality and the career she’s worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can’t imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town—not even for a man she’s quickly coming to love. Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love." (Amazon.com)

Author Melody Carlson takes us seaside in A Christmas By the Sea. "When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist." (Amazon.com)

The snowy Highlands of Scotland are where author Sarah Morgan sets her novel, The Christmas Sisters. "Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays and she can’t wait to see them. Workaholic Hannah knows she can’t avoid spending the holidays with her family two years in a row. But it’s not the weight of their expectations that’s panicking her—it’s the life-changing secret she’s hiding. Stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis. All she wants for Christmas is time to decide if she’s ready to return to work—seeing everyone was supposed to help her stress levels, not increase them! Posy isn’t sure she’s living her best life, but with her parents depending on her, making a change seems risky. But not as risky as falling for gorgeous new neighbor Luke. As Suzanne’s dreams of the perfect McBride Christmas unravel, she must rely on the magic of the season to bring her daughters together. But will this new togetherness teach the sisters that their close-knit bond is strong enough to withstand anything—including a family Christmas?" (Amazon.com)

Jenny Colgan sets her novel Christmas on the Island on the remote Scottish island of Mure.
"It's a time for getting cozy in front of whisky barrel wood fires, and enjoying a dram and a treacle pudding with the people you love—unless, of course, you've accidentally gotten pregnant by your ex-boss, and don't know how to tell him. In the season for peace and good cheer, will Flora find the nerve to reveal the truth to her nearest and dearest? Will her erstwhile co-parent Joel think she’s the bearer of glad tidings—or is this Christmas going to be as bleak as the Highlands in midwinter?
Meanwhile Saif, a doctor and refugee from war-torn Syria is trying to enjoy his first western Christmas with his sons on this remote island where he’s been granted asylum. His wife, however, is still missing, and her absence hangs over what should be a joyful celebration. Can the family possibly find comfort and joy without her? Travel to the beautiful northern edge of the world and join the welcoming community of Mure for a Highland Christmas you'll never forget! And warm up your kitchen with bonus recipes for the Little Beach Street Bakery’s seasonal shortbread, Lanark Blue Scones, and Black Buns." (Amazon.com)

Want a little more steam in your Christmas reads? Why not try Kiss Me At Christmas: A Playful Brides book by Valerie Bowman? "Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman. Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage―but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s noble heart?" (Amazon.com)

2018 Year End Holiday Hours

We're less than three weeks away from 2019!  Our holiday hours start this coming Monday. 

Please note our holiday hours for the remainder of the year and plan your visits to us accordingly.  Don't forget - even when we're closed, you still have access to a selection of audio books, eBooks, and eMagazines through RB Digital.

Cozy Christmas Mysteries

In A Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke, Hannah Swenson recalls a Christmas many years ago. "With her dream of opening The Cookie Jar taking shape, Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle in Lake Eden—especially when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball from the past in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes for the merry festivities, she instantly becomes enthralled by Essie’s old notebooks and the tale of a woman escaping danger on the streets of New York. Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. As Hannah prepares to run a bakery and move out of her mother’s house, it’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake." (from Amazon.com)

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles is a cozy mystery by Leslie Budewitz. "Erin is one smart cookie, but can she keep the holiday spirit―and herself―alive till Christmas? In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy's Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily has turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin. When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he's been robbed, fingers point to Merrily―until she's found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer―and keep herself in one piece―in time for a special Christmas Eve? Includes delicious recipes!" (from Amazon.com)

Christmas comes to Zinnia, Mississippi―Sarah Booth Delaney must solve a case as the holiday approaches, in A Gift of Bones from Carolyn Haines. "Christmas is just around the corner and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are preparing for a festive holiday season. After a turbulent season of solving cases, they’re ready for some holiday cheer. Sarah Booth and Sheriff Coleman Peters have finally gotten together, and this is the first holiday they’re celebrating as a couple. Sarah Booth busies herself with decking the halls and daydreaming about romantic Christmas nights with Coleman. Then her friend Cece Dee Falcon shows up needing Sarah Booth’s help―right now. She shows Sarah Booth a box that was delivered by courier and left at Cece’s front porch. It contains a lock of hair, a photograph of a pretty young woman, very pregnant, and a note demanding ransom for the return of the teen. Cece reveals that this is her cousin’s daughter, Eve Falcon, and that she’d lost touch with this part of her family years ago. Eve and Cece had been close, until the family had a terrible falling out, and banished Cece from their lives. The countdown begins as the kidnapper pushes for payment―or else, he threatens, Eve will meet her maker. It’s up to Sarah Booth and her friends to find the girl before something terrible happens on what should be the merriest day of the year." (from Amazon.com)

