Drake Public Library

Seeking Excellence

Book Review

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Book Review of This Must Be My Brother

Tom Johnson is a member of the library’s Board of Trustees and an enthusiastic reader!  Please enjoy this review of “This Must Be My Brother” that he recently donated to our collection. This title is housed in our Iowa Section under IOWA 979.704 THI. 

Hello, this is Tom Johnson and I want to review a book called “This Must Be My Brother” by LeAnn Thieman and Carol Dey. This is an amazing story of two women from Iowa City who were volunteers to help in the adoption of orphans from the Vietnam War as our troops left in 1975. They went over to bring back six orphans to Iowa and one was going to be LeAnn’s new son which they ended up bringing back 200 babies. I recommend this book as an emotional story as these orphans were cared for before the country fell into communist hands. This is in the Iowa section of the library.

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Homestead Blessings

“Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency.  It is characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of foodstuffs, and it may or may not also involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing and craftwork for household use or sale.”  -from Merriam Webster

Modern Homesteaders often use renewable energy options including solar energy and wind power and some even invent DIY cars!  Many also choose to plant and grow heirloom vegetables and to raise heritage livestock.  Homesteading is not defined by where someone lives, such as the city or the country, by the lifestyle choices they make.

With the up and coming interest in homesteading in our area, the Drake Public Library has purchased a set of DVDs produced by Franklin Springs Family Media called “Homestead Blessings”.  The 9 piece series includes step by step directions in Bread Making, Candle Making, Canning, Cooking, Dairy Product Use, Gardening, Herb Preparation and Use, Sewing and Soap Making.

Of course my first thought was, “This would be great for our 4H kids that might be thinking about next year already!”  But really, this series is for anyone interested in learning these skills that don’t tend to be taught much anymore.  The films are full of helpful instruction, practical tips and fun filled insight into these homesteading skills and are presented by a group of women with practical knowledge and experience in each of these areas.

Are  you interested in learning more about these subjects?  Come to the Drake Public Library and check out one of these DVDs or look through our catalog for other homesteading materials.  There are other DVDs, books and magazines that you might be interested in seeing.  We are more than happy to help you find just the right thing within our own collection or look through the inter library loan system.

Small steps toward self-sufficiency can truly change or perhaps improve your quality of life.  And, you might just enjoy it!

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If Not For You by Debbie Macomber

“It really was a shame. No, not a shame…a disappointment, Beth Prudhomme mused, as she sat at the intersection waiting for the green light. She glanced out the car window at the man her friend had invited her to meet over dinner. Sam Carney was stopped in the lane next to her, also waiting for the light. Again she felt a twinge of regret, knowing that nothing would ever come of their evening together…”

Debbie Macomber returns following A Girl’s Guide to Moving On (New Beginnings, #2) with her third in the New Beginning Series If Not For You, a charming, fun, contemporary tale of unexpected romantic connections with Macomber’s own Hallmark signature style: Second Chances. Fresh Beginnings. Self-discovery. Healing.

Beth, reserved and smart, has started living her own life, out from under the thumb of her over controlling parents.  She has also agreed to go on a “blind date” with Sam, who is her exact opposite and her parents’ worst nightmare…a tattooed auto mechanic who’s rough around the edges.  Both Beth and Sam would have just written the date off as just another awkward set up.  But, tragedy brings them together and they develop the most unlikely of friendships and eventually fall in love.  Of course, there are certain hurdles that threaten to stand in their way. But that’s what makes the story interesting!

Spring has sprung and I have been in the mood to read something light, fun and a little romantic. This book fit the bill and has a sweet story that really grabs at your heart. If you read, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, some of those characters also show up in this book. Nobody does realistic, down to earth romance stories like Debbie Macomber.

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We Were the Lucky Ones, by Georgia Hunter

Another book review by dedicated Drake Public Library reader and patron, Deb Egeland.  This book has been very popular among readers who enjoy historical fiction…although, it is based on a true story.

There have been a multitude of novels written about WWII and the Holocaust. “We were the Lucky Ones” is yet another. It is worth picking up, even if you’ve read many already.

This book does delve into the many horrors the Polish Jews had to face. What Georgia Hunter does in addition in this book is to show how fractured families became, the prolonged uncertainty of where and how siblings, children and parents were, and how devastating that was as well.

It was a horrifying and shameful time for the world. But a time that brought out tremendous strengths, allegiances, courage and fortitude. These attributes were called upon not only during the war, but also during the search for surviving family afterwards, and trying to figure out where they might safely land…and live.

