Library Buzz: Caution: Adventure Ahead

When I say, "Let's have an adventure!" chances are good that what I actually mean is "Let's think about having an adventure!" Face it: adventures are expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. For me – maybe for you, too – just pondering an adventure is enough, and the best place for that sort of thing is the library.

So, how about it? Do you feel like having an adventure today?

For the would-be traveler, check out a travel guide from our nonfiction collection. I recommend DK's Eyewitness Travel Guides, known for their full-color photographs and detailed descriptions of must-see locations. For the less ambitious, stay close to home with "A Food Lover's Guide to Kansas City," by Sylvie Murphy.

What better way to pretend you're planning a trip than by studying a foreign language? With a state library card, any Kansas resident can access the Mango Languages database for free lessons on up to 40 languages, including French, Spanish, or Italian for novice adventurers and things like Farsi, Urdu, and Tagalog for the seasoned globe-trotter. Mango is also available as an app on iPhone and Android devices, so you can take your language lessons with you everywhere. To apply for your Kansas library card (not to be confused with an Andover library card), bring a valid Kansas driver's license to the library's front desk.

Don't forget to stop by the library at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, for a brief Mango Languages' demonstration during our International Talk Like a Pirate Day party. We'll have snacks, a treasure hunt, and a family-friendly pirate movie.

If pretend adventures aren't your thing, nonfiction adventure stories are a great way to live vicariously through other people. For an armchair adventure of your own, try "Near Death on the High Seas: True Stories of Disaster and Survival," by Cecil Kuhne for amazing true stories of shipwrecks, dangerous voyages, and storms at sea that will keep you on the edge of your very comfy seat. Alternatively, try Robert Kurson's "Shadow Divers: the True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II" and follow along as real divers try to identify the wreck of a German U-boat that, according to government records, shouldn't exist.

If you think you'd like to take your adventure past the planning stages, Andover Library is also a passport application processing facility. Agents are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding any day the library is closed). Visit www.travel.state.gov or call the library and ask to speak to a passport agent to learn what you need to bring with you to apply. It can take up to six weeks for your passport to arrive in the mail, so give yourself plenty of lead time before your trip.

At the library, we're here for all of your adventure planning needs, whether your adventures are real or imaginary, because planning really is the best part. Follow-through is exceedingly overrated.

(Originally published in the Andover American 9/5/12)

Library Buzz: Silence in the Library?

(Andover Public Library now has a monthly column in the Andover American. "Library Buzz" is written by YA librarian Tori Hamilton and will appear in the first issue of each month.)

The library isn’t what it used to be. There was a time when the library was quiet. Maybe you remember what I'm talking about: Stooped-backed old ladies with thick glasses and gray hair in tight buns skulked around shushing everybody, like that ghost at the beginning of Ghostbusters. Their stern gazes followed you around the room, thin-lipped grimaces daring you to touch their precious books, let alone put one back on the wrong shelf.

Seriously, what fun is that?

At the Andover Public Library, we have a lot going on. Sure, we still have books, including new releases, best-sellers, and favorite classics, but we offer so much more than that. Between our interactive storytimes, friends catching up on the latest news, tutors working with students, and local businessmen using our wi-fi to connect with the world, it can get a bit noisy sometimes. We're okay with that. At APL, we believe a library is an integral part of any close-knit community and anytime you bring people together in the spirit of fun, "quiet" goes right out the window. Drop in and visit us during any of our special events to see for yourself: in the past six months alone we've had jugglers, live animal demonstrations, used book sales, guest speakers, art programs, concerts, book clubs, Lego clubs, family movie nights, tea parties, gaming tournaments, and the occasional puppet show. You're bound to find something at the library you'll enjoy, and I promise you we don’t have much time to wander the stacks shushing people. 

Some of our hottest new books aren’t particularly quiet either: just gripping action and nail-biting suspense. The latest James Patterson novel, I, Michael Bennet pits the New York detective and father of ten against ruthless South American drug lords. Bennett will do anything to protect his family, a quality that many readers relate to and which sets this series apart from others Hard-Boiled Detective novels. If you’d rather start with the first Michael Bennett novel, check out Step on a Crack by James Patterson.

