The Librarians' Bedside Table- February 17th, 2022

OSCAR GRADY PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE LIBRARIANS’

BEDSIDE TABLE What your friendly librarians have been listening, reading, watching & MUCH MORE!

FEBRUARY IS LIBRARY LOVERS MONTH!

Oscar Grady Public Library

Adult Book Discussion All are welcome to attend!

Tuesday, March 15th, 6:30 pm Cloud Cuckoo Land

By Anthony Doerr Limited copies of this book will be available at the circulation desk. All are welcome to attend!

www.oscargradylibrary.org Oscar Grady Public Library 151 S. Main Street Saukville, WI 53080 (262) 284-6022

Thirteen-year-old Anna, an orphan, lives inside the formidable walls of Constantinople in a house of women who make their living embroidering the robes of priests. Restless, insatiably curious, Anna learns to read, and in this ancient city, famous for its libraries, she finds a book, the story of Aethon, who longs to be turned into a bird so that he can fly to a utopian paradise in the sky. This she reads to her ailing sister as the walls of the only place she has known are bombarded in the great siege of Constantinople. Outside the walls is Omeir, a village boy, miles from home, conscripted with his beloved oxen into the invading army. His path and Anna’s will cross.

Five hundred years later, in a library in Idaho, octogenarian Zeno, who learned Greek as a prisoner of war, rehearses five children in a play adaptation of Aethon’s story, preserved against all odds through centuries. Tucked among the library shelves is a bomb, planted by a troubled, idealistic teenager, Seymour. This is another siege. And in a not-so-distant future, on the interstellar ship Argos, Konstance is alone in a vault, copying on scraps of

Oscar Grady Public Library Mission Statement:

The mission of the Oscar Grady Public Library is to provide high interest, high demand materials and make them readily available from the Library’s collection or through interlibrary loan. The Library supports lifelong learning, information and recreational needs for people of all ages and abilities. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating children’s interests and appreciation for reading and learning. The integration of new technology with traditional library resources is used to expand service beyond the Library’s physical walls.

On this new issue of our “Librarians’ Bedside Table”, we compiled a list of really good titles recommended by your library friends. Each title can be accessed in electronic format for your convenience. Click or tap in the hyperlinks attached to each title that will take you right to them in the Monarch Catalog. We hope you enjoy this selection of books from your

librarians at the Oscar Grady Public Library!

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Jen Gerber, our Library Director, would like to recommend the following title:

Cloud Cuckoo Land

by Anthony Doerr From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of All the Light We Cannot See, comes the instant New York Times bestseller that is a “wildly inventive, a humane and uplifting book for adults that’s infused with the magic of childhood reading experiences” (The New York Times Book Review).

Among the most celebrated and beloved novels of 2021, Anthony Doerr’s gorgeous third novel is a triumph of imagination and compassion, a soaring story about children on the cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope—and a book. In Cloud Cuckoo Land, Doerr has created a magnificent tapestry of times and places that reflects our vast interconnectedness—with other species, with each other, with those who lived before us, and with those who will be here after we’re gone. Description from publisher.

Debra Jo, Library Assistant and ILL Specialist would like to recommend the following title:

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott At the height of the Cold War, two secretaries are pulled out of the typing pool at the CIA and given the assignment of a lifetime. Their mission: to smuggle Doctor Zhivago out of the USSR, where no one dare publish it, and help Pasternak's magnum opus make its way into print around the world. Glamorous and sophisticated Sally Forrester is a seasoned spy who has honed her gift for deceit all over the world -- using her magnetism and charm to pry secrets out of powerful men. Irina is a complete novice, but under Sally's tutelage quickly learns how to blend in, make drops, and invisibly ferry classified documents. Their story is intertwined with that of the decades-long affair between Pasternak and his mistress and muse, Olga Ivinskaya, who was sent to the Gulag and inspired Zhivago's heroine, Lara.

Description from publisher.

Some of the titles listed in these pages are available in electronic format through the Libby app.

Hope would like to recommend this title:

Until the End of Time by Danielle Steel Until the end of time is really two books in one with the connection being made near the very end of the book. I thought the connection was quite loose and perhaps Danielle Steel should have written two separate books. I must say I did enjoy this book and found it hard to put down, but I was able to skim through quite a bit of the descriptive parts.

