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David Copperfield (Vintage Classics) (original 1850; edition 2008)
by Charles Dickens, Phiz (Illustrator)
Work details
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850)
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Beautiful prose, but kind of boring...Sorry all you Dickites.
I'm not gonna pull a Dickens on you and turn this into a 600 page novel about the life of a boy. I will tell you that Dickens loved this book and related most to David. Full of Dickens' intricate descriptions and sarcasm. Read it.
Almost read in college, but waited 40 years to actually read it. Seemed like reading an old soap opera. I wonder what i would have thought 40 years ago?
The perfect way to start the bicentennial of Dickens' birth, with his most autobiographical novel and also his own person favorite. Unfortunately, I re-read GK Chesterton�ês essay on the novel before writing this note and found he captured my feelings exactly and better than I could have put them. To quote him, ÂÃÃThe reason is that Dickens began it under his sudden emotional impulse of telling the whole truth about himself and gradually allowed the whole truth to be more and more diluted, until towards the end of the book we are back in the old pedantic and decorative art of Dickens, an art which we justly admired in its own place and on its own terms, but which we resent when we feel it gradually returning through a tale pitched originally in a more practical and piercing key. Here, I say, is the one real example of the fatigue of Dickens. He begins his story in a new style and then slips back into an old one.Âàhttp://www.dickens-literature.com/Appreciations_and_Criticisms_by_G.K_Chesterton...
The novel begins, famously, with David CopperfieldÂês birth told in the first person. The early chapters are a spectacular childÂês eye view on the large and imposing figures around him. The middle of the book is interspersed between more purely biographical episodes (descriptions of DoctorÂês Commons, learning shorthand), some instances of DickensÂê imagination at its best (Mr. Micawber), and some unnecessary but diverting side plots (Doctor Strong and his wife). In the end, autobiography is almost entirely gone, and we have an extended windup of a number of subplots. In a few places, these are outstandingÂÃÃlike the confrontation of Uriah Heep and the death of Steerforth. In others, it is more forced with an almost offensive desire to resolve the most colorful and problematic characters through death or emigration to Australia. To quote Chesterton again, ÂÃÃHaving created splendid beings for whom alone life might be worth living, he cannot endure the thought of his hero living with them. Having given his hero superb and terrible friends, he is afraid of the awful and tempestuous vista of their friendship. He slips back into a more superficial kind of story and ends it in a more superficial way.ÂÃÂ
None of which is to say David Copperfield is anything short of amazing, but it is well short of perfect.
This is, of course, the life story -- the very detailed life story -- of Mr. David Copperfield, from his birth onwards, including his horrifically unhappy childhood, his romantic entanglements, and the doings of his various interesting friends.
It's definitely the characters that make this one enjoyable. Copperfield himself is carefully and believably drawn, and he knows a lot of entertainingly quirky people, many of whom turn out to have some interesting hints of depth underneath their quirks. I imagine I will be unlikely ever to forget Mr. Micawber, or Uriah Heep, or David's formidable, eccentric Aunt Betsy.
I'm not sure it has a plot, exactly, so much as a loose connection of subplots, but that's fine; they're decent enough subplots. It does all get a little melodramatic at the end, although I suppose for Dickens, it's probably pretty mild on that score. I do have to say, though, that Victorian ideas about women and relationships and marriage inevitably strike my modern sensibilities as weird and kind of creepy, which always puts a little uncomfortable distance between me and the characters in such novels, and this one doesn't really qualify as an exception.
It also goes on a bit too long. Not that this is the sort of book one picks up expecting a rollicking, fast-paced thrill ride. It's more the sort to immerse yourself in when you're looking to live somebody else's life for a while, and if you're rushing through it, you're probably doing it wrong. Still, I think I would have been happier with it if it were a couple hundred pages shorter. It doesn't help that Dickens has this habit of writing characters who tend to repeat themselves over and over. I don't know whether that's his attempt at naturalistic dialog, or whether it's the result of him trying to make a word count, but it does get annoying. Although, fortunately, either that eased off substantially by the middle of the book, or I'd gotten used to it enough by then that it stopped bugging me quite so much.
In the end, it's a book I am glad to have read, but also glad to finally be finished with.
Is contained in
Five Novels: A Christmas Carol/David Copperfield/Great Expectations/Oliver Twist/A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
David Copperfield (Norton Critical Edition) by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol / David Copperfield / Great Expectations / Oliver Twist / The Pickwick Papers / A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
The complete novels of Charles Dickens by Charles Dickens
Gesammelte Werke. Die Pickwickier, Nikals Nickleby, Martin Chuzzlewit, Oliver Twist, Weihnachtsgeschichten, Bleakhaus, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
David Copperfield, Volume 1 by Charles Dickens
David Copperfield, Volume 2 by Charles Dickens
Has the adaptation
David Copperfield [adapted ∙ Oxford Bookworms] by Clare West
David Copperfield [adapted ∙ Penguin Reader] by Charles Dickens
Is abridged in
Best Loved Books for Young Readers 01 by Reader's Digest
David Copperfield: Authoritative Modern Abridgement by Edmund Fuller by Charles Dickens
Readers Digest Die Schönsten Bücher für junge Leser. Die Schatzinsel. David Copperfield. Madame Curie. Wenn die Natur ruft by Reader's Digest
Has as a student's study guide
References to this work on external resources.
Wikipedia in English (4)
Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0140439447, Paperback)Beginning in 1854 up through to his death in 1870, Charles Dickens abridged and adapted many of his more popular works and performed them as staged readings. This version, each page illustrated with lovely watercolor paintings, is a beautiful example of one of these adaptations.
Because it is quite seriously abridged, the story concentrates primarily on the extended family of Mr. Peggotty: his orphaned nephew, Ham; his adopted niece, Little Emily; and Mrs. Gummidge, self-described as "a lone lorn creetur and everythink went contrairy with her." When Little Emily runs away with Copperfield's former schoolmate, leaving Mr. Peggotty completely brokenhearted, the whole family is thrown into turmoil. But Dickens weaves some comic relief throughout the story with the introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Micawber, and David's love for his pretty, silly "child-wife," Dora. Dark nights, mysterious locations, and the final destructive storm provide classic Dickensian drama. Although this is not David Copperfield in its entirety, it is a great introduction to the world and the language of Charles Dickens.
(retrieved from Amazon Mon, 30 Sep 2013 13:43:54 -0400)
A young boy in nineteenth-century London runs away from an unhappy home, finds employment in a wine factory, and becomes acquainted with a wide variety of characters in the city streets.
(summary from another edition)
Amazon Kindle (29 editions)
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Penguin Australia
Four editions of this book were published by Penguin Australia.
Editions: 0140439447, 0141031751, 0141199164, 0141343826
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Limiting consumption of colas is a horn we've been tooting here for years. The high amount of sugars is one reason, but some of the other ingredients are no less problematic. Phosphoric acid, for example, leaches calcium from the bones. … Continue reading
The Beverage Industry is "Clear on Calories" – But Not the Other Crap in Soda
Have you seen the ridiculous commercial sponsored by the beverage industry? The one where Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi, and SunnyD pat themselves on the back for having stopped deceptive labeling after 20 years? For years, you'd buy a 20 fl … Continue reading
Another Reason to Quit Cola [Caramel Coloring]
Last week, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the FDA to ban certain types of caramel coloring because their production process creates carcinogenic chemicals: In contrast to the caramel one might make at home by melting … Continue reading

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Yes, the micros function has a resolution of 4usec, but the timer itself clicks 16 times each usec, so actually has a 1/16 usec resolution. To get my 1usec, I'm using the prescaler set at 8, so my timer clicks twice each usec and gives me what I need. The problem came in when i was verifying it using the micros function, and noticed that it was skipping beats....it turned out to be hardware and NOT the micros function. Everything is fine now.
The application is a very high precision stepper motor controller that has real-time, on-the-fly variable acceleration. I've not seen a controller that can do this. An error of 2 or 3 usec can make a big difference surprisingly, but it looks like Arduino is up to the task.


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1Institute of Atmospheric and Environmental Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
2Department of Radio and Space Science, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
3Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Abstract. A neural network algorithm inverting selected channels from the AMSU-A and AMSU-B instruments was applied to retrieve layer averaged relative humidity. The neural network was trained with a global synthetic dataset representing clear-sky conditions. A precision of around 6% was obtained when retrieving global simulated radiances, the precision deteriorated less than 1% when real mid-latitude AMSU radiances were inverted and compared with co-located data from a radiosonde station. The 6% precision outperforms by 1% the reported precision estimate from a linear single-channel regression between radiance and weighting function averaged relative humidity, the more traditional approach to exploit AMSU data. Added advantages are not only a better precision; the AMSU-B humidity information is more optimally exploited by including temperature information from AMSU-A channels; and the layer averaged humidity is a more physical quantity than the weighted humidity, for comparison with other datasets. The training dataset proved adequate for inverting real radiances from a mid-latitude site, but it is limited by not considering the impact of clouds or surface emissivity changes, and further work is needed in this direction for further validation of the precision estimates.
Citation: Jiménez, C., Eriksson, P., John, V. O., and Buehler, S. A.: A practical demonstration on AMSU retrieval precision for upper tropospheric humidity by a non-linear multi-channel regression method, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 4, 7487-7511, doi:10.5194/acpd-4-7487-2004, 2004.


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Took care of that business in 1977.
The first Disney Park we hit was Animal kingdom. It was hot and humid and crowded. Waited in line for tickets mostly because of my ignorance for purchasing them before we went… Then I signed up for TPI and now I am informed….(Like how I got a plug in for TPI)
I remember driving into the entrance to the property, I remember waiting for tickets, I remember riding the ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon. I remember being overwhelmed by everything. I remember not wanting to go to EPCOT that night because I thought it wasn't part of Disney World. I remember going to EPCOT the next day and LOVING it! Well, except all the countries. I remember going to Walt Disney World Village, where they had a huge Christmas tree up. I remember buying lots of souvenirs, and not having any room for them in our baggage. We put them all in a big plastic bag, and forgot to retrieve them from the X-ray scanner in the airport.
