Book Club Picks – Spirituality

bookThis time of year it’s the calm before the storm.  Soon, it will be one holiday after another!  Have your book club settle in with a little spirituality with the following suggested titles.

alchemistThe Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A fable about undauntingly following one’s dreams, listening to one’s heart, and reading life’s omens features dialogue between a boy and an unnamed being.gifts

The Gifts of Imperfection – let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are  by Brene Brown – An expert of the psychology of shame presents advice on how to overcome paralyzing fears and self-consciousness, and at the same time increase feelings of self-worth, gratitude, and acceptance.

nightNight by Elie Wiesel – The narrative of a boy who lived through Auschwitz and Buchenwald provides a short and terrible indictment of modern humanity.power

The Power of Habit  – why we do what we do in life and business by Charles Duhigg – Identifies the neurological processes behind behaviors, explains how self-control and success are largely driven by habits, and shares scientifically-based guidelines for achieving personal goals and overall well-being by adjusting specific habits.

heavenHeaven is for Real –  a little boy’s astounding story of his trip to heaven and back by Todd Burpo – Presents the story of the four-year old son of a Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven.one thousand

One Thousand Gifts: a dare to live life fully right where you are by Ann Vos Kamp – The author reflects on moments of grace in her own life as she invites readers to embrace a life of gratitude and realize God’s presence in everyday experiences.

carry onCarry On Warrior: thoughts on life unarmed  by Glennon Doyle Melton – A New York Times essayist shares her journey from a self-destructive college student to a devoted family woman and teacher while illuminating the importance of trusting in a higher power and being truthful about life’s challenges.proof of

Proof of Heaven: a neurosurgeon’s journey into the afterlife  by Eben Alexander – A Harvard-trained neurosurgeon shares a minute-by-minute account of his religiously transformative near-death experience and revealing week-long coma, describing his scientific study of near-death phenomena while explaining what he learned about the nature of human consciousness.

10%10% Happier – how I tamed the voice in my head, reduce stress without losing my edge, and found self-help that actually works – a true story by Dan Harris – The Nightline anchor, who had a nationally televised panic attack on Good Morning America, takes readers on a rollicking ride through the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news during which he discovered a way to get happier that is truly achievable.untethered

The Untethered Soul: the journey beyond yourself by Michael A. Singer – Who are you? In this remarkable New York Times bestseller, author and spiritual guide Michael Singer explores this fundamental question, seeking the very root of consciousness in order to help readers learn how to dwell in the present moment. Written in an engaging and uncomplicated voice, this book will open readers up to the radical and powerful experience of simply being themselves.

Alphabet Books that Break the Mold

When children are small we all want them to learn their letters, and start reading and writing. However, the typical ABC books can get boring quickly, and not just for the adults. Sometimes is is fun to through a special alphabet book that shakes up the monotony that is A is for Apple, b is for ball, and so on. Here are some of the best books that I have found and shared with my own children that make the alphabet more fun for them and us.

  1. B is for Bookworm by Anita C. Prieto, illustrated by Renée Graef
  1. An Edible Alphabet by Carol Watterson, illustrated by Michela Sorrentino
  1. S is for Save the Planet by Brad Herzog and illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss
  1. When Royals Wore Ruffles: a Funny and Fashionable Alphabet! by Chesley McLaren and Pamela Jaber, illustrated by Chesley McLaren
  1. The Alphabet Theatre Proudly Presents the Z was Zapped: a Play in Twenty-six Acts by Chris Van Allsburg
  1. Q is for Duck by Mary Elting & Michael Folsom; pictures by Jack Kent
  1. The Hidden Alphabet by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
  1. Y is for yowl! by Laura Purdie Salas
  1. The Beetle Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by David Biedrzycki
  1. A Isn’t for Fox by Wendy K. Ulmer ; illustrated by Laura Knorr

If you are still looking for some unusual letter fun may I also suggest; A Fabulous Fair Alphabet by Debra Frasier, G is for Gold Medal by Brad Herzog, A Gardener’s Alphabet by Mary Azarian, Z is for Zeus: a Greek Mythology Alphabet by Helen L. Wilbur,illustrated by Victor Juhasz, T is for Tutu  by Sonia Rodriguez & Kurt Browning, Alphabet Explosion!: Search and Count from Alien to Zebra by John Nickle, The Freshwater Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta, Action Alphabet by Shelley Rotner, Tomorrow’s Alphabet by George Shannon, or The Icky Bug Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta.

 

On Our Shelves: November 2014 Romance Books Are Here!

readingHave you been waiting for your favorite author to publish a new book?  We’ve just received a shipment of the newest Romance paperbacks.  Take a look and see if your author has a new book out.

