Vol. 9 No 9 March 8, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 9 March 8, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

When I'm near the end of a book, I need to sleep in the same room with it.”
-Joan Didion, American essayist and novelist


LIVEWIRES: COFFEE AND MORE
THE HARMONIOUS HOME
I wish that someone would organize my closets, clean out my cellar, and deal with the piles of paper that are everywhere in my house! How wonderful it would be to have a home that is totally neat, organized and well, harmonious! The organizing elves won’t be coming to my house anytime soon, but the members of the Harmonious Home ARE coming to the Library!

The Harmonious Home is a local business run by three Reading residents: Amy Coumounduros, Lori Hamlin, and Monette Verrier. On Tuesday, March 13, they will be special guest presenters at Coffee and More, the Library’s monthly coffee hour for people age 55 and up. Let these expert organizers help you learn how to de-clutter and downsize your home! They will have plenty of tips and strategies to help you let go of your accumulated “stuff.” You KNOW you need to be there! Coffee and More is at 10:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be available. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get organized!


GENTLY USED ART PRINTS
There is now a small collection of framed art prints for sale in the Friends Used Book Room. The price is $5.00 each and all profits will support the programs and services provided by the Friends of the Library.


NOT TOO STUFFY BOOK CLUB READS
BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWN UPS BY ANNE TYLER

"Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person."
- Back When We Were Grownups

The woman in question is Rebecca Davitch, a 53-year-old widow, mother, grandmother, caretaker, and proprietor of a party and catering business which she runs from her home. It is a full and busy life, but is it her own? Has she become an imposter in her own life? After all these years, Rebecca suddenly wonders: What type of woman would she have become if, instead of marrying her late husband, she had married her college sweetheart or even finished college?

This is a novel that asks one of life’s largest questions: “What if?” This is certainly an engaging question for readers and a lively basis for discussion. How reliable is memory? What does honesty look like? Is there really such a thing as your “true” self? Did you end up with the life that you thought you would have?

The NOT TOO STUFFY BOOK CLUB (Senior Book Discussion Group) will discuss Back When We Were Grown Ups on Thursday, March 15. The group meets at 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. The discussion will be led by Deidre Reilley and is open to all!


ALL THAT JAZZ!
On Saturday evening, March 17, the Friends of the Reading Public Library will present the Lello Molinari Jazz Trio. The program will begin at 8:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room.

Lello Molinari was born and raised in Naples, Italy. Although initially more interested in soccer, he became interested in music when his brother formed a jazz band. Not to be outdone by his sibling, Lello learned to play bass and started a band of his own. In 1986, Lello moved to Boston to attend the Berklee School of Music. After graduation, he began a Master’s Program at the New England Conservatory and at the same time began touring and recording.

The Lello Molinari Band has been described by reviewers as “top-notch, intense, and stylistically diverse.” A hallmark of the band’s style is the use of intricate rhythms that increase in complexity as a piece progresses. They are also known for the lively and exciting interplay among the musicians. For a sample of their sound go to: http://lellomolinari.com/

Since its beginning, the Lello Molinari band has toured extensively in Europe, New York, and New England. The band has recorded three CD’s including a live performance at the Regatta Bar in Cambridge. Members of the band have changed over time; current members of the trio are: Lello Molinari, bass; Frank Carlberg, piano; and Marcello Pellitteri, drums. Please join them for a sophisticated blend of contemporary jazz originals, standards, and classic Italian songs. It’s going to be agreat night of jazz!


LIVEWIRES PRESENTS
TERRY HEKKER STIRS UP A RUCKUS!
You may not have heard of Terry Hekker, even though she has appeared on the Today show, been interviewed by National Public Radio and been featured in the New York Times. What makes Terry Hekker noteworthy? She has had the courage to speak out about her life and in doing so, has become the voice of thousands of similar women.

Terry Hekker was faced with reinventing her life when her husband left her after 40 years of marriage. The divorce left her facing an uncertain financial future, bereft of income and - after spending her adult life bringing up five children - lacking any job skills. Come hear how Terry overcame these obstacles with humor and spirit! This program is about second chances, starting over, and making changes in your life.

The program will be held on Tuesday evening, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This program is presented by LiveWires: the Library’s program for people age 55 and up. What if you want to come, but you aren’t old enough? Not to worry, all adult library programs are open to the general public. I hope to see you there!

To hear Terry Hekker being interviewed on WBUR’s talk radio program, On Point with Tom Ashbrook, go to http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2006/01/20060112_b_main.asp


WHERE HAVE ALL THE CLASSICS GONE?
Alert library users have probably noticed that the “classics section,” which was formerly in the fiction area, is no more. The first floor space has been taken over by our DVD’s which have outgrown their spot in the basement. Classics are now interfiled in the general fiction section. All fiction is shelved by the first three letters of the author’s last name. So if you are looking for the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne., just look for HAW. You might also want to pick up our “Selected Classics” handout. It lists hundreds of great classic titles for your reading pleasure!


