Daniel Boone Regional Library

Before I moved to the Midwest, I saw wildlife as something abstract: deer as harmless little Bambis and moles as relatives of the mole who wanted to marry Thumbelina in Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale. This does not mean that I was indifferent to nature. On contrary, I always admired it — from afar, that is. Here in Columbia, I decided that it was about time to get closer to nature: plant trees and bushes, make flowerbeds and put up bird feeders.

After a careful research (based solely on beautifully illustrated library books), I finally sprang to action – I bought plants, dug holes and did a lot of mulching. I even succeeded in soliciting my husband’s help, and together we put up a nice bird feeder. The feeder quickly turned out to be a hit — especially with the squirrels. We moved it from the tree to a metal hook, which my husband greased with Vaseline, and installed a squirrel baffle underneath – all with no visible result. Next came a large squirrel–proof bird feeder with a spring–loaded platform that closed the feeding portals when squirrels sat on the perch. For a week, we enjoyed our victory, but soon birdseed started to disappear overnight. One morning I looked out the window and saw a large raccoon clinging to the bird feeder upside down, eating seeds without even touching the platform. Also, at about the same time, deer stripped bark from the bottoms of my newly planted apple trees, and they ruthlessly destroyed most of my flowers and bushes.

In response, I bought plants that deer are supposed to dislike. The result was still devastating. Even my holly bushes lost their spiky leaves, not to mention antique roses and beautiful Asian lilies. Losing ground, I tried folk remedies recommended by my friends and co-workers. For several weeks all our trees and bushes were decorated with soap. Next, I put out mothballs, which were as unsuccessful as the soap but much stronger–smelling. I also mulched my plants with human hair sprinkled with aftershave and bathed them in commercial deer repellents. Everything was useless, and on top of that, a web of mole runs criss-crossed our yard, destroying the grass and sending me back to the library books once again.

Armed with my new knowledge, I continued to fight the deer for a little longer. In the end, though, we fenced off our young trees and shrubs and liberally peppered our flower beds with store-bought products like Deer Off, Sweeney’s Deer Repellent and others.

As for deterring the moles, here are some things I learned that I could do:

1. Bury empty plastic bottles upright in mole runways – the blowing wind will, supposedly, make the bottles whistle and drive the critters out of their shelters.
2. Grow mildly poisonous castor beans in or near my garden.
3. Put mothballs into molehills and spread castor oil around my yard.
4. Start my day by stabbing molehills with a pitchfork.
5. Install electronic pest repellents.
6. Apply pesticides that kill grubworms, a mole’s delicacy.
7. “Gas ‘em” by inserting lit gas cartridges into the mole tunnels and sealing the tunnels (or flush the tunnels with water).
8. Trap them:
1. you can do this yourself — if the traps are visited regularly, “the moles that become impaled will not suffer for long” (Missouri Conservationist).
2. You can call your local exterminators (prepare to spend about $60 per animal).
9. Fence in the affected areas with a half-inch hardware cloth buried two feet deep and angled outward at the bottom.

We’ve already tested several of these methods — with no discernible success. At the moment, we are contemplating mole traps and underground fencing, although the former is too cruel for my taste and the latter seems like a lot of work. Still, underground fencing would nicely complement the fences we already have above the ground to protect our plants from the deer.

References:

“Deer-resistant Landscaping: Proven Advice and Strategies for Outwitting Deer and 20 Other Pesky Mammals” by Neil Soderstrom

“Deerproofing your Yard & Garden” by Rhonda Poe

“Solving Squirrel Problems: How to Keep This Ubiquitous Pest Out of Home and Garden” by Monte Burch

“The Critter Control Handbook: Pro Secrets for Stopping Sneaky Squirrels & Other Crafty Critters in Their Tracks” by Dan Hershey

“Missouri Department of conservation: Controlling Nuisance Moles“

“50 Beautiful Deer-resistant Plants” by Ruth Clausen

P.S. If after all this reading you’re still thinking about putting in a vegetable garden, check out “The $64 Tomato” by William Alexander and don’t say that I did not warn you !

