Whispers In The Stacks ...

How to Save Money!

2011-10-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Article contributed to local papers: Cheraw Chronicle and The Link

If you haven’t been in one of county libraries lately, we invite you to check us out. We’re trying to shed the “dusty, musty book” image and offer more opportunities for community interaction, partner with local organizations to provide services, and offer a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. CCL offers adult computer classes, JobSearch workshops, resume writing, crafts and arts programs, and literacy programs. Most of our programs are free or require only a nominal fee.

A luncheon, presentation, and book signing by author, John Laurence Busch, will be hosted by the Cheraw Friends and sponsored by the Matheson History Room Endowment committee, on Friday, November 18, 2011 in the Matheson Library conference room, beginning at 11:30 am. Mr. Busch’s book, Steam Coffin—Captain Moses Rogers and The Steamship Savannah Break the Barrier has significance, not only for maritime history, but for Cheraw history, as well. Weather permitting; an optional living history tour to Moses Rogers’ gravesite at Old St. David’s Cemetery will be available following the book signing. Details about the book are posted at Matheson. Because space is limited, reservations are required and you must register by Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Free!

Jason Broughton, State Library Consultant, will be offering a workshop on Jobsearching on the Internet from 6:00 until 7:00 pm at the Chesterfield Main Library. Instructions on how to fill out a job application will be offered in the second half at 7:30. If you haven’t been in the job market in years and need a refresher, join us on November. 3 beginning at 6:00 pm. Free!

Dearest to our hearts is our book service! We’re working hard to meet the needs and meet them quickly. But one thing is for sure – they are FREE! Beginning November 30, we are pleased to announce that we will be offering eBooks which you can download into nearly any format that works with your computer, eReader or other device. The downloaded books will expire at the end of their loan period so no returns necessary. Our staff will even help you learn to download ebooks on your own device. Overdrive will be our provider – go to this website and take a look to see how easy it is: www.overdrive.com.

Still fancy the paper and ink - if you’re buying your books because of the convenience or the “don’t want to wait syndrome,” think about this:

· The average price for hardcover fiction title is $26.00.

· The average price for mass market paperback fiction title was $6.80.

· The average price for an audio book fiction title was $50.42.

But, you don’t have to pay those prices, the library offers books, ebooks and audio books, FREE, along with many other services such as:

Magazines and Newspapers
From Better Homes and Gardens to South Carolina Wildlife, our library has tons of magazines. We also carry the local papers, New York Times, The State and Charlotte Observer. Are you paying for magazines and newspapers that you just toss?
Audio Books - Coming Soon
You will soon be able to check out audio books on every subject for your commute to work, for waiting on your kids at various sports practices or to listen to while you walk - check us out.
Free Periodical Searches
In high school or college? We have access to DISCUS which will provide you with magazine articles, newspaper articles, special reference works, websites and all you pay for is the cost for print/copies – 10 cents a page.
Internet and Wi-Fi
CCL offers free internet access and Wi-Fi, all you need is a library card to use our computers! Be aware that our libraries use a "censoring" program and parental consent may be required to use the Internet. Using our Internet services can save you as much as $25.00 a month.
Meeting Space

Our new “Meeting Room” policy allows nonprofit local groups and organizations to reserve the room, free for meetings during regular library hours. After hours, a $25.00 fee is charged for groups with some exceptions. Birthday parties, showers, parties, solicitation/sales, etc., do not fit under the goals and purposes of our institution. We welcome nonprofit, local organizations and clubs.

Movies
We have children's movies, teen favorites, and blockbusters. Why buy a video for one or two viewings when you can borrow for free – save your 19.99!
Free Job Search and Resume Help
We will be offering online assistance for job searching and resume writing. If you could use a refresher course on how to find a job or how to write a resume, check us out.
Other Free Services
You’ll find tax forms, voter registration forms, test prep manuals and fax services, along with a variety of other services in the library. So save your money by visiting the library and getting your own library card that gives you carte blanche to global access for information, instantaneously. Check out the CCL library for varied programs and unbeatable bargains.

What’s happening in the CCL Stacks this month:

Nov. 3	How to Search for a job on the Internet, 6:00 pm - Chesterfield
Nov. 3	How to Fill Out a Job Application, 7:30 pm - Chesterfield
Nov. 7	Julia Griffin, local author 12:00 to 1:00, Bring a lunch, tea provided, Chesterfield
Nov. 8	Staff training - all branches CLOSED for state-wide software update
Nov. 9	Christmas Bling Jewelry Workshop 6:00 pm at Jefferson, must register
Nov. 10	Christmas Bling Jewelry Workshop 6:00 pm at McBee, must register
Nov. 11, 12	Veteran’s Day - Closed
Nov. 13	Research Team visiting Matheson
Nov. 16	Christmas Bling Jewelry Workshop 6:00 pm at Chesterfield, must register
Nov. 18	John Busch, author presentation & luncheon, Matheson 11:30, must register
Nov. 21	Make your very own pine cone bird feeder, 4-5 pm, Jefferson branch
Nov. 24-26	Thanksgiving Holiday - Closed

October Delights

2011-10-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

October brings ...

cooler weather
colorful trees
fires
bazaars
new books:

The Night Strangers' by Chris Bohjalian - October 4, 2011
The Best of Me' by Nicholas Sparks - October 11, 2011
The Litigators' by John Grisham - October 25, 2011
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jerry Pinkney- October 6, 2011

Where do you use your library card?

