Adult Services

A monthly program especially for adults on a variety of topics is offered by the Library.

Introduction to the Internet will be offered each month. The classes take place in the library office. The office has four computers - this will give eight people, two to a computer, a chance to practice their skills. Classes will last approximately 1½ hours. We will cover the mouse, with each participant following an online tutorial to learn good mouse skills. We'll cover the parts of the Internet Explorer Browser and how to use its functions. We'll look at samples of the amazing variety of websites on the WWW, from simple to complex; we'll practice typing in the address lines and text boxes. Because most of the common email programs are not available for us to work on through the computers we will be using, we will not cover email at this class. Register for the class by calling the Library at 419-547-7174.

Tuesday, Sept. 18 - 1 pm and Thursday, Sept. 20 - 7 pm		Daniel Tammet Born on a Blue Day: inside the world of an autistic savant This unique first-person account offers a window into the mind of a high-functioning, 27-year-old British autistic savant with Asperger's syndrome.
Tuesday, Oct. 16 - 1 pm and Thursday, Oct. 18 - 7 pm		Nancy Turner These is My Words Based on the real-life exploits of the author's great-grandmother, this fictionalized diary vividly details one woman's struggles with life and love in frontier Arizona at the end of the last century.
Thursday, Nov. 15 - 7 pm and Tuesday, Nov. 20 - 1 pm		Thomas Mullen The Last Town on Earth: a Novel The town of Commonwealth, Washington, quarantines itself during the flu epidemic of 1918 with disturbing results.
Tuesday, Jan. 15 - 1 pm and Thursday, Jan. 17, 7 pm		William Mann Kate: the woman who was Hepburn Books have already been written about Hepburn, but this is a particularly comprehensive and absorbing account of her life and legend and the way she exerted her ferocious will on creating both. Hepburn's siblings and contemporaries (now free to speak after her death) make major corrections to earlier Hepburn biographies, creating a picture of a complex woman rather than the icon she worked hard to become in the public's eye.
Tuesday, Feb. 19 - 1 pm and Thursday, Feb. 21 - 7 pm		Sara Gruen Water for Elephants: a Novel Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski recounts the wild and wonderful period he spent with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a traveling circus he joined during the Great Depression.
Tuesday, Mar. 18 - 1 pm and Thursday, Mar. 20 - 7 pm		Chris Bohjalian The Double Bind: a Novel 26-year-old Laurel Estabrook is trying to overcome mental and physical scars incurred from a brutal assault some six years earlier. After being given a portfolio of photographs taken by a recently deceased resident of the shelter where she works, she becomes obsessed with questions surrounding what appears to be a picture of herself shot on the day of her attack.
Tuesday, Apr. 15 - 1 pm and Thursday, Apr. 17 - 7 pm		Diane Setterfield The Thirteenth Tale: a Novel Settle down to enjoy a rousing good ghost story with Diane Setterfield's debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale. Setterfield has rejuvenated the genre with this closely plotted, clever foray into a world of secrets, confused identities, lies, and half-truths.

Staff Recommendations

Staff members have recently enjoyed the following books:

The Pest House by Jim Crace

The Pest House is set in a future America far off enough in time that the technology has faded into history and become beyond what is enough. As a result, the story has a sense of timelessness, it could just as easily be set hundreds of years ago, rather than in an era in which coins, books and rusting giant metal junk machines amaze and defeat those who encounter them even as they are treasured as artifacts.

The story is about two young people, the awkward good hearted Jackson and the red headed innocent Margaret, on a journey towards the coast where, they believe, ships will take them away from their own land into a better future. The title of the book refers to the wilderness hut where Jackson and Margaret meet. She has been put away there for having the flu-like symptoms of the "flux", a plague that has been re-occurring in the population of her village. He seeks shelter there one night while waiting for his injured knee to heal so he can rejoin his brother on their journey. Neither trajectory goes as expected; Margaret recovers from the "flux" and Jackson winds up traveling with her instead of his brother.

