The Olympics are just a week away! If you are an

armchair athlete or a budding Olympian come into the

library and see what we have on the sport that catches

your attention the most.

Great moments in the summer Olympics

Author

Christopher, Matt.

2012

Chariots and horses :

life lessons from an Olympic rower

Author:

Dorland, Jason

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

This was one of my favorite books of the year. It was a pleasant surprise as it was a suggested title by one of the members of our book club. I kind of rolled my eyes when I heard it was about baseball, and it has a baseball theme, but the characters in this novel make the book. The story takes place in a small college on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is about a baseball star whose dream of making the major leagues has faded and he has chosen another one of the freshman to mentor. The cast of characters in this book is amazing and I shall never forget them: from crusty tough Henry Skrimshander to lovely tender Owen Dunne. They are dysfunctional, loveable guys that you will not soon forget.

It is Chad Harbach’s first novel and it is definitely a winner. All of us in the book club totally loved it. Definitely a recommended novel.

-Vicki

Check out the beautiful Encana Community Garden sprouting up behind the Southwood library. It's all coming together nicely and would be the perfect place to read and relax on a nice summer day like today!

You can see more pictures, learn about garden guidelines, and get in contact with the Common Ground Garden society at http://cggs.ca/.

Summer is quite often a time for weddings and those who have planned a wedding know how difficult it is to do the ever dreaded seating chart. In this witty novel, the story does not actually revolve around the bride and groom, but rather the five single guests that have refused the bride’s request to bring a guest themselves. Obviously this complicates the seating plan, drives the bride crazy, and as a result she dubs these five as the “The Singles”. These five relatable characters will take you along their funny journeys that have led them to where they are today. With easily identifiable characters and all the excitement, joy, and sometimes heartbreak of a wedding, this book is certainly one to read this summer!

I took home – to my husband – a couple of books that I had arrived for him – after I had put them on hold. A few days later, another one arrived. So, I reluctantly took it home as well. I say reluctantly because he would have to be considered a “slow” reader – at best. I consider myself a fairly fast reader – I probably read 15 books to his 1, so when I had these three titles I knew there was going to be a quandary. I showed him the 3^rd book and he said “I’m so excited; I don’t know what to read first!” I told him that he had to make a decision because there were waiting lists on all three books and at that point I had to chuckle at what he said because when we first started dating – do people even say that anymore? – some 26/27 years ago, I asked him what he wanted me to bring him home to read and he responded with – “I don’t read”. I stared at him with a look of sheer horror and said, “You don’t read – how is that even possible?” So, I just started bring home sports books and magazines that I thought he would be interested in and I must say it took quite a while – but I persevered and finally he started picking the odd one up and looking at it – and eventually he actually read one! He will never be a voracious reader but now he even asks me for titles to be put on hold for him that he has heard about or he has seen in magazines! Long gone are the days when he said “I don’t read” and Thank Goodness for that. I can’t imagine going through life with someone who did not read. Patience is truly a virtue!

-Linda

Summer is almost in full swing by now and you may have already gone on your much anticipated vacation or just about to head out to your next great adventure! We have many travel guide books that you can take along with you, as well as book Cd's and road trip music to make the time pass by faster. Be sure to also check out our sale table before you head out, you can buy a book that you won't have to worry about if it gets lost on the plane! Or you can leave it at your hotel for the next traveler to enjoy. Or if you're looking for a great beach read or a cozy cottage novel ask one of our staff to help you or perhaps you will find one on our staff picks shelf!

Happy traveling!

The End of Normal: A Wife's Anguish, A Widow's New Life by Stephanie Madoff Mack

When I picked this up, I assumed that it would be another “poor me” type book written by a member of the Bernie Madoff’s family – the man who’s Ponzi

scheme – in 2008 – defrauded thousands of investors of millions of dollars.

However, after reading the book, written by the woman who was married to Bernie’s son, I think I had a true sense of what life must have been like being

a Madoff in the weeks and months following the scandal.

It was a truly harrowing account of a woman struggling to hold her family together – only to have her husband’s suicide almost push her over the edge. She was left to raise her children alone – all the while defending her husband’s innocence.

P.S. We also have an E-Book and and Audiobook version of this book within Overdrive.

-Linda

So come celebrate with us for this once in a lifetime event. We are turning 100 and we want to party! Come on out on Saturday June 2 and join in on all the fun activities we have lined up for the day, enter to win prizes, and of course have some birthday cake!

While you're here, you can also have a look at the wonderful new community garden sprouting up behind the library. There will be fun programs held in the garden on Saturday, so be sure to register for those as well.

See you on June 2!

King Henry II and Eleanor had four sons, Hal, Geoffrey, Richard and John. After their father’s death, Richard was to be crowned King of England when Hal and Geoffrey died. Just after the coronation, Richard embarked of the Third Crusade to the Holly Land. His mother Eleanor would remain to protect Richard’s authority, for her youngest son John was conspiring with the French King to put himself on the throne.

On the way to the Holly Land he marries Berengaria of Navarre and rescues his sister Joanna. This gives the story a feminine touch-not just giving the reader the tale of battle upon battle.

In the book it portrays Richard as a complex man, a person who loved poetry, ballads, and the arts, yet also he loved battle warfare. I got the impression that he was reckless with his own safety and took several personal risks. It sounds as if his men loved him, respected him and would follow him into battle without hesitation.

I am looking forward to her book, "A King’s Ransom" that delves more into King Richard I, the Lionheart.