Author: Jill

KWIBUKA 30

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KWIBUKA 30: April 7, 2024 – the 30th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide

April 7th 2024 marks the start of Kwibuka 30, the 30th commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, which began on this date in 1994. There was extensive state control and forced citizen compliance before and during the genocide. It was one of the worst episodes of mass state violence in the last century. During the Kwibuka 30 commemoration ceremonies, the Flame of Remembrance will be lit at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and dignitaries will place wreaths at the mass grave sites.  In and around Kigali during the memorial week, many commemoration ceremonies will be taking place that will honor the memory of those affected and promote working towards building a more compassionate and inclusive society. And, around the world in Rwandan diaspora communities, including survivors and stakeholders of the Federation of Rwandan Communities in Australia, will hold events that will share stories of resilience and healing, and shed light on the impact of the Genocide and the journey towards healing.

If you’d like to learn more about the cause, events, and impact of the Rwandan Genocide, take a look at the nonfiction titles below. Or, check-out one of the fictional stories based on the events surrounding the genocide and the people who were affected by them.

NON-FICTION

No Greater Love : how my family survived the genocide in Rwanda by Tharcisse Seminega

The Girl Who Smiled Beads : a story of war and what comes after by Clemantine Wamariya

Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds : a refugee’s search for home by Mondiant Dogon

Left To Tell : discovering God amidst the Rwandan holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza

Forgiveness Makes You Free : a dramatic story of healing and reconciliation from the heart of Rwanda by Ubald Rugirangoga

FICTION

All Your Children, Scattered by Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse

Kennedy 35 by Charles Cumming

The Eternal Audience of One by Rémy Ngamije

 

ANTARCTIC ADVENTURES

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Antarctica or “Antarktikos” was imagined to exist by Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers who supposed there must be a “counter balance” to the top heavy Northern Hemisphere and the Great Bear constellation of “Arktos” above the North Pole (now known as the Big Dipper). But, Polynesian oral narratives of voyaging suggest that it may have been the Māori people who first set eyes on Antarctic waters, and possibly even the continent, in the 7th century CE. Once Western European explorers began to compete to be “first discoverers” just 200 years ago, official records were kept of the successes and failures of each voyage. While Captain James Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle and circumnavigated the continent twice in the latter half of the 18th century, he was prevented from actually sighting land due to pack ice. It wasn’t until the 1820’s that Antarctica was actually spotted and recognized as a continent by Lt. Charles Wilkes.

Eventually, in 1912, Roald Amundsen and four companions became the first explorers to reach the geographic South Pole by skis and sled dogs. It was a 1,600 mile round trip that took 99 days. Once the Antarctic Treaty was initially signed in 1961, the continent was reserved for peaceful and cooperative scientific research. This has resulted in such discoveries as land mammal fossils (first found in March 1982) and plant life (such as ferns) that prove the continent was in a much more temperate climate zone in eons past.

If you are interested in reading more about true adventures to the Antarctic region, check out these NON-FICTION titles (or view the Frozen Planet DVDs):

Or, if you prefer to be enthralled by a FICTIONAL adventure to Antarctica, take a look at these books:

NON-FICTION LINKS:

The ship beneath the ice : the discovery of Shackleton’s Endurance by Mensun Bound

The Endurance : Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition by Caroline Alexander

Madhouse at the end of the Earth : the Belgica’s journey into the dark Antarctic night by Julian Sancton

The impossible first : from fire to ice–crossing Antarctica alone by Colin O’Brady

Iced in : ten days trapped on the edge of Antarctica by Chris Turney

The stowaway : a young man’s extraordinary adventure to Antarctica by Laurie Gwen Shapiro

Dinosaurs rediscovered : the scientific revolution in paleontology by M. J. (Michael J.) Benton

Frozen Planet I DVD

Frozen Planet II DVD

FICTION LINKS:

Cold people : a novel by Tom Rob Smith

Fast ice : a novel from the Numa files by Clive Cussler

All the white spaces : a novel by Ally Wilkes

Whiteout by Adriana Anders

South Pole Station : a novel by Ashley Shelby

Midnight by Amy McCulloch

Beyond the ice limit : a Gideon Crew novel by Douglas J. Preston

The Split by S. J. Bolton

FRIENDLY READS

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The human experience of friendship is universal. While the nature of those friendships can change over the course of a lifetime, most people of all cultures and all ages have experienced at least one friendship during their life. Friendships in our early years are typically based on play and companionship. But, when we mature into adults, friendships tend to become more intimate as we share our struggles and successes in a trusting relationship.

There are certainly many benefits of having a friend. The risks or cost of not having a friend (or having difficulties with friendships) are also universal to all cultures. And, there are different kinds of friendship, including: same gender friendships, opposite or mixed gender friendships, group friendships, and friendships that lead to romance, among many. Check out some of these books where the story focuses on a particular friendship. See how the friendships influence the plot and how the events affect those friendships. During the month of February, look for the “Friendly Reads” book displays at Fairmount and Main for a wide selection. Below are a few titles to get you started. (Descriptions below from the publisher)

Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie

“Zahra and Maryam have been best friends since childhood in Karachi, even though—or maybe because—they are unlike in nearly every way. Yet they never speak of the differences in their backgrounds or their values, not even after the fateful night when a moment of adolescent impulse upends their plans for the future.  Three decades later, Zahra and Maryam have grown into powerful women who have each cut a distinctive path through London. But when two troubling figures from their past resurface, they must finally confront their bedrock differences—and find out whether their friendship can survive. Thought-provoking, compassionate, and full of unexpected turns, Best of Friends offers a riveting take on an age-old question: Does principle or loyalty make for the better friend?”