Contemporary

Christmas at Twilight (A Twilight, Texas Novel) by Lori Wilde

Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley  (A Valentine Valley Novel) by Emma Cane

The Lodge on Holly Road  (Life in Icicle Falls) by Sheila Roberts

The Heart of Christmas (A Whiskey Creek Novel) by Brenda Novak

Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne

Sunflower Lane (A Lonesome Way Novel) by Jill Gregory

What A Woman Gets (A Manley Maids Novel) by Judi Fennell

Midnight Action (A Killer Instincts Novel) by Elle Kennedy

Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Treasure on Lilac Lane (A Jewell Cove Novel) by Donna Alward

PARANORMAL

Archangel’s Shadows (A Guild Hunter Novel) by Nalini Singh

Burn For Me (A Hidden Legacy Novel) by Ilona Andrews

Romantic Suspense

Cover Your Eyes by Mary Burton

Silent Night by C.J. Kyle

Historical

The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane  (Rhymes With Love) by Elizabeth Boyle

Only Enchanting (A Survivors’ Club Novel) by Mary Balogh

The Accidental Countess by Valerie Bowman

The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding by Victoria Alexander

 

Sharon Reads: Centaur Rising by Jane Yolan

Centaur Rising is a middle grade to young adult novel by Jane Yolen. Arianne has always wished for magic in her life, a meteor shower and some team work might just make that reality. During the Perseid meteor shower, Arianne thinks she sees a shooting star land in the fields surrounding her family’s horse farm. About a year later, one of their horses gives birth to a baby centaur. The family wants to protect the young boy and has had enough attention already. Arianne’s six-year-old brother was born with birth defects caused by an experimental drug, and their rock-star father has deserted them. They do not want the limelight, but soon the horse farm’s clients growing suspicious. How long can they keep their secret and everyone safe? What will happen if the world learns about the miracle on the farm?
Centaur Rising keeps with the record of Yolan never disappointing me. I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the premise. Arianne is a girl that has grown up faster than she should, and is still both compassionate and weary. Her father left the family when her younger brother was born with birth defects. Her outlook was realistic with still a wistful hope for magic and better things. I loved her younger brother’s determination and resilience, and her mothers efforts to protect them both.  I will say that my favorite character is still Martha, a employee that is more of a family member on the horse farm. I think that the description of the centaur foal and his development was key to the story. It kept the wonder of his very existence, but also dealt with the practicalities and truth that made him much more human and real than most people here in reality, This is much more than a fantasy, more than a coming of age story, this is a look at how real people facing extraordinary circumstances still have to keep moving forward and dealing with the minute details that are often left out of books and television. I also have to say that I got a bit of a kick out of the fact that the farm where this all takes place just happens to be right here in Connecticut.
I really enjoyed Centaur Rising. Yolan, as usual, brings her characters to life. She leaves readers with a feeling that this family, this farm, could really be out there somewhere. Her characters are so real. Like in real life, there are funny moments, moments that make you want to scream, and moments that make it all worth while.
I gave this book 4 stars in my review, which was previously published on Sharon the Librarian and Goodreads.

Hooray For Print Books!

book eIt was recently announced by Nielsen Books & Consumer that both hardcovers and paperbacks outsold ebooks in the first half of 2014.  According to Nielsen’s survey, ebooks made up only 23 percent of sales, while hardcovers made up 25 percent and paperbacks 42 percent.  In other words, hardcovers and paperbacks individually outsold ebooks.  Yeah!

I may be among the meager few, but I do not own any kind of e-reader.  I will never own any kind of e-reader.  It’s not that I don’t like technology,  I just love books printed on paper.  I love how they feel – even how they smell!  There’s something about holding a book in your hand and physically turning the page that’s more appealing than looking at pixels on a screen.  I love the convenience of them.  Just the other day, I was in a doctor’s waiting room book2and a woman was reading from an ereader.  When she was called in, she struggled to mark her place, then turn the device off, flip the cover on, then dropping it on the floor before being able to put it in her purse.  I, on the other hand, was reading a paperback.  When my name was called, I put in my cute little bookmark and that was that!    Another great thing about printed books is not having to  worry about battery life, finding your power cord, or losing your electricity before you can power up your reader.  I especially like that I don’t have to spend money to buy a device to read a book or dropping and breaking an expensive electronic device.   When you get your books from the library, it doesn’t cost a cent to read them!

Apparently, I’m not alone in preferring print books.  In a recent survey, 65% of those polled reported they like the feel of a gift2real book, 61% say physical books help them learn better (can use post-its, highlighters), 58% like to be bookshelfable to lend and borrow books, 53% said they like the visual aspect of printed books (covers, pictures, maps), 45% reported they like to be able to resell their books, 44% like to collect and display their books (they are a great decorating tool), 44% enjoying giving books as gifts, 42% prefer browsing bookstores and 9% like to show off what they are reading.

Oh, I know there are some benefits to ereaders.  Like you can load multiple books on them.  But, how many books can you read at one time?  Some people like to save books so they can read them over again.  But once I know how the story ends, it kind of takes the fun out of reading it again.

bveWe can debate the pros and cons between printed and ebooks, but the important thing to remember is that reading is a great activity and it’s wonderful that we have a variety of formats to choose from.  Whichever format you prefer, printed book, audiobook or ebook, the Cheshire Public Library has the best selection to choose from!

 

 

  (Source:  Various, including edudemic, Publisher’s Weekly, Huffington Post)