We don't have many pictures left from the trip, but I also remember the tiny shorts I wore back then with the giant socks with three stripes on them.
The next time I went back was in 2000, for my niece's first trip to Disney. The whole family went, and we had a blast. AGAIN.
My next trip to any Disney park again wasn't until 1988 when I went to Epcot. During the 90s I went to Disney 6 different years either hitting MGM Studios or Epcot until the final trip in 1999 when I hit both MGM & Epcot. I didn't go back to the Magic Kingdom again until August 2007 almost 34 years later.
We stopped at the main entrance and got directions to our hotel. We were staying at the Contemporary, and as it came into sight, I could barely contain my excitement. Could there be a more modern looking structure?
Then, as if on cue, a monorail emerged from the resort. "Look, its the monorail!" I exclaimed. "It's ok" my mom replied, "There will be another one". She thought I was worried that we missed the ride to the park. She didn't get it. How could anyone not get excited when suddenly confronted with the transportation of the future come to life?
Thus began my first visit to WDW. The place is bigger now, there is much more to do and I have been back many, many times, but I will never forget the excitement and wonder of being a 13 year old kid visiting for the very first time.
It was August 1977. I was nine. It was my first airplane ride. We spent our first full day at Magic Kingdom, and returned to the hotel late that night. My mom went into the bathroom, and my sister and I turned on the tv. The news was reporting that Elvis Presley died. My mom was a HUGE fan of Elvis, so I ran over to the bathroom door and broke the news to her. I heard her crying behind the closed door. I remember almost nothing about the park. This is the memory that permeates when I think of my first Disney trip.
So just a few weeks after I'd graduated high school, I flew to Orlando with a bunch of classmates. It was an AMAZING experience...I will never forget how in awe I was of everything. Magical is the only word to describe Walt Disney World. Playing a concert there was even more incredible. We dressed up in colonial-era costumes and had to stay in character...no waving or smiling to our classmates and family members in the audience!
I've been back to Disney World twice since my first trip there almost 10 years ago, but none have quite compared to that first experience.
Needless to say, we were tightly wound as we made our way down International Drive to Disney's Animal Kingdom. The first thing I remember is that the person in the parking booth said, "Have a magical day." Even as a cynical teenager, that made me laugh. The greatest memory, however, was our first attraction - Kilimanjaro Safaris - not because it was excellent, but because the attendant at the front of the line let my dad, my brothers, and I into the line, then stopped my mom from entering.
"Sorry, ma'am. Only 4 at a time."
That was it. That was the last straw. After all the agony of delayed flights, lost luggage, and lost tickets, the last thing we needed was another delay. My mom turned red, ready to explode on this guy, until he said:
"Just messing with ya! You looked like you needed a laugh!"
Man, did we ever, and we laughed hard. From that moment, we were hooked.
Disney, in many ways, has been surpassed in terms of R & D, but what got us hooked in the first place and keeps us coming back is the service.
Over the years I've visited Orlando several times and I always make sure I drop by MK, even if it was only for several hours or so. I think it's because when you go to Disneyworld, you're literally leaving the real world behind, not just behind the borders that the railroad sets. I hope that Disney (and Orlando for that matter) always keeps that 'real' world out of that area. It's too magical to be bothered by 'real world' so to speak.


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- Financial Information and Services
New Student Programs
First Year Student Orientation
Fall 2014 Advisement and Class Selection Days for New Students
When is Registration for New Students?
Registration is by invitation only. For more information and to confirm your attendance, visit your MyCity page.
You will have an opportunity to RSVP for New Student Orientation at your selected Advisement and Class Selection Day.
What should I do to Prepare for Advisement and Class Selection Days?
We're here to help you succeed. Part of being a successful college student is learning how to navigate the College's rules, regulations and deadlines.
A Message to New Students from: Vice President Reina, General Education, Admissions, Bursar, Financial Aid, IT and Registrar.
NOTE: To be eligible for New York State tuition and fees, you may be required to prove New York State residency. If there is a question regarding your N.Y. State residency and you wish to be charged in-state rates, you must complete a CUNY Residency Form. The information you provide will determine if you meet the guidelines set by the City University of New York. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in your being billed as a non-resident. Incomplete applications or missing documents will delay the processing of the application.
What events will happen during Registration?
The Orientation Committee is planning a series of fun and informative activities to welcome you, the Class of 2018/19, acclimate to life at City College. You will receive an orientation schedule when you arrive for Orientation.
Contact Us:
For general inquiries about orientation
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
9AM to 5PM
9AM to 5PM
International Student Orientation:
August 22, 2014
Last day to pay your bill for Fall 2014
August 27, 2014
Last day of Registration
August 28, 2014
Classes Begin
September 26, 2014
Final deadline to submit proof of immunization for Fall 2014 for NYS residents
October 14, 2014
Final deadline to submit proof of immunization for Non-NYS residents
May 16, 2015
The final deadline for filing a 2014-15 FAFSA


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I can hear them coming up our street. It is a strange, ominous rumble. Thuds and blows. The floor aquiver under my feet. There are shouts too. Men's voices, loud and excited. The whinny of horses, the stamp of hooves. It sounds like a battle, like in that hot and dreadful July when our daughter was born, or that bloody time when the barricades went up all over the city. It smells like a battle. Stifling clouds of dust. Acrid smoke. Dirt and rubble. I know the Hôtel Belfort has been destroyed, Gilbert told me. I cannot bear to think about it. I will n
"The audiobook passes quickly, giving listeners a compelling crash course on a pocket of French history while entertaining them with the story of a woman who seems to walk the line between completely rational and utterly daft." – Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"Tatiana de Rosnay's novel is skillfully narrated by the delightful Kate Reading…Reading's subtle tones and refined accents are pitch-perfect as Rose reveals her most cherished moments and her deepest secrets." – AudioFile Magazine
"If you pick up the audio version, it is only enhanced by Kate Reading's narration. Her French accent complemented the story without being distracting and gave a strong voice to the story's heroine." – Columbia Daily Tribune
"An emotional, poignant story of adoration, loss, and bravery, The House I Loved is an unforgettable listening experience, and highly recommended." – The Midwest Book Review
"Kate Reading's narration transports listeners to the streets of Paris…De Rosnay's prose is enhanced by Reading's stellar narration; she reads with a robust English accent, sprinkling her performance with almost flawless French pronunciations." – Publishers Weekly
"As we get to know Rose (through Kate Reading's voice, her intimate laughter, and the smiles that we can hear in her tone), we begin to wait patiently as she builds the courage to tell us the secret she's kept locked up for most of her life." – New World Review
"An audio book makes a welcome companion on a long drive, provided it's the right one. This fits the bill: absorbing and easy to follow without the complexities that might make it a driving distraction." – Newark Star-Ledger
Tatiana de Rosnay; Read by Kate Reading


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High Speed Crow has made some upgrades! We have also been putting up new towers across Manitoba every month. We would like to celebrate these upgrades with you our customers! and those of you looking for a new Wireless High Speed Internet service provider.
We are celebrating by offering NO CHARGE upgrades for existing customers, and NO CHARGE standard installs for customers looking to change from their current internet provider. Don't miss this chance to sign up with one of Manitoba's fastest growing high speed wireless internet providers.
Click to contact us for more details at: firstname.lastname@example.com
*Special mounting requirements such as tripods, masts, and towers are extra*
High Speed Crow has been Manitoba owned and operated since 2003, and is continuously upgraded to meet the demands of the new applications such as, online gaming, telecommuting, and VoIP service.
We use carrier grade equipment, along with the proper hardware, and tools for every job. This along side our well trained knowledgeable staff, come together to create one great team here to serve you.
To ensure the customer is always taken care of at any point of the day or night, High Speed Crow offers a 24/7 technical support line with real people.
Come experience the way high speed internet in rural Manitoba should be! with High Speed Crow.
A Manitoba Owned & Operated internet service provider (ISP) since 2003.
With High Speed Crow's dedicated network technologists, we have many options for you to unwire! With our different technologies, we can show you how to create wireless LANs in your Office, Home, or Community.
We offer services in various locations throughout the Selkirk, Lorette, Stony Mountain, and Beausejour areas with flexible packages. With High Speed Crow you're always connected!
On June 3, 2013 PROFIT Magazine ranked High Speed Crow No. 272 on the 25th annual PROFIT 500, the definitive ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies. Published in the Summer issue of PROFIT Magazine and online at PROFITguide.com, the PROFIT 500 ranks Canadian businesses by their revenue growth over five years. High Speed Crow, made the PROFIT 500 list with five-‐year revenue growth of 212%.


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You may experience issues while trying to update applications during initial use of the Nokia Lumia 710.
- When you click on ESPN tile, the display seems to be stuck on "Loading" message.
- When you click on ESPN tile, the app states that an update is available, but another message may display that app update is not compatible with phone.
Updating applications from the marketplace will not work until your device is recognized by the app server. This can take up to 15 minutes from the first data connection (Cellular or Wi-Fi). If you attempt an app update before the device is recognized with the app server it will fail and display an error message until the device recognition is established.
This issue is on the Microsoft Marketplace side and not on the device side. The issue is being addressed by Microsoft Marketplace team and the final fix is expected soon.
- Open the Marketplace app and use it for at least 15 minutes to ensure that the device has been recognized by the app server.
- Ensure that all device settings are set to US (date time; region language).
- A way to initiate device recognition is to browse Xbox Games as that automatically triggers device recognition with Microsoft Marketplace on the phone.
- If the above settings are all correct, reset the device (settings > about > reset your phone).