 

You Can’t Stay Here Forever by Katherine Lin

“Just days after her young, handsome husband dies in a car accident, Ellie Huang discovers that he had a mistress—one of her own colleagues at a prestigious San Francisco law firm. Acting on impulse—or is it grief? rage? Probably all three—Ellie cashes in Ian’s life insurance policy for an extended stay at the luxurious Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France. Accompanying her is her free-spirited best friend, Mable Chou. Ellie hopes that the five-star resort on the French Riviera, with its stunning clientele and floral-scented cocktails, will be a heady escape from the real world. And at first it is. She and Mable meet an intriguing couple, Fauna and Robbie, and as their poolside chats roll into wine-soaked dinners, the four become increasingly intimate. But the sunlit getaway soon turns into a reckoning for Ellie, as long-simmering tensions and uncomfortable truths swirl to the surface. Taking the reader from San Francisco to the gilded luxury of the south of France, You Can’t Stay Here Forever is a sharply funny and exciting debut that explores the slippery nature of marriage, the push and pull between friends, and the interplay of race and privilege, seen through the eyes of a young Asian American woman.”

 

The Caretaker by Ron Rash

“It’s 1951 in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Blackburn Gant, his life irrevocably altered by a childhood case of polio, seems condemned to spend his life among the dead as the sole caretaker of a hilltop cemetery. It suits his withdrawn personality, and the inexplicable occurrences that happen from time to time rattle him less than interaction with the living. But when his best and only friend, the kind but impulsive Jacob Hampton, is conscripted to serve overseas, Blackburn is charged with caring for Jacob’s wife, Naomi, as well.  Sixteen-year-old Naomi Clarke is an outcast in Blowing Rock, an outsider, poor and uneducated, who works as a seasonal maid in the town’s most elegant hotel. When Naomi eloped with Jacob a few months after her arrival, the marriage scandalized the community, most of all his wealthy parents who disinherited him. Shunned by the townsfolk for their differences and equally fearful that Jacob may never come home, Blackburn and Naomi grow closer and closer until a shattering development derails numerous lives. A tender examination of male friendship and rivalry as well as a riveting, page-turning novel of familial devotion, The Caretaker brilliantly depicts the human capacity for delusion and destruction all too often justified as acts of love.”

 

DISCOVER A NEW HOBBY!

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January is National Hobby Month.
Let us help you discover something new!

Every year National Hobby Month is celebrated during the month of January. Participating is a great alternative to making a New Year’s Resolution (and failing to keep it). Instead, join enthusiasts around the country by trying out a new hobby or diving back into one you haven’t enjoyed in a while. Since hobbies are not something that we are required to master and our paycheck doesn’t depend on it, we can pursue our hobbies for the pure joy they bring.

The great thing about having a hobby is that it can take your mind off the pressure of work or other daily stresses. Finding a good hobby and giving yourself time to take part in it on a daily or weekly basis is sure to make you happier, and even healthier!  It can boost our self-esteem and help us grow creatively, physically, or intellectually. And, it often helps us foster a connection with others. Research indicates that being active with a hobby can lead to better health, more sleep, lower stress, improved social network and work performance, and a greater life satisfaction, in general.

You might spend some time planning and thinking about new hobbies or interests you’d like to pursue throughout the year. It will be well worth your time. Below are a few new books on activities that could make a great hobby. During the month of January, check out the Hobbies book displays at the Eastern and Fairmount branches to find some ideas to get you started.

 

If you are interested in picking up a new hobby this year and are not sure what to try, perhaps these questions will help. Think about the answers and allow them to guide your choices. You can have different needs at different times and there’s no such thing as the perfect hobby – so try to be open to new experiences.

  • How do you want the activity to make you feel?
    Mentally engaged? Distracted? Relaxed? Socially connected?
  • What did you like doing as a kid?
    Think about what you wanted to be when you grew up? The answer could point you toward a hobby you could pursue as an adult. Or, revisit activities you loved when you were young. Childhood interests can easily evolve into an adult hobby.
  • What do you hope to get out of a hobby?
    Social Connections? Solitary time to clear your head? Learn a new skill or challenge yourself?
  • What is your life missing?
    Creativity? Physical activity? Do you need to be more social?
  • What is your availability?
    How much time do you have available and when would it be most relaxing to do the activity? Can you do it in your spare time? What window of time would feel like a relief from your current schedule rather than a stressful obligation?
  • Are there any obstacles?
    Identify supplies you need or any other arrangements you might need to make, such as travel or childcare. Try to anticipate anything that might get in the way of your first venture into this new hobby to avoid getting distracted or putting it off. Remove as many obstacles as you can.