Disclaimer: Everything in this article is true, although no scientific data was used during its writing .

We recently added Born to Be Wild to the DBRL collection. The film currently has a rating of 98% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Director David Lickley is also responsible for the documentary Bears from 2004. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

Narrated by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman. An inspiring story of love, dedication, and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them, saving endangered species one life at a time. Stunningly captured in, a heartwarming adventure transporting moviegoers into the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas.

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

There’s nothin’ but awesome sauce going down at your library this summer.  June 1 marks the first day that you can sign-up for teen summer reading, and our staff have been hard at work planning some pretty epic events for the months of June, July, and August. As a loyal reader of the DBRLTeen blog, I’m excited to give you a sneak preview of these programs. Be sure to make a note of the registration dates for these events because space will fill up fast! 

“Own the Night” Photography Contest
Begins Friday, June 1
Whether your camera captures pools of light created by streetlamps, moonbeams reflected in calm waters or shadows cast by bright neon signs, submit your nighttime-inspired photographs now through July 13. Winners will receive Barnes & Noble gift cards and winning photos will be displayed at teens.dbrl.org. Find contest rules and submission guidelines online or at your library after June 1. Ages 12-18.

Teen Game Night
Friday, June 8, 6:30-8 p.m.
Southern Boone County Public Library
Celebrate the launch of teen summer reading while hanging out with friends and playing an assortment of video games or board games like Monopoly, Clue, Catch Phrase, Apples to Apples and more. Pizza served while it lasts. Ages 12-18.

Zombie Bash
Monday, June 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room
Revel in all things undead at our zombie celebration! Come in your finest zombie costume and make-up or create your look when you arrive. There will be trivia, games and we’ll learn the Thriller dance steps! It promises to be an apocalyptically good time. Ages 12-18. Registration begins Tuesday, June 5.

Repurpose It
Tuesday, June 19, 2-3 p.m.
Callaway County Public Library
Use duct tape, bubble wrap, buttons, plastic bags, magazine pages and other items to make something new. We’ll provide the supplies and several ideas to get you started. Ages 12 and older.

Dream Journals
Tuesday, July 10, 2-3 p.m.
Callaway County Public Library
 Do you remember your dreams? Writing them down can help you remember. Come decorate a journal in which you can write your nighttime dreams or record your goals and dreams for the future. We’ll supply the materials. Ages 12 and older.

Stop-Motion Animation Workshop
Friday, July 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Training Center
At this hands-on workshop, you’ll get creative with Legos and more as you construct a mini-movie. Bring any materials you would like for creating your animation; use one of our digital cameras or bring your own. Ages 12-18. Registration begins Tuesday, July 10.

Zombie Bash
Friday, July 27, 6:30-8 p.m.
Southern Boone County Public Library
Revel in all things undead at our zombie celebration! Come in your finest zombie costume and make-up or create your look when you arrive. There will be trivia, games and more! It promises to be an apocalyptically good time. Ages 12-18. Registration begins Tuesday, July 10.

Angry Birds
Thursday, August 9, 6:30-8 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Children’s Program Room
Geek out at your library with our fun, low-tech version of Angry Birds. You’ll make your own physical bird and try to knock down pillars and pigs. Ages 12-18. Registration begins Tuesday, July 31.

We recently added Hearts of Darkness to the DBRL collection. When it was released in 1991 it won many awards including two Primetime Emmys. The film currently has a rating of 100% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from IMDB:

Documentary that chronicles how Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now was plagued by extraordinary script, shooting, budget, and casting problems–nearly destroying the life and career of the celebrated director.

Check out the film trailer or the IMDB site for more info. If you want more perspective from Coppola’s wife Eleanor, check out her book Notes on a Life from 2008.

