I'm trying to find a happy place with all of this damp, gray weather, but it's hard, people, it's very hard. In fact, it's down right annoying. And that's why I want to highlight Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us by Joe Palca and Flora Lichtman. I'm not sure if long stretches of sunless days should be called annoying or diabolical, but if you have things that irritate you, this book will explain why they do. Fingernails on the chalkboard? Check. Mosquitos? Check. Wobbly wheels on grocery carts? Double check. I suppose people who get whiny about the weather could be considered annoying, too, so I'll try to be better and appreciate the webs growing between my toes... :o(
Monday, May 30, 2011
Grumble, grumble...
I'm trying to find a happy place with all of this damp, gray weather, but it's hard, people, it's very hard. In fact, it's down right annoying. And that's why I want to highlight Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us by Joe Palca and Flora Lichtman. I'm not sure if long stretches of sunless days should be called annoying or diabolical, but if you have things that irritate you, this book will explain why they do. Fingernails on the chalkboard? Check. Mosquitos? Check. Wobbly wheels on grocery carts? Double check. I suppose people who get whiny about the weather could be considered annoying, too, so I'll try to be better and appreciate the webs growing between my toes... :o(
Thursday, May 12, 2011
In the news...at the library
The library has many good books about current events, and I want to highlight a few recent arrivals.
The Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate Change: A Complete Visual Guide - if you have an interest in all things weather-related (and boy, the last couple of years have been jam-packed with weather events), this fascinating book has enough to satisfy any climate enthusiast
The Longest War: The Enduring Conflict Between American and al-Qaeda - this book was written before Osama bin Laden's death, but it offers insight and depth into al-Qaeda from the viewpoint of a western journalist. Well-written account of a subject affecting all of us.
Outrageous Fortunes: The Twelve Surprising Trends That Will Reshape the Global Economy - the author, Daniel Altman, is a professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, and he does a bit of prognosticating on future economic factors. We don't yet know if his analysis will be correct, but it might be interesting to come back to his book several years from now and see if he was on target.
Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper - though much in the news lately, Seal Team Six is pretty mysterious to most Americans. This timely title will definitely reveal more about this military team's counterterrorism and counterinsurgency tasks.
The Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate Change: A Complete Visual Guide - if you have an interest in all things weather-related (and boy, the last couple of years have been jam-packed with weather events), this fascinating book has enough to satisfy any climate enthusiast The Longest War: The Enduring Conflict Between American and al-Qaeda - this book was written before Osama bin Laden's death, but it offers insight and depth into al-Qaeda from the viewpoint of a western journalist. Well-written account of a subject affecting all of us.Outrageous Fortunes: The Twelve Surprising Trends That Will Reshape the Global Economy - the author, Daniel Altman, is a professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, and he does a bit of prognosticating on future economic factors. We don't yet know if his analysis will be correct, but it might be interesting to come back to his book several years from now and see if he was on target.Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper - though much in the news lately, Seal Team Six is pretty mysterious to most Americans. This timely title will definitely reveal more about this military team's counterterrorism and counterinsurgency tasks.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine" Robert C. Gallagher
If you've been following this blog for very long, you'll notice some big changes. Yes, I changed the template (just a wee bit tired of the yellow and green polka dots), and my blog partner, Captain Criticism, has had to fold up her blogging cape in order to focus on all of the other crazy busy library stuff she does. So, I'm going it alone, dear readers!
Getting used to something new - a new job, a new school, a blog without Captain Criticism - can be pretty daunting. As a way to acknowledge how tough change can be, I'm going to recommend a picture book for anyone feeling a bit adrift. Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich shows how hard change is when Bud, a dog with a happy but strict routine, learns that Zorro - a pug with his own routine and attitude - is joining the family. With equally charming illustrations and text, the reader can't help but be tickled at the two canines' dogmatic approach to daily life. Will Bud and Zorro be able to get along? No unhappy endings here, but read the book to find out how these furry fellows work things out.
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