One online list of hobbies I found was broken down into just 4 categories: Physical, Cerebral, Creative, and Community-Oriented. Other lists have many more categories. Keep in mind that hobbies can appear in more than one category. Have fun discovering a new hobby!  And, if we don’t have a book or other resource on your new hobby, please tell us!

 

Begin to code : building apps and games in the cloud by Rob Miles

Beginner’s guide to glass painting : 16 amazing projects for picture frames, dishware, mirrors, and more! by Nilima Mistry

A beginner’s guide to quilting : a complete step-by-step course by Michael Caputo

Canning full circle : from garden to jar to table by Diane Deveraux

Code to joy : why everyone should learn a little programming by Michael L. Littman

The container victory garden : a beginner’s guide to growing your own groceries by Maggie Stuckey

Easy crochet for beginners : learn to crochet with 35 simple projects by Nicki Trench

Jewelry making for beginners : step-by-step, simple instructions for beautiful results by Tammy Powley

The Joy of playing with your dog: games, tricks, and socialization for puppies & dogs by Monks of New Skete (COR) / Marc Goldberg

Knotting natural bags & belts : 18 beautiful, easy-to-make macrame projects by Stacy Summer Malimban

Madame Fromage’s adventures in cheese : how to explore it, pair it, and love it, from the creamiest bries to the funkiest blues by Tenaya Darlington

Seed to table : a seasonal guide to organically growing, cooking, and preserving food at home by Luay Ghafari

Start here : instructions for becoming a better cook by Sohla El-Waylly

 

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME… WITH A GOOD BOOK!

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Time travel tales have been captivating readers for generations. Ever since the first publishing of the classic H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, in 1895, the genre has gained in popularity. Wells’ book has since been made into two feature films of the same name, as well as two television versions and many comic book adaptations. More recent time travel themed novels have also been widely enjoyed. Diana Gabaldon’s book Outlander, first published in 1991, has now become an entire series of books as well as a TV series (2014) that has sparked a super fandom following. The more recent Time Traveler’s Wife (2003), by Audrey Niffenegger, was made into a movie in 2009 and a TV series in 2022. While these latter two focus on romance, as many time travel themes do, there are a variety of storylines – including mysteries and thrillers – to interest most any reader, provided you allow yourself to suspend reality and accept the time-bending premise. During the month of December, both the Fairmount and Eastern branch libraries will feature book displays with an assortment of time travel themed titles for you to consider for your next read. I’d like to share two with you here: Myriad by Joshua David Bellin and The Night Shift by Natalka Burian.

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Joshua David Bellin has published numerous science fiction and adventure novels. His latest is Myriad, a science-fiction thriller set in his native Pittsburgh in the year 2037. The main character, Miriam Randle, works for a private law enforcement firm, whose employees utilize short-term time travel to go back in time to prevent crimes from happening. While competent in her work at the firm, her personal life is haunted by the decades-old unsolved murder of her twin brother by a school shooter. When a routine assignment goes awry ending in tragedy because of her, Miriam finds herself involved in a conspiracy. She escapes to the past to investigate her own firm, and the people she works for, in order to uncover the truth before it’s too late. But, her brother’s murderer isn’t the only thing in Miriam’s past that she would prefer to forget. There are so many twists and turns in this book that you never know quite where it is going. With perfectly flawed characters in a very realistic world, this novel is compelling and you won’t want to stop reading until you find out what happens to Miriam.

“Minority Report meets The Fugitive in this breakneck thriller that kept me guessing—and madly flipping pages—until the bitter end. The devious plot zips nimbly through wormhole after wormhole, but Bellin shines brightest in his nuanced exploration of the light and dark in all of us. Myriad is an antihero for the ages.” – Kat Ross, author of the Gaslamp Gothic Victorian Paranormal Mystery series

“Exciting and thought-provoking, Myriad posits a truly original twist on time-travel. Joshua Bellin’s first adult novel hits all the right notes from its conflicted main character trying to undo a tragic, life-changing past event to multiple twists, turns, and surprises the reader won’t see coming.” – Larry Ivkovich, author of The Sixth Precept and Magus Star Rising

“Joshua David Bellin is a master craftsman. In Myriad, he’s reached an all-time high for plot twists that rock your understanding of what has come before… and after. Enjoy the fast-paced action that will leave you dazzled.” – Diane Turnshek, Carnegie Mellon University astronomer and science fiction author

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In Natalka Burian’s book Night Shift, there are secret passageways all over New York City that allow you to go through space and time to emerge in one of the other locations. These are well-hidden shortcuts. They might be found at the back door of a shop, bar or restaurant, or theater. Nobody knows how they originated and there are rules you must follow. You can only go one direction through them and you can only travel the passageways at night.

The story follows Jean, who is introduced to the passageways by her work friend, Iggy. She decides to use them to shorten her work commute between her night shift bartending and her day shift at an upscale bakery. She notices that the shortcut has side effects that make her more talkative and more open to discussing her past. She starts recalling memories that she’s worked hard to forget. When Iggy, goes missing, Jean believes it’s related to the secret passageways. Jean starts searching for answers and finds more and more connections between these shortcuts and herself. Will she ever find out what happened to Iggy? What do the passageways have to do with her? With her past? What about her future?

