Survey: would you rather read a book that’s part of a series, or a standalone novel?
Many people who don’t like series say it’s because of the commitment required. They want to read a story and then move on to something new. I personally love book series. I like being able to start a book already knowing the characters and their background. It’s almost like catching up with an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Some of my favorite series are:
– Southern Vampire Mysteries (aka Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) by Charlaine Harris
– Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich
– Abram’s Daughters by Beverly Lewis
– Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
– Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
One of the downsides of reading a good series is having to wait for the next book to come out. Many authors try to space them to come out every year or so, sometimes even sooner. Every once in a while however, you start a series that really makes you wait. In June of 2010 I read the newly released My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares. I enjoyed her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series so I was excited to read her first adult novel. It’s a fascinating story about a man who can remember his past lives and the woman he’s loved through them all. I was so engrossed in the story that I couldn’t put it down. Soon I neared the end with no conclusion in sight, and I realized that it must be part of a series. Over the past 2 years I’ve searched online and checked Ann Brashare’s website hoping to find any indication of when the sequel would be released, but to no avail. By this point I have lost the excitement I once had for the book. I know that when the sequel does finally come out I will have to reread the first one, and working in the library I see too many books I want to read as it is. Sadly, some of the other popular series we have in the library have also made their fans wait, such as:
– Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling (3 years between book 4 & 5)
– Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin (6 years between book 6 & 7)
– Earth’s Children by Jean Auel (12 years! between book 4 & 5)
There are some you don’t have to wait much longer for. Here are a few new releases that are part of current series:
- Loving by Karen Kingsbury (Bailey Flanigan series #4) Now Available!
– The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis (Home to Hickory Hollow #1) Now Available!
– Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (Southern Vampire Mysteries #12) May 1st
- 11th Hour by James Patterson (Women’s Murder Club #11) May 7th
- Stolen Prey by John Sandford (Prey #22) May 15th
- The Storm by Clive Cussler (Numa Files #10) May 29th
– Born of Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon (The League #5) May 1st
Lisa
Minnesota Moments magazine called Doug Ohman “Minnesota’s Photographer”, and on May 14th you can find out why. When his first book, Barns of Minnesota, was published in 2005, Ohman presented a collection of photographs that showcased a Midwestern way of life. Now there is a series of similar books called Minnesota Byways, which include topics such as: churches, schoolhouses, cabins, courthouses, and even libraries. Ohman will be at the Morris Public Library to present “Free to All: Libraries of Minnesota”, sharing some of his pictures and the fascinating stories that surround them. Books will be for sale and there will be an opportunity to have them signed after the program. This is a free event and open to the public. We hope to see you here!
Doug Ohman
Free to All: Libraries of Minnesota
Monday, May 14th
6:30 pm
Morris Public Library
Lisa
In 1981, new author Nora Roberts had her debut with Irish Thoroughbred. 31 years later, Roberts has become a fan favorite and is now releasing her 200th book!
(description from www.noraroberts.com)
THE WITNESS is full of the humor, suspense, and love as we have come to expect in a Nora Roberts novel, and we hope that she will continue to write many more.
“Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.
Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems—and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something—and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.
The May issue of Bookpage makes The Witness one of it’s top picks of the month. You can request this book today by going to the catalog on our website.
Lisa
Just added to the library’s DVD collection is the critically acclaimed PBS series Downton Abbey. Winner of the 2011 Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Movie and the 2011 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, the series takes place at the fictional estate of Downton Abbey and follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and the staff that serves them during the early 19th century. Featuring an ensemble cast including Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, it was created by award winners Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame. This is a series that any Masterpiece Classic fan will love!
Lisa
The library has recently acquired a series of science kits that will be available for checkout this fall. The kits were developed through a grant from the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) of Chicago to generate enthusiasm for science and interest in the engineering professions. The Morris Public Library is one of 26 Midwest public libraries to receive the grant. They’re to be used in a classroom setting by teachers or home school families in the community. The kits we have available are:
Early Structures
Description from Lego Education:
Using Legos, students learn basic structures concepts such as balance within structures, ways of building structures, and stability. It’s ideal for developing design and problem solving skills and is intended for use by teams of 2 or 3 children. Includes teacher notes with support for 16 activities, 14 investigation and problem solving cards, and an inventory list.
Ages 5+
These are some new fiction books we have in the library this week. You can reserve them by going to www.morris.lib.mn.us.
Calico Joe by John Grisham
In 1973, Joe Castle was the greatest rookie ever. Calico Joe, as he was know by all, became an idol of every baseball fan in the country. Paul Tracey was the youngest son of pitcher Warren Tracey. One day his dad finally faces Calico Joe on the field. Paul was in the stands rooting for both men. Then Warren threw a fastball that would change their lives forever.
The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis
A movie crew arrives in Cape Light and Angel Island. Liza’s Inn welcomes the cast and crew including the actress Charlotte Miller. One day Charlotte is swept into the sea, but is saved by local fisherman Colin Doyle. There is instant attraction between the two even though they come from different worlds. As Charlotte spends more time on the island, the relationship grows stronger. Colin believes he has nothing to offer Charlotte and he doesn’t realize that Charlotte is willing to give up everything to be with him. It seems only a miracle can bring the two together.
Come Home by Lisa Scottoline
Jill Farrow has just gotten her life and that of her daughter Megan back on track after a divorce. Megan is a happy but busy 13 year-old who juggles her life between schoolwork and the swim team. Jill’s ex-stepdaughter Abby shows up at her house claiming that her father has been murdered. Abby pleads with Jill to help find the killer. Jill reluctantly agrees. As Jill starts to delve into the mystery, her actions threaten to rip her family apart. But Jill can’t turn her back on this girl that she still loves and once called her own.
