Cool Reads for Hot Days - ICE CREAM!

We have another fantastic Visiting Author - join us on August 9th at the Plummer House to share cake and ice cream with Ellissa Elliot and learn some of her favourite summer reads, what she is currently writing, and other literary tidbits! We will have a number of literary bucket raffles for some noontime fun. Hope to see you there.

Photo contest

Photo contest - - another chance to win a book and a bottle of summer wine!
Don't forget to submit a great photo of your cat reading!!
Official Rules
Must be 21 years of age or over to win the library wine.

The book that he has made renders its author this service in return, that so long as the book survives its author remains immortal and cannot die. Richard de Bury 1281-1345 Philobiblion

Summer Reading

Celebrate the Reader!

How do you read? Is summer reading different from any other time of year? do you find those hefty paperbacks for the beach? Do you download your books and browse our electronic library instead of our paper one? Do you keep a reading journal?
It is time to Cheer the act of reading itself!
Grab a great book (at our Bookstore!) and slow down, relax and enjoy:
a transformative textbook
a tome of challenging historical fact or fiction
a beguiling memoir
a slim volume of thoughtful poetry
a whirlwind online romance or chic lit
a downloaded mystery/thriller

an audible travel guide for your journey (figerative or literal)
And GUESS  WHAT? they are all available at ridiculous prices in our bookstore, or free at our library!

Summer Reads

Today is officially the first day of summer! Although rainy and cloudy today, the summer solstice is when we get the most hours of sunlight all year (because the North Pole is tilted toward the sun). When did the notion of "summer reading" first appear? American families seldom had leisure time to enjoy a reading weekend or a week even, until the 1960s. Many people refrained from reading as a bluestocking activity;
e.g. brainfever! However, many people read throughout their lives, during the evenings or stolen moments at lunch, on the bus, during the commute (thank you audio books!). Previously the USA had a great literacy rate, with much self-education as life long learning (much of it by candlelight and gaslight!)
The anticipation of a few leisurely summer days gives readers a destination and goal. I always stockpile new books as well as books recommended by others for summer reads. Ok, I always have a pile of books that I want to read! But knowing that many authors will be having their big debuts/sales in the autumn, summer is a time to read for pleasure - anything that takes your fancy. Classics, mysteries, fiction, history, historical thrillers, romance, period pieces, out of print novels, those yard sale delights that you couldn't resist for a dollar (or less!). To say nothing of reading through that stack you collected over winter, kept warm by the promise of sultry summer sunshine. Share your reading lists this summer - please comment! One bookclub just finished reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - and highly recommends it.

Today is also the birthay of Ian McEwan, well known for his book Atonement (and the movie). Several other distinguished novels include Amsterdam (1998), Saturday (2005), On Chesil Beach (2007), and Solar (2010). I love his reading quote: "My ideal state as a reader when I'm reading other people is feeling I'm vaguely wasting my time when I'm not reading that novel."

Read 'em and eat contest

We do have a winner for the Read 'em and Eat contest.
A number of bookclubs and book lovers come to Jaspers for discussions or reading over morning coffee or lunch each week. (E-books have been visible too!) The friendly staff at Jaspers have always been accomodating and enjoy some of the selections. This group (the BBC) always brings napkins that they enjoy reading too.
Jose chose several books for his children after submitting this photo!

FALL INTO A GOOD BOOK will be the title of our next contest = details next week! Enjoy the long weekend ahead, with all those reading opportunities!

Dog Days of Summer Contest - Winner

The winner is Zeke! This dog was attentively listening to Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. This was a summer reading assignment for his owner, Justin Erbe, who decided to share the book with Zeke. This made it a much faster read. Note to Justin,  "Do not read the ending to Zeke. He won't like it."
Justin gets to pick whichever story he thinks Zeke will like to listen to next.

The runner-up is Chris Sigurdson for her fabulous relaxing in a hammock photo. We were all envious. She will get a book of The Book Whisperer's choosing because she waits for her reviews anyway. She is also a loyal follower of this blog.

Reminder: We still have two contests running: The Adult summer reads and the Read it and Eat contest. (We're still waiting for bribes!)

Summer reads

Reversing the feeling of autumn!

Just yesterday I was posting the dog days of summer, with how hot, sultry, and sticky/muggy it was. I have to say the weather is a definite improvement - BUT why did it have to go to 52 degrees, why has the maple TOP turned colour already?!!! why have the wrens and orioles left?!! and today, this morning  - the geese flew overhead.  Not yet!!!!
So after two hours of weeding, I am contemplating the TBR pile next to the bed (to be read pile of library books).
These include:
The Intellectual Devotional (David Kidder, Noah Oppenheim)\
(I couldn't resist the subtitle: revive your mind, complete your education and roam confidently with the cultured class)!
Gifts of War (2008, Mackenzie Ford) Britain 1914 Debut novel by respected historian.
Birdology (Sy Montgomery)
Faithful Place (Tana French - and no doubt the first one I will read!)
The Climate War (Eric Pooley)
Iphone for Dummies - well - it has already been useful in that at last I know how to have multiple photo albums! There is always a way to do something, but not everyone seems to know! Clever marketing - you were smart enough to buy this book (or borrow rather!)...
Enjoy reading while the sun shines!

Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer are technically the hottest, sultry days of the summer, when air is stagnant. Named by the Romans (although the Greeks had also called this period dog days) for the time from late July to early Sept. The brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (large dog) Sirius, the dog star, rises with the setting sun at the end of July/beginning of August. The Romans designated 40 days, 20 before and 20 after this event, as the dog days of summer, and sacrificed a brown dog in order to appease/prevent hot weather (they believed the earth received heat from this star, which combined with the sun at this time was responsible for the hot days of summer.).


The old farmers almanac has the dates at 3 July to 11 August. Seems to be slightly longer this year, although cooler weather ahead, after all these violent storms!

The Patron saint of dogs, St Roch has his feast day on August 16th, which was during most European dog days. Hello Rochester!

"It was an 'evil time when seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad and all creatures became languid" Brady's 1813 Clavis Calendarium

It's a Book by Lane Smith

Published August 31, 2010.
Don't miss this!

Calling all Readers!

A chance to flaunt your bluestocking tendencies. Our blog is buzzing with exciting summer reads to help you fill your list for the Adult Summer Reads. If you are enjoying these free book recommendations, and are considering purchasing any of these titles, please remember that if you do it through the Friends' Amazon portal, we (and therefore the library) gets a tiny commission! So please consider making a purchase.
We also like the increased circulation in the library!

Read Local.

An hour in the Library

I went into the Rochester Public Library yesterday to pick up several books (from my online search, after the first few chapters on Kindle), and walked out with an armload. There were  SO many new arrivals, fabulous displays (especially the wall of new additions to the collection, with most of the books facing out), and the carts of books that have just been returned......that I added another 5 books to my arm for checkout. I can only hope the weather keeps me indoors for a couple of days ;-) 4 books in one series, a completely new author (French! historical fiction), a continuation of another series. I don't know which one to read first! You will find the reviews here next week!

Kindle books

One of the many things I love about my Kindle is the free downloads of sample books - the first three chapters to see if you are going to be interested in pursuing the author/title. Another plane ride of over 3 hours, had me scouring the Kindle for the next new read! Of six samples that I had previously downloaded, five were definite "I can't wait to read this" and four were just reserved on the library website! (One had a waiting list of 36 earlier patrons = The Passage by Justin Cronin, so I reserved his earlier work, which I was also unfamiliar with. Yes, the NYTimes book review of a couple of weeks ago alerted me, and many others,  to his book.)
Another book by Diana Norman which I had recommended previously, Taking Liberties, has a prequel "A Catch of Consequence" which includes one of the characters I was so curious about in Taking Liberties. No one seems to have that book, so it will become a Kindle order! I wish the Library had more of her titles; again in one of my last book clubs we were passing around her other series The Mistress of the Art of Death. Find them all full of wonderful historical detail.
Which brings me to one I am very excited about, but again, can't figure out why the library doesn't have this one either! Lauren Belfer "A Fierce Radiance" - which concerns the trial and error during WWII of making penecillin a useful antibiotic. After its discovery years before, no one could figure out how to make it available for 'production'/ treatments. And with so many people injured in Pearl Harbor and the coming war, the need was enormous. The main character is a woman who lost her child to a staph infection; she is now a photographer and is assigned to document the scientfic process of trying to save patients/learn how to administer the drug. The writing was absolutely breathtaking, the characters were fascinating within the first chapter, and it is top on my list to read! It has been 10 years since her last book The City of Light about Buffalo NY. Her research is meticulous and the stories are intricate, believable, heartwarming and tragic.
I think I have found another fun series of (probably) victorian romance - by Deanna Raybourn. I could tell from the first few chapters that Silent on the Moor had a prequel, but it appears there are at least 5 of them! They were classified as mysteries, but the writing style felt more like Amanda Quick or Stephanie Lauren. They all have ladies who are free thinkers, acting against the constraints of society and with moral consciences. If the temperatures get back into the 90s I have something light to read!

Summer Reads for Adults Contest

Remember our ongoing Summer Reads for Adults contest. Submit a list of the books that you have read from Memorial Day through Labor Day (May 31 - Sept. 6) with any interesting comments or recommendations on September 7. We will post as many entries as possible to illustrate the diversity of our summer reading. Again, the winner will receive a free book plus a book journal!

NB The Book Whisperer has been disqualified from entry so you have a good chance at winning!

Summer Reads, Bookstore display

I have to post a photo of our new display in the Friends Bookstore. As always our creative Sue McMillan has a pure knack for a delightful display. Beach Book Babes unite!

