Welcome to East Hampton Connecticut and to the East Hampton Public Library's weblog! Stop by anytime to learn about new services and programs or simply to take a look at what's new in the world of East Hampton readers, viewers, and listeners. We offer public service posts when we can and welcome your comments and suggestions.
For Those Who Served Our nation, our state, and our community today observed Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember and honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country.
To learn more about the history and meaning of Memorial Day, click here to visit the Library of Congress and consult a wealth of information included in the LOC'sAmerican Memory Collection.
We also offer a tune, For Freedom, recorded by the military quartet, 4Troops; each of all four in the quartet served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. If you caught today's New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians game, you heard the quartet sing the Star Spangled Banner.
Yes, it's true; your friendly neighborhood teachers, school media specialists, and public librarians are ever-ready to encourage you to read during summer vacation. Also true is we like playing matchmaker and by this we mean pointing you to books you might find interesting and enjoyable.
If you’re feeling an eye roll coming on, resist for a moment and peruse 2011's list of Nutmeg Teen Nominees. These books are good (really) and readers like you helped nominate the books for your consideration. So read 'em this summer (take some mental notes or better yet, jot them down); then vote next January on which of 10 books was your hands-down favorite. Your opinions absolutely do -- make no mistake -- very much count.
Read plot descriptions here then click on a title to place your reserves. Books target readers in grades 7 and 8.
We've not yet reached the days of lawn chairs, flip flops, and plenty 'o time to read but we're close. In the mean time, tune up for summer days with any of the following books, most from perennial faves.
The Burning Wireby Jeffery Deaver : The author's ninth Lincoln Rhyme novel (after The Broken Window) includes Rhyme's partner Amelia Sachs and the Watchmaker, the creepy assassin introduced in Cold Moon (2006).
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nestby StiegLarsson: The final book in the late author's Millennium Trilogy. Not to worry, Lisbeth Salander lives to hack another day and on the something to look forward to front, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (book one) is due out on DVD July 6.
Pre-pub internet reviews of Laurel K. Hamilton'sBullet (the zillionth in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series) are mixed. Fans of earlier books in this 'bloody popular' series think Ms. Blake has changed; fans of spicy paranormal fiction are loving it. Everyone's a critic...
Steve Martini'sThe Rule of Nine (after Guardian of Lies) brings back San Diego lawyer Paul Mandriani who is chasing a terrorist and being chased by an assassin. Yikes!
The Spyby Clive Cussler and Justin Scott : The third in a series (after The Chase and The Wrecker), again features Isaac Bell of the Van Dorn Detective Agency.
Spinning Plates, Flying Scarves, and Box Switcheroos!
The Airborne Jugglers will perform their comedy and juggling act on Saturday, June 12, beginning at 2 p.m. in the library community room. Jugglers Joe Murray and Susan Kirby will help the library kick off 2010's summer reading program, “Be A Star@your library®”.
To give you an idea of what the Airborne Jugglers do, enjoy a representative sample, sneak peek video.
If you enjoyed the sneak peek, join us for a live performance that promises to be both energetic and hilarious. Kids of all ages and their families are welcome. After the show, the audience will be invited to take part in a juggling workshop to learn some of the exciting tricks that Murray and Kirby have mastered over the years.
This program is free but registration is required. Phone the library at 860.267.6621 if you have questions or click here to register.
About the Airborne Jugglers
The Airborne Jugglers have been entertaining for almost 20 years and have taken their show on the road around the world. Some of their overseas performances have taken place in Japan, the Caribbean, and Europe. The duo has performed for famous non-profit organizations such as Girl Scouts and the Special Olympics World Games, as well as large corporations like Carnival Cruise Line and IBM. Susan also worked with Girl Scouts to create a juggling patch.
Lincoln vs. McClellan/ Truman vs. MacArthur Lincoln and McClellan: The Troubled Partnership Between a President and his Generalby John C. Waugh highlights the differences between the Commander in Chief and his selected second in command of the Army of the Potomac. The title neatly summarizes the content of this highly readable, yet well researched historical treatment of the early years of the Civil War.
Compare and contrast this pair of Civil War personalities with the controversy that occurred years later with President Truman's and his general, Douglas MacArthur's disagreements over policy.
MacArthur's War: Korea and the Undoing of an American Heroby Stanley Weintraub relates how despite MacArthur's WW II successes, Korea changed the image of his career. Writing with insight (the author is a Korean War veteran), Weintraub describes the well publicized controversy that existed between General MacArthur and his boss, the Commander in Chief of all the military forces in Korea.
Readers who enjoy making historical comparisons will find both of these books worthy reads. Also great for fans of military history, biographies, and well written non-fiction.
If you're a fan of America's favorite pastime, grab a good book during the pre-game warm up, during the seventh inning stretch, or between games in a double header. We recommend here a few great selections; fiction, non-fiction, and biography.
King of the macabre, Stephen King, weighs in Blockade Billy, a fictional 1950's baseball player with some very creepy tendencies that somehow seem plausible?
Willie Mays : The Life, The Legendby James S. Hirsch walks us through Mays' life, an array of legendary anecdotes, and how Mays' power and speed helped transform baseball, against the backdrop of the civil rights era.
If you're a middle grade reader who loves the game, addCenter Field by local favorite Robert Lipsyte to your reading list. Also try books by Mike Lupica.
Handicraft books never go out of style. These new additions to the library's collection are sure to please crafters and browsers alike.
Candie Cooper'sFelted Jewelry: 20 Stylish Designs starts with a flat piece of felt and end up as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pins. Fun to make, fun to wear, this jewelry ranges from the sophisticated to the simple. Lovely color photos enhance the easy to make instructions. This book contains a wealth of ideas guaranteed to make the reader want to head to store for supplies. If you like jewelry and enjoy handicrafts, this book is one you won't want to miss.
Wool Toys and Friends: Step-by-step Instructions for Needle-Felting Funby Laurie Sharp offers an adorable array of animals and bean bags. Among the outstanding choices are an elephant pull toy, a mouse in a pumpkin, a pop-up prairie dog puppet, pixie dolls, a lion hand puppet, and a hedgehog pin cushion. Also, what collection would be complete without a teddy bear? Easy to follow directions are enhanced by the beautiful color photos of the finished products. This book could have put the word "cute" in the dictionary.
Martha Stewart'sEncyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts tries to cover a little bit of everything. Cottons, silks, linens, wools, and specialty fabrics used with a variety of interesting projects are just what you would expect from Ms. Martha franchise. Basic techniques and 150 ideas make a great match!
Susannah Charleson'sScent of the Missing: Love & Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog tells the story of a Golden Retriever named Puzzle who's charged with the unimaginable: helping rescue or recover victims of crime, misadventure, or catastrophe. Animal lovers and mystery readers will find much of interest here.
The Adventures of a Lost Pet K-9 Cop Turned Pet Detective Chronicles by Kat Albrecht, with Jana Murphy, tells of Kat's Weimeraner and bloodhound careers as a trackers of lost pets. How Albrecht's police training helped her and her dogs search and find make this a great and informative read.
For Those Who Served