BAD MEDICINE
Do you enjoy reading about killer viruses? Out of control epidemics? Why is it that medical mysteries and thrillers are so irresistible? Look for a new display of fiction titles on the theme of “Bad Medicine.”

The Outbreak by Robin Cook (1987)
When a bizarre disease that attacks only physicians and their patients sweeps the country, Dr. Melissa Blumenthal discovers that sinister forces are behind the threat and finds her own life in danger.

The Experiment by John Darnton (1999)
On a remote island, a young man sees his friends vanish one by one. In a small New York town, a journalist observes a corpse with its fingerprints burned off. In New York City, an expert on twins stumbles upon a case that hits stunningly close to home…

Isolation Ward by Joshua Spanogle (2006)
Called in by the CDC after three mentally handicapped women with the same mysterious symptoms check into the same Baltimore hospital, Dr. Nathaniel McCormick is caught in a web of deceit as he follows the trail of alethal virus to California.

Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen (2006)
Deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a mill town called Commonwealth votes to quarantine itself in the wake of the 1918 flu pandemic, but a violent confrontation with a tired, hungry, and cold soldier will have devastating repercussions for the entire town.

Clinical Trial by April Christofferson. (2000)
In order to combat a deadly hantavirus that has already killed hundreds of Native Americans, Dr. Isabel McLain reluctantly agrees to test a dubious new vaccine on a community of Blackfeet Indians on a reservation in Browning, Montana.

Whiteout by Ken Follett (2004)
A missing canister containing a deadly virus forms the center of a storm that traps Stanley Oxenford, director of a medical research firm, and a violent trio of thugs in a remote house during a Christmas Eve blizzard.


BE A FRIEND!
The Friends of the Reading Public Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting many library programs and resources that would otherwise not be possible.

The next meeting of the Friends of the Library will be Monday, March 26. You are very welcome to come, meet some Friends, and help support the Library. If you can’t attend meetings, but would like to support the Friends financially, you can join by filling out the membership form at http://www.readingpl.org/membership.html


NEW BOOKS, MOVIES, AND MORE
To see the list of library materials purchased this month, follow this link: http://www.readingpl.org/lists.html


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Did you know that today, March 8, is International Women’s Day? IWD is a day on which women all over the world come together to celebrate their various struggles for equality, justice, and peace. In honor of International Women’s Day, this week’s Website of the Week provides profiles of women who have left their mark on history.

300 Women Who Changed the World
http://search.eb.com/women

To see a list of great websites that celebrate Women’s History Month, go to http://www.noblenet.org/year/womenshistory.html Thanks to the librarians at our NOBLE network headquarters for providing this list of resources.


WHAT’S HAPPENING @ YOUR LIBRARY!
All events listed take place at the Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, March 10: Chess for Kids. Bring a chess set. An experienced high school chess player will be on hand to answer questions and suggest strategies. No registration necessary. For grades 2 and up. 2:00 p.m. –3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13: LiveWires: Coffee and More. Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk! Today's event will feature Amy Coumounduros and other members of THE HARMONIOUS HOME, a professional organizing business. 10:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, March 13: Bibliobabblers (Adult Book Discussion Group) meets to discuss Still Life by Louise Penny. Led by Sheila Young. Copies of this book are available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome and noregistration is necessary 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 15: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Club for Seniors meets to discuss Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler. Led by Deirdre Reilly, local columnist and radio show host. Copies of the book will be available at the Senior Center Book Nook or at the Library. 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center Lounge

Thursday, March 15: Conversation Group for English Learners 7:00 p.m. –8:45 p.m.

Friday, March 16: Infant Toddler Sing-along. with Peter Sheridan. No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, March 17: Friends of the Reading Public Library Concert Series. Join us for an evening of jazz with the Lello Molinari Jazz Trio. Concerts are held in the Library's Meeting Room and are free of charge and open to the public. 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20: Monthly Book Delivery to Longwood Place. 11:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, March 20: LiveWires Presents. LiveWires is a monthly series of programs for active, older adults featuring book, movies, and special guests. Discover new options for this chapter of life! Tonight's guest, author Terry Hekker, discusses how she reinvented her life after 40 years of marriage and a painful divorce. This program is about second chances, starting over, and making changes in your life. Light refreshments willbe served. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21: DDR for Kids in grades 1-5. Join in the Dance Dance Revolution! Teen teachers will be on hand to help everyone learn the finer points of this hot new activity! No registration necessary. 3:30p.m. – 4:15 p.m. for beginning dancers; 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. for more experienced dancers

Wednesday, March 21: Computer Class — “Geek Out, Don’t Freak Out! –Digital Cameras.” Stop by with your digital camera and the user manual for this hands-on, how-to workshop. Do you know a digital camera expert? Bring them by to share their tips! Pre-register at the Information Desk,via e-mail, or call 781-942-6703. 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 22: Conversation Group for English Learners. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Tuesday, March 27: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading lately 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 29: Conversation Group for English Learners. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

That’s all for now,
Elizabeth Dickinson
Editor


LIBRARY HOURS
Mondays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursdays 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fridays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.