Library Notes for the week of September 24

Skagit Kids Read Week is September 23-29. Join the kids in reading Crazy Hair Day by Barney Saltzberg. This is a great picture book story about an elementary school boy named Stanley who wraps, dips and sprays his hair for crazy hair day at school.

We have several new books on raising children. Here are a few you might want to check out next time you are in the library.

In Defense of Childhood by Chris Mercogliano. As co-director of the Albany Free School, Chris Mercogliano has had success in helping youngsters find their way in the world. He regrets, however, that most kids' lives are subject to some form of control from dawn until dusk. Lamenting risk-averse parents, overstructured school days, and a lack of playtime and solitude, Mercogliano argues that we are robbing our young people of "that precious, irreplaceable period in their lives that nature has set aside for exploration and innocent discovery," leaving them ill-equipped to face adulthood.

Practical Wisdom for Parents by Nancy Schulman. Starting with the premise that parents today face more pressures than ever, the authors admit that getting a child into preschool can be a hurdle. The atmosphere of competitiveness is one of the most significant changes they've witnessed during their combined 59 years in the field. Discussions of bedtime, meals, discipline, and toilet training combine to make this a practical and comprehensive resource.

A Special Education by Dana Buchman. Fashion designer Buchman was a woman of accomplishments, when her toddler was diagnosed with neurological, spatial, and motor-skill problems. As Charlotte grew older, she manifested dyslexia, had trouble counting and telling stories, and moved awkwardly. In this intense memoir, Buchman details her journey to find the means to help her daughter learn.

Library Notes for the week of September 17

If you are afraid of that computer your kids insist you have to have to communicate with them, remember we are offering free computer classes. Computer Basics is Wed., the 19^th and Surfing the Internet is Sept. 25^th. Get more details and sign up at the library.

No! I Don’t Want to Join a Book Club by Virginia Ironside. Marie Sharp is about to turn 60, and unlike many of her peers, she has no interest in taking up paragliding or living for three months with a tribe in Africa. She's intent on accepting this new phase of her life. Marie, in fact, has such an easygoing attitude toward aging that her friends are constantly inviting her out to dinner and on vacation. And though Marie has declared herself done with romantic entanglements, there's a very kind old friend, recently widowed, who has a crush on her.

Starburst by Robin Pilcher. A young, beautiful French violin virtuoso, an English mother working as a comic, a retired photography director, and a newlywed festival director, among others, meet and forge friendships as they each chase their dreams.

Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon. Helen, office staffer at a public relations firm, is fast approaching her 40th birthday. She is in despair of ever getting out of the secretary pool or snagging a full-time commitment from Matthew. When Matthew abruptly leaves wife Sophie and preteen daughters Suzanne and Claudia to move in with Helen, she's not sure it's the happy ending she had envisioned. Then she meets Sophie and begins a head-spinning ruse to convince Matthew to go back home to his family.

Library Notes for the week of August 27

The library recently received a grant for a laptop lab in order to provide more computer training around the community. The Computer Lab is supported by a grant from the Washington State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Thanks to the grant we have purchased 9 laptops. The library is currently scheduling a series of basic computer classes. Wed. September 19th Computer Basics will be held at the La Conner Retirement Inn from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the private dining room. Tuesday, September 25th Surfing the Internet will be held at the Library from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These classes are all free, but limited so call the library to sign up.

New books are always arriving. If you like a light cozy mystery, try one of these off the new book shelf.

Damsels in Distress by Joan Hess. A Renaissance fair descends on Farberville, while Claire, nervously contemplates her marriage to police detective Peter Rosen. She finds plenty of distraction when Edward Cobbinwood, a member of the Renaissance fair group, confides that he has come to Farberville in search of his long-lost father. Fearing that her late, unlamented husband, Carlton, was Edward's father, Claire spends time with the fair's organizers, hoping to discover the truth. A house fire claims the life of a mysterious woman named Angie, and the subsequent murder of a talented artist complicates everything.

Scots on the Rocks by Mary Daheim. When Judith and her cousin Renie go on vacation in a remote and possibly haunted Scottish castle strange things start occurring. There's a ghost, some goofy villagers, and enough suspects to overwhelm any police force, but no mystery is too daunting for these cousins.

Death by Chick Lit by Lynn Harris. Lola Somerville has a husband and a new apartment in Brooklyn, but what she really wants is for her novel to make it big. At a book party, Lola finds her author friend Mimi McKee with her throat slashed. When the bodies of It-Girl writers begin to pile up, Lola starts asking dangerous questions.

Library Notes for the week of August 20

KJ our Children's Specialist is helping one of our little patrons pick out just the right book to take home.

Remember the survey the library sent out in our newsletter? We have compiled the results and have them available at the checkout desk. If you are interested feel free to pick up a copy next time you are in. We really appreciate your input and will use it in our planning.

Remember Teen Night @ the Library is Friday, 6-8 p.m. Kids are invited to play games, eat pizza and hang-out at the library for an evening of fun.