Anne Perry delights with her Victorian Christmas mystery, A Christmas Revelation. "Formerly a river urchin living on the banks of the Thames, nine-year-old Worm has never experienced a family Christmas. But thanks to a job at Hester Monk’s clinic in Portpool Lane, he’s found a makeshift family in kindly volunteer Miss Claudine Burroughs and curmudgeonly old bookkeeper Squeaky Robinson. When Worm witnesses the abduction of a beautiful woman by a pair of ruffians just days before Christmas, he frantically turns to Squeaky for help. A one-time brothel owner, Squeaky knows the perils of interfering in nasty business, but he can’t bear to disappoint Worm—or leave the boy to attempt a rescue on his own. What neither of the would-be saviors expects, however, is that the damsel in distress already has her dilemma well in hand . . . and is taking steps to bring her captors to justice for crimes far worse than kidnapping. But the rogues, as cunning as they are deadly, are not to be underestimated. The aid of cynical old Squeaky and hopeful young Worm just might make the difference between a merry triumph over evil and a terrible yuletide tragedy." (from Amazon.com)

Finally, one of my favorite cozy series has a new title--Six Cats a Slayin' (A Cat in the Stacks Mystery) by Miranda James. "December twenty-fifth is right around the corner, and Charlie is making his list and checking it twice. He is doing his best to show some peace and goodwill toward his nosy neighbor Gerry Arbitron, a real estate agent who seems to have designs on his house (and maybe on him, as well), while preparing for a very important role, indeed--his first Christmas as a grandfather.
The last thing Charlie expects is to gain several new additions to his family. Charlie finds a box on his doorstep with five kittens inside and a note begging him to keep them safe. With Diesel's help, Charlie welcomes the tiny felines into the Harris household just as Gerry decides it is time to throw a lavish holiday party. Determined to make her mark on Athena, Gerry instead winds up dead at her very own party. Though attempts to dig into her past come up empty, Charlie and his girlfriend, Helen Louise, witness two heated exchanges involving Gerry before her death: one with a leading citizen and another with the wife of a good friend. Will one of these ladies wind up on the sheriff's naughty list? Charlie and Diesel have to wrap up the case before the special season is ruined by a sinister scrooge." (from Amazon.com)

It's a Cookie Countdown to Christmas!

Starting December 1st, we will be featuring 25 different cookbooks with cookie recipes, old and new.  Follow us on Facebook as we showcase cookies and cookie decorating.  Find your perfect holiday favorites!

Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Holiday!

We Will Re-Open Regular Hours on Monday, November 26, 2018.
Please Enjoy the Time with Your Family and Friends.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

Hard as it might be to believe, Thanksgiving is next week.  Please be aware of our holiday hours and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

If you need something new to read while we are closed, don't forget the selection of audio books, eBooks, and eMagazines that are available on RB Digital.

Thanksgiving Is Here! (Almost)

If you haven't already, it's time to start preparing for the big meal. Perhaps you want to try something new; or maybe you want to stick with the classics, but are unsure of your abilities. Why not check out one of the following books to help you get an idea of what to serve your friends and family (or what to take with you)?

Happy Cooking!

First up, is Southern From Scratch: Pantry Essentials and Down-Home Recipes by Ashley English. This beautifully photographed cookbook begins with 50 essentially Southern recipes and the pantry staples you'll need in order to make these from scratch. Then, you'll move on to fresh takes on the classics that will have you making the most of fresh, local ingredients. Once you have the jams and jellies, pickles and relishes, sauces and vinegars down pat, you'll have the bases for more flavorful recipes. This book is definitely where to start for traditional Southern dishes as well as new takes on old classics.

