Books and beyond

NPR’s Morning Edition ran a story this morning about Gone with the Wind turning 75 this month. If you feel like revisiting a great old classic, we have plenty of copies at JCPL, and you could also try:

Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind by Alexandra Ripley
In a highly-anticipated sequel to the original, Scarlett O'Hara encounters Rhett before going to Ireland to find her family's heritage.

Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig
In this “authorized sequel,” the life and times of the enigmatic Rhett Butler unfold. Meet Rhett as a boy, a free spirit who loved the marshes and tidewaters of the Low Country, and learn of the ruthlessness of his father, whose desire for control resulted in unspeakable tragedy.

Frankly, My Dear: Gone with the Wind Revisited by Molly Haskell
In the first book ever to deal simultaneously with Margaret Mitchell's beloved novel and David Selznick's spectacular film version of "Gone with the Wind", film critic Molly Haskell seeks the answers to how and why the saga of Scarlett O'Hara kept such a tenacious hold on our national imagination for almost three-quarters of a century.

The Wind Done Gone by Alice Randall
In this “unauthorized parody,” Cindy, the beautiful, illegitimate half-sister of Scarlett O'Hara, describes her life as a slave on a plantation and relates how she made her way to Atlanta to become the mistress of a white businessman, only to leave him for an aspiring black politician.

And of course, the movie!

Hey golfers, are you still thinking about being on the tee box once you go home to the ol’ 19th Hole? Of course you are! The following books are terrific reads for golfers regardless of your handicap:

Who's Your Caddy? - Sports Illustrated columnist and Colorado native Rick Reilly decides to understand golf better by serving as a caddy to the stars. This hilarious look at the trials and tribulations of golf's working men is compelling partly because Reilly doesn't know what he's doing, and partly because he hooks up with some of the biggest celebrities around.

The Greatest Game Ever Played - This is the exciting story of the legendary 1913 U.S. Open, in which amateur 20-year-old Francis Ouimet beat Britain's top gun, Harry Vardon. Not just a glimpse into a seminal moment in golf history, this is a book about U.S. history, class struggle, and above all gives a compelling biography of two great men. 

In Search of Burningbush - This is a really passionate and moving account of two old friends and avid golfers getting together for a pilgrimage to the Scottish birthplace of golf. You can read this one as a travelogue for its fantastic description of the Scottish links or as a search for meaning in life. Either way, prepare to be inspired.

Golf's Red Zone Challenge – Are you disgusted by your score and know you can play a lot better? This book will help. Designed to make your short game go a long way, you’ll focus on the game from 100 yards in and find a number of unique drills designed to show golfers exactly where their shortcomings are.

Fairway to Heaven - Tom Kite's loving tribute to his mentor, Harvey Penick, is right up there with classics like Tuesdays with Morrie. Penick was among the game's premiere golf teachers when Kite met him at the age of 13, and the two quickly developed a touching friendship. Golf is at the heart of this book, but the story goes on to discuss even stronger links.

Around the World in 80 Rounds - A funny and entertaining travelogue that covers 60,000 miles as author David Wood journeys across the globe to play some of the most out-of-the-way places imaginable. Who even knew there was a golf course almost right beside the Sphynx and the Great Pyramid? This is golf and travel writing at its finest. 

Somewhere in Ireland, a Village is Missing an Idiot - This is a "best of" collection of columns from Golf Magazine humorist, David Feherty. This man knows golf and he knows funny, and above all he knows how to combine the two. Don't miss this laugh-out-loud anthology.

Golf in Denver - Interested in learning more about the history of golf in the Denver area? This recently published book is for you. Fantastic photographs take you back to 1896 to demonstrate the game's evolution between then and now. You'll learn some great back stories about the origins of many of the courses you play every week.

Do you remember being read to as a kid? How nice it was for someone to take the time to interpret characters and voices for you? You can still have that experience by listening to books. People do it all the time while doing housework, driving, delivering mail (my mailman Albert always has a book going and I am continually astonished at his range of authors and topics) – really anytime is a great time to listen. If you want to try this new way of reading, here are some suggestions of mostly nonfiction titles I have particularly enjoyed.