“The Night Shift is an engrossing and vibrant novel, and I loved watching my fair city shine in these pages. This is a great book for readers who love New York City after dark, and who see mysterious possibilities around every corner.” — Emma Straub, New York Times Bestselling Author of All Adults Here

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WORLD WAR II AND THE HOLOCAUST

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As a follow-up to the October 16, 2023 blog: PALESTINE 1936: the great revolt and the roots of the Middle East conflict by Oren Kessler it seems appropriate to share more titles that will help the reader to more deeply connect with the humanity and INhumanity of the second World War – a direct precursor to the establishment of Israel as a nation. With the current state of affairs in the Middle East and the division it has caused in our own country and around the world, reminding ourselves of the past is vital to preventing another holocaust (of any people) and potentially another World War.

These books are organized into several categories and deliver the facts of World War II that directly impacted the persecuted people and focus on their personal stories. These are true re-tellings of the horrific acts perpetrated on ordinary people and their fight for survival. There are stories of individuals who risked their lives through selfless acts to help save others. There are stories of resistance and brave defiance, as well as the work of spies and operatives. Included, too, are books that tell of the ideology of the enemy and the atrocities at the concentration camps.  More comprehensive histories of the war are offered as well as books discussing what we can learn from this war, how it has shaped us, and how we can reclaim our humanity and seek peace.

What’s not covered:

There are so many facets of World War II, that this list of books is largely limited to the civilian impact of the war on the European continent, particularly of Jewish people or anyone who dared to help them – including the death camps. This list does not include books that are focused more on specific military campaigns, the battle stories and valor of those who served (excluding spies & operatives), the important acts of the medical corps, the lives of those on the home front, or any of the undertakings in any of the many theatres of war. You may search these topics yourself and will find plenty of books to help you understand those aspects of the war.

STORIES OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED, HOW THEY SURVIVED, AND OF THOSE WHO DIDN’T:

A Bookshop in Berlin : The rediscovered memoir of one woman’s harrowing escape from the Nazis by Francoise Frenkel

The choice : embrace the possible by Edith Eva Eger

Death march escape : the remarkable story of a man who twice escaped the Nazi Holocaust by Jack J. Hersch

The diary of a young girl the definitive edition by Anne Frank

The dressmakers of Auschwitz : the true story of the women who sewed to survive by Lucy Adlington

Into the forest : a Holocaust story of survival, triumph, and love by Rebecca Frankel

The light of days : the untold story of (Jewish) women resistance fighters in Hitler’s ghettos by Judy Batalion

My friend Anne Frank : the inspiring and heartbreaking true story of best friends torn apart and reunited against all odds by Hannah Pick-Goslar

Remember us : my journey from the shtetl through the Holocaust by Martin Small

Saved by Schindler : the life of Celina Karp Biniaz by William B. Friedricks

Tehran children : a (Jewish) Holocaust refugee odyssey by Mikhal Dekel

STORIES OF THOSE WHO RISKED THEMSELVES TO HIDE OTHERS:

The Bielski brothers : the true story of three men who defied the Nazis, saved 1,200 Jews, and built a village in the forest by Peter Duffy

A good place to hide : how one French community saved thousands of lives in World War II by Peter Grose

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Irena’s children : the extraordinary story of the woman who saved 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto by Tilar J. Mazzeo

The sisters of Auschwitz : the true story of two Jewish sisters’ resistance in the heart of Nazi territory by Roxane van Iperen

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman

STORIES OF RESISTANCE:

A cool and lonely courage : the untold story of sister spies in Occupied France by Susan Ottaway

D-Day girls : the spies who armed the resistance, sabotaged the Nazis, and helped win World War II by Sarah Rose

The forgers : the forgotten story of the Holocaust’s most audacious rescue operation by Roger Moorhouse

The girls who stepped out of line : untold stories of the women who changed the course of World War II by Mari K. Eder

Invisible heroes of World War II : extraordinary wartime stories of ordinary people by Jerry Borrowman

Madame Fourcade’s secret war : the daring young woman who led France’s largest spy network against Hitler by Lynne Olson

The nine : the true story of a band of women who survived the worst of Nazi Germany by Gwen Strauss

Operatives, spies, and saboteurs : the unknown story of the men and women of World War II’s OSS by Patrick K. O’Donnell

A train in winter an extraordinary story of women, friendship, and resistance in occupied France by Caroline Moorehead

A woman of no importance : the untold story of the American spy who helped win World War II by Sonia Purnell

Red Orchestra : the story of the Berlin underground and the circle of friends who resisted Hitler by Anne Nelson

FAMILIES SEARCHING FOR LOST RELATIVES AND THE TRUTH:

Jews in the garden : a Holocaust survivor, the fate of his family, and the secret history of Poland in World War II by Judy Rakowsky

A world erased : a grandson’s search for his family’s Holocaust secrets by Noah Lederman

OTHER EXPERIENCES OR FIRST-HAND WITNESS:

The diary keepers : World War II in the Netherlands, as written by the people who lived through it by Nina Siegal

Facing the lion : memoirs of a young girl in Nazi Europe by Simone Arnold Liebster

Last witnesses : an oral history of the children of World War II by Svetlana Aleksievich

The ravine : a family, a photograph, a Holocaust massacre revealed by Wendy Lower

RECOVERING FROM HORRIFIC EVENTS OF WAR:

Man’s search for meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Wounds into wisdom : healing intergenerational Jewish trauma by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Ph.D.

