Daniel Boone Regional Library

I don’t know about you, but I can smell summer vacation from here. I’ve already started a “vacation books” list in the library’s catalog where I’m stashing links to all of those titles I’ve deluded myself into thinking I’ll have time to read during my family’s upcoming road trip. Chances are I will actually be spending my hours in the car distributing snacks and breaking up my kids’ backseat squabbles. Hmm. Maybe I should focus on audiobooks…

Most of us read a little differently in the summer. Usually you can find me with my nose in a work of literary fiction, but during the summer I want faster reads. Fun reads. Thrillers often fit this bill.

• Our Staff Picks book lists in the library catalog are great sources for recommended reads. Check out our Suspense & Thriller picks.
• One of the most popular thrillers last year was Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl.” If you read it and are looking for something similar, try one of our read-alike recommendations.
• Browse one of our databases like Books & Authors or Novelist, both of which have tools for finding books by genre and for generating recommendations based on books or authors you already know and love.

What’s on your reading list for the summer? Let us know in the comments!

My mother used to say, “If growing up were easy, it wouldn’t take so long.” I feel like my teen years were spent defining who I was and challenging my core beliefs. I spent a great deal of time examining the relationships in my life and coming to terms with my strengths and weaknesses. Actually, these are still prevailing themes in my life, even as an adult.

In two weeks, the Rainbow House will be hosting a workshop for middle-school girls on body image. They will discuss healthy habits, messages sent by clothing and behavior choices, and how to preserve your reputation. The class will also address issues concerning self-awareness, self-confidence and self-acceptance.

Mark your calendars for this class which is scheduled for Wednesdays throughout May. The first class will be held May 8 from 4-6 p.m. at 1611 Towne Drive in Columbia. To register, please contact Ashton at Rainbow House at (573) 474- 6600, ext. 2106. A parent session will be offered at the same time as the first class.

Got a busy schedule? The library has several wonderful resources for young women looking for answers to many of the critical, self-searching questions posed during this chapter of their lives.

All the Wrong People Have Self Esteem: An Inappropriate Book for Young Ladies (or, Frankly, Anybody Else) by Laurie Rosenwald

This is a creative, irreverent book that helps us accept the quirks and flaws that make us all beautifully unique. As Rosenwald says, “Interesting people are full of doubt. People who are totally sure their way is the only way are always wrong.”

Be True to Your Self: A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls by Amanda Ford

This book dispenses daily advice on a wide range of topics like dealing with divorce, maintaining healthy relationships, and stepping beyond your comfort zone to learn more about yourself. My favorite quote: “Today, remember that being comfortable with your imperfections is much better than being perfect.”

Please Read (if at all possible): The Girl Project by Kate Engelbrecht

Five years ago Engelbrecht sent cameras and questionnaires across the country asking teenage girls to share their thoughts of themselves and the world around them. She received an astounding 5,000 responses which have been compiled in to this insightful scrapbook of young womanhood.

Voting for the 2013 One Read book is now closed. We appreciate all of you who cast your vote for either “The Call” by Yannick Murphy or “The Ruins of Us” by Keija Parssinen.

On May 20 we will announce the winning book here at oneread.org.

In the meantime, read more about our finalists!

Photo credit: Avard Woolaver via photopin cc

Who says Armageddon has to be upsetting? If you have the right set of writers, it can be hilarious! Famous fantasy authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett teamed up to write ”Good Omens,” an intricate and entertaining novel about an angel and a demon that try to prevent the end of the world.

The book plays mainly on a collection of common human errors. The best laid plans can go awry, even if those plans are put in place by Heaven and Hell alike. Prophets get can misdirected, and all the witch hunting training in the world can’t prepare you for love at first sight. Miscommunication can cause mishaps like being pummeled by nuns with paintball guns, and assumptions can cause one to misplace the Antichrist.

But most of all, no matter how powerful you are, you can’t fight the determination of a child’s desire to stay a child. The character Adam represents the idea of nostalgia being unbound by time. Adam is the Antichrist, whether he knows it or not, but instead of doing something boring like bringing about Armageddon, he’d rather just play pretend with his three best friends. The book leaves you with the sense that even though everything may look bleak to you, it looks wonderful to a child. Isn’t that the way we should look at things? With curiosity and the confidence that we can, no matter what, overcome hardship? And with the excitement that anything could happen next? The only thing you should really ever prepare for is to have an adventure.

