The weblog for the Warren Public Library in Warren, Michigan. Here, we provide news about library and city happenings, book reviews and suggestions, and spotlight all of the services the library offers - for free!
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
It’s back to school and that means one thing – Homework. The following books and audio visual material offer a little help and advice in that area, so you won’t have to be caught saying “but the dog ate my homework”.
How to do homework without throwing up by Trevor Romain
Mr. Romain who has a slew of DVD’s and books to his credit gives us a 30 minute DVD that makes homework look pretty darn exciting as 2 students jump off the page into the Amazon jungle to learn some new homework skills. Fun and definitely lighthearted. Also available in book format.
Juv 371.3028R WCV
Homework improvement: Parent resource by Roberta Schneiderman
You’ll learn how to help and support your child with their homework without doing the assignment for them.
649.68S – WCV
Juv 371.3S – WAM
How to remember everything: Memory shortcuts to help you study smarter by Ellen Gibson
Specifically aimed at grades 6th through 8th this book focuses on comprehension in all areas.
Juv 371.3G WCV
How to write book reports by Harry Teitelbaum
Everyone’s had to do this something or other in their school career. Not really as difficult as it sounds when you follow some basic guidelines. Of course, it helps to have read and even enjoyed the book.
808.02T – WCV
Remember: The sooner you come to the library to get the books on your research paper or Accelerated Reader or AP English list, the better! It's much easier to get your books the first week of an assignment, instead of the last; your classmates might have checked them all out already. (Also keep in mind that it takes 3-5 business days to get a book shipped from another library - don't put your homework off til the last minute!)
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
Health Care – An issue that has taken the political center stage recently, health coverage of is of vital interest to each of us. The following titles offer a variety of viewpoints and suggestions to discover and learn more about the issue.
Critical Condition: How health care in America became big business and bad medicine by Donald L. Barlett and James B Steele
Time magazine journalists, Barlett and Steele give readers a definitive explanation of our current U.S. health care system as well as including an informative and detailed historical perspective how we got here in the first place.
362.1 B WCV
Critical: What we can do about the health-care crisis by Thomas Daschle
Senator Daschle gives voice to solving the complex medical care issues and economic factors that influence our fast-rising health care costs.
362.1 D WCV
The healing of America: A global quest for a better, cheaper, and fairer health care by T.R. Reid
Health care systems around the world are explored in this comprehensive look at why the United States spends more but still is not able to adequately insure all its citizens.
362 R WCV
Health care on less than you think: The New York Times' guide to getting affordable coverage
by Fred Brock
How to manage your family's health care costs and maximize their care.
362.106 B WAM
The new health insurance solution : how to get cheaper, better coverage without a traditional employer plan by Paul Zane Pilzer
Most Americans receive and lose their health insurance along with their jobs and employers. But what about those who get no insurance through their employers, make too much for Medicaid benefits, or are unemployed? This book can help!
368.382 P WAM
Looking for a career for the first time, or even giving it a second try? Want to research on what you'd be best at, and what colleges and programs would be best for you?
Try the NEW Career Library Database!
It allows you to take assessment tests of your skills and "career clusters," as well as helping you find the programs and colleges that are right for you!
Last year, the New York Times, in a partnership with the American Library Association, and the Carnegie Corporation, presented the I Love My Librarian award for the first time. 10 librarians from across the states won the award, and the Times is doing it again! Check out the link below for more details.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
Here at the Civic Center Library, we have a few regular patrons who love to read biographies.The most popular and juicy ones, of course, are famous film stars!Here’s a few of our favorite classic film stars’ biographies:
It’s Only a Movie: Alfred Hitchcock, a personal biography – Charlotte Chandler
Most anyone who’s seen the silhouette and heard the creepy tinkling piano music knows who Alfred Hitchcock was, and they know to expect suspense, murder, and mystery along the way.Here, biographer Chandler interviews many colleagues and family members to try to learn what no one seemed to know about the venerable director.