HOLOCAUST HISTORY AND GENERAL WORLD WAR II FACTS:

Historical atlas of the Holocaust by the U S Holocaust Memorial Museum

The holocaust chronicle by Marilyn Harran, Dieter Kuntz, and John K. Roth

Holocaust : the Nazi persecution and murder of the Jews by Peter Longerich

The secret war : spies, ciphers, and guerrillas 1939-1945 by Max Hastings

The storm of war : a new history of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts

World War II in photographs by Richard Holmes

THE ALLIES

1944 : FDR and the year that changed history by Jay Winik

Britain at Bay : the epic story of the Second World War, 1938-1941 by Alan Allport

Last Hope Island : Britain, occupied Europe, and the brotherhood that helped turn the tide of war by Lynne Olson

Why the allies won by R. J. Overy

HOW THE WAR CHANGED US, CAN CHANGE US, (OR COULD HAVE):

The fear and the freedom : how the Second World War changed us by Keith Lowe

If the Allies had fallen : sixty alternate scenarios of World War II by Dennis E. Showalter and Harold C. Deutsch

Learning from the Germans : race and the memory of evil by Susan Neiman

Why we fight : the roots of war and the paths to peace by Christopher Blattman

THE AXIS – IDEOLOGY OF THE ENEMY:

Army of evil : a history of the SS by Adrian Weale

Becoming Hitler : the Making of a Nazi by Thomas Weber

The book thieves : the Nazi looting of Europe’s libraries and the race to return a literary inheritance by Anders Rydell

Göring’s man in Paris : the story of a Nazi art plunderer and his world by Jonathan Petropoulos

Hitler’s furies : German women in the Nazi killing fields by Wendy Lower

The rape of Europa : the fate of Europe’s treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War by Lynn H. Nicholas

Then they came for me : Martin Niemöller, the pastor who defied the Nazis by Matthew D. Hockenos

The women who flew for Hitler: a true story of soaring ambition and searing rivalry by Clare Mulley

PRISON CAMPS:

Auschwitz : not long ago. not far away by Luis Ferreiro, Miriam Greenbaum, and Robert Jan van Pelt

Dachau 29 April 1945 : the Rainbow liberation memoirs by Sam Dann

Ravensbrück : life and death in Hitler’s concentration camp for women by Sarah Helm

MUSIC AND MUSICIANS

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If you enjoy listening to music, singing it, or creating it, October is your month!  International or Universal Music Day is celebrated on October 1. If that’s not enough to dig out your collection of musical favorites, the entire month of October is dedicated to the celebration of Country Music as a beloved genre. There’s even “Hug a Drummer Day” celebrated on October 10th, which the percussionist in your life might appreciate. Music is one of the most universal ways to express ideas and emotions, making it an integral part of every culture around the world. It is a shared, common language that has the power to bring people together.

As you find ways to celebrate music this month, you may be interested in some of these “musical” books, including books about music genres, the music industry, musicians, and songwriting. The best music books can give you a new insight, inspire new conversations, and hopefully encourage you to give another listen. Music has evolved over the course of history into many different forms. Some of the most listened to genres of today, such as Rock, Country, and Classical, can be further divided into sub-genres such as country-pop, alternative rock, etc. A variety of music genres are included in the music book displays that are up this month at the Fairmount and Eastern branches. Here are a few to get you started:

In The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music, the author, Tom Breihan, looks at twenty of Billboard Hot 100s number one songs and uncovers their historical context demonstrating how they played a pivotal role in changing pop music. Breihan includes some of the greatest pop artists of all time.  But, just as important, he also includes some musicians who never hit the number one spot, but who are now legendary because of their whole body of work. Some reviewers have suggested to read this book while listening to the selected songs in order to achieve a more immersive experience. Pop culture and music lovers will appreciate this book, especially if they have watched the Billboard Hot 100 or have read the author’s Stereogum column called, what else? “The Number Ones”.

Declassified: a low-key guide to the high-strung world of classical music is authored by Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch, a Juilliard grad and world-class violinist and veteran of symphony halls and international concert tours. In the book, she expresses her lifelong love-hate relationship with classical music and musicians. There is such variety in the “classical music” genre, that spans centuries of composers, that she argues you can find enough diversity to encompass the gamut of emotions. The author covers the 7 main compositional periods, offering a breakdown of the instruments and their “personalities”.  She invites her reader on a backstage tour of the industry to see what it is like to be a professional musician at conservatory auditions, competitions, and during grueling practice routines, ultimately making the case that classical music matters.

As a long-time writer in the country music industry – especially versed on the careers of women – Marissa R. Moss demonstrates her insider knowledge of the music scene in Nashville with her book, Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be. She writes about some of the most celebrated female artists, but brings into sharpest focus the three main subjects of her book, Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, and Mickey Guyton. These women are heroines in their own right and have carved out their own paths to success despite the huge obstacles of a “good ‘ol boy” mentality, sexism, and even racism in the country music industry. This book isn’t just for Country music fans, but also for those interested in seeing women singers, songwriters, producers, and executives, succeed in an industry where much is stacked against them.