The final two books come from America's Test Kitchen. First is How to Roast Everything: A Game-Changing Guide to Building Flavor in Meat, Vegetables, and More. This indispensable guide to roasting has collected years of test kitchen experience to help cooks of all skill levels master the art of roasting. You will learn that what you buy and how you prep is just as important as knowing how to roast. There are ten essential roasts showcased here: from chicken to beef and pork to salmon. The rest of the chapters are arranged by protein or vegetable and fruit and are chocked full of new and innovative recipes. So, go ahead and enjoy Lemon Roast Chicken, Chinese Barbecued Pork, Warm Cauliflower Salad, and Bulgur-Stuffed Roasted Eggplant. YUM!

The second book, The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook, is exactly what it sounds like: a comprehensive guide to the recipes and product tests from all the seasons of the show 2001 -2018. I love watching these episodes on PBS, but if you would like to have an accessible copy of the recipes, this is the book for you. Salads, soups, stews, meats, veggies, and desserts are all covered, along with various product reviews from over the years and quick peeks behind the scenes at the television show. The beginning of each chapter has a table of contents as well as a comprehensive index in the back, just after the shopping guide which includes equipment and ingredients.

Happy Halloween!

Too busy watching for trick-or-treaters to watch a show?  Why not listen to a horrifying tale on audio book?

You might want to keep a light on.

Horror & Suspense In Time For Halloween

The Silent Companions: a novel by Laura Purcell tells the story of newly widowed Elsie who is sent to finish out her pregnancy at her late husband's crumbling country estate, The Bridge. What she finds there is a far cry from the luxury she expected when she married the young man just weeks earlier. Elsie finds her servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile. Her only source of comfort is the company of her late husband's awkward cousin. Inside the house she finds a locked door wherein lies a painted wooden figure--a silent companion--that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie. Everyone at The Bridge seems terrified of the figure, but Elsie shrugs it off as superstition until the figure's eyes begin following her.

The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg takes traditional children's stories and fairy tales and imbues them with elements of psychological horror, emotional clarity, and a healthy dose of feminine mischief. These stories also illuminate the unsuspected and frequently alarming emotional complexities at play in the stories we tell ourselves, and each other, as we tuck ourselves in for the night. This collection's unique spin on fiction leaves you with the sense of something a bit unsettling lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life.

Cold Water is a thriller by Samuel Parker. Michael has moved back to the still vacant house of his parents having forfeited his youth to the state prison system. The town hates him--has always hated him--and they are ready to pick up where the prison system left off. Now, he's on the run from men who've tried to kill him once, but Michael is more than an ex-con. Lurking deep within him is a powerful, sinister force waiting for something--or someone--to destroy.

Unbury Carol: A Novel is written by Josh Malerman. Carol Evers has a dark secret--she has died many times, but her many deaths are not final. They are comas that render her in a waking slumber for days on end. Only two people know her secret. The first is her husband, Dwight, who married her for her money and plans on using her comas to declare her dead and take her fortune. The other is her long lost love, the infamous outlaw James Moxie. When Moxie hears of Carol's terrible fate, he rides the Trail once again to save her. All the while, Carol is awake and aware fighting to free herself from the crippling darkness that surrounds her.

Two Weeks Til Halloween!

Halloween is two weeks away, but you don't have to wait for your chills.  Check out a horror movie and get in the Halloween spirit. 

We have choices in our A/V Department ranging from classics like 'Horror of Dracula' to newer scares like 'Get Out'.

October's Horror Movie Fest

Halloween is on the way and we at the library absolutely love the holiday. That's why we are celebrating with Halloween movies all month long. Check It Out!

Wednesdays at 10:00 am will be Family-Oriented Films & the Horror Classics Brown Bag Lunch will be Fridays at 12:00 pm

AND...

Join us on October 31st for our Horror Film Fest beginning at 10:00 am.

Featured Movies Will Include:

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Paranorman

Frankenweenie

Hocus Pocus

Coco

October is here!

