Librarians Bedside Table, April 29th issue

OSCAR GRADY PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE LIBRARIANS’

BEDSIDE TABLE

Our annual BOOK SALE IS BACK! May 17th to the 21st.

We are thrilled to announce that our book sale will take place this year.

Monday, May 16th (Set up day) Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) Our book sale proceeds benefit our future programming and activities, so please consider to sign up to volunteer (if you have not already) or to simply stop by and purchase books, Cds, audiobooks, movies and more, all for a good cause.

The Annual Book Sale will take place during the library’s hours of operation.

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:

Violeta: a novel

by Isabel Allende "This sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea tells the epic story of Violeta Del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century" Through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.

-- Provided by publisher

Debra Jo, would like to recommend the following title:

PAX by Sara Pennypacker Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. One day, the unimaginable happens, Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild. At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be, with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox. Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own.

Description from publisher.

Did you know we have an excellent literacy program for the little readers in the community?

Next time you visit us, inquire about our 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN. This ongoing early literacy program encourages families and caregivers to read 1,000 books aloud with their young children before they enter Kindergarten. Any child from birth until he/ she starts Kindergarten is eligible to register.

Reading together helps your child develop important pre-reading skills that provide a solid reading foundation – a key to scholastic and learning success.

Hope would like to recommend this title:

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts Four girls, Laurel, Parker, Emmaline, and Mackenzie, have been best friends since they were very young. Now as adults, the four girls have formed their own wedding business called Vows. Each of the girls brings their special talent to the business. Laurel is the baker, Emma specializes in flowers, Mac is the photographer, and Parker takes care of all the details of the wedding ceremony and reception.

When the parents of Parker and her brother Del passed away, they left their very large home and grounds to the two children. Parker and Dell decided this was the best place for the girls to have their business as it provides plenty of room for wonderful receptions and enough room for each of the girls to have their own space.

Mac is now engaged to Carter and Emma is engaged to Jack. Laurel has long been interested in Dell, Parker's brother, but has considered him more of brother than a potential boyfriend. Parker has been very happy with her business and not showing any interest in dating at this point.

The book describes many of the weddings that the girls have planned. It goes into great detail about the cakes, flowers, and the problems that they and counter with brides and their families. Who describes what happens in the girls' own lives.

This was the first book I had ever read by Nora Roberts. I can honestly say it was a very easy, enjoyable read. It is a book I could recommend and I will probably read another of Nora Roberts's books.

Hope, would like to recommend this title:

That Quail, Robert

by Margaret Stanger, illustrated by Cathy Baldwin.

-The acclaimed story of the little bird that won the nation’s heart.

He’ll never live, the neighbors all said. But Robert, the abandoned quail chick would prove them wrong. Born on a kitchen counter in a house on Cape Cod, raised in a box surrounded by a lamb’s wool duster and a small lamp, Robert’s life began auspiciously. (from publisher) -Published on August 15, 1966, it details the true story of Robert, a domesticated northern bobwhite raised by a Cape Cod family. Through mentions in local media and an appearance by the author on a television game show, Robert became somewhat of a minor celebrity. Stanger's biography achieved international renown and the book became a best seller. (from Wikipedia)

Emma (2009 BBC Mini-Series, Romola Garai & Johnny Lee Miller) DVD https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1366312/ A fiercely funny four-hour adaptation of Jane Austen’s delightful love story stars Romola Garai as a young woman whose attempts to play Cupid go disastrously awry. Rich, beautiful and hopelessly selfdeluded, Emma Woodhouse can’t help meddling in the romantic life of others while neglecting her own. Jonny Lee Miller stars as Emma’s stalwart friend, Mr. Knightley, with Michael Gambon as her doom-obsessed father. (description from PBS).

Except from a review: https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/media-reviews/ emma-2009-on-masterpiece-classic This new Emma has almost everything that this bonnet drama geek could hope for in an Austen film adaptation: four hours to develop the story to its fullest, beautiful, beautiful production values, a seasoned and award winning screenwriter and a cast dappled with some of Britain’s finest veteran actors and up and coming stars.

What’s not to like?

Lynn would like to recommend this title:

The Recipe-a-day kids cookbook

by FOOD Network Flip through this book and you'll find a great idea for every day of the year, starting today. What's your birthday?

Anyone who picks up this book will turn straight to that date to see which treat falls on their special day! he easy recipes were all created with beginner cooks in mind (some use prepared ingredients!), and each one has been tested in Food Network Kitchen, so it's sure to come out perfect every time.

Description from publisher.

Miss Julie would like to recommend these titles:

Oscar Grady Public Library

Morning Storytime

Tuesdays starting April 19, 10:30 a.m.

Waddle over for storytime this spring!

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

Come and enjoy weekly storytimes filled with rhymes, songs, dancing and, of course, wonderful stories specially designed for preschoolers ages 2-5 years old. The fun begins April 19 and runs through May 24.

As always, Storytime is free to attend, though Registration is required. Sign up starts March 21 and can be done in person or over the phone. See you there!

www.oscargradylibrary.org

Oscar Grady Public Library

Evening Storytime

Wednesdays starting April 20, 6:30p.m.

Enjoy stories and songs with friends before hopping into bed!

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

Join us for weekly storytimes filled with rhymes, songs, dancing and, of course, fun-filled stories . Children can come dressed in their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal if they would like.

The fun begins April 20 and runs through May 25. Storytime is free to attend, though registration is required. Sign up starts March 21 and can be done in person or over the phone.

Families welcome!

www.oscargradylibrary.org

Every week new books get added to our collections for your enjoyment.