Tony Brown’s “coffee table” book, Elvis, Strait, to Jesus: An Iconic Producer’s Journey with Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country, and Gospel Music features exclusive photographs and stories about his more than 40-year career as one of Nashville’s leading producers and executives. The book is a photographic journey depicting how Brown rose to the top of the Nashville music industry to take his spot in country music history.  It illuminates his rise to fame and his industry relationships; from pianist for Elvis Presley to the president of MCA Records in Nashville and producing over 100 country songs that hit #1 on the charts. The book showcases people who have played an important role in Brown’s career. A few of the many music artists included in the book show the diversity of music genres he was instrumental in creating: Lionel Richie, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Buffett, Barbra Streisand, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Lyle Lovett, and many more. The book is touted as a special tribute that no fan of music or artistic photography should be without.

If you are interested in other musical genres, several other books of interest are: Dangerous Rhythms: Jazz and the Underworld; Hip-Hop (and other things): a collection of questions asked, answered, illustrated; Anatomy of a Song: the oral history of 45 iconic hits that changed rock, R & B, and pop; Shine Bright: a very personal history of black women in pop; and Folk Music: A Bob Dylan Biography in Seven Songs. These books and many others are on display during the month of October at both the Eastern and Fairmount branch libraries. You might also be interested in this DVD: Hip Hop the songs that shook America.

   

If these recommendations inspire you to explore the music, we have a large collection of music CD’s in many genres and also offer free digital music content with Freegal Music and QC Beats.

At the risk of sounding like a late night infomercial, I will further entice you to explore our collection with… “But, wait, there’s MORE!”  At all three branches, you can check out a Common Chord or Quad City Symphony Orchestra Community Experience Pass to receive FREE entry to local music events. We even have a Jensen turntable and portable cassette player/recorder that you can check out at the Main branch to listen to some of your old vinyl or cassette recordings.

 

Or, perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument. Checking out a ukulele at the Main branch is a great way to start.  Whether you read, listen, attend an event, or make your own music – be sure to include music in your life during the month of October – and every month!

PALESTINE 1936: the great revolt and the roots of the Middle East conflict by Oren Kessler

- Jill 2 Comments

“Exceptional…opens new vistas on troubles past and present.” – The Wall Street Journal

“Key to understanding the current situation between Israelis and Palestinians.” – Booklist (starred review)

When Oren Kessler’s first book, Palestine 1936: the great revolt and the roots of the Middle East conflict,was published earlier this year, while lauded, its true significance would not be felt until now. With the recent surprise attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, and the following response including a declaration of war on Hamas by Israel, this book is more important than ever in understanding the complex history which has shaped the present state of affairs. Kessler addresses this complicated topic by utilizing only recently declassified documents as well as memoirs and other sources to draw a thorough examination of this formative and often overlooked period.

In his book, Kessler relates key events from the period of 1936 to 1939 that laid the foundation for the establishment of Israel as a state in 1948 and for the current Arab-Israeli conflict. That period itself is a complicated time in world history, as political tensions were already heightened and ultimately ignited World War II. Kessler believes that events almost 90 years ago, and just prior to the second World War, have so shaped the attitudes and posture of the conflict that it will ultimately lead to tragedy for both Jews and Arabs. Primarily, Kessler suggests that many Arabs in the region are unwilling to accept Jewish equality, political or social, let along their right to an ancestral homeland. He believes that this is the true core of the conflict and not one easily resolved.

“Oren Kessler is a journalist and political analyst based in Tel Aviv. He has served as deputy director for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, Middle East research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society in London, Arab affairs correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, and an editor and translator at Haaretz English edition.” –  orenkessler.com

If you want to more fully understand the current state of affairs in Palestine and the war that is now commencing, Palestine 1936 is a must read. In addition, the Davenport Library has a number of other books that you might find informative and enlightening on this topic and as well as closely related topics.

                         

A Lethal Obsession : antisemitism from antiquity to the global Jihad by Robert S. Wistrich

Master of the game : Henry Kissinger and the art of Middle East diplomacy by Martin Indyk

RAF : the birth of the world’s first air force by Richard Overy

Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco

1917 : war, peace, and revolution by D.(David) Steveson

Decolonizing Palestine : the land, the people, the bible by Mitri Raheb

Tehran children : a Holocaust refugee odyssey by Mikhal Dekel

Remember Us : my journey from the shtetl through the Holocaust by Martin Small

I Am Not Your Enemy : stories to transform a divided world by Michael T. McRay

Bethlehem : biography of a town by Nicholas Blincoe

The Lemon Tree : an Arab, a Jew, and the heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan

19 varieties of gazelle : poems of the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Nye

Things you may find hidden in my ear : poems from Gaza by Mosab Abu Toha

Chronicle of the Old Testament kings : the reign-by-reign record of the rulers of ancient Israel by J.W. (John William) Rogerson

New moons : contemporary writing by North American Muslims by Ali Kazim

 

BRING NATURE IN

- Jill Leave a comment

BRING NATURE IN

As fall approaches and cooler weather settles in, we find fewer opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Our routines shift toward indoor activities including the demands of school and work. In meeting these obligations, we naturally find ourselves less connected to nature. But, at this time of year, it is more important than ever to find ways to “bring nature in” so that we can continue to enjoy the beauty and benefits it brings to our lives.