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New Ulm Public Library
17 N. Broadway,
New Ulm, MN 56073
August 11, 2014 - U.S.-Dakota War Commemoration Events Scheduled by Kris Wiley
August 4, 2014 - Wowza for Wowbrary! by Kris Wiley
July 28, 2014 - Orphan Walking by Betty J Roiger
July 21, 2014 - Let's Cheer On the Summer Readers! by Katy Hiltner
July 14, 2014 - Anniversary of World War I Approaches by Linda Lindquist
July 7, 2014 - Teens Take Center Stage at Library by Kris Wiley
June 30, 2014 - Ten in Ten by Betty J Roiger and Kris Wiley
June 23, 2014 - Bird Box by Betty J Roiger
June 16, 2014 - Summertime by Linda Lindquist
June 9, 2014 - $1500!! by Betty J Roiger and Kris Wiley
June 2, 2014 - Paws to Read This Summer! by Katy Hiltner
May 19, 2014 - What's the Buzz by Betty J Roiger
May 12, 2014 - Ancestry Library Edition Now Available by Kris Wiley
May 5, 2014 - Springtime and Gardening by Linda Lindquist
Apr 28, 2014 - Upcoming Author Visits at the Library by Kris Wiley
Apr 21, 2014 - A World of Books by Betty J. Roiger
Apr 14, 2014 - Tippi Hedren's Coming to New Ulm! by Betty Roiger & Kris Wiley
Apr 07, 2014 - Add More of the Little Moments by Katy Hiltner
Mar 31, 2014 - On the Rocks by Betty Roiger
Mar 24, 2014 - CAST(LE) and the Library: A Great Partnership by Kris Wiley
Mar 17, 2014 - 2013 At the Library by Larry Hlavsa
Mar 10, 2014 - Bloom Is Off the Rose by Betty J. Roiger
Mar 03, 2014 - No article
Feb 24, 2014 - April 15-Income Tax Time-Coming Soon by Linda Lindquist
Feb 17, 2014 - Read "The Giver," and See the MLC Production by Kris Wiley
Feb 10, 2014 - New DVDs at the Library by Larry Hlavsa
Feb 03, 2014 - North of Boston by Betty J Roiger
Jan 27, 2014 - Enjoying Time Indoors by Katy Hiltner
Jan 20, 2014 - New Year's Resolution by Linda Lindquist
Jan 13, 2014 - We Love Author Visits by Betty Roiger & Kris Wiley
Jan 06, 2014 - ITSSOCOLDIGOTTAREAD.COM by Larry Hlavsa
Dec 30, 2013 - Reading Program for Adults Begins January 6 by Kris Wiley
Dec 23, 2013 - There Is No History, Only Biography by Larry Hlavsa
Dec 16, 2013 - What's for Chrismtas? by Betty Roiger
Dec 09, 2013 - Yes, Betty, There Is a Santa by Betty Roiger
Dec 02, 2013 - Holiday Baking by Linda Lindquist
Nov 25, 2013 - Conversations From the Cubicles – We're Wrapping Up 2013 With a Bow by Kris Wiley & Betty Roiger
Nov 24, 2013 - The Murder of JFK: the Survey
Says by Larry Hlavsa
Nov 11, 2013 - The Murder of JFK: the Biggest Cold Case Ever by Larry Hlavsa
Nov 04, 2013 - Where Were You on November 22, 1963 by Linda Lindquist
Oct 28, 2013 - Friends Book Sale November
7-9 by Kris Wiley
Oct 07, 2013 - Fall Into Reading by Betty Roiger
Sep 30, 2013 - Learn More About Longtime Civic Leader Fred Johnson by Kris Wiley
Sep 23, 2013 - October Musings by Linda Lindquist
Sep 16, 2013 - Meet Minnesota Author Peter Geye by Kris Wiley
Sep 09, 2013 - E-Books: An Update
by Larry Hlavsa
Aug 19, 2013 - Need A Break Before School Starts? by Linda Lindquist
Aug 12, 2013 - Dakota War Commemoration
Events Scheduled by Kris Wiley
Jul 29, 2013 - Kids iPads are Coming!
by Larry Hlavsa
Jul 15, 2013 - Trying to Lose Weight? by Linda Lindquist
Jul 08, 2013 - Epistolary Novels: the Next Best Thing to Writing Letters by Kris Wiley
Jul 01, 2013 - Great Civil War Reads by Larry Hlavsa
Jun 24, 2013 - Dont' Wait for the Next Big
Read by Betty Roiger
Apr 29, 2013 - Surplus to Some, Treasure to Others by Larry Hlavsa
Apr 22, 2013 - Library Staff and Volunteers
are Great by Kris Wiley
Mar 25, 2013 - Wool by Betty Roiger
Mar 18, 2013 - Interior Re-design at the Library by Larry Hlavsa
Mar 11, 2013 - Friends Team Up with Sven & Ole's for Book Fair by Kris Wiley
Mar 04, 2013 - What to Read Next?
by Katy Kudela & Betty Roiger
Feb 04, 2013 - Take Your Child to the Library Day! by Katy Kudela
Jan 28, 2013 - Doorways to Books by Betty Roiger
Jan 21, 2013 - Winter Blahs by
Linda Lindquist
Jan 06, 2013 - What New Ulm Adults Read by Larry Hlavsa
August 11, 2014
U.S.-Dakota War Commemoration Events
New Ulm Public Library is pleased to partner with the Brown County Historical Society (BCHS) for events commemorating the 152nd anniversary of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. A number of programs are scheduled for the week of August 18-24. A complete list is available at www.browncountyhistorymn.org.
The very popular Lunch & a Bite of History speaker series runs August 18-22 at 12 p.m. each day at the BCHS Museum Annex (2 N. Broadway); attendees are welcome to bring their lunch. Presentations are free and open to the public and will last about one hour. This year's calendar includes:
· Monday, August 18 – Sandee Geshick, Women in Dakota Life
· Tuesday, August 19 – Daniel Munson, The Kochendorfer Family
· Wednesday, August 20 – Darryl Sannes, The Battle of Acton
· Thursday, August 21 – Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann, Jacob Nix
· Friday, August 22 – Jan Klein and Joyce Kloncz, What Happened to the Settlers in Renville County? The Aftermath of the U.S.-Dakota War
On August 19 at 7 p.m. at the library (17 N. Broadway), Michael Eckers will discuss his book "The Boys of Wasioja." CASTLE Lifelong Learning, the New Ulm Battery, and the BCHS are partners for this free program.
The lunch series and Eckers' program are made possible by grants provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative and are funded in part with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
On August 23 at 1 p.m., children preschool age and up are invited to the BCHS Annex for Bringing Books to Life: Surviving the War of 1862 presented by Lori Pickell-Stangel, Executive Director of the McLeod County Historical Society. This free program will focus on the experiences of Dakota War survivor Nancy McClure Faribault.
Also on August 23, Katie Gropper walking tours of downtown New Ulm are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. leaving from the BCHS. Cost is $3 for adults; children and students are free. Reservations are required; call 507-233-2620.
On August 24 at 2 p.m., there will be a free guided walking tour of the Pioneer Section of the New Ulm City Cemetery. The tour will begin at the cemetery's maintenance building.
And finally, there may be a few seats left in one of the luxury van tours of historic Brown County. Reservations are $20 and can be made by calling the BCHS at 507-233-2620. The August 22 tour is from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and will cover Milford, Sigel, and Stark townships. There will be two tours on August 23: 9:30-11:30 a.m. will cover Milford, and 12-2 p.m. will cover the Leavenworth Rescue area.
All are welcome to these commemorative events. Come join in learning the history of the greater Brown County area.
Wowza for Wowbrary!
Kris Wiley, Library Director
Kris Wiley, Library Director
Wouldn't it be great to know what the library just has purchased and to get that information in a consistent, timely way? Wouldn't it be greater if the library's upcoming programs were included? And wouldn't it be the greatest if library staff recommendations were incorporated?
Well, guess what?! Wowbrary, the library's newest service, is your answer. Register for free e-mails or RSS feeds to receive weekly updates on New Ulm Public Library's newest acquisitions, events, and staff picks. Go to the library's Web site at www.newulmlibrary.org to get started. From the library's home page, scroll to the images of the books moving across the page and click on "More." That will take you to the newsletter. Then click "Sign Up." Every Wednesday, subscribers will receive an e-mail featuring the latest news from the library.
My favorite part of Wowbrary is the direct link from the e-mail to the library's catalog. For example, the most recent newsletter included the jacket photo and synopsis of the new book "The Queen of the Tearling." Seeing that reminded me that Betty really liked the book, and I decided I wanted to place a hold on it. With Wowbrary, I clicked the "Borrow" button beside the book cover, and I was directed straight to the library's catalog. There was no need to open another window, go to the library catalog Web site, remember the title, type in the title … Wowbrary did all the work for me.
By default, the main page shows the top 20 choices by Amazon popularity. But if you're interested in only large print or young adult or a specific subject such as cooking or biography, look no further than the menu on the left for a format and subject list of everything that was added over the past week.
As a library programmer I always am looking for new ways to promote events, and Wowbrary is a great tool. I'm able to post a photo and a short press release, and the information populates nicely among the book listings.
As a reader I always am looking for recommendations, and Wowbrary provides a feature for staff to highlight favorite books, movies, and music. Just as with the new acquisitions, there is a "Borrow" button beside the photo that will take users directly to the library catalog. Many of us here at the library love talking about books, and here is another opportunity to share our recent favorites.
The library has purchased a one-year subscription to Wowbrary, and we'll analyze usage statistics to determine whether to continue to offer the service. I encourage you to register, check it out, and let us know what you think. See you at the library!
Betty J Roiger, Acquisitions
What happened to Sarah? Rick is where? In case you don't know what happened to Sarah and where Rick is exactly, that means it is almost time for binge TV! Today I want to give you a preview of what's coming out on DVD and coming to the New Ulm Public Library. And I also want to remind folks about some titles you might have missed.