Pratchett and Gaiman have a number of popular works available at DBRL, and here are a few to start with if you are new to these authors. Check them out!

Pratchett:

• “Dodger” (2012)
• “I Shall Wear Midnight” (2010)
• “Going Postal” (2004)

Gaiman:

• “Stardust” (1999)
• “Coraline” (2002)
• “Anansi Boys” (2005)

 

Who says Armageddon has to be upsetting? If you have the right set of writers, it can be hilarious! Famous fantasy authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett teamed up to write ”Good Omens,” an intricate and entertaining novel about an angel and a demon that try to prevent the end of the world.

The book plays mainly on a collection of common human errors. The best laid plans can go awry, even if those plans are put in place by Heaven and Hell alike. Prophets get can misdirected, and all the witch hunting training in the world can’t prepare you for love at first sight. Miscommunication can cause mishaps like being pummeled by nuns with paintball guns, and assumptions can cause one to misplace the Antichrist.

But most of all, no matter how powerful you are, you can’t fight the determination of a child’s desire to stay a child. The character Adam represents the idea of nostalgia being unbound by time. Adam is the Antichrist, whether he knows it or not, but instead of doing something boring like bringing about Armageddon, he’d rather just play pretend with his three best friends. The book leaves you with the sense that even though everything may look bleak to you, it looks wonderful to a child. Isn’t that the way we should look at things? With curiosity and the confidence that we can, no matter what, overcome hardship? And with the excitement that anything could happen next? The only thing you should really ever prepare for is to have an adventure.

Pratchett and Gaiman have a number of popular works available at DBRL, and here are a few to start with if you are new to these authors. Check them out!

Pratchett:

• “Dodger” (2012)
• “I Shall Wear Midnight” (2010)
• “Going Postal” (2004)

Gaiman:

• “Stardust” (1999)
• “Coraline” (2002)
• “Anansi Boys” (2005)

 

April 26: “Room 237” starts at Ragtag. (via)
April 28: “A Place at the Table” 12:30 p.m. at Ragtag. (via)
April 30: “5 Broken Cameras” 6:00 p.m. at Ellis Library’s Auditorium, free. (via)
May 2: “9 Star Hotel” 5:30 p.m. at Ragtag, free. (via)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 • 6:30 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room

The documentary “Buck” (88 min.) follows Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems. A real life “horse-whisperer,” he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses-and people-with his understanding, compassion and respect. This documentary by director Cindy Meehl was shown at the True/False Film Fest in 2011.

Thanks to everyone who came to the “The Queen of Versailles” showing at the Columbia Public Library. Here are some questions about the film that you can respond to in the comments section of this blog post:

1. Which person did you identify most with in the film?
2. If you were David or Jackie, how would you make household decisions differently?
3. How do you think David and Jackie’s backgrounds influence their behavior?

I picked “The Rock Hole” off the New Mysteries shelf entirely because of the author’s name.  I just knew “Reavis Z. Wortham” had to be an old country boy who could tell a good tale.

And by golly, I was right. Wortham’s debut novel is simultaneously a charming portrait of small-town life in rural 1960s Texas and a dark and gruesome murder mystery.

On page one we’re introduced to Top, the 8-year-old narrator, as he steps off a Greyhound bus into the welcoming arms of his grandpa Ned and grandma Becky. Minutes after this heartwarming scene, Top and his grandpa (who also happens to be the constable of Lamar County, Texas), are in a cornfield staring at the body of a sadistically mutilated hunting dog.

And that’s how the book goes. Sometimes the story is pure Mayberry, with Top roaming the East Texas countryside with his hound dog Hootie, eating Miss Becky’s fried peach pies and hanging around his adored Uncle Cody, a Vietnam vet and rodeo rider. Then suddenly, Hell’s portals open wide:  a madman known as the Skinner has struck again.

As the Skinner progresses from animal to human prey (and we’re talking children here), I found myself taking refuge in the story’s many lighthearted moments. Wortham is very good at down-home dialect and country characters (he grew up in a small Texas town), and there’s quite a bit of both to lighten the mood—which you will surely appreciate.

So, if you can take the psychological roller-coaster ride and some disturbing violence, “The Rock Hole” makes a solidly entertaining read. Perhaps not at bedtime, though.