2011-09-13T02:44:00.000-07:00

Where do you use your library card? Chesterfield County Public Library is a member of SC LENDS consortium, meaning we share our resources, providing you with access to over 2.5 million library materials. SC LENDS, which stands for South Carolina Library Evergreen Network Delivery System, is an open-source integrated library system (ILS), which, allows us to manage transferring books between the 52 participating libraries. We share a single catalog, and any of our library users can search for items at any of the 52 libraries as easily as they search for items in our home library. Requesting items is as simple as clicking a button. Within a few days, any circulating item can be delivered from any SC LENDS library across the state. Your library card can also be used in any participating library across the state of South Carolina – just walk in browse their libraries, and check out what you want! You can return library resources to any participating library, as well.

The following libraries have joined SC LENDS so the next time you’re in one of these locations, check them out: Allendale- Hampton- Jasper Regional Library, Anderson County Library, Beaufort County Library, Calhoun County Library, Chesterfield County Library, Colleton County Library, Dorchester County Library, Fairfield, County Library, Florence County Library, Kershaw County Library, The South Carolina State Library, Union County Carnegie Library, Williamsburg County Library and the York County Library.

What all does this mean for you, as a library user?

It means that you have access through your SCLends card to more than 2.5 million items, including books, videos, audiotapes and more.
It means that there are many new features in the online public catalog that you can access from any Internet access computer. Many of these features are only available after you log into the "My Account" feature.
You will need to establish a password the first time you access "My Account":

Click on My Account. It is located at the bottom of the initial screen or on the left navigation pane after the initial screen. You will get a security page the first time. Just click through it.
Enter your CCL library card 13-digit barcode number in the Username space.
Enter the last four digits of your phone number for your password. If you’ve had your card more than a month, you may have already been assigned a randomly selected password, just ask what that is next time you’re in the library or give us a call.
Click on Login.
The first time you log on to "My Account", you’ll be prompted to change your password to a number/letter combination of your choosing. Your password must be at least 7 alphanumeric digits long. It is case-sensitive.
Don’t hesitate to call and ask for help if you have any questions. We’re here to help you!

Upcoming events at the library include, our continuing computer classes for seniors, the Lunch In the Stacks event on September 29 – tickets are $8.50, call to reserve your ticket today! Storytelling event with Felicia Fleming McCall on September 28^th at Matheson Branch and on October 1, at 11:45 and 1:00 at the Chesterfield Branch. October 7^th, Brown Bag Lunch N’ Lecture Series continues with Elizabeth Dutton, sharing her newest book, 1,033 Reasons to Smile. By the way, if you don't read her blog, you need to check it out.

Thanks for reading with us! We’ll see you “in the Stacks!”

"What happens to the dream deferred?"

2011-08-25T02:59:00.000-07:00

Glorious by Bernice McFadden.

Vivid details of Easter Bartlett’s personal journey through decades of history beginning with an intense and frightening South, taking you to the enriching and opportunistic period of the Harlem Renaissance. This book starts off with a horrifying intro that grabs the reader immediately. You are constantly moving from one terrifying experience to a moment of sharing happiness and laughter with Easter. Easter, determined to find happiness, is always moving to another experience in another town surrounded with exploding characters invading her life, sometimes in positive ways but most often leaving her to pack her bags and move on to the next intense experience. Autobiographical sketches of prominent black authors such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, are woven throughout the fictitious life of Easter and leaves the reader inquisitive about the real stories of these real people. McFadden introduces us to James Worley Johnson, the nation’s first black FBI agent, Ota Benga, a 4’11" African man who was put on display in the monkey house of the Bronx Zoo, and Mary Turner, the 2o year old pregnant girl who was viciously and brutally lynched. I don't recall many novels that have so richly and thoroughly dealt with the historical events of Harlem Renaissance period. Bernice McFadden, has done a fabulous job with this novel.

Constantly, I was emotionally drawn to Easter, laughing, crying, and cringing at the injustices. This is one passionate novel that demands discussion! I look forward to hearing from others that have read the book and learning from others that can enlighten me with additional real life connections in McFadden's novel.

National Library Card Sign-up Month at CCL

2011-08-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

As Chesterfield County’s students head back to school this month, the Chesterfield County Library wants to make sure that all children have the most important school supply of all – a library card.

“Owning a library card provides students the resources they need to compete academically. Most public libraries (89.6 percent) provide students free access to databases of news articles, encyclopedias and test preparation materials, as well as homework help and resources. In addition, public libraries are the number one access point for free Internet access, an important resource for families without access at home when 96 percent of school districts require students to use the Internet to complete their homework.”

Getting a library card is easy. Just come by your local library and bring a picture id with proof of residence. If you work or attend school in our county, you are eligible for a free card with a school or work id. Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Chesterfield County Public Library is pleased to announce upcoming programs throughout the county. In Chesterfield, the main branch we will be starting a “Brown Bag Lunch N’ Lecture” series in September, featuring local writers during lunchtime. This is a free event, just bring your lunch and join us at 12:00 noon - tea and coffee will be provided.