Many people think of the library as the place to do research for school reports and projects. But we also offer many resources for life beyond school.

“Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?” addresses common concerns associated with “Finding, landing and keeping your first real job.”

In “How Do You Work This Life Thing?” Lizzie Post casts a wide etiquette net, offering advice on dealing with roommate problems, what to wear where, job issues, dating, cell phone protocol and more.

Anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time will benefit from “Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook,” a practical and comprehensive guide to household organization and maintenance.

“Your Life, Your Money” is aimed at helping young adults start off on sound financial footing.

The Missouri Bar Association’s brochure, “Turning 18,” has helpful information for anyone, covering topics such as jury duty, who can perform a marriage, and what your credit rating means.

For those who are finally finished with required classes, public library programs provide a stress-free chance to learn for fun.

See our catalog list for more resources.

Many people think of the library as the place to do research for school reports and projects. But we also offer many resources for life beyond school.

“Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?” addresses common concerns associated with “Finding, landing and keeping your first real job.”

In “How Do You Work This Life Thing?” Lizzie Post casts a wide etiquette net, offering advice on dealing with roommate problems, what to wear where, job issues, dating, cell phone protocol and more.

Anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time will benefit from “Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook,” a practical and comprehensive guide to household organization and maintenance.

“Your Life, Your Money” is aimed at helping young adults start off on sound financial footing.

The Missouri Bar Association’s brochure, “Turning 18,” has helpful information for anyone, covering topics such as jury duty, who can perform a marriage, and what your credit rating means.

For those who are finally finished with required classes, public library programs provide a stress-free chance to learn for fun.

See our catalog list for more resources.

Editor’s note: For Mother’s Day, some of our library staff invited their moms to be guest writers for DBRL Next. This final article in our Mother’s Day series was written by Public Services librarian Lauren’s mom, who is struggling with her own mother’s failing health. 

Two months ago, my brother called to let me know that our mother was in the hospital because of a stroke. My mother is 92, but the fear of losing her brought instant tears and a feeling of panic. She is now residing at a skilled nursing facility, using a walker, unable to remember how to use a remote device or a call button, and her mind is living in the ’50s and ’60s. My mother wants to return to a home that is no longer there and questions why old friends and family don’t come to visit. When told that they are dead, tears come. But two hours later she does not remember these conversations. Her reality is very different from that of her children.

I, too, would like to live in my mother’s past, when her mind was sharp and her body was always on the move. She raised five children, became a widow at 40, ran several businesses and was always volunteering to help others out. She was my Brownie troop and Girl Scout troop leader, exposed me to classical music, introduced me to Gilbert and Sullivan and supported my love of reading and education. Mother put up with — and at times enjoyed — dogs, cats, gophers, chipmunks, snakes, squirrels, rabbits, fish, birds, horned toads and a prairie dog that I added to our home. She did not question my judgment in getting her a skunk for her birthday.

Mother helped her children weather the illness and death of a spouse, divorces, leukemia and monetary shortfalls. She had a home that was a place of refuge for relatives and friends. Is this not what mothers do?

(Ed.: If you’re the caretaker for an aging family member, find resources to help you in our book list entitled, “Caring for Your Aging Parents.”)

Why I Checked It Out: It had been many years since I had read a young adult novel, and I wanted to see if this positively reviewed book could bring me back to the genre.

Why I Liked It: Late in the novel, one of the characters describes himself as a “Novelist and Semiprofessional Disappointer.” John Green is anything but disappointing in this brilliant and funny book about a teenage girl with a terminal cancer diagnosis. I was apprehensive when I read the book jacket. A book about a 16-year-old cancer victim falling in love definitely has the potential to be mawkish. The main characters were certainly precocious, but believably so. Hazel is a strong and smart girl who is anything but overly sentimental. The supporting characters are equally memorable. I never felt like Green was writing down to a teen audience. He obviously loves words, and uses them well. While this novel has the requisite romance, the relationship wasn’t precious and the interactions felt honest. Green treats the subject of illness, disappointment, nostalgia and death seriously, but also humorously and irreverently. This is a teen novel for readers who might not usually like teen novels.