Bio Hitchcock WMB
Psycho [DVD] – Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh
Possibly Hitchcock’s most famously terrifying movie.When it was released in 1960, Hitchcock refused to allow theatergoers late admission!
DVD Fic Bloch WCV
DVD P14 WAM
Audrey Hepburn: an elegant spirit – Sean Ferrer Hepburn
As characters Eliza Doolittle and Holly Golightly, Hepburn made a mark on the world as a gorgeous, classy film star.In this recent biography, her son writes about his remembrance of the actress.
Bio Hepburn WCV
Biog Hepburn WAM
Roman Holiday [DVD] – Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert
Of course you recognize the little black dress of Holly Golightly, and the intricately beaded white gown from My Fair Lady; but do you remember seeing Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann?In her first movie, she plays a princess who sneaks away from her duties for a few days, just to see how the other half lives. Handsome co-star Gregory Peck plays a shrewd gambler working for a news service in Rome; will he keep Ann’s secret?
DVD 791.43 Roman WCV
Marilyn Monroe – Barbara Leaming
In contrast to other biographies of the famous and torrid leading lady, Leaming’s effort paints Monroe as a more sympathetic figure.She includes private love letters from some of Marilyn’s family, husbands, and lovers, as well as interviews the famous and not so famous companions Monroe kept.
Bio Monroe WDB
The Misfits [DVD] – Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift
One of Monroe’s last films, here she plays a divorcee on a Nevada ranch. She meets up with neighbors who fall in love with her, and things get a little wild.
DVD Misfits WAM
Golden Boy: the untold story of William Holden – Bob Thomas
William Holden acted in a number of famous films like Sunset Boulevard and Stalag 17, even while serving with the Air Force during World War II.This book is a heartfelt tribute to the actor, who eventually died of a fall in his apartment when he was 63.
Bio Holden WCV
Sabrina [DVD] – Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden
While Bogart and Hepburn are the big names here, Holden plays an integral role as playboy David Larrabee, whom the titular Sabrina falls for. (This was remade in 1995 with Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, and Greg Kinnear.)
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
Show Your Library Love!
What would you do without your librarian?These books, and many more, feature the fact-finding heroes and heroines as lead characters!
A Bone to Pick – Charlaine Harris
While Harris is now widely known and regarded as one of the best talents in vampire fiction (with the Sookie Stackhouse books giving rise to the explicit HBO show “True Blood”), she once wrote a few other series, too, including these, the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.If you like her writing style, but have gone through the Sookie books (or prefer your mysteries with a little less ‘bite,’ try this on for size.
Mys Pbk Har WCV WMB
The Collectors – David Baldacci
Set among Baldacci’s other Camel Club mystery-thrillers, The Collectors delves into the dangerous world of rare-book collectors.Here, the Library of Congress’ rare books and special collections director drops dead after reading a manuscript, it’s to ex-CIA agent Caleb Shaw to find out why – and who – done it.
Fic Baldacci WCV WMB WDB WAM
BKD Fic Baldacci WMB WAM/ CD Fic Baldacci WDB
The Camel Bookmobile – Masha Hamilton
Fiona, the novel’s protagonist, wants to do something good and meaningful with her life.She sets off for the bush of northeastern Kenya, intent on getting classic books like Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss into the hands (and minds) of those less fortunate.However, Fi finds herself in the middle of traditionalist ways and modern wants.
Fic Hamilton WCV
Rex Libris: I, Librarian – James Turner
Librarians in comic books?Bet you’d never guess that hero Rex, black and white all over, solves library conundrums and does interplanetary travel at the behest of his boss, the ancient god Thoth.While Rex totes a gun and combat skills, he also knows where to find the book that tells how to defeat a samurai warlord – as that warlord is threatening to decapitate him!Funny, even for those of us who aren’t in the profession.