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
This story describes how twenty-eight men battled against almost insurmountable odds to return to civilization after their ship sank near the South Pole. The strength of these men – led by their captain, Ernest Shackleton – is energizing. A great summer listen when it is hot, hot, hot! This book is read by Simon Prebble.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
This is the eyewitness account of the May 1996 tragedy on Mount Everest, in which several climbers were killed in a blizzard. Krakauer’s details of each climber’s experience make you feel as if you are there. The tension mounts as the weather deteriorates and questionable decisions are made. This book is read by Phillip Franklin.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan
This is the story of the dust bowl – how and why it occurred, how people survived and did not survive, how it changed America. Egan explores what it was like for the people who stayed and experienced the ten-thousand-foot-high dust storms that whipped across the landscape. A classic disaster tale. This book is read by Patrick Lawlor.

Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larsen
On September 8th, 1900, Galveston, Texas, was on its way to becoming the most prosperous city in the nation, brimming with activity, commerce, and confidence. The following morning, it was a city decimated by nature. Isaac Cline was the chief weatherman for Texas and this is his story. This book is read by Richard M. Davidson. 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy growing up in England, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother. This book is read by Jeff Woodman.

The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow was a funny yet heartbreaking book. Molly is telling her story from the afterlife, and while she’s not really sure how she got there, she is able to observe her family and friends as they cope with her mysterious death. She shares bits of wisdom that spring from the “I wish I had…” place in our heads that we all visit countless times a day.

The Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman is perfect for interesting but not deeply intense reading. The mysteries are in far-flung locations all around the world and the locales and their residents are vividly described. Mrs. Pollifax’s actions and observations are by turns no-nonsense and funny.

A Dog’s Purpose by Bruce Cameron was a book that made me laugh out loud and then later wipe away a tear. The story is told by a dog, who has returned for many different lives, and each time he or she works hard to be the best dog possible in whatever situation occurs. His big question each time is “what’s my purpose?” Perhaps a question we all ask ourselves!

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley is the latest installment in the adventures of chemistry-loving girl sleuth Flavia de Luce. These delightful stories are set in the English countryside in the 1950’s. I like Flavia – I’d love to be as inquisitive and outspoken as this gutsy little heroine.

Need a reading or listening recommendation? The folks at Belmar are always reading something good! Here are some current examples:

Judy, a librarian in Information Services, just finished listening to the audio version of The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman. She high recommends this true account of the Warsaw zookeeper and his wife that managed to hide 300 Jews in the zoo during the WWII Nazi occupation of Poland.

Marjorie, the library manager, found yet another cookbook that she must have: Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours by Dorrie Greenspan, Alan Richardson. Greenspan takes classic (or newer) French recipes and makes them do-able, yet still divine.

Arra, Teen Librarian (on loan from Lakewood Library), is reading Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee. Filled with stories of people who keep everything from animals to garbage, this book offers fascinating insight as to why people hang on to objects the rest of society might consider trash. 

Allison, Teen Librarian, is enthused about The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg. In 1898, an impoverished mother and daughter set out to walk from Seattle WA to New York in order to win $10,000. Based on a true story.

Ronnie in Circulation is reading Jean Auel's Earth’s Children series and is currently on the sixth and final book, The Land of Painted Caves. She says it is very interesting and well-written, and also very human. 

Karen in Circulation just re-listened to the funniest book she’s ever read: The Thing About Jane Spring by Sharon Krum. After a watching old Doris Day movies while she is trapped in a snowstorm for three days, Jane decides to transform her life and “'catch a man” the way Doris would do it.

Chris, Adult Services Librarian, enjoyed The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. Hoping to make his fortune, Jacob de Zoet accepts an appointment to a remote trading outpost of the Dutch East India Company in this beautifully written and poignant novel set in 18th Century Japan.

Jennifer, Children Services Librarian, recommends the children's audiobook The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, in which a girl called Gratuity searches for her mother, who's been taken by aliens.

Dave in Information Services enjoyed The Well of Lost Plots, the third installment of the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. In this alternative British history, everyone is very literate, time travel is possible, and there is movement between the "real" world and literature. It's fast-paced,  with snappy dialog, a likeable heroine, and lots of literary allusions.

We’re hoping all those dads out there have a great weekend.
Here are some books to help you celebrate, enjoy, and laugh at fatherhood:

Big Shoes: In Celebration of Dads and Fatherhood by Al Roker & friends
This is a heartwarming collection of insights, anecdotes, personal reminiscences, and reflections of fathers, fatherhood, and the influence of their own dads on their lives, with contributions from Katie Couric, Dean Ornish, Beau Bridges, and James Patterson, among others.
 