September 7, Hal Duvall, author of The Vote and Juniper Road

October 7, Elizabeth Dutton, author of 1,033 Reasons to Smile

November 7, Julia Griffin, author of This and That, Bits and Pieces ...she will also be sharing books by her brother, John Robert Langdon

December 7, Tricia Thurmon – author of several local fiction titles and her newest title, Back To Me, digital novel. Discover how Tricia’s writing has emerged and blended with the new e-book concept.

On September 12, we will be offering Computer Classes For Seniors including Computers 101, Internet 101, Email 101, and Facebook 101. Classes will cover basic instruction on use and safety tips. Registration is required. Limit of 8 participants, unless you bring your own laptop. All classes are 1 ½ hours long, beginning at 9:30 and ending at 11:00. The series will be offered again in October. Please call 843-623-7489 to register or stop by the library.

“Lunch In the Stacks” is back! On September 29, in conjunction with the Chesterfield Carolina Fest, a luncheon will be held in the Chesterfield Library between 11:30 and 2:00. Tickets are $8.50 and can be purchased in the library. Please call to reserve your tickets at 843-623-7489.

Pageland Community Library will be offering a jewelry class in October and November so watch for the times and dates, which will be announced soon.

Have you always been fascinated by The Great Detective of Baker Street? Sherlockians come in many forms; generalists, specialists, cross-genre-ist, purists… and we’re looking to see what types of Sherlockians we have in our county. So, if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes, stop by the library or call to find out about our plans for Sherlockiana in Chesterfield County. Call Chesterfield County Public Library for more information 843-623-6720.

An effort to re-establish a “Friends of the Library,” which is a valuable asset to us, will be one of the major focuses during the next couple of months. The organization’s goal will be to build membership, hold fundraisers to help with the library's needs and provide volunteers to support programs. There is a great need for volunteers right now. Anyone that has typing skills, computer skills, physical strength, storytelling skills, or a simple willingness to help could donate just a few hours and make a great difference.

There is an outstanding staff at Chesterfield County Library and many of them have been here for many years. They are very supportive and very hard workers, pulling us through some difficult circumstances. They love this library and the community, and they do their best to meet the needs of the community.

In the Chesterfield Branch, Myrtis Burr is assistant to the director. Carol Gilmore is constantly busy cataloging and building the collection, and Jennifer Gulledge handles circulation and processing. Dorothy Hancock is the children's services librarian for all branches, as well as, floating staffer. In Pageland, Millie Bragg is the branch manager, assisted by Phyllis Mills. Lynn Walsh, manager for Matheson, is assisted by Beverly Allen and part-time assistant, Joyce Quick. The manager for Jefferson and McBee is currently vacant but that staff member holds down the fort in both of these branches. There are four staff members considered full -time and all others are part - time working 32 or 20 hours per week. This is a hard working group to keep five branches going, with three of them open six days a week, offering programs for the community, and keeping the collection updated and available.

Just a reminder that a library card is free and with it there is access to all member SCLends libraries including a courier service for 56 million materials at all of these libraries across South Carolina. For more information, visit the website at www.chesterfield.lib.sc.us.

Scarlet Sister Mary

2011-07-15T02:01:00.000-07:00

Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Mood Peterkin, reveals the "scarlet" lifestyle of Sister Mary who brings 9 children, with 9 different fathers, into the world. Although, she married her first lover, he leaves and she continues her stint at mothering with eight more children. In the eyes of the church, Sister Mary is a "scarlet" sister.

The story is immersed in the Gullah history and exudes the superstitions, religion, and languages of the low country plantations of the South Carolina and Georgia coasts. Throughout the novel, the characters speak the Gullah dialect, which makes the reading a little more challenging, however, establishes the period and location for a more realistic setting. I rather enjoyed attempting to speak Gullah as I read. Julia Mood Peterkin, author, was a plantation mistress in South Carolina during the early 1900's which substantiates her experience but does leave the reader wondering if, indeed, she presents a realistic representation of all of her characters.

A 1929 Pulitzer Prize Winner and an oldie worth bringing off the shelf for a quick read.

Famous Last Words

2011-06-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

My father once shared some profound words of wisdom with my husband. "I always have the last word (with my mom) and you'll be smart to remember this - it's always "yes, dear!" So far, Richard has done well honoring such sound advice from his father-in-law.

Famous last words ... in thinking about books you've read, do these lines sound familiar? Name novels with the following last lines?

"I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath, and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."
All was well.
Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper.
Are there any questions?
In thirty minutes my whole life's ....done. Maybe I ought to keep writing, not just for the paper, but something else, about all the people I know and the things I seen and done. Maybe I ain't too old to start over, I think and I laugh and cry at the same time at this. Cause just last night I thought I was finished with everything new.
After today, he thought, the world will never be quite the same.
After all, tomorrow is another day.
You are afraid that you might forget, but you never will. You will forgive and remember. Think of the vine that curls from the small square plot that was once my heart. That is the only marker you need. Move on. Walk forward into the light.

What other favorite last lines do you remember?