Y 741.5973 T SCS
The Ice Queen – Alice Hoffman
Hoffman, author of Practical Magic, The Blue Diary, Incantation, and other works starring smart women, shows us here the life of lonely librarian, struck by lightning and fenced off from the rest of the world.The narrator is never formally named, but her story is complex and twisting, both in words and heart.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
Since we celebrated sisters last week, this week, we’re looking at brotherly love.
Savvy – Ingrid Law
Mibs Beaumont has two brothers – one can cause hurricanes, and one can spark electricity.Her mother is perfect – literally.When she turns 13, she should be able to figure out what her ‘savvy’ – her special power – is, just like the rest of her family.She wants it to be something amazing, like her brothers, but maybe it will be what her father – in a coma from a car accident – needs.
JFic Law WCV WMB WAM
BKD JFic Law WCV
Rules – Cynthia Lord
Catherine’s brother, David, is autistic, and sometimes, her parents put her in charge of him, even though she doesn’t want them to. She takes to art for an outlet, and fills sketchbooks with “rules” for her brother on how the world works – just so he knows, if she’s ever not around to take care of him.
JFic Lord WCV
BKD JFic Lord WCV
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie – David Lubar
Scott, a high school freshman, is trying to navigate the world of 9th grade with too little sleep, less friends than he used to have, and crushes on girls who are now completely unattainable.Of course, now’s the time his mother announces she’s pregnant.He decides that life for his coming little brother will be easier if he has a survival guide – so Scott starts writing one.
YA Fic Lubar WCV WDB WAM
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius – Dave Eggers
With both of his parents dead from cancer when he’s only 22, Eggers tells here about having to raise his little brother Toph, who is only 8. While you might expect a story like this to be sad-but-true and woe-is-me, Eggers manages to keep the reader interested and not feeling sorry for him throughout.
Fic Eggers WCV
Bio Eggers WDB WMB WAM
The Millionaires – Brad Meltzer
Recently famous for his bestseller “The Book of Lies,” Meltzer here tells the story of two brother working for a high-rollers-only investment firm.Charlie and Oliver Caruso find there’s $3 million just sitting in an unused, untraceable bank account at the firm, and decide they can get away with stealing it.Overnight, it’s grown from 3 million to 300 million, and the Secret Service is after them!
Fic Pbk Mel WCV
Fic Meltzer WMB WDB WAM
If you’d like to dig into series books about brothers, try the Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, or the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
In honor of a family birthday today, we're choosing books about sisters.
Just as Long as We're Together, Judy Blume Sometimes it's not about the sisters you have, but the ones you make and keep that matter most. Judy Blume is a controversial author with books like "Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret" and "Wifey," but in this 1987 teen classic, she strikes true with an involving story about old friends, new friends, and the families in between. YA Fic Blume WCV WAM
Beezus and Ramona, Beverly Cleary Of course we couldn't forget one of the most famous pairs of literary sisters! Ramona Quimby and her older sister Beatrice fight and get in trouble in turns, like most sisters do, but they're always there for each other when it counts. Juv Pbk C WDB
My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult It's almost impossible not to have heard of this book (and its new-in-theaters movie adaptation)! A small-town family must deal with a pair of sisters - one with a devastating disease, and the younger sister, born specifically to be a compatible organ donor. When the younger sister sues for the rights to her own body, will the family be torn apart by the verdict? [Be aware, moviegoers, the book's ending is very different from the movie.] Fic Pbk Pic WAM Fic Picoult WCV BKD Fic Picoult WCV
House of Daughters, Sarah-Kate Lynch By the author of the witty "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" and "By Bread Alone," comes another tale of the family food business, this time, set in Champagne, France. When vineyard heiress Clementine's father dies, he stipulates in his will that she must share the land with a half-sister she hasn't seen in twenty years. Worse yet, there's a man between the girls. Read this fantastic third novel if you enjoyed the first two, or if you're a fan of Joanne Harris' Chocolat. Fic Lynch WCV
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
(We apologize for missing our "Outside of a Dog" column from last week.)
The anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing was on Monday, celebrating 40 years of scientific achievement. If you ever wanted to be an astronaut, or see the planets, try one of these books! First man: the life of Neil A. Armstrong – James Hansen Neil Armstrong, by his own account, was a man of no special talent or notice, but this biography, chronicling his life before, during, and after the Apollo mission gives a new look at a determined individual who is now a national hero. CD Bio Armstrong WDB BKD Bio Armstrong WCV WMB The first moon landing – Steve Kortenkamp Kids who want to explore the first landing and the science behind it will find a great start in this book from the "First Facts" series. Juv 629.454 K WCV A man on the moon: the voyages of the Apollo astronauts – Andrew Chaikin Based on hundreds of hours of interviews with the 24 men who have been on the moon since 1969, this book is an astonishingly in-depth view of what it means to touch another world. 629.454 C WAM Moonshot: the flight of Apollo 11 – Brian Floca This picture book, intended to help young children learn about the Apollo 11 mission, is full of gorgeous watercolors of the space flight and moon landing. It covers the event in detail that is perfect for your easy reader. Juv 629.454 F WCV We interrupt this broadcast: relive the events that stopped our lives—from the Hindenburg to the death of Princess Diana – Joe Garner Something that has always drawn people of different backgrounds together is the question, "Where were you when...?" This book gathers 38 historical moments - including the moon landing - that people all over the world still talk about, from the point of the newscast onward. 070.915 G WAM
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
This weekend marks the 29th Annual Art in the Park festival, held in Warren’s City Square.Next week and weekend will be the famous Ann Arbor Street Art Fairs, a city-wide celebration of artists nationwide.Whether you’re looking to read about art, look at art, or make art, we’ve got the books for you!
The Oxford companion to twentieth-century art – Harold Osborne Sometimes a reference book, this Oxford companion indexes and informs about art styles, artists, and artwork from the turn of the century to approximately the 1990s. 709.04 O WCV REF 709.04 O WMB
Art masterpieces of the Louvre – Ted Smart Of course you know the Louvre has the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, and the Winged Victory, but this books details much more than just those few famed works. 708.4 S WDB
The art of painting on glass: techniques and designs for stained glass – Albinas Elskus Stained glass is a beautiful addition to many classic churches and other buildings. Here, you can learn how to make and paint your own. 748.5 E WCV
Fine art reproductions of old & modern masters: a comprehensive illustrated catalog of art through the ages – New York Graphic Society The New York Graphic Society is a publishing company that deals very specifically in art books. Here, reproductions, suitable for framing are presented for the collector, aficionado, and the interested amateur. 750.8 F WCV
Design with paper in art and graphic design – Raymond Ballinger Origami is the art of folding paper to make small sculptures. This book will show you how to do papercraft, putting together paper shapes to make larger scale works of art. 702.8 B WAM
Don’t forget the Museum Adventure Pass! You can get two passes to the Detroit Institute of Arts, or four passes to Arts and Scraps, so you can make your own art!
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
When the days are warm and sunny, what better way to spend your time than outside in the sun with a good book? “Beach Reads” are usually light, frothy titles, but we’ve included some serious fare, as well.