The Poo Bomb: True Tales of Parental Terror by Jeff Vogel
This book is inspired by Jeff Vogel's popular Web site, The Story About the Baby, which is visited by thousands of beleaguered parents and curious onlookers every week.
 

The Nine Lessons: A Novel of Love, Fatherhood, and Second Chances by Kevin Alan Milne
In this touching novel about fatherhood, August’s estranged father offers to meet for a round of golf during each month of his wife’s pregnancy to share memories of his mother.
 

Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood by Michael Lewis
From the author of “The Blind Side” comes unsparing observations about the disparity between social expectation and the actual experiences of today's new fathers.
 

Tales from the Dad Side: Misadventures in Fatherhood by Steve Doocy
A whimsical primer on the foibles of fatherhood celebrates the joys and pitfalls of the author's own experiences while counseling fathers and sons on how to bridge generation gaps.
 

Father's First Steps: 25 Things Every New Dad Should Know by Robert W. Sears and James M. Sears
The sons of the authors of the best-selling William and Martha Sears parenting guides discuss twenty-five aspects of new fatherhood to offer reassuring advice on such topics as taking time off from work, understanding a baby's cries, and supporting breastfeeding efforts.
 

Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share by Ken Denmead
Suggests arts and craft projects that utilize technology to entertain and enthral children, including cyborg jack-o'-lanterns and custom-designed lamps built from Lego bricks.

Isn’t it great that books allow you to escape into someone else’s life for a while? I especially enjoy the juicy, tell-all confessionals that give me a peek into a certain profession or lifestyle. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain and Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica are great examples. If you enjoy this aspect of reading, you might also try:

Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline by Brian David Bruns. 

Operating Room Confidential: What Really Goes On When You Go Under by Paul Whang

Concierge Confidential by Michael Fazio 

Plane Insanity: A Flight Attendant's Tales of Sex, Rage and Queasiness at 30,000 Feet by Elliott Hester

And I’m sure you’ve always wondered what it is like to work in a public library. If I’m right, try Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas.

Wendy McClure loved the Little House book series when she was growing up, often imagining her own childhood adventures with Laura and the rest of the Ingalls family. After rediscovering the books as an adult, McClure fully immerses herself in the “Laura World” that captivated her as a child. In The Wilder Life, she churns butter in her Chicago apartment, spends the night in a covered wagon, and visits historic Laura Ingalls Wilder locations in six different states, often with her good-natured boyfriend in tow. This funny, touching memoir will appeal to fans of the Little House series as well as any bibliophile who has tried to recapture the experience of reading a beloved book for the first time.

The Golden library staff are enjoying a few different types of books this month - biographies, paranormal romance, fantasy, historical fiction, and mystery. We give the thumbs up to the following:

Paranormal Romance/Fantasy:

The Killing Dance by Laurell K. Hamilton is the 6th book of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Start with book number one, Guilty Pleasures.

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris is the latest in the Sookie Stackhouse series, basis for HBO’s True Blood. The first book in the series is Dead Until Dark.

Replay by Ken Grimwood is an intriguing fantasy adventure about a middle-aged radio DJ who dies and reawakens as his 18-year-old self, with all his memories of the next 25 years intact.
 

Mystery/Legal Thriller:

Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill is a Dr. Siri investigation set in Laos. Try it if you enjoy Alexander McCall Smith and exotic settings.

In The Chrysalis by Heather Terrell, a New York attorney defends an auction house against a claim that Nazis stole a luminous 17th-century painting from its rightful owner during World War II.

Biographies:

In Wait for Me!: Memoirs by the Duchess of Devonshire, Deborah Mitford, the youngest Mitford sister, writes about her famous family and her life among the upper echelons of the British aristocracy.

Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls is a “true-life novel” of Wall’s maternal grandmother, a schoolteacher, ranch wife, bootlegger, and bush pilot (among other things).

Here If You Need Me: A True Story by Kate Braestrup explores the spiritual journey and work of a chaplain with the Maine Warden Service who attended seminary after she was widowed and left with four young children.

Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan is the story of a Senate counsel who gives up her life in Washington to work in her father’s family medical practice in east Tennessee. 

What do you think of our picks? Stop by and give us some feedback in person or on the blog.

This summer promises to be big for movie-going bibliophiles. Not only will the Harry Potter film series end, three other bestselling novels are coming to the big screen. Before you head to the multiplex, check out these books:

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is the story of Lily and Snow Flower, matched as lifelong, intimate friends (laotong) while growing up in 19th century China. They endure marriage, childbirth, and family tragedies while communicating their hopes, fears, and dreams in a secret language.

