Library Notes Week of August 8

I am happy to announce you can again download audio books. Look for the OneClickDigital banner on our webpage and click on it to go the site. You will have to create a new account regardless of whether you had one with NetLibraries. When you sign up it will ask for an access code which you will need to call us to get or we can help you sign up in the library. The great news is it is 100% iPod compatible and looks like it is much easier to use.

When you stop into the library, take a look at our new books. Here are a few you might want to check out.

Monument to Murder by Margaret Truman. Times are tough in Savannah for former cop and current PI Robert Brixton, so when he agrees to take on a 20 year-old murder case, he figures he’s got nothing to lose. It’s not long before the trail leads him deep into the corrupt underbelly of Savannah’s power elite, and right into the lap of a secret government organization that’s been offing “troublesome” politicians for decades. The cold case heats up when he joins forces with former attorneys Mackensie and Annabel Lee Smith to investigate the organization and the murders they committed in the name of patriotism.

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner. Jules Strauss is a Princeton senior with a full scholarship, acquaintances instead of friends, and a family she’s ashamed to invite to Parents’ Weekend. With the income she’ll receive from donating her “pedigree” eggs, she believes she can save her father from addiction. Annie Barrow married her high school sweetheart. After years of staying at home and struggling to support four people on her husband’s salary, she thinks she’s found a way to bring in some extra cash. India Bishop, has changed everything about herself: her name, her face, her past. In New York City, she falls for a wealthy older man, Marcus Croft, and decides a baby will ensure a happy ending. When her attempts at pregnancy fail, she turns to technology, and Annie and Jules, to help make her dreams come true. But each of their plans is thrown into disarray when Marcus’ daughter becomes convinced that his new wife is not what she seems…

Overbite by Meg Cabot. Meena Harper has a special gift, but it’s only now that anyone’s ever appreciated it. The Palatine Guard—a powerful secret demon-hunting unit of the Vatican—has hired her to work at their new branch in Lower Manhattan. With Meena’s ability to predict how everyone she meets will die, the Palatine finally has a chance against the undead. Meena’s sworn off vampires for good . . . at least until she can prove her theory that just because they’ve lost their souls doesn’t mean demons have lost the ability to love. Meena knows convincing her co-workers—including her partner, Über-demon-hunter Alaric Wulf—that vampires can be redeemed won’t be easy . . . especially when a deadly new threat seems to be endangering not just lives of the Palatine, but Meena’s friends and family as well.

Library Notes Week of June 12

Now that school is out kids need to get reading. Teens will want to read in order to be eligible for a drawing at the end of the program. We have a KoBo e-reader one of them will win. We have lots of weekly prizes for the younger set thanks to the generous merchants of La Conner. They will want to hit 800 minutes to be put into a drawing for a bike and helmet. Since boredom will be setting in soon, be sure to check out the many programs going on starting with Scott Petersen, the Reptile Man. He will be here Thursday, June 23^rd at 10 a.m. with his snakes and other critters. See you there.

While you are in signing your child up for the Summer Reading Program, check out one of these books from the new book shelf.

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong. Strange things are happening in Maya's tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya's home—and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations. It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy—her paw-print birthmark.

Eve by Iris Johansen. After searching for years, forensic sculptor Eve Duncan is finally close to solving the mystery her daughter’s murder. With the help of her CIA friend Catherine Ling, Eve narrows the field of suspects down to either Paul Black or John Gallo, both of whom work for a corrupt military intelligence officer. Paul has a history of killing children, and John is mentally unstable after a stint in a North Korean prison. The specter of Gallo forces Eve to relive her tumultuous past, growing up in the projects of Atlanta, intent on staying out of trouble until she meets John. He was about to join the army to become a Ranger, but first they had a brief yet highly charged affair, which left Eve pregnant with Bonnie. Now nothing will stop Eve from learning the truth about her daughter’s fate.

Southern Comfort by Fern Michaels. Atlanta homicide detective Patrick 'Tick' Kelly turned his back on the world the day his wife and children were murdered. Abandoning his city and his career, he holed up in a beach house on Mango Key, Florida, and drowned his grief in Jack Daniels. Now sober and a bestselling author, Tick would gladly stay a recluse forever if his brother Pete didn't keep trying to drag him back to the land of the living. After years of sacrificing her personal life in favor of her DEA job, special agent Kate Rush resigned and moved back to her native Miami. But the unofficial assignment that has just come her way is too intriguing to pass up. She and a fellow ex-agent are relocated to Mango Key to keep an eye on an imposing, mysterious fortress believed to be at the center of a human trafficking ring.

Library Notes Week of May 30

As school winds down it is time to start thinking about the library’s Summer Reading Program. If you have kids in school this is for them. Reading through the summer will help them keep up their skills and it is fun! Prizes and programs will fill eight weeks starting June 6^th. Things will be happening for Teens as well. Stop in to the library or check our website www.lclib.lib.wa.us for a list of activities.

New books are always arriving. Here are some you might like to check out.