Beat the Heat In the Stacks

2011-06-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

With summer vacation just beginning next week, I’ve decided to gather my To Be Read list. Here is what I have so far and if you'd like to help me prioritize them, please post the book you recommend for starting out the summer. Or, tell us what you're reading.

Early From the Dance by David Payne

Gravesend Light by David Payne

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Iron House by John Hart released in July

The Litigators by John Grisham released in July

The Whole Payne Bit

2011-05-28T03:29:00.000-07:00

"Back to Wando Passo quivers with authentic life and is so bold in concept and audacious in scope that it seems like the summing up and exclamation point of a great writer's career. The novel contains everything -- from the horror of 1860s rice culture slavery, to the perils of modern love, to the history of rock and roll . . . Payne takes on the whole known world and pulls it off with the deftness of a writer in his prime, enhancing a literary reputation that burns as brightly as any writer of his generation."
-- Pat Conroy

'Nough Said for me! This is an awesome book that you will not be able to put down, especially if you're a civil war buff! Payne takes the reader back to the civil war era while paralleling with a contemporary rock-n-roll family's lifestyle. As Ran discovers skeletons of the past, he begins to reveal the mystery of his wife's ancestors and continues the weaving of social issues such as racism, jealously, and revenge throughout the generations of the character's lives from 1860's to modern times. A bit of history, ghosts, rock-n-roll, and a lot of suspense.

The Pact

2009-05-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

... by Joni Picoult.

The Hartes and the Golds have been neighbors for 18 years and their children have been like brothers and sisters. Surprisingly, once Chris and Emily get to high school their friendship becomes more intimate. The devastation hits when Emily's family receives a call from the hospital saying that she is dead from a gunshot wound to the head. All evidence leads to Chris, buy why? He claims to love Emily and that he had planned to kill himself as well. Detectives do not believe his story about the suicide pact and suspects there is much more involved. Picoult keeps the reader in total suspense, as the relationship between the families becomes strained and the story unfolds, developing the motive for the murder of Chris' childhood friend and first love.

Juniper Road

2009-03-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

... by Hal Duvall.

The story takes place in South Carolina during the Depression. Woodrow Wilson Jones, becomes a young man in just a matter of a few pages, as he discovers hard work and poverty in the rural south. His father has been sent to a sanatorium leaving him in charge of the family. As the story begins, Wilson is trying to get a job with a work crew clearing property for a future state park, only to realize that at 14, he is too young. The recruiter suggests he come back in a couple of days, once he's matured a bit. So, on Monday, four years older, he secures the job, proving to be a diligent worker. Once this job ends, Wilson lands a job in the small town's hardware store as an afternoon clerk. He falls in love with a local girl, Betsy, befriends the recruiter, Tom Stone - soon to be a local lawyer, and comes to the defense of a "colored" friend and neighbor, whose father has been falsely arrested on a charge of arson. Wilson, determined to help clear his friend's father of all charges, seeks help and comes to their aid. Wilson, as most young men of his stature, joins the army in search of a future more meaningful than the life he foresaw by staying behind in a small, country town overcome with poverty and unemployment. But Hal, we've got to know what happens to Wilson!

The story is told with authenticity, reflecting the devastating times of the 30's due to poverty, segregation, and unemployment. It portrays the warmth of a small community yet reveals the harsh realities of racial segregation and poverty. The story takes me back to Cheraw, SC and stirs a desire to dig into the past, learning more about that "prettiest little town in Dixie."

Three Cups Of Tea

2009-03-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

... by Greg Mortenson.

One of the books I read awhile ago was recently reintroduced at the SCASL when I discovered that it has been rewritten as a picture book and a young reader novel. The two new versions, Listen to the Wind and Three Cups of Tea, share this wonderful story on one man's dream to improve education. Greg Mortenson is mountain climbing in the Himalayas and gets lost. He ends up in the village of Korphe in Pakistan, where the villagers take care of him and share their hospitality and wisdom over cups of tea. When he learns that the village has no school and the children practice their lessons outside using sticks to write with, he decides to build a school. The story follows his experiences through Pakistan and Afghanistan as he struggles to gain the support and money to build schools. With the current relations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, this book offers a different perspective of the culture and traditions in these countries and shows how strong determination for humanitarian efforts can make worldly differences. A lesson all ages can benefit from.

2009-03-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

This is a thought provoking and complex novel, mixing the themes of art, family, values, and death. It alternates between the voices of Pru, a young girl whose pictures are taken by a family friend, and Kate, a young woman teaching at a University. The author does a great job with this story but forces the reader to determine their own opinion as to what is "art" and to distinguish the difference between innocence and wrong. Each girl's character is developed so that we hear their thoughts and understand how they feel. This book elicited one of the most passionate book discussions that our book club has experienced in quite a while.

Facebook Friends

2009-02-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy playing Mah Jongg which is an Asian tile game similar to gin rummy. Watch this video and check out the web site World Mah Jong Tour, print the rules, then join me for a game.

Sunday Salon: Bound For Murder

2009-02-15T11:51:00.001-08:00

A fun, light murder mystery set in New Orleans. How appropriate just hours from Mardi Gras! Laura Childs the author, has written a Scrapbooking Mystery series set in New Orleans, the Tea Shop Mysteries series which appear to be set in Charleston, SC and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries. This book was so much fun, I can't wait to check out more of her books.