Books in the Red River Mystery series at DBRL
“The Rock Hole” (2011)
“Burrows” (2012)

I picked “The Rock Hole” off the New Mysteries shelf entirely because of the author’s name.  I just knew “Reavis Z. Wortham” had to be an old country boy who could tell a good tale.

And by golly, I was right. Wortham’s debut novel is simultaneously a charming portrait of small-town life in rural 1960s Texas and a dark and gruesome murder mystery.

On page one we’re introduced to Top, the 8-year-old narrator, as he steps off a Greyhound bus into the welcoming arms of his grandpa Ned and grandma Becky. Minutes after this heartwarming scene, Top and his grandpa (who also happens to be the constable of Lamar County, Texas), are in a cornfield staring at the body of a sadistically mutilated hunting dog.

And that’s how the book goes. Sometimes the story is pure Mayberry, with Top roaming the East Texas countryside with his hound dog Hootie, eating Miss Becky’s fried peach pies and hanging around his adored Uncle Cody, a Vietnam vet and rodeo rider. Then suddenly, Hell’s portals open wide:  a madman known as the Skinner has struck again.

As the Skinner progresses from animal to human prey (and we’re talking children here), I found myself taking refuge in the story’s many lighthearted moments. Wortham is very good at down-home dialect and country characters (he grew up in a small Texas town), and there’s quite a bit of both to lighten the mood—which you will surely appreciate.

So, if you can take the psychological roller-coaster ride and some disturbing violence, “The Rock Hole” makes a solidly entertaining read. Perhaps not at bedtime, though.

Books in the Red River Mystery series at DBRL
“The Rock Hole” (2011)
“Burrows” (2012)

Below is a list of recently released and best-selling young adult novels. Let us know which title you are looking forward to reading. Do you have a favorite book that should be on the list? Have you already read some of these books? Share your thoughts about these and other must-read titles in the comments below. You might also consider submitting a review of a book that you’ve found particularly captivating. Select teen reviews will be published at teens.dbrl.org.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Below is a list of recently released and best-selling young adult novels. Let us know which title you are looking forward to reading. Do you have a favorite book that should be on the list? Have you already read some of these books? Share your thoughts about these and other must-read titles in the comments below. You might also consider submitting a review of a book that you’ve found particularly captivating. Select teen reviews will be published at teens.dbrl.org.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

We recently added “I’m Carolyn Parker” to the DBRL collection. The film played last year on the PBS series POV and currently has a rating of 86% from audiences at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

Carolyn Parker was the last to leave her neighborhood when Hurricane Katrina approached New Orleans in the summer of 2005. After the floodwaters subsided, she was the first resident to return to her now flood-devastated community with what many thought was the “impossible dream” of bringing her ruined home back to life.

Check out the film trailer or the official film site for more info.

Katniss Everdeen took volunteerism to a new level when she stepped up to take her little sister’s place in a fight to the death. Fortunately, volunteering in the real world is not nearly as painful as it was in the fictional world of “The Hunger Games.”

In fact, the folks at Points of Light would like for us to know volunteering can be fulfilling and meaningful, fun even. Since 1974, they’ve sponsored National Volunteer Week, a time dedicated to “inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.” The dates this year are April 21-27.

Check out some of the following resources to help kindle your volunteering spirit.

• “If It Takes a Village, Build One” - In this book, Malaak Compton-Rock shares her own experiences with volunteerism and provides practical tips for adults and kids who wish to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.
• “Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins” - Author David T. Levinson shows how everyone can help, whether they have loads of free time, or only a few hours per year.
• “The Volunteer’s Guide to Fundraising” provides ideas for raising money for your favorite nonprofit.
• DBRL has put together a subject guide for those wishing to investigate volunteer opportunities, with local, national and international options.
• Check out the National Volunteer Week list in the DBRL catalog.
• Columbia Public Library Display – For the week beginning Monday, April 22 you can find books about volunteering on the table display near the second floor Reference Desk at the Columbia Public Library.

This is a good week to remember to thank those who are already volunteering. At the library, you can identify them by the helpfully labeled name tags that say “Volunteer.” Happy helping!

Why I checked it out: A friend who knows my sense of humor recommended this wonderful book.