By the end of the story, both characters have realized that good sense requires that they leave behind what Crace calls "the taints and perils of America", but their hearts, and circumstances, dictate otherwise. At one point, stuck at a port with several other emigrants and unable to leave as planned, someone comments that they are "all Americans now." But at the end, Jackson and Margaret don't see it that way. The Pest House ends up as a strangely patriotic novel especially if patriotism can be defined as loving a land and the idea of a country even when the idea clashes with reality. NE 5/07

Alligators, Old Mink, and New Money: One Woman's Adventures in Vintage Clothing by Alison and Melissa Houtte

Ah, the thrill of shopping. In springtime, most women go through this sudden urge to purge our wardrobe and begin anew. That is a sure fire way to know that spring has arrived. Hence the fun I had in reading the book called: Alligators, Old Mink, and New Money: One woman's Adventures in Vintage Clothing; by Alison and Melissa Houtte. If you are a flea market fanatic, thrift store junkie or a vintage clothing fashionista you will love this book. It is part memoir part vintage clothing shoppers' guide. Melissa Houtte began her love for fashion at an early age, always trying on her mother's gorgeous clothing. As she grew up, she began modeling and traveling to Paris. She became interested in everything vintage. As Melissa grew older, and modeling became less of a focus in her life, she decided to open up a boutique of nothing but vintage clothing. Hootie's Boutique is located in Brooklyn, New York. It is still there today and you can visit it online at hootiecouture.com.

Reading this book I felt like I was along for the ride as Melissa built her store up from top to bottom. I enjoyed learning about her regular clientele and what they bought and just could not live without. She even made some great friends along the way. I learned about some of the top couture whose designs are now considered collectors items in the vintage world. Melissa's book is a great read. Not only do you learn what it takes to be a great storeowner in Brooklyn, New York, you get a chance to understand why women love clothes. Sometimes it isn't how old the clothes are, it's how the clothes make you feel. MY 5/07

On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck

Once again I am writing about a children’s book and recommending it for adults also. Richard Peck is a favorite author of mine. He has authored many books, two of which, A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, I and others on our staff have suggested to patrons.

Mr. Peck takes us back to the time when I was growing up (and he was too) before and during WWII. It was a simpler, more innocent time where kids played “hide and seek” at dusk yelling “five, ten, fifteen, twenty…” until the hidden heard “here I come, ready or not.”

This book tells the story of young Davy Bowman and his family. Even before WWII, Davy’s dad and big brother Bill were his heroes. Then came the war and life changed for the Bowmans as it did for all Americans.

Brother Bill decides to enlist and is sent to fight in Europe. Then one December Sunday, a neighbor, Mrs. Hiser, pounds on the Bowman door telling the family to turn on the radio. The date was December 7, 1941 and the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

That Christmas, as Davy focuses on who was going to be fortunate enough to receive the solitary Schwinn bike in Black’s Hardware, his mother experiences her best present ever when Bill comes home.

In his eloquent story, Peck relates the effects the war had on Americans. From rationing, to school air raid drills, to war stamps, all Americans were affected and involved in the effort to win the war.

So much in this 148-page book brings back memories for those of us who grew up during this time in history.DAK 5/07

Promiseland: The Journal of Callie McGregor Book 1by Dawn Miller

I have to be honest, I wasn’t too sure about this book at first. After reading a few of Callie’s entries, I was hooked. The time is 1876, three families traveling from Missouri, to California, and finally settling in Montana Territory. At times it seemed so sad, all the troubles they encountered, but the message of perseverance and faith in God throughout the story is one that cannot be easily dismissed. This book can be looked at as a motivational book, especially when one’s faith is wavering. You can imagine this book as more of a true story than fiction. I recommend you give this book a chance. You might actually enjoy it! AMC 5/07

Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford

Bill Buford is a writer and an editor. He has written one other non-fiction book about soccer hooliganism. I read this book because I enjoy some of the programs on the Food Network and because I loved the title.