The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O’ Melvery
Due to her father being a doctor, Gabriella Mondini has the opportunity to become a doctor, a rare occurence in Venice in 1590. Then Gabriella’s father mysteriously disapperas. Without him, Gabriella is banished from the the physicians guild. Following clues from her father’s letters, Gabriella sets out across Europe to find him. Gabby crosses the mountains of Switzerland and the wilds of Germania. Along the way she meets the greatest medical minds of Padera, Luden, and Edenburg. With each step she increases her medical knowledge. By the end of her search, she will encounter the hidden truths of her family and herself.
Roxane
Next week (April 8-14) libraries across the country will take part in National Library Week. Here at the Morris Public Library we are celebrating by having a scavenger hunt to test your knowledge of the library. There will be an adult version, a children’s version, and also a map to see if you know your way around our shelves. Complete the hunt and/or map, and you will be entered into a drawing for prizes at the end of the week. Stop in and join the celebration!
-Lisa
April 2012 Bookends
Happy Spring!
The second week of April (9th – 14th this year) has traditionally been National Library Week, a time to celebrate reading and libraries. This year we are hosting a library scavenger hunt. So grab a map, hunt down the questions and join in on the fun. Both adults and children can participate. Prizes will be awarded.
Join us for our first ever Science Kits Open House, Wednesday, April 11th from 3:30 – 5 p.m. and again Thursday, April 12th from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The kits will be on display and information available about their use. Science kits include: an energy lab, Van de Graff generator, straw rocket launcher, snap circuits, electronics projects lab, Lego early structures, and Lego early simple machines.
In May we are planning another DILLY (Day in the Life of the Library) of a Day. The event last year was successful by informing community decision-makers about the workings of the library, behind the scenes action, volumes of activity, and movement of items in and out of the library with delivery. This year, we invite anyone to participate. If interested, call the library to set up a tour, 320-589-1634.
The library display case for April features a collection of chickens and eggs to welcome spring. If you have items that would make an interesting display, contact the library, 320-589-1634 to reserve the display case. Future displays include: Morris High School artwork, turtle figures, cat figures, lighthouse shapes, wood chip work, and more.
A selection of replacement books include (replacement books are newer editions of our outdated, worn out, or missing books):
• Always My Child: a parent’s guide to understanding your gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning son or daughter, by Kevin Jennings.
• Attaching in Adoption, by Deborah D Gray
• Cottage, Cabin & Vacation Home Plans, from Sunset Publications
• Crisis: 40 stories revealing the personal, social, and religious pain and trauma of growing up gay in America, edited by Mitchell Gold
• Getting Started in Mutual Funds, by Alvin D Hall, 2nd ed.
• Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales
• Life in the House of Cards: or parenting a child with mental illness, by Irene Abramovich
• NOLO’s Essential Guide to Child Custody and Support, by Emily Doskow
• Our Gay Son: a Christian father’s search for the truth, by David Robert-John
• Renter’s Rights: the basics, by Janet Portman (May publication date)
• When Men Batter Women: new insights into ending abusive relationships, by Neil Jacobson and John Gottman.
Melissa Yauk
Force of Nature – C. J. Box
In 1999, Nate Romanowski was in secret Special Forces in Central Asia when a colleague did something horrible. The man now has incentive to eliminate anyone who knows about it by striking out at Nate and his friends which of course include Joe Pickett. The only way to fight back is to work outside of the law. Nate can do that, but doesn’t think his straight-arrow friend Joe can.
Stay Close – Harlan Coben
Megan has a seemingly perfect life. She has a great husband, two kids, and but also lots of unhappiness. Ray used to be a talented documentary photographer and now only takes pictures of celebrities. Broome is a detective who can’t forget about an old case, one where a man mysteriously disappeared 17 years ago. Each of these dissatisfied people must confront the secrets they have been hiding as they find out that the past never really fades away.
Fall From Grace – Richard North Patterson
Adam Blaine arrives on Martha’s Vineyard to attend the funeral of his estranged father only to find that his father disinherited his mother, his uncle, and his brother and left everything to his mistress. A mistress that Adam didn’t know existed. Using his skills as a CIA operative, Adam fights to get the will overturned and seeks evidence that may prove that a family member killed his father.
Sacred Acre – Mark Tabb
In this non-fiction book, the author tells the story of a tornado that hit the small town of Parkersburg, Iowa, killing 8 people and destroying 250 homes. The town’s football coach, Ed Thomas, vows that the team will play their first home game in the fall on the town’s field. One hundred days later they did just that. Early one morning at practice, a former student with mental health issues, walks in and guns him down. This is a story that proves that even after a double tradgedy, faith, love, and forgiveness can survive.
Wild – Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl Strayed, in her memoir, tells of how her life was a mess. At twenty two, her mother had died, her family was scattered, and her marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing to left to loose, Cheryl decides to follow the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mohave Dessert through California and Oregon to Washington state. She has no experience as a long distance hiker, but soon learns and pieces her life back together over the 1100 mile journey.
Roxane
This month’s display case and children’s artwork center around St. Patrick’s Day. The display case has items from Ireland collected by different members of the community. The artwork is from ECFE’s Pre-K classes. To view more pictures visit our Facebook page, or see them for yourself the next time you’re in the library!
Lisa