The Help  - Kathryn Stockett
It’s 1962 in Jackson, Mississippi, and three women – a black maid, her sassy but chronically unemployed friend, and a recent college grad fed up with the Southern status quo – team up for a clandestine book project. This delightful debut novel explores themes of race, friendship, and courage.

One Day - David Nicholls
Emma and Dexter meet on July 15, 1988 – the same day they graduate from college in Edinburgh. Emma is a principled, ambitious girl from a working class family, while Dexter is a wealthy, apolitical playboy. The novel visits these two every year on the same day, as they struggle with careers, relationships, and missed opportunities.

Learn about the art of screenwriting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14 at Columbine Library. Moderator Mark Krekeler and special guest speakers will discuss various techniques in screenwriting, and the group will have the opportunity to critique one screenplay. Reservations are not required although space is limited, so arrive early.

Visit any of the following locations:

Butterfly Pavilion
Byers-Evans House Museum
Denver Art Museum
Golden History Museum
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys
Dinosaur Ridge
Denver Firefighters Museum
MCA Denver
Hudson Gardens & Event Center
Foothills Art Center

You can access Culture Pass anytime by using Culture Pass as the title when you are searching the JCPL catalog. Then, click on the top link that reads, “Connect to the Culture pass page to request free passes to participating museums.” Then, click the red “Request Pass” button for your chosen museum.

1. Select your museum and the day you want to go
2. Click request pass and enter your name and your library card number
3. Confirm and submit your information
4. Print your pass

If you need to cancel a reservation, just give us a call at 303-235-5275. Please have your library card number ready.

Get out there and visit a museum! Have fun!

At some point most people will need a little help finding something to read or listen to.  That could mean exploring new authors, or just a memory jog to find the next book in a series.  NoveList Plus, a database that JCPL subscribes to for patrons, can help you with these and more!  Packed full of reading lists, author profiles and readalikes, book discussion guides, and a customizable search screen NoveList will assist the stumped reader and even links to the library catalog for placing holds.

All that is required to access NoveList Plus is a valid JCPL library card number.  Even when the library is closed, resources like NoveList Plus are available to patrons.

Let NoveList recommend the next book that you didn't know you were dying to read! 

JCPL offers all kinds of assistance to the reader looking to expand their horizons.  If you haven't explored the NextReads Newsletter subscription service and archives or heard about the library's Personalized Reading Recommendation service stop on by the For Book Lovers page on the website to learn more about these amazing services.  NextReads offers many different types of genre lists, both fiction and nonfiction.  These can be delivered to your email inbox monthly or you can also browse the archives if you're in the mood for something new and different!

If you'd like the personal touch from your local librarians, but would prefer a list of books, audiobooks, ebooks, etc, annotated and delivered to your email or home address JCPL offers a Personalized Reading Recommendation service.  After filling out a short form of your reading likes and dislikes you will receive a list of 10 to 15 titles tailored to your preferences and selected specifically for you within a couple of weeks.

These services are free to you and will help guide you on your search for Novel Destinations! 
 

Standley Lake Library will host acclaimed Colorado author Kent Haruf from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday June 7. Haruf will read from his works, meet with fans, and conclude with a question and answer session.

Haruf’s first novel, The Tie That Binds (1984), was a finalist for the American Book Award for First Fiction. Plainsong (1999) won the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award. A sequel, Eventide, was published in 2004. In all of his novels, Haruf examines the lives of residents of Holt, Colorado, a fictional farming town on the Eastern Plains. Haruf is known for his spare yet compassionate narrative style, and for creating emotionally compelling characters. His most recent book, West of Last Chance (2008), is a prose and photo collaboration with award-winning photographer Peter Brown.

This event is free and open to the public. Please join us for an evening with one of Colorado’s most beloved writers.

Are you hooked on historical fiction? Serious about suspense? Or would you like to try a new genre you’ve never read before? To jumpstart your summer reading, Jefferson County Public Library’s encore catalog features prepared lists of books in the following genres:

Mystery
Armchair Travel
Science Fiction
Time Travel
Western
Paranormal Fiction
Horror
Fantasy
Suspense
Biography/Memoir
Adventure
Nonfiction that Reads Like Fiction
Romance
Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Christian Fiction

To get started, use the encore search feature under “Find Library Books and More,” on our website. Just enter “SRC 2011” and the genre you’re interested in to peruse the titles.