Monday, January 26, 2009

Mock Newbery Award Committee

Anxiously awaiting the announcement of the 2009 Newbery Award Winner.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sunday Salon - selling Bibles


If I can stay awake long enough today, I hope to finish The Bible Salesman by Clyde Edgarton. I love CE's books, favorites are Raney and Walking Across Egypt. If you're looking for humor, southern life-style, and a good read, you'll enjoy these books.

The Bible salesman, Henry, walks the roads of North Carolina selling Bibles and happens to meet up with Clearwater, a car thief. The story begins as Clearwater, offers Henry a job driving stolen cars. Of course, Henry has no idea and believes Clearwater works for the FBI and has just been offered an opportune job as his assistant. The drama continues and the humor escalates.

Clyde Edgarton reading an excerpt aloud.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Last Lecture



... by Randy Pausch.

Randy Pausch, computer science professor and father of three, is the author of this book. He was asked to give a Last Lecture at Carnegie Melon University just after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As fate would have it, his "last lecture" became a real last lecture.

His lecture became so popular because it was so inspirational and encouraged so many to follow their dreams. After the widespread popularity via Internet, appearances on Oprah, etc., he decided to write a book about his experience preparing for his lecture and his death. His story reveals his childhood dreams, and how he achieved them.

His book reveals his determination to spend what time he had left with his children and family sharing happy moments instead of sad, and to inspiring other people to live life to the fullest. His premise for his lecture was, "If I could leave a legacy for my children what would it be?" Thus, his lecture was about life not death.

Although a story of reflection to be shared with his children one day, his story also offers real life lessons that we all need to learn. As a college professor and teacher, he taught everyone that "your childhood dreams are possible to achieve." His story emphasizes the importance of being a dreamer and being happy. Go for your dreams and let the "brick walls" be a lesson in determination.

Sunday Salon


Dewey, The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World...by Vickie Myron

A touching story about an "alley" cat that found a home in a small town library and became the love of the town. Dewey, a yellow, frozen, starved kitty was rescued from the public library book drop on one of Iowa's coldest days. He quickly became very attached, not only to the library staff, but to the entire community, just as they, also, developed a special bonding with him. It seems this little stray kitten saw the town and the library through 18 years of devastation, happiness, and changes and created a bond within the community that also brought fame and fortune to Spencer, Iowa. A wonderful story about how one small kitten affected so many lives.

Sunday Salon Again



I haven't had a chance to participate in weeks but, alas, I'm back. So far this morning, it's sleety and rainy so I'm staying in curled up with Dewey, The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicky Myron. Lovely story so far but holding off checking out all the web info until I read more. But if you're interested, check out Dewey's job description and learn a bit more about him.

If you've read this book join me at Sunday Salon and share your opinions and reactions to Dewey...

Photo from website for Spencer Public Library