Three Words that Describe this Book: Unflinching, Funny, Vibrant

If You Like this Book, You Might Also Like: John Green’s first novel, Looking for Alaska, won the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature.

The review is brought you by the letter “M” for Melissa, one of our wildly hilarious and well-read  library associates. She has an avid love of rainbows, unicorns, pygmy sloths, and sarcasm in literature.

May 11: Marley opens at Ragtag. (via)
May 16 & 17: Nefarious: Merchant of Souls showing at Ragtag. (via)

Editor’s note: For Mother’s Day, some of our library staff invited their moms to be guest writers for DBRL Next. This article is from Pat McDonald, intrepid and inspiring mom of our staff editor, Jenny. Enjoy!

All my life, I have been drawn to and fascinated by the outdoors. Growing up in a big city, I would stare out at the trees from my upstairs window, and be first in line for car trips out of town where there were more trees, and maybe some woods! Over 50 years later, I continue to feed my “itch,” and to understand better why it is so important to my peace and sanity.

In my working and child-raising years, I would take hikes on weekends or after work.  Riding my bicycle to work a few days a week would give me my quiet, tree-filled “fix” for the day. Vacations nearly always included hiking or bike trails. Now in retirement, I am part of Missouri’s Master Naturalist program, and I also volunteer at Rock Bridge State Park, one of my local sacred places. I am thankful every single time I can go out there and fill my eyes, my lungs and my heart.

Many great authors have put words to what I feel, and I continue to seek them out and save their inspired thoughts.

To be whole and harmonious, man must also know the music of the beaches and the woods. He must find the thing of which he is only an infinitesimal part and nurture it and love it, if he is to live.

-Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, My Wilderness, 1960

———

Away, away, from men and towns,
To the wild wood and the downs—
To the silent wilderness
Where the soul need not repress
Its music

-Percy Bysshe Shelley,  To Jane: The Invitation, 1822

———

Give no credence to any thought that was not born outdoors, while one moved about freely.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

———

We need wilderness whether or not we ever set foot in it.  We need a refuge even though we may never need to go there…We need the possibility of escape as surely as we need hope.

-Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire, 1968

———

One of my favorite pieces of advice did not come to me with an author’s name, but I know plenty of people it could have been!

INSTRUCTIONS

Do not linger too long with your solemnities,
go eat and drink and talk,
and when you can—
follow a woodland trail, climb a high mountain
sleep beneath the stars, swim in a cold river
chew the thoughts of some book which challenges your soul.
Use your hands some bright day
to make a thing of beauty
or to lift someone’s heavy load.

(Ed.: Mom, it turns out this verse comes from a popular poem by a Unitarian minister named Arnold Crompton.)

More than 80 young poets submitted entries in the 2012 CallawayCounty Youth Poetry Contest, sponsored by the Callaway County Public Library and the Auxvasse Creative Arts Program. This year’s contest was judged by local poet and North Callaway High School teacher Justin Hamm.  Last week, both organizations honored Grace Stukenborg, among other award recipients, for her poem, “Thoughts of a Sailor.”

Teen Poetry Contest Winner Grace Stukenborg

She barely heard the voices all around her at the reception
where she was all alone, alone but should not have been,
alone for her friend’s happy day, all dressed up, her long blonde hair
curled specially for the occasion with fake purple carnations placed
just above her left ear, thinking about the one who was not with her. 

Her husband should be there, the one who had been beside her
these past four months, the one who, it seemed, just yesterday
had looked back at her, beaming in his dress whites,
as she walked down the aisle on the arm of her father,
her sparkling eyes the color of the sea after a storm,
the sea that her husband loved so dearly, second only to her.