Book Clubs

One of my 'other' / 'many' book clubs met today, during which our primary goal was to discuss Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Miracle, (2007) about her year of living off the land, their farm in southern Appalachia. We had a good discussion about our local attempts at healthy eating, good food, sources, farmers markets, our own gardens, but also awareness and the role that each of us plays in influencing others. This was the second time reading AVM for me and I enjoyed it more than the first perusal. I was disappointed then that her facts were out of date (2000 instead of 2005 or 7), that so many people wouldn't relate (would you grow 1000lbs of tomatoes?) and with comparison to Michael Pollan's book Omnivore's Dilemma it seemed lacking. I liked the personal style, adored her youngest daughter's chicken affair, admired her oldest daughter's columns, recipes and advice. I hoped then and now that teenagers would relate to these aspects as well. I love almost all of Kingsolver's books, especially Small Wonder and Prodigal Summer. Just discovered I had missed one, a nonfiction book about virgin lands in the USA. I will have to find that and was disappointed to learn our library doesn't have it. The hunt is on.

AVM stands the test of time now too - five year later and I read it for its history, descriptions, curiousities, and for reading my notes/stars from my first reading! There are so many laugh out loud moments, but a number of "I wonder if they are still doing that? I wonder if that restaurant is still in business, I wonder if the food coop is still going, I wonder how the chickens are doing, how the 'children' have grown?".... This is more of a memoir for me, a time capsule. She was also just awarded the Orange Prize for Literature in Britain (June 2010) for her latest novel Lacuna. I haven't had a chance to read that, but know it is in the pile awaiting another free moment. Her interviews on NPR recently have also been delightful.

I am grateful that this book is still being read, that the discussions are being furthered, that awareness continues. We have such along way to go in our global consciousness. I highly recommend all of Michael Pollan's books - the botany of desire, second nature, omnivore's dilemma and food rules. Enjoy! See you at the Farmer's Market.

Dog Days of Summer contest entry

What do dogs like to read?
What do people like to read in the heat of the summer?


Send us your entries! Official Rules
Deadline: August 16, 2010

Remember this also counts as a book for your summer reads contest.

Details soon!

Book Clubs

Bluestocking Monarda in my garden

Please send in your comments about your bookclub (s) of what you are reading now. One of my book clubs (the BBC - for Bluestocking Book Club, or Bas Bleu Club, or Brunch Book Club, depending on origin) met yesterday (at Jaspers so someone else does the cooking and cleaning, but it is a delightful atmosphere with good food), and as always we discussed books. Not just any books, but books that you finish reading and simply MUST share with someone. Especially someone you know likes that author or that genre.
I loved seeing a Friends' face when I laid my copy of The Whisperer by John Connolly on her place setting. She was in need of the next good read, and travelling soon. She was also the person who introduced me to Harlan Coban, in the Friends' Bookstore, as we exchanged if you like him, read this! We passed around multiple copies of the Ariana Franklin Mistress of the Art of Death series. There was much discussion about the new Alexander McCall Smith series, while some were also catching up on his previous novels and series. New poetry suggestions, one of our friends is on the COVER of a new book, as her husband did a stunning photograph. It is rather mysterious but very beautiful. Now I need to buy that book too!
I am into reading nonfiction at the moment, with historical writing in New England my next work topic. As I was trying to sleep last night I was thinking I really needed something lighter to read, to ease the sleep process!
So = any and all book recommendations will be appreciated. I will be in the Bookstore today to have a look at new titles/acquisitions and will describe some of the best for you later!
Continue that Summer Reading and remember the Friends Reading Contest, creating alist of what you are reading - free books!

NPR Mystery list

Helen McIver thought you would be interested in this NPR story: Killer Thrillers Finalists: The Complete List
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128542667&sc=emaf
(this was an email from their website).
I just had to share this list of 100 mysteries that are being voted on for the top 10mysteries! OK, they are missing a few of my all time favourites (where is John Connolly, Thomas Perry, Robert Louis Stevenson?!!) but this list has sent me to the library with great anticipation! Hope you enjoy the reading!
I have returned from weeks away and have two boxes of books waiting for me (thank heavens for shipping!) as well as a camera full of photos (many of book titles, reading ideas, literary possibilities)and so much more. This will be a busy blog week as I sort through everything, with internet access to share!

Summer reads, John Connolly

Read nine of the books on my Kindle list and loved them. Now heading for the John Connolly new book The Whisperers...can't recommend unless you have read the others in this Charlie Parker PI series. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all, shared them with many, and have had reciprication, with the arrival of this new book in my post box!!! A dear friend sent this to me, to read while I was in New England. I was actually avoiding reading it here because it is bound to be scary, I would have to have all the lights on in the house, and would probably end up depressed (Well, the book would be finished until the next one, another year or two, and the human race doesn't always come off well, e.g. these are all too real books.). I am about to start reading though! It is a dilemma, as I can't finish it tonight and do I really want nightmares? He writes about places I love, with people I recognize. And there are a few restaurants that he comments on, that really ARE worth finding! My mouth is watering for those lobster rolls, and a good pint.

Next Contest! Dog Days of Summer

The next contest is Dog Days of Summer.

Submit a photo of your favorite Dog Days of Summer related reading material. Photo can include your favorite spot to stay cool, your best canine friend, your best human friend, etc! Include a caption or short commentary on what makes a good Dog Days book to read. The best entry will win a book of your choice from our prize bookshelf. Entries must be submitted by August 16, 2010.

Official Rules