Research shows that spending time in nature is a low-cost and highly effective way to improve various aspects of our psychological wellness. From increased happiness and a sense of well-being to decreased anxiety, stress, and depression, spending time in natural environments can have a huge impact on our lives.  In fact, by spending just 10 minutes in a natural setting, there is a significant and beneficial impact on mental health. It also gives us better focus and improved performance on our working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention tasks. Because of these benefits, exposure to nature is a proven wellness therapy, called nature therapy or ecotherapy, and is based on the concept of using nature to help us heal, especially psychologically.  Several books on the topic are: The Well-Gardened Mind: the restorative power of nature, The Nature Fix: why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative, and The Nature of Nature: why we need the wild.

 

As September happens to be Self-Care Awareness Month, it is a great time to pause and make sure that your connection to nature remains solid, even when you can’t get outside. So, what do we do when, due to inclement weather, we can no longer be outside in our gardens, or on the hiking trails, or spending time at the lake? Consider bringing the outside in so as to continue to reap the healing powers of Mother Nature and gain a host of mental health benefits. When it’s not possible to get outside into nature we can carry out ecotherapy indoors in a number of easy ways. The books listed here, and that are on display this September at the Main and Eastern branch libraries, will give you lots of great ideas!

Plants

When winding down a backyard garden for the season, there are a few tasks you can do to bring nature in. Dig the herbs from your garden and plant them in pots to bring indoors for the winter including rosemary, parsley, chives, and thyme. You can take root cuttings from annuals, such as begonias, geraniums, and impatiens and plant them in a container and keep them in a sunny place indoors. And, begin moving houseplants inside. Plants not only remove toxins from the air, but research shows that people who spend time around plants have more concern, empathy, and compassion toward others as well as improved relationships. As September 17-23 is National indoor Plant Week, it’s the perfect time to introduce them into your home. There are some nearly indestructible varieties so don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. You can even opt for faux plants if you are worried about young children or pets. You won’t get the clean air effect, but you’ll still reap some benefit. Several books that can help you get started are Bring the Outside In: the essential guide to cacti, succulents, planters and terrariums, How to Make a Plant Love You: cultivate green space in your home and heart, The New Plant Parent: develop your green thumb and care for your house-plant family, How to Plant a Room and Grow a Happy Home.

 

Flower Arranging

If the maintenance of living plants is more than you desire, bring freshly cut flowers into your home or workspace as often as you can. It’s an easy alternative and you won’t feel bad when they wilt because they aren’t meant to last forever. To save on the cost, purchase discounted bunches and arrange them yourself. Here are some books to help you:  Seasonal Flower Arranging: fill your home with blooms, branches, and foraged materials all year round, and Flower Philosophy: seasonal projects to inspire and restore. You can even make paper blooms that bring bright color and cheer to your space. Take a look at these pretty makes: Bold and Beautiful Paper Flowers: more than 50 easy paper blooms and gorgeous arrangements you can make at home and Crepe Paper Flowers: making and arranging beautiful blooms. For more Nature DIY projects keep reading to the end of the post.

Designing and Decorating

There are so many ways to bring nature in through home décor and just as many books on the topic. If you are looking to bring elements of nature into your home, then you may be interested to learn more about biophilic design. Biophilic design is about creating human connectivity to nature. Through interior design, you can bring the outside in by using natural elements. Choose paintings or photographs of landscapes or opt for botanical prints. Select furniture with beautiful wood grains, or paint with soothing colors found in nature, like greens and blues, that can reduce stress levels. Introduce natural materials or patterns, and definitely bring in a variety of plants as this is one of the easiest ways to create a biophilic décor. It is important to have abundant natural light in your home and workspace as well. If you need more of that – especially in the winter – there are gadgets to solve that problem like the Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp that you can check out from our TECHKNOW collection of things. Ask for Techknow #78 at the Customer Service desk at the Fairmount branch library.  Or, ask for TECHKNOW #63 at our Eastern branch library to check out the Circadian Optics Lumos Light Therapy Lamp. And, if you’d like to see if any of these ways to bring nature in is helping your well-being, you can ask Customer Service at the Eastern branch library for TECHKNOW #66  an Omron 10 series blood pressure monitor with Bluetooth. Use it to track if using nature as therapy is reducing your stress levels and having a positive effect on your blood pressure.  A few books that will show you how to bring nature into your décor are: Design By Nature: creating layered lived-in spaces inspired by the natural world, Nature Style: cultivating wellbeing at home with plants, and Wild Interiors: beautiful plants in beautiful spaces.

Sounds and Smells of Nature

Don’t underestimate the power of listening to a waterfall or the sound of raindrops on the surface of a lake or even chirping crickets. The result isn’t just enhanced relaxation and a sense of calm, but include attention restoration and better cognitive performance. You can also mimic the forest smells with diffusers and essential oils. Introduce water features like an aquarium or a fountain where the sound of water can create a healing atmosphere and bring in a sense of relaxation. Use soundscapes of a rain forest or the seaside or download apps of soothing nature sounds. Check out these cd’s to give it a try: The Healing Garden and Sounds of Rainstorms and Nature.