Carmela, owner of a local scrap booking shop, tends to be pretty handy at helping out her friends with business issues and solving problems. As the story opens, a dinner party in honor of Wren and Jamie, about to be married, is taking place at Bon Tiempe, better known to locals as Bon Ton. Just before dinner is to be served, Ava, proprietor of Juju Voodoo, discovers the groom-to-be, murdered in the restaurant office. Since Jamie is the beloved owner of the local bookshop, a lovable and popular guy, his death could only be the result of a "robbery gone bad" according to the hasty police report. Carmela doesn't buy it and is determine to learn more about Jamie's mysterious childhood, discover why a local rare book collector is so anxious to force Wren (Jamie's fiance) to sell HIM the book store, why does Blaine Taylor, Jamie's disreputable business partner keep showing up and there's the ex-fiance that Wren never knew about! There has to be more to this than a random mishap from a robbery gone bad.

I'm a bit partial to NO, and love reading a novel which includes so many familiar places. I look forward to getting back and learning more about the city and can't wait until Jazz Fest. Mmmm... Laura, are any of your mysteries based around Jazz Festival? Must look into that! However, Laura Childs does a beautiful job incorporating local color with her characters and the settings in this book. Great characters - I'd love to meet them - they sound like loads of fun.

Post for Sunday Salon - join us here!

Sunday Salon

2009-02-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

Just opening a book by Harry Bernstein called The Invisible Wall. New York Times wrote an article about Mr. Bernstein, who at age 96 authored this book. This book was also featured in the International Herald Tribune. It really sounds like a book I need to read. The following review is from Random House publishers.

“There are places that I have never forgotten. A little cobbled street in a smoky mill town in the North of England has haunted me for the greater part of my life. It was inevitable that I should write about it and the people who lived on both sides of its ‘Invisible Wall.’ ”

The narrow street where Harry Bernstein grew up, in a small English mill town, was seemingly unremarkable. It was identical to countless other streets in countless other working-class neighborhoods of the early 1900s, except for the “invisible wall” that ran down its center, dividing Jewish families on one side from Christian families on the other. Only a few feet of cobblestones separated Jews from Gentiles, but socially, it they were miles apart.

On the eve of World War I, Harry’s family struggles to make ends meet. His father earns little money at the Jewish tailoring shop and brings home even less, preferring to spend his wages drinking and gambling. Harry’s mother, devoted to her children and fiercely resilient, survives on her dreams: new shoes that might secure Harry’s admission to a fancy school; that her daughter might marry the local rabbi; that the entire family might one day be whisked off to the paradise of America.

Then Harry’s older sister, Lily, does the unthinkable: She falls in love with Arthur, a Christian boy from across the street.

When Harry unwittingly discovers their secret affair, he must choose between the morals he’s been taught all his life, his loyalty to his selfless mother, and what he knows to be true in his own heart.

A wonderfully charming memoir written when the author was ninety-three, The Invisible Wall vibrantly brings to life an all-but-forgotten time and place. It is a moving tale of working-class life, and of the boundaries that can be overcome by love.

Mock Newbery Award Committee

2009-01-26T12:29:00.001-08:00

Mock Newbery Award Committee
Originally uploaded by pmcbranson

Anxiously awaiting the announcement of the 2009 Newbery Award Winner.

Sunday Salon - selling Bibles

2009-01-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

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.

The Last Lecture

2009-01-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

... 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

2009-01-18T16:32:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

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

Yeah! A "Big Girl" Book!

2008-12-23T17:29:00.000-08:00

I've been reading and reading, books that were published in the US during 2008 for the last forever! I've organized a Mock Newbery Award Committee and we've been reading pretty hard - it's vacation and I'm actually reading a "big girl" book! The Shack by William Young - a tough and not so cheery Christmas story.

The Shack is Mack (Mackenzie) Philips' story about how he has dealt with life during the time since his daughter was abducted during a family vacation. Her body was never found, however, the police did find evidence in an abandoned shack that indicated she had been brutally murdered by a serial killer who preyed on young girls. As the story opens, Mack mysteriously receives a strange note that is apparently from God and is invited to return to this shack where his daughter was murdered. He visits the scene of the crime and there has experiences a encounter with God.

The Shack does exhibit good and bad and is a very touching story. With all the rave reviews, I expected so much more. It is a story needing to be told, but to compare it to some of the greatest works in literature, Pilgrim's Progress, mmmm... no, no way. Also, I find issues with the theological basis regarding the Trinity and other scriptural references, especially for someone that is new to Christianity.

Sunday Salon in Florence, Italy

2008-11-02T14:51:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting on the deck, drinking hot Chai tea and recapping my reading today. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant has kept me captivated all afternoon. I did suspect that it would be a bit more detailed and harder to follow but I'm enjoying this one immensely. The book starts out with the most incredible, unbelievable... a nun with a Renaissance style tattoo. Mmmm... I'm thinking that's what's going but not real sure - we've left that scene totally and I'm just not sure where this is going.