The fading of July can only mean that season two of "Orphan Black" is out. If you liked season one, season two is just as action packed, aaa-nd, more clones! This is seriously an awesome show. I grew up with Patty Duke in "The Patty Duke Show" when she played cousins Patty and Kathy. Hum along: "… But they're cousins, identical cousins all the way. One pair of matching bookends, different as night and day …" (Yes, I did that from memory — cut me a break — I was 10.) Back in the '60s, it was unbelievable to have one person playing twins. Nowadays, though, you need to see Tatiana Maslany in action on "Orphan Black" to really appreciate someone playing multiple characters. Last count I did, she had created nine separate, intriguing identities. And she has done it so successfully that you are sucked into believing that soccer mom Alison, scientist-nerd Cosima, and street-smart Sarah are all individuals.
Remember at the end of last season? Sarah's daughter, Kira, was abducted, and conspiracies were piling up all over the place. This season it starts with a chase and pretty much keeps up that pace. I can't say much without giving spoilers — and who really wants that? During one episode I jumped up screaming "Nooooooo!" because Sarah was in such a fix, and Doug kept saying: "You're scaring the cats!" Just know "Orphan Black" was pretty remarkable this season. If you like a little bit of fantastic sci-fi, this is a really great series.
The DVDs of "The Walking Dead" will be out in August. In case you missed season four, it was the best yet. If you are a lover of the graphic novels (and who isn't?) and you watch the show, you know that each format has gone off on a different path. This literally creates a new tension with the show. The characters you come to know don't always make it through the zombie apocalypse in the books, but they might still be alive on TV and vice versa.
OMG! The Governor is back. Can he be a changed man? No, ho ho. All I'm sayin' is do not go golfing with that dude. No sportsmanship there. This season, they changed it up, and our hearty survivors have to split up and fend for themselves. It's a good ploy because we get to know a little bit more about how everyone evolves under pressure. Pay attention to those paintings that Carl and Michonne find in that abandoned house. Bunnies, the one-eyed dog, and the lady with the braid all play parts in the following episodes. Why? The new writers keep dropping Easter eggs for viewers to find. Honestly, this makes watching the show a whole lot more interesting. The finale of season four is so amazing you'll want to watch it twice to pick up all the details you missed in the action the first time around.
So, Betty (I tell myself), maybe not everyone adores clones or zombies. OK. (Sigh.) For folks who enjoy the western series "Longmire," the second season is here. We also have the movies "Heaven is for Real" available, as well as "The Son of God." Both politically charged seasons of "House of Cards" are on and off the shelves, so placing holds might be the way to go with that series. If you haven't seen "Defiance" from the SyFy channel, be sure to check it out. This series takes place on Earth in the year 2046. Several alien species are trying to live together with humans creating all the fear, distrust, and intrigue that go along with that. "Dear Mr. Watterson" is a DVD love letter of sorts. It's an exploration of why Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip was so popular and why so many readers loved it and are still fans today. "Orange is the New Black" and "True Detective" are getting a lot of love; both shows have gotten several Emmy nominations.
So that's what will be gracing our library shelves in July and August. Come in and check something out. Rick and Sarah will be waiting for you.
Let's Cheer On the Summer Readers!
What an amazing summer it has been at the New Ulm Public Library. I'd like to extend a big thank you to all the children and teens who signed up for this year's "Paws to Read" Summer Reading Program. There are so many dedicated young readers in our community. It's our hope to see hundreds of these readers complete this year's program. If you know a reader, please cheer them on to the finish line.
With just over a week remaining on the July calendar, there is still plenty of time for children to bring their "Paws to Read" game sheets back to the library. Each reader who completes 25 days of reading will earn a prize book and will have a chance to win one of 10 grand prizes. For those readers who have completed their 25 days, there is a challenge path they can try out, too!
Teens are also encouraged to stop by the library to fill out book slips. By reading just one book, a registered teen automatically earns a free book at the end of the reading program. The more books a teen reads, the better his or her chances of earning a grand prize.
To celebrate this year's reading program, the library staff is hosting a "Paw-ty at the Library" on Thursday, July 31. The day's event will begin with a storytime in the Children's Room at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., Smokey Bear will be making a guest appearance at the library. Families are encouraged to stop by the library to meet Smokey Bear and pick up a copy of a Smokey Bear book, while supplies last. The party will continue from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with treats, crafts, and door prizes. All "Paws to Read" Summer Reading Program participants are encouraged to stop by the library to celebrate their great reading efforts.
Now, if the library books could talk, I think these books would also be cheering. After all, the library staff saw many, many books being checked out this summer. I suspect there is nothing a library book enjoys more than being checked out and going on vacation. I first learned of "book vacations" after reading Laura Purdie Salas' children's book, "Bookspeak! Poems about Books." If I apply this wonderful visual to our library, I would say our library books are a very happy collection!
Anniversary of World War I Approaches ,
,Adult Services/Reference Librarian
In 1888, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck stated: "One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans." How right he was. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Duchess Sophie, were visiting Sarajevo, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Their motorcade stalled and a member of The Black Hand group rushed up to their car and shot both of them. They died soon after. The assassination created a confusing situation for the Great Powers of Europe (Germany, Russia, France, Great Britain, and Austria-Hungary). This event was the spark that started what became known as the Great War or World War.
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife became the first casualties of the war. An estimated 18 million people lost their lives in the war. The United States declared war on Germany and its allies on April 6, 1917. According to the United States World War One Centennial Commission, a total of 116,516 Americans died in the war with another 205,690 wounded. World War I destroyed four empires: the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. It also set the stage for current conditions in the Middle East. The United States reluctantly entered Europe's "Great War" and tipped the balance to an Allied victory. In the words of President Woodrow Wilson, the United States entered the war to "make the world safe for democracy." The United States emerged from the war a significant, but reluctant, world power.
This article offers a very condensed version of the war. If you would like to learn more, stop by the library. We have recently received some new books on World War I. One of these books is entitled "The Real War 1914-1918" by Captain B. H. Liddell Hart. He is considered the authority on World War I, and has done a great deal of research to create a book that is both brief but precise. This is a one-volume book that is understandable for most readers. He has taken military history and has made it enjoyable to read. Hart's book was first published in 1930 and reprinted in 1964, but it still is relevant for today's readers.
A second book that I wanted to share is "The Great War: A Photographic Narrative" by Mark Holborn and Hilary Roberts published late last year. The photographs are from the Imperial War Museums in London and many of them have never been seen before. There are 380 black-and-white photographs depicting World War I. The book starts with prewar battleship fleets and goes through the final moments of the war with the sinking of the German fleet. Most of us do not know or remember anything about World War I except what we have learned in our history classes or read about in books. These photographs bring the war to us. Chapters are arranged by year. Each chapter has an introduction giving military and political context of the photographs. This would be a wonderful gift for any history buff and makes a great coffee table book.
These are only two of the new non-fiction titles we have at the library. There are many more books on the shelves at the New Ulm Public Library on World War I and history in general. Feel free to come in, browse, and check out any titles that appeal to you.
Teens Take Center Stage at Library
This is a great time for teens at New Ulm Public Library. Young adults ages 13-18 are in the middle of the Summer Reading Program, Paws to Read, and there are upcoming programs scheduled just for you.
Teens still have the opportunity to participate in the reading program. Register at the Service Center, and then log every book you read on scratch paper. If you log one book, you will get a free book. Winners of other prizes will be drawn from all submissions, so the more books you read, the better chance you have of winning. The reading program continues through July 31.
The first special event for young adults is a comic arts workshop July 15 from 2-4 p.m. Ursula Murray Husted, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, will guide participants in putting ideas and drawings into a comic book format. From 4-5 p.m., library staff will host a reception for the young artists to share their work with the community. This free program is open to those ages 12-18. Registration is limited; sign up at the Service Center.
On July 21 at 7 p.m., teens (and the general public) are invited to hear local favorites The Little Prairie Pickers at German Park. This musical event is sponsored in partnership with New Ulm Park & Rec and KNUJ.
On July 24 at 6 p.m., teens and adults are invited to join us for a visit with special guest Geoff Herbach, who will speak about his latest young adult book, "Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders." Copies of the book are available at the Service Center upon request while supplies last. Herbach, author of the award-winning Stupid Fast series, teaches creative writing at Minnesota State, Mankato. No registration is required.
These special events are made possible by the Friends of the New Ulm Public Library and grants provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative and are funded in part with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Young adults wanting still more to do can pick up a BINGO card at the front desk. Complete five library-related squares in a row, and win a prize. Teens also are encouraged to participate in read., a trivia contest based on "Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders" and "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. Throughout this month, trivia questions will be posted near the Service Center. A winner will be drawn from all of the correct submissions.
And, of course, there is an amazing and ever-growing collection of young adult books at the library from which to choose. See you at the library!
Ten in Ten
Betty J Roiger, Acquisitions
Kris Wiley, Library Director
Kris: I have an idea what we can write about!
Betty: Great! What?
K: Let's recommend 10 good summer reads in 10 seconds. Well, more like 10 paragraphs. OK: Go!
B: Wait! What?! I'm not ready... um, OK: "I Love You More" by Jennifer Murphy. Three wives meet when they find out they are married to the same man and decide to get even. In this case, marriage can be murder. The voices of the narrators, (Picasso, the deceased child and the world-weary detective involved) are great. Go!
K: Hey, I just read a different book that featured one man and three wives, "A Circle of Wives" by Alice LaPlante. Similarly, the husband is murdered, and the reader spends the book alternately convinced that each wife did him in.
B: Well, if you like fantasies, "Queen of the Tearling" by Erika Johansen has a corrupted, evil queen, reluctant exiled young princess, fierce knights, magic, assassins, books, handsome highwaymen, intrigue ... what more do you need in an epic fantasy? Perhaps have Emma Watson (Hermione in the Harry Potter series) star in the movie? Consider it done.