This book covers a lot of territory: it includes biographies of Mario Batelli and other famous chefs, a history of food preparation, a description of the work done in a professional and popular restaurant, a personal memoir of Buford's education in cooking, from working in the mornings in the prep kitchen cutting up celery to working the very difficult pasta station in the restaurant at night. Buford easily kept me entertained and interested as he moved from topic to topic.

This man is passionate about the chefs, the food, the kitchen, and the people who are intimately involved in the preparation of food. He devoted himself to the art of cuisine for, it seems, at least five years. The person I most wondered about was his oft mentioned wife - and I need to add long-suffering to that - as she moved for months to Italy as he learned pasta, then pig, then cow; she even helped as he brought home a freshly killed hog to their apartment in New York City so he could butcher it himself!

This is a fascinating read. You'll end up looking at food preparation and the plate of food before you in the restaurant differently, and not in a bad way. Enjoy! JMc 5/07

Tall Grass by Sandra Dallas

Sandra Dallas, author of The Persian Pickle Club and New Mercies, in an historical novel of World War II, tells a story through the eyes of a thirteen year old girl growing up in a small town in Colorado. For those of us who grew up during that time, it it a reminder of rationing, and yes, racism.

After Pearl Harbor, the United States Government rounded up all the Japanese residents of the West Coast and placed them in "internment camps" for the duration of the war. One of the camps was Tallgrass, an actual Colorado camp. In the novel, this camp is located near the beet farm of the Stroud family. Loyal, Mary and Rennie live on the farm just down the road from Tallgrass. Many of the town's people hated the Japanese, were afraid of them, and thought they were the enemy although most of them had been born in the United States and many of the young men joined the armed services to fight for this country. An ugly murder occurred and the people were just sure that one of the Japanese had committed the act, making things even worse. Being short of field hands, the Stroud family arranged to hire some of the Japanese to work in the beet fields. They proved to be hard working, loyal and honest. Rennie, the 13-year -old, views the major discomforts and petty indignities the Japanese endured. The final surprise is the who and why of the murder.

This book offers a glimpse into our history and of the treatment of the Japanese. It is a moving account of the life and times of the people Rennie holds dear to her and those who caused her anxiety. I found it an easy read and difficult to put down. GMS 5/07

The Autobiography of Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guinn

An autobiography of Santa? The title made me wonder, and being an audio book fan I found this on the Clevnet system, requested it, and began to listen.

The book caught me immediately. The reader, John H. Mayer, is wonderful. If you begin listening to the book, close your eyes and let your imagination go, you can really believe it is Santa telling his story. He begins by telling how he searched for just the right person to write his book. He also tells you how his life began, in a small country now part of Turkey (which he points out is probably why people like turkey so much at Christmas).

You learn that Santa, who was named Nicholas at birth, was born over 300 years after another Important Child was born. You learn how he became a priest, bishop and eventually known as a saint. You learn about how he met his wife, Layla and how their life revolves around how to help children the world over celebrate Christmas. Santa’s first companion Felix, an extraordinary wood carver; Leonardo da Vinci, Teddy Roosevelt (who wanted Santa to move into the White House), Atilla the Hun and wife, Charles Dickens, and a host of others whose names you will recognize, joined the “Santa team”, making sure Christmas is always celebrated. The unfortunate part of this is whenever war is present and the team is near, their powers (which are explained and are extraordinary) are weakened.

Did you know, Santa did not begin in the North Pole? Did you know Leonardo was the person who designed the housing there? Did you know Leonardo, who we all know was a genius, figured out how to get the reindeer, the sleigh and Santa in the air (he also helped the Wright brothers and it was mentioned in the book about a thin man in the famous picture after their successful flight). You will also learn what really happened to Amelia Earhart. Did you know Santa is rather defensive about his weight, and does not like to be called an elf?

Layla is a wonderful woman, who does speak her mind to Santa if she needs to get a point across to him. Such as, reminding him not to ask the children to leave so many cookies because there will not be room in the sleigh for both him and the presents!