The first story is about a young couple who marry even though his family does not approve of his choice. She comes from a family of seamstresses and has worked her way up to a prestigious position in the fashion world. He has grown up in a well to do family of lawyers. He has never wanted to be a lawyer and leaves the profession as a great disappointment of his family to go into the ministry.

The second story is about a young Amish girl who has taken care of her father and three younger brothers since her mother's death several years ago. Her mother introduced her to literature and she is always one to be a writer. Unknown to anyone in her family, she has been writing a story for the last three years and would like to get it published. By chance when she takes the milk to the local dairy, she finds a book and copies the name and address of the publishing company. The publisher sees her book wrapped in her mother's apron in a pile of extra manuscripts and just happens to read it.

Since I don't want to run the story for you, I will not share any more of what happens. As most of Danielle steel's books are, much of what occurs is foreseeable. This is a quick, easy read that I think you might enjoy.

Hope, our Collection Developer would like to recommend this title:

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai A MEMOIR BY THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE “I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday.”

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala’s miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls’ education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I Am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person’s voice to inspire change in the world. Description from publisher

Miss Julie would like to recommend this title:

A Tower of Giraffes by Anna Wright Provides the group names for a variety of animals, including a parcel of penguins, a troop of monkeys, and a romp of otters.

Anna Wright's rural upbringing in Scotland introduced her to nature, and her interior-designer aunt inspired Anna's love of fabric and wallpaper. She graduated from Edinburgh College of Art and uses her artistry to great effect on merchandise and in her original works and prints. Her work has been featured in House & Garden, Country Life, and Artists & Illustrators. This is Anna's first book.

Description from publisher.

The perfect books to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day on February 24th!

NACHOS FOR DINNER

by Dan Whalen "Sheet pan Nirvana! Yes, you now have an invitation to eat a plate of nachos and call it a dinner. But not just any nachos. We're talking about BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos, Shrimp and Grits Nachos, Cheesesteak Nachos, Lasagn'Chos, CobbSalad Nachos... Building on the Three Pillars of Nachos--crispy base, melty layer, flavorful topper--the irrepressible Dan Whalen creates dozens of sheet pan dishes that balance the typical requirements of a meal, including a nod to the different "food groups," with all of hte big flavors, varied textures, and fun offered by a plate of nachos."-Description from publisher.

Lynn, our Cataloging and Circulation Services Specialist, would like to recommend this title:

The Healthy Vegetable Garden

by Sally Morgan Whether you're an experienced gardener, homesteader, or market farmer, this A-Z, soilto-table guide shows you how to reduce chemical inputs; naturally enrich your growing ecology; and create a hardy, nutrient-dense, and delicious crop.

In The Healthy Vegetable Garden, expert organic gardener Sally Morgan explains how to us e na t ur a l appr o a ch e s t o c ope with the challenges of a changing climate through principles from regenerative gardening, agroecology, and permaculture-all to help your green space thrive.

The Healthy Vegetable Garden shows you how to: Combat disease and keep pests at bay with natural predators, companion planting, and trap and barrier crops Choose the right plants to attract pollinators and pest predators Build a healthy soil full of organic matter, earthworms, and mycorrhizal fungi Regenerate soil through no-dig practices, composting, cover crops, and mulching Boost biodiversity through the use of crop rotations and polyculture.

Rewild your garden by creating a range of habitats, making use of walls and fences, log piles, water features, and wild corners Understand plant defenses and use biocontrols Make natural barriers, traps, and lures A healthy, productive garden should work in harmony with nature to produce and protect delicious fruits and vegetables and build a rich soil that is full of life.

Provided by publisher.

Martin, our Collection Developing and Adult Services Coordinator would like to recommend this title:

These Silent Woods

by Kimi Cunningham Grant How far would you go to protect the ones you love? This question is at the center of this mostly pleasing story, in which a father, whose past is one of the reasons why this book is cataloged as a mystery, have pulled the plug completely from civilization and those he was connected to, taking his little daughter with him to a remote area of the Appalachian mountain range.

While there are some details in the surviving techniques descriptions that could be questioned in their veracity, plus a “mysterious” character showing up throughout the book, provoking a sometimes annoying and seemingly over the top edgy reaction in the main character at each instance, this book is a great story of human drama, of man whose life is turned completely by circumstances foreign to his doing and those who get hurt in the process.

A fast pace read, recommended for outdoor enthusiasts, and stories in general.

“I am currently truly enjoying this Nordic noir thriller set in Sweden’s northern woods.”