Queen of Babble – Meg Cabot Lizzie is a fashion designer wannabe who only wants to graduate and go to England to live with her boyfriend, Andy. Unfortunately, she finds out that her plans aren’t necessarily going to go off without a hitch: Andy is a disaster (in more ways than one), and she has to write a thesis! She tells all of this to a handsome stranger on a train, but what will happen when Lizzie and the stranger both end up at the same summer Chateau? (This is the first book in the Queen of Babble trilogy.) Fic Cabot WDB
Bandit Queen Boogie: A madcap caper of two accidental criminals – Sparkle Hayter Two girls, complete opposites of each other, decide to backpack across Europe the summer they graduate from college. Traveling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, though, as Blackie and Chloe end up taking sleazy married men for all they’re worth, and using their loot to fund a higher style of vacation. Fic SCS Fic Hayter RSV
Summer Sisters – Judy Blume A serious novel from one of the pioneers of literature that challenges readers of all ages. Caitlin and Vix, girls from different class and family backgrounds, spend summers together from their teenage years well into adulthood, but the changes each girl goes through might send the other spiraling out of control. Fic Pbk Blu WDB Fic Blume WAM WMB
Everyone Worth Knowing – Lauren Weisberger The author of “The Devil Wears Prada,” Weisberger visits the New York scene again, this time with another working girl trying to make good. Bette (read here by Buffy, Tru Calling, and Dollhouse star Eliza Dushku) lands a job in the exclusive PR industry. What follows is a whirlwind journey, much in the style of Prada, exposing the underbelly of the shiny, glittering world of celebrity. Fic Weisberger WCV WDB WMB WAM BKD Fic Weisberger WCV WMB CD Fic Weisberger WDB
The Ivy Chronicles – Karen Quinn In New York, everything is competitive, especially private school admissions. Ivy Ames loses her corporate job, her cheating husband, and her Park Avenue pad, and starts from scratch, advising families how to get their kids into the best private schools. While she sometimes toes the moral line, her story is a touching, fun ride. Fic Quinn WMB
The Goddess Rules – Clare Naylor Naylor, best known for her novel “The Second Assistant,” delves into the style of an aging French film star. Mirabelle Moncur advises artist Kate on how best to get what she wants out of life, without letting herself down. Fic Naylor WMB
Today’s Book: The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1
The plot: Perseus Jackson, troubled New York kid who gets kicked out of school regularly, finds out that he’s actually a demigod, and that all the Greek gods and goddesses are real (and lots of them are related to him!) In this first book, he’s accused of stealing Zeus’ original lightning bolt, and sent on a dangerous quest with his best friend Grover (a satyr who’s searching for the god Pan) and Annabeth (a demigod daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom) to retrieve it and prove himself innocent.
Why You’ll Love It: As epic as Harry Potter, but with a little more real world, and a lot more attitude. Riordan creates a world alongside ours that makes a lot of sense (the entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles, and the entrance to Mount Olympus is at the top of the Empire State Building), all the while including chunks of Greek myth; Percy meets Medusa, who sells garden statuary out of the people she turns to stone. And Percy, while a hero very much like the wizard Potter, is a little less tragic, and little more sarcastic. Part of the fun is reading his reactions to all of the new things his new world has to offer.
Who Will/Should Read It: While the Percy books are classified as juvenile/children's, readers of all ages can find delight in his stories. Chapters are short (only about ten pages each), so it makes for a great read-before-bed book. Read if you loved Harry or Charlie Bone, and especially if you have an interest in Greek mythology.
JFic Riordan WCV WMB
YA Fic Riordan WAM Also available as an e-audio book!
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
Summer’s here, and the time is right for a family vacation! Whether you journey to a theme park, out of the country, or simply out of the city for a few days, here are some travel books we suggest.
FamilyFun Vacation Guide: The Great Lakes FamilyFun magazine, published by Disney, aims to show kids and parents alike how to create memorable vacations and great family activities. There are several FamilyFun Vacation Guides; this one focuses on the Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. 917.7 N WCV
Walt Disney World & Orlando 2009 – Frommer’s Frommer’s is one of the best known and respected travel guide publishers. They have been producing travel guides since 1957. If you’re headed to Florida for Walt Disney World, or just to get some sun, check out this newest arrival. 917.592 F 2009 WCV
Lake Michigan Backroads: Your guide to wild and scenic adventures in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana – Robert W. Domm Listed here are 19 backroads driving tours around the Lake Michigan area. Take these tours and see nature and the state like you never have before! 917.704 D WCV
Frommer’s Family Vacations in the National Parks – Charles Wohlforth Once again, Frommer’s makes the list, this time with suggestions for the best places in national parks to camp and see the sights. 917.304 W WMB WAM
100 Best Cruise Vacations – Theodore Scull Another option still is to take a cruise. This book will suggest some of the best trips, how much they cost, and how to get the most out of them. 910.45 S WDB
Art in Detroit Public Places – Dennis Nawrocki If you’re staying in Detroit this summer, why not check out some of the great art on display everywhere in the city? 709.774 A WCV
And don’t forget – the Warren Public Libraries offer theMuseum Adventure Pass, sponsored by Macy’s! Check out two and four FREE admissions to some of the great museums and sights in the state! Stop by for a booklet with all the information, and stay tuned to this blog for more details on how the program works!
