Snow is in the weather forecast and the library has been buzzing with patrons. As soon as the trip to the supermarket for bread and milk is finished, people rush to the library to stock up on books and videos. We just added a large selection of new DVDs to our shelves and new books arrive daily, so you're sure to find something to keep you occupied during the bad weather!
Cabin Fever Reading Club will start January 15 and run through February 24 for ages 18 and up. This "club" is designed to help you while away the cold wintery days. All you have to do is register to join and then track the number of books you read. There are prizes at the five, ten, and fifteen book levels and you will also receive an entry for our weekly drawings and the final grand prize. Winners of the weekly drawings will receive a copy of "You've Got to Read This Book" by Jack Canfield, a compilation of stories concerning life changing books. The grand prize features a popular reader's chest of goodies. Once you're registered, what to read? Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.
Clive Cussler is a master of the adventure novel and his books featuring the dashing Dirk Pitt are always popular. "The Treasure of Khan", the latest entry in his Pitt series, looks at a plot to disrupt the world's oil markets through acts of sabotage. The trail moves from the lakes of Siberia to the sands of the Gobi Desert as Pitt and friends attempt to stop a murderous tycoon. Highly recommended if you want a fast-paced, entertaining read. If you like "The Treasure of Kahn", you may want to check out some of the numerous other Dirk Pitt novels by Clive Cussler.
Isabel Allende offers an adventure novel of a different type. "Ines of My Soul" is set in sixteenth century South America and is the fictionalized account of Ines Suarez, a Spanish conquistadora. Born into poverty, the strong willed Ines fled from Spain to Peru where she met Pedro de Valdivia, the man who changed her life and the course of history. Valdivia was field marshal to Francisco Pizarro and dreamed of conquering Chile. Together Ines and Valdivia forge the new city of Santiago and wage war against the Chileans. While we will never know the true story of the life of Ines Suarez, Allende once again intertwines fiction with documented history to create an extraordinary tale.
Another person who led an extraordinary life was Babe Ruth. In "The Big Bam", author Leigh Montville, explores the life of the "sultan of swat." Monvtille traces the life of Ruth from his bleak beginnings in Baltimore, through his entry into the record books and pays particular attention to the myths that have surrounded his life – did Ruth really call his 1932 World Series homer? Read "The Big Bam" and find out! This book harks back to the glory days of baseball and is a great choice for sports fans.
One last suggestion seems particularly apt for the New Year, the time in which many of us evaluate where we are and where we want to go with our lives. "Inspiration for a Meaningful Life: Everyday Greatness" includes sixty-three of the most inspiring stories from Reader's Digest with commentary by Stephen Covey. This book focuses on many well known people and on some not so well known to give inspiring examples of those who have "made the choice to act, the choice of purpose, and the choice for principles – to live out their potential for true greatness, no matter what challenges they face." In this day where greatness simply seems to equate to fame, this book instead states that greatness "has to do with character and contribution, not notoriety, wealth, fame, prestige or position." Inspire and challenge yourself for the New Year with this fine addition to the Reader's Digest shelf.
These are just a few suggestions to start your reading for the New Year. "There's Snow Better Time to Read!" Hope to see you soon at the Library!