Why I liked it: While zombie stories are currently the norm rather than the exception, this book remains exceptional. Directionless Sam finds himself the center of attention as a recently discovered necromancer who can interact with the dead. Have you ever read a story that included a zombie panda? I’m betting the answer will be no. You’ll also find werewolf families, friendly feys, a corpse’s reanimated talking head, and a waffle-eating harbinger of death among other fun oddities.

Three words that describe this book: supernatural, witty, horror.

If you liked this book, you should try reading ”Warm Bodies“ by Isaac Marion.

‘Tis the season of Earth Day celebrations, community-based educational events to increase public awareness of environmental issues. The library’s trusty World Book Online Reference Center (free with your library card!) tells me that the first Earth Day celebration was held on April 22, 1970 and was based on U.S. Senator Gaylord A. Nelson’s suggestion that a day of environmental education be held on college campuses. More than 40 years later, Earth Day celebrations have expanded beyond educational institutions to communities around the world.

Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources sponsors an Earth Day event each April and also provides a nice round-up of other area Earth Day events, including Columbia’s annual celebration.

If you would like to learn more about Senator Nelson’s contribution to environmental awareness and education, check out his biography, “The Man from Clear Lake” by Bill Christofferson. Or if you want to know about present-day environmentalists’ efforts to save the planet, check out Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes’ book “The Eco Barons: The Dreamers, Schemers, and Millionaires Who Are Saving Our Planet.” Finally, check out the library’s Sustaining the Environment subject guide to learn more about green living, local events and environmental organizations.

 

Earth Day information source: Hayes, D. (2013). Earth Day. In Public Libraries. Retrieved from
http://www.worldbookonline.com/pl/referencecenter/article?id=ar171620

April 22:  “Harvest of Empire” 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Forum 8. (via)
April 22: “Bidder 70” 8:00 p.m. at Ragtag, free. (via)
April 22: “Honor Flight” 6:00 p.m. at The Crossing. (via)
April 24: “The Queen of Versailles” 6:30 p.m. at Columbia Public Library, free. (via)

It turns out that our predictions for the 2013 Gateway and Truman award winners were pretty accurate. Jonathan Maberry is the recipient of this year’s Gateway Readers Award for his book “Rot and Ruin.” The main character, Benny, has never known a world without zombies, but that doesn’t mean that he’s excited about apprenticing with his half-brother, Tom, as a zombie hunter.

Congratulations also goes to April Henry who is this year’s Truman Readers Award recipient for her book, “Girl, Stolen.” Griffin, a high school dropout, steals a car, but later realizes that he has kidnapped a blind girl, Cheyenne, who was sleeping in the backseat. Sick with pneumonia, Cheyenne tries to gain sympathy from Griffin, though she wonders if she can trust him.

This past October, April was a guest blogger for DBRLTeen and shared her thoughts on writing and kung fu. We hope you’ll enjoy her advice for young writers and check out some of her recommended reading which includes “Life as We Knew It” by Susan Beth
Pfeffer, “Ashes” by Ilsa Bick and more!

It turns out that our predictions for the 2013 Gateway and Truman award winners were pretty accurate. Jonathan Maberry is the recipient of this year’s Gateway Readers Award for his book “Rot and Ruin.” The main character, Benny, has never known a world without zombies, but that doesn’t mean that he’s excited about apprenticing with his half-brother, Tom, as a zombie hunter.

Congratulations also goes to April Henry who is this year’s Truman Readers Award recipient for her book, “Girl, Stolen.” Griffin, a high school dropout, steals a car, but later realizes that he has kidnapped a blind girl, Cheyenne, who was sleeping in the backseat. Sick with pneumonia, Cheyenne tries to gain sympathy from Griffin, though she wonders if she can trust him.

This past October, April was a guest blogger for DBRLTeen and shared her thoughts on writing and kung fu. We hope you’ll enjoy her advice for young writers and check out some of her recommended reading which includes “Life as We Knew It” by Susan Beth
Pfeffer, “Ashes” by Ilsa Bick and more!

We recently added “Madonna: Truth or Dare” to the DBRL collection. The film from 1991 made it to last year’s 100 “Greatest” Documentaries list and currently has a rating of 80% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

Documentary which presents an intimate view of the rock music star, Madonna and a backstage look at her 1990 “Blond Ambition” tour.

Check out the film trailer for more info.