Did you know you can “check out” a museum in the Detroit area?You can, with the Museum Adventure Pass, sponsored by Macy’s!
Come into any Warren library branch, and take a look at the selection, then check out your free pass to many of Detroit’s attractions.
Here’s how it works:
Come into a Warren library.
Browse the available tickets on the display.
Choose a ticket and take it to the Circulation Desk, just like you were checking out a book.
The librarian will give you a paper ticket to your museum of choice.
You may check out one pass per library card, per week.
Each pass is good for one week from the date you check out.
Each museum only has five passes available at any one time. If they are all checked out, choose a different museum, or wait for the pass to be checked in again.
We cannot place holds on museum passes.
The Museum Adventure Pass includes tickets to the Detroit Institute of Arts, MOCAD, The Henry Ford Fairlane Estate, and Arts and Scraps, as well as many more!
The Detroit Institute of Arts is a two-person pass this year, and it is one of the most popular museums available.You’re welcome to call ahead to find out if a pass is checked in. All libraries have a free paper booklet with the pass restrictions, museum addresses and hours available for the taking, and there's a website (linked above) with all the information you need, as well.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
While Mother’s Day was last month, and Father’s Day is in a few weeks, we’ve decided to present a couple of selections both about, featuring, and for your Moms and Dads.
The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them – Amy Dickinson
Dickinson tells the audience in this quaint autobiography, that she never meant to become an advice columnist.When she took over for the late Ann Landers, she never expected her column, “Ask Amy,” to take off like it did, and she found herself, years later, revisiting the town and life that led to her success.
Bio Dickinson WCV
BKD Bio Dickinson WCV
Certain Girls – Jennifer Weiner
A continuation of 2001’s “Good in Bed,” “Certain Girls” revisits Candace ‘Cannie’ Shapiro, who, after making the mistake of sleeping with an ex at his father’s funeral, found herself pregnant with a baby girl.In “Certain Girls,” Jewish Candace’s daughter Joy is about to turn 13 and take her bat mitzvah, and there’s certain rebellion brewing between mother and daughter.Read the predecessor before starting this one.
Fic Weiner WCV WDB WAM
Chocolat [DVD]
Based on the book by prolific author Joanne Harris, Chocolat visits a small village in the French countryside in 1960.Mother Vianne and her daughter Anouk travel whenever the wind blows cold, and this time, it’s landed them in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, France, a very religious town.Vianne creates a stir with her ‘magical’ chocolate shop, which is scandalously open on Sundays, and begins to make positive changes in some of the townspeople.Anouk’s story continues in 2008’s “The Girl With No Shadow.”
DVD Fic Harris (free rental) WCV
Fic Harris ROG RSV SHL
A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce – Alec Baldwin
While few people thought of Alec Baldwin as little more than a decent actor from a troubled celebrity family, a voice mail released to the public in April 2007 changed public perception of him as a father forever.Here, he writes about his custody battles for daughter Ireland, and suggests ways of making divorce proceedings less drawn-out and painful for all parties involved, especially non-custodial parents.
Bio Baldwin WCV WDB WMB WAM
The Given Day – Dennis Lehane
Two families in 1918 Boston, one black, one white, are shown through the filter of post-World-War-I strife.Here there are unions, strikes, illness, and throughout all, family.Lehane’s eighth standalone book is lauded and reviewed as one of his best, most richly illustrated, and epic.