October means Halloween is near, so this month we are saluting some of our horror stories on Facebook with a different book each day.  Featured books are from favorite authors such as Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates as well as classics from Mary Shelley and H. P. Lovecraft.

Check out a few for night-time reading thrills and chills - just make sure to leave a light on

For The Love of Animals...

Animals are of great importance to us, especially here in the South. We use them for food, to help us hunt, to assist those with disabilities, and, most importantly, to provide company and comfort when we need them. Animals are seen as part of the family. This is why I am highlighting some of our new non-fiction titles that center around animals of all kinds--cats and dogs, domestic and wild.

The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress tells the story of how journalist Kress found a twelve-week-old wheaten terrier in a pet shop and didn't think twice about bringing her home and naming her Izzy. After all, the facility was USDA-licensed so Izzy couldn't possibly be a puppy mill dog, right? When Kress began her journey of becoming a mother, she began to wonder about Izzy's mom and so begins an eye-opening journey through the world of dog livestock auctions, puppy mills, and internet sales sites to uncover the truth about the so-called "pure bred" puppies. My only problem with this book is that there are no photos to illustrate the authors important discoveries and show the consumer what it is really like in the world of factory-farmed puppies.

If you decide you want a pure-bred puppy, choose a reputable breeder who raises the pups in their own home. In order to choose the dog right for you and your family, check-out The Good, the Bad, and the Furry by Sam Stall. Like the title suggests, the author gives it to you straight in this book of dog breeds. Under each breed, you will find the standard for height, weight, coat, and intelligence as well as where and with what kind of person this dog thrives. You will also find out about the origin of the breed, the trademark traits, any hassles in training or behavior, and any medical problems that plague the particular breed. You are also given a kind of cross reference for similar breeds you may want to check into. My favorite section under each breed, however, is entitled "If someone broke into my house, this dog would..." These are the most hilarious and sometimes painfully honest observations of these dogs. For instance, we learn that the dalmatian is a wonderful watchdog, he/she will "Wake the dead with its furious barking, then open up a can of four-alarm whoopass" on anyone who breaks into your house.

The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th & 19th Centuries is a small tome by Mimi Matthews. Divided into sections according to type of animal--dog, cat, horse, etc.--this book tells little snippets about various famous figures and the animals that played an important role in their lives. You can learn about the titular pug who gave the Emperor of France a nip, Alexander Pope's devoted Great Dane, and even about the Bloodhounds hired to hunt Jack the Ripper. If nothing else, this book is totally worth checking out just for the stunningly beautiful color portraits of the animals.

Dr. Carin Bondar shows us that the trials, tribulations, and victories of motherhood are not exclusive to homo sapiens in her book Wild Moms: Motherhood in the Animal Kingdom. Breaking motherhood into its various stages, Bondar discusses the diversity of development, cooperative and communal child rearing, brood parasitism, pregnancy, birth, weaning, and all the problems that come with these stages and how various species handle them. One of her chapters also highlights that other animal species suffer from depression and abuse just as humans do. This book is a good look at mothering across many species and it is informative and easy for the lay person to understand.

Next week is Banned Book Week - Celebrate Your Right to Read!

Book banning isn't a thing of the past - every day, books are being challenged and some are being removed from shelves.

In 2017 alone, 416 books were challenged or banned in the United States. The reasons are as different as the books and include :

• Disapproval of the title of the book irregardless of the contents (ie: the classic horse story, Black Beauty)

• Ethnic stereotypes (ie: Huckleberry Finn, Gone with the Wind)

• Disagreements with the book's theme (ie: And Tango Makes Three)

• Offensive language (ie: To Kill a Mockingbird)

• Violence (ie: The Hunger Games)

• Use of magic (ie:  the Harry Potter series, the Strega Nona series)

• Too scary (ie: the Goosebumps series, the Fear Street series)

• Use of slang or bad grammar by the characters (ie: the Junie B. Jones series)

• Sexuality of the characters (ie: Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret)

As you can see, many of the reasons are very subjective.  We support parents making choices for what their own children read, but leaving books available for others to choose.  Celebrate your right to read - ;pick up a banned book and give it a try.