Review from Reading Group Guides:

Alessandra Cecchi is not quite fifteen when her father, a prosperous cloth merchant, brings a young painter back from northern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family's Florentine palazzo. A child of the Renaissance, with a precocious mind and a talent for drawing, Alessandra is intoxicated by the painter's abilities.

But their burgeoning relationship is interrupted when Alessandra's parents arrange her marriage to a wealthy, much older man. Meanwhile, Florence is changing, increasingly subject to the growing suppression imposed by the fundamentalist monk Savonarola, who is seizing religious and political control. Alessandra and her native city are caught between the Medici state, with its love of luxury, learning, and dazzling art, and the hellfire preaching and increasing violence of Savonarola's reactionary followers. Played out against this turbulent backdrop, Alessandra's married life is a misery, except for the surprising freedom it allows her to pursue her powerful attraction to the young painter and his art.

The Birth of Venus is a tour de force, the first historical novel from one of Britain's most innovative writers of literary suspense. It brings alive the history of Florence at its most dramatic period, telling a compulsively absorbing story of love, art, religion, and power through the passionate voice of Alessandra, a heroine with the same vibrancy of spirit as her beloved city.

Going back in now to read some more! See you next Sunday.

Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby

2008-10-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Review:

Theodore Mead Fegley has always been the smartest person he knows. By age 12, he was in high school, and by 15 he was attending a top-ranking university. And now, at the tender age of 18, he's on the verge of proving the Riemann Hypothesis, a mathematical equation that has mystified academics for almost 150 years. But only days before graduation, Mead suddenly packs his bags and flees home to rural Illinois. What has caused him to flee remains a mystery to all but Mead and a classmate whose quest for success has turned into a dangerous obession.At home, Mead finds little solace. His past ghosts haunt him; his parents don't understand the agony his genius has caused him, nor his desire to be a normal kid, and his dreams seem crushed forever. He embarks on a new life's journey -- learning the family business of selling furniture and embalming the dead--that disappoints and surprises all who knew him as "the young Fegley genius."Equal parts academic thriller and poignant coming-of-age story, LIFE AFTER GENIUS follows the remarkable journey of a young man who must discover that the heart may know what the head hasn't yet learned.

This is a remarkable book and a must read for our book club. As a teacher, we often see this same child and wonder what will become of them - thus, reassured by the ending in this novel. Praises to M. Ann Jacoby on her first novel.

Ghost Stories? You Bet!!

2008-10-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

October, my favorite season! I love the cool, crisp air, the colorful leaves, the excitement among the wildlife, and Halloween. I just enjoy the spooky fun that I remember as a child and fortunately, it wasn't such an issue back then. It was costumes, carnivals, candy apples, fishing for toys, hayrides, pumpkin carving, lots and lots of candy, and ghostly, spooky stories. Children are naturally drawn to "scary stories" as I was. As a school library media specialist that is the hottest request right now - they can't wait to check out those "scary" stories.

But what about adults? What is it about scary stories that keeps us coming back? What is that makes our hair stand up? What makes us shiver? Why the screams? Although, I'm not a big "haunted house" kinda person, I do enjoy reading ghost stories that are not so bloody and evil. Here is my list for this coming week. What are you reading for Halloween this year??

Vintage by Steve Berman
The Man In Pictures by Susan Hill

The Thirteeth Tale

2008-10-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Our next selection for Book Club, meeting on October 15 is The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfeld. This is one of the most intriguing novels that I have read lately. The Thirteenth Tale is the story of Ms. Vida Winter, a renown British author as she is just discovering that she is terminally ill. The other notable character, Margaret Lea, daughter of a local antique book dealer and biographer, one day finds an unexpected letter from Ms. Winter requesting that Margaret write her biography. As Margaret tries to collect the vivid details of Ms. Winter's childhood, she finds herself digging into her own past.

Margaret visits the enormous Gothic home of Ms. Winters in order to interview her for the biography. Unfortunately, Ms. Winter has more experience at weaving tales and she finds it difficult to stick to the facts. The Thirteenth Tale is, of course, Ms. Winter's life story. As she shares her history with Margaret, we discover a most unusual family, riddled with tragedies, lies, ghosts, evil, incest and many secrets. This novel is reminiscent of the Gothic mysteries and novels by Agatha Christie, Charlotte Bronte, Barbara Michaels and Victoria Holt. So if you find their writing captivating, you will not want to miss this debut novel by Diane Setterfield.

Bookworm's Carnival Post

2008-09-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is one of the most intriquing novels that I have read lately. This would be a great selection for a book club discussion. In this book, Margaret Lea lives in a flat above her father's book store in which they sell, or house, mostly antique books. Margaret writes biographies, though not famous, she has had several published. Her subjects are usually not very familiar to most, but of personalities of great interest to her. One day she receives a very unusual letter. The handwriting was most curious, childlike, but not. As it turns out, the letter was from Vida Winters, one of England's most famous authors. It seems Miss Winters would like for Margaret to write her biography. Not familiar with Miss Winter's work since Margaret doesn't normally read contemporary fiction, she begins to read one of her novels that has been stored behind glass in her father's store. The book, The Thirteenth Tale, begins a series of unusual and mysterious events which leads Margaret to accept the offer of writing her biography. Margaret visits Miss Winters and during her stay and documentation of Miss Winter's story, Margaret becomes entranced with her own story and history.