K: That's a tough one to top, but I'm going with "One Plus One" by English author Jojo Moyes, author of the smash bestseller and my favorite book of 2013, "Me Before You." Her new book features down-on-her-luck single mom Jess, who is raising her brilliant daughter and bullied stepson. Jess has to get her daughter to a maths competition in Scotland, so she and her children catch a ride with Ed, a wealthy tech geek with problems of his own. Call this an unconventional romance.
B: From England back to the States. I love "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, so stumbling upon "The Mockingbird Next Door" by Marja Mills was a nice bonus. Imagine getting a phone call from Harper Lee!?! Marja wrote it was akin to getting a call from the Wizard of Oz, altogether amazing and unreal. She got the opportunity to interview and then live next to Harper and her sister Alice. This is a unique inside view of how Harper wrote one of the most beloved books of our time and why she never wrote another.
K: I absolutely adore "To Kill a Mockingbird," both the book and the movie (Gregory Peck!). Ahem. I'm going across the pond again, this time to Norway and "The Son" by Jo Nesbo. Sonny has been in prison for 12 years and is considered a father confessor of sorts for his fellow prisoners. When he discovers that his father was murdered, he arranges an ingenious escape and hunts down some seriously bad people. There's nothing light about this read, but the nonstop action, well-developed characters, and moral ambiguity kept me turning the pages. Back to you.
B: You keep hopping around the world. I'm jumping in time. In "Archetype" by M.D. Waters, Emma wakes up with no memory. Her handsome, powerful, rich husband, DeClan, seductively reassures her by trying to help her recreate her memories. How lucky can she be? He's perfect. But other memories come in snatches of dreams and images in her head. She remembers the steamy love of her life, and she's beginning to think it isn't DeClan at all. What has actually happened to her, and who can she trust? This futuristic romantic mystery starts in "Archetype" and concludes in "Prototype" which is out this month.
K: You know I like mysteries, so I'll stick with that theme and say "Missing You" by Harlan Coben. As a child of the '80s, I loved the title nod to John Waite's sentimental pop hit. This plot-driven novel centers on an NYPD detective who is trying to solve the disappearances of people who are connected by a dating Web site.
B: On another serious note, "We Are Called to Rise" by Laura McBride explores divorce, soldiers returning from war, dysfunctional families, and rocky relationships that lead to unexpected tragedy. It might sound like a downer, but it isn't at all. This is a heartbreaking yet hopeful read about human beings attempting to be their best selves to create kindness.
K: That has been getting a lot of buzz, and it's on my to-read list. I'm finishing with another buzz book, "Euphoria" by Lily King, a historical novel set in New Guinea (yep, I'm crossing the ocean again) and loosely based on the life of anthropologist Margaret Mead. This is a small book that packs a big punch, with a love triangle, loneliness, and fascinating glimpses into the lives of other cultures.
B: Whew! So what did we end up with? Several mysteries, a few fantasies, some contemporary and realistic, and I read nonfiction!
K: What did you like best?
B: Oh, don't make me choose. When I'm in it, that particular book is the one I like. Which right now is "The Quick" by Lauren Owen.
Bird Box
Every summer lists of books come out that are labeled "Beach Reads." I have never been quite sure what constitutes a beach read. What I would define as a good book would be one that was so engrossing I wouldn't know if I was on a beach or a mountaintop unless I looked up from the page. Just the other day, I found such a book.
"Bird Box" by Josh Malerman caught me by surprise. The review I read called it "Horror at its best." I hadn't read anything scary for a while, so I opened "Bird Box." The thing is, once I was in it, I really needed to keep going; it's that kind of book. It isn't graphic or gory, but it gets under your skin and is really creepy. The cover blurb says: "Don't open your eyes," and that's pretty much how I felt through the whole thing, like I was walking blindly along with Malorie, the narrator.
Something is out in the world. There have been videos and news clips of people going mad, descending into deadly violence to others and themselves afterward. The "catch" is nobody knows what "it" looks like because if you get a glimpse of "the thing," then you go mad, kill, and die, too. So no one knows what it is, what it looks like, or where it came from. Things devolve quickly in this book. Television, Internet and communications are failing as "whatever it is" overruns the population. As events accelerate, people use newspapers alongside their faces rather like horse blinders when they are outside. Then they put blankets over all their windows to prevent seeing the outdoors.
Malorie and her sister, Shannon, have safeguarded their home, blanketing windows. When Malorie hears a noise and Shannon doesn't answer her, she goes upstairs to find her. She sees a sliver of light coming in from an unprotected corner of the window, and Malorie knows before she finds Shannon that the worst has happened. Malorie is pregnant and knows she cannot live alone. Having read of a safe-house, Malorie paints her car windows black and drives slowly to the address, closing her eyes often. She glances outside to mark the walkway and blindly moves up to the door. Here she meets a small group of survivors that has developed a lifestyle using other senses. If the survivors go out, they close their eyes and feel their way around. When they go out to the well, picture frames have been made into a path. To walk off of the wood frames means they have gone too far, and tying ropes to themselves enables others to reel them back.
On foraging excursions outside, the group struggles not to see anything, and that building feeling of claustrophobia works really well for this story. Once outdoors, having the touch of something on a shoulder becomes horrifying; is that something? No, it has to be a leaf. Please let it be a leaf. Wanting to raise their blindfolds and knowing it is certain death. It HAS to be a leaf. As a reader, following the narrator, the urge to see, to look, to find out is overwhelming. The fear ratchets up, and an oppressive claustrophobia grows as the plot thickens. Books don't always deliver what they promise; this one did. It was delightfully scary.
I just could not NOT keep reading to find out how Malorie progressed through this book, holding my breath and creeping along with her. And I knew the story really had gotten to me when I woke up one morning and couldn't see (as the blanket was over my eyes). And my first thought was: Of course I have a blindfold on so I won't accidentally see one of those things and go mad. So creepy!
Linda Lindquist
Hot days, baseball, swimming, vacations—all of these things remind us of summer. Summer means different things to different people. Maybe you have been planning a vacation all winter and are ready to set out on that excursion. Maybe you are just ready to sit back in your lawn chair and read a good book. Either way, these books may be of interest to you.
Are you planning a vacation to Germany in the near future? "Rick Steves' Germany 2014" might be just the book for you. He has good suggestions on what hotels and restaurants to visit, helpful plans on where to go and what to see, and also helpful hints on how to get around Germany by train, bus, car, or even boat. His guidebook takes you to fairy-tale castles, forests, quaint villages and on to modern Munich and Frankfort. He also includes a handy map for ready reference.
If you are not interested in traveling to a foreign country, how about seeing some of the sights in the United States? Some of our new travel books include "Florida & the South's Best Trips: 28 Amazing Road Trips" written by Adam Skolnick, Amy Balfour, Adam Karlin, and Mariella Krause. States covered in this book are Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. This book has been broken down into Classic Trips which take you all over these states. A map is included showing where you will be going, must see places along the way, and of course restaurants and eating places along the route. If you do not want to go south, we have new travel books for Alaska and Alaska Cruises put out by Fodor's Travel. What to see, where to stay, and places to eat are covered in these books as well.
If travel is not something that you want to do this summer, how about checking out some of the new sports books that have been acquired recently by the New Ulm Public Library. Baseball always comes to my mind when I think of summer. One of the new books is entitled "The Closer: My Story" by Mariano Rivera, who some consider the greatest relief pitcher of all time. He was born in Panama and thought he was going to be a mechanic. He had never flown in an airplane, never heard of Babe Ruth, spoke no English, and he did not know anything about the town of Tampa, Florida, where he would begin his career in baseball. Now all baseball fans know his name. If you are a Ted Williams fan, "The Kid: The Immortal Life of Ted Williams" by Ben Bradlee, Jr., is just the ticket for you. In his own words, he wanted to be "the greatest hitter who ever lived." His .406 batting average proved that. He drove himself to perfection and he accomplished much in his lifetime. Sports fans will enjoy reading this book. On a different note, William C. Kashatus has written "Jackie & Campy: The Untold Story of Their Rocky Relationship and the Breaking of Baseball's Color Line" which may be of interest to sports fans as well. Even though they were teammates on the 1955 World Champion Brooklyn Dodgers, and the first black players to break professional baseball's color barrier, they had differing beliefs about the fight for civil rights. According to Larry Lester, historian for the Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame, this is "A fantastic and thought-provoking analysis of how two men championed the fight for racial harmony in segregated American via different rules of engagement. A must-read for any serious student of baseball and American history."
So, as you are planning your activities for the summer, keep these books in mind. All of the above mentioned books are available for checkout at the New Ulm Public Library. If you need help finding any of them, stop at the Service Center desk and someone will help you. Have a safe and fun-filled summer!
Betty J Roiger, Acquisitions
Kris Wiley, Assistant Library Director
Betty: You know how there never seems to be enough money to go around?
Kris: Tell me about it.
B: If there were full coffers, we could have endless books and DVDs and e-books …
K: Dream on. But …
B: What?! Spill it!
K: OverDrive, our electronic books vendor, is sponsoring a contest this month. If our regional library cooperative increases e-book and e-audiobook checkouts by 25 percent over our previous high monthly total, we could win $1500 in OverDrive cash.
B: That's sounds like a no-brainer. How many checkouts are we talking about?
K: Our previous high total was 6175 checkouts for one month. That means we have to check out 7719 items in June to be eligible for the prize. But that's throughout the entire nine-county region. When you break that down by the 30-plus libraries in the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative, the OverDrive Challenge is doable.
B: We should spread the word and have all of our library patrons read more e-books and listen to more e-audiobooks this month. We always could use the cash to purchase more titles. Cuz, geez, a single electronic copy of "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn cost us $85 dollars. (And we had to purchase five copies to keep up with demands.)
K: What? I can purchase a Kindle copy on Amazon for $8.54.