From this Moment On by Shania Twain. The world may know Shania Twain as many things: a music legend, a mother, and recently, a fixture in the news for her painful, public divorce and subsequent marriage to a cherished friend. But in this autobiography, Shania reveals that she is much more. She is one of five children born into poverty in rural Canada, where her family often didn't have enough food to send her to school with lunch. She's the teenage girl who helped her mother and young siblings escape to a battered woman's shelter to put an end to the domestic violence in her family home. And she's the courageous twenty-two-year-old who sacrificed to keep her younger siblings together after her parents were tragically killed in a car accident.

Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? By Steven Tyler. Tyler tells what it's like to be a living legend and the frontman of one of the world's most revered and infamous bands—the debauchery, the money, the notoriety, the fights, the motels and hotels, the elevators, limos, buses and jets, the rehab. He reveals the spiritual side that "gets lost behind the stereotype of the Sex Guy, the Drug Guy, the Demon of Screamin', the Terror of the Tropicana." And he talks about his epic romantic life and his relationship with his four children.

Walt Before Mickey by Timothy S. Susanin. For ten years before the creation of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney struggled with, failed at, and eventually mastered the art and business of animation. Most biographies of his career begin in 1928, when Steamboat Willie was released. That first Disney Studio cartoon with synchronized sound made its main character--Mickey Mouse-an icon for generations. But Steamboat Willie was neither Disney's first cartoon nor Mickey Mouse's first appearance. Prior to this groundbreaking achievement, Walt Disney worked in a variety of venues and studios, refining the Disney style. In Walt Before Mickey, 1919-1928, Timothy Susanin creates a portrait of the artist from age seventeen to the cusp of his international renown.

Library Notes Week of May 23

The town just thought they got rid of the turkeys!! Kiwanis Cash Cow Art Show will feature turkeys and some of them are very cute. There will be pigs and chickens and cows as well. Look for them around town starting June 1^st.

New books arrived last week. Here are some you might like to check out.

Spider Web by Earlene Fowler. The Memory Festival is a celebration of recollections and loved ones through crafts. But when a local cop is wounded by a mysterious sharpshooter who seems to have a vendetta against the police. Benni is concerned for her police-chief husband, Gabe, who may also be a target and is showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder through violent nightmares about his time in Vietnam. As if this isn't enough, a mysterious woman moves to San Celina who shows more than a passing interest in Gabe, leading Benni to wonder if this is yet another woman from his past. Benni is determined to make her hometown safe-before their peaceful street fair becomes a day to remember in the worst way.

The Worst Thing by Aaron Elkins. For Bryan Bennett, designing hostage negotiation programs is the perfect job-as long as he keeps a safe, theoretical distance. What he can't do is deal directly with kidnappers or their victims, as a result of his own abduction and imprisonment as a small boy. Thirty-some years later, intense nightmares still plague his sleep, and a fear of enclosed spaces prevents him from attempting to travel. So when Bryan's boss asks him to fly to Reykjavik, Iceland, to teach his corporate-level kidnapping and extortion seminar, he automatically says no. But the CEO of GlobalSeas Fisheries, Inc. has specifically requested Bryan-or no one else. Bryan finally relents...

10^th Anniversary by James Patterson. Detective Lindsay Boxer's long-awaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memory when she is called to investigate a horrendous crime: a badly injured teenage girl is left for dead, and her newborn baby is nowhere to be found. Lindsay discovers that not only is there no trace of the criminals--but that the victim may be keeping secrets as well. At the same time, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is prosecuting the biggest case of her life--a woman who has been accused of murdering her husband in front of her two young children. Yuki's career rests on a guilty verdict, so when Lindsay finds evidence that could save the defendant, she is forced to choose. Should she trust her best friend or follow her instinct?

Library Notes Week of May 4

I hope you noticed the new furniture in the library? Actually we had the old pieces recovered and they look wonderful. It was made possible by memorial donations made in the name of Corinne Hajek, a former trustee of the library. This was one project she started, but never had an opportunity to finish. She wanted to have the furniture freshened up and I think she would be pleased with the results.

When you come in to admire the furniture, check out the new books shelf. Maybe one of the following would be of interest.

Idea Man by Paul Allen. Paul Allen, best known as the cofounder of Microsoft, has left his mark on numerous fields, from aviation and science to rock 'n' roll, professional sports, and philanthropy. His passions and curiosity have transformed the way we live. In 2007 and again in 2008, Time named him one of the hundred most influential people in the world. While much has been written about Microsoft's early years, Allen has never before told the story from his point of view. Nor has he previously talked about the details of his complex relationship with Gates or his behind-closed- doors perspective on how a struggling startup became the most powerful technology company in the world. Idea Man is the candid and long-awaited memoir of an intensely private person, a tale of triumphant highs and terrifying lows.

