Blog Post
Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming
by Tahira
This Reading Rainbow book tells the story of a Katje who lives in Holland after World War II. There is very little to eat and other supplies such as socks and warm clothing are scarce. She receives a care package from a little girl named Rosie who lives in America and shares the wonderful surprises inside with her family, friends and neighbors. Katje decides she would like to send Rosie something special to thank her for all the wonderful gifts. But what could a poor girl with nothing send? This book is based on true events and is wonderful way to show young readers that even those who believe they have nothing always have enough to share.
Blog Post
New Fiction on the New York Times Best Sellers List (4/1/07)
by Mazie
Lionel Shriver changed her name from Margaret Ann when she was fifteen. She left North Carolina a long time ago and has lived in England most of her adult life. Her previous novel (her seventh), We Need to Talk About Kevin, concerned a mother's reaction to her son's violence at school (Columbine?). It was a major bestseller there and also won the 2005 Orange Prize for Fiction. While it only enjoyed modest success here, her name became more widely known.
While she claims her latest novel is not a thinly veiled autobiography, she admits to being haunted by her own past dilemma. She too had to pick one man over another. In Post-Birthday World she explores this question of what does the future hold if you choose this person or that person. After the first chapter the story splits into two alternating narratives, presented in alternating chapters. This book has garnered a lot of attention stateside and could become a book club favorite. There is a lot to talk about.
The other new titles are Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline and What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman.
Blog Post
More on poetry...
by Maxine
To follow up on the previous blog on poetry, the Academy of American Poets is the sponsoring organization for National Poetry Month. Their website features search capabilities on both poets and poems. So if you want to retrieve a favorite poem, there's a good chance you'll find it here. Also included is a daily poem and a chance to sign up for a "Poem-A-Day" which is e-mailed to you every day during April. To sign up for a poem every day of the year, go to the Poetry Daily site. The Library also has a Poetry Daily of the same name if you'd like to see, in print form, what was selected for your or another's birthday.
Also, check out some of the Library's new poetry collections including This Clumsy Thing by former local poet, Bob Hicok and for the younger set, Casey Back at Bat by Don Gutman and Bronzeville Boys and Girls by Gwendolyn Brooks.
Blog Post
The Best Words in Their Best Order
by joy k
In honor of National Poetry Month, Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux has started a poetry blog where you can listen to mp3s of poets reading their own work and the poetry of others who have influenced them. Today you can listen to Seamus Heaney reading “The Thought-Fox” by Ted Hughes. If you like that, you can find more books by Heaney and Hughes in the AADL’s collection.
Blog Post
Oy Vey!
by StoryLaura
This irreverent celebration of Yiddish is the perfect parody of the Five Little Ducks for a Passover chuckle. Author Dave Horowitz sends five little chopped fish balls on adventures through the colorful streets of NYC. All I can say is, don’t let the bus driving pigeon meet up with the feisty gefiltes-OY VEY!
Blog Post
The Play Ground
by Albert
The Reverend James Morell's joy in his comfortable marriage to Candida is shaken by the arrival of the young poet, Marchbanks. Both men adore her and she is attracted to them for their very different qualities. They both forget she is her own woman. In "Candida,'' first produced in England in 1898, George Bernard Shaw turns his eye on marriage and how and why successful unions become and stay that way. Through April 15 at the Performance Network, 663-0681.
Blog Post
Panjabi books at the Mallets Creek Branch
by Tara LS
Look for books in Panjabi at the Malletts Creek Branch in the Foreign Language section along the wall behind the computer room area. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding Pajabi books (or any other foreign language) at the library, please e-mail stantont@aadl.org. You can also search for more Panjabi books throughout the library system by searching for the call number "FLC PAN" or for youth books "Youth FLC PAN"
Some of our Panjabi books at Malletts Creek are:
Loku kahai darawesu: nāwala by Guracarana Singha Jaito
Prema-kaṇī by Niranjan Singh
Pālī by Jasawanta Singha Kămwala
Pānca nada dā pāṇī by Ātmajīta
Piāsa by Guracarana Siṅgha Arashī
Kaurawa sabha by Mittara Saina Mīta
Sangharasha: kahāṇī sangraha by Simarajīta Barāṛa Simmī
Enjoy!
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #57
by muffy
Portrait of an Unknown Woman* by Vanora Bennett, a British journalist trying her hand at fiction for the first time.
Set in Henry VIII’s England, Meg Giggs, the heroine of this historical, is a budding herbalist and a ward of Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More, the defender of the Catholic faith under threats of the Protestant heretics.
John Clements, a young physician is more than he appears. His courtship and marriage to Meg would be sorely tested by the secrets he keeps. On the other hand, Meg’s loyalty to More will also be called into question when religious and political conflicts roil at court.
“An engrossing, quietly impassioned historical”, no less for the added delicious details of the famous German painter Hans Holbein the Younger, commissioned to paint what will be his famous portraits of More and that of his family. For more information on the paintings and the time period, the author has created a website.
* = Starred Review
Blog Post
Running Season
by RiponGood
Spring is in the air. Runners especially like spring since we're able to run in t-shirts and shorts again. My son and I, along with a coworker, will be running the 1/2 marathon at the Martian Marathon on April 1. If you want to train for a race, I suggest two books. First is Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham. It's a great beginners book who want to run but are concerned about looking like a fool. I also suggest Marathon: the Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon. Hal has been running for years and shares his experience with beginner to expert runners. Both books have training schedules which are very helpful.
Blog Post
Baby Bits - grow a reader
by ryanikoglu
To grow a reader, Mem Fox says, "Do it like this". In other words, let's read lots of books, and repeat the favorites as much as we like! Here's a few. Baby Cakes a board book with simple rhymes. Sock Monkeys Do The Monkey ! won't get put down until you get up to dance. Enjoy !