Fic Lehane WCV WDB WMB
The Pursuit of Happyness [DVD]
The true tale of Chris Gardner, a promising scientific researcher who had once wanted to be a doctor, is told here with heartwarming, heartbreaking acting by star Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith.The original book explained that Gardner had accepted an unpaid position on Wall Street in order to move up the ranks and become a good father for his son, early on abandoned by his mother; and the movie does not stray from this.A good read or movie to watch with the family.
In honor of these high-speed and classic car events, we’ve put together a list of great books, movies, and resources all about cars!
One Helluva Ride: How NASCAR swept the nation – Liz Clarke
While NASCAR is often parodied for being all brawn and no brains, sportswriter Clarke’s book has taken on the task of showing the world the history of the sport – from dirt tracks to national speedways.She interviews some iconic figures, as well as some new up and coming drivers, too.
796.72 C WCV
Metro Girl/ Motor Mouth (The Alex Barnaby Series) – Janet Evanovich
While Janet Evanovich’s Plum books are widely anticipated (Finger Lickin’ Fifteen is due out June 15), these two books featuring a brash mechanic’s daughter are comic misadventures very much like the Stephanie Plum novels.Here, in Metro Girl, Alex’s brother, a NASCAR driver, has disappeared, and she has to team up with another driver to find him.In the sequel, Motor Mouth, Alex and her on-again off-again boyfriend, driver Sam Hooker, have to discover why there’s a dead sponsor in another driver’s hauler.
Fic Pbk Eva WCV
Mys Pbk Eva WAM
Tradin’ Paint: Raceway Rookies and Royalty – Terry Bisson
This kids’ book will introduce young readers to the brightly-colored world of NASCAR, with information about the drivers and cars you’ll find at the track. (The title refers to slang about what happens when two cars crash on the track – they ‘trade paint.’)
Juv 796.7902 B WCV WDB
Cars [DVD]
Cars features Pixar animation, comedy, and a host of famous actors and actresses lending their voices to the cartoon cars (main character Lightning McQueen is Owen Wilson, and tow-truck Tow Mater is voiced by country comedian Larry the Cable Guy.)Great fun for adults and kids alike, like all Pixar films to date.
DVD C5 WCV
DVD Children’s C114 WAM
And don’t forget that if you’re a handyman looking to fix your own car, the Warren Public Libraries offer access to the Chilton Library database, and limited access to AllData database.Ask your reference librarian how to look up the parts and info you need to make your ride good as new.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
Hooray, our 50th column!Since we started Outside of a Dog in January 2008, we’ve done 50 columns of all shapes, sizes, and recommendations – in total, we’ve suggested over 250 books to our patrons.Today’s list contains new books from each of the four Warren libraries.If you’re not sure what to read now, why not take a chance on a new-to-you book?
Arthur Miller Branch
Bright Futures: A Lew Fonseca Mystery – Stuart M. Kaminsky
Lew Fonseca, late of 2006’s “Always Say Goodbye” is a private detective who up and left his life in Illinois after his wife died.He ended up in Sarasota, Florida, finding lost people and often being tailed by scarier ones.In this tale, he thinks he has his work cut out for him, but he’s about to find more twists and turns than he expects!
LT Mys Kaminsky
Mrs. Astor Regrets: The hidden betrayals of a family beyond reproach – Meryl Garden
Life amongst millionaires and celebrities is always something we look at with anticipation.However, in this year’s biography about the misuse of money and mistreatment of mothers, we find that the lifestyles of the rich and the famous aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.
Bio Astor
Civic Center Branch
Angels of Destruction – Keith Donohue
Margaret Quinn, a widow, seeks lost connections with an orphan in this novel set in 1985.Her daughter, Erica, ran away before the book begins to join the titular revolutionary group.Since then, Margaret’s life has been a lonely one.When 9-year-old Norah happens by her doorstep, looking for help and a home, Margaret creates a backstory for the young girl, shaping her into the granddaughter she never got to have.