Cookbooks

Good Food--Fast!: Deliciously Healthy Gluten-Free Meals for People on the Go by Jason Roberts an internationally known celebrity chef, cookbook author, and cast member of the hit daytime talk show “The Chew” on ABC. (From Lyonspress.com) Food is fuel for the body and mind. Chef Roberts knows that if you plan better, you eat better, and he shares the healthy cooking techniques that preserve the inherent nutrients that are present in foods that come directly from nature. Eating well doesn’t have to be boring, tasteless, or time-consuming. With a little imagination, creativity, and advance planning, your life can truly open up to the world of gloriously rewarding foods. Good Food--Fast! includes 100 tasty and accessible recipes, such as Rosemary and Sweet Potato Frittata, for anyone who wants to eat healthfully without sacrificing flavor.

Next, we have Ani's Raw Food Essentials: Recipes and Techniques for Mastering the Art of Live Food. (from Alibris.com) Chef Ani Phyo is back with Ani's Raw Food Essentials, full of everything you need to know to master the art of live food. Phyo shows you how to whip up simple, fresh recipes using what you've already got in your kitchen while also offering tips on dehyrating and more sophisticated techniques. Looking for innovative meals that are healthy and delicious? Phyo offers everything from classic comfort foods like nachos and burgers to Reuben sandwiches and bacon, along with more gourmet dishes like risotto, angel hair pasta, and her "you-won't-believe-they're-raw" desserts. Ani's Raw Food Essentials once again proves that you don't have to sacrifice taste to reap the benefits of raw foods, all while living a greener lifestyle. Recipes include: Broccoli and Cheeze Quiche, Kalamata Olive Crostini, Cashew "Tofu" in Miso Broth, Grilled Cheeze and Tomato Sandwiches, Cheeze Enchilada with Ranchero and Mole Sauce, Pad Thai, Pesto Pizza, and many more.

Korean BBQ is a casual and practical guide to grilling with Korean-American flavors from chef Bill Kim of Chicago's award-winning bellyQ restaurants, with 80 recipes tailored for home cooks with suitable substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients. Kim teaches the fundamentals of the Korean grill through flavor profiles that can be tweaked according to the griller's preference, then gives an array of knockout recipes. Starting with seven master sauces (and three spice rubs), you’ll soon be able to whip up a whole array of recipes, including Hoisin and Yuzu Edamame, Kimchi Potato Salad, Kori-Can Pork Chops, Seoul to Buffalo Shrimp, BBQ Spiced Chicken Thighs, and Honey Soy Flank Steak. From snacks and drinks to desserts and sides, Korean BBQ has everything you need to for a fun and delicious time around the grill. (from Amazon.com)

The Flavor Matrix by James Briscione is a revolutionary new guide to pairing ingredients, based on a famous chef's groundbreaking research into the chemical basis of flavor. A groundbreaking ingredient-pairing guide, The Flavor Matrix shows how science can unlock unheard-of possibilities for combining foods into astonishingly inventive dishes. Briscione distills chemical analyses of different ingredients into easy-to-use infographics, and presents mind-blowing recipes that he's created with them. The result of intensive research and incredible creativity in the kitchen, The Flavor Matrix is a must-have for home cooks and professional chefs alike: the only flavor-pairing manual anyone will ever need. (from Amazon.com)

Designed for One! By Nancy S. Hughes is a cookbook full of Diabetes-friendly recipes. This book is for ONE. It does not contain recipes that can feed an army of 4 to 6 which can leave you with a week's worth of unwanted (and expensive) leftovers, it feeds ONE! This book contains 120 budget-friendly recipes for the dinner hour, including salads, vegetables, grains, entrees and even desserts. As with all Nancy's books with the American Diabetes Association, the recipes are extremely easy to follow with main stream ingredients. The book begins with a 'How To' chapter which helps the reader learn how to shop economically, store properly, stock up 'smartly' and cut corners like a pro in an easy, bullet-form manner. The chapters focus on dinner, but break down into sections, such as salads, sides, entrees (including a wide variety of recipes from grilled and roasted recipes to soups and stews, skillet dishes, stir-fries, hot and cold sandwiches and main salads) and desserts. (from Amazon.com)