Read the story. Then continue to read the ‘author’s note’ and the ‘since then’. There you will discover that the story that you thought too horrible, too intense, too heartbreaking to be real, was in fact true!

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Georgia, A Novel of Georgia O’Keeffe by Dawn Tripp

This is a novel about the life of American master painter Georgia O’Keeffe, her love story with photographer Alfred Stieglitz, and her quest to come of age as a woman. In this novel of a couple, and of passion, betrayal, and art, Georgia comes alive as never before.

Georgia is a young art teacher and artist when she travels from Texas to New York to meet Alfred Stieglitz.  He is a married photographer, gallery owner and contemporary art promoter.  Their attraction is instant and their love affair begins just as Georgia also begins to develop as an artist. She soon gains notoriety as the artistic muse for Stieglitz’s renown nudes series. But Georgia begins to feel trapped in her role as subject while trying to hold her own in the art world.  Her desire to be seen and understood as an independent woman and artist pushes the boundaries of her relationship.  And, we watch as it transforms her into the powerfully independent woman and artist that we know of today.  You can see her independence shine through in the forward, “This is not a love story.  If it were, we would have the same story.  But he has his, and I have mine.”

For fans of the iconic artist, you will enjoy delving into her personal life and see this transformation for yourself.  The story itself is quite romantic and inspirational.  Her struggles and feelings, very real.  It gave me a little more insight into this artist that I have to admit, I idolize.  I read this with my Georgia O’Keeffe print books handy so that I might see the paintings that are mentioned throughout the book.  The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum website was useful as well.  Check out Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O’Keeffe if you are in the mood for the romantic but very interesting story of an iconic artist.

 

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A Book Review of The Nix, by Nathan Hill

Deb Egeland has submitted another interesting book review on one of our newer releases.  Nathan Hill’s debut novel, The Nix was named as the #1 book of the year by Audible and Entertainment Weekly, as well as one of the year’s best books by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Amazon, Newsday, Library Journal and many others.

Nathan is a native Iowan, but grew up all over the Midwest: Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.  He has lived in New England, New York, the Twin Cities and Chicago, but has since fled to a warmer climate and makes his home in Naples, Florida.

Here is what Deb has to say about The Nix.

The Nix, by Nathan Hill is a very solid book, physically as well as in story.  The actual book is heavy and the story is involved.  The story has abandonment, sexual abuse, protest marches, police violence…characters who don’t seem to know for sure who they are, or quite how to find out.

In places, I found the telling to be rather tedious with specifics.  Other times I was restless and wondered where it was going.  Something kept me reading.  As I turned the pages, I also turned back the clock.  I was  teenage during the Vietnam protests, knew about “flower power”, lived in the Midwest and am familiar with Eastern Iowa and Chicago.  I could easily envision what was happening and where.

As I finished it tonight, I realized that it was a good read.  I enjoyed the “journey” the main characters were on.  If you are looking for a book that might take a little extra effort, look at this one.

Deb

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Bats at the Library, by Brian Lies

bats-at-the-library-image

It’s a wonderful day when I get to help Kristin out with the story time programs. So, I just couldn’t resist coming downstairs for the Halloween party with the Rising Readers on Monday. As I was helping clean things up, one of our “library kids”, Layla, asked me “What is your favorite book in this whole library?”  It took me a minute!  I’m a librarian…I like to read.  I could have named off a whole lot of books.  But, I had a thought as I was chatting with her about what I like to read.  “Bats at the Library by Brian Lies!” I exclaimed.

This was one of the first books that I fell in love with as a children’s librarian and storyteller. The pictures are grand, the prose poetic but very readable…it’s simply a whole lot of fun to read and even more fun to READ TO children.  Brian Lies captures the amazing things that children can see and do at the library through bats who have snuck in through an open window after closing.  They play with the water fountain, make photocopies, play shadow puppets on the wall and have story time.  The older bats tell tales that they had learned from these books long ago and the younglings drift into pretending that they are the characters in the book.  It’s a wonderful view of the public library.