The Thirteenth Tale has it all, there are ghosts, haunted houses, strange happenings and lots of deep, dark secrets. It is very much a modern day, gothic mystery. Although, this is not usually my pick in a genre, I especially enjoyed the many comments and references to Margaret's passion for books and stories. It was a great read and I'd recommend it any day to anyone that enjoys mysteries, antique books, and an intriguing story. Here is an interview with the author, Diane Setterfield which enhances the story even more.

Booking Through Thursday Reply

2008-09-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?

And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?

The most unusual book I've ever read was A Suitable Boy:Novel by Vikram Seth. This was a selection for our book club and I happenned to be the host/facilitator. Now, the size of a book doesn't usually throw me, but if it did, this one would! Not being familiar with the Indian culture, I found this book very long and difficult to read - I literally used a glossary so that I could understand what was going on in the story, the foods, the clothing, the greetings, the traditions. I could have gotten through the book much easier if it had not been so long, at least 1500 pages. I did enjoy learning more about India but instead of completing the book, I got on the computer and found music, recipes and clothing to use for our book club meeting. It was terrific - the food and music!

Sunday Salon - in the air

2008-09-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Just landed in Dallas and I'm totally loving The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I've read a third of the book and can't wait to get settled and read some more. Being a librarian, I'm enjoying the passion and respect for books that Margaret has. Adeline is most interesting at this point in the book and I'm just meeting Hester. I really expected Adeline to click with Hester before Emmeline so that, too, is a surprise. Must read on....

Thanks to all the other Sunday Salon readers for your comments - some made me a bit hesitant and some left me very eager to begin the book. Will let you know ...

Sunday Salon on the Road

2008-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

I'm doing my reading for Sunday Salon this week on the road. We spent most of today driving back home after a glorious three day weekend at Pawleys Island, SC. I read and read and read! If you want a beach spot that is totally perfect for reading you need to go to the Sea View Inn - you can check out my first and only beach post in the previous post. Today, in the car, I read a book my daughter gave me called Where Did I Leave My Glasses by Martha Lear. It's a very humorous explanation of how our brains are wired to "forget" and the difference between male and female memory. Although, I haven't finished the book, I do feel a bit better about some of the "scatter brained" moments or should I say, blank moments, that I experience on a regular basis. It's good to know we're normal - and most likely, your friends will not remember you forgot, anyway! Gotta get back to it! Oh yeah, here's a neat podcast about the book.

Next Sunday, I'll be on a flight to Dallas, Texas and plan to read The Thirteent h Tale by Diane Setterfield. Have any of you read this one? I'd love to hear your thoughts and I'll check in when we change plans and again, when we land in Dallas.

Reader's Paradise

2008-09-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

I lie on my bed to read, I go to the parlor to read then take a walk on the beach, I sit on the screened porch to read then take a walk on the beach, I sit on the front porch in a rocker or hammock to read and gaze, intermittingly out over the ocean. This absolutely the most perfect environment for reading and relaxation. To use my laptop, I have to come up to the room, as tv, phones, any electronic devices are not allowed in common areas here at the Sea View Inn on Pawley's Island. Their websites describes the atmosphere as "unspoiled." I am spoiled by technology so I do slip up to the room to post on my blog. But only for a short minute and a short post.

You are fed three fabulous meals, provided quiet time, ocean view and the most soothing breeze and all you have to do is bring your book or pillow and move from one area to the next. I could live here! Here is a quick laptop photo as I sit on my bed!

Bookworm's Carnival

2008-09-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is my first post for Bookworms Carnival so I'm not sure this is what I should be doing. This month's theme is Author's New To Me hosted by Darcie at Reading Derby. Being a school library media specialist, and being in the first month of school, the past weeks' reading has focused primarily on children's books. One of the best books, and our students love it, is The Mailbox by first time author, Audrey Shafer. Twelve-year-old Gabe Culligan finally gets a break, after years in different foster homes, when he gets to come live with his Uncle Vernon. Although, Uncle Vernon is a bit on the rough side, Gabe still feels good about this place. His Uncle Vernon has a prosthetic leg and is a bit on the rough side, but Gabe gets along really well with him. One day when Gabe comes home from school he finds his Uncle Vernon lying on the floor. Gabe is sure he’s dead! He kneels down by him and bravely, touches his leg - his artificial leg. Gabe knows he’s dead now, because the fan is off and Uncle Vernon always keeps the fan running. Gabe just isn’t ready to deal with it so he goes to school the next morning just like nothing has happened and tries hard not to think about it. When Gabe gets home from school, there’s a note in the mailbox. On one side it says, “I have a secret”. On the other side it says, “Do not be afraid”. A little confused, Gabe goes on into the house only to find his uncle’s body has disappeared. Mmmmm... This story is one that will keep you turning pages. A “can’t put it down” novel!

