Blog Post
Le Tour de France
by Caser
The world's largest cycling race, Le Tour de France, has begun again! This televised, 21 stage event will test the limits of international riders with over 2200 miles of picturesque -- albeit arduous -- French countryside for the next three weeks. The Tour began on July 5th, and the champion will be crowned on July 27th. If this year's race has you excited about bicycle racing then check out the AADL's collection of books and magazines on the sport of cycling.
Blog Post
Basic Economics
by cecile
“Investment and speculation,” “government’s role in business,” “money and the banking system,” “inflation,” “capital,” “labor,” “productivity,” “government finance” and “international trade.”
Learn about what makes the world go ‘round!
Dip your toe into this fascinating topic with this lively and well-written book-- Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy by Thomas Sowell.
A lively book about economics? It is possible!
Master basic economic principles such as how governments create monetary policy, inflation, interest rates, how governments regulate businesses and markets, how international trade works and how governments finance themselves.
I promise—it is not boring!!
Suddenly the news makes a lot more sense once the big picture concepts are understood. What is happening to your holdings and potential investments makes a lot more sense too.
Pretty soon you’ll know what CDOs, ETFs, put-call ratios and derivatives are all about.
It pays to know!
Blog Post
Three Shadows
by anned
Three shadowy figures on horseback have invaded the peaceful lives of Lise, Louis, and their son Joachim. It soon becomes apparent that they are there for Joachim. Lise and Louis will stop at nothing to protect him.
In Three Shadows, Cyril Pedrosa has created a beautiful and poetic fable about love, possession, and grief. Pedrosa's characters are full of wonderfully fluid movement and, following the mood of the story, he is able to switch effortlessly from a sketchy abstract expressionist style back to straight up cartooning. Simply beautiful. Pedrosa is a French cartoonist who drew for Disney (Hunchback of Notre Dame & Hercules) back in the 1990s.
Blog Post
Thomas Disch, science fiction great, dies at 68
by sernabad
Thomas Disch, science fiction author known for his dark themes, committed suicide on July 4th.
Disch, who began writing futuristic tales as a young child, was a prolific writer, producing poems, children’s stories, historical fiction, and operas. The Brave Little Toaster: A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances was ostensibly a children’s book that was much enjoyed by his adult fans.
Disch’s last novel The Word of God: Or, Holy Writ Rewritten (July 2008), which is on order, is sure to raise some dustup, with its irreverent take of God as its narrator.
Blog Post
American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau
by ballybeg
American Earth, a hefty collection of essays and poetry, reads like a who's who of the shining stars of the environmental movement. Such literary environmentalists as Wendell Berry and John Burroughs; contemporary foodies Barbara Kingsolver and Michael Pollan; poets Mary Oliver and Gary Snyder and activists John Muir, Julia Butterfly Hill and Cesar Chavez are represented, and join the voices of 92 other advocates for protecting and preserving the natural heritage of our planet. Edited by Bill McKibben, a prolific author and activist himself, this timely and thought-provoking book gives a picture of the long history and creativity of the environmental imagination. The range of material and diversity of authors - farmers, scientists, university professors, economists, singers, two presidents and one vice-president - means there is something here for everyone.
Blog Post
Lost Book Club
by RayaPapaya
My mother is a huge fan of the television series, "Lost," and loves to discuss her theories about what is happening or will happen next. Unfortunately, I have only seen the show sporadically (someday when I have the time I'll borrow them, starting with the first season and catch up), so it's hard for me to understand the complexities of the plot. Finally, though, we have a point of mutual reference for the show! The show producers have started a Lost Book Club over on the official show website, which features books referenced in the show.
I checked out the list and found several of my old favorites, and I think that even non-fans will enjoy many of their selections. For instance, if you enjoy excellent humor carved out of serious situations, the list includes Joseph Heller's Catch-22, as well as Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five. If classics are more your style, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens made the list, as did The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Even young fans can get in on the book club, with selections like William Golding's classic tale of schoolboys surviving on an island, Lord of the Flies, and even (no kidding) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which apparently got referenced in episode #117.
So, if you are a Lost fan, or if you are just in the mood for an eclectic book list, you can read them by season, or pick and choose from the entire list. Have a look at the list, and then head over to your local branch to check some of these out!
Blog Post
Trickster's Choice: Audiobook
by Cherie Lee
Alianne of Pirate's Swoop is in for a trouble when a trickster god makes a wager with her. Her adventures take her far from home and everything she knows, but Aly's quick wits and special skills will be needed to save her life and the lives of others.
This follow-up to Tamora Pierce's original Alanna series is even better than the previous series. I loved Aly's spunk and mischievous nature that made it clear why she was chosen by a trickster. There's a cool little musical intro and outro to the novel and Trini Alvarado, who read the original Alanna adventures on audiobook, reads these as well with just as much warmth and talent.
Blog Post
Medieval murder and mayhem
by K.C.
Need a mystery with tons of twists and turns? Then read The Falconer’s Knot. Handsome, young Silvano pines for Angelica, the beautiful wife of a coarse but wealthy sheep farmer. When Angelica’s husband turns up dead with Silvano’s knife sticking out of his body, Silvano seeks sanctuary at a friary until the real murderer can be discovered.
At first his life is simple and it seems like he has escaped his problems; he even has time to eye a lovely novice at the adjoining abbey. But then a series of murders within the friary casts suspicion back on him. His life hanging by a thread again, he must work quickly to uncover the truth of the murders. . . Silvano’s days are suddenly not the dull fare he expected when he moved into the friary.
Blog Post
Night Running (How James Escaped with his Faithful Dog) by Elisa Carbone
by Tahira
James plans to go to Canada to escape slavery. Along the way he gets help from an unexpected friend he tries to leave behind in Night Journey by Elisa Carbone.
Blog Post
OM
by quaking aspen
Zen Gardening by Sunniva Harte, is a wonderful book that explores the principles of a Zen garden. Zen gardens are created spaces that promote calm, tranquility, and beauty. Whether you decided a tiny space is right for you, or a larger outdoor garden is what you had in mind, a Zen garden will accommodate your needs perfectly. Zen gardens, whether large or small, incorporate a few simple elements which were adopted centuries ago by Buddhist Monks.
This book, with full color illustrations, takes the novice Zen gardener through the principles of Zen gardening. Sunniva Harte does a wonderful job illustrating complex principles of Zen gardening. She teaches us the motive for creating outdoor spaces along Zen principles, and reveals the meaning of the different elements.
Newbies will learn to create a harmonious and peaceful garden. If you have been thinking about creating a Zen garden, then this is your time to do it!! Make yourself a wonderful space that will nurture your spirit, relieve everyday stress, and promote quiet reflection.