Graphic Novels

They're Not Just for Kids
Bet your kids love Lunch Lady, Bone, Dragon Puncher, Babymouse, Zita the Spacegirl or Guinea Pig : Pet Shop Private Eye, to name a few. Younger readers might also consider latest entries from The Muppets or DC Comics Super-Pets series.

This Being Said...
There are also many great graphic novels for tweens, teens, or adults. Here's a quick list of titles for fans of the genre, ready to go or soon to arrive, classics included. As always, choose for your adult self or for your family.

The Graphic Canon, Volumes 1 & 2, edited by Russ Kick
Superman : Catch up with DC Comics before June's big screen movie release

Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato
No Longer Human by Usamaru Furuya
Epileptic 1 by David B.
Adventures of Blake and Mortimer
Sin City by Frank Miller
Are You My Mother : a Comic Drama by Alison Bechdel
Sandman by Neil Gaiman
One Thousand and One Nights by JinSeok Jeon and SeungHee Han
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick; art by Tony Parker
Batman : DC Comics core

Dial H 1 : Into You by China Mieville
Brody's Ghost by Mark Crilley
Super Girl 1 : Last Daughter of Krypton by Michael Green
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Ghost in the Shell by Shirow Masamune
V for Vendetta or Watchmen by Alan Moore

Reading True Crime

Just the Facts, Ma'am
Greed, deceit, desire, ambition, corruption, murder  -- these are all elements in true crime books which much like ubiquitous TV crime shows and films, receive a fair amount of attention.

For fans of the genre, a quick list of the latest best of the worst:

Whitey Bulger : America's Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt that Brought Him to Justice by Kevin Cullen and Shelley Murphy
The story of a legendary criminal, captured in June 2011 after a sixteen-year manhunt.

American Desperado : My Life, from Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset by Jon Roberts and Evan Wright
A Mafia insider and former head smuggler for the Medellin cartel describes his violent relationships with criminal powers, his alliance with the U.S. government, and his role in reshaping the nation's war on drugs.

The Inventor and the Tycoon : a Gilded Age Murder and the Birth of Moving Pictures by Edward Ball
This historical true crime entry details the strange partnership between a 19th century entrepreneur and the father of moving pictures.

Octopus : Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street's Wildest Con by Guy Lawson
For this wild tale of hedge fund fraud, keep your aluminum foil hat handy.

Nobody Walks : Bringing My Brother's Killers to Justice by Dennis M. Walsh
The driving story of the author's relentless quest to stop his brother's murder from becoming a cold case.

A Death in the Lucky Holiday Hotel : Murder, Money, and an Epic Power Struggle in China by Pin Ho, Wenguang Huang
A real-life murder mystery with a political overlay.

Desert Reckoning : a Town Sheriff, a Mojave Hermit, and the Biggest Manhunt in Modern California History by Deanne Stillman
The author recounts clash and deadly collision in the desolate California desert.

Assassins of the Turquoise Palace by Roya Hakakian
Who was responsible for the machine-gun murders of protesters in a Berlin restaurant? Opinions varied, but the federal prosecutor would charge on to a clear verdict.

Caveat Emptor : the Secret Life of an American Art Forger by Ken Perenyi
The author confesses; tells all with "inside" stories. A useful book for any art fan, including flea market shoppers.

Life After Death by Damien Echols
A West Memphis Three member's account of his eighteen-year death row incarceration discusses justice system flaws that led to his conviction, the abuses he suffered in prison, and the trio's vindication in 2011.

Unusual Book Titles

David Sedaris Does It Again
The latest book by American humorist David Sedaris was released today. Depending on what makes you laugh, prepare for a chuckle or a much heartier response...

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls
Both the book and audio book are available for checkout. Here's the book trailer, Sedaris style:



Previous Titles
Book and/or book on CD; starred titles for audio download via OneClickDigital:

Barrel Fever and Other Stories*
Holidays on Ice
Me Talk Pretty One Day*
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim*
When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
Live: For Your Listening Pleasure
Live at Carnegie Hall*
The Ultimate David Sedaris Box Set

About the Author
Author Website
This American Life Radio Archive

Every Day Is Earth Day

Image courtesy of West Babylon P.L. (NY)

Earth Day Reading, Listening, and Viewing
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. The first Arbor Day originated in Nebraska and dates back to 1872. With Earth Day 2013 on Monday, April 22 and Arbor Day 2013 on Friday, April 26, we hope you'll enjoy a few environmentally-themed books or DVDs during the week.