Daniel Silva’s new Fallen Angel has art restorer and former spy Gabriel Allon solving a murder in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The investigation leads Gabriel to St. Moritz, the Vatican, the back alleys of Istanbul, and a dramatic climax in Jerusalem; it’s like watching the Travel Channel, only with art smuggling and spy action.

Other popular titles include Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Litigators by John Grisham, and (in nonfiction) Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. If you’d like to check out any of these titles, come by the library, give us a call, or access our catalog online to put the item on hold. We’ll contact you as soon as it’s available.

Until next month, go out there and make some noise.
(Originally published in the Andover American, 8/2/12)

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

It’s a perfect day for a picnic so Hen, Goose and Duck pick lots of apples, pears, and berries and set out to find a place to have their picnic.  When the picnic basket starts to feel lighter and lighter, they realize they are not the only ones who love apples, pears, and berries.  Read We’re Going On A Picnic! by Pat Hutchins and find out who is eating their favorite fruits. 

Pop is a tiny tugboat working really hard helping all the big boats in and out of the harbor.  One day a new boat named Toot is brought into the harbor. Toot is enormous and doesn’t think he needs help from anyone, especially a boat as small at Pop.  Sebastien Braun’s Toot and Pop! teaches young kids what real friends are for. 

Little Lost Tiger by Jonathan London is a wonderful story about a mother Siberian tiger and her cub, Amba.   As she goes in search of food in the snow-covered forest, they separate for just a few minutes.   Suddenly, there’s an extremely loud roar.  Fire! Will Amba and his mother find each other again?  Find out in this book that shows the power of love between a parent and child.

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Once there was a beautiful doll with long dark curls and beautiful blue eyes.  She is passed from owner to owner but longs for someone to keep her and love her and give her a name.  Read this charming story, The Hand-Me-Down Doll by Steven Kroll and see what happens when one day the beautiful doll meets a little girl and her luck changes.

Can the Kindergators and Miss Harmony find a way to help Miracle control her meltdowns in the classroom?  Read Kindergators Miracle Melts Down by Rosemary Wells and see how Miss Harmony and the Kindergators handle Miracle when things don’t go her way and she has temper tantrums.  Young readers will learn how to work together to be good friends to their classmates and create harmony in the classroom.    

“No, little Twiga.  Stay close, stay safe.”  Mama giraffe wants her little baby Twiga to stay close, stay safe from the dangers out in the big world of the African savanna.  But little Twiga is so curious.  Read Stay Close to Mama by Toni Buzzeo and follow along with little Twiga as he explores the African savanna.

Chris Gall’s Dinotrux are back in Revenge Of The Dinotrux.  The Dinotrux have spent years stuck in an old museum and are tired of being surrounded by loud screaming kids.  They are ready to break out and seek revenge.  Read this fun story and see if the Dinotrux learn how to behave out in the real world. 

Book Chat - Pioneer Woman, Steve Jobs

Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
****
"Enjoyed this light read that has plenty of humorous moments.  A young woman's idea of the ideal life changes when she meets a special man.  Takes you through all the adjustments of single to married then married with a baby." -- Janelle Heaney

Steve Jobs by Issacson Walter
*****
" It's a very good biography.  Not only because Steve Jobs is a century legend, but also the influence he gives to the society and industry.  I am amazed to read his childhood and how his childhood influenced him to his future success.  I will recommend it to any adults to read." -- Naixin Willis

Book Chat-- I Quit!, A Merry Heart, The Forgotten Garden

I Quit! Stop Pretending Everything if Fine & Change Your Life by Geri Scazzero

*****

"This book was great. It addressed many areas in life.  I love that it gave us permission to not be perfect.  She had many great things to say in her chapters."-- Jenni Wagner