Another newbie for me are the Diary of a Wimpy Kid novels by Jeff Kinney. I can't keep these books in and Jeff Kinney can't write fast enough for our kids. What is the story? It's about a middle schooler, Greg Heffley, who keeps a year long journal, which is totally hilarious and so dramatic, just as the lives of all adolescents! His mother makes him keep a diary and in it he tells about each day’s events, along with his comical illustrations. Greg’s character is typical of lots of middle school kids, thus it's popularity among 5th and 6th graders. Greg isn't your best student, he's not the worse one either, but he wants more than anyting to be popular! So desperate, even at the expense of others, he seizes his opportunities. This book appeals especially to your "not so eager readers" and has them eagerly awaiting Greg’s further adventures in Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules.

Two new authors for kids - great successes and highly entertaining.

Booking Through Thursday Reply

2008-09-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

"Today is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I know that not all of you who read are in the U.S., but still, it’s vital that none of us who are decent people forget the scope of disaster that a few, evil people can cause–anywhere in the world. It’s not about religion, it’s not about politics, it’s about the acknowledgment that humans should try to work together, not tear each other apart, even when they disagree.

So, feeling my way to a question here … Terrorists aren’t just movie villains any more. Do real-world catastrophes such as 9/11 (and the bombs in Madrid, and the ones in London, and the war in Darfur, and … really, all the human-driven, mass loss-of-life events) affect what you choose to read? Personally, I used to enjoy reading Tom Clancy, but haven’t been able to stomach his fight-terrorist kinds of books since.

And, does the reality of that kind of heartless, vicious attack–which happen on smaller scales ALL the time–change the way you feel about villains in the books you read? Are they scarier? Or more two-dimensional and cookie-cutter in the face of the things you see on the news?"

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Since 9/11, I've become more interested in the cultural differences in other countries, especially the differences that directly affect women. There has been a surplus of books dealing with Middle Eastern women, and maybe it's a good thing. It is an eyeopener for those of us that are successful, career oriented, women. What I've found most interesting is the respect for cultural values, even at the expense of freedom for some of the women featured in these books. I think it helps us to better understand what it feels like to be on the other side, as a normal, regular citizen from another country. What it feels like to walk in someone else's shoes.

Growing My Own Food!!!

2008-09-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, I find it hard to find time to cook! In this book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, the family moves back to the Virginia farmlands and make every effort possible to grow their own produce, trade with neighbors, and buy locally. I was so impressed with this concentrated effort to save energy, use wholesome foods, and support our local farmers that I have bought copies of this book for several friends. Barbara Kingsolver shares her experiences during a year of restructuring eating habits for the entire family. As they make heavy decisions about giving up "junk food" the family recreates what I remember as the "family meal." As a child, my mom cooked everything from scratch and we ate only "in season" foods during spring, summer and fall. We canned vegetables, made jams, and ate from the freezer or cupboard during winter months. Today, I don't even have a freezer and my cupboard is bare - due to long hours at school. This was a real eye opener about how our health has been affected by our "lazy" eating habits and workaholic behaviors. Thank you Barbara! After reading this book, I've set some new, healthier goals for myself and my family. Great book!

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

2008-08-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a very unusual story of a young Pakistani man, Changez, and the impact that 9-11 has on his life. Changez was a Princeton graduate and immediately hired by a very prestigious firm in NY. While living in NY, he developed a relationship with Erica, a unstable, but very outgoing girl. Changez enjoyed the American (NY American) lifestyle until the attacks on the Twin Towers when the native New Yorkers began to treat him differently because he was Muslim. He no longer felt like he “fit in.” He quickly became disillusioned with the U.S. because of their lack of support to Pakistan against rising problems with India.

Although, this novel is reviewed more as dealing with the anti-American concerns, I was pulled more toward Changez's deep affection for Erica and her emotional disorders. Erica was suffering, emotionally and physically, from the death of her boyfriend. Changez seem to be as distraught by his not being able to help Erica through these emotional problems as he was with the political issues. He eventually comes to term with the fact that he has lost Erica and becomes so disillusioned with the US, he doesn't want to live here anymore.

The story is beautifully written, a conversation between two people at a cafe in Pakistan, where you only hear one of the characters speak. The novel does leave you hanging about what really does happen in the end. The viewer's perspective on many different details throughout the novel affect the ending. Excellent discussion novel!

Mah Jongg Fix Over

2008-08-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

Photo by decafinata
Attribution-ShareAlike License

Summer is over and so are my weekly Mah Jongg games. The original group started playing about four years ago and we started right here in my house. Since then the group has tripled in members and had become a favorite “Tega Cay Women’s Club” group that meets weekly up at the club house. Our original group, most definitely the “real” serious MJ players in my opinion, are all such great friends and I have enjoyed spending more time with them this summer, as well as, meeting and getting to know other MJ fanatics. Unfortunately, our Mah Jongg Maven is getting ready to move to Singapore - it just will not be the same Barbara! She leaves about the same time my school year starts back so I know that next summer, it will be so different when I, once again, join the ladies for my summer Mah Jongg fix.

Fortunately, a couple of friends that I work with have expressed an interest in learning the game. Mmmm… am I good enough for this? Well, we will attempt to master the game. I found a few great video clips that teach the game. The rules do vary from region to region but the best clip to instruct on our method is this one Board Games With Scott.

Watch, and watch again. Just love this game!