Picture Books Plus
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Compost Stew : an A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals

Curious George Plants a Tree, written by Monica Perez
The EARTH Book by Todd Parr
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The Earth and I by Frank Asch
Olivia's Birds by Olivia Bouler
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel
The Berenstain Bears Go Green by Jan & Mike Berenstain
Eco Babies Wear Green by Michelle Sinclair Colman
Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! by Diane De Groat
Mother Earth, Father Sky : Poems of Our Planet

Pick and Choose: DVDs for Kids, Families, Adults
School House Rock! Earth
Earth Days
Planet Earth
Gasland
FernGully
March of the Penguins
Wall-E
Into the Wild
Soylent Green
Free Willy -- King Corn -- No Impact Man -- Idiocracy -- Dirt : the Movie -- You've Been Trumped

Fun Stuff to Do
Roots, Shoots, Buckets, & Boots : Gardening Together With Children by Sharon Lovejoy
Gardening Projects for Kids : 101 Ways to Get Kids Outside, Dirty and Having Fun by Whitney Cohen and John Fisher
Happy Earth Day Coloring & Activities Book, PDF from the U.S. EPA
Recyclo-gami : 40 Crafts to Make Your Friends Green with Envy by Laurie Goldrich Wolf
Earth-friendly Crafts : Clever Ways to Reuse Everyday Items by Kathy Ross
AMC's Best Day Hikes Connecticut by Rene Laubach
Repurpose It : Invent New Uses for Old Stuff by Tammy Enz
Hidden In Plain Sight : A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut by David K. Leff

For Adults and Teens
Earth : A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race by Jon Stewart
The Story of Earth : the First 4.5 Billion Years, From Stardust to Living Planet by Robert M. Hazen
Eaarth : a Survivor's Guide by Bill McKibben
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
Hot, Flat, and Crowded : Why We Need a Green Revolution -- and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman
Foodopoly : the Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming In America by Wenonah Hauter
The American Way of Eating : Undercover at Walmart, Applebee's, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table by Tracie McMillan

Climate Capitalism : Capitalism in the Age of Climate Change by L. Hunter Lovins and Boyd Cohen

The Upcycle : Beyond Sustainability - Designing for Abundance by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

Load, Play, Enjoy

TV on DVD
If you like great TV shows but don't have time to marry yourself to a schedule -- or if you are remixing what you spend on cable content -- TV on DVD can still be part of the picture.

Here's a quick roundup of selections available for checkout:

Game of Thrones : Seasons 1 and 2
Welcome to Westeros and the seven-family fight for control. Based on the books by George R.R. Martin, the third season premiered March 31st on HBO.

Walking Dead : Seasons 1 and 2
Zombies run amok in this AMC series; season 3 recently drew to a close. The graphic novels by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathbun are also available.

Scandal : Season 1
After a short uncertain future, this one caught on via social media. Season 2 is underway on ABC. Interesting premise, guilty pleasure...

The Tudors : Seasons 1-4
The life, times (and sex life) of Henry VIII, brought to you by Showtime. A fun blend of history and historical fiction. Jonathan Rhys Meyers channels Henry.

The Borgias : Seasons 1 and 2
Ah, the powerful, shrewd, scheming, calculating, influential Borgia family! Also from Showtime, season 3 is underway, complete with factual sleights of hand. Jeremy Irons is a gas as Pope Alexander VI.

Boss : Seasons 1 and 2
This award-winning show lasted two seasons on Starz but a two-hour movie may be in the works to tidy up loose ends.

Sons of Anarchy : Seasons 1-4
Witness the activities of the founding chapter of an outlaw motorcycle club from Charming California. One of the highest-rated shows -- ever -- on cable channel FX, season 5 is set for DVD release in August 2013.

True Blood Seasons 1-4
Welcome to Bon Temps, land of synthetic blood and vampires! Academy Award winner Anna Paquin plays mind-reading waitress, Sookie Stackhouse. Based on the books by Charlaine Harris, season 5 on DVD is set for May 21 release.

Dexter : Seasons 1-6
Fictional serial killer kills other fictional killers; news at eleven. Adapted from the fiction books by Jeff Lindsay, season 7 will be released in May.