A Merry Heart by Wanda Brunstetter 

****

"A good lesson can be learned from this book - bitterness and unforgiveness hurts you, not the other person your anger is toward.  It can also affect your physical well-being.  Attitude is a choice.  Miriam is not enjoying life and is merely existing.  While she does have an influence on others - she is a school teacher - it is hindered by her attitude.  Miriam must learn to forgive and let her defenses down to live life fully and allow love to bloom once again.  While I did learn from and enjoy this book, I find one of the other "Amish fiction" writers to be a better author and my favorite." -- Grace Snider

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

*****

"I really enjoyed this story of a granddaughter uncovering the secret past of her grandmother.  The book alternates between the early 1900's in England, Australia in the 1970's and modern day." -- Robin Willford

Book Chat - The Language of Flowers, Fifty Shades Darker, Just One Look

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

*****

"This is an amazing book.  Well written.  Great story, very moving.  It has made the list of one of my all time favorite books.  There is meaning in everything.  Find some in Flowers." -- Katy Carroll

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

***

"First book was better; this one was harder to get through.  More excited to read the third book.  Their relationship progresses and you can understand Fifty's psyche more.  Was still a good book, but drags a little." -- Julie Martinez

Just One Look by Harlan Coben

****

"This book has a lot of twists and turns in it. A woman who's husband mysteriously left after she shows him an old photograph she's found, a friend who might not be as loyal as she thinks & a mobster who's befriended her in her plight to find her husband.  She soon learns that her marriage isn't what she thought, her past is coming back to haunt her and her husband is in a lot more trouble than she was aware of.  She finds herself all alone as she tries to unravel the mystery of their tangled lives." -- Amy Jones

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Chloe is a cute little bunny with ten older brothers and sisters and ten younger brothers and sisters.  She loves being exactly in the middle!  She especially loves using her imagination during their family fun time.  Read Chloe by Peter McCarty and find out what happens when her dad brings home a surprise that Chloe is not sure she will like?

Cheeky and Chee are two playful monkeys hiding in a tree.  Who are they hiding from?  Find out when you read Two Little Monkeys, a fun rhyming book, by Mem Fox. 

Louise wants to be a very important person but no one ever seems to notice her.  Then one day a new girl, Claire Eclaire, comes to her neighborhood straight from Paris.  She opens the Ooh-la-la Charm School and Louise is just sure she will finally be noticed.  Louise The Big Cheese And The Ooh-La-La Charm School by Elise Primavera teaches kids what it really means to be a good friend.

Has it ever occurred to you back in the mid-nineteenth century most people didn’t have any idea what a dinosaur looked like?  As a young boy, Waterhouse Hawkins loved sketching the world around him, especially animals.  Not only did he love drawing and painting them, he loved sculpting models of them.  Even though dinosaur fossils had been found most people had no idea what a dinosaur looked like.  Waterhouse followed his dream and devoted over three decades to building the first life-size models of dinosaurs.  Barbara Kerley tells his extraordinary story of passion and courage in The Dinosaurs Of Waterhouse Hawkins.

Book Chat: The Passage, Nineteen Minutes

The Passage by Justin Cronin
*****
"This book gives you lots to sink your teeth into with almost 700 pages!  Apocalyptic story that spans 100 year of blood, sweat and tears.  Gripping, fresh, and timely! Can't wait for the sequel due to be released in October 2012!" - Suzanne Eastman

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 
*****
"This book really shows what could happen as a result of bullying.  The author develops the characters so well.   I felt so bad for the parents in this book as well as the kids who were bullied." - Kristen Book

Summer Reading Prize Winners

The summer reading program is over!
Here are the results of our prize drawing on July 14th:

Adult Summer Reading Prizes

The Nook Color = Charlotte Kraft

Healing Waters Basket = Jenni Wagner

Metro Grill / Warren Basket = Laurisa Condray

Donor Basket = Cassie Black

Donor Basket = Sheryl Jackson

Wall Hanging = Valeri Peltier

Scooters / Subway Cards = Robert Wilson

Scooters / Pizza Hut Cards = Rebekah Hubbard

Children’s Summer Reading Prizes

Age 0-4 = Makayla Aumiller

Age 5-7 = Ethan Ward

Age 8-10 = Hannah Hotalen

Age 11-13 = Nikolas Stever

Age 14-17 = Emily Snider

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who participated!