Arts and Crafts

There are many more ways than I’ve listed here to bring nature in to enhance your life. But, I will cover one more that can encompass a wide range of things and also fits into many of the categories above. That is arts & crafts. Making art or crafts inspired by natural environments or made from natural elements not only leads to an end result that you can display in your home, but can be a very therapeutic handicraft or hobby. Instead of buying art or décor items, consider making some. There are so many great books to get you started. You just might find that drawing, painting, crafting, and other creative methods add to your sense of well-being and contentedness all on their own. Try something new by registering for one of our Adult DIY programs to make a Twig Vase, or String Art shaped like a Pumpkin. Or, check out the ideas in these books: Nature Art Workshop: tips, techniques, and step-by-step projects for creating nature-inspired art, Plant Craft: 30 projects that add natural style to your home, DIY Succulents, Watercolor Botanicals: learn to paint your favorite plants and florals, Botanical Line Drawing: 200 step-by-step flowers, leaves, cacti, succulents, and other items found in nature, and The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling.

 

ALL KINDS OF ADVENTURE!

- Jill Leave a comment

When was the last time you went on an adventure? I don’t mean an extreme experience. Although, for those of you who enjoy the adrenaline rush of skydiving, that definitely qualifies! Adventures come in all shapes and sizes. Trying something new could lead to a new hobby, favorite activity, and new friends. For many of us, August marks the last chance to get away before the end of the rush of back to school and autumn routine set-in. And, as it happens, August is American Adventures Month. Whether you’re looking for excitement, a quiet day in nature, or learning something new, your adventure awaits…go for it!  Here are two books to get you started: The bucket list adventures : 1000 adventures big & small, and Lonely planet’s 1000 ultimate adventures.

 

We’d love to help you find your next adventure and some of our programs and events are a great way to start. If you are epicurious, try a new type of cuisine. The Quad Cities has a good diversity of restaurant fare to choose from. Or, register for one of Spice Up Your Life programs to learn how to cook with a spice you’ve never tried before. How about registering for our Beekeeping program to learn about apiculture from a local beekeeper or joining a group of history enthusiasts for a hop back in time by registering for the Q-C History Hop: Bix Beiderbecke Museum and Archive tour? Starting with a mini-adventure right in your hometown is a great way to begin. Check out 100 things to do in the Quad Cities before you die. Been there, done that you say?  Then take road trip!  Start with short trips around the state with 100 things to do in Iowa before you die.

 

Travel opens your perspective and expands your borders while also leading to a better appreciation for home. Spend quality time with friends or family while exploring new places. Check out a Garmin Nuvi 2595LMT GPS so you won’t get lost. Grab a Solar power bank 10000mAh battery pack or a IOGear Wireless 4-port USB sharing station so your smart phone battery stays charged allowing you to take amazing outdoor photos.  If your phone’s camera isn’t stellar, borrow a digital camera from the library: Canon PowerShot ELPH 340 HS digital camera or a GoPro Hero 7 Action Camera or GoPro Hero session with accessories for some live action. If you’ll need Wifi on your trip, don’t forget to reserve a Hotspot a few weeks in advance.

Perhaps you’ll celebrate Global Sleep Under the Stars night on August 8 by learning about the moon & stars and spending an evening stargazing. After all, August has the brightest moon of the year and the Perseid Meteor Showers peak during August (this year the 12th-13th). What a great time to get outside and enjoy viewing the night sky using one of the telescopes you can check out from the library. Just ask customer service at Eastern for TECHKNOW #75, a Celestron FirstScope telescope, or at Fairmount ask for TECHKNOW #81, a Gskyer telescope. Learn more about what you’ll see in the night sky with these books and magazines – more are on the Moon and Stars displays this month at the Fairmount and Eastern branches. Grab one and check-it out! The Beginner’s Guide to Stargazing, The stargazer’s handbook : the definitive field guide to the night sky, and The total skywatcher’s manual : 275+ skills and tricks for exploring stars, planets & beyond. While you’re waiting to catch a glimpse of a falling star, you can try out our Solomark night vision monocular for fun. Other gadgets to sample on your outdoor adventures are the Motorola MR350R two-way radio set or a pair of binoculars.

Dream big! Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to go? Some sights you’d love to actually see with your own eyes? Beyond having an American adventure, think about traveling to other places around the world to experience unique cultures and amazing festivals, like the August Moon Festival in Greece. There you can see a bright, low-hanging moon over the Temple of Poseidon or the white marble of the Acropolis glowing in the brilliant moonlight. Both are sights to behold and certainly an adventure you won’t forget. Learn about a celebration somewhere in the world by reading one of these books and then go experience it! Check-out: The best place to be today : 365 things to do & the perfect day to do them, Lonely Planet’s where to go when : the ultimate trip planner for every month of the year, or Wanderlust : a traveler’s guide to the globe.

It doesn’t have to be a grand adventure of a lifetime… but it could be.  Just get out, enjoy the world, and celebrate!