B: I know, right? Libraries are on a different pricing structure than single customers. That is why, if we could win $1500, well, that sure would help us in the purchasing department.
K: I know when I'm purchasing, some of the costs are astronomical. They do come down in cost, but that's well after they are hot bestsellers. And people want things right away.
B: And that's when they cost the most. "China Dolls" by Lisa See is $81.00 right now. The price will decrease, but it is making the "must read" lists right now.
K: And then there are other hot titles such as "Elizabeth is Missing," which is going for $22.99, but we have it for only 26 circulations, and then if we want it again, we have to purchase it. I'm hopeful that electronic books vendors and publishers will sort out their differences and prices will level out; unfortunately, we're just not there yet.
B: To get patrons psyched for the Challenge, I just purchased a number of new adult fiction e-books and e-audiobooks, including "The Hurricane Sisters" by Dorothea Benton Frank, "Natchez Burning" by Greg Iles, "Chestnut Street" by Maeve Binchy," and – one of my new favorites – "Bird Box" by Josh Malerman. If you like to be freaked out while reading, this is the book for you.
K: I think I'll stick with some of the new nonfiction titles I recently purchased, such as "Code Name: Johnnie Walker" and Robin Roberts's memoir, "Everybody's Got Something." Whatever your reading preference, we invite you to take the OverDrive Challenge at http://tds.lib.overdrive.com!
Paws to Read this Summer!
Summer is almost here, and the library is gearing up for its annual summer reading program! This year's program will inspire children and teens to take time to "Paws to Read."
To interest young readers of all ages, two reading programs will be offered again this summer. The children's reading program is open to children ages 1 to 12, and the teens' reading program is open to young adults ages 13 to 18. Registration for both programs begins on Monday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m. To help celebrate the day, the library has scheduled several guest appearances. The day will kick-off with a "Meet and Greet with Muttnik." The Mankato MoonDogs' mascot will be in the Children's Room from 10-11 a.m. Don't forget your cameras! Families stopping by in the afternoon will have a chance to visit with the Library's Book Fairies, who will show children how to make their own fairy wands. The fairies will be visiting the Children's Room from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For those who can't make it to the summer reading program's kick-off day, there is still plenty of time to sign up! Registration for the summer reading program will run through July 7.
Children's Summer Reading Program
The goal of the children's program is for participants to read for 30 minutes a day for 25 days between June 9 and July 31. For those children who are pre-readers, they are asked to listen to books read to them for 20 minutes a day for 25 days. To help track their reading time, children who register will receive a "Paws to Read" game sheet. For each day that a child reads, he/she may color in one numbered square on his/her game sheet. After completing five days of reading (or listening), children will bring their game sheet back to the library for a surprise. This year's activities include a variety of games and surprises, and all children who complete the program's 25 days of reading will receive a free book and be eligible to win one of 10 grand prizes. For an extra reading challenge, children may continue on their game sheet's challenge path to earn a bonus prize and be named a "Paws-itively Purr-fect" Summer Reader.
While reading is at the heart of the summer program, the library staff has planned many activities to encourage children to be creative and have fun at the library. This year's participants will be invited to make an art project--watch for details at the library! There will also be weekly crafts, plenty of activity sheets, a family BINGO sheet, and summer storytimes on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. This summer's storytime schedule will kick-off with a "Paws to Read" storytime on Thursday, June 12.
Of course, it wouldn't be a summer reading program without library contests. This year's contests include Paw Count, a contest where participants get to guess the number of children who will sign up for the summer reading program. We are hoping for an extraordinary number of registrants! The library will also host a Bone Appétit counting contest and a Where's Rocket? contest, which will feature the sights of New Ulm.
Another feature of the summer reading program is a calendar of special events. June's library calendar features a variety of programs. The Minnesota Children's Museum will be sharing a special Dino Dig Museum-to-Go Class at the library for children ages 5 and up (registration required), and master entertainer and magician Peter Bloedel will be making a special appearance at Turner Hall. Other featured June programs include an Irish dance class and a folded book art camp. Of course, June is just the beginning of summer fun. There are free movies and more programs to come. For a complete listing of the library's calendar of events, please check out the library's Web site at www.newulmlibrary.org. There is family fun for everyone!
Teen Summer Reading Program
Teens are invited to register for the Summer Reading Program at the Service Center. Throughout the summer, they will log every book they read on a slip of paper and drop the paper in a designated box. Every teen who submits at least one slip will receive a book. Additional prizes will be drawn randomly from all submissions.
The library has several special events
planned for teens, including a teen movie event
And don't forget about Battle of the Books, the trivia-style competition open to teens throughout the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative. This year's event is scheduled for August 2 in St. Peter. Interested teens may register in the Children's Room.
The New Ulm Public Library is fortunate
to receive major funding for the 2014 Summer Reading Programs from
the Friends of the New Ulm Public Library; 3M of New Ulm; and the
Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative through the Arts and Cultural
Heritage Fund. The library also receives generous prize donations
from local businesses, organizations, and patrons. A complete list
of donors can be found on the library's Web site. Thank you, donors,
As always, the most important reward of our summer reading programs is that these programs help children and teens maintain or even improve their reading skills that lay the foundation for school success. If parents and libraries work together to encourage summer reading, kids can be winners. So come to the library this summer for some good books and plenty of fun!
What's the Buzz?
Betty J Roiger, Acquisitions
Someone asked me why I don't write about Harlan Coben in my articles where I suggest books or authors to read. I enjoy Coben, but I like to find new or different books and authors to recommend. I try to find authors who aren't on the New York Times bestsellers list. (Yet.) That's why I read "The Bees" by Laline Paull.
It was Laline Paull's beekeeper friend, who was dying of cancer, who first opened the door of the hive for her. After her friend died, Paull began to read about bees, and her fascination grew until she became obsessed with the hive's ancient social order.
So what's this book about, Betty? Uhm, it's about bees. Yeah, really. It's about the science of bees in a fully imagined fantasy bee world with its rituals, hierarchies, and a whole lot of drama. I started reading "The Bees" with trepidation, thinking: I'll give this one a shot, but I'm pretty sure I won't like it and I'll quickly move on to something else. But then I started reading. One minute I was outside the hive and the next I was inside. And I wasn't going anywhere else fast.
I have no idea how to glamorize or spiff up remarks to make you want to read this totally wonderful book. The book begins with a man showing a realtor his property and pausing at a weathered bee hive. And the next thing you know, you are listening to a female character's voice as she emerges from her honeycomb cell, defiant and different from all the rest. As she tries to get her bearings, you realize you are in the hive and following Flora 717 as she begins her life. Flora 717's kin are the flora, and she is born a worker. Through a rather amazing turn of events she moves from the drudge of sanitation and is let into the nursery to help with the bees being born. But that's just the beginning. Each new turn Flora 717 takes gives you another window into the hive and its workings.
Paull weaves in the intricacies of the bees' dance that leads other seekers to the best flowers, shows the strict laws regarding the queen being the only bee allowed to lay eggs (enter the fertility police), gives insight into the total rejection of any sign of weakness or deformity (enter the conformity police), and emphasizes the hive rule: "Accept, Obey, and Serve." I love it when I'm reading something like this and there is a niggling in my brain of long ago learning. There were moments I would think: I remember this from science class in school. When the posturing, posing drones (males) are introduced, like dandies from Shakespeare, flaunting their swords for females to admire, all la-di-da, that niggling reminded me: Bad things happen to drones.
This was a fun read. I became so enamored with Flora 717 that I couldn't wait to return to the book to pick up where I left off. And when I was finished, I was sad to leave the hive for the last time. I would say if you are a "Redwall" fan or loved "Watership Down," this might be a book you would enjoy. And yet, I think many people would like "The Bees," which merges the fantasy of the story with science, touching on global warming, pesticides, and the cruelty of nature. Whatever led me to "The Bees," I'm so glad I read it, I still think of things that happened to Flora 717. It was so vivid and alive. I'll say this: Run-ins with spiders when they are your size can be terrifying. Flora 717 was a very, very bright bee, let me tell you. Read this and go someplace different. You just might like it. I did.
Ancestry Library Edition Now Available
From time to time I have been asked whether the library offers the Ancestry database. I always have explained that, regretfully, we do not, primarily because of its cost and the possibility we wouldn't be able to sustain its funding. I say regretfully because I know how valuable the genealogy resource is to the many, many people who trace their family roots. I always have thought that providing the database would be especially popular in our community, which is so committed to preserving its history.
Thanks to our fantastic Friends of the New Ulm Public Library, I'm thrilled to announce that the library now offers Ancestry Library Edition for in-library use. Patrons may use our public computers, or you may bring your personal laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Access is available by clicking on the Ancestry Library Edition icon on the library's Web site home page or by clicking on the icon on the public computer desktop. There is no password; access is immediate. The license is restricted to in-library use only.
Our public computers are available for a one-hour session; if no one is waiting, library staff will extend the session. Printing is in black and white and costs $0.25 per page. We do not offer wireless printing; however, Ancestry allows users to e-mail information and save documents to a flash drive. Be sure to bring your own flash drive.
Users can expect a wealth of information, from birth, marriage, and death records to census and voter lists to immigration and military documents. There are city directories, church histories, land records, tax lists, obituaries … you get the idea. A genealogist's dream. In the short amount of time I have used the database, I have found results in text format as well as images of original documents.
As I mentioned, this resource is provided by an incredibly generous donation from our Friends of the Library. The Friends are invaluable partners in many ways, from providing major sponsorship of the Summer Reading Program to donating funds for materials and programs, to advocating for your public library. Funding Ancestry Library Edition is just their latest effort to do good. Thanks, Friends!
The Friends have funded a one-year subscription. Whether we continue to provide Ancestry after the first year is largely up to you. Usage statistics will play a great role in determining whether we fund a second year. If you like the database and want it to remain a part of our services, consider donating funds to the Friends of the Library to support it. If you like the database and want it to remain a part of our services, use it often.