Cry Wolf: a novel by Hans Rosenfeldt When human remains are found in the stomach of a dead wolf in the remote northern town of Haparanda, Sweden, policewoman Hannah Wester knows that this summer won't be like any other. The remains are linked to a bloody drug deal across the border in Finland. But how did the victim end up in the woods outside of Haparanda? And where have the drugs and money gone? When the secretive and deadly Katja arrives, unexpected and brutal events start to pile up. In just a few days, as life in Haparanda is turned upside down, Hannah will be forced to confront her own past" . Description from publisher.

life

Rita would like to recommend these titles:

There are many exercise-related resources available with your library card. Monarch offers books on various forms of exercise, as well as DVDs and magazines. Through Libby, patrons can access digital books and magazines, such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Bicycling, among others. If you are searching for some new exercise resources, consider:

Pilates for Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body (2021) by Micki Havard offers photos of a variety of models performing the poses, as well as detailed explanations on how to correctly execute the pose. Havard’s focus is on the inclusivity of Pilates, and to that end, the models are of a variety of ages and body shapes, and even include a pregnant woman and an amputee.

Pilates for Everyone also offers three levels of modifications for the poses, so that people with all levels of fitness can find success with this book. All exercises in the book are mat Pilates exercises.

Some specialized equipment, like a stability ball, resistance bands, Pilates small ball, Magic Circle, a chair, and light hand weights are used, although most poses can be completed with just a mat.

Micki Havard is a Pilates instructor with more than 20 years of experience. She is certified through Power Pilates as a Mat I and Mat II Pilates instructor.

Mobility & Bone Strengthening for Beginners (2015) by Miranda Esmonde-White is a DVD from the creator of the Classical Stretch exercise program on PBS. It offers a 10minute introduction (yes, watch it) and two 30-minute classes, one focused on mobility and the other on bone strengthening. The equipment recommended is a mat, risers if needed for sitting on the mat, a resistance band (although a towel would probably work), and a chair for balance.

Esmonde-White is very encouraging and has a pleasant voice. Her goal is to have people to slowly build up their strength and not to get discouraged, so that they can sustain a pattern of daily exercise.

Miranda Esmonde-White is a Canadian fitness trainer and former ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada who developed the Essentrics system of exercise. She has a variety of DVDs and books available through Monarch, and her book, Aging Backwards is also available in digital format through Libby.

Sharyn would like to recommend this title:

False Witness by Karin Slaughter "There's only one place where this could end- the place it had all started."

Some doors are meant to stay closed. Written by the New York Times best selling author of 'Pieces of Her', False Witness is a dark and unsettling tale of anger and revenge filled with palable, rising tension that will make your skin crawl while at the same time your heart aches...

Leigh Collins was just a child when an unspeakable act of violence and betrayal destroyed her life. Determined to put it behind her, she has worked hard to hide her devastating past and protect those she loves from the knowledge of its very existence. When her horrifying past reemerges, however, and threatens to destroy all she holds dear, Leigh faces the terrifying reality that the past is never where you think you left it and your secrets are only secret until they're not!

Another gripping read by Karin Slaughter, this deep and twisted contemporary page turner will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the end.

Steven would like to recommend this title:

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Directed by Joel Coen, 2001 Motion picture and additional related formats available through the Monarch Library System’s catalog.

It doesn’t matter if you are a fan of George Clooney or not, because this is one of the best movies that happens to star George Clooney. Another thing that this movie has going for it would have to be its soundtrack.

Did you know that our library system not only has copies of the movie and the cd soundtrack, but also, we happen to have the vinyl record of the soundtrack? So, whether you’re looking for a good laugh or you would like to listen to an amazing soundtrack, why not stop by and check out O Brother, Where Art Thou? Today.

Death on the Nile

by Agatha Christie This past Friday saw the release of Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile. I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s Detective Hurcule Poirot, and one of my favorite Poirot mysteries is in fact Death on the Nile. I highly recommend that before you rush off to see the new movie adaptation, you take a second to read this thrilling mystery first.

Now around town! Books for everyone.

The Oscar Grady Library with the support of The Friends of the Oscar Grady Library has purchased three Little Free Libraries, which have been installed at three convenient locations: Quade Park, The Oscar Grady Library, and Village Hall.

Check them out! Love them, enjoy them, treasure them.

www.oscargradylibrary.org