Library Notes for the week of November 19

In honor of Children’s Book Month, K. J. Cooper, our Children’s Specialist, has supplied us with reviews this week. Here are a few of the new children’s books we have in.

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson:
This much-awaited (our copy was ordered in July) story wraps up their trilogy about Peter Pan. Never Land is immersed in a tribal war and Peter and Molly are in the land of Rundoon fighting to save the planet from the unthinkable. This duo of authors have hit another high note with this tale.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald & Anne MacDonald Canham: Those of us who grew up Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle are delighted that Betty MacDonald’s daughter found her mother’s unpublished works to introduce to another generation of readers to her magic. Cures realized in this volume relate to today’s kids, including “The Messy Stuff and Cram Cure” and “The Insult Cure”.

Mercy Watson, Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo: It’s Halloween and Mrs. Watson is determined that Mercy (their pig/child) will trick-or-treat. Mercy isn’t thrilled with the princess costume, but the promise of treats lures her on. Of course, the Lincoln sisters and their new cat throw a monkey-wrench in the evening. But all’s well that ends well and Mercy ends up happy. This easy-reader series (about second grade level) is sure to keep young readers amused.

Remember we have storytime every Thursday morning at 10:30 for toddlers. Of course we will be closed Thursday the 22^nd for Thanksgiving, but drop by any other Thursday to hear fun stories read to our littlest patrons.

Library Notes for the week of November 5

What a lovely event Arts Alive! is each year. Here at the library we have bookmarks designed by the elementary school students. Come see the “Reading is Magical” winning designs. Also, remember the library will be closed Monday, November 12^th for Veteran’s Day.

While you are in the library, check out a new book. Here are a few you might be interested in.

The Elephanta Suite by Paul Theroux: These novellas of hunger -- physical and spiritual -- only make sense in a country such as India, where such extremes meet constantly. Though Theroux repeats himself just a bit in the middle of "The Gateway of India," the thought-provoking novellas of The Elephanta Suite are otherwise beautifully paced, by turns moving, sexy and disturbing. You could finish one in an evening, which means that at least three evenings this fall would be very well spent.

The Heir by Barbara Taylor Bradford: At the age of thirty-three, Edward Deravenel, having survived harrowing years of betrayal, threats from ruthless enemies, countless lovers, and a war that ravaged his country, is finally king of his company. It’s 1918 and an influenza pandemic is sweeping the country. Meanwhile, the wrath of his ever-jealous wife is reaching a boiling point with suspicions about Edward’s relationships with other women.

Now and Then by Robert Parker: When a client who suspects his wife is cheating on him is murdered, Spenser, the Boston PI takes it personally, not only because the case resonates with Spenser's past history with love interest Susan, but also because, like Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade, Spenser feels he can't let a client get murdered without doing something about it.

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.