For those of you new to Ancestry, I will offer basic, hands-on classes beginning in June. Check out our Web site at www.newulmlibrary.org for dates and times. I invite all of you to drop by and explore this new service. See you at the library!
Springtime and Gardening
It is spring and things are greening up outdoors. Seeing all this greenery gets me thinking of gardening, be it vegetable or flower gardening. The great thing about gardening is that your garden area does not have to be large—even gardening in pots on a deck can be very rewarding.
One of the newest gardening books we have at the New Ulm Public Library just came in the other day and will be on our shelves soon. The title of the book is "Plantiful: Start Small, Grow Big with 150 Plants That Spread, Self-Sow, and Overwinter" by Kristen Green. This book shows how to have a garden that is packed with gorgeous plants by simply making the right choices. Green's book features plants that are self-sowers, spreaders, and plants that overwinter. She includes many gardening tips, ideas, and photos that motivate and inspire gardeners.
A book that I am interested in looking at is entitled "Straw Bale Gardens: The Breakthrough Method for Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier and with No Weeding" by Joel Karsten. (The no weeding caught my eye immediately!) Conditioning the bales (getting them ready for planting the seeds) may be a bit of a challenge, but it is very doable. The chapters are easy to read and understand. The best part is that you can use as many or as few bales as you area permits or you think you can handle. It is always better to start out small and add to it the next year. Straw bale gardens produce high yields, never need weeding, do not require soil, can go anywhere (balconies, driveways, or in your backyard), and can extend the growing season by several weeks as you can start earlier in the spring. I have only glanced through this book, but it is definitely something that I want to take a closer look at.
Controlling pests in your garden can be a problem. Aphids, slugs, moles, cutworms, beetles, and a host of other pests can infest your garden. "The Gardener's Guide to Common-Sense Pest Control: Completely Revised and Updated" by William Olkowski may be just the book you are looking for. Pesticides may work at first in controlling weeds and other garden pests, but they may also damage beneficial insects and the food that you are growing. This book gives you a choice of practical and cost-effective solutions that are less harmful to people as well as to the environment.
If you are looking at growing vegetables for a local farmer's market or if you just want to grow for your own food supply, "Sustainable Market Farming: Intensive Vegetable Production on a Few Acres" by Pam Dawling could be just the book for you. The book is well organized and easy to read for the beginning gardener but also detailed enough for the more experienced gardener/farmer. Besides knowing about seeds and soil, the author shares helpful information on managing a crew, trimming plants, and saving seeds for another growing season.
Another new book, checked out at this time, is "The Organic Book of Compost: Easy and Natural Techniques to Feed Your Garden" by Pauline Pears. This book includes instructions on how to make compost, how to store it, and how to use it. Whether you have a full-size garden or a balcony in the city, you can recycle your household waste in an environmentally efficient manner.
Whether your garden is a pot on your balcony, a part of your backyard, or a few acres in a field, we have books that can help you in your gardening endeavors. For more reading, check out the sections 631s-635s at the New Ulm Public Library. We have many books on flower and vegetable gardening as well as composting and controlling pests. Come in and check these areas out and happy gardening!
Upcoming Author Visits at the Library
An author visit at the library is one of my favorite things. I am impressed by the dedication and artistic ability required to create a book. And I am amazed by the number of local folks who have done this so adeptly. It's a pleasure to provide a forum for these authors to share their work, and we have three visits scheduled in May.
First up, Renee Wendinger of Sleepy Eye will share her first historical novel on May 8 at 6 p.m. "Last Train Home" is a fictional companion to Wendinger's nonfiction book, "Extra! Extra! The Orphan Trains and Newsboys of New York." "Last Train Home" is the story of orphans Johnny and Sophia and is based on the lives of local orphan train riders, including Wendinger's mother. Wendinger will give a short presentation and then sign copies of her book. Thanks to the Brown County Historical Society for partnering with us on this program.
On May 19 at 6:30 p.m., the Mystery Book Group will welcome Thomas Maltman for a discussion of his latest book, "Little Wolves." Maltman has a Master's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and was a teacher at Cedar Mountain in Morgan. That setting is the basis for "Little Wolves," a brooding mystery set in the late 1980s. Copies of "Little Wolves" are available through the library, although it's not necessary to read the book before the program. Maltman also is the author of "The Night Birds," a fictional account of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
New Ulm native Dr. Peter Mansoor returns May 29 at 6 p.m. for a presentation based on his newest book, "Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War." Dr. Mansoor is the General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair of Military History, Ohio State University, and a retired U.S. Army colonel. During the surge of 2007-8, he served as executive officer to Petraeus, the Commanding General of Multi-National Force-Iraq. Dr. Mansoor is the author of a number of books, including "Baghdad at Sunrise: A Brigade Commander's War in Iraq."
All programs are free and open to the public. I invite you to join the library in welcoming these gifted writers as they share their work with the greater New Ulm community. See you at the library!
A World of Books
Tippi Hedren's Coming to New Ulm!
by Betty J. Roiger & Kris Wiley
Add More of the Little Moments
On the Rocks
CAST(LE) and the Library: A Great
2013 at the Library
by Larry Hlavsa, Library Director
The Bloom Is Off the Rose
I have to say this book had the tension ratcheted up a little more for me. I would definitely read Lucie Whitehouse again, too. More of a thriller than Moriarty's novel, Whitehouse's book made me a little more cognizant about the general health of flowers and their explosiveness. Otherwise, when my husband, Doug, was putting on his coat and reaching for the car keys, why would I have searched his face and asked casually: "Hey, where ya going?" Doug: "Filling up the car. It's going to get cold again. I'll be right back." Hmmm, THAT didn't sound like a business trip. But it got me thinking maybe I need to stop with the damaged flowers and check out a different type of book cover.
April 15-Income Tax Time-Coming Soon
Read "The Giver," and See the MLC Production
There's always new books at the Library, but I'm here to tell you there's always new DVDs as well. Though I'm usually immersed in the latest documentaries which have arrived (there's a couple of those below), this month I've been watching more feature films. Here are some I recommend:
Inequality for All (2013). Economist, columnist and academic Robert Reich produced this documentary on how the widening income gap in America is having a devastating impact on the economy. This film got very limited play in movie theatres last fall (shown in only one theatre in Minnesota), so if you haven't heard of this, think of it as An Inconvenient Truth for the economy. Be forewarned, however, this is scary, disturbing stuff.
Captain Phillips (2013). A film that re-tells the story of the 2009 hijacking of a container ship by Somali pirates, the kidnapping of the captain of the vessel and his rescue by Navy Seals. Wonderfully acted by Tom Hanks, but also featuring a great performance by Somali-American actor Barkhad Abdi (whose family emigrated to the United States when he was 14, settling in Minneapolis). Abdi is a graduate of Moorhead State University and has received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.
A Place at the Table (2012). Tells the powerful story of three Americans who don't know where their next meal is coming from. Attempting to illuminate America's "hunger crisis," the filmmakers portray these people as having missed out on the American dream, and as part of 50 million in America who don't get enough to eat. Join actor Jeff Bridges and others for this intimate story. Why Jeff Bridges? In 1984, Bridges and other entertainment industry leaders founded the "End Hunger Network" aimed at encouraging, stimulating and supporting action to end childhood hunger. They're still trying.
Enough Said (2013). This charming romantic comedy was James Gandolfini's last film (released after his untimely passing) and it's a good one. Co-starring Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, the plot centers around two divorced people questioning their own impressions and wondering if life really offers second chances.
Dallas Buyers Club (2014). An offbeat dramedy starring Matthew McConaughey as Texas cowboy, Ron Woodroof, whose life is turned upside down when he is diagnosed with AIDS. Determined to survive his diagnosis, Woodroof looks for both legal and illegal treatments in his quest for life. Co-stars Jennifer Garner.
Downtown Abbey (2013). Season 4. People keep telling me to watch this period British drama about life among the upper-crust in 1920s England. So far I've resisted. But other Library staff say it's a marvelous drama, and well worth watching. The cast this season includes American guest stars Paul Giamatti and Shirley MacLaine, two of my favorites, so maybe I'll finally succumb to temptation? Maybe you should, too?
So that's what's new this week. We'll see you at the Library!
North of Boston
Enjoying Time Indoors
New Year's Resolution
We Love Author Visits
Reading Program for Adults Begins January 6
There is No History, Only Biography
What's for Christmas?
Yes, Betty, There Is a Santa
Holiday Baking
Conversations From the Cubicles – We're Wrapping Up
2013 With a Bow
November 24,
Mark Your Calendars
Where Were You on November 22, 1963?
Friends Book Sale November 7-9
Thanks to the Optimist Club and Library Friends!
Scanning Your Family History
Fall Into Reading
Pull up a chair. Yeah, sit. Get comfortable. It's story time, and I'm going to tell you about some good ones.
Learn More About Longtime Civic Leader Fred Johnson
October Musings
Meet Minnesota Author Peter Geye
Armchair Traveler
Sharing Stories at the Library
Need A Break Before School Starts?
Dakota War Commemoration Events Scheduled
Binge much?
Kids iPads are Coming!
Oh, What a Summer!
Trying to Lose Weight?
Not all diets or programs work the same for everybody. Remember, weight loss doesn't have to be just dieting. Sometimes changing some of our daily lifestyles will help to lose weight. We have many books in the 613.2s that may be of interest to you. Come in and check them out.
Great Civil War Reads
America is in the midst of many upcoming Civil War anniversaries, and the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg is now only a few days away. It might be a good time to settle in with some good Civil War reads that you may have missed. Here are some suggestions, a few brand new, but all of recent vintage:
"1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History" by Charles Bracelen Flood (2009). This has been around for a few years, but it's one of the most illuminating books I've ever read about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. The year of 1864 was event-filled, and to its breadth of drama, author Flood adds numerous details which will be new to the average Civil War reader. I read "1864" by listening to the full-length CD-book available here at the library. If you've got a long trip planned, this CD-book would be well worth taking along for your CD-player.