The one who, eight days ago, had been called away
from his long deserved six months of shore leave,
one month early, on urgent navy business.
She thought of the one who she may never see again, the one who
could not call, though she knew he wished he could,
the one whom she loved, gone.

As her thoughts drifted to the present, as her gaze cleared,
and the voices grew louder in her ears, she sighed,
knowing she could do nothing about those circumstances
that had called her husband from her.

by Grace Stukenborg

Editor’s note: For Mother’s Day, some of our library staff invited their moms to be guest writers for DBRL Next. This article is the first post from one of our intrepid mamas. Enjoy!

Not too long ago, I wrote a brief article on travel to New Zealand, inspired by my parents’ then-upcoming trip.  Nine weeks later, they are back in the states, and for Mother’s Day, I asked my mom to do a little work (typical kid, eh?) and tell us about one of her experiences. This is her description of the day she and my dad (both approaching 70) took their hike across the Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island.

What was he thinking??? My husband, that is, when he signed us up for a walk on the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand.

We headed for the Glacier Walk Center at 8:30 a.m. It was teeming with people all dressed alike.  Off go two bus-loads while we receive our gear. ID tags (not too heavy), waterproof trousers, Big Heavy Boots and Very Thick Socks, little red fanny pack with crampons [equipment with spikes on them that attach to your shoes for while you are actually on the ice], water proof jacket, hat and gloves. About 20 lbs of equipment, I figure. Hats and gloves go into the “mandatory” backpack along with 2 waters and 2 lunches.

We pile on the bus with 26 others, all ages, but we are the eldest. From the car park we walk about five or six kilometers through rain forest, and a gravel plain – the edge of the river running out from under the glacier. Then we zig-zag up the terminal moraine at the end of the glacier, on a trail about 1 1/2 feet wide. By the time we reach the glacier, I decide this is the end. No farther. Can’t do it. Everyone else enthusiastically attaches their crampons (1/2 lb of metal each) to their boots.  Husband Joe says he’ll stay with me. But guides Rebecca and Cliff (ha – what a name) say we’ve already done the hardest part. Cliff says he’ll help – carry me if need be (two of us down an icy crevasse?). So we went on. I held on to Cliff a lot. It really was a fantastic experience – tramping up and down very steep and very narrow footpaths in the ice. Actually you are not on it, you are in it. Cliff pointed out where the glacier had recently moved, showed us a cave, waterfalls and blue ice.

Back in the motel room, with our smashed lunches and a pot of tea, we decided we were very glad to have walked that glacier!

 

As much fun as my parents had on their trip, I must say I am glad that they are back safe and sound. If you would like some information on glaciers a little more local (as in, ones you can get to without flying 13 hours), check out “Insiders’ Guide to Glacier National Park.”

To see some of Alaska’s glaciers (from the warmth of your own living room) and learn about them in general, check out the DVD “Glaciers: Alaska’s River of Ice.“

Finally, for the latest in the best places to visit, check out “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz.

We recently added The War Room to the DBRL collection. The 1993 film was recently re-released by Criterion as a two disc set and currently has a rating of 95% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

The 1992 presidential election was a triumph not only for Bill Clinton but also for the new breed of strategists who guided him to the White House and changed the face of politics in the process. For this thrilling, behind-closed-doors account of that campaign, the filmmakers closely followed the brainstorming and bull sessions of Clinton’s crack team of consultants. Fleet-footed and entertaining, this is a vivid document of a political moment whose truths still ring in our ears.

Check out the film trailer or the official film site for more info. The directors of this film also directed the documentaries Down from the Mountain (2000) and Kings of Pastry (2011).

“The things they carried were largely determined by necessity. Among the necessities were P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wristwatches, dog tags, mosquito repellent, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes, salt tablets, packets of Kool-Aid, lighters, matches, sewing kits, Military Payment Certificates, C rations, and two to three canteens of water.”  From “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien.