Also on the Way
Arrested Development : Seasons 1-3
Breaking Bad : Season 5, Part 1 (June)
Homeland : Season 2 (August)
House of Cards : Season 1 (June)
Louie (Louis C.K.): Seasons 1 and 2

Stressed Out?

April : National Stress Awareness Month
We all react differently to day-to-day events. What is no more than a teeny-tiny nuisance to someone else can be a big stress inducer for you and vice versa. For National Stress Awareness Month, and no matter what pushes your buttons, we hope you find the following resource lists helpful.

Play Time!
Have fun as your adult self and with your kids.

Play : How It Shapes Your Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown, M.D.
The Art of Roughhousing : Good Old-fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It by Anthony T. DeBenedet and Lawrence J. Cohen
Tag, Toss & Run : 40 Classic Lawn Games by Paul Tukey & Victoria Rowell
The Kids' Summer Fun Book : Great Games, Activities and Adventures for the Entire Family by Claire Gillman & Sam Martin
Unbored : the Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun by Joshua Glenn & Elizabeth Foy Larsen

Stress Reduction Techniques
Exercise, meditation, lifestyle adjustments... something for everyone here.

Mindfulness in Plain English by Henepola Gunaratana
Calming the Rush of Panic : a Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Guide... by Bob Stahl
The Healing Power of the Breath : Simple Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety... by Richard Brown and Patricia Gerbarg
Getting Things Done : the Art of Stress-free Productivity by David Allen
Stress Pandemic : the Lifestyle Solution : 9 Natural Steps to Survive, Master Stress, and Live Well by Paul Huljich
Wabi Sabi : Timeless Wisdom for a Stress-free Life by Agneta Nyholm Winqvist

The Secret of Vigor : How to Overcome Burnout, Restore Metabolic Balance and Reclaim Your Natural Energy by Shawn M. Talbott
The Art of Doing Nothing : Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself by Veronique Vienne
Healing Walks for Hard Times : Quiet Your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, and Get Your Life Back by Carolyn Scott Kortge
High-octane Women : How Superachievers Can Avoid Burnout by Sherrie Bourg Carter
Pressure : True Stories by Teens About Stress, edited by Al Desetta
Chill : Stress-reducing Techniques for a More Balanced, Peaceful You by Deborah Reber

Surf's Up
A quick roundup of resources on the web.

Connecticut's research Engine
Check out a variety of resources about health and wellness topics. Free access with your local library card.

American Institute of Stress
Federal Occupational Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Play
Forbes Online
American Psychological Association
Huffington Post Lifestyle

Consumers Matter

Cart Full of Resources
Shopping smarter and getting the best bang for the buck are always on the top of any consumer's agenda. We offer a quick list of resources which may help support your goals.

Consumer Reports : Use your East Hampton Public Library card to access product reviews and ratings on cars, appliances, electronics and more. Print copies of Consumer Reports magazine are also available for three years; issues circulate for 14 days.

Car Buying Guides : If you are in the market for a new or used car, compare and contrast Kelley Blue Book -- Edmunds Car Buying Guide -- N.A.D.A. Guides (National Automobile Dealers Association).

Connecticut's research Engine
Information about a variety of consumer-oriented topics, free with any CT library card, including yours.

"Everything Consumer" : Find a wide range of ratings on consumer products and services via Consumer World.

Going Green? : Try Chasing Green, run with a goal to share topical news about green lifestyle choices.

Free Credit Reports : The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

More Consumer Guidance : State, Federal, and Then Some
Department of Consumer Protection (CT) or Smart Consumer (CT)
Better Business Bureau (CT)
U.S. Consumer Gateway or the Federal Trade Commission
Federal "Do Not Call" Registry
Looks Too Good To Be True
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Safe Shopping (American Bar Association)
Federal Recalls
Charity Navigator

Who Loves Sci-Fi? Who Loves Fantasy?

We Do! We Do!
In our online travels, we spied a list of recommended reads; did a quick compare, and were pleased with a voila moment!

Here's a brief round-up of great 2012 science fiction/fantasy titles to read in 2013, recommended by the folks over at Geek Magazine.

Hitchers by Will McIntosh
Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed (first in a series)
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson
Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig (second book in the series is Mockingbird)
Redshirts by John Scalzi
Osama : a novel by Lavie Tidhar
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin (second book in the series is The Shadowed Sun)
Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey (follows Leviathan Wakes)
Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi (follows Ship Breaker)