Sing Us A Song

As far as history can reveal, music has always been an important facet of human culture.  Thought to have developed along with language and traditional rituals, song plays a crucial role in all societies.  Explore this rich and vibrant art form in Smithsonian Music: The Definitive Collection.  From early rhythmic beats, to Antonio Stradivari's famous stringed instruments, to dubstep and beyond, this gorgeous oversized volume provides fascinating glimpses into music all over the world and throughout human existence.  HM

Guest Blogger Melanie Wolf

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman is a story about looking and seeing.  The novel leads us to "look and see" beyond physical appearance to find the humanity and beauty of the individual.  It is a historical novel with two young people, a boy and a girl, whose lives become entwined in the telling of the story while coming to terms with who their fathers are as human beings. 

The girls father is obsessed with finding people and creatures with infirmities, including his daughter, treating them as monsters and using them on display in his museum.  He is a master of control and deceit.  This part of the novel is about where true humanity resides beyond the physical imperfection.

The other story is of a young man who goes in search of something.  Through the love of two older men he finds himself and his father, about whom he has had ill informed impressions since childhood.  Through photography he "looks and sees" beauty in the same people that the museum only finds revolting and curious.  His life lesson is the need to gather information from different angles before reaching a conclusion in his private investigations.  He uses this as well when judging his father, who he thought to be a coward.

This is a reminder to us about humanity and where true beauty lies in each of us.  MW

Good Choice!

David Zinczenko, author of Eat This, Not That! is back with a new little book called Eat It to Beat It!. He takes on name brand foods in restaurants and grocery stores and after a sort analysis tells you to eat it or skip it. Even so-called “healthy” foods come under his scrutiny. David is an ABC News Nutrition  and Wellness  Editor and has worked for several magazines, including  Men’s Health and Women’s Health.  In addition to encouraging good food choices, David provides recipes, a glossary of food additives and a list of foods to avoid. Check out this very informative book. DB

Art Tips and Tricks

Freehand: Sketching Tips and Tricks Drawn from Art by Helen Birch is a small but powerful art book for anyone interested in arts and crafts.  Each sketch in the book has a small paragraph describing what gives that particular piece of art its character and dazzle, whether its line, tone, color, perspective or just innovative technique.   Included in the book are drawing fundamentals, resources and a blog list.  The sketches aren’t always a true sketch but can include paper cutting, altered art, reverse drawing and multimedia art to name just a few.  Stop by the library and take a look at this very appealing book.  SG

Black Magic Murders

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day—a new murder mystery set in mysterious New Orleans!  That Old Black Magic by Mary Jane Clark finds aspiring actress and cake decorator Piper Donovan in the Crescent City. Piper is the winner of a contest sponsored by well-known baker Bertrand Olivier. She is invited to Boulangerie Bertrand on Royal Street to study with him and learn some of his tricks for fine desserts. Piper is introduced to a group of merchants on Royal Street who all seem to have skeletons in their closets. When two of them are murdered, she is thrown into investigation mode. Will she be the next victim? Pick up this easy, entertaining book, grab a cup of coffee, a pastry and enjoy. DB   

One Simple Act

Debbie Macomber has a wonderful non-fiction book called One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity.  Similar to paying it forward, Debbie shares true stories of intentional acts of generosity and shows how lives are changed in ways we never would have thought.  This book also offers practical advice and handy tips from simple acts of sharing to how to help someone who is struggling to be a caretaker.   This book is religious in nature with many bible passages to inspire you.  SG

Pandora's Box

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty is a smart and funny book about three women whose lives intersect in surprising ways. Bringing about this intersection is a letter about a secret. One of the women, happily married and engaged in her world, finds a letter written by her husband years before that states it is to be opened in case of his death. He is very much alive and on a business trip. Various events cause it to be opened and her view of her life changes totally. The other two women are also struggling with events and secrets that are brought out in the open. While dramatic, the book is also very funny as it features multiple points of view and the quirky insights from the characters. We get to know these women and care about them. A great read! ML

Younger

Who doesn't want to look younger these days?  If you're looking for radiant skin be sure to check out Harold Lancer's book Younger: The Breakthrough Anti-Aging Method for Radiant Skin.  Dr. Lancer is a Fellow of the american Academy of Dermatology and his book is full of great advice, especially helpful if you have Rosacea, acne prone or sensitive skin.  Tips include brand names for cleansers and moisturizers, natural active ingredient recommendations and diet and exercise tips. SG

Adult Book Discussion

Join us Thursday, February 6 at 6:30pm for a discussion of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

Told from the perspective of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley Richardson, The Paris Wife creates a snapshot of 1920s Paris and the vibrant, creative people who inhabited it.  Readers follow Hadley from her fateful first meeting with Hemingway, across the Atlantic to the City of Light, and ultimately back again as their marriage deteriorates.  Along the way, Hadley struggles with her place both in Hemingway's life and amongst the eccentric personalities she encounters.  HM