The legacy of Vietnam — the war, the social unrest at home, the 1960s, the political landscape — is still vivid today, 37 years after the war officially ended. My father was a Vietnam Veteran, having served “in country” from March of 1968-February 1969. He did not talk much about his military service, but he used Vietnam War fiction and memoirs to communicate the experiences that he and two million other American men and women faced while in Southeast Asia. The books he picked were powerful, well written and often very personal.

The list below is a small sampling of the Vietnam War literature available and includes several of my father’s must-reads. If, in the course of your reading, you need background information or want to find additional firsthand accounts, be sure to visit the library’s rich collection of nonfiction material on the Vietnam War (call number range 959.704 – 959.7043). And join us at the Columbia Public Library at 7:00 p.m. on May 15 for Vietnam Revisited, a presentation of photographs and video clips of war veteran David Buhr’s return trip to the country in 2008.

Tim O’Brien, noted author and veteran, has written of Vietnam in both fiction and nonfiction works. His powerful memoir “If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home” was published in 1973 just a few years after he returned home from Vietnam. He followed this with two books of fiction, “Going After Cacciato,” winner of the 1979 National Book Award, and “The Things They Carried,” a collection of short stories focusing on a platoon of American soldiers.

“Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War” is a debut novel by Karl Marlantes, a decorated Marine who served in Vietnam. The story follows Waino Mellas, a young Marine second lieutenant newly arrived in Vietnam and sent to Matterhorn, a fire support base near Laos and the border with North Vietnam.

“A Rumor of War” by Philip Caputo details the author’s experience undergoing Marine training at Quantico and then his experience as a Marine Lieutenant with one of the first U.S. combat units sent to Vietnam in 1965.

“Fields of Fire“  by James Webb, Vietnam veteran, journalist and currently a U.S. Senator from Virginia, is considered a classic novel of the Vietnam War. The story examines the lives of three men serving with a Marine platoon in Vietnam in 1969.

For more books check out the Vietnam War book list in the library’s catalog.

We recently added Woody Allen: A Documentary to the DBRL collection. The film played on the PBS series American Masters last year. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

Iconic writer, director, actor, comedian, and musician Woody Allen allowed his life and creative process to be documented on-camera for the first time. With this unprecedented access, Emmy®-winning, Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Robert Weide followed the notoriously private film legend over a year and a half to create the ultimate film biography.

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

Things I hate about the airport: long security lines, surly TSA agents, sharing a public restroom stall with my luggage and shady Wi-Fi networks. While the chances of your laptop or smartphone getting hacked are moderately slim, it does happen. This commonly occurs when you are using an unsecured, free public wireless network to check your email or browse the Internet.

Have you ever received an email from a friend asking for money to help them escape a foreign country? Have you ever read an uncharacteristic post on your friend’s Facebook wall? If so, it’s probably because their account was hacked, or illegally accessed by someone other than the account owner. 

One of the easiest ways to prevent this from happening to you is through password management. In honor of Choose Privacy Week, here are some simple tips to keep you and your mobile devices safe while you’re jet-setting across the globe.

• When creating a password for popular Web accounts like Facebook, Gmail or Skype, use a combination of letters (upper and lower case) and numbers.
• When traveling, create temporary passwords for your most heavily used accounts.
• Don’t use the same password for your all Web accounts. For example, if a hacker learns the password for your email, he or she may then attempt to break into your Facebook account as well. Having multiple passwords minimizes the damage should any of your accounts be compromised.
• Only use log-in pages that begin with “https” (instead of the usual “http”). This extra “s” indicates an added layer of encryption to secure your personal information. Learn how to make this a default setting on your Gmail and Facebook accounts.