To see them and request them, click on the following:

Miss Julie’s BOOKSHELF and click/tap on each title to learn more about them.

Check it out!

Oscar Grady Public Library

It Happened in Wisconsin: Death in a Prairie House

Monday, May 23rd, 6PM Join us for a discussion around the book:

Death In a Prairie House Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders

by William R. Drennan Limited copies available for check out.

Calling all history buffs to join us for “It Happened in Wisconsin”, our very own history club at the library dedicated to

www.oscargradylibrary.org

The most pivotal and yet least understood event of Frank Lloyd Wright’s celebrated life involves the brutal murders in 1914 of seven adults and children dear to the architect and the destruction by fire of Taliesin, his landmark residence, near Spring Green, Wisconsin. Unaccountably, the details of that shocking crime have been largely ignored by Wright’s legion of biographers—a historical and cultural gap that is finally addressed in William Drennan’s exhaustively researched Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders.

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

Martin would like to recommend this title:

LAWN BOY: a novel

by Jonathan Evison I have recommended this book before in person and through this publication back in 2020 at the beginning of the Covid crisis, but recently I found out that this book became the second most contested book of 2021, which… not only amazes me but also disappoints me on the part of the people who is out there to ban anything that they become afraid of instead of finding ways for dialogue, understanding and most of all tolerance.

This very uplifting (at the end) book tells the story of underdog Mike Munoz, a guy who despite being the receptacle of every piece of dirty grass life has to throw at him, and while grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, he keeps pushing the mower of life making his own path, as he learns the real meaning of family, friendship, and resilience while finding his own identity, not only in regards to his own sexuality but also in regards to his ethnicity (AfricanAmerican and Latinx); this two last topics the reason for some people to get their feathers shaken.

This story will resonate with anyone who has had those moments in which life does not give you a break, and it does it in a way of optimist message despite the rough circumstances the main character is confronted with.

Read, enjoy it, and process it, not because of the controversy, but because it’s a humanistic book that many could benefit from reading in so many levels.

If you like this author, try too “The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving”, another story of resilience and above all, a story about embracing life and making the most of it.

Rita would like to recommend these titles:

Are you curious about how some of the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans traveled through the centuries to be available to us now? Are you yearning to learn more about 15th century Italy? If so, the following book may be of interest to you:

The Bookseller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts that Illuminated the Renaissance (2021) by Ross King focuses on the life of Vespasiano da Bisticci, a Florentine born in 1422, who became known to some as, “the king of the world’s booksellers.” This book also discusses the history of written knowledge as well as the political and religious landscape in 15th century Italy. Vespasiano was active in finding ancient texts then having them copied into beautiful, illuminated manuscripts for his wealthy and influential customers.

(Did you know nuns were often the illuminators of those manuscripts?) He was also an author, writing The Lives of 103 Influential Men. Vespasiano’s manuscript business thrived in Florence until Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized the book production industry.

King, a Canadian-born author who lives in England, spent over four years researching this book.

He won the Canadian Governor General’s Award for English-language non-fiction in 2012 for his book, Leonardo and the Last Supper and in 2017 won the RBC Taylor Prize for his book, Claude

Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies.

The Bookseller of Florence is available through Monarch in regular print format and through Libby in audio and book formats.

Sharyn would like to recommend this title:

A People's History of the United States

by Howard Zinn "Howard Zinn's work literally changed the

conscience of a generation. And the series of 'people's histories' derived from this great work have provided new understanding of who we are and what we should aspire to be...this is a remarkable legacy." ~ Noam Chomsky Historian, author and social activist Howard Zinn's unique bottom up approach to sharing American history is an honest, direct and credible attack that flies in the face of the official rhetoric taught in schools for decades. Though frequently assigned as an eye opening historical tutorial in classrooms, for that purpose, Zinn's colorfully written chronology sharing history through the eyes and lives of those most intimately affected, yet frequently overlooked, is a story every American should read and ponder.

By sharing the viewpoints of marginalized people- slaves, Native Americans, women, immigrants and workers, though possibly somewhat simplified and idealized for easier understanding and broader and more empathetic appeal, Zinn's efforts remind us there are two sides to every story and this one has been waiting for too long to be heard. Accurately described by the Los Angeles Times as a 'shotgun blast of revisionism', Zinn's brilliant and thought-provoking reads get two thumbs all the way up!

Wanting to learn a new language?

Transparent Language Online provides a fun, effective, and engaging experience for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a foreign language. All you need is your library card barcode number and an e-mail address.

Steven would like to recommend this title:

Shadow divers [the true adventure of two Americans who discovered Hitler's lost sub]

by Robert Kurson The true story of two divers who risked everything to discover the truth about a mysterious WWII Uboat that they discovered off the Atlantic coast of the United States. This book is not a fictitious tale, it is based upon firsthand accounts and interviews of those who were involved. I personally do not listen to audiobooks that often, but for this book I made an exception and I am glad I did. Listening to this book brought the story to life and it felt like I was present and witnessing all of these events unfold. So whether you would rather read this book or listen to this book, I think you will enjoy this true story of history having to be rewritten.

Titanic at 100: Mystery Solved DVD, History Channel, 2012 Two weeks ago the world acknowledged the 110th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic. 10 years ago the history channel released a couple of documentary program specials in honor of the 100th anniversary. One of those specials was about an exhibition, put together by RMS Titanic inc., that would finally answer some of the biggest questions surrounding the sinking and map the entire debris field. This documentary is one of the best documentaries, I have ever seen, on the Titanic.

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