New books are always arriving. Here are some of the newest non-fiction you might be interested in reading:

The Last Mrs. Astor by Frances Kiernan. After a disastrous early marriage, Brooke Astor wedded the notoriously ill-tempered Vincent Astor, who died in 1959. In a highly publicized courtroom battle, Brooke fought off an attempt to break Vincent's will, which left some $67 million to the Vincent Astor Foundation. As the foundation's president, Brooke would use this legacy to benefit New York, where the Astor fortune had been made. (Note: Mrs. Astor died on August 13^th at the age of 105)

The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan. During his eight years as the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary, in which he recorded his innermost thoughts and observations. The handwritten diaries have been seen by only a few people to date, and they share Reagan's personal insights into the extraordinary, the historic, and the routine day–to–day events of his Presidency.

Dirt: the Erosion of Civilization by David R. Montgomery. Dirt, soil, call it what you want--it's everywhere we go. This fascinating yet disquieting book finds, however, that we are running out of dirt. An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations explores the compelling idea that we are--and have long been--using up Earth's soil.

Library Notes for the week of August 13

Summer is coming to an end and school will be starting up soon. We have planned one last hurrah for our local kids.

Teen Night @ the Library will be August 24^th, 6 – 8 p.m. We all (adults included) had a blast with the kids at the one we had in June. There will be games—both on computer and board games—competitions, and great prizes. Of course we will also have food generously funded by the Kiwanis Club of La Conner. If you know a teen or two let them know they are welcome.

Here are a few of our new books. Check them out.

The Water’s Lovely by Ruth Rendell. A 13-year-old girl drowns her stepfather in the bathtub. That girl, Heather, is grown up, as is her sister, Ismay. The scene of the crime has been boarded up as a room, and the family lives without acknowledging that the crime has been boarded up as well.

Up Close and Personal by Fern Michaels. South Carolina heiress Sarabess Windsor must face the fallout of a decision she made 30 years ago: when her beloved daughter was diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness, doting Sarabess hatched a plan to bear another child solely as a source of bone marrow for little Emily.

Tumbling Blocks by Earlene Fowler. With Christmas just a few weeks away, Benni's queenly boss, Constance Sinclair, demands that she investigate the death of a local socialite. It's not long before Benni recognizes that there may be some deadly truth to Constance's suspicions. She'll need to crack the exclusive circle of suspects before one more gourmet goose gets cooked.

Library Notes for the week of August 6

Congratulations to David who won the La Conner Library Grand Prize Drawing.

The Summer Reading Program has reached the end of another great year. Congratulations to Hailey Azure on winning the Skagit County drawing for the bike donated by Skagit Cycle Center. Our local grand prize winner was David Takehara who won an MP3 player funded by Kress Chiropractic, Cliff and Gillian Sanctuary, and Sweet Haven Bakery. The library also had a drawing for the two Ike dogs used in our display. Hayleigh Summers won the large Ike and Will Southard won the small Ike. Above all, congratulations to all the kids who read. We had a total of 59,172 minutes read this summer!!

For the adults, we have some new titles you might want to check out next time you are in the library. Below are just a few.

Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician by Daniel Wallace. Henry Walker, once the "greatest magician in the world," has been reduced to a novelty act in a traveling circus. Henry's story, begins during the Depression, when Henry's family fell on hard times. While down and out, Henry meets and apprentices with the devilish magician Mr. Sebastian.

Peony in Love by Lisa See. As Peony, the 15-year-old daughter of the wealthy Chen family, approaches an arranged marriage, she commits an unthinkable breach of etiquette when she accidentally comes upon a man who has entered the family garden.

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. A completely original, cleverly written story, about a flock of Irish sheep who vow to solve the murder of their shepherd. George has always treated the flock like humans, reading to them, feeding them, protecting them from the local butcher, acknowledging their individual personalities, and even promising to take them to Europe. Imagine the flock's shock when George is found dead in their meadow with a spade stuck in his chest! Led by Miss Maple, the smartest of them all, the sheep decide they must find out who killed George.

Library Notes for the week of July 30

Congratulations to Hailey!! She was the lucky winner of the Summer Reading Program Skagit Countywide prize. Skagit Cycle Center in Burlington donated the bike.

Where has the summer gone? I cannot believe it is August already. August is Cataract Awareness Month as well as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. If you know someone with vision problems I hope you encourage them to use our large print books or books on tape. We can also direct people to the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle. They supply books and magazines in a variety of formats for the visually impaired. The service is free to those who qualify.

If you stop into the library be sure to check the new book shelf. Here are a few of our newest titles:

The Perfect Summer by Juliet Nicolson. Juliet Nicolson chronicles the summer of 1911, when the rich partied, the industrial strikes almost brought the country to a standstill, and WWI loomed on the horizon. Drawing on a wide variety of primary sources—from Churchill's memoirs to the tell-all What the Butler Winked At—journalist Nicolson serves up a delightfully gossipy yet substantial slice of social history.

Dog Days by Jon Katz. Bedlam Farm, a cross between a working and a hobby farm, is the home of the animals that are his inspiration in this book. Rose, the border collie, who can be relied on for all kinds of work; the border collie, Izzy, who comes from a troubled past; and the Labradors Clem, who loves everyone but needs one special person, and gentle Pearl, who knows instinctively what everyone needs.

Rumspringa: To Be Or Not To Be Amish by Tom Sachtman. A teenage Amish girl sits in her buggy, one hand dangling a cigarette while the other holds a cellphone in which she is loudly chatting away. This girl, like many Amish teens 16 and older, is in a period called rumspringa, when the strict rules of community life are temporarily lifted while an adolescent chooses whether to be baptized into the church and abide fully by its laws.