"Killing Lincoln" produced by Tony and Ridley Scott (2013). DVD. Based on The New York Times best-selling novel by Bill O'Reilly, this docudrama produced by National Geographic and the History Channel, is the suspenseful, tragic story of the events surrounding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. While many aspects of the plot to slay Lincoln are widely known, much more of the background history unfolds in this insightful thriller. Actor Tom Hanks also does a fine job is his role of narrator.
"Lincoln" directed by Steven Spielberg (2013). DVD. What might seem to be of limited dramatic interest, the Congressional debates leading to the passage of the 13th amendment, instead provide the engaging backdrop to one of the best films on Lincoln ever produced. Everyone knows what a great actor Daniel Day Lewis is, and his third Academy Award for Best Actor in "Lincoln" was well-deserved. If you've seen "Lincoln", see it again. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?
"A Chain of Thunder" by Jeff Shaara (2013). Unless you're a Civil War buff, the siege of Vicksburg, aka the "Gibraltar of the Confederacy," is probably little known to you. Yet Lincoln said—"Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket." Now, highly-regarded Civil War novelist, Jeff Shaara, brings us his long-awaited novel of Vicksburg, and it does not disappoint. NOTE: Vicksburg fell the day after Gettysburg ended, which explains its relative obscurity in American historical memory.
"Gettysburg: the Last Invasion" by Allen Guelzo (2013). The latest tome on Gettysburg "draws the reader into the heat, smoke, and grime of Gettysburg alongside the ordinary soldier." By the first two-time winner of the Lincoln Prize, this history has been called "riveting, provocative, fascinating, insightful" and is due the accolades it has received. If you've read everything else about Gettysburg, this is still worth your time. That says a lot.
"Cain at Gettysburg" by Ralph Peters (2012). The story follows a tough Confederate sergeant from the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a German political refugee through the great battles of Gettysburg. Winner of the American Library Association's W. Y. Boyd Award for Excellence in Military Fiction, this novel has been called "savagely realistic."
Good reading, and Happy Fourth of July!
Don't Wait for the Next Big Read
This spring I started to read "The Other Typist" by Suzanne Rindell because the reviews were calling it "Hitchcockian" with "Great Gatsby" flourishes. Ooo-kay. I like Hitchcock. And I really like F. Scott Fitzgerald. I started reading this book in fits and starts because something better came along in between. THAT is never a good sign. In the end I didn't find it Hitchcockian or Gatsby-ish. I got to the last page wondering what the heck just happened—but not in a good way.
So it was with some trepidation that I started "The Execution of Noa P. Singleton" by Elizabeth L. Silver. Unlike "The Other Typist's" speaker, I liked Noa (pronounced Noah) as a narrator. From the first page the reader finds Noa sitting on death row after being found guilty of murder. Ten years have passed, and the date of her execution looms. In all of that time she has never once uttered a word in her own defense. And suddenly the mother of the woman she killed wants to try to save her. Because reviews called this book unpredictable and haunting, I was looking for twists all the way along. "The Execution of Noa P. Singleton" isn't like "Gone Girl"; it is something else entirely. And that's a good thing. It is a story about truth and lies, deceit, love, and what human beings do to themselves and to each other. I closed this book, and I am still thinking about Noa. And I'm thinking that Elizabeth Silver is an author to watch.
Alternating chapters reveal events in 1931 when Nick and Lily are falling madly in love and he has not a single interest in Budgie, contrasting with 1938 as Lily spends time on the beach with her 6-year-old sister, Kiki, and trying to hide her heartbreak when her old friends arrive.
Digging Up Books!
Amazing Pets
June 3, 2013
Dig Into Reading and Discover Groundbreaking Reads
The End of the Internet
May 13, 2013
May 6, 2013
Surplus to Some, Treasures to Others!
Library Staff and Volunteers Are Great
Tales from the Library Cubicles
Pick a Poem for April
April is Financial Literacy Month
March 25, 2013
Interior Re-design at the Library
Friends Team Up With Sven & Ole's for Book Fair
What to Read Next?
Oscar's Best Pictures at the Library!
Hooray for Local Writers
Except for an occasional newspaper column, I'm a reader, not a writer. I'm enthralled by words on a page and their ability to evoke emotion and memory. Much of my spare time is spent curled up with a book, and I love talking about what I've read, which makes being a librarian here in New Ulm pretty fantastic. My co-workers and our library patrons love the written word as much as I.
All that is to say I am in awe of writers – their creativity, their diligence, their ability to share what is in their head. Before I came to New Ulm, I knew writers only by their work; I rarely attended author events. Then I moved here and quickly realized how fortunate our community is to have a number of published writers eager to share their gift. The library has been host to many readings featuring local writers, and we are continuing that commitment over the next month. All of these upcoming programs are free and open to the public, and they begin at 6 p.m. Books will be available for purchase, and they will be added to the library's collection.
This Thursday, February 21, Gary Wiltscheck will share "The Story of Sr. Adelaide Koetter." Sr. Adelaide grew up in Freeport, Minn., and became a missionary nun on Kariru Island off the coast of New Guinea. On March 17, 1943, she was one of about 40 people killed by Japanese soldiers. Wiltscheck has photos taken by and letters from Sr. Adelaide during her mission to supplement his presentation. In addition, Gary will discuss Lt. James McMurria, who crossed paths with Sr. Adelaide in the South Pacific and went on to be captured by the Japanese and held as a prisoner of war for 1000 days. The Brown County Historical Society is a partner.
On Tuesday, February 26, Rachael Hanel will present an interactive program for all ages based on her book "Can You Survive Antarctica?" Hanel will share a short reading from her book and ask attendees to choose their "fateful path." To further bring the book to life, Hanel will ask attendees to pull items from a bag and decide if the supplies will help them on their adventure. By the end of the program, readers will find out firsthand if they have what it takes to survive Antarctica. The River Ranger Program is a partner.
On Thursday, February 28, Sheila Wingate will talk about her new book, "Courtland, The Early Years: 1855-1910." She will share information about her research as well as the history of Courtland Township. The photographs in the book tell stories of Courtland readers might not know about. The Brown County Historical Society is a partner.
On Thursday, March 7, novelist Dave Gehrke will be on hand with his second mystery, "Goodbye Ginny Madison." The book is about a romance writer pretending to be a mystery writer so he can solve a real mystery, clear his live-in uncle of a murder charge, convince his housekeeper to fall in love with him without her discovering he's really a romance writer pretending to be a mystery writer, so they can all live happily ever after. When it comes right down to it, all Greg Monroe wants to do is say goodbye to Ginny Madison, his romance writer nom de plume.
On Thursday, March 14, Pell Johnson will share stories from his second book, "Fowl Deeds: The Adventures of Fowl Hunters on Swan Lake, Nicollet County Minnesota and a Few Other Interesting Places." He will be at Orchard Hill Assisted Living at 3 p.m. and the library at 6 p.m.
For more information about these and other programs, call the library at 507-359-8334 or visit www.newulmlibrary.org. See you at the library!
Black History Month Observed
Take Your Child to the Library Day!
Doorways to Books
Winter Blahs
Rebus and Other Cold-Weather Reads
What New Ulm Adults Read
by Larry Hlavsa, Library Director
Last updated: August 12, 2014


text:
My love, I'm trying.
My love, I'm trying.
Please excuse me whilst I be girly and emotional and philosophical.
When I was in the depths of my illness, I had convinced myself that I could never possibly be a mother. I didn't want kids because what if they turned out like me? What if they had anxiety issues, OCD, depression, stress, or even developed an eating disorder. I knew I'd blame myself, and that that would make their condition worse. I wouldn't cope.
But then, something changed. I met people and went places, and I realised that I could be an amazing mother, so long as the perfect father was there too, to comfort and believe in me and take an active role in raising our child.
It'll be many years before I seriously consider having kids, but I know that I want it. Most of all, I want a son. I think I'd be a great mother to a son.
But there's also a large chance that my ED may have made me infertile, in which case I really don't know what to think.
I don't understand. I don't know if its lack of sleep, or a come down from the week I've had; but I don't understand why I feel like this.
Why are old thoughts of you creeping in, arising from interactions I observed in other people today, and the fact that you were referenced multiple times out loud.
I have a lot I want to say but no real way to express it to any effect and I feel like I've said it all before in 3456billion different ways and is it even worth it welp who knows not me
me too tessy, me too.
Cold, slow, silent, bloated, and damn scary; bringing terror and confusion wherever I go.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (via echoofmydreams)
Crying is exhausting. A fatigue that lasts so long and drains the senses; blocking the ability to perceive and the ability to understand, making it even harder to make decisions, and talking away all reasons to do anything, to talk about anything, to think about anything, so see anything.
In fact; to want anything. To want anything but to run away.
Sometimes, when I search deep inside myself and find that the feeling of intense hatred for all things me is gone, I feel sad. Its like I've lost some part of my identity, like in discovering who I am, I've really lost it completely. I don't get this; this eternal battle between self and soul. I thought that being happy would bring me back, but just now it hit me - where the fuck am I tonight?


text: Comments on: Examiner Local Editorial: D.C. is No. 1 -- in traffic congestion Back to the article » Examiner Editorial • | February 4, 2013 | 12:00 am Once again, the Washington area has earned the dubious distinction of having the worst traffic congestion in the United States, according to the 2012 Urban Mobility Report, released today by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Local commuters here spend 67 hours per year stuck in traffic, more than Americans living in 498 other urban areas, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York... Web URL: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2520588 Share this article on Facebook or Twitter Print this article


text:
At Peace Therapeutic Massagehttp://www.genbook.com/bookings/slot/reservation/30175132
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