Fic Donohue
Negotiating With the Dead: A Writer on Writing – Margaret Atwood
Author of over twenty-five books, novels, and anthologies, Margaret Atwood is a Canadian legend.Her dystopian novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” made a splash when it premiered in 1985, and her 2000 work “The Blind Assassin” won the Booker Prize for fiction.Here, she discusses what it means to be a writer, both from her perspective and that of other famous and not-so-famous writers.
808.3 A
Dorothy Busch Branch
Illegal – Paul J. Levine
Edgar-nominated author Levine’s work has spanned almost two decades and a variety of mediums; he has written novels and episodes of the television series JAG.Here, in one of his few standalone novels, we meet shyster lawyer Jimmy “Royal” Paine, who’s on the run because of his latest lawbreaking adventure.He is almost robbed, then begged for help by 12-year-old illegal alien boy Timo.Paine is then sent on a thrilling journey to find Timo’s mother, which will take him across state, country, and moral lines.
Fic Levine
The Wikipedia Revolution: How a bunch of nobodies created the world’s greatest encyclopedia – Andrew Lih
As the saying goes, veni vidi wiki (Mental Floss).One of the top ten most visited sites, and trusted for quick, mostly reliable information, Wikipedia is almost always one of the first sites to come up on a search engine.This is the inside story of how it began, and how it still continues on today.
031 L
Maybelle Burnette Branch
Natural Elements – Richard Mason
A third novel of epic proportions, Natural Elements is a historical work that mixes together rich widows, the French Resistance, the Boer War, and metallurgy.If you’re curious as to how that works, come and check this book out!
Fic Mason
What Was I Thinking?: 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories – Barbara Davilman
A collection of humorous essays about real life bad boyfriends and the actresses, authors, and everyday women who had to deal with them.Included here are stories by Carrie Fisher, Francesca Lia Block, and Cindy Chupack (of Sex and the City/"He’s Just Not That Into You" fame.)
Did you know there are three different ways to place a hold at the Warren Public Libraries?
1: Placing a hold at aSuburban Library CooperativeLibrary (all libraries in Macomb County, City of Troy, and City of Harper Woods).
·Look up the item you’d like to hold (or ask your reference librarian to help you do this).
·Place a hold through our catalog with your library card number and PIN.
·The hold will be sent to your home library in 3-5 business days, free of charge.A computerized system will call your phone number and notify you that it has arrived.Ask your librarian where to find it, and check out!
2: Placing a MeLCat Hold. (Michigan-wide, including some university libraries.)
·Look up the item you’d like to hold at http://elibrary.mel.org/search.(Please be sure to check the library cooperative FIRST to make sure we don’t have what you’re looking for!)
·Place a hold through MeL by clicking “Get this for me!” and entering your name and library card number.
·The hold will be sent to your home library, usually in about a week to 10 days.A librarian will call you and notify you that it has arrived.Ask your librarian where to find it and check out!
3: Placing an ILL/WorldCat request. (Outside of Michigan.)
·The hold will be sent to your home library, sometimes in a week, sometimes in much longer (depending on where the item is being shipped from!)A librarian will call you and notify you that it has arrived.Ask your librarian where to find it and check out!(There is a $1 charge for each item shipped in.)
A few notes on holds:
** If you call a Warren Public Library and ask for a book that is currently checked in to be held, we will put your name on the book and hold it behind the Circulation Desk.You have 24 hours to come and pick it up before it is reshelved.Keep in mind we cannot do this if the book is not checked in at the library you are calling, or if it is not at a Warren library.
** Renewals work differently for all three systems.
-For an SLC book, you can renew an item once for three weeks, as long as no one else has a hold on that book.If they do, you must return it and reorder it at a later date.
-For a MeLCatbook, you need to call or visit your library and ask them to renew the book.It MUST be renewed both through the SLC Catalog AND by logging into MeLCat.There is no guarantee that these can be renewed.
-For an ILL/WorldCat book, we need to be contacted *at least* one week before the book is due so that we can contact the owning library for permission to renew.There is also no guarantee that these can be renewed; the more notice we have, the better.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.
