New titles about....what?

So, I was checking out some of the recent arrivals here in the technical services department, and I came across two titles that made me realize how much I don't know.  First title: The Definitive Guide to Plone by Maurizio Delmonte.  Now, I'm sure there's a whole gamut of people out there who know exactly what this book is about, but I wasn't one of them.  Plone???  Could it be a misspelling? (phone, maybe? But wouldn't it be The Definitive Guide to the Phone instead of ...Guide to Phone?  kind of takes on an all-powerful aura without that little article...)  And then as if that title wasn't worth a double-take, here comes the second title: The Quick Python Book by Vernon Lee Ceder.  Ok, hold on now, is a quick book necessary?  I can just imagine the conversation at a book store:
"Sir, may I help you?"
"Yes, I need something quick about a python."
"Oh, well let's rush over to the reptile section."
Customer and employee survey snake books.  "See anything that looks good?" winded employee asks.
"Well, these all look pretty long.  Isn't there anything shorter?"
"Yes, of course there is...let me just pull out The Quick Python Book!!"

Then I took a closer look at the cover, and instead of a large snake staring back at me, I found a drawing of an oddly dressed woman.  Ok, something's amiss, I thought to myself, so I opened it up, along with the mysterious Plone book, and you know what I discovered?  The world of computers has so passed me by.  Who knew python is a computer programming language, and plone is a type of open source software?  Oh, my aching head...(still not sure what an oddly dressed woman has to do with Python, but I'm just not going to worry about that...)

 

Happy Earth Day!

I'm home from work, sitting at my computer, and I'm looking out the window at an incredible view... the earth is so awesome.  This weekend sounds like it will be good for yard work, and if you're like me, and love to play in the dirt but don't always have the knack for tending Mother Nature's bounty, this book might offer some welcome assistance: How to Cheat at Gardening and Yard Work: Shameless Tricks for Growing Radically Simple Flowers, Veggies, Lawns, Landscaping, and More.  Rock on, planet earth! 

Philip Gulley

Philip Gulley has a new book out called, "If the church were Christian: rediscovering the values of Jesus." Gulley is a Quaker minister from small town Indiana very near my own hometown. Our library system owns many of his titles. I'm particularly fond of "Porch Talk: stories of decency, common sense, and other endangered species." We also own six titles in his fictional series about Harmony, Indiana.

Time for a quiz

The London Book Fair is taking place this week in, well, London, and because of the Icelandic volcanic mayhem, many exhibitors and attendees are stuck at home.  Of course, us Northwesterners know a thing or two about volcanoes, and the library has lots of books about Mount St. Helens as well as other famous (and infamous) eruptions.  But do you ever wonder why no one highlights works of fiction that feature volcanoes?  Ok, probably not, but if your interest is piqued now, test your lava knowledge by taking this quiz created by the UK newspaper, The Guardian.

And for your volcanic reading pleasure:

Pompeii by Robert Harris
The Volcano Lover: A Romance by Susan Sontag

Still Alice

Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a novel about a college professor who, after experiencing episodes of forgetfulness, goes to a doctor and finds out that she is in the early stages of Alzheimers.  What is unique about this story is that it is told from the professor's point of view as she progresses through the various stages of this devastating disease.  I always enjoy hearing an author speak about her work, and if you do too, please take a look at this interesting video.                                           

Steampunk

If you're a fan of steampunk, you might want to check out a couple of fairly new titles added to the library's collection.  Soulless by Gail Carriger says right on the front cover "a novel of vampires, werewolves, and parasols," and while it might be a crossover title for fans of paranormal romance or fantasy, I think steampunk fans will find much to like here.  The other title, Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest, doesn't contain the usual Victorian era setting, but steam-powered technology makes itself at home in a book that includes mad scientists and zombies, among other oddities.  Never heard of steampunk?  Take a look at this article from Library Journal and see if it sounds like your cup of tea, served from a Victorian teapot, of course.

April showers bring May flowers...

April is National Poetry Month, and I'd like to share one of my favorite poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay.  If you've never read her poetry, I suggest checking out The Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay from the library.  I find her to be a very accessible poet who transforms pieces of everyday life into beautiful and magical celebrations.

Untitled

Sometimes, oh, often indeed, in the midst of ugly adversity, beautiful
Memories return.
You awake in wonder, you awake at half-past four, 
Wondering what wonder is in store.
You reach for your clothes in the dark and pull them on, you
       have no time
Even to wash your face, you have to climb Megunticook.

You run through the sleeping town; you do not arouse
Even a dog, you are so young and so light on your feet.
What a way to live, what a way...
No breakfast, not even hungry.  An apple, though,
In the pocket.
And the only people you meet are store-windows.

The path up the mountain is stony and in places steep,
And here it is really dark--wonderful, wonderful,
Wonderful--the smell of bark
And rotten leaves and dew!  And nobody awake
In all the world but you!--
Who lie on a high cliff until your elbows ache,
To see the sun come up over Penobscot Bay. 

Do you sudoku? (and yes, this post has cats in it...again!)

If you answered yes to the above question, you might be interested to know which author claims that sudoku is her guilty addiction.  Click here to find out (and we have lots of her books, so take a peek at our online catalog too).

Another great cat book is about to hit the shelves: Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs.  Julie Jackson and Jill Johnson, author and photographer, have managed to make felines look both silly and dignified in this wacky collection of "tressed up" cats.  Some critics may say the existence of this book means someone has too much time on his/her hands, but if it makes you laugh, I think it serves a greater purpose - contributing to the health and well-being of humanity ;o)