The Forgotten Founding Father: Noah Webster by Joshua Kendall. Kendall honors Webster's crucial contributions to early American nationalism, which extended far beyond his primary obsession, the written word. He paints a complex portrait of Webster a man he claims "housed a host of contradictory identities: revolutionary, reactionary, fighter, peacemaker, intellectual, commonsense philosopher, ladies' man, prig, slick networker and loner." In spite of his flaws, Webster, belongs among the ranks of America's notable founders, associating with George Washington and Ben Franklin, among others, to craft an early American identity rooted in national pride and a distinctly American lexicon.

The Best Advice I Ever Got by Katie Couric. What was the tipping point for Malcolm Gladwell? What unscripted event made Meryl Streep who she is? How did Mario Batali cook up his recipe for success? In this inspiration-packed book, Katie Couric reports from the front lines of the worlds of politics, entertainment, sports, philanthropy, the arts, and business—distilling the ingenious, hard-won insights of leaders and visionaries, who tell us all how to take chances, follow our passions, cope with criticism, and, perhaps most important, commit to something greater than ourselves.

Library Notes Week April 11

Have you had a change to try out the new catalog? If you would like helping learning how to use it, just stop by and we can give you a quick tour. It is really pretty easy once you get the hang of it—and so fast compared to the old one.

You will note that when you go to “my account” you need a login and password. The login is your library card number—don’t enter the “P”—the password is the last four digits of your home phone number. Of course if we don’t have your phone number, it was a cell (and we wrote cell after it) or it was entered incorrectly you may have to come in. We can change it for you.

When you come in be sure we have your correct e-mail. The system sends out notices to e-mails that your holds are ready for pick up, reminds you that your books will be due in three days, and sends out overdue notices. It will make us much more efficient!

When you come in check out our new books, maybe you would enjoy one of these.

Fatal Error by J. A. Jance. Ali Reynolds begins the summer thinking her most difficult challenge will be surviving a six-week- long course as the lone forty-something female at the Arizona Police Academy—not to mention taking over the 6:00 AM shift at her family’s restaurant while her parents enjoy a long overdue Caribbean cruise. However, when Brenda Riley, a colleague from Ali’s old news broadcasting days in California, shows up in town with an alcohol problem and an unlikely story about a missing fiancé, Ali reluctantly agrees to help.

The Linen Queen by Patricia Falvey. Abandoned by her father and neglected by her self-absorbed mother, Sheila McGee longs to escape from her small Irish village, where her destiny seems already to be written: forever consigned to working at the mill, forced to hand over her paycheck to her mother. When she gets the opportunity to compete for the title of 1941 Linen Queen, she finally sees a way out, for the prize money will fund her dream of escaping to England. But WWII intervenes, bringing with it travel restrictions and a base set up for American soldiers. She intends to snag American officer Joel Solomon, much to the distress of her childhood friend, Gavin. Joel turns out to be a Jewish soldier of conscience and schools her in the deeper meaning of the fight against Hitler.

Gideon’s Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. At twelve, Gideon Crew witnessed his father, a world-class mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down. At twenty-four, summoned to his dying mother's bedside, Gideon learned the truth: His father was framed and deliberately slaughtered. With her last breath, she begged her son to avenge him. Now, with a new purpose in his life, Gideon crafts a one-time mission of vengeance, aimed at the perpetrator of his father's destruction. But from the shadows, someone is watching. A very powerful someone, who is impressed by Gideon's special skills. Someone who has need of just such a renegade.

Library Notes Week March 7

Join the Friends of the Library, Monday, March 21st for their next meeting. A social time starts at 9:30 am with coffee and goodies, followed by a program and business meeting. The program for March is Joy Lewis who talks about Angels around us--should be very interesting.

The Friends are gearing up to sell raffle tickets for their annual tulip poster. Buy a few tickets from them at the BookNook, or better yet, volunteer to help sell the tickets. Remember they are raising funds to help the library with needs we have beyond our budget. We appreciate all the work they do for us.

When you stop by the library for those tulip tickets, check out one of these books off the new book shelf.

A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer. As the U.S. President, James Allaire, is beginning his State of the Union address, a number of small containers of a viral agent explode and infect the more than 700 people, including every important member of the government except the director of homeland security, who have gathered in the House chamber. The Capitol must be sealed off and the infected audience held inside until a cure for the disease can be found.

The Border Lords by T. Jefferson Parker. The Border Lords finds Deputy Hood still determined to battle gun and drug traffic along the U.S.--Mexico border. ATF agent Sean Ozburn has dropped out of sight, leaving a handful of bullet-riddled bodies in his wake. Ozburn's wife, Seliah, has received e-mails from Sean that speak of a gravely important "mission" but offer no indication of his whereabouts.

A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriquez. A group of women come together in a Kubul coffee shop run by Sunny, a free-spirited American. Sunny takes in the young widow, Yazmina, the casualty of her uncle's debt to Afghan thugs. Halajan is a firecracker older widow who hides her cropped hairdo, jean skirts and love letters under her burqa. Isabel, a hard-hitting BBC journalist on location who uncovers the truth about female workers addicted to the opium they handle in the fields. Finally there is Candace, a well-heeled Bostonian, who has followed her Afghan boyfriend to Kabul to fundraise for his schoo, but soon suspects his real motives for the school and their relationship.