The author has written a few other books including, Bats at the Ballgame, Bats at the Beach and Bats in the Band.  They all show a unique view of these activities, after hours, through the eyes of bats.  If you have come to any of my story times or classroom visits, you’ve probably heard me reading one of these books.  I admit, bats became a bit of an obsession for me after finding this book.  I have quite a collection of bat puppets, plastic figures and crafts.  I was able to find a fantastic youtube series published by the Bat World Santuary ( batworld.org ) and I even have a bat wing headband and bat covered shirt (if anyone remembers me being “The Batty Librarian” one Halloween)

So, as we “flitter and fly” through Fall, remember that “for now we’ll dream of things we’ve read, a universe inside each head. Every evening, one and all will listen for that late-night call: Can it be true? Oh, can it be? Yes! Bat Night at the Library!”

Keep reading!

JeNel

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“When the Frost Is on the Punkin”

As I went out the door to come to the library today, I noticed the frost on the ground and a chill in the air.  It immediately reminded me of one of my favorite children’s books and poems.  I thought it would be nice to share it with you.  Its one of the many, beautifully illustrated Fall themed books available in the children’s area.  Come by and take a look.

When the Frost is on the Punkin

By James Whitcomb Riley

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,

And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock,

And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens,

And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;

O, it’s then’s the times a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,

With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,

As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.

They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere

When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—

Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,

And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;

But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze

Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days

Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,

And the raspin’ of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;

The stubble in the furries—kindo’ lonesome-like, but still

A-preachin’ sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;

The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;

The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover over-head!—

O, it sets my hart a-clickin’ like the tickin’ of a clock,

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps

Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;

And your cider-makin’ ’s over, and your wimmern-folks is through

With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! …

I don’t know how to tell it—but ef sich a thing could be

As the Angels wantin’ boardin’, and they’d call around on me—

I’d want to ’commodate ’em—all the whole-indurin’ flock—

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!

Keep reading!  -JeNel

 

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A Book Review of “Fireman”, by Joe Hill

My friend and patron, Deb Egeland, loves to read and enjoys writing a few words about the books that she is reading. I always appreciate her perspective on books and love that she’s willing to “check out” something new and different from her usual genres. She sent me this review on “The Fireman” this summer. If you are interested in reviewing a book, let me know. Patrons of all ages are welcome to submit a one page book review on any book in our collection. Just email it to us at library@centerville-ia.org or turn it into the librarian on duty.

“This morning I finished the first book I’ve read by author Joe Hill. The book was “The Fireman”. It was a very strange book.

An odd virus is sweeping across the globe. Soon after being infected, the victim develops tattoo-like markings on their body. Various parts of their body may also start smoking and/or burning. Inevitably, the victim ignites completely and burns to death. Gruesome!

The primary characters in the book are infected and have managed to gather into a well-hidden commune. The plot goes back and forth between the internal workings and politics of the commune, and rest of the world with it’s increasing battle to deal with the infected and to keep the uninfected ‘clean’.

I wavered between disgust and intrigue, frustration and excitement, disbelief and page turning. There were a few times I considered putting the book down for good and calling it quits. I persevered and finished it. I can’t say it was the best use of my time; but it was different than my usual reads. It is always good to get out of the rut once in awhile.

If you are looking for something different, give it a shot. I may look at another of Joe Hill’s at some point…”

Submitted By: Deb Egeland

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“The Whip” by Karen Kondazian

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Inspired by the true story of a woman, Charlotte “Charley” Parkhurst (1812-1879), this blend of fact and fiction tells the tale of a courageous nineteenth-century heroine. “The Whip” explores the tragic, and for much of her life, unorthodox life of a woman who chose to live as a man.  “Charley” even voted in the 1868 American election before women were allowed at the polls!

Charlotte suffered a series of devastating losses in her younger years.  Her African American lover, who was a runaway slave, was murdered and she lost a daughter.  But, she went on to succeed in a profession that those of her own gender were not allowed to pursue.  “Charley” became a renowned stage coach driver and shows us a fascinating portrayal of this admirable historical figure and delves into  the complex character of a tough woman combating old-school tradition and unhealthy stereotypes.  She identified with male-dominated activities and interests, so she dressed like a man and learned to project a male image so convincing, her colleagues never questioned it.

“After much cogitating on the subject, she decided that it seemed that one could reinvent oneself in this new mysterious, musky world she was invading – and who that new self was, people did not question.  Perhaps it was the men’s clothes, the short hair, the pungent smell of sweat she allowed.  Or perhaps it was just that people were too involved in their own person to really look, observe and give a damn.”

“The Whip” is action propelled and a riveting story.  It showcases the best and the worst of America as our country began to transition into a progressive society. This book was highly recommended by a friend and its been difficult to keep it on the shelf!  You can find a copy now on our new book table…Enjoy!