I understand that a great deal of my advice requires you to manage several different passwords at once. To keep track of them all, consider using the app 1Password for your iPhone or Android device. An easier, low-tech method is to keep a written notebook with all your passwords and store it in a secure place like a locked desk drawer or safe. The minor inconvenience now can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

In order to become an evil genius, you will need several things.  First, and foremost, is the desire to be evil.  Of course this is also entirely optional.  You could just become a regular genius.  I would recommend this as it will probably turn out better for you in the long run.  Second, is a vast knowledge of science.  You might be able to come up with a magnificent plan for a doomsday machine, but you won’t be able to build it unless you know the science to make it work.  Third, and least important, is a secret lair.  For now your bedroom or tree house will do, but in the future you should look into something like a dormant volcano.  I’ve heard these work well.  Now that you know what is required, here are a few books to get you started.

46 Science Fair Projects for the Evil Genius by Robert L. Bonnet and Dan Keen

Could there be a better book for an aspiring evil genius.  Possibly, as there are a whole series of similar titles.  Amaze your friends and teachers with a variety of cool experiments.  They will never suspect your future plans.

The Geek Dad Book for Aspiring Mad Scientists by Ken Denmead

Don’t let the title fool you, mad scientist is basically a synonym for evil genius.  This book provides even more cool experiments you can do at home in order to broaden your scientific know-how.  Give it to your dad for Father’s Day and make him take part in evil genius training.

Making Things Move by Dustyn Roberts

Reading this title will give you an in-depth understanding of mechanical movement.  This may not seem very exciting, but this is of the utmost importance if you ever want to get that giant robot working.

The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science by Sean Connelly

This book presents an explanation of some of the most dangerous scientific breakthroughs of all time and provides directions for conducting experiments which demonstrate their principles.

 

May 4: Undefeated, starts at Ragtag. (via)
May 4: Guest of Cindy Sherman, 7:00 p.m. at MU Art and Archeology, free. (via)
May 5: The Power of Community, 6:00 p.m. at Central Latino, donation. (via)
May 7 & 10: Marley, 7:00 p.m. at Forum 8. (via)
May 10: My Life, My Town, 5:30 p.m. at Ragtag, free. (via)

Why I Checked It Out: This book and its first-time author are getting a lot of buzz, including being short-listed for the Orange Prize, which recognizes outstanding female authors.

Why I Recommend It: It would be easy to label this book as an overly-romanticized retelling of “The Iliad” and dismiss it, but that would be a serious underestimation of an incredibly well-written and well-researched historical novel.

This book is the story of Achilles, the son of a king and a goddess, and the “best of the Greeks,” all told through the eyes of his beloved companion, Patroclus. The two met as young princes, grew into teens under the tutelage of Chiron and were swept into the politics of men and the machinations of gods. It is less about the Trojan War and more about the twists that led two young men to fight in a war they wanted no part of.

Miller has an effortless voice that brings to life men of staggering reputation and makes them painfully, beautifully human. She dove beneath the anger and the pride of Achilles and revealed the naiveté of a boy who wanted to be a hero. Even secondary characters, like Odysseus, are completely rendered and ready to step off the page.

“The Iliad,” which tells the story of the end of the Trojan War, is the story of Patroclus’ and Achilles’ battles and their deaths. “The Song of Achilles” is the story of their loves and their lives. When you already know how the story ends, what matters is the road there. Miller has crafted a living journey with language so striking that it deserves to be savored.

What To Read Next:
“The Iliad” by Homer, a new translation by Stephen Mitchell
“The War That Killed Achilles” by Caroline Alexander
“Helen of Troy” by Margaret George
“Ransom” by David Malouf

We recently added Corman’s World to the DBRL collection. The film and currently has a rating of 91% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

Roger Corman is perhaps the most prolific and influential Hollywood filmmaker mainstream America has never heard of. Attempts to rectify that injustice by not only examining Corman and his filmography, but also by attempting to explain why the writer-director-producer is more than just a low-budget schlockmeister. Featuring interviews with heavy hitters of Hollywood.

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