If you would like to begin December on a Christmas note, listen to or read a chapter a day. By the time you get to the end, you will want to begin on the next books, “How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas”, and “The Great Santa Search”. Unfortunately, I have only found the autobiography on audio. But I cannot wait to read the next book, How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas. MAW 11/06

Laced by Carol Higgins Clark

Regan Reilly, a private investigator and her new husband Jack, head of the Major Case Squad in New York City, have headed for Ireland to start their honeymoon. Their first afternoon in Ireland they go out for a jog and stop at an old graveyard. They see the tombstone of May Reilly, who died in 1822. She was a talented lacemaker. Legend is that May was never paid for a special tablecloth she made for the castle and she now haunts the castle.

Jack has old foes, Jane and John doe, international jewel thieves, who leave taunting notes for Jack daring him to catch them. Of course, this puts a crimp in the honeymoon. Also in the mix are an American couple up to no good and an Irish painter who is convinced that May Reilly's ghost is after her.

A haunted castle, international jewel thieves and a hotel fire. Just another day in the life of Carol Higgins Clark's fantastic detective tem. This is a great story! MD 6/07

Gaits of Heaven by Susan Conant

Ted and Eumie Green won training lessons for their golden Aussie huskapoo donated by dog-trainer Holly Winter. But as lessons begin with Dolfo, Holly finds Eumie dead in her bed.

With quirky characters Ms. Conant does address relevant social concerns. This book's biggest medical issue is the over-use of prescription medications doctors give their patients and the poor communication they have with their peers, resulting in dangerous situations for clients.

The plot's pace was often stilted due to constant criticism of dysfunctional family situations and psycho-babble. An average book in an otherwise well written series. DM 5/07

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

This novel beautifully shows the enduring power of a mother's love. Charley "Chick" Benetto is at the lowest point of his life --- divorced, an alcoholic, has-been baseball player, and now another strike against him. His only child and daughter does not invite him to her wedding. This being the ultimate rejection, Chick no longer sees any reason for him to be here on this earth.

While contemplating a way to end his life, Chick returns to his Pepperville Beach home where he grew up with his mom, dad, and sister. That is, until his dad deserted the family when Chick was only eleven years old, making it very difficult for them to go on.

Chick enters his childhood home and has the surprise of a lifetime. His mother, who passed away ten years ago, is in the kitchen cooking a meal for her "Charley." They share stories and she gives advice like she always did while Chick was growing up. The reader learns about all the times Chick's mom stood up for him and all the times he let her down. Now he is given a second chance to tell his mom his true feelings. That is the greatest gift he could have ever asked for. LE 5/07

In An Instant by Lee and Bob Woodruff

An amazing book written by Lee Woodruff, wife of Bob Woodruff ABC News Anchor, tells the tale of how they met and married happily ever after and then had their lives blown apart and how they pieced them back together step by step.

A roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Tag, Iraq injured Bob. Lee is by profession a public relations executive and freelance writer and she writes with ease and tenderness that makes this tale so memorable.

Written by Lee and Bob Woodruff, the book contains both points of view and includes the story of their lives together before Bob suffered a head injury in the blast. His hospitalization and recovery was amazing.

A percentage of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury. CD 6/07

Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This latest installment by Susan Elizabeth Phillips in the romance series starring the Chicago Stars football players is for everyone who's ever thought about leaving their old life in the dust and never looking back. When debonair starting quarterback Dean Robillard, on a soul-searching road trip after a serious shoulder injury, happens across Blue Bailey, walking alongside the road wearing a beaver costume, he stops to help her. Blue's career as a portrait painter is the perfect job for someone who refuses to stay in one place for very long. She needs a ride, and America's most famous football player has an imposing set of wheels. Dean isn't the brainless jock she imagines, and Blue - despite her petite stature - is just about the toughest woman Dean has ever met. As the two travel from Colorado to Dean's new farmhouse in east Tennessee, Blue resists his advances, and both athlete and vagabond struggle with deeply rooted trust and familial issues. Phillips has created another classic romance with this satisfying